Welcome to week 8 of season sixteen of Dancing with the Stars. We are close to crowning a new champion, folks. Things are going to get very technical on the dance floor! Last week, we said goodbye to Comic actor Andy Dick and his professional partner, Sharna Burgess. Andy was a star this season in terms of bringing the entertainment. He also showed fans a new side of himself, one of a dedicated family man with a heart and a desire to change his life. At the end of the day, he lasted a long time but his weak dancing as compared to the others finally caught up with him. The spotlight this week turns to Sean and Ingo– the last obvious members of the cast that are in the most trouble. I would bet good money we are losing one of the two this week without even seeing them dance. For everyone else, it will be a battle to see who can gain control over the competition as we head to the finish line. Will the trio of ladies (Kellie, Zendaya, Aly) continue to dominate or is it time for Jacoby to wedge his way up on the leader board?
Tonight’s theme is “Trio Night.” The couples will be tasked with two very different routines. The first, a ballroom dance of any unlearned style. They must then pick either an eliminated professional or a member of the troupe and dance with them in a trio. This has been done before on the show and can usually result in some pretty amazing routines if choreographed and danced correctly. But it has the chance to also show off the celebrties weaknesses as they must dance with two professionals as opposed to one.
Cheryl Burke will be dancing with Jacoby and Karina. Gleb Savchenko will be dancing with Zendaya and Val. Lindsay Arnold will be dancing with Ingo and Kym. Tristan MacManus will be dancing with Kellie and Derek. Henry Byalikov will be dancing with Alexandra and Mark. Sharna Burgess will be dancing with Sean and Peta.
Only 6 votes available via the usual methods plus social media. So, let’s get this thing moving. :D
Zendaya Coleman (Dinsey Channel star) & Valentin Chmerkovskiy – (Foxtrot)
This is cute. The song is a bit cheesy but it fits Val’s choreography. Or should I say, the choreography fits the song? This is a simple foxtrot. Nothing amazing but nothing wrong either. Just a simple, elegant, and soft foxtrot hitting all the right spots. Zendaya is in it personality-wise is totally connected to the routine. So, simple but effective here folks.
Len says Zendaya is getting stronger as the competition goes on. He loved the choreography and the performance. Bruno said Zendaya is a breathe of fresh air. He loved it. Carrie Ann thought the beginning was a bit simple until they got into hold. She loved it when Zendaya and Val were in hold. The judges begin to argue.
Carrie Ann- 9 Len- 10 Bruno- 9 for a total of 28/30
To vote for Zendaya & Val, call 1800-868-3406. You can also text “VOTE” to 3406. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Sean Lowe (Reality television star) & Peta Murgatroyd (Tango)
A tango to “Hot & Cold” by Katy Perry? Okay. Umm, back to awkward Sean. After a really strong rumba last week (including the dance-off one), Sean has gone backwards once again. He looks so out of place trying to keep up Peta in what is supposed to be a fast paced and intense tango. He is able to do most of the general tango steps but it just doesn’t come off seamless and it has next to no passion. Peta tried to choreograph a “runaway groom” type idea for this (which on paper, sounds workable) but the execution was not a success.
Bruno thought Sean started well but then lost his footwork. He thinks Sean has to sustain his dancing. Carrie Ann thinks Sean lost the music again and has become inconsistent again. Len thought it was sharp and powerful but with so much attack, Sean lost the fluidity. It wasn’t a great dance, a little bit ugly.
Carrie Ann- 7 Len- 7 Bruno- 7 for a total of 21/30
To vote for Sean & Peta, call 1800-868-3407. You can also text “VOTE” to 3407. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Jacoby Jones (NFL wide receiver) & Karina Smirnoff – (Viennese Waltz)
I love Jacoby doing slow dances like this. It amazes me how such a big man can be so elegant on the floor. I am watching his feet closely since the judges continuously point out his feet and I don’t see any issues here. Granted, I never really do with him. Oops. He has a minor mistake in the dance but saves it with Karina immediately. They are definitely doing the waltz justice when it comes to technique and performance. I think Jacoby’s mother is going to be very pleased tonight, as she is each and every week.
Carrie Ann is very happy. She thought it was stunning. She thought it was a nice surprise to see Jacoby so elegant. Len asks Jacoby’s mother if she loved it. Of course she did, and Len loved it too. Bruno explains how difficult the dance is and despite Jacoby losing it for a second, Bruno loved it.
Carrie Ann- 9 Len- 9 Bruno- 9 for a total of 27/30
To vote for Jacoby & Karina, call 1800-868-3412. You can also text “VOTE” to 3412. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Jacoby’s mom wanted 10’s obviously. Okay. She is becoming a tad bit annoying.
Ingo Rademacher (Soap opera actor) & Kym Johnson – (Foxtrot)
Well, in the battle of Sean Vs. Ingo in round one, Ingo wins easy. This is a strong foxtrot. Ingo did a whole LOT of complaining, moaning, and groaning in rehearsal (which is a put off to me personally) but the dance came together. Lovely foxtrot steps, very elegant, and nice tone. A minor hiccup but it doesn’t hurt Ingo. If Ingo can duplicate this in his trio dance later, he will be in the semi-finals over Sean.
Len thought it had a lovely glide to it. He thought the arms could have been softer and stronger in the feet but he loved it. Bruno thought he did a great job even though he looked a bit like Fred Flinstone sometimes instead of Fred Astaire. Carrie Ann thought it was Ingo’s best posture dance and loves Ingo’s casual quality.
Carrie Ann- 8 Len- 8 Bruno- 8 for a total of 24/30
To vote for Ingo & Kym, call 1800-868-3403. You can also text “VOTE” to 3403. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Kellie Pickler (Country music singer) & Derek Hough – (Viennese Waltz)
Beautiful! Derek is so outstanding at choreography. He has made this look so gorgeous. It is as if they are gliding on air. Of course, I can’t see their feet because the ballroom is engulfed by a ridiculous amount of smoke. But the elegance and smooth fluidity of the waltz is beyond evident here. Kellie is all in it emotionally. I wonder if Carrie Ann is going to take back what she said last week about not feeling Kellie in the dances. The remark made me shake my head then and still does now.
Bruno calls Kellie the queen of the viennese waltz. He loved it. Carrie Ann definitely saw that Kellie went beyond the steps. This is what she was looking for last week. Len thought it was sophisticated and loved the movements. He would have liked a few more heel leads but he admits he is being picky. He loved it.
Carrie Ann- 9 Len- 9 Bruno- 10 for a total of 28/30
To vote for Kellie & Derek, call 1800-868-3401. You can also text “VOTE” to 3401. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Aly Raisman (Olympic gold medal gymnast) & Mark Ballas – (Argentine Tango)
Nice! If Carrie Ann wants to tell someone that they have issues with “feeling” in a dance, it should be Aly in previous weeks. But not tonight. Aly is totally into this. Very good choreography by Mark to make a seductive, intense, and sexy argentine tango. Some nice lifts and a really fitting mood emanating from Aly. I am really enjoying this. One of my favorite Aly routines, though I wish it was longer.
Carrie Ann is amazed by Aly’s transformation. The lifts were a bit strange, according to Carrie Ann. Len thought it had mood and atmosphere and he loved it. Bruno compliments how good of an actress Aly has become and he loved everything.
Carrie Ann- 9 Len- 10 Bruno- 10 for a total of 29/30
To vote for Aly & Mark, call 1800-868-3408. You can also text “VOTE” to 3408. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Zendaya Coleman (Dinsey Channel star) & Valentin Chmerkovskiy – (Salsa) with Gleb
Well. Can I have a moment alone with Gleb? I have missed him and his love of his own body. LOL. Back to the dance. Pretty darn fantastic. Two things though. One, this has a bit more than just a salsa in it. I see a few other styles being done. And two, I wish Zendaya had some moments in hold in with pros during the dance. Those are my only critiques. As a dance, this was fun and technically perfect. It also had high energy and was fun. Zendaya is more than likely going to receive perfection for this.
Len thought the three worked together great. He thought the pros made Zendaya look like a star. Bruno said all the attention was on Zendaya and it was amazing. Carrie Ann thinks Zendaya is a queen of the salsa. She loved the whole thing.
Carrie Ann- 10 Len- 10 Bruno- 10 for a total of 30/30
To vote for Zendaya & Val, call 1800-868-3406. You can also text “VOTE” to 3406. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Sean Lowe (Reality television star) & Peta Murgatroyd (Jazz) with Sharna
OY. This is a mess. A hot mess. I love the idea behind the routine and my eyes are glued to Peta and Sharna. Sean is just so inferior here. He is awkward (I am a broken record tonight), his feet are terrible, and he looks so out of place. It actually looks like he is a drunk father at a wedding getting up to dance with the bride and her best friend. I’m sorry to be so harsh but as good looking and as seemingly a nice guy as he is, I think Sean’s time is just up. He may have just given Ingo a ticket to the semi-finals.
Bruno called it plenty of magic with a little bit of tragic. The girls and numbers were fantastic but Sean’s feet were a mess. Carrie Ann mentioned how tough it is to keep up with the two ladies but Sean lost his sync many times. Len thought it was like his first dance. Attack came in and style went out, says Len.
Carrie Ann- 7 Len- 7 Bruno- 7 for a total of 21/30
To vote for Sean & Peta, call 1800-868-3407. You can also text “VOTE” to 3407. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Jacoby Jones (NFL wide receiver) & Karina Smirnoff – (Paso Doble) with Cheryl
See, now this is what I was talking about earlier concerning Zendaya. I loved that we had more in-hold material here from Jacoby. He danced with both girls equally and I thought it made him look better. The man’s dance is definitely in Jacoby’s wheelhouse and he took it and ran with it. All of the usual paso moves were here and Cheryl was a great addition. Jacoby has definitely stepped it up tonight to try and break up that female trio that has been sweeping the competition. Things are getting interesting.
Carrie Ann loves Jacoby’s presence on the floor. She felt bad for Cheryl because Jacoby basically tossed her around too much. Len loved the presence. He loved Jacoby’s hands. He basically loved everything. Bruno thought it was a paso done by Quentin Tarantino. He warns Jacoby about his spanish lines. Len disagrees but Bruno remarks that it is the quarter finals so he needs to be technical.
Carrie Ann- 8 Len- 9 Bruno- 8 for a total of 25/30
To vote for Jacoby & Karina, call 1800-868-3412. You can also text “VOTE” to 3412. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Note- I do NOT quite understand those “8” paddles for this one, to be honest. But it is what it is.
Ingo Rademacher (Soap opera actor) & Kym Johnson – (Jive) with Lindsay
Okay. This is just okay. After viewing the amazing dances, watching Ingo do a jive is like going for a bathroom break. He is also a tad awkward in this but is hitting most of the jive steps. Those kicks should be a bit better when you see how good Lindsay and Kym are doing them behind him. Speaking of, Lindsay and Kym are doing their absolute best and they were smart to choreograph a nerdy-type routine for Ingo. He didn’t need to be perfect, which he wasn’t. This was more about being entertaining. Round 2 of Sean Vs. Ingo goes to Ingo. The soap dude saved himself tonight, IMO.
Len thought it could have been sharper in the feet but the jive is about fun and he liked it. Bruno loved the energy but yes, the kicks and flicks needs to be sharper. Carrie Ann admits it was a bit flat footed but compliments Ingo for bringing the fun that is lacking with Andy gone.
Carrie Ann- 8 Len- 8 Bruno- 8 for a total of 24/30
To vote for Ingo & Kym, call 1800-868-3403. You can also text “VOTE” to 3403. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Kellie Pickler (Country music singer) & Derek Hough – (Paso Doble) with Tristan
Oh. They are beginning where they left off in the last dance. They go from Heaven to Hell as Tristan joins them. This is AWESOME. Lots of intensity you expect in the paso. Kellie is on fire. I love the connection she has to both pros at the moment. Some great back and forth dancing she is doing with both of them. Derek again (and I guess Tristan) ups the choreography factor. Kellie doesn’t miss a step. My favorite routine of the night so far. That was so good.
Bruno calls it masterpiece theater. High art and high drama. Carrie Ann gets up to hug Kellie. Uh-oh. Bruno is up dancing. I just hears In It To Win It. Len is absolutely losing it bashing the routine. He hated it. He doesn’t want flashing lights. He doesn’t want all of that. He wanted more paso steps. The judges are all standing and arguing with one another. You can barely understand what they are saying since they are all yelling.
Carrie Ann- 10 Len- 7 Bruno-10 for a total of 27/30
To vote for Kellie & Derek, call 1800-868-3401. You can also text “VOTE” to 3401. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Note- 7? Len? 7? Really? Come on now, that’s ridiculous.
Aly Raisman (Olympic gold medal gymnast) & Mark Ballas – (Jive) with Henry
Pretty good stuff here. I see something a bit odd with Aly here. I feel like she is a bit nervous and tepid doing this number. She is doing the same sexy routine as her first number, but this time, it feels a bit forced and Aly looks a bit disconnected. Let’s talk about the actual dancing. The jive steps are good, kicks and flicks are okay, and the routine was choreographed well. I just didn’t feel like Aly was all there with it or that it came together as good as her first routine tonight. I’m glad Aly is finding it a bit easier to perform though in these final few weeks.
Carrie Ann is loving what she is seeing from Aly this week. She was a little flat footed and lost a music a bit, says Carrie Ann but she liked it. Len thought she went for it strong and he thought it was a terrific number. He only critiqued that Aly needs some more bounce. Bruno loves how Aly transformed over the week and yes, mentions the same critiques that Carrie Ann and Len did.
Carrie Ann- 9 Len- 9 Bruno- 9 for a total of 27/30
To vote for Aly & Mark, call 1800-868-3408. You can also text “VOTE” to 3408. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.
Final Judges Leaderboard:
Zendaya And Val – 58/60
Aly And Mark- 56/60
Kellie And Derek- 55/60
Jacoby And Karina- 52/60
Ingo And Kym- 48/60
Sean And Peta- 42/60
I say we are in store for the most predictable results show tomorrow night with Sean heading home. What do you guys think? Come on over to the POLLS thread and vote away! I hope you guys enjoyed watching with me tonight! :D
