DWTS’ Week 2 Fighting, Kate’s Partner Threatens to Quit

Fights, screams, and overall frustration were the common themes of the rehearsal footage from Monday’s ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ with reality star Kate Gosselin taking the cake.

“I quit,” said Kate’s partner Tony Dovolani, after the pair bickered during a trying day of practice that ended with Gosselin breaking down in tears saying, “I don’t get it.” Kate criticized Tony’s teaching style, saying, “You’re not taking into consideration how I learn.”

“I’ve never been questioned on my teaching,” the usually patient pro said before walking out. After a cooling off period, Tony returned and peace was made, with a teary Kate saying, “A lot of people quit on me in life.” They went on to dance with plenty of irony to Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing,” but after that performance, it’s unclear for how long.

The second biggest diva was actually a “divo.” It was none other than ‘The Bachelor‘ Jake Pavelka, whose caveman ways came out in full force when talking to partner Chelsie Hightower. “Chelsie, I’m not asking you. I’m more telling you. I can’t get into this position,” the loverboy snipped after having trouble with a move during practice.

Even the soap hunk dished it out to his “impatient” partner Edyta Sliwinska. ‘AMC’ star Aiden Turner, clearly frustrated from last week’s low scores, made Edyta cry.

Fighting aside, the night also delivered a few knockouts — Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough came through with the first two 10’s of the season from judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.

Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough, Dance: Jive

We still think Nicole has an unfair advantage seeing that dancing is as much of what she does in her “day job: in the Pussycat Dolls as singing. But, that aside, the girl can move her booty and the Jive was the perfect dance to showcase those sassy skills. Reporters in the pressroom backstage at the taping even clapped for their performance, which rarely happens. “It was phenomenal!” screamed Bruno. “I have never seen a Jive that good on week two.” Carrie Ann l–o-v-e-d it calling it “perfection,” while Len gave Nicole kudos for being a “very, very talented dancer.” Carrie Ann and Bruno gave the pair the first perfect scores of the season.

Score: 28

Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya, Dance: Jive

Trying their best to beat their No. 2 score last week, the Olympic medalist pulled out all stops in a ’50s ‘Grease’-inspired jive that proved he can move those hips after all. “That was great. There’s such great energy,” said Carrie Ann. “There was some really good jive out there,” agreed Len. “You’re definitely ‘Grease Lightning’ tonight!” screamed Bruno.

Score: 24

Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Dance: Fox Trot

Pretty in pink, Erin glided like the princess she wanted to be across the stage with Maks serving as her perfect Prince Charming. Bruno said she displayed a “natural elegance.” Carrie Ann said she really loved the opening, but warned the ESPN reporter to watch her “death grip” on the hold. Erin’s reply? She joked that she couldn’t find Maks’ bicep, which caused the crowd to erupt with laughter.

Score: 23

Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood, Dance: Fox Trot

Going for a romantic Old Hollywood vibe, the former ‘Baywatch’ babe and Playmate showed off the classy side we hoped we’d see. “You brought Marilyn Monroe right back to life,” said Carrie Ann. Len stumbled over the word “titivating” in describing her performance much to the delight of all. Bruno simply couldn’t contain his excitement stating, “I can feel the waves of sensuality enveloping me…and the dancing was good to. You can dance, Pamela, you can.”

Score: 22

Niecy Nash and Louis Van Amstel, Dance: Fox Trot

The ‘Clean House’ star certainly brought the “drama and the romance to the dance,” as she so eloquently put it. Not so eloquently put, though flattering nonetheless, was Bruno’s frothy comparison of Nash to a “strawberry milkshake.” The other judges were equally impressed: Carrie Ann called her “spectacular” and Len said she was a “revelation.”

Score: 21

Shannen Doherty and Mark Ballas, Dance: Jive

The frustration we saw in the rehearsal clips didn’t show up once when this twosome hit the dance floor. Wearing what had to be the cutest outfit (the tie! the ponytails! the shoes!) of the night, Doherty showed off a playful, girlie side we rarely see this often-misunderstood actress. Bruno beamed with, “I’m liking the mean girl…Your performance level was so much better.” Carrie Ann said it was “very fiery, very boisterous.” But, leave it to Len for a spot-on critique noting that she sometimes showed a “loss of control.”

Score: 20

Jake Pavelka and Chelsie Hightower, Dance: Jive

“Chelsie, I’m not asking you. I’m more telling you. I can’t get into this position,” Jake snipped at his dancing partner when having trouble with a move in rehearsals. Well, if that is the way he talks to women, we can see why there’s trouble with his fiancé Vienna. Not cool, Jake. Not cool at all. Sorry, but that ruined the dance for us and his un-hip, nerdy moves were more annoying than endearing. But, that’s just us. The judges were more kind. “You are a joy to watch,” said Carrie Ann. Len added, “It was a little bit heavy sometimes…I think you have a lot more to give and great potential.”

Score: 20

Aiden Turner and Edyta Sliwinska, Dance: Fox Trot

Loved the soap opera-style rehearsal package clip of the two. Way to bring the drama, guys! (That was acting, right?!) Unfortunately, the drama didn’t translate to the dance floor as the two trotted their way through a ho-hum performance. (Loved the elbowing, though. That’s our sadistic side!) Aiden, personally, we need more than a pretty face to keep us interested. The judges dug him more than we did with Bruno admiring his footwork and form, but warned him to “keep focus.” Carrie Ann put it simply: “Nice job.” (Really?) Len got it right when he called it “economic.”

Score: 19

Chad Ochocinco and Cheryl Burke, Dance: Fox Trot

In what can only be described as the most brutal critiques of recent memory, Chad and Cheryl simply lost it during their performance tonight. And, it showed. “There was little about that to talk about to give you any encouragement,” said Len, who added he was “glad when it’s all over.” Bruno echoed that sentiment: “You looked uncomfortable,” and noted that they went “backwards, not forward.” Even Carrie Ann could only muster up “you have great potential…but you have got to start understanding your movement and letting it go.”

Score: 16

Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa, Dance: Fox

TrotScoring two points lower than last week, the moonwalker might not have hit all his marks right, but he did it with charm and grace to the most fitting song of the evening, “Fly Me the Moon.” “Very tender, very charming,” said Carrie Ann. “I think you inspire people,” chimed Len. The audience must have agreed as their performance was the first standing ovation of the evening.

Score: 12

Kate Gosselin and Tony Dovolani, Dance: Jive

The drama from the week’s practice really took its toll on Kate’s dancing tonight. The reality star look terrified, stiff and cold, as she tried to jive her way through the dance. Bruno called the performance a “nightmare” and compared Kate to “a Stepford wife.” Carrie Ann couldn’t let anyone miss “the fear in her face.” Len said, “nerves can make or break you, and nerves are breaking you.” Then he told he not to be a wimp, and to “go out fighting!”

Score: 15