The Highs and Lows of 'DWTS' Ladies' Night

Actress Debi Mazar was first up, and she and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy earned a score of 16 for their salsa. Judge Len Goodman commented, "It was full of energy, and I think you're full of potential, but I think you have a lot of work to do." Carrie Ann Inaba felt similarly, saying, "I think you have a lot of guts, but I think what you lack is a connection from your character to your moves."

Next up were actress Melissa Joan Hart and her partner Mark Ballas, who performed the Viennese Waltz to earn a score of 18. Carrie Ann said that "it felt a little choppy" but that Melissa had a "definite elegance." Len's comment was, "[It had] lots of poor footwork, but overall, it was ok."

Singer Mya and her partner Dmitry Chaplin inspired the first Len-Bruno war of words this season with their Viennese Waltz. Carrie Ann started the conversation with a compliment, saying, "Way to set the bar tonight. Mya, that was gorgeous." Len, however, saw things differently, saying, "This was not a Viennese Waltz, it was a theatrical hodgepodge," to which Bruno Tonioli got up and yelled, "The girl was magnificent!" Mya and Dmitry received 8s from Carrie Ann and Bruno, but Len's 5 brought their score to a total of 21.

Model and entrepreneur Kathy Ireland and her partner Tony Dovolani scored a 16 for their salsa. Len critiqued that it "lacked any energy for me," while Bruno commented, "I know you can sell almost anything, but you didn't sell the salsa."

Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin and her partner Alex Mazo's salsa didn't thrill the judges, but they still earned a score of 19. Len said that he was "bewildered" that the ladies hadn't knocked his socks off with their salsa perfomances thus far in the evening.

Singer Macy Gray and her partner Jonathan Roberts seemed to mystify the judges with Macy's mellow take on their Viennese Waltz, for which they earned a 15. Carrie Ann said of Macy's style: "It's beautiful in its own bizarre way." Bruno said, "Macy, you are endearing -- it was like watching a child taking its first steps. ... Now we've got to start working on the technique."

Model Joanna Krupa and her pro partner Derek Hough's salsa wowed the judges, earning the top score of the night: a 24. Len exclaimed, "At last, we've seen a hot smoking salsa!" Bruno said, "That's what a salsa should be," and Carrie Ann said, "I'm going to agree, I thought it was hot. ... If you have confidence, it's going to take you all the way!"

Actress, singer and fashion designer Kelly Osbourne and her partner Louis Van Amstel danced the Viennese Waltz to a score of 23, and brought tears to the eyes of her mom Sharon Osbourne, who was with her dad, rocker Ozzy Osbourne, in the audience. "Kelly, I cannot believe my eyes. The wild child rock princess transformed into a vision of grace, elegance and a lot of impeccable style," Bruno said. Carrie Ann commented, "Mom and Dad Osbourne should be very proud," while Len said simply, "It was the best Viennese Waltz of the night."

The relay dances were up next. Four teams faced off and were ranked according to how well they did.

Natalie, Kathy, Debi and Joanna and their partners competed in the foxtrot relay. Carrie Ann told Kathy, "I thought you just looked like you were going to the Oscars." Len thought Natalie "had beautiful extension." Bruno said that Joanna was "still smoking!" Joanna earned a score of 10, Natalie earned an 8, Debi earned a 6 and Kathy earned a 4, along with their partners.

In the cha cha relay, Macy, Mya, Kelly and Melissa battled it out. Len told Kelly, "You produced tonight, two first class dances." Bruno told Mya, "Mya, ah, that footwork ... you can hit it!" Carrie Ann told Melissa, "Much better!" Mya scored 10, Kelly scored 8, Melissa scored 6 and Macy scored 4, along with their partners.

Tune in to ABC on Wednesday for the third night of the season nine premiere, in which two teams will be eliminated! The show will also pay tribute to Patrick Swayze.

Published 9/23/09 by