DWTS 21 Week 4 Live Blog and Performance Videos

DWTSPromo21

Happy Monday Folks :)

We have arrived at week four of season 21 of Dancing with the Stars. Grab some tissues because tonight is that theme that gets us all emotional. I first want to send all positive thoughts to Tom Bergeron. He will miss tonight’s show because he will be with his ailing father. All my best to Tom, his dad, and the family. Stepping in for Tom tonight will be Alfono Ribeiro.

It is “Most Memorable Year” and our stars are going to dance to celebrate a year in their lives that was meaningful to them. As they tackle a dance style they haven’t yet, we are going to get an intimate look at something in their past that they wish to commemorate. In previous seasons, the judges tend to go a bit easy on the celebrities with this theme because the stories are usually touching. We shall see. In addition, another couple will be eliminated at the end of the show. But first, let’s talk about what went down last week.

Due to Doctor’s not giving her the all clear to travel from Atlanta to Los Angeles, Kim Zolciak was forced to withdraw from the competition. One would think after having a stroke and undergoing a heart procedure, she would want to end her run on the show and be home with her family. But no, Kim has spent the last week organizing a petition online asking fans to sign it to bring her back.

The petition is at about 23 thousand signatures, but the whole thing is pretty ridiculous if you ask me. The show is not going to bring her back. First, they aren’t going to subject themsevles to the possibility of Kim getting sick. Regardless of her medical team giving her the okay, DWTS needs to protect itself. Second, it would be completely unfair for her to come back while everyone else danced last week and actually has two weeks worth of judge scores and audience votes being added together to come up with the next boot. Kim should be happy she will get to come back on the finale to dance with Tony and just focus on herself right now. But I assume this petition nonsense (as well as her going on about it on twitter) will continue. Sigh.

In other news, Alek Skarlatos had a very tough week. While rehearsing with Lindsay, he got a call about the Umpqua Community College shoting in Oregon. He immediately left to be there with friends and family. As it turns out, he is enrolled at Umpqua and was even set to take Tuesday and Thursday classes in the same building that the shooting took place. If it wasn’t for his decision to be on the show, he could have been there on Thursday and involved in the tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Roseburg Oregon. The day we no longer have to deal with these senseless school shootings, the better.

Let’s take a look at our poll results from last week. It was a close race this week for favorite routine, as Nick & Sharna, Alek & Lindsay, Alexa & Mark, and Bindi & Derek all had a substantial amount of votes. The rest of our couples were in single digits. Paula & Louis lead the least favorite poll with almost 50% of the vote. Only Gary & Anna come close to them. When it comes to who is your favorite partnership, we are looking at a very tight race between Bindi & Derek, Alek & Lindsay, and Nick & Sharna. Finally, you guys are pretty damn sure tonight is the end for Paula & Louis and they received 71% of the vote. The runner up, of course, Gary & Anna. So, what’s my prediction?

I have to agree with MJ readers. It must be the end of the line tonight for either Paula or Gary. Gary has (as the show wants us to believe) been in jeopardy twice and Paula was in jeopardy last week with Andy & Allison. This is week four and the grace period for mediocre dancing and folks sticking around just for being funny should be over. Neither Paula or Gary are ever going to improve beyond what we have seen and they really should go one after the other. I do believe one will go this week but next week could be a different story. I really hppe we don’t see a shock elimination tonight but if I had to guess one, my bets would unfortunately go to Carlos & Witney. Carlos is a very good dancer but the judges have been rather harsh on him lately and his time could end way before it should.

As you all can see, it was a very busy week in terms of news for this show. But tonight is a clean slate for the dancers to impress us. Let us see what they consider to be a memorable year and how they incorporate that into a brand new dance. Here we go…

We open as our stars show us the years they picked as most memorable. Alfonso and Erin welcome us to the show. And here come the stars…

Alexa and Mark – Foxtrot
ALEXA-PENAVEGA

Alexa picked 2000. It was the year she booked Spy Kids. Alexa didn’t like the comments by Alfonso last week concerning Carlos. This week, she is dancing her first ballroom routine of the season. Cute concept and choreography by Mark. Alexa starting off strong, a few problems begin to show as the dance goes on. First, Alexa’s hold goes in and out in terms of being correct. At times, on point. At other times, it was off. Hold that frame Alexa! Second, she lost her steps towards the end. She completely messed up and got lost. Mark tried very hard to help her find her footing but the dance never really recovered to what it was before. A decent first attempt at a ballroom routine but she needs to keep on practicing if she is going to do better in other styles like a quickstep.

Click to Watch Alexa and Mark Foxtrot – VIDEO

Julianne says it will be an emotional night but they have to judge the dance. She found it fun and entertaining but mentions the mishap at the end. Bruno says Alexa missed the train but did find her way. He wants her to lift from the waist and keep the body contact. Carrie Ann enjoyed seeing Alexa’s theatricality. She liked the strength combined with elegance.
Carrie Ann- 7
Julianne- 7
Bruno- 7
Total: 21/30
You can vote for Alexa and Mark by calling 1-855-234-5602 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Gary and Anna – Jazz
GARY-BUSEY

Gary picked 1979. It was the year Gary was nominated for an Oscar. Gary discusses his motorcycle accident. It was hard but he fought his way through it. Oy. I’m finding it difficult to judge Gary now that we are in week four. I get that he is entertaining and I appreciate his determination to honor his time playing Buddy Holly but this is getting tiring to give him a pass on the dancing. This is a jazz routine, which allows for liberty a bit, but Gary is not doing very much. He is singing with the track more than he is dancing. Whoops. He almost dropped Anna. Yeah, the bloom is clearly off the rose. My compliments to Anna for trying to put together something that Gary could do and being generally awesome about dancing with him.

Click to Watch Gary and Anna Jazz – VIDEO

Bruno loved the passion. He wants Gary to nail execution though. Carrie Ann feels Gary spirit but she feels like now in week four, everyone is improving and she doesn’t see it with Gary. Julianne feels Gary has persistence in the competition.
Carrie Ann- 5
Julianne- 6
Bruno- 5
Total: 16/30
You can vote for Gary and Anna by calling 1-855-234-5607 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

*Bruno’s memorable year is 1983- he was in an Elton John video. HYSTERICAL. That clip was actually more entertaining than Gary’s entire routine.

Tamar & Val – Rumba
TAMAR-BRAXTON

Tamar picked 2012. She almost lost her husband to blood clots. He was put into a coma. Tamar got pregnant soon after and is very appreciative of her husband and son, so she is dedicating this dance (to her own song) to them. Val speaks about the lack of chemistry and that he agrees with the judges. He wants to show they have chemistry. Damn. A gorgeous rumba we are seeing here. Val is certainly concentrating on perfecting that chemistry. Lovely hip movement, elegant steps, great arms. Tons of fluidity here as well. This is arguably Tamar’s best routine of the season. Just lovely. She kisses and hugs her husband at the end and is crying.

Click to Watch Tamar & Val Rumba – VIDEO

Carrie Ann is in tears. Her story touched her deeply but her dance touched her even more. Julianne says she loves the vulnerability and freedom she saw. She sort of hints that she is giving Tamar a 9. Bruno loved the connection. He loved that it was a proper rumba.
Carrie Ann- 9
Julianne- 9
Bruno- 9
Total: 27/30
You can vote for Tamar and Val by calling 1-855-234-5612 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

*Oops. Sasha dropped Brittany during the little dance intro as the show came back. That’s embarrassing. Allison is talking to Erin and has a major announcement- she is pregnant. But she can still dance. And she is here for Andy. Big congrats to Allison.

Hayes and Emma – Contemporary
HAYES-GRIER

Hayes picked 2014. It was the year that Hayes really came into his own as a YouTube/Vine star. He talks about his brother and how he got him started. He was shy before all the social media craziness. Aww. This is cute and also, really strong. Emma really choreographed a pitch perfect piece for Hayes. It is emotional yet totally appropriate for Hayes. Hayes is really into this- lifting Emma and totally in-sync. He is giving it his all. Contemporary routines have a way of making certain people dance a bit better through emotions and Hayes shows that here. If he can take what I know will be positive scores and feedback into next week and perfect his ballroom/latin skills a bit more, we will be back to seeing him as a real contender in the competition. Great job.

Click to Watch Hayes and Emma Contemporary – VIDEO

Julianne is shocked. She says Hayes completely broke out of the shell. Bruno calls it a breakthrough. Carrie Ann felt the nuances were great and she really enjoyed how Hayes knew what every step meant throughout the dance.
Carrie Ann- 9
Julianne- 9
Bruno- 9
Total: 27/30
You can vote for Hayes and Emma by calling 1-855-234-5608 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

*Julianne picked 2007 when she joined the show and won in her first season.

Alek & Lindsay – Paso Doble
ALEK-SKARLATOS

Alek picked 2015 for obvious reasons. We get to see footage of the train attack and how it changed Alek’s life. And since this interview was done before the school shooting last Thursday, we see Alek hearing about it for the first time. He left went home. He is dedicating this dance to his hometown, the school, and everyone involved. Alek is doing a very proper paso doble here but I notice something that needs some work. Alek is always reliable to do exactly what the dance requires but in this dance, it was a bit in his head. It was like watching a student of dance do one step, then another, followed by another, without much of a story in the dance. It is hard to explain but in a paso, the strong movements that are necessary make the dance work need to be accompanied by strong character. I would say, perhaps this dance required a bit less technical practice and more acting practice. It was still totally passable and Alek continues to impress (especially with what is on his mind) but he should work on that for coming weeks.

Click to Watch Alek & Lindsay  Paso Doble – VIDEO

Bruno says the dance was done well but his spanish lines need more extending and his hips need to be pushed forward more. Carrie Ann has a lot of respect for Alek. It wasn’t the most expressive dance for her but it was strong and sturdy. Julianne thought the connection was strong. She wanted Alek to show more in the dance even if he is angry or upset because it will help the dance.
Carrie Ann- 8
Julianne- 8
Bruno- 8
Total: 24/30
You can vote for Alek and Lindsay by calling 1-855-234-5601 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Nick & Sharna – Jazz
NICK-CARTER

Nick picked 1992- the year he became part of what we now know as The Backstreet Boys. The guys talk about him. Nick came from a very dysfunctional family. He really wanted a “movie” mom and dad but didn’t get that. He is crying in the package. A lot of Nick’s friends took the wrong path and ended up either in prison or dead. Ha. I’m a total geek right now thinking back to the original video of this song and subsequent appearances at award shows and all. It is a good thing they got jazz this week for their routine. This allows for Sharna (and I bet Nick to some extent) to choreograph something totally up his ally. This is really fun and entertaining and the dancing is “boy-band” perfect. Really cool stuff here from Nick and Sharna looks amazing as well.

Click to Watch Nick & Sharna Jazz – VIDEO

Carrie Ann thinks Nick is a much better dancer now than he was back then in the group. Julianne simply loved it. And so did Bruno- he calls it a sexy hit.
Carrie Ann- 9
Julianne- 9
Bruno- 9
Total: 27/30
You can vote for Nick and Sharna by calling 1-855-234-5610 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Carlos & Witney – Waltz
CARLOS-PENAVEGA

Carlos picked 2012. He wasn’t pleased last week and wants to do better. He picked that year because he started smoking weed and totally hit rock bottom. He decided to go to church and it changed his life. He found Alexa at bible study. Carlos is crying in the package. I guess you would call this a contemporary-waltz fusion. I appreciate that though. Carlos needed a dance that had a little extra in it to stand out from the others. Witney definitely choreographed something to do that. I really loved the beginning and how it flowed into the waltz. Some really strong movements here. Carlos needed this dance and he needed to do it well because he is getting rather lost in a sea of some really strong guys. I’m not sure it was over the top amazing but it was a major step in the right direction.

Click to Watch Carlos & Witney Waltz – VIDEO

Julianne appreciated the connection. She thought it was beautiful. She finds Carlos in the middle of the pack and she wants him to work on his shoulders getting back. Bruno felt it was mesmerizing. He wants him to sort out some things, such as hunching forward in hold. Carrie Ann disagrees with both of her co-judges. She loved the dance.
Carrie Ann- 9
Julianne- 8
Bruno- 8
Total: 25/30
You can vote for Carlos and Witney by calling 1-855-234-5605 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

*Congrats to Witney on her engagement.

Carrie Ann’s most memorable year was 1993- she toured with Madonna.

Paula & Louis – Cha-Cha-Cha
paula-deen

Paula’s year is 1989. It was the year that she left her husband and she had to make some hard decisions. Paula wants to keep dancing until she gets it right. Okay. Paula bringing some decent cha-cha-cha action here. Not bad, to be honest. Not great, of course. Paula has minimal missteps in this. Of course, as usual, I am judging Paula on a curve, which is unfortunate. She and Gary are weakest two dancers left but I know the history of this show and I don’t feel confident about them leaving. Paula should be happy she got through this dance doing (for her), relatively well. Props to Louis as well for the choreography- definitely doing something to make Paula look good and now push her too hard.

Click to Watch Paula & Louis Cha-Cha-Cha – VIDEO

Bruno compliments her on only going wrong once. He wants her to have more fun and just fire on all cylinders. Carrie Ann gets frustrated because she thinks Paula moves sexy but loses focus. Julianne calls Paula a strong and fierce woman and wants her to get out of her head.
Carrie Ann- 6
Julianne- 6
Bruno- 6
Total: 18/30
You can vote for Carlos and Witney by calling 1-855-234-5605 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Andy & Allison – Cha-Cha-Cha
ANDY-GRAMMER

Andy picked 2009. He was a street performer. He got a call that his mom had breast cancer. They caught it late and only had a few days to say goodbye. Andy is dancing for his mom and he is dancing to his own new song. Hmm. I’m not quite sure how I feel about this. It is very far from a proper cha-cha-cha. Maybe a bit too far than it should be. It is one thing to incorporate new choreography but another to make the dance a little strange. As usual, Andy does decent but he still had some of the same problems he always does. A bit stiff at times and looking like it needs a bit more rehearsal to perfect it. I don’t know with Andy at this point. The guys this season are shaping up to be really strong and he is fighting for a place once Gary is eliminated. I don’t know if he is ever going to have a real breakthrough beyond just being adequate and passable at the dance. He’s very likable though and you want to root for him. That can take someone far.

Click to Watch Andy & Allison Cha-Cha-Cha – VIDEO

Carrie Ann loved the song and personality but the dancing was awkward. Julianne disagrees. She felt Andy was very comfortable. Bruno thought it worked for Andy. He does mention Andy tends to go flat footed but he really liked it.
Carrie Ann- 7
Julianne- 8
Bruno- 8
Total: 23/30
You can vote for Andy and Allison by calling 1-855-234-5603 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Bindi & Derek – Contemporary
BINDI-IRWIN

Bindi picked 2006. It was the year Bindi’s dad, Steve died. Bindi breaks down in rehearsal and to be honest, so am I. This is really tough to watch. Even Derek is emotional. It takes a strong girl to try and overcome what Bindi has when it comes to her loss. Sad. Gorgeous. Not a whole lot can be said here. Just awesome choreography danced beautifully. Really strong stuff. Bindi may have very well just catapulted herself into the finals and to the win. Yeah, I know. Maybe it is a bit early to say that but… it was really phenomenal.

Click to Watch Bindi and Derek Contemporary – VIDEO

Julianne found it breathtaking. She says Bindi’s dad is proud. Bruno loved it. Carrie Ann feels that Bindi makes every dance a moment in her life.
Carrie Ann- 9
Julianne- 9
Bruno- 10
Total: 28/30
You can vote for Bindi and Derek by calling 1-855-234-5604 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 8PM the next day (Eastern).

Judge Leaderboard After Week Four
Bindi & Derek- 28/30
Nick & Sharna- 27/30
Hayes & Emma- 27/30
Tamar & Val- 27/30
Carlos & Witney- 25/30
Alek & Lindsay- 24/30
Andy & Allison- 23/30
Alexa & Mark- 21/30
Paula & Louis- 18/30
Gary & Anna- 16/30

ELIMINATION TIME!

Remember, this is based on 2 weeks worth of totals.

In jeopardy are…

-Carlos & Witney (had a feeling on that one)
-Gary & Anna

Everyone else is SAFE.

And the couple eliminated in this, week 4 of the competition are…

GARY & ANNA.
GARY-BUSEY

Gary never expected this in all his years of being in show business. He calls the experience beautiful. And he says his elimination is false because his spirit will remain in the ballroom. Gary interrupts Alfonso, who is desperately trying to wrap things up. We basically have no time but Gary could go on for hours if you let him.

Click to Watch Gary Busey and Anna’s Elimination

And with that, week four comes to a close. What did you guys make of tonight’s routines? Who impressed you? Do you agree with the elimination? Was it one of the most emotional nights this show has ever done? Did you cry? No? Lots of questions coming out of tonight so why not head over to a new post and take some polls? :) Yep, we will have that up really soon. I really hope you guys enjoyed the show tonight. Thanks for joining me yet again.