‘Dancing With the Stars’ Recap: Gilles Marini Throws In The Towel

Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani

Song: “Toxic” by Britney Spears

The Argentine Tango brought Melissa to tears – even before her injury took place. Maybe the celebrities should all take a spa day. Either way, the Bachelorette star put all those frustrations behind her. Monday night she transformed into a human jump rope and last night Tony was bending her backwards! It’s a sad day when you realize Melissa with a neck injury dances better than you ever could…

Len Goodman gave her a “verbal pat on the back.” While it was crisp and it was sharp, occasionally he thought, “she could have snapped a little bit more.” Did anyone instinctively grab their neck at that point too? Bruno Tonioli called Melissa a “fascinating fantasy creature,” and claimed, “it wasn’t toxic…it was intoxicating!” Carrie Ann Inaba always thought of Tony’s partner as the all-American sweetheart, but “tonight, she was absolutely gritty!”

Score: 9, 9, 9 = 27 out of 30.

Total Score: 56.5 out of 60

Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough

Song: “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion from Titanic

Worried over the Rumba, Shawn explained that, “Kelly and Gilles are actors who are paid to show emotion, so they have that advantage.” Derek wanted his partner to open up and bring out her vulnerable side and what better movie to do that with than Titanic? We’re not ashamed to admit to holding back tears when Derek’s Jack made his first appearance on the smoky round stage. If the ill-fated romance is ever looking for a remake – Derek is definitely their man.

Bruno thought it was awesome. “Ever-changing shapes, emotionally connected, touching and romantic, absolutely stunning,” he said. Carrie Ann felt like a proud mama last night watching Shawn grow so much. There was a lift, however, and she just couldn’t let that slide as a judge. Len thought the dance was like a Dickens novel. “I had ‘Great Expectations’. I got ‘Bleak House’.” It was beautiful, but not a Rumba.

Score: 9, 8, 10 = 27 out of 30

Total Score: 56.5 out of 60

Apolo Anton Ohno & Karina Smirnoff

Song: “Give It To Me Baby” by Rick James

Apolo’s sexy hip thrusts are bound to get him in trouble and with judge Len in not the greatest of moods, we weren’t took sure how he and Karina would do after last week’s tumble. Luckily, with hip-hop behind them, the couple showed the Samba what it was made of.

Carrie Ann thought the legwork was fantastic, but something was not quite right... She’s still waiting for Apolo’s breakthrough moment – and so are we! Len thought his fellow judge’s critique couldn’t have been further from the truth. “It’s like I’m in the home for the bewildered here!” Sure, there was a little too much grinding, but He thought the dance was terrific. Bruno thought Apolo as “terribly sexy” and that the duo did a good job.

Score: 8.5, 9.5, 9 = 27 out of 30

Total Score: 56.5 out of 60

Sabrina Bryan & Louis Van Amstel

Song: “So This Is Love” from Cinderella

For her guilty pleasure, Sabrina chose to live out her childhood princess fantasy – and Cheetah Girl did not disappoint. Louis told her she needed to slow down and be vulnerable this week. Hoping she’d finally have her breakthrough moment, Sabrina put on her pretty blue ball gown.

“I loved the story…it had a beginning, a middle and an end,” Len said. “Cinderella, I think you’re going to the ball.” Bruno compared it to “a magic ride into an enchanting kingdom.” The judge fell so in love with the charming number, the couple gave him Cinderella’s show. Carrie Ann thought Sabrina didn’t quite get there with the vulnerability, “but it was elegance personified.” It was light, airy and gorgeous. Perhaps our fairytale princess was in for a happy ending?

Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Kirstie Alley looked to be getting down and dirty with a workout from the 80s. Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke didn’t seem to have any theme going on aside from Emmitt’s knee brace. Val Chmerkovskiy looked like a Chippendale’s stripper while Kelly Monaco spanked him – and I don’t think anyone minded. The “breakthrough” moment of the night that everyone waited for was when Gilles and Peta Murgatroyd debuted their new look – hand towels! Maybe they really went to the spa.

 “That should have come with a health warning,” Len shouted. “That was the craziest number I have ever seen.” Bruno, ask and you shall receive – Gilles’ towel that is! Down to his white boxer-briefs, the Sex and the City star has lived up to his name. “You guys were a hot mess,” Carrie Ann said. What she meant was they were a hot mess, but in a good way, in a crazy fun insane way.

 Score: 9, 9, 9 = 27 out of 30