Mel and Maks spice it up on ‘Dancing’

A rousing rumba
After Mel B. and Maksim Chmerkovskiy thoroughly explained the love/hate vibe of the rumba, it seemed like an obvious choice for the bickering couple. On the dance floor, they proved it really was a perfect match.

Eschewing the power moves that all the couples have employed so liberally this season, M&M performed a stunning, straightforward rumba with just the right amount of emotion. (And take note Sabrina, they only squeezed in six hours of rehearsal time!) Finally, the pair had a chance to showcase their odd chemistry, and it worked. After ending the number with a judge-perched flirting finish, they scored 10s across the board.

The second perfect score of the season also merited an odd bit of gibberish from Len. “It was perfected, inspected, dissected, and as far as I’m concerned, it won’t be rejected.” Co-host Samantha Harris wouldn’t be outdone, adding, “I knew you should have sat on the judges earlier in the season!”

After yet the second obligatory screening of Marie fainting last Monday, she and Jonathan Roberts performed the paso doble. Or at least tried. They held back, and who can blame them? Jonathan even made a point of incorporating breathing into the number, lest Marie forget about that part again. But a dour-faced Marie suspiring on cue didn’t make for a passionate paso.

The most exciting moments for Johnny and Marie awkwardly came from two choreographed drops that looked a little too faint-like for comfort. When it was over, Len, still a little word-loopy, compared Marie to “a gypsy around a campfire cooking (her) sausages.” And evidently embodying that was worth 23 points.

Back on track
Following his first roundly panned performance last week, Helio Castroneves ditched the idea of playing a character, and instead embraced his grinning, goofy self. That made for a big stride in this week’s cha-cha-cha. Helio’s footwork was impeccable — well, what could be seen of it from under the hems of his appalling beige flairs.

The audience went wild for the dance, and Len was wild for the pants. “When you’re done with your trousers, I’d look gorgeous in them!” But the panel thought the Helio’s moves were even better than the flairs, scoring him and Julianne Hough 28 points.

The show ended with a rock ’n’ roll group dance that went like all group dances do. There was so much going on at the same time, it was impossible to tell the good from the bad. Everyone just looked out of time and jumbled — not to mention, hard to recognize in their “Greasers vs. the Jocks” getups. Jane Seymour decked out as Sandy in the last act of “Grease”? Distracting!

At least there’s one big change in store for Tuesday night’s results show. It’s highly unlikely a guy will leave this week. In fact, if voting shapes up around scoring lines, Marie or Jane will waltz off the stage. But surprises happen, so look out Jennie!

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