Dancing with the Stars 2010 Week 8: Kurt Warner Lets Loose, Maks Cooks His Own Goose

Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 aired November 8 on ABC. The five remaining celebs and their pro partners were charged with performing not just one but two individual dances. For the first time in DWTS history, the Instant Dance round was implemented, as each star drew his or her song for dance #2 live on-air, and then had less than an hour each to prepare. Wondering who rocked and who got socked? Read on.

Disney kid Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer were up first with a Viennese Waltz. I hadn't really bought into Kyle's entertainment laden but technically challenged routines, but this one was actually good. Lots of emotion, good carriage, all-around solid. Judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli agreed. Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 round 1 results: 9, 9, 9 = 27.

Soon after the presentation of their scores, Kyle and Lacey drew their music for the Instant Dance round in dramatic fashion, and wound up with Good Golly Miss Molly. Kyle was pretty pumped.

Up next to dance their round one offering were actress Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough, who were assigned a Quickstep. Jennifer struggled with a painful injury during rehearsals, but drew strength from a visit from her dad. It was a very cute and theatrical number from start to finish. Very Broadway, Baby.

Bruno likened them to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and noted a misstep but told her "you've got it within you". Carrie Ann too noted the misstep, but called it gorgeous. Len called it "great" and praised her for continuing on despite her difficulties. Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 round 1 results: 9, 9, 9 = 27.

And their Instant Dance music? Waiting for a Girl Like You by Foreigner. Neither Jennifer nor Derek were familiar with the tune -- seriously?! I guess they missed the 80s. Should be interesting.

NFL star Kurt Warner and partner Anna Trebunskaya kept the DWTS week 8 action moving with a Waltz. Kurt stressed over the slow tempo of the dance and worried that it would make the technical aspects of the performance all the more important. Well, yeah. I still think he's incredibly charming and charismatic on the dancefloor. It's almost impossible to not like him. However, he once again had a few issues with the whole 'bent knee versus flexed knee' thing. I fear the Bruno.

Carrie Ann called him "a Ken doll for mature people" and said that although he's not at the same level as others, she can appreciate his efforts. Len said the "feeling of the dance was beautiful". Bruno noted that he "lights up the room when you smile" and praised him for having "come a long way". Phew, guess I was off-base with the Bruno-fear. Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 round 1 results: 8, 8, 8 = 24.

In Instant Dance music selection land, Kurt selected No Doubt's Hella Good. Neither he nor Anna had a clue about the song, but hey, they'll 'just keep on dancing'.

Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 pressed onward with teen activist Bristol Palin and partner Mark Ballas. The pair visited with her parents and son last week and showed off part of their Argentine Tango. Bristol may not be one of the best left of the bunch, but she was workin' it in her own way during this dance. It was sharp and crisp and the emotion seemed real for once.

Len called it "clean, well-placed" but criticized a lack of emotion. He told her to come out "full on" during round two. Bruno said "I thought you were actually mean and moody" but noted that she tends to "lose the expression" in the middle of the dance. Carrie Ann said "I think that was the most intensity we've ever seen from you" but old her to add "energy" to her legs. Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas' Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 round 1 results: 8, 8, 8 = 24.

Their Instant Dance song? Mas Que Nada. Er, I don't know that one. Neither do Bristol and Mark. Ooh, a challenge.

Round one came to a close as recent leaderboard dominatrix and R&B singer Brandy and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy presented a Waltz. It was a very lyrical, pretty dance with some great moves, but there was a bit of "bandying about" throughout. I can't quite figure out, even after 10 seasons of watching, why the judges nail some contestants for their little indiscretions but let others get away with them.

Bruno called it "more than a dance" and praised it as "a symphony, a poem". Carrie Ann agreed, and said that she was "spellbound" as she watched. She told her to watch her neck placement. Len said he was "overwhelmed by the whole performance". Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 round 1 results: 9, 10, 10 = 29.

And their Instant Dance song... Katy Parry's Teenage Dream. Ooooh, uttered in the voices of the little aliens from Toy Story.

With round one in the books, it was time for... drumroll... the much-hyped Instant Dance round. (Cue Toy Story aliens.) Kyle and Lacey got the newest Dancing with the Stars cheese-a-rific element started with their Jive, Good Golly Miss Molly style. The pair really kicked it into high gear with the fast tempo, and the dance had some great moments. But Kyle's fish-face expression annoyed the snot out of me.

Len praised the fun and high energy but noted a lack of "finesse" in places, calling it "a little bit wild and wacky". Bruno praised the entertainment value and called the "timing unbelievable". Carrie Ann exclaimed "that's by far the most fun I've had as a viewer, as a judge". Ooh, smells like good scores are a'comin'. Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 Instant Dance results: 10, 9, 10 = 29 + 27 = 56.

Jennifer and Derek were up next with their Instant Dance Rumba. I'm still amazed that chica is 50. If I look that good at 50 I'll be so, so happy. It seemed pretty clear (to me, at least) that they'd rehearsed their number to much slower tunes, as Jen seemed to struggle to avoid falling behind at times, but it was nothing that took away from the dance. It was still pretty awesome: Sexy, well-choreographed and very well performed. (And of course, ballroom regular Jamie Lee Curtis approved.)

Bruno called it "sensual, sexy" and "flawless". Carrie Ann agreed, saying "there's nothing more beautiful to me than watching some reclaim their power". Len praised the variations within the routine. Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 Instant Dance results: 10, 10, 10 = 30 + 27 = 57.

And up next, Kurt and Anna with their Cha Cha Cha. I'm nervous. I'd be worried about 'Kurt' and "cha cha cha' being used in the same sentence with known music. The whole mystery music element makes it all the more terrifying. HA! Okay, so after the fact, that was frickin' awesome. Not because it was technically perfect, but because it was SO much fun and because Kurt was so into it! Move over Kyle!

Carrie Ann praised Kurt for his musicality and said "I'd never seen you dance with so much charisma" while giving him "two snaps up" and noting his "new sex appeal". Len told him to straighten his legs a bit, but said it was good. Bruno praised him for going for it, and also called the performance good. Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 Instant Dance results: 8, 8, 8 = 24 + 24 = 48.

Instant Dance continued with Bristol and Mark's Samba. She came out shimmying and shaking like crazy, but had a lot of difficulty keeping to the beat, and lost her place more than once. I did, however, like the smile she managed to keep on her face! She's really come out of her shell lately.

Len noted that the Samba is extremely difficult to tackle, and said that "overall" she'd "coped well". Bruno noted "you can shake it!" but called her on losing her place at times. Carrie Ann praised her for her personality, but noted a lack of musicality overall. Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas' Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 Instant Dance results: 7, 8, 8 = 23 + 24 = 47.

The night came to an end with the last Instant Dance of the week: Brandy and Maks' Cha Cha Cha. (Really, though: Brandy and Kurt were given both of the same dances? How fair is that? NOT!) So, the dance: Good. Brandy's dances are always good of late. But I'd have liked more Cha in it and a little less randomness.

Bruno called it "another fabulous performance". Carrie Ann criticized them for taking too long to get into the actual dance itself. (Maks argued the point.) Len called it "full of flair, full of performance, full of rhythm". He agreed with Carrie Ann, though. (Maks argued again. Yeah. It was awkward.) Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy's Dancing with the Stars 2010 week 8 Instant Dance results: 9, 9, 10 = 28 + 29 = 57.

Tsk tsk tsk. First off, Maks baby, you need to chill a little. Carrie Ann gave you a 9. Get over it and move on because dude, she was right when she said there wasn't enough content.

With that out of the way, let's look forward to tomorrow night's Dancing with the Stars week 8 results show. Although Kurt and Bristol lag behind the others significantly in terms of judges' scores, they both clearly have strong and vote-a-rific fan bases at work. With that in mind, I'll guess that Kyle will wind up gettin' the boot.

Tune in tomorrow night to see if I'm right. Or you can just check in with me. You know I'll be watching.