Battling it out for a place in the semi-finals, stars and their partners completed two dances with a twist. Each star was required to do a 15 second solo in their Latin dance.  This year there are five talented dancers left in week 8.  I was not a fan of the dance-off last week, mostly because of the way the teams were split.  This week the dancers were on their own, and while still not a necessary addition, the solos were fun.

Cody, still dancing with his substitute partner, Edyta, was charming dancing the Fox Trot.  However Carrie Ann with her x-ray vision deducted one point for a lift.  I think she waits for this every season.  This gave them a 24.  We should be adding a point for Edyta keeping it all contained in those tiny outfits week after week.  Bravo!  Cody tried his best to shake the Mambo, but ended up with another 24.

On dance one, Brooke and Derek tried to repeat their perfect score, but fell a little short with the Tango.  She amazes the audience each week and is such a natural.  Not to mention I’m thankful each week that she stays so that cutie pie Derek gets another week to entertain us.  Len apparently doesn’t share my enthusiasm and gave them an 8 for a total of 28.  In the Mambo, Brooke was given some harsher criticisms and the judges only awarded a 27.  Derek was still cute.

Cheryl and Maurice began with the Quick Step. The fastest man on earth was the quickest step on the floor as well.  Of course the judges ooh’d and aah’d and only gave them a 24.  Cheryl looked like she’d been told Santa isn’t coming.  Then she gave the obligatory smile.  We thought the Pasa Doble would score better, but 24 seemed to be their number.   Even with a cape.

Lance and Lacey were great this week dancing the Fox Trot. They were working to make Len happy and left some of their fun and funky side at home.  It was still entertaining.  I’d rather see Lance break out into a boy band pop ‘n lock, but that’s just the 90′s girl in me.  Score for this dance, 26.  Lance brought more “Lance” to his solo.  And we had a little judge war.  Len just can’t stand anything entertaining and gave them a 7.  Bruno gave Len a snarky look and gave them a 9 for a score of 24.

Warren and Kym were fabulous as the James Bond duo. Who knew that man could Tango like that?  The judges loved the dance and they scored a top spot earning a 10 from Carrie Ann, the only 10 of the evening for a score of 28.  Their Quick Step was a little less than perfection, but kept them in the top with a score of 26.

So leading before Tuesday:

Brooke and Derek 55

Warren and Kym  54

Lance and Lacey  50

Maurice and Cheryl 48

Cody and Edyta  48

Tune in Tuesday for results and a song by Julianne as well as the DWTS tour dancers.

Linda is a product of the TV Generation and writes for her blog Short Pump Preppy as well as Blissfully Domestic.