Dancing with the Stars – Season 16 – Week 7

Welcome to week 7 of season sixteen of Dancing with the Stars. After tonight, only three weeks remain this season! Last week, we said goodbye to Professional boxer Victor Ortiz and his professional partner, Lindsay Arnold. Despite a charming personality, Victor wasn’t a very good dancer and was never able to build fans. He was constantly in the bottom and with so many good dancers and interesting personalities left, it was him to go. Now, we turn our attention to the likes of Sean, Ingo, and Andy. It would be a complete shock if those three managed to escape elimination this week. They are all on the cusp of exiting the competition. But let’s discuss tonight.

Tonight’s theme is “Latin night.” The couples are tasked with two dances this week. The first is any unlearned Latin dance followed by a Cha-cha-cha, Jive, or Rumba Dance Off. Each couple will dance to a Latin hit. After having danced, the top scoring couple will be saved from elimination that week. The remaining six couples will then take part in the Dance Off, where they’ll compete against another couple doing the Cha-cha-cha, Jive or Rumba. For each Dance Off, the judges will declare a winning couple who will add 3 bonus points to their score. Latin dances are fun and very rythmic, so tonight will be a real test for those who haven’t mastered hip action, fancy footwork, or musicality. The dance off should also be interesting, especially if people like Zendaya, Kellie, Aly, and Jacoby have to go against one another. I am really looking forward to that. Grammy winner Juanes will be on hand to perform. Only 7 votes available via the usual methods plus social media, so we are really getting down to the meat of the competition. With all that being said, let’s get in touch with our Latin side and bailar… yes, dance. Enjoy. :D

Jacoby Jones (NFL wide receiver) & Karina Smirnoff – (Salsa)
Jacoby is back to being fast on the floor and he is excellent. He has the perfect attitude for a salsa. He and Karina are off and running with crazy lifts and lots of hip action. I am actually surprised with how many lifts Karina has put into this dance. They are fine and done right but I wish they had more regular salsa steps. I see two incidents during the dance but Jacoby never loses musicality and is also in-sync with Karina. This is definitely back to where Jacoby is strong and hopefully the judges don’t give him any flack on his feet this go around.

Len is extremely pleased. He called it first rate but wanted a few less lifts. Again, he fake gets into it with Jacoby’s mother. Bruno loved Jacoby’s hips and he even complimented Karina on her flying around. He loved it. Carrie Ann said Jacoby could fart the salsa. Yes, she actually said that. Carrie Ann said he gets down and dirty and just dances. He had the right flavor fart. Yes, she actually said that.
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.

Ingo Rademacher (Soap opera actor) & Kym Johnson – (Rumba)
Oy. What is with the rumba this season and the male celebrities? They all lack correct hip action and look awkward during the dance. A rumba is supposed to be sensual and fluid and the love story is supposed to come across as organic and beautiful. Ingo has some of the rumba steps down and his hips do move but once again, as usual with him, the awkwardness comes out and makes it look so uncomfortable. In addition, the dance is super forgettable and boring. That’s never a good thing. So, we are back to Ingo not being great or horrible but just there. I think he could be in some real trouble tonight depending on how the rest of the evening goes. I crave for a great rumba at this point.

Bruno wishes Ingo’s hips would lie because he felt the hip action was too staccato. He said Ingo also lost the timing. Carrie Ann thought the form was nice but the fluidity was a miss. Also, the connection lacked. Len said Ingo didn’t quite deliver but did compliment Ingo’s arms. He overall thought it was good.
Carrie Ann- 7 Len- 8 Bruno- 7 for a total of 22/30
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 – (Samba)
Kellie is doing some fantastic samba steps with Derek here. What a fun dance! And yes, finally- correct samba rolls. They didn’t do many but what they did, they did well. Derek gave Kellie a whole lot of choreography here and she is pulling it off. I love everything about this from the music to the tone to the steps. This is a real latin dance. Derek included a very cool slow moment toward the end that I have never seen before in a samba but they were right back to quick steps and rhythm in no time. A great little move at the end puts a period on a very good sentence. This was the best dance of the night so far.

Carrie Ann says she sees perfection in Kellie. However, she doesn’t feel Kellie when she dances. Len said it was a mix booty, bounce, and bongo. He thought it was brilliant and can’t agree with Carrie Ann. Bruno calls it the perfect balance of technique and performance.
Carrie Ann- 9 Len- 10 Bruno- 10 for a total of 29/30
To vote for Kellie & Derek, call 1800-868-3401. You can also text “VOTE” to 3401. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.

Andy Dick (Comedian and actor) & Sharna Burgess – (Rumba)
I am going to find it difficult to continue to support Andy’s entertainment value like I did last week. This week, Andy is attempting a very sophisticated dance and instead of trying really hard, we get more of the comical Andy. I love comical Andy but it is a time to get a bit serious. Again, a really bad rumba. The hip action and attempts at being sensual is completely lacking here. Of course, the comedy is good reason to excuse the lack of sensuality but come on, Andy is an actor and he should be playing this up more. A few wrong steps here and there and Sharna has obviously choreographed this dance to try and hard Andy’s weakness. Unfortunately, it didn’t work so well. I still love the dude and think he is hysterical and gives this competition his all but I can’t continue to defend entertainment value over dancing when the dancing is just too weak. I am bummed out about this.

Len enjoyed the fun and entertainment. But to be honest, it was more erratic than erotic. Bruno wishes he could forget the dance. He says that Andy is just doing steps with no continuous motion. Carrie Ann says Andy touches everyone but at this point in the competition, it is getting serious. She mentions that he needs to work on his arms.
Carrie Ann- 5 Len- 6 Bruno- 6 for a total of 17/30
To vote for Andy & Sharna, call 1800-868-3411. You can also text “VOTE” to 3411. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.

Aly Raisman (Olympic gold medal gymnast) & Mark Ballas – (Salsa)
This, like Kellie’s routine, is really rhythmic and fun. And Aly is keeping up with more difficult choreography. Mark is a bit injured so no amazing lifts here. But it is okay because we have a whole lot of salsa steps. This is probably the most fun routine of the night so far. Aly and Mark are shimmying all over the dance floor. They are in-sync and I love Aly’s connection to the dance. Welcome to a latin festival for sure! Aly is making me smile here and I have said before that she sometimes loses me on the connection but not here. This is pretty fantastic. Aly is coming on strong here after her foxtrot last week. Perhaps it is the perfect time to peak?

Bruno is going crazy. He loved everything about it. Carrie Ann loved it. She said Aly nailed it. Len calls it sharp and fruity and tasty and refreshing. He wanted a bit more of a recognizable salsa but he thought it was fantastic.
Carrie Ann- 10 Len- 9 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.

Sean Lowe (Reality television star) & Peta Murgatroyd (Rumba)
FINALLY, a decent rumba. And wow, it is coming from Sean. I am so impressed. Sean definitely takes the lead tonight in terms of the low to middle of the pack dancers (Andy, Sean, and Ingo). Sean is actually doing hip action (not a whole lot has been choreographed by Peta) and the connection here is great. It is actually coming off as a very fluid and romantic dance. No real errors here and Sean has improved dramatically on his musicality. Let me not get ahead of myself. He isn’t perfect but compared to his usual performances, he needs to be pleased with himself here. The best rumba of the night for sure.

Carrie Ann is very impressed. She loved Sean’s musicality and the chemistry. Len said that Sean was a bit wooden. Len wasn’t impressed with Sean’s hands. Bruno is of course, flirting a bit. He also disagrees with Len and said Sean’s extensions are better. Bruno said Sean was much better and should be proud.
Carrie Ann- 8 Len- 8 Bruno- 8 for a total of 24/30
To vote for Sean & Peta, call 1800-868-3407. You can also text “VOTE” to 3407. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.

Zendaya Coleman (Dinsey Channel star) & Valentin Chmerkovskiy – (Paso Doble)
A really strong paso doble being done here. Zendaya is totally intense and passionate during this. Some great paso choreography by Val. Zendaya is hitting all the right notes here and since no one else has done the paso tonight, this stands out. I don’t see anything super amazing here in terms of dance (Zendaya is always amazing so it is difficult to critique anything) but she is doing what she is supposed to do. I guess at this point, for me, Zendaya just needs to surprise me in addition to the great dancing. This was still a great routine but if I am being honest, I was more impressed overall with two other routines tonight on a whole.

Len said he was at the bullfight. He loved it. He wants Zendaya to lift her chin a bit. Bruno loved the beginning. He does agree with Len about the chin. But he calls her a magnificent dancer. Carrie Ann said she thought some of the strength to support the intensity was missing. She calls her lines amazing though.
Carrie Ann- 9 Len- 9 Bruno- 9 for a total of 27/30
To vote for Zendaya & Val, call 1800-868-3406. You can also text “VOTE” to 3406. Finally, register at ABC.COM to vote online.

Even though Kellie & Derek and Aly & Mark tied, Kellie has the higher cumulative score for the season and so, she wins immunity. That means, no need to vote for them tonight. They do not have to dance in the dance-off and cannot be eliminated tomorrow night. They are safe. The remaining six are in the dance-off.

Juanes is out to perform and of course, he is accompanied by the pros and troupe members.

Aly & Mark pick Andy & Sharna to compete against. Andy & Sharna pick the Cha-cha-cha.

Dance-off #1- Aly & Mark Vs. Andy & Sharna (Cha-cha-cha)
Oh geez. Okay. This isn’t even a fair contest. Aly is doing a fine cha-cha-cha (nothing special but good) while Andy is lacking in everything. This is an obvious three points for Aly.

Len admires Andy for his enthusiasm and spirit. Bruno thought someone was technically stronger but both did a fantastic job. Carrie Ann loves Andy for not giving up despite starting on the wrong foot.
Carrie Ann votes for Aly & Mark
Len votes for Aly & Mark
Bruno votes for Aly & Mark

Zendaya & Val pick Jaxoby & Karina (WOW) and Jacoby & Karina pick the jive. Very interesting strategy by Val to pick Jacoby. He wants this to be a REAL competition and not just an easy victory. Picking Jacoby makes me really appreciate Val more because it shows they want to this to be exciting and real, not an easy victory that you could see coming a mile away.

Dance-off #2- Zendaya & Val Vs. Jacoby & Karina (Jive)
Wow. So this is a competition. Both jives were really strong. Jacoby is basically repeating his previous jive and Zendaya is doing a few new things in hers. So basically, I need to score on what looks original to me here on top of good dancing. I would give this to Zendaya for originality but this is so, so tough.

Bruno said it was like watching two champions. Carrie Ann complimented Zendaya & Val for picking Jacoby & Karina. Len calls it extremely tough. Carrie Ann says Jacoby lit up the room but Zendaya was in it to win it. (Uh-oh, American Idol- here we go).
Carrie votes for Zendaya & Val.
Len votes for Zendaya & Val.
Bruno votes for Zendaya & Val.

Dance-off #3- Sean & Peta Vs. Ingo & Kym (Rumba)
Both couples are basically doing the same dances they did earlier- almost step by step as well. I don’t see any real differences here between their previous dances. Can they just tie? Neither really impressed me but neither was horrid either. We shall see. If you had to force me to make a decision, I guess Ingo somewhat improved on his previous rumba earlier in the night and Sean just tried to duplicate.

Carrie Ann said Ingo had nice improvement. Sean gave another strong performance. Len said there is a very clear winner. Bruno said it was the battle of the hunks. He thinks both gave good performances (Ingo improved).
Carrie Ann votes for Ingo & Kym.
Len votes for Ingo & Kym.
Bruno vores for Sean & Peta.

Final Judges Leaderboard (Including dance-off scores):
Aly And Mark- 29/30 + 3 points.
Kellie And Derek- 29/30 (IMMUNITY WINNERS, NO DANCE-OFF POINTS)
Jacoby And Karina- 27/30
Zendaya And Val – 27/30 + 3 points.
Sean And Peta- 24/30
Ingo And Kym- 22/30 + 3 points.
Andy And Sharna- 17/30

Head on over to the next thread for POLLS! I hope you all enjoyed “Latin night” along with me. :D