DWTS - Lowdown on the Hoedown

Last night's Dancing with the Stars featured a country-inspired group dance that accomplished little other than offering a glimpse at who will excel in the no holds barred freestyle round. Hint: It's not Marissa or Marlee. Other than that, few surprises during last night's performances: Kristi danced a crisp and cute Jive and earned the first 30 of the season. She is so gonna win this thing! Right on her heels was Mario who danced a sizzlin' Rumba to Marvin Gaye's Let's Get it On. Len was afraid that he and Karina were a bit too close to getting it on, and Carrie Ann pointed out that they did a lift--which is verboten, but he still earned a 28.

My next favorite for making the finals, Jason Taylor, slipped a bit this week earning 24 points for a Cha Cha that seemed like he was watching his feet too much. Still, in my opinion, the man is 255 pounds of sexy! Tying Jason was Shannon Elizabeth, whose Rumba looked more like posing than dancing. I think she's got a lot more potential, but it's quite possible that ("show-mance" with partner Derek Hough or no...) she'll be in the bottom two tonight.

Another possibility for the bottom two--and my pick to leave the show--is Marlee Matlin. She seems to be struggling in the last couple of weeks and the judges remarks are always prefaced with a reference to her deafness and what an inspiration she is. She is an inspiration--and such a spitfire! Although the costume and makeup department did her no favors last night. She looked like Celine Dion and Siegfried and Roy threw up on her. She was awarded the lowest score of the evening, a 21 for her Mambo.

Continuing to step up their games this week were Cristian de la Whatever and Marissa Winokur. Cristian's Foxtrot was very sophisticated, very Fred Astaire. The judges loved it and gave him a 27, his highest score and putting him in third place on the leader board. Will that be enough to keep him in the competition? He was in the bottom two last week, indicating a lack in the fan base. I hope he's able to stick around--he is a better dancer than Marlee or even Marissa.

Marissa, however, danced a graceful and elegant Waltz this week and scored her highest score, a 26. She's so exuberant and bubbly. I don't see her making the finals, but she'll definitely stick around for another week.

My prediction: Shannon and Marlee in the bottom two with Marlee going home.