Performance, Oct. 11

It’s the fourth week of this season of “Dancing with the Stars.” We’re down to nine couples, including actor and Army veteran J.R. Martinez and his partner, Karina Smirnoff.

It's movie scores night, and some of the stars are frustrated – and their professional partners are, too. Smirnoff says she’s pushing J.R. like she would any professional dancer. Ricki Lake says she’s not a quitter, but she wants to quit. And whatever Hope Solo said was bleeped out. All of it. Chynna Phillips loses her place during her performance and nearly has a meltdown.

The audience is peppered with celebrities, among them Courteney Cox, several of the Arquettes, Cher, Kris and Bruce Jenner and Cameron Mathison. Mathison is a previous contestant on “Dancing with the Stars,” and Martinez’s “All My Children” co-star.

It’s a long wait for both Martinez and his fans as Martinez is the last to perform. I’m not sure what dictated the order tonight as the leader from last week, Ricki Lake, went third to last, and Chaz Bono, who was in last place last week, went second to last.

When the show opens, Martinez comes down to the dance floor wearing a gray trench coat and stroking a mustache. Smirnoff is wearing pink sequins. When they start the dance – the fox trot to “The Pink Panther” theme – Martinez is wearing a bright pink suit and a top hat with a matching pink ribbon.

Before the dance, there’s a montage of Team Martinoff’s rehearsal.

Martinez says he’s very concerned about technique this week. “I don’t like anything about the fox trot,” Martinez admits. Smirnoff says she believes he has the ability to go all the way. To help, she brings in a male professional ballroom dancer to help Martinez improve the fox trot. I hope it helped him like the fox trot better. It sure looked like it after another impressive performance. Martinez came out with a flashlight, on the hunt. (For a great score?) The dance was both fun and technically interesting.

The audience gives him another standing ovation when their fox trot ends.

I think I’m going to be recapping Team Martinez again next week.

From the judges

Carrie Ann Inaba: She wasn’t impressed with the performance and wished it hadn’t included any humor. Her score: 8

Len Goodman: “This was the best male dancer of the night. Great technique, lovely holds, just enough humor. This is fabulous.” His score: 9

Bruno Tonioli: “You’re a dancer of great ability and versatility. You can do drama, you can do comedy, you can do Latin, you can do ballroom. What more do you want?” His score: 9. #TeamMartinoff’s total score is 26. They are three points behind the leaders, Ricki Lake and her partner Derek Hough.

What did you think about J.R. Martinez’s performance? What about the pink suit? Do you agree with his partner, Karina Smirnoff, that he’ll get the mirror ball trophy? Let us know in the comments below. Check back here tomorrow for the elimination results.

Update, Oct. 12

J.R. Martinez and his dance partner, Karina Smirnoff, easily made it through the Week 4 elimination on "Dancing with the Stars."

Singer Chynna Phillips, best known for once being a member of the musical group Wilson Phillips, was eliminated this week.

Next week, Team Martinoff will be performing to '80s hits along with the other eight remaining contestants. You can follow it here: @knowjr.

Check back Tuesday for another recap of Martinez's performance. Contact Danielle atkiracofed@stripes.osd.mil or follow her on Twitter @dorogaya26.

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