Jaleel White lost the dance duel leaving the rest of the stars to duke it out for Week 8. The challenge for the stars was to perform two dances. One would be a standard routine with their respective pro partners. The second dance would task the star to perform in a routine with two pro dancers. The Trio Challenge seemed like a daunting and impossible goal but, astonishingly, the contenders were very much ready to take their dance skills and really show off what they have learned from their pro partners.

Melissa Gilbert: Actress
Maks Chmerkovskiy: Pro Partner

Week 8 / Foxtrot
An encouraging intro led to some hiccups in the footwork. The missteps towards the beginning made me fear that Melissa would revert back to Week 1 status but once she found her bearings she was gliding along with Maks and making it look effortless. There was a move where she shimmies up along Maks' front and she didn't appear nervous or bashful. She showed a lot more confidence and control. I'm not sure if this will qualify her for the Finals or even the Semi-Finals but if this was her last dance it was a superb way to end her run.

Judgment Call: Despite some errors in the footwork all three judges claimed this was Melissa's best performance, thus far. Carrie Ann was especially giddy about Melissa's shoulder placement.

Roshon Fegan: Actor / Dancer
Chelsie Hightower: Pro Partner

Week 8 / Foxtrot
It was a cute performance. Roshon's moves were smooth and colorful. It was a carefree routine with Roshon looking very good and sturdy in hold. No wobbly legs this time as he dipped and twirled Chelsie in the Foxtrot. Here's to hoping his technically strong Foxtrot keeps him from elimination.

Judgment Call: All three judges were very happy with the dance and proud of Roshon's progress.

William Levy: Actor / Model
Cheryl Burke: Pro Partner

Week 8 / Foxtrot
Well, William certainly looked dapper in his tux. His footwork was springy and his posture was very good. I needed to be reminded that William can actually dance well when he is fully clothed. It was a smooth and sleek dance from William. Though it was clean.....I don't know. It felt like the choreography was too easy or too simplified. But even I am forced to admit that William looked like a good dancer.

Judgment Call: Judges loved it and gave it a perfect score of 30.

Katherine Jenkins: Singer
Mark Ballas: Pro Partner

Week 8 / Viennese Waltz
Katherine displayed an incredible amount of grace and charm in her Viennese Waltz. Katherine is a beautiful dancer and she proved it again in this routine. The only slip-up seemed to be the transition into the spinning lift stunt that started off a bit clumsy but once it smoothed out it was an interesting piece of the routine. As Katherine mentioned herself, even a great dance might not save her from elimination since she is not as known in the States as Melissa Gilbert or as worshipped by lustful houseswives as William Levy. Here's to hoping the viewer will keep this contestant in for her dancing instead of her popularity.

Judgment Call: Len liked it except for the “spinny thing”. Bruno liked it but felt Katherine was a bit off at certain moments. Carrie Ann liked the dance but expressed some dismay over Katherine's lack of balance.

Maria Menounos: TV Host
Derek Hough: Pro Partner

Week 8 / Viennese Waltz
Technically sound with Maria gliding and swaying in a way that looked like she was floating next to Derek instead of just singing. I'm not sure if Maria captured the emotion for me. At least not fully. I still think Maria is one of the best contestants in the competition but I wouldn't say this was my favorite routine. I think my issue was more with the choreography but that's a style preference. Maria danced well and is a good shot for the Finals.

Judgment Call: Bruno and Carrie Ann loved it. Len was disappointed with the lack of holds in Maria's Viennese Waltz and chided Derek for not making it more traditional.

Donald Driver: Pro Football Athlete
Peta Murgatroyd: Pro Partner

Week 8 / Tango
Donald was light on his feet as he worked to achieve a crispness in his steps. His hold was strong and taut as he locked Peta into his arms. It was hard to choose between watching Donald's solid upper body and his sturdy leg action.

Judgment Call: The judges were overall happy with Donald's Tango and praised it as one of the best dances of the evening.

Dance Trio Challenge

Donald Driver & Peta Murgatroyd + Karina Smirnoff / Jive
Wow! It was a beautiful and vibrant routine but the biggest draw was Donald's footwork. His foot flicks and kicks were bold and, for the most part, on point. He stayed in great synch with Peta and Karina. It was a great team dance and Donald looked like a perfect fit for the Semi-Finals.

Judgment Call: All three judges were wowed by Donald's performance and loved the trio's Jive.

Maria Menounos & Derek Hough + Henry Byalikov / Samba
The Bollywood flavored Samba was a fun and cheeky number with Maria going from group dancing to dancing with Mark and then dancing with Henry. It was a good number and Maria looked great in it.

Judgment Call: Carrie Ann and Bruno loved the concept despite the slip-ups. Len, however, was dismayed that there wasn't enough Samba content in the routine.

Melissa Gilbert & Maks Chmerkovskiy + Val Chmerkovskiy / Samba
Just when I thought nothing could be hotter than the Chmerkovskiy Brothers dancing together Melissa came out and surprised me by coming out and giving 100% resulting in a solid Samba trio. Her Foxtrot was good but Melissa sultry and technically sound performance alongside Val and Maks was brilliant. This was arguably Melissa's best dance of the season yet.

Judgment Call: The judges loved it and were highly impressed with the beautiful dancing that Melissa displayed.

Roshon Fegan & Chelsie Hightower + Sasha Farber / Paso Doble
I really wish they would stop picking on Roshon's masculinity. Roshon is a great young man with the presence of a fine young man. Anyway, he and Sasha were looking like twins as they danced in unison to duel over Chelsie and then having Roshon dance with Chelsie to show off the hold moves in the Paso and then culminating with Sasha's return to the floor and more dancing together. It was a dynamic and stirring routine despite the rhythmic disconnect between Roshon and Sasha. Overall, though, it was a great number with Roshon bringing all his gusto to the boiling point.

Judgment Call: Carrie Ann and Bruno were so bummed about the mixup towards the end but all three judges loved the routine, nonetheless.

Katherine Jenkins & Mark Ballas + Tristan MacManus / Cha Cha
Lots of Cha Cha content with Mark and Tristan taking turns leading the lovely lady in some crisp moves. Katherine even prevailed over a little wardrobe malfunction when part of her rip-off suit clasp to her ankle. She still danced with it on and didn't miss a beat though she was eventually able to kick it off and dance totally freely. The routine itself seemed kind of disjointed and not as unified as I would've liked but when Katherine paired with either Mark or Tristan she displayed lots of poise and sassiness. I loved her shimmies, too.

Judgment Call: All three judges were pleased with the trio's Cha Cha.

William Levy & Cheryl Burke + Tony Dovolani / Paso Doble
Not bad. There was definitely a risk in having William and another male pro in the group. This meant that William had to step it up so that he could appear as good as Tony. For the most part, William looked very good. I can't say that William was perfect but it was impressive to see William truly standing on his own without Cheryl to lean on. The three made a good team and William did very well.

Judgment Call: All three of the judges were enthralled by the performance though Carrie Ann and Bruno couldn't help but point out the moment where William and Tony lost synch.