Live blogging Dancing With The Stars. Paula Abdul is set to guest judge tonight! The All Star couples battle it out with dances they chose for each other. Lots of off-beat and dances never performed before on DWTS. LIFTS WILL BE ALLOWED!

You know what? Paula Abdul’s turn as judge tonight really made me miss her!  She was really fun to watch tonight, like the Pauler of old.  She played off Bruno kind of the way she did with Simon–particularly with the flirting–and I thought it worked pretty well. If Carrie Ann decides to move on (I can’t imagine she would) Paula could step in for her.

Tonight’s wacky dance styles were a challenge for some of the dancers. Bollywood, Bolero and Contemporary were out of the wheelhouse of the dancers who performed the routines. And  anyone who is a fan of So You Think You Can Dance knows how those routines should be performed. But, we’re taking about non-dancers here,. so Gilles, Apolo and Emmitt really deserved to be graded on a curve.  I loved Sabrina and Louis’ disco. Lots of intricate lifts. Melissa and Tony had some great choreography too. Derek and Shawn’s mambo was just spectacular. They lucked out with a dance that was tailor made for the pair.

Bristol and Mark performed a very rudimentary routine adequately. They deserve to go home, but I don’t think it will happen. Either Kirsty and Maks will leave, or there will be another shocker.

First, a video package introducing PAULER. Paula says she’s looking for Simon and Randy. (She’s sitting between Len and Bruno). No. Just kidding. She’s looking for the dancers to PUSH THEIR BOUNDARIES. Because you know THERE ARE NO BOUNDARIES.

Kirstie and Maks – The Charleston – Maks is pushing Kirstie to be more than a actress and a comedian. Kirstie jumps out of a cake. The Charleston is perfect for Kirstie, because it give her the opportunity to clown. Her dancing is so so, but she does a Lucille Ball turn, and it’s entertaining. Len says “You turn Monday into a fun day. I would have liked it a little cleaner here and there.” Paula “What a way to start out the night. You danced it wonderfully.” Bruno says, “You’re a mad woman and I love you for it.” OMG he compared her “whale dance” to Shelly Winters. It’s true! Carrie Ann says, “You look stunning. You played to your strengths.” Carrie Ann – 7.4 Len – 7.5 Paula – 7.5 Bruno – 7.5 – 30 – 1-800-868-3412

Bristol and Mark – Rock and Roll – They dance to “At the Hop”. OMG Mark might dress up as a bunny. HE REALLY WANTS TO GO HOME. Shades of Bristol’s MONKEY SUIT. She’s having trouble picking up the steps. “Can’t you just make it easier,” Bristol whines. Mark is frustrated that she wants to dumb it down. SHE IS SO ANNOYING. She knows she doesn’t have to work hard. She’ll get votes anyway. Mark is not dressed as a bunny. Sadz. Yeah. There’s pretty much nothing going on with this dance. She’s doing OK, but there’s NO heavy lifting here. Paula says, “I definitely see improvement, and you look like you’re having fun. Paula tells Bristol to allow Mark to push her.” You were hitting all the steps. You were focused. You were doing every step. Well done.” Carrie Ann runs out to the dance floor to tell Bristol up close Bruno says, “Good job! You are truly blossoming.” Len says, “The only real failure is the failure to try. You’re best dance so far.” Carrie Ann – 8 Len – 8 Paula – 8 Bruno – 8 – 32. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? – 1-800-868-3409

Sabrina and Louis – Disco – They want to bring the disco nightclub to the stage. There were a couple of wobbles in the routine, but Disco is deceptively difficult. There were tons of lifts and flips and tricks in the dance. Overall, it was really spectacular. Bruno says, “This was probably your most vibrant and alive. You lost timing twice. But, you had all the glitz and the glamour.” Carrie Ann says, “This time you showed us something very different. You did have a bad dismount.” Len says, “I loved it, well done.” Paula says, “You choreographed to Sabrina’s strengths. Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9 Paula -8.5, Bruno – 9 – 35.5. – 1-800-868-3403

Emmitt and Cheryl – Bolero – Cheryl is not trained in Bolero. She brought in some choreographers to help. I’ve never seen this dance before, so I’m not sure how to judge it. I thought it was a little clunky, but the judges disagree. Carrie Ann says, “There’s nothing better than watching a big man get all sexy. You articulated your lines gracefully.” Len says, “It’s flow. But lovely fluidity of movement. Your lifts were clean.” Paula says, “It was exquisite. Sensual. You are a sexy beast! You captivated us with less is more.” Bruno says, “The mood was steamier that August in Louisiana. You just got it, man.” Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9 Paula – 9 Bruno – 9 – 36 – 1-800-868-3413

Paula says SHE”S HAVING THE BEST TIME. She’s filled with gratitude.

Gilles and Peta – Bollywood – Peta is really scared of Bollywood. She brings in a Bollywood expert to help choreograph. Gilles says it’s the biggest challenge he’s had this season. What’s funny, the judges really have no idea how to judge this dance. It wasn’t perfect, but it was SO difficult. Amazing. Gilles was fantastic considering the level o Len says, “I liked this. It was hotter than a curry. Total commitment and you go for it.” Paula is imitating Bruno and it’s pretty funny. Bruno says, “A Bollywood superstar is born. Perfection. Superstar.” Carrie Ann says, “That was beyond belief. FANTASTIC.” Carrie Ann – 10, Len – 9.5 Paula – 10 Bruno – 10 – I think the novelty of the dance added to the score – 39.5 – 1-800-868-3410

Melissa and Tony – Jitterbug – The duo flew to Dallas to Melissa’s home. Melissa is hung up on being compared to Shawn. They jitterbug to a 50′s theme. There are a ton of ambitious lifts and tricks in the dance. They had a little wobble on one of the lifts, but it was a difficult one! Paula says, “You dance like you’ve been dancing together forever. Footwork impeccable. You nailed. it.” Bruno, “Fearless and Fierce. Your didn’t miss a beat, you missed slightly on a dismount.” “You’re so light on your feet. Tony, your choreo is exceptional.” Len says, “I’d rather you fail going for it. Whatever dance you do is clean and correct.” – Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, Paula – 9.5, Bruno – 9.5 – 37 – 1-800-868-3406

Shawn and Derek – Mambo – Shawn is also back home, wherever she lives. She’s looking forward to the lifts! Derek begins playing on some big bongos. They dance to Santana. That was very dramatic and very good! Lots of lifts and fantastic moves. Derek choreographed that beautifully. Bruno says, “You think you’ve seen it all, and it keeps getting better.” Carrie Ann says, “You guys are on fire. You finish ever single line. Perfect syncronization.” Len says, “I really liked it. That is brilliant.” Paula says, “Shawn, you have changed into this sexy young lady.” Paula keeps pawing Bruno. They are totally getting a perfect score watch. Carrie Ann – 10 Len 9.5, Paula 10 – Bruno 10 – 39.5 Ooohhh almost a perfect score! – 1-800-868-3402

Apolo and Karina – Hip Hop – Karina knows nothing about hip hop. She also brings in some assistance. Sparkly hoodies! Hip hop fits Apolo. They’re both doing a solid job, considering. After they finish, Karina sits on the stage and cries. What’s up. I think she hurt herself. But, she’s not hurt. She thinks she messed up the whole routine. Carrie Ann says, “Everyone is outside their comfort zone. We know that. I loved they way you brought a modern twist to it.” Len says, “You came out and you were fantastic! You were great!” Paula says, “Everyone else loves you in this ball room. Apolo, you’ve got the swag.” Bruno says, “You covered it well, you did a great job.” Actually, I didn’t notice a big mistake either. I’ll have to watch it back. Carrie Ann 8.5, Len – 9, Paula – 8.5, Bruno – 8.5 – 34.5 – 1-800-868-3407

Kelly and Val – Contemporary – Kelly broke her toe. Whoops. Val has never danced contemporary before. Will he ask for help? Nope. He’s going to handle it himself. Ha. They dancing to “Fix You”. This is like a rip off of a SYTYCD routine. WHY SO SERIOUS? It’s a bit of a cliche. Val carries Kelly to the judges table. Len says, “You are the biggest revelation to me. Fabulous.” Paula says, “It was a beautiful routine.” Bruno says, “Your task was the hardest tonight. You did it beautifully. I believed every moment.” Carrie Ann says, “You laid your heart out there. The lines were gorgeous to match.” She notes that it wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t. Oh my gosh. They don’t care about scores! Kelly gets all deep saying DWTS is all about the journey blah blah blah.  Carrie Ann – 9 Len – 9.5, Paula -9.5, Bruno – 9.5 – 37.5 – 1-800-868-3411

Leaderboard

Gilles and Peta - 39.5
Shawn and Derek - 39.5
Kelly and Val - 37.5
Melissa and Tony - 37
Emmitt and Cheryl - 36
Sabrina and Louis - 35.5
Apolo and Karina – 34.5
Bristol and Mark - 32
Kirstie and Maks – 30