'DWTS' : Nicole Scherzinger Steals the Show

Dancing

‘s eight remaining couples were ready for their close-ups Monday night. After all, it was the ballroom’s first-ever night at the movies with the duos performing a variety of dances to songs from films. By the end of the night, Derek Hough and Nicole Scherzinger’s Pretty Woman-inspired tango stole the show. Not only did they earn a standing ovation from the crowd, but judge Bruno Tonioli deemed the couple “two players at the top of their game!” Carrie Ann Inaba called them “superstars.” They also landed at the top of the leader (again) board with 29 points out of a possible 30.

Coming in a close second place were Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya, who danced a sophisticated and elegant rumba to the Aerosmith power ballad from the film Armageddon. Three nines from the judges gave the pair 27 points.

The evening started out with Niecy Nash and Louis van Amstel’s jive to the theme from La Bamba. Len felt Niecy’s steps lacked bounce, though he quipped there was “plenty of bounce in your bazookas.” They received six points from each judge, giving them a total of 18 points.

Next up, Chad Ochocinco and Cheryl Burke, in tiger-print costumes, danced a quickstep to The Jungle Book’s “The Bare Necessities.” Bruno thought the routine was a “little bit too wild” and Carrie Ann felt things were uneven. They also earned 18 points.

Erin Andrews channeled Uma Thurman when she performed the jive with partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy. The Pulp Fiction-inspired routine was a crowd pleaser — and made Bruno happy (he commended Andrews on her timing), but left the other two judges wanting more. Carrie Ann felt Andrews was “a little bit ahead of the beat” while Len felt the routine “got hectic.” The pair racked up 22 points.

Jake Pavelka and Chelsie Hightower’s Risky Business themed cha-cha turned out to be a crowd-pleaser. Just like Tom Cruise did in the 1983 film, Pavelka sported tighty whities and danced like nobody’s business to “Old Time Rock N Roll.” Carrie Ann “loved that dance!” They received a 23, putting them in third place.

Once again, Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood took on characters for their routine. This week Anderson portrayed Dolly Parton from 9 to 5 during the pair’s quickstep, which included some deft choreography with two chairs and a desk. Bruno said, “the character is spot on,” and, “the dancing was good as well.” Carrie Ann gushed that she “would love to see Pamela on Broadway.” But Len, ever the purist, felt the props took away from the dancing. The pair received 21 points.

Kate Gosselin and Tony Dovolani’s Breakfast Club-themed fox trot fell flat for the judges. Carrie Ann quipped that she felt like she was watching the teacher from the Charlie Brown cartoons. “Wah, wah, wah,” she groaned. Len commended the pair for their “neat and precise” movements, but said, “it wasn’t a dance, it was a stroll.” Bruno stung the two, calling the performance “catatonic.” He added, “Tony could have gotten more life out of a frock on a coat hanger.” The pair landed at the bottom of the heap (again) with just 15 points. –Monica Rizzo

Tell us: Whose dance was your favorite? Did you vote? And who’s heading home?Craig Sjodin/ABC