Dancing with the Stars 2010 Week 7: DWTS 200th Episode Celebration Features the Bristallion; Dueling Ladies on Top

Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 7, which doubled as the hit reality show's 200th episode celebration, aired Monday evening on ABC. The program featured the six remaining celebrity contestants as they took on the challenge of performing dances previously offered up by former DWTS hoofers. And the cool catch? Said hoofers were on-hand to offer up their own opinions as guest judges alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli. Wondering who measured up and who came up short? Read on.

Dancing with the Stars week 7 got started on a high note as pro dancers from all 11 seasons took to the ballroom floor to the tune of the first song of the first episode of DWTS. Jonathan Roberts, Kym Johnson, Tony Dovolani, Chelsie Hightower, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Lacey Schwimmer, Louis van Amstel, Anna Tresbunskaya, Ashly DelGrosso-Costa, and more. It was a streamer-filled party on stage! Up next, co-host Tom Bergeron shined a spotlight on previous celebrity contestants present in the studio audience, from season 1's first eliminee Trista Rehn to season 10 runner-up Evan Lysacek.

The drama continued as Tom introduced the 200th episode Team Cha Cha competition. Each of the two competing factions were captained by a former Olympic medalist slash Dancing with the Stars champion. On Team Kristi Yamaguchi were former Laker Rick Fox and partner Cheryl Burke, teen activist Bristol Palin and partner Mark Ballas, and Disney actor Kyle Massey and partner Lacey Schwimmer. Team Apolo Ohno headed the team comprised of NFL star Kurt Warner and partner Anna Trebunskaya, singer Brandy and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and actress Jennifer Grey and partner Derek Hough. My initial reaction was 'whoa thar, way unfair advantage for Team Apolo', but then Tom and co-host Brooke Burke revealed that the captains had chosen their own team members, so go figure! And for some odd reason I don't understand, Kristi chose Bristol and Mark first. I like Bristol, but what? It's a head-scratcher.

Dancing with the Stars week 7 got underway in earnest as Team Kristi took to the stage. They got started well enough as the guys strutted some sparkly suited stuff while the ladies stripped off their own suits to reveal hot pink fringed numbers underneath. Bristol seemed to get a little lost shortly before Rick and Cheryl began their solo, but she survived. All three couples brought the drama and attitude, and a pretty rockin' piece resulted.

Head judge Len Goodman offered up the week's first critique, noting that his initial impression was that they were the underdogs in the competition. He went on to add -- much to the delight of the six dancers -- that "you dogs have got quite a bite". Bruno Tonioli praised Rick in particular, but also addressed Bristol and said she "went wrong" at times. Carrie Ann Inaba loved their group dances and praised Bristol for keeping up with the choreography as well as she did. Team Kristi's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 7 results: 8, 8, 8 = 24.

Lennie's 'overdog' Team Apolo took to the ballroom next with their Team Cha Cha Cha. Did they manage to Bust A Move? Dunno, but Kurt was pretty darn funny in his doo rag, and DWTS season 11's hottest female celebs thus far were on their game, twisting and turning like mad. I think they finished much stronger than they started off.

Bruno called it "a cha cha with the flavor of the hood" and praised Jennifer as a "slinky siren". Carrie Ann liked how they all worked to their best. Len appreciated that all of them "upped their game" to perform together as a single unit. Team Apolo's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 7 results: 9, 9, 9 = 27.

With the Team Dance round complete, Round Two began. Dancing with the Stars week 7's individual dances involved the return of previous DWTS celebs. Each season 11 couple was charged with re-interpreting one of the celebs' iconic dances, and then each dancer was given a spot on the judging panel to critique the current celeb's work. Got that? I sure hope so, because I'm pooped and can't figure out a better way to write it.

Up first were Kyle and Lacey, who were given season 5 runner-up Mel B's "Free Your Mind" Paso Doble. It's something of a bonus that pro Lacey danced Mel's part; apples and oranges and all that. It definitely wasn't as sensual as the original, but a worthy effort. It was definitely a reinterpretation of the original.

Len called it "his best dance" so far. Mel B said it was "amazing" and that Kyle "blew her away" before adding that he was "very sexy". Bruno said "you had the attack and the energy of an untamed young bull" but cautioned him against letting his shoulders rise. Carrie Ann called it "a hard number to match up to" and praised their efforts. Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 7 results: 10, 9, 8, 8 = 35 + 24 = 59.

DWTS season 3 champ Emmitt Smith was the next alum to have his dance recreated by a season 11 star. Kurt and Anna took on the former NFL star's "Simply Irresistable" Tango. It's hard for me to compare this one to the original since I didn't love the original, but I can say that Kurt is definitely stronger in ballroom than Latin.

Bruno addressed him as "secret agent Warner" and declared that he'd gone from "mission impossible to mission accomplished". Carrie Ann praised Kurt for bringing his own character to life. Emmitt called him "dapper" and said the technique "excellent". Len was impressed that despite his criticisms, he comes back stronger each time out. Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 7 results: 10, 8, 8, 8 = 34 + 27 = 61.

Dancing with the Stars week 7's 200th episode celebration continued with the return of season 9 darling Kelly Osbourne (who came out looking amazing!). Charged with the task of replicating her Viennese Waltz were Bristol and Mark. During rehearsals Mark pressed her to find her inner "Bristallion". Haha. It was good in terms of technique, but fell a little bit flat emotionally. She plastered a smile on her face, and while it was a good idea, I could still tell she was nervous.

Carrie Ann said "you have that power to touch us" but noted that "you're still slightly detached". Kelly said "you did unbelievable" and called it "fantastic". Len said "I enjoyed it very much" but noted a "lack of chemistry". Bruno said "you truly are pretty in pink" but told her to "ignite a little bit more". Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas' Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 7 results: 9, 8, 8, 8 = 33 + 24 = 57.

Dancing with the Stars' perkiest champion, Helio Castroneves, entered the ballroom next to introduce his "Hey Pachuco" "banana man" Quickstep. Ready to step into the recreate mode were Rick and Cheryl. Ah, so the banana became a pickle. Rick began his very green routine by presenting Carrie Ann with a rose and plunking his hat down on Len's head. A little vote-grabby, but he definitely carried the Helio smile throughout.

Len praised him for coming out "full throttle", while Bruno said it was like "the Indy 500". Helio called it "incredible" and addressed Cheryl, calling her "very smart" for incorporating lots of his original dance. Carrie Ann announced "by far your best dance". Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 7 results: 10, 9, 9, 9 = 37 + 24 = 61.

Uber hottie Gilles Marini returned next to watch Brandy and Maks recreate his seductive Foxtrot. It took me all of about 5 seconds to note that Gilles just kicks Maks' bum in the sexy category. Sorry Maks. But the dance? Good. Very good. I can't say a whole lot more since I'm not a fan of Brandy. Sorry, but her "I want it more than anyone else" routine is tired and annoying. She's a bit too self-centered for my taste. Apologies to her fans, but everyone goes through hard times, Brandy. Winning a Mirrorball Trophy won't make you more worthy or more capable of success in the future.

Bruno declared "that was a Foxtrot sizzling with sex" and declared "I've had enough now for three months". Gilles said "I felt goosebumps all over my body" and "I was amazed". Carrie Ann praised her for attacking the sensual parts of the dance and balancing it with the technique. Len called it "the most fantastic Foxtrot" but I couldn't hear the rest of what he said because his mic cut out. Needless to say he liked it. Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 7 results: 9, 9, 10, 9 = 37 + 27 = 64.

DWTS season 2 champ Drew Lachey was the final star to return to the ballroom on Dancing with the Stars week 7's 200th episode celebration. Jennifer and Derek were given the task of re-creating his perfect-scoring Tango. It felt like a comeback to me after last week's stumble!

Carrie Ann praised her for coming back after a bad week. Len called it "really well done" and welcomed her back into the competition. Drew called the musicality and lines great, and praised Derek's role. Bruno called her "a phoenix rising from her own ashes more splendid than ever" and told her to have confidence because she "can go all the way" in the competition. Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 7 results: 10, 9, 9, 9 = 37 + 27 = 64.

So that's it for the Dancing with the Stars 200th episode celebration. I'm not surprised to see Jennifer and Brandy sitting on top, since for all practical reasons, they're the season 11 frontrunners and are rightfully so. I remain marginally impressed by the other four contestants. I agree that this was definitely Rick's best dance of the season, but he's still not a favorite of mine. Neither is Kyle; I appreciate the entertainment value, but I wish he'd do more in terms of technical chops.

Who winds up at the bottom tomorrow? I'll guess that either Bristol or Kurt will get the boot. But who knows; I never would've called Audrina Patridge's departure last week. To see what happens, tune in tomorrow night for the Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 7 results show. If you do, you'll also see performances by country crossover darling Taylor Swift and Rod Stewart. Or you can just check in with me. You know I'll be watching.

Sources

Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 7, November 1, 2010, ABC