My weekly childhood flashback

Every Monday night my house is transformed back to 1976.

No, we don't change into our finest polyester or whip up a batch of rosy perfection salad. Instead, the kids get bathed and in their PJs early and at 8 p.m. we all settle into the living room for that week's installment of Dancing With The Stars.

Sure, we could record it and watch the next day. But there's just something so wholesome, so innocent and retro about all of us rushing to get our chores done and comfy clothes on so that we can sit and watch a scheduled broadcast television show. Together.

So what do we think so far? Of course we're already halfway through, but those already booted off can each be summed up rather quickly:

Shannen - Dull, but didn't deserve to go home first. I felt bad for her.
Buzz - Loved his personality, but the man couldn't dance. And it wasn't due to age either.
Aiden - There was just something off-putting about this guy. He seemed a little domineering at first, but he started to grow on me. Still, too clompy with his dancing.
Kate - Horrid. She's not just an awful dancer, but a miserable wretch of a woman as well.
Jake - Tom Cruise called. He wants his creepy smile back.

Last night was a great night of dancing, to the point where I'd love a non-elimination round.

Erin and Maks - A very fun quickstep! I could have done without the clothing change, but it was a nice misdirection lest we thought that Maks was going to strip again (he's full of himself, but he's not an idiot). Erin's improvement arc is showing nicely and if viewer votes hold up she should be in the finals. I wouldn't doubt it if my love for these two is influenced by the fact that she's a fellow Gator, or that she's actually kind of a dork - because I am a dork too and I know the awkward you-don't-quite-belong thing that it entails. I also love how these two aren't even trying to hide whatever romantic shenanigans are going on between them.

Chad and Cheryl - I like Chad a lot more than I thought I would before the season started. That being said, I keep thinking he should dance better than he does. Part of it is posture, but there's something missing in his performances. Character, maybe? He always just seems to be Chad Doing The Dance out on the floor, instead of actually being a part of the dance.

Niecy and Louis - I don't think you can appreciate just how funny Niecy Nash is unless you watch Reno 911. Don't even bother with Clean House; her Raineesha Williams is comedy gold. She's pretty good on the dance floor, but I think she's taken her dancing skills about as far as they'll let her go. I'm glad she had a good night last night, but I don't see her lasting much longer.

Nicole and Derek - I don't care how well she dances (which is not "the best dancer the show has ever had" - shut up, Carrie Ann). Anyone preoccupied with camera angles as opposed to actual steps does not belong on this show. And I'm sick of her angry guppy faces that she makes while doing the Latin dances. Why so upset, Nicole? Is the headband too tight? Oh, and I normally don't make a fuss about ringers... but yeah, total ringer. Anyone who studied dance in college (it was her minor) and has danced professionally for at least five years shouldn't even be considered for this show.

Pam and Damian - From what I've read, there was a lot of outrage at bringing Pam Anderson in due to her risque career. Which is a shame, because everything I've read about her or heard her say reflects someone who is very down to earth and nice with a really good sense of humor. So it's rewarding to see that a lot of her initial detractors have grown to like her. Now if they would only vote to back it up. But as well as she has done, she had a rough go of it last night with an error-ridden solo in the group cha cha. Her waltz was beautiful, but I think it'll be her or Niecy going home tonight.

Evan and Anna - Did you ever see "Million Dollar Listing" on Bravo? There's one Realtor with this emo haircut, the kind that swoops into his face and partially covers his eyes. He's got a whiny, wussy voice that drives me nuts. Evan also has that voice, so I was prepared to be bored. Big surprise, though... the scarecrow has a great sense of humor. We knew he'd be able to dance well, but that goofiness is a nice surprise. We were all pleased to see them get the first perfect 10 instead of Nicole.

So, who do you think is going home tonight?