Dancing with the Stars Week 2 Performance Show

Dancing with the Stars performance show of week two included all of the elements that seasoned fans come looking for. Part of what makes Dancing with the Stars so popular is that we get to see a diverse group of ambitious individuals move in and out of their comfort zones in the name of competition. Not unlike past seasons of DWTS, there are sentimental favorites, underdogs, and a few diamonds in the rough competing for the mirrorball trophy. Night two saw opponents square off in one of two dances - Jive for the Latin category or Foxtrot for the Ballroom category and both proved to be difficult for seasoned performers and novices alike.

Without a doubt, the standout performance of this week on Dancing with the Stars came when professional dancer Derek Hough and his partner Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls took to the floor performing an updated jive to Rihanna's S.O.S. None of the other competitors were able to match Derek and Nicole's chemistry or ease of movement throughout their performance, which earned the first 10's to be awarded this season and kept them in the number one position on the leaderboard.

As has come to be expected on Dancing with the Stars, there were performances that stood out for all the wrong reasons during the performance show. The foxtrot performed by former astronaut Buzz Aldrin and his partner Ashley Costa to Sinatra's "Fly Me To The Moon" was stiff and awkward, leaving the audience disappointed. It's difficult when a crowd really wants to get behind a competitor and they are left unable to do so. The same could be said for Kate Gosselin's performance, which left the audience cringing. Judge Carrie Ann Inada was quick to point out that Kate is not a professional performer or athlete and that every element of the competition is new to her. After viewing the excerpts from the week's practices, the audience sees what a struggle it was for Kate and Tony just to continue competing together. Kate and Tony didn't quit, and sometimes that is the best you can do.

The top three scores of the night were awarded to Derek Hough and Nicole Scherzinger for their jive, earning a combined score of 53 out of 60, Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskya, also performing a jive, earning a combined score of 47, and lastly Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who performed the foxtrot, earning a combined total of 44.

Coming off of their sizzling Cha Cha Cha from last week, Pamela Anderson and partner Damian Whitewood showed off their versatility and kept the crowd coming back for more with their foxtrot. Pamela and Damian have demonstrated that they may have what it takes to go far this season.

Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco and partner Cheryl Burke, having been called a diamond in the rough more than once so far this season, took home the third worst score of the evening with a 16. The judges weren't kind advising Ochocinco that dancing is like football and that he needs to be in the moment.

Shannen Doherty, a sentimental favorite, who is competing for her father who recently suffered a stroke, showed improvement during her jive with partner Mark Ballas. It's unlikely that Shannen and Mark will be going home this week, which buys her more time to relax and find her footing.

ESPN's Erin Andrews, a self-proclaimed tomboy, exuded grace and elegance during her foxtrot with partner Max Chmerkovskiy. Erin had been told that she needed to find her inner princess and demonstrated during her performance that she has.

Edyta Sliwinska and partner Aiden Turner came into the night in second to last place but were able to turn in a solid performance with their foxtrot giving them a glimmer of hope.

Crowd pleasers from last week comedienne Niecy Nash and partner Louis Van Amstel performed a foxtrot that judge Len Goodman referred to as a "revelation". Nash, who is surprised to be a contender after having been thrown out of 8th grade dance class, said she will heed the advice of the judges and "go big" in subsequent performances.

Audiences will find out who will stay and who will go home during Tuesday night's results show and will also be treated to performances by The Beach Boys as well as a Stars of Dance performance for Haiti.