DWTS 25 Week 9 Live Blog and Performance Videos

Last week, it was “Trio Dances” as part of the show’s Quarter-Finals. The return of former fan favorite contestants enabled some of our stars to give stunning performances, with Jordan Fisher having a perfect night of sixty out of sixty judges points. It was also a great night for Lindsey Sterling and Frankie Muniz. Are those three locks for the finale? Is it Drew Scott and Victoria Arlen battling it out for that last spot? Tonight’s two rounds of competition are as follows. The first is a regular couple?s dance but with a twist, as the pros have personally chosen the song for the celebrities. The second is a special iconic dance, where each will be challenged to reinterpret an iconic dance from past seasons. After all ten routines are complete, one couple is sent packing in what might be the most heartbreaking elimination all season- with the eliminated pair just missing out on heading to the finale. Let’s look at last week’s poll results.

Jordan & Lindsay have a commanding lead for favorite partnership with 52% of the vote. Lindsey & Mark are in second with 21% and Frankie & Witney are in third with 19%. The results for favorite round one dance were more of the same. 62% for Jordan, 18% for Lindsey, and 12% for Frankie. It was close between two couples for least favorite round one routine. Victoria & Val with 38% and Drew & Emma with 33%. For the trio round, Jordan & Lindsay (with Corbin) earned 65% of the vote while Frankie & Witney (with Alfonso) garnered 14% and Lindsey & Mark (with Kristi) had 13%.

Victoria & Val (with Laurie) ended up on top for your least favorite trio dance with 61% of the vote while Drew & Emma (with Rashad) had 22%. The most interesting poll result came when I asked if you guys thought Jordan had this competition all wrapped up. 51% of you voted that it was still a close race while 49% said that yes, Jordan has it in the bag. As expected, you guys predict that tonight’s elimination is between Victoria and Drew. The former with 53% and the latter with 40%. Most of you gave last week’s episode a “B” (46%) while 33% felt it was an “A” episode.

I absolutely agree that we will see either Victoria or Drew head home tonight. The elimination of anyone else would be the biggest shock of the season. But don’t ask me which is going. I could make a case for either. I am also on the fence about whether or not this is Mr. Fisher’s show to lose. He is far ahead of everyone else in total judges points but who knows how strong his audience votes are compared to his challengers. Frankie has gained popularity as the season has progressed and Lindsey has been a stand out since week one, partnered with one of the show’s fan favorite pros. If Jordan has another perfect night, he could solidify his chance to win the mirror ball. Lindsey and Frankie both need outstanding nights of dancing.

Stay tuned at the conclusion of tonight’s episode for our second to last polls of the season. There’s only three episodes left this season and the semi-finals start right now. Let’s see how it all comes together…

Oh. What a super serious opening. FIVE STARS. ONE GOES HOME. No opening number this week. Here come the semi-finalists. Tom and Erin welcome us to the show. The first round starts now.

Round 1 – Pros Pick The Music

Drew & Emma – Tango
Haha. A pretty standard tango elevated by the story. The Scottish kilt troupe dancers coming on at the end was too funny. It was decent on a whole but nothing terribly remarkable. Drew has achieved a lot on this show considering where he started and he should be proud of that. This dance is evidence that hard work and practice can turn someone who isn’t a natural dancer into someone who looks like they can achieve a passable tango. So good on him. – Click to Watch Performance VIDEO

Len liked the determination and attack. He felt the posture and technique was lost because of how full of determination it was. Bruno notes that tango is not skipping, so the style of the dance was lost a bit. Carrie Ann enjoyed the entertainment value. She felt it lacked artistry though. She also found the kilt rather revealing.
Carrie Ann- 8
Len- 8
Bruno- 8
You can vote for Drew by calling 1 800 868 3404 (toll free). You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method when using the same email). Voting begins right at the start of each performance show on Monday nights. Check ABC.COM for details regarding voting window time and information about registering to cast your vote online.

Victoria & Val – Contemporary
Quite a powerful routine there and difficult to judge. It obviously has deep meaning for Victoria and Val was very smart with the choreography, especially having Jenna in there to dance with them as the “mom.” Good in-sync movements when Val and Jenna were behind Victoria. A routine with impact that was. – Click to Watch Performance VIDEO

Bruno found it to be a wonderful story put together wonderfully by the choreography. Carrie Ann says the routine is simple but she saw Victoria show all the emotions. Len says it was Victoria’s life story through dance. He says well done.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 9
Bruno- 9
You can vote for Victoria by calling 1 800 868 3413 (toll free). You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method when using the same email). Voting begins right at the start of each performance show on Monday nights. Check ABC.COM for details regarding voting window time and information about registering to cast your vote online.

Jordan & Lindsay – Argentine Tango
Aww. What a nice message with this dance too. Everyone seems to be bringing a nice emotional punch to their round one routines tonight. I’ll be honest- this is the first time I feel like I need to say something a little negative regarding Jordan’s hold and frame. He could have tucked his bum in a bit during that. It stood out and he needed to have more body contact with Lindsay. But the actual argentine tango steps were gorgeous and the dance had a great fluidity to it. – Click to Watch Performance VIDEO

Carrie Ann felt there was a disconnect in the performance. She wants him to do better because she knows he can. Len explains about the argentine tango and he felt this was too big and concentrated on the story. He said to work on the dance more than the story. Bruno saw a very mature performance. He thought the dance was well balanced.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 9
Bruno- 10
You can vote for Jordan by calling 1 800 868 3406 (toll free). You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method when using the same email). Voting begins right at the start of each performance show on Monday nights. Check ABC.COM for details regarding voting window time and information about registering to cast your vote online.

Lindsey & Mark – Contemporary
Damn. That was fierce. Yup. Lindsey was fierce in that. Powerful. Strong. Good story backed with some strong choreography. I held my breath at a moment toward the end because it felt like Lindsey was going to explode on the floor. Very strong dance and thus far, my favorite in round one. – Click to Watch Performance VIDEO

Len feels Lindsey is a very strong dancer and he calls it a fabulous performance. Bruno found that it captured the feeling to be free. Carrie Ann feels Lindsey has evolved so much as a dancer. She saw primal energy in the dance and called it stunning.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 9
Bruno- 10
You can vote for Lindsey by calling 1 800 868 3407 (toll free). You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method when using the same email). Voting begins right at the start of each performance show on Monday nights. Check ABC.COM for details regarding voting window time and information about registering to cast your vote online.

Frankie & Witney – Salsa
Only Witney would go for a routine like that during the semi-finals. She put her eggs in the basket of- let’s do a routine people will talk about more than a routine to show off dance skills. Don’t get me wrong, the dancing was decent but there was some messy parts in that. But it was more about the swag and funk of it all than the salsa of it all. Was it a homerun for me? No. But I will definitely remember it when the night is over. – Click to Watch Performance VIDEO

Bruno loved the originality. He mentions Frankie missed an arm pass. He loved the spirit of it though. Carrie Ann doesn’t feel the song matched him but he gave it his all. She notes that he needs to stay in the beat more. Len loved the enthusiasm but felt it was too much hip hop and not enough hip action.
Carrie Ann- 8
Len- 8
Bruno- 9
You can vote for Frankie by calling 1 800 868 3405 (toll free). You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method when using the same email). Voting begins right at the start of each performance show on Monday nights. Check ABC.COM for details regarding voting window time and information about registering to cast your vote online.

A break from the competition for a moment as we get to see a routine choreographed by Mandy Moore for the upcoming tour. Remember, you can head over to DWTSTour.com for details and tickets. I had the pleasure of seeing one tour here in New York a few years back and if you get the chance, see it because it really is a stellar and exciting night of dancing. And sometimes, you get special guests from the season at different spots across the country. 

Round 2 – Iconic Dances

Drew & Emma – Jazz
Good job Drew! Emma made sure the choreography here would be doable for Drew and he absolutely nailed it. OMG at that one move where Emma’s head was almost to the floor. Thank goodness that went right. It was a fun, showy routine from start to finish and better than round one. So, Drew ends his night on a high. – Click to Watch Performance VIDEO

Len thought it was fun to watch. He wants more finesse in the dancing. Bruno feels the spirit was captured but he mentions the timing and sharpness are not Drew’s strength. Carrie Ann felt it was approached with grace but it didn’t quite match up to the original.
Carrie Ann- 8
Len- 8
Bruno- 8

Victoria & Val – Charleston
Really good job Victoria. You know, I hate to mention her story because I am judging her on the same level as the others but to come out and do a fast paced charleston where her legs are exposed and anything can happen is amazing. She should really be so very proud. Val, like Emma, once again choreographed here to his partners strength as opposed to trying to do much or doing things that wouldn’t look so comfortable on Victoria. Good routine. – Click to Watch Performance VIDEO

Bruno loved the acting. He also thought the timing was spot on. Carrie Ann found it beautiful and unique and made her forget about Amber & Derek’s routine. Len loved the performance and doesn’t want anyone telling Victoria doesn’t perform.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 10
Bruno- 10

Jordan & Lindsay – Jive
Great! This was the first dance of this round where I felt the connection to the original was obvious but still unique. What I mean is, Jordan was able to duplicate the outstanding performance Paige gave while Lindsay was able to match Mark’s choreography but still make it stand out on its own. Kicks and flicks to die for. Performance quality through the roof. Great stuff. – Click to Watch Performance VIDEO

Carrie Ann gets up to clap (and scream). She says they nailed it. Len says that jive is now the yard stick for future jives. Bruno calls it a triumph and says this topped the original.
Carrie Ann- 30
Len- 30
Bruno- 30

Lindsey & Mark – Tango
Very nice. Damn, Lindsey showing some fierceness tonight overall. It was evident in her round one routine and here as well. I love what Mark did here from a technical standpoint. It should impress Len. That frame and posture was perfection and the necessary tango steps (those staccato movements) were all over the dance floor. And yes, on a final note- good performance quality to try and capture a chemistry that the dance required and the original had. – Click to Watch Performance VIDEO

Len loved the head position in promenade. He felt it was a little loose on the hold on occasion but he calls it a proper tango. Bruno loved the details. He thought every change of direction was on the money. Carrie Ann feels the recreation was well done and she feels like it was like watching two of the same. She felt some of the turns lost a bit so she is torn on the dance because of it.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 9
Bruno- 10

Frankie & Witney – Paso Doble
Interesting idea by Witney to try and match the choreo from the original exactly. I think it was a good choice because it makes Frankie seem like he had a very tough hill to climb. A hill he actually did indeed climb. Was it perfection for me? No. But it was better than his round one dance and very close to the original. The determination in his face made me laugh. I know it shouldn’t have but just seeing Frankie so serious in a paso was funny. It worked for the dance though. The routine worked. Good job Frankie. – Click to Watch Performance VIDEO

Bruno loved the attitude. But he does mention an issue with Frankie’s shoulders. Carrie Ann says the good news is the audience went crazy. The bad news, she says, was that Frankie needs to breathe through his movements. Len says their is an innocence about Frankie and he likes him so much. He doesn’t want to talk too much about the dance because there wasn’t enough shaping. It seems like it is hurting Len to critique this. LOL.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 8
Bruno- 9

Week 9 Leaderboard (Out Of A Possible 60)
Jordan- 58
Lindsey- 57
Victoria- 56
Frankie- 51
Drew- 48

Elimination Time!!!

The following couples are heading to the finals- Lindsey & Mark, Drew & Emma

The couple eliminated tonight, just a week shy of competing for the championship is…

Victoria & Val

Aww, Victoria is crying. :( That hurts. I can’t disagree with the elimination (though Drew could have went as well) but I hate seeing people cry. Tom gives her a big pep talk, as does Val. Her parents join her for a big hug. Damn. You can tell she is really disappointed and wanted to make the finale. She inspired so many so I hope she takes some solace in that and how far she came from even a year ago at this time. – Click to Watch Elimination VIDEO

8 DAYS FOLKS. NEW CHAMPIONS ARE COMING.

Polls up very soon. Thanks for watching with me tonight. :D