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(S05E12) And then there were seven. The competition continues to progress, but it feels just a little different this week. With the exit of Mark Cuban last week, the level of the competition ratcheted up another notch. We're not into the all out race to the finale just yet, but it's getting very close. Tom said in his opening that with one misstep, anyone could go home this week. I'm not sure about 'anyone', but I'll agree that the potential for a shocking result Tuesday night is out there.

It's also the time in the competition where the workload increases for the remaining dancers. This week, not only did each couple have to do their normal performance. After that, all of the couples got together for a big group swing number. It all made for a heck of a show.

Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas (Foxtrot) - In the taped piece before the performance, Sabrina talked about her hectic schedule. It included 16 hour days working on a Cheetah Girls video, and left her worried about how the performance would go. It's an old gem we've heard plenty of times on the show. And usually everything works out just fine. That wasn't exactly the case this week. Although, luckily for Sabrina, even when things go wrong, it's still a pretty impressive performance. That's what we saw here. Their foxtrot was very aggressive and powerful, as we have come to expect from Sabrina. She has a natural movement that is very polished. The things going wrong amounted to one small moment where Sabrina messed up the steps, but they recovered quickly. Overall, it was another very nice outing for the team.

Len brought up the idea of light and shade again, calling the performance too hard. Bruno said that Sabrina has proven that she can be a leading lady, but he agreed with Len. Carrie Ann disagreed with both of them. She noted that Sabrina lost her footing the one time, but other than that she thought it was a great job. Talking with Samantha, Sabrina said that she thinks she can keep up with the hectic schedule. Score: 25 (9,8,8). Sabrina was pleased with the score, and getting through the performance.

Jennie Garth and Derek Hough (Mambo) - Jennie had one of the more interesting training videos I have seen so far this year. She talked about how being out on the dance floor just freaks her out. It's interesting because you can occasionally see it on her face during the judges comments. Also, because it's just so odd for someone in her line of work to be so taken aback by performing. After some practice out on the stage, she was determined to put her nerves aside and do a great mambo. With one small exception, that's just what she did.

Derek made it a little tougher on Jennie this week by upping the intricacy of their choreography. It made for a very impressive performance as their intertwined arm work and spins really were impressive. Unfortunately, there was one moment toward the end of the performance where Jennie lost her place and it stood out. They did recover and finished off what ended up being a great routine, but I think that mistake could have cost them at least one ten.

Bruno said that Jennie had steam heat, and called it dirty dancing. He added that she really surprised him and the choreography was incredible. Carrie Ann agreed saying she looked like she was having a great time and did a great job. Len said all the couples have more strengths that weaknesses, so to progress you have to come out with an incredible performance, and she did that. Jennie did still seem a little overwhelmed by it all during her interview, but she was excited by the performance. Score: 27 (9,9,9).

Jane Seymour and Tony Dovolani (Jive) - As you would expect, Jane was shocked to find herself in the bottom two last week. She took it in good stride though, adding that she was looking forward to having fun with the jive this week. Given the history of the dance, Tony took Jane to a naval base to dance in front of the troops. When it came time for the performance, unfortunately, it turned out that the jive just doesn't play to Jane's strengths. She did well enough, but the performance suffered a couple of stops and starts, and just didn't play as well as her earlier performances have. Jane is a beautiful, graceful, woman, but the jive just isn't her cup of tea.

Carrie Ann praised Jane's energy, but added that the dance didn't bring out the best in her. Len said that Jane was pretty nifty for fifty. He then hedged by saying that some dances are not on certain people's wavelengths, and this one didn't fit her. Bruno agreed, saying it wasn't her most comfortable dance. That didn't bode well for the scores, or for Jane's prospects for a week 7. Score: 22 (8,7,7) Jane said that she loves every minute of being on the show.

Cameron Mathison and Edyta Sliwinska (Samba) - Cameron was the dancer I was most looking forward to this week. He made big strides last week and it's always interesting to see how they will follow up. He was initially scared by the samba, asking Edyta, "What are they doing down in Brazil?" To help, Edyta took him out to get a taste of the flavor of Brazil. I think the taste worked, and Cameron's follow up was quite good. It would seem that Cameron has finally turned that corner where he has started dancing, as opposed to doing the steps. It's a subtle change, but it makes all the difference.

Len said it was good in parts, but he didn't capture the spirit of the samba. Bruno agreed, not really understanding some of the choreography. Carrie Ann once again disagreed, calling the performance very tribal, and very passionate. Score: 25 (9,8,8) Cameron said he knows they could have done a little better, and by we he meant he. Samantha asked if he would be taking his shirt off. Cameron responded that if it means he'll make the finals, he'll dance in a thong. Tom joked that episode would be pay-per-view.

Melanie Brown and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Rumba) - Melanie opened her training video by saying that the rumba suited the two of them because it is, "Yes, I like you. No, I don't." Then we were treated to another video of the two of them butting heads. It's becoming quite a theme for the pair. Of course, given how that translates on the dance floor, I think that's going to be just fine with both of them. The training difficulties added up to what was probably the performance of the night. Their rumba was very sultry and passionate. Maks choreographed it for Melanie very well, and she took what she was given and knocked it out of the park. Her steps, her attitude, it was all great. I'm still not convinced that Mel has the fan base it takes to win the whole thing. But she has sold me on her dancing.

Bruno said that it wasn't a dance, it was a cliffhanger. Beautifully paced and excellent. Carrie Ann said she was mesmerized by their performance and that was the rumba she has been waiting for all season. Len said it was perfected, inspected and dissected, and it wouldn't be rejected by him. Score: 30 (10,10,10) Samantha outed them after the scores for only training for six hours this week.

Marie Osmond and Jonathan Roberts (Paso Doble) - I'm sure Marie would rather just forget about last week's fainting spell. No such luck, as they kicked off her segment with yet another replay of the incident. Jonathan even got a joke in reminding Marie that for this dance, she needs to remain upright. Marie explained the whole thing again and said that she is still a contender. Given the other teams in the competition, I'm hesitant to call her a contender, but she did turn in a very nice paso doble. The choreography was a little on the tame side, but as we have seen from Marie before, she made the most of things with a great acting performance. She is a true performer.

Carrie Ann said she thought Marie played it safe this week, like she was still coming back. Len joked that he should email his critique, since the last time he gave her one it knocked her out. He added that he liked the beginning, got lost in the middle, but liked the end. Overall he called it well done. Bruno said she started like Catherine Zeta Jones and ended like Catherine Zeta Cranky. Backstage, Marie said that she was touched by the reaction to her fainting from fans. Score: 23 (8,8,7)

Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough (Cha Cha) - Coming off of his lowest score of the season, Helio needed big things from the cha cha. Just based on the idea of Helio and the cha cha, it sounded like a good idea to me. Helio said that the low scores last week were nerve wracking. Julianne's plan was to make sure that Helio's personality comes through. That's a solid plan. Despite looking like he raided Mr. Furley's closet from the old Three's Company set, this was a very engaging Helio performance. He had a lot of intricate footwork to do throughout the performance, and managed it well. They were helped along by the fact that the cha cha is a dance right in Helio's wheelhouse, but Julianne also put together a dance that really showcased him very well.

Len said that last week Helio tried to be something he's not, and this week he came back as the Helio we all love. He finished by saying it was fantastic. Bruno called it rebranded, repackaged, and regenerated. Adding that Helio is back in the race. Carrie Ann noted that the Latin booty was working overtime and said she was glad Helio is back. Helio said he had a great time and Julianne praised Helio for being the only athlete in the competition. Score: 28 (9,10,9)

And then it was time for the big group performance. First, we got a look at the training session with choreographer Christian Perry. It was clear from the training that this was not going to be the least bit conventional, as there were lifts and stunts being practiced all over the place. There were a few nervous looks as the stars watched each other learning the steps. Jennie was taken aback by just how fast Sabrina was able to pick things up. When the mats came out it was clear that the level of difficulty was going up. As Sabrina put it, "So much potential for disaster."

Fortunately for the stars, disaster was averted. There were tricks aplenty, to be sure, but they all came off without a hitch. It's hard to describe the rock-n-roll battle between the greasers and the jocks. With everyone on the floor at the same time there was just more going on than you could really take in. It looked like everyone really did a good job with it, and I don't think there was anything that really stood out as helping or hurting any of the contestants. Of the brief solo moments that the teams each had, a couple did stand out as particularly good. Probably the most impressive maneuver was the lift that Cameron and Edyta did. Also in the mix though was little Sabrina tossing Mark over her shoulder. She is such a little firecracker. All in all, a very fun performance.

Bruno called it pure joy, saying that's entertainment, and thanked them all for making it the most exciting and competitive season to date. Carrie Ann said she loved it. Len said he could understand people not wanting to get voted off just for the pure camaraderie that all the performers have.

And there we are, with week six in the books. It really is getting tough to call. I think that Mel's 30 will make up for her lack of fan support and keep her safe this week. And I'm happy to see that because she really did have a fantastic performance this week. My best guess is that Jane and Marie will be our bottom two, with the power of the Osmond fans moving Marie through to week seven.

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