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Welcome to the semi-finals of Dancing With the Stars. This may not have been the best season, but it has certainly been an interesting one. There is not so much in the way of cut-throat tactics going on, but then again the judges have really loosened up and seem to know that this is entertainment, not really a competition.

Tonight, each of the celebs has literally picked their dances out of a hat. And we are back to no lifts. Ho-hum.

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska

First up are Jason and Edyta. Dan Marino makes a video appearance during their rehearsal and tells Jason he wants him to win. Performing the foxtrot to "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," he is almost suave for such a big guy, and Edyta includes lots of extras for eye candy. Len compares him to a real dolphin, Bruno likes his movement and calls him a showman, and Carrie Ann thought he was charismatic.

Score: 9 - 10 - 9 = 28

Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani

The couple starts off with a quickstep and, during their rehearsal, gets a visit from former alum and Tony's previous partner, Stacy Keebler. Dancing to "Around the World," we are impressed by Marissa's continued improvement and keeping up with her partner. She is simply too cute for words. Bruno noticed that she missed a bit, Carrie Ann thinks she had a spring in her step, and Len thought it was great considering the difficulty.

Score: 9 - 9 - 8 = 26

Cristián de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke

Cristián and Cheryl step out to promote votes complete with sandwich board. Their first dance is the Viennese Waltz to "Satellite." He is even beginning to use his bad arm a tad. Good performance, weird outfit, Cheryl. Carrie Ann enjoyed their routine, Len says they had better everything this time, and Bruno comments that they have a "wow" factor.

Score: 9 - 9 - 9 = 27

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas

To practice their tango, the couple goes to a pro class where instructor Heather Smith insists Kristi needs more emotion. Oops, we see a smile or two on her face while Mark manages to keep his stoney one. Good lines on the pair and an elegant performance. Len says it was hectic, Bruno says they squeezed every bit of drama out, and Carrie Ann unsticks her dress from the chair, stands, and says, "Welcome back to the dance floor."

Score: 10 - 9 - 10 = 29

As a space filler, Len decides to give each of the celebs a new step to incorporate into their routines. He dances with all of them and seems to enjoy taking part more each episode. Good for him! (Look, there's Kym.)

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska

It's time for the couple's Latin dance, and Jason and Edyta pasa doble. He has the look down and tosses her around nicely when appropriate. Bruno thinks he had the strength and momentum of Iron Man, Carrie Ann was suitably impressed, and Len compares them to the price of gas, "going up."

Score: 28 + 27 = 55 out of 60

Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani

Dancing the rumba to "Just the Two of Us," how can Marissa not think of Tony as hot, hot, hot? I am not a big rumba fan myself, it is just too slow. Still, that's more time to watch the man's hip action. Carrie Ann wasn't excited, Len dug it a lot, but Bruno says Marissa did "sexy" well.

Score: 26 + 26 = 52

Cristián de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke

Cristián and Cheryl are back with a samba in the Latin round. Dancing to "Sweetheart from Venezuela," he seems to have gotten over his nervousness and puts on an incredible performance. Look at those hips! Give that couple a 10! Len calls him hotter than a chili pepper, Bruno calls it the rematch of the century, and Carrie Ann compares him to Emmitt Smith (hey, there's Emmitt.) Note that Sam physically pushes Cheryl out of Cristián's way in front of the camera. How very rude.

Score: 27 + 29 = 56

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas

Kristi and Mark get the coveted final spot for the evening with their jive to "Nutbush City Limits." Nice, lively, right on step, their usual fine performance. Bruno calls it the icing on the cake, Carrie Ann admires the difficulty, and Len loved the rhythm but thought Kristi had a bit of stiffness.

Score: 29 + 28 = 57

On the Leaderboard are Kristi and Mark on top with a 57, while Marissa and Tony are back on the bottom for a second week with a 52. Tomorrow night sees Travis Payne doing the choreography while Omar Epps dances to "Thriller," the last of the junior competition, and the dreaded Elimination. Until then, Dance fans, fade to glitter...

Shameless Product Plug:
The Bachelor finale, with the star himself in the audience, sans fiancée.
Best Samanthism:
"We know you had some concerns with one little trip-up, but what's one little trip-up?"
Best Judge’s Comment: (Len, referring to the level of performances)
"Give it some welly!"
Weirdest Adlib: (Len, after Bruno calls him "balmy")
"Don't call me balmy with a haircut like that."
Best Host Adlib: (Tom, referring to Cheryl's costume)
"Is anyone missing a weather balloon?"

Previous Episode Recaps:
Week 8|Week 8 Results
Week 7|Week 7 Results
Week 6 |Week 6 Results
Week 5|Week 5 Results
Week 4|Week 4 Results
Week 3|Week 3 Results
Week 2|Week 2 Results
Week 1, The Men|Week 1, The Women
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