'Dancing with the Stars” Recap: Taylor steps it up

By M&C Smallscreen Apr 8, 2008, 20:42 GMT

Jason Taylor (R) Miami Dolphins pose in front of the Walter Payton Man of the Year trophy all are candidates at a news conference in Phoenix, Arizona USA, 02 February 2008. EPA/LARRY W. SMITH

"Dancing with the Stars” on Monday night saw contestant Jason Taylor bring the noise against leader board rival, Kristi Yamaguchi.

Kristi danced the paso doble with her partner Mark Ballas.

The performance won them praise from the judges and a near perfect score – 29 out of 30.

“You can’t dance bad as far as I’m concerned,” Judge Len Goodman raved.

“You both set the standard for the competition,” Judge Carrie Ann Inaba added. “I think it’s thanks to you guys that everyone else is working their little booties off!”

Jason took to the floor with Edyta Sliwinska and danced a Viennese Waltz.  Jason gracefully manuevered across the floor as Edyta’s dress made it a showstopper moment.

“You managed to make the Viennese waltz sexy, sensual [and] erotic,” Bruno said as the couple matched Kristi’s score of 29 out of 30. “It was like a majestic swan mating ritual.”

Shannon Elizabeth and her partner, Derek Hough, out of the hospital from his injury woo the judges with their Viennese waltz rendition.

“I think that, for me, was the best dance I’ve seen tonight,” Len raved.

Given a 28 out of 30, Shannon and Derek's performance proved that the competition is anything but over.

Scores for the night:
Lo-ballers: Adam Carolla and Julianne Hough (paso doble) 19/30              Priscilla Presley & Louis Van Amstel (Viennese waltz) 22/30
Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez (Viennese waltz) 24/30
Mario and Karina (paso doble) 24/30
Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani (paso doble) 24/30                         Cristian de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke (paso doble) 26/30