DWTS 22 Week 6 Live Blog and Performance Videos

Dancing_with_the_Stars_(U.S._season_19)

Welcome to week six of season twenty-two of Dancing with the Stars! Tonight, it’s “Famous Dances,” when we get to see our couples create tributes to some of the most famous routines from television, music videos, and film. From Michael Jackson to Pink, we have something for everyone tonight including our first Bollywood routine of the season. Can your favorite couples do justice to some of the most famous dances of all time? We shall see. Also, after last week’s “Switch-Up,” all our original couples are back together and one more will be eliminated before the night draws to a close. Let’s look at last week’s poll results.

59% of you loved the new pairing of Nyle & Sharna with 24% of you voting for Jodie & Val. No one else was able to earn double digits. For favorite routine of the night, 65% went with the vienesse waltz from Nyle & Sharna and 16% loved Jodie & Val and their paso doble. On the oppsite end, 25% weren’t feeling Antonio & Karina and their cha-cha-cha. Another 25% picked Doug & Peta and the tango as their least favorite. Also in double digits were Kim & Keo with 16% and Von & Lindsay with 15%. As you can see, our readers were not exactly in love with last week’s routines overall. In fact, the episode was graded with a C+/B-, the weakest of the season so far. So, what about tonight’s elimination? You guys picked Doug & Karina, with 78% of the vote.

I agree with you guys. With two weeks of scores added together (and audience votes), I think Doug is toast. If he somehow ends up being safe, it could come at the expense of one of the other football stars or even Kim, which would be a real shame. No, I don’t think Jodie is in danger. After two weeks of being in jeopardy and a pretty good routine with Val last week, I think her fans voted hard to give her safety this week. That’s where my head is at. For my heart, it really is time for Doug to go. He is the weakest dancer left in this crop.

After tonight, only 8 couples will remain as we race toward the finale. Can anyone break away from the pack tonight? Will this be the week that someone unexpected surges to the top of the leader board? Can those with high scores from the switch-up keep those scores up? And will Mandy Moore once again choreograph the opening? Okay, I kid with the last question because we all know the answer. :) Let’s go people…

We open with a fun and old-school Hollywood number to “Putting On The Ritz.” A giant piano to dance on, Val in underwear, etc… Just a normal day on DWTS. LOL. Great opening. And yes, Mandy Moore was responsible for the choreography. And here come the stars. OMG @ these costumes. Nyle is in complete Jim Carrey gear for his Mask routine. Jodie is all decked out like Pink. This is going to be interesting. – Click to watch the Opening Number VIDEO

Kim & Sasha – Jive
KIM FIELDS, SASHA FARBER
Kim is happy to be back with Sasha- as Keo was really irritated by last week’s comments and scores. Kim is dancing through pain. She has some strain above her ankles. The doctor doesn’t want her to rehearse much. But Kim isn’t worried at all. Kim feels as though she is the sleeper that no one can see coming. Nice! Kim is on fire tonight. A very fun and energetic jive, lots of content, tons of personality, and just a complete feel good time from start to finish. Considering she is dealing with an injury of unknown seriousness, she beat the crap out of that routine. I’m very impressed. – Click to Watch Kim & Sasha’s Jive Performance VIDEO

Len thought it was a terrific opening to the show. Bruno is going crazy. He loved it but Kim missed a pass at the end. Carrie Ann agrees Kim is one to watch. She doesn’t want Kim to disappear into the background. She felt Kim’s energy was just a hair under and there were some mistakes.
Carrie Ann- 8
Len- 8
Bruno- 8
Total: 24/30
You can vote for Kim by calling 1-800-868-3406 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Von & Witney – Jazz
VON MILLER, WITNEY CARSON
Witney thinks she is cursed when it comes to the switch-up. Von is excited to be dancing to Michael Jackson. Witney thinks Von has big shoes to fill. A member of the troupe who has actually danced with MJ helps out. This is okay. It got better as it went along. In the beginning, Von was a bit out of sync with the others, especially the male troupe members behind him and the energy level throughout was a tad below what I would expect from a MJ tribute dance. But towards the middle and end, you could see some glimpses of a fun and cool routine. I just felt it was an inconsistent piece and relied a bit too much on other dancers that quite frankly, out-danced Von. – Click to Watch Von & Witney’s Jazz Performance VIDEO

Bruno thought Von was sharp overall and did a fantastic job. Carrie Ann saw the nervousness at the beginning but then he killed it. She thought Von put his own spin on it. Len (who’s birthday is today) thought it was terrific.
Carrie Ann- 8
Len- 8
Bruno- 8
Total: 24/30
You can vote for Von by calling 1-800-868-3411 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Jodie & Keo – Contemporary
JODIE SWEETIN, KEO MOTSEPE
Jodie loved switch-up week but she felt bad for Keo. During rehearsal, Jodie hurt her nose. But the bigger injury was to her ankle. She is crying and in real pain as she is taken to the hospital. Ouch! She returns and with good news. Nothing is broken or fractured. So, it is all about how much pain she can take. A fully committed Jodie is what we have here. I love the acting in this routine. Very fitting. However, I have to critique the dancing just a bit. I felt as though some of the movements and lifts were soft- as in, not nearly as sharp and almost heart-wrenching as they are when you watch Pink’s music video. Maybe it is Keo trying to protect Jodie’s ankle, which I can respect and understand. – Click to Watch Jodie & Keo’s Contemporary Performance VIDEO

Carrie Ann says it was a difficult routine to watch. She thought it was a great demonstration of the power of a comeback. Len liked the confrontational feel. He mentions the struggle getting into the lift but thought it was well done. Bruno thinks even a professional dancer would have difficulty. He thinks Jodie pulled it off.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 8
Bruno- 8
Total: 25/30
You can vote for Jodie by calling 1-800-868-3405 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

*For those who might think I am watching a different program tonight (my comments compared to the judges), I guess I am looking a bit deeper at all these couples since this is week six. Feel free to call me Len Goodman in the comments. LOL.

Paige & Mark – Jazz
PAIGE VANZANT, MARK BALLAS
Paige is very happy to be back with Mark. An executive producer informs Mark that the song has been pulled for legal reasons. So, he needs to start from scratch. He is a bit behind the gun with preparation. Paige gets to put some athleticism in this, which she is excited about. This is hysterical- in a really good way. Talk about being in character. I feel like Austin Powers just took over my television to interrupt the show. A really fun routine, with Mark getting some big kudos from me on the choreography. Paige was totally invested in it and pulled everything of. Just a good time honestly from start to finish. – Click to Watch Paige & Mark’s Jazz Performance VIDEO

Len loved it. There’s nothing about it he didn’t like. Bruno felt it was like being in the 60’s. He loved the accuracy of the stylistic details. Carrie Ann loved the details too.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 10
Bruno- 9
Total: 28/30
You can vote for Paige by calling 1-800-868-3410 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Nyle & Peta – Quickstep
NYLE DIMARCO, PETA MURGATROYD
Nyle loved last week’s routine. Peta talks about the pressures of being at the top of the leader board. Lots of prosthetic work for Nyle this week. Interesting package from Nyle this week. A bit cocky. He names Val as his competition- as opposed to naming any other celebrities. I haven’t seen that side of him before and I’m not sure I dig it. You can be confident but no need to think you are all that- especially with quite a few weeks left of this thing. Hmm. This is not as on point as it should be. First, the theme of the dance obviously calls for quirky- and Nyle and Peta are doing that in spades. However, the actual quickstep portions need some work. Some sync issues, some frame issues, some footwork issues. This isn’t a jazz like we have seen tonight- this dance calls for specifics in technique. Nyle’s weakest routine of the series. – Click to Watch Nick & Peta’s Quickstep Performance VIDEO

Bruno loved the off the wall energy. He mentions the sync was lost a few times. Carrie Ann felt the frame was very broken. She felt the dance got away from him. Len says the performance was terrific but the technique was poor. He also comments that Nyle shouldn’t say he is as good as Val because it will annoy people.
Carrie Ann- 8
Len- 8
Bruno- 9
Total: 25/30
You can vote for Nyle by calling 1-800-868-3409 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Ginger & Val – Jazz
GINGER ZEE, VALENTIN CHMERKOVSKIY
Ginger wants higher scores and she feels like she needs to sleep. She has a lot going on. She has a few days off from GMA. Lots of pros in this dance so Ginger doesn’t want to fall behind. Ginger wants 9’s and 10’s. Well, I’m not so sure about this one. For one, similar to Von, I felt as though the energy was lacking. Second, I’m not sure why the middle of the routine lacked so much dancing. Forgive me if I don’t quite remember the music video this tribute is based on but since you only have about 1:45 or so to do this, I expect you to do actual dancing for the majority of it as opposed to flirtatious type movements with troupe members. But I guess that falls on Val. Ginger pretty much did what was asked of her. I just wish the energy was up a bit. – Click to Watch Ginger & Val’s Jazz Performance VIDEO

Carrie Ann says Ginger is well rehearsed. She wanted to see just a bit more. She felt Ginger was off balance just a bit. Len calls it clean and precise but lacked attitude. Bruno wants it “punched” just a little bit more. Val walks over to Bruno so Bruno can demonstrate. Okay.
Carrie Ann- 8
Len- 8
Bruno- 8
Total: 24/30
You can vote for Ginger by calling 1-800-868-3404 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Doug & Karina – Bollywood
DOUG FLUTIE, KARINA SMIRNOFF
Doug was happy with last week’s scores. Karina has never danced Bollywood, so this is going to be a challenge. Doug doesn’t like making mistakes. Doug’s goal is to get his best scores with this dance. Alright, so we have Bollywood. That’s probably the most difficult style we will see tonight solely because it requires such strict hand and foot placement. I’ve seen so many of these numbers done on So You Think You Can Dance over the years. Was this as good? Of course not. Did Doug have issues throughout? Yes. But was it horrendous? I don’t feel it was. I thought he actually kept up with Karina and the other dancers decently and I thought he gave it his best shot. Put it this way- I expected worse coming into the show tonight from him. If he goes tonight, he can satisfied on tackling a really tough routine. – Click to Watch Doug & Karina’s Bollywood Performance VIDEO

Len calls it a tough dance. But he says well done. Bruno enjoyed it. Carrie Ann says that it was her favorite number Doug has done. She says Doug was a bit opposite of what everyone else was doing but she loves that Doug was having a good time.
Carrie Ann- 7
Len- 7
Bruno- 7
Total: 21/30
You can vote for Doug by calling 1-800-868-3402 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Wanya & Lindsay – Jazz
WANYA MORRIS, LINDSAY ARNOLD
Wanya doesn’t want similar scores like he had last week. He is excited about this performance. Funny rehearsals with Nyle versus Joey Fatone talk. Wanya comments that Nyle is the frontrunner and while he likes him, he needs to lose. Excellent stuff here. Once again (here goes me, broken record) Lindsay excels at choreography. She kept the vintage moves of the dance while incorporating some new material. And Wanya owned that stage like a beast. He was in-sync and did the MTV performance more than enough justice. Best of the night thus far with one routine to go. – Click to Watch Wanya & Lindsay’s Jazz Performance VIDEO

Bruno loved it. He is all raves. Carrie Ann gets up to yell that this boy is on fire. She has never seen Wanya been in it so much. Len says Wanya just took a bit step toward the final.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 9
Bruno- 10
Total: 29/30
You can vote for Wanya by calling 1-800-868-3412 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Antonio & Sharna – Jive
ANTONIO BROWN, SHARNA BURGESS
Antonio was not pleased that Sharna didn’t mention him last week when asked who might win. He brings it up to Sharna in rehearsal. Sharna apologizes. Sharna is upset that Antonio thinks she doesn’t want to win with him. Antonio says that he doesn’t give up. He smiles in the face of adversary. Antonio says he is here to win. Whew! Antonio the comeback kid strikes. Really awesome jive. Kicks and flicks? On point. Character? On point. In-sync with accompanying dancers? On point. A strong performance. – Click to Watch Antonio & Sharna’s Jive Performance VIDEO

Carrie Ann says Antonio brought the house down after a little mistake at the beginning. Len says Antonio came up with a great attitude and his best dance. Bruno says Antonio proved he is the leading man. Hard work pays off, Bruno comments.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 9
Bruno- 9
Total: 27/30
You can vote for Antonio by calling 1-800-868-3401 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

ELIMINATION TIME! Oh boy.

In Jeopardy…
Paige & Mark (wow but who knows if it is real)
Doug & Karina
Von & Witney

Going home tonight…

Doug & Karina
DOUG FLUTIE, KARINA SMIRNOFF

Doug calls it an amazing experience. The audience is chanting Flutie. He loves this family. Karina is so proud. She has loved this season. They go to dance their last dance. I like Doug. Good work ethic, positive, charming, and honestly- he lasted longer than I expected as should be really proud of himself. – Click to watch Doug & Karina’s Elimination VIDEO

Judge Leaderboard Following Week 6 Dances (Out of a possible 30)
Wanya & Lindsay – 29/30
Paige & Mark – 28/30
Antonio & Karina – 27/30
Nyle & Peta – 25/30
Jodie & Keo – 25/30
Ginger & Val – 24/30
Kim & Sasha – 24/30
Von & Witney – 24/30
Doug & Karina – 21/30

*A few notes on next week…
– DOUBLE ELIMINATION. Uh-oh.
– Men Vs. Women in the team dances.
– A night of dancing to iconic artists.

And so, “Famous Dances” night comes to a close. A strong night for the show. Some really memorable routines that paid tribute to…well, memorable routines. I’ll have much more to say on the couples themselves in the weekly power list later this week. For now, I will have a new POLLS thread up in a few for you guys to vote on this week’s show. Feel free to vote when you see it and also, to comment here on all things week six. Until next time, have a great week you guys.