by Kylene Hamulak

 

As each week passes on Dancing With the Stars, the field of talent on the dance floor gets smaller and better. Tonight, Stevie Wonder offers some of his greatest hits for our couples to compete with, and we'll have the first competitive group dance of the season.

 

THE BEST

 

Zendaya and Val - Cha Cha to "Do I Do"

Val had some frustration trying to teach Zendaya this week, and I can't say anything for her technique, but her style is right on target tonight. She really does channel Beyonce, and she's got so much personality it's hard to find things wrong with her dancing. Len says it was full of "snap, crackle and pop" and sums up great dancing with one word: ZENDAYA. Bruno calls it "gob smacking gorgeous." Carrie Ann feels sorry for everyone dancing after them, describing it as "perfection in motion."

Total Score: 29 (10-9 (Len)-10)

 

Aly and Mark - Fox Trot to "Isn't She Lovely"

Aly's distracted this week by the events happening in Boston, so Mark tells her to have fun with the dance and do it for her hometown. Does his advice work? Mostly. She's most dynamic when she can bring her gym skills to the Contemporary and quick dances, but her Fox Trot isn't so bad either. Len thought the performance level was up, but the technique was a little off. Bruno agrees that she could work on her frame, but he applauds her consistency. Carrie Ann calls her an understated performer, saying she thinks she's headed towards perfection.

Total Score: 27 (9-9-9)

 

Ingo and Kym - Tango to "Uptight (Everything Is Alright)"

Apparently everyone is aiming for Andy tonight! Ingo and Kym are trying to break out of the lower group of scores this week with their Tango. It's a pretty good routine - I honestly didn't think it was as fun as Andy's, if that's what we're comparing it too, but it was a better Tango than Andy's was a Samba. Bruno thinks it was a good performance overall, saying that Ingo knows how to turn it on. Carrie Ann says it was great. "When you like a dance, it shows....FINALLY, welcome to the game!" I think that might be a little much, Carrie Ann. Len exclaims, "BINGO INGO!" He thought the dance really suited Ingo.

Total Score: 24 (8-8-8)

 

Kellie and Derek - Quick Step to "Part Time Lover"

Kellie tells us that she gets excited when Derek messes up their rehearsal. Something tells me she won't be so excited if the mistakes happen during the show. HA! What am I saying? Mistakes? In the ballroom? Never. Their Quick Step is terrific. Carrie Ann throws out like thirteen perfect things about the routine before criticizing their spacing, but Len and Bruno don't agree with her. Len says it's the best dance of the season, and Bruno calls it dancing of the best quality. "Superb!"

Total Score: 29 (9 (Carrie Ann)-10-10)

 

 

THE REST

Andy and Sharna - Samba to "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"

We all know Andy's days are numbered, but I'm going to enjoy him while he's here. He's dressed as a postman for this routine, and he looks like he's having a great time. His relaxed nature for this one really helps his movement. Was it perfect technique? No. But it was dancing, so I liked it. Bruno says it was very entertaining, but he couldn't work out the Samba steps. Carrie Ann agreed - she tells him to work on dancing outwards. Len, however, tells him to "do what you do." He commends him for coming out and giving the audience fun. "If the others have climbed hills, you've climbed mountains. Well done."

Total Score: 18 (6-6-6)

 

Sean and Peta - Samba to "I Wish"

Sean's taking a day off this week, so this couple is worried about losing the practice time. Apparently the remedy for decreased practice time is decreasing the amount of clothing on the dance floor. Now, don't get me wrong - a shirtless Sean is not something to complain about - but let's not pretend there was a lot of technique to this either. Carrie Ann thinks his form is great, but he wasn't dancing with the music. "The musicality? Get an ipod," she suggests. Len wasn't impressed and wondered why he had to take his shirt off. Bruno tells him to look on the bright side: "You can always get a job as a stripper."

Total Score: 21 (7-7-7)

 

Victor and Lindsay - Rhumba to "I Just Called to Say I Love You"

So Lindsay tells us the Rhumba is about love and passion, and I foresee that being somewhat of an issue with these two. When they make it to the dance floor, Victor does a lot of standing and barely moving as Lindsay tries to make the most of it. Len applauds his fighting spirit and tells him he coped very well. Bruno is more critical - he actually says he failed at the technique but is charming with Lindsay. Carrie Ann doesn't have much to say about the dance, but she does note the chemistry between the dancers and Victor's respect for Lindsay.

Total Score: 18 (6-6-6)

 

Jacoby and Karina - Quick Step to "For Once In My Life"

The big issue with Jacoby for this competition has been his pigeon toed feet, but he doesn't think he can fix that. He's just gonna dance.  And dance they do - across the floor, into the audience, and, yes, his feet are turned in for much of it. Jacoby, however, is always entertaining, and, besides the feet? It looks like a great routine. Bruno thinks his energy is amazing - "There's room for improvement, but I enjoyed it." Carrie Ann thinks he makes up for his feet by surprising her with a new element to every dance. Len is not impressed - he doesn't think the dance quite suited him, though it wasn't his worst dance either.

Total Score: 23 (8-7 (Len)-8)

 

THE WRAP UP

 

Wonder-ful: Stevie's got a lot of hits, ladies and gentleman. The addition of special guest Hunter Hayes ("I Ain't Gonna Stand for It") is a cool way to open the show, and Stevie later performs "Sir Duke" with the non-competing pro ladies dancing around him. He also treats the crowd to "My Cherie Amour" while Tony and Anna dance.

 

Awkward Time with Brooke: Was anyone else as uncomfortable as me during Victor and Lindsay's pre-score interview? No interview should ever trick a couple into declaring love for each other. This isn't the Bachelor, you know.

 

Team Paso: Zendaya and Val, Victor and Lindsay, Jacoby and Karina, Ingo and Kym

Team Paso has some initial issues, and those problems continue after a routine is decided upon. Victor, Jacoby and Ingo take some extra care to be taught, and even Zendaya's skill level can't even that out. The costumes are awesome - bright colors on black, and the women's skirts act as the capes while the men are all shirtless - and the end result isn't as bad as you would have expected. Len calls it a "spirited effort" despite a few awkward moments individually. Bruno warns them to be careful of their sync and work towards more refinement. Carrie Ann says it was a little bit broken, too sloppy, and kind of a mess.

Total Score: 22 (7-8 (Len)-7)

 

 

Team Samba: Kellie and Derek, Sean and Peta, Aly and Mark, Andy and Sharna

 

After getting a slow start on their choreography, Team Samba settles on a 70's disco theme and it starts to come together. They actually look terrific in their routine, and with their costumes, it's almost hard to tell them apart. Bruno says even Andy managed to stay in sync and calls it "so much fun!" Carrie Ann thinks they all killed it. Len says they all came in and did what they had to do - "It was a pleasure to watch." Welp, sounds to me like this round goes to Team Samba.

Total Score: 25 (8-9 (Len)-8)

 

Final Thoughts: The team dance scores could make things interesting tomorrow, as they certainly helped Andy and Sharna while doing no favors for Victor and Lindsay. I think it's the final countdown for the boxer and his partner.

 

The Standings (Individual and Team Total):

54: Kellie and Derek

52: Aly and Mark

51: Zendaya and Val

46: Sean and Peta, Ingo and Kym

45: Jacoby and Karina

43: Andy and Sharna

40: Victor and Lindsay

 

What did you think of the group dance? Who do YOU think won the night? Let us know in the comments below!

 

Dancing With The Stars airs every Monday at 8/7c with Results every Tuesday on ABC!

 

(Images courtesy of ABC)

 

Follow Kylene on Twitter @keepingupwithky!