Hi All!
And we have arrived at the season seventeen semifinals of Dancing with the Stars. In just one week, we will have our brand new champions, successors to the crown currently held by Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough. Tonight is big- packed with guests, dancing, twists, and turns. The producers really outdid themselves. Maksim Chmerkovskiy is back! But not as a dancer. He will be guest judging along with our three resident judges. So, the couples will be critiqued by four people this week, including someone who knows a little something about being in the semifinals on this show. Each couple will dance twice, performing two unlearned styles. The twist for this week is being called “Plugged/Unplugged.” They will dance two different dances to the same song. One dance will be to the plugged version of the song and the other to an acoustic version. Special guest performers Kerli and Noah Guthrie will help out in that department.
I am really excited to see how this twist plays out. The couples are essentially dancing to the same song. But they need to alter the choreography to not only fit a second dance style but also fit a completely stripped down version of the song. Not only are the celebrities being challenged here in both technique and performance, but the pro is as well since they need to think up proper choreography that fits both dances. And since a whole lot of points and a spot in the finals are up for grabs this week, you better believe bringing their A-game is on everyone’s mind.
Last week, for the fourth consecutive week, one of the show’s stronger dancers exited the ballroom in place of a weaker one as Elizabeth Berkley and her partner Val were booted even after receiving a perfect score in the trio challenge round. We have now lost Christina, Snooki, Brant, and Elizabeth in four week’s time. And celebs such as Bill and Leah are still around. Are the judges being too kind? Does the demographic of those watching and voting on this show just skew toward older, more well-known celebrities now? Are people assuming the better dances are racking in the votes and there is no need to vote? Or are Bill and Leah just entertaining and rootable? Whatever the answer is, tonight’s result will be the most intriguing of the season. We are either going to have a final three or four and depending on how the result goes, it could be yet another shock in a season that has been pretty darn surprising to me.
So get ready, because we have five couples left, 10 competitive dances to see, and by the time the credits roll, our finalsts will be revealed. Can Bruno handle himself if he seated next to Maks? Can Amber recover from her nagging injuries? Will Corbin be able to top last week’s stellar trio challenge routine? Is Jack now a finale lock? And what will Bill and Leah bring to prove they belong in the finals? Above all else, can I possibly think of more questions? LOL. I apologize. Let’s get this thing started…
The show opens with a group number (all pros and troupe members) performing together in a masquerade-themed routine. Mandy Moore choreographed that piece. Nice!
Round 1 – Plugged
Leah & Tony (dancing the Paso Doble)
This is decent. I’m actually surprised Leah isn’t bringing more “acting” to this routine. She is just doing the basic paso steps without much emotion. The technique is alright, but Leah does lose her balance a bit on the twists. Either that or her shoe got caught on her dress. But it happened more than once so perhaps a mix of both. Tony didn’t do much here when it comes to choreography as we have seen this type of routine before and it is nothing special. It is just your average and run of the mill paso and Leah is doing an average job. This is the semifinals though, so she needs to really pick it up in round two.
Len congratulates the couples for getting into the semifinals. He wanted more shaping and thought it was a little careful. Bruno agrees with Len and also said that Leah missed two turns, and missed them twice. He mentions a few other things as well. Carrie Ann thought Leah brought the drama but thought it was too internalized. Maks liked it and thought it was very basis paso. He liked that it had rhythm and shape. He would like it to be a little more emotional.
Carrie Ann-8, Len-8, Maks-8, Bruno-8,for a total of 32/40
To VOTE for Leah & Tony, call 800-868-3411, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 5 votes per method allowed this week.
Corbin & Karina (dancing the Tango)
See, that’s what I am talking about when it comes to making an impact in the semifinals. Karina stepped up to the plate when it comes to the choreography and really took it to another level. I’ve never seen a tango quite like this. I have a sneaking suspicion Len might not be too pleased with this but I loved it. This routine is full of energy, full of intensity, and the performance value is an A+. Corbin is on fire and he and Karina have great passion throughout. No glaring issues that I see, other than this being a glaringly awesome tango. Again, like last week, Corbin is peaking with memorable routines at the right time.
Bruno loved the drive, intensity, and passion. He loved it but because of that, the frame was lost at times. Carrie Ann would like to see that again. She thought Corbin delivered beautifully. Maks disagreed with Bruno and loved the content and performance quality. Len says it was too full on. He explains tango is attack and calmness and this was too much attack.
Carrie Ann-9, Len-8, Maks-9, Bruno-9 for a total of 35/40
To VOTE for Corbin & Karina, call 800-868-3406, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 5 votes per method allowed this week.
Jack & Cheryl (dancing Jazz)
Jack is having some issues with his health this week and so rehearsal is being taken a bit slowly by Cheryl, as expected and needed. Aww. Not exactly Jack’s strongest routine here. Cheryl attempting to choreograph to Jack’s strengths but it makes it come off as rather weak and easy, technique wise. There isn’t much going on here to rave about. We have seen some fabulous jazz routines this season filled with content but this isn’t one of them. Cheryl throws in a few tricks to up the performance value and that is appreciated but overall, it doesn’t completely come together as a great jazz number. Jazz just doesn’t seem to be something Jack is comfortable with, as opposed to when he is doing a ballroom routine. Everyone on this show has a dance or two (or three) that is a weakness for them.
Carrie Ann gives props to Cheryl. She mentions that Jack is more comfortable in hold. She mentions his weight placement was odd. Maks thought it was great. Len loves the commitment but for him, it lacked finesse and there wasn’t much dance quality. Bruno says it was a very hard routine for someone not used to jazz. He says that Cheryl was incredibly hot and Jack was chasing her like a hot potato.
Carrie Ann-8, Len-8, Maks-9, Bruno-8 for a total of 33/40
To VOTE for Jack & Cheryl, call 800-868-3402, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 5 votes per method allowed this week.
Bill & Emma (dancing the Cha-cha-cha)
Bill is nursing a groin injury. Good gosh. This is really bad. And no, not the “I will laugh at this and enjoy it for being crazy like Cloris Leachman” type bad. Just bad. Bill is so way past due to exit this show. Not only has Emma once again choreographed an easy as heck routine to complete but on top of that, Bill can’t even get the steps right. The footwork is off, the cha-cha-cha technique is missing, they are hardly in-sync, etc…Okay. I need to say something positive so once again, Bill looks like he is having a blast. I’m not, though. He needs to go. Weakest routine of the night so far, by a mile. It just didn’t work at all. If people are voting in droves for Bill, good on them because that’s the point- this show is for the audience but from a dancing standpoint, nope.
Maks believes in hard work (not talent) but this routine had a lot of holes and issues. He compliments Bill’s attempt though. Len congratulates Emma on her choreography throughout the season. He calls Bill the people’s champion. Bruno agrees with the judges and enjoys the pleasure and laughs Bill has given them. Carrie Ann mentions how she smiles throughout the routine despite so many issues and mistakes.
Carrie Ann-7, Len-7, Maks-7, Bruno-7 for a total of 28/40
To VOTE for Bill & Emma, call 800-868-3409, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 5 votes per method allowed this week.
Amber & Derek (dancing Jazz)
Amber’s knees are better but Derek is still going to be careful a bit with the choreography. Wow. This is awesome. Derek and Amber are dancing on chairs at first, doing some great in-sync movements with their hands and chairs. Then they get up and it becomes even more fantastic. Great jazz steps, totally together, everything firing on all cylinders. This is another routine that you must watch more than once. Derek, again, as I sound like a broken record, is a choreography king. I’m loving this. So cool, hip, and current. Awesome way to end round one.
Len wants Amber to do it again. That’s it. Bruno calls Amber incredible. He loved how fierce it was. Carrie Ann says Amber is like in a class of her own. She compares Amber to Albert Einstein. Maks loved it and thinks it looks like it comes easy to Amber.
Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Maks-9, Bruno-10 for a total of 39/40
To VOTE for Amber & Derek, call 800-868-3407, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 5 votes per method allowed this week.
Round 2 – Unplugged
Leah & Tony (dancing the Argentine Tango)
All of the pre-dancing packages in this round will show the back stories, trials, tribulations, and stories of the stars. In other words, some sob stuff, some happy stuff, and a few other things mixed in (including special celebrity friends talking). This is a better dance than in round one. Leah has always done better with slow, more emotional dances. Here’s my take on Leah here. This is probably the best argentine tango Leah can do. But when you compare it to the same type of dance done by other celebrities this season, it is like night and day. Leah’s dancing is more careful, the content is easier, the performance value is lower. But that being said, this dance didn’t have any issues to speak of and Leah did what was asked of her. It was fine for what it was. She just isn’t on the level as some of the others (or as some of those that have been eliminated, if I am being totally honest). But again, voting is what it is.
Len liked it fine and didn’t see any issues. He just didn’t feel like Leah ever embraced the dance fully. Bruno quite liked the sensual and intimate side of it. He thought it was well placed but just had an incident with her foot. Carrie Ann relates to Leah and again, mentions how far Leah has come. She thinks Leah needs to have more confidence. Maks loves Leah’s personality. He sees her in the finals but he needs to see her in the next gear.
Carrie Ann-8, Len-8, Maks-8, Bruno-9 for a total of 33/40
To VOTE for Leah & Tony, call 800-868-3411, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 5 votes per method allowed this week.
Corbin & Karina (dancing the Rumba)
Kerli is singing. Oh, this is really nice. A mix of contemporary and rumba if you will. Some great lines here by Corbin. This is a sexy dance yet it has control and a bit of push and pull. Karina really did a great job here because you can pulled away with the singing and all but Corbin and Karina’s chemistry pulls you back in. I love how into this Corbin is emotionally. Does it help that he looks delicious shirtless? Yes. Allow me a moment of shallowness, okay? LOL. This boy is on fire in the last two weeks of the competition and is seriously giving Amber (for me) a run for her money. Of course, I could be totally off but I really do believe Corbin and Amber are the two deserving most of dueling it out for the championship.
Bruno says from hell into heaven (round one to round two). He loved it. Carrie Ann thought Corbin’s body is a wonderland. Yes, she said that. She was transported to another world. Maks thinks Corbin has an advantage because of Karina. Karina gives him a kiss. Maks calls the dance amazing. Len loved the calm and loud moments. He called it a great rumba.
Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Maks-10, Bruno-10 for a total of 40/40
To VOTE for Corbin & Karina, call 800-868-3406, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 5 votes per method allowed this week.
Jack & Cheryl (dancing the Argentine Tango)
Cheryl loves the argentine tango. Loves it. She has said in the past that it is one of her favorite routines to choreograph. And it easy to tell why. She can totally get sexy and basically has had overflowing chemistry with each of her partners while doing it. Jack is doing a really solid job here. Good footwork, intensity, fierce movements, and lots of passion. I’m digging this. One of my favorite dances from Jack this season and so much of that credit goes to Cheryl and the choreography here. Lots of personal kudos to Jack. I don’t see why the show makes such a big deal out of Leah’s season transformation. If anyone remaining in the show needs to be given the underdog improving arc, it is Jack.
Carrie Ann calls Jack an inspiration. She says he was in the zone during that dance. She is very proud. Maks has a best friend with MS and being on the show gives hope. He thins dancing like this will get Jack into the finals. He thought it was great. Len says that Jack is back. A couple of scruffy moments but he tells Jack that it was so well done. Bruno loves Jack’s transformation. Bruno wants to kiss him.
Carrie Ann-10, Len-9, Maks-9, Bruno-10 for a total of 38/40
To VOTE for Jack & Cheryl, call 800-868-3402, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 5 votes per method allowed this week.
Bill & Emma (dancing the Argentine Tango)
Noah Guthrie is performing. Wow. Emma did a WHOLE LOT of work here. I am going to give Bill some credit though. This was much better than his first routine. He actually had some content that was good. And more than content, this isn’t a funny attempt to cover up weakness. Bill is actually performing a proper argentine tango. He does a bit of the fancy footwork and he seems to be in it emotionally. Color me surprised! I’m not saying this is a routine that should catapult Bill into the finals but if he does exit tonight (IF), he left with one of his stronger routines as opposed to what he did to start the night. So, that’s a plus. Again though, Emma gets props for doing much of the heavy lifting here.
Maks thought it was great. He gives credit to Emma. Len doesn’t know if Bill has the skill to win but has the will. Again, more compliments to Emma. Bruno enjoyed how the dance was played. Carrie Ann loved that Bill didn’t joke around and went right into it.
Carrie Ann-8, Len-8, Maks-8, Bruno-8 for a total of 32/40
To VOTE for Bill & Emma, call 800-868-3409, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 5 votes per method allowed this week.
Amber & Derek (dancing the Viennese Waltz)
Kerli is back again. It is quite difficult to see Amber’s feet as the smoke monster has returned to the ballroom. But it does look as though Amber and Derek are gliding in the ballroom. I love Amber’s lines here. So much elegance. Amber is so dang light on her feet. I love the interpretation of the song. I know, that has nothing to do with the dance but I thought it was worth mentioning. Another really strong performance from Amber going two for two tonight, just like Corbin. Really, it HAS to come down to those two after so many unfortunate eliminations. Kudos to Amber for her backstory as well- proving the haters wrong right and left.
Len says there was smoke on the floor but fire in the performance. Bruno says Amber danced like an angel. Carrie Ann loved the interpretation. She was close to tears. Maks thinks that Amber has the best partner next week and the package to win.
Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Naks-10, Bruno-10 for a total of 40/40
To VOTE for Amber & Derek, call 800-868-3407, or use ABC.COM and/or Facebook. 5 votes per method allowed this week.
SemiFinals Judges’ Leaderboard:
Amber & Derek- 79/80
Corbin & Karina- 75/80
Jack & Cheryl- 71/80
Leah & Tony- 65/80
Bill & Emma- 60/80
Results…
Well, it is time. We are now going to find out who our season seventeen finalists are!
Corbin And Karina are IN THE FINALS!
Amber And Derek are IN THE FINALS!
Jack And Cheryl are IN THE FINALS!
And with that being said, two couples remain. Not exactly the bottom two (of course) but one of these couples does have the lowest combined score and is leaving one week short of the finals.
The couple leaving the competition in this 10th semifinal week is…
Leah and Tony
Yep, Bill is in the finals! Hey, he has the support. I’m not even surprised honestly at this point. The finals are set.
We have Amber Vs. Corbin Vs. Jack Vs. Bill. Amber is the only female left. Bill is the ultimate underdog. Corbin is peaking beautifully. And Jack has so much deserved support. It is going to be an interesting finals.
Heck, who knows? Perhaps Bill can pull off a victory and become the most shocking winner in the show’s history. After the last five eliminations, I am thisclose to not even being surprised if that does indeed come to fruition.
Ready for some polls you guys? They will be up shortly. I hope you guys enjoyed the show and next week, we have the performance finals on Monday and the season finale on Tuesday. :D
