DWTS 24 Week 6 Live Blog and Performance Videos

Dancing with the Stars 24 Key Art Feature

Welcome to week six of season twenty-four of Dancing with the Stars. Tonight celebrates girl groups and boy bands. Each couple will perform an unlearned routine and then the women will face off against the men in the ultimate team competition. Backstreet Boys member and former DWTS contestant Nick Carter is on hand to guest judge. When this fully loaded night of dancing is over, another couple will be sent packing.

Last week, Erika & Gleb were eliminated from the competition, and Nick was once again in jeopardy. As was Normani, but she was called safe first. Is that it for Nick? Could his fans have possibly given him yet another week of safety, with someone like Bonner perhaps getting the boot instead? Nick had a good dance last week and much higher scores but it might not be enough to survive after placing so low with the judges in previous weeks. Other than Bonner, I don’t see anyone else that could possibly be in trouble of going home tonight.

Let’s take a look at last week’s poll results to see where MJ readers stand heading into tonight. Four couples are in double digits this week for favorite partnership. 23% to Normani & Val, 21% to Heather & Maks (Alan), 17% to Rashad & Emma, and 12% going to Simone & Sasha. 34% of you loved Normani & Val‘s paso doble. Simone & Sasha‘s contemporary had 19% and Heather & Maks (Alan)‘s jive took 18%. On the flip side, 28% of you disliked Bonner & Sharna‘s tango, while 25% weren’t feeling David & Lindsay‘s jive. 17% voted against Nick & Peta‘s jazz. Interesting note- also making double digits for least favorite were Heather & Maks (Alan) and Normani & Val, both with 11%.

The fifth episode earned a solid “B” grade from the majority. Now, onto your predictions for tonight’s fifth elimination. It is a little closer than usual but 40% of you feel Nick‘s time is up. 28% of you went with Bonner and 18% for David. Even though he isn’t the best dancer, I would be very surprised to see David even in jeopardy. Normani’s surprise jeopardy placement last week tells me the show might once again try and shock us tonight. Perhaps Heather or even Simone in jeopardy? But I agree that Nick will go with a slight chance of Bonner. Put it this way, it is getting a bit harder to predict as the weaker dancers are being eliminated on a weekly basis.

Tom and Erin welcome us to the show and introduce the stars. Haha. That was some really cheesy moves by the men in their “boy band” opening introductions. But cute at the same time. Everyone comes together with their partners on the dance floor.

Julianne is off tonight, with Nick Carter replacing her.

Simone & Sasha – Samba
I like fierce Simone! A surprising hiccup at the beginning where after Simone’s solo time, she actually had trouble getting in-sync with Sasha. But once it was corrected, the rest of the dance was fabulous. Great samba moves and lots of high energy. I think Simone takes very well to these types of girl power dances with her athleticism so tonight worked in her favor. – Watch the Performance Video

Len loved the control. He thought the choreography was clever. He found the timing a bit suspect though. Bruno also mentions the timing. Carrie Ann agrees too but she found the dance sexy. She calls her a powerful performer. Nick said it was a great way to start the show.
You can vote for Simone 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 on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM Eastern the following day.
Carrie Ann- 9
Nick- 8
Len- 9
Bruno- 9
35/40

Bonner & Sharna – Rumba
Umm, Bonner…where was the rumba? That lacked so much hip action and fluidity on Bonner’s part. Sharna looked sexy as ever and was doing just about all the work. It didn’t even seem like Bonner was leading much, which is all wrong for such a romantic dance. The choreography and idea of the routine was fine (though I am sure Len hated the opening bit of wasted time) but the dance itself was just lacking what a rumba should be from the male part of the partnership. – Watch the Performance Video

Bruno mentions how hard the rumba is for men and says it was a little tough for Bonner. Carrie Ann enjoyed that they were in-sync and thought they did a solid rumba. Nick was proud of seeing what he saw but he wants Bonner to find a way to let go. Len thought the lines were good but the bits between the lines needed some work.
You can vote for Bonner 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 on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM Eastern the following day.
Carrie Ann- 8
Nick- 8
Len- 7
Bruno- 7
30/40

Nancy & Artem – Paso Doble
And I like fierce Nancy too! The cage bit can go but I understand the concept. I loved the paso moves and Nancy was bringing the character one hundred percent. There were a couple of unsteady moments, but nothing too glaring. This was a solid routine for Nancy that was choreographed well by Artem. And more importantly, it showed a different side of her as compared to anything we have seen thus far on the show. – Watch the Performance Video

Carrie Ann found a hiccup in the beginning but then said she found herself and was spot on. Nick says his mind was blown. Len doesn’t want Nancy to doubt herself. Too tense in the shoulders and unsteady in movements he says. Bruno liked the aggression. He agrees with Len about Nancy being tense when she messes up.
You can vote for Nancy by calling 1 800 868 3408 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM Eastern the following day.
Carrie Ann- 9
Nick- 8
Len- 8
Bruno- 8
33/40

Nick & Peta – Jive
Hey..that was actually a solid jive. Nick had the kicks and flicks going and they were in-sycn with Peta. I loved her choreography here. Very old school that fit with the song. I thought Nick could have had a little more fun with the dance itself (on his face and all) but I must say that the dancing and content was there and executed very well. – Watch the Performance Video

Nick wants Nick to work on the moves. He says he has the look but work on the moves. Len felt the polish and finesse was lacking. He did find it fun and entertaining. Bruno found the foot placement off but he appreciated the effort. Carrie Ann wants him to watch his hands and feet.
You can vote for Nick 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 on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM Eastern the following day.
Carrie Ann- 7
Nick- 7
Len- 7
Bruno- 7
28/40

Normani & Val – Salsa
Okay, that was sexy and fun and showed a lot of solid dancing but…was it a salsa? I mean, I could name a few of the steps in there that one would see in a salsa but it was leaned more toward a cluster of other things including hip-hop added in. I understand the nature of the theme and the song choice may have necessitated that but I do like to see a nice amount of content of whatever the dance is actually supposed to be. But again, very good dancing from Normani. – Watch the Performance Video

Len thought the dance showcased what a great dancer Normani is but not what a great salsa dancer she is. Val talks back to Len a bit. Bruno called it a performance from someone who is in it to win it. Carrie Ann says Normani sticks every move. Nick says Normani has what it takes to go all the way.
You can vote for Normani 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 on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM Eastern the following day.
Carrie Ann- 10
Nick- 10
Len- 8
Bruno- 10
38/40

David & Lindsay – Argentine Tango
That was a bit rough. I was really worried about Lindsay with those lifts. Coming out of the big one where she was above David’s head was really awkward. I love David’s commitment to the routine but I am starting to feel as though he has hit a plateau where the dancing isn’t going to get much better. He does the steps and usually pulls off the character too, but it is never quite on the level where it should be and it is becoming more noticeable as the weaker dancers go home. – Watch the Performance Video

Bruno mentions how some of the lifts were shaky and Lindsay almost fell. But he liked that it was a proper argentine tango. Carrie Ann says David doesn’t seem like himself. She calls it rough around the edges. Nick can tells David is a fighter. He thought it was his best work. Len thought with all the pressure, David did a marvelous job.
You can vote for David 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 on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM Eastern the following day.
Carrie Ann- 7
Nick- 8
Len- 7
Bruno- 7
29/40

Rashad & Emma – Tango
Best routine of the night (at least so far). A tango that had an old school vibe with perfect choreography. I was really impressed by the quickness of it, which is a little dangerous in a tango because you can lose the frame. I can almost hear Len now say that Rashad’s butt stuck out a little much but it would be such a nitpicking comment to make if he makes it. The dance was really good and showcased a higher level of talent than we have seen so far this evening. – Watch the Performance Video

Carrie Ann calls the beginning perfection. And when in hold- style and technique. Nick says Rashad has elevated himself to being elite. Len appreciated the hold (mentions the frame) but enjoyed it was a proper tango. He says control was lost a little. Bruno loved how driven it was and says Rashad has lots of talent.
You can vote for Rashad 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 on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM Eastern the following day.
Carrie Ann- 9
Nick- 10
Len- 9
Bruno- 9
37/40

Heather & Maks – Rumba
See, now that’s a rumba. What Bonner was lacking in the male portion, obviously Maks can do. But my eyes were totally on Heather here. And not just because she is wearing shiny red. She had hip action, sultry looks, great fluidity, and some fantastic lines. And I dug that the dance had a story. I’m just not sure what that particular song had to do with anything I saw but hey, this isn’t the music. Good job. – Watch the Performance Video

Nick says it was his favorite dance of the night. Len mentions lovely leg action. He calls it a knockout dance. Bruno calls Heather stunning and played like a star and danced like a champion. Carrie Ann calls it Heather’s best dance. She adds it was stunning.
You can vote for Heather 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 on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM Eastern the following day.
Carrie Ann- 10
Nick- 10
Len- 10
Bruno- 10
40/40

Some RESULTS!

OH. One entire team is safe. The other entire team is in jeopardy. The team in jeopardy is… TEAM GIRL GROUP!

Wow. Now, there’s a shocker. A female is going home tonight. Either Nancy, Normani, Heather, or Simone. WOW. WOW. WOW.

Team Boy Band (Nick, Rashad, Bonner, David)
LOL. I can already predict the girls will score higher. I know people will absolutely adore the shirts off grinding stuff but it wasn’t necessary here. They had the chance to stick to typical boy band moves and show off each individual dancer before coming together for a grand finale. Instead, we got some funny, some out of sync stuff, and some gyrating. I guess it was entertaining and perhaps the whole goal of the team dance is indeed to have fun but I think the ladies are going to come together with something special. – Watch the Performance Video

Len says it was full of crowd pleasing movements. He is actually laughing. Bruno makes some hysterical puns and says it was a mess but he was crying. Carrie Ann disagrees because she loved it. She mentions Bonner missed his staging a few times. Nick says a new boy band is in town.
Carrie Ann- 8
Nick- 9
Len- 8
Bruno- 8
33/40

Team Girl Group (Nancy, Normani, Simone, Heather)
Great team dance. Lovely solo stuff. Lovely team stuff. They used each song properly and had a lot of actual dance content. A shame about the spotlight mishap at the end. What was that? You could barely see what was going on. I think one spotlight was supposed to be reserved for each lady but either they were either in the wrong place or the crew got it wrong. At least it was just the tail end. A great dance. – Watch the Performance Video

OH- THE LIGHTING BOARD WENT DOWN. OH BOY.

Bruno loved the girl bands through the decades. Carrie Ann was a bit underwhelmed. Nick called it amazing and doesn’t know why the girls are in jeopardy. Len found the guys routine more entertaining even though the girls were the better dancers.
Carrie Ann- 8
Nick- 9
Len- 8
Bruno- 9
34/40

This lighting situation is so weird.

ELIMINATION TIME!

SAFE- Simone & Sasha
SAFE- Normani & Val

The fifth couple eliminated from DWTS S24 is…

Heather & Maks

Heather says it was a hard competition but she had fun. Tom notes how vocal the audience is about their displeasure. Heather thanks both her partners. She is just about in tears as they make their way to the center of the ballroom to say goodbye. – Watch the Elimination Video

And there you have it for the team dances and a night of girl groups and boy bands. Wow. What a night. An unexpected elimination if there ever was one and a kind of underwhelming night of routines overall. A few highlights but it seems many of the couples were just not on their “A” game. Perhaps things will pick up next week when everyone dances for immunity and then faces the dreaded dance-offs.

One final look at tonight’s leaderboard (scores are out of 80)
Normani- 72
Rashad- 70
Simon- 69
Nancy- 67
Bonner- 63
David- 62
Nick- 61

A brand new POLLS thread is minutes away from going up (be sure to check it out and vote) and I’ll be back with you guys a week from tonight from another new and exciting episode.