"Dancing with the Stars" recaplet: Episode 702

Last night’s episode of Dancing With The Stars was part two of this season’s three-night live premiere event.  (Seriously though, who knew this show would make it to its seventh season, and with enough steam to take up five of ABC’s weekly fifteen primetime hours no less?).   

Funny man Jeffrey Ross (a.k.a. The Roastmaster General) was the show’s first victim, as he and dancing partner Edyta Sliwinska fell subject to poor scores and were voted off the show.  Although, it took us two hours to find out the results, and 12 more ‘celebrity’ dance routines in the meantime (yes, all 12 remaining couples danced again, and yes, it felt like the show was that many hours long).  

Again last night, this year’s crop of B- (and C-) Listers continued to provide some notable highlights: comedian Jeffrey’s sequined eye patch fad, actor Cody Linley’s jokes about his manliness and masculinity, dancer Mark’s frontless red sparkly shirt (an upgrade from his pink tux from the night prior) and Len’s obsession with Cloris Leachman’s “coconuts”.  That’s not to mention Lance Bass’ funny (and sort of awkward) slip of the tongue about “peeing on a dog”.   

Cloris shakes her coconuts

Last night he and Lacey Schwimmer (of So You Think You Can Dance fame) were the first couple to get through the round of voting and successfully make it to the second leg of the competition.  It was no real surprise though, as the duo dominated the top of the contest on Monday.  The only real criticisms had come from Judge Len Goodman, who called Lance and Lacey’s first performance “young and modern”, but proclaiming that he was “old and traditional”.  Well this second time around they still failed to really impress Len with their dance, who gave them merely a score of 6.  At this rate, it seems the generational gap might be an obstacle in the couple’s way throughout the season.  

Lance & Lacey's quick step

Bruno on the other hand continued to be nothing but supportive, randomly shouting positive adjectives like “dynamic” in the pair’s direction.  Host Tom Bergeron, fresh off of his non-Emmy win (…zing?), even liked the performance, saying he had wished it would “last longer”.  (Don’t worry Tom, I think there’s a pill for that).  Overall Lance and Lacey received a score of 21 from the Judges, but will still need votes from the American audience to stay in the competition… although I don’t really see that being an issue just yet.     

There are one or two other couples that might prove to be real rivals to Lancey (is that going to work as a sufficient nickname? I’m trying it out), but it’s obvious from the start the couple has chemistry and can move.  In his video segment from the first episode, the former pop singer said he was nervous to compete on DWTS because he was N’Sync’s “worst dancer”.  Of his time touring with the band he said, “What you saw onstage, I faked it very well”.  Let’s be honest Lance, faking things aren’t exactly your strong suit (we knew all along) and you truly are a good dancer.      

I just want to note that at the end of their routine tonight, Lance notably kissed partner Lacey on the lips.  Platonic, obviously… and it was even kind of sweet.  It just brings to attention, again, the fact that Bass is dancing with a female.  As always, we are here to look specifically at the show’s gay content, so I believe it’s worth mentioning.  Clearly, Lance is best known for his rise to 90s boyband fame, but most recently for his quasi-rise back during his public coming out in ‘06.  This makes him not only Dancing’s former N’Syncer, but also the show’s first openly gay male competitor.  So why isn’t he dancing with a guy?  

As always, let us know your thoughts: What do you think about Lance’s lack of a same-sex partner?  Who do you think is the next to be voted off?  Early picks for winners? And, what are your feelings about Lance’s hair? 

The next episode of DWTS airs tonight, Wednesday September 24^th at 8/7c on ABC.