Dancing with the Stars: BassMSTR

Was it nerves or did they simply choke?

Whatever the reason, it led to three out of the four contestants stumbling in the next-to-last performance episode of "Dancing with the Stars."

In fact, the only real non Lance Bass-related highlight from the evening was Len "DANCMSTR" Goodman's annual visit to the final four to help them with their technique. But this segment ALWAYS delivers, lackluster episode or not. In fact, I think I'd rather watch outtakes from each of his visits rather than see most of last night's performances again.

Oh I guess seeing the top of Brooke's white thong and Kym's red thong were also highlights unless you were watching the show with your girlfriend who smacks you for noticing (ouch).

Each of the finalists performed a ballroom or Latin dance they hadn't done yet first, before performing one of the four new dances introduced earlier this year.

Brooke went first with what was allegedly a jive but was more of a mini-disaster. I'm not a DANCMSTR-level technician, but I've been dancing for a few years, so I think I can see SOME mistakes most people can't. Still, anybody could've seen that Brooke messed up multiple times and just seemed off. Maybe she was focusing on Palin-winking and playing to the crowd so much that she forgot her techniques. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't like she devolved into Cloris Leachman — it was more like she devolved into Toni Braxton. Carrie Ann added an extra kick to the stomach by saying she felt disrespected by Brooke's blatant lifts before the couple got straight 7s.

Fortunately for Brooke, she righted herself for her salsa, which was solid, but DID suffer just a bit coming off the heels of the hellaciously fast pro demonstration. Mostly though, the dance was memorable for Brooke's ridiculously fringed pants, the peekabo thong, and my realization that she's shaping up to be this year's Stacy Keibler.

Despite her early misstep, I'm expecting Brooke to cruise to the finals. But after last night, I feel for the first time that she'll finish THIRD behind the crowd-pleasing retired football player and the former boy bander turned "DWTS" champion. We've seen this movie before — it's what happened to Stacy Keibler, who finished third behind Jerry Rice and season 2 winner Drew Lachey.

Of course, a big reason for that scenario is the quantum leap Lance took last night. FINALLY, he's fully realizing the potential he's had from the beginning.

More importantly, both members of the couple were completely on last night. Instead of the manufactured edginess we've seen all year, Lacey choreographed a cool and dynamic mambo which, coupled with the excellent song choice of "Straight to Number One," was my favorite performance last night and earned the couple their first 10.

They added two more 10s to their repertoire after their fun energetic jitterbug, dedicated to Lance's sweet grandfather. Lance, impressively danced the majority of the jitterbug unbalanced after accidentally kicking off his left shoe (that rebel HAS to be barefoot, doesn't he?). In all seriousness, this was fantastic. I mean, I have trouble WALKING while wearing just one shoe. Great night for Lance, and the three generations of Bass men in the house.

Meanwhile, Warren's been pretty much assured a spot in the finals since he first dazzled the audience with his surprisingly light footwork and his continued tendency to bring down the house.

Unfortunately for him, the judges (who were finally, rightfully a bit on the tough side last night) called him out for lacking content in his dances after his mambo. The brilliance of Warren Sapp (and his partner Kym) is that, not only have I not really noticed this until now, I just don't care. I enjoy watching this guy dance. And you just can't teach that.

His jitterbug was decent, but mostly notable for having Warren dressed up like a black jack dealer for no apparent reason. Then again, I kinda liked that.

Finally, there's Cody, who is trying so hard and is so happy to have his partner Julianne back but is SO overmatched.

I don't think you can blame him for the odd choreography/concept of a military-themed paso doble. That performance earned Cody the "Hot Mess of the Week" award for a second straight episode, but, as the judges said, Cody DID look too wooden at times.

There was probably even less fluidity during his salsa. Honestly, his stiffness was often Kenny Mayne-esque. I give him points for attempting some salsa steps (Brooke and Derek appeared to do a mambo disguised as a salsa since Derek was unfamiliar with the salsa), but he is just flat out the worst dancer left. The show got to have its Julianne comeback episode and Cody lasted a LOT longer than I thought he would at the start of the season, but it's time for him to go home.

Before I go, I HAVE to talk about the DANCMSTR's segment, which opened with a terrific dream sequence featuring Cheryl Burke and Kym, and confirmed what we already assumed — Len totally sleeps in a ballroom dance costume.

He helped Lance with his pigeon toes (which we got to see really well after his shoe flew off), Brooke with her flexed legs (did anyone see if they were straight?), Cody with his hips (meh) and Warren with his footwork. Of course, the highlight was Warren teaching Len his solo moves from last week.

I love this segment so much that I both wish we got it more than once per season AND don't want it to change so that it stays special.

So what'd you think of this episode? Were you surprised/happy to see the newer dance styles return to the show? What was up with everybody doing lifts? Why did Kristi Yamaguchi appear to be in full hair and makeup last night? Did no one tell her she's actually performing on Tuesday? Finally, is there any way Cody makes it to the finals? (I'm thinking no.)