DWTS Recap: Nicole Scherzinger (Almost) Earns a Perfect Score

Pussycat Doll star Nicole Scherzinger didn’t pussyfoot around when it came to dancing the jive Monday night. For the second week in a row, she and partner Derek Hough earned the top score from the judges (this week it was a 28!). And for the first time in show history, a couple has received two 10s from the judges in week two. Why not three 10s? Len Goodman felt “ambivalent” about it. Of course he did. Meantime, Bruno Tonioli declared “it was phenomenal” while Carrie Ann Inaba dubbed it “perfection.”

Unfortunately like last week, Buzz Aldrin and partner Ashly Costa found themselves at the bottom of the heap. While their foxtrot evoked an emotional response from viewers (picture a silver-haired grandfather dancing with his granddaughter at her wedding), Bruno said “the man on the moon looked like he was avoiding craters.” Len and Carrie Ann were equally unimpressed, which was reflected in their score — a 12. Talk about a buzzkill!

Mark Ballas and Shannen Doherty’s jive, while not perfect, was a crowd pleaser that opened the show. “A very solid routine,” Bruno said. The couple received a 20 out of 30.

Hoping to redeem himself after last week’s rocky start, soap star Aiden Turner — and partner Edyta Sliwinska — performed an elegant and commendable foxtrot. At times Aiden was so at ease, and he made eye contact with members of the audience throughout the routine. Len said his footwork was good, and Bruno found it “nice and smooth.” They scored a 19.

Anna Trebunskaya and PEOPLE.com blogger Evan Lysacek’s high energy jive riled up the crowd and Carrie Ann, who commended the lanky figure skater for being “totally in control” during the routine. Their score was 24.

If anyone can turn up the heat on the foxtrot, it’s Niecy Nash and Louis van Amstel. Len called the duo’s fun and flirtatious routine “sophisticated” with a “sassy twist.” Bruno said Niecy, dressed in pink, was “as light and frothy as a strawberry milkshake.” She received a 21.

Carrie Ann praised Jake Pavelka and Chelsie Hightower’s jive, saying the Bachelor star has great potential. The duo received 20.

A fluid foxtrot from Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy earned 23 points, and kudos from Bruno, who said the ESPN reporter has “natural elegance.”

Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood proved they are worthy of sticking around another week by executing a Marilyn Monroe-inspired foxtrot. Len said Pamela had been “titivating yourself, haven’t you?” (For the record, titivating IS a word, meaning “to make additions to or to spruce up.”) Yes, Len, she did that. Their solid performance received a 22.

Chad Ochocinco fumbled his foxtrot with partner Cheryl Burke. At times he appeared stiff and awkward, which didn’t go unnoticed by the judges. Len said he had horrible posture while Bruno said he looked uncomfortable. The pair scored a measly 16 points.

Closing the show, Kate Gosselin and Tony Dovolani‘s jive sorely lacked the pizzazz the other evening’s couples had in their routines. Bruno said it was a nightmare, but Carrie Ann looked on the bright side by saying, “you made it through the routine.” The couple received 15.

On Tuesday night, the first couple of season 10 will be eliminated on the live results show, which airs at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. –Monica Rizzo

Tell us: What did you think of the dances? Who do you think will be the first contestant eliminated?

Craig Sjodin/ABC