After a strong start with the female contestants the night before, Tuesday night featured a mixed showing from the men on “Dancing With the Stars.” As a group, the gents couldn’t match the women’s efforts, but even with the bar set high, at least one standout performance surpassed the ladies.

The first to show the audience what the men could do was “All My Children” star Cameron Mathison. And he must have noticed the support season one winner Kelly Monaco got from “General Hospital” viewers, as he bragged, “Daytime fans are the best fans in the world because they’re so loyal and fantastic.” Okay, Cam. Consider that collective butt kissed.

But then again, he may need all the extra support he can get after his premiere dance. Maybe the problem was that Cameron and partner Edyta Sliwinska weren’t able to get in enough rehearsal time with his schedule. Maintaining his full-time status on “AMC,” he had to fly from New York to L.A. just to get some face time with Edyta.

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Whatever the reason, Cameron performed a stilted foxtrot. From the waist up he looked great, but his footwork was sloppy throughout. And he had that “counting the steps” look on his face for the first half of their “Moondance” routine.

The judges, who seem giddier than usual this season, scored the couple generously — sevens all around. Maybe Carrie Ann Inaba and the gang were impressed with his “nice arms for a guy.”

Bring on the champs
Undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Karina Smirnoff teamed up for the most staged training footage ever. Floyd discussed how he wanted to quit at first, then the video cut to a scene of the two arguing, ending with Karina storming off. Then, moments later, she returned to an apologetic Floyd. Right. Actors they ain’t.

After their fake drama, Floyd decided to approach this competition the way he would a championship fight. And in a way, he did. Though they worked the floor and the crowd well, Floyd kept the posture and arm movements of a boxer — head low, arms tight.

Overall it was an energetic cha cha, and Floyd does have some dancing skills. Maybe not ballroom ones, but still. The sixes all around from the judges seemed about right. Hopefully he’ll take Carrie Ann’s advice to heart and remember that, “(Karina) is a woman; she’s not fighting against you.”

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The other sports champ of the night showed Floyd and everyone else how it’s done. Two-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves didn’t look so sharp during rehearsals, especially with a bum knee from a recent crash, but everything changed once he and last season’s “DWTS” winner Julianne Hough took the stage.

Showing more chemistry than anyone has a right to this early in the competition, Helio and Julianne strolled through a beautiful foxtrot. He almost looked like a pro with perfect lines and posture. And best of all, they both genuinely smiled during the dance — not the typical “remember to smile!” look, either.

The judges gushed over what truthfully looked more like a dance from week six, not week one, leaving Len Goodman waxing hokey with the racing lingo. “It was like you were on cruise control! You were firing on all four cylinders!” Ugh. With a well-deserved 25 out of 30, this is the couple to look for in the end.

Maybe fame is overrated
It’s hard not to like Albert Reed. Sure, it’s easy to want to not like him, what with Albert not really being a celebrity and saying things like, “My name is Albert Reed, the model known for big campaigns and my blue steel looks.” But then he goes and softens viewers up with footage of his adorable lop-eared German Shepherd before letting loose his own full-on dorky, cute personality.

By the time he and Anna Trebunskaya left the dance floor, everyone was charmed, even the judges. How is that possible? What he lacked in fame and actual ballroom skills, Albert more than made up for with personality and a sort of endearing cheesiness. Zoolander brought it! Cha cha-ing to “A Little Less Conversation” and wearing an “open down to there” shirt, Albert busted every crazy move he could. High jumps, slides, hip action, he had it all.