Paula Makes Playful Debut as 'DWTS' Guest Judge
Famed dancer, singer and choreographer Paula Abdul lent her expertise (as well as an extra set of scores) to Dancing with the Stars this week. What did the first-time DWTS judge think of the remaining couples' routines?
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It's fair to say the television personality was fairly impressed with the nine dancing duos, as she bestowed generous scores on the acts as they embarked on peer-chosen routines, which left many a professional (and their partner) out of their element.
Facing up to the challenge, two couples emerged triumphant earning 39.5/ 40 points each for their hard work.
Gilles Marini and Peta Murgatroyd 's Aladdin-style Bollywood number drew the first tens of the night from the judges (10, 9.5, 10, 10) , but it wasn't long before Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough's energetic Mambo would earn them an identically high score (10, 9.5, 10, 10) and rave reviews from Paula, who dubbed the number her "most favorite dance" of the night.
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A barefoot Kelly Monaco (braving the pain of a broken toe) secured a 37.5/40 points for her emotional Contemporary dance with Val Chmerkovskiy (9, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5). Not far behind, Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani Jitterbug-ed their way into fourth with 37/40 points (9.5, 9.5, 9, 9).
Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke's fiery Bolero placed the pair in fifth with 36/40 points (9, 9, 9, 9), leaving Sabrina Bryan and Louis Van Amstel nipping at their heels with an entertaining Disco which scored the twosome 35.5/40 points (9, 9, 8.5, 9).
Apolo Anton Ohno and partner Karina Smirnoff, who suffered a fall mid-routine, took home 34.5/40 (8.5, 9, 8.5, 8.5) points for their spirited Hip Hop-style dance.
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Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas were not far behind with 32/40 points for their cutesy Rock n' Roll-inspired number (8,8,8,8).
Unfortunately, Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy's energetic Charleston couldn't save the pair from placing last. With unanimous 7.5's from the panel, Kirstie and Maks round out the bottom of the leaderboard for week four with 30/40 points.
Tune in to ABC tomorrow night at 8/7c when guest judge Paula Abdul returns for the elimination round where one of the nine remaining couples will take their leave from the dance floor.