A Double Twist

It’s week six and things are heating up on “Dancing with the Stars.”

There’s a twist in this episode where the celebrities have to learn three dances and face a double elimination. These curve balls are what makes this reality show more entertaining than watching people lose weight.

Seeing C-list celebrities attempt what some professional dancers take years to accomplish in a minute and a half is highly entertaining. Now throw in another dance and a freestyle mambo dance-off and watch these wannabe dancers either meet the challenge or have complete meltdowns. Surprisingly, several stars rose and exceeded the challenge of performing.

Mark Dacascos (Iron Chef America) and his partner Lacy wowed the audience and the judges with his energetic jitterbug and Aaron Carter was brought to tears in a good way. Meanwhile, former favorite of the competition, Mya, had a jitterbug that was too tame. If it were up to Len, Mya should have spent less time “polishing his desk” and more time dancing.

Then there was Melissa Joan Hart (“Sabrina the Teenage Witch”) who, as Bruno put it, spent most of the time on the dance floor “trying to remember what [she] was told.” However, Len loved it and thought the “critiques [of Carrie Ann and Bruno] were a little bit harsh.” It seemed as if Bruno and Len exchanged places, as it was Bruno’s turn to put his high-scoring paddle in hibernation – showing once again that this show is must-see television.

But it was the Mambo dance-off that made the show. As dancers shook their thing across the floor, the judges had total control. The first to get tapped out received one point until only one couple was left and that celebrity would get nine points added to their score.

As expected, Michael Irvin was the first to go. Of course, the final two couples on the floor were Mya/Dmitry and Joanna/Derek. After an amazing move done by Dmitry and Mya, Dmitry committed the ultimate sin and stopped moving, causing Joanna to run away with an undeserved nine points.

Night two was double elimination night when Taylor Swift performed. Fortunately, her flat vocals were enhanced by the professional dancers.

Then the multitalented Tiempo Libre brought the heat with their high-energy Latin vocal stylings. However, finding out who was next to go was the real thrill of the night. In this elimination, one celebrity knows that he or she is leaving, then the two stars that are in the bottom two dance for their lives. It’s a great way of thinning the herd.

Next week is another double elimination and with seven remaining contestants, it will be intriguing to see who remains dancing and who is sent home.