DWTS' Jennifer Grey Returns to Form to Top the Leaderboard on Monday, Nov. 1st, 2010

Tonight's installment of "Dancing with the Stars" brought back some winners and/or competitors from other years, including Emmitt Smith (who Lopez-ed Mario), the New Improved Kelly Osborne, Helio Castroneves, Gilles Marini, Drew Lachey and others such as Apolo Ono and Kristi Yamaguchi. Competitors were then asked to reprise the dances that the earlier contestants had performed and also performed 2 group dances coached by the 2 Olympic winners, Kristi Yamaguchi and Apolo Ono.

Best of the night were Jennifer Grey and her partner Derek Hough, who danced a tango inspired by Drew Lachey and his partner. Early on we heard Jennifer bemoaning the fact that "My body isn't what it was even a couple of weeks ago" and saying, "I'm frustrated that my body isn't doing what I'm asking it to do." When Jennifer danced, clad in a burgundy backless sparkly number, she and Derek executed high kicks and had a great ending to the dance. Even the host said, "Way to rally." Carrie Ann talked about how the competition was "truly a journey. When you see somebody come back after a really tough week and blow the doors off," she said, it was gratifying. Len chimed in that it was actually 2 really bad weeks and praised the "tension, passion and attack." Drew Lachey told Jennifer that she had "an amazing partner" and said, "You've got a real shot." Bruno, too, said that Jennifer was "A Phoenix rising from her own ashes. You can go all the way." The couple scored 64 out of 70 points to co-lead the board for the night.

Another couple who did just as well, also scoring 64 out of 70, were Brandy and Maks, dancing with "sexuality, sensuality and a take charge attitude," which Len declared "fantastic."

Other couples who did well this night, scoring 61 points, respectively, were Kurt Warner and his partner and Rick Fox and partner. Rick Fox resembled the Jolly Green Giant in his outfit. Fox reprised a Helio Castroneves (the Yellow Banana) quickstep from season 9. Len said, to Rick, "When you come out and thoroughly enjoy yourself, we enjoy ourselves." Bruno declared it to be his best dance and said he had "more faces than Jim Carrey." Helio seemed chagrined that Fox stole his ending to the dance, a kiss for his partner.

Carrie Ann praised Kurt Warner for "bringing character to life" and Emmitt Smith called him "dapper" praising his technique and execution. Emmitt said, of Kurt Warner's dance, "It was something that was very special" and gave him a 10. Len said, "You just come back stronger every time," but he did point out that there is a difference between flexed and bent knees. Overall, he said, "Well done." Both of these contestants earned 61 points.

Kyle Massey and his partner, Lacey Schwimmer danced the paso doble. Len said, "Next week, you said it: you've gotta' up your game and that was your best dance." Mel B said, "That was amazing and you were very sexy." Bruno commented on the line that Kyle didn't quite have and Carrie Anne praised Mel B's dance in a previous season and said that Kyle and Lacey had done "exactly the same thing." They scored 59 out of 70.

Bristol Palin and her partner Mark earned a 57 for the night, with comments from Carrie Ann like, "You have the power to touch," although she noted that Bristol seemed a bit detached. Kelly Osborne, who was the guest judge sitting in called Bristol's performance "Unbelievable" and "Fantastic." Judge Len said, "I enjoyed it very much. You lack a little bit of chemistry." Bruno said, "You move so well." He did make some remarks about the couple's "connecting," but ended up saying, "You did very well with it."

In preliminary team competition, the team coached by Apolo Ono scored 27 points while the team wearing pink coached by Kristi Yamaguchi scored 24. Personally, I thought the pink team (Team Kristi) was better -- except for Bristol Palin, who did not seem to have mastered the steps, which was commented on by the judges.

If I were judging, I would not have glowed on about Kyle Massey's dance. He'd have been long gone by now, certainly before Audrina Patridge. Bristol is still stumbling along in there (God forbid the judges be harsh with Sarah Palin's little girl.)Who deserves to go? The same 2 who have deserved to go since Day One, but nevermind about that. Obviously the dancing talent is not the criteria for elimination or Audrina would still be hoofing along.

Jennifer Grey was definitely the best of the night; at least the judges got THAT right.

Stay tuned to see who is eliminated on Tuesday night.