On Tax Day, it was very appropriate that the April 18 episode was themed “Americana week,” meaning our duos had to dance either Latin or ballroom with an “all-American twist.”

Hines Ward and Kym Johnson finished in second place last week and danced the Rumba to God Bless the USA Monday night. Kym said because of the patriotic nature of the song, she will tone down on the usual sexy raunchy choreography of this type of dance. Hines felt like a caveman in rehearsals because he head-butted his partner twice and dropped her a couple of times as well. 

During the performance Hines was dressed in a white uniform ala Richard Gere style and looked just as dapper I must say. He also did a great job of twirling the sexified Kym every which way but loose. The duo once again floored the judges and ended the night in first place. This is how the judges gushed:

Bruno Tonioli (9): “An Officer and a Gentleman. Ease of musicality and just the right amount of sensuality to make all the ladies swoon. Well plaaaayed.”

Carrie Ann Inaba (9): “Hines, you make it look so easy…You have the best hip action I have seen in a looooong time. And it was very romantic. It’s tough to do Proud to Be An American and then do the most sensual dance of the night. Good job.”

Len Goodman (9): “What I like is that it’s not false. It has a naturalness about it. It’s got an ease and an elegance about it which is charming. For me, that’s your best dance so far.”

Total score: 27

Romeo and Chelsie Hightower danced the Foxtrot to New York, New York. Romeo was stoked because he’s already lasted longer than his dad Master P did on the show before he made his exit with a score of an 8. Yes, 8. Romeo wanted to add swagger to the choreography and Chelsie agreed as long as they would do it the ’60s kind of swagger to go with the feel of the song.  Romeo looked sharp in his tuxedo and top hat. I swear I can’t help but smile when I watch these two dance. They melt me…just like the little town blues melt in NY, NY!

Len (9): “The parts in hold had control. And the parts you weren’t together had a lot of flare about it. There’s still bits and pieces that I am not 100% happy with. But I think you are on the right road because you are a very charming chap and you always come out and do a good job.”

Bruno (8): “Yes, you did have swagger, and spank and full of flavor. I’ve never seen a Foxtrot so cheeky and so well-danced because you did all that but maintained the style of the dance. Well done.”

Carrie Ann (9): “I remember week one when you were resisting the ballroom and you did not want to go there saying ‘it’s not cool.’ That was so cool and so sophisticated. You have your own unique style. I have never seen anyone approach the ballroom like you have. Great job. Chelsie, good job.”

Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas did the Samba to Miley Cyrus’ Party in the USA. Chelsea wanted to stay on top of the leaderboard and thought she can do so by breaking every single rule for the Samba. Mark, however, desided to keep it straight for once to show off Chelsea’s good technique. Chelsea wanted to prove her first place finish last week was no accident. She accomplished her goal, coming in a close second –then again, it’s a three-way tie for second place–but this dance was by far my fave dance of the night.

Chelsea is such a great dancer and so beautiful to look at, I sometimes forget to also check out Mark’s moves. But I made a point of paying attention to him too Monday night and he just floored me once again. He’s such an amazing talent and is simply mesmerizing to watch–there is a reason he’s coached two of his partners to winning the mirrorball trophy. OK, back to Chelsea. Here is what the judges had to say about her:

Bruno (9): “You had all the go for it, positive energy of America. And the sizzle and excitement of Brazil. The best of both worlds. And you are so clean. Your placement is so good. You are so tight. You are really really such a good dancer darling, you really are.”
Carrie Ann (9): “You guys dance so well together. Your attributes match perfectly. I think this was fantastic, again.”
Len (8): “Yum yum what a bum. Honestly. This was a party and I’m not talking a Tupperware party. This was real good fun….well done!”
Total score: 26

Chris Jericho and Cheryl Burke danced the Viennese Waltz to America The Beautiful and Chris said his mission was to get higher than a 7 from Len –the score he said he’s received 3 weeks in a row. Chris looked oh-so-handsome in his military getup and rocked the ballroom dance, thanks to his stellar posture and form. The duo put on an elegant and effortless number.  Chris then did his best impression of Len and announced he got an 8! Did Chris get a good score out of Len? Here is what went down from the judges panel:

Kendra Wilkinson and Louis van Amstel danced the Foxtrot to Yankee Doodle Dandy! In rehearsals,

Louis patiently convinced Kendra that the judges provide harsh critiques because they want her to be at her best and to develop the necessary confidence to advance in the competition. Kendra finally said she saw the light.

These two had the honor of performing the show’s 1,000th dance and with that came a crap load of confetti strewn all over the place. Kendra promised America that she will put her “heart and soul” in the dance since we saved her from elimination last week. For the performance, the two were decked out in more red, white and blue that any two sane people should ever wear at any one given moment (boo hoo on me for sounding unpatriotic possibly). But Kendra did rebound from last week’s fiasco: She was more fun to watch and had more sass and flair, though she still ended up tied for last place anyway.  Here is what the judges said:

Len (7): “Good news. It’s much better than last week. You came out and enjoyed yourself. It was fun and it was entertaining. Well done.”

Bruno (7): “Sweet as apple pie and much more in character. When you perform on stage on camera, you have to be in it…I can still see you thinking it. You have to stop that.”

Carrie Ann (7):  “This is the most confident I’ve ever seen you. I know these comments are hard to hear. But whenever we are commenting, we’re always trying to help you. And look what it did. You were confident. You were a fighter. Most patriotic dance of the night.”