Dancing with the Stars: (Episode 718)

Things were turned upside down in the ballroom Monday night as the four remaining couples faced off in the semi-finals.  The usually consistent and unflappable Brooke Burke took a beating from the judges, while Lance Bass enjoyed the limelight thanks to near perfect mambo and jitterbug routines.  Warren Sapp floated by with trademark charismatic performances, and Cody Linley welcomed partner Julianne Hough back from surgery with lackluster results.

Brooke and Derek's disappointing jive started the night.  Possibly biting off more than they could chew, this duo made one too many mistakes in their ambitious routine for the judges not to take note.  Len called the whole thing a "disaster," and 7s across the board knocked Brooke from her long-standing winning streak.

Ready to bounce back from her lowest score of the season, Brooke returned later in the night to take on the mambo.  Decked out in some crazy, fringed pants, Brooke smartly camouflaged just what Len said he'd be keeping an eye out for: her overextended legs.  She and Derek delivered a concise, on-point performance, but I have to say, it feels like something is missing with these two.  Looked like another day on the job, not the semifinals!  A score of 28 helped them scooch their way back up the leader board.

With Julianne's return, everyone was expecting big things from Cody this week.  Taking on a new dance, Cody attempted to demonstrate his mature side with a forceful paso doble.  He seemed pleased with himself (word on the street is that he really thinks he's hot shit lately); the judges, however, weren't as impressed.  They didn't hold back when criticizing his lines and choppy approach, and a score of 22 was by no means a stellar showing for the semi-finals.

Back for their second dance of the night, Cody and Julianne mambo'd their way to a better score.  Cody's definitely better suited with the happy-go-lucky routines, even if he tends to get a touch overzealous.  Bruno thought he was technically loose but still entertaining, while Carrie Ann thought it lacked musicality.  A 24 provided some reprieve from their earlier dance but wasn't enough to boost them from the bottom of the leaderboard at night's end.

Usually full of winks and smiles, Warren almost cracked under pressure this week.  Flying between coasts to tape "NFL Tonight" and "DWTS," Warren's exhaustion led to some tense, frustrating mambo rehearsals.  Nevertheless, he slapped a brave face on and charmed the room with his performance.  What he lacks in technique, Warren more than accommodates with charisma, but the bottom line remains: you don't win the title with flat feet.  The judges unanimously awarded Warren 8s, but requested more content and difficulty if he proceeds to the finals next week.

Back with the jitterbug, Warren was a little unruly but sold the routine.  Kym's choreography was a perfect nod to the dance's period, and I loved their casino-themed get-ups (way more creative than the usual army uniforms).  Warren worked up a sweat with difficult lifts, lots of footwork and more energy than someone half his size.  A 25 seemed unjust compared to his earlier performance's 24, but I have no worries we'll be seeing this big guy next week.

Saving the best for last, Lance finally came into his own Monday night.  With their days of ratty hair extensions, bare feet and kooky gimmicks behind them, Lance and Lacey delivered a perfect balance of creative choreography and classic mambo.  It was by far their best dance of the season, full of content and great details that made the routine uniquely theirs.  The judges were thoroughly impressed and dished out a score of 28.

Following up their mambo with another great performance, L&L danced a jitterbug dedicated to his grandpa.  Even losing a shoe a few seconds in couldn't deter Lance from getting the job done.  He just kept on dancin' to the delight of the audience.  Tons of smartly choreographed footwork and lifts peppered the performance, so kudos to Lacey for working her magic.  Two 10s and a 9 sent Lance and Lacey into tonight's elimination round with the highest score of the semifinals under their belt.  Who knew they had it in 'em!

At the end of the night, Lance and Lacey led, followed by a two-way tie for second between Warren and Kym and Brooke and Derek.  Cody and Julianne rounded out the leaderboard in last place, making them the easy cast-off before next week's finals.  So much for our Hough-on-Hough match up!