Dancing With The Stars has been nailing the themed weeks this season, with its upcoming Whitney Houston and Taylor Swift nights, and tonight’s Music Video Night is going to be filled with nostalgia as the couples dance to songs from famous music videos!
I personally wish this theme was more geared toward famous dances from music videos rather than just the songs danced to your average ballroom choreography, but I’ll just be happy as long as Rylee Arnold didn’t let the opportunity slip by to do some “It’s Gonna Be Me” choreo in her Jazz with Harry Jowsey.
After the couples dance, they’ll be split into two teams – Team 4 Everybody and Team Young’n Style – and will compete for bonus points. It’s always fascinating to me to watch the team dances when indomitable pros Derek Hough and Mark Ballas aren’t part of it – I’m rooting for Team 4 Everybody but my money’s on Team Young’n Style.
The judges panel will also be graced by someone who is forever the dance world’s girl – Paula Abdul!
Last week’s Halloween-themed episode somehow made the ballroom a little less scary when it sent Mauricio and Emma home (nothing against the guy, but come on…).
Vote live during the show at dwtsvote.abc.com or text FIRST NAME to 21523.
DWTS 32 Spoilers: Music Video Night Dance Styles, Song Choices
Note from MJ. Ashley had technical difficulties. I’ll be finishing this live blog.
Lele Pons and Brandon Armstrong – Salsa – “Whenever, Wherever” by Shakira
Lele got her first nine last week. This week she has a cold sore. Ouch. Lele has met Shakira a couple of times. She calls her an Idol and “the mother of Latin music.” Brandon explains that arm movements and hip actions are important in Latin dance.
Lele gets the hip action right, which is harder than it looks. She exudes the proper sensuality and sex appeal. However, the lifts are really awkward and stiff, breaking the spell of the rest of the dance.
Derek says “your hips did not lie.” However, the lifts and tricks were not smooth, he says. Paula calls her “wickedly seductive” but she agrees with Derek’s criticism. Bruno calls Lele a bombshell, but agrees with the others about her non-flowey lifts. Carrie Ann gushes, “You were on fire!”
Carrie Anne – 9, Derek – 8 , Paula – 8, Bruno – 8 = 33 of 40 (73)
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov – Cha Cha – “I’m A Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears
Ariana is a huge Britney fan. She inspired her career. Pasha jokes that Ariana knows the original choreography and is teaching him.
Channeling Britney, Ariana is committed to the act! She even looks like her. All that was missing was a snake or some sort of prop.
Paula calls Ariana a dezzing mix of finesse and fury. Bruno yells “HIT ME ARIANA ONE MORE TIME.” The Cha Cha was full of content, he says. Carrie Ann marvels how Ariana perfectly mimicked Britney and kept up with the backup dancers. Derek also felt she kept up with the pros.
Carrie Anne – 9, Derek – 9 , Paula – 10, Bruno – 9 = 37 of 40 (74)
Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold – Jazz – “It’s Gonna Be Me” by *NSYNC
Harry did Lance Bass’ podcast. And whaddya know, former DWTS contestant Lance drops by to deliver some tips. Rylee notes that Harry has a tough time dancing alone.
The curly blond wig is hilarious. Harry is so big and awkward, he tends to clomp around the stage with no finesse whatsoever. He misses a lift. He’s having a blast up there, I’ll give him that.
Bruno notes it was “out of sync” but fun to watch. He compares Harry, and his wig, to a Golden Girl. Carrie Ann loves seeing him enjoying himself, but she felt he lost character at times, and once he was dancing with the background dancers, it wasn’t great. Derek called the performance “a lot of fun,” but wants to see “connective tissue” between the steps. Paula appreciates Harry’s earnestness, even if he is not a natural dancer. Harry is visibly disappointed. The audience boos!
Carrie Anne – 6, Derek – 6 , Paula – 6, Bruno – 6 = 24 of 40 (64)
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach – Jazz – “Take On Me” by a-ha
Daniella sprained her ankle last week and needed help in rehearsals. She works Jason hard from the sidelines.
The choreography serves to recreate the original video, in which the hero is nearly killed by the bad guys. I was waiting for one of the background dancers to try to smash Jason with a wrench! The choreography seemed a little light on content.
Carrie called it a toned-down version of jazz, which she appreciated, but not his best performance. The crowd boos. Derek liked the middle side-by-side dancing, but feels the choreography was like an early routine. He still thinks Jason has what it takes to go far, however Paula calls it “relentless” and “imaginative.” Bruno thought they never lost the story line. The panel is split on this one.
Carrie Anne – 8, Derek – 8 , Paula – 10, Bruno – 9 = 35 of 40 (72)
Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber – Quickstep – “Candyman” by Christina Aguilera
Alyson got her first 8 last week. In rehearsal, Alyson seems completely flummoxed by the steps. She doesn’t understand how to be that quick while remaining in frame.
Alyson has struggled all season, and this difficult dance could have been a disaster. But she’s getting it done. She improves every week.
Derek calls it her best dance yet. “You glide across that floor…really smooth,” he says. Paula notes how hard the dance is. “You triumphed,” she says. Bruno calls it spot on. “It was a proper quickstep.” Carrie Ann agrees that it was her best dance.
Carrie Anne – 8, Derek – 8 , Paula – 9, Bruno – 8 = 33 of 40 (70)
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy – Jazz – “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani
Xochitl received a 10 last week AND won the dance marathon. She recently directed a music video for a friend and is taking more creative control in the performance.
Too bad Gwen doesn’t work for Disney. She could respond to this fun homage. Xochitl is one of season 32’s major contenders. OH no. Her hat fell off, throwing her off. But she gets back on track. She’s a natural talent.
Paula calls their partnership surprising and proactive. Bruno calls her charismatic. But he spotted something. He thinks after her accident, she wasn’t quite as on as usual. Carrie Ann felt she made up for the little mistake she made. Derek calls her brilliant, but agrees with Bruno there was a little disconect.
Carrie Anne – 9, Derek – 8 , Paula – 9, Bruno – 8 = 34 of 40 (74)
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev – Jazz – “All For You” by Janet Jackson
Charity was not happy receiving an 8 last week. Artem is trying to incorporate Janet’s style of dancing into the routine.
The former Bachelorette is another contender this season. The coaches mention that she hit all the moves correctly, but didn’t bring the energy and attitude that Janet represents. Her moves were lovely and soft when they needed to be powerful.
Bruno thinks she should be proud. Carrie Ann loved the choreography and staging. But she didn’t believe it all the time. Derek reminds them that judging is harder now. He was looking for more energy. Paula mentions that she choreographed Janet. She thinks Charity danced beautifully, but needed to step into her power.
Carrie Anne – 8, Derek – 8 , Paula – 8, Bruno – 8 = 32 of 40 (72)
Barry Williams and Peta Murgatroyd – Quickstep – “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
Barry scores low every week, but people love the former Brady Bunch star. He remembers getting backstage to meet Elton in 1973. Peta shows him the music video which featured a young Bruno as a background dancer! Poor ole Barry needs many times out rehearsing the quickstep.
Oh lordy It’s the slowest quickstep I’ve ever seen. Barry is probably doing his best. Kind of mean to assign him this dance which needs a dancer who is limber and spry.
Carrie Ann says “you are making all of us smile.” She noticed a mistake. Derek admits there was a “little something there.” Booing! C’mon. Barry is nice, but not a good dancer. Derek does compliment his frame. Paula calls Barry a joy and delight. Bruno calls his performances “always there for us to enjoy.” He jokes that Barry should have worn his skimpy outfit from the clip.
Carrie Anne – 7, Derek – 7 , Paula – 7, Bruno – 7 = 28 of 40 (65)
Alfonso announces that Ariana and Pasha have earned 37 points, the highest score of the night, which means they don’t have to compete in next week’s dance off. They earned extra points that will be added next week, if they survive elimination.
Next, it’s the team dances. Each team’s scores will be added to the celebrities individual scores. Alyson and Harry–as the lowest scoring dancers from last week–served as captains and chose their teams.
Team Young’n Style – Harry & Rylee, Lele & Brandon, Xochitl & Val and Charity & Artem – Gangnam Style by PSY
The dance incorporates tricks and lifts and lots of youthful energy, considering three of the members are still in their teens. They incorporate the goofy dance move from the music video. Harry looked like he was going to drop poor Rylee.
After giving Harry a big hug, Derek declares him a “team player.” Paula calls it Harry’s best performance. Bruno calls it a miracle. Carrie Ann loved it and complimented the team work. The judges are so enthusiastic, they deliver the first perfect score of the season.
Carrie Anne – 10, Derek – 10 , Paula – 10, Bruno – 10 = 40 of 40
Team 4 Everybody – Alyson & Sasha, Jason & Daniella, Ariana & Pasha and Barry & Peta – Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by Backstreet Boys
This team is less freestyle, and will incorporate lots of ballroom. But each couple will dance a freestyle solo. Surprise! AJ McLean drops by to help with rehearsal.
This group is older than the other group, which featured teens and 20 somethings. So, this routine is less frenetic, and less fun. They could have been called “Team Olds”
Carrie didn’t think they were as clean as the other team. Derek disagrees. He feels they were cleaner in spots. Paula loved how they staged themselves in the background while the others danced. Bruno calls it a “fitting finale” for the night.
Carrie Anne – 9, Derek – 9 , Paula – 10, Bruno – 8 = 37 of 40
RESULTS
The judges scores and live votes are combined. The first safe couple is Ariana and Pasha. The next safe couple is Harry and Ryley. Joining them are Xochitl and Val. Also safe are Jason and Daniella. The next safe couple is Alyson and Sacha.
Going home tonight is Lele and Brandon! Fellow bottom 3 couples Barry and Peta and Charity and Artem are safe. Brandon is visibly upset, saying that Lele was getting better and better each week, and didn’t deserve to be eliminated.
