Dancing With the Stars Recap: Can Anybody Stop J.R. Martinez?
You knew an episode centered around the most memorable year of the contestants' lives was going to bring back memories and stir up emotions.
Nevertheless, few were prepared for just how moving J.R. Martinez's story of what happened to him at 19 - and his subsequent rumba - would be.
For the Iraq War vet, that should've been it. When his Humvee hit a landmine, it could've been over, and nearly was. He was critically injured.
He was lucky to even survive, as the many scars he carries remind him daily. That he's become a successful soap opera star is all the more incredible.
Guy can dance, too, it turns out. His 26 points left him only one shy of Monday's top spot, occupied for the second consecutive week by ... Ricki Lake!
Lake's rumba - dedicated to a rough year that culminated in her meeting Christian Evans, now her fiancé - may have established her as the one to beat.
Not that J.R. and Chynna Phillips will go quietly. The latter, obvi, took us back to the early '90s and the heyday of Wilson Phillips' massive hit "Hold On."
Her struggles with addiction, her destructive tendencies, her eventual recovery and meeting hubby Billy Baldwin? A great story. Her score? A strong 26.
After those three, it was a logjam on the leaderboard.
Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari are back together, and it showed. He was on hand as his girl scored a 24 dancing to "Crazy in Love."
Rob Kardashian, meanwhile, had no idea what Guys & Dolls was when Bruno compared him to Brando and Sinatra. Note to Kim's brother: Be flattered.
The "debonair and charming" Kardashian scored three 8s and a total of 24 points in the night's first routine. Maybe the guy's in this to win it after all!
Soccer stud Hope Solo danced a cha-cha to "Tonight I'm Loving You," her best effort of the fall. David Arquette bounced back strong as well for Coco.
Carson Kressley tangoed is way to a 23, while Nancy Grace's waltz, in honor of the birth of her twins, did not involve any nipple slip action, so ... bravo!
Finally, the judges (save for Len) felt Chaz Bono lacked focus during his rumba, which landed him in the basement with 18 points and likely to go home.
Here's a look at Monday's Dancing With the Stars scores:
- Ricki Lake & Derek Hough: 27
- J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff: 26
- Chynna Phillips & Tony Dovolani: 26
- Hope Solo & Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 24
- Kristin Cavallari & Mark Ballas: 24
- David Arquette & Kym Johnson: 24
- Rob Kardashian & Cheryl Burke: 24
- Carson Kressley & Anna Trebunskaya: 23
- Nancy Grace & Tristan MacManus: 21
- Chaz Bono & Lacey Schwimmer: 18
Who do you think has danced his or her last? Do you agree with the handful of pairs on top? Is Chaz going home after tonight's results show?
Comment below, and vote for who you think will win!
View Poll »
UPDATE: Here's J.R.'s performance if you missed it:
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October 12th, 2011 2:17 AM
I think this show is a joke. Come on I thought it was the ability of dancing, !!!!!!!!!! I stopped watching my mom tells me about it. What a joke!
Rank: New User
October 5th, 2011 10:44 PM
JR is a wonderful dancer and a true hero! Go JR
October 4th, 2011 9:52 PM
I hope Jr wins but not out of pity. I don't think he would want that. He is a good dancer.And as far as I am concern he is a HERO. Ricky Lake is a very good dancer too.
October 4th, 2011 8:45 PM
HARD TO SAY WHO WILL WIN, AT THIS POINT. MOST OF THEM ARE PRETTY GOOD.
Rank: Z-Lister
October 4th, 2011 4:12 PM
@Carol....it has nothing to do with him being better than anyone else just because he is a Veteran. It was the story behind the song, the dedication he made to those that didn't get to come home to their loved ones, and also, and this is just my opinion... have you taken a really good look at him and noticed the sacrifice HE made for you and the rest of us in this Country? He was lucky and survived, and for every soldier out there that is fighting for his or her life, he is an inspiration for them. Yes there were many great dancers last night, but his was the best when it came to dedication, emotions, and inspiration. My hats off to him for his courage, and my thanks to him for his sacrifice and services.
October 4th, 2011 4:06 PM
@ Carol - where has ANYONE said that because JR was in the war, it made him better than everyone else? JR is the complete package with or without the war aspect, so I'm not sure what your beef is with him. He's showed the same will to get through challenging situations like all of the other contestants - but please don't be down on him because his challenge happened to be almost getting killed in a war, pulling through to live, and becoming successful with or without DWTS.
October 4th, 2011 3:44 PM
I think all of them are dancing their heart out and I think that just because J. R. was in the war doesn't make any better than anyone else.
October 4th, 2011 2:50 PM
I voted above and voted wrong - I meant to say JR would win because he's fantastic!!!
Rank: Z-Lister
October 4th, 2011 11:53 AM
What an amazing man J.R. You have shown strength, pride, and determination. Last nights performance was the most heartfelt and emotional performance I have ever seen on the show. You are an inspiration to all. God Bless and Thank You for your sacrifice and service for all of us.
Rank: New User
October 4th, 2011 11:47 AM
I agree with Cheryl Mccabe... I have also liked JR since the very first time he was on AMC... he's the best on DWTS... he's improved the most .... he is real!!!! He's a nutural!!!! Very emotional perfprmance last night! I was crying!!!! Go JR...!!!