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(S07E04) We're back to the ballroom for week two, without Jeffrey Ross or Ted McGinley. Because of the extended opening week, the couples only had four days to learn either the rumba, or the paso doble. Asked what he was looking for, Len said that learning a new dance in four days is really tough. So, he was fearing the worst, but hoping for the best.

It was one of many questions we would have for the show. Was four days enough time? Is Brooke really that good? Would Kim finally come out of her shell? What would Lacey do to annoy crusty old Len this week? You'll find the answers to all of those, and a rundown of all the week two performances, after the jump.

Toni Braxton & Alec Mazo (Rumba) The training video found Toni and Alec at a karaoke bar, with Alec singing. He's really not good at all. It was the first of many exceedingly odd training videos. When they made it to the ballroom to kick off the show, it was a really nice performance. Toni is very smooth, and Alec gave her some very romantic choreography to work with. It's a case of performance background really paying off. She has the dance ability, but also is able to sell her performance very well. It was a great way to kick off the week two performances.

Len said this was the surprise he was looking for. He was surprised how good that performance was. It lacked a bit of fluidity, but very good. Bruno said Toni captured the sensuality and vulnerability of a reluctant mistress, and cautioned her on her transitions. Carrie Ann thought that Toni danced like she sings, but she did point out that there were two lifts. I hope we're not starting that nonsense again. Score: 23 (7,8,8)

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough (Paso Doble) Coming off of a great first week, Brooke and Derek had to work on Brooke's intensity for the paso doble. So, he took her for a karate lesson... Sometimes the training video antics just make me shake my head. Karate or not, they had a really good performance. There were fast spins and some very difficult choreography for a week two performance. They were hampered by the music somewhat. It wasn't as energetic as we've seen in past paso doble performances. Still, a great number and very impressive for week two. Brooke and Derek have set the bar very high for the rest of the competitors.

Carrie Ann was mesmerized. She thought Brooke's lines were gorgeous, but added that the pair of them were off balance. Len thought they portrayed the aggression very well. It wasn't over the top. There was a little bit too much messing about in the choreography, but he liked it. Bruno said there were moments of breathtaking artistry and that Brooke is born to dance. Score: 24 (8,8,8)

Rocco Dispirito & Karina Smirnoff (Rumba) Getting in on the odd training videos, Rocco took Karina to the kitchen, the place where he is most romantic. He said his rumba was going to be a feast for the eyes... That chef theme played into their performances opening. And it all kind of went to hell from there. Let's be honest here. This was Karina trying to get away with something. Rocco spent the first three quarters of the dance standing in the same spot swaying his hips while Karina danced around him. It wasn't good. Time crunch or not, this was a lack of effort.

Bruno said the stallion has run out of juice. He was just standing there. It just didn't happen. Carrie Ann was sad because Rocco has passion, but he's lacking musicality. And that makes it hard with the rumba. Len said there was more tears than cheers about the whole thing. Keeping with the chef theme, he said the performance wasn't really tasty. Score: 16 (5,6,5)

Lance Bass & Lacey Schwimmer (Paso Doble) Lacey opened their training video by saying that they do respect the judge's opinions, but they don't want to lose who they are in the performance. This could be the beginning of a beautiful conflict with Len. They promised a modern twist on the paso doble, which should have told you everything you needed to know about the comments to come from Len. They kicked off their performance and it was as expected. It was paso doble themed, but with Lacey's modern interpretation. With that in mind, it was rather good. In their defense, I have to ask. "I kissed a girl"? Really? If they are getting the paso doble, how can that song even be an option?

Len went after Lacey straight away, saying he knows her game and he knows her brain. He said chucking in a couple moves to keep the old bloke happy doesn't work. Carrie Ann thought it was witty and she liked the song choice. She loved that they took a big risk and went for it, adding that she hasn't seen anything like that. Bruno said they are always thrilling to watch, but in the paso doble you have to keep the style going. Score: 20 (7,6,7)

Kim Kardashian & Mark Ballas (Rumba) Kim was saying all the right things before the performance, about coming out of her shell. They went to see Robin from the Pussycat Dolls to bring out her sexiness. Unfortunately, it really didn't work. The performance was more of the same. Kim is doing the steps, and hitting her marks, but she is not engaged in the dance. It's quickly becoming a game where we watch to see if Kim can come around and get it before she's voted off.

Bruno called her the Pussycat Dead, not the Pussycat Dolls, saying she is cold like Siberia. Len was disappointed because she has so much potential. His expectations are that she will be good, but she's so cold. He added something crazy about how she has all the gear in the rear. Carrie Ann feels like she has seen the same dance three times now and suggested Kim watch the dance back on tape. Score: 17 (6,6,5)

Misty May-Treanor & Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Paso Doble) I was looking forward to this one as soon as I saw Misty in her costume. The paso doble should play to her strengths, and Maks should be able to do something great with her. Some of the steps were a little rough, but it was also some very ambitious week two choreography. Very powerful, and impressive overall. I'm still not sold on Misty's acting, however. She has a lot of room to grow there.

Carrie Ann said that's the kind of energy and determination she wants to see. She added that Maks gave Misty a very hard routine and finished by bringing up the shoulders again. Bruno compared Misty to Xena: Warrior Princess. He loved her energy and told her to work on the light and shade of her performance. She needs finesse. Great job. Len thought it was a good attempt at the paso doble. He called it great choreography, but told Misty that she lost the connection to the audience. Score: 21 (7,7,7)


Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke (Rumba) Maurice was excited for the rumba, but was struggling with his hips. So, Cheryl took him to see some belly dancing. It was a nice performance. Maurice covered a lot of the floor and moved pretty well. It lacked any kind of big moments that really make you take notice, but it is week two. Maurice is coming along fine.

Len thought that Maurice talked the talk, but he didn't do the dance. He lacked finesse throughout. Not bad. Carrie Ann said Maurice looks like there is an explosion about to happen, but he was too stiff this time and it just never got to that level. Bruno expected Maurice to be smooth and slinky, but instead he was robotic and clunky. Score: 19 (7,6,6)

Cloris Leachman & Corky Ballas (Paso Doble) Cloris said that last week she got carried away with the fun of it all. This week she was going to take it more seriously. I'll give her credit for that. It was a much more well rehearsed attempt. It still shows that she is fighting an uphill battle, because she is just never going to be able to dance at the level of the younger contestants, but I do appreciate the effort. I'd put her ahead of Rocco on that mark alone.

Bruno called their performance surreal. Len said it was a lovely traditional dance to traditional music and called it a great attempt at a difficult dance. Carrie Ann said she hopes that when she's 82 she's half the woman Cloris is. She tried to avoid commenting about the dance, because she wanted to keep it happy. Score: 15 (5,5,5)

Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani (Rumba) Much like Cameron Matheson, Susan is trying to squeeze DWTS in with her work on All My Children. And again, as I do every year, I'll ask, why invite someone that doesn't actually have the time for the show? This is two of the top ten shows on television. I don't think it's out of line for them to ask for some kind of a commitment. Getting to the performance, the rumba was just the dance that Susan needed. She was graceful and Tony really gave her great choreography full of striking poses and beautiful moments.

Carrie Ann said Susan transported them to another place. It was very smooth, and very elegant. Bruno thought it was a very good rumba, but Susan still dances like the virgin queen. She needs to throw herself into it. Len didn't like it when Tony exposed himself, joking that it put him off a bit. He went on, noting that the rumba is an actors dance. You have to act the part, and that's what Susan did. Score: 21 (7,7,7)

Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson (Paso Doble) As much as the rumba worked for Susan, the paso doble was perfect for Warren. He's such a big powerful guy. Just his nature gives him that commanding presence. Kym didn't rest on that though. Her Matrix inspired choreography gave Warren a lot to do. I especially liked the opening run down the middle of the stage, and the re-creation of the bullet dodging scene. It was very clever. My one complaint is that, like Misty, Warren struggles with the emotional portion of the dance.

Len thought it had a lovely, dark, menacing feel to it and he really liked the opening. He called it an intense paso doble. Carrie Ann said Warren is the paso doble killer. Fantastic. Bruno thought the performance was big, bold, and heroic. He praised Warrens quick footwork with the music, saying that for a guy of Warren's size, the way he moves his feet is fabulous. Score: 24 (8,8,8)

Cody Linley & Julianne Hough (Rumba) Look at Julianne. She's got herself another really good partner. Could there be another trophy in the offing? The training video played up Cody's attention span, or the lack thereof, but that's all just a red herring. He has some real talent, and looks to be very coachable. Their rumba was a very good performance. Like Brooke, Cody is already a couple steps ahead of some of the other contestants just based on the difficulty of the choreography he's able to handle, and how comfortable he looks doing it. He's edging up to the one to watch list.

Bruno called Cody a kid in a candy store, but reminded him again that he has to learn control. The tools are there, but he has to focus. Len thought it lacked a bit of polish and finesse, but called it well done. Carrie Ann thought it was very age appropriate, and liked it. Score 21 (7,7,7)

So, another round of dances are logged in the record books and there were no major changes. Brooke still looks like a good bet to go a long way, while Toni and Cody are showing a lot of potential. For whatever reason, Kim is still holding herself back from really making some noise in the competition. Again, I'm going to guess that Cloris will be leaving tomorrow, but I certainly wouldn't complain if it was Rocco.