Last week on Dance War, the top 14 finalists from all across the country sang and danced in front of team captains Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba, as well as a live audience. After careful deliberation, Bruno and Carrie Ann narrowed the field down to just 12 performers, and chose their teams. On Team Bruno are Zack, Tony, Lacey, Kelsey, Phillip and Charity. On Team Carrie Ann are Bradley, Chris, Mariel, Elizabeth, Qis and Allysa, Starting tonight, the two teams go head-to-head for the very first time, and we fans at home will be able to vote for our favorite. Next week, the losing team must eliminate a member.

It's pop music week this week on Dance War. The night begins with Team Bruno and Team Carrie Ann all performing "Spice Up Your Life" together.

There's an extensive, 30-minute recap of last week's episode. You almost didn't have to watch last week. I won't repeat any of it here; you just read my recap from last week. The only thing I will say is that, already, there seems to be so much camaraderie backstage. I love reality shows like Dance War in which all the contestants are so gosh-darn likable.

It's finally time for round one of the battle to begin.

We get a behind-the-scenes look at the week of rehearsals. Team Bruno gets cozy in their red-walled rehearsal space. Phillip, who is not a trained singer, lost his voice this week, so he has to sit out in the singing rehearsals. A professional vocal trainer works with him to help keep his pipes healthy.

Team Bruno takes the stage, performing "A Little Less Conversation." Phillip is a bit tentative with his voice. Everyone, especially Zack, kicks ass, though. Bruno raves and yells and screams in his Bruno-esque way. Carrie Ann is also impressed, but she promises that her team will deliver a completely different performance.

It's time to take a look at Carrie Ann's team. Carrie Ann's rehearsal space has big, arched windows and brick walls and looks an awful lot like a Dancing with the Stars studio. She is definitely a hard-ass and expects all of her team members to learn their lyrics and choreography right away.

Team Carrie Ann performs "Run It." Their performance is great, but the harmonies aren't as interesting, and the primary color sweatsuit separates that they are wearing seem antithetical to the hip hop vibe that Carrie Ann was going for. Unfortunately, Chris' mic goes out during the solo, but he keeps on dancing and stays in the moment. This gets him props from both Carrie Ann and Bruno. However, Bruno thinks that Carrie Ann took the safe route by giving them easy chorography.

Round two begins.

During rehearsal, Bruno brings in choreographer Kristin Denehey who takes them through dance steps, calisthenics and team building exercises. In singing practice, Kelsey has trouble hearing the pitch.

Performing for the second time in front of the live audience, Team Bruno performs "S.O.S." The girls have some issues with their pitch, but I feel for them because most of the song is right in the middle of their chest voice range. Their dancing is a bit sloppy too. Overall, a bit of a disappointment compared to their first performance. Bruno raves about it all the same. Carrie Ann is impressed at their performance as an ensemble, but she thinks that there aren't any stars among them.

Now it's Carrie Ann's team to work it. She brings in Jason Young as her guest choreographer. Carrie Ann brings the tough love, especially with Mariel who feels unconfident in her dance skills. Carrie Ann suggests that she call her grandmother for inspiration.

They hit the stage with their rendition of "Call Me." It's awesome. Carrie Ann really picked the best girls—they all have amazing voices, especially Mariel. I also love Elizabeth. They really stepped up their game, and are rewarded with glowing comments from both Carrie Ann and Bruno.

There is time for one last performance. Both teams take the stage together with "Don't Stop Me Now." I love it. The world definitely needs more Queen. The choreo is a bit cheesy, a bit musical theater—they are using the same wheeled cage that Team Carrie Ann used for "Run It." Seeing them all together like this really shows that Carrie Ann has the better singers and Bruno has the better dancers.

To vote for Team Bruno, call 1-866-559-WAR-1. To vote for Team Carrie Anne, call 1-866-559-WAR-2. Next week, the team with the fewest votes will have to lose a member.


-Debbie Chang, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of ABC)