'Dancing With The Stars' cast assesses their progress

LOS ANGELES

When it comes to the dancing, how do they think they've progressed so far?

J.R. Martinez said he believes he keeps improving because he takes what the judges tell him to heart.

"Every single week there's been some kind of constructive criticism that they've given to me and Karina (Smirnoff)," he said. "The next day in rehearsal, she has said, 'Listen, this is what we have to work on. This is what the judges said you have to work on. You could be great if you just get this down.'"

Derek Hough, Ricki Lake's partner, said the progress started before the show aired.

"The improvement from the three weeks we had in rehearsal before the show aired was ridiculous," he said. "It was massive. From then to now, it's been amazing."

"I know that I'm progressing," Hope Solo said. "People don't realize it's not just physical, it's not just the choreography and the steps, it's a mental journey, it's an emotional journey."

Cheryl Burke said her partner, Rob Kardashian, has "improved so much, if we were to dance our Cha Cha Week 1 until now, you wouldn't be able to compare. He's progressed every single week."

For Nancy Grace, it's been on dance at a time.

"We have to remember that six weeks ago, Nancy had never danced," said Grace's partner, Tristan MacManus. "We have to focus on one thing at a time and that's what we've done."

For David Arquette, there are a couple of driving factors.

"From week one to where you are now, your confidence alone has sky rocketed," partner Kym Johnson told Arquette.

Even though Arquette has been progressing, there's one more goal still in his sights.

"I just want to be perfect one week. That would be unbelievable, to really compete and be up there with the big boys," he said.

"Dancing With The Stars" comes on at a special time Monday night. The evening kicks off with the Halloween themed animated comedy "Scared Shrekless" at 8 p.m., followed by "Dancing With The Stars" at 8:30 p.m.

The dancers will be split into two groups and face off with each other.

The Halloween treats continue on Tuesday's results show with a performance by pop star Justin Bieber and R&B group Boyz II Men. They'll be singing "Fa La La" from Bieber's Christmas album, "Under the Mistletoe."

Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.