The TV Zone

A couple weeks from the finals and Mel B. and Maksim have clearly and unequivocally cut to the front of the dance line. What does that mean? Really, nothing much because voters do what voters do, and already there's been one travesty this season (Sabs.) But by bringing up the shank end of last night's show - and an excellent end at that - I think these guys are safe. Plus, they almost scored a third perfect ten.

Here's my run-down:

Jennie: Oh boy. Ohhh boy. Not a good night, and I really don't know why. She started off with that foxtrot, which was a blur of elbows and knees, plus that He-Tarzan-Me-Jane sequined outfit didn't help. The second dance, the waltz, again didn't work for me, either, even though it did theoretically play to her number one (and two) strengths - poise and elegance. I fear she's vulnerable tonight.

Cam: Oh boy. Ohhh boy. Not a good night as well. This one's not so much a mystery because Cam, who's been the single biggest surprise in this comp, was straight-jacketed by the waltz; Len described the second outing as "paint by numbers." Good line. Wished I'd thought of it.

Marie: She continues to fascinate me, this Marie. "Dad taught me the show must go on...this is for my dad. It truly is for my dad..." Amazing! Your father dies just days ago and you still pull out show biz cliches that are so old that even the hair has fallen off of them. And then Donny in the audience with tears: My God, they're a team and he's not even on the dance floor. Despite two incredibly ho-hum outings, though, Marie is safer than Fort Knox. No one's gonna dump her after THAT performance. Really, she's a master performer: It's not about the dance but about the camera, and she knows exactly how to play to it.

Helio: A split decision. The first dance, the paso doble, hardly stirred anyone from their seats, while the second - the quick step, or Bruno's "blazing banana" - helped somewhat. But it was still a strange ending - a whole new dance routine called the "Kiss and Dump," in which one partner is kissed and quite literally dumped. Julianne almost bounced off the dance floor, poor thing.

Scary: As mentioned, the front runner and a good night. That is, IF voters judge merely by what's on the dance floor alone. At this stage, what's off the floor is almost equally important and I wonder about the wisdom of bringing in her boorish husband (at least boorish for this segment) for the pre-dance segment. Nevertheless, she had an excellent cap, and that's what the voters (hopefully) will remember.

Offering a helping hand. (Courtesy: GMA.)