'Dancing With the Stars': Ralph Macchio Still in the Lead with Combined Scores Hines Ward Now in a Close Second

It was another week on "Dancing with the Stars" for the 11 couples still standing from the premiere show last week. This time you could feel the pressure from all of them since this is the first week of eliminations. Each couple danced either the lively jive or the fast-footed quickstep.

There were a number of improvements, though most of the couples who were in the bottom half remained there, while the top half stayed very much the same. The scores from last week and on Monday night (March 28) were combined with Ralph Macchio still in the lead, even though his current score was lower than last week's. Find out who was the best and the most improved couples on the dance floor.

My Favorite Performances

Chris Jericho - His traditional quickstep was fast, light on his feet, and moved with while remaining in the correct hold from start to finish. Jericho exuded personality and entertainment during his dance. Cheryl Burke did a brilliant job of taming the wild wrestler and making him believable as a ballroom dancer. His Monday night score was a "23', the best of the night, that he shared with two others.

Kirstie Alley - While she did not score as high or higher than last week's, only a "20", she gave it her all with the quickstep. Her enthusiasm was there in losing at least 40 lbs. by the end of the competition. Maks told her skinny girls have as much difficulty as her with learning their routines.

Romeo - No doubt he is wiping away his father's negative legacy by performing brilliantly for the second consecutive time. If he keeps this up he may go straight to the finals. It was cute when Romeo said their dance was set during the '60s and '70s at the prom.

Those were certainly not eras where the prom was a huge priority. Along the way he told Chelsie he was born in the 1990s, not in the 1900s. As it turned out their quickstep was set to the 1950s soundtrack of "Grease." This was one of my favorite dances. It had high energy, excellent technique and brilliant musicality. Romeo was the second to get the highest score of "23" for the night.

Ralph Macchio - I actually liked this jive by the original "Karate Kid." He still has his martial arts moves that may transfer to his dancing from time to time. Len and company were mixed about his dance. Naturally I wasn't one of them. It was great to see his teen kids supporting him while he was in rehearsals. All in all Macchio received a "21", which still kept him in the lead with a combined total of '45."

Hines Ward - This will be Macchio's other competition, along with Kirstie Alley. Ward performed the quickstep that was one of the judge's favorite. They stated he has improved, which is certainly the case. He was the third to receive a "23" which gave him a combined score of "44", just behind Ralph Macchio.

Other Entertaining Performances

Chelsea Kane - I'll give credit to Mark Ballas' creative choreography, but this routine was more suited for a freestyle dance in the finals, not the second week of a new season. However, their contemporary/mime style dance had very little of the jive in it. Len Goodman, who is extremely particular whenever someone doesn't stick to the rules of ballroom, did not like the dance. I loved the costumes, makeup and brilliant interpretation. It was entertaining, but not appropriate. Their score this week dropped to "18."

Petra Nemcova - She did an admirably job with the jive, even though her height was at a disadvantage I enjoyed it. Petra was ecstatic with their comments and gave the judge's kisses, though her score was the same as last week's at "18."

The Most Improved Couples

Mike Catherwood - You have to give him credit for improving from last week's disastrous dance. The scores were even better at "17." More than likely he may be the one to go home as I don't see him improving any more dramatically. He's simply too unknown to keep staying around when the other celebrities have huge fan bases.

Wendy Williams - Talk about the most improved of the night would have to be Wendy. She was actually quite good, compared to last week's cha-cha, with her quickstep. I was very impressed.

The results show should be interesting with the ever controversial Chris Brown. We will also be introduced to the "Dancing with the Stars" dance troupe. One couple goes home and it's on to the finals till May.

SOURCES:

Dancing with the Stars, ABC.com

Chris Matyszczyk, "Dancing with the Stars": Hines Ward steals the show", Celebrity Circuit - CBS News.com