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Michael & Anna's Foxtrot (8|8|7)
Donny & Kym's Quickstep (8|8|8)
Mark & Anna T's Samba (6|7|6)
Mya & Dmitry's Foxtrot (9|7|9)
Aaron & Karina's Jive (9|10|10)
Kelly & Louis' Salsa (8|8|8)
Joanna & Derek's Rumba (9|9|9)

Week 7 – "Good isn't good enough"
photos from this episode

Last week brought the first double elimination, and now the field is down to seven. Len set the stage: "The pressure tonight is going to go up a notch, and pressure will either make you or break you. To get this far, you've been good dancers—but good isn't good enough from now on. We're expecting great dancing."

A lot of the stars tonight lived up to that challenge. Michael Irvin, who barely survived last week after low scores put him in a dance-off against Louie Vito, performed his best dance of the season with 23 points for an impressive Foxtrot. Donny Osmond stayed steady with a competent-but-flawed Quickstep, earning his 2nd 24 in a row. Bruno complimented him on being able to cover his mistakes very well.

Facing a setback tonight was Mark Dacascos, whose partner Lacey Schwimmer got the flu. Anna Trebunskaya stepped in at the last minute as a replacement, but the pair only had two days to learn two dance routines. The pressure and challenges were a tough combination, and Mark and Anna's Samba got only 19 points from the judges.

Mya impressed again, although her Foxtrot swayed Carrie Ann and Bruno more than Len, who seems to expect even more from Mya. Kelly Osbourne, overcoming being called "beige" by Bruno the week before, danced a very solid and confident Salsa, earning gushing praise from all the judges, and three 8's. Joanna and Derek's Rumba took things even further, earning three solid 9's.

But the team dance that brought down the house tonight was Aaron Carter's Jive. He and partner Karina's wild and lively fast-footed dance to Twisted Sister's We're Not Gonna Take It actually got Len to dust off his "10" paddle. Yes, Len gave his first 10 of the season to Aaron, along with a 10 from Bruno and a 9 from Carrie Ann.

Tonight also featured two team dances, with pairs teaming up to earn a shared score that will be added to their individual scores tonight. Aaron & Karina, Mya & Dmitry, Mark & Anna T, and Michael & Anna D danced the team Paso that earned a solid 24 from the judges, although they found the choreography somewhat basic and not wholly in sync. On the other hand, Joanna & Derek, Donny & Kym, and Kelly & Louis performed a tight, professional, rock-solid team Tango that spotlighted each pair's skills as individuals as well as showcasing the whole team as a unit. Carrie Ann and Len each gave enthusiastic 9's, and Bruno handed them a 10!

After a night of impressive performances, energy, and teamwork, it's going to be tough sending two more pairs home tomorrow in the 2nd double elimination.
 

Top Three Scores

Joanna & Derek (Rumba: 27) + (Team Tango: 28) = 55
Aaron & Karina (Jive: 29) + (Team Paso: 24) = 53
Kelly & Louis (Salsa: 24) + (Team Tango: 28) = 52 (tie)
Donny & Kym (Quickstep: 24) + (Team Tango: 28) = 52 (tie)
 

Highlights of the night:

Aaron Carter & Karina Smirnoff's Jive.  Bruno called it "unstoppable momentum—your best performance!"

The Team Tango. Joanna & Derek, Donny & Kym, and Kelly & Louis in striking synchronized kicks to Bon Jovi's You Give Love a Bad Name.
 

Comments from He Said/She Said

"Who was right, Len saying Mya and Dmitry used too many gimics or Carrie Ann who thought Len was crazy?  Ha ha, it's funny to watch the judges go at it. " -- Meg

"SO true what Bruno said about Donny: 'Nobody could cover all the mistakes as well as you!' Despite the moments he was offbeat, he 'still sold it.' I agree. You know how some dancers make missteps on that stage and it's just so hard to watch? You utterly cringe? Not so with Donny. He's goofy enough that you smile along with him the whole darn time." -- Karl

Read more and join the conversation at He Said/She Said