Maks Chmerkovksiy Writes On DWTS Week 2, A Sneak Peek Into What’s Planned For Week 3

Maks Chmerkovksiy has written a new blog at Entertainment Weekly. He writes of what it was like be “in jeopardy” last night On Dancing With The Stars. He also writes on the pro numbers and what’s planned for next week. Note that whoever has the highest score (next week) will have immunity from elimination. Here is more…

Going forward, I think we have some issues that we will overcome, and I am also learning what does and doesn’t work. All I’m trying to do is make sure she doesn’t trip, or isn’t too nervous, and make sure she feels secure in the performance come Monday night. My job with Amber is to pace and maintain and make sure she’s having fun.

On the Trio dance and group routines from episode 3…

Well first, I was very flattered that myself, Cheryl [Burke], and Derek [Hough] were given the spotlight in that way. It was definitely cool, I liked it. Who doesn’t like praise?

But I really love doing the group numbers, and it’s definitely a big part of why I came back to the show. I just want to dance and continue to be active in this way, so I’m very happy to be able to do that.

It is a lot, though. I must say, the pro dances for this show are unbelievably difficult in terms of physical and mental activity at the same time. I need to give credit where it’s due, to our choreographer Mandy Moore. She’s someone I’ve known for a very long time. It’s a stressful f—ing production, and it’s a lot to take on. You have to be a brave person to do it.

For example, in the number at the top of the second hour that was very colorful, when we all kind of looked like Skittles (which is very funny considering this week, I’d like to take a picture and send THAT to the Republican candidate, because that would be an appropriate Skittles reference), Mandy was there to make sure everything worked and looked amazing. Having that centralized person has been invaluable to these productions.

My other favorite performances this week…

I think Val [Chmerkovskiy] and Laurie [Hernandez] were great again. I also loved Jana [Kramer] and Gleb [Savchenko] and Marilu [Henner] and Derek [Hough]. They all had excellent routines.

A sneak peak at next week…

Next week will be the presidential debates, and we will only have an hour-long show. So, the format will be different — it’s going to be a face off. They split us into six groups of two pairs, and each pair has the same style of dance. So we’ll each dance, and then we get a score, and whoever has the higher score will have immunity from elimination.

To read the full blog, see Entertainment Weekly.