It's time to send another couple home on Dancing with the Stars, and I'm prepared to be shocked. Michael Irvin and Anna Demidova had the lowest score, but they are so audience-friendly that voting should keep them around, leaving another team to go. Let's look at the scores:
From the first four weeks, every eliminated couple has had either the lowest or second lowest score, meaning Natalie and Louie could be in danger. But with six couples only three points or less from the bottom, Donny, Mya and Mark are probably the only three that are comfortably safe.
My pre-show prediction? Natalie Coughlin in a surprisingly early elimination. Yes, she's an Olympian and has the fourth highest average score of the season, but being only one point above the bottom and without solid name recognition or a good personal story, this could be what happens when the judges get too generous with their scoring.
Dancing with the Stars Week 5 Judges' Scores:
Michael Irvin and Anna Demidova: 7+7+7=21
Natalie Coughlin and Alec Mazo: 7+8+7=22
Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower: 7+8+7=22
Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Ballas: 8+8+7=23
Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff: 8+8+8=24
Joanna Krupa and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 8+8+8=24
Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel: 8+8+8=24
Mark Dacascos and Lacey Schwimmer: 9+9+8=26
Mya and Dmitry Chaplin: 9+9+9=27
Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson: 10+9+10=29
In the recap, we find out Kelly hurt her ankle and had to go to the hospital after the show. Seeing Ozzy Osbourne take care of her is hilarious, as is the fact that Kelly vows that her foot would need to fall off for her to leave Dancing with the Stars. Luckily, she's OK and will be able to compete next week.
And as expected, Donny's Argentine Tango is the encore of the night. It's starting to look like he could beat his sister's third place finish after all.
The musical guest for the night is Norah Jones, but since I'm not a 45-year-old woman, I don't really care. We also get reflections on Michael Jackson's influence, as 17 of his songs have been danced to on this show.
Good News! You can throw away your Ambien and just buy Norah's new album, because they have the same end result. Seriously, I was able to get two power naps in during her first performance.
Ironically, Michael Irvin, the guy with the lowest score, is the only one who's confident he's staying.
RESULTS, PART 1
Mark Dacascos and Lacey Schwimmer are...SAFE.
Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson are...SAFE.
Mya and Dmitry Chaplin are...SAFE.
Wow, that's followed by the best thing this show has ever done, a fascinating backstage look at all the stars done in a single long tracking shot. It's visually stunning.
RESULTS, PART 2
Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough are...IN JEOPARDY!
Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel are...SAFE.
Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff are...IN JEOPARDY!
This is crazy. Two of the bottom couples scored 24, which is three higher than the low score of the week. People must REALLY hate Joanna and Aaron. I'm fine with Carter going, but Joanna and Derek don't deserve to go since he was sick and that threw a huge monkey wrench into their week.
RESULTS, PART 3
Michael Irvin and Anna Demidova are...SAFE.
Natalie Coughlin and Alec Mazo are...IN JEOPARDY!
Man, what is it going to take to send Michael home? The judges are going to have to sandbag him and give him a score that's at least five points lower than everyone else.
Next it's time for Norah Jones' second song, and if possible, it's even more sleep-inducing than the first one. WARNING: Do not listen to Norah Jones while operating heavy machinery.
RESULTS, PART 4
Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower are...SAFE.
Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Ballas are...IN JEOPARDY!
Cool, all the people in the bottom are former high scorers. This is one crazy week.
Michael Jackson Tribute
It's introduced by Latoya, who is two pounds of crazy in a one-pound bag. But then it's dance time, and it's so freaking awesome, and I'm fairly certain this will be winning a Choreography Emmy next year. The amazing marathon Jackson-inspired performance ends with all 16 professionals from this season doing the "Thriller" dance, and it's just the coolest thing I've ever seen on Dancing with the Stars.
ELIMINATION TIME!
Melissa and Mark are SAFE.
Joanna and Derek are SAFE.
So Aaron is in the bottom again, and he's joined by Natalie. Oddly, these two couples are currently tied for having the fourth highest average during the season.