Dancing With The Stars 2010 Vote: Lysacek Leads, Aldrin Last

by Yuliya Talmazan | April 6, 2010 at 01:13 pm

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The Dancing With The Stars is done with week 3 of competition and the leaderboard is becoming a little more defined with clear favourties and underdogs.

Let's look at some of this week's highlights:

Kate Gosselin and Tony Dovolani -- 15/30

After what has been called a "nightmare" performance last week, Gosselin and Dovolani were the obvious candidates for elimination, but the couple was spared and given another chance with a Paso Doble. Faced with one of the most passionate ballroom dances that is supposed to exude character, Gosselin was in for a challenge. Just looking at Kate Gosselin's stature, one can definitely say she does not have the charisma of a Latin dancer. Her body type is much better suited for softer, melodramatic Standard routines. Right away she struggled with Paso's character and stance. So this time, instead of quitting on her, Gosselin's partner Tony Dovolani hired an acting coach to bring out more passion in Kate. She was even made to kick a punching bag around to get her anger and frustration out and build some character. The couple was dancing to Paparazzi song by Lady Gaga to allow Kate to relate and create that arch-rival duo of celebrity versus paparazzi. Although Gosselin managed to pull off the mad look in the end, her dancing (and sometimes plain walking) was still very stiff and off music. With the second lowest score of the night, Gosselin looks like she is the most likely to go this time around as viewers vote again tonight.

Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood -- 21/30

In a stark contrast to Gosselin's emotionless and rather robotic Paso Doble, Anderson's Paso stood out. For a life-long animal activist, Anderson said Paso, which centers on the theme of bull fighting, is a "dance with the Devil" for her. Her dancing was technical and mostly on beat. The Baywatch star seemed to have picked an unfortunate dress for Paso that seems to have restricted her movement during the routine. Judges also noted that she might have tried too hard this time after being in the bottom two last week.

Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya -- 26/30

The duo stole away the highest score of the night and their highest score yet on the show. Hitting the floor first, the couple danced a retro inspired Quickstep. And, although 6' 2'' Lysacek looked stiff on straight-line passes across the floor, his graceful extensions and flexibility made up for it. But, Lysacek can't rest on his laurels just yet. The 2010 Olympic figure skating champion has been told to work on his feet and posture ahead of next week's performance. It was later revealed that Lysacek has actually danced on a couple of broken toes last night, something he never mentioned during the show.

Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough -- 23/30

After consistently spectacular leaderboard topper routines in the last two weeks, the couple earned their lowest score yet. They were penalized for not following the rules of Quickstep and doing a lift, which breaks the ballroom partner-to-partner hold. In all honesty Dancing With The Stars performances rarely have anything to do with the actual dances assigned. Understandably, choreography is often dumbed down to make it more adaptable and natural for the non-professionals. So it is interesting to see a DWTS couple being penalized for not doing the dance the "right" way. The lift that cost the couple precious points was also not the prettiest ballroom trick out there. Nicole was actually the one to lift her partner mid-way through the routine. Otherwise, the dance was technical and well delivered. The only question is - was it Quickstep? The judges said "no." Will the viewers agree?

Off the dance floor, Nicole Scherzinger is desperately denying the rumours that she and her partner Derek Hough are romantically linked. Scherzinger is in a relationship with race car driver Lewis Hamilton.

Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa -- 13/30

The couple danced a sentimental dad-and-daughter themed Waltz that one again was rated lowest by the judges. Last week, Aldrin was writing down his steps on a piece of paper. This time, the retired astronaut went high-tech and recorded the routine on his iPhone. But, steps never seem to be a problem for 80-year-old Aldrin. It is the dynamics and extensions that could use work. But, Aldrin says he just can't turn off his head and move. Once again, the dance was rigid, but came through as lyrical and cute.

Meanwhile, another contestant Erin Andrews is facing death threats. Former ESPN correspondent has been receiving death threats from a stalker, but the reporter says she is not quitting the show over the threats.

"I'm glad I'm here. I have a dance on Monday and I don't want to let [my partner] down, I don't want to let my family down, and I don't want to let myself down," she said. "I'm not going to stop living my life. I don't quit on things. It's not an option for me.”

FBI is actively investigating the threats.