Hey All :D
Welcome to Week 6 of season seventeen of Dancing with the Stars. Last week, a shocking elimination ended the journey of Christina Milian and her partner, Mark. Even after the first “10” of the season, Christina wasn’t able to earn enough audience votes to remain in the competition. It just goes to show that a fan base and determined voting is key to survival on a show like this. You can never count on someone being safe because they are doing well with the judges. They need the support of the viewing audience. And with that, only eight stars remain as we have officially reached the half point of the season.
This week is being dubbed the “Switch-Up Challenge.” First, the couples are tasked to perform any unlearned dance as usual. In round two, we will see a new twist on the dance marathon. Couples will compete side by side, in two rounds, with no prior knowledge of dance style or musical accompaniment. One by one, the judges will select couples to be tapped-off/removed from the dance floor. Extra judges’ points will be awarded to couples based on longevity. So, it will be similar to times in the past where the judges have eliminated couples from the competition but this go around, it will happen over the course of two rounds and the couples will not know the style or music they are dancing to. It should be an interesting challenge overall.
Lacey and Benji Schwimmer of “So You Think You Can Dance” fame will choreograph the opening number featuring the entire cast and we will also have special musical guests Ariana Grande and Mika to perform their hit duet “Popular.” Add in the results at the end of the night and we have a pretty packed two-hour show ahead of us. Will tonight bring us another shocker? Are Amber, Corbin, and Elizabeth seemingly locked for the finale? Will those judges be strategic or fair in how they score the challenge? Stay tuned you guys because week six begins now…
The show opens with a huge number featuring all the pros and troupe members. An old-school swing style dance choreographed by the Schwimmers. For those unaware, the brother/sister duo are champions at that type of choreography. It is pretty darn fantastic.
Bill & Emma (dancing Tango)
This is a countrified tango. Well, he got through it. And once again, Emma choreographs to Bill’s strengths and choreographs rather easy. Shocking! Bill sometimes looks awkward in-hold with Emma and loses the music a bit but to his credit, this is a ridiculous song to choreograph a tango to. Why was it picked? In Bill’s attempt to get into the character, he actually looks a bit scared in the facial expressions. LOL. No obvious glaring mistakes but nothing amazing either. An average tango with pretty simplistic content danced to a very bizarre musical number.
Len thought it was sharp with lots of content. A bit skimpy but well done. Bruno mentions a few timing issues but blames the music track. Carrie Ann found it strangely odd but she thought it was done well. She mentions that Bill does what he does best- entertain.
Carrie Ann-8, Len-8, Bruno-7, for a total of 23/30
To VOTE for Bill & Emma, call 800-868-3409, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 8 votes per method allowed this week.
Wow, those are some generous scores from Carrie Ann and Len.
Elizabeth & Val (dancing Cha-cha-cha)
Elizabeth talking about the backlash that happened after she did “Showgirls.” Elizabeth gets an awesome solo to start and it stays awesome once Val joins in. Great cha-cha-cha steps and a wonderful tone throughout the dance. This is a stellar cha-cha-cha. Great foot placement, extensions, and a complete joy to watch. Elizabeth is definitely (if I may borrow from another reality-competition show) in it to win it. I am really impressed that Val gave her that much time for a solo at the start and she nailed it.
Bruno thought it was sexy and it just killed him. He also says it was clean and sharp and brilliant. Carrie Ann thinks Elizabeth is poised and graceful and is growing each week. She loved the solo as well. Len calls the partnership formidable. Len calls Elizabeth consistent and compliments her hips.
Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Bruno-10, for a total of 30/30
To VOTE for Elizabeth & Val, call 800-868-3405, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 8 votes per method allowed this week.
First PERFECT score of the season.
Leah & Tony (dancing Quickstep)
Leah was really upset last week after her lackluster contemporary routine. Oh, look. Jennifer Lopez and her hottie of a man came to rehearsals. A cutesy routine from Leah and Tony. Leah’s footwork could be sharper and more in-sync with Tony at times but it isn’t too bad. Her solo stuff is a bit shaky at first and it shows on her face until she glances over at Tony and remembers to have fun and just get into it. They should have just stayed in-hold the entire time for my money. This is miles ahead of last week for Leah, and she will probably be awarded nicely for it. And yes, she should be proud of the improvement for sure.
Carrie Ann thinks it might be the biggest turnaround she has ever seen. She thought it was elegant. Len goes into a quickstep monologue about how to do a proper one but didn’t really relate it to Leah. All he says is that Leah improved a lot this week. Bruno was very impressed. He thought it was very Ginger Rogers and loved Leah’s confidence.
Carrie Ann-9, Len-9, Bruno-9, for a total of 27/30
To VOTE for Leah & Tony, call 800-868-3411, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 8 votes per method allowed this week.
Wow, those are some mighty high scores for that routine.
And now, some filler. The stars talk about being at the official half point of the competition.
Brant & Peta (dancing the Tango)
Brant’s “Pretty Little Liars” co-star arrives at rehearsal for support. Brant realizes how shaky he is in the competition due to fan bases, as evidenced by Christina’s exit. Brant’s face screams determined and intensity. LOL. Wow. This is the tango that Bill’s should have been. Extremely intense, great sharp footwork, and wonderful posture. I love the in-sync dancing between the two because the chemistry is boiling over here. Brant is definitely giving this tango everything he has and then some. He wants it- bad. Very good routine and kudos to Peta on her choreography.
Len thought it was dry, crisp, tasty. No messing about and straight into the tango. Bruno thinks the prince charming turns into the prince of darkness. Bruno loves Brant driving the dance. He mentions a few stumbles. Carrie Ann agrees with both men. She thought it was great technique-wise but yes, some stumbles.
Carrie Ann-9, Len-10, Bruno-9, for a total of 28/30
To VOTE for Brant & Peta, call 800-868-3403, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 8 votes per method allowed this week.
A discussion with Lacey Schwimmer in the audience.
Amber & Derek (dancing Samba)
Oh. Derek wants to put samba rolls in. Those are really hard. Tough rehearsal for them this week. Amber gets a little solo too. Okay. It involves talking into a microphone for most of it but she dances a bit. Then Derek arrives and we have a hot and fiery samba. They do the rolls. And they are good. Lots of fast movement, as you would expect in this type of “party” dance. The one critique (and it is one I have mentioned about Amber a few times before) I have is that Amber always ends up doing some “Amber” type dancing regardless of the routine. It is like Corbin with his hip-hop stuff. But I guess that’s just how Amber dances. This is a pretty terrific samba though and Amber always brings it when it comes to entertainment.
Bruno says that apart for the performance value (which was great), everything was done perfectly. Carrie Ann loves her job. She says the word fierce about five times. She calls it an Amber-licious samba. Len goes into another monologue- this time about the samba but calls the routine a tad repetitive.
Carrie Ann-10, Len-8, Bruno-10, for a total of 28/30
To VOTE for Amber & Derek, call 800-868-3407, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 8 votes per method allowed this week.
Oh, look. An absolutely ridiculous segment of Brooke showing us merged photos of the stars and their partners. Okay.
Jack & Cheryl (dancing the Paso Doble)
Val comes into rehearsal to help Jack get his paso attitude on. Jack gets a little solo too where he gets to be the matador and swing the cape. He does that well. Cheryl arrives. The in-hold stuff is weird. It is good and not so good. Some moves are rather awkward and stiff as Jack and Cheryl paso around while others are better. Jack’s “face” worked, so the Val help was a success. But this one of Jack’s weaker routines. It just didn’t completely come together from beginning to end. But it was an adequate attempt.
Carrie Ann felt it was one-dimensional and that’s why the timing went off. Len thought it was full of intent and purpose. Len does mention a mistake but he thought the rest was top notch. Bruno thought Jack’s timing wasn’t as good as usual- he was chasing the music. And watch his spanish line.
Carrie Ann-8, Len-9, Bruno-8, for a total of 25/30
To VOTE for Jack & Cheryl, call 800-868-3402, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 8 votes per method allowed this week.
Snooki & Sasha (dancing Foxtrot)
Sasha wants Snooki to be elegant for this foxtrot. Snooki doesn’t want Sasha to take things out and make the steps easier. Aww. This is so un-Snooki. LOLZ. We have flowers, romance, and it looks like a Disney scene. Yet, we have Snooki. Again, LOLZ. But time to give credit where it is due. This is a proper foxtrot. Lovely lines and a really charming tone throughout. Sasha choreographed well here. Snooki was up for the challenge of being elegant and for me, it was a success. It was just so funny seeing Snooki do this type of dance but she should be proud of herself.
Len is happy. That’s all he says. Bruno says Snooki graduates from charm school. He wants her to watch the top line though. But he compliments her extensions. Carrie Ann says Snooki has improved the most out of everyone. She is impressed with her.
Carrie Ann-9, Len-9, Bruno-9, for a total of 27/30
To VOTE for Snooki & Sasha, call 800-868-3412, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 8 votes per method allowed this week.
Corbin & Karina (dancing Viennese Waltz)
LOL. Corbin is a “Game Of Thrones” nerd. He LOVES it and loves the idea of this song for the routine. He is actually giving Karina info on the show. I wonder if ABC is getting some cash from HBO for this. This is like a mash-up between a waltz and a paso doble. It has the intensity and staccato movements of the paso mixed with the fluidity of the waltz. That’s definitely something we haven’t seen on the show before. Kudos to Karina on the choreography. As an actor, this was perfect for Corbin. I wonder if the judges are going to love or hate this. It could be a very divisive dance.
Bruno has issues with Corbin’s lines. He found that the lines were lost. Carrie Ann tries to say that they were going for that. She got what they were going for. She thought it worked although there could have been more hold. Len loved the theme and lyrical movement but he puts the same criticism on Corbin and Karina that he did on Amber and Derek last week. Not enough technique.
Carrie Ann-8, Len-7, Bruno-8, for a total of 23/30
To VOTE for Corbin & Karina, call 800-868-3406, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 8 votes per method allowed this week.
After round 1 but BEFORE the switch-up challenge… the leader board looks like this…
Elizabeth & Val- 30/30
Brant & Peta- 28/30
Amber & Derek- 28/30
Snooki & Sasha- 27/30
Leah & Tony- 27/30
Jack & Cheryl- 25/30
Corbin & Karina- 23/30
Bill & Emma- 23/30
Now, performing “Popular Song,” Mika and Ariana Grande. Members of the troupe are out to dance. Cute song for sure and really catchy.
Now, time for an explanation on how the switch-up challenge works. Leah left the room during rehearsal because she feels insecure. Girl, get the attitude in check. Everyone is dealing with the same issues, so deal. She eventually returns. Everyone is nervous.
First couple tapped out- 1 pt.
Second couple tapped out- 2 pts.
Third couple tapped out- 3pts.
Last couple standing- 4pts.
Random picking to determine the two rounds. It will be Jack Vs. Corbin Vs. Bill Vs. Snooki and then Elizabeth Vs. Leah Vs. Amber Vs. Brant.
This is going to be tough to critique. So, I’ll just provide the scores.
Bill And Emma out- 1pt.
Jack And Cheryl out- 2pts.
Snooki And Sasha out- 3pts.
WINNERS: Corbin And Karina- 4pts.
Second group:
Leah And Tony out- 1pt.
Elizabeth And Val out- 2pts.
Brant And Peta out- 3pts.
WINNERS: Amber And Derek- 4pts.
Week 6 Judges’ Leaderboard:
Elizabeth & Val- 32/34
Amber & Derek- 32/34
Brant & Peta- 31/34
Snooki & Sasha- 30/34
Leah & Tony- 28/34
Jack & Cheryl- 27/34
Corbin & Karina- 27/34
Bill & Emma- 22/34
That was fun. It was hard to watch everyone but I thought the judges scored correctly. Those who got 3 and 4 points were really good at changing styles quickly and keeping up. It was a rather difficult challenge but in actuality, everyone seemed to have a good time and did well.
…and results are coming up!
RESULTS
Elizabeth And Val are SAFE!
Amber And Derek are SAFE!
Brant And Peta are SAFE!
Leah And Tony are SAFE!
Corbin And Karina are SAFE!
Nicole And Sasha are SAFE!
Jack And Cheryl are SAFE!
…
Bill And Emma are SAFE!
OOO. Because of a mess up in the voting last week with numbers being displayed incorrectly, the show is throwing out last week’s audience votes.
So, this week’s judges scores will be added to next week’s as well as this week’s audience votes to determine who goes home. My question is… will it be a regular elimination or a double elimination next week? No clue. I guess you all have to tune in next week.
Next week- TEAM DANCES!
So again, the couple going home is… NO ONE.
POLLS will be up very soon. I hope you guys enjoyed the performance and non-result show. LOLZ. :D
