After last week’s shocking elimination, week eight of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ starts with America’s Choice! The remaining six couples perform the styles, songs, and even wardrobe and set details chosen by fans via social media over the last week. The second dances will be trios, where our dancing pairs add an extra pro to the mix. It’s a double elimination this week, so the stakes are high!
Round One: America’s Choice
Noah Galloway and Sharna Burgess – Tango to “Geronimo” by Sheppard
America has chosen the Tango and Geronimo for Noah and Sharna, and fans are asking for a military theme for our hero. Unfortunately, military regulations prohibit Noah from wearing any type of uniform as a costume, so they settle on the color suggestion instead – they’re dressed in elegant white! Len thought dance was good based on performance, but he couldn’t focus on the things he typically would watch for a Tango (flexed needs and staccato, for example). Julianne feels America’s Choice was right on and she loved the dynamics. Bruno calls him “The White Valiant Knight” and was impressed with his ability to hold the frame. Carrie Ann thought it was innovative but described it as “blocky”.
Carrie Ann-8, Len-7, Julianne-8, Bruno-8 = 31/40
To Vote For Noah:
Call 855-234-5605, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
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Chris Soules and Witney Carson – Contemporary to “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith
Chris and Witney surprised some of their fans in person to thank them for their suggestions of a dark room and candles for their Contemporary routine (which honestly feels like the theme of EVERY Contemporary, but I digress). They’re all smiles as they finish the dance, clearly proud of it. Julianne gives Chris the “Most Improved” Award, and Chris credits Witney for her patience in teaching him. Bruno gives him some advice for future Contemporary dances, but overall says it was well done. Carrie Ann calls it his best by far, and Len agrees – “well done.”
Carrie Ann-9, Len-8, Julianne-9, Bruno-8 = 34/40
To Vote For Chris:
Call 855-234-5602, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
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Riker Lynch and Allison Holker – Viennese Waltz to “What Now” by Rihanna
Penguin suits and cactuses? Riker’s got some odd fans, and luckily they pass on the first suggestions! America wants to see Riker’s vulnerable side, but he’s preoccupied with learning the dance and thinks it’ll be a challenge for him to pull it off. The crowd is wild as they finish, and Riker’s fierce expression turns to a smile. Bruno calls him a “raging torrent of emotions” but compliments his ability to stay in control. Carrie Ann declares him semi-final worthy. Len calls it big, bold, and full-on while still maintaining clarity of movement, but he criticizes it for losing some of the Viennese Waltz. Julianne compliments him for being super controlled and calls it his best dance.
Carrie Ann-10, Len-9, Julianne-10, Bruno-10 = 39/40
To Vote For Riker:
Call 855-234-5608, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
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Robert Herjavec & Kym Johnson – Contemporary to “Champagne Kisses” by Jessie Ware
Robert and Kym, aka the showmance of Season 20 (and beyond?), takes it to the streets where the fans seem most concerned with whether or not these two will be kissing in the routine. The stage is set as a rooftop, complete with a wind machine Beyonce would be jealous of blowing costumes and hair. There is, indeed, a kiss and Robert does seem to have an extra spring in his step. Carrie Ann thought the kiss put a special sparkle in his eye, and Len tells them they didn’t even need the wind machine – “You’ve got a big fan in me.” Julianne agrees with Carrie Ann and thinks he upped his game this week. Bruno compares it to a deodorant commercial – wait, what? Yep, you heard correctly – and it’s a good thing. “It’s good to be free! Express yourself!”
Carrie Ann-8, Len-8, Julianne-9, Bruno-8 = 33/40
To Vote For Robert:
Call 855-234-5609, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
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Side note: Happy Birthday to Erin Andrews, who was surprised with a silver cake that could not have possibly been real.
Nastia Liukin & Sasha Farber (Filling in for Derek Hough) – Paso Doble to “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy
The team, including Derek, loved a fan’s suggestion of a gladiator theme so much they Facetimed her during rehearsal for some other suggestions. Derek’s still a part of the routine, perched on a throne doing his own judging as Sasha and Nastia battle it out on the dance floor. Len loved the passion and the drama of it, though he would’ve liked more of a recognizable Paso Doble. Julianne thought it was out of sync in a couple of spots, but still really fun to watch. Bruno agrees that it was an amazing performance, but putting too much can take away from the artistry. Carrie Ann commends Nastia for going beyond the boundaries, especially with the different sort of arrangement of her team.
Carrie Ann-9, Len-9, Julianne-9, Bruno-9 = 36/40
To Vote For Nastia:
Call 855-234-5604, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
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Rumer Willis & Valentin Chmerkovskiy – Rumba to “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” by Doris Day
Rumor and Val had an emotional week after a rough performance and an elimination scare. They’re feeling a little down, and the fans request a classic, elegant Rumba to bring them back to what they do best. It works. There’s passion and their lines are beautiful, and the ballroom – including mom Demi Moore – loves it. Julianne says they’re back on track – she loved the simplicity. Bruno calls it a pitch perfect high-class Rumba and Carrie Ann describes it as sheer perfection. Len, who has criticized some of the routines this season (and tonight) for having too much going on beyond the dance, is pleased that it was a simple, beautiful, fantastic routine. They earn the first perfect score of the season!
Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Julianne-10, Bruno-10 = 40/40
To Vote For Rumer:
Call 855-234-5610, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
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Round Two: The Trios
Noah Galloway and Sharna Burgess with Emma Slater – Salsa to “Mr. Put It Down” by Ricky Martin feat. Pitbull
With an extra person in their pair, Noah and Sharna have also gained some extra limbs. Weird as it sounds, it really works for them to be able to do some of the “arm tricks” that are so much a part of Salsa. It’s a neat concept that really works in spots. Len is all smiles, saying it was entertainment while staying true to the character of the dance. Julianne calls it “HOT HOT HOT!” Bruno thinks the “armography” was very clever and then ends up on the floor when his demonstration of drumming gets a little out of hand. Carrie Ann regrets her score and wishes she could change it – she calls Noah “Mr. I Am Possible” for his ability to make the dance look so great.
Carrie Ann-8, Len-8, Julianne-8, Bruno-8 = 32/40 (63 total)
To Vote For Noah:
Call 855-234-5605, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
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Chris Soules, Witney Carson and Lindsay Arnold – Paso Doble to “Outside” by Calvin Harris/Ellie Goulding
Hoping to recreate last season’s paso doble trio magic, Witney brings Lindsay back to join her with Chris. The routine is a little clumsy, and the judges give mixed reviews. Julianne thought the intensity was there, but his “butt was all over the place.” Bruno appreciates the hard work Chris puts into the dance, but reminds him to keep the Spanish lines. Carrie Ann thought the girls overwhelmed him, while Len calls it “ok, but not great”.
Carrie Ann-7, Len-7, Julianne-8, Bruno-8 = 30/40 (64 total)
To Vote For Chris:
Call 855-234-5602, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
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Riker Lynch, Allison Holker and Brittany Cherry – Jazz to “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” by Fergie
Riker is actually most comfortable dancing in a group, and he’s determine to make everyone want to join his party. He’s definitely in his element for this routine – it’s probably the most comfortable he’s been all season, very high energy, and the crowd loves it. Bruno is out of his seat in excitement (shocking, I know), declaring “Plenty of demand out there for that!” Carrie Ann gives him – how many? EIGHTEEN snaps! “You HAMMERED that number!” Len calls it “Happy Hour on Dancing With the Stars”, and Julianne really loved that he led the routine, front and center.
Carrie Ann-10, Len-9, Julianne-10, Bruno-10 = 39/40 (78 total)
To Vote For Riker:
Call 855-234-5608, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
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Robert Herjavec, Kym Johnson and Jenna Johnson – Samba to “Cinema Italiano” from Nine
There’s been talk that Robert has a little trouble handling Kym, and some think he’ll have an even harder time with TWO women. He’s out to prove them wrong with a super model Samba. Unfortunately, he doesn’t quite accomplish that – his feet can’t quite keep up with the routine, but he’s Carrie Ann thinks he handled the ladies well…but he forgot his own steps. Len says it was a little bit on the messy side, and Julianne agrees, even though she enjoyed it. Bruno thought the style was there, though the Samba was a bit of a shamble.
Carrie Ann-7, Len-7, Julianne-8, Bruno-7 = 29/40 (62 total)
To Vote For Robert:
Call 855-234-5609, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
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Nastia Liukin, Derek Hough and Sasha Farber – Jive to “Diane Young” by Vampire Weekend
Nastia calls this trio a no-brainer, but the surprise to me was the inclusion of Derek, who is apparently well enough to dance, but not well enough to dance quickly. Nastia is very frustrated in rehearsal, but it’s another well-done number on the dance floor. Derek performs the slower portions of the Jive (mostly sitting on a couch), while Sasha picks up the very quick steps. It’s fun to watch, but if I’m being honest? I don’t find it THAT different from last week. Of course, I’m not a judge. Len calls it fantastic, and Julianne said it was the most creative trio she’s ever seen. Bruno describes it as “total genius from the first to last frame.” Carrie Ann was baffled and calls it beyond brilliant and compares it to gum.
Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Julianne-10, Bruno-10 = 40/40 (76 total)
To Vote For Nastia:
Call 855-234-5604, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
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Rumer Willis, Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Artem Chigvintsev – Paso Doble
A Paso with Val and Artem? How could this one be anything BUT fierce? At the risk of sounding like Len, I give Val a lot of credit for presenting routines that really highlight the stripped style of the dance (no pun intended, though it didn’t hurt that the guys were shirtless). Julianne agrees with me – “gimmicks are outweighed by pure, beautiful dancing.” Bruno says they captured the essence of the dance, while Carrie Ann calls it “superior – you saved the best for last!” Len calls it brilliant, but they’re super pressed for time, so we don’t get more than that. Sounds like a perfect night for Rumer and Val!
Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Julianne-10, Bruno-10 = 40/40 (80 Total)
To Vote For Rumer:
Call 855-234-5610, or Use ABC.COM and/or Facebook.
6 Vote Limit Per Method /Per ABC.COM / Facebook Account.
In a change of pace for this season, there is no elimination tonight, as TWO couples will leave the competition on tomorrow night’s Results Show. The double elimination – paired with last night’s shocking elimination of Willow and Mark – means everyone should be a little nervous, even the front runners who had very high scoring nights.
Here’s a look at the leaderboard based on tonight’s scores:
80 points – Rumor and Val
78 points – Riker and Allison
76 points – Nastia and Derek
64 points – Chris and Witney
63 points – Noah and Sharna
62 points – Robert and Kym
Join us back here tomorrow for our LIVE Elimination Blog!
