DWTS 24 Week 7 Live Blog and Performance Videos

Dancing with the Stars 24 Key Art Feature

Welcome to week seven of season twenty-four of Dancing with the Stars. Tonight is “A Night At The Movies,” and each couple will be dancing to a specific movie genre, such as action and horror. The highest scoring couple will get immunity from elimination, while everyone else will be paired with another couple to dance-off. One couple picks who they want to battle with, and that couple picks the style of dance. With Julianne still away from the judges table, choreographer Mandy Moore will step in as a guest judge. If that wasn’t high stakes enough, tonight is also a DOUBLE elimination. That’s right- when all the dancing is done, two couples will be sent packing, leaving us with our final five. And while the results seem obvious, after last week, anything has the potential to happen.

It was the shocker that took the ballroom by storm last Monday as Heather Morris and her partner Maks were booted. You can call it a lack of connection with the audience, failed choreography, the partner swap with Alan, or people just opting to not vote for the dancer who is an actual professional. Regardless of the reason or combo of them, it was indeed a surprise to see her go out fifth. Nancy joined her in jeopardy (as did the entire women’s team), but I believe that was more for dramatic effect. Think of it- do we really believe all the remaining males (I am looking at you Nick and Bonner) had a higher combined vote total than the likes of Normani and Simone? Nah, this blogger isn’t buying it.

Let’s take a look at last week’s poll results to see where MJ readers stand heading into tonight. It is very close at the top for favorite partnership. Rashad & Emma lead with 32% and Normani & Val have 29%. With 13%, Simone & Sasha. For favorite round one routine, it was more of the same as Rashad & Emma‘s tango earned 36% and Normani & Val‘s salsa had 33%. Three couples dances were not received well however, with Bonner & Sharna‘s rumba earning 34%, Nick & Peta‘s jive with 28%, and David & Lindsay‘s argentine tango with 16%. For round two, 54% of you went with Team Boy Band over the 46% for Team Girl Group.

The fifth episode earned a season low “C” grade from 42% of you. It seems many felt that last week’s episode was the weakest of this current season. Now, onto your predictions for tonight’s sixth and seventh elimination. 42% of you think it will be Nick & Peta and 32% believe Bonner & Sharna. With 13%, we have David & Lindsay. I agree with all of this. It is going to be Nick and Bonner, with a slim chance that David could be out if his fans didn’t vote hard. I think the ladies can rest easy tonight. I believe that by the end of the show, our final five will be Rashad, Normani, Simone, Nancy, and David. We shall see…

A nice elegant opening, looking like old Hollywood. I am glad to see this season’s opening numbers include the cast. Sure, they can’t dance like our pros but it makes it feel like everyone is involved. And a little extra practice on remembering choreography can’t hurt. Mandy Moore put that together of course. Tom and Erin welcome us to show.  – Click to Watch Performance Video

Bonner & Sharna – Paso Doble
Genre- Western
Oh come on now. There’s putting on a performance and then there is doing way too much. That was too much. Between the faux poker game and the breaking of the chair, and everyone else on the floor, it was clear Sharna was keeping Bonner to a minimum with his dancing. The paso moves I did see were okay but it wasn’t nearly enough. If the dance had maybe another 30-40 seconds added at the end with actual paso dancing, I would have been more positive about this.  – Click to Watch Performance Video

Len feels that Bonner got wrapped up and forgot to be the matador. But he says well done and congratulates all the couples for making it to week seven. Mandy is proud of Bonner. She compliments Sharna’s choreography and tells Bonner he is growing despite not having as much content as other couples. Bruno loved the scene but says Bonner needs to be more smooth. Carrie Ann feels Bonner got lost in the number but likes the way Bonner moves. She mentions half the number wasn’t dancing.
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- 7
Len- 7
Mandy- 8
Bruno- 7
29/40

Nancy & Artem – Tango
Genre- Romance
Now, that’s how you put together a performance that is high on production but still high on dancing. We still had more people on the floor and lots going on, but Nancy was in-hold and doing a proper tango for the majority of it. She looked like she was having a great time too. Good job on Artem for what he put together there and I especially give props to Nancy for those turns because she has had trouble with looking a bit unstable in other routines but she was spot on here. – Click to Watch Performance Video

Mandy says Nancy looks stunning. She thought it was impeccable. She mentions her shoulders at the very end. Bruno found it elegant and sophisticated. Carrie Ann thinks Nancy looks so much more relaxed. She wants her to watch her arms sometimes- she loses track of them at times. Len thought the quantity and quality in that routine were good.
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
Len- 9
Mandy- 9
Bruno- 9
36/40

Simone & Sasha – Charleston
Genre- Silent
Yes! Probably my favorite Simone routine of the season and Sasha finally choreographed something really outstanding here for her. I adored the way they both handled the charleston- it was cute, fun, athletic, had tricks, had some quickstep, had a little flirt going on… I mean, it had just about everything. And it was right up Simone’s alley because she could pull off those tricks like no one else this season. Great job. – Click to Watch Performance Video

Bruno loved the goofy fun and felt the dance was entertaining. Carrie Ann says it was a very challenging routine. She says Simone makes it look effortless. Len enjoyed the characterization. He wanted a bit more swivel on the charleston but called it great to watch. Mandy agrees and proceeds to ask Simone a question about what she is thinking while dancing. That leads to Mandy’s critique- she wants more connection and for Simone’s dancing to not feel like it is on automatic pilot.
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- 10
Len- 9
Mandy- 9
Bruno- 9
37/40

Time for a break (or filler if you want to be precise) as the stars of the Disney channel original movie Descendants 2 are out to perform. With the rate this show is going with casting ringers, I half expect one of these actors to join the show next season. I kid- somewhat.

Nick & Peta – Argentine Tango
Genre- Action
Not bad. The one critique I have on this one is accuracy. The argentine tango requires such precise movements and Nick can sometimes come off clunky and a bit sloppy. I enjoyed that Peta choreographed a very proper argentine tango and had Nick performed all the steps perfectly, it would have been his best dance. But it was a solid effort for what might be his final routine (with the dance-off later) of the competition. – Click to Watch Performance Video

Carrie Ann called it hot. She says she saw moments of extreme brilliance and moments where it wasn’t so great. She said there were a lot of missteps. Len likes the way Nick has improved since week one. He found it to be a bit big sometimes but Nick sold it. Mandy compliments Peta and says to Nick that she started to see a dancer tonight. Bruno calls it Nick’s most mature and sophisticated performance to date.
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- 8
Len- 8
Mandy- 9
Bruno- 9
34/40

Rashad & Emma – Paso Doble
Genre- Horror
Absolutely fantastic. A perfect combination of theme and content. Great choreography and danced so damn well. Those paso steps were fierce. That was basically everything in terms of a paso that Bonner’s was not. I hate to compare but it is week seven and the difference with them is staggering. So far, this ties (or just beats for me) Simone’s dance as my favorite of the night.  – Click to Watch Performance Video

Len says the music and dancing was epic. He says it was a little scruffy around the edges. Mandy says Rashad has figured out how to perform for the audience. Bruno enjoyed the gothic feel of it. Bruno says Len is right because sometimes Rashad throws his hands away. Carrie Ann feels the story was fantastic but she says the posture is a problem.
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
Len- 9
Mandy- 10
Bruno- 9
37/40

David & Lindsay – Salsa
Genre- Sci-Fi
This is a tough one. I think Lindsay was going for a robot type theme with the whole sci-fi but the salsa requires a bit more looseness in the steps, hips, and overall content. So it was rough to see David so stiff in parts. If it wasn’t the style and he is just that stiff doing a salsa, that’s not a good thing. But I am hoping it was the former. It was an okay dance with some very nice and fun moments. Just not as loose and on point as one would expect from a week seven salsa. – Click to Watch Performance Video

Mandy compliments Lindsay. She felt David was flat on his feet and the feet didn’t have the energy it needed. Bruno says the hip action wasn’t there. But he says it was well disguised. Carrie Ann agrees. She says it was a lot of fun though and entertaining. Len calls it fun and enjoyed the touches of salsa.
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- 8
Len- 8
Mandy- 8
Bruno- 8
32/40

Normani & Val – Argentine Tango
Genre- Foreign
Wow. I love me some amazing argentine tango. And that was amazing. So on point and so sexy. I loved the way Val choreographed that. It had more content that I think I have seen from any other dance this evening. It was a complete argentine tango from beginning to end and Normani played it beautifully. Gorgeous routine. – Click to Watch Performance Video

Bruno says it was the best dance on movie night. He calls it was one of the classic dances that makes the show special. Carrie Ann says that dance should earn Normani immunity. She is raving about elegance and artistry. Len compliments the dance and says it was the best. Mandy agrees and was most impressed by the leg action.
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
Len- 10
Mandy- 10
Bruno- 10
40/40

IMMUNITY WINNER- NORMANI & VAL They also get 3 extra points, as will all the winners of the dance-offs. So, Normani & Val end the night with 43/43

Dance-Off Round
Simone picks Nancy. Nancy picks Cha-Cha-Cha
Rashad picks David. David picks Jive
Nick will face off with Bonner in a rumba

Dance-Off #1
Simone Vs. Nancy

I enjoyed Nancy more when she was on the floor alone and I didn’t see Simone on the opposite end. With Simone dancing as well, you can tell who the better and more refined cha-cha-cha dancer was. It wasn’t a total knockout by any means, but Simone is the choice here for both content and execution. – Click to Watch Performance Video

Len didn’t want these two against each other. He compliments both but says one had sharper leg action and movement. Mandy agrees and comments on how difficult it is. Bruno says it is tough to judge. He thought both were good. Carrie Ann says one was classic and one was modern.

Carrie Ann- Simone
Len- Simone
Mandy- Simone
Bruno- Simone
Audience- 63% to Simone- who now gets 2 extra points added to her total.

Dance-Off #2
Rashad Vs. David

A clear win for Rashad. More jive, more kicks and flicks, and David lost timing a number of times. Not much more to comment on that. – Click to Watch Performance Video

Mandy thought both couples were competitive. Bruno says it had plenty of joy. Carrie Ann thought both had signature moves but one stood out because it was a full blown routine from start to finish. Len admires both of them.

Carrie Ann- Rashad
Len- Rashad
Mandy- Rashad
Bruno- Rashad
Audience- 54% to Rashad- who now gets 2 extra points to his total.

Dance-Off #3
Nick Vs. Bonner

Okay, so neither couple really stood out in that and made me go “wow, what a stunning rumba” but I have to give the minor edge to Bonner. It seemed he had some more hip action and more content. Nick had some but Peta did a lot of the work in that. So, Bonner with the victory on that one. – Click to Watch Performance Video

Bruno thought both couples peaked in that dance. He said it was adorable to watch but one was a bit better. Carrie Ann compliments both and goes ahead and gives specific props to both. Len says the rumba is the hardest but felt both came out and he salutes them. Mandy felt some heartstrings and thought one couple was a bit better.

Carrie Ann- Bonner
Len- Bonner
Mandy- Bonner
Bruno- Nick
Audience- 62% to Bonner- who now gets 2 extra points to his total.

ELIMINATION TIME!

The following couples were called safe: Simone & Sasha, Rashad & Emma, Bonner & Sharna, David & Lindsay

The two couples ELIMINATED from the competition tonight are…

Nick & Peta and Nancy & Artem

Nancy loved the whole experience. Nick calls in incredible. Everyone goes to take a final bow.

Well, Nick’s elimination was definitely expected. But Nancy? Damn. That was wrong. Bonner and David should have left before her. And it is quite surprising because the demo of this show fits right in with Nancy. Perhaps her personality was just not big enough and the routines Artem put together were not memorable enough for those votes. Sucks. She was a solid dancer and seemed to be a genuine sweetheart and a hard worker. I will miss her. – Click to Watch Elimination Video

And that’s it for a night at the Movies.

One final look at tonight’s leaderboard (Out of a total possible score of 43)
Normani- 43
Rashad- 39
Simone- 39
David- 34
Bonner- 31

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.