There’s really not much to discuss this week as it was ridiculously obvious that Rocco would be hanging up his apron asap.

Cody & Julianne – Still one of my favorite couples although I’m getting tired of the supposed ADD that Cody has. Rehearsing for 7 hours a day would bug out any one and Julianne’s been spoiled by the concentration her older sports stars had. But I’ll take an 18 year old any day.

Lacey & Lance – I didn’t love their Goth routine only because I feel like it’s the safest way to be daring. The choreography itself was pretty safe – how many times have we seen the Tim Burton approach (esp. on SYTYCD)? Maybe now that they’ve lulled the judges with the goods, they’ll break out of the pack with some wow. I could use some wow.

Alec & Toni – Honestly, I could care less. One of the things I want to see is stars having fun, letting themselves go and embracing their inner dancing queen. Jennie Garth is a great example of someone who started out scared and stiff but emerged into a star who enjoyed herself on the dance floor. Toni is no fun and it’s not fun for me to watch her.

Brooke & Derek – Still earning raves, still deserving them. Brooke’s pretty much reserved her spot in the top 3 so it’s only a matter of maintaining the level of Derek’s choreography. Unless of course Cloris has a breakthrough.

Rocco & Karina – Was he really that bad? Not at all. But I don’t think he had the star power that the others do and in a season where the level is higher, you get chased out of the kitchen. Salt in the wound? That Cloris is kicking his brisket.

Maurice & Cheryl – Carrie Ann echoed my earlier sentiment that Mo seems unable to bring variety to his performances and with routines that aren’t memorable, isn’t living up to expectations. I think partly it’s Cheryl’s fault because she doesn’t have an unlimited repertoire of routines but also I think that he lacks an emotional connection to what he’s doing.

Cloris & Corky – Bruno nailed it when he said their routine was very Sunset Boulevard. Every week, I continue to give mucho credit to Cloris for not only hanging in but pushing herself to be better. Even if her moves aren’t by the book, she brings heart and emotion to everything she does, which is more than I can say for her younger co-stars.

Susan & Tony – I was waiting to see what kind of havoc an Erica Kane moment would bring and it was like a hurricane after it had been downgraded to a thunderstorm. For me, Susan is an older version of Toni. It’s great to be determined but if you don’t loosen up and realize that neither the election nor the economy rest on your scores, there’s just no point in doing something so… silly. And I’m not just saying that because I’m a General Hospital girl.

The show is making some changes by bringing out four new dances to liven things up. I’d think the returning pros would be most excited because even they must be getting bored of shepherding stiff celebs through the same salsa or rhumba. The results shows have also become a little better although I’m still amused by the bizarre selection of performers (“Rage Against the Machine followed by Willie Nelson”) and the little kids are endlessly cute. Even this week’s “smear campaign” ads were funny.

Will these changes be enough to make a dent in my whine-a-rama? I hope so. Because it’s one thing to be bored but it’s a whole other problem to be bored with whining about boredom.

Mali Perl can be reached at mali@realityshack.com. So far this season’s earned only one 7. Which is two 7’s short of the chicken dinner.