Dancing with the Stars
U.S. reality show based on the British series "Strictly Come Dancing," where celebrities partner up with professional dancers and compete against each other in weekly elimination rounds to determine a winner.
Genre: Family, Music, Reality-TV
Cast:Carrie Ann Inaba , Bruno Tonioli , Tom Bergeron , Len Goodman , Cheryl Burke , Derek Hough , Mark Ballas , Maksim Chmerkovskiy , Driton 'Tony' Dovolani , Karina Smirnoff , Val Chmerkovskiy , Kym Johnson Herjavec , Brooke Burke , Sharna Burgess , Louis van Amstel , Samantha Harris , Julianne Hough , Edyta Sliwinska
S2.E15 ∙ Finals
Three couples remain in a heated competition to claim the title and become the champions.
S4.E1 ∙ Round 1
Special two-hour premiere episode introduces viewers to the celebrity contestants and their level of dancing skills before they face next week's elimination round.
S4.E2 ∙ Round 2
Celebrities face-off against each other in season four's two-hour first elimination round.
S4.E3 ∙ Round 2 Results
Former model Paulina Porizkova is eliminated from competition.
S4.E5 ∙ Round 3 Results
Former Miss USA Shandi Finnessey is eliminated from competition.
S4.E7 ∙ Round 4 Results
Talk show host Leeza Gibbons is eliminated from competition.
S4.E9 ∙ Round 5 Results
Former NBA star Clyde Drexler is eliminated from competition.
S4.E10 ∙ Round 6
Contestants dance the Cha-cha, Jive, Samba Rumba, Mambo and the Paso Doble.
S4.E12 ∙ Round 7
Contestants dance the Quickstep, Waltz, Foxtrot, Mambo, Jive, Rumba and Samba.
S4.E14 ∙ Round 8
Couples try to master both a ballroom dance and a Latin dance in order to stave off elimination.
S4.E15 ∙ Round 8 Results
Singer-actor Billy Ray Cyrus is eliminated from competition.
S4.E16 ∙ Round 9
The final four contestants and their partners dance their favorite dances with new music and choreography.
S4.E18 ∙ Round 10
Laila, Apolo and Joey get one last chance to win over the judges and the audience.
S4.E19 ∙ Round 10 Results
Olympic gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno and partner are declared the winners of the fourth season of "Dancing with the Stars".
S5.E1 ∙ Round 1: Part 1
A new season of "Dancing with the Stars" kicks off with a new batch of celebs.
S5.E2 ∙ Round 1: Part 2
Part two of a three-part season opener of "Dancing with the Stars".
S5.E3 ∙ Round 1 Results
Josie Maran and her partner are eliminated from competition.
S5.E4 ∙ Round 2
Jennie Garth and her partner tumble to the floor at the end of their quickstep.
S5.E5 ∙ Round 2 Results
Albert Reed and his partner are eliminated from competition.
S5.E6 ∙ Round 3
Jane Seymour dedicates her performance to her recently deceased mother.
S5.E7 ∙ Round 3 Results
Wayne Newton and his partner are eliminated from competition.
S5.E9 ∙ Round 4 Results
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his partner are eliminated from competition.
S5.E13 ∙ Round 6 Results
Host Tom Bergeron calls the elimination of front-runner Sabrina Bryan and her partner, "the most shocking elimination in the history of the show".
S5.E14 ∙ Round 7
Mel B. and her partner receive their second perfect score of the season.
S5.E15 ∙ Round 7 Results
Jane Seymour and her partner are eliminated from competition.
S5.E17 ∙ Round 8 Results
Gloria Estefan brings her Latin sounds to the ballroom, and another couple's fate is revealed.
S5.E18 ∙ Round 9
It's down to the final four as Jennie Garth, Mel B., Marie Osmond and Helio Castroneves dance-off to determine who will make it to the final round.
S5.E19 ∙ Round 9 Results
Actress Jennie Garth and her partner are eliminated from competition.
S5.E20 ∙ Season 5 Finale
Mel B.'s high score beats out Marie Osmond and Helio Castroneves, but viewers votes for Helio, making him and his partner this season's champs.
S6.E1 ∙ Round 1: Part 1
In the first part of the season premiere, the male celebrities -- Penn Jillette, Jason Taylor, Cristian de la Fuente, Adam Carolla, Mario and Steve Guttenberg -- and their dancing pro partners, took their turns.
S6.E2 ∙ Round 1: Part 2
In part two of the season premiere, the female celebrities -- Shannon Elizabeth, Marlee Matlin, Priscilla Presley, Monica Seles, Marissa Jaret Winokur and Kristi Yamaguchi -- show us their moves with the help of their dance partners.
S6.E3 ∙ Round 1: Part 3
The twelve couples return to perform a second routine in this two-hour performance episode.
S6.E4 ∙ Round 1: Results
For the first time in the history of the show, a double elimination takes place.
S6.E5 ∙ Round 2
After the dramatic, first-ever double elimination sent Penn Jillette and Monica Seles packing, the remaining 10 stars got to choose between the Jive and the Tango. From the intros, it was clear the costume selection was pretty extreme, but there's little time to get into details, so let's get right to the action.Marlee & Fabian: Actress Marlee Matlin and her partner Fabian Sanchez opted to dance a traditional Jive, as Fabian said, "to please the judges." They weren't happy with his Mambo-fied Quickstep last week. Marlee and Fabian danced the Jive to Billy Joel's "You May Be Right." Judge Len Goodman said Marlee never ceases to amaze him and said she "did a great job." Bruno Tonioli said she seems like she really connects with everyone, but noted that she missed the timing a couple of times. Carrie Ann Inaba said, by her own account, got "nit-picky" and told Marlee to watch her hands and said they can get a little "pancakey" sometimes. Scores: 7, 7 and 7.Anna & Steve: Actor Steve Guttenberg is trying to get past the notion that he's purely a goofball and decided to take on the Tango, a much more serious dance. His partner Anna Trebunskaya was sick, but sent a substitute trainer: her husband Jonathan Roberts, who had a little time on his hands after being booted last week with his partner Monica Seles. They took part in a little "man-on-man Tango." With little time to train with Anna, Steve peered into the camera as the serious dance began. Steve, dressed in black pants, a black shirt, a black vest and a red tie, took the seriousness to a whole new level, keeping his eyebrow furrowed. Steve asked for a moment to prepare for the judges' comments, going back to the stage to get a steel bowl, which used as a helmet, and googles. Carrie Ann said "that was your best dance so far. She said he set the pace and tone. Len said the footwork was fantastic and called it "a much improved performance." Bruno called it "mean, mad and manly," which apparently was good. Scores: 7, 7 and 7.Cristian & Cheryl: Actor Cristian de la Fuente said being left to hang in the balance during the results show last week was torture. It didn't necessarily mean he and partner Cheryl Burke were in the bottom two, but he was stressed, regardless. Cherryl took Cristian to Sea World to dance with a sea lion and let loose a bit. Cristian and Cheryl danced the Jive. Cristian donned a sleeveless blue button-up shirt to match Cheryl's shimmering dress. Bruno asked, "Are you on rocket fuel tonight?" He said Cristian clearly had a good time and delivered his best dance yet. Len pointed out his legs and his free arm could have been stronger, but agreed it was Cristian's best yet. Scores: 8, 8 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Mario & Karina: The highest-scoring male star in the competition, R&B singer Mario, had little free time to practice while he was crossing the country to promote his new album. He practiced in the airport baggage claim and virtually every open space available. Mario and Karina danced the Tango to a Tango-ized version of The Police's "Roxanne." The crowd loved it, but Len didn't. He said he could understand the reaction because the dance had flair, but said "it was a mess." He knocked the posture, footwork, Mario's hold. He said Mario "bitterly disappointed me tonight." Carrie Ann said Len was right. She praised Mario for his style, but agreed it was a disappointment. Bruno said it wasn't "that bad," and pointed out a mistake. But he said it was "a proper, dramatic, very strong tango." Scores: 7, 6 and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Shannon & Derek: Actress Shannon Elizabeth got into the game last week, according to the judges, and took on the challenge of the Jive, which requires precise footwork. That's something Shannon had trouble with before because she's tall and has long legs (can't imagine too many women feeling sorry for her on that one, huh?). Derek used Shannon's interest in kickboxing to get her kicks down. Wearing a short, short skirt with gold tassels all over and a gold, sparkling headband, Shannon wore herself out and literally fell to the floor (not quite Marie Osmond style) for the judges' comments. Bruno said she took very challenging choreography and did well with it, but reminded her to focus on her finish and precision. Len said he saw "a really good Jive." Carrie Ann said Shannon surprises the judges every time and called her "a gem." Scores: 8, 8 and 8.Adam & Julianne: Radio personality Adam Carolla and his partner Julianne Hough decided to do the Tango and Adam said five days is not enough to learn the dance. "It's difficult, and I make it look even more difficult." He got serious about not wanting to let Julianne down and said "she deserves better than me." Julianne wore a chestnut wig while Adam wore a black suit with an orange ruffled shirt underneath. The crowd exploded and host Tom Bergeron shouted, "The man is becoming a dancer." Carrie Ann said, "Actually, I cannot believe I'm going to say this, but Adam Carolla was pretty sexy out there." Bruno said Adam is "not a master technician" but he's getting better. Len praised Julianne's choreography, which he said is like makeup, "It can cover a multitude of sins." He said she "made Adam look like a dancer." Backstage, when co-host Samantha Harris asked Adam about learning the passion and intensity of the Tango from Julianne, he said, "My grandfather always told me, son, if you want to learn about a Argentenian dance that's about prostitutes, speak to a Mormon. And I didn't know what he meant, (sitting) on his knee back in 1971, but I now know." Julianne laughed nervously and later asked voters to keep them around "if you like his smart remarks." Scores: 7, 7 and 7.Marissa & Tony: Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur decided to do the Jive because, as her partner Tony Davolani said, "it's flicky, it's kicky." Marissa and Tony danced the Jive to Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend," with Marissa wearing a pleated short skirt and a blue sequined shirt with a plaid collar. Len said it was a little careful. Carrie Ann said she was going to be hard on Marissa and called it "boring." She said Marissa is much better than that and she wasn't putting in the fight. Tony consoled Marissa and told her he was very proud of her. Bruno piled on a bit as Marissa appeared to fight back tears and he called it something that looked like a rehearsal, "it was like a Jive in cruise control." He said he was picking on her because he knew she had the talent to do better. Marissa put on a brave face backstage and said she doesn't know what she has to do to win over the judges. Tony said Marissa works very hard to make it look easy. Scores: 6, 7 and 6, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Priscilla & Louis: Actress and very famous wife Priscilla Presley said she had to step up her game after watching her scores go down from the first week to the second. To dance the dramatic Tango, Priscilla said she's call upon her acting background. Priscilla and her partner Louis Van Amstel danced the Tango with Priscilla wearing a classic red dress, a red rose in her hair and a red garter that peeked out on her right leg. Bruno said it was well executed, beautifully acted with great choreography. Len praised the drama and said, "Great!" Carrie Ann said the Tango is an actor's dance and she believed every minute of it. Scores: 8, 9 and 9 from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Jason & Edyta: NFL star Jason Taylor saw his scores run up last week when he pulled in three 9's, but said that "as the scores go up, so does the pressure." He struggled to learn the Jive and it made him feel like a fat, uncoordinated slob. Jason and his partner Edyta Sliwinska danced the Jive while Jason appeared to be singing along with the song, Ray Charles' "I Got a Woman." The upbeat performance got the crowd's approval and Carrie Ann said she was amazed that Jason, as big as he is, can move as well as he does. She reminded him to open his upper body. Bruno called it a "cool Jive," restrained and powerful and said Jason's lines were very natural. Len praised Jason's lines, but said he didn't like the rest of it. He called the kicks sloppy. Scores: 8, 7 and 8 from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Kristi & Mark: Olympic gold medialist Kristi Yamaguchi has owned the first couple of weeks, but she said she's starting at Square One with the Tango. Her partner Marks Ballas Jr. wanted to help Kristi capture the emotion of the Tango, even though she isn't very good at showing her own emotions. A performance coach tried to help. Kristi and Mark danced the Tango to a lounge lizard version of Duran Duran's "Rio." Kristi had curls plastered to her forehead and cheeks and Mark stuck with the drama of the Tango, looking almost mad the whole time, which is a good thing. Len said he liked it very much. Carrie Ann said there's no faulting against Kristi's technique, but her emotion was one-dimensional. She said, "I don't feel much when you dance." Bruno said it was "sharp, clean, clear, always delivered to the extreme precision." He said he wants Kristi "to be a dirty girl." She responded him by showing some leg! Scores: 9, 9 and 9.The scoreboard:Kristi & Mark: 27Priscilla & Louis: 26Cristian & Cheryl: 25Shannon & Derek: 24Jason & Edyta: 23Adam & Julianne: 21Anna & Steve: 21Mario & Karina: 21Marlee & Fabian: 21Marissa & Tony: 19
S6.E6 ∙ Round 2: Results
After what host Tom Bergeron called an "unpredictable evening of ballroom mayhem" that ended up with a four-way tie of dancers in second-to-last place with 21 points from the judges, one star would have to go home. Who would it be?Breaking 'em down: Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi warned that if naughty is what judge Bruno Tonioli wants, she's going to "bring it on." NFL star Jason Taylor wondered if his dancing days were dead after judge Len Goodman told him "one day you're a rooster, the next day you're a feather duster. That's life." Tony winner Marissa Jaret Winokur said she was shocked by judge Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno's comments and scores, saying she was expecting 8's. Actress Marlee Matlin wondered about how to make her hands less "pancakey," while R&B singer Mario said he'll keep trying to give it his all after a rough night and actor Steve Guttenberg said he was thankful he didn't need his protective gear to face the judges. Radio personality Adam Carolla said that despite Carrie Ann saying he was sexy on the dance floor, "if we were both single, she wouldn't date me." Actress Shannon Elizabeth confessed that she threw up in her mouth a little. Chilean actor Cristian de la Fuente said he had fun and told his partner Cheryl Burke "it was our best dance yet." Actress Priscilla Presley was flattered by Len's positive comments, especially because of the tough competition they're facing.Encore! After getting a taste of Steve's "Man-go" Tango with Jonathan Roberts in rehearsal footage, Len asked them to perform it live, which they did. Wonder if the Parents' Television Council is going to have anything to say about that? Jonathan accidentally bowled Steve over at the end, but they had a good time.First two safe: In no particular order, Tom and co-host Samantha Harris announced that Kristi & Mark and Adam & Julianne are the first two couples definitely moving on to next week.Give it up for Kylie Minogue: Pop sensation Kylie Minogue, who seems to make a comeback every few years, took to the stage and the dance floor to perform her new single, "All I See."Asking the fans: Some fans were worried about Marissa and "The Gute" as the third elimination neared.Two more safe: In no particular order, Priscilla & Louis and Marissa & Tony got their reprieves. Marissa & Tony were the judges' lowest point scorers from Monday, so the next ticket home was very much in the air. Backstage, Kristi and Priscilla said it's hard to feel confident even when they have huge leads, which Adam called "a bunch of crap." He grabbed the microphone from Samantha and said, "You know you're in the driver's seat. Please, stop talking down to us. Leave some scraps for the losers!" Marissa said she didn't sleep Monday night and felt bad for her family and friends. Adam admitted he just wants to be there to promote his new movie, "The Hammer."Congressional Dance Party! Fresh from being named cultural ambassadors to the world by the United States Congress, members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Group performed on the "Dancing" floor.Aussie Dance Party! Kylie Minogue returned to the stage to sing her mega--hit "Can't Get You Out of My Head," while "Dancing" pros Julianne Hough and Mark Ballas Jr. did some Streetfighter-lookin' routine in neon green-highlighted outfits.Two more safe: After some time-wasting shenanigans with a match maker talking about which couples are the most compatible, Tom and Samantha revealed that Jason & Edyta and Marlee & Fabian were safe.In no particular order...: In the first elimination, the bottom two were not actually revealed, and they decided to keep viewers and the dancers in suspense again this week. So, in no particular order, Cristian & Cheryl were safe, followed by Shannon & Derek. That left Steve & Anna and Mario & Karina, one of which would go home but the other of which wasn't necessarily the second-lowest voter-getter. Len said both couples bring great qualities to the show. And the loser was ... Steve & Anna. Steve, still all smiles, said he's just going to miss everyone. He wanted to say more, but the show ran long and Tom pushed him out to the dance floor for his last dance.
S6.E7 ∙ Round 3
There were some interesting costume choices revealed as the stars were introduced on "Dancing With the Stars" on Monday, including a bullfighter-looking outfit worn by dancing pro Mark Ballas Jr. and a penciled in mustache above Adam Carolla's upper lip.Kristi & Mark: Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi said that after last week she learned that the emotional component of dancing is as important as, if not more important than, the technical side, which she's already mastered. She practiced giving some expression. Kristi and Mark danced the Paso Doble to New Order's "Blue Monday." It was filled with another round of impressive spins from Kristi. Judge Len Goodman said Kristi "can't dance bad," but he said every dance has a sameness to it. Judge Bruno Tonioli said she unleashed the power, and judge Carrie Ann Inaba said that Kristi and Mark set the standard in this competition. After getting nothing but 9's all season, so far, and holding the highest score at the point in the competition in the show's history, Kristi and Mark pulled in the first two 10's of the year. Scores: 10, 9 and 10, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Priscilla & Louis: Actress and former first lady of rock Priscilla Presley was trying to keep pace with Kristi. Priscilla and Louis danced the Viennese Waltz and it was another solid outing with some graceful movements from Priscilla. Bruno said it was a great interpretation, but advised her to watch her shoulder and neck line. Carrie Ann said Priscilla's facial expressions were mesmerizing, but maybe Carrie Ann hasn't heard about the whole silicone situation. Carrie Ann and Len both told Priscilla they had to penalize her one point for doing a lift. Bruno Scores: 7, 7 and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Adam & Julianne: We were reminded of radio personality Adam Carolla's faux-offensive comments the week before. Adam said he's been bitten by the dancing bug. He said he's dropped 10 pounds and is now "in it not to lose it." He said his partner Julianne Hough is stepping up the difficulty level by giving him some tougher moves. Adam and Julianne danced the Paso Doble, with Julianne starting the performance on her own before Adam rolled onto the dance floor in a Zorro mask and cape and riding a unicycle. it was a very entertaining display. Carrie Ann said, "it was smooth, it was dramatic, your turns were fantastic, and then you got off the unicycle." Len said that Adam is such a lovable character and people will want him to do well, but he's not much of a dancer. Bruno said Adam is a classic example that genius and insanity go hand in hand. Scores: 6, 7 and 6, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Marlee & Fabian: Deaf actress Marlee Matlin vowed to make a run this week at Kristi Yamaguchi, and she'd do it with the Viennese Waltz. In rehearsal, she had trouble with the dance's movements, which call for lots of rotation and that was difficult because her deafness causes Marlee problems with balance. Marlee and Fabian danced the Viennese Waltz to Billy Joel's "She Always a Woman to Me." Len said it was "very, very good" and was impressed that she did a particularly difficult step that he hadn't seen. Bruno said she interprets the music well, and reiterated a comment by Len that she needs to work on her posture. Carrie Ann was crying and said something about Marlee's performance really touched her, "and for that, I am grateful." Scores: 8, 8 and 8.Mario & Karina: R&B singer Mario was looking to bounce back from his lowest score this season. He called it a wake-up call and his partner Karina Smirnoff emphasized that he needs to show some intensity to secure his place in the competition. Mario and Karina danced the Paso Doble to Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground." Mario wore a white puffy shirt under a gold bullfighter jacket. Bruno called it "strong, powerful" and said he liked it very, very much. Carrie Ann said she could tell he rehearsed the moves. Len said he liked it, but worried that Mario only has one style of dancing. Scores: 8, 7 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Jason & Edyta: NFL star Jason Taylor wanted to become a rooster again after Len called him a "feather duster." As he prepared to dance the Viennese Waltz, Edyta took him to Medieval Times to learn chivalry from a knight. After being dubbed "Sir Dance-a-Lot," he took to the dance floor to dance the Viennese Waltz with Edyta to James Brown's "This Is a Man's World." Jason stumbled just a bit during a series of turns. Carrie Ann was moved again, not quite to tears, and even forgave him on the stumble because she enjoyed the rest of the dance. Len said it was "a wow of a Waltz." Bruno said they managed to make the Viennese Waltz "sexy, sensual, erotic." Scores: 10, 9 and 10, respectively from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno.Cristian & Cheryl: Actor Cristian de la Fuente got back in the game last week with his energetic Jive. His partner Cheryl Burke got impatient with Cristian in rehearsal, eventually telling him, "when you listen to me, it's good. When you don't listen to me, it's bad." Cheryl took Cristian to meet Drew Lachey, who she partnered with to the title a few seasons back to motivate him to listen to her. Would it work? Cristian and Cheryl danced the Paso Doble, with Cristian dressed in a long-tailed black coat over a waxed chest. Cristian grunted a few times to emphasize the drama. Len said it was a powerful tune he danced to and said, "I think the music conquered you." But he still liked the performance. Bruno said it was very convincing. Carrie Ann disagreed with Len, saying that Cristian did keep up with the music. Scores: 9, 8 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Shannon & Derek: The show followed up the big news from last week's behind-the-scenes drama as actress Shannon Elizabeth's partner Derek Hough, who had something snap in his neck during rehearsal on Tuesday. He came to practice with a neck brace and handed Shannon off to pro Jonathan Roberts. Derek tried to stay on the sidelines to avoid reinjuring himself, but got more involved that he should have. Shannon and Derek danced the Viennese Waltz as everyone waited to see if Derek's neck would hold up. Bruno said is was elegant, had a beautiful sense of movement, good musicality. Carrie Ann said "something's definitely happening" as she's watching Shannon's growth as a dancer. Len said it was the best dance he saw all night. Scores: 9, 10 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Marissa & Tony: Marissa was hoping to bounce back from the lowest-scored performance of the week, which Carrie Ann called "boring." Her partner, Tony Dovolani, promised to give Marissa a Paso Doble that the judges would not forget. He said he was going to give her steps he would normally only give to pros. Marissa said that the audience fought for her to stay last week, so she had to fight for herself this week. Marissa and Tony danced the Paso Doble. Carrie Ann said it was "fantastic." Len said "the true Marissa is coming out." Bruno said that's the way to go. He praised her for taking risks, and Marissa jumped and laughed hysterically. Scores: 8, 8 and 8.The Scoreboard:Kristi & Mark: 29Jason & Edyta: 29Shannon & Derek: 28Cristian & Cheryl: 26Mario & Karina: 24Marissa & Tony: 24Marlee & Fabian: 24Priscilla & Louis: 22Adam & Julianne: 19
S6.E8 ∙ Round 3: Results
After a night of passionate performances, the first string of perfect 10s and the nationwide vote, it was time on Wednesday to find out which star would get a one-way ticket home. But first, the night kicked off with Sheryl Crow performing her best known hit, "All I Wanna Do."The Crow Flies: Big props to Crow for fighting through a performance of the song she's probably played more than any other. Dancing pros Tony Dovolani and Edyta Sliwinska, and Fabian Sanchez and Kym Johnson offered up a sultry, spinning accompaniment.Roll the tape: Highlighting the previous night, Kristi Yamaguchi and partner Mark Ballas Jr. couldn't believe their luck at getting two 10's. Marlee Matlin vowed to work on her "bum" all week after Bruno's comments, and Fabian was glad to oblige. Priscilla Presley cheekily said she likes the feeling of both of her legs up off the floor, but that's a no-no in the Viennese Waltz. Jason Taylor thrilled the judges and was pretty excited with his 10's. Mario's performance split the judges, as Len was on his own with a 7. His partner Karina Smirnoff hoped the fans would side with Carrie Ann and Bruno. Marissa rejoiced in her big comeback and said, "at least if we go out, we go our way." Cristian de la Fuente's grunting got him high scores and his partner Cheryl Burke said he "killed the bull." PETA's not gonna like that. Shannon Elizabeth notched the first 10 Len's given all season, and she sang an awkward song with partner Derek Hough. Adam Carolla and Julianne Hough took some lumps from the panel and Julianne later said, "Screw the judges!" Adam smiled and deadpanned, "If you want to get some higher scores, that's an idea."Play it again, Adam! Judge Len Goodman said that for the first time all the judges had a different choice for the encore performance, but they all agreed that for sheer entertainment value, Adam and Julianne couldn't be matched. The couple performed its Paso Doble again, with Adam nailing the unicycle routine for the second consecutive night. They couldn't go home on a night when they were asked to perform the encore, could they?Kiss the girl? Co-host Samantha Harris asked about the chemistry between Shannon and Elizabeth as the rest of the couples chanted, "Kiss, Kiss, Kiss!" Derek said it wasn't difficult to get into the romantic mood of the dance while looking at a beautiful face such as Shannon's. They said they would have done the kiss if they had gotten the encore, which might make that the first documented case of not kissing and telling.First to safety: Jason and Edyta were let off the hook first, in no particular order. Kristi & Mark were also safe. Coincidence that the top two scorers from Monday night were safe first?Cute kids alert! "Dancing" trotted out the cute kids, Aaron and Daniela, 9 and 8, to perform for millions watching on TV. Len said he was "bitterly disappointed" because it was too short. He wanted to see more. The couple's competition was Aaron and Rashell, both 8, who performed a Paso Doble. Bruno said they had great firepower, and Carrie Ann absolutely loved it. It was fun, for sure, but as the camera panned to Sheryl Crow before the commercial, you could almost hear her thinking, "What exactly am I doing here?"Repeat performances: After the break, the judges shattered one young dancing couple's hopes and dreams, and it was Aaron and Daniela. Aaron and Rashell were asked to return for another performance later in the season. Sheryl Crow returned to perform her latest single, "Out of Our Heads," with 2006 World Cup Professional Ballroom Dancing champions Delyan Terziev and Boriana Deltcheva.Next ones safe: Marlee and Sanchez were removed from the proverbial hot seat. They were quickly joined by Cristian and Cheryl, followed by Mario and Karina.The bottom two, revealed! Priscilla and Louis were hit with the red light, indicating they were in the bottom two. Shannon and Elizabeth were safe. But the red light fell on Adam and Julianne, leaving Marissa and Tony safe.What do we lose? Len said it would be "a tragedy" if Adam left the show. Bruno said that if Priscilla goes, the show would lose a star with humble glamour. Carrie Ann said she was curious to see if Julianne could turn Adam into a dancer, because something was really happening, but Priscilla is such a great dancer, she'd like to see her continue. The couple with the lowest total was ... Adam and Julianne. That marks the first time Julianne has ever been booted from the show.Adam said he had the time of his life, lost 20 pounds of fat and "gained 105 pounds of angel," wrapping his arms around Julianne, and saying, "I love this girl." And he got to plug his new movie "'The Hammer,' in theaters now." He said he'd recommend the experience to everyone who's scared of anything. He got philosophical, saying, "we all don't get the opportunity to do 'Dancing with the Stars,' but, you at home, there's something that scares you, there's something that is your 'Dancing with the Stars.' Embrace it. Don't run from it. Do it." Julianne, teary-eyed, said that Adam is more than a funnyman, "he's amazing. He's a great guy."
S6.E9 ∙ Round 4
We can assume there will be no more unicycle shenanigans or religious commentary now that Adam Carolla and partner Julianne Hough are no longer on the show. Host Tom Bergeron promised "the sexiest show of the season" as the dancers take on "Latin Night," when Bergeron said, "We've double up on the sequins and cut back on the fabric." This is still a family show, right?! It's the halfway point in the competition as the dancers performed the Samba and the Rumba.Mario & Karina: R&B singer Mario was still reeling from the judge Len Goodman's harsh criticism last week, and he went to Stevie Wonder for inspiration. Stevie told him to let his spirit dance, and let his soul dance. Marion and his partner Karina Smirnoff danced the Samba with Karina appropriately wearing a skimpy yellow number (as was spray-tanned beyond belief!) as they performed to Ella Fitzgerald's "A-Tisket A-Tasket." Some fancy footwork from both dancers earned smiles from the judges' table. Len said the dance suited Mario and he called it his "best dance so far." Judge Bruno Tonioli said that if Mario's hips could talk "we'd be censored tonight." Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said she enjoyed that it was nice and to the point. Scores: 9, 9 and 9.Priscilla & Louis: Actress Priscilla Presley said that going from second place to second-to-last was "a wake-up call." We got a peek at the tension between teacher and student, but Priscilla was talking comeback as they took to to the dance floor. Priscilla and partner Louis Van Amstel to "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" while Priscilla draped a sparkly crab net over herself. The routine got a little "Cirque du Soleil" toward the end. Bruno said that the slow dance exposed a lot of flaws. Carrie Ann said Priscilla appeared to be concentrating too much on her technique and it was clear she was thinking too much. Len said he was disappointed because the dance lacked spontenaeity. Scores: 7, 7 and 7.Marissa & Tony: After a big bounce-back performance last week, Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur said the higher scores just make her want to harder. Her partner Tony Dovolani suggested she do something to get herself into the Brazilian "Carnivale" spirit, so she got herself a headdress and did it up right. Marissa and Tony danced the Samba with Marissa sporting a sparkly purple tassel skirt and shaking everything her momma gave her. She kept shaking even after the song ended. Carrie Ann said it was Marissa's best routine by far. Len enjoyed the mix of steps in the dance and said it was "more bounce to the ounce" than he's ever seen. Bruno said everybody loved it and said that despite a hiccup at the start, once she got into it, "there was no stopping you!" Scores: 8, 8 and 8.Cristian & Cheryl: Chilean actor Cristian de la Fuente was coming off his best performance ever and said his Latin blood is finally starting to dance through his veins. He found it. Their rehearsal video included a funny little dream-sequence skit in which he played the Spanish-speaking leading man trying to seduce his partner Cheryl Burke, and it worked even though she had no idea what he was saying to her and simply answered, "Si" to everything. Cristian and Cheryl danced the Rumba to some hyper-cheesy love song. Len said it was a "competent" performance but it didn't blow him away. Bruno said the chemistry between Cristian and Cheryl is good, but the slow walks in the dance exposed flaws again. Carrie Ann disagreed with Bruno and said the chemistry wasn't there and that the dance wasn't "super-erotic." Scores: 7, 8 and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Marlee & Fabian: Last week, Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin brought Carrie Ann to tears with her Viennese Waltz. Marlee and partner Fabian Sanchez's video showed them taking a trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, where they helped fit deaf children with hearing aids that helped some of them hear for the first time. It was quite moving. Back to business, Marlee had some trouble picking up the steps to the Samba, which has a lot of challenging off-beat movements. Marlee and Fabian danced the Samba and there appeared to be a few missteps and Marlee looked a little disappointed at the end. Bruno said it was very, very hot and sexy, but noticed that a lot of times she lost the timing and stumbled. Carrie Ann noticed a few slips and stumbles, but that she saw a couple of moments when she could have given up or kept going, and Marlee kept going. Len said it is the most difficult Latin dance and she pulled it off considering that she can't hear anything. Scores: 7, 7 and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Kristi & Mark: Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi is still dominating, but is feeling the pressure coming up behind her. Her partner Mark Ballas Jr. said the Rumba is "a vertical expression of a horizontal design." Kristi suggested, essentially, role playing with Mark in order to pull off the seduction of the dance without being uncomfortable. Just as she settled into her sexy new role, her kids burst into the rehearsal room shouting, "Surprise!" Kristi and Mark danced the Rumba. Carrie Ann said Kristi really did take a risk, but that she gave up some movements to get some of the emotion. Len gave her "three words: Fab-U-Lous." Bruno said the chemistry was great and called the dance "stupendous." Scores: 9, 10 and 10, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Shannon & Derek: Actress Shannon Elizabeth's partner Derek Hough continues his health struggles. Two weeks after being rushed to the hospital with a neck strain, Derek went to the hospital on show day with a bout of food poisoning. He was back and Bergeron kept a bucket handy. Shannon and Derek danced the Samba. Len said that halfway through we should be down to the best, but "as good as that was, it wasn't, for me, really good enough." Bruno said she has to go out there and "shake those maracas." He said she messed up the timing a few times and that maybe it was too hard for her. Carrie Ann admired her attitude and effort to try a difficult routine, but agreed that it wasn't the best. Scores: 8, 8 and 7, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Jason & Edyta: Coming off a 29-point performance, NFL star Jason Taylor had to prove it wasn't a fluke. Jason struggled with some of the more sensual, graceful movements in rehearsal. Could he handle it on the dance floor? Jason and Edyta danced the Rumba. Bruno said he had the look of a love god and asked Jason how he can be so light and so big at the same time, and said it was "another incredible job." Carrie Ann said the couple has the "most insane chemistry" on the dance floor. Len said Jason has a naturalness about him and called him a "bloke," which is a good thing. Scores: 9, 9 and 9.Scoreboard:Kristi & Mark: 29Mario & Karina: 27Jason & Edyta: 27Marissa & Tony: 24Shannon & Derek: 23Cristian & Cheryl: 23Marlee & Fabian: 22Priscilla & Louis: 21
S6.E10 ∙ Round 4: Results
Latin night turned up the heat on the dance floor and among the competitors. Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi continued her domination, but the rest of the pack closed in with some highly praised performances. Actress Priscilla Presley went into Tuesday's results show with the lowest score from the judges, but could the voters save her?To the tape: Kristi said she looked judge Len Goodman right in the eye while doing her dance and wondered if that was why they scored a "10" from him. NFL star Jason Taylor earned a new nickname, "Love God," after judge Bruno Tonioli's comments. Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur shook and shimmied to some big comments from the judges, and she rejoiced afterward and said she "felt sexy" and "it was amazing." R&B singer Mario basked in the glory Len's praise and said if he scores a "30," he'll weep. Actor Cristian de la Fuente was confused by judge Carrie Ann Inaba's comments about expecting more chemistry, saying "more chemistry would be illegal." Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin was still reeling from her bad performance and was inconsolable as her partner Fabian Sanchez tried to make her feel better. Also disconsolate was actress Shannon Elizabeth, who took some heat for not using her hips more. In tears backstage, she said, "I did what I thought I was taught to do, so I don't know what else to do." Finally, Presley was frustrated with herself at missing a turn that proved to be a critical mistake.Encore! Len asked to see Kristi and her partner Mark Ballas Jr. perform their steamy Rumba again. So they did it.An Ozomatli Crew: The pros danced a group Samba to the live music of Ozomatli in a rousing bit of turns, shakes and gyrations.Good news, bad news: Host Tom Bergeron revealed that the first couple definitely continuing -- in no particular order -- was Kristi & Mark. Co-host Samantha Harris had the privilege of giving the bad news to one couple that landed in the bottom two: Cristian & Cheryl.Child's Play: Dmitriy & Michelle, both 10, offered up a Jive as part of the Dancing Juniors competition. They danced to "You Can't Stop the Beat" from the "Hairspray" soundtrack. The judges loved it. Jaryd & Cara, 10 and 8, have been ballroom partners for about a year. They danced the Cha Cha Cha to Bruce Channel's "Hey! Baby" The judges loved it. The judges decided to ask Jaryd & Cara.Show Day Stress: A background video about how the stars deal with the stress of show day gave a little insight on what seems to be a budding romance between Shannon and her partner Derek Hough. There have been signs before, but Shannon revealed that Derek serenades her with some guitar playing and singing about an hour before the show to help calm her nerves.Another couple safe: It's Jason and his partner Edyta Sliwinska.Pass the Blunt: Singer songwriter James Blunt performed his new single "Carry You Home," accompanied by dancing champions Eric Luna and Georgia Ambarian.'It feels bad': Backstage, Cristian said "it feels bad" to be in the bottom two and feel the weight of possibly going home. He said challenges are very important in life, and that's why he wants to stay on the show.Two more safe: The next couple continuing was Mario & Karina and Marissa & Tony. That left Priscilla & Louis, Marlee & Fabian, and Shannon & Derek waiting to see who would be the second couple in the bottom two.The verdict is...: Shannon had a look of sheer disappointment on her face as the three couples were reminded of the judges' comments about them. Shannon & Derek were the first of the remaining three sent to safety. Also back to dance again were Marlee & Fabian. That left Priscilla & Louis and Cristian & Cheryl in the bottom two, and Len said it proves that at that this stage in the competition, "one false move, one bad performance, one ill-advised routine, and you are in jeopardy." Len said his heart wants Priscilla to come back, but his brain wants Cristian to come back. The loser is: Priscilla. Priscilla called it a life-changing experience and said, "I did things that I thought I couldn't do."
S6.E11 ∙ Round 5
Last week, it was Priscilla Presley who said goodbye on "Dancing with the Stars," and the remaining celebrities would perform two dances for the first time. The dancers will perf--whoa, check out Marlee Matlin's outfit! On to the dance floor:Jason & Edyta: NFL star Jason Taylor was planning on dancing a bit more to impress the judges. His partner Edyta Sliwinska took him to a freestyle dancing class to learn some moves. Jason and Edyta danced the cha cha cha to The Emotions' "Best of My Love." Judge Len Goodman said Jason had "lots of content" and said he could see Jason counting a little bit, but that he did a nice job. Bruno Tonioli said it was good that we saw Jason get a little cheeky, but he did mess up the timing a bit. Carrie Ann Inaba said nobody can touch Jason when he hits his lines, but that there was still awkwardness with his arms when he was out of the holds. Scores: 8, 8 and 8.Shannon & Derek: Actress Shannon Elizabeth had a rough go the previous week, taking some harsh criticism from the judges. Her partner Derek Hough brought her some flowers and then they went and made out on the beach. Shannon and Derek danced the rumba to Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors." It ended with the couple walking off the stage together. Bruno said the romantic interplay definitely worked, but that the rumba aspect didn't work because of the placement of the foot. Carrie Ann said now the judges are looking beyond potential. Len said they were "all over each other like a rash," but that was a good thing. He said overall it was good. Scores: 8, 8 and 8.Marlee & Fabian: Actress Marlee Matlin was still reeling from her slip the previous week, so she called on The Fonz to give her a pep talk. Henry Winkler became her own personal guru, telling her he knows her spirit is intense and "on fire." Her partner, mambo world champion Fabian Sanchez, promised her she was in good hands. Marlee and Fabian danced the mambo to Gloria Estefan's "La Tierra," which Marlee sporting a little tiger-print/bikini top. The dance was a little less than fluid. Carrie Ann opened with, "you look amazing," which is Paula Abdul speak for "it didn't go so well." She said the mambo was a dance that relied on connection to the music and that it would be the most challenging to Marlee, who is deaf. The judges agreed that it looked awkward and uncomfortable but praised her for being an inspiration. Scores: 7, 7 and 7.Cristian & Cheryl: Actor Cristian de la Fuente sought to bounce back from a bottom-two finish. He focused in rehearsal on maintaining his straight arms to keep Len happy. They practiced in a swimming pool, which gave him the perfect chance to pull his partner Cheryl Burke into the water -- he did. Cristian and Cheryl maintained a nice rat pack vibe dancing the foxtrot to "Come Fly with Me." Len said that "if you're in the bottom two tomorrow, I'll show my bum in the supermarket." Cristian shook his hand on that guarantee. Bruno said it was "Cristian at his dashing best" and said his footwork was excellent. Carrie Ann, at a loss for words, said Cristian "passed right into refined." Scores: 9, 9 and 9.Marissa & Tony: Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur had a big night the previous week with a sassy samba. In rehearsal, she got dizzy with the spins in the Viennese walts, so her partner Tony Davolani took her to an aerial acrobatics class to help. Marissa and Tony dance the Viennese waltz to Tom Jones' "Delillah." Bruno complimented her on attempting some very technical moves. Carrie Ann said she is "definitely on the Winokur wave" because she loved it. Len said what pleased him the most was seeing Marissa's confidence grow and said she looked "like a true princess." Marissa screamed when she saw her scores. Scores: 9, 8 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Kristi & Mark: Apparently Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi's domination has become so apparent that the only thing host Tom Bergeron had left to point out before her performance was that she has yet to score a perfect 30. She revealed that she was born with a clubbed foot and needed casts as a toddler to overcome it. It hasn't appeared to hold her back much. Kristi and her partner Mark Ballas Jr. danced the jive to "Rip It Up" with a sock-hop kind of vibe. It was high energy and basically flawless. Carrie Ann said it was the best dance performed this season. Len said it was like being at a buffet and called it "a smorgaboard of dance, and I loved it." Bruno said she performed the best she ever has. Scores: 10, 10 and 10. Perfection, for the first time all season.Mario & Karina: R&B singer Mario found his mojo the previous and scored 9's across the board and he had his sights set on Kristi. He said he wanted to bring sexy back with the rumba. He dedicated his dance to his little brother, who we saw Mario talk to back in Baltimore thanks to his AT&T cell phone (that wasn't intentional product placement, was it?). Mario and Karina danced the rumba to Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" with a super hot and steamy twist. Len said they did a good job, but that the rumba "is the story of a developing romance, it's not the story of a strumpet and a gigolo." Bruno said he thought it was fabulous. Carrie Ann said it was "better than good sex." But she pointed out a lift and said she was going dock him for it. Scores: 9, 9 and 10, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Hoedown! Umm... this one you kinda had to see. The first group dance of the season, strictly for the viewers' enjoyment, was full of flips, spins, twirls and general excitement abounded as the stars looked to impress the fans with their solo moments. It was a fun display, highlighted by some pretty tremendous lifts by Jason and Mario.Scoreboard:Kristi & Mark: 30Mario & Karina: 28Cristian & Cheryl: 27Marissa & Tony: 26Jason & Edyta: 24Shannon & Derek: 24Marlee & Fabian: 21
S6.E12 ∙ Round 5: Results
Tuesday was a wild night that included a perfect 30, a group hoedown and some harsh criticism from the judges. How would the scores figure in to which of the seven remaining stars would go home? One of the dancers bit back at the judges and took some swings at the rest of the competition.Roll the tape: Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur was still raving about the 9's she got from judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Actor Cristian de la Fuente realized that after getting a good score, "this is how Kristi (Yamaguchi) feels every week!" R&B singer Mario put his feelings into song, harmonizing, "We got two 9's and a 10... we got to do it again!" Actress Marlee Matlin, disappointed with her performance, said she did it better in rehearsals and it just didn't come through in the performance. Actress Shannon Elizabeth was in tears after the judges criticized her lack of hip action in the rumba, and her partner Derek Hough had some choice words for the judges and, in a way, the other contestants. "You're commenting on her hip action?" he said to the camera, incredulously. "What about the heel leads happening out there? The feet coming off the floor? The horrific, demented lines people are making out there? And you're giving them 9's and 10's. Are you kidding me?" NFL star Jason Taylor's cha cha cha got him lower-than-usual scores. Jason said you never know what's going to happen and vowed to keep having fun. Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi said the jive was the most fun she's had on the dance floor.Encore! Judge Len Goodman said it might not have been the best dance of the night, but they wanted to see the group hoedown again. Really?Oh, 'Boys'...: Ashlee Simpson passed through to promote her new CD, singing her song "Boys."Joy and pain: Going back through the scoreboard, we got another chance to see Shannon cry and snap at Derek about why she was so upset, saying, "It's not the score, it's the the freakin' critique! Carrie Ann sits there and tells me that I can't dance, but I'm trying so hard. Are you kidding me?" When it was time to reveal the first safe couple, it was, as host Tom Bergeron said, "Time for happy tears" as Shannon and Derek got a pass. Marlee and Fabian got the red light indicating they were in the bottom two.Backstage...: Marlee said she's up for the challenge and won't give up if she's still in the game next week. Shannon and Derek got playful with rumors of their behind-the-scenes kissing as Derek had lipstick kisses all over his face, but on a more serious note Shannon tried to apologize for the remarks the couple made in their confessional (noted above). "We got really heated last night and we want to apologize because we're really passionate about what we're doing and we work really hard and, you know, we just got a little carried away, so, we apologize," Shannon said. Derek said, "That's not really like me. I'm not that type of guy, right?"Take me to the River(dance): When did Michael Flatley hand over the reins? Regardless, it called to mind a favorite quote from "Friends," when Chandler Bing said Flatley's performance freaks him out: "His legs flail about as if independent from his body!"Bring on the kids: Brandon and Brittany, both 13, danced the cha cha cha as part of the kids' competition. Brittany revealed that she's deaf in her right ear. They gave an action-packed dance. Their competition was Austin and Liza, both 12. They danced the samba and fell over each other at the end. Len said America has a great future in dancing based on what he saw from the two young couples. The judges asked Brandon and Brittany to return later in the competition.Checking in with the judges: Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno talked about what they do as judges, how they have to take quick notes while still watching everything, and they showed how they have to turn in their scores immediately. Carrie Ann admitted she sometimes misses things because her eyes are down on her notepad. "It's not a perfect science," she admitted. Bruno said sometimes he can't remember what he's said after he's said it. Len said he feels terrible when he criticizes someone. Len said he does a lot of soul searching and thinks that he sometimes gave dancers scores that were too low. Carrie Ann said a couple of times each season, she'll think she gave scores that were too high.Not it! The second couple sent to safety was Marissa & Tony, and they were joined by Cristian & Cheryl. That left frontrunners Kristi & Mark, Jason & Edyta and Mario & Karina in contention for the second spot in the bottom two.Game Over: Kristi & Mark rode their perfect 30 to safety; Jason & Edyta, who scored second-to-last with the judges, were also safe. That left Mario & Karina, the second-highest scoring couple on Monday, in the bottom two with Marlee & Fabian. And the ticket home goes to ... Marlee & Fabian. She thanked the judges and her partner Fabian, her family, and Henry Winkler. Bergeron stepped out of his host role and told Marlee, "as a friend, I am so proud of you."
S6.E13 ∙ Round 6
"Dancing with the Stars" host Tom Bergeron promised at the start of the episode that "double the dancing means double the pressure," and that's a big statement in what has already been a tension-packed season. The stress reached a climax last week with dancing pro Derek Hough knocked the rest of the dancers for their "heel leads" and "the horrific, demented lines" after taking some criticism from the judges. Hough and his partner Shannon Elizabeth apologized to the rest of the dancers, but did the tirade signal their end?It was getting heated as the dancers took on two individual routines for the first time this season, a traditional ballroom dance and a Latin dance.Marissa & Tony: Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur was coming off her best score of the season and said she couldn't believe she was still in the competition. Marissa and her partner Tony Davolani first took on the tango. It was a passionate, dramatic rendition. Judge Len Goodman said the first couple of weeks he thought the first couple of weeks, Marissa was not so good, then flattened out the past few weeks. But he wrapped up to say, "three words: your best dance." Bruno Tonioli said "great job." Carrie Ann Inaba said she's pushing herself and called the performance "fantastic." Scores: 9, 9 and 9.Cristian & Cheryl: Actor Cristian de la Fuente saved folks from seeing Len's bare bottom in a supermarket. Cristian and his partner Cheryl Burke first danced the Viennese waltz to Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You," which was a little awkward because his background video said he was going to dance as if he was dancing with his daughter. Bruno said the interplay between the dancers was brilliant and called it "a pleasure to watch." Carrie Ann criticized, "just a hair," a slight lack of energy, but enjoyed it. Len said it had a bit of romance about it, but there wasn't enough Viennese waltz and would have preferred a more traditional version of the dance. Scores: 8, 8 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Kristi & Mark: Olympian Kristi Yamaguchiand her partner Mark Ballas Jr. were coming off the first perfect score of the season, but seemed to have some trouble in rehearsal with two dances (so, what, they'll only score 29?). Kristi said she felt the rest of the pack breathing down her neck, "but I kinda like it." She used a sparkly umbrella as a prop as they danced the Viennese waltz to Avril Lavigne's "I'm With You." An open umbrella indoors after a perfect 30? Sounds like bad luck to me. It didn't seem quite as fluid and graceful as their past performances, but let's see what the judges thought. Carrie Ann said they took a risk with the prop, but it worked. She said that technically the turns were a little off. Len said some moves were impressive, but the start was a little long and said "you don't need props." Bruno said it worked and it was good to see Kristi acting the part. Scores: 9, 8 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Mario & Karina: Mario needs to do something to impress the viewers more as his highest score of the season still landed him in the bottom two. In addition to the two dances for the show this week, Mario had to learn the choreography for his new music video. Would it hurt him? Mario and his partner Karina Smirnoff danced the foxtrot. Len said Mario is a real role model for other 21-year-olds, but said Mario is not the most elegant of dancers, but said "well done and a good job." Bruno said the foxtrot requires a lot of control and sometimes Mario is "not quite there." Carrie Ann complimented him on taking on very ambitious and difficult routines and said he needs to be a little stiffer on the more traditional ballroom dances. Scores: 8, 8 and 8.Shannon & Derek: After an emotional outburst last week, actress Shannon Elizabeth and her partner Derek Hough had to wonder if their comments about the judges were going to hurt them. Derek told Shannon in rehearsal that they had no time to worry about the judges. Derek was bring a strict teacher in rehearsal and an annoyed Shannon threatened that he could be "going home alone tonight." Guess that clears things up, huh? Shannon and Derek sought to channel their aggression into the passionate tango. They both looked a little distracted as they seemed to miss a fair amount of moves, and it looked like she missed taking Derek's hat off toward the end of the routine. Bruno said the tango is "a bitch of a dance to master" but that the performance was "fascinating." Carrie Ann said it was their "best dance yet." Len thought they did "a terrific job." Scores: 9, 9 and 9.Jason & Edyta: After finishing second to last, NFL star Jason Taylor realized that he and partner Edyta Sliwinska had their backs to the wall for the first time. Jason and Edyta danced the quickstep and Jason ran to the judges' table and tossed a stack of paper in the air. Carrie Ann said it was all fantastic. Len said that "with performances like that, you're in the final." Bruno said "that wasn't the quickstep, it was quick lightning!" He finished by calling it "the performance of the night." Scores: 10, 9 and 10, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Scoreboard check: After the first round of dances, a check of the scoreboard showed Jason & Edyta in the lead with 29; Marissa & Tony and Shannon & Derek tied for second with 27; Kristi & Mark in fourth with 26; Cristian & Cheryl in fifth with 25; and Mario & Karina in last with 24 points.Marissa & Tony: Marissa and Tony followed up their 27-point tango with a sultry rumba. It was graceful and romantic. Bruno said they could have pushed a little more on the sex, "but it was nice." Carrie Ann disagreed and said she thought it was beautiful. She said everything was fluid and said it was great. Len praised Marissa for acting the part, but said there wasn't enough hip action and it was "all a tad careful." Scores: 9, 8 and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Combined score: 52.Cristian & Cheryl: Cristian and Cheryl went from the Viennese waltz to the saucy samba, but it turned somewhat disastrous when Cristian apparently pulled a muscle in his arm. He stopped dancing at one point and, at the end, fell over Cheryl as she dropped herself into his arms and fell to the floor. He wanted to continue to the judges' scores, but Bergeron took the show to a break so he could get checked. Carrie Ann said it was difficult to comment but said the dance is judged up to the point when the injury occurred. She said she was sorry she didn't get to see the whole dance and appreciated that he tried to pull through and was there for Cheryl. Len also praised Cristian for his bravery in carrying on and continuing. Bruno said the judges would have to judge on what they saw, but that he hoped Cristian would come back. Medics said Cristian suffered severe cramping in his arm. Scores: 7, 7 and 7. Combined score: 46. Update: Bergeron later told viewers that Cristian had gone to the hospital to get his arm checked and that he wouldn't be around for the end of the show.Kristi & Mark: Kristi and Mark danced the cha cha cha to Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music." The high energy, upbeat performance was a welcome relief after Cristian's awkward finish. Len went on a tirade about "boogaloo hip hop dancing." He didn't like the choreography. Bruno told him to "get rid of the cobwebs." Bruno said it was a fantastic cha cha cha, "kids are gonna love it and I'm gonna love it!" Carrie Ann, the former "In Living Color" Fly Girl, gave her "two snaps up." Scores: 10, 8 and 10, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Combined score: 54.Mario & Karina: Entering the second half of the night with the lowest first-round score, Mario and Karina danced the mambo. Bruno called it "fast, furious and dangerous" and called the Latin dances Mario's comfort zone. Carrie Ann said the couple "set this place on fire." Len called it "wild, wacky, wonderful." Scores: 9, 9 and 9. Combined score: 51.Shannon & Derek: After landing in a tie for second place after the first round, Shannon and Derek danced the mambo, with Shannon starting and ending with moves aimed directly at Len. Carrie Ann told Shannon she wasn't trying to be cruel but some of her lines still look a bit awkward. She told Shannon that because she has long limbs, it takes a lot more work for her than someone like Kristi to get those lines to look right. Len said he thought he'd died and gone to heaven. Len agreed that her movements are sometimes a bit gawky. Bruno said that sometimes she has to watch the gangliness in her moves. Scores: 8, 8 and 8. Combined score: 51Jason & Edyta:After a near-perfect first dance, Jason and Edyta returned with a dramatic paso doble to the "Monday Night Football" theme song, with Jason wearing eye black on his face and his Miami Dolphins colored sweatpants and Edyta in a Dolphins' color schemed outfit. Len praised Jason's attack, but said there was a bit too much posing going on, "but when you've got a body like yours and mine, we like to pose." Bruno seemed to like it. Carrie Ann called it an unconventional paso doble that she enjoyed, but called out Edyta on lifting her foot at one point. Scores: 9, 8 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Combined score: 55.Scoreboard:Jason & Edyta: 55Kristi & Mark: 54Marissa & Tony: 52Shannon & Derek: 51Mario & Karina: 51Cristian & Cheryl: 46
S6.E14 ∙ Round 6: Results
Monday's "Dancing with the Stars" episode was a night of unexpected drama, but Tuesday's results show had viewers on the edge of their collective seat to see how the rest of the cliffhangers would shake out. Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi was bumped from first place for the first time, actress Shannon Elizabeth and partner Derek Hough waited to see whether fans would penalize them for their tirade a week earlier, and actor Cristian de la Fuente's future in the competition was up in the air after his shocking arm injury. Hosts Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris laid out the drama as the camera flashed on each couple at the start ... except for Cristian and his partner Cheryl Burke. It might have thrown doubt into the minds of some viewers, but it was just for a few seconds as Bergeron reminded fans of "the biggest headline," Cristian's injury, and the camera showed the couple together. Roll the tape.The recap: There were the standard comments about the judges' critiques from all the dancers, nothing shocking. What everyone really wanted to get was the inside scoop on Cristian. Cheryl said backstage that she heard "a crack" and she thought it was her dress, but Cristian later told her it was his arm. The rest of the dancers showed concern and Tony Dovolani was hopeful that it was just a cramp and that Cristian would be OK. After his dance, NFL star Jason Taylor dedicated his paso doble to Cristian and said he hoped Cristian would be alright. Bergeron milked the drama of Cristian's condition, teasing about whether Cristian's injury would effect the competition before heading into a commercial break.Going into overtime: Judge Len Goodman asked Jason and his partner Edyta Sliwinska to serve up their quickstep as the encore performance of the night. It was just as energetic, but Jason flubbed the handstand and Bergeron joked that it was "not as good the second time."Uplifting news: Sorry, this has nothing to do with Cristian. Len made a special announcement about the often controversial lifts that we've seen dancers be penalized for in the past. He announced that next week the couples will be allowed to do one lift as long as it is in the character and style of the dance they are performing. Whew! Sure glad we got that resolved.Moving on...: Bergeron announced that the first couple definitely continuing to the next round would be Kristi and her partner Mark Ballas Jr.DanceCenter: Len, and "Dancing" alums, Super Bowl MVP Jerry Rice and ESPN anchor Kenny Mayne served up their midseason analysis of the dancers. It was funny and insightful. They came back later in the show to run through the rest of the competitors.Do you take sugar? In one of the oddest pairings in the show's history, Def Leppard took the stage to perform their biggest hit, "Pour Some Sugar On Me." Now, I've seen Def Leppard live within the past couple of years, and I can tell you with 99.9 percent certainty that what viewers saw Tuesday was not sung live. They came back later to "sing" their new single, "Nine Lives."The next safe couple: Cristian-Watch 2008 continued as Bergeron announced the next safe couple was R&B star Mario and his partner Karina Smirnoff. The camera turned to a nervous looking Cristian on the way to the commercial break.Behind the scenes: A featurette about the dancers' process of the week leading up to each performance night was pretty interesting. Some highlights: Jason telling Edyta "Would you stop saying things are easy? This is not easy." Karina smacking Mario on the head for not knowing his choreography. On Day 4, Cristian said he starts to doubt that the routine will be right by Monday. Sunday, the dance has to be performed for the director and photographers so the director knows where the cameras need to be be. Kristi said it's stressful because it's the first time other dancers get to see the routines.What a day: Bergeron said that "in the past eight or nine hours, the trajectory of the show has changed about three or four times. The most recent time minutes before we went on the air." With that, they went back to the results. Loading up on the drama, the hosts recapped the four remaining couples but offered no results as Bergeron announced "one of you is leaving the competition tonight" before another commercial break. Before getting back to the elimination, Bergeron and Harris wanted to talk to Cristian and Cheryl. Cristian explained that he suffered a ruptured tendon in his bicep that will require surgery. Cristian said he talked with the doctor "five minutes ago" and the doctor said the surgery could be delayed. "If people voted for us and they want us to be on the show, I would like to be there and not give up."To the results: Bergeron announced that the first couple safe was Cristian and Cheryl. A relieved and excited Cristian jumped and raised his good arm in triumph. Marissa and Tony landed in the bottom two, and Jason and Edyta were declared safe, which left Shannon and Derek in the bottom two. The couple eliminated was Shannon and Derek.
S6.E15 ∙ Round 7
The dancers' spirits were lifted as, with just five couples remaining, the judges decided to allow them to do a lift in their routines, which is usually a no-no that results in being penalized one point.NFL star Jason Taylor crept into the top spot a week earlier by finally bumped Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi down a notch, but all eyes this week would be on Chilean actor Cristian de la Fuente, who is continuing through the competition despite the ruptured tendons in his left arm.Kristi & Mark: Kristi was coping with not being the leader for the first time. Kristi's partner Mark Ballas Jr. opted not to do a lift in the samba because it didn't fit with the character of the dance. First up, though, was their quickstep, which they finished was the lift. Judge Len Goodman said he's been fed up all day, but Kristi's dance made him feel better. Bruno Tonioli said it was beautifully moved around the floor. Carrie Ann said Kristi and Mark just got a little out of sync, but "I still think you're fantastic." Scores: 9, 10 and 10, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Mario & Karina: R&B star Mario was still reeling from being called "not the most elegant dancer," and sought to prove that he's more than just a Latin dancer. Mario and Karina first danced the Viennese waltz. They incorporated a sweeping lift in the middle of the routine. Bruno called Mario "Prince Mario," and said "everything we've asked you to do, you've done it." Carrie Ann said Mario's posture was the best she's seen from him and she thought the lift was great. Len said it was the most elegant he'd seen Mario dance. Scores: 9, 9 and 9.Marissa & Tony: Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur got her best scores of the season last week, but still landed in the bottom two. Marissa's partner Tony Dovolani said he decided to put a lift into their dance to show her that he really believes in her. Marissa and Tony danced the foxtrot to "New York, New York." The couple worked a lift into the final move. Carrie Ann said she loved it and said that Marissa brought the most joy out there. Len said Marissa looks great when she's in holds. Bruno said some of the couples' movements weren't quite appropriate for a dance in the quarterfinals. Scores: 9, 8 and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Jason & Edyta: Now in the top spot, Jason said he'd have to pull out all of the stops to continue to impress the judges. Jason and Edyta seemed a little overzealous about their lifts in rehearsal. Would that come cross the in the performance? They did a total of about three lifts. Len said it was more like an Argentine tango than a ballroom tango. Bruno said it was stunning. Carrie Ann thought they brought a whole new dynamic. Scores: 10, 9 and 10, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Cristian & Cheryl: Cristian was working on a dance that would disguise or avoid his injury. Playing up the one-armed situation with a Michael Jackson-inspired single glove on his good hand as he and partner Cheryl Burke danced the tango to "Beat It." Bruno said there was absolutely no way that one could see any problems with this. Carrie Ann agreed, saying she was looking for what could go wrong and found nothing. Len appreciated the performance and complimented Cheryl on the choreography. Scores: 10, 9 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Scoreboard (after the ballroom round):Jason & Edyta: 29Kristi & Mark: 29Cristian & Cheryl: 28Mario & Karina: 27Marissa & Tony: 25Kristi & Mark: Kristi and Mark followed up their quickstep with a samba that didn't include a lift. Carrie Ann look perplexed and said she couldn't believe she was going to say it, but, she "didn't care for it" and said it felt a little bit out of control. Len said that the dance lost something. Bruno defended Kristi and Mark, saying that of course the routines are difficult. Scores: 8, 9 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Mario & Karina: For their second dance of the night, Mario and Karina danced the jive, starting with Mario doing a cartwheel over a seated Karina Smirnoff. They ended their dance with a complicated run of lifts and throws that nearly saw Mario drop Karina. But they pulled through. Len said the whole thing had a roughness about it. Bruno said it was the spirit of what the jive should Carrie Ann said they brought a whole new flavor to the jive and she loved it. Scores: 9, 8 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Marissa & Tony: Marissa and Tony danced the mambo for the Latin round and Marissa appeared to forget a step early on. The whole thing had a choppiness to it that made it tough to get excited about. Bruno said he wanted more of that. Carrie Ann said, "I love the way you go for it." Len said it was "just a little bit careful." Scores 8, 8 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Jason & Edyta: Jason tried to tap into his flamboyant side for a turn at the samba. It included a huge lift at the end, where Edyta swung her legs straight up, doing almost a handstand in Jason's arms. Carrie Ann said Jason's attempt at flamboyance didn't work out and said it proved that the samba is a difficult dance. Len said it was "alright," but said that nearing the semi-finals, "I don't alright is good enough." Bruno said that after a series of blockbusters, Jason "got a turkey tonight." Scores: 8, 7 and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Cristian & Cheryl: Coming off a 28 in the first round, Cristian and Cheryl went for the mambo. Cristian was working the heck out of his one good arm, finishing the dance with a one-armed lift where he held Cheryl in the air over his hip. Len said it was full of energy and that he was surprised at how many under-arm turns they could do with just one arm. Bruno said it had more energy than a volcano in the Andes. Carrie Ann said they were definitely on fire. When the scores were read, Cristian pumped his good fist in the air and received congratulations from the rest of the dancer. Scores: 10, 9 and 10, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Scoreboard:Cristian & Cheryl: 57Kristi & Mark: 55Mario & Karina: 53Jason & Edyta: 52Marissa & Tony: 50
S6.E16 ∙ Round 7: Results
It was getting down to crunch time as "Dancing with the Stars" celebrated its 100th episode and one of the final five remaining couples would have to pack their bags. It was a night of looking back, but four couples would leave looking ahead to the remaining couple of weeks that will determine who wins the ugliest trophy in television history.The night kicked off with a rousing performance from 12 dancing pros, past and present, who shook and shimmied to "Hard to Handle."To the recap: R&B singer Mario was loving ballroom dancing after the judges' first round of comments, but got some words on his second dance that weren't so pleasant. Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur said her Monday performance "really felt like Broadway," but that might not be what the judges are looking for. Olympian Kristi Yamagucho was again looking unstoppable after her first dance Monday, but felt some rare criticism after her second dance. NFL star Jason Taylor failed to seize a chance to top the pack. Chilean actor Cristian de la Fuente was still beaming after his best night ever.Oh my, Ohno! Rascal Flatts came out to perform their newest single, "Everyday," and Apolo Anton Ohno and pro Julianne Hough seemed to rekindle some old flames with a smokin' hot performance. "Dancing" alum Mario Lopez followed it up 'by leading a number from "A Chorus Line," which he's joined on Broadway. Rascal Flatts performed "Life Is a Highway" with Mel B. and Maksim Chmerkovskiy taking the dance floor.To the results: The first couple moving on to the semifinals was Marissa and Tony. Marissa squealed with joy and sheer shock. The next guaranteed spot in the semifinals went to Kristi and Mark. The third couple safe was Cristian and Cheryl, leaving Mario and Karina, and Jason and Edyta to await the final word. The couple home was ... Mario and Karina.
S6.E17 ∙ Round 8
Three months can fly by when you're having fun. Host Tom Bergeron reminded viewers of the journey that led them to the 90-minute semifinal round where four couples would compete for three spots in the final. Random draws decided which dances each couple would perform. The one-week pass on lifts was rescinded, so the dancers would be penalized for lifts. Judge Len Goodman told all the dancers that because they were performing dances they'd done before, so they were really expected to step up their games.Jason & Edyta: NFL star Jason Taylor was up first, looking to bounce back from his samba he previous week. Jason pulled the foxtrot and the paso doble from the random drawing. Those are both dances he's performed well, but this round would require new music and choreography. To get Jason back in competitive mode, his partner Edyta Sliwinska gave him a classic chalkboard coach's pep talk. She also got Miami Dolphins legend Dan Marino to give Jason a boost, via video. Jason and Edyta performed a foxtrot to "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off." Len said Jason glided around the ballroom and said it was "fantastic." Judge Bruno Tonioli praised Jason and Edyta's choreography. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said Jason had a lot of content and a lot of charisma and said, "good job." Scores: 9, 10 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Marissa & Tony: Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur and her partner Tony Davolani landed at the bottom of the judges' scoreboard the previous week. She drew the rumba and quickstep for her semifinal dances. Marissa got a visit from Stacy Kiebler, who was paired with Tony in the past. Marissa and Tony danced the quickstep "for everyone who believed in us," Marissa said. Bruno pointed out that Marissa missed a move and Marissa said, "you noticed." Carrie Ann thought Marissa did "a great classic quickstep." Len said that for a dance so technical and so fast, "I thought you did a great job." Scores: 9, 9 and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Cristian & Cheryl: Chilean actor Cristian de la Fuente and his partner Cheryl Burke drew the samba and the Viennese waltz. The samba was the dance they were performing when Cristian injured his arm two weeks earlier. He had to overcome some mental anxiety. But that would wait until after they performed a Viennese waltz to Dave Matthews Band's "Satellite." Carrie Ann said it was enjoyable to watch. Len said everything was better than the last time. Bruno said it was a Viennese waltz "with a wow factor." Scores: 9, 9 and 9.Kristi & Mark: Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi was looking to regain her place at the top of the leaderboard after two weeks out of first place. Her partner Mark Ballas Jr. took her to a professional ballroom class to get some feedback on their routine. She was once again reminded to show some more passion during her dance, especially on the tango, which was what the couple would have to be performing, in addition to the jive. Len said everything technically fine and said "sometimes, for me, it was a little bit hectic." Bruno said a bunch of stuff very loudly that made it sound like he enjoyed the performance very much. Carrie Ann nearly had a wardrobe malfunction while rising to give Kristi a standing ovation. Scores: 10, 9 and 10, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.At the half: Kristi and Mark led the scoreboard with 29 points; followed by Jason and Edyta with 28; Cristian and Cheryl with 27; and Marissa and Tony with 26.Len's pointers: Len visited each of the dancers and gave them each a specific step that he wanted to see in their Latin dances.Jason & Edyta: Jason and Edyta performed the paso doble. Jason got through the dance with far fewer poses than he did last time and brought a great amount of intensity. Bruno said Jason had "the strength and momentum of 'Ironman.'" Carrie Ann said the judges have knocked him before for not having enough content in his routines but this one had way more choreography, way more difficult steps and said he did a great job, "nice execution." Len said Jason was a bit like the price of gas, "you're going up." Scores: 9, 9 and 9. Total: 55 out of 60.Marissa & Tony: Marissa and Tony performed a sultry rumba to "Just the Two of Us." Carrie Ann said she "wasn't excited by that." She didn't feel like it was a semifinal dance. Len said the rumba doesn't have the wow factor of the other Latin dances, it is a precise dance, "it has got to be right on the money with the technique and the choreography. I thought you did a very, very good job." Bruno said the last time he told her it wasn't sexy enough, but this time she pulled it off. Carrie Ann jumped back in and blasted the judges, suggesting they weren't holding Marissa to as high of a standard as they were holding the other dancers. Scores: 8, 9 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 52 out of 60.Cristian and Cheryl: Cristian and Cheryl took on the samba for the first since the injury. It was an intense and fun display. Len said it was "hotter than a chili pepper." He said he thought Cristian's arm injury made him focus and come out stronger than he'd ever been before. He did criticize Cristian for being a bit flat footed at times. Bruno said it was the rematch of the century. Carrie Ann said Cristian reminded her of Emmitt Smith, who won this whole thing not long ago. Scores: 10, 9 and 10, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 56 out of 60.Kristi & Mark: Kristi and Mark danced a new jive, a dance that scored them a perfect 30 a few weeks back. This one seemed to lack a little bit of the style and performance of the first. Bruno said it was the cherry on the icing on the cake of a sweet, delicious jive. Carrie Ann said it was an extremely difficult routine and said Mark throws more difficulty at Kristi than any other dancer in the competition. Len said there was great rhythm, but said it was just a little bit stiff at times. Scores: 9, 9 and 10, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 57 out of 60.Scoreboard:Kristi & Mark: 57Cristian & Cheryl: 56Jason & Edyta: 55Marissa & Tony: 52
S6.E18 ∙ Round 8: Results
Tuesday's elimination show would decide which three couples would vie for the ugliest trophy in television. Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi's dominance was waning a bit, while actor Cristian de la Fuente had come on strong since his arm injury. NFL star Jason Taylor was still a favorite, but had slipped down the leader board, while Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur found herself at the bottom of the judges' scoreboard for the second consecutive week.To the tape: Going back over Monday's performances, the highlight reel showed Len calling Jason's foxtrot "brilliant" after giving him a 10. "Thank you, Len! I love you ... like a play cousin." Jason exclaimed backstage. Cristian rejoiced in his "wow" from judge Bruno Tonioli, but expressed nervousness about the samba. "I didn't finish in the ER," Cristian said backstage. Kristi thanks Bruno and Carrie Ann for their 10's on her first dance. Marissa said she couldn't believe she missed the leap on their quickstep. Marissa decided she'd be around next week, regardless of whether it was in a seat in the audience.Once more, with feeling: Len asked Kristi and her partner Mark Ballas Jr. to perform their tango for the encore performance. So they did.Kidding around:Viewers were going to be allowed to vote for the kids in the Ballroom Kids' competition, and first up were Rashell and Aaron. They danced the cha cha cha. Len said he thought it was fantastic and that their "little bums were flying around all over the place." Bruno loved their arm movements. Carrie Ann Inaba said they looked like little munchkins. Later, Jaryd and Cara danced the samba. Carrie Ann wanted to put the kids in her pocket and said it was the perfect blend of entertainment and technique. Len said he'd rather watch the two of them than "those big ones" backstage. Brandon and Brittany, the oldest dancers in the kids' competition, were darn near amazing with their paso doble. Bruno said it was incredible and said it was worthy of the final. Carrie Ann said she was "seriously impressed" with the couple and thanked them for their performance. Len said to see two kids come out live and dance to that standard. He said, "I know the other two were cute and everything else, but these two are the real deal. This was fantastic."Backstage check-in: Marissa said she was shocked that she was still there and that she was so thankful to the fans for keeping her in it. Cristian said he, too, was happy and surprised to be there. He said he'd love to get into the finals, even if it meant suspending his budding romance with Jason.Wanna Be Startin' Something? R&B singer Omarion and a 19-member dance troupe performed a tribute to Michael Jackson's "Thriller," in honor of the album's 25th anniversary. On that note, I ran to double check my and calendar and realized that, yes, it has been that long. i kind of blacked out for the next several minutes.To the results: The first couple, in no particular order, to land a spot in the final was ... Kristi and Mark. After a commercial break, the next couple advancing to the finals was revealed to be ... Jason and Edyta. With the two athletes in the final, that left Cristian and Cheryl, and Marissa and Tony vying for the third and final spot in the final. The couple going home was ... Marissa and Tony. "So close!" Marissa exclaimed after the result was announced. On her way out, Marissa took the microphone and said, "I want everyone to just go out and do something fun, and do something that makes you feel sexy, and shake what your momma gave you!"
S6.E19 ∙ Round 9
The battle for the hideous mirror ball trophy came down to the two-day finale that kicked off with an hour on Monday night that would see the final three couples dancing a cha cha cha in a dance off for the first time and a freestyle performance "where the rules are: there are no rules."Host Tom Bergeron read off the totals for the season: He tallied 2,857 combined hours of training, 89 competitive routines, 2,125 judges' points, several gallons of spray tan and three trips to the emergency room.Face off! Each couple would dance for one minute to the same song and they randomly drew numbers to determine the order. It came down to Cristian de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke; Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska; and Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas Jr., in that order. They practiced their routines individually, then had to rehearse them together, where the couples all got to see each others' moves.Cristian and Cheryl started the routine with Cristian bravely wearing a hot pick vest over hot pick spandex pants. They were upbeat and energetic, but didn't do much in the way of spectacular moves until then when they slid in tandem. Jason and Edyta worked things out in a style of dance that wasn't Jason's forte. They pulled off some acrobatic moves, though, with Jason launching himself over Edyta, then sliding on his stomach back through her legs. Kristi and Mark burst onto the floor, though, with Kristi running to the judges' table and planting a big kiss on judge Bruno Tonioli before stealing the show with high energy and fancy footwork. The routine ended with a pretty awesome finishing pose in which Jason and Cristian lifted Kristi into the air with her back parallel to the floor, with Jason holding her outstretched arms, Cristian holding one leg and Kristi kicking her other leg straight up.Judge Len Goodman said the routine "really got me going." He told Cristian he had great hips, great rhythm and "all the gear in the rear." He told Jason he had great elegance, but that he would have done better with a foxtrot and that Latin dancing wasn't really his thing. He told Kristi she had the technique and the style that Jason had, plus the hips and the rhythm that Cristian had, and called her "the complete package." Bruno, who still had Kristi's lipstick on his upper lip, said it was so exciting and they all did well. He told Cristian he really showed improvement, called Jason's routine very athletic, and said Kristi was in a class of her own. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said it was a nice format to be able to see the differences between the couples. She told Cristian his injury might have affected his posture a bit. She told Jason he pulled it off but that his "awkward arms" were still presence. She told Kristi, "I'm sorry, it's ladies' night, you won that, hands down."Scores: Cristian and Cheryl scored 8, 9 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Jason and Edyta scored 8, 8 and 8. Kristi and Mark scored 10, 10 and 10.To the freestyle: Kristi and Mark weren't looking to hold anything back as they rehearsed for the freestyle. Mark wanted Kristi to boost him at one point so that he could do a backflip, but she wasn't feeling too confident. Mark called in "Dancing" pro Julianne Hough, who was formerly his competitive dancing partner. Julianne showed Kristi some moves and Kristi heeded her advice since Julianne has won the show the past two seasons. The backflip provided for brilliant drama as viewers waited to see if they could pull it off. Of course, they did, and filled the room with electricity with an inspired fusion of mambo and hip hop. The sparkly costumes didn't hurt, either. Bruno said it was very demanding and told Kristi she "did not miss a beat." He said it was worthy of the championship. Carrie Ann said the men have an easier tendency to be crowd pleasers, "but not tonight." She called Kristi the big crowd pleaser. Len said he's not a lover of hip hop but said their dance held his attention from start to finish. "I absolutely loved it," he said. Scores: 10, 10 and 10. That's a perfect 60 out of 60.Jason and Edyta knew they had to make the freestyle "out of control" and do something special. Edyta wanted to take advantage of Jason's height and strength, but as they practiced lifts, Edyta was continually crashing and tumbling to the ground. Could they get it together for the performance? As Jason said, "This is finals, so it's either go big or go home." The performance lacked a bit in terms of flashiness, but there was a lot of ripping off of clothes, and that never hurts. First, Jason ripped Edyta's skirt off to reveal her more traditional skimpy shorts. At the end, Edyta tore off Jason's tank top to show off his ripped physique. Carrie Ann said she was glad to see Edyta in the finale, and said the lifts were the most ambitious she'd ever seen. Len said he liked the humor they brought to the performance and said he could see it on South beach. Bruno said "it was like watching centerfolds, and the dance wasn't bad, either." Scores: 9, 9 and 9. That's 51 out of 60.Cristian and Cheryl prayed before the commercial break heading into their freestyle. He said, "The freestyle can either make you or break you, and I'm already broken. So, bring it on!" In rehearsal, he fell during a slide and landed on his bad arm, letting out a big yell. He said he didn't want any sympathy, though, and persevered through practice with one of Cheryl's past trophies sitting nearby for inspiration. Len said he liked the Latin flavor they brought to the dance. He had to compared the couple to the others and said some of the lifts weren't quite up to the standard of the other two. Bruno said, "for one arm, you did bloody well." Carrie Ann said they were looking for who is going to win it, and she didn't see that in anyone but Kristi, but she said Cristian is a winner in so many other ways. Scores: 9, 8 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. That's 52 out of 60.
S6.E20 ∙ Round 9: Results
Three stars, one really ugly trophy. That's what it came down to as the remaining trio of celebrities went into a dragged out, two-hour finale that would determine which of them walked away with the sixth season title on "Dancing with the Stars."To the recap: NFL star Jason Taylor said that going head to head with Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi was "like going the wrong way on the highway. It's an accident waiting to happen."Host Tom Bergeron reminded viewers that only once in five season has the judges' runaway high scorer actually walked away with the trophy. A noteworthy bit of history, or just a little something to keep folks tuned in for the two-hour drama?Usher in the show: Usher came on to (apparently, allegedly) lip-synch his new single, "Love in This Club." He'd return later to do his best known hit, "Yeah."Historical perspective: Several stars from seasons past, including Drew Lachey, Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna, and that guy who used to play Kojak -- oh wait, that was Joey Lawrence -- put in their two cents.First out: Just 15 minutes into the finale, the first result was announced and it meant that it was time for Chilean actor Cristian de la Fuente and his partner Cheryl Burke to claim third place. Cristian waved to the crowd with his good arm. He said he was glad he made the decision to stay in the competition after his injury. Bergeron told Cristian that when he decided to stay in the competition, he thought Cristian was nuts. A crying Cheryl told Cristian, "I love you, and I'll miss you and your family so much." Cristian offered up one last paso doble for the road.Down memory lane: Magician Penn Jillette and his partner Kym Johnson, who were one of the first two eliminated couples, came back to dance again. And Penn again jokingly tripped as he walked backstage. Next up were tennis champ Monica Seles and her partner Jonathan Roberts, and Seles looked just as awkward as ever (but in a good way). The Gute, Steve Guttenberg, danced next with his partner Anna Trebunskaya, and Gute continued to play the eternal optimist as he was unable to think of his "least favorite" moment on the show. Comedian Adam Carolla and his partner Julianne Hough brought back the unicycle for their dramatic paso doble.To the kids: The winners of the first Ballroom Juniors competition were Brandon and Brittany. Unfortunately, they didn't reprise their last performance, which was truly remarkable, regardless of age.Back to memory lane: Actress and legendary wife Priscilla Presley returned with her partner Louis van Amstel to perform the tango. Oscar winning actress Marlee Matlin and her partner Fabian Sanchez returned to the dance floor, followed by actress Shannon Elizabeth and her partner Derek Hough. Shannon took a moment to thank the judges, which she said she hadn't done before. R&B singer Mario returned with his partner Karina Smirnoff to dance the mambo. Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur and her partner Tony Dovolani returned to performance the paso doble and Marissa reiterated that she's never felt sexier than she has on the show.The main event: Kristi and her partner Mark Ballas Jr. busted out their jive for their final performance in front of the judges. Kristi got her skirt caught on her heel for a moment, but handled it like a pro. Judge Len Goodman said she was the most consistent dancer of any season. Judge Bruno Tonioli praised her for not missing a beat, even despite the hiccup with the skirt. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said she was "so proud" of Kristi and thanked her for representing the ladies so well. Bergeron reminded viewers than the judges' scores would count for half of their total, combined with the viewers' votes from Monday night's performance. Scores:10, 10 and 10. That makes a perfect 90 out of 90, when totaled with Monday's two dances.Jason and his partner Edyta Sliwinska brought back their quickstep for the final performance. Bruno said the term heavenly bodies was invented for them and he told the couple it was their best performance of the season. Carrie Ann said Jason and Edyta's elegance shine through when they dance "and you are untouchable as far as grace goes." Len said that every season someone "unexpected" comes along. He said Kristi may be the judges' champion, but you're the people's champion. Jason's BFF, Cristian, gave a loud, "Woo!" in the audience. Scores: 10, 10 and 10. That's a total of 81 out of 90, combined with Monday night's scores.And the winner is...: Kristi was the highest scorer in the history of the show, but Jason was a big fan favorite. The winners of "Dancing with the Stars" were ... Kristi and Mark!Kristi became the first woman to win the competition since "General Hospital" star Kelly Monaco won it in Season 1. The rest of the dancers swarmed the new champs as Jason and Cristian lifted Kristi up onto their shoulders, and Derek Hough propped Mark onto his shoulders and paraded them around as confetti fell onto the floor.
S7.E1 ∙ Round 1
The seventh season of "Dancing with the Stars" kicked off with host Tom Bergeron promising the biggest season ever as the stars would tackle two dances in the first week. It was a battle of old versus young (Cloris Leachman and Cody Linley), big versus small (Warren Sapp and Susan Lucci) and Olympian versus Olympian (Misty May Treanor and Maurice Greene).The dancers had to learn two dances in their first week, performing one each on Monday and Tuesday -- except for one couple that would be eliminated on Tuesday, based on Monday night's vote. One more dancer would be eliminated on Wednesday.The stars are:"Hannah Montana" star Cody Linley and Julianne HoughChef Rocco DiSpirito and Karina SmirnoffSinger Toni Braxton and Alec MazoOlympic sprinter Maurice Greene and Cheryl BurkeModel and TV host Brooke Burke and Derek HoughActor Ted McGinley and Inna BrayerSinger Lance Bass and Lacey SchwimmerActress Cloris Leachman and Corky BallasComedian Jeffrey Ross and Edyta SliwinskaReality TV star Kim Kardashian and Mark BallasSoap opera star Susan Lucci and Tony DovolaniOlympic beach volleyball player Misty May Treanor and Maksim Chmerkovskiyex-NFL star Warren Sapp and Kym JohnsonCody & Julianne: Cody introduced himself, saying something people might not know about him is that he likes to be beat-box. (Some things are best kept to one's self). He was paired with Julianne, who said she's "ready to take my title back." Cody admitted it was tough to focus on the dance rather than "Julianne's hotness." Their first dance was the cha cha cha. Judge Len Goodman said they came out "full of confidence." Bruno Tonioli told Cody to focus on his steps, "Channel all that energy and make it work cleanly." Carrie Ann Inaba was stunned that their combined age is "still younger than my age." Scores: 6, 6, and 6.Injury report: Tom let viewers know that in rehearsals, Karina Smirnoff twisted her ankle badly and Jeffrey Ross took a poke in the eye. "We'll tell you how this will effect the show and the competition when we come back," he said.Rocco & Karina: Karina decided to go on with the show despite the bad ankle twist. Rocco struggled with avoiding looking down and keeping his head in place. Even as they got themselves set to dance, Karina was putting Rocco's head in place. Rocco seemed to struggle a bit in spots, and it looked like the ending fell apart just a little. Bruno said it was "a foxtrot on the brink of chaos." Carrie Ann "thought it was really cute." Len said Rocco dances like Len cooks, "Just throw it all in and hope for the best." Scores: 5, 4, and 5, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. "I forgot we had a 4," Bergeron said.Toni & Alec: Toni was excited to be paired with the first season's champion, Alec Mazo. She told him she'd recently been diagnosed with micro vascular angina and decided to do the show as a personal challenge. They danced the cha cha cha. Carrie Ann said the performance was "like we should be in Week 5." Len said it was a good mix of basic cha cha cha movements and clever choreography. Bruno said, "everyone knows I like my divas slinky, sultry, sexy, and you were all those." Scores: 7, 7, and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Maurice & Cheryl: Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene tried to show Cheryl Burke some of his moves, to which she said, "What the hell is that?" They danced the foxtrot. Parts of it seemed like they were in super-slow motion. Len said there were parts that were wild, parts that were wacky and parts that were wonderful. He warned Maurice not to forget, "This isn't a sprint, this competition is a marathon." Bruno said that Maurice has to combined some of his own groove with technical skills. Carrie Ann said the parts that were foxtrot were a little stiff. Scores: 6, 6, and 6.Brooke & Derek: Brooke Burke said that something people might not know about her is that she's a mother of four, including one that was born six months ago. Derek said he was excited about Brooke's legs, because her lines will look great. But she was having trouble remembering her steps and worried she'd forget them while dancing in front of millions of people. They danced the cha cha cha. Carrie Ann said Brooke's body was "totally designed to dance." Bruno said "Brooke is going for broke" and said Len was panting at watching her hip action. Len simply called it the "best dance so far." Scores: 7, 8 and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Ted & Inna: Ted McGinley, who has appeared on dozens of TV shows, including "Married...with Children." He was paired with a newcomer, Inna Brayer. McGinley painted himself as the every man, and dedicated his foxtrot to all the other guys watching the show even though they wanted to watch football. Bruno said "at moments you had the elegance of Cary Grant in 'To Catch a Thief,' and at times you looked like Steve Carell in 'Get Smart.' Len praised his footwork and told him "well done." Carrie Ann said she could tell he was nervous, but that he looked great and needed to relax a bit. Scores: 6, 6, and 6.Lance & Lacey: Lance Bass said that people didn't realized that he was the worst dancer in N-Sync. His partner, Lacey Schwimmer, is a newcomer who said she isn't a typical ballroom dancer. Lance said that since Season 3 actors had taken over the competition, and it's about time entertainers take it back. They danced the cha cha cha. The crowd loved it, and fellow N-Syncer Joey Fatone applauded enthusiastically in the audience. Len said "what you did, you did well. It was young and modern. The problem is, I'm old and traditional. I don't want a hodge-podge of moves." Carrie Ann said it was "hot, hot, hot." Bruno called it edgy and said it was "a cha cha cha for now!" Scores: 8, 6, and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Cloris & Corky: Cloris Leachman proudly introduced herself as the oldest dancer ever, at 82. She was paired with Corky Ballas, a newcomer to the show and father of reigning champ Mark Ballas. They danced the foxtrot. Cloris received a standing ovation from the crowd. She had the crowd and Carrie Ann in stitches as she approached the judges' table after the dance and propped her leg up on the table for Bruno as he gave his remarks. He said she floated on the floor like "Battleship Geriatric-a." She next moved to Len and got on her knees to plead with him for positive remarks. "At your age, I'm surprised how well you danced." She leaned over the table, prompting Len say, "Mind your cleavage." Carrie Ann called Cloris a "golden oldie" and said she loved what she did. As her scores were read, Cloris had the censors working the bleep button, which was pressed at least twice in response to the judges. "And people wonder why I love live television," Bergeron said. Scores: 6, 5, and 5, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Jeffrey & Edyta: Jeffrey suffered a scratched cornea when he took Edyta's finger in the eye during rehearsal. Bergeron said doctors advised Jeffrey not to dance, but he came through like a trooper anyway, and wore an eye patch. He said he was doing "Dancing with the Stars" because "there's no show called 'Eating with the Comedians.'" They danced the cha cha cha after Jeffrey pronounced himself "the cha cha champion." Carrie Ann said the form was bad, the musicality was off and she didn't feel like he was having fun. Bruno said it was kind of a mess. Len said that everyone that comes on to "Dancing with the Stars" is a winner. On his way out, Jeffrey said, "Speaking of ballroom, these pants are very, very tight." Scores: 4, 4, and 4.Kim & Mark: Mark said he was ready for a repeat to his title from last season, and Kim said she was excited to be on the show after being a longtime fan. She worried that her "terrible balance" might hold her back. They danced the fox trot. Len said it was clean and had nice musicality, but "it was a bit cold, there was no chemistry between you." Bruno said Kim is "a treasure trove that everyone would want to explore," but said she has "to make it more available." Apparently Bruno doesn't know about Google. Carrie Ann said she was "happily surprised" but suggested that Kim move her head a little more. Scores: 6, 7, and 6, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Susan & Tony: Susan Lucci sought to shed a bit of her "Erica Kane" image and she danced the cha cha cha with Tony. After it was over, Bruno said she "looked like a lady, a gorgeous lady, but the cha cha cha needs a slut." He said it was too careful and that she should let herself go a bit. Carrie Ann said Susan's body was "banging" in her little red dress. She suggested Susan put on a little weight so she could get stronger. Len reiterated that it was a bit too careful. Then, Susan offered Bruno a slut and came over and seductively tossed herself into his arms. Scores: 5, 5, and 5.Misty & Maksim: Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor said she missed the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing because she couldn't wait to get back to start rehearsing for "Dancing." She wanted to prove that she's more than just a jock. She danced the foxtrot with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who returned after taking a season off. Carrie Ann said she'd never seen someone attempt the foxtrot with so much intensity, which is good. But she suggested that she doesn't need to "muscle" everything. Len disagreed, saying it had "an elegance about it." Bruno said she needed to make sure she kept her balance on turns. Scores: 6, 8, and 7, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Warren & Kym: Warren Sapp said his only dancing experience was sack celebration dances on the football field. His partner Kym Johnson said once she got over his size, she had to get him to show some moves. The crowd was into it as they danced the cha cha cha and Warren moved with surprising ease. Bergeron said "there's something about the NFL and ballroom dancing." Len said Warren is a "great big bundle of joy" and called it "great entertainment." Carrie Ann said it was great to end the night on such a positive note. Bruno said, "Big boys can dance" and praised him for being so light on his feet. Scores: 7, 7, and 7.SCOREBOARD:Brooke & Derek, 23Toni & Alec, 22Lance & Lacey, 22Warren & Kym, 21Misty & Maks, 21Kim & Mark, 19Cloris & Corky, 19Cody & Julianne, 18Maurice & Cheryl, 18Ted & Inna, 18Susan & Tony, 15Rocco & Karina, 14Jeffrey & Edyta, 12
S7.E2 ∙ Episode #7.2
After a wild opening night, "Dancing with the Stars" offered up the second installment in a three-night season premiere on Tuesday. One couple would be eliminated based on the vote from Monday night's performances and the remaining 12 would perform, but it would be a while before viewers would find out who was going home. Let's get to the action...Lance & Lacey: The first couple deemed, in no particular order, safe to perform were Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer. Lance talked about how Monday night's experience just flashed by and Lacey showed off her nontraditional teaching methods, telling Lance to dance like a Transformer or a gingerbread man or a dog peeing on a fire hydrant. They danced the quickstep. Judge Len Goodman said they moved well around the floor, but he didn't like their posture or holds. Bruno Tonioli said the couple was "incredible quality." Carrie Ann Inaba said she was very entertained, "but I wasn't really impressed." Scores: 7, 6, and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Misty & Maks: Misty May-Treanor and Maksim Chmerkovskiy were the next couple deemed safe. Maks struggled to get Misty into the sexiness of the mambo. He said she had legs like Stacy Kiebler, but he had to teach her how to use them. She vowed to "shake what my momma gave me." Carrie Ann said that Misty's strong attack on her movements were great. Len said he was surprised that an athlete could perform like that and called her brave to do so much solo work. Bruno mostly praised them, but suggested that Misty relax her arms a bit in the future. Scores: 7, 7, and 7.Maurice & Cheryl: Maurice Greene and Cheryl Burke were next to be safe. Maurice was excited to shake his hips with the mambo and Cheryl had to keep him on task and make him clear about the rules. The fused some styles into the mambo, even including a bit of "The Worm" into the routine. Bruno called it "dynamic, energetic, exuberant." Carrie Ann said the transitions were very smooth and she loved that the music pumps through Maurice's body. Len said there were good things to come from Maurice, but said he didn't want to see "The Worm" (or, "The Free Willy Step," as he called it). Scores: 7, 7, and 7.Brooke & Derek: Brooke Burke and Derek Hough were the next couple safe. Brooke "boobies" kept getting in the way as they weren't supposed to touch Derek's chest during the quickstep. They used her baby in a sling to practice establishing that space during rehearsal. Len said he didn't like to repeat himself from the previous night, but he did anyway, saying, "Best dance so far." Bruno said it was "sen-sa-tion-al." Carrie Ann said she was blown away. "Last night was great, but tonight was fantastic." Scores: 9, 8, and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Cloris & Corky: Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas were the next couple told they were safe. Cloris vowed to get better scores on the mambo ... or else she'd punch the judges in the face. She said, "I understand that I'm older than the mambo, which is a strike to the heart." Corky mostly danced around Cloris, but the crowd loved it, nonetheless. Cloris had slipped each of the judges a $10 bill for 10s. Carrie Ann said she believed entertainment was hugely important in the competition, and gave her points for that. Len praised Corky for doing a fantastic job. Bruno said he'd never seen a mambo like this one. Scores: 6, 5, and 5, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Toni & Alec: Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo were safe next and Toni was pumped. She struggled in rehearsal to get through the quickstep without losing her breath, due to her heart disease. Alex tried to give her breathing tips to help her along. She made it through. Bruno said Toni had all the qualities of a fine champagne. Carrie Ann praised her natural quality and the couple's chemistry. Len said "there was beautiful movement across the floor." He said there were a couple flaws, including a "funny head," but it was good overall. Scores: 8, 7, and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Warren & Kym: An excited Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson found out they were up next. Warren struggled with the quickstep, saying at one point during rehearsal, "That is so damn awkward, who the hell thought of that?" Kym said, "He's simply not built for the quickstep." He vowed not to quit, saying, "Fat boy's gonna get this." Len said it was a tough dance and "for entertainment, it was fantastic" but said the technique was a mess. Bruno said it was "a ton of fun." Carrie Ann said she was amazed and didn't miss a step. Scores: 7, 7, and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Ted & Inna: Ted McGinley and Inna Brayer got the good news next. Ted said that when he first heard the music for his mambo, he just started moving. "The mambo is my dance," he said, confidentially. Carrie Ann said there was a bit of awkwardness to the way he moved. Len said he did a very commendable mambo. Bruno told Ted to listen to the music and go with the rhythm. Scores: 6, 6, and 7, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Cody & Julianne: Cody Linley and Julianne Hough were up next and would dance the quickstep. Julianne said that her past partners all needed to loosen up a bit, but Cody, probably because of his age, needed to tighten up a bit. Bruno loved it, but suggested a little more control and they'd get even better. Carrie Ann said the quickstep was from one of the most difficult dances in the competition and said that Cody "went from being a boy to a man." Len said he controlled himself well and did a great job. Scores: 8, 7, and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.Rocco & Karina: Rocco DiSpirito and Karina Smirnoff lived to see another dance. In rehearsal, Rocco struggled to move his hips. "If you can't move your hips, you can't do the mambo," Karina said. They worked on it, but could they cook up a good performance? Karina danced with her ankle wrapped after twisting it badly during rehearsals for Monday night's performance. Len said it was "much better" than the night before. Bruno called him the "Italian Stallion" and said he'd never seen such a change. Carrie Ann said it was "super sexy." Scores: 7, 7, and 7.Susan & Tony: Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani survived getting just 15 points from the judges and made it through for another performance. Susan was disappointed in her Monday performance and said she'd done better in rehearsals. Susan, a perfectionist, was hard on herself in rehearsals. They danced the quickstep. Carrie Ann said that was the Susan Lucci she expected to see. Len said, just as he'd predicted, the ballroom style was more in Susan's wheelhouse. Bruno called her "my fair lady." Scores: 7, 7, and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively.And the loser is...: With only two couples remaining, it was time to reveal -- in no particular order -- who was going home. Jeffrey Ross and Edyta Sliwinska got the news they didn't want, leaving the competition after just one dance. Summing up his performance, comedian Jeffrey said he was "more ha ha ha than cha cha cha."Kim & Mark: Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas were safe and were set to perform the mambo, which scared Kim. She was worried because everyone would expect her to know how to shake her infamous butt. Mark helped bring her out of her shell and Kim promised a "bootylicious" mambo. Bruno said Kim is "gorgeous but you're driving me crazy" because she didn't know how to use her assets. Len said that Kim put it in everyone's minds that she wasn't going to be sexy, and that Mark had to over-dance to make it look good, which put things out of balance. Carrie Ann defender Kim, saying she had to wait all night to find out she had to dance and acknowledged that Kim had no performing experience. Scores: 6, 6, and 6.SCOREBOARD:Brooke & Derek, 26Toni & Alec, 23Cody & Julianne, 23Warren & Kym, 22Susan & Tony, 22Lance & Lacey, 21Misty & Maks, 21Maurice & Cheryl, 21Rocco & Karina, 21Ted & Inna, 19Kim & Mark, 18Cloris & Corky, 16
S7.E3 ∙ Round 1: Part 3
The "Dancing with the Stars" premiere week event finally drew to a close with the third consecutive episode on Wednesday, a one-hour results show that would boot the second of the 13 couples that started the competition on Monday night.The pros kicked off the night with a group routine to Queen's "Under Pressure."To the recap: Toni Braxton led the highlight reel with her quick step, followed by Warren Sapp, who impressed everyone with his lightness on his feet. " In the middle of the pack were Lance Bass and Ted McGinley. "You can guarantee we're going to work hard," McGinley said. "I may not be the most talented, but I'm going to work hardest."Misty May Treanor and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy were OK with the 21 score that landed them in the middle of the pack. Maurice Greene was just as happy with his 21, shouting, "winner, winner, chicken dinner!" Rocco DiSpirito finally got his hips loosened up to the point that his partner Karina Smirnoff said she got whiplash from his hip action.Susan Lucci found her groove in ballroom with a rockin' quickstep. "I really felt like I was flying," Susan said. Cody went from being a boy to a man with a distinguished quick step and showed off a deeper voice to prove the point. But others were left near the bottom of the pack, including Cloris Leachman, who has raised more eyebrows than judges' points with her antics the first two nights. Kim's bootylicious mambo fell flat.But Brooke Burke stole the show with what judge Len Goodman the best dance so far.To the results...: In no particular order, the first couple revealed as safe was Brooke & Derek. Also continuing on to next week were Kim & Mark.Welcome back: Since Jeffrey Ross and Edyta Sliwinska got voted off before they could show off the quick step that they'd spent five weeks learning, they got a chance to perform it Wednesday.More results...: The next couple continuing to the next round was Cloris & Corky. That meant that the judges' two lowest scorers were safe, which could make for an interesting finish.Be our guest...: Jesse McCartney performed, and Adam Carolla did a man-on-the-street feature about the show, summing it up with, "People love 'Dancing with the Stars' ... and it didn't do enough for my career to get me out of this gig." The Jonas Brothers stopped by to perform a bit later.More good news: Another safe couple, in no particular order, was ... Maurice & Cheryl. Later, Misty & Maks were deemed safe, followed by Warren & Kym. Later, Susan & Tony got word that they were safe, followed by Rocco & Karina.Then there were four: Cody & Julianne, Toni & Alec, Ted & Inna, and Lance & Lacey remained, with the assurance that one of them would go home.The first couple safe was ... Lance & Lacey. The next couple safe was Cody & Julianne. That left Toni & Alec and Ted & Inna.The couple going home was ... Ted & Inna. That meant Toni & Alec would live to see another week."I was looking forward to dancing more," Ted said. "I'm one of the guys, I guess I'll always be one of the guys." Ted looked a little disappointed as he realized it was the end of the road.
S7.E4 ∙ Round 2
Because of the special Wednesday episode in the premiere week of "Dancing with the Stars," the couples had one less day to learn and practice this week's performances, which were the rumba or paso doble.Judge Len Goodman said the second week was tougher than premiere week, so he was "fearing the worst, but I'm hoping for the best." He said he was hoping to be surprised.Toni & Alec: Toni Braxton had to settle a deal she'd made with partner Alec Mazo. He'd promised to sing a bit so he could experience being out of his comfort zone, so he sang -- if you can call it that -- her song "Unbreak My Heart" at a karaoke bar. The danced the rumba. First, host Tom Bergeron gave Alec a "2" for his singing during the intro. Len said it was a very good job. Bruno Tonioli said he absolutely loved it. Carrie Ann Inaba said Toni moved like she sings, but penalized the couple for two lifts. Scores: 7, 8, and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len, and Bruno, respectively. Total: 23.Brooke & Derek: Early front-runner Brooke Burke realized the bar was set high with her impressive first week. Partner Derek Hough tried to tap into some aggression inside Brooke and took her to a karate instructor to get there. In a flowing red dress with a big flower in her hair, Brooke spiraled around the floor. Carrie Ann said she was "truly mesmerized," but said that Brooke was just a bit off balance. Len said it was "controlled" and that he loved the best bit. Bruno said there were moments of "breath-taking artistry" and said it was unbelievable that she could keep up with the timing of the difficult dance. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24.Rocco & Karina: Chef Rocco DiSpirito struggled to capture the romance and emotion of the rumba, so he cooked for his partner Karina Smirnoff so he could show off his romanticism in the kitchen. His dance was a bit of a mess, though, the judges agreed. He was a bit stiff and didn't move gracefully around the floor. Bruno said "the stallion has run out of juice." He said "the throbbing, pulsating Latin lover wasn't there." Carrie Ann said she was sad to criticize Rocco because he "wasn't quite with the sway." Len said there were "more tears than cheers." Scores: 5, 6, and 5, from Carrie Ann, Len, and Bruno, respectively. Total: 16.Lance & Lacey: Lance Bass and his partner Lacey Schwimmer tried to balance their desire to be fresh and new, but traditional enough for Len's old-fashioned tastes. There was more than a little irony -- one more than a few levels -- as Lance danced to the song "I Kissed a Girl," which is about a girl kissing a girl. They ended their paso doble with a full-blown smooch that caught everyone off guard and sent shockwaves around the studio. Len called them out on their effort, saying, "I know your game" and pointed out that they tried to "keep the old boy happy" with some traditional moves "and then do a load of stuff that has no relationship to the paso doble." Carrie Ann said she loved it and that she hadn't seen anything like that before. Bruno said it was good but they didn't keep the paso doble style going throughout. Scores: 7, 6, and 7, from Carrie Ann, Len, and Bruno, respectively. Total: 20.Kim & Mark: Kim Kardashian failed to make the most out of her assets by not shaking her rump enough for the mambo. She promised to bring more to fire to the rumba. Partner Mark Ballas called upon Kim's recent experience with The Pussycat Dolls. Kim said she'd always had a sultry side, but didn't have the confidence to bring it out. The judges thought she again came up short. Bruno said it was "colder and more distant than Siberia." He told her to "grab the character and sell it." Len said he was disappointed because he thinks Kim has more potential than she's shown. Carrie Ann suggested that she watch her dances on tape because she felt like she'd seen the same dance three times. Scores: 6, 6, and 5, from Carrie Ann, Len, and Bruno, respectively. Total: 17.Misty & Maksim: Misty May-Treanor said she knew all about the attack from her experience on the volleyball court, and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy tried to channel that intensity into their paso doble. He said there wasn't enough time for him to be nice about her mistakes, and Misty said that Maks had been really hard on her. The judges were impressed with the challenge Maks had given Misty, especially for a short rehearsal week. Carrie Ann said it was one of the more ambitious routines Maks had ever given a partner. She loved it, but suggested Misty work on her shoulders and technique. Bruno said he loved her energy but also said she needs to work on her finesse. Len said it was a "very, very good attempt at a paso doble." But he also wanted them to connect a bit more. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.Maurice & Cheryl: Former Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene has quickly become known for bringing a fun vibe to his dances. Partner Cheryl Burke took him to a belly dancing show so he could learn how to move his hips. Len said "you talk the talk, but you don't dance the dance." Carrie Ann said the choreography held him back and she wanted to see him let his energy out. Bruno said he was surprised because Maurice was "rough and clanky." Scores: 7, 6, and 6, from Carrie Ann, Len, and Bruno, respectively. Total: 19.Cloris & Corky: Cloris Leachman got serious, at least for a little while, with her take on the paso doble with partner Corky Ballas. "Don't tell me, I already know," Cloris told the judges as she approached the. "Surreal" is what Bruno called it. Len said it was "a lovely traditional dance with traditional music." He praised her solo spins. Carrie Ann said only that "I hope when I'm 82, I'm half the woman you are." She didn't want to talk about the dance "because I want to keep it happy." Carrie Ann went on to say that she missed Cloris' humor and wit. Scores: 5, 5, and 5. Total: 15.Susan & Tony: Susan Lucci was working a coast-to-coast rehearsal schedule because of filming on "All My Children," but she and partner Tony Dovolani worked through the challenges to get their rumba together. Tony let his shirt fly open just a bit, prompting Carrie Ann to quip "nice chest ... Tony." She also said Susan "transported us to somewhere else" and called it "very smooth, very elegant." Bruno said it was a very good rumba, but that Susan still has to go for it, like a cougar. Len said he didn't like it when Tony exposed himself, but praised Susan for acting the part. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.Warren & Kym: After a pretty solid start, Warren Sapp tried to tap back into the intensity of his football playing days for his paso doble. Partner Kym Johnson played the role of coach in the scenario. The couple did a "Matrix"-style routine, complete with long, black trench coats. Len said it had a "lovely, dark, menacing feel to it." He called it "intense and excellent." Carrie Ann loved it and called it "fantastic." Bruno called it "big, bold, heroic" and praised Warren for the way he moved his feet, given his size. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24.Cody & Julianne: Cody Linley's short attention span presented a challenge for partner Julianne Hough, who eventually asked him to get serious because they were short on time. He worried he didn't have enough experience to pull off the romantic rumba. Bruno said Cody was "like a kid in a candy store," referring to Julianne as "mouth-watering merchandise." He told Cody to focus his performance a little more. Len said the performance lacked a bit of polish and finesse because of the short week. Carrie Ann called it "age-appropriate" and "innocent" and she liked that. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.SCOREBOARD:Brooke & Derek, 24Warren & Kym, 24Toni & Alec, 23Susan & Tony, 21Cody & Julianne, 21Misty & Maks, 21Lance & Lacey, 20Maurice & Cheryl, 19Kim & Mark, 17Rocco & Karina, 16Cloris & Corky, 15
S7.E5 ∙ Round 2: Results
Eleven couples remained just two weeks into the seventh season of "Dancing with the Stars," and one more couple would find out Tuesday night if their dance card was up.To the encore: Judge Len Goodman said the judges were in agreement in wanting to see Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson perform their paso doble once more.To the scoreboard: Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas were at the bottom, leaving Corky to wonder, "They wanted you to be funny? This dance is not funny. It's powerful and dramatic." "I thought I was hilarious," Cloris replied.Rocco DiSpirito and Karina Smirnoff were in 10th, but Rocco said it has "no impact" on the amount of fun he's having. Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas were in ninth place and they both thought they'd have a higher score. In eighth place were Maurice Greene and Cheryl Burke, leaving Maurice to say, "We're going to come back next week and improve on the 19."Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer were in seventh with 20 points. "You know what?" Lacey said. "Let them (the judges) disagree with you. Let's see what America has to say."Tied for fourth were Misty May-Treanor, Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani, and Cody Linley & Julianne Hough. Toni Braxton & Alec Mazo were dancing for joy with their third place finish, while Brooke Burke & Derek Hough and Warren & Kym were tied for first.To the results: In no particular order, the first two couples who would live to see another round were: Toni & Alec and Rocco & Karina. Rocco and Karina, in particular, looked stunned.Be our guest: Jessica Simpson stopped by to perform her current single "Come on Over." Jenna Dewan of "Step Up" and Carmit Bachar, a former Pussycat Doll, later showed up to perform. Simpson came back later to sing "Angel."More results: The next couple safe was "those crazy kids," as host Tom Bergeron said, Cody & Julianne. The next safe couple was Brooke & Derek.Globetrotters: There was an interesting vignette following the weekly journey of judges Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman, who are judges on both the American and British versions of "Dancing with the Stars." After filming the Monday and Tuesday shows in America, they board an 11-hour flight to the U.K., film two shows there and head back to the States on Saturday night.Back to the results: The next couple sent to safety was Susan & Tony. After a piece about the red room, where the contestants can let loose and Rocco is always on his phone, Warren & Kym became the next couple definitely moving on. Joining them were Maurice & Cheryl.The big finish: Lance & Lacey, Cloris & Corky, Kim & Mark, and Misty & Maks were the final four couples left on the stage awaiting word. The next couple safe was ... Lance & Lacey. Joining them in safety were Misty & Maks.That left Kim & Mark and Cloris & Corky -- not necessarily the bottom two, but ensuring that the father-and-son rivalry would come to an end. The couple leaving the competition were ... Kim & Mark.
S7.E6 ∙ Round 3
The drama of Monday night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars" kicked off over the weekend as word spread that Olympic beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor injured her ankle and might drop out of the competition."Tonight, she reveals the true extent of her trauma," host Tom Bergeron said. The dancers would choose between the Viennese waltz and the jive, but before we could get to the action, the show milked every last moment of mystery behind Misty's looming departure, introducing all of the remaining couple except for her before addressing the situation. Bergeron said she'd be around later in the show to talk about her injury and "how it will affect her."Susan & Tony: Soap opera star Susan Lucci was coming off an impressive rumba before learning the jive with partner Tony Dovolani. He called upon the Rockettes from Radio City Music Hall to sharpen her kicking skills. Judge Len Goodman noticed that Susan had hurt her ankle and said she'd "kept a constant standard throughout." Bruno Tonioli said she really got the look right, making some jokes about her ample cleavage. He said she looked a little unsteady in her steps. Carrie Ann Inaba said she didn't notice in Susan's movements that she was hurt, but it showed in the way she was uneasy and looking down at her feet. Susan explained that she'd rolled her ankle during rehearsals Monday morning. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.Lance & Lacey: The maverick couple of Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer decided to play by the rules after getting a string 6's from Len. They decided to kick it old school with the Viennese waltz. They went to perform for some senior citizens to gauge how the performance would go over with Len. "Nine out of 10 senior citizens approve this waltz," Lance said, :and so should you, Len." Bruno called Len "the cast of 'Cocoon'" and said he'd be happy with it. Bruno said it lacked the freedom it usually had when Lance was a bit more of himself. Carrie Ann "thought it was fantastic." She enjoyed that Lance was dancing just as much as Lacey was. Len's highly anticipated judgment said it was "flat-footed, the posture was poor, the hold was poor," but then added, "great musicality, without doubt the most content, and the best dance I've seen you do." Scores: 8, 7, and 7, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 22.Maurice & Cheryl: After a disappointing rumba, former Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene sought to redeem himself with the jive. Partner Cheryl Burke tried to get Maurice to be a little lighter on his feet by running him through tire drills (and he promptly tripped all over the tires in the background while Cheryl talked to the camera). Carrie Ann said Maurice was "kind of like a wild, untamed beast," but said it worked. Len said "this is more like it" and praised the whole thing, calling it Maurice's best dance. Bruno said "you can rock when you want to" and added that he was glad to see Maurice worked on the precision. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24.Rocco & Karina: A week after being told he was "out of juice" and wasn't connecting to the music. His partner Karina Smirnoff blindfolded him to take away one of his senses and have him move to different types of music. He was surprised at how uninhibited he became when he couldn't watch himself. He began the routine with the blindfold on, but took it off after a little introductory twirl. Len, wearing a pair of crazy sunglasses Rocco had put on him during the performance, said he "didn't mind it." Bruno said Rocco should have kept his blindfold on. He said it's supposed to be "like a light mousse" but that it turned into "a lump of mashed potatoes." Carrie Ann disagreed and said Rocco was one of the most improved dancers. Scores: 7, 7, and 6, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 20.Warren & Kym: Ex-NFL pro Warren Sapp was the "paso doble killer" a week earlier had to tap into a more graceful approach with the Viennese waltz. His partner Kym Johnson said every woman in America would be jealous of her. He promised to show "the softer side of Sapp." He delivered with some smooth moves. Bruno called it "big, smooth and beautiful." He praised Warren for his "uncanny ability" of getting the character of each dance. Carrie Ann was "blown away." Len said he thought the dance would be Warren's stumbling block, "but I've gotta tell you, you're giving those skinny people a big run for their money." Scores: 9, 8, and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 25.Cody & Julianne: "Hannah Montana" star Cody Linley was excited for the chance to embrace his youthfulness with the jive. His partner Julianne Hough took him through the finer points of pointing his toes on the jive kicks. Carrie Ann said "that was good," but said he was counting the whole time, which is a pet peeve of hers. Len said he understood the counting and said it didn't bother him at all. He liked the first part, but said the second half go repetitive. Bruno said he agreed with Len. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.Toni & Alec: A week after getting penalized for a lift, singer Toni Braxton took on "the Vietnamese waltz" -- er, the Viennese waltz. Her partner Alec Mazo tried to get her to do a handstand, but she doubted her athletic ability. They tried to rock out the Viennese waltz, combining the classic music with modern electric guitar, and dressed in a Marie Antoinette-style get-up, and it just didn't work. Len said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." He told her that props and gimmicks are for dancers who aren't good and she was better than that. Bruno told her "you don't need to overproduce." Carrie Ann said, "I liked it." She said it became a matter of taste and noted that the Viennese waltz originally was a scandalous dance, so she enjoyed that tie-in. Scores: 8, 7, and 7, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 22.Cloris & Corky: After putting "crazy Cloris" away for a week, Cloris Leachman had to take on the fun, but physically taxing jive. Her partner Corky Ballas said teaching Cloris the jive was the most challenging thing he'd ever done. He said he had to craft the choreography around what Cloris was able to do. Cloris' wig came off during the dance, and it looked like Corky was dragging her around the floor most of the time. "I just want 1's," Cloris told the judges afterward. "To call this wacky would be the understatement of the year," Bruno said. Carrie Ann said that what Cloris lacked in technique, she made up in charisma. Len pointed out one basic step she got right. Scores: 6, 5, and 5, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 16.Brooke & Derek: Model Brooke Burke has shown some big-time potential, leading the competition since the beginning. But in rehearsal, she and partner Derek Hough got into some heated exchanges, with Brooke saying Derek was making her feel like an idiot for not getting the steps right. She hoped that they would actually come out of the drama as an even stronger team than they were before. They danced to "Mothers Be Good to Your Daughters" by John Mayer, and Brooke ended it with move over to the front row, where she kissed her daughter on the cheek. Carrie Ann said Brooke was "quickly becoming my favorite dancer, I think, of all the seasons." Len called it "simply the best dance of this season, so far." Bruno said there was "such lyricism" in the choreography, and she and Derek exchanged hugs. Scores: 9, 10, and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 28.Play Misty...: They played, once more, the clip of Misty getting injured during rehearsal. She explained that she felt like she'd been hit with a baseball bat. The diagnosis was that she'd torn her Achilles tendon. She said, "I am out (of the competition), but I'm not out of cheering on the competitors and keeping in touch with everybody. But I'm now going to be on the sidelines, but the show must go on."SCOREBOARD:Brooke & Derek, 28Warren & Kym, 25Maurice & Cheryl, 24Toni & Alec, 22Lance & Lacey, 22Susan & Tony, 21Cody & Julianne, 21Rocco & Karina, 20Cloris & Corky, 16
S7.E7 ∙ Round 3: Results
One "Dancing with the Stars" contestant already left this week, but would there be another? There'd been rumors all day that no one would go home this week, or that the previously eliminated Kim Kardashian would return as a result of Misty May-Treanor's departure from the show after she tore her Achilles tendon in rehearsal. Host Tom Bergeron's intro ominously failed to say that another star would go home, only saying, "What is the fate of the remaining stars?"The highlight reel recap ended with Bergeron again mysteriously saying, "With the sudden departure of Misty, what will happen tonight?"Misty's partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy decided to pay tribute to her by performing the jive they were going to do. Pro Edyta Sliwinska filled in for Misty. The scoreboard review: Cloris' reaction to her 16: "We got a 16, and a 16 sucks." Rocco & Karina were "only going up" from 20. Cody & Julianne were happy with their 21. With 22 points each, Lance & Lacey and Toni & Alec were even keeled, while Maurice & Cheryl were giddy with 24 points. "Eight, eight, eight is always great," Maurice said. Warren & Kym's 25 was "halfway to 50," Warren said. Brooke & Derek was over the moon with their 28, which included a 10 from Len Goodman. To the results: Again, without saying the lowest-scoring couple would go home, Bergeron carefully said, "Tonight, we'll reveal with the couple with the lowest total when we combined your votes with the judges' scores." The first two couples definitely safe, in no particular order, were Brooke & Derek and Cloris & Corky. "Clorky" made it to dance another day?! Again?!Playing it Kool & the Gang: The legendary disco group Kool & the Gang performed a medley of their best-known hits. Following the performance, Bergeron said "For one couple, he says in a cool segue, tonight will not be a celebration." The Radio City Rockettes later stopped by to kick around the dance floor. Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson then paid a visit to perform a remix of her song "Spotlight" from her new self-titled album. "Dancing" siblings Derek and Julianne danced to Hudson's song. One more safe: Bergeron announced that Maurice & Cheryl made it through for another week. Three safe, six left. Backstage, Cloris said some stuff about dark hair and blue eyes and, well, isn't it grand that Cloris will be around another week?! MEDIC!: Bergeron and co-host Samantha Harris talked about the injuries that have happened on the show, which led into a feature about the bumps and bruises that happen during rehearsals and performances. Misty was the first performer who ever had to withdraw from the competition due to injury. "That's why I host, because there are very few hosting injuries," Bergeron said, "if you don't count the Emmys."More results: Warren & Kym and Toni & Alec were the next two couples to be declared safe. Then there were four...: Cody & Julianne, Rocco & Karina, Lance & Lacey, and Susan & Tony awaited their fate when Bergeron announced that no one would go home this night. "That much may not have surprised you," he said. But the judges' scores and votes would be added to what they get next week. For the first time ever, they would reveal the couple that would have gone home.Len, asked whether he thought there was any chance Misty would have been in the bottom if she'd been able to dance Monday, said Misty "had the potential to get all the way to the final."The next couple safe, in no particular order, was ... Susan & Tony, joined by Cody & Julianne. That left Rocco & Karina and Lance & Lacey.The lowest-scoring couple was ... Rocco & Karina.
S7.E8 ∙ Round 4
With last week's results carrying over to this week because of the injury-related exit of Misty May-Treanor, chef Rocco DiSpirito was hanging by a thread. The dancers would be challenged with either the tango or the samba.Maurice & Cheryl: Ex-Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene was a little too wound up, so Cheryl brought in his daughter to help lighten the mood. Did it work? After a disco-inspired samba, judge Len Goodman said he liked it, but Maurice had to work on refining everything. Bruno Tonioli called the pair "Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Brown." He said the samba was not so fabulous and called it "a little too loose." Carrie Ann Inaba said that they didn't progress this week and fell into too much free form. Scores: 6, 7, and 7, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total for both weeks: 44.Cody & Julianne: Julianne Hough was getting a little fed up with Cody Linley's short attention span and called in his high school principal for reinforcements. After their tango, Bruno said Cody was starting to find his mojo. He said it was confident and masculine. Carrie Ann said they were a little out of sorts because Cody was tripping over Julianne's outfit. Len called it "sharp" and "aggressive," calling it their best dance so far. Scores: 7, 8, and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno. Total: 44.Toni & Alec: Singer Toni Braxton said her heart was doing well and she was ready for a fast-paced samba. Her partner Alec Mazo challenged her with a difficult step. Could she handle it? Carrie Ann said "there's no denying the sensuality that you two ooze on the dance floor," but said Toni needed to work on her shoulders. Carrie Ann admitted she was "being tough" this night. Len liked it but noticed that it "went a little bit funny" at one point. Bruno called her a tasty morsel and said Toni can "shake it like the best." Scores: 7, 7, and 8, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 44.Cloris & Corky: It was Cloris Leachman time again! Cloris worried about technique because she knew she was in danger. She said she wanted to try for the very best this week. She and partner Corky Ballas were getting serious with their tango. The performance earned a standing ovation, and Len said "if I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it." He said it was "absolutely fabulous and I loved it." Bruno said it was like watching a silent movie and praised "the legs." Carrie Ann said she owed Cloris an apology, saying "I underestimated you." She said she previously thought Cloris always had to go with the quick joke because that was all she had. Carrie Ann couldn't get the rest of her explanation out before finally getting cut off, but she seemed impressed. Scores: 8, 7, and 7, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 38.Rocco & Karina: The celebrity chef was stuck between a Rocco and a hard place after knowing that he would have been a goner last week if not for Misty's injury. He wanted to make the most of his second chance. Rocco said he'd been waiting all his life to wear pink chiffon ruffles. Bruno said he doesn't "have a musical bone" in his body. Carrie Ann said the dancing was "lacking." Len praised him for coming out and having fun. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 38.Susan & Tony: Soap opera star Susan Lucci was looking to make up for Carrie Ann's calling her "timid" the previous week. Partner Tony Dovolani got a chance to play a small part on "All My Children" to get a taste of where she gets her dramatic flair. She was ready to take control of the tango. Carrie Ann said "that was what I have been waiting for Miss Erica Kane." Len said there was "nothing timid" about the performance and said it was her best dance so far. Bruno said he always knew there was a "tough broad" under Susan's polished appearance. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 45.Broke & Derek: With her tensions with partner Derek Hough behind her, and the first "10" of the season in her pocket, Brooke Burke looked to take on the samba. Len said that Brooke had set such a high standard for herself, but he was a bit disappointed with some of it. Bruno called her "a sex bomb" and called it "raunchy with a capital ERRRRRRR!" He said he needed a smoke. Carrie Ann said she was a perfect candidate to go on and win the whole thing. Scores: 9, 8 and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len, and Bruno, respectively. Total: 54.Lance & Lacey: Last week, they tried to appease Len by going more traditional, but Bruno and Carrie Ann didn't like it so much. So they had to mix things up with their tango this week. Bruno loved it, saying Lance was starting to emerge as a leading man. Carrie Ann said Lance had kind of disappeared but "tonight was amazing." Len called him "Sir Dance-a-Lot." Scores: 9, 8, and 9, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 48.Warren & Kym: Coming off his best score of the season, ex-NFL star Warren Sapp looked to represent himself in the samba. His partner Kym Johnson took him on a field trip to try to capoeira, a Brazilian form of martial arts that would show him some regional movements he could use in his samba. Carrie Ann said it was lacking a bit of content. Len agreed there was too much gyrating with Kym dancing around him. Bruno called him a crowd pleaser, but said Warren "took it a little too easy." He said he has everything necessary to blow them away, but he didn't do it. Scores: 8, 7, and 7, from Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno, respectively. Total: 47.SCOREBOARD:Brooke & Derek, 54Lance & Lacey, 48Warren & Kym, 47Susan & Tony, 45Maurice & Cheryl, 44Cody & Julianne, 44Toni & Alec, 44Cloris & Corky, 38Rocco & Karina, 38
S7.E9 ∙ Round 4: Results
Two weeks led up to one dramatic elimination that was drawn out over an hour-long results show.To the highlight reel: Lance & Lacey got their highest score of the season with a hot tango; and Cloris & Corky did the same. Other highlights came from Susan & Tony, and from Cody & Julianne. Brooke & Derek were a little too "erotic" for Len and Brooke promised to tone it down next week. The judges were lukewarm on Warren & Kym's performance, but the low points of the night for the judges came from Maurice & Cheryl, and Rocco & Karina.Play it again, Lance: Len said it was tough to pick a couple for this week's encore, but the judges settled on Lance & Lacey doing the tango.All's fair in politics: The evening featured a string of political-style ads, kicked off by one calling Cody Linley "weak." It was followed with the tag, "I'm Brooke Burke, and I approved this message." Coming in from the next commercial break, Warren Sapp's hit piece on Rocco DiSpirito concluded, "Never trust a skinny chef." The next hit piece was on Brooke Burke. It noted that she's hot and a good dancer. "Don't you just hate her?" the voiceover asked. The ad was "paid for by the rest of the cast."The next ad counted down Cloris Leachman's financial impact on the show. Bribing the judges: $16. Stealing props: $12. Delaying live television: $37,462. Finally, it asked, "Hasn't Cloris Leachman cost this production enough?" The Dancing with the Stars accounting department paid it for. Another concluded that "Lance Bass is probably crazy." It was followed with, "I'm Toni Braxton, and I approved this message."Another ad touted all of Toni Braxton's successes, asking, "Hasn't Toni Braxton won enough?" Rocco DiSpirito approved that message. Finally, in an ad approved by Cloris Leachman, Susan Lucci's "ladylike" status was challenged. She's killed a grizzly bear, been accused of murder, been married nine times, joined a traveling circus, was a Vegas showgirl and staged a prison break (as Erica Kane on "All My Children"). It concluded, using her own words, that "Susan Lucci is a filthy beast."One last political commercial suggested that Warren Sapp was wearing a fat suit. It was paid for by Susan Lucci.Be our guest...: There was a spirited flamenco performance by a group of seven Spanish brothers, Los Vivancos. Ne-Yo stopped by later to perform his single, "Closer."To the results: The first couple safe was ... Susan & Tony. Lance & Lacey joined them. The first couple in the bottom two was ... Rocco & Karina.Kidding around: The "Dancing Kids" competition returned and featured Mitchell and Jessica, 11 and 10. They danced the cha cha cha. Kirill and Hanna, also 11 and 10, were up next with a samba. The judges loved them all, but in the end they picked Kirill & Hanna to move on to the next round.More results: The next couple safe, in no particular order, was Brooke & Derek. Joining them were Cody & Julianne. Also returning for another week were Toni & Alec. Warren & Kym were also saved by America's votes. Finally, Maurice & Cheryl were safe to continue. That left Cloris & Corky in the bottom two with Rocco & Karina.Who's going home? After four weeks, it was the end of the road for .... Rocco & Karina. Rocco called it a once in a lifetime experience and thanked Karina for "the gift of dance." Finally, he asked Bruno to show him how to move his hips properly. Bruno obliged.
S7.E10 ∙ Round 5
Four new dances were introduced Monday on "Dancing with the Stars. They were the West coast swing, The Hustle, Salsa, and the JitterbugLance & Lacey: Lance Bass said that the previous week was a real breakthrough and it gave him some confidence because he'd always been known as the worst dancer in N-Sync. He said the record company actually wanted to kick him out of the group when it was first signed because he was a bad dancer. He landed the West coast swing, which was fortunate because his partner Lacey Schwimmer brought in her dad, who was a West coast swing-dancing champion. Lance slipped during a slide and fell down, but he recovered well. Len Goodman said Lance proved that he was a good dancer last week and that Lacey has to "give up a little bit of your talent and show off your partner a little more." Bruno Tonioli agreed, saying Lance's performance was more like "dancing around the star." Carrie Ann Inaba added to it, telling Lacey that she has to let her partner shine a little more. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.Toni & Alec; Toni Braxton worried that she was headed downhill in the competition after a strong start. She looked to step it up with the West coast swing. Toni and partner Alec Mazo gave a little Michael Jackson treatment to the dance, which included a couple of intentional lifts. Bruno didn't like the inclusion of the Moonwalk. Carrie Ann said the difficulty with the West coast swing was in making it look easy, but Toni just over danced it. Len said he wasn't seeing Toni's potential and said she should regroup and come back strong. Scores: 7, 7, and 8. Total: 22Susan & Tony: Susan Lucci was coming off her best week of the competition, but she suffered two fractured bones in her foot. Would it affect her performance? Susan and partner Tony Dovolani were given The Hustle, which Susan remembered dancing in the heyday of Studio 54 in the 1970s. She got an MRI to check on the injury and he said it was really up to how much she could dance through the pain. Carrie Ann said she liked it and admired Susan for going out there because she didn't see her injury bothering her. Len acknowledged the injury, but said Tony was treating Susan like a China doll and he wanted him to just take her out there and dance. Bruno said it looked like an uptown girl doing The Hustle. Scores: 7, 7 and 8. Total: 22Warren & Kym: Warren Sapp stumbled with his samba last week and he was looking to bounce back with The Hustle. Warren was wiped out at the halfway point in the competition, but he asked partner Kym Johnson to push him. It was a tremendous, high-energy performance that was easily the best of the night to that point. They earned a standing ovation, but would the judges agree? Len said "that's what I'm talking about" and said he "really enjoyed it, well done." Bruno loved it, and Carrie Ann appreciated that they tapped into the nostalgia of the dance. Scores: 8, 8, and 9. Total: 25.Cloris & Corky: The end may be drawing near for Cloris Leachman, who landed in the bottom two last week despite her highest judges' scores of the season. She went out on the stump during the week, personally thanking her fans for their votes. This week, she and partner Corky Ballas landed the salsa and Corky hoped he could get her into the character of the dance. She promised to bring "everything this 82-year-old body can bring." Bruno said "the old gal can still turn a trick." He praised her for actually doing a salsa. Carrie Ann said everyone loves what Cloris brings to the dance floor. Len said he loves her for being the first person on the show who's older than him. He said she was "hotter than a chile pepper." Afterward, Cloris admitted she was channeling her inner "skanky ho." Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21Maurice & Cheryl: Ex-Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene hit a bit of a wall the previous week with his samba, but he thought the critique was a bit unfair. He wanted to get "that one bad race" out of the way. His partner Cheryl Burke was having a hard time teaching the dance because she wasn't very familiar with it. Cheryl told Maurice she thought he was lazy and that he didn't care. Carrie Ann called Maurice over to her, then shouted and hugged him, saying, "I knew it was in you!" Len said "if there was a mark for energy, I'd give you a 10." Bruno said he was "like a master of theater." Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Brooke & Derek: Brooke Burke remained the front-runner despite some harsh criticism from Len the previous week. It was going to be a challenge for Brooke and her partner Derek Hough because even he didn't know anything about the jitterbug and had to do research online to get step-by-step directions on how to do it. Len said that whatever dance Brooke gets to do she's consistently tops. Bruno said it was "so vigorous" and "so upbeat," it was "glorious." Carrie Ann asked if she could nitpick, but then admitted she couldn't because it was perfect. Scores: 10, 9, and 10. Total: 29Cody & Julianne: A week after starting to find his mojo, according to Bruno, Cody Linley wanted to keep the momentum going. His partner Julianne Hough was also learning the dance for the first. In rehearsals, they were doing all kinds of crazy flips (when they weren't spying on Brooke & Derek). Could they pull it off? Bruno said it was "a firebug," and that he liked the slapstick they included. Carrie Ann said it was the perfect dance for Cody and said he's giving Brooke a run for her money. Len said it had quality, energy and he liked it very much. Scores: 10, 9, and 9. Total: 28SCOREBOARD:Brooke Derek, 29Cody & Julianne, 28Maurice & Cheryl, 27Warren & Kym, 25Toni & Alec, 22Susan & Lucci, 22Lance & Lacey, 21Cloris & Corky, 21
S7.E11 ∙ Round 5: Results
Thanks Ashton Kutcher for punking the millions of you who tuned in for an hour-long "recap" episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday night before the regularly scheduled hour-long results show. Kutcher's family game show "Opportunity Knocks," which normally aired before the "Dancing" results on Tuesdays, was yanked from the schedule due to low ratings. It was replaced by a one-hour redux of the "Dancing" performances from Monday, with a handful of backstage reaction quotes from the dancers.Here's the rundown of the hour, which included entire repeats of every performance and a commercial break between virtually every one of them:Lance & Lacey danced. They got a 21. The judges ripped Lacey for taking Lance's spotlight. Lacey said backstage that the judges just didn't know that the West coast swing is meant to show off the woman.Toni & Alec danced. They got a 22 even though the judges didn't like it all that much. Backstage, Toni wondered why people assume she can dance just because she's a singer. "People really think I can dance, like I'm a Janet or a Britney," she said, before going to her positive, happy place.Susan & Tony danced. They got 22, with the judges praising Susan for her courage in dancing through her foot injury. Backstage, Tony was disheartened by the judges' comments because he thought they deserved better.Warren & Kym danced and got a standing ovation. They scored 25. Warren was happy to have received a 9 from Bruno. Warren said that in football, at halftime, you come back out and make a statement. He's looking to score a touchdown in the second half of this competition.Cloris & Corky earned legitimate praise for their salsa, which scored a 21. Backstage, Corky said he wanted Cloris to dance without an inhibition. He said she came out like a tiger.Maurice & Cheryl roared back after a disappointing week with a 27 from the judges. Backstage, Maurice said "we had to go through that to get to where we're at," referring to Cheryl's explosion in which she called him lazy.Brooke & Derek scored a 29 for their animated jitterbug. Backstage, Derek was very much into his hairdo, and they revealed that Brooke's foot was messed up.Cody & Julianne showed off their own jitterbug, which scored 28. Backstage, Julianne lamented being one point behind her brother. Cody offered up a Bruno impression that was pretty solid.Then they gave us a special preview of "High School Musical 3: The Senior Year."Finally, the "real" results show started.The judges gave their own backstage, post-show analysis. They thought some couples succeeded with the new dances and other were lost. Len's best comment of the post-show meeting: "I could not give a 10 to a jitterbug. It's like giving an Oscar to Mickey the Mouse." Is that what they call Mickey Mouse in London?Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris announced that they were giving Len next week off, due to his impossible travel schedule. Michael Flatley -- yes, the Lord of the Dance guy -- will take his place.The encore performance was from Cody & Julianne, who got a chance to reprise their jitterbug, which earned them their first 10 of the season.Be our guest: Brian Setzer brought his orchestra to the ballroom to perform the Stray Cats' classic, "Rock This Town."To the results: Tom finally got to the results, announcing that the first couple safe, in no particular order, was Warren & Kym, and Cloris & Corky. That meant Cloris & Corky were not in the bottom two.Kiddie time: In the "Dancing" kids competition, Alisa and Anthony, 10 and 11, were the first to perform, doing a jive. The judges loved it. Mitchell and Maria, 12 and 13, looked to knock them off with a paso doble. Mitchell and Maria moved on to the next round.Six-month project: There was a big introduction to the preparation that went into the biggest Macy's "Stars of Dance" performance of the season. A routine that would span dancing through the years -- the 1930s, '60s, '80s, and the future -- took more than 20,000 man-hours to create. It was pretty impressive.Back to the results: After a little trash-talking segment, Tom revealed that Cody & Julianne would return next week, along with Maurice & Cheryl.With four couples remaining, it was down to Toni & Alec, Brooke & Derek, Lance & Lacey, and Susan & Tony. The first couple safe was ... Brooke & Derek. The first couple in the bottom two was Toni & Alec. The next safe couple was Lance & Lacey, which meant Susan & Tony were also in the bottom two.The couple going home was ... wait for it ... wait for it ... Toni & Alec. Toni said she was a bit disappointed, but that the competition helped her reach her goal, which was to get her heart in better condition for performing. She said she still has a way to go before she can sustain a 90-minute concert, but it was a good start.
S7.E12 ∙ Round 6
The competition grew twice as difficult this week on "Dancing with the Stars" as the remaining couples had to learn two dances -- their own routines, plus a group hip-hop performance. Michael Flatley sat in for Len Goodman, who was taking a break due to a busy travel schedule.Maurice & Cheryl: After some turmoil last week, ex-Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene and his partner Cheryl Burke had to take on a traditional ballroom dance for the first time since Week 1 -- the Viennese waltz. Last time, they scored three 6's. What would happen this time? Michael called it "slow and graceful" but that sometimes the timing could have been a little better. Carrie Ann Inaba liked it but said that the couple had to work on its chemistry. Bruno Tonioli said it lacked fluidity and was a little bit "raggedy." Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.Lance & Lacey: Lance Bass' partner Lacey Schwimmer took some heat from the judges last week for outshining him too much and not giving him a chance to take the spotlight. Lance got some advice from fellow NSyncer and ex-"Dancing" star Joey Fatone. Would it work on their jive? Bruno said "the Lance is back on target!" Michael said he didn't want to hear another word about lack of confidence from Lance, because he had it all. "You came out smoking," he said. Carrie Ann agreed with Bruno, giving a "Woo-woo!!" Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27.Susan & Tony: Soap opera star Susan Lucci staved off elimination last week after finding herself in the bottom two, and partner Tony Dovolani tried to get her to let loose. She tried to get it going with the mambo, but still looked pretty stiff. Carrie Ann apparently liked it, thought, saying that Susan "broke the box." Bruno liked it, too, but said the timing was off and that she lost it "so many times. Michael agreed about the timing, but said there was no reason to dwell on it. Scores: 8, 8, and 7. Total: 23.Brooke & Derek: Brooke Burke remains the front-runner, but Brooke revealed that she had a foot injury. She stayed home to get treatment for her tendon strain, for which the doctor recommended a week's rest. She couldn't do that. Their rehearsal time was limited, and Derek wasn't sure how much he could push her. Would her performance suffer? They danced the rumba. Michael said "you took my breath away" and said, "I hope I have a card here big enough for your score." Carrie Ann said it wasn't Brooke's best dance and that her lines were a little awkward as the injury showed. Bruno agreed, saying the execution wasn't quite as sharp as they're used to seeing. Scores: 8, 10, and 8. Total: 26.Cloris & Corky: Cloris Leachman and her partner Corky Ballas couldn't believe they were still around for another week. Corky wanted to do a vintage cha cha, but said he was at his wits end trying to teach her the dance. He brought in Cloris' ex-husband George Englund to help guide Corky through teaching her the dance. The performance drew another big ovation from the crowd. Bruno said Cloris has to be the only person in the world able to sell such nonsense "and they buy it," he said of the crowd. Michael called Cloris a legend and an inspiration to older people, adding, "my father told me not to say a bad word about you tonight." Carrie Ann said "we lost Toni Braxton for this, and that kind of makes me sad." Scores: 5, 5, and 5. Total: 15.Cody & Julianne: After a week in which Julianne Hough got really sick, which cost them some practice time for their samba. Cody needed a spray tan and some darkened hair to get into character, but mostly ditched the get-up for the real performance. Carrie Ann called it "the most intense samba I've ever seen." She said she saw improvement every week in Cody. Bruno said there was no exuberance. Michael said there was good news and bad news. He said Cody has "everything it takes," but said the best was still to come from Cody. Julianne addressed her illness, endometriosis, and that she'd have surgery Tuesday to remove her appendix. Pro Edyta Sliwinska will take Julianne's place until Julianne is healthy enough to return. Scores: 8, 8, and 7. Total: 23.Warren & Kym: Ex-NFL star Warren Sapp impressed the judges last week with his hustle, but his partner Kym Johnson wanted to bring a romantic storyline with a rumba. Warren sought to take advantage of Brooke's injury, saying there was "blood in the water ... attack!" Michael called it very entertaining, although he would've liked to have seen Warren do a little more dancing. Still, he said it was "smokin'." Carrie Ann called it "pretty sexy." She said he reminded her of Emmitt Smith, but he has an added emotional quality. Bruno said Warren has a knack for getting the character right every time, but said Warren didn't quite kick in with the footwork as he usually does. Scores: 8, 9, and 8. Total: 25.Group hip hop! The group learned a big hip-hop routine together for the first time, and Cloris walked in with a huge boom box, saying, "What's up, homies?" During the group performance, Cloris mostly stood back on the stage while the rest of the dancers showed their stuff, but she re-emerged at the end to finish with the classic, arms-crossed, hip-hop pose. Bruno said "some of you looked hip, and some of you looked 'hip replacement.'" Michael liked seeing them all work together. Carrie Ann took the opportunity to remind us that she was one of the Fly Girls on "In Living Color," doing similar moves back in the day. SCOREBOARD:Lance & Lacey, 27Brooke & Derek, 26Warren & Kym, 25Susan & Tony, 23Cody & Julianne, 23Maurice & Cheryl, 21Cloris & Corky, 15
S7.E13 ∙ Round 6: Results
For the first time this season, Brooke & Derek headed into a results show without the lead on the judges' scoreboard. Lance & Lacey held the unfamiliar top spot, and Cloris & Corky were in a distant last place. But what did the voters decide to do?Most of the dancers were fans of guest judge Michael Flatley, who offered up some of the higher scores of the evening, including a "10" for Brooke & Derek while Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli gave them 8's.Conspicuously absent from the highlight reel of Monday night's performance was Carrie Ann's scathing commentary about Cloris, when she said, "we lost Toni Braxton for this, and that kind of makes me sad."Play it again: Unfortunately, the judges decided to ask the entire group to do the hip-hop performance as an encore.To the results: The first two couples sent to safety -- in no particular order -- were Lance & Lacey and Cody (& Julianne).Child's play: In the dancing kids competition, Craig & Samantha (13 and 12), a brother and sister team from New Jersey sought to impress the judges with their cha cha cha. The judges absolutely hated it. Oh, c'mon. I'm kidding. They loved it, of course. Their competition were Simon & Lucy (both 13) from San Jose, Calif., who promised to cook up an amazing samba. The judges love them, too. But who did they love more? Craig & Samantha in a clean sweep.Be our guest: Missy Elliott and the Pussycat Dolls teamed up to perform "Whatchu Think About That?"Substitute dancer: Cody shared that Julianne was home after a successful surgery and was resting. He also welcomed his new partner, Edyta Sliwinska, who said she was happy to fill in but wishing Julianne a speedy recovery.Back to the results: Warren & Kym were the next couple sent to safety.'His legs move about as if independent of his body': Michael Flatley tap-danced on a platform in the middle of the dance floor. Flames soon erupted from the edges of the small platform and just as Michael jumped off of it at the end of the routine, it exploded. Whew!To the results: With four couples remaining, Brooke & Derek were sent to safety along with Maurice & Cheryl, which left Susan & Tony "in jeopardy" alongside Cloris & Corky. They weren't necessarily in the bottom two.The couple with the lowest combined total was ... Cloris & Corky.She took a seat on the floor as Samantha and Tom asked her about the experience. "I'm not leaving," Cloris said. She promised to get a pretty costume and be back next week.
S7.E14 ∙ Round 7
With the departure of Cloris Leachman, it could be argued that the competition really began Monday on "Dancing with the Stars" as the remaining six couples took on an individual dance and a team performance, which would count toward the scoring for the first time.Due to ABC's election coverage on Tuesday night, the "Dancing" results show will air at 8 p.m. Wednesday.Warren & Kym: Ex-NFL star Warren Sapp was still lamenting his one missed step last week. As he learned the foxtrot, Kym took him to American Ballroom champion Nick Kosovich's dance studio to see what the dance is supposed to look like. Judge Len Goodman was back and said it wasn't a classic foxtrot and "it wasn't your best dance." Bruno Tonioli said that after a promising beginning, "the technique went into a recession." Carrie Ann Inaba asked Warren what the problem was and he admitted "My feet weren't right" because he wasn't wearing his own shoes. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21Susan & Tony: After breaking through her box, soap opera star Susan Lucci wasn't taking anything for granted. During rehearsals, Susan told Tony he sounded upset with her when she made small mistakes. He said he was trying to get some frustration and anger out of her for the paso doble. Bruno said Susan could ride that bull like a pro in a rodeo." Carrie Ann said Susan has struggled with claiming her power before on the dance floor in the past, but Carrie Ann forced her to look at the camera and declare, "I am doing good." Len said it right up with Susan's best dances and she did "a great job." Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Maurice & Cheryl: Olympic champion sprinter Maurice Greene was lacking chemistry with his partner Cheryl Burke last week. Cheryl worried that Maurice was holding back because he was afraid of missing steps. He hyper extended his leg during the team dance rehearsal, but he was determined to fight through the injury. The couple performed their high-energy cha cha cha, but would it be enough to impress the judges? Carrie Ann said it was nice to see Maurice bring his "A game." Len said it was "dazzling" and that it was Maurice's best dance of the season. Bruno said "happy days are here again for Maurice." Scores: 8, 9, and 8. Total: 25Cody & Edyta: "Hannah Montana" star Cody Linley worked with pro Edyta Sliwinska for the first time because of Julianne Hough's recent surgery. Cody and Edyta visited Julianne, who was resting after surgery. Julianne suggested that Edyta get Cody into character for their Viennese waltz because that's when he excels. "Julianne, this one's for you," Cody said before his performance. Len said that as a couple, Cody & Edyta looked comfortable together, but that Cody didn't look comfortable doing the Viennese waltz. Bruno said "it was like watching a fledgling bird spreading his wings but not quite being able to take off." Carrie Ann thought it was great and that "Julianne would be proud." Scores: 8, 7, and 7. Total: 22Lance & Lacey: Lance Bass finally took the top spot last week, but would he and partner Lacey Schwimmer be able to ride the momentum. Lacey wanted to do their rumba barefoot, but Lance, who'd broken a toe earlier, said he wouldn't be able to do it. But Lacey became frustrated with Lance's "negative attitude." She apologized, but would their chemistry suffer? Bruno said "barefoot in the park has never been more seductive and romantic." Carrie Ann said she was skeptical about the barefoot thing, but she said it was "fantastic" and "a great payoff." Len said "I didn't get it. It didn't enhance the performance at all. It was a distraction." He went on to say, "you don't need all this nonsense. Cut it out." Scores: 9, 7, and 9. Total: 25Brooke & Derek: Model Brooke Burke was finally bumped from the top spot last week and she and partner Derek Hough sought to regroup with their foxtrot. During rehearsals, Derek told Brooke there were moments when he felt like he was dancing with a professional. Carrie Ann was excited about it and said that Derek was right, that Brooke was getting as good as some of the pros. Len said it was "more than the sum of its parts, it was truly fantastic." Bruno called it a brilliant performance from start to finish. Scores: 10, 10, and 10. Total: 30.Team dances: For the first time, the six couples were split into two teams of six dancers: Team Cha Cha and Team Paso Doble. The judges would score each team, and those team scores would be added to each couple's individual scores.Team Cha Cha: Cody & Edyta, Lance & Lacey, and Susan & Tony made up Team Cha Cha. Cody thought their strength was that they were all performers. Susan worried that she lost rehearsal time in New York and some of the other team members were worried that they were being held back. Len said the group did an "excellent job" and said Lance & Lacey saved the day with their solo. Bruno said it was "on the brink of disaster" but Lance & Lacey rescued it. Carrie Ann said the unison was terrible. She said it was "brutal to watch." Scores: 6, 7, and 7. Total: 20.Team Paso Doble: Maurice declared Team Paso Doble the super team because they had a Super Bowl champion (Warren), a supermodel (Brooke), and a super sprinter (Maurice). Bruno said the team looked "invincible" and said they always looked like a team. Carrie Ann agreed, saying it was total teamwork and they all did great on their solos. Len said it's easier to keep a formation in a marching dance (the paso doble) than a syncopation Latin dance (the cha cha cha), but that they did well. Scores: 10, 9, and 10. Total: 29SCOREBOARD:Brooke & Derek, 30 (plus 29 for the group) = 59Maurice & Cheryl, 25 (plus 29 for the group) = 54Warren & Kym, 21 (plus 29 for the group) = 50Lance & Lacey, 25 (plus 20 for the group) = 45Susan & Tony, 24 (plus 20 for the group) = 44Cody & Edyta, 22 (plus 20 for the group) = 42
S7.E15 ∙ Round 7: Results
After an historic election night, there were more votes to be counted Wednesday as "Dancing with the Stars: The Results" aired a day late to accommodate the Presidential election. Would we be in for a shock?To the highlights: Warren Sapp's foxtrot tanked, forcing him to slap himself and say, "Fat boy no good, tonight." Susan Lucci, still struggling with confidence issues, had to be coached through saying "I know I'm good." Maurice Greene's cha cha propelled him back into the competition as Len called it his best dance of the season. Cody finished at the bottom of the pack, but his original partner, Julianne Hough, called him and told him she was proud anyway. Lance Bass went barefoot while Brooke Burke rejoiced at her perfect "30."Play it again...: For an encore, judge Len Goodman passed up Brooke & Derek's perfect foxtrot in favor of the group paso doble that scored a 29 with the judges.Flying solo: Samantha Harris revealed that next week's competition will include the stars doing a solo portion of their Latin routines.Oh, what a feeling..: Lionel Richie stopped by to perform the single "Good Morning" from his upcoming album "Just Go." Lionel returned later in the show to perform his hit, "Dancing on the Ceiling."To the results: In no particular order, Tom Bergeron announced that Maurice & Cheryl were safe for another week.'DanceCenter': Some highlights of this installment of "Dance Center," featuring Kenny Mayne, Jerry Rice and Len Goodman...* Jerry's Afro wig and bejeweled eyebrows, and his snapping at Kenny, "Don't piss me off" at the mention of whether Warren Sapp ever tackled him on the field.* Kenny trying to plug his new show "Mayne Street" on ESPN.com, followed by Jerry's plugging of his "Jerry Curl" styling gel.* Kenny telling Jerry that toward the end of his football career he was "crawling."* Len saying he liked it when Maurice blew him a kiss.* Kenny saying about Brooke Burke, "She is fertile!" And their replaying of footage from Brooke writhing on the sand at the beach, with Kenny saying, "These are just family photos, this isn't even a commercial."* Kenny and Jerry's decision that Brooke's legs are actually "hideous" because they appear to bend backwards. Kenny said, "I will now repudiate everything I've said about Brooke Burke's beauty."* "They say he's 18, looks about 12, and acts like he's 5 years old," Kenny said about Cody Linley.* Len's ripping Kenny for thinking he's an expert on the tango after doing one poor cha cha cha on one episode of the show. "That's how easy it is in this country," Kenny said.* Len giving Kenny lessons in the tango, and trying to line up the "bony knobs" in their hips. "That bony knob should be just behind my bony knob," Len said as Kenny tried not to giggle.Oh, oh, oh, it's magic! Choreographer Dave Scott put together a smoking, magic-themed routine for the Macy's "Stars of Dance" series.Back to the results: The next couple continuing to the next round was Brooke & Derek. And Warren & Kym followed them.The three members of "Team Cha Cha" were left to find out their fates. Lance & Lacey were safe. That left Cody & Edyta and Susan & Tony.After a dramatic pause, Bergeron announced that Susan & Tony were out.
S7.E16 ∙ Round 8
The stakes were raised once again as the remaining five couples on "Dancing with the Stars" as they had to learn two couples dances -- a ballroom and a Latin dance. Complicating things even more, each star would be required to perform a 15-second solo during the Latin routine.Cody & Edyta: His Viennese waltz earned "Hannah Montana" star Cody Linley his lowest score of the competition. He got a visit from some friends, who each wanted to have a dance with his fill-in partner Edyta Sliwinska, who took the place of Julianne Hough for a second week due to her recent appendix removal. On their foxtrot, judge Len Goodman was "pleasantly surprised." Bruno Tonioli said it was Cody's "most grown-up performance to date." Carrie Ann Inaba praised him for not only performing well, but also adjusting to a new partner. She also took off a point for an illegal lift. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24.Latin dance: Cody and Edyta did a mambo for their Latin dance, and Cody's solo included a jump onto the judges' table for the big finish. Carrie Ann said "it was a little erratic." Len said it was "a little bit stiff and angular," but said it was good. Bruno said it was herky-jerky but that they all appreciate the effort he put into it. Cody gave a Julianne update, saying she was doing great and was well rested. They also broke the news that Julianne would return next week if Cody makes it through, but she'll definitely perform on Tuesday's results show. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24.Brooke & Derek: Model Brooke Burke had to figure out how to follow up the first perfect score of the season and high praise from Carrie Ann, who said Brooke was reaching the level of the pro dancers. Brooke and her partner Derek Hough realized the pressure she was under as the only remaining woman in the competition. They performed a very serious tango that Bruno said they were "in tune like two instruments that have played together forever." Carrie Ann said "that is why you are the last woman standing" and called it "pitch perfect." Len called them "the dream team" but said it was "riddled with mistakes." Scores: 10, 8, and 10. Total: 28Latin dance: Brooke & Derek danced a mambo and switched things up by having each of them do a quick solo. Len said it was a very ambitious and fantastic overall. Bruno said "you really are incredible." Carrie Ann appreciated that her solo didn't feel out of place, but said Brooke's posture at times was a little awkward. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Maurice & Cheryl: Ex-Olympic sprinter bounced back last week with what Len called his best performance. His partner Cheryl Burke took advantage of the fact that they performed the paso doble in last week's group challenge so they could watch his performance and improve on his weaknesses. But first, they performed the quickstep. Carrie Ann said she liked it and praised Maurice for taking Cheryl's critique seriously. Len said he did a really good job. Bruno praised Maurice for keeping it going all the way through with aplomb. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Latin dance: Maurice & Cheryl's paso doble gave Maurice to show off a little cape action as he took on the role of the bullfighter. Bruno called it "strong, imposing, very, very powerful." Carrie Ann loved the intensity, but said in the future she wanted to also see more grace and elegance. Len said the solo really fit the dance and said Maurice did "a really good job." Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Lance & Lacey: Ex-NSyncer Lance Bass and his partner Lacey Schwimmer were still looking to impress Len, who gave them two points lower than all the other judges last week. Lance wanted to put more traditional steps into their routine to make Len happy. Lacey said Lance "put the 'fox' in 'fox trot.'" Would the judges agree? Len called it "a completely different Lance & Lacey" and said it was "very, very good." Bruno enjoyed that they did it by the book but maintained their unique style. Carrie Ann agreed, saying "you are truly a bright light." Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26Latin dance: Lance & Lacey took on the samba for their Latin dance. Carrie Ann said the samba is one of the most difficult dances and said they did a really good job, but she made an odd point about Lance's eyes looking to high and making it look like he was dancing down on the judges. Len said he saw elements of the samba, but that the solo was "just, sort of, whatever sort of dancing that is." He told Lance to work on his footwork, which he called "atrocious." Bruno said he really held the solo well. Scores: 8, 7, and 9. Total: 24Warren & Kym: Ex-NFL star Warren Sapp was reeling last week after his performance earned him low scores, but he and partner Kym Johnson were looking to redeem themselves. They had to perform a jive, which was proving tough for Warren in rehearsal. First, though, they performed a tango. Bruno, continuing the James Bond theme of the song they danced to, said, "Watch out, James Bond." Carrie Ann called it fantastic and praised Warren for connecting with the audience. Len said "you're in it now." Scores: 10, 9, and 9. Total: 28Latin dance: Warren & Kym's second dance was a high-energy jive that brought the crowd to its feet. Len said it's "such a joyful thing to watch" other than his feet. "Words can't describe" how bad Warren's feet were, Len said. Bruno said Warren has the uncanny ability to release such a sense of fun that you can't dissect his dance too much. Carrie Ann agreed that his feet were flat at time, but she was also impressed that he kept hitting steps she thought he'd miss. Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26SCOREBOARD (ballroom + Latin):Brooke & Derek, 28 + 27 = 55Warren & Kym, 28 + 26 = 54Lance & Lacey, 26 + 24 = 50Cody & Edyta, 24 + 24 = 48Maurice & Cheryl, 24 + 24 = 48
S7.E17 ∙ Round 8: Results
Just five couples remained, but that number would be trimmed yet again after another hour-long results show on "Dancing with the Stars."This 60 minutes of filler, which followed an hour-long recap of Monday night's episode, would include a performance from country singer Brad Paisley, a group dance that fans voted on, a performance from pro Lacey Schwimmer and her brother Benji, and a psychoanalysis of each remaining couple from Dr. Drew Pinsky.First, though, we got a peek at the judges' post-show briefing on each of the couples. The highlights: Carrie Ann Inaba pointed out that Cody Linley was "resilient" and said she hoped he'd stay until his original partner Julianne Hough returned. Len Goodman held firm on Brooke Burke disappointing him with her footwork. Carrie Ann appreciated that Maurice Greene had been beaten down by the process but began rebuilding himself Monday. Len said Lance Bass was gradually winning him over because of his enthusiasm. Carrie Ann said Warren Sapp's routine was "so magical."Play it again: Len called for Warren and his partner Kym Johnson to offer up their tango for a second time.Be our guest: Brad Paisley performed his single, "Ticks," while the Schwimmers danced. Paisley returned a bit later to perform "Let the Good Times Roll" with some of the professional dancers from the live tour.To the results: The first couple sent to safety was Warren & Kym, and joining them were Lance & Lacey.The doctor is in: Dr. Drew, who you might know is a board-certified physician and addition-medicine specialist -- played the role of couples expert and sat down with each of the couples to see where their collective heads were at as they approached the finals.Lance & Lacey: After having their first fight, Lance & Lacey talks through some issues with Lance's lack of self-confidence. Dr. Drew said they needed to let each other have their feelings and let that be OK.Warren & Kym: Warren talked about how he didn't feel pressure the way he did in the NFL. Dr. Drew acknowledged Warren's busy schedule, which could make winning a burden.Maurice & Cheryl: Maurice said Cheryl gets frustrated with him because he doesn't communicate with her. He said he gets in trouble when he over thinks his dances.Brooke & Derek: Brooke and Derek relived with Dr. Drew the moment when they hit her boiling point. Derek talked about his "tough love" approach, which Brooke said sometimes leads to "insults and disrespect." Dr. Drew told Brooke to be clearer with Derek about where that line is.Cody & Julianne: Cody talked about his roller coaster of emotions and he became emotional while talking about Julianne's goodness and ability to bring out the best in him. Julianne said what she loves most about the competition is the friendships that are made, and she told Cody he should never feel alone.Julianne's back! Julianne Hough joined her brother Derek for the dance chosen by the fans, a high-energy jive that made one wonder how her performance was possible considering she had surgery just two weeks ago.Back to the results: The next couple sent to safety, in no particular order, was Brooke & Derek. That meant Maurice & Cheryl, along with Cody & Edyta, were still in jeopardy.After another commercial break, host Tom Bergeron revealed that Maurice & Cheryl were going home.
S7.E18 ∙ Round 9
With just four couples remaining, it was down to the semifinals on "Dancing with the Stars" on Monday. Each couple had two dances to prove they were worthy of a spot in next week's finale. Host Tom Bergeron was so excited, he gave a Michael Jackson-like leg kick to accentuate the final note of the theme song.In the first round, co-host Samantha Harris explained, the couples would perform the last dance style they haven't yet performed. The second round will feature one of this season's new dances.Brooke & Derek: After holding a strong lead virtually all season, model Brooke Burke and her partner Derek Hough were finding it tough to come up with choreography that would wow the judges and viewers. They were going to dance the jive and the salsa, which posed two problems. In the jive, Brooke wanted to do something that would amaze the crowd the way Derek did with his sister Julianne Hough last week. In the salsa, Derek's unfamiliarity with the dance was stumping him in terms of choreography. How would it go? Judge Len Goodman said it was "a disaster." "It was just one of those nights, you messed up three or four times," he added. Bruno Tonioli said he was in "total shock" at how bad it was. Carrie Ann Inaba said what bothered her most was that Brooke went for a "blatant illegal lift" and said she found it "a bit disrespectful." Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.Len's Master Class: Len wanted to work on Brooke's leg action, getting her to straighten them enough. He told her not to have her legs continuing to flex all the time. He said he'd be watching for the leg action.Salsa: Brooke & Derek appeared to get their mojo back with a sizzling salsa. Bruno said, "Brooke is back! Thank you." Carrie Ann noted the number of lifts, but said they all worked. "No one wants to see someone fall from grace like you just did, but what a champion is is someone who rises above it and comes right back," Carrie Ann said. Len advised Brooke to work to her strengths, which are being crisp, clear, and having great technique. Scores: 9, 10, and 9. Total: 28Cody & Julianne: "Hannah Montana" star Cody Linley was finally reunited with his partner Julianne Hough, who returned after a two-week absence after getting her appendix removed. They first danced a military-inspired paso doble that forced Cody to put on his best scowl. Bruno said the Spanish lines were "non-existent, the timing was poor." He said that because it was the semifinal, he couldn't just let it go. Carrie Ann said that they'd get a 10 for determination, but that it wasn't quite good enough. Len said they were going to get their marching orders. He said it was just stiff and wooden and "just lacked dance quality." Scores: 8, 7, and 7. Total: 22Len's Master Class: Len wanted to work on Cody's hip action. He said if Cody could work on his hip action, he could be a force to be reckoned with. He gave Cody a little tip that could help him out.Salsa: Cody & Julianne came out with a salsa that featured lots of great moves, but seemed a bit clunky in parts. What did the judges think? Carrie Ann said "it was a lot of fun," but said a little bit of musicality was lacking. Len said the musicality was quite good and said he didn't realize Cody was "such a strong lad." Bruno said he went for it and had fun with it, but said he had to work on technique a little more to make the final. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Warren & Kym: Coming off his first 10 of the season, ex-NFL star Warren Sapp sought to build on his momentum with partner Kym Johnson. Warren struggled in rehearsal and said he was about at his wit's end, but ready to prove he deserved a spot in the final. In the middle of the dance, Warren tore off his jacket and tossed it aside, unveiling a shirtless vest look for the first time this season. Carrie Ann said he needed to kick it up a notch and said it was "a little lackluster." Len said Warren epitomized "go with what you know," which didn't include technique. He appreciated that Warren showed great personality. Bruno said Warren can get away with bad moves because he's so likable. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Len's Master Class: Len said Warren could, "as you Americans say, 'awesome,'" if he could solve Warren's footwork problem. They did that well enough, but then Len wanted Warren to show him how to work the bent-leg shoulder roll that Warren slipped into his solo last week.Jitterbug: Warren & Kym offered up a high-energy, Vegas-themed jitterbug that sent the crowd into a tizzy. Len said Warren is a joyful person to watch, "you come out, full on, 100 percent and sell it. Well done." Bruno said Len's master class didn't work because Warren's feet were all over the place. Carrie Ann said she loved it. Scores: 9, 8, and 8. Total: 25Lance & Lacey: Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer were looking to make a move for the final, but they'd have to get the mambo and jitterbug down, which Lacey called "crazy-hard dances." Lance had his grandfather and father come out from Mississippi so his grandfather, who served in World War II, could see his jitterbug. First, though, they danced the mambo. They seemed to close out the first half of the evening with a winner, but what did the judges think? Bergeron said, "If they don't like that, I'm leaving with you." Len said he'd been tough on Lance & Lacey, but said, "In this competition, it's not where you start, it's where you finish, and that's the best dance so far." Bruno said, "Now this is semifinal material" and said, "Finally, we're in business." Carrie Ann called it a showstopper and said it was their best dance. Scores: 10, 9, and 9. Total: 28Len's Master Class: Len sought to solve Lance's pigeon-toed problem. Len said he used to have the same problem. Len showed Lance how to turn his hip out just enough to get rid of the pigeon-toe. It seemed to work.Jitterbug: Lance finally got a chance to perform his jitterbug for his grandfather. Lance was decked out in a sailor outfit, as promised. Lance lost a shoe in the middle of the dance (ironic note: this time, the footwear removal was unintentional). The crowd went nuts. Bruno said, "Shoes off or shoes on, that was brilliant." He said it was "so well referenced -- a joy, a real joy." Carrie Ann agreed said they hit it perfectly. "Once in a while magic happens on the dance floor, and that was magic." She then added, "Grandpa Bass, you must be proud!" Len said he had to salute Lance & Lacey on "two fabulous dances." Scores: 10, 9, and 10. Total: 29SCOREBOARD (first dance + second dance):Lance & Lacey, 28 + 29 = 57Warren & Kym, 24 + 25 = 49Brooke & Derek, 21 + 28 = 49Cody & Julianne, 22 + 24 = 46
S7.E19 ∙ Round 9: Results
After a wild semifinal, it was time to determine which three couples would be vying for the glitter ball trophy on "Dancing with the Stars." In next week's season finale.But first, Aretha Franklin took the stage to offer up her classic, "Chain of Fools." Aretha returned later to perform "Respect" with current champions Mark Ballas and Kristi Yamaguchi dancing along.Leona Lewis stopped by to perform her hit single, "Bleeding Love," with a dance accompaniment from Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff. Julianne Hough also performed her single, "My Hallelujah Song," with Derek Hough, Mark Ballas and Lacey Schwimmer dancing along. John Legend also performed "Green Light."To the highlights: Brooke Burke was still reeling from her messed up jive. "I screwed up the very beginning, and then it just went downhill from there," she said.Lance Bass was still rejoicing over his 10, "and a 9 from Len," Lance said. "That's like a 12 for us."Family matters: A fun little feature about halfway through the night showed Cody's mom, Warren's mom, Lance's grandfather and Brooke's fiancé talking about the experience of watching their loved ones participate and grow throughout the competition.To the results: After what seemed like an eternity, host Tom Bergeron finally announced that Lance & Lacey and Brooke & Derek had secured spots in the finals.That left Cody & Julianne and Warren & Kym to wait and wonder. After another commercial break, Tom announced that Cody & Julianne were leaving.
S7.E20 ∙ Round 10
With just three couples remaining in the "Dancing with the Stars" final performance night, and 90 minutes to fill, it was time to rehash the many weeks that led up to the big finish.Each couple was given a chance to present their case to the audience by highlighting their best ballroom and Latin dances -- introducing the replay of each -- as well as making one plea for votes.Up first were Brooke Burke & Derek Hough, who introduced their best ballroom dance of the season, which they agreed was the quickstep. Their best Latin dance of the season, they said, was the paso doble. Derek said if the voters are going on sheer dancing ability, Brooke would be the clear choice after pulling in the only perfect 30 of the season, and 12 perfect "10" marks.Lance Bass & Lacey Schwimmer felt their best ballroom dance was the tango. Lance said their best Latin dance was the mambo, which they didn't initially expect to be very good. Lacey made the case for Lance, saying he deserves to win because he is the most improved dancer on the show and he was the only star to have beat Brooke -- twice.Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson said their best ballroom dance was the Viennese waltz, which Kym said showed Warren's surprising ability to glide across the floor. They picked their "Matrix"-inspired paso doble as their best Latin dance. Kym said Warren should win because he "captures the essence of what the show is," and keeps the audience happy with his dances. She said they came into the final as the clear underdogs, having never finished in first.The Junior Champions: Craig and Samantha were named the winners of the "Dancing with the Stars" junior championship, and they danced a celebratory jive.'Anything can happen': After 30 minutes of time killing, the competition was finally set to begin. It was an awkward re-introduction of the show, with the theme song being played again as the couples were introduced anew.Judge Len Goodman said the judges agreed the best three couples made it to the final and he was so excited about the final, he needed to run to the restroom.Samba smackdown: All three couples started the final competition with a group samba in which every couple would dance to the same song. Some rehearsal footage showed the couples all rehearsing together and not wanting to give up their super-secret moves.Brooke and Derek went first, followed by Lance & Lacey, and Warren & Kym, before a group finish. All six dancers clapped and hugged after pulling it off.Len said all of the couples performed better than when they each danced the samba during the show. He thought Warren was fantastic, despite some concern about his footwork. He said Lance had to work a bit on the finesse. He said Brooke was the one to beat in Week 1 and she's still the one to beat.Bruno Tonioli started with Brooke, saying she was a "dazzling, sexy, sizzler of a dancer." He said Lance was so tight and so clean and had come up "leaps and bounds" with his confidence. He called Warren "irresistible."Carrie Ann said Lance has momentum and there was "nothing really bad" to say. She said Warren was "definitely the most improved." She said Brooke brings the technical nuances to the dance, but that she was just a hair ambitious with the samba.Smackdown scores: Brooke & Derek scored a 9, 9, and 10, for a total of 28; Lance & Lacey scored a 9, 8, and 9, for a total of 26; Warren & Kym scored a 9, 7, and 9, for a total of 25.Brooke & Derek: Brooke was trying to bounce back from her worst performance of the season, which she "couldn't believe" happened in the semifinal. They decided to go with some serious lifts in the freestyle, which they practiced in a swimming pool. They pulled off some spectacular tricks and lifts while dancing to "You're the One that I Want" from "Grease." They danced on the judges' table for a good stretch and worked in all kinds of throws, flips and tumbles. Bruno said, "You're the one we all want!" She said they took on "positions that I've only seen in the Kama Sutra." He said it was one of the best freestyles he'd ever seen. Carrie Ann said they "brought it." Len said it was the best freestyle he'd ever seen." Scores: 10, 10, and 10. Total: 30.Lance & Lacey: After finishing a clear first place last week, Lance & Lacey looked to keep themselves in the running. They decided to go with a hip-hop routine without any lifts. It was a high-energy routine that included a shout out to Lance's lost shoe a week earlier, and somewhat forced bit of cha cha. Carrie Ann said it was fantastic, but the cha cha section just threw it off. Len said he liked that song, singing a bit of it, and said he liked the cha cha bit. Bruno called it "youthful, vibrant, exciting." Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27.Warren & Kym: Feeling like he had something to prove with the freestyle, and he was looking forward throwing Kym around a bit. They promised to do something that hadn't been seen before on the "Dancing" floor. Len said "each season someone comes along right out of the blue and is an absolute star ... and, as an entertainer, you have no one that touches you." Bruno said that with Warren, "all resistance is futile; just sit back and enjoy the ride." Carrie Ann said it was her favorite routine of the night, but said Warren gave away a mistake with his face. Scores: 9, 10, and 9. Total: 28SCOREBOARD:Brooke & Derek: 28 + 30 = 58Lance & Lacey: 26 + 27 = 53Warren & Kym: 25 + 28 = 53
S7.E21 ∙ Round 10: Results
All of the stars returned for the season finale of "Dancing with the Stars" as the Super Bowl champ, the "magnificent model" and the "ballroom rebel" vied for the title. It was going to be a long two hours as all of the stars from this season returned to contribute to the big send-off.Each of the couples talked about wanting to do their best to impress the judges by reproducing their favorite dance of the season. Then, there was a Cloris Leachman sighting as they had the elder stateswoman of the season do a man-on-the-street poll of "Dancing" voters, one of whom was a young woman who said she couldn't vote because she wasn't a citizen. Now, I haven't read -- as host Tom Bergeron suggested on a weekly basis that I do -- all of the details of the voting process on abc.com, but I can't imagine citizenship is one of the voter requirements.Recent American Music Award winner Alicia Keys stopped by to perform her single "I Need You." Miley Cyrus would swing by later to sing "Fly on the Wall."Memory Lane: Comedian Jeffrey Ross, the first star eliminated this season, returned with partner Edyta Sliwinska to perform the quickstep. The next two eliminated couples followed, with Ted McGinley and partner Inna Brayer doing the foxtrot, and Kim Kardashian and partner Mark Ballas performing the mambo.Misty May-Treanor and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy returned, with Misty saying her Achilles tendon was healing well and she was walking again. Misty said she was looking forward to returning to the dance floor because she had some business to finish. Rocco DiSpirito and partner Karina Smirnoff came back to dance the mambo.Toni Braxton and her partner Alec Mazo returned, but Toni was unable to dance, having recently undergone an undisclosed minor surgery. But she did announce she would participate in the tour. Cloris and her partner Corky Ballas came back to dance the tango. Cloris received one last standing ovation from the grateful crowd.Susan Lucci and partner Tony Dovolani returned to dance the paso doble. Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene and partner Cheryl Burke came back to offer up a little salsa.Skewered Stars: Jeffrey Ross, the "Roast Master General," took a hand at poking some fun at the three finalists, Cloris, and himself. The best line: Brooke "gave birth to her 15th child three hours ago, backstage. And, congratulations, I hear Lance is the father. Hey, maybe the baby will come out of the womb and the closet on the same day!"Back to Memory Lane: Cody Linley and Julianne Hough provided the final returnee performance of the night their Lucy & Ricky inspired jitterbug.One last dance: The couples danced for the judges' scores one last time. The judges' scores from Monday and Tuesday would make up half of the scoring total, with America's vote making the other half.Warren & Kym: Warren talked about times when he didn't think he could make it through the competition. Warren said he was nothing without Kym in this competition and told her he loves her. The performed The Hustle. Len Goodman said Warren "may not be the judges' champion, but you are the public's champion." Bruno Tonioli said Warren was "the craftiest" of all the hustlers he's come across. Carrie Ann Inaba said Warren & Kym make people want to dance, "and that's hot." Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Lance & Lacey: Lance said the show helped him get over being self-confident and Lacey thanked him for the entire season, saying she didn't want it to end. Lance & Lacey gave their World War II-era jitterbug, which included what looked like an incomplete cartwheel. Lance kept both shoes this time. Bruno said, "no doubt about it, you have become a great showman." Carrie Ann said she noticed the struggle with the lift, but praised the couple for never taking the safe road. Len said he wouldn't have believed Lance would be in the final if someone asked him after the first couple of weeks, but said he deserved to be in the final. Scores: 9, 9, and 10. Total: 28Brooke & Derek: Brooke talked about some of the intensity of the experience and some of the bumps along the way with her partner Derek Hough. They danced the Viennese waltz as their sendoff. Carrie Ann said "Brooke, you are a star." She was a little emotional and said, "You guys deserve that trophy more than anyone else." Len said when he first saw their Viennese waltz he thought it was the best dance of the season, "and nothing I've seen tonight has made me change my mind about that." Bruno said Brooke truly was "the jewel in the crown of this really grand finale." Brooke's finance was shown tearing up as he watched in the audience. Scores: 10, 10 and 10. Total: 30SCOREBOARD (total from Monday and Tuesday):Brooke & Derek: 88Lance & Lacey: 81Warren & Kym: 80To the results: Tom revealed the couple that finished in third place. That couple was ... Lance & Lacey. Lance said, "Joey will never let me live it down that I came in third, not second," about his former NSync bandmate Joey Fatone, who took second place on the show. Lacey said she "couldn't be more proud" of Lance.And the winner is...: With Warren & Kym and Brooke & Derek anxiously awaiting the result, Tom finally announced that the winners of the seventh season of "Dancing with the Stars" were ... BROOKE & DEREK!Brooke said it felt "unbelievable!"Warren said he felt absolutely wonderful, "I didn't do any disrespect to the football guys."The confetti fell from the rafters and Derek and Brooke took their places atop the shoulders of Mark and Corky Ballas to celebrate and hold up the mirror ball trophy.
S8.E1 ∙ Round 1: Part 1
The "Dancing with the Stars" drama kicked off even before the season began, with everyone wondering and speculating which two female stars would replace Jewel and Nancy O'Dell, two stars who fell victim to injury while rehearsing for the show. The producers weren't so quick to reveal anything, either, as 11 of the 13 couples were introduced at the start of the show, with the promise from host Tom Bergeron that the "two brave stars" who would replace Jewel and Nancy, "having had the shortest training time in the history of 'Dancing with the Stars.'"The season offered up several fun stories, including newly engaged pros, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff, competing against each other; the youngest competitor in the history of the show (Shawn Johnson), and the first official "Jackass," Steve-O.Lil Kim & Derek Hough: But the best line of the night came from Lil Kim, who said, "The first time I ever watched 'Dancing with the Stars' was when I was in prison." Derek Hough was happy to come into this season as the reigning champion. He wanted to work some of Lil Kim's hip-hop "swagger" into their routines. She dedicated her first dance "to all my girls in the federal detention center." The couple danced the cha cha cha to Janet Jackson's "Nasty Boys." Judge Len Goodman praised the first dance, calling it "first class." He said it needed some more refining, "but overall, good job, well done." Bruno Tonioli said Lil Kim could "work wonders with that tooshy," but noted that she stumbled a few times. Carrie Ann Inaba said Lil Kim had great potential, but advised her to just let it out rather than thinking of ballroom as another type of dance from what she's used to. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21Belinda & Jonathan: Former Go-Gos lead singer Belinda Carlile said she was "fanatical" about the show. Her partner Jonathan Roberts said he wanted to prove "that nice guys can finish first. Belinda was having trouble with the spinning in the waltz, which made her dizzy. Jonathan worried that would be a problem throughout the season if she couldn't get a handle on it. Bruno said Belinda went from looking like Julie Andrews at the start, to Cloris Leachman. He told her to work on his footwork. Carrie Ann said it "wasn't great, but it certainly wasn't Cloris Leachman," and told Belinda to trust her partner and let him lead. Len said there was some grace and elegance about it, but "overall I thought you did a good job on a very difficult dance." Scores: 6, 6, and 5. Total: 17Lawrence & Edyta: NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was hoping he wouldn't break the dance floor. His partner Edyta Sliwinska reintroduced herself by reminded us, "I always bring seduction to the dance floor." Lawrence was nervous about looking uncoordinated on the dance floor. They danced the cha cha cha. It was a little clunky, but he more or less held his own. Carrie Ann told him to get "a little more on the offense." Len said he liked Lawrence's naturalness and said he enjoyed watching it. Bruno said "that was so laid back it was thrown away." He told Lawrence to attack the dance and go out and perform next time. Scores: 6, 5, and 5. Total: 16Steve-O & Lacey: A more perfect match might not have been possible as "Jackass" star Steve-O met up with "Dancing's" new rebel Lacey Schwimmer. Lacey said she had the biggest job of transforming her star partner this season. They danced the waltz, during which Steve-O he hoped "this 'Jackass' can look like a gentleman." Len said he admired that Steve-O came out fully committed, "but technically there was a lot going on that wasn't quite the ticket. But, I've gotta say, I expected much, much worse." Bruno called it "a big pile of slapstick," but praised him for having fun with it. Carrie Ann said she had mixed emotions about the beauty and the weirdness and awkwardness. Scores: 6, 5, and 6. Total: 17Gilles & Cheryl: Gilles Marini, the "naked guy" from the "Sex and the City" movie was teamed up with Cheryl Burke, who was hoping to become the first three-time champion on "Dancing with the Stars." Gilles and Cheryl were both worried about his lack of a fan base. They danced a steamy cha cha cha. Carrie Ann gave a "woo hoo!" and was nothing but complimentary about Gilles. Bruno said, "clothes on or clothes, you certainly know how to strut your stuff." Len praised Cheryl for her choreography and said it was "absolutely fabulous." Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24.Chuck & Julianne: Real-life couple Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough found that being a real-life couple might complicate the teaching the process. During rehearsals, Julianne told him he was the worst student she's had. They took on a romantic waltz. Bruno said it was looking good at times, "but at times it looked like you were chasing her," and said that he thought Chuck was going to strangle Julianne at the end. Len agreed that it was a bit hectic, but praised Chuck's footwork. Carrie Ann said Chuck might be one of the most graceful men that has been on the show, but she pointed out that Julianne's foot came off the ground. Scores: 6, 7, and 7. Total: 20.Injury timeout: Tom took a moment to chat with Jewel an Nancy O'Dell about their injuries. They were both disappointed they wouldn't be ale to compete, due to their injuries. O'Dell said she was having surgery next week.Holly & Dmitri: Playboy Playmate and former "Girl Next Door" Holly Madison stepped in for the injured Jewel and had just one week to prepare with brand new dancing pro Dmitry Chapman. Len said "it wasn't bad," and acknowledged they only had a short time to practice and said he was sure they would be fabulous next week. Carrie Ann agreed that she'd be better next week, saying she was "really like a newborn deer right now, a little wobbly on the legs." Bruno noted that Holly lost her timing quite a few times, but told her to keep hope. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18.Ty & Chelsie: Rodeo champion Ty Murray met up with new dancing pro Chelsie Hightower, a contestant on the last season of "So You Think You Can Dance?" Ty said Chelsie was going to have her work cut out for her trying to teach him how to dance. He missed a couple of steps on his cha cha cha. Bruno said "it looked more like an Army drill than a cha cha cha." Len said that part of the charm of the show is seeing people come out and try something outside their comfort level, and he praised Ty for doing that. Carrie said Ty was "one cute cowboy." "Your dancing, we're going to work on that," Carrie Ann said. Scores: 5, 4, and 5. Total: 14.Shawn & Mark: Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson warned us not to underestimate her, and her partner Mark Ballas said he wanted his trophy back. The 17-year-old Olympian was struggling to show emotion on the dance floor, but Mark encouraged her to embrace it. They danced a nice waltz. Carrie Ann said she was "truly moved," watching Shawn's dancing and praised her dynamism. Bruno called it "surprisingly refined for somebody so young." Len said he "found the whole thing very appealing." Scores: 8, 8, and 7. Total: 23.Steve & Karina: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak rode in on his segue to meet with partner Karina Smirnoff, who vowed that she could bring the sexy side out of anyone. Good luck with that, Karina! "The Woz" stumbled through their early rehearsals in black shorts with black dress socks and black shoes. He came out wearing a pink feather boa. It was a bit clunky, but Tom called out, "Take that, Bill Gates!" Len said it held his attention and called out some parts he liked, "but overall it was a disaster." Bruno said "it was like watching a Teletubby going mad at a gay pride parade." Carrie Ann said Steve was what the competition was all about and said he made viewers want to cheer for her. Scores: 5, 4, and 4. Total: 13.David & Kym: Comedian David Alan Grier threw off his partner Kym Johnson at their first meeting, telling her he wanted to lose weight and wanted "a swimmer's body." They danced the waltz. Bruno said there were "some good lines at times," but said he was leaning too far into Kym on the holds. He also told David to stick to one character during the course of a dance. Carrie Ann agreed that David's face was a little distracting at times. Len said "there was far more good in that performance than there was bad," and he said that "overall, it was very commendable." Scores: 6, 7, and 6. Total: 19.Denise & Maks: Actress Denise Richards met up with "Dancing's" bad boy Maksim Chmerkovskiy. There were some tense moments during rehearsals, but the couple got through their "differences" and went out to do their cha cha cha. Carrie Ann said Denise looked terrified, but that she showed potential. Len said it was "all a little bit loose" and told her to dance herself without Maks pulling her around. Bruno said "there were some moments" when he could see it the right way, but it collapsed in other parts. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18.Melissa & Tony: After just two days of practice, Melissa Rycroft of sudden "Bachelor" fame teamed up with partner Tony Dovolani, as a replacement for Nancy O'Dell. They held it together without any major flubs. Len said "'The Bachelor's' loss is 'Dancing with the Stars'' gain." Len said it was obvious she'd had ballet experience and said she had to get lower on her feet. Bruno called "the 'Bachelor' guy" and loser. He said she was a revelation and said "it was like watching a beautiful bird just about ready to take flight." Carrie Ann said she looked forward to seeing how it worked out, but said she didn't want Melissa to take it too lightly. Scores: 8, 7, and 8. Total: 23.SCOREBOARD:Gilles & Cheryl: 24Shawn & Mark: 23Melissa & Tony: 23Lil Kim & Derek: 21Chuck & Julianne: 20David & Kym: 19Holly & Dmitry: 18Denise & Maks: 18Belinda & Jonathan: 17Steve-O & Lacey: 17Larence & Edyta: 16Ty & Chelsie: 14Steve & Karina: 13
S8.E2 ∙ Round One: Part 2
The second performance episode of "Dancing with the Stars" brought its own kind of suspense, with the question over whether or not Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak would perform. But it was "Jackass" star Steve-O who failed to turn up, forcing his partner Lacey Schwimmer to walk out to the intro music alone.Host Tom Bergeron said there was some mystery around Steve-O's absence, but they wouldn't get to that until later. The scores from this week would be combined with last week's scores and votes before Tuesday night's elimination.Holly & Dmitry: After a quick "getting to know you" session with her new partner Dimtry Chaplin, former "Girl Next Door" Holly Madison took to the quickstep. Judge Len Goodman said it was a difficult dance. He said her upper body should have had better posture. Bruno Tonioli said she "looked like you were running for a bus most of the time" and appeared to have trouble keeping up with her partner. Carrie Ann Inaba said she was "kind of like a doll" and bring dragged around. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18 + 18 (from last week) = 36David & Kym: Comedian David Alan Grier took some heat last week for his facial expressions. He said he wanted to show more "with my feet, what David G. is all about." David and his partner Kym Johnson danced the salsa. Bruno said David found an identifiable character, but told him to work on the feet and the timing. Carrie Ann said "I don't think harder is always better." She said salsa has to come from the music, but "it's just not quite coming together." Len said the problem was there was too much of Kym and not enough of David. Scores: 6, 5, and 6. Total: 17 + 19 = 36.Denise & Maks: Denise Richards' partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy said he thought the judges' comments from the previous week were constructive. He struggled to get Denise to relax during rehearsals for the quickstep. Carrie Ann said it was "much better" and said Denise found her elegance and strength. Len agreed there was great improvement from last week, but said there was one moment where they lost synchronicity. Bruno said it was great to see Denise grabbing her tools and using them to her advantage. Scores: 7, 7, and 7:.21 + 18 = 39.Belinda & Jonathan: Belinda Carlisle was still reeling from Bruno's criticism from the first week, which she took personally. Her partner Jonathan Roberts said he tried to incorporate some of Belinda's moves from the Go-Gos into her salsa. Would it work? Len said there was exuberance and fun, but that some of the hip action was missing. Bruno said there was progress in terms of Belinda letting herself go, but said that she had to hit the hard beats harder. Carrie Ann said it was "a bit lacking in grace." Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18 + 17 = 35.Ty & Chelsie: Rodeo champ Ty Murray said his "cha cha" last week "was really just a 'cha' because I forgot half of it." He just wanted to not be horrible again. HIs quickstep was a big improvement from the previous. Carrie Ann gave a big "yee-haw!" She said it was smooth and he kept up. Bruno said Ty was in charge. Len called it "an absolute metamorphosis." Scores: 7, 6 and 7. Total: 20 + 14 = 34.Shawn & Mark: Shawn Johnson struggled to shake her hips enough for the salsa, but her partner Mark Ballas tried to set as much of an example as he could. Was it enough? She shook and shimmied during the performance. Bruno said she was "one of the cutest little things we've ever seen," but said he wants her to be much more naughty and flirtatious. Len said it was "clean and precise," but said he wants her to throw caution to the wind a little more on the Latin dances. Carrie Ann said Shawn had the ability to focus and praised her for her "bam-bam" hips. Scores: 8, 8, and 8 = 24 + 23 = 47.Steve & Karina: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak was practicing hard at his quickstep and suffered a fracture in his left foot. His doctor warned him of the risks, but The Woz decided to dance on. Steve's ex, Kathy Griffin, was in the crowd cheering him along. Len said it was great fun and enjoyable watching him, but the dancing quality wasn't there. Carrie Ann called him a trooper and said she couldn't figure out what he was doing, but she was smiling. Bruno said Steve reminded him of "Wall-E," a bit rusty around the edges and in need of spare parts. Scores: 6, 5, and 6. Total: 17 + 13 = 30.Chuck & Julianne: Country singer Chuck Wicks reminded us he was a man by reinforcing that he was uncomfortable with the "feminine" moves in the salsa. Bruno said it was a wasted opportunity for Chuck because Julianne did all the work. Len said the dance should have been hot and sexy, but "it was all Julianne." Carrie Ann said it wasn't a salsa and said it was showy and she couldn't get into it. Scores: 6, 7, and 7: 20 + 20 = 40.Lawrence & Edyta: NFL legend Lawrence Taylor was nervous because last week's dance was the better one he had to offer, and he scored just 16 points. He wanted to float on the quickstep, but felt like he was sinking in rehearsals. Carrie Ann sang, "That's the way - uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it." Bruno said Lawrence was a competitor and attacked the performance. Len said it was difficult choreography and said it was "well done." Scores: 7, 6, and 7. Total: 20 + 16 = 36.Steve-O & Lacey: Tom explained that Steve-O hurt himself by landing on his microphone pack during rehearsal. He was suffering from some back pain and said he had a plan to make television history. According to the rules, the judges had to base their scores on his dress rehearsal, which was replayed. Lacey Schwimmer stood with Tom for the results. Len said that it was difficult to judge based on the dress rehearsal and there wasn't much salsa. Bruno agreed, saying he appreciated the creativity. Carrie Ann said she saw a lot of promise in Steve-O, but the performance wasn't right for the dance. Scores: 5, 4, and 5. Total: 14 + 17 = 31.Lil Kim & Derek: Rapper Lil Kim was hoping to show her elegant and refined side with her quickstep. Bruno said Lil Kim had bling coming out from every pore of her body. He said the dancers were a little too far apart at time, but he loved it. Carrie Ann said she was "fantastic," but agreed that they were too far apart at time. Len said Lil Kim wasn't shy. He said there was a lot of quantity in the dance, but not enough quality. He gave Derek a hard time for not keeping them in close contact during the dance. Scores: 8, 7, and 8. Total: 23 + 21 = 44.Melissa & Tony: After making a quick splash as a last-minute replacement, "Bachelor" dumpee Melissa Rycroft had to try to build on her waltz momentum with the salsa. The crowd loved it. Carrie Ann thanked Tony Dovolani for bring "a real salsa" and said it was "slammin'." Len said he was gyrating on his seat and called it "the salsa of the night." Bruno called it a juicy salsa. Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26 + 23 = 49.Gilles & Cheryl: Actor Gilles Marini scored the highest points from the judges last week despite being presumably the least-known celebrity in the competition. He came out in Clark Kent glasses and a suit, but ripped it off at the end to reveal a "Superman"-like "G" on his shirt. Len said it was wonderful. Bruno said there were sparks. Carrie Ann said the couple was quickly becoming the fan favorites. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27 + 24 = 51.SCOREBOARD:Gilles & Cheryl: 51Melissa & Tony: 49Shawn & Mark: 47Lil Kim & Derek: 44Chuck Julianne: 40Denise & Maks: 39Holly & Dmitry: 36David & Kym: 36Lawrence & Edyta: 36Belinda & Jonathan: 35Ty & Chelsie: 34Steve-O & Lacey: 31Steve & Karina: 30
S8.E3 ∙ Round One: Results Show
"Dancing with the Stars" --Results Show, March 17, 2009 It was finally time for the first elimination in the eighth season of "Dancing with the Stars," and it would involve a little twist in which the bottom two couples would participate in a dance off to see who would go home.First, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy opened the show with the "Calloway Boogie."Asked for an explanation about what resulted in him missing Monday night's performance show, "Jackass" star Steve-O said he showed up Monday night with an "unbelievably bad idea" for the end of his routine, then decided to change it to an even worse idea. He ended up getting carted to the hospital. He wanted to make it up to his partner Lacey Schwimmer, who told him the dip was a bad idea.A quick check of the scoreboard before the results began to get revealed...SCOREBOARD:Gilles & Cheryl: 51Melissa & Tony: 49Shawn & Mark: 47Lil Kim & Derek: 44Chuck & Julianne: 40Denise & Maks: 39Holly & Dmitry: 36David & Kym: 36Lawrence & Edyta: 36Belinda & Jonathan: 35Ty & Chelsie: 34Steve-O & Lacey: 31Steve & Karina: 30To the results: The first four couples, in no particular order, who would survive to dance another day were: Lawrence Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska, Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas, Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough, and David Alan Grier & Kym Johnson.The next four couples still in the game were Denise Richards & Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani, Lil Kim & Derek Hough, and Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke.Jewel and the Newbies: Jewel performed "Over the Rainbow" and gave new dancing pros Chelsie Hightower and Dmitry Chaplin a chance to show their skills.More results: With five couples left, it was time to send three more to safety and determine which two couples would participate in the danceoff.In no particular order, Holly Madison & Dmitry Chaplin, Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower, and Steve-O and Lacey Schwimmer were safe.The danceoff: That left Belinda Carlisle & Jonathan Roberts and Steve Wozniak & Karina Smirnoff to compete in the danceoff.Host Tom Bergeron explained that the couples would dance for the judges and the scores they receive for Tuesday night's performance would be combined with the scores from their previous dances and the votes.Belinda and Jonathan went first and Len Goodman praised her hip action, but said there were some other mistakes. Bruno Tonioli agreed that she lost her footwork a little. Carrie Ann Inaba said she enjoyed watching it again, but that they messed up the middle section. Scores: 5, 6, and 6. Total: 17.Steve & Karina came back with the quickstep and Bruno said Steve had to know he was not a good dancer, but said he admired him. Carrie Ann said it was better Tuesday night than Monday. Len said he admired Steve for working through his bad foot, but said there "wasn't a lot of improvement." He called Steve "the best for fun and entertainment." Steve said that if it was their last dance, "we were lucky enough to get to do it twice." Scores: 6, 5, and 6. Total: 17.In the end, the first couple eliminated on "Dancing with the Stars" was Belinda & Jonathan.
S8.E4 ∙ Round Two
For the first time all season, every couple had the same amount of rehearsal time to learn a new dance. They wasted no time getting down to business.Denise & Maks: Actress Denise Richards and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy practiced their samba, but Maks thought Denise was being too serious in rehearsal. To make her lighten up, he came into the studio dressed in a hot pink dress and shook his thing with maracas. Denise said she'd be thinking about that when show time came. Judge Len Goodman said the samba is possibly the hardest of all the Latin dances. He said it needed more of a Latin kick to it, but said it was good. Bruno Tonioli said Denise was "going backwards" and said nothing really worked. He said it was a bad night. Carrie Ann Inaba agreed with Bruno, and said Denise showed all her fear in her face. Scores: 5, 6, and 5. Total: 16.Chuck & Julianne: Country singer Chuck Wicks had to prove to the judges that his partner Julianne Hough wasn't doing all the work. Julianne stepped up the seriousness of her coaching and Chuck said he was ready to bust out of Julianne's shadow with the foxtrot. Bruno said he was glad to see Chuck in the driver's seat, "not chasing Julianne, but actually starting to dance with Julianne." Carrie Ann said Chuck "could possibly be a contender." Len said "it was good, but it's not great yet." Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Holly & Dmitry: Playmate Holly Madison was coming off of criticism that her bust was too far forward, which made her bottom pop out. Her partner Dmitry Chaplin told her she'd have to shake everything for the samba. They went through some frustrating moments in rehearsal, where Holly said Dmitry was probably wishing he had Jewel back in the competition. Carrie Ann said it was "kind of rough to watch." She said Holly looked "totally disjointed" and said Holly was being dragged around by Dmitry. Len said she had to get her footwork better. "It was like a match, it was hot at the top, wooden on the bottom," Len said. Bruno said the feet were not in the right place. Scores: 5, 6, and 6. Total: 17.Steve-O & Lacey: Steve-O wanted to make a big comeback after getting injured before his second dance last week, but the doctors advised him to take it easy for at least 48 hours. His partner Lacey Schwimmer was worried he was too stressed about letting his fans down. He wanted to prove to the judges and the fans that he deserved to stick around with his foxtrot. Steve-O slipped again at the end of their performance and hit his leg on the steps in front of the stage. Len said he was happy at the start and there were a couple of moments where he lost it, but he said "well done." Bruno said "what a shame" because it started well and it fell to pieces. "But," he said, "you're going the right way." Carrie Ann said she was really impressed and respected Steve-O for working his way back. Scores: 5, 5, and 5. Total: 15.Lawrence & Edyta: NFL defensive legend Lawrence Taylor was ready to build on the momentum he generated the first week. He was worried he didn't have enough time to learn the dance. He had to give up his golf game to keep practicing his samba with his partner Edyta Sliwinska, "and I don't give up golf for nothing," he said. Bruno said Lawrence was pretty light on his feet for a guy his size. He told Lawrence not to doubt his ability and to have fun with it. Carrie Ann said there was a newfound comfort and confidence and urged him to try a little more difficulty. Len said he admired Lawrence's work ethic. Scores: 7, 6, and 7. Total: 20.Shawn & Mark: Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson was coming off good comments from the judges, but was worried about the foxtrot's "smooth and elegant" movements, which were not her forte. She wanted to prove that she could be transformed into a lady. Carrie Ann said it was great and said Shawn looked like more than just a lady, she looked like a beautiful princess. Len agreed, "great movements, loved the arms, it was fluid," and called it her best dance, so far. Bruno said they were gliding around with "such weightless quality, it was like watching a graceful, bejeweled hummingbird." Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Gilles & Cheryl: Actor Gilles Marini was coming off of two weeks at the top of the leaderboard, and he was also feeling the pressure of not being as famous as the other celebrities in the competition. Gilles' mom came to rehearsal from France to watch him dance, and he dedicated his performance to her. Gilles and partner Cheryl Burke danced an intense samba. It earned a huge standing ovation from the crowd. Len called Gilles a really good dancer and said, "you just made a hard dance look easy." Bruno said Gilles "came out here like a throbbing, red-hot poker." Carrie Ann said it was excellent and noted that Gilles brought out "something in Cheryl that I haven't seen in a long time -- she was working it for you!" Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27David & Kym: Comedian David Alan Grier and his partner Kym Johnson were bummed about their low scores the previous week. David said he needed to show how much fun he was having on the dance floor. David said he was ready to bust out. Bruno said David was taking the foxtrot to Broadway and said, "What a transformation." Carrie Ann gave him "two snaps up," calling on an "In Living Color" reference. Len said one dance doesn't win or lose the competition and said that even though he didn't like David's dance last week, this was his best one so far. Scores: 8, 8 and 8. Total: 24.Steve & Karina: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak again found himself in an ambulance after pulling his hamstring in rehearsal. He wasn't sure even 24 hours before show time if he'd be able to perform, but he took to the floor with partner Karina Smirnoff. The end of the dance included a little bit of a worm from Steve and a flip from Karina into Steve's waiting arms. Bruno actually looked a little bit annoyed. Carrie Ann said Steve was cute and adorable, "but at some point the novelty wears off." Len said he was afraid the dances were killing Steve. He said he hoped the viewers were enjoying the dance as entertainment, because "it was terrible from start to finish." Bruno told Steve to get on his knees and ask forgiveness. "This was the worst samba I've ever seen, I think." Scores: 4, 3, and 3. Total: 10. After getting his scores, Steve said, "I don't think they're right. I think we deserved less, but I'll take it."Melissa & Tony:: "Bachelor" star Melissa Rycroft and partner Tony Dovolani had their first full week of practice, but not before Melissa to her old workplace in Dallas and officially quit and packed her up her cubicle. She was hoping to use the support from her friends back home to fuel her foxtrot. Len said she had great musicality and said overall it was fantastic. Bruno said it was "beautiful to look at, easy to love." Carrie Ann said she loved watching Melissa move, but there was something missing. She said she wanted to see Melissa challenge herself a little more. Scores: 9, 9 and 9. Total: 27.Lil Kim & Derek: Rapper Lil Kim was lurking just below the leaders in the scores last week, and she was looking forward to putting her Lil Kim stamp on the samba. She promised it would be "one huge party on the dance floor." She did the samba with her partner Derek Hough. Bruno said Lil Kim was "a pocket-sized Venus with a super-sized sex appeal." He said it wasn't perfect, but she sold it. Carrie Ann said it was hot and drew her in. Len liked Lil Kim's booty, but told Derek to throw in some more fundamental steps in the dances. Scores: 8, 8 and 9. Total: 25Ty & Chelsie: Rodeo champion Ty Murray showed big improvement from his first dance to the second one, but he knew he had a lot of room to get better. He and partner Chelsie Hightower danced the foxtrot, during which Ty tried to keep on his cool face. Chelsie slipped during one step early on, and it looked like there was another little slip toward the end. Carrie Ann called Ty "most improved" and she praised him for the way he handled Chelsie's slip. Len said it was stiff and lacked musicality, but said he thought it was fantastic and said he was "so pleased." Bruno said Chelsie was a miracle worker for taking Ty and turning him into a dancer. Scores: 8, 8, and 7. Total: 23.SCOREBOARD:Shawn & Mark: 27Gilles & Cheryl: 27Melissa & Tony: 27Lil Kim & Derek: 25David & Kym: 24Chuck & Julianne: 23Ty & Chelsie: 23Lawrence & Edyta: 20Holly & Dmitry: 17Denise & Maksim: 16Steve-O & Lacey: 15Steve & Karina: 10
S8.E5 ∙ Round Two: Results Show
Has one bad Apple (co-founder) spoiled the whole darn bunch on "Dancing with the Stars"? The judges sure seemed to think so on Monday night when they put Steve Wozniak at the bottom -- way at the bottom -- of their leaderboard. With 10 points (not from any one judge, but total!), "The Woz" had a lot of ground to make up at the hands of the voters if he hoped to dig his way out of that one. His 10 (again, total) was the lowest score received by any dancer in six seasons.Here's a quick look at the leaderboard after Monday night's performances:Shawn & Mark: 27Gilles & Cheryl: 27Melissa & Tony: 27Lil Kim & Derek: 25David & Kym: 24Chuck & Julianne: 23Ty & Chelsie: 23Lawrence & Edyta: 20Holly & Dmitry: 17Denise & Maksim: 16Steve-O & Lacey: 15Steve & Karina: 10To the results: In no particular order, host Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris let four couples off the hook with a pass to next week: Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani; Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke; Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas; and ... Steve Wozniak & Karina Smirnoff!A huge upset just nine minutes into the show as "The Woz" overcame the biggest deficit imaginable. Karina jumped and squealed and hugged Steve, who looked completely stunned."I'm more shocked than any time in my life other than when I got served with divorce papers," Steve said backstage.Then there were four more: Another four couples were sent to safety: Lawrence Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska; David Alan Grier & Kym Johnson; Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough; and Lil Kim & Derek Hough.Cloris is back!: Relax, judges. Comedian Cloris Leachman and her partner from last season Corky Ballas paired up for a recorded segment introducing next week's dances, the Lindy Hop and the Argentine Tango.Karina's a 'Maneater': In one of the most fun pro dances of the season, Hall & Oates played "Maneater" as Karina and three of the guys, including her real-life beau Maksim Chmerkovskiy, all vied for her affection. In the end, she pushed aside the others in favor of Maks, which Bergeron called "good casting."'Chasing Pavement': Recent Grammy winner Adele came on to perform her popular single, "Chasing Pavement," as Alec Mazo paid a visit to dance with Edyta.The Dance-Off: After a taped bit about how the thought of the Dance-Off is stressful, but gives the dancers a second chance to impress the judges. It's do or die.With four couples left, it was time to determine which two remaining couples were safe and which two would be in the Dance-Off.Tom told Steve-O & Lacey they were safe.Holly Madison & Dmitry Chaplin were in the bottom two.Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower were safe, which meant Denise Richards & Maks were in the Dance-Off.Denise & Maks and Holly & Dmitry stood in the middle of the dance floor awaiting their chance to make up their bad performances with the judges.Holly & Dmitry: They practiced their samba knowing that there was a chance they'd be in the bottom two. Did it work? Len Goodman said Holly "came out really hot tonight" and she "came out in partied." He pointed out one little slip. Bruno Tonioli said the timing left a little bit to be desired and told her to listen to the music and attack it. Carrie Ann Inaba praised Holly's party atmosphere and for keeping her foot on the ground. Score: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18 -- one point higher than Monday's score.Denise & Maks: Bruno called Denise and Maks' performance on Monday a step in the wrong direction. They, too, practiced Tuesday morning because Denise was virtually positive they'd be in the bottom two. Bruno said he could not believe how much she improved from Monday night. He did say she tended to disconnect in the middle of the performance. Carrie Ann told Denise "you're good under pressure." She appreciated that Denise worked on her performance. Len said the Dance-Off gives an opportunity to prove you deserve to stay, "and in my opinion, tonight, you do." Scores: 6, 7, and 7. Total: 20 -- four points higher than Monday.The judges' new scores would be combined with the voters' results to determine who was going home.After the commercial break, Tom announced that the couple with the lowest combined total was ... Denise & Maks.
S8.E6 ∙ Round Three
Host Tom Bergeron amped up the drama by reminded viewers that in eight seasons, "Dancing with the Stars" has never seen anything like this. Coming on the heels of wild injuries, bizarre moves and the most shocking elimination escape, perhaps, in the show's history comes a double elimination as two couples would go home Tuesday.On Monday, it was time to perform a pair of new dances, The Lindy Hop and the Argentine Tango.Judge Len Goodman explained that the Argentine Tango is less strict than the ballroom tango normally seen on the show, which is a ballroom tango in which the dancers stay cheek to cheek. He said The Lindy Hop is fun with lifts and throws, similar to the Jitterbug.David & Kym: A week after impressing the judges with his Fox Trot, David Alan Grier and his partner Kym Johnson were the first to take on The Lindy Hope. They went to a local club where people were doing the dance so that David could see how it was done. He was excited about the possibilities. They gave a high-energy performance complete with all the tosses and throws you could imagine, including a cartwheel by both dancers. Len said "not your best, but by no means, not your worst." Bruno Tonioli said that they lost the timing and footwork at times. Carrie Ann Inaba praised David for hanging in there even though he wasn't the youngest cookie in the competition. Scores: 8, 7, and 7. Total: 22.Lil Kim & Derek: Lil Kim was set to bring her "bionic booty," in Len's words, to the Argentine Tango. In rehearsal, Lil Kim's partner Derek Hough tried, with varying results, to keep the serious intensity that the dance required. Derek also struggled teach the dance because he didn't really know it. The couple received a standing ovation for a captivating performance. Bruno stood up to give his comments with enthusiasm, calling it "a terrific tango with terrific choreography. Wow." Carrie Ann called Lil Kim "the real deal" and said they did a great job. Len said he was "knocked out" with the choreography, but wasn't so impressed with the sensuality of the dance. Scores: 9, 8, and 10 -- the first "10" of the season. Total: 27.Chuck & Julianne: Country singer Chuck Wicks was trying to prove that Carrien Ann was right last week when she called him a contender. His partner Julianne Hough tried to get him to do a backflip over her during their Lindy Hop, but she scrapped it from the routine because he had a fear of landing on his head. Carrie Ann said it was good, but she wanted to see Chuck "go for it" just a little more. Len said it was "competent," but that would only get him so far in the competition. Bruno said it had to be more crisp. Scores: 8, 7, and 7. Total: 22.Lawrence & Edyta: NFL legend Lawrence Taylor was wondering what he had to do to get an 8 after what he thought was his best performance and still falling short of higher marks from the judges. His partner Edyta Sliwinska stressed the seductive nature of the Argentine Tango. "I'll still be married after this dance, right?" Lawrence asked her. "We'll see," she said. Edyta's husband, Alex Mazo, came in to show him how it was done. Lawrence said it was a big help. Len said they did a good job but said it was heavy, lacked passion and Lawrence looked uncomfortable. Bruno totally disagreed, saying Lawrence was menacing, intense and portrayed danger. He did agree that Lawrence was walking more than gliding at times. Carrie Ann said Lawrence exuded power but said they were lacking a bit of chemistry. Scores: 7, 5, and 7. Total: 19.Ty & Chelsie: Rodeo champ Ty Murray saved his partner Chelsie Hightower last week when she slipped on her dress. She apologized to him in rehearsal and he said she should get a shorter dress. She had him practice by himself because there would be times when they wouldn't be together on the dance floor. They tried some big lifts and throws, one of which landed Chelsie flat on her back and she asked Ty why he was trying to get her out of the competition. Bruno said Ty was jumping and kicking with the mentality of a young stallion. He said Ty was still a bit rough around the edges, but was coming up by leaps and bounds. Carrie Ann said, "Ty Murray is a dancer!" She praised Chelsie for being a special teacher. Len was ecstatic and remembered he gave Ty a "4" in the first week and said it was a "great wonder" overall. Scores: 9, 8, and 8. Total: 25.Steve & Karina: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak realized he had to work harder after coming dangerously close to elimination last week. His partner Karina Smirnoff promised to show the viewers something they wouldn't expect. After Steve promised that "the geeks shall inherit the Earth," he and Karina did their Argentine Tango. Carrie Ann said she loved what Steve represented, calling him the ultimate underdog. She said there wasn't much going on with the routine. "I'm trying to find something to say, and I'm still searching," Carrie Ann said. Len congratulated Steve for coming out and trying a proper tango and said there was an improvement from last week, although "almost anything that happened would be an improvement." Bruno said, "We all know that the tango originated in the ghettos of Buenos Aires, but the only right thing you picked up from that is the stench, because that really stunk." Steve replied with three words, "I'm still standing." Scores: 4, 4, and 4. Total: 12.Melissa & Tony: A week after landing in a three-way tie for first place, "Bachelor" star Melissa Rycroft said there was a new kind of pressure. She and partner Tony Dovolani had a good time practicing the Lindy Hop, even though one of their moves ended up with Melissa's face in Tony's crotch. Would it translate to as much fun on the dance floor? It was packed with wild flips and throws and they nailed every one. Len said Melissa had the potential to go all the way. Bruno said it was "truly, truly eye-popping and bursting with excitement." Carrie Ann gave them both high-fives and said, "Now I'm in impressed," and said it was the best choreography she'd ever seen from Tony. Scores: 10, 9, and 10. Total: 29.Holly & Dmitry: A week after surviving a brush with elimination, former "Girl Next Door" Holly Madison had to pull out all the stops for the Argentine Tango. She injured her ribs during last week's performance and it threatened to stop her in practice. She visited the doctor, who told her she'd strained the muscles around her ribs. He said she wouldn't do further damage by continuing to dance, but would be sore. She pushed through and did the Argentine Tango with partner Dmitry Chaplin. Bruno said it was a bad start and kept getting worse. Carrie Ann said Holly hung in there, but said Holly needed to build some strength. Len said the routine was fantastic and he could tell the early slip-up at the start threw her off for the whole thing. Scores: 5, 6, and 5. Total: 16.Steve-O & Lacey: "Jackass" star Steve-O forgot his steps last week, after getting hurt the week before, but thought he could redeem himself with the Lindy Hop. He was stressed in practice, so his partner Lacey Schwimmer brought him a clown suit to help him lighten up. Steve-O explained that he got his start in entertainment as a clown act and it helped him tap into that sense of free-wheeling fun needed for the Lindy Hop. Carrie Ann was thankful Steve-O got through his routine but said he was still following Lacey and she wanted him to be a leader. Len agreed that timing was the big issue. Bruno said Steve-O was overthinking his routines, which puts a barrier between him and the audience. Scores: 5, 5, and 5. Total: 15.Gilles & Cheryl: Actor Gilles Marini was coming off a huge week, and hoped to keep it going with an Argentine Tango. His partner Cheryl Burke said he was putting too much pressure on himself, which was making him mess up the steps. Cheryl tried to get him to take advantage of his acting skills during the dance, which requires lots of drama. He tapped into something that brought the crowd to its feet for an extended standing ovation. Carrie Ann fanned herself with a notepad. Len said "it was another fantastic performance," and said Gilles showed every element of a dance that has several. Bruno said "what you have here is the quintessential Latin lover." Carrie Ann said she couldn't feel her face and said, "the honest truth is in that number, I could not tell who was the professional and who wasn't." Scores: 10, 10, and 10. Total: 30 -- the first of the season.Shawn & Mark: Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson got a chance to work her gymnastics skills into the routine. She took her partner Mark Ballas to the gym to show him where she gets to have fun. She said the Lindy Hop was her dance. Was she right? Bruno said it was a spectacular feast of tricks and gymnastics, but told her to remember she's also a good dancer so she should do more dancing. Carrie Ann said the tricks and flips were great, but the footwork was a bit heavy. Len said there were too many tricks and said there was a little bit more dancing needed. Scores: 8, 8, and 9. Total: 25.LEADERBOARD:Gilles & Cheryl: 30Melissa & Tony: 29Lil Kim & Derek: 27Ty & Chelsie: 25Shawn & Mark: 25David & Kym: 22Chuck & Julianne: 22Lawrence & Edyta: 19Holly & Dmitry: 16Steve-O & Lacey: 15Steve & Karina: 12
S8.E7 ∙ Round Three: Results Show
With a double elimination on the horizon, some of the stars shined on Monday night while others faltered. Who would go home? It was time to find out on Tuesday.Highlights from the highlight reel: Lawrence Taylor, after getting a "5" from judge Len Goodman, wondered what he's have to do to get a decent score from the judges. Gymnast Shawn Johnson wasn't fazed by Len's criticism that her routine had too many tricks and not enough dancing. She was just thrilled they got another standing ovation. And pro Cheryl Burke, celebrating the perfect "30" she and partner GillesMarini nailed, said she'd never had this kind of chemistry with a dancing partner before. He said, "Thank you, babe," and planted a big kiss on her cheek.Play it again: Len asked for the first encore of the season from Gilles and Cheryl, who gave another rendition of their steamy Argentine Tango.A quick check of the leaderboard:Gilles & Cheryl: 30Melissa & Tony: 29Lil Kim & Derek: 27Ty & Chelsie: 25Shawn & Mark: 25David & Kym: 22Chuck & Julianne: 22Lawrence & Edyta: 19Holly & Dmitry: 16Steve-O & Lacey: 15Steve & Karina: 12To the results: With a double elimination in the works, there would be no dance-off. Host Tom Bergeron let two couples off the hook: Gilles & Cheryl and Lawrence Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska. Then he put one couple into the bottom three: Holly Madison & Dmitry Chaplin.'Let It Rock': Pros Julianne Hough, Chelsie Hightower and Lacey Schwimmer led an edgy and sensual group performance while Kevin Rudolph performed his hit single "Let It Rock." Later, some international champions showed how the Viennese Waltz should be done with a routine choreographed by "Dancing" pro Louis VanAmstel. Finally, Boyz II Men came out to perform a medley of classic Motown hits.More results: The next couple set free were Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas. Later, Tom revealed that Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough were safe. But the second couple dropped into the bottom three was Steve-O & Lacey Schwimmer. Backstage, Steve-O told Samantha Harris, "I'm not used to dealing with high-pressure situations without the help of drugs and alcohol, and this is a lot of pressure. I've been under an incredible amount of stress and pressure and I've made it through, so far, without getting loaded, so I feel a complete champion." Tom said, "That may be the finest tribute to this show in eight seasons."Judges' insight: The judges took an opportunity to fill some time -- er, give their insight on the dancers, so far. Some of the highlights: Carrie Ann and Len agreed that David Alan Grier needs to relax. Len summed it all up by saying, "Show me great dancing, I'll show you great marks."More results: Tom revealed two more safe couples: Lil Kim & Derek Hough and Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani. Later, Tom announced that Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower were safe, and put Steve Wozniak & Karina Smirnoff into the bottom three. That meant David Alan Grier & Kym Johnson were safe.The bottom three: Holly & Dmitry, Steve-O & Lacey and Steve & Karina waited to find out which one of them would stick around and which two were going home.The first couple out was ... Holly & Dmitry.The next couple going home was ... Steve & Karina. That meant Steve-O & Lacey were safe and would be back next week.
S8.E8 ∙ Round Four
Chuck & Julianne: Chuck Wicks was trying to get out of the middle of the pack with his Viennese waltz after weeks of playing it safe. His partner Julianne Hough tried to get him to loosen up in rehearsals. Did it work? Judge Len Goodman said Chuck finally came out of hibernation. Bruno Tonioli said Chuck was "emerging from the shadows" of Julianne. He said Chuck "still got a little bit shaky" at times. Carrie Ann Inaba disagreed with both judges and said Chuck was still holding back and lost his focus at times. She said "it's a little irritating" to her that Chuck hadn't pulled it all together yet, prompting a mini-scuffle between the judges. Scores: 7, 8, and 8. Total: 23Lawrence & Edyta: NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was still trying to squeeze an 8 out of the judges. He had trouble nailing the rhythm of the paso doble, saying it felt like watching TV with no sound on. Edyta tried to get Lawrence to tap into the intensity he had playing football. Bruno called Lawrence "the prince of darkness," and said that he got his feet moving after a rough start. Carrie Ann said Lawrence had a limited range of music, but commended him for working with a difficult type of music. Len liked the intensity that Lawrence showed, but said it was "much better" overall. Scores: 6, 7, and 7. Total: 20Shawn & Mark: Shawn Johnson's overly acrobatic Lindy Hop was too full of tricks last week, so she wanted to get back to the dancing with a Viennese waltz. She was ready to make a comeback after getting stuck in the middle of the pack and her partner Mark Ballas was ready to make it happen. Carrie Ann said they proved that simplicity is the best route to success. Len said they showed the romantic side of the dance but criticized her footwork. Bruno said it had great flow and musicality and advised Shawn not to press her shoulders up when she dances. Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26Melissa & Tony: After scoring two 10s last week, "Bachelor" star Melissa Rycroft had to get serious for the paso doble. She had trouble not smiling through the serious dance in rehearsal. She managed to avoid smiling during the performance, but was that enough? Len said Melissa coped with the dance very well, but pointed out a couple of blunders. He also said it lacked a bit of the aggression she was trying to capture. Bruno said most of it was very beautiful, but she did make mistakes. Carrie Ann said she felt Melissa was off balance. Scores: 8, 8, and 9. Total: 25.David & Kym: Comedian David Alan Grier was stuck in the middle of the pack last week and planned on bribing the judges to fix it. In reality, he worked hard during rehearsal. Bruno said it started well and that when David kept it classic, it worked. Carrie Ann thought she figured out what's disconnected, and she said it was a lack of connection between David and Kym. Len said it was a "very, very good performance" of a very difficult dance. Scores: 7, 8, and 7. Total: 22Gilles & Cheryl: Actor Gilles Marini was overwhelmed by his perfect score last week and said the pressure was enormous. His partner Cheryl Burke took him to a martial arts studio to tap into some of the aggression needed for his paso doble. They gave an intense performance Carrie Ann said she felt like she was watching someone taking things back to the heart and the core of the dance. Len said it was a little hectic at times. Bruno said Gilles was going in for the kill and "nailed it." Scores. 10, 9, and 10. Total: 29Steve-O & Lacey: Steve-O and his partner Lacey Schwimmer got a visit during rehearsals, which helped lift Steve-O's spirit. They did a Parisien-inspired Viennese waltz. Len told Steve-O not to get over-excited but it was his best dance. Bruno said Steve-O's timing was on tonight. Carrie Ann liked it and just told Steve-O to watch his posture. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18Ty & Chelsie: Rodeo champion Ty Murray was coming off his best week, so far, and looking forward to using his rodeo skills on the paso doble. He took his partner Chelsie Hightower to hang out with some bulls to give her a sense of his world, then went off to do his dance. He left us with one final thought: "Chelsie says in this dance, she's the bull. If all bulls were like that, there'd be a lot more bull riders in this world." Bruno said it was so robotic and metallic he thought he was watching a Transformer. Carrie Ann wondered, "Where did my little dancer go?" Len said that after two great dances, this one was not quite to that standard. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21Lil Kim & Derek: After scoring the first 10 of the season, Lil Kim was all business. She had a music video to film and a magazine photo shoot in addition to learning the Viennese waltz. On a short time schedule, Lil Kim and Derek took to the dance floor. Carrie Ann said Lil Kim "brought every moment to life." Len praised the musicality but noted the footwork errors from Lil Kim. Bruno said Lil Kim managed to make the Viennese waltz look sassy. He said, "It takes two people to win, and what you do is the right way of doing it." Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26LEADERBOARD:Gilles & Cheryl: 29Shawn & Mark: 26Lil Kim & Derek: 26Melissa & Tony: 25Chuck &Julianne: 23David & Kym: 22Ty & Chelsie: 21Lawrence & Edyta: 20Steve-O & Lacey: 18
S8.E9 ∙ Round Four: Results
After a double elimination last week, the dance-off was back Tuesday night on "Dancing with the Stars" as the bottom two vote-getters would face off for a chance to stay alive in the competition. Who would be there?The night began with a quick encore performance by LIl Kim & Derek Hough, who performed their Viennese waltz for the second time. After a quick rundown of the highlights from Monday night, we got to some results.First, a look at the leaderboard from Monday night:Gilles & Cheryl: 29Lil Kim & Derek: 26Melissa & Tony: 25Chuck &Julianne: 23Shawn & Mark: 23David & Kym: 22Ty & Chelsie: 21Lawrence & Edyta: 20Steve-O & Lacey: 18To the results: In no particular order, the first two couples sent to safety were Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas and Lil Kim & Derek Hough.'At Last...' Etta James got a chance to show she's still got that voice by performing her classic, "At Last." Later, there was a special performance by the cast of the Las Vegas show "La Reve," and Disney star Demi Lovato sang her song, "La La Land."More results: The next two couples sent to safety were Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke and Steve-O & Lacey Schwimmer -- meaning the judges' bottom finisher was in the clear.After a commercial break, another two couples were let off the hook: Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough and Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani.That left three couples waiting to see if they would be in the bottom two: Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower, David Alan Grier & Kym Johnson, and Lawrence Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska.Finally, host Tom Bergeron told Ty & Chelsie they were safe, leaving David & Kym and Lawrence & Edyta in the dance-off.The Dance-Off: David & Kym first performed their Viennese waltz. Judge Len Goodman said he enjoyed it Monday night and again Tuesday night. Bruno Tonioli said David worked well under pressure and should maybe be in the dance-off every week. Carrie Ann Inaba said this time she felt the connection. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Lawrence & Edyta did their paso doble next. Bruno said he thought he'd only seen the tip of the iceberg from Lawrence and encouraged him to trust himself from the start of each dance. Carrie Ann reiterated it was one of the most difficult piece of music to perform to and said she loved watching Lawrence's power. Len said he'd seen real improvement from Lawrence and was looking forward to seeing what he could do next week if he stuck around. Scores: 6, 7, and 7. Total: 20With the new scores, David & Kym improved a couple of points while Lawrence & Edyta broke even. Would it make a difference?Finally, the couple going home was ... David & Kym.
S8.E10 ∙ Round Five
Dancing with the Stars - April 13, 2009With eight out of the original 13 dancers left in the competition on "Dancing with the Stars," the real front-runners started to emerge. Rapper Lil Kim picked the right time to get hot, taking home the high score for the evening and knocking Gilles Marini off the top of the leaderboard.Ty & Chelsie: Rodeo champ Ty Murray agreed with the judges' harsh assessment of him last week and explained that his performance looks mechanical because he's trying too hard to remember things. His partner Chelsie Hightower tried to loosen him up by bringing a trampoline into their practice session. Judge Len Goodman said Ty looked bewildered, "like, 'what's going on?'" Bruno Tonioli said "the line dancing was good, then the jive started." He said Ty did 20,000 kicks and flicks, "but none of them were right." Carrie Ann Inaba called it exciting and said it "rocked the house," but said Ty was better suited to the foxtrot and Lindy hop. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18Shawn & Mark: Olympic champion Shawn Johnson was acting all shy around partner Mark Ballas as they tried to get into character for their romantic rumba. Mark pulled out all the stops in rehearsal, creating a faux-prom for Shawn, who might miss her big dance if she makes it far enough on the show. Bruno called the performance the innocent side of romance "with a hint of the devil." Carrie Ann wasn't totally buying it, saying she could see the discomfort in Shawn's eye. But she said it came together in the second half of the performance. Len said some rumbas can sometimes get too hot, but that Shawn and Mark just nailed it. Scores: 8, 9, and 9. Total: 26Lawrence & Edyta: Lawrence Taylor had trouble getting into the fun side of the jive in rehearsal, so his football-playing buddy Warren Sapp, last year's "Dancing" runner-up, stopped by to give him some encouragement. Carrie Ann said Lawrence got his groove back. Len said he liked the style of the dance and the basic movements. Bruno said Lawrence was "alive and kicking," and said he could tell Lawrence was having a good time and called it Lawrence's best performance, to date. Scores: 7, 7, and 8. Total: 22Melissa & Tony: "Bachelor" star Melissa Rycroft slipped and stumbled and tore her skirt last week, but she came back focused and it showed. Despite some goofiness in rehearsal, Melissa and her partner Tony Dovolani pulled off a serious and seductive rumba. Len said it was clean and precise and had interesting choreography, but said it could be a bit more earthy. He encouraged Melissa to find the character of each individual dance. Bruno praised Melissa for her graceful moves, but said he wanted to see "Melissa the maneater." Carrie Ann loved the the emotional quality of the dance, and told Melissa to work on her hip motion. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Lil Kim & Derek: Lil Kim took it back to jail, but this time she was the warden as she and partner Derek Hough gave their take on Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock." Bruno Tonioli loved it, throwing out his hands to be cuffed and shouting, "Warden Kim, I'm guilty! Take me! Arrest me!" Carrie Ann stood up, cheered and said, "That was amazing" and "mindblowing." Len was the old sourpuss, calling it fun and energetic, but that it got so carried away with the story that it lacked the jive he'd like to see. He said it was "a tad theatrical." Scores: 10, 8 and 10. Total: 28Steve-O & Lacey: Steve-O had trouble even talking about getting romantic with his sister-like partner Lacey Schwimmer, so his chances of pulling off much chemistry on their rumba were slim. Carrie Ann was speechless at first and said there was something "oddly mesmerizing" about watching him. Then she said it was his commitment that made it enjoyable to watch. Len said "you can't confuse movement with dancing," and said there was no movement or hip action and it just wasn't good. Bruno said Steve-O had the charm of a confused puppy, but "the dancing is bad." Scores: 7, 4, and 5. Total: 16Gilles & Cheryl: Actor Gilles Marini worried about the jive, saying it wasn't his dance. He still pulled it off and got high scores, but was bumped off the top for the first time this season. Len said Gilles showed a lot of the jive's qualities, but said there was a wrong step that went wrong right in front of the judges' table. He also called it a bit "frantic." Bruno compared Gilles to "Fast & Furious," and praised him for putting 110 percent effort in. Carrie Ann said there was something weird going on with Gilles' arms, but generally liked it. Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26Chuck & Julianne: Country singer Chuck Wicks hoped he'd be able to show some chemistry with his real-life girlfriend, Julianne Hough. They went to relive their first date at the Santa Monica Pier to get in the mood. Bruno said he wanted to order "some more of that" after they performance, noting they "switched on the raunch factor." Technically, it wasn't perfect, Bruno said, but that it was a step in the right direction. Carrie Ann fanned herself and called it passionate and sexy. Len said parts of it "were more suitable for the bedroom than the ballroom." He said it was a little too in-your-face. Scores: 8, 7, and 8. Total: 23LEADERBOARD:Lil Kim & Derek: 28Melissa & Tony: 27Shawn & Mark: 26Gilles & Cheryl: 26Chuck & Julianne: 23Lawrence & Edyta: 22Ty & Chelsie: 18Steve-O & Lacey: 16
S8.E11 ∙ Round Five: Results
The dance-off was gone on "Dancing with the Stars," but someone still had to go home, and it was "Jackass" star Steve-O's number that came up.Play it again, Lil' Kim: For the second consecutive week, Lil' Kim and Derek Hough were asked to perform the encore. This time, they gave another rendition of their high-energy, Elvis Presley-inspired jive to "Jailhouse Rock."Before getting to the results, here's a quick look at the leader board after the judges' scores were delivered Monday night:Lil Kim & Derek: 28Melissa & Tony: 27Shawn & Mark: 26Gilles & Cheryl: 26Chuck & Julianne: 23Lawrence & Edyta: 22Ty & Chelsie: 18Steve-O & Lacey: 16Be our guests: Broadway's "West Side Story" cast performed "America," and later, Rascal Flatts performed and Tony Dovolani and Julianne Hough did an exhilarating accompanying dance that featured Tony lifting and tossing Julianne all over the dance floor. Later, and Carmen Electra led a cabaret performance.To the results: The first two couples let off the hook this week were Lil' Kim & Derek and Lawrence & Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska.Back to the results: Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas were the next couple to receive a pass to dance again next week, followed by Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani.Body language: Dr. Lilian Glass, a body language expert, offered a bit of interesting insight into what the stars' facial and body movements say about their experience and how they feel about their standing in the competition.In performance mode, Lil' Kim has her eyes and mouth open a lot, indicating she's trying to take it all in. Shawn's frequent shoulder shrugs show a bit of insecurity, which is different from her confident presentation at the Olympics. Ty holds on to his partner Chelsie Hightower, Dr. Glass said, for a sense of security. Melissa face expressed a lot of fear early on, and still shows discomfort by frequently putting her hand over her stomach, which means she's still feeling the butterflies.Chuck shows a lot of facial tension, showing that he's not comfortable and doesn't like being judges. Gilles, on the other hand, shows a lot of humility while being judged, as he looks up a lot in a praying kind of position. That shows he knows the scores are out of his control. During judging, Lawrence holds his hands behind his back and exposes his chest, presenting himself as a strong man who can take whatever criticism the judges can dole out.During eliminations, there is more to read on the stars' faces and in their posture. Steve-O puts his hand on his waist a lot, his head tilted and his ear is up awaiting bad news. Lil' Kim, Shawn and Gilles stare ahead, looking at the directly at the audience as if to convey that the audience's opinion is what matters most. Lawrence and Chuck both look up, then down a lot during the eliminations, showing that they aren't sure of themselves.Back to the results: Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke were the next couple set free. They were soon followed by Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough.That left Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower and Steve-O & Lacey Schwimmer in the "not necessarily" bottom two. Since the results were announced in no particular order Tuesday night, the fact that Ty & Chelsie were there didn't mean they were definitely the second-to-lowest-scoring couple.In the end, it was Steve-O who said goodbye. He thanked Lacey for her patience and dedication, awkwardly joking that he sometimes has a tendency to "man-struate."
S8.E12 ∙ Round Six
You know "Project Runway" has made it when "Dancing with the Stars" decides to have the stars design their professional partners' outfits. That's what happened Monday night, which also featured the first group dance of the season.Melissa & Tony: "Bachelor" star Melissa Rycroft was looking to tap into her "man eater," and get a little aggressive with her Argentine tango. In a clever bit of cross-promotion, Melissa and her partner Tony Dovolani paid a visit to Wisteria Lane, where Teri Hatcher gave them a tour and gave Melissa some tips. Melissa came up from the dance holding her left side a little after a series of dramatic lifts (Tony later called Melissa a trooper because she danced through bruised ribs). Len Goodman gave nothing but praise and loved the interaction between the dancers, but said there was a tiny blunder somewhere. Bruno Tonioli said Melissa's legs were like magic tools in the hands of a master, and called it "stunning." Carrie Ann Inaba said it was the best Argentine tango they'd seen this season. She called Tony and Melissa the "king and queen of legal lifts." Scores: 10, 9 and 10. Total: 29Lawrence & Edyta: NFL legend Lawrence Taylor picked up his best score of the season last week with the jive. Lawrence had to go to Miami for a charity gold event, and he brought Edyta along so she could try her hand at swinging a golf club and see what it was like to be judged on something she'd never done before. In the middle of the dance, Lawrence removed the druid-like coat Edyta was wearing, revealing a sleeker dress. Bruno said it was a little clumsy but the romance was there. He said it was "not terrible, but it was not brilliant." Carrie Ann said she saw more freedom in Lawrence's movements, and complimented Lawrence's dress design. Len said there was a tenderness and elegance. He said there were some problems, but "overall, I was shocked at how well you did." Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21Lil' Kim & Derek: Rapper Lil' Kim came off her best week ever, and rolled into this week as the judges' top choice a week earlier. Lil' Kim's partner Derek Hough found himself trying to tone down Lil' Kim's sensuality for the rumba, and struggled to come up with the right choreography to please the audience and the judges. Carrie Ann said it was understated and underwhelming. She said she didn't want to see Lil' Kim tempered. Len said, "Be still my beating heart." He also agreed with Carrie Ann, and said she must go with what she does best. Bruno said "taking the raunch out of Lil' Kim is like having a margarita without the tequila." Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26Chuck & Julianne: Chuck Wicks and his real-life girlfriend Julianne Hough knew the fans would be the ones to keep them in the competition. They danced a samba that Chuck hoped would be perfect and yield a perfect score. It was a pretty impressive performance that got Carrie Ann clapping immediately and the crowd went nuts. Len shouted that he liked it a lot. He said it was "by far, your best dance, to date." Bruno said Chuck was working his butt and hips. Carrie Ann jumped out of her seat and gave Chuck a high-five. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Ty & Chelsie: Rodeo champ Ty Murray, who was on the upswing in recent weeks, but realized he was sliding. Ty's partner Chelsie Hightower had Ty's wife Jewel come in to rehearsals and help them work on their chemistry. Ty was uncomfortable because he felt Chelsie was more like his adopted daughter than a romantic interest. They danced a waltz that Ty dedicated to Jewel. Bruno said it was a bigger comeback than Mickey Rourke and said Ty was back in the game. Carrie Ann praised Ty's posture, hold and connection with Chelsie. Len agreed and said he had "more rise and fall than a bride's nightie." Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Shawn & Mark: In the middle of a busy week, Olympian Shawn Johnson traveled across the country to accept a prestigious amateur athletics award in New York, and another award in Iowa, where she and partner Mark Ballas started practicing their cha cha cha. Shawn wasn't picking up the steps as quickly as usual, which concerned Mark. But they got through a Michael Jackson-inspired dance to the tune of "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)." Carrie Ann loved it and said Shawn nailed it. Len said the cha cha is difficult and gets confusing for some dancers, but she did it "exactly." Bruno called Shawn a "cheeky little devil." He said he felt like he was "looking at a young Debbie Reynolds or Mitzi Gaynor." Scores: 9, 9, and 10. Total: 28Gilles & Cheryl: Actor Gilles Marini vowed to work as hard as possible to get back on top of the leaderboard after falling out of first place for the first time all season. To help him move more gracefully, Cheryl took Gilles to a synchronized swimming coach to get the feeling of moving underwater. They danced the Viennese waltz. Len said it had romance, and enjoyed the freedom of the dance. He said "overall, it was a superb job." Bruno made a bunch of French references, including something about Versailles. Carrie Ann called Gilles one of the most graceful male dancers she's seen. She told Gilles to watch his posture a little. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Group dance, '60s style: It's that time of the season, when the final 20 minutes of the 90-minute episode could be dedicated to a group dance and footage of the rehearsal. Lawrence wasn't having much of the fun-filled experience, calling it "like 'Dancing with the Clowns.'" Shawn missed the group dance rehearsal because of her trips across the country, and each couple had to come up with their own signature move.The group dance was purely for the audience's benefit as the judges would not be giving scores on it. There were no major mishaps, but Ty's signature move in which he appeared to ride Chelsie like a bucking bull took the cake for the most bizarre moment.LEADERBOARD:Melissa & Tony: 29Shawn & Mark: 28Chuck & Julianne: 27Gilles & Cheryl: 27Lil' Kim & Derek: 26Ty & Chelsie: 24Lawrence & Edyta: 21
S8.E13 ∙ Round Six: Results
The "Dancing with the Stars" results show kicked off with an encore performance of the season's first group dance. The '60s-inspired number went off about as well as it did Monday -- and that isn't necessarily praise.After a fairly interesting look at the physical benefit and toll the competition puts on the stars, Natasha Bedingfield paid a visit to perform "Soulmate" while Lacey Schwimmer and Dmitry Chaplin hit the dance floor. Later, dancers from the upcoming Broadway show "Burn the Floor" showed off some moves. Much later in the evening, Celtic Woman performed.Nearly halfway through the show, it was time to get to some results. First, a quick look back at the leaderboard:Melissa & Tony: 29Shawn & Mark: 28Chuck & Julianne: 27Gilles & Cheryl: 27Lil' Kim & Derek: 26Ty & Chelsie: 24Lawrence & Edyta: 21To the results: Host Tom Bergeron revealed, in no particular order, that Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough, Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani, and Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas were safe for at least another week.New competition:Afton & Brent: Afton DelGrosso, the sister of Ashley DelGrosso from the first two seasons of "Dancing," was paired with Brent Borbon in the first round of a competition where viewers will determine which pro dancers will become part of the cast next season. The judges will give their opinions, but the decision rests in the hands of the voters. Len Goodman said Afton showed a little bit more flair than her competitor. Bruno Tonioli called Afton another rising star in the family. Carrie Ann Inaba said Brent has a great TV presence, but he should be careful not to let it outshine his technique. She then said Afton was beautiful to watch.Anna & Mayo: Anna Demidova and Mayo Alanen were the next couple of pros to compete. Carrie Ann said it was beautiful and gorgeous and praised Mayos' distinguished character, and Anna's understated star quality. Len said they made the waltz look fantastic. Bruno said it was "a waltz at its classic best."Snow & Genya: Snow Urbin and Genya Mazo, the brother of Season 1 winner Alec Mazo, were the final pro competitors of the night. Bruno said Genya was strong and brought out the best from his partner. He said Snow had the wrong name, "they should call you fire." Carrie Ann said Genya was supportive despite the fact that they were competing with each other. Len said Genya danced "like a real man," and said Snow had just the right balance of sexy and raunchy.Back to the results: Tom announced the next safe couple was Lil' Kim & Derek Hough. Joining them in the land of safety were Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke.That left Lawrence Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska and Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower -- not necessarily the bottom two, but, c'mon, who are they kidding?In the end, the couple going home was ... Lawrence & Edyta.
S8.E14 ∙ Round Seven
With just six couples left, another wrinkle was thrown into the mix on "Dancing with the Stars." The team dance would put competitors on the same side for the first time this season."Bachelor" star Melissa Rycroft was not among the dancers included in the introduction and host Tom Bergeron explained -- or teased -- that she suffered an injury that made her unable to dance tonight. He promised an explanation later of what that would mean for her standing in the competition.In the team competition, Team Mambo and Team Tango would compete to earn team points, which will be added to their individual scores.Gilles & Cheryl: Actor Gilles Marini had yet to return to the top of the leader after spending the first several weeks of the season there. A separated shoulder was preventing Gilles from doing some of the tricks called for in their choreography on the Lindy Hop. It was energetic, and Gilles successfully completed a flip of partner Cheryl Burke that gave them trouble in rehearsal. Judge Len Goodman said Gilles could add the Lindy Hop to the things the French are famous for. Bruno Tonioli said "happy days are here again." Carrie Ann Inaba said it was good to see a new side of Gilles, beyond just the slow, romantic stuff. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Lil' Kim & Derek: Lil' Kim was looking to bounce from slipping to fifth place after having owned the top spot. She and partner Derek Hough promised to bring her personality back into the dance for her paso doble. It was fierce, and earned a deserved standing ovation from the crowd. Bruno stood and shouted, "The bitch is back, and she means business!" Carrie Ann said the paso was a great showcase for Lil' Kim and it showed how much she'd grown. Len said the competition isn't about mastering about the dances that you're good at, it's coping with the dances you're not so good at it. He said he wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was. Scores: 9, 9, and 10. Total: 28Chuck & Julianne: Country singer Chuck Wicks put himself among the leaders last week, so it was time to see whether it was a fluke. His partner Julianne Hough hoped to bring the same flirtatious vibe they had in the samba to their cha cha cha. They earned a standing ovation. Carrie Ann said Chuck was "definitely in the game." She told him to watch his chin. Len said "this is turning into a fantastic competition" because Chuck was getting stronger and stronger. Bruno felt Chuck's arms were thrown away for the cha cha. Scores: Scores: 9, 9, and 8. Total: 26Shawn & Mark: A week after getting her first 10 of the season, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson was hungry for another one with the samba. Her partner Mark Ballas brought in his mom, Shirley Ballas, a three-time Latin dance world champion, to come in and give Shawn some tips. Len said Shawn wouldn't ever dance bad, but "good isn't good enough." He said it lacked hip action and said "it was OK but it wasn't your best job." Bruno seemed to agree, but said it was a good samba. Carrie Ann said Shawn nailed every step and got everything technically right, which is what she was looking for. Scores: 10, 8, and 9. Total: 27Melissa's situation: Tom explained that Melissa suffered aggravated the painful rib injury she hinted at last week. Tom said she was seeing a doctor as the show was being taped, and would be able to continue in the competition, then rolled into Melissa's rehearsal footage with partner Tony Dovolani. They showed the moment when she hurt the rib again and it seemed like she was having difficulty breathing. The doctor said it was likely a hairline fracture of the rib. Tom said Melissa was able to rehearse earlier in the morning, in keeping with the precedent that was set earlier in the season set by Steve-O. Tony stood alone to take the judges' comments. Bruno said it was unfortunate they had to judge on a rehearsal tape, which lacks the performance power. Bruno and Carrie Ann said it was unfortunate that Tony and Melissa were "marking," which means they were essentially going through the motions for camera positions and not going 100 percent because there was no audience. Len said it was like judging a race-car driver on a warm-up lap. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21Ty & Chelsie: Rodeo champ Ty Murray was coming off one of his best weeks, but knew he had to prove he could handle a Latin dance with the salsa. His partner Chelsie Hightower brought in Dmitry Martin to help Ty get the Latin grooves down. Then Ty got a spray tan, saying, "We'd better get at least a 7." Carrie Ann gave whoops of approval. She loved it. Len said that Ty, more than the others, had the biggest ups and downs. He said Ty improved a lot, but said, depending on what happened with the group dance, it was probably time he "hit the trail." Bruno said it was wild, but he enjoyed watching. Scores: 9, 7, and 8. Total: 24Team Mambo: Pro Lacey Schwimmer filled in for the injured Melissa Rycroft. The team included Lacey & Tony, Shawn & Mark, and Chuck & Julianne. The judges would give their scores solely based on the performances of Chuck & Julianne and Shawn & Mark, and Melissa & Tony would receive the same score as their team. The routine included a funny moment where, after the guys ripped off the skirts of the ladies to reveal short-cut body suits, they went and stood on the judges' table and stripped down to leotards. Len said it was fun and said they did a good job. Bruno pointed out how the guys were brave enough to shop in the women's department and wear it with pride. Carrie Ann said it was all fun, but the ending was a little distracting. She also said the music overpowered the group. Scores: 8, 8 and 9. Total: 25Team Tango: Lil' Kim & Derek, Ty & Chelsie, and Gilles & Cheryl set out to beat Team Mambo, and kicked it off with a shirtless Ty and Gilles catching Lil' Kim, who let herself fall backward off the judges' table into their arms. Bruno said it was a powerful attack and said the end sequence gave him goose bumps. Carrie Ann said "Team Tango takes it!" She said their unison work at the end was great. Len noted a slip on Lil' Kim's part and said Gilles' footwork was atrocious. Len reminded Ty about what he said earlier, about Ty needing to nail it in the group dance. Then he said Ty nailed it. Scores: 9, 9, and 10. Total: 28LEADERBOARD (individual + team score = total):Lil' Kim & Derek: 28 + 28 = 56Gilles & Cheryl: 27 + 28 = 55Shawn & Mark: 27 + 25 = 52Ty & Chelsie: 24 + 28 = 52Chuck & Julianne: 26 + 25 = 51Melissa & Tony: 21 + 25 = 46
S8.E15 ∙ Round Seven: Results
The top six on "Dancing with the Stars" was set on Tuesday to become a top five after one of the most competitive nights of the season. Only five judges' points separated the top five couples, while Melissa Rycroft and her partner Tony Dovolani suffered an inordinately low score due to the fact that Melissa's rib injury forced the judges to use a taped rehearsal performance.The encore performance was the team tango, which featured Lil' Kim & Derek Hough, Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke, and Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower.Here's a look at the leader board after the judges gave their scores on Monday, showing the individual score plus the team score to make a total for each couple:Lil' Kim & Derek: 28 + 28 = 56Gilles & Cheryl: 27 + 28 = 55Shawn & Mark: 27 + 25 = 52Ty & Chelsie: 24 + 28 = 52Chuck & Julianne: 26 + 25 = 51Melissa & Tony: 21 + 25 = 46Be our guest: Robin Thicke stopped by to perform his hit single, "When I Get You Alone." He returned later to perform a newer song, "Sidestep."Melissa speaks: Melissa was backstage and said it broke her heart that she couldn't compete Monday night.To the results: In no particular order, host Tom Bergeron announced that the first couple safe to dance another week was Lil' Kim & Derek.Another couple was sent to safety after a little featurette about each of the stars' strengths. It was Ty & Chelsie.The third couple safe for at least another week was ... Gilles & Cheryl. That's all of Team Tango, leaving the three couples that made up Team Mambo to wait and see which of them would be gone.Pro competition: The mini-competition where viewers will choose a new "Dancing" pro to take part in the show next season returned. This time, Genya Mazo (Alec's brother) was paired with Afton DelGrosso (Ashley's sister), while Anna Demidova and Mayo Alanen were again paired together. Brent Borbon and Snow Urbin were eliminated after last week's voting.Genya & Afton: The couple was newly partnered for the quickstep. Afton was nervous with her new partner, and Genya admitted he hadn't danced ballroom "for ages." Afton said she liked to incorporate different techniques she knows to create an original style. Len said said they did a great job. Bruno said they had the characterization of the dance down. Carrie Ann said she couldn't tell that Genya hadn't danced ballroom in a while.Mayo & Anna: Anna and Mayo were a little worried about trying a Latin dance, because they were both more adept at classic ballroom. They took on the jive. Carrie Ann said she expected Anna to be good at it, but was surprised at how good Mayo was at it. Len recalled that he wanted to see them do a Latin dance, and said he'd been wrong twice (because he's also said Ty should hit the trail). Bruno praised Mayo and wondered if there was anything Anna couldn't do.Back to the results: Tom announced that the next couple returning next week was Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas.That left Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough and Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani waiting to see who'd go home. Chuck had a five-point lead over Melissa in the judges' scores, but could the voters have closed the gap?Carrie Ann said she didn't want to lose anybody, but would hate to see Chuck & Julianne leave because they'd just found their stride and become contenders. Bruno said it would be "nuts" if Melissa went home because she was one of the best dancers the show has ever had. Len said based on last night, Melissa should go and Chuck stay. But based on seven weeks of competition, Melissa should stay and Chuck should go. Julianne grudgingly nodded in agreement.The couple going home with the lowest combined total was ... Chuck & Julianne.
S8.E16 ∙ Round Eight
For the first time, Monday night's "Dancing with the Stars" required each of the remaining five couples take on two individual dances -- one Latin and one ballroom. The Latin dances would each reflect a style of a different decade.The judges' take: The judges provided some insight into each of the couples and what they were looking for out of them. Up first was Donny Osmond, who Len Goodman and Carrie Ann Inaba agreed had to focus on posture in the Viennese Waltz.Carrie Ann noted that Joanna Krupa had lost her balance in ballroom before, so she needed to put her best foot forward in the quickstep. Bruno Tonioli also noted that Joanna had to watch her tempo.Len said he was looking for grace and elegance from Kelly Osbourne in the foxtrot. Carrie Ann said the ballroom was Kelly's strength, so it was a crucial round for her. Len said Kelly had to "grow or go."Mya would have to be sharp and precise in her quickstep, Len said. Carrie Ann noted that Mya tries to avoid being as technical as possible and opts for the showy moves.Carrie Ann said the foxtrot is about "rise and fall and light and shade," and that Aaron Carter has a tendency to be "over-exuberant." Bruno said he'd have to stay under control to succeed.Mya & Dmitry: Mya's foxtrot last week was again too showy for Len, but Mya didn't want to risk losing "the wow factor" just to please Len. They went to ride horses to relax a bit. It might have worked. Len said there was again some disappointment for him -- pausing for effect as the crowd groaned -- because he "couldn't find anything to criticize." Bruno said, "This is quality." He said "after you taste it, nothing else will do." Carrie Ann said Mya made something very difficult look like it flowed right out of her body. Scores: 9, 10, and 10. Total: 29Aaron & Karina: Aaron earned his highest score of the season, but still had to dance for his life. He called it an emotional coaster and said he didn't think he had shown the world what they could do. He confessed to Karina that he'd never won anything in his life. Karina was sick much of the week, but powered through for their foxtrot. Bruno said he could see how much work went into it, but said it "was a little bit tense" and didn't have the smoothness of a foxtrot. Carrie Ann agreed, saying every detail was important at this stage. She said Karina's foot came off the ground. Len said watching Aaron was like watching his son in a toy shop because of all the emotions Aaron tends to show. He said that regardless of what happened, he was proud of Aaron. Scores: 7, 8, and 8. Total: 23Joanna & Derek: Joanna was at the top of the pack last week, but the quickstep presented a whole new challenge. Derek showed Joanna some footage of Mya's previous performances to see her competitor's strengths and give Joanna some ideas of how to hold her own. Carrie Ann noted the routines were longer than normal and spotted a couple of out of sync moments. She said Joanna's bottom half was "a little bit of an eyesore." Len said the performance was "not the standard for the quarterfinal." Bruno said it looked like Joanna was "running away from the scene of a crime." He said it was "not one of your best performances." Scores: 8, 7, and 8. Total: 23Kelly & Louis: After an emotional week, Kelly Osbourne had Bruno dancing on the judges' table and said she was no longer afraid, but excited. She and Louis were taking on a ballroom dance for the first time since the first part of the season. Kelly was distracted during rehearsal so Louis took all of her things away and locked them in a box. She was focused on doing a foxtrot that would prove she belongs in the competition. Len said he'd forgotten how much grace and elegance Kelly brings to the dance floor and said that despite some distracting footwork, it was "fantastic." Bruno said Kelly was weightless and said she stayed in the performance. Carrie Ann said Kelly's secret weapon was that the moment she has a breakthrough, the audience goes wild. She noted Kelly needed to work on her extension. Scores: 8, 8, and 9. Total: 25Donny & Kym: Donny succeeded at covering up mistakes in his quickstep last week. He confided in Kym that he was burned out last week and wasn't having any fun. He said he had to "reset everything" and start over in enjoying the competition more. He and Kym put on an elegant Viennese waltz that earned a standing ovation from the crowd. Bruno said it was like "watching a Lifetime movie." He wondered how could Donny help but be an entertainer. Carrie Ann called it "mesmerizing." She said Donny didn't over-perform it and looked at ease with his posture. Len said it was nice, but a little "arty-farty" for him. Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26The judges' take, Part 2: Len said Donny's paso doble had to show "an action hero." He said Donny has what it takes, "but he makes mistakes" and "he's gotta get it right."Len said Mya had to be groovy with a '70s samba. Carrie Ann said Mya likes to play it safe. Bruno agreed and said Mya needed to let her hair down. Carrie Ann she still didn't believe that Mya wanted to win it.Bruno wondered whether Joanna would be aggressive enough to nail a futuristic paso doble. Carrie Ann said if Joanna nailed it the way she knew Joanna could, she saw 10s in her future.Bruno said Kelly is always better in hold than she is on her own, "and that won't cut it for the jive."Len wanted to see bounce, fun and bongos from Aaron's samba. Carrie Ann said the dance is "totally Aaron." Len encouraged him to "shake what your momma gives you."Mya & Dmitry: Mya was excited to have pulled the '70s samba. Dmitry said they would incorporate some disco moves into a traditional samba to match the decade. Dmitry was having a difficult time coming up with choreography. The crowd stood in appreciation. Carrie Ann said, "I believe it!" She suddenly believed Mya wanted to win. Len said Mya was "absolutely on fire" and her hips were "hypnotic." He was glad she produced two dances Monday of the highest standard with no gimmicks. Bruno got all hysterical and sang a couple of lines from Diana Ross' "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Scores: 10, 10, and 10. Total: 30Aaron & Karina: Aaron said the '90s samba was perfect for him because it was what he grew up with. He showed Karina a move he called "The Rodeo," which he said was popular in the '90s. Len said it was tough for Aaron to follow a samba that earned a perfect 30, but said Aaron sold and nearly nailed it. Bruno said it was good to see the mix of the '90s and the samba. Carrie Ann said Aaron had grown into "truly a great performer" and said he was "hitting it." Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Joanna & Derek: Derek wanted to create a paso doble that people had never seen before as their decade was "the future." He said it was one of the most unique dances he'd ever done on the show. Bruno called it a masterful reinvention of a classic and called Derek a "genius." Carrie Ann called it outstanding execution of the theme and praised Joanna for not missing a step. She pointed out one little misstep. Len said Bruno had taken his word -- "genius." He said not only was the theme great, but the content of paso doble was great. He called it fantastic. Scores: 9, 10, and 10. Total: 29Kelly & Louis: Louis wanted to design something really fun for a '60s jive. Kelly's first music video was set in the '60s, so she was glad to be able to bring something to the table for the choreography. Len said Kelly had been "an absolutely revelation" to him by coming in week after week, "stronger and stronger." Bruno called it "groovy, baby." Carrie Ann said it was definitely one of Kelly's best performances, but there were some hiccups but it was really good. Scores: 8, 9, and 9. Total: 26Donny & Kym: Kym wanted to do an '80s, rock n roll glam paso doble. Donny channeled Adam Ant (and maybe a bit of Pat Benatar) and recalled the mullet that he wore back in the day. Len called it the most scary, bizarre paso doble he'd ever seen, but he liked it. Bruno said it was like watching "Donny doing Marie doing Donny doing Marie." Carrie Ann said it was fun, but it went kind of over the line for her. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24LEADER BOARD:Mya & Dmitry, 29 + 30 = 59Joanna & Derek, 23 + 29 = 52Kelly & Louis, 25 + 26 = 51Aaron & Karina, 23 + 27 = 50Donny & Kym, 26 + 24 = 50
S8.E17 ∙ Round Eight: Results
It was time on Tuesday to eliminate one more couple on "Dancing with the Stars," but the night started with the couple least likely to go: Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani, who performed an encore of the samba that earned them a perfect 30.Be our guest: Contemporary crooner Jamie Cullum stopped by to perform Frank Sinatra's standard, "I Get a Kick Out of You."Dance Center! Kenny Mayne and Jerry Rice were back for another edition of "Dance Center."First round highlights:"Lil' Kim's height: Lil'. Weight: Lil'. Shoe size: Lil'.""Back in college they used to call me Lil' Jerry," Jerry Rice said. "Which part of your anatomy were they referring to?" Len asked.Shawn Johnson's size: "Liller than Lil' Kim."To the results: Before getting to the first results of the night, a quick check of the leader board based on the judges' scores on Monday (combining ballroom dance and Latin dance for the total):Melissa & Tony: 27 + 30 = 57Gilles & Cheryl: 29 + 27 = 56Shawn & Mark: 27 + 29 = 56Lil' Kim & Derek: 25 + 27 = 52Ty & Chelsie: 25 + 21 = 46In no particular order, the first couple who secured a spot in next week's semifinals was Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke.Back to 'Dance Center': Second-round highlights:Video footage of Tony Dovolani laughing while Melissa hurt her ribs."What have the French ever done for us, anyway?" Kenny Mayne said, talking about Gilles. "He is prostituting himself with his good looks." (Cut to Kenny, Jerry and Len, shirtless).Pro Dancer Competition: Each of the three remaining pro dancer hopefuls were assigned a former "star" to teach, to see how they'd handle the real assignment of the show.First up was Afton DelGrosso, who was assigned Cody Linley. They danced a samba. Len said Afton did a very good job teaching Cody, who is a little bit wooden and stiff. Bruno said Afton made Cody sell himself. Carrie Ann said Afton's skills really came to life and that she'd bring a "nice, beautiful energy" if she made the show.Back to the results: In no particular order, the next couple to move into the semifinals was Melissa & Tony.Pro Dancer Competition, Part 2: Mayo Alanen was paired with Lisa Rinna, and they danced a quickstep. Bruno thanked Mayo for taking advantage of Lisa's assets. Carrie Ann said it got a little out of control at times. Len said it was about pushing boundaries and Mayo did a good job.Anna Demidova was paired with Maurice Greene, who picked the tango, which he'd never done before. He wanted to see how she taught him something he'd never done. Carrie Ann said "with a performance like that, you two could be heading to the semifinals." Len said without a doubt, Anna pulled the most out of her celebrity. Bruno said she was more than a dancer, she was "a miracle worker." He said Maurice never looked better.Back to the results: The next couple safe for another week was Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas. That left Lil' Kim & Derek Hough and Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower in the bottom two.Len said Ty could possibly go on, but Lil' Kim has been one of the best dancers and we'd miss the bionic booty.Tom finally announced that the couple leaving the show was ... Lil' Kim & Derek.
S8.E18 ∙ Round Nine
A week after Lil' Kim's abrupt ouster, it was down to just four couples Monday night for the semifinals on the eighth season of "Dancing with the Stars."The dancers would take on a ballroom and a Latin dance.Melissa & Tony: "Bachelor" star Melissa Rycroft and her partner Tony Dovolani were up first and said they turned the corner in Week 3 when they did the foxtrot. Melissa said the scariest moment for her was the solo during the Latin dance in Week 9. After nearly 30 minutes of fluff -- er, recalling the season's greatest moments -- Melissa and Tony finally offered up their cha cha. Melissa said she wanted to see more 10s, but she knew she had to work on her feet to achieve them, as judge Len Goodman has been calling her out on them all season. Len thought it had great musicality and Melissa's feet were much improved. Bruno Tonioli said it was "very, very good," but for the semifinals, it wasn't as exhilarating as it could be. Carrie Ann Inaba agreed with Bruno and said it didn't look like it was connecting to Melissa's soul. Scores: 9, 10, and 9. Total: 28After checking out some scenes from Melissa's hometown, and hearing her parents, former cheerleading coach and best friend talk about her perseverance through a rib injury and her "Bachelor" break-up, it was time for her Latin dance. Melissa and Tony took on the cha cha cha. Bruno said he likes his cha cha "full thrust and full on," and said she didn't always follow through with her movements and keep her energy up. Carrie Ann agreed that Melissa struggled a bit with her footwork. Len said he liked it, "but not as much as I was hoping to." Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Gilles & Cheryl: Actor Gilles Marini went through his favorite moments of the season, and said he most loved the foxtrot in Week 9. His favorite Latin dance was the paso doble that earned him a perfect score and treated the ladies to a shirtless opening. Gilles' partner Cheryl Burke wanted to get back to basics in an attempt to get the couple's first perfect score since Week 4. Pro Jonathan Roberts came in to give Gilles some advice on staying classy during the waltz. That was their first dance. Bruno stood and said, "That is how you start the race for the final." Carrie Ann said their dance took viewers away to a land of fantasy, as ballroom dancing should. Len gave Gilles "a sitting down standing ovation." Scores: 10, 10 and 10. Total: 30We took a trip to the south of France, to Gilles' home of Cannes, and his best friend talked about how Gilles loved to do Michael Jackson's moonwalk. We also got to see Gilles as the family man after his wife talked about how he works hard to provide for his family. Gilles then offered up a sizzling samba. Carrie Ann got up, danced and shouted and said it was "the dance that we know you can bring to the finals. I want to see you here next week." Len said he was "almost speechless." He then said, "I'll just say this, I wish an '11' paddle." Bruno said "Lil' Kim is alive and well and she's hanging in your pants," in reference to Gilles' booty-shaking performance. Scores: 10, 10 and 10. Total: 30Shawn & Mark: Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson's partner Mark Ballas said her breakthrough ballroom dance was the quickstep in Week 9, and she agreed it was a turning point because she got to show her personality. She thought her paso doble the same week was her best Latin dance because she showed she could be serious. As week after losing a point for breaking their hold during the quickstep, Shawn wanted to stick to the rules. She struggled with the lifts in the Argentine tango, which was their first dance. In the end, they did an alternate version of the lift she was practicing, but did it pay off? Carrie Ann said she sometimes worried whether Shawn could deliver on the emotion, and she did. Len said it had maturity and intensity and said it was "honestly, without a doubt, for me, your best performance." Bruno called her "Catherine Zeta-Shawn," and said it was like watching the tango in "Chicago." Scores: 10, 10, and 10. Total: 30Shawn Johnson's hometown of Des Moines, Iowa, got some time in the spotlight. Shawn said she was a daredevil and loved a challenge. Her best friend said Shawn got the flu the day before she was to compete in the Olympics, yet she came through with a gold-medal performance. Shawn said she wanted to bring home a "big, round, glittery" trophy to add to her collection. Their upbeat jive ended with Mark and Shawn heading to the judges' table and holding up their own "10" paddles. Len complimented the band and singers and said he liked the speed of the dance, but there was "too much messing about." He wanted to see more traditional jive and less slapstick. Bruno said he liked it when Shawn went wild. Carrie Ann said it was wonderful, but lost a little steam toward the end. Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26Ty & Chelsie: Rodeo champion Ty Murray said that his "comeback" on the quickstep in Week 2 was what kept him in the competition for weeks to come. Ty thought the Lindy hop was the first Latin dance where he showed confidence and did do his "wooden robot." Ty took his partner Chelsie Hightower to a mechanical bull, probably just so we could see her riding a mechanical bull. She wanted Ty to loosen up for their samba, and he said it was a "pain in the ass" because of all the steps he had to remember. He had to look dignified for his Viennese waltz. "My fans went out on a limb and kept me on the show over a better skilled dancer," Ty said. "Now I've got to justify their votes, and it starts with this Viennese waltz." Len said there's no one in the competition who has worked as hard as Ty to become a better dance and said, "overall, I thought it was fabulous." Bruno said he understands why America loves Ty, but said it was a mess and "he was like chasing flies." Carrie Ann loved that Ty could spark so much support, but it wasn't his best dance. the judges continued shouting at each other as Tom Bergeron ushered Ty and Chelsie backstage. Scores: 8, 9, and 8. Total: 25We headed down to Stevensville, Texas, to see Ty's hometown. He said he didn't remember deciding to do rodeo, he just did it. Ty's wife, Jewel, said she was really proud that America was getting to see the tender, sweet side of her husband. Ty and Chelsie danced the samba. Bruno said Ty threw everything but the kitchen sink at it and said it was great. Carrie Ann said she'd vote Ty "most valuable player" of Season 8. Len said that in the Latin dances, Ty was like "Murray in a hurry," and he complimented Ty's partner Chelsie for doing a fantastic job. Scores: 8, 7, and 8. Total: 23LEADER BOARD:Gilles & Cheryl: 30 + 30 = 60Shawn & Mark: 30 + 26 = 56Melissa & Tony: 28 + 27 = 55Ty & Chelsie: 25 + 23= 48
S8.E19 ∙ Round Nine: Results
After a night of sizzling performances, it was time to -- well, it was time to wait an hour to find out which three couples would make it through to next week's final on "Dancing with the Stars."The night kicked off with a performance form Grammy winner Raphael Saadiq, who gave a James Brown-like display with what appeared to be his own backup dancers.Looking at last night: Ty Murray was pleased that in the first week he and Chelsie Hightower were the 13th-worst team, and now they were up to fourth-worst.Melissa Rycroft realized how stiff the competition was when she added up in her mind that her score of 55 out of 60 was only good enough for third place.Shawn Johnson was bummed that the judges didn't like her Latin dance, and Gilles Marini had no complaints after being handed a total of six 10s with perfect scores on both of his dances.Before going any further, here's a look at the leader board after the judges' scores were given on Monday. Scores include the ballroom dance, plus the Latin dance for the total score.Gilles & Cheryl: 30 + 30 = 60Shawn & Mark: 30 + 26 = 56Melissa & Tony: 28 + 27 = 55Ty & Chelsie: 25 + 23= 48Play it again, Shawn: Despite Gilles' two perfect scores on Monday, the encore performances the judges wanted to see was Shawn and her partner Mark Ballas' Argentine tango.Pro competition: Mayo Alanen and Anna Demidova were the two remaining aspiring pros left in the competition for a spot on the cast next season. Mayo was paired this week with pro Kym Johnson, and Anna was paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy.Up first were Mayo and Kym with the tango. Len Goodman said the next time he's asked what he loves about ballroom dancing, he'll say, "Just watch Mayo and Kym." Bruno Tonioli said Mayo provided a great frame for Kym, who, for once, was dancing with someone who had longer legs than her. Carrie Ann Inaba said the choreography was dynamic and traditional, which she liked, but she wanted to see more personality.Maks warned Anna he was difficult to work with, and she had to choreograph him. She decided to be stronger than him in rehearsals. Bruno called it "magnificent, radiant, lightning fast," and said their technique was great. Carrie Ann agreed, saying any celebrity would be lucky to have Anna. Len said last week Anna brought the best out of Maurice Greene, "and this week you brought the best out of Maks."Mayo and Kym returned later to perform a cha cha cha. Carrie Ann said the show takes more than just being a great dancer, and she wondered if he was showing enough. Len said there's no question Mayo was a great choreographer, but the cha cha lacked a bit of "wow." Bruno said it was fine, but warned Mayo to be careful when taking risks. He told Mayo that instead of going with his Disco theme, he would have recommended a proper cha cha cha.Anna and Maks came back with a samba. Len said from the first week through Tuesday night, Anna has proven she deserves the spot. He said if Anna wasn't back next season, "I'll show my bum in the supermarket." Bruno said Anna showed versatility and did a fantastic job. Carrie Ann said she wanted to see more of Anna, so she hoped to see her back next season.To the results: Finally, it was time to find out -- in no particular order -- the first two couples that scored a spot in the finals.The first couple definitely moving on was Gilles & Cheryl. The next couple set to dance for the mirror ball trophy was Shawn & Mark.That left Ty & Chelsie and Melissa & Tony to vie for the final spot. Len told Ty, "If the others have climbed hills, you've climbed mountains." He then told Melissa that she made a great run every week, barring the week she couldn't dance due to injury, and was a threat to win every time.The couple going home one week before the finals was ... Ty & Chelsie.
S8.E20 ∙ Round Ten: Finals
After weeks of competition, it was down to the finals on "Dancing with the Stars" as the remaining three couples got some tips from the judges and offered their best for the big finish.We saw way too much of Bruno Tonioli, who was sunning poolside in a Speedo when head judge Len Goodman called and gave him his assignment -- to advise Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas on their paso doble. Bruno told Shawn she had to show something she hadn't shown before.Carrie Ann Inaba set out on a visit to Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani, where she gave Melissa some tips on how to move with intention. Len stopped by to see Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke and worked with Gilles on his arms and tried to get the dance to be a little less hectic than last time.It was all in preparation for a paso doble face-off, a group dance that put all three couples together, but in competition. All three couples took part in a flashy intro before coming out in order: Shawn & Mark, Melissa & Tony, and Gilles & Cheryl.Len said Shawn's performance was full of excitement. He said Melissa's previous paso was "riddled with problems," and despite a slight mistake this one was more convincing. He told Gilles his performance was also much better than last time. Bruno congratulated all three couples for competing as a team. He said Shawn was strong and a great technician. Bruno said Melissa's confidence has grown leaps and bounds, and called Gilles "a leading man." Carrie Ann said this has been her favorite season and said all three dancers are incredible. She said watching them side by side pointed out weaknesses and strengths. She said Shawn lacked the emotional commitment that the others possess. Carrie Ann told Melissa she nailed her moves, and said she always expects perfection from Gilles in the Latin dances, "and, once again, there it was."Scores:Shawn & Mark: 9, 9 and 10. Total: 28Melissa & Tony: 10, 9 and 10. Total: 29Gilles & Cheryl: 10 10, and 10. Total: 30To the freestyle: All three couples got a little taste of freedom with the freestyle dance. What would they do?Shawn & Mark: Shawn didn't want her freestyle to be infused with too many gymnastics moves, and she got a visit from fellow Olympian and former "Dancing" winner Apolo Anton Ohno, who tried to get some of that Olympic fire out of her. The performance was a little sloppy. It started with Shawn and Mark in some odd masks, but they soon got rid of those. Tony said Shawn was "going for gold" and called it an explosive performance. Carrie Ann said it was "exactly what I wanted to see." Len said he loved the jive elements, the speed, the precision, "I loved it." Scores: 10, 10, and 10. Total: 30.Melissa & Tony: Melissa said she was going for the audience vote this week and that she and Tony would be "going all out." Tony said he was holding nothing back because "with no risk, there's no reward." With risk came a pretty nice shiner for Tony, who took an elbow to the eye while tossing Melissa in the air. Carrie Ann loved Melissa's new attitude, but "something about the choreography just felt a little bit disjointed." Len said he didn't get it, and would've like to have seen more of Melissa's elegance. Bruno agreed with Carrie Ann on the disjointed aspect, and said "it wasn't as perfect as we would like to see" at this point in the competition. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Gilles & Cheryl: Gilles tried to play the part of the underdog when it came to the freestyle. He also called in his doctor because his shoulder injury flared up during rehearsals. They did a frenetic freestyle to Irene Cara's "What a Feeling" from the movie, "Flashdance." Len said it was high-energy and slick, and it proved to him that Gilles is a real dancer. Bruno called it a great performance, but he wanted "more actual dancing" from Gilles. Carrie Ann agreed and said it was an odd choice because "Flashdance" is about the female dancer. Scores: 9, 10 and 9. Total: 28.LEADER BOARD:Gilles & Cheryl: 58Shawn & Mark: 58Melissa & Tony: 56
S8.E21 ∙ Round Ten: Final Results
Down to three couples, Tuesday night was about finding out who would take home the coveted mirror ball trophy on "Dancing with the Stars."Lady Gaga kicked off the night with her song, "Just Dance," which was apropos for the evening.Looking back...: Then began the dances of stars past. In order of their elimination, Season 8's "Dancing" finalists and their partners took to the dance floor, starting with Belinda Carlisle & Jonathan Roberts and Denise Richards & Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Holly Madison & Dmitry Chaplin rounded out the first group of dancers."The Woz" was back, but "The Worm" was not. After dancing his quickstep with partner Karina Smirnoff, Steve Wozniak was unfortunately goaded into doing "The Worm" again, and it looked more like a mild seizure.David Alan Grier & Kym Johnson did their Viennese waltz, quickly followed by Steve-O & Lacey Schwimmer. Afterward, David Alan made a crack about how well he and the judges have gotten along since he left the show (and blasted them in subsequent interviews). "They will not stop texting me!" he said.The new pro: After four weeks of competition, the race for the new pro spot next season was won by Anna Demidova. She thanked the voters and said it was her dream to be on the show. She and Maks then treated the crowd to their quickstep.Back to the stars of 'Dancing' past: NFL legend Lawrence Taylor stepped away from the golf course long enough to return to the "Dancing" ballroom and offer up a jive with partner Edyta Sliwinska. "Just when they get you out, they pull you back in," Lawrence said before joking that he does lap dances on the 19th hole of his golf course in Florida.Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough took breaks from their country music careers to perform their samba. After their dance, Chuck says he has "a new respect for satin, silk, glitter ... and thongs." Ummm, what?Ross' Roast: Jeffrey Ross didn't bring much to the show last season in the way of dancing, but he began a new tradition with a season-ending roast, which he continued tonight. The three finalists sat to listen to what he had to say.Some highlights: "The word Bergeron is an old French word, it means Seacrest.""It's always fun to see my three favorite judges (Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno): Smokin', Croakin' and Flamin'""This is the first season ever where no actual star has made it to the finale." "I didn't know the show was called 'Dancing with the Vaguely Familiar.'""(Lil' Kim) was just here for community service, anyway.""Tonight it's all about the underage, the unwed and the unpronounceable." (Shawn Johnson, Melissa Rycroft and Gilles Marini)On Gilles' "Sex and the City" performance: "You may not have had the biggest role, but you definitely had the largest part."On Shawn Johnson: "If you win, ABC's going to send you to Disneyland, but you're too short to ride Space Mountain."On Melissa Rycroft's "Bachelor" disappointment: "You're so beautiful. Can I marry you? Wouldn't it be ironic if she came in second on this show, too?"Back to the stars of 'Dancing' past: Lil' Kim & Derek Hough stopped by to perform their jive to Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock." Tom said, with no disrespect to the three final couples, he expected to see her competing this week.Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower took to the floor to perform their Lindy hop. Ty warned his cowboy buddies out there thinking about dancing, "Don't do it!"To the final three: After the faux-smack talk segment, the minutes ticked down until the final three couples performed for the judges one last time in hopes of helping their scores before the final results were announced. The judges' scores for the final dances Tuesday night would be added to the judges' scores from Monday night and still make up half of the total, combined with the audience vote making the other half.The couples were introduced one at a time, but before they danced, a quick look at the leader board:Gilles & Cheryl: 58Shawn & Mark: 58Melissa & Tony: 56Shawn & Mark: Shawn Johnson said she'd grown up a lot during the course of the season and her partner Mark Ballas said she was like a cocoon growing into a beautiful butterfly. They danced their cha cha cha to "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)," which gave Mark a chance to don his super-high Michael Jackson pants and glittery socks. Len said Shawn came out and proved her case. Bruno called it great. Carrie Ann said everyone underestimated Shawn and she powered her way to the final and deserved her spot. Scores: 10, 10 and 10 for 30. Two-night Total: 88 out of 90.Melissa & Tony: "Bachelor" star Melissa Rycroft recalled her journey and noted that 11 weeks ago, nobody knew who she was, and the audience pushed her through to the final -- particularly when her rib injury appeared to have spelled her doom. Melissa and her partner Tony Dovolani danced their samba. Bruno wanted thirds, fourths and fifths after getting a second helping of Melissa's samba seconds. Carrie Ann said Melissa has been Tony's muse and brought the best out of him. Len loved it and said it was fantastic. Scores: 10, 10 and 10 for 30. Two-night Total: 86 out of 90.Gilles & Cheryl: Gilles Marini said he was happy to get Cheryl Burke as his partner and Cheryl says that even though Gilles is known as a sex symbol, he's a total family man. Nice. They danced an Argentine tango. Carrie Ann said Gilles is a very special performance brings artistry to his dances, which sets him completely apart. Len said Gilles took him back 50 years to the first time he ever saw the dance performed. Bruno called it "an Argentine triumph." Scores: 10, 10 and 10 for 30. Two-night Total: 88 out of 90.To the results... It was time to reveal which of the dancing couples came in third place. Did Melissa make up the two-point gap?The couple in third place was ... Melissa & Tony.Tom announced that this was the closest vote/point total in history, with less than 1 percent separating the top two couples. It was down to Gilles & Cheryl and Shawn & Mark. Who would it be?After 11 weeks of competition, the winners were ... Shawn & Mark!
S9.E1 ∙ Round One: The Men
Eight men compete in the cha cha cha and foxtrot, then face off in salsa and Viennese waltz relays.
S9.E2 ∙ Round One: The Women
The eight women compete in the salsa and Viennese waltz, then face off in cha cha cha and foxtrot relays.
S9.E3 ∙ Round One: Results Show
The first two contestants, one man and one woman, are eliminated. The show also includes a performance by Sean Kingston, a premiere video from Miley Cyrus, a performance by the cast of "The Lion King", and a tribute to Patrick Swayze.
S9.E4 ∙ Round Two
The contestants compete in the jive, quickstep and tango. Director Baz Luhrmann serves as a guest judge, filling in for Len Goodman.
S9.E5 ∙ Round Two: Results Show
The show features guest performances by Joss Stone and Selena Gomez, along with a college-themed number featuring the USC Trojan Marching Band with dancers from Stomp the Yard.
S9.E6 ∙ Round Three
On Latin Night, the contestants compete in the rumba and samba.
S9.E7 ∙ Round Three: Results Show
The results show for Latin Night includes guest performances by Queen Latifah and the dance crew JabbaWockeez. The condition of Tom DeLay's foot injuries is updated, determining whether he will be able to continue in the competition.
S9.E8 ∙ Round Four
Four new dances are introduced to the program as the contestants compete in the country two-step, Charleston, bolero and Lambada.
S9.E9 ∙ Round Four: Results Show
Shakira performs two songs and the pro dancers give a preview of next week's Argentine tango and paso doble. The stress of the competition is seen in a taped segment, along with visits from the children of four contestants.
S9.E10 ∙ Round Five
The contestants compete in the Argentine tango and paso doble, and also perform the hustle in the season's first group dance.
S9.E11 ∙ Round Five: Results Show
The program features two performances by Norah Jones, as well as a special dance tribute to Michael Jackson and a look behind the scenes at the contestants' daily routines on the day of a taping.
S9.E12 ∙ Round Six
The contestants compete in the jitterbug and waltz in the first double-elimination week of the season. They also face off in a marathon-style mambo competition, and preview the following night's dance-off.
S9.E13 ∙ Round Six: Results Show
After a night of Waltz, Jitterbug and the first competition Mambo group routine, the remaining nine couples face their first Dance-Off double elimination as the eighth and ninth couples eliminated from the competition are announced.
S9.E14 ∙ Round Seven
In addition to their individual dance, the seven contestants split into two groups to compete as teams, paso against tango.
S9.E15 ∙ Round Seven: Results Show
In the second consecutive week of double elimination, two couples meet in a dance-off to save one of them. The show also features performances by Colbie Caillat and Rod Stewart, as well as a new song performed by Mark and Derek.
S9.E16 ∙ Round Eight
In the quarterfinals, the five remaining contestants each perform two individual dances for the first time - a ballroom dance, then a Latin dance themed to a particular era.
S9.E17 ∙ Round Eight: Results Show
One of the five contestants is eliminated, and Michael Bublé and Susan Boyle perform. The 'Design-a-Dance' created through viewer voting is presented, and Kenny Mayne and Jerry Rice provide another installment of DanceCenter.
S9.E18 ∙ Round Nine
In the semifinals, each of the four contestants performs three individual dances - a ballroom dance, a Latin dance, and also the knock-out dance they've been rehearsing for a month. Background features on all four are also included.
S9.E19 ∙ Round Nine: Results Show
One of the four semifinalists is eliminated, and performances by Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis and the Bee Gees are featured, along with a number from the upcoming musical film "Nine". The pro dancers also discuss the work involved in performing their own separate dance numbers.
S9.E20 ∙ Round Ten: Finals
The three finalists compete with two individual dances - including the freestyle - along with a megamix challenge in which they must perform three dance styles side-by-side with identical choreography.
S9.E21 ∙ Round Ten: Final Results
Finalists Kelly Osbourne, Mya and Donny Osmond compete in their last dance to capture the mirrorball trophy. The season's eliminated contestants and some past inept favorites return with additional dances, Whitney Houston performs, Jeffrey Ross welcomes a new member to the Losers Club, and Jerry Rice has a dance-off against Michael Irvin.
S10.E1 ∙ Round One: Part 1
The 10th season of "Dancing with the Stars" kicked off with a rundown of the show's history by the numbers. There have been 27 pros, 104 celebrities and 818 routines. Host Tom Bergeron introduced new co-host, Season 7 champion Brooke Burke, and we were off and dancing (after the initial intros of the pairs):Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco & Cheryl BurkeActress Shannen Doherty & Mark BallasESPN anchor Erin Andrews & Maksim Chmerkovskiy"Bachelor" Jake Pavelka & Chelsie HightowerComedian Niecy Nash & Louis van AmstelGold medal figure skater Evan Lysacek & Anna TrebunskayaAstronaut Buzz Aldrin & Ashly CostaPussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger & Derek HoughSoap opera star Aiden Turner & Edyta SliwinskaReality TV star Kate Gosselin & Tony DovolaniActress and model Pamela Anderson & Damian WhitewoodChad & Cheryl: First up was Chad Ochocinco, who talked about how his only dance experience is in the end zone after scoring touchdowns. He took rehearsals seriously and told Cheryl not to tell him he's done good unless it was really true. They danced the cha cha cha. Head judge Len Goodman (who was wearing a hat) took it off to Chad, saying he was "a rough diamond" and could use a little polish. He said it was a "great start to the show." Bruno Tonioli said Chad had huge talent, but agreed that he had to sharpen his skills and "I can't wait to see you again." Carrie Ann Inaba agreed there was "some raw somethin' happening" that will take him far. She, too, said she wanted to see more. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18.Shannen & Mark: Shannen said she was doing the show for her dad, who had a massive stroke and loves the show. She said that being judges terrified her and said she'd get hives if she got too nervous. Mark said he had to keep antihistamine ready. They danced the Viennese waltz. She received a standing ovation and her dad cheered from next to the dance floor. Bruno said it was a very difficult piece of choreography for the first show. He said it was very difficult and said she swung her arms around like a primate, but he was trying to praise her, overall. Shannen teared up when they showed her dad in the crowd. Carrie Ann agreed that it was a rough start, but it got better and she saw something in her performance. Len said that Shannen, overall, did a good job and was graceful in her performance. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18.Erin & Maks: Erin said her greatest fear was not being as good as she wanted to be on the show. When they first met, she told Maks that she'd asked for Tony. In rehearsal, she kept stopping herself for fear of having done the wrong steps, which annoyed Maks. They danced the cha cha cha. Carrie Ann said Erin had good moves, but she had to work on her arms and she wasn't hitting her lines sharp enough. Len called her a "funky monkey." He said it was another challenging routine, but said it was really good, overall. Bruno said he liked what he saw and said she did a good job placing her foot down on the beat. He said it was a "wonderful" debut. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.Jake & Chelsie: Jake presented Chelsie with a rose upon their first meeting, and she assured him they wouldn't be getting married at the end of the show. Jake got nervous in rehearsal because he just wasn't a good dancer. He said he went to practice and felt dumb every day because he kept messing up. Chelsie told him the competition is about improvement, not being great from the start, and off they went. They did a Viennese waltz to Seal's "Kiss From a Rose" (get it?). Len said he liked what he saw, even though there were "a couple of little incidents." Bruno told Jake to bring it down a notch, but that it was good. Carrie Ann said she was "really impressed." Scores: 7, 6, and 7. Total: 20Niecy & Louis: Niecy said she was kicked out of a dance performance as an eighth grader and she never went back to dancing -- until now. Niecy told Louis in rehearsal that she likes her "jiggly parts," and she wanted to keep them. They danced the cha cha cha. The crowd cheered and Niecy got a bit emotional. Bruno said Niecy had to focus her performance a bit more, because it went in and out of character a few times. Carrie Ann said it was really nice and she liked Niecy's energy and how she added her personality. Len agreed, saying it was "clean, clear and precise." But he said the whole thing was a bit uneventful. Scores: 7, 5, and 6. Total: 18.Evan & Anna: The gold medalist was setting out to prove people wrong after years of being told that his figure skating is too technical and that his performance showed no dance ability. In rehearsals, spinning in a different direction than he does on the ice was tripping him up. They danced a Viennese waltz. Carrie Ann cheered along with the crowd and said Evan was good, but still had a few things to work on. She reminded him to point his toes and to make a connection with the audience. Len said Evan had "great artistry" and musicality, but he had clumsy feet. He also said Evan and Anna needed better chemistry. Bruno said Evan moved with the grace of a swan and said it was "wonderful." Scores: 8, 7, and 8. Total: 23Buzz & Ashly: More than four decades after walking on the moon, Buzz took to the "Dancing with the Stars" floor. Ashly Costa returned to the show for the first time since Season 3. At 80 years old, Buzz and his partner were more worried about him remembering their steps than learning them in the first place. Len recalled watching Buzz watch on the moon and how brave he thought Buzz was then and now. But Len said he couldn't give marks for bravery. Bruno said it looked like Buzz still had his moon boots on. Carrie Ann pointed out that Buzz inspired a ton of people with his performance. Scores: 5, 4, and 5. Total: 14.Nicole & Derek: Nicole said she secretly prayed for Derek to be her partner, and he showed up. They had a lot of fun in rehearsal and Derek helped Nicole get over the fact that not every aspect of the Viennese waltz looked hot. Nicole vowed that after they danced, they'd be known as Sir Derek and Lady Nicole. Bruno jumped out of his chair and called it "a performance of startling finesse" and said he was "astounded." Carrie Ann said "the bar has just been set for Season 10." She said it was emotional and passionate and said she hasn't seen a routine like that out of the gate like that -- ever. Len said it looked nice, but looking beyond the choreography it wasn't great. He ripped apart the footwork and more as the crowd booed. Scores: 9, 7, and 9. Total: 25Aiden & Edyta: Aiden said he liked taking risks, doing things like jumping out of airplanes. Edyta was blown away by his good looks and practice was more physically demanding than he expected it to be. They danced a steamy cha cha cha. Tom said they were "one gust away from an FCC fine" with Edyta's outfit. Carrie Ann said she liked the gusto, but it was disjointed and "didn't go anywhere" for her. Len said there was a dancer in Aiden, but the routine was full of everything he doesn't like. Bruno said there was nothing going on and said Aiden was "like Kenny Mayne all over again." Scores: 5, 5, and 5. Total: 15Kate & Tony: Kate said that when she told her kids she was going to do the show, they told her she can't dance. She wanted to prove them wrong. She said that several times each day in practice, she's stopped and wondered what she's done. Tony said he was questioning whether she really wanted to be there. They danced the Viennese waltz. Len said the first dance is like a first date, and Kate's nerves got the best of her. Bruno said it must have been a whole new world for her and she had to learn how to perform. He said "it looked like Tony was pushing a shopping cart around the floor" as he explained that she had to assume a character. Carrie Ann noted that all aspects of the performance were new to Kate, and she enjoyed the vulnerability and honesty in the performance. Scores: 6, 5, and 5. Total: 16.Pam & Damian: Pam said she did the show for her Auntie Vie, who loves to dance. She was paired with new pro Damian Whitewood and they decided they had a lot to prove. Pam said she had no rhythm and was tone deaf, but loves music. They danced a fiery cha cha cha. Bruno said he could "only think of sex, sex and more sex." Carrie Ann said she had waited the most to see Pam, and she did not disappoint. She said Pam was fully engaged and it was "a little much." Len said the cast had been brilliant. He said that it was "a mess" overall. She went wrong and off time. Scores: 7, 6, and 8. Total: 21.The dancers return for a second round of performances on Monday night, followed by the first results show.LEADER BOARD:Nicole & Derek: 25Evan & Anna: 23Erin & Maks: 21Pam & Damian: 21Jake & Chelsie: 20Chad & Cheryl: 18Shannen & Mark: 18Niecy & Louis: 18Kate & Tony: 16Aiden & Edyta: 15Buzz & Ashly: 14
S10.E2 ∙ Round One: Part 2
All of the couples return to dance their second routines.
S10.E3 ∙ Round One: Results Show
The couple with the lowest combined judges' scores and public votes for both performances is sent home.
S10.E4 ∙ Round Two
The final of the "Big Dance" was happening on another network, but "Dancing with the Stars" was just getting started. After a surprising elimination in which Shannen Doherty was 9021-out, head judge Len Goodman laid out a challenge last week to all the dancers to come up with a performance that would tell a story, but without props or gimmicks. How would they respond? Monday it was time to find out.The pros demonstrated the waltz, paso doble and quickstep in a performance meant to convey a story of "a tempestuous relationship that ends in true love."Evan & Anna: Figure skating champ Evan Lysacek found himself near the top of the leader board last week. He and partner Anna Trebunskaya worked on a story of a husband and wife who are at odds because the wife is late to arrive for their quickstep. Len loved the story and said it cheered him up. Bruno Tonioli said Evan gave Anna "the ride of her life." Carrie Ann Inaba called it "great," and said it had all the right parts. Evan told Brook Burke afterward about "a couple broken toes" he had, but he pushed through. Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26.Buzz & Ashly: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin was looking to rebound from low judges' scores, even though his fans pulled him through. His partner Ashly Costa gave him a story of him playing a man coming home from the war and she was his daughter. They danced a waltz. Bruno said it was more like the return of the king, but said Buzz's movement "didn't really go anywhere." Carrie Ann said that in the week about storytelling, she enjoyed the story and wanted to know more. Len said it had an "innocent charm" that he liked, but the technique was poor, the routine was over-simplified and there wasn't much performance. Scores: 5, 4, and 4. Total: 13.Jake & Chelsie: "Bachelor" star Jake Pavelka was in the middle of the pack last week, but the judges could feel his determination. Jake got upset in rehearsal because he said Chelsie was talking to him in a "disrespectful" way. They did a quickstep in which Jake was an explorer who found Cleopatra (Chelsie) in her tomb, and they danced. Carrie Ann thought it was nice storytelling, but that it kept in line with the quickstep. Len said Jake's legs were messed up, but called the dance "great entertainment." Bruno agreed with Len that Jake at times lost his steps, but he enjoyed the performance. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.Niecy & Louis: Comedian Niecy Nash got on Len's good side last week with her second performance. They took on a story of being an interracial couple in the 1960s, when such a love would have been forbidden. Niecy cried when she thought about it, and her partner Louis Van Amstel asked her to help him fight his battle, too. She said she hoped America would see the story. Len said it was brave to attempt the story with no props, and he saw all the emotion. He told Louis to work with Niecy on better technique. Bruno said they acted their tale of love very well, but there was a stumble at the beginning and Niecy had to work on her feet. Carrie Ann said it was an important story to tell, but she didn't understand the ending. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.Chad & Cheryl: NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco did alright in his first performance, but tripped up in his second dance. He and partner Cheryl Burke were focused on bouncing back and refocusing. Cheryl told Chad their paso doble would be about him trying to seduce her despite her rejections. He said art was imitating life. Bruno said the power and presence were back for Chad, but at times he still veers off course. Carrie Ann said Chad used the energy of "wanting the girl" to his advantage. Len enjoyed Chad's determination, but told him to work on his posture. Scores: 7, 6, and 7. Total: 20.Pamela & Damian: Pamela Anderson admitted she didn't worry much about the voting, but after finishing in the bottom two she was going to take it more seriously. Pam, an animal rights activist, incorporated some of her beliefs into her routine, and she got some tips on the performance from Charo. Carrie Ann said she got the story that Pam didn't like the bullfighter, but she threw herself off a few times. Len said Pam had an intensity about her, but needed refinement in the dance. Bruno said that under the sexpot surface, there is a good performer in Pamela. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21Aiden & Edyta: Soap star Aiden Turner threw up after last week's performance, and was hoping things would go a little more smoothly this time around. His family, including his wife and 7-month-old daughter, came to visit on his birthday, and he said it made his quickstep a little quicker. Len said the quickstep was a little careful and said he'd like to see Aiden just go for it. Bruno thought Aiden looked happier than he did last week. Carrie Ann agreed that she saw some improvement in Aiden, but he was a little too light on his feet. Scores: 7, 6, and 7. Total: 20.Erin & Maks: ESPN host Erin Andrews, who's had some issues this week with e-mail death threats surfacing and has had bouts with the paparazzi and a man who videotaped her nude through a peephole in a hotel room, turned over all her trust and faith into her partner Maks by dancing most of the performance blindfolded. Bruno said her dancing in hold was fantastic, but when they danced side by side she lost it a bit. Carrie Ann said the prop added dimension and a sense of danger. She called it "breath-takingly artistic." Len said the dance had the most boring start he'd ever seen. He said the waltz they did was good, but there wasn't enough of it. Scores: 8, 7, and 8. Total: 23. Kate & Tony: TLC star Kate Gosselin apparently believed she's had bigger issues with cameras and the paparazzi, so she did a dance about her trials with photographers. Her partner Tony Dovolani brought in an acting coach to help Kate get outside of herself. Kate said her icy exterior was because she's had a hard year and was protecting herself. They danced a paso doble. Carrie Ann called it "odd," and "hard to watch." She said she didn't feel like the emotion got to Kate's face. Len it was "too pedestrian." Bruno said she did play a character, but it didn't translate into movement and she looked like she was walking. Scores: 5, 5, and 5. Total: 15Nicole & Derek: Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger landed the first two 10s of the season last week and was nervous about how to top it. She and partner Derek Hough came up with a quickstep in which they played sailors who take a break from mopping the deck to dance. Len said it was beautifully danced, but it was "just a load of Vaudeville." Bruno said it was like seeing Anne Meara and Gene Kelly back in Hollywood after 50 years, but Len was right about breaking too many rules with it. Carrie Ann also called out a lift and broken holds, then said, "but when you guys take that act on the road, I want a front row seat." Scores: 8, 6, and 9. Total: 23LEADER BOARD:Evan & Anna: 26Erin & Maks: 23Nicole & Derek: 23Jake & Chelsie: 21Niecy & Louis: 21Pamela & Damian: 21Chad & Cheryl: 20Aiden & Edyta: 20Kate & Tony: 15Buzz & Ashly: 13
S10.E5 ∙ Round Two: Results
Host Tom Bergeron and co-host Brooke Burke weren't in the mood to drag things out much, getting to the first of the results immediately on Tuesday's "Dancing with the Stars" results show.The first two couples safe for another week were Aiden & Edyta and Erin & Maks.Len recapped the previous night's performances, saying Jake and Niecy both needed to step up a bit to compete. Niecy said she was taken aback at the start of her performance. Len said Pam's dance was intense, but "not neat." Len said there was a slight improvement in Chad's dance, but the same couldn't be said for Aiden. He said Aiden was unable to move because he's too preoccupied with taking in information about the dances he's trying to learn.Len was still upset that Derek and Nicole broke all the quickstep rules, and Nicole said afterward that it was all Derek's fault (she was joking, of course). Kate claimed she was proud of herself, despite getting crushed by the judges. Len still didn't like Buzz's dancing, despite loving the story. He enjoyed Erin's waltz, but said he should've given her a 6 instead of a 7 because there wasn't enough waltz content. Len loved Evan's quickstep.Play it again...: Len asked for an encore performance from Evan and Anna, who did their quickstep once more.Be our guest: Country singer Reba McEntyre paid a visit to perform her single, "I Want a Cowboy." A bit later, Reba came back to perform "Consider Me Gone."Back to the results: The next couple safe for another week was Niecy & Louis. Nicole & Derek were the next to hear they were safe.After a feature from Melissa Rycroft on what it's like to be in the audience, we found out that Evan & Anna were safe, along with Chad & Cheryl.Backstage, Chad made a little quip about "making love on the dance floor" when he does the rumba with Cheryl next week.Later, Tom announced that the next couple who were safe for another week was Pamela & Damian. That left Jake & Chelsie, Buzz & Ashly, and Kate & Tony.The first couple in the bottom two was Buzz & Ashly. Also in the bottom two was Jake & Chelsie. That meant Kate & Tony were safe for another week.Len said he was surprised and a bit disappointed. He thought the voters would save Buzz. He also thought Jake did a good job, but apparently the viewers didn't agree.Tom announced, "On the third week of competition, the couple with the lowest overall combined total and therefore leaving right now is ... Buzz & Ashly."The crowd grumbled a bit, but the reaction quickly turned to a standing ovation for the American legend. Buzz said he did the show for the fighter pilots, military people and "elder geezers like me" who wanted to see someone his age take on such a challenge.
S10.E6 ∙ Round Three
With Buzz Aldrin gone, it was time for things to get serious on "Dancing with the Stars," and, for the first time, the dancers were going to be given two scores: one for technique and another for performance.From the tango, the judges wanted to see passion, drama and precision. They pointed out specifics that they'd be looking for from the dancers who'd be doing the tango. Pros Jonathan Roberts and Anna Demidova showed what a good tango should look like. The judges later said they wanted to see the raunchiness that the rumba demands. Pros Kym Johnson and Dmitry Chaplin put on a steamy exhibition.Erin & Maks: ESPN reporter Erin Andrews was told by Len that she had to do better with her footwork. Maks' first message to Erin regarding their tango was that it was going to have a lot of footwork. She was very nervous about it. Erin was struggling with back issues but said she'd take some pain relief to deal with it and not complain. Len said they did a "full-on tango" and most of the dance was very good. He did say she took too many steps on the toe. Bruno Tonioli said she started well but went wrong and didn't quite catch up again. Carrie Ann Inaba said Erin's performance seemed to suffer because she was so focused on technique. Scores: Technical: 6, 6, and 6; 18. Performance: 7, 7, and 7; 21. Total: 39Evan & Anna: Olympic figure skater Evan Lysacek was at the top of the leader board, but he knew that he had to work on his footwork. He and partner Anna Trebunskaya focused on details in their rehearsal. They danced the tango. Bruno said they had the details spot on. Carrie Ann said they were a great example of how working on technique boosts performance. Len pointed out their Viennese crosses and said they were impressive. Scores: Technical: 9, 8, and 9; 26. Performance: 9, 8, and 9; 26. Total: 52Niecy & Louis: After being told to work on pulling her whole performance together (not letting her bottom half suffer when the top half is right, and vice versa), comedian Niecy Nash set off to learn the rumba. Her partner Louis Van Amstel said the rumba was a spiritual dance, and he asked her to remember 17 years earlier, when her brother's life was cut short. They danced the rumba. Len praised her opening out but wanted to see more hip action. He said there were no highlights and it was all a bit boring. Bruno agreed and said Niecy looked like she was in a trance. He said it didn't jell. Carrie Ann said she felt the emotional connection, but it didn't read well in the dance. Scores: Technical: 6, 6, and 6; 18. Performance: 6, 6, and 6; 18. Total: 36.Aiden & Edyta: Soap opera star Aiden Turner has been struggling to really let loose and perform on stage, and Len asked him to really bring it this time. In practice, he got shy and nervous about feeling up his partner Edyta Sliwinska, and said he'd feel awkward doing such moves in front of a large audience. They danced the rumba. Carrie Ann said Aiden seemed more comfortable, but criticized Aiden for having his movements start from the wrong place. Len said there was no flow or musicality. He added, "Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, you come out and did that." Bruno said it looked like stop-motion animation. Scores: Technical: 5, 5, and 5; 15. Performance: 6, 6, and 6; 18. Total: 33Nicole & Derek: Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger got on Len's bad side by doing their dance so technically off the mark. This time, she was striving for balance between performance and technique. They practiced the rumba but Nicole was having trouble taking Derek's romantic side seriously. Bruno said it was beautiful to watch, but there were a few stumbles that surprised him. "Give me a little bit more sex," he said. Carrie Ann could tell Nicole was nervous and her ankles were quivering, but she liked seeing Nicole hit the more traditional lines. Len said they got the technique and performance balance correct. He criticized her sliding doors -- one of the technical moves the judges wanted to see. Scores: Technical: 9, 8, and 8; 25. Performance: 8, 8, and 9; 25. Total: 50.Jake & Chelsie: "Bachelor" star Jake Pavelka got a scare after landing in the bottom two last week and showed up promising a renewed focus on listening to Chelsie and opening himself up more. He struggled with some critical steps in rehearsal, but they went through with their tango. They pulled off an impressive spin in hold up and down the stairs, but Jake later twisted an ankle and nearly fell over. Len loved it, but said it fell apart after the "incident." Bruno said it was "very, very, very messy" and said Jake has to get it together. Carrie Ann agreed that Jake's biggest problem is the way he holds Chelsie, because he's not quite connected emotionally and physically. Scores: Technical: 6, 7, and 6; 19. Performance: 7, 6, and 6; 19. Total: 38.Kate & Tony: Reality TV stay Kate Gosselin took the judges' criticism from last week in stride, saying they were right. She said her public custody battle was weighing on her. Tony used the incident to motivate her, saying that if she failed at her dance, "he wins." She called this "the do or die" week but she was struggling with believing in herself. They danced the tango. Bruno said it was "a mini-breakthrough" and that "at moments, I thought you were really dancing." He said the technique was still really bad, but she's starting to move. Carrie Ann said she was proud of Kate and had "so much respect" for her for the performance. Len praised Tony for getting Kate to give her best performance so far. Scores: Technical: 4, 5, and 5; 14. Performance: 6, 6, and 6; 18. Total: 32Chad & Cheryl: Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco was feeling good after a solid week, but was struggling to tap into a romantic side during their rumba rehearsals. They pulled it together for the performance, though, and got a big ovation from the crowd. Carrie Ann said it was Chad's best dance, so far. Len said there was improvement in the posture and performance and agreed it was Chad's best dance. Chad responded by approaching Len and doing something that shocked the crowd (with laughter), but the cameras cut away, perhaps intentionally. Bruno said Chad was fluid and sustained his lines. Scores: Technical: 7, 6, and 8; 21. Performance: 8, 7, and 8; 23. Total: 44.Pam & Damian: Actress Pam Anderson was coming off of a good week, but got a warning from Len that her rumba shouldn't be too raunchy. "It's a dance for the ballroom, not the bedroom," he told her. She really concentrated on her footwork and timing in rehearsals. Len said it was understated, sophisticated, and said Pam was even a little bit overdressed. Bruno said it was refined and elegant and still "drop dead sexy." He called it, technically, the best dance she's done. Carrie Ann agreed there was something profound and magical happening, even if something a little strange was happening with her arms. Scores: Technical: 7, 8, and 8; 23. Performance: 8, 7, and 9; 24. Total: 47.LEADER BOARD:Evan & Anna: 52Nicole & Derek: 50Pamela & Damian: 47Chad & Cheryl: 44Erin & Maks: 39Jake & Chelsie: 38Niecy & Louis: 36Aiden & Edyta: 33Kate & Tony: 32
S10.E7 ∙ Round Three: Results
After the first "double-score showdown," the hosts got to the results quickly. They first reveals that Chad & Cheryl were the first couple safe for another week. The next couple back for at least another week was Jake & Chelsie.After a recap of the previous night's events, head judge Len Goodman asked Pam & Damian for an encore performance of their rumba.Be our guest: Sade stopped by to perform "Baby Father." Later, in a bit of hip-hop fusion, dancer Tiler Peck performed to the live music of urban violinists Nuttin' But Stringz (who you might remember from the last season of "America's Got Talent"). After that, Sade returned to perform "Sweetest Taboo."Back to the results: A bit more recappery and a glance at the leader board was followed by another round of results. The next couple saved was Evan & Anna. Later, two more couples were learned their fate. Nicole & Derek learned they were safe. Then, Pam & Damian got some good news, as well.'The future of ballroom dancing' A group of young dancers choreographed by Mark Ballas took to the 'DWTS' dance floor to demonstrate what the future of ballroom competition has in store.Back to the results: One more couple that was sent off to safety was Erin & Maks.Finally, with three couples remaining, it was time to see which two were safe and who was going home. The first couple safe was Kate & Tony.That left Niecy & Louis and Aiden & Edyta awaiting their fate, but Tom Bergeron noted they weren't necessarily the bottom two.But the couple going home this week was ... Aiden & Edyta.
S10.E8 ∙ Round Four
A week after soap star Aiden Turner was gone, it was movie night on "Dancing with the Stars" as the couples performed to music from big-screen classics.Niecy & Louis: Comedian Niecy Nash was trying to bounce back from a rumba the judges though was boring. Louis wanted to make the judges "eat it." They rehearsed a jive and Louis wanted Niecy to slide between his legs. She didn't think she could fit. She said "the jive is probably the fastest I've ever moved -- well, dancing ... this is a family show." They performed to "La Bamba." Niecy shook all kinds of stuff, and capped the dance by planting a big, red-lipstick kiss on Len Goodman's head. Len said Niecy got her personality into the dance, which was great. He said there shouldn't been "more bounce in the feet -- there was plenty of bounce in your bazookas." Bruno Tonioli agreed, saying the dance had to be accurate, sharp and precise, and Louis admitted he went wrong. Carrie Ann Inaba called Niecy the "shimmy queen," but her bottom half didn't do enough. She said it was great to see Niecy having fun on the dance floor. Niecy later pleaded to all the "big girls" watching that they needed to vote for her because she was "tired and hungry." Scores: 6, 6, and 7. Total: 18Chad & Cheryl: NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco held a sign proclaiming his love for his former teammate Chris Henry, who died late last year after falling out of a moving truck during an argument with his girlfriend. Last week, Chad had what the judges called his best performance. Chad knew his quickstep had to be "on point." Chad thought something was off with Cheryl during rehearsal, but she said it was only because they were under a lot of pressure. They danced the quickstep to "Bare Necessities" from "The Jungle Book." Bruno, in the most uncomfortable yet predictable way, made a "jungle fever" reference, but said the whole thing was a bit off. Carrie Ann said it was very uneven and was lacking body contact. Chad said they had plenty of contact, making for another awkward moment. Len backed Chad a bit and said he posture was better than previous ballroom dances he'd done. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18Erin & Maks: ESPN reporter Erin Andrews admitted she took a step back last week with her tango, and her partner Maks told her she had to take his direction completely. They proceeded to argue over pretty much everything, from dance moves to which shoes Erin was wearing. They danced a jive to Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell" from the movie "Pulp Fiction." Carrie Ann said she liked it, but Erin was a bit ahead of Maks at times. Len said he really enjoyed it, but that it was a little hectic at times. Bruno told Erin she had the Uma magic just right. He said he counted all the way through and it was the best timing Erin had all season. Scores: 7, 7, and 8. Total: 22Jake & Chelsie: "Bachelor" star Jake Pavelka had a messy tango last week and was looking to bounce back with some Tom Cruise-inspired charm. Chelsie tried to get Jake out of his analytical mindset as they rehearsed the cha cha cha. They performed to Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock n Roll" from the movie "Risky Business." Len said it was fun and Jake full-on tried, but pointed out a little "incident" in which Jake tripped up a bit. Bruno said it was so exciting and great, except for the one mistake. Carrie Ann said Jake had guts and told him to "enjoy the glory." She loved the "whole package," and we don't think she was talking about the fact that Jake started the dance in his underwear. Scores: 8, 7, and 8. Total: 23Pamela & Damian: Pamela Anderson was coming off what the judges felt was her best dance. Pam had to channel her inner Dolly Parton (the outer one is pretty much taken care of) as they rehearsed the quickstep to "9 to 5." After some exhausting practices, it was time to take the floor for real. Bruno praised Pam for her characterization, which was "always spot on." He also liked the dancing, but would have preferred a little more movement. Carrie Ann agreed, saying her posture and grace were great but her hold was not great. Len thought there was too much "messing around" because the routine started slowly. Scores: 7, 6, and 8. Total: 21Kate & Tony: Reality star Kate Gosselin finally had a little breakthrough last week when the judges thought she was actually dancing a little. In rehearsal, she questioned virtually everything Tony instructed her to do. They did a fox trot to "Don't Forget About Me" from "The Breakfast Club." Carrie Ann said there were "itty-bitty bits" of grace developing in Kate's performance. Len said it was neat and precise, "but it wasn't really a dance -- it was a stroll." He asked her to dance out more. Bruno said he thought Tony could have gotten more life out of a frock on a coat hanger. He said that after feeling like something had happened well last week, this was like starting all over. Scores: 5, 5, and 5. Total: 15Nicole & Derek: Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger was upset with herself for stumbling last week and getting nervous. She wanted to bounce back and remember to enjoy the process. They were given a tango from the music of "Pretty Woman." They wanted to pull in some of the story of the film, so Derek paid Nicole for sex. No, no, that's not right. He took her on a Beverly Hills shopping spree. (We remember that part of the movie, too, right?). They did a high-intensity tango to "Pretty Woman" that included some fierce leg kicks and more. Len called it Nicole's best dance, and the best dance of the season. Bruno said it was "two players playing at the top of their game." He said it was "the pride and the passion of tango portrayed to perfection." Carrie Ann also jumped out of her chair, quoting one of her favorite movies and bowing down to the couple, calling them "Superstars!" She said every moment, you could have taken a snapshot and it would've been art. Scores: 10, 9 and 10. Total: 29Evan & Anna: Olympic figure skater Evan Lysacek had to work dancing practice into a hectic travel and performance schedule because he's now on the "Stars on Ice" tour. They practice the rumba to Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" from the movie "Armageddon." Evan struggled with his hip action, but he pulled it together when it came time to perform. Bruno said Evan's performance was superb. Carrie Ann said the lyricism was "ridiculous" (in a good way), and that the movement was creating the chemistry. Len said it artistry, musicality and it was just wonderful. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27LEADER BOARD:Nicole & Derek: 29Evan & Anna: 27Jake & Chelsie: 23Erin & Maks: 22Pamela & Damian: 21Niecy & Louis: 18Chad & Cheryl: 18Kate & Tony: 15
S10.E9 ∙ Round Four: Results
Hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke wasted no time getting to some results on Tuesday night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars." They asked the couples at the top and bottom of the judges' leader board to step to the front of the stage. Nicole & Derek and Kate & Tony. They quickly announced that Nicole & Derek were safe and Kate & Tony were in the bottom two for the first time all season.In his recap, Len Goodman called Pam, Jake and Erin "the best of the worst and the worst of the best." He grouped Niecy, Kate and Chad at the bottom and said they all need to step up. He said he was most enjoying Evan and Nicole and their battle for the lead.Play it again...: For the encore, Len did his buddy Bruno Tonioli a favor and gave him another chance to see Jake in his tighty-whities with his "Risky Business"-inspired cha cha cha. What they got was an eye-full of Chelsie, who fell out of her dress a couple of times during the performance.Be our guest: Maxwell stopped by to sing "A Fist Full of Tears." Later, the special performance of the night featured memorable movie choreography from "Puttin' on the Ritz," "Saturday Night Fever," "Austin Powers" and "Fame" (with a special introduction by Debbie Allen). Costa Rican singer-songwriter Debi Nova, who's written for the Black Eyed Peas, made her bid to be the new Shakira with her performance of her "Drummer Boy."Back to the results: The two couples tied near the bottom of the leader board were Chad & Cheryl and Niecy & Louis. Brooke revealed that Chad & Cheryl were still in jeopardy and their fate would be revealed later. Niecy & Louis, however, were safe.Hello, Adam: Adam Carolla paid a visit to poke a little fun at others and himself. The highlight was when he showed a clip of Kate's foxtrot, then asked to see it again in "regular speed" rather than slow motion (it was in real time in the first place). Back to the results: Evan & Anna and Jake & Chelsie were asked to step forward, and Evan & Anna found out they were safe. Jake & Chelsie, however, were still in jeopardy.Erin & Maks and Pamela & Damian were next to get the word. Erin & Maks were safe, but Pam & Damian were still in jeopardy.Jake, Pam, Chad, Kate waited for word. Finally, Jake & Chelsie were declared safe. Chad & Cheryl were also safe. That left Pam & Damian in the bottom two with Kate & Tony.Bruno was outraged that Pam & Damian were in the bottom because he believes Pam is actually a good dancer who embodies the characters she's portraying on the dance floor.Tom announced that the couple with the lowest combined total of scores and votes was Kate & Tony. Tony praised Kate for always giving it her best despite all the things going on in her life. Kate cried as she talked about the great experience she had on the show and said she couldn't wait to watch the rest of the group continue to perform.
S10.E10 ∙ Round Five
Following a (of course) tearful good-by from Kate Gosselin last week, seven couples remain. They'll be dancing the Argetine Tango or the samba and will then compete in the swing dance marathon.The couples come out (and as a side note, Pamela Anderson has brown hair for the night).Jake and Chelsie are first with the samba. We see a video of Jake in a Carmen Miranda top (big sleeves, nearly bikini top). He worries because he's not as good a dancer as Evan or Nicole and is trying to catch up. "But, go-oolly, the samba's tough," he says.They dance (not a single button on Jake's shirt is being used).Len thinks Jake is showing more confidence (even though he calls him Jack), but lacks rhythm. Bruno thinks it lacked "bounce," although Jake nailed the pelvic gyrations. Carrie Ann says he needs to connect to the music. Backstage, Jake discusses his slight stumble by the steps (when his pivot whacked the stair) and he just needs to put in the work. They get 7s across the board for 21.Next up, Evan and Anna, following their 9s last week. Anna tries to get him to use more hips for the samba and they practice lifts for the marathon -- including one attempt that ends up with Evan landing on his head. He goes to urgent care and is diagnosed with a mild concussion. They dance. Bruno says he's going to be hard on them because Evan's "lyrical lines" don't work for samba. (He gets booed.) Carrie Ann says he lost the battle of the samba and it never came together. Len says it was his worst dance and was far too balletic, and didn't suit him.Evan promises Brooke he'll work on his hips. He gets 7s for 21, his lowest score.Neicy and Louis are up next and plan for a "funny Argentine tango." She keeps kicking him as they practice and she vows to control her feet. They dance. She takes the rose from his teeth and nibbles a petal. She mock kicks him in the junk and even manages a foot on his shoulder at one point. For the grand finally, he pulls a cookie out of his pocket and she slides out his body grabbing for it. And that is what constitutes a funny tango.Carrie Ann says it was nice to see her dancing and she improved a ton and went for a lift. Neicy interrupts: "Can you believe he picked all this up, girl?!"She didn't like the comedy but Len did, noting that Neicy lusting after a cookie made sense. "It's obvious you're an enthusiastic eater." (Neicy manages not to flinch.)Backstage, Neicy is finishing her cookie. They get all 7s for 21.Erin and Maks are up next. She worries about keeping up with him and he calls her an over-thinker. "I'm going to get institutionalized after this season is over, without a doubt," he says.They dance, and in the process Maks' shirt comes off piece by piece.Len tells Erin upfront she's getting a 7 because she didn't give him a "proper dance" and he's fed up with shirts coming off. Bruno points out she didn't choreograph the routine and she danced like a "girl who likes to be on top." Carrie Ann says she nailed it.Erin tells Brooke she needs to work on her nerves. Carrie Ann and Bruno give her 9s to go with Len's 7 for 25.Chad and Cheryl are next following Chad's bad quick step last week. They took a trip back to Cincinnati for a Bengals draft party, where he makes a pitch for votes and big dudes in jerseys say Chad's the best dancer. "The Argentine Tango is all about chest and hips pressed together," he says. "I have a feeling I'm going to like that."Cheryl wants Chad to focus on leading her, and not fake it like they have been doing. They dance.Bruno calls it "strong, powerful" and says he proved he could actually dance. "You were like a prowling panther out there," Bruno says. Carrie Ann says they nailed it and Len says Chad grew tonight.They get straight 8s for 24, his highest score ever.Nicole and Derek are next. She's disappointed to learn the samba is not the salsa and "not the Brazilian dance party" she wanted it to be. Derek worries she over-analyzing and she even stresses about the camera angles in rehearsal. Their dance is fierce and fast. Carrie Ann struggles for something constructive to say and can only come up with Nicole's weird facial expression. Len thinks the dance lacked key elements and was just a "hodge podge of sexy moves and gyrations." Bruno stands up and sings "One singular sensation" at her. Carrie Ann gives a 9, Len a 7 and Bruno a 10 for 26.Pamela and Damian are next, following a week in the bottom. In rehearsal, Pam struggles with the lifts but says she's up for the challenge.Pam (and her wig) and Damian dance. Len notes that Pam is good at the seduction of the dance, Bruno thinks she played the part well. Carrie Ann wanted a little more technique in her legs. They get 7s from Len and Carrie Ann and an 8 from Bruno for 22.Then it's time for the swing dance marathon, in which couples will be knocked out one by one by the judges and get points based on where they go. It's the first dance allowing lifts and last twice as long as a regular dance. They show some rehearsal footage with Jake doing lifts with no problem and everyone angling for the max 10 points.The dancing begins with lots of lifting and swinging and scooting. Jake and Chelsie are the first out. Chad leapfrogs Cheryl, Neicy does a drop and roll and she and Louis are the next out. Erin ends up upside down for a few very long seconds that will certainly be on Youtube soon. Evan and Anna are out next.Four couples remain and the dance floor opens up. Chad and Cheryl are out next.Pam shows off her bouncy skills, but she and Damian are the next.Erin and Maks are next, leaving Nicole and Derek as the winners.Len says he got outvoted on many eliminations and Bruno says they all did great. Nicole and Derek are at the top with 36 and Chelsie and Jake are at the bottom with 25.
S10.E11 ∙ Round Five: Results
Seven pairs remain. The first safe couple is: Erin and Maks.It's recap time. Len thought there were great performances and great technique, but nothing that combined both. He particularly thought Nicole was disappointing, with all shimmy and no dance. And then there was Evan, who got dinged for being too "lyrical" for the samba.Jake, Niecy and Pam are at the bottom. Len likes Jake's commitment and will forgive him kicking the stairs. Len thought Pam's tango had passion but imprecise footwork.Len didn't mind Niecy's funny tango. He says Chad and Erin were the breakthroughs of the night. Chad, especially, he says, had the best dance of the night. Chad says he's trying to be more of the showman people in the world of football are used to.Len calls Erin a fantastic dancer but says that Maks and his shirt-ripping routine were a distraction.It's time for the repeat dance: Chad and Cheryl, who are also safe.They do their routine again.Melissa Etheridge is the guest of the night. She's there to perform her new song "Fearless Love." Anna and Maks, Tony and Chelsie dance.Up next is a salsa dance.They have some fun with computers next, turning to ESPN's Sports Science to test dancer's strength on Demetri and balance on Edyta. They find she spins faster than the pedals on Lance Armstrong's bike at top speed. Finally, they find they are coordinated within one degree on kicks and in sync with .002 milliseconds.Melissa Etheridge is back to sing "Come to My Window." Alec and Edyta dance. (Side note: Sam Neill is in the audience.)Brooke talks to Erin and Maks, who promises to be fully covered from now on. (No one's buying it.) Chad enjoys getting some love from the judges, and calls it extra motivation. Cheryl says Chad needs to work on embracing each dance.More results... Nicole and Derek (tops), Jake and Chelsie (bottom) are called out. Not surprisingly, Nicole and Derek are the next couple safe.As for Jake and Chelsie, they get to wait.Brooke talks to them, asking if Jake still feels confident. He admits to being nervous. Niecy says the atmosphere is still like a family and "we love each other enough not to tell each other the truth. Even if we have a bad performance, we're like 'woo, you rock!'" (Which causes Brooke to awkwardly note how funny Niecy is.)Tom explains what Sam Neill is doing there: he's in the new ABC show "Happy Town."They roll a video package of the stars talking about how it feels to be halfway there. Evan is surprised by the concentration it takes, Jake talks about the long practice hours. Chad calls it "super hard" and "very humbling." Nicole is surprised by how much she ended up caring. Pam says it's nerve-racking, but she thinks you should do things that make you nervous sometimes. Evan can't predict who's going to win at this point.Time for more news... The next safe couple is: Pam and Damian.We review the dances by the bottom couples: Jake and Chelsie, Niecy and Louis and Evan and Anna.The first couple in the bottom two is: Jake and Chelsie (round of boos).The final safe couple is Evan and Anna, which means Niecy and Louis are in the bottom two.Len says he'd miss Niecy's bubbly personality and Jake's enthusiasm. He suggests whoever stays refine their dances.And the couple who is done dancing is: Jake and Chelsie. The announcement gets a round of boos, then supportive applause.Brooke asks Jake if he's surprised to get cut. Instead, he says it was the best season of the show and thanks Texas and Maverick's fans and Canada. He thanks Chelsie and gets choked up, calling her one of his best friends and saying he's loved every second of competing.They show his greatest moments, including him saying he and Chelsie treat each other like brother and sister.They start their final dance as we hear the Cha-cha challenge is coming next week.
S10.E12 ∙ Round Six
With the finale just three weeks away, the dancers faced a new cha-cha challenge as they'd have to perform in teams in addition to their individual routines.Erin & Maks: A week after head judge Len Goodman told Maks he was "fed up" with his antics, including constantly disrobing, Maks proposed a routine that include him ripping his pants off and stripping Erin, as well. Erin was uncomfortable with it because she thought it would seem disrespectful to Len. In the end, their opening featured removing of clothes, but only to reveal more clothes, and they danced a proper quickstep. Len said he liked the start and called it "without a doubt" Erin's best dance. He said he loved it. Bruno Tonioli called it "slick, lightning fast and brighter than Len's (yellow) tie." Carrie Ann Inaba called it "gorgeous." Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Chad & Cheryl:: After putting himself into contention last week, Chad was looking at shooting for 10s and got some help in rehearsal from pro Tony Dovolani. Tony related some of the dance moves to football movements, which Chad said he found helpful. They danced the Viennese waltz. Bruno enjoyed the elegance and grace that Chad displayed, and called him "a gentle giant." He pointed out a few things and encouraged Chad to complete his arm movements. Carrie Ann agreed and said there was nothing sexier than watching a man figure out how to tender and graceful. Len told Chad to remember this night, because it was "the night you became a contender." Scores: 8, 9, and 8. Total: 25Nicole & Derek: A week after disappointing Len, yet again, with a lack of technical dance moves, Nicole set out to do a technical sound waltz. After getting over some communication confusion with Derek on what needed to be worked on first, the couple took to the dance floor. Carrie Ann said, flat out, that Nicole was "by far, the best dancer we've had in the competition," but some of the connection with Derek was just a little off. Len said he loved the routine, the performance. Bruno said Nicole was as close to dancing royalty as she could be. He added that she took on such difficult choreography that she made a couple of small mistakes. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Pam & Damian: Pam was looking to bring her dancing up to the next level after getting some criticism last week. Damian tied himself to Pam in rehearsal so she could feel the closeness of the waltz. She found that part of the dance pretty intriguing. Len liked it, but told Pam to work on firming up her upper body. Bruno said it was "so pure," and again praised her for getting her character right. He agreed with Len's point about the top half of her body. Carrie Ann said Pam delivered on the points she'd been looking for, and said the dance was "very nice." Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Niecy & Louis: Niecy felt the sting of the red light last week when she wound up in the bottom two. Niecy talked about her relationship with Louis and how it had evolved from back when Louis used to bring her food and treat her nicely to now, when they're more like "a couple that got divorced but still has to tolerate each other for the sake of the kids." She caught him texting former partner Kelly Osbourne and yelled at him. They danced a quickstep. Bruno said her footwork was better than ever and called it her best dance to date. Carrie Ann agreed and said "everything worked well." Len also called it Niecy's best dance and said it was "very well done." Scores: 9, 8, and 8. Total: 25Evan & Anna: Evan found himself way down the leader board last week for the first time all season as the judges agreed he delivered his worst dance. Evan vowed to work harder for Anna this time around. She challenged Evan to do a proper Argentine tango, completely with strong movements. Carrie Ann said Evan had the eye of the tiger and added that she loved. Len said it was fantastic and that he was going to be forced to use a paddle that he hasn't used in a while. Bruno said Evan really conquered his territory in the dance. Tom predicted the first perfect score of the season as Evan walked off stage. Scores: 10, 10 and 10. Total: 30THE TEAM DANCES:Team Gaga: Pam & Damian, Chad & Cheryl and Nicole & Derek made up "Team Gaga," in the cha-cha challenge, in which they performed to Lady Gaga's "Telephone." The judges loved it. Len praised Nicole for having done the cha cha so well, even though she hasn't done it all season. Bruno told Pam she kept up with the ladies, which wasn't easy. Carrie Ann enjoyed the sexual chemistry the team had. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Team Madonna: Erin & Maks, Evan & Anna, and Niecy & Louis made up Team Madonna and would be performing their cha cha to Madonna's "Holiday." Bruno said it was like a cha cha with a hint of a samba. He had kind words for everyone, but pointed out that they lost sync at the end. Carrie Ann said she liked it, but also had some issues with the beginning and the end. Len said he liked the stars kicking off the dance without the pros nearby, and praised all of them for taking on two dances. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24LEADER BOARD (individual scores plus team scores):Evan & Anna: 30 + 24 = 54Nicole & Derek: 27 + 27 = 54Chad & Cheryl: 25 +27 = 52Erin & Maks: 27 + 24 = 51Pam & Damian: 24 + 27 = 51Niecy & Louis: 25 + 24 = 49
S10.E13 ∙ Round Six: Results
After a night in which virtually every couple gave its best performance of the season, the stage might have been set for a big upset.Hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke called the first two couples to center stage immediately for results: Nicole & Derek and Erin & Maks. The first couple to land in the bottom two was Erin & Maks. Nicole & Derek were safe.Len's take: Head judge Len Goodman was still excited after Monday's performances, calling it the best week of the competition. He called Erin's quickstep "fabulous." He included Chad among the group of dancers who have upped their games and said his waltz was "absolutely lovely." Nicole lamented slipping during a dramatic turn in her waltz. Pam was full of grace, Len said, and she was hoping to continue pulling it all together. Len said Niecy produced "a knockout quickstep." He wrapped up his summary by reminding us that Evan "blew everyone out of the water" with his Argentine tango, which earned the first 30 of the season. Len was giddy about Team Gaga's cha cha cha, and it was the encore performance of the night. Pam sat out this time, though, having suffered an injury on Tuesday. Chelsie Hightower took her place. Be our guest: Train paid a visit to perform their latest single, "Hey Soul Sister." Later, members of Cirque de Soleil's new Vegas show, "Viva Elvis," stopped by to perform to some Elvis tunes. Train then returned to perform their best known song, "Drops of Jupiter."Leader board check: (individual scores plus team scores):Evan & Anna: 30 + 24 = 54Nicole & Derek: 27 + 27 = 54Chad & Cheryl: 25 +27 = 52Erin & Maks: 27 + 24 = 51Pam & Damian: 24 + 27 = 51Niecy & Louis: 25 + 24 = 49Back to the results: Tom called Chad & Cheryl and Evan & Anna to center stage to learn their fate. Evan & Anna were declared safe. Chad & Cheryl were "still in jeopardy."In some quick backstage interviews, Pam said her leg injury wasn't serious and she'd be able to perform next week if she makes it through. Niecy, meanwhile, lamented landing at the bottom and said that it might take "a wardrobe malfunction" for her to win this thing. The two remaining couples, Pam & Damian and Niecy & Louis, were called to center stage for results. The next couple safe was -- "get ready for a wardrobe malfunction," Tom said, before the announcement -- Niecy & Louis. Pam & Damian were still in jeopardy.Finally, with Chad & Cheryl and Pam & Damian waiting to learn which couple was in the bottom two, Tom revealed that the next couple safe was ... Chad & Cheryl. That meant Pam & Damian were in the bottom two with Erin & Maks.Bruno said Pam "brings life to every character she plays" and that Erin has done "incredible work all the way through," adding that he was surprised to see her in trouble. Carrie Ann echoed that she was "truly shocked" to see Erin in the bottom two. Len called it "nonsensical" that one of the couples would be leaving this week.Finally, Tom announced that the couple with the lowest combined total and leaving the show was ... Pamela & Damian.
S10.E14 ∙ Round Seven
With just five couples left, the couples finally had to take on two individual performances for the first time this season. They'd be traveling through the decades and into the future with their dances this week.The night began with the pros breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of their competitors, but it was soon on to the dancing.Chad & Cheryl: Chad was getting focused in rehearsal and that meant he was getting quiet, which Cheryl didn't like. He said it was time to get serious, and they went out and performed the tango. Head judge Len Goodman said that learning two dances in a week puts the spotlight on any imperfections, and that's what he thought happened with Chad. Bruno Tonioli agreed and said the dance had to be "slicker," but his emotion was good. Carrie Ann Inaba also agreed and also remarked on Chad's lack of posture. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21Niecy & Louis: Coming off her best dance of the season -- despite still landing at the bottom of the leader board -- comedian Niecy Nash knew she had something the other dancers didn't. "I don't know what it is yet," she admitted, but she was going to find it. She was tired after long days of working a couple of different jobs, but Niecy took to her Viennese waltz like a pro. Bruno said it was very pretty at the beginning, but that at times she looked a little out of control. Still, he thought it was "a good performance." Carrie Ann said Niecy's transitions weren't quite there. Len said he was "pleasantly surprised." Scores: 7, 8, and 8. Total: 23Erin & Maks: ESPN reporter Erin Andrews had some trouble listening to her partner again as he tried to get her to practice a jump off the stage during rehearsals. They danced their Argentine tango and she pulled off the jump and the rest of the routine to near perfection. Carrie Ann kissed Len on the cheek to express how great, "fantastic" and "truly beautiful" she thought it was. Len called Erin a "dirty, dirty girl" and said he "absolutely loved it." Bruno agreed with the other judges and said Erin was "on fire." Scores: 9, 10 and 9. Total: 28Evan & Anna: After making it back from his worst performance of the season and providing the season's best performance overall, figure skater Evan Lysacek took his partner Anna to an ice rink to celebrate. He spun her around a few times. In rehearsal, Anna urged Evan not to come off as "cold" during their waltz. Len said he genuinely wasn't sure whether he liked it or not. Bruno said Evan's "top half" was "something to behold." Carrie Ann agreed that Evan's lines were impeccable, but she encouraged him to lose himself in the moment. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Nicole & Derek: A week after being told she was the best dancer the show has ever seen, Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger has a minor breakdown as she talked about the expectations laid on her. They danced the foxtrot. Bruno called it "one and a half minutes of pure dancing joy." Carrie Ann was glad to see Nicole smiling and said Nicole was "dazzling and just defying my imagination." Len jumped on board and said she turned the dance into a beautiful love story. Scores: 10, 9, and 10. Total: 29Dances from the future: To demonstrate what it meant to translate a dance into a specific decade, or even the future, pros Garry and Rita Gekhman performed a robotic dance that got them disqualified from the 2006 World Championships for being "too edgy."Chad & Cheryl: For their decade-centric Latin dance, Chad drew a jive from the 1960s. Len said it was high-energy, fun and entertaining. He said he was glad there weren't more kicks, "because the few kicks you did do you were terrible." Bruno enjoyed it and said it was good to see Chad smile again. Carrie Ann thought it was great and even the wild energy suited the dance. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Niecy & Louis: Niecy drew a paso doble from the '90s, "the era of the divas," as Louis said. He thought it was perfect for Niecy. Bruno said Niecy threw herself into it, but like an avalanche. He said she looked unsteady a lot of the time. Carrie Ann said it was Niecy's most ambitious dance, so far, but agreed that it was a bit out of control. Len said the paso just didn't suit Niecy's personality. Scores: 7, 6, and 7. Total: 20Erin & Maks: Erin got a 1980s rumba, but Maks decided they weren't going to dance it in a 1980s way, because he didn't know how to do that. Carrie Ann told Erin she needed to believe in herself as a contender. Len said the whole thing had some "jerky" action to it. Bruno said Erin and Maks made "great music together" and said they should be in the finals. Scores: 8, 8, and 9. Total: 25Evan & Anna: Evan got a cha cha from the future, and while the dance was normally flirty, but with the futuristic vibe it might take on a different form. Len said Evan got lucky because his Latin dances normally lack rhythm, and he said Evan again confused him. Bruno said it was "Mr. Spock meet Barbarella in 'Cha Cha Trek' in 3-D!" Carrie Ann liked that Evan was more committed to his character. She agreed it was lucky that Evan pulled a futuristic cha cha, but said she liked it more than Len did. Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26Nicole & Derek: Derek was thrown off at the thought of what a 1950s paso doble would look like, but that was their task. Bruno loved it, saying it was "full of color" and adding, "the flavor of Spain has never tasted so good." Carrie Ann was speechless, calling Derek's choreography "brilliant" and he matched the era to the dance. Len said it wasn't in his nature to be nice about two dances from one couple in the same night. He said he was disappointed, because there was nothing he could see to criticize. Scores: 10, 10 and 10. Total: 30LEADER BOARD:Nicole & Derek: 29 + 30 = 59Erin & Maks: 28 + 25 = 53Evan & Anna: 27 + 26 = 53Chad & Cheryl: 21 + 24 = 45Niecy & Louis: 23 + 20 = 43
S10.E15 ∙ Round Seven: Results
With just a couple of weeks remaining in the competition, it was time to see who would make it to the semifinals in Season 10 of "Dancing with the Stars."Head judge Len Goodman started the night with his recap of Monday's performances, and he said Evan & Anna were split over the course of the night. He called Chad & Cheryl the "pretenders" of the competition, at this point. He loved Erin & Maks' Argentine tango, but wasn't wild about the rumba. He said it was time for Niecy to turn it up, and used words like "mesmerized" and "genius" to describe Nicole & Derek's two dances.Play it again...: Len asked to see the 1950s-inspired paso doble from Nicole & Derek, which he called the "dance of the season and possibly the dance of all 10 seasons."Be our guests: Gipsy Kings performed their Spanish version of "You've Got a Friend in Me," which will be featured in the upcoming animated movie, "Toy Story 3." The band returned later to perform its best-known hit, "Bamboleo."Later, the show kicked off its first-ever college dance competition that pitted UC San Diego against Purdue University. UCSD went first and scored 24 points, earning positive comments from the judges for their group samba. Purdue's team mambo wasn't quite as polished and earned a 22 from the judges.This is 'DanceCenter': Kenny Mayne, Jerry Rice and Len were back for this season's segment of "DanceCenter." The only decent highlight was a rundown of the beautiful ladies Derek Hough has gotten a chance to dance with in recent seasons: Shannon Elizabeth, Brooke Burke, Joanna Krupa, Mark Ballas.In the second half of "DanceCenter," Jerry, Kenny and Len fell asleep during a clip of Evan's monotone speech about how excited he was. Kenny also took a little shot at his ESPN colleague Erin Andrews for always referring to Maks' "Russian." He's from Ukraine. "Next time you visit one of those college campuses there," he said to the college sports sideline reporter, "stop by a geography hall."Finally, some results: The couple revealed to have made it into next week's semifinals was ... Nicole & Derek. The first couple in the bottom two was Chad & Cheryl.The next couple in the semifinals was ... Evan & Anna. That left Erin & Maks and Niecy & Louis waiting to see which of them was safe and which would join Chad & Cheryl in the bottom two.The next couple moving into next week's semifinals was Erin & Maks, which meant Niecy & Louis were in the bottom two with Chad & Cheryl.Finally, the couple with the lowest overall total, and therefore leaving the show was ... Niecy & Louis.
S10.E16 ∙ Round Eight
The semifinal round of "Dancing with the Stars" Season 10 kicked off Monday night with Chad Ochocinco, Erin Andrews, Evan Lysacek and Nicole Scherzinger vying for the mirror ball trophy.Host Tom Bergeron interrupted co-host Brooke Burke with some insight into the voting from this season. He said that, in recent weeks, every one of the remaining four couples has led in the popular vote, so it really is a clean slate as the four couple vie for a shot at the title.Erin & Maks: Erin was happy that Maks was so excited for her recent success. Maks said that in his eight seasons on the show, he hasn't felt as good about his chances and he does with Erin, so he was going to push her even harder. They first danced the Viennese waltz. Head judge Len Goodman said Erin "made a giant step through the door" to the finals. Bruno Tonioli said it was "like a symphony in blue" (they were wearing blue). He pointed out a minuscule stumble, but loved it. Carrie Ann Inaba said Erin was doing "wonderfully," even though she could sense some nerves. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Nicole & Derek: Looking to keep her incredible momentum, Nicole came to rehearsal to find an upsetting surprise: Derek's neck was injured. He was feeling pain all the way down his back, which was limiting his range of motion. Derek was worried about his ability to perform, but he took to the floor for an Argentine tango. Derek seemed to feel no ill effects. Bruno got all dramatic, saying he was slayed by Nicole and "enchanted by the dance." Carrie Ann said she was brought to tears by Nicole's riveting performance and said "what you're doing is incredible." Len gave Nicole the best compliment he ever could: "It was more delicious than my grandmother's apple pie." Scores: 10, 10 and 10. Total: 30Chad & Cheryl: Chad landed in the bottom two last week for the first time all season, and he said he felt like he let his partner Cheryl down. In a moment of frustration, Chad told Cheryl he hoped she could get "an advanced partner next time" so she would be so stressed out. Then he added, "Be like Derek, for a change." Cheryl piped in with, "That's not what the show's about." They danced the waltz. Carrie Ann said Chad just "nailed the waltz" and wondered where he came from with his new posture and fluidity. Len noted that Chad was the only one with absolutely no dance experience in the semifinal, and said for him to come out and produce a waltz like that: "fantastic." Bruno said Chad showed that he was a star. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27Evan & Anna: Evan has been getting high marks, but the judges still wanted to see him let go. He'd get his chance this week with the paso doble and the foxtrot. His partner Anna tried to tap into anything she could to get some personality out of Evan during his performance. They first danced the foxtrot. Len said he enjoyed seeing the "happy go lucky, fun side" of Evan. Bruno said he hadn't seen something like that since Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. Carrie Ann said she completely felt the connection Evan had with the dance this time and thanked him for listening to her notes. Scores: 10, 9, and 10. Total: 29 Erin & Maks: Before her second dance, there was a bio package on Erin that included her dance lessons as a child and the stalker and video scandal that thrust her into the spotlight last year. She next danced the paso doble, which included a solo. There was hitch in their big finish, but Brino still called her "a hot chick with an attitude." Carrie Ann called it "amazing" and said Erin was in her power. Len said he didn't know what to make of it, calling it a non-traditional paso. He didn't like the solo because it wasn't in line with the paso. Scores: 10, 9, and 10. Total: 29Nicole & Derek: Nicole's bio package talked about her upbringing in Hawaii, where she lived with her grandparents and learned music. She moved to Kentucky when her mom met and married a new man. Nicole said the greatest thing she's been able to do is buy her mother a home in Hawaii. They did a cha cha to the music of Prince's "Kiss." Carrie Ann congratulated Nicole on making it look so easy. Len said Nicole had to be in the final. Bruno said Nicole was "the sexi-licious purle queen of the cha cha cha." Scores: 10, 9 and 10. Total: 29Chad & Cheryl: Chad talked about how he grew up in a rough area of Miami with drugs and crime around and teachers telling him he wouldn't amount to anything. He made his way through the college ranks and got to the NFL after realizing sports was going to be his way out. He and Cheryl danced the samba. Len remarked on Chad removing his shirt for his solo, saying his torso was a bit like his, but Len said he had more tattoos. In seriousness, though, Len said Chad had the toughest of the Latin dances and "did a great job." Bruno said he was "torn between admiration and bitter envy," adding he would never take his clothes off again. Bruno loved it. Carrie Ann said that while Chad's technique wasn't as great as the others, his dancing made everyone smile. Scores: 8, 8, and 9. Total: 25Evan & Anna: Evan's bio talked about his early love of figure skating, his awkward growth spurt at 14, and his shyness. He danced the paso doble. Bruno said it was "strong but artistic" and said it was the best paso doble he's seen this season. Carrie Ann said Evan's movements were big and powerful and guttural. Len said Evan dominated Anna, as the dance calls for, and said it was "fantastic." Scores: 10, 10, and 10. Total: 30LEADER BOARD:Nicole & Derek: 30 + 29 = 59Evan & Anna: 29 + 30 = 59Erin & Maks: 27 + 29 = 56Chad & Cheryl: 27 + 25 = 52
S10.E17 ∙ Round Eight: Results
With just three spots in the season finale up for grabs, the final four couples on "Dancing with the Stars" waited to learn their fates Tuesday night. But they didn't have to wait long.Just a minute into the program, hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke announced the first couple safe to dance in the final: Evan & Anna.After the quick announcement came Len's recap, in which he reiterated that it was a sensational semifinal round in which every couple really shined. He liked Erin's Viennese waltz, but said she had to control her nerves. He said "every sense was satisfied" by Nicole & Derek's Argentine tango. Len called Chad "a revelation" and said that in any other season, he'd be a shoo-in for the final. He then called Evan's foxtrot "brilliant."Play it again: For the encore, Len asked to see Evan & Anna's paso doble, which scored them a perfect 30.Know the pros: A string of profiles of the four remaining dancers explained to us that Maks moved to Brooklyn from Ukraine as a child and didn't really want to dance as a youngster until he realized it was going to be his path to success. We learned that Cheryl was incredibly shy -- so much so that her mother initially thought Cheryl was deaf. Anna said her childhood in Russia wasn't easy, but it was good, and her husband ("Dancing" pro Jonathan Roberts) admitted she was a little standoff-ish when they first met. But they apparently worked things out. Derek talked about how he didn't want to dance, but was forced by his parents to go to dance lessons because his sisters were going. He moved to London to live with the Ballas Family and learn to dance, and he owes his dance career to that move.Be our guests: Sarah McLachlan paid a visit to perform a medley of her hit "Angel" and her new single "Loving You Is Easy," which she'll be performing on the Lilith Fair 2010 tour this summer.After a season's worth of voting on dancers and costumes, the big moment finally came as fan favorites Joey Fatone and Melissa Rycroft returned to the dance floor to perform to Kiss' "Rock 'n' Roll All Night" in costumes that were selected by viewers.The college dance competition continued with the Rutgers University taking on Utah Valley University. Rutgers, whose formation ballroom dancing program started a month ago, scored a 21. Utah Valley, which offers a bachelor's degree in ballroom dancing, scored a 29.Miley Cyrus brought her controversial music video to life, performing "Can't Be Tamed" for the first time on television.Back to the results: The next couple revealed to be safely into the final was Nicole & Derek.That left Erin & Maks and Chad & Cheryl in the bottom two. Carrie Ann said that Chad blossomed throughout the season and added that she was "very impressed" with him. Bruno said Erin was nearing the final with momentum, having gotten better and better in recent weeks. Len said that in a "normal season" both of the remaining couples would be in the final, but this season's standard was set quite high.Tom finally announced that the couple with the lowest combined total of judges' scores and viewers votes was Chad & Cheryl.
S10.E18 ∙ Round Nine: Finals
Ten weeks of competition in Season 10 of "Dancing with the Stars" came down to one final night of performances, and the three remaining stars -- Erin Andrews, Evan Lysacek and Nicole Scherzinger -- were out to make their bids for the coveted mirror-ball trophy.The dancers would be asked to perform a "redemption dance," chosen by the judges and based on a style the judges believed the stars should have excelled in, but didn't.Erin & Maks: For her redemption dance, Bruno asked Erin to take on the samba, and gave her some pointers in rehearsal. The uptempo performance ended with both dancers planting a kiss on each of Len Goodman's cheeks. Len told Maks he'd always wanted to be kissed by a man with a beard. He said the improvement from the last time Erin danced the samba was fantastic. Bruno Tonioli said he couldn't believe the results and said they got the fun they wanted. Carrie Ann Inaba said Erin moved herself up three notches compared to the last time. Scores: 10, 10 and 9. Total: 29Evan & Anna: Len brought the Viennese waltz back for Evan and Anna, and told Evan to think more about his connection with Anna when he's performing. Bruno said it was very good and whole, and he liked the connection between the dancers. Carrie Ann said all the problems Evan had with the dance last time were gone and she loved it. Len said it had grace, elegance and a lot of movement, and that created some slight problems. Overall, though, he thought they did a wonderful job. Scores; 10, 9, and 9. Total: 28Nicole & Derek: Carrie Ann wanted to give Nicole another shot at the rumba, which she fumbled through a bit last time. Carrie Ann gave Nicole the encouragement to let go and have fun with the dance. Carrie Ann called it mesmerizing, but called out a lift at the end and Derek argued that it was part of the finish but Carrie Ann said the song wasn't done. Len said he again felt a little lack of confidence, but it was great. Bruno said there was "eroticism, sensuality and romance, seamlessly moving into something of extreme beauty." Scores: 9, 9, and 10. Total: 28FREESTYLES: The final performance show tradition called for a freestyle that tosses the rules out the window and gives the dancers complete creative control.Erin & Maks: Looking to really step out and take a risk, Erin and Maks went with a contemporary dance and called on choreographer Mandy Moore (of "So You Think You Can Dance" fame) for assistance. The crowd was wowed by their stunning lifts and throws, greeting them with a standing ovation. Len said freestyle was about risk and reward, but it was pulled off only "in part." He said he liked it, but didn't love it. Bruno said Erin took a huge risk and some of the steps she pulled off "were quite incredible." Carrie Ann said she loved the choice and commended even Maks for taking a risk by trying something out of his own expertise. Scores: 9, 8 and 9. Total: 26Evan & Anna: Evan and Anna were worried about their routine looking too haphazard and argued in rehearsal about how to go about it. Evan didn't want it to look the same as anything they'd done all season. Anna said there was so much pressure on the freestyle that she'd rather do 100 paso dobles and jives than one freestyle. Choreographer Bobby Newberry helped them pull something together. Bruno said Evan looked demented and warned him to make sure he was careful because he lost some precision. Carrie Ann called it "odd." She said their lines were off when they danced side by side. Len said they took the path of least resistance, doing something neither of them wanted to do, and something he didn't really want to see. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Nicole & Derek: Derek wanted to bring something "high-octane" and non-stop excitement for their freestyle. He said he was pushing himself to the limit. They brought the energy, but stumbled over a big finishing trick as Derek tried to lift Nicole and couldn't. Carrie Ann called it the freestyle they were all waiting for, and called out the last lift, saying it killed her. Len liked seeing all the different types of dances Derek mixed in. Bruno called it dazzling creativity and said there was a slip at the end but it was because what they were trying to do had never been done. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27LEADER BOARD:Erin & Maks: 29 + 26 = 55Nicole & Derek: 28 + 27 = 55Evan & Anna: 28 + 24 = 52
S10.E19 ∙ Round Nine: Final Results
The Season 10 finale night began with a big group dance to "I'm So Excited." Chad Ochocinco was the only star who didn't participate, due to a football-related injury.The couples still had two dances to perform for the judges -- their favorite routine of the season and a knockout dance in which they chose their own dance style and music. For their favorite dance, each couple would be placed first, second or third by the judges, with the top couple getting 30 points, the next couple getting 28 points, and the third couple getting 26.Nicole & Derek: The couple struggled to figure out which of their many "favorite" dances to do from throughout the season, and they settled on the Argentine tango. Len Goodman said it had passion and artistry and said their moves were sharp and precise. "This is Argentine tango," he said. Bruno said he was happy to see that the magic continues. He said the glory that is the Argentine tango was "embodied in the two of you." Carrie Ann Inaba said they were "truly artistry in motion."Evan & Anna: Looking to bounce back from the bottom of Monday's leader board, Evan and Anna had to do something special to get back in it. They decided to do their Argentine tango, as well. Bruno said Evan danced "like a real lady killer," and kept it "slick and stylish." Carrie Ann said his dance "was true redemption." Len said this was the most fantastic season and reminded us that Evan is the only male star left in the competition and said he "did a fantastic job."Erin & Maks: Erin and Maks decided to do the Argentine tango after much debate and discussion and arguing. Maks figured it was Erin's best chance to show off her ability. Carrie Ann said they weren't making the judges' decision easy. Len said judging these three tangos was the hardest job the judges have ever had. He said Erin was in the final on merit and has "danced brilliantly." Bruno pointed out that Erin had the most spectacular road to the final and said he didn't know what the judges were going to do.The rankings: First place was Nicole & Derek (30 points), second was Evan & Anna (28), and third was Erin & Maks (26). The judges' scores would be factored in with America's vote from Monday night to determine the final two dancers.LEADER BOARD:Nicole & Derek: 55 + 30 = 85Erin & Maks: 55 + 26 = 81Evan & Anna: 52 + 28 = 80Memory Lane: After a recap of the highlights from the 10th season, Shannen Doherty & Mark Ballas and Aiden Turner & Edyta Sliwinska performed a quick medley, leading into a "Star Wars"-themed dance from Buzz Aldrin & Ashley Costa.Jake Pavelka & Chelsie Hightower then were joined by Dmitry Chaplin and Jake's fiancee Vienna Girardi, and Jake and Vienna finished the dance together.The big fights: The top dramatic showdowns were ranked:5. Nicole & Derek arguing over which side she was going to stand on, or something, and ending with her saying, "Sometimes I just want to 'OHHH!'" (which may become a lyric to a Pussycat Dolls song, assuming it isn't one already).4. Aiden & Edyta arguing in rehearsal and Aiden threatening to leave and saying he had his feelings hurt.3. Jake refusing to do something Chelsie wanted him to do in the routine, and him saying, "I'm not asking you, I'm more telling you."2. Erin & Maks fighting over Maks wanting Erin to do something she was apparently already doing.1. Kate telling Tony how he should be teaching her how to dance, which is something he's only been doing on a world-class level for about 20 years. Tony said he was quitting, but he came back.To the results: The first of the three finalists was eliminated, based on the judges' scores combined with the audience vote. The couple that finished third was ... Erin & Maks.Erin said the experience meant the world to her. "I knew that these two were going to go head-to-head in this, but I came here under real crummy circumstances, and I just wanted to get my life back together and my smile back." She thanked Maks for helping her put her life back together.They danced a final cha cha cha.College competition: The odd and inexplicable college formation dance competition ended with a battle between Purdue and Utah Valley University, with Utah Valley taking the mini-mirrorball trophy.Back to Memory Lane: Kate Gosselin returned and has, in the time she's been off the show, been working on two different TV shows. She's also convinced herself that 90 percent of her audience hates her because she's so controversial (yes, she called herself "controversial") and that even if she didn't a dance like Nicole & Derek, she'd get ripped apart. Without casting doubt on either statement, we'll just move on. Kate did her "Paparazzi" dance again, this time without the haunting, outstretched-arms walk down the steps of the stage. She then did a little bit to "I Will Survive," which ended with her being lifted to the rafters of the studio in a cherry picker, sparing Tom Bergeron (and us) the awkward post-dance interview.Then, in "a celebration of all things jiggly," according to Tom, Pamela Anderson and Niecy Nash put on some impressive displays of sultry dancing.Back to the competition: The final two couples had to pick their own style and music for their final dance and would be given a score by the judges.Nicole & Derek: Nicole and Derek chose a jive inspired by Tina Turner's version of "Proud Mary," which included Nicole donning a shimmery gold tasseled miniskirt, a la Tina. The choice seemed a little odd in that it reminded us one last time that Nicole is, in fact, a professional singer and dancer, but the crowd and the judges loved it nonetheless. Len said Nicole deserved to be the winner. Bruno said Derek and Nicole had produced some of the most creative and stunning dances he's ever seen. Carrie Ann echoed the sentiment and said she comes to the show every day looking forward to what Nicole and Derek were going to do. Scores: 10, 10 and 10. Total: 30Evan & Anna: Evan and Anna decided to do the quickstep as the final performance of Season 10. Bruno said Evan has always been a good dancer, but his performance level has improved dramatically. Carrie Ann told Evan that he'd won the hearts of her and the audience, and added that he took and flew with any criticism the judges gave him. Len said Evan has been a joy to watch and had done a fantastic job. Scores: 10, 9, and 9. Total: 28LEADER BOARD:Nicole & Derek: 115Evan & Anna: 108The decision: After combining the judges' scores and the audience vote, Tom and Brooke finally revealed the winner of Season 10 of "Dancing with the Stars."And the winner is ... Nicole & Derek.
S11.E1 ∙ Episode #11.1
And it's time for an all new set of "stars" dancing. Tom Bergeron promises us it's the "wildest" cast ever. If you could hear Brooke Burke over her plunging separated-boob neckline you'd hear her agreeing. The pairings, courtesy ABC pr;*MICHAEL BOLTON, Grammy ® Award-winning singer, teams up with CHELSIE HIGHTOWER.* BRANDY, actress and singer, joins MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY, who is back for his ninth season.* MARGARET CHO, comedienne and actress, partners with LOUIS VAN AMSTEL.* RICK FOX, former NBA champion, teams up with two-time champ CHERYL BURKE.* JENNIFER GREY, beloved film and television actress, joins two-time mirror ball champion DEREK HOUGH.* DAVID HASSELHOFF, international superstar, teams up with Season 9 champion KYM JOHNSON.* FLORENCE HENDERSON, America's favorite mom, joins CORKY BALLAS.* KYLE MASSEY, television teen star, partners up with LACEY SCHWIMMER.* BRISTOL PALIN, teen advocate and Alaska's former first daughter, teams up with two-time champ MARK BALLAS.* AUDRINA PATRIDGE, MTV reality star, joins TONY DOVOLANI.* MICHAEL "THE SITUATION" SORRENTINO, Jersey Shore ab-man, teams up with KARINA SMIRNOFF. Hasselhoff is wearing pleather. Thought you should know.Audrina and Tony are up first. He says she works hard and gets things quickly. When they hear they're up first, he decides to redo almost the entire routine.They cha-cha to Katy Perry's "California Girls."Len Goodman says they danced with "confidence" and she had good technique. Bruno Tonioli says Audrina looks like "a show pony that needs to be whipped into shape and pushed to the limit." Carrie Ann Inaba gives Audrina props for starting the season with a solo and says she has the body for the competition (nearly all of which we can see in her yellow fringe midriff-baring outfit).Carrie Ann gives them a 6; Len a 7 and Bruno a 6 for 19.Up next are Kurt Warner and Anna. He tells us his seven children are big fans of the show. His first steps de-evolve into bird imitations. Kurt thinks Emmitt Smith set the bar for NFL players on the show.They dance the Viennese Waltz. When they finish he goes and kisses his wife in the front row. Bruno calls him a "natural" and a graceful qb, he sees great potential. Carrie Ann agrees. Len thinks it wasn't graceful.Carrie Ann gives them a 7, Len a 5 and Bruno a 7 for 19.Kyle Massey and Lacey are next. She thinks he needs to work on her technique. She catches him staring at her boobs mid-dance.They dance the cha-cha-cha with him as a nerd trying to get the hot girl. The crowd stands up and cheers. Carrie Ann announces Kyle is officially her first "crush" of the season. Len liked it and predicts if he keeps his enthusiasm up he'll go far. Bruno calls him "divine entertainment."Carrie Ann gives them an 8, Len a 7, Bruno an 8 for 23.Rick Fox is next with Cheryl. She predicts the women will love him. They instantly have an issue with the height difference, so Cheryl gets 4 inch heels.They dance the Viennese Waltz.Len thinks he danced with elegance and with "amazing" posture. (They keep cutting to Eliza Dushku during the critique -- the Interwebs tell us they moved in together last month. Her latest tweet says she's driving to the taping and "Go Ricky, you're so fine.")Carrie Ann gives an 8, Len a 7 and Bruno a 7 for 22.Next, Margaret Cho and Louis. She tells us she didn't think she'd be good, but she thought she'd be better. She gave up dancing after someone called her "the fattest ballerina" as a kid.They dance the Viennese Waltz with a deliberate stumble at the end. Somehow, her long draped dress has a train that turns into wings."What the hell was that?" Bruno says. Carrie Ann thinks the wings were a bit much.They get 5s across the board for 15.Brandy and Maksim are next and he tells us he's going to try to be a good boy this season. Brandy is smitten with him at first.They dance the Viennese Waltz.Carrie Ann calls it beautiful but warns her not to hit her spots so hard. Len says it was fabulous.Carrie Ann gives them a 7, Len an 8 and Bruno an 8 for 23. Brandy breaks into tears.Bristol Palin and Mark are next. She has problems shimmying and is really shy. When he suggests Tom Jones "Mama Told Me Not to Come," she says it's like her relationship with baby daddy Levi, who her mom warned her not to date. He warns us she'll be wearing something conservative, then they'll rip it off her.They cha cha, she starts out in a business suit with sparkles and a tie then quickly rips it off to show red fringe. (It's very reminiscent of a day-to-night Barbie outfit of the 80s.) Len calls it "a very acceptable performance for week one." Bruno calls it, not ironically, "virgin territory" for her. He tells her to work on the performance. Carrie Ann confesses she thought Bristol was going to be boring, but she has great legs.Jamie Lee Curtis is in the audience.They get 6s across the board for 18.Mark hugs her a lot and tells her he's proud of her.Florence Henderson tells us she was resolved to be on the show. She's with Corky. He notes they're the most "mature" of the bunch. They show her cursing in rehearsal and striking what she calls her "dominatrix pose." They dance the cha-cha-cha and her dress with a slit all the way up the leg is more revealing than Bristol's. Bruno calls her a "spunky" lady. Len calls it great entertainment.They get 6s for 18. Brooke notes that Florence is 76 and asks how she stays sexy.Michael Bolton and Chelsie are next. He notes that he has shoes older than her. She puts him in a device like the stocks to help with his posture.After the Viennese Waltz, Carrie Ann says he needs to smile more and not let Chelsie lead. Len tells him to work on posture.Michael tells us he's in the middle of touring and has 57 shows to go of more than 150.Carrie Ann gives them a 6 and they get two 5s for 16."The Situation" is next with Karina, who greets him at the airport with a photo of his abs. Their first rehearsal was last Tuesday because he just finished filming "Jersey Shore." Everybody else has been practicing three weeks.He's actually introduced as "the Situation" for their cha-cha-cha.Len thinks he has potential but is under-rehearsed. "You've got the guns but not the ammunition," Len zings. "You're going to look like a jackass if you carry on like that," Bruno says and tells him to apply himself. Carrie Ann tells him to lose the 80s moves.They get straight 5s for 15. He takes it in stride, saying he'd like the chance to improve.Jennifer Grey and Derek are next. He greets her with "are you ready to have the time of your life?" Groan.They're doing the Viennese Waltz to "These Arms of Mine" from "Dirty Dancing." Watching him dance, she starts crying uncontrollably, thinking about Patrick Swayze."Patrick was one of the most fearless people I've ever met, so I'm going to go out there and try to be the kind of person he was," she resolves.After they dance, Bruno announces: "Baby is back where she belongs," adding "someone up there is going to be very, very proud of you."Carrie Ann is choked up saying "something profound just happened right now."They get straight 8s for the highest score of the night, 24.Up next, "the Hoff" who cheeses up his intro with a life guard's floatie. He's dancing with Kym, who went to meet him backstage at a show in Germany. He notes that he's "old." There's lots of yelling in the rehearsal.They cha-cha-cha.Carrie Ann says he seems like the offspring of Donnie Osmond and Jerry Springer and he seems to dance with his mouth."It's never too early to panic," Len says.Bruno says there was no timing whatsoever and was a "potpourri of insanity disguised as dance."They get straight 5s for 15 (and boos from the audience).And after recaps, that's it. Jennifer and Derek are at the top with The Situation, Margaret Cho and The Hoff at the bottom.
S11.E2 ∙ Episode #11.2
Tom briefs us, telling us we get to see all the performances again. Then Santana, Indie.Arie and Daughtry will perform. First Audrina and Tony and Len saying she danced with confidence. Backstage, Audraina says going first was scary, but she tried to stay calm. Then Kurt Warner and Anna performed a Viennese Waltz. Bruno says Kurt has a natural stage craft and sees great potential.Backstage, Kurt feels good, saying Anna had stressed trying to connect. Then Kyle Masey and Lacey did their nerd-hot girl cha-cha and Carrie Ann announced she had a crush on him. Rick Fox and Cheryl performed a Viennese Waltz and Len says Rick had great posture and danced with elegance. Backstage, Rick and Cheryl joke about getting Carrie Ann a "Fox-C" shirt for their team name. Then, Margaret Cho and Louis did their waltz with her giant dress wings and Bruno didn't like her goofing around.Backstage, Margaret says she had to goof off because she's a comedian. Then Brandy and Maksim waltzed and Carrie Ann told her to be a little smoother. Backstage, Brandy promises to work her tail off to win. (She enjoys the way Maks says her name.)Bristol Palin and Mark were next and Bruno actually uses the phrase "virgin territory" when giving feedback. Later, Bristol resolves to loosen up more.Florence Henderson and Corky cha-cha'd next and Bruno called her a spunky lady. Backstage, Florence and Corky smooch and Mark, his son, declares it weird. Michael Bolton and Chelsie are next (not dancing to his song). Carrie Ann knocks him for not leading or smiling enough.Backstage, Michael says he was a "bundle of nerves" but he can depend on Chelsie. "The Situation" and Karina cha-cha'd next. He gets slammed for his 80s moves. Then Jennifer Grey and Derek waltzed to "These Arms of Mine" and made half the room cry, thinking of Patrick Swayze. Carrie Ann is moved to tears, calling it "profound."Backstage, Jennifer says the evening was a release and she let people see something about her she's never let people see before. They lead the night with 24.David Hasselhoff and Kym were next. Len says he has to work on his technique and posture.Backstage, Kym tells the Hoff she was proud of him. He says if they go out, they're going out in a blaze of glory and they're already wearing black for their funeral.Then it's on to the live results show. (Tom points out his tie has changed, so you know it's live.)Tom says "the identity of the star who's going to be eliminated surprised even our producers."We see a little pre-show prep as the pros take the stage to dance to Santana, who trots out "Oye Como Va". Then it's time for a recap of the standings. 10th is a three way tie at 15 points with Hoff & Kym, Margaret & Louis, and The Situation & Karina.9th is Michael & Chelsie.7th is a tie with Bristol & Mark ("I feel good, I feel strong. I feel confident from going out there and shaking my hips," Bristol says.) and Florence and Corky.5th is a tie between Audrina & Tony and Kurt & Anna.4th are Rick & Cheryl.2nd is shared between Kyle & Lacey and Brandy & Maks. Jennifer and Derek scored first place.The four lowest scoring couples are on stage. The first couple who is safe is: Michael & Chelsie. (He looks genuinely surprised.)The second couple is: Margaret & Louis. (Upset alert!)That leaves The Situation & Karina and The Hoff & Kym."We'll tell you your fate later, 'cause we have an hour to fill," Tom says. And now it's time for a taped segment with Adam Corolla, for the "tour de dance." He tells us about the jive, which had many names, all of which were from Hasselhoff haircuts in the 80s. (Including the Texas swing and The Carolina Shag.)He tells us about the Cuban rumba, which is described as "making love on the dancefloor." He takes that moment to apologize to everyone at the Goldfarb bar mitzvah. For the samba in Brasil, which leads to some fun with ladies from the carnival (instead of carnival).In London, we find the quickstep, a combination of the Charleston, the Fox Trot and "constantly being bombed by Germans."Then it's time for Daughtry performing "September" from their new album. (Chris just can't get away from reality TV, can he?)Brooke chats up the high scorers of the night. Brandy admits to being nervous. Kyle pleads for the votes. Jennifer promises to work day and night if she makes it. Rick says he's wearing more make-up than last night.Tom gives Len props for his line of the night to The Hoff, "It's never too early to panic."Len says it might be the best first week ever. Time for more results.Next safe is: Jennifer & Derek. Also Rick & Cheryl.Kyle & Lacey and Brandy & Maks have to sweat it out. Santana comes back to play "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with India Arie as Karina and Louis dance.Backstage, Florence raves about her time on the show. We some footage of the cast arriving on the first day and Hollywood air kissing. Audrina loved meeting Jennifer, who loved meeting Margaret, who thought Rick looked like he is made of "some sort of delicious toffee." The Hoff and Kurt Warner talk football and Kurt humors him by throwing a gentle pass in the parking lot. Kyle says he and The Situation are the "most random" cast members.Florence asks Mike to see his "situation." He flashes her the abs.Bristol was excited to meet Florence. Rick digs that Bristol drove a truck down from Alaska. It's news to the Situation that there are roads that do that. More results. Safe: Audrina & Tony and Florence & Corky.Kurt & Anna and Bristol & Mark have to sweat it out.The six on the block wait, but first a duet with Santana and Chris Daughtry. Later, Chris gives a shout out to Michael Bolton for dancing to his song. Santana takes Kurt Warner. Louis reflects on being cut in the first show of the first season. Kym, who got cut with Penn Jillette, says it hurts your pride. Maks says if he goes home first, he'll take full responsibility if he goes first. They describe the terror of waiting under the red lights.Brooke talks to the six still on the chopping block. David says he felt bad for Kym because she tried her best to train him. He calls it "America's Got Talent" payback. Brandy quivers and says she feels like she's about to have a heart attack. The Hoff puts an arm around her and tells her not to worry, he's a life guard.Tom teases that there might be a shocker in our future as the six in jeopardy take the stage with their partners.The next couple returning is Brandy & Maks, also Bristol & Mark. After a commercial break and even more recapping, we learn The Situation and Karina are returning.That leaves the Hoff and Kyle. Tom turns briefly to the families in the audience.The Hoff and Kym are out. He hugs her and says "baby, we tried."Tom tells him this is the biggest first round surprise of all the seasons. And they end, naturally, by dancing.
S11.E3 ∙ Episode #11.3
A week after David Hasselhoff failed to be rescued by the voters, the remaining contestants on "Dancing with the Stars" took to the dance floor.Rick & Cheryl: Ex-NBA star Rick Fox prepared to take on the jive with partner Cheryl Burke. He was struggling to do some of the rapid footwork because of a ruptured tendon in his foot -- the injury that ended his career. He made it work, and head judge Len Goodman said it was solid. He called Rick "a contender." Bruno Tonioli called Rick's performance "a feat," even though he said it could have been slightly sharper. Carrie Ann Inaba agreed and said Rick was good, but that he was better last week. She told him to work harder on his Latin dances. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.Florence & Corky: TV icon Florence Henderson said her first performance was "surreal," but she wanted to be seen as a contender and not just seen as a 76-year-old. She had to work up some endurance for the quickstep. She seemed to forget some steps, but there was some levity. Bruno said that, at times, "it was a little bit like 'Driving Miss Daisy.'" He said it wasn't perfect, but "it was lovely at times." Carrie Ann said it was incredible that Florence was out there dancing at 76, adding that the dance really suited her and she liked it. Len said Florence's age has no bearing on how he feels, then he said Florence should stick around another week. Scores: 7, 6, and 6. Total: 19Brandy & Maks: A week after Bruno quipped, that he loves the taste of Brandy in the evening, the singer was back. She butted heads with Maks during rehearsals, requiring the bleep to be used when she described what he was acting like. They danced the jive. Carrie Ann said she was happy with Brandy's energy, but the dance was sloppy. Len said Brandy took a slight step back compared to last week. Bruno said that "OK" from Brandy is not good enough, because she can do so much better. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21Michael & Chelsie: The judges didn't love singer Michael Bolton's Viennese waltz last week, and he was intimidated by the jive. He also had a throat infection for part of their rehearsal, and despite some frustrations he refused to quick. Len said the world wasn't quite ready for Michael's interpretation of the jive. He said there were some decent basic steps, but the dance just didn't fit him. Bruno sent Michael back to the doghouse, and told him it was probably the worst jive in the show's 11 seasons. Len piped up and said that Bruno should keep some comments to himself. Carrie Ann said it was tough to be a judge critiquing Michael Bolton, but it was awkward. [bScores: 4, 5, and 3. Total: 12Audrina & Tony: After a quick start with her cha cha last week, Audrina set out to become a contender. She said she was sacrificing "everything" to be on the show and wanted to make it worthwhile. She became emotional when she talked about the outside pressure and the toll on her personal life. They danced the quickstep. Bruno said "the show pony is turning into Secretariat." He pointed out a mistake and said Audrina lost her posture a bit at times. Carrie Ann said it was a huge improvement over last week, and she also noted the one "tiny misstep." Len plainly said, "That was the best dance tonight." Before the scores were read, Brooke introduced a clip from rehearsals, in which Tony said he'd wax his legs if the routine didn't score three 8s Scores: 8, 8, and 7. Total: 23Jennifer & Derek: After moving to the top of the leader board last week with an emotional Viennese waltz, Jennifer was ready to break the chains with the jive. She talked about the discovery that she had cancer and her spinal cord was compressed. Because of her physical limitations, Derek said they were going to have to "find a way to amp up this jive without killing Jennifer." She laid on the floor to take the judges' comments. Carrie Ann said Jennifer's energy never let up, and she earned the right to lay on the floor. Len said it was bright, colorful and a "full-on fabulous job." Bruno called it "wicked." Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24In a bit of an odd moment, there was seemingly random booing in the ballroom, which Brooke Burke and the others in the dancers' skybox noticed. Seconds later, Sarah Palin came on screen to give her opinion on the performances.Margaret & Louis: After going for laughs last week, Margaret seemed to be taking things a bit more seriously with the jive. Louis said that she had to realize that she can't hide behind her comedy on the dance floor. She cried in rehearsal when she realized she didn't have to make fun of herself, and instead could actually dance. She missed some steps, but Len called it "a proper jive," but told her to work on her kicks. Bruno agreed that she had to keep it tight. Carrie Ann said there was "definitely an improvement," but told her to watch out for leading with her shoulders. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18Kyle & Lacey: Disney star Kyle Massey earned a fan last week in Carrie Ann, but he was focused on being twice as good as last week. He spent the week trying to get in better shape. Lacey told him he couldn't have burgers, and he said he didn't have a burger before rehearsal, then winked at the camera that he'd had two. He vowed to give the coolest, hippest, sexiest quickstep of the night -- as long as he didn't mess up. Bruno said Kyle was a powerhouse as a performer, but that he needs more control in ballroom and he needs to focus on that. Carrie Ann said Kyle was a little flat footed, but she loved it. Len said it was "hardly a classic quickstep," but he liked it. Scores: 8, 7, and 7. Total: 22Kurt & Anna: Ex-NFL quarterback Kurt Warner brushed off Len's criticism from last week, and was in a fun mood. He was even willing to spray tan if it helped his dancing. They did a jive. Carrie Ann said Kurt reminded her of "everybody's crazy uncle at a wedding who has a little too much to drink and gets all crazy." Len thought the comment was a bit personal, but proceeded with his critique and said that Kurt last week was in the outhouse and this week was in the penthouse. Bruno said Kurt looked like a cool guy doing the jive and added that he "got it." Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21'The Situation' and Karina: Mike 'The Situation' admitted he was actually enjoying the process of learning to dance and that he wanted to do well. Karina put him through the ringer in rehearsal for their quickstep. Len called it "a series of unfortunate events." But he said that, for a difficult dance, The Situation did well. Bruno said he could tell Mike wanted to do well, but was concentrating and counting a bit too much. Carrie Ann thanked him for not doing the fist pump, and suggested that he work on his musicality. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18Bristol & Mark: Bristol Palin took Mark Ballas back to Alaska, and it cut into their rehearsal time. They had to prepare for a quickstep. Bruno said there was a fresh, non-performing aspect of her that was refreshing, but she had to take on the role of an actress to sell her performances. Carrie Ann said Bristol reminds her of Kelly Osbourne, saying there was "something so beautiful about watching" her. She said she couldn't wait to see her week after week. Len said "it's close, it's not quite there, but it's very, very close." He added that her performance just needs a bit more flair. Scores: 7, 8, and 7. Total: 22LEADER BOARD:Jennifer & Derek: 24Audrina & Tony: 23Kyle & Lacey: 22Bristol & Mark: 22Rick & Cheryl: 21Brandy & Maks: 21Kurt & Anna: 21Florence & Corky: 19Margaret & Louis: 18Mike 'The Situation' & Karina: 18Michael & Chelsie: 12
S11.E4 ∙ Episode #11.4
Hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke wasted no time getting to the results Tuesday night on "Dancing with the Stars," calling Kyle & Lacey and Brandy & Maks to the stage before the audience's initial applause had faded.Kyle & Lacey were safe, but Brandy & Maks were still in jeopardy. Tom quickly went into Bruno's comments on Michael Bolton, saying he was a little hard on him. But Bruno didn't back down, saying he thought Rin Tin Tin could have danced a better jive. Bruno said his job is to critique, but Len shot back that the judges' job is to educate and encourage the dancers, and he felt Bruno was "too harsh."Len said the judges, despite disagreeing on some things, all agreed on the encore. They asked Kyle & Lacey to dance their quickstep again. Be our guest: Singer Janelle Monae paid a visit to perform her song, "Tightrope." Later, some dancers choreographed by "Rich & Tone" gave a pretty tremendous performance. Even later, Seal hit the stage to perform his new song, "The Weight of My Mistakes."Backstage, Brooke asked Florence about her earlier comment that if she made it to Week 3, she'd "lock lips" with Len. She wanted to know what Florence would do if she made it to Week 4. Her response: "I will lock hips with him."She also took an opportunity to try to clear up the question of whether Sarah Palin had been booed. They showed a clip of footage from the judges' camera, which appeared to show that fans in the audience were booing the 8s that the judges gave to Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough. Tom then cracked a joke about how Palin herself told him later that she didn't know what the controversy was about because she, too, was booing the judges.Back to the results: Florence & Corky, "The Situation" & Karina, and Bristol & Mark were the next three couples called to the stage. The first of the three couples safe to dance another week was Florence & Corky. Also joining them were Bristol & Mark. "The Situation" & Karina were still in jeopardy.Next up were Audrina & Tony and Jennifer & Derek. Both were safe. After a featurette about how much each couple wants to win, four more couples were called to the stage: Michael & Chelsie, Kurt & Anna, Rick & Cheryl, and Margaret & Louis. The next safe couple was Kurt & Anna, joined by Margaret & Louis. The other two couples would have to wait a little longer to learn their fates.Backstage, Michael took an opportunity to say he thought Bruno was "inappropriate and disrespectful." Bruno responded by giving himself a slap on the hand.The next couple safe was Rick & Cheryl. That left three couples, including "The Situation" & Karina, Brandy & Maks, and Michael & Chelsie.After a break, Tom announced that the next couple safe was Brandy & Maks, leaving "The Situation" & Karina and Michael & Chelsie.Finally, Tom said the couple with the lowest combined total was ... Michael & Chelsie.Michael said he was surprised and disappointed to get kicked off.
S11.E5 ∙ Episode #11.5
A week after MIchael Bolton needed some time, love and tenderness to get over his sour departure, it's Story Night on "Dancing with the Stars." Each performance is going to tell a story (this is the same theme night that brought us the amazing awkwardness that was Kate Gosselin's "Paparazzi" dance last season. This time, the use of props is encouraged.After the pros give an example of what it means to tell a story through a performance, we get to the competition. Jennifer & Derek: The pair quickly decides to tell the story of Jennifer being the teacher that Derek had a crush on in school. Derek got a little frustrated in rehearsal, but Jennifer turned up the intensity and vowed to kick the samba's ass. Head judge Len Goodman said he enjoyed the story, which continued through the dance, but he pointed out a little problem. Bruno Tonioli called Jennifer "the sexy mistress of Cougartown." Carrie Ann Inaba said the routine was "slightly out of sync," but they did take the story from start to finish. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Florence & Corky: Florence was whisked back to her Broadway days, when she played Maria in "The Sound of Music" in the early 1960s. She had to do a waltz to "Edelweiss," which she said reminded her of her husband of 20 years, who doed eight years ago. She cried when talking about how proud he would have been of her. Bruno called it simple, effective and "very, very, very sweet." He pointed out that the waltz is meant to include constant movement, and there were times when she seemed to stop and set up the next move. Carrie Ann said Florence's real story pushed her dance to another level. She did note that the dance was a little "on the simple side." Len called it "poignant, emotional and sweet," but said the technique in her feet is "non-existent." Scores: 7, 6, and 7. Total: 20Kurt & Anna: A week after going "from the outhouse to the penthouse," in Len's words, Kurt was asked to take on a foxtrot to the music of "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter (you might know it as the "American Idol" elimination song a few seasons back). Carrie Ann said Kurt had an incredible charm, his hold was beautiful, their chemistry was fantastic, and she loved it. Len said some musicality was lacking, but "everything else was penthouse." Bruno criticized some sloppy movements and said Kurt nearly dropped Anna at one point. Scores: 8, 8, and 7. Total: 23Margaret & Louis: Margaret was handed Barry Manilow's "Copa Cabana," but her practice time was a little limited because Margaret was on tour through Canada. Len said it started nicely, but it got a little rough and heavy in the middle when she lost her timing. Bruno praised Margaret for "waving the rainbow flag" (referring to her outfit), but said she lost her way in the dance. He said the footwork and the timing were off. Carrie Ann said she loved the story, but that she may have gotten too excited. "'Dancing with the Stars' has gone gay!" Carrie Ann added. Margaret said she was proud of her performance and that she wanted to address gay pride because of some recent suicides by young gay people. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18Audrina & Tony: Audrina had to tap into a deep emotional place to make her waltz believable. The story was one in which Tony played a Marine who comes to Audrina in her dreams for one last dance together. Tony called it "compelling and touching storytelling," before adding that it was "a hit." Carrie Ann said it was beautifully acted and beautifully danced. She gave one criticism (saying Audrina has to work on pointing her toes), but said the competition is on. Len said an old dance teacher once told him (before Audrina was born), "You walk with your feet and you dance with your heart," and he called this "the most touching dance of the night." Scores: 8, 9, and 9. Total: 26Bristol & Mark: Bristol drew a foxtrot to "Just the Way You Are." Mark came up with a story in which he plays a homeless guy trying to get Bristol's attention as she walks by, and then she gives in and dances with him. Carrie Ann said this was "a hard one," and Bristol's performance inexperience hurt her. She said she didn't quite get the story from the performance. Len said Bristol took a chance, as he'd suggested last week, but he didn't like it. Bruno said her execution was fine, because she does everything she has to do, but she had to feel the emotion of the music more and he wanted her to show it. Scores: 6, 6, and 7. Total: 19Brandy & Tony: Brandy said the portrayal of her relationship with Maks last week seemed like they were always fighting. She vowed to listen more and talk less, and put tape over her own mouth in rehearsal. They prepared a dance in the story of "The Bodyguard." They danced the samba. Len said it had energy, punch, rhythm, nice hip action, but he didn't get the story. Bruno said he's "starting to see the comeback of the diva." Carrie Ann tried to give Maks the kind of smack on the butt that he gave Brandy in their rehearsals. She said she didn't condone that behavior, but it worked. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24Kyle & Lacey: Kyle struggled with being "soft and delicate" in preparation for their waltz. He pulled it together when it came time to perform, though. Their story was one of two strangers meeting at a coffee shop and falling in love. Bruno said it was a picture "of a blossoming teenage romance." He said Kyle has the likability factor all sewn up, but he still has to work on his feet. Carrie Ann said Kyle brings the fun to the floor. She loved it and said it was great storytelling. Len said the acting and performance was good, but Kyle has "done nothing" with his footwork. Scores: 8, 7, and 8. Total: 23'The situation' & Karina: Mike "The Situation" wanted to prove that he has musicality, which he thinks he has ("You can't fist pump if you don't know the beat, right?" Karina put their foxtrot to a futuristic, time traveling vibe. Carrie Ann said Mike was on his way to becoming a dancer. Len said, "If that's the future, I'm glad I live in the past." He said if The Situation was dancing in his backyard, he'd have to close the curtains. Bruno said it was a little odd, but "in a very weird way, very entertaining." Scores: 7, 6, and 7. Total: 20Rick & Cheryl: Cheryl came up with a story for Rick's samba in which he'd let down his team by blowing a last-minute shot. He said he could relate. She shows up to dance with him when he's alone at the bar that night, and cheers him up. It worked. Len said it was good. Bruno said it was hot and that he wants to see more of it. Carrie Ann agreed with the screaming audience that it was great and added that Rick was right on the music. Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24LEADER BOARD:Audrina & Tony: 26Jennifer & Derek: 24Brandy & Maks: 24Rick & Cheryl: 24Kurt & Anna: 23Kyle & Lacey: 23Florence & Corky: 20"The Situation" & Karina: 20Bristol & Mark: 19Margaret & Louis: 18
S11.E6 ∙ Episode #11.6
The results episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday night started with a surprise announcement from head judge Len Goodman that the encore performance would come from "Situation" (as he put it) and Karina, who performed their futuristic foxtrot again. The worst part, though, was that we had to suffer through listening to the show's lounge-style singers give their interpretation of the Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" for a second time.To the results: Hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke got to some results in short order, calling Audrina & Tony, Kyle & Lacey and Kurt & Anna to the stage -- but, at least on the east coast, the recap package for Brandy & Maks, Jennifer & Derek, and Rick & Cheryl was run. Nonetheless, the results were announced for the first bunch, and Audrina & Tony were the first couple safe. They were followed by Kurt & Anna, but Kyle & Lacey were still in jeopardy.Be Our Guest: Ne-Yo paid a visit to the ballroom to perform, for the first time on television, his new single, "One in a Million."Later, Mark Ballas and Val Chmerkovskiy (Maks' brother) took their long-standing ballroom rivalry to another level in a bizarre "strings duel," with Mark playing guitar and Val playing the violin, in between dancing with partners. No winner was announced.Filling in for Susan Boyle, booted star Michael Bolton returned to the ballroom to sing "Hallelujah." There was no mention of the clash between Michael and Bruno, although the cameras were firmly aimed at Bruno after Michael sang, and Bruno clapped and smiled.Back to the results: Brandy & Maks, Jennifer & Derek, and Rick & Cheryl were called to the stage next, and to ensure equality all around (again, at least on the east coast), they aired the recap package for the first group, Audrina & Tony, Lacey & Kyle, and Kurt & Anna.The next couple safe was Jennifer & Derek. The next couple in jeopardy, though, was Rick & Cheryl. They celebrated, not having heard Brooke's announcement clearly. Then Cheryl put on a sad face when the news was clarified. Brandy & Maks were safe.Finally, the last four couples learned their fates. The first of the bunch declared safe for at least another week was "The Situation" and Karina. The next couple in jeopardy was Bristol & Mark.The next couple definitely returning next week was Florence & Corky, and Florence let out a huge yelp. Margaret & Louis were still in jeopardy.Finally, the couples in jeopardy learned their fates. The first couple safe was Kyle & Lacey. The next couple safe was Rick & Cheryl.That left it down to Bristol & Mark and Margaret & Louis, and the couple that went home was Margaret & Louis.
S11.E7 ∙ Episode #11.7
The scrutiny and the spotlight intensifies as the dancers are asked to perform in the round and will receiver two scores: one for performance and another for technical. The round stage is raised a bit, exposing the dancers' footwork more. The dancers will also have to perform to acoustic music, which will make the musicality more difficult. Kurt & Anna: Rehearsing their sensual rumba, Kurt struggles a bit with the more intimate aspects of the dance, saying that "as a Christian" he's uneasy about it and wonders what his wife will think. Kurt's wife and Anna's husband pay a visit to the practice space and when Anna explains the dance is a "will they or won't they" type of drama, Kurt's wife says it's like when they were dating and Kurt thought "the grass would be greener" with someone else, presumably, and then he wanted her back. He claims he doesn't know what she's talking about. She encourages him to get into it. Len Goodman praises Kurt's hip action, but says some of his footwork is lacking. He says Kurt pitches the romantic side of it "just right." Bruno Tonioli points out that his movement has to flow and be continuous, and says the performance was "more like brothers and sisters, rather than raunchy lovers in the nght." Carrie Ann Inaba says she "really loved the performance." She says it was a good balance between performance with the audience and his partner, but agrees with Bruno on the movements. Technical: 5, 5, 5 = 15. Performance: 7, 6, 6 = 19. Total: 34Brandy & Maks: Brandy has trouble feeling sexy for the Argentine tango, saying she hasn't been with anybody in six years. Maks figures she's being too rigid and technical, so he takes her out to a bar to loosen her up. She suggests he taker her out more often. Bruno loves the mood of "soft sensuality" and says it was like watching two lovers stealing a moment. Carrie Ann rejoices in the appearance of "the real Brandy," calling it her "comeback night." She agrees with Bruno on some pointers about her legwork. Len says the technique was good, as well as the performance, saying it "was a little bit hot and spicy" for his taste, but he enjoyed it. Technical: 7, 8, 7 = 22. Performance: 9, 8, 9 = 26. Total: 48Rick & Cheryl: A week after ripping his shirt off, Rick jokes that this time Cheryl will take one for the team and remove her shirt. She says she went to Argentina over the summer and learned the Argentine tango from scratch and she's hoping to bring what she learned to the dance floor. Despite huge cheers from the crowd, Carrie Ann says the dance was "one-dimensional." She says the dance was lacking passion and the size of the stage was difficult for them. Len says the lifts were excellent and suited the dance. He says the legs could have been crisper and sharper. He says it started strong and lost some edge as it progressed. Bruno agrees and says it started like Clark Gable but didn't maintain all the way through. Technical: 6, 7, 6 = 19. Performance: 6, 7, 7 = 20. Total: 39Kyle & Lacey: A week after getting ripped for his footwork, Kyle has trouble tapping into some sexiness for the rumba. He makes fart sounds in rehearsal. He vows that the judges will be "getting what they asked for," given the constant calls for better technique. Len says Kyle's footwork was much better, but says it was a bit too sharp. Still, he enjoyed it. Bruno says Kyle always plays it well, but agrees with Len that some of it was too sharp and that rumba needs a continuous flow to work. Carrie Ann says she appreciated the tone of the performance. Technical: 6, 6, 6 = 18. Performance: 8, 7, 7 = 22. Total: 40"The Situation" & Karina: Mike is pretty worried about the steps and timing on the Argentine tango. He wants to prove everyone wrong about him. Karina is looking to up the stakes on the performance side, which will include some big lifts and throws. Bruno says it "was a terrible mess," and adds that it was like watching someone put together a puzzle never quite getting it. Bruno says the mistakes didn't allow Mike to get into a real performance and that although he did the best he could, he "did a really, really, really, really, really terrible, terrible situation." Carrie Ann, "on behalf of all the women," welcomes The Situation's abs to the show. She says she saw improvement, but that Mike's most difficult thing was the walking. Len says, "It was consistent; it was bad throughout." He congratulates Karina, saying she's doing a great job with "The Situation." Technical: 4, 4, 4 = 12. Performance: 6, 5, 5 = 16. Total: 28Florence & Corky: Florence was intrigued by the sexiness of the rumba, which Corky describes as "a vertical expression of a horizontal desire." Florence says she has no fear of being sexy. They invite Florence's daughter and Corky's son (a guy named Mark), to determine what is appropriate and not appropriate. It makes for some fun moments. The crowd roared at the many steamy moments. Carrie Ann, embarrassed, says, "What just happened? You're Mrs. Brady!" Carrie Ann says Florence proved that "age has no relationship to how sexy and raunchy and dirty you can make a dance," but she thought it went a little too far and she got a little uncomfortable. Len says it "was much better than I expected -- well done." Bruno says they hit all the aspects of performance, but, all told, he's "seen better." Technical: 6, 6, 5 = 17. Performance: 6, 6, 6 = 18. Total: 35 Jennifer & Derek: Jennifer looks to bounce back from a mistake last week and is focusing on technique. She says each dance brings a new set of pain, and her back and foot are feeling the effects of the lifts. "I'm sorry I'm so old," she tells Derek, who brushes the comment aside. They dance the Argentine tango. Their precise moves drive the crowd crazy, and the judges join in. Len says it combined excellent technique and performance, calling it one of his favorite tangos. Bruno calls it "prime time delight," and says they've "done an incredible job." Carrie Ann praises the precision and passion, calling it "a-ma-zing." Technical: 9, 9, 9 = 27. Performance: 10, 9, 10 = 29. Total: 56 Bristol & Mark: A week after now showing she felt it, Bristol is handed the rumba. The 19-year-old mom says she's uncomfortable with it because it's "sexy and stuff." Mark says, "The rumba and Bristol have absolutely zero in common." Bruno says Bristol is technically always kind of clean. She does her moves, but those moves never go anywhere. He tells her to sustain the moves all the way through. Carrie Ann says Bristol has all the makings of being a dancer, "but there's no effort" and she feels like Bristol is dancing only for Mark. Len chides Mark for having Bristol rip his shirt off during the dance. Len says he wants to see "more we and less me" in their routines. Technical: 6, 6, 6 = 18. Performance: 4, 5, 5 = 14. Total: 32Audrina & Tony: After moving to the top of the leader board, Audrina sets out to prove it was no fluke. Audrina struggles in rehearsal with the space limitations of the small, round stage. Tony works her through some acting drills to nail the role of the seductress in the Argentine tango. Carrie Ann says she enjoyed it, but points out some lack of energy at Audrina's ankle. She also says Audrina's dismounts were sloppy on some of the lifts. Len says the routine and lifts were good and clever. He says he didn't get the feel of the Argentine nightclub rawness. Bruno says it wasn't bad, technically, but she didn't point her feet, which took away from sharpness. Technical: 8, 8, 8 = 24. Performance: 8, 7, 7 = 22. Total: 46LEADER BOARD:Jennifer & Derek: 56Brandy & Maks: 48Audrina & Tony: 46Kyle & Lacey: 40Rick & Cheryl: 39Florence & Corky: 35Kurt & Anna: 34Bristol & Mark: 32"The Situation" & Karina: 28
S11.E8 ∙ Episode #11.8
Hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke waste no time getting to the results after a fiery night of competition. The three top scorers are called to the stage first.To the results: Audrina & Tony, Brandy & Maks, and Jennifer & Derek come out to learn their fates. Even Tom can't squeeze much drama out of the moment, quickly telling all three couples they're safe.Play it again...: Not much of a surprise as Len asks for Jennifer & Derek to reprise the Argentine tango that on Monday night earned the first 10s of the season.Be our guests: We're magically whisked away to 1998 as Goo Goo Dolls take the "Dancing" stage to perform "Iris" and their new single, "Notbroken." Later, the cast of Forever Tango paid a visit and showed some mad dance skills. After that, Florence and the Machine performed "Dog Days Are Over."Unfinished business: Addressing something Len mentioned Monday night about how he doesn't go around ripping his shirt off, Tom asked for the director to roll a clip of a "Dance Center" segment with Kenny Mayne and Jerry Rice in which Len, in fact, appeared shirtless behind the desk.Back to the results: Bristol & Mark and Kyle & Lacey are called to the stage next. Kyle & Lacey are safe. That leaves Bristol & Mark in jeopardy.Rick & Cheryl and Kurt & Anna came out next. The next couple definitely coming back next week is Rick & Cheryl. Kurt & Anna, meanwhile, are still in jeopardy.In his testimonials after being scored by the judges, "The Situation" was upset that the judges didn't acknowledge the progress he's made in the competition. He got up and stormed away, saying, "I'm done with it.""The Situation" & Karina join Florence & Corky on stage for the next set of results. Sure enough, Florence & Corky are safe, while "The Situation" & Karina are still in jeopardy.Finally, the second-to-last couple safe is revealed to be Kurt & Anna. Down to Bristol & Mark and "The Situation" & Karina, the couple leaving the competition is "The Situation" & Karina.In a bit of an extended exit interview, "The Situation" gets a chance to express how committed he's become to the show and the competition, but if the fourth round is his time to go, "It is what it is."
S11.E9 ∙ Episode #11.9
It's TV theme week on "Dancing with the Stars," and, of course, that means the judges are going to assess the season-long success of each remaining couple. (This is what happens when the show continues to be two hours long despite the fact that half the competitors are gone). The judges' rundown: Audrina impressed Len Goodman from Day 1, when she started her first performance with a solo in the middle of the floor. He loves the improvement her posture, but she has to work on her toes in the ballroom dances and her edginess in the Latin dances. He wants Tony to push her in the choreography. Len says, "There is no reason why she shouldn't win." He says the waltz was her best dance. Kyle impresses Bruno Tonioli with his musicality and his energy, but he needs to learn how to control it in different situations. He says the Latin dances come naturally to Kyle, but he has to work on the ballroom. He needs to work on his feet, Bruno says. He says Kyle's cha cha cha was the best. Carrie Ann Inaba says Brandy has all the ingredients that make a great dancer. She says Brandy has been working hard on her technique. She sees insecurity in Brandy's performances and needs to become more confident. "If Brandy starts to believe in herself more, she could go straight to the top of the leader board," Carrie Ann says. She says Brandy's rumba was her best. Len goes on to review Kurt, who, he says, "shows us that dancing can look macho." Len says he thought "no way" when he saw Kurt in Week 1. "Hands like frying pans," and no musicality. Len says he needs to see more musicality in his upper body and better footwork. He says Kurt can "go on and on" if he keeps bringing the enthusiasm. He says the jive was Kurt's best dance.Bruno reviews Bristol, who he says has "got guts" for coming from the middle of nowhere in Alaska. He says Bristol seems "to be a natural mover." He says she has great coordination, musicality and is light on her feet, but she's not a performer. "She has to learn how to become a character." He says her face sometimes "goes vacant" while she's dancing. "Bristol has to believe she belongs here," he says, adding that he wants to see her explode. "Open that door, let the minx out!" He says the quickstep, when she let go of her inhibitions, was one of her best.Len calls Florence a "great entertainer." He says she has improved on so many levels, but her biggest trouble is that "she can't compete with some of these young people, physically, especially in some of these faster dances." He says she has to up the ante on her own level of skills. He says the one dance that sums her up is the rumba. Len says Rick is "not just eye candy -- this guy can dance." He says he thought Rick would be clumsy and awkward at 6-foot-7, and now says he was wrong on every count. He says Rick needs to work on his posture, and that RIck needs to dance to his height. He says "anything is possible" with Rick, especially if he can continue to pull off dances like his samba. Carrie Ann says Jennifer is one to watch because she's "hot, hot, hot." She says Jennifer is 50 "but she has got the energy and the sex appeal of a 26-year-old." She says Jennifer touched everyone with her first dance, a waltz she dedicated to Patrick Swayze. She says Jennifer's emotions are good for performance, but she has to keep her nerves in check. She worries that if Jennifer pushes herself too hard, she might get injured. She singles out Jennifer's Argentine tango as her best dance so far.Nearly 30 minutes into the show, it's almost time for dancing. First, the introductions. And a commercial break.Brandy & Maks: A week after pulling a couple of 9s, Brandy and Maks pulled "the 'Friends' song," as Maks calls it, for their TV theme. Brandy says she loves that song because it's all about being a friend. They danced the quickstep. Len says he's "so impressed" and that Brandy brought energy, sass, and says, "It was, without a doubt, your best dance. Well done." Bruno says they found the right formula and that they were "on it." Carrie Ann says the couple has been through a lot, and Brandy is trusting Maks more. She says they're "at a whole other level now." Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Florence & Corky: After sizzling up the dance floor with her rumba last week, Florence shockingly drew "The Brady Bunch" theme song for her TV theme week performance. Florence texts Barry Williams (Greg Brady) to have him come visit the rehearsal studio. Florence says Barry always had a crush on her and she would neither confirm or deny any relationship. They danced a tango. Bruno says the beginning, when it was classic and straight, it was "a beautiful tango," but then it went into "rag-doll mode." Carrie Ann says she liked it and calls it one of Florence's best, saying it shows off her elegance, calling her a "sexy senior." She says some of the moves got her off on her timing. Len says he wishes he was a sexy senior, and Florence gives him a kiss. He says parts of the tango were excellent and others needed work, but it was possible her best dance, so far. Scores 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Kurt & Anna: A week after getting his lowest scores of the season, Kurt attempts to bounce back with the theme from "Bewitched." He's hoping to bounce back in the competition the way he came back in the NFL. They go through some cultural background fun, as Anna knows nothing about football and Kurt knows nothing about a couple of Russian dogs who went into outer space. They danced the quickstep. They earned a standing ovation from the crowd. Carrie Ann says she just saw the spirit of Gene Kelly enter Kurt's body, as he made it look easy. Len says, "After last week, the only way is up, and up you have gone." He calls it a "vast improvement and a great performance." Bruno says Kurt was in sparkling form and he was impressed with the timing. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Audrina & Tony: Oddly enough, Audrina pulled the legendary, iconic, unforgettable theme from "The Hills." (It's probably better known to the mass audience as Natasha Bedingfield's first hit, "Unwritten." They prepared to do the rumba, which Audrina found a little awkward after Tony described it as "making love on the dance floor." He gave her a tip that Richard Gere once told him -- eat some garlic and onions to lessen the intensity of an intimate performance. She bit into an onion and said it helped. Len calls it excellent, notes there was a connection and chemistry, but tells Audrina to open up a little more. Bruno says Audrina has improved, technically, but he was it pulsating with passion. "Don't be plastic, be fantastic," he tells her. Carrie Ann says she saw Audrina go "leaps and bounds into a whole new level," from the hips down. But up above, it was "still and dead" compared. Then she says there was a lift. Tony denies it, but the damage has already been done. Scores: 7, 8, 8. Total: 23Kyle & Lacey: Kyle took more shots for his technique last week and has a foxtrot to the theme of "Charlie's Angels." He wants to stop his slide down the leader board. Lacey decides to bring Kym and Chelsie -- his "Angels," apparently -- to help him in rehearsal. It was quite the mix of foxtrot and '70s disco stylings. Bruno says Kyle brings the entertainment factor. He says it was al crazy and not a proper foxtrot. He says it looked like "Richard Pryor kind of gone mad," and Lacey asks, "Who's Richard Pryor," launching boos from the crowd. Carrie Ann says she liked it all, and said Kyle's technique has improved. Len says it started bad and it just got worse. He says it was "a joke." Scores: 8, 5, 7. Total: 20Rick & Cheryl: After hitting some rough spots in rehearsal, Rick randomly suggests to Cheryl that she meet some of the basketball players he's played with so she can learn more about him. Cue: Kobe Bryant cameo. They danced the rumba to the "Hill Street Blues" theme. Carrie Ann wants to report a crime: That Rick could "look that good, and rumba so well." She says it just "got hotter and hotter." Len says he liked it, but he didn't get the feeling of a developing romance, "it was more like a couple staying together for the sake of the children." Bruno says Rick went "from Megatron to being mega-smooth." Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Bristol & Mark: Bristol tells Mark she's surprised to still be in the competition, and that she only hoped to last through the first week. Their dance is a jive to the "Monkees" theme song. Mark brings clowns into the rehearsal to help loosen her up a bit and says he's pulling out all the stops to get attention in this performance. They come out in gorilla suits, which seem to trip Bristol up a bit as she misses several steps -- possibly because she can't see Mark. Len says he liked the monkey suits and wishes they would have kept them on. He says he saw a "higher degree of performance" from Bristol. Bruno says she tried to perform and it worked, but she lost technique. Carrie Ann says she's happy for Bristol for making a transformation and trying something new. She points out that Bristol forgot a lot of the steps. Scores: 6, 6, 6. Total: 18Jennifer & Derek: Derek assures Jennifer that their foxtrot will be a little easier on her body. There's some tension and Derek becomes frustrated with Jennifer not picking everything up. She tells him to control his temper, then leaves the room to go for a walk. He apologizes for letting his frustration spill over toward her. They dance to the "Married ... With Children" theme song, "Love and Marriage." Bruno starts by saying, "It was like watching the perfect housewife," saying it was "pristene, elegant, beautifully danced." Carrie Ann says it was good but "wasn't nearly your best." Len says the dance was lovely, but was "all a bit too theatrical." He says she didn't need to waste 12 bars of the song with a feather duster (playing her housewife role). Scores: 8, 8, 9. Total: 25LEADER BOARD: Brandy & Maks: 27Jennifer & Derek: 25Kurt & Anna: 24Rick & Cheryl: 24Audrina & Tony: 23Florence & Corky: 21Kyle & Lacey: 20Bristol & Mark : 18
S11.E10 ∙ Episode #11.10
Whose "Dancing with the Stars" run is going to get canceled on TV theme week? We're about to find out.To the results: Kyle & Lacey and Bristol & Mark, the lowest-scoring couples of the night, are the first called to stage. Host Tom Bergeron announces that the first couple safe was Kyle & Lacey. Bristol & Mark, in a stunner, are also safe.Play it again...: Head judge Len Goodman asks to see Brandy & Maks' quickstep a second time, noting that Bruno loved it for the performance, Carrie Ann loved it for the artistry and Len loved it for the technique.Be our guest: Jason Derulo pays a visit to perform his hit single, "In My Head." Later, Shakira hits the stage to perform her latest single, "Loca." Jason returns later to perform his rendition of "Georgia on My Mind."Back to the results: Jennifer & Derek and Brandy & Maks, the highest-scoring couples of the week, were the next called to the stage. The next couple safe is Brandy & Maks. Jennifer & Derek are in jeopardy.Surprise!: A different type of segment tells us about a family from the Congo, with five sons who have colluded with the show to perform for their mother, who is in the audience with them. She loves the show and her kids say it would be a dream for her to watch them perform on it.To the results, once more: Next, Rick & Cheryl and Kurt & Anna, came to the stage. The first couple safe is Kurt & Anna. That means Rick & Cheryl are in jeopardy with Jennifer & Derek.Later, Florence & Corky and Audrina & Tony come out to learn their fates. In the highlight reel from the night before, a replay clearly shows there was a lift in Audrina & Tony's routine, despite Tony's objections and his conspiracy theory that Carrie Ann is out to get him. Florence & Corky are still in jeopardy.The three couples still in jeopardy take the stage once more -- one of them for the last time. The first couple safe is ... Jennifer & Derek.That leaves Florence & Corky and Rick & Cheryl. The couple leaving this week is ... Florence & Corky.Florence says that in her 50-year career in television, "this is one of the best produced shows I've ever been on." She says she hopes she's inspired people to get off their butts "and move and dance" and enjoy life.
S11.E11 ∙ Rock Week
It's rock week on "Dancing with the Stars." But there are still two hours to fill, so we get to see the Top 10 performances of all-time on the show, as voted by fans on abc.com.The countdown: Number 10 was a freestyle from Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas. Number 9, an Argentine tango by Donnie Osmond and Kym Johnson.Number 8, a quickstep by Helio Castroneves & Julianne Hough. Number 7, a freestyle by Apolo Anton Ohno & Julianne Hough.Number 6, Joanna Krupa & Derek Hough's "futuristic" paso doble.Number 5, Mel B & Maksim Chmerkovskiy's paso doble.Number 4, Nicole Scherzinger & Derek Hough's paso doble.Number 3, Apolo Anton Ohno & Julianne Hough reappear with their samba.Number 2, Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke's Argentine tango.Number 1, Drew Lachey & Cheryl Burke's "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" freestyle.Finally, with 30 minutes burned, it's time to get to get to some dancing.Audrina & Tony: After getting some grief from Bruo last week, Audrina is focusing on not over-thinking her routine. Tony takes her to a martial arts class to tap into the aggression of the paso doble. Len Goodman says she's getting on his nerves because she's got the potential to wow them every week, but "every week it lacks the character of the dance." Bruno agrees, telling her to imagine Latin firecrackers like Eva Longoria and Eva Mendes. Carrie Ann Inaba also agrees on the character point, but says she has improved tremendously. She tells her to learn the intention behind the movements in each dance. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Kyle & Lacey: After getting on Len's bad list last week, Kyle is back and so ready to prove himself that he practices his dance moves with his brother at home. They dance a tango. The audience loves it, and so does Bruno. His comments can't even be heard over the crowd at first, but he tells Kyle his footwork is better and ends with, "way to go." Carrie Ann says she loves "the Kyle style" and that his carriage was amazing. Len says he enjoyed it and says Kyle again found a balance between performance technique. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Jennifer & Derek: After stumbling a little last week, Jennifer is ready to bounce back after what wasn't much of a fun week of rehearsal. She and Derek look to put the week behind them and put all that energy into the paso doble. The crowd loves it, but Carrie Ann silences them quickly by telling Jennifer she needs to calm down and stay within her limits. Len says she got "the attack, the aggression, the attitude," but she lost a bit of control. Bruno added to it, saying she looked like "a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown." Scores: 6, 7, 7. Total: 20Rick & Cheryl: Looking to break his streak of being told he needs more heat and passion in his dances, Rick has the tango. He worries about whether it could be three weeks in a row. Cheryl is concerned that he's overanalyzing every step in the routine. Len says he did an excellent job. Bruno says it was "like a mohican on the war path." Carrie Ann says it was amazing and had nice balance. She noted that Rick sometimes gets so stern his face loses personality. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Bristol & Mark: Bristol admits to Mark that part of the reason she lost her steps last week was because she wasn't going all out in rehearsal. He asks her to go ahead and give it all in rehearsal. They practice an air guitar portion that Mark is afraid will get them in trouble with Len, but Bristol pushes for it to enhance the performance. The crowd cheers and Bruno says it was her best performance of the season. Carrie Ann says it was "ridiculously amazing." Len references last week's monkey costumes, saying, "Last week a chimp, this week, nearly a champ." He does note that he's docking a point because they broke their hold to do their air guitar thing. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Kurt & Anna: Coming off of his best week, Kurt struggles to tap into his inner-rocker. Anna brings Bret Michaels into rehearsal to teach Kurt about bring a rocker (and because Bret Michaels is contractually obligated to appear on at least 25 reality shows each year). Carrie Ann shuts down the crowd's enthusiasm again,saying the dance "didn't really have a lot of polish." She says Kurt didn't seem comfortable. Len agrees that "it just didn't come off. You looked awkward doing it, I felt awkward watching it." Bruno says Kurt looks like he was doing karate instead of a Spanish dance. "You looked like Jackie Chan, we want Banderas," Bruno adds. Scores: 6, 6, 6. Total: 18Brandy & Maks: Brandy says she feels like she's under a lot of pressure, and she cried and walked out of practice. She came back and the dancing was more intense than ever. Len called Maks his hero and said it was, without a doubt, the best dance of the night. Bruno went off, comparing Brandy to Tina Turner in "Mad Max." Carrie Ann says she had goosebumps watching it because it looked like someone who'd gone through a hard time and finally hit their stride. Scores: 8, 9, 9. Total: 26Marathon Dance: Everyone is worried they won't make it through the dance marathon, especially Jennifer Grey, who nearly passed out after 90 seconds of dancing earlier in the season. Couples earn points based on how long they stay in. The first couple tapped out is Kurt & Anna, followed by Bristol & Mark. Rick & Cheryl go next. Kyle & Lacey go next, followed by Audrina & Derek.That leaves Jennifer & Derek and Brandy & Maks, and Brandy & Maks eventually take the win. LEADER BOARD (with dance marathon scores added):Brandy & Maks: 26 + 10 = 36Audrina & Tony: 24 + 8 = 32Rick & Cheryl: 24 + 6 = 30Kyle & Lacey: 23 + 7 = 30Jennifer & Derek: 20 + 9 = 29Bristol & Mark: 23 + 5 = 28Kurt & Anna: 18 + 4 = 22
S11.E12 ∙ Episode #11.12
Rock week on "Dancing with the Stars" caused a shakeup on the leader board, especially after the scores for the dance marathon were factored in. Here's a quick reminder:LEADER BOARD (with dance marathon scores added):Brandy & Maks: 26 + 10 = 36Audrina & Tony: 24 + 8 = 32Rick & Cheryl: 24 + 6 = 30Kyle & Lacey: 23 + 7 = 30Jennifer & Derek: 20 + 9 = 29Bristol & Mark: 23 + 5 = 28Kurt & Anna: 18 + 4 = 22Hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke waste no time getting to the results, calling out the bottom three couples on the leader board: Bristol & Mark, Kurt & Anna, and Jennifer & Derek. The first couple safe is ... Kurt & Anna. Also safe to dance again next week, Tom announces, are Bristol & Mark. That leaves Jennifer & Derek, who Brooke says are still in jeopardy.Play it again...: Len Goodman says he wants to see a couple that "had a real breakthrough," and that was Bristol & Mark.Be our guest: Legendary rockers Heart seal rock week on "Dancing with the Stars" with a bang, blasting their hit, "Barracuda." Later, a group of dancers choreographed by Travis Wall (of "So You Think You Can Dance" fame) and a high school show choir performed to "School's Out" and "We Will Rock You."Back to the results: Kyle & Lacey and Rick & Cheryl, the couples who tied in the middle of the pack with 30 points, are called to the stage. The next couple safe is Rick & Cheryl. Kyle & Lacey are still in jeopardy.Finally, Brandy & Maks and Audrina & Tony came out to the stage. Following a feature about how each remaining couple really wants to win, Brandy & Maks. Audrina & Tony are still in jeopardy.Down to three couples, the next one safe is Kyle & Lacey, leaving Audrina & Tony and Jennifer & Derek -- two couples that have been on top of the leader board four out of the last six weeks.Bruno says he's very surprised to see the bottom two (even though they aren't necessarily the actual bottom two). Carrie Ann says it would "hurt" and "really be a shame" if Jennifer & Derek go home. Len says it's "ludicrous" and "nonsense" that one of these two couples is going home. He says everyone loves and underdog, but we like justice more, and this is an injustice.The couple out is ... Audrina & Tony. Audrina is stunned, but says she's learned a lot and will be coming back to visit.
S11.E13 ∙ Episode #11.13
"Tonight we begin our 200th episode celebration," host Tom Bergeron announces on "Dancing with the Stars." In other words, get ready for a whole lot of filler.It starts with the show's pros doing a big group dance to Beyonce's "Crazy," which was the first song ever danced to on the show's first season.The performance show will include a team competition, with the dancers split into two teams, captained by former "Dancing" champions Kristi Yamaguchi and Apolo Anton Ohno.Kristi's team is Rick & Cheryl, Bristol & Mark, and Kyle & Lacey. Apolo's team is Kurt & Anna, Jennifer & Derek, and Brandy & Maks.Team Kristi: Kristi's three couples perform the cha cha cha. The crowd loves it. Len Goodman says he thought they'd be the underdogs, but they proved him wrong. Bruno praises them all, but points out Rick Fox. He also says Bristol missed a step. Carrie Ann says they showed off that they worked well as a group. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Team Apolo: Apolo's team also performs the cha cha cha, incorporating the patty-cake move he did in his version of it a few seasons back. Bruno loves it, pointing out good moves by Kurt, Brandy and Jennifer. Carrie Ann says she liked that everyone was at their best and nothing was "dumbed down" for the benefit of anyone. Len says they all upped their game. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Kyle & Lacey: With the added challenge of reinterpreting an iconic dance from a past season, Kyle & Lacey landed the paso doble made famous by Mel B. & Maks. Len says Kyle upped his game. Mel B, who is judging on this dance, says Kyle blew her away and was "very sexy." Bruno says Kyle had the attack and energy "of an untamed young bull," but points out Kyle's lines on his arms. Carrie Ann says Kyle did a good job channeling his power and strength, as Mel did. Scores: 10 (Mel B.), 9, 8, 8. Total: 35Kurt & Anna: Kurt drew Emmitt Smith's iconic tango, noting that Emmitt is the only football player to have ever won the competition. Kurt gets annoyed when Anna says the dance moves are "fairly easy," so he takes her out to Arizona Cardinals football practice to show her how football moves he's done all his life are easy to him, but difficult for her. Bruno says Kurt was much improved from last week, but points out something with Kurt's posture. Carrie Ann says Emmitt brought his character to life and Kurt did a good job of doing the same. Emmitt compliments Kurt on his suit and says he saw something "that was very special." Len praises Kurt for coming back strong after getting criticized last week. He says it was sharp and had drama. Scores: 10 (Emmitt), 8, 8, 8. Total: 34Bristol & Mark: Kelly Osbourne's iconic Viennese waltz was the order of the day for Bristol & Mark. Coming off her best scores of the season, Bristol is primed to keep her momentum. Carrie Ann says there's something poetic about Bristol when she moves, but there's still something missing. Kelly says Bristol stole her heart and that "there's something so beautiful about what you do." Len says he enjoyed it very much, but that Bristol and Mark still lack a little bit of chemistry. Bruno says she could still "ignite a little more," but that Bristol generally did a good job with it. Scores: 9 (Kelly), 8, 8, 8. Total: 33Rick & Cheryl: Rick is looking to tap into the fun that Helio Castroneves was having when he performed his iconic quickstep a few seasons ago. He brought his girlfriend Eliza Dushku to rehearsal because she knows the fun and crazy side of him. Len says Rick thoroughly enjoyed himself, which made the judges enjoy themselves. He says it was good. Bruno says Rick gave his best performance and had "more faces than Jim Carrey." Helio says Cheryl included a lot of the original dance to their benefit. Carrie Ann says it was "by far" Rick's best dance. Scores: 10 (Helio), 9, 9, 9. Total: 37Brandy & Maks: After leading the pack for two weeks straight, Brandy says she wants to win even more. They pulled Gilles Marini's iconic foxtrot, which was all about character. Bruno says "that was a foxtrot," and adds that it was "sizzling with sex." Still, he points out a mistake. Gilles says he had goosebumps and says the performance was "unreal." Carrie Ann says Brandy attacked the sensuality and went into "elegant and beautiful" in hold. Len says he's surprised "at these people being so pedantic about a slight mistake when we've just witnessed the most fantastic foxtrot..." and the crowd's cheers drown him out, but he clearly liked it. Scores: 9 (Gilles), 9, 10, 9. Total: 37Jennifer & Derek: After a couple of weeks of struggling, Jennifer pulled Drew Lachey's iconic tango. Her body is feeling the effects of weeks of hard work, and she got emotional in rehearsal when realizing that her 50-year-old body couldn't do what she was asking it to do. Carrie Ann says people love nothing more than to see someone bounce back and blow the doors off like she did. Len says Jennifer put all her frustration into the passion of the dance. Drew says Jennifer's musicality was amazing, and says she's "got a real shot" at winning the whole thing. Bruno says she was like a phoenix rising from the ashes, and tells her she can go "all the way." Scores: 10 (Drew), 9, 9, 9. Total: 37 + 27 = 64LEADER BOARD with team score included:Brandy & Maks: 37 + 27: 64Jennifer & Derek: 37 + 27 = 64Rick & Cheryl: 37 + 24 = 61Kurt & Anna: 34 + 27 = 61Kyle & Lacey: 35 + 24 = 59Bristol & Mark: 33 + 24 = 57
S11.E14 ∙ Episode #11.14
A nation divided awaits the results. The experts have given their opinions. The votes have been cast. All that remains is to learn the outcome. Hanging in the balance: the future of the 11th season of "Dancing with the Stars."There is, however, another voting process to sort through as the 2010 midterm elections are underway across the nation. Host Tom Bergeron kicks it to ABC News affiliates for the first update on election returns. When we return, head judge Len Goodman asks for Team Apolo to do an encore performance.To the results: Brandy & Maks and Bristol & Mark are called to the stage. During the recap of Monday's events, we see that Bristol became emotional about missing home and her son. The first couple safe is Brandy & Maks, but Bristol & Mark are still in jeopardy.'Dancing with the Stars' Awards: The first of the time-chewing awards presented throughout the evening is the "Most Dramatic Moment." The nominees are Christian de la Fuente's arm injury; Tony & Kate Gosselin's fight; Misty May Traynor's torn Achille's; Marie Osmond's fainting; and Kelly Monaco's wardrobe malfunction. And the winner is ... Marie Osmond, who accepted from her show in Las Vegas. Later, the nominees for "Worst Dancer" are Kenny Mayne, Master P, Kate Gosselin, Steve Wozniak, and Billy Ray Cyrus. And the winner is ... Kenny Mayne. He says that like the music Michael J. Fox played in "Back to the Future," he was 30 years ahead of his time and we'll all come to understand his dance moves in the future.The "Bigger Dancer Transformation" nominees are Derek Hough, Tony Dovolani, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Mark Ballas, Louis Van Amstel. And the winner is ... Louis Van Amstel, who earns high marks for having removed the pony tail he had when he began on the show.The "Best Judges' Moments" were a mere collection of bizarre moments from each of the judges, including Carrie Ann's wild squeals, dancing and crying; Len Goodman's best insults, best rhymes, and best similies; Bruno's shouts, gyrations, and sexual innuendos. There was no real award. Apparently, they all won.Be our guest: The cast of "Mary Poppins" (the musical) pay a visit to perform. Taylor Swift later performs her new single, "Mine." She later performed her hit, "White Horse."Further into the show, Rod Stewart takes the stage to perform "I Get a Kick Out of You."Back to the results: Rick & Cheryl and Jennifer & Derek are called to the stage next. We see that Jennifer was in such pain Monday night she thought she might have to quit the whole contest. The next couple safe for another week is Jennifer & Derek. Rick & Cheryl are still in jeopardy.Kyle & Lacey and Kurt & Anna come to the stage next. We see that Kurt is still struggling with the difference between bent knees and flexed knees. The next couple safe is Kurt & Anna. Kyle & Lacey are still in jeopardy.With the three "still in jeopardy" couples awaiting word, we learn that Bristol & Mark are safe. That leaves Kyle & Lacey and Rick & Cheryl.After a promo for "Skating with the Stars" that seems like something straight out of the mind of Jack Donaghy, and some more election results, we get back to the "Dancing" verdict.The couple leaving is Rick & Cheryl, meaning Kyle & Lacey are safe for another week.
S11.E15 ∙ Episode #11.15
It could be instant catastrophe on "Dancing with the Stars" as the celebrities face two dances: a classic ballroom routine and an "instant" dance -- in which they'll know the style of dance in advance, but won't know the song to which they'll be performing until minutes before they take the floor.First, the traditional dances:Kyle & Lacey: A week after impressing the judges with his fiery paso doble, Kyle gets the Viennese waltz. Lacey is tough on Kyle in rehearsal, in hopes of making his footwork perfect for the judges. Len Goodman was caught smiling and goes on to praise Kyle for his improvements. "Last week, I saw, like, a little bud. This week, a gorgeous orchid." Bruno Tonioli says they're all charmed by Kyle and that he keeps taking the judges' comments to heart. Carrie Ann Inaba says her crush on Kyle is back, and it was "like watching a fairy tale come to life." Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Jennifer & Derek: After reclaiming her spot at the top, Jennifer draws the quickstep, which will again test her endurance, and her knee starts acting up during rehearsal. A doctor tells her she has some partial tearing of a tendon in her knee. He says she's at the point of making a tough decision, and she gets a visit from her dad. She says "the show must go on." Bruno says it was like watching a classic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers quickstep. Carrie Ann says it was "amazing" and agrees with Bruno on one note about a slight misstep. Len praises her for, borrowing from the lyric of the song she danced to, facing the music and dancing. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27 Kurt & Anna: His tango scored him some points last week, and Kurt draws the waltz this week, challenging his ability to pay attention the details and long, smooth movements. Carrie Ann, barely audible over the crowd, says that she wants a Ken doll that looks like Kurt and would like the doll to ballroom dance the way Kurt does. She says that while he's not on the same level as the others, it's nice to see him working hard. Len says there are technical things he could improve, but overall the feel of the dance was good. Bruno says he could really see Kurt is trying do it, adding, "Obviously, there are people that are better than you, but you've come a long way." Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Bristol & Mark: Bristol cried last week despite getting getting her highest scores of the season. She sets out to see her family and gives us another chance to see Sarah Palin on TV in advance of her reality show premiering on Nov. 14. They dance the Argentine tango. Len says the lifts were good and it was well rehearsed, but it "lacked a bit of intensity." Bruno says Bristol sometimes loses the expression on her face, but she did well. Still, he wants more fire when she dances again. Carrie Ann says it was the most intense she's seen her, but she wants to see more energy in Bristol's legs. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Brandy & Maks: After maintaining her spot at the top of the leader board, Brandy is worried about whether she'll actually be safe despite high scores. They drew the waltz. She's glad that she and Maks have become "true partners" after butting heads earlier in the season. Bruno says she was totally immersed in her character and "danced absolutely beautifully." Carrie Ann says the emotional quality of her dance is riveting. She advises Brandy to watch her neck, literally. She suggests that she elongate her neck in the future. Len says only a nit-picky judge would point out her neck, saying he was overwhelmed by the entire performance. Scores: 9, 10, 10. Total: 29Kyle & Lacey: Kyle & Lacey rehearsed their jive throughout the week, despite not knowing what their song would be. To help in the process, Lacey brought in her former partner, Steve-O, to try to distract Kyle as he learned his steps. First, he blew an airhorn in Kyle's ear before blowing bubbles in Kyle's face and eventually just walking into the rehearsal space naked. Kyle vowed he would not be distracted. The crowd goes insane for their high-intensity jive to "Good Golly Miss Molly." Len says he would've liked a little more finesse here and there, but he "really enjoyed it." Bruno stands up and shouts it was great entertainment and creativity. He says their timing was unbelievable and they looked like they were rehearsing together for months. Carrie Ann says it's the most fun she's had as a viewer and a judge in the whole contest. Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29 Jennifer & Derek: Having drawn the rumba to Foreigner's "Waiting for a Girl Like You," Derek hoped they could rely on their chemistry to get them through. Bruno says this challenge is bringing out the best in people and calls it "absolutely superb" and "flawless." Carrie Ann points out that one balancing move Jennifer did was great. She says there's nothing more beautiful than watching someone reclaiming their power. Len says it highlighted what he likes in dancing, the differences between the big, small, soft and hard sequences. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Kurt & Anna: Drawing the cha cha cha to No Doubt's "Hella Good," Anna says she had to try to teach Kurt the moves by counting rather than with the aid of the music, which was difficult for him. His kids showed up at rehearsal to help him through it. Carrie Ann says musicality has never been Kurt's strong suit, but he nailed every single beat. She says she's never seen him dance with that kind of charisma and says there was a newfound sex appeal. Len says Kurt was fully focused. Bruno says Kurt had fun and went for it, but there were footwork problems. Still, the performance was good. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Bristol & Mark: Drawing the samba, Mark explains to Bristol in rehearsal that in pro competitions, the dancers don't know the music they're getting until the competition begins. She worries about getting off beat. Len says the samba is the most difficult of all the Latin dances because of its many rhythm changes, but she held her own. Bruno says she can "shake it," but sometimes she completely lost it. Mark tries to take the blame. Carrie Ann says this is the true test of musicality, but it didn't work for Bristol. Scores: 7, 8, 8. Total: 23Brandy & Maks: Brandy gets the cha cha cha to Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" and acknowledges that her musical background will help her adjust to the music that comes her way. Bruno says it was a fantastic performance to end a truly fantastic night. Carrie Ann says she was shocked at how long it took them to get into the routine because the whole thing was a test of musicality. Maks and Carrie Ann proceed to get into a shouting match over it as Maks tells her to "relax" and "don't worry about it," then tells her that if she doesn't like it she should give them a 7 and he'll take the blame. She says, "Good, I'm glad you do." Len says the cha cha cha was so different from the waltz and it was "full of flair, full of performance." Len says he agrees with Carrie Ann about the quicker start. In the interview with Brook, Maks says he was so emotional in his response to Carrie Ann because he thinks the pros' hard work is "kind of being overlooked" by the judges, and he invites Carrie Ann to come watch them rehearse. Scores: 9, 9, 10. Total: 28 LEADER BOARD (both dances combined):Brandy & Maks: 29 +28 = 57Jennifer & Derek: 27 + 30 = 57Kyle & Lacey: 27 + 29 = 56Kurt & Anna: 24 + 24 = 48Bristol & Mark: 24 +23 = 47
S11.E16 ∙ Episode #11.16
With five couples left, one more has to leave on Tuesday night's "Dancing with the Stars" results show.Here's a quick look at the leader board as it stood at the end of Monday night's episode:Brandy & Maks: 29 +28 = 57Jennifer & Derek: 27 + 30 = 57Kyle & Lacey: 27 + 29 = 56Kurt & Anna: 24 + 24 = 48Bristol & Mark: 24 +23 = 47Play it again: Head judge Len Goodman got right to the encore, asking Kyle & Lacey to perform their uptempo, instant jive to "Good Golly Miss Molly."To the results: Kyle & Lacey are called to the stage first, all by themselves. They're safe.Dance Center: Kenny Mayne, Jerry Rice and Len Goodman are back with another edition of "Dance Center."Some highlights: On Kyle's stat sheet, under "Dislikes" Kenny listed, "Anything physical." Kenny notes that Bristol Palin was named after the Bristol Inn, where her mom worked when Bristol was born. "Good thing she didn't work at a place called Barf," Kenny quips.In the second part of "Dance Center," Kenny and Jerry stage an intervention because of Len's obsession with Brandy.Kenny asks Len to explain an oddity: "This show's getting weirder every season," he says after a string of clips in which Derek is slowing rocking Jennifer in his arms. "Derek could be her son. She's, like, 50 years old. Her name's baby and he's rocking her. Make sense of that, old man."Be our guest: Singer Taio Cruz dropped by to perform his single, "Dynamite." Later, John Legend and The Roots performed their new song, "Wake Up Everybody." Later, John Legend and The Roots return to perform Legend's Grammy-winning hit, "Ordinary People."Back to the results: Jennifer & Derek and Kurt & Anna are called to the stage next. Jennifer & Derek are safe and Kurt & Anna area still in jeopardy. Later, Brandy & Maks and Bristol & Mark come to the stage for results. The next couple safe is Bristol & Mark, leaving Brandy & Maks in jeopardy.Maks vs. Carrie Ann: The argument between Maks and Carrie Ann on Monday resurfaces a few times Tuesday. Brooke Burke asks Brandy backstage if she understood Carrie Ann's criticism and Brandy says she did. Asked what she was thinking during the verbal tussle, Brandy said, "Stay out of it."Later, Brooke asks Maks if he has anything to say about it, and he apologizes "to the fans" because that's not the kind of drama they want to see. He says he'll "go back to being cool." Asked if he has anything to say to Carrie Ann, he says, "Let's just do our jobs."Tom notes that Maks' return to "being cool lasted all of 12 seconds."The final result: Brandy & Maks and Kurt & Anna's fates hang in the balance -- though they aren't necessarily the bottom two. Tom finally reveals that the couple going home is ... well, not yet.Bruno says the competition would lose "a real gentleman" if Kurt goes home. Carrie Ann reiterates that she expects to see Brandy in the final. She tells Maks she's "always respected" all of the pros, "so I hope that you will let it go."Now, the couple with the lowest combined total and leaving this week is ... Kurt & Anna.The crowd cheers "MVP! MVP!" as Kurt does his final dance.
S11.E17 ∙ Episode #11.17
It's semifinals week on "Dancing with the Stars." Only four couples remain, and in one week they'll battle for the title. The dancers are required to include a solo in their performances.Brandy & Maks: A week after Maks' dramatic confrontation with Carrie Ann, Brandy says she would have done the same for him. Brandy says she's not sure how she's going to keep up with Jennifer Grey, but she'll do everything she can. They dance the paso doble. Len Goodman says they came out "100 percent" and says it was a "great start to the show." Bruno says they "released all the aggression." He says they lost some finesse in some of the more intense parts. Carrie Ann calls it "amazingly passionate" and Maks smiled widely as Carrie Ann praises Brandy for her upper-body carriage. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Jennifer & Derek: Jennifer is pumped. After a bit of a rough ride in the physical front, she's ready to take on all challenges, saying, "Bring it on." Bruno gets up and shouts, calling it a luminous and vibrant. Carrie Ann says she's been waiting all season to see Jennifer to a cha cha cha on her own and she was not disappointed. Len says she combined good technique with performance and made it fun and entertaining. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Bristol & Mark: Bristol has been kept alive on several occasions by America's vote, saying she's used to being at the bottom of the leader board. Mark says in rehearsal that Bristol is getting votes because of her mom's influence. She says people relate to her because she's "not typical Hollywood." She's lacking confidence, especially when it comes to her solo. They dance the paso doble. Carrie Ann calls Bristol over for a hug and says she was "on fire." She says Bristol nailed it. Len says she's shown quite a bit of determination and was "all guns blazing," calling it her best dance. Bruno says she's "turning into a tigress." He says she did her lines very well. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Kyle & Lacey: Lacey tells Kyle he's the "last man-child standing." He agrees he's "a kid-tender." He says that even though he laughs and plays around, he's taking the competition very seriously and wants to give it everything he has. They dance the samba. Len says Kyle has a "bionic bum," saying he had "more bounce to the ounce than anyone this season." Bruno calls Kyle a "bouncing bundle of joy." Carrie Ann says she's never seen as much "pelvic action, ever." She says it was the proper bouncing. Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29Brandy & Maks: Looking into Brandy's past, she talks about how her debut album at 15 was overnight success followed by a couple of consecutive failures. She says the most difficult time in her life was when she was involved in a fatal car accident. She was depressed and emotional and despite the fact that the accident was ruled not her fault, she was called a murdered and killer. She says being on the show is "a rebirth." They dance the Argentine tango. Len says everything looked easy and fantastic, and that he enjoyed the atmosphere she created. Bruno tosses out a string of adjectives to say how great it was and calls it "stunning." Carrie Ann says there was a little bit of trouble in the first dance, "but the trouble is gone." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Jennifer & Derek: Growing up with a dad on Broadway, Jennifer always wanted to be a performer. Before "Dirty Dancing" even opened, Jennifer was in a fatal car accident with her boyfriend Matthew Broderick, in which the couple in the other car was killed. The crash left her with a delicate neck, which we've seen impact her. They dance a waltz. Bruno calls it "a gem of a waltz" and says she is "a great dancer." Carrie Ann says she could see Jennifer's soul and "it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen." Len simply says, "Be still my beating heart." He calls it quiet, delicate, poignant and adds, "If I'm dreaming, don't wake me up, because that was fabulous." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Bristol & Mark: Bristol wanted to play football in junior high. She says she was "the golden child" and never had any problems until she met Levi. Her mother says their little world froze when Bristol announced she was pregnant. She then decided to go around the country talking about abstinence. They dance a waltz. Carrie Ann says there were moments where she felt like Bristol drifted out of her performance and that she lost her expression at times. Len says he loves the vulnerability about Bristol's dancing and that he thought it was beautiful. Bruno says he thought Bristol did well and that she's had a true journey this season. Scores: 8, 9, 9. Total: 26Kyle & Lacey: Kyle grew up in Atlanta and his mother moved the family to L.A. to see if the child acting gig could work. Just when it seemed like they should pack it all up and move back to Atlanta, he landed a role on "That's So Raven." The rest is Disney Channel history as he scored a spinoff and is now proving himself on his own. They dance a paso doble. Len says Kyle is "a star" and adds that in 11 seasons no one has ever performed with so much attack as Kyle. Bruno says he loves when Kyle can move in and out of fun and dramatic. Carrie Ann says Kyle reminds her of Emmitt Smith, who went on a hot streak right at the end of the season and rode it to a championship. Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29LEADER BOARD:Jennifer & Derek: 30 + 30 = 60Kyle & Lacey: 29 + 29 = 58Brandy & Maks: 27 + 30 = 57Bristol & Mark: 27 + 26 = 53
S11.E18 ∙ Episode #11.18
It's Tuesday night, which means it's time to boot another couple on "Dancing with the Stars." At stake are the coveted three spots in the final.First, a look at the leader board as it stood at the end of Monday's episode:Jennifer & Derek: 30 + 30 = 60Kyle & Lacey: 29 + 29 = 58Brandy & Maks: 27 + 30 = 57Bristol & Mark: 27 + 26 = 53Play it again...: Head judge Len Goodman asks for an encore performance from Brandy & Maks, who serve up another dose of the Argentine tango that landed them a perfect 30 on Monday.Be our guest: Grammy and Academy Award winner Annie Lennox classed up the joint with a haunting performance of her song, "Universal Child." Lennox returns later to perform "Little Bird."Later, Derek and Cheryl perform a retro-style routine that was voted on by fans throughout the season. Enrique Iglesias caps the night's performances with "I Like It."To the results: We burn a few minutes by having the stars tell us what an eye-opening journey this whole thing has been, and to remind us again how badly they want to win the competition. When that's over, Jennifer & Derek, the highest scorers Monday night, learn their fate. Hold your breath: They're safe.Later, Kyle & Lacey learn that they are ... in the finals. That leaves Brandy & Maks and Bristol & Mark vying for the third and final spot.Finally, down to the last two couples, it's the make-or-break moment. Len is asked what he thinks of the last two couples and says Brandy has impressed him every week. He says no one in the show's 11 seasons has "had such a journey" and that she's come a long way. Brooke Burke reminds us they're "not necessarily the bottom two," but one of them certainly is the bottom one and will be going home. It's Brandy & Maks. The shock is pretty clear on most everyone's face.Maks says he loves the fact that the show "represents the people's choice." Bruno says he's shocked because Brandy delivered a "fantastic performance" and stressed that viewers should vote. He says he was disappointed because he was so looking forward to seeing Brandy's freestyle, and he asks her to "please come back" and perform it anyway.
S11.E19 ∙ Episode #11.19
After 12 weeks of competition, it's down to three couples in the final of "Dancing with the Stars." After some ups and downs, it's down to Kyle & Lacey, Jennifer & Derek, and Bristol & Mark.Kyle & Lacey: Kyle has cranked it up toward the end of the competition and now has a "redemption dance" with the foxtrot. Lacey promises it will be more traditional this time after they angered Len the first time and got a 5 from him. Len visits their rehearsal and helps Kyle get his form right. Len says he tried to help Kyle and that the foxtrot is the most demanding, and Kyle came out "so much better," and that he's "gone from Messy Massey to Marvelous." Bruno says Kyle's technique has improved enormously. Carrie Ann agrees that she saw the improvement in his footwork, but he was too focused on it during the first half of the performance. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Bristol & Mark: Bristol is upset that people still don't think she deserves to be there. Bruno visits her in rehearsal and tries to get her out of her shell by dancing wildly, but she mostly just stands there. They dance the jive. Bruno praises himself for getting something out of her. He says she had a good time and that's what matters. Carrie Ann says she was "brighter and more vibrant than ever." Len says Bristol went from a gorilla to "a thrilla." He says it was a vast improvement. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Jennifer & Derek: Jennifer's redemption dance is the paso doble, and she wants another crack at it, calling it a low point for her. Carrie Ann pays a visit to give her some tips on technique. They dance the paso doble. Carrie Ann screams, "This is the meaning of redemption!" She says she saw everything they worked on and that she's in her power. Len gives a rare standing ovation, telling Jennifer it was "fantastic." Bruno says "it was an evening in sultry Seville," and continues to go into a hugely dramatic telling of the scene, which he says he didn't want to end. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Kyle & Lacey: Everything's on the line as Kyle prepares for his freestyle. He's nervous about lifts. The crowd seems to enjoy it. Len says "Tootsie Roll" (the song Kyle danced to) is one of his favorites. He says it was "great fun, great entertainment" and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Bruno calls it "truly explosive entertainment and charisma." Carrie Ann says Kyle "killed it" and dubs him "the Fresh Prince of dancing." Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29Bristol & Mark: Mark picks a Broadway song, which makes Bristol nervous because she's never seen a Broadway show. Bruno gives Bristol credit for aiming so high because the song and dance are so iconic. He says she did very well, but "not quite at the level that this song requires." Carrie Ann can't believe she just saw Bristol Palin dancing in a cage. Len says it's difficult to get the standard of the original dance out of your head, but assures her it was " no disaster" and that he thought it was fantastic. Scores: 8, 9, 8. Total: 25Jennifer & Derek: Jennifer is worried about flips and tricks in the freestyle because of her neck injuries, so Derek eased her into them. He works some of the more complicated tricks in slowly. Jennifer brings the crowd to its feet with her performance to "Do You Love Me?" Carrie Ann says it was amazing and perfect. Len says Jennifer is like a juggernaut heading for that mirror ball trophy. Bruno says her two dances were at opposite ends of the spectrum and equally brilliant. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30LEADER BOARD:Jennifer & Derek: 30 + 30 = 60Kyle & Lacey: 27 + 29 = 56Bristol & Mark: 27 + 25 = 52
S11.E20 ∙ Episode #11.20
It's time to crown a winner on "Dancing with the Stars," but not so fast. There are two hours to kill before the big announcement is made, so we start with a look back at Monday's performances and a look at the leader board:Jennifer & Derek: 30 + 30 = 60Kyle & Lacey: 27 + 29 = 56Bristol & Mark: 27 + 25 = 52Be our guest; The guest of honor is Christina Aguilera, who is vigorously pushing her new movie, "Burlesque," hit the "Dancing" stage with a big number from the movie, "Show Me How You Burlesque." Christina returns later to perform her Grammy-winning hit, "Beautiful." To the performances: Host Tom Bergeron talks to Jennifer Grey and gets a medical update. After Monday's show, she ruptured a disc in her back, but she says a doctor checked her out and she's clear to perform the final two routines. Each couple will perform their favorite ballroom dance of the season, plus an instant cha cha cha, to a song yet to be revealed. After the first dance, the couples will get points based on where they ranked against one another. Kyle & Lacey: The first of the three final couples to perform their dance, Kyle and Lacey chose the tango. Kyle focused on his posture in rehearsal and it paid off. Len says Kyle comes out with a great attitude and "that's why you're such an exciting dancer to watch; well done." Bruno says Kyle is a "talented young man" who connects with the viewers. He praises Kyle for taking direction, and says he'll "be great" because of it. Carrie Ann says Kyle showed his strength and fluidity, and she enjoys the "freshness" that Kyle and Lacey bring to the performance. Scores: 9, 8, 9. Total: 26Bristol & Mark: Bristol and Mark choose the tango they did on rock week. Bristol wants to break hold for the air guitar portion, which resulted in Len docking them a point. Mark is concerned, but lets Bristol have her way. Bruno says Bristol found her footing with that performance and earned her place in the finale. Carrie Ann says this was her favorite dance form Bristol because it showcases her strength, command and power. Len says Bristol and Kyle are two sides of a coin -- he's all about attack and performance and she's all about technique, "and the choice is, what do you prefer?" Scores: 8, 9, 8. Total: 25Jennifer & Derek: Jennifer and Derek decide to finish where they started, with the Viennese waltz that Jennifer dedicated to Patrick Swayze. She says that when they did it the first time, it brought back memories of her special connection with Swayze. This time, it's a tribute to the connection she's made with Derek. There was a little stumble, but they got through it. Carrie Ann says she loved the way Jennifer let the magic happen. Len calls her a "complete package." Bruno praises the quality of movement, artistry and musicality, saying it all combined to make a blissful and beautiful waltz. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30The couples find out they'll be dancing the cha cha cha to Pink's "Raise Your Glass." They draw randomly to determine the order, and Kyle & Lacey will dance first, followed by Jennifer & Derek, and Bristol & Mark.Memory Lane: David Hasselhoff returns for a wild performance with Kym Johnson and two other dancers, after a featurette in which he was still struggling with the fact that he was voted off first. The oddities didn't stop there, as a little dancing duel was set up between Kurt Warner and Rick Fox, because apparently basketball players don't like football players, and vice versa. They did a couples paso doble that included them chest-bumping. Yes, this really happened.Funny ladies Margaret Cho and Florence Henderson danced with their partners (Louis Van Amstel and Corky Ballas).Finally, Brandy & Maks return to the dance floor after being part of one of the most shocking eliminations the show has seen. Back to the dancing: After some dramatic reintroductions, it's time to cha cha cha. Kyle & Lacey hit the floor first, handing off to Jennifer & Derek, who give way to to Bristol & Mark. Len says he's amazed that the couples could produce such fantastic dances on such short notice. Bruno calls Jennifer "the artist," Kyle a powerhouse, and says Bristol saved the best for last and did a fantastic job keeping up with the others. Carrie Ann says they inspire something different: Kyle & Lacey embody joy, Bristol & Mark convey hope and Jennifer & Derek represent perseverance. Cha Cha Cha Scores: Kyle & Lacey: 9, 9, 10. Total: 28Jennifer & Derek: 9, 9, 10. Total: 28Bristol & Mark: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27JUDGE'S LEADER BOARD:With all the points factored in for four dances over the course of two nights, the scores stand at:Jennifer & Derek: 118Kyle & Lacey: 110Bristol & Mark: 104To the results: Tom says a record number of votes crammed phone lines and even crashed abc.com for a time.The couple finishing in third place is ... Bristol & Mark. She says she has "so many good memories" and that she had the time of her life. Down to Kyle & Lacey and Jennifer & Derek, Tom finally announces that the winners of "Dancing with the Stars" Season 11 are ... Jennifer & Derek.
S12.E1 ∙ Episode #12.1
The 12th season of "Dancing with the Stars" is upon us and here are the couples:Disney star Chelsea Kane and Mark BallasTalk show host Wendy Williams and Tony DovolaniSuper Bowl MVP Hines Ward and Kym JohnsonSupermodel Petra Nemcova and Dmitry ChaplinRapper/actor Romeo and Chelsie HightowerBoxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and Anna Trebunskaya"Reality star" Kendra Wilkinson and Louis van AmstelMovie star Ralph Macchio and Karina SmirnoffWWE star Chris Jericho and Cheryl BurkeRadio personality Mike Catherwood and Lacey SchwimmerTV and movie star Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy.Chelsea & Mark: The Disney star tells us she kissed Joe Jonas "and it didn't suck." She wanted to do the show because she never had that "boy dance" because she was home schooled. She nervous about getting her steps right despite her great chemistry with Mark in rehearsal. They dance a foxtrot. Head judge Len Goodman says they're a "young, fresh couple" and it had a fresh appeal and they did a good job, overall, despite a bit he didn't like that strayed from the traditional. Bruno Tonioli says Chelsea has a lot of talent, but has to extend her lines. Carrie Ann Inaba agrees, saying Chelsea's moves are strong, but she has to connect her moves all a little more. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Wendy & Tony: Wendy gets emotional as she tries to learn the steps Tony is teaching, and she begins crying during a seemingly simple portion. She tells us she knew she'd get that way and that she feel crying is not a sign of weakness. They dance a cha cha cha. Bruno tells Wendy she has to deliver a stronger performance that matches her personality. Carrie Ann says she saw "real fear" in Wendy's eyes before the performance. She tells Wendy to go "way more" to match her "bigger than life spirit." Len says he thought it was going to be something special, but she failed to bring her personality onto the floor. He challenges her to come out and "really sell" her quickstep next week. Scores: 5, 4, 5. Total: 14Hines & Kym: The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver says he doesn't do touchdown dances because he can't really dance. After a couple of trips and stumbles in rehearsal, Hines says he wants to show America he's got the hips, soul and swagger. They dance a cha cha cha. The crowd roars and Carrie Ann says it was "the sparkliest cha cha" she's ever seen and that Hines' smile lights up the whole stage. She calls it a great performance. Len says it was clean, quick and confident. Len notes that he was looking at Hines' bum and it's the top and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Bruno says Hines is so nimble, so light-footed and the timing was excellent. He gives Hines a tip about not leaning forward so much. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21b]Petra & Dmitry: The supermodel's story of survival after being swept up in a tsunami in 2004 and having her pelvis broken in four places. Dmitry helps her with improving her flexibility, especially in her pelvis area. Rehearsals were going well until the news came Friday about the earthquake and tsunami, which made her very emotional and made it difficult to focus on dancing. She decided to dedicate her foxtrot to everywhere who's been effected by the disaster in Japan. Len says the whole routine had charm and elegance, but she should work on her posture. He's also worried about her doing the jive next week, which is tough for tall people. Bruno says there were some moments of extreme beauty. Carrie Ann says something about the way Petra dances is "truly breathtaking." But she thinks there was a little lift, but she won't penalize them because it's the first episode. Scores: 6, 6, 6. Total: 18Romeo & Chelsie: Hoping to make up for the disaster that was his dad's performance in Season 2. Chelsie finds it tough to break through Romeo's hesitation to give in to some of the more "feminine" moves the dance requires. They dance a cha cha cha. Bruno says Romeo was vibrant, playful, energetic, but still very messy. It was a good performance despite losing it a couple of times. Carrie Ann says he has sex appeal "for days" and the chemistry was clear. She tells him to work on his posture. Len says Romeo has plenty of energy, but it was "all a bit casual and carefree." He says he has to work on technique. Scores: 7, 6, 6. Total: 19Sugar Ray & Anna: Anna asks the all-important first question: "How would you like me to call you?" He says Ray is fine. Ray gets a little emotional in rehearsal after getting frustrated. Anna talks him out of his doldrums and challenges him, asking who his toughest opponent was in the ring. He says "Hitman," and stands up as if he's taking Thomas Hearns on again. They dance a foxtrot. Carrie Ann knows Sugar Ray is going to be a fan favorite and says he reminds her of Ben Vereen, "but posture, posture, posture, please." Len says it's "lovely to be in the company of a fellow athlete." Then he says, "Foxtrot is fine wine and caviar, this was beer and a pizza." Bruno asks if he can call him "Sugar," and Ray says yes. He then pokes fun at Sugar Ray's turtle-like posture. Scores: 6, 5, 6. Total: 17Kendra & Louis: The former "Girl Next Door" and ex-resident of the Playboy Mansion says she's here to turn years of club dancing into refined ballroom. She insists that her hips don't lie. She vows that her first cha cha is going to be hot. "Not club hot, but classy hot." Len says she held his interest from start to finish, but not always for the right reasons. He tells her to straighten her legs to get a good hip action. Bruno agrees, and tells Kendra she gives "a full-frontal attack to the senses." Carrie Ann says she loved Kendra's spunk but urges her to work on her spots. Scores: 6, 6, 6. Total: 18Ralph & Karina: Fully embracing his Danny LaRusso-ness, Ralph introduces himself by saying, "Wax on, wax off," and Karina introduces herself to him by standing in position for a crane kick. She then prepares him for training, calling herself "Miss Miyagi." How in the world is Danny LaRusso 49 years old?! That's what he says, as he aims to complete the foxtrot without throwing his back out. The crowd gives a standing ovation. Bruno says he's got a feeling that Ralph is a hit. He heaps praise and gives a couple of quick pointers. Carrie Ann says it was an amazing surprise and says the dance was "truly gorgeous." Len says there's no doubt Ralph can dance and he's got great potential. Then he calls it the best foxtrot of the night. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Chris & Cheryl: Chris says there is not a lot of difference between wrestling and dancing. Chris has a little trouble ripping his sleeves off during the performance (Hulk Hogan must be disappointed). They dance a cha cha cha. Carrie Ann says Chris has a power when he dances and he didn't miss anything. She suggests he put more content into his dances so he can do more. Len thinks Chris' hips are allergic to music, but that Chris came out and did well. Bruno says he hasn't had so much fun with leather and PVC since The Village People. He says it was a messy at times, but always entertaining. Scores: 7, 6, 6. Total: 19Mike & Lacey: Psycho Mike is the new Adam Carolla on the "Loveline" radio show with Dr. Drew Pinsky. Mike insists that what he lacks in talent he makes up for by being the least-known person on the cast. They dance a foxtrot. Len says, "Dancing is movement to music. You did move and there was music, but..." He tells Mike to get on with it next week. Bruno says it wasn't smooth and was uncoordinated. Carrie Ann says Bruno was being a little hard on Mike, but agreed that he was a little jerky and not smooth enough. Scores: 5, 4, 4. Total: 13 Kirstie & Maks: Kirstie says she's doing the show to see just how far she can push herself and still survive. She tells Maks she's a fan of the show, saying, "I'm like a 'Dancing with the Stars' ho." She says she simply wants to stay upright during her cha cha cha. She does and the crowd loves it. Bruno says he thinks we're just scratching at the surface for what Kirstie can do and says her foot placement on the cha cha was the best of the night. Carrie Ann says Kirstie was unbelievable. Len says it was fun, cheeky and entertaining and it made him feel good. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23LEADER BOARD:Ralph & Karina: 24Kirstie & Maks: 23Chelsea & Mark: 21Hines & Kym: 21Romeo & Chelsie: 19Chris & Cheryl: 19Petra & Dmitry: 18Kendra & Louis: 18Sugar Ray & Anna: 17Wendy & Tony: 14Mike & Lacey: 13
S12.E2 ∙ Episode #12.2
A week after their first dances, all of the couples were back on "Dancing with the Stars" for another chance to impress the voters before the first elimination.Here's a look back at the leader board after the first night:Ralph & Karina: 24Kirstie & Maks: 23Chelsea & Mark: 21Hines & Kym: 21Romeo & Chelsie: 19Chris & Cheryl: 19Petra & Dmitry: 18Kendra & Louis: 18Sugar Ray & Anna: 17Wendy & Tony: 14Mike & Lacey: 13Sugar Ray & Anna: After getting some criticism for his posture out of hold, Sugar Ray faces the jive. The former boxing champ once known for his light feet in the ring struggled with the fast pace in rehearsal. He's hoping to entertain the crowd with his boxing-inspired routine. Head judge Len Goodman says Sugar Ray is in jeopardy and the crowd responds with a chorus of boos. "Talk to the hand," he tells them. He says it lacked "refinement and any true dancing quality," but the entertainment was fantastic. Bruno Tonioli says it was pleasant to watch, but it was thin around the edges. The movements with the feet were loose, he says. Carrie Ann Inaba agrees that although Sugar Ray's face sold a 10, the lower half was out of control. She asks him to bring more of his crisp, sharp moves from the boxing ring to the dance floor. Scores: 6, 5, 6. Total: 17Kendra & Louis: After impressing Carrie Ann last week by not missing a step, Kendra has to ditch her inner tomboy for the quickstep. "Being a lady" was just not coming to her in rehearsal and she got emotional after realizing how much she lacks confidence. Bruno says Kendra was too tight when she had to look effortless and natural. Carrie Ann says she wants to see more than just choreography -- and she did. She says Kendra took a step forward and "there was a newfound elegance." Len says Kendra's posture was a bit hit or miss, but her "chesticles" were pushing into Louis. Overall, he says, she did "an excellent job." Scores: 7, 6, 6. Total: 19Chelsea & Mark: The Disney star started fairly strong with a 21 last week and has to follow up strongly. Mark amps up the choreography for her jive with some extra tricks that made Chelsea nervous during rehearsals. The high-energy routine gets big cheers from the crowd. Carrie Ann says this wasn't the time or place for that kind of choreography. She says there was "so little jive" in the routine. Len agrees and says Mark included "too much messing about" and "there wasn't enough jive content." Bruno says he "liked the weird and wonderful side of it." But, he agrees the jive aspects could have been sharper. Scores: 6, 5, 7. Total: 18Chris & Cheryl: After impressing his partner last week, the WWE star incurred her wrath during rehearsal and he realized that her could take any of his wrestling trainers on and he actually fears her. He aims to give Cheryl a solid frame during their quickstep. Len says his expectation was that Chris would be a "big lumbering lump" but it was great. Bruno says he likes a man who responds well to strict discipline and that it was all under control. Carrie Ann says, "I'm loving me some Chris Jericho right now" and that everything was in place -- including Chris' apparently ample "bum." Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Petra & Dmitry: The future that Len was worried about is now upon Petra: The jive. The dance is typically difficult for tall people. Dmitry put her on a trampoline to get a feel for what it's like to give in to fall in a controlled way. Bruno says Petra s equally beautiful as a floosie or an uptown girl. He tells her to work on her core strength, which will help in her precision and placement of her moves. Carrie Ann is floored by how stunning Petra is to look at. She was impressed with Petra's kicks and flicks. Len said it was a "fatal combination: short skirt, long legs, bad technique," but adds that she did it beautifully. Petra proceeds to kiss all of the judges. Scores: 6, 6, 6. Total: 18Kirstie & Maks: After surprising the judges with her cha cha cha last week and landing in second place for the night, Kirstie faces the quickstep. Her biggest challenge in rehearsal is "just being quick enough." She also shares that if she's losing five pounds each week she'll need to make the finals to reach her "DWTS" weight-loss goal of 40 pounds. Carrie Ann says Kirstie is in her element and is "so in tune with her body" and that her connection with Maks is great. Len says she lost energy near the end and there was a slight, capping his review with, "It was good, but it wasn't great." Bruno tells her not to worry about the weight because she's got talent. He says she started beautifully and started to wilt toward the end. Scores: 7, 6, 7. Total: 20Mark & Lacey: After falling to last place last week, Mark sets out to "explode Len and Bruno's face with my fiery dance moves." He is serious about turning his "embarrassing scores around" and using his low point totals last week as motivation. They dance the jive. Len says the good news is it was better than last week, but only slightly. He says it was all over the place, but he was "smiling the whole way through." Bruno says at times Mark's kicks were very good, but that at other times he "looked like a fly stuck on flypaper." Carrie Ann says there were times when his technique was good, but that it was too clear when he was jumping from one section to the next. Scores: 6, 5, 6. Total: 17Romeo & Chelsie: He floored Carrie Ann with his sex appeal last week, and he's trying to work the charm this week in his quickstep. He says he doesn't know what it means to be charming because he was born in the '90s, not the 1900s. Bruno says that Romeo is "the one to watch." He loves the transitions "from cheeky, funny to sexy, cool." He says Romeo can improve on his posture, but he's "got everything it takes to make a brilliant dancer." Carrie Ann agrees, but says Romeo has to work on his posture. Len says, flatly, "That was the best dance of the night, I loved it." Scores: 7, 8, 8. Total: 23Wendy & Tony: She landed second from the bottom of the leader board after withholding her personality last week. She vows to return this week with a quickstep that will wow us. She was again timid in rehearsal, worrying that her assets were a bit too bouncy. Carrie Ann thanks her for showing more of herself on the dance floor. She says Wendy "lost a little steam in the middle," but it bounced back at the end. Len says there were issues with the movement throughout, "but it's an improvement." Bruno says it's good to see more of who Wendy is and it was was a step in the right direction. Scores: 6, 5, 6. Total: 17Ralph & Karina: After anding the top spot last week, Ralph says he'll never forget the crowd's reaction to his moves, saying they were a highlight of his career. He brought his two teenage kids into rehearsal and they gave him solid reviews. Len says it was "OK" and was a bit too aggressive with the arms. He says Raph "attacked the dance a little bit too much," but adds that he liked it. Bruno says Ralph has a "huge, huge, huge likability factor," but that Len is right in that the jive requires extreme precision and sometimes he lost the timing and his hand placements. "There is work to do, but obviously you are very, very pleasing to watch," he says. Carrie Ann agrees and says that if Ralph wants to go further he has to be sharper, but he is "just so much fun to watch." Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Hines & Kym: After proving he's going to be a force last week, Hines faces the quickstep. In rehearsal, he was worried about keeping a posture that is very difficult to maintain after several football injuries and operations on her rotator cuff. Bruno calls Hines a "full-time dancer" (a play on the song, "Part-Time Lover," which he danced to). He says the chemistry was great. Carrie Ann says Emmitt Smith will have to retire his "twinkle- toes" title and hand it to Hines. Len says Hines maintained his frame and had good movement. "I was very impressed," Len says, "well done." Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23LEADER BOARD:Ralph & Karina: 24 + 21 = 45Hines & Kym: 21 + 23 = 44Kirstie & Maks: 23 + 20 = 43Romeo & Chelsie: 19 + 23 = 42Chris & Cheryl: 19 + 23 = 42Chelsea & Mark: 21 + 18 = 39Kendra & Louis: 18 + 19 = 37Petra & Dmitry: 18 + 18 = 36Sugar Ray & Anna: 17 + 17 = 34Wendy & Tony: 14 = 17 = 31Mike & Lacey: 13 + 17 = 30
S12.E3 ∙ Episode #12.3
Controversy hits the "Dancing with the Stars" stage as the first elimination show of Season 12 includes two "can't-miss" performances by the embattled Chris Brown. After a quick look at some of the performances from Monday, Tom tells us the first couple safe is Hines & Kym. Also coming back next week, Brooke tells us, are Chris & Cheryl! Sugar Ray & Anna, however, will learn their fate later in the hour.Be our guest: Controversial singer Chris Brown takes to the dance floor for a performance of his "smash" single "Yeah 3X," and returns later to perform "Forever."Back to the results: Some more highlights precede the announcements that Ralph & Karina and Kirstie & Maks are also safe. Finally, Chelsea & Mark get the news that they're "safe too," Tom says, much to Mark's relief. Backstage, Chelsea says she'd like to go a little more traditional next week and Mark agrees that he'll "obey the law of the judges" and entertain the audience at the same time.Meet the Troupe: We meet Peta, Tristan, Ted, Nicole, Oksana and Kiki, the members of the "Dancing with the Stars Troupe," which we'll apparently be seeing much of this season. More results: Tom reveals that the next couple safe is Romeo & Chelsie, which means Mike & Lacey will find out their fate later.The next couple remaining in the competition is Kendra & Louis. Petra & Dmitry are also safe. Wendy & "Sparkletooth" (that's Tony) will have to wait a little longer to find out their fate.Finally, Tom lets Wendy & Tony off the hook, leaving Sugar Ray & Anna and Mike & Lacey hanging a bit longer, though they are "not necessarily the bottom two."Len says he has great respect for both Mark and Sugar Ray, who have entertained the judges and the audience, and "they've done a great job."And the first couple leaving is Mike & Lacey. Mike thanks everyone while noting, "It sucks to be sent home first." Tom reminds him he joins the likes of Jeffrey Ross, David Hasselhoff and Kenny Mayne, Mike says, "To be mentioned alongside the names like Hasselhoff and Mayne, it puts me pretty much on the Mount Rushmore of terrible dancers."
S12.E4 ∙ Episode #12.4
With one elimination out of the way, the competition is in full swing and the couples are put to a new challenge this week: To take a song with which they have an emotional attachment and to translate that into a dance.After a couple of examples of how this is done from the "DWTS Troupe," Wendy Williams kicks things off.Wendy & Tony: Wendy wants her dance to reflect how she got started in radio in Washington, D.C., and New York. She said she lived in rest stops in between getting fired from her first few jobs because she didn't want to have to explain every time what had happened. She got emotional telling the story. She dances the foxtrot. Head judge Len Goodman explains that it's difficult to express emotion through a dance and he'll be overjoyed if anyone achieves it tonight. He says Wendy's performance "was a struggle" and adds, "it's a dance more suited to the radio." Bruno Tonioli agrees, saying the foxtrot has to be long and fluid and has to glide, but she didn't deliver it. Carrie Ann Inaba, newly engaged, shares a message about following your dreams and then tells Wendy she took a step backward and she wants to see more come out of Wendy. Scores: 5, 5, 5. Total: 15Chelsea & Mark: A week after going off the rails with her non-traditional jive, Chelsea vowed to go more traditional. Mark was bummed in rehearsal, but agreed to do it. Chelsea picked a song about her that was written by her "first love." She struggled "with the hip and butt action" in rehearsal. She dances the cha cha cha and gets a rousing standing ovation that gets Bruno out of his seat, saying, "Chelsea, Chelsea, sexy, sexy." He says he could feel the excitement coming out of her. Carrie Ann says she's "a big fan of that cha cha." She says Chelsea looks like "a little baby Julianne," but tells her to work on her hip action. Len says his first love didn't look like Chelsea, but enough about him... "that's your best dance -- well done." Scores: 7, 8, 8. Total: 23Chris & Cheryl: Chris is excited after a quickstep that turned him into a contender. He decided to dance to "Let It Be," which reminds him of his mother. She was in an accident shortly after he finished wrestling training. He wanted to give it up, but she wouldn't let him and she passed away in 2005. Chris says this performance will be the first time he shows himself as Chris Irvine, his real name, with no wall or character. They dance a soulful and less sexy rumba. Carrie Ann is choked up as she tells Chris it was "such a beautiful tribute" to his mom, even though his hip action was "a little strange." Len says choreography can cover up a lot of issues and Chris didn't use his arms much. But he says his poses were excellent. Bruno says Chris made it work, but Len was right about some of the technique being wrong. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Kendra & Louis: Kendra wants higher scores than she grabbed last week and chose a song that reminds her of her husband Hank Baskett and the backlash she felt when they announced they were together. She says Hank's hometown turned against him. She dances the rumba. Len says he wasn't "keen on the unnecessary girating" that went on. He points out that her legs, which were a problem in the past, were great and she had beautiful feet. Bruno tells Kendra "there is nothing wrong with a good stripper" and says her dance was "hot and arousing" and reinforces that she did a "very good job." Carrie Ann confirms "that was hot, hot, hot." Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Romeo & Chelsie: Romeo is feeling confident and wants to get to the next level. He chooses to do a soulful rumba to the song "I'll Be There," in memory of his two of his cousins, Lance and Fred, who he lost at a very young age. He hopes they'll be looking down on him, and probably laughing at the heeled shoes Chelsie is forcing him to wear. Bruno says Romeo really put his heart and soul into it, and sometimes when you put so much of yourself into it, other things go astray and this time it was his foot placement, but he still believes in Romeo's ability. Carrie Ann says Romeo kept something special throughout the dance and that he did work on some things she pointed out last week. Len simply says that last week Romeo took a step forward and this week he took a step back. Scores: 7, 6, 7. 20 Hines & Kym: Hines moved into contention last week and his personal song is one of his mother's favorites by Earth, Wind & Fire. He's dedicating his celebratory samba to his mother, who worked three or four jobs in order to provide for him after she divorced his father. Carrie Ann calls out, "Boo-yah! Baby's got bounce!" She says Hines looks like he's been dancing the samba his whole life. Len says everyone is proud of Hines, and he is, too. Bruno says the samba was like an appreciation of happiness and says it was "happy hour!" Scores: 9, 8, 8. Total: 25Petra & Dmitry: After a tough week on the dance floor, Petra decides to dance to a song that she heard when she toured Thailand after a tsunami wiped it out. The song inspired her to start a foundation for relief. In rehearsals, she struggled with the fluidity of the waltz. She gets a standing ovation and Len says, "It had grace, it had elegance, it had fluid movement." He tells her, "For me, at this moment, you're the one." Bruno says she's "like a vision from heaven" and she danced like an angel. He tells her that her beauty is great, but her heart is even more beautiful. Carrie Ann tells her she's "gone from supermodel to super-graceful dancer." Scores: 8, 9, 8. Total: 25Sugar Ray & Anna: After taking a bit of a blow last week when the judges told him his performance needs more punch. Sugar Ray is determined to bring more punch and he doesn't want to be on the brink of elimination again. He says the song he's chosen is about beating the odds. It's "My Prerogative" by Bobby Brown. He dances the paso doble. Bruno says the raging bull fighting spirit got him "back in business." Carrie Ann says she thinks she saw "a lot of improvement." She says he took control of the stage. Len says the competition is like Sugar Ray's fight. Other dances have dominated him, but this week he came back stronger and dominated the dance. Scores: 7, 6, 7. Total: 20Kirstie & Maks: Kirstie says she almost died doing the quickstep last week and is thrilled to be dancing the rumba. She decided to dance to "Over the Rainbow," which brought her hope after the despair of losing her mother and nearly losing her father in a car accident in 1980, just as she was about to get her first break in acting in "Star Trek II." In rehearsal, she struggles with being sexy, but Maks is looking to bring some of her soul into it. She hopes that people will understand "the agony and the ecstasy of what happened in my life, and maybe they'll understand me better." Shortly into the dance, Maks falls awkwardly and appears to be hurt, but keeps powering through. He makes it through the dance. Maks tells Tom that his thigh just gave out. Carrie Ann says "sometimes tragedy leads to magical moments." She says something special happened after the slip-up. She says they did a "wonderful job." Len says dancing is about overcoming adversities, and they got through it. "Well done," he says. Bruno says, "You can't keep good talent down" and adds that once Maks got up it was "better than ever." Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Ralph & Karina: After a great start, Ralph stumbled a bit with a "frenzied" jive. He's going to dance the rumba to "Stay Gold," a song from his movie, "The Outsiders," which was his first break in acting. It was also the song he and his wife danced to at their wedding 24 years ago. Len says the routine was crisp and clear, "but it needs a tad of refinement." He says Ralph needs to work on his feet and hip action, but "the overall look was very appealing." Bruno says the execution needs help and he's still not using his hands correctly. Carrie Ann says it was "a very sweet rumba" and proceeds to argue with Len, who insists it was "manic." She tells Ralph to work on his core strength. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21LEADER BOARD: Hines & Kym: 25Petra & Dmitry: 25Chelsea & Mark: 23Kendra & Louis: 23Chris & Cheryl: 21Kirstie & Maks: 21Ralph & Karina: 21Romeo & Chelsie: 20Sugar Ray & Anna: 20Wendy & Tony: 15
S12.E5 ∙ Episode #12.5
A night after the dancers put their hearts and souls on the floor with dances to songs that were personally meaningful to them, it was time to send one couple packing.Here's a look back at the leader board as it stood after Monday's performances:Hines & Kym: 25Petra & Dmitry: 25Chelsea & Mark: 23Kendra & Louis: 23Chris & Cheryl: 21Kirstie & Maks: 21Ralph & Karina: 21Romeo & Chelsie: 20Sugar Ray & Anna: 20Wendy & Tony: 15Play it again...: Head judge Len Goodman asked to see Hines & Kym's celebratory samba, which Hines dedicated to his mother, for the encore. But before they took to the floor, host Tom Bergeron broke the good news that they're safe.To the results: Sugar Ray & Anna and Romeo & Chelsie are the next pair to learn their fates. Sugar Ray was proud of his comeback performance and Romeo took a step back, in Len's opinion. The first couple safe is Sugar Ray & Anna. Romeo & Chelsie are also safe.Be our guest: Grammy nominees One Republic pay a visit to perform their new single, "Good Life." Later, Selena Gomez performs her song, "Who Says?" Finally, One Republic returns later in the show to do their song, "All the Right Moves."Stumblegate: Brooke Burke grills Kirstie and Maks backstage about what happened the night before when Maks took a tumble during their performance. The questioning comes complete with subtitled footage of what they said to each other as Maks momentary injury occurred, but they didn't want to talk about it much, instead laughing it off.Back to the results: Petra & Dmitry and Wendy & Tony are the next to learn where they stand. The next couple safe is Petra & Dmitry. Wendy & Tony, who were at the bottom of the leader board, are in jeopardy. We next get a feature in which the dancers took video cameras with them to share more of their lives when they aren't on the show. We learn that the ones with kids like to take video of their kids, and Chris Jericho has to wake up at 4:30 a.m., for unknown reasons.After the behind-the-scenes videos, Chelsea & Mark and Kendra & Louis learn where they stand. Kendra got emotional after her dance because of the frustration over the amount of smoke coming out of the fog machine that made her lose her way at the start of her routine. Tom reports that the smoke machine "is now doing regional theater." The next couple safe is Chelsea & Mark. Kendra & Louis are still in jeopardy.Chris & Cheryl, Ralph & Karina and Kirstie & Maks get their news next. We get more reaction from Kirstie & Maks after their fall, and they laughed it off Monday night, as well, with Maks joking that he intentionally pulled her down with him. The next couple safe is Ralph & Karina. Kirstie & Maks are also safe. Chris & Cheryl are still in jeopardy.Wendy & Tony, Kendra & Louis, and Chris & Cheryl await their fates. The first of the three couples safe is Kendra & Tony. That leaves Wendy & Tony and Chris & Cheryl, though they aren't necessarily the bottom two.Len says he's enjoyed Wendy's story of how far she's come and that Chris has great potential. Finally, the couple with the lowest vote and score total and leaving in Week 2 is Wendy & Tony.
S12.E6 ∙ Episode #12.6
It's classical week on "Dancing with the Stars," and things are starting to get heated as just five points last week separated the top from the bottom (among the remaining couples).The pros talk about how much bigger and more dramatic the musical performances will be, and wonder if it will impact the dancers' ability to focus.Romeo & Chelsie: After a demonstration of the paso doble by the "DWTS Troupe," Romeo is excited to do the dramatic dance and bounce back from the criticism of last week. Head judge Len Goodman says it was full of passion and intensity. He says Romeo is "like a young colt" and tells Chelsie to get the whip out and work on Romeo's technique. Bruno Tonioli points out that the musical phrasing was difficult and Romeo managed to get it right. Carrie Ann Inaba says she had to deduct for a lift, but it was the first time she's seen "a paso with swagger." Scores: 7, 8, 8. Total: 23Kendra & Louis: Coming off a solid rumba, Kendra is feeling like her hard work is paying off, but she's now faced with a "proper, very ladylike Viennese waltz to classical music -- yeah, I'm screwed." She decides that her Viennese waltz is now "Mafia Waltz," because the classical music is Italian. From the moment she finishes, Kendra is disappointed because she messed up. Bruno reinforces this, but tells her that she should transform into the character. Carrie Ann says she sees that Kendra is trying really hard, but tells Kendra shouldn't be afraid of elegance. Len says it had flow and movement, and tells Bruno not to be cruel to the dancers because they're beginners. Scores: 6, 6, 6. Total: 18Sugar Ray & Anna: Anna pulls Sugar Ray into her world of Russian ballet when they draw Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers." She takes him to a ballet class so he can get familiar with the movents. They dance the Viennese waltz. Carrie Ann says it was "like watching a sixth-grade performance" and it made her smile. She says she fell in love with the dance because he's so entertaining. Len says "Sugar Ray Leonard turns into the Sugar Plum Ferry." He says that as much as technique and performance are important, so is entertainment. Bruno says "it had a wonderful cartoonish charm." He says it was perfect, as entertainment. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total 21.Petra & Dmitry: Dmitry explains to Petra in rehearsal that the challenge with the classical music is that it doesn't have a defined beat. He struggles to get her to tap into her aggressive side. He sets up a photo shoot so she can strike the paso poses and remember those feelings to translate them to the dance floor. Len says he would have liked more authority through Petra's feet and legs, but overall he's more impressed than depressed. He didn't expect it to work for her, but turned out alright. Bruno does a dramatic striptease as he explains that Petra embodied "Carmen," who knows what she wants and goes and gets it. Carrie Ann says Petra is "on a roll." She says it was "absolutely gorgeous," but tells Petra to work a little more on her core strength. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Ralph & Karina: Ralph vows to come up with a sexy waltz that will make the judges rave and help him get his mojo back. After weeks of comments about his hands being weird and out of place, he's focusing on them. The dramatic dance earns a roaring standing ovation from the crowd, and Bruno rises to his feet to say it was "totally hot" and romantic. Carrie Ann says there's an honest connection to the emotions when Ralph dances. Len says that Ralph has "been in the wilderness for two weeks -- you're back." Scores: 8, 8, 9. Total: 25Hines & Kym: Hines is worried about the lack of lyrics in the music because he usually times all of his steps to the lyrics. He's nervous about surviving the paso doble. Carrie Ann, after finally getting a chance to talk over the roaring crowd, says Hines is "in the zone." Len says Hines is the most determined of all the celebrities and adds that he's "really doing great." Bruno says Hines has a killer instinct and is "truly explosive." Scores: 9, 8, 8. Total: 25Chelsea & Mark: Chelsea wants the world to know that she and Mark are a force, so she's determined to make the most of her Viennese waltz. Len says there is no doubt that Mark is a marvelous teacher and Chelsea is a fantastic dancer. "So why is it that every time I see you, there's something I don't like?" The question enrages Bruno, but Len explains that the dance is 300 years old and is the most traditional of all. Mark defends the choreography, saying Chelsea is 22, but Len insists that her job is to interpret the dance that is 300 years old. He says Mark distracted her with all the other stuff, but he liked it anyway. Bruno says it was the best dance of the night, calling it magical. Carrie Ann says sometimes she agrees with Len, "but tonight, I agree with Bruno!" Scores: 9, 8, 9. Total: 26Chris & Cheryl: A week after letting his personal side show, Chris declares that "Chris Jericho is back," and he's arrived just in time for the paso doble. Cheryl hopes to draw on Chris' wrestling persona to get him into character. Bruno is impressed that Chris hit all the accents in the music so well and says it was "excellent." Carrie Ann praises Chris' technique and form, adding, "Watch out for this guy." Len says the dance wasn't bad, and it started well. But as the music grew and got more powerful, Chris didn't. But he liked it. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Kristie & Maks: A week after a shocking tumble on the dance floor, Kirstie is ready for redemption. But she runs into trouble in rehearsal when she does something to her hip. It's a muscular injury, but she can't push it too much. She powers through to perform the waltz. Kirstie makes it through another mishap when her shoe falls off, but Carrie Ann praises her for not missing a beat. But she says this dance was strange, but she seemed to get jolted back into it when her shoe fell off. Len says everything was "OK" but everything needs to improve. Bruno says she did "amazingly well." He adds that he's proud of her. Scores: 7, 7, 8. Total: 22LEADER BOARD:Chelsea & Mark: 26Ralph & Karina: 25Hines & Kym: 25Romeo & Chelsie: 23Petra & Dmitry: 23Chris & Cheryl: 23Kristie & Maks: 22Sugar Ray & Anna: 21Kendra & Louis: 18
S12.E7 ∙ Episode #12.7
With the leader board just about as close as it's ever been, the suspense builds as Tuesday's "Dancing with the Stars" results show kicks off with some quick results.To the results: The top three couples from Monday night are called out first. Chelsea & Mark learn their still in jeopardy while Hines & Kym and Ralph & Karina learn they are safe.Play it again...: Moments after getting the dreaded red light of doom cast upon them, head judge Len Goodman asks Chelsea & Mark to do an encore performance of their routine -- despite the fact that Len didn't think it honored the 300-year-old history of the Viennese waltz.Be our guest: After Len puts on some Patton-themed call to arms (or legs?) as a militaristic general of dance in an odd featurette, Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson hits the stage -- and just about every other corner of the studio -- to perform her new song, "Don't Look Down." She later returned to do a snazzy rendition of "Feeling Good" that gave her a chance to show off her chops and show off that massive 46-piece orchestra the show hired for Classical Week.A notable Macy's Stars of Dance performance this week called upon the classic "Swan Lake."Back to the results: Chris & Cheryl are the next couple to learn they're safe, followed by Romeo & Chelsie. Petra & Dmitry, however, are still in jeopardy.In one bit of notable backstage commentary, Kendra blames her lackluster performance Monday night on "hormones," which at least helps explain why she clearly didn't seem to care and landed on the bottom of the leader board. Later, we see Louis telling Kendra she embarrassed him by saying she doesn't care about elegance. She cries. FInally, the next couple safe is Kirstie & Maks. Also safe are Kendra & Louis, leaving Sugar Ray & Anna in danger of a knockout.With the final three jeopardized couples in place, we learn that Petra & Dmitry are safe.Now it's down to Chelsea & Mark, who topped the leader board Monday night, and Sugar Ray & Anna, who were second from the bottom.The third couple going home is ... Sugar Ray & Anna.
S12.E8 ∙ Episode #12.8
It's the Fourth of July in April as "Dancing with the Stars" decides to honor America with performances set to songs that pay tribute to America. With no clear leader in sight, it's anybody's game.Ralph & Karina: After scoring his best results yet, Ralph says he's focused because there's no clear front runner. The couple, a New Yorker and Russian, draw the song "Sweet Home Alabama," and have to dance a samba. Head judge Len Goodman says that Ralph is "there" some weeks, then at other times it's "not working." He finally tells Ralph he's "not consistent" and lacked hip action and rhythm. Bruno Tonioli says Ralph needed to "emit fire down below," and stands up and swivels his hips. He finally says, "Sex! Give me sex, man." Carrie Ann Inaba says that, considering the crazy concoction of the song and the dance and the theme, they did a good job. Scores: 8, 7, 7. Total: 22Chris & Cheryl: Chris' paso doble split the judges last week, but left Chris wanting to get more than a 7 from Len. Cheryl says the way to achieve that is to stay traditional. They get the Viennese waltz and have to dance it to "America the Beautiful," which Chris says is a good bit of pressure. Bruno calls it "big yet graceful, strong yet delicate of touch, elegant with a sweet sense of romance." Carrie Ann says she feels the judges have underestimated him. She says Chris is a contender. Len tells Chris that when he deserves an 8, he'll give him one. He says it was a little flat-footed. He reiterates, "You'll get an 8 when you deserve an 8." Scores: 9, 8, 9. Total: 26Petra & Dmitry: Petra is surprised she's still there halfway through the competition. They have to dance to Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas," and she admits she didn't know Elvis when she was a child in the Czech Republic. They dance the quickstep. Carrie Ann tells Petra she took "a bit of a step back" because of some stumbles in the choreography. Len says it's a fast dance and she coped well with the speed of the music. He says she just has to work on little things to make it better. Bruno disagrees with the two of them, calling her "the golden goddess of speed." He acknowledges "a couple of foot faults, but the quality was very good." Scores: 7, 7, 8. Total: 22Romeo & Chelsie: A week after wowing the judges with an intense paso doble he's fired up to win the whole thing. He's looking to bring some swagger to the foxtrot on "New York, New York." He wants to prove he's serious. Len says the parts had control and parts had flair. He says there are still some pieces he's not happy with, but they're headed in the right direction. Bruno enjoyed the cheekiness of the foxtrot while still maintaining the integrity of the dance. Carrie Ann praises Romeo for changing his approach to the ballroom dance. Scores: 9, 8, 9. Total: 26Hines & Kym: The couple that leads the pack in total judges' points is ready to dance the rumba to "Proud to Be an American." Kym says they're going to make it more romantic than sexy. Bruno calls Hines "an officer and a gentleman" (referring to his costume Navy whites). Carrie Ann says Hines is making it look easy and has the best hip action she's seen in a long time. Len says he likes that Hines' dancing has a naturalness about it, and then says that it was HInes' best dance so far. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Kirstie & Maks: After losing her shoe a week ago, Kirstie wants it to be clear she's serious about the competition. She's taken the liberty of bringing in a dance doctor: It's John Travolta. He wants to know what's going on between them romantically and when they say nothing, he says that's the problem. They dance the foxtrot to "American Woman." Carrie Ann says the different take on the foxtrot suited her and says it was her "best dance ever." Len says it had attitude and had basic steps, which he likes, but the overall feel wasn't his "cup of tea." Bruno says the Cold War is definitely over after watching the American woman and the Russian gigolo. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Kendra & Louis: After losing her confidence last week in an overall disappointing performance, Kendra is still upset about Carrie Ann's comment about her being "afraid of elegance." Louis tries to help her understand what Carrie Ann meant, and that it wasn't a personal attack. She decides to leave the past behind her and bounce back with the foxtrot to "Yankee Doodle." This also just happens to be the 1,000th competitive dance in the show's history. Len calls it "much better than last week," and adds it was fun and entertaining. Bruno says it was sweeter than apple pie and in better character, but says he's still seeing her thinking about her steps too much. Carrie Ann says it was Kendra's best dance and the most confident she's seen her perform. Scores: 8, 7, 7. Total: 22Chelsea & Mark: After landing at the top of the leader board last week, Chelsea wants to stay there. She's going to dance to Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A." and says she's willing to bend and break every rule this week, but Mark wants to play it straight. Over the roaring crowd, Bruno shouts that Chelsea combined the positive energy of America with the sizzle and party vibe of Brazil. Carrie Ann says the couple matches its performances so well. Len says, "Yum, yum, what a bum!" He's talking about their rears. He loves it and tells them, "Well done." Scores: 9, 8, 9. Total: 26LEADER BOARD:Hines & Kym: 27Chris & Cheryl: 26Romeo & Chelsie: 26Chelsea & Mark: 26Kristie & Maks: 23Ralph & Karina: 22Petra & Dmitry: 22Kendra & Louis: 22
S12.E9 ∙ Episode #12.9
We get right to the results as America week ambles toward its elimination.To the results: The first two couples on the potential chopping block are Hines & Kym and Kirstie & Maks. No big surprise: Hines & Kym, who were atop the leader board Monday, are safe and Kirstie & Maks are still in jeopardy.Play it again: Head judge Len Goodman asks Romeo & Chelsie to give an encore performance of their foxtrot to "New York, New York."Be our guest: Country music star Toby Keith sings his song, "Shoulda Been a Cowboy." After a pretty funny feature from Mike Catherwood (that first guy who was kicked off this season) in which he "exposed" some of the more unscrupulous elements of the show (including Hines Ward's fart, Chelsie's bra falling off during a bouncy rehearsal and Maks' cockiness), a Macy's Stars of Dance performance choreographed by Jamal Sims wowed the crowd. Later, Toby Keith returns to perform "American Soldier."Back to the results: Chris & Cheryl, Romeo & Chelsie and Chelsea & Mark are the next to learn where they stand. The next couple definitely still in the competition is Chelsea & Mark. Romeo & Chelsie are also safe, which leaves Chris & Cheryl in jeopardy.Later, Petra & Dmitry, Ralph & Karina and Kendra & Louis learn their fates. The first of the three couples safe is Ralph & Karina. Joining them in the land of safety is Kendra & Louis. That leaves Petra & Dmitry in jeopardy. Finally, the three couples in jeopardy get the final word on where they stand this week. The first couple let off the hook is Kirstie & Maks.That leaves Petra & Dmitry and Chris & Cheryl, although they aren't necessarily the bottom two. Len says there's "no justice" because neither couple deserves to go. He says, "it's madness."The couple with the lowest overall total of judges' points and audience votes is Petra & Dmitry.
S12.E10 ∙ Episode #12.10
It's guilty pleasure night on "Dancing with the Stars," which just kind of feels like it was 10 seasons in the making. Even before the formal introductions, the guilty pleasures begin with Hanson stopping by to perform "MmmBop," with Tony and Lacey joining members of the "DWTS Troupe."Kirstie & Maks: Kirstie had a moment last week, but still landed in the middle of the pack. She's dancing a samba to Britney Spears' "Hit Me Baby One More Time." Maks assures us this will be the beginning of their push to the final. Kirstie is worried during the week that she's over-thinking each dance. With a little more confidence, Kirstie says she's aiming for 9s. Head judge Len Goodman says Kirstie hasn't fulfilled the potential he saw in her from Week 1, until now. Bruno Tonioli asks her to hit him one more time, and that she made a difficult dance look easy. He says her "wiggly bum sent shockwaves through the airwaves." Carrie Ann Inaba agrees that Kirstie is back and she wants to see more of this kind of dancing from her. Scores: 8, 9, 9. Total: 26Chris & Cheryl: Chris lands Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" as his guilty pleasure song, and he has to dance a tango. Cheryl says during the week that she isn't going to take it easy on him now because they're so close to the final. Bruno knocks Chris for losing timing "so many times" and being unable to perform after a couple of critical slip-ups. Carrie Ann, who thinks Bruno was being harsh, says she agrees and that it seemed like the pressure got to Chris this week. "It wasn't exciting and it wasn't passionate," she says. Len disagrees that Chris was having an off night, but does go along with it lacking "a bit of intensity, but overall I think you did an excellent job." Scores: 7, 8, 7. Total: 22Romeo & Chelsie: After a solid week, Romeo gets "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion for his guilty pleasure song. He says he was 8 when he saw "Titanic" and that after seeing it he became "a hopeless romantic." Romeo wants a spot on top of the leader board, and Chelsie is going to make him work for it. Carrie Ann says that "magic happens" every once in a while in a season and notes, "That was magical." Len says Romeo dances with great maturity for such a young man. He calls it "a very, very touching and poignant performance." Bruno says Romeo achieved a new level of poise and finesse. Scores: 10, 9, 9. Total: 28Chelsea & Mark: Mark is struggling to get Chelsea to tap into a competitive side. She says she just wants everybody to get along. So he engages her in a water fight and she finally gets into winning. She gets "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves, and they have to dance a quickstep. Len says it was "high energy, with control," and despite a couple of minor issues he thinks it was "full on and great fun." Bruno also points out a very minor flaw, but agrees it was a great performance. Carrie then says, "Sometimes magic happens -- twice!" Scores: 10, 9, 9. Total: 28Kendra & Louis: After bouncing back from a poor week, Kendra is ready to shake everyone thing God (and maybe a plastic surgeon) gave her with a samba to Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca." Her performance tested Len's heart condition as she ended by jumping up onto the judges' table to shake everything a bit more. Carrie Ann was still trying to recover after seeing "lots of information." She says Kendra can "shake it like no other." Len says she fulfilled one of his guilty pleasures and finally says, "last week we had a spark, this week we had a fire." Bruno calls it the revenge of the stripper, then lays down on the table and invites Kendra to lay on top of him. Scores: 8, 8, 9. Total: 25Hines & Kym: The reigning "DWTS" MVP gets Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" for guilty pleasures week and admits that he loves singing to the song. He says he sings it in the shower and pretends the sound of the water rushing around him is the sound of his fans. Len tells Hines he's becoming the "most valued partner" and despite being a bit flat footed, he's "second to none." Bruno calls the dance "pure pleasure from start to finish." He says Hines' chemistry with Kym is amazing. Carrie Ann says it was amazing, but she thought she saw Hines thinking a little too much about the dance as it was happening. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Ralph & Karina: After landing in a three-way tie for the bottom, Ralph is ready to move up with a paso doble set to the music of C&C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat." In an attempt to help Ralph tap into feeling sexy, Karina works in a little "wax on, wax off" pose. Karina slips during the early part of the routine and they both seem to have a little trouble getting back into it. Tom tells them they made a great recovery. Bruno says he "started to feel the fire" despite the "incident." "Once you got back on it, there was no stopping you," he adds. Carrie Ann says Mr. Myagi would be proud of him. She says it's tough to get back up and she did it well. Len congratulates Ralph on pulling Karina up and getting her back into the routine. "I'm proud of you, and you should be proud of yourself," he says. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24LEADER BOARD: Romeo & Chelsie: 28Chelsea & Mark: 28Hines & Kym: 27Kirstie & Maks: 26Kendra & Louis: 25Ralph & Cheryl: 24Chris & Cheryl: 22
S12.E11 ∙ Episode #12.11
Talk about your guilty pleasures. "Dancing with the Stars" kicks off its results show on "Guilty Pleasures Week" with a performance from the combined forces of New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys, who sing and dance to their new song, "Don't Turn Out the Lights." Afterward, Tom Bergeron warns us -- er, teases us! -- that "they'll be back."To the results: The youngest couples just happened to have landed on the top of the leader board Monday night, and they're the first to learn their fates. Backstage, Romeo was ready to strip after getting the first 10 of the season. The first couple definitely safe is Romeo & Chelsie. Chelsea & Mark are safe, too.Play it again...: Len Goodman asks to see Kendra & Louis' samba one more time, and we're supposed to believe this has nothing to do with the fact that routine ends with Kendra shaking her assets while standing in front of Len on the judges' table.Back to the results: Hines & Kym and Kirstie & Maks are the next to learn where they stand. The next couple still in the competition is Hines & Kym. Kirstie & Maks are also safe.Be our guests: As promised, Backstreet Boys and the New Kids are back with a medley of "I Want It that Way" and "Step By Step." Next, "American Idol" eliminee Pia Toscano performs "I'll Stand By You." Afterward, Tom asks, "How the hell did you get voted off?" More results: Kendra & Louis, Chris & Cheryl and Ralph & Karina get their verdicts next. Two of them are safe, but the other is going home. The next couple safe is Kendra & Louis, leaving Chris & Cheryl and Ralph & Karina. And the couple with the lowest overall total and leaving the show is Chris & Cheryl.
S12.E12 ∙ Episode #12.12
Three ballroom legends join the show this week, and the competitors have to learn an individual dance, as well as a team dance in order to fill two hours. Donnie Burns, the most decorates Latin dancer in ballroom history, joins the judges' table this week and he says no one does show business like Americans. Team dances: The teams were chosen by the two couples who have received the most points, so far. Hines & Kym picked Maks & Kirstie. Chelsea & Mark chose Ralph & Karina. Hines took Kendra & Louis, and Chelsea took Romeo & Chelsie.Chelsea's team gets the cha cha. Ralph has some trouble keeping up with the steps, having not done it before. Chelsea and Romeo try to help him. Head judge Len Goodman says it's a huge challenge to learn two dances and they "did a terrific job." Bruno Tonioli their intensity was good but it caused them to fall out of sync, here and there. Carrie Ann Inaba disagrees and adds that Ralph held his own. Donnie says they all did a good job, but points out that Ralph missed some footwork, although it didn't throw off the group. Scores: 8, 8, 7, 7. Total: 30Team Hines puts its own twist on the cha cha. Bruno says the parts were good and the transitions between them were good. He specifically praises Kirstie and Kendra. Carrie says Kirstie's arms were just a little later than her teammates' and she points out a "boo-boo" from Hines. Donnie makes an odd Osama joke and says something about their footwork being poor. Len makes a boobie joke, then praises Kendra and Kirstie and says Hines did a good job keeping up with the two pro guys. Scores: 7, 7, 8, 8. Total: 30This week's guests: We get packages showing that the "DWTS" pros deeply admire their guests Luca Baricchi and Shirley Ballas. Chelsea & Mark: Chelsea has a little trouble getting into the serious character of the paso doble. Shirley shows up to give some pointers on intensity and drama. Chelsea says she was "really scared" of Shirley, like she was a third-grade teacher. Her biggest lesson: Don't smile. Len says he liked some parts but was confused at other points. He says there was too much aggression and lacked some refinement. Bruno says Chelsea had "almost violent intensity" and that she showed great artistry and creativity. Carrie Ann says the dance broke well from tradition. Donnie was, like Len, a little confused. Scores: 8, 9, 8, 9. Total: 34 Kendra & Louis: Louis says there's no more easy choreography now that they're into the second half of the season. Kendra wants to get the tango with intensity, but her confidence wanes as she struggles to get the steps. Luca Baricchi shows up and shows Kendra how to feel the dance and worry less about making mistakes. She thinks she's made a breakthrough. Bruno says Kendra looked elegant and ladylike, but he gives some points her her hold. Carrie Ann says she's "so proud" of Kendra, pointing out one hiccup that she recovered from. Donnie says Kendra broke off the shackles last week and this week she did "a pretty good job" handling difficult choreography. Len agrees, saying the steps were clean and clear, but wants her to attack the steps more. Scores: 8, 8, 7, 8. Total: 31Kirstie & Maks: Kirstie gets some pointers from Shirley about shaking her assets. She's also coached Maks, and he thinks it's funny that Shirley is telling Kirstie the same things he's told her. Later, Maks and Kirstie get a little tense when Kirstie gets fed up with Maks' frustration. But they work it out and dance the jive. Carrie Ann says it wasn't quite enough jive and that they went out of sync at time. Donnie says he really liked it. He says that mechanically, she might not be the best, but she fills the space "between the steps" with who she is. Len says it was fun, high-energy and playful, but as a jive it was "uneventful." Bruno says the steps weren't great, but "as an entertainer, it was superb." Scores: 9, 7, 6, 8. Total: 30Ralph & Karina: After Karina's big fall last week, Karina and Ralph were feeling more like a team than ever. Luca pays a visit to give Ralph some tips on the quickstep. Ralph is having a hard time with the strain the dance is putting on his knees. Donnie tries to make another joke that falls flat, but praises Ralph's footwork. Len also praises the footwork, saying it was clear and quick. Bruno says it was "so vibrant" and says Ralph is a great performer. Carrie Ann jumps on board and says, "Boo-yah, you're back!" Scores: 10, 9, 8, 9. Total: 36Hines & Kym: Hines Ward gets two visitor. First, Luca shows him some points on his dance and then his former teammate Jerome Bettis popped in to see what Hines could do. Hines says that if he can impress Jerome, he can impress anyone. Len says Hines' tango was a bit of a mixture for him. Hines was like a tiger at times and "a bit dainty" at other times. Overall, he liked it. Bruno says he liked the Hines played it, retaining his silky smooth, stealthy action, calling it "a killer tango." Carrie Ann says that Hines' unique attribute is the way he takes command. Tonight, though, she says he was a little off balance at times. Donnie praises Hines' musicality and charisma, but mechanically his arms were moving too much. Scores: 9, 9, 8, 10. Total: 36Romeo & Chelsie: After reaching the top of the leader board, Romeo wants to break loose from the tie he was in with Chelsea. This week, he's got the samba. Shirley shows up to show him how to shake it, and she says he responds well to her advice. Almost too well. Bruno says Romeo can shake it, but he has to get the moves right. Carrie Ann says there was a lot of bounce going on, "but I don't know if it was sending a samba message, it was kind of sending another kind of message." Donnie says he admires how Romeo has grown, but that his footwork was hitting too hard. Len says any one of the couples can win and any one can go home and says Romeo has got to up his game. Scores: 7, 8, 7, 8. Total: 30LEADER BOARD: Ralph & Karina: 36 + 30 = 66HInes & Kym: 36 + 30 = 66Chelsea & Mark: 34 + 30 = 64Kendra & Louis: 31 + 30 = 61Kirstie & Maks: 30 + 30 = 60Romeo & Chelsie: 30 + 30 = 60
S12.E13 ∙ Episode #12.13
The top scorer from last week was at the bottom and Ralph is back in the running as the final six couples on "Dancing with the Stars" await the results on Tuesday night.Play it again: First, though, head judge Len Goodman asks Team Chelsea for an encore performance of their cha cha. To the results: The first two couples to learn their results are Hines & Kym and Kirstie & Maks. Backstage on Monday, Kirstie was upset with herself for having over-acted during her performance.The first couple definitely safe is Hines & Kym, and Kirstie & Maks are still in jeopardy.Be our guest: Nicki Minaj is the first of tonight's guest performances, singing her single "Moment 4 Life." This is followed by a short featurette on a 17-year-old girl named Patricia Zhou, who is the newest member of The Royal Ballet of London. Her parents didn't want her to dance, but she kept at it and eventually won her mother's support. She performs to the music of Priscilla Ann, who sings her song, "Dream." Later, Wayne Brady sings and dances in a tribute to James Brown. Finally, James Blunt sings his new song, "I'll Be Your Man."Back to the results: Chelsea & Mark and Ralph & Karina are up next. Mark is frustrated, saying he doesn't know how to please Len. There's a little controversy over Len's scores and Len explains that he didn't give anything higher than an 8, and Chelsea & Mark got one of those, "so i don't know what he's going on about."The next couple safe is Ralph & Karina. Chelsea & Mark are still in jeopardy.Backstage, Romeo finds another creative way to weave a plug in for his upcoming movie. In overly dramatic, face-to-face meetings the stars and pros have conversations about what they can and should be doing better. Some highlights: Chelsie tells Romeo to work harder and make this his top priority; Kirstie asks Maks to validate her when she does things well, and he can't fully commit to that; Kendra asks Louis to challenge her even more; and Kym tells Hines she knows he doesn't like her much on Wednesdays (when she introduces new choreography), and he says, "or on Thursdays."Romeo & Chelsie and Kendra & Louis are up next. The couple safe is Romeo & Chelsie. Kendra & Louis are still in jeopardy.Down to the three couples in jeopardy, Tom asks Len for his thoughts. He tells Kirstie to be more consistent. He tells Kendra she's been a late-blossoming girl and she's really come on in the last few weeks. He says he'll be "really shocked" if Chelsea is not back. The next couple safe is Kirstie & Maks. Down to Chelsea & Mark and Kendra & Louis, who aren't necessarily the bottom two, the couple going home this week is ... Kendra & Louis.
S12.E14 ∙ Episode #12.14
People are falling a lot in rehearsals, which can only mean the stress is getting amped up this week. Each couple will dance twice, including an "instant dance," where they will get their song only minutes before performing.Chelsea & Mark: A week after confusing Len again, Chelsea tells Mark that his behavior and frustration with Len's scoring reflects poorly on her. He wants to celebrate their connection with a close waltz. Head judge Len Goodman is up first, and he says that occasionally there's too much emphasis on the story over the dance. He says it's an observation, not a criticism. Overall, he liked it. Bruno Tonioli says Mark finally "found the perfect setting for Chelsea to shine like a precious jewel." Carrie Ann Inaba says something "very different happened" and there "was a whole new added dimension to your dancing. You earned perfection tonight." Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29Hines & Kym: Looking to get back to sole possession of first place, Hines studies film of Ralph's foxtrot to get some tips about how to perform the dance. He says if it calls for cheesiness, he'll be as cheesy as necessary. Bruno says the performance was "beaming with a blissful sense of happiness." Carrie Ann says she loved it and says Hines did a great job. Len says Hines' personality is radiant throughout the ballroom and it's a pleasure to "sit back and watch the dance unravel before your eyes." Scores: 9, 9, 10.Romeo & Chelsie: After suffering through a samba that saw him fall to the bottom of the leader board, Romeo was determined to recover. He wants to bring the passion and intensity to the tango. Chelsie's also struggling to come up with choreography that's impressive enough for this stage of the competition. Carrie Ann calls it amazing and says Romeo was dancing like he really meant it. Len says that last week he told Romeo to up his game, and that's exactly what Romeo did. Bruno says Romeo dances like a real man and that he's "done marvels" coming back from last week. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Ralph & Karina: Tom tells us there was some injury drama around Ralph and it was unknown whether he'd be able to dance tonight after missing a lot of his rehearsal with some pain around his knee. After getting an MRI he got the clearance to dance. During Saturday's rehearsal, he hurt it again. They dance the Viennese waltz. Len says Ralph did a great job, especially with limited time to practice. Although, he adds, it lacked polish. Bruno says it was astonishing Ralph was able to do what he did. Carrie Ann calls upon the spirit of Daniel LaRusso and says Ralph was as inspiring as his character. Scores: 8, 8, 9. Total: 25Kirstie & Maks: After losing the timing last week, Kirstie is struggling to keep up with the number of steps in the Argentine tango. She's also apparently getting light-headed in rehearsal and Maks thinks she's not eating enough. She says she's having 1400 calories a day and he thinks that isn't enough. Bruno loves it and says Kirstie's footwork was "brilliant." He tells Kirstie her body is shrinking but her "talent is huge." Carrie Ann says she felt like she was watching real life acted out in front of her, which she called very nice. Len says the dance is all about creating an atmosphere and mood, and they captured that feeling. He says, "in addition, it was hot." Scores: 9, 9, 10. Total: 28Chelsea & Mark, Part 2: Handed the salsa, Chelsea and Mark pull off a solid performance especially after starting a bit earlier than expected because the band jumped its cue. Len says he thought the waltz was cool and the salsa was hot. Bruno was impressed at how many steps they managed to pull off with limited time. Carrie Ann says they did very well, but she didn't feel a connection to the music and they were dancing above the music at times. Scores: 8, 9, 9. Total: 26Hines & Kym, Part 2: Hines is nervous about dancing the jive without knowing the song in advance. Bruno says he did an incredible job with the limited time. Carrie Ann agrees, saying the jive is very hard and Hines was right on the beat all the time. She praises him for letting go. Len tells Hines he did a "fantastic job" with a really tough dance. Scores: 9, 9, 8. Total: 26Romeo & Chelsie, Part 2: Chelsie prepares Romeo for his instant salsa by taking him to a salsa club. Carrie Ann says it definitely felt like they were in a club, but it was a little casual. She says it needed to be a little tighter and more in sync. Len says Carrie Ann was being too harsh, saying they got it right and it is a casual dance. He says he loved it. Bruno is in shock at Len's comments, but says they lost some of the fluidity of the dance. Scores: 8, 9, 8. Total: 25Ralph & Karina, Part 2: Ralph was worried while resting his knee that he didn't have any time to prepare. They open their dance with him pretending he can't do it, and Karina plays Mr. Myagi and puts her magic hands on his knee to spring him into action. Len says that Ralph lost it because he wasn't 100 percent fit. Bruno says the cha cha is all about hip action because of his knee. Carrie Ann says she admires Ralph for getting out there, but it didn't go well. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Kirstie & Maks, Part 2: With an instant salsa in the offing, Maks gets frustrated during rehearsal and Kirstie just asks for prayer. Bruno says Kristie lost sync and Kirstie says something that results in a wave of pushes of the censor button. Carrie Ann says it worked and she found it riveting to watch. Len says this was a slow, more rhythmic salsa. Len says it was oily, which is a good thing. Scores: 8, 9, 8. Total: 25LEADER BOARD:Chelsea & Mark: 29 + 26 = 55Hines & Kym: 28 + 26 = 54Kirstie & Maks: 28 + 25 = 53Romeo & Chelsie: 27 + 25 = 52Ralph & Karina: 25 + 21 = 46
S12.E15 ∙ Episode #12.15
With Ralph Macchio well down the leader board, it would take a big move in the votes to make for an upset. Will there be one?To the results: The first two couples whose recaps we seeing are Hines & Kym and Kirstie & Maks. The highlights: Kym tells Hines his butt looks nice in white pants, and Maks knocks Kirstie to the floor with a roundhouse kick during their instant-dance practice. (OK, it wasn't intentional, but it's worth looking up).The first couple definitely in the semifinals is Hines & Kym. Kirstie & Maks are also going to be dancing in the semifinals.DanceCenter: Jerry Rice and Kenny Mayne are back with Len Goodman to break down the couples. First segment highlights: Kirstie's age listed as "Timeless," and a segment showing Maks as "The Bachelor" in the Ukrainian version. Kenny also has some fun with Romeo's repetitive claims about dancing "for the kids" and "for the troops" and showing kids that "there's no limits."In the second segment, they refer to Ralph as Ralph "Sweep the Leg" Maccchio. Len says Hines might be the best "footballer" the show has had. Jerry doesn't take kindly to this. Chelsea's bio graphic includes that she "still believes in the tooth fairy." Be our guest: Season 11's Michael Bolton returns to the ballroom to perform his new single, "I'm Not Ready" with "Australian sensation" Delta Goodrem.Later, we learn the story of the Tuita brothers, three siblings who have used dance to overcome the loss of their father, who also perform.Delta Goodrem fills in for Adele with less than an hour of rehearsal, after Adele said she was having trouble with her upper register, to perform Carole King's "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman." She stumbles over some lyrics, but comes off like a trooper for stepping in. Later in the show, Adele does take the stage to sing the prime-time TV debut of her song, "Rolling in the Deep." Back to the results: Ralph's recap shows that he was in some serious pain throughout the night. The first couple in jeopardy is Ralph & Karina. The next couple also in jeopardy is Romeo & Chelsie. Chelsea & Mark are safe to dance in the semifinals.The couple coming just short of the semifinals is Romeo & Chelsie.
S12.E16 ∙ Episode #12.16
The semifinals are upon us and Tom Bergeron says this was the most dramatic week of rehearsals ever. Tom says Kym was injured in rehearsal and promises we'll hear more about it later.Ralph & Karina: A week after nearly falling out of the competition because of a leg injury and hitting last place on the leader board, Ralph is determined to make good on the fans' faith in him. First up is the Argentine tango. He wears some "butt-booster" underpants to accentuate his rear. Head judge Len Goodman says it lacked a bit of emotion throughout, but he liked the set-up and says it was sharp. Bruno Tonioli agrees there was a stern, slight detachment from Ralph and it was "too flat." Carrie Ann Inaba is glad to see Ralph is dancing better, but agrees with Bruno that Ralph has to connect with the character throughout his body, down to his feet. Scores: 8, 9, 8. Total: 25Kirstie & Maks: After getting her first 10 of the season, Kirstie is getting healthy again and eating enough to get through all the dances this week requires. She and Maks have their typical turmoil during rehearsal. They dance a Viennese waltz. They get a standing ovation from the crowd and Bruno rises to his feet to say that Kirstie was "literally on the crest of a wave" and adds that it was "well done." Carrie Ann says Kirstie brings the audience into the full performance. Len says Kirstie had beautiful posture and nice, sweeping movement. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Chelsea & Mark: Mark says there is no time for joking now that the semifinals are here and Chelsea is looking to protect her position at the top of the leader board. Chelsea realized during rehearsal that the competition requires a much greater amount of work than she expected. They dance a tango. Carrie Ann says she's going to be picky because it's the semifinals, and says the dance was not up to par. She says her legs weren't strong. Len agrees, but adds that it was clean and precise and she produced a first-class performance. Bruno boils over and stands up to tell Chelsea that the other judges "didn't get it," but he got it. Scores: 9, 9, 10. Total: 28Hines & Kym: Tom tells us Kym was rushed to the hospital on Friday with a neck injury and warns us that we're going to see what happened. He says it's hard to watch. They're practicing some intense flips and lifts that Kym says she's never done or tried on the show. They're trying a flip when Kym lands on her neck and Hines falls over on her. She says she can't feel her arms. Hines feels terrible and and responsible while Kym is worried that they're losing valuable time. Hines says he's not even worried about the competition, but Kym is on the floor for their Argentine tango. The crowd erupts and Hines has tears in his eyes. Kym soon does, as well. Len says he was "there in the club" watching the whole story unfold. Len shouts, "That is a tango!" Bruno does one of his classic miming a strip tease commentaries. Carrie Ann is crying, too, and says she's so happy Kym is OK because of the seriousness of her injury. Carrie Ann says "the connection was just beyond what we ask for in a dance team." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Ralph & Karina, Part 2: Ralph's parents and his wife talk about how grounded the actor has been through the highest highs of teen idol stardom to the times when acting dried up and the roles weren't coming. He and Karina dance a salsa. Len didn't like it. He says it was "all too wild" and there was no real rhythm. He didn't like Ralph's hip-thrusting ways. Bruno goes off and says Ralph was "too rough on your ----" and gets bleeped before explaining, "No, a pussycat!" Karina is shocked. Carrie Ann requests a muzzle for Bruno and says, "Oddly, I liked it." She agrees that his technique "went out," but it was the most fun she's seen him have. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Kirstine & Maks, Part 2: Kirstie opens up about having been addicted to cocaine early in her life before moving to Hollywood to become an actress. She says that her "Cheers" experience was the greatest time in her life, and she spent the next several years being a great mom, cooking, baking and getting fat. She's since embraced it all and that's what her friends say people are relating to. She and Maks dance a paso doble. Bruno says Kirstie was really moving like a force of nature. Carrie Ann calls Kirstie "the queen of the paso doble." Len says Kirstie had the toughest two dances of the night and she's done "fabulous." Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Chelsea & Mark, Part 2: "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks talks about how she met Chelsea in youth theater in Scottsdale, Ariz. She opens up about having been scammed by a supposed talent scout, but after landing in L.A. she went for a Disney Channel audition on a show with the Jonas Brothers and got the part. She and Mark dance the rumba. Carrie Ann is pleased and says, "That was a nice rumba." Len says it had mood, was expressive and adds, "Tonight, you have fulfilled your potential. You're there." Bruno says it was romantic and erotic "but perfectly pitched." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Hines & Kym, Part 2: Hines talks about how his mother moved from South Korea to the U.S. because of the extreme discrimination he would face there being of mixed race. Things weren't much easier here, though, as he says he was teased and shunned by white and black kids. He talks about having to push harder at every turn. He and Kym dance the salsa. Len says he loved it and calls it a "joyful experience." Bruno says it was beautiful and "supremely watchable." Carrie Ann says she can't even explain how much joy she gets from watching him dance." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Winner-take-all cha cha: As a way to give a talented couple a ticket to the final, this season introduces a winner-take-all cha cha where the couple deemed best at the cha cha will get 15 bonus points.In the first round, Hines & Kym square off again Ralph & Karina. In a clean sweep, Hines & Kym win the round.In the next round, Chelsea & Mark take on Kirstie & Maks. In another unanimous decision, the judges prefer Chelsea & Mark.In the final showdown, Hines & Kym will dance first, followed by Chelsea & Mark. They've gotten their music just four minutes before taking to the dance floor. Len says the two couples have totally different styles and it's "really, really difficult to decide." Bruno says he's also stumped and they "both did fantastically well." Carrie Ann says this kind of a challenge proves whether you're a dancer or just learning choreography, and they both proved themselves. The vote is again unanimous as Chelsea & Mark win the 15 points.LEADER BOARD:Chelsea & Mark: 28 + 30 = 58 (plus 15-point bonus) = 73Hines & Kym: 30 + 30 = 60Kirstie & Maks: 27 + 27 = 54Ralph & Karina: 25 + 23 = 48
S12.E17 ∙ Episode #12.17
Head judge Len Goodman says Monday night's performances brought the entire competition to a whole new level, but he wants to start this results show with an encore from Chelsea & Mark, who perform their rumba.To the highlight reel: Hines was emotional even before he started his memorable, perfect-30 performance with Kym. She told him not to watch the replay of her injury, but he couldn't stop himself. Hines & Kym are the first to learn their fate. After a commercial break, Tom Bergeron reveals that they have, indeed, advanced to the finals.Be our guest: Stevie Nicks shows up to perform her new single, "Secret Love." Afterward, Pitbull and Ne-Yo perform their club hit, "Give Me Everything." Later, Stevie returns to perform "Landslide."Back to the highlights: Chelsea reveals a wedgie she had to deal with before hitting the dance floor. After a dance that fell a bit flat, she landed her perfect 30 before moving on to get a bonus 15 points. She says that after a successful night she can "start to rebuild" her relationship with Mark, because she hated him during rehearsal week. Did the 15 bonus points help them stay in the competition? Yes, they did. They're in the finals.Inspirational story: Continuing the series of inspirational stories of how dance has helped get people through hardship, we learn about Tayla Kelley, a 13-year-old ballet dance who has Primary Immunodeficiency. Despite risking illness at a much higher rate than most people whenever she's exposed to viruses, Tayla ventures into the world and focuses on dancing to get through.Back to the highlights: Kirstie didn't trust Maks' math when he tried to add up their scores backstage. But 54 out of 60 isn't bad. Ralph was surprised he got low scores.Down to just two couples, it's finally time to learn who will dance for the title and who came just one week short.The couple going home is ... Ralph & Karina.
S12.E18 ∙ Episode #12.18
With everything on the line, the remaining three couples on "Dancing with the Stars" -- "the Disney princess, the TV icon and the hero of the gridiron," as Tom Bergeron puts it -- have to perform two dances, including the freestyle. The first dance for each couple, though, will be the "judges' choice," a dance chosen by the judges to accentuate the dancers' best moves.Chelsea & Mark: Carrie Ann Inaba picks the samba and helps Chelsea make her samba less perky and more sensual. She's excited to do it again with a different vibe and says she's going "all out." Len Goodman quotes Sting and tells Chelsea that every step she takes and every move he makes, he'll be watching her. Bruno Tonioli says Chelsea is "like an ultra-sexy bombshell" and adds that the rhythm was "flowing through" her body. Carrie Ann says Chelsea was "hot, hot, hot" and that she got sensual and dirty, doing exactly what she'd hoped Chelsea would do. Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29Kirstie & Maks: Bruno pays a visit to Kirstie and has some tips for Kirstie's use of her hands in the samba. Kirstie says she wants three 10s. Bruno says Kirstie's dance was "softer, rich, full of lively pleasures, full of womanhood," but adds she still needs to play to the arena. Carrie Ann says Kirstie is clearly different from Chelsea, but she loves what Kirstie did. Len says it was appealing and was "less aggressive, less full-on." He admits it could have been crisper but it was a "lovely job and deserving of being in this final." Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Hines & Kym: After a scary neck injury to Kym, Len picked the quickstep for Hines and Kym. He wants to see Hines go from a 7 to a 10 on the dance by helping him get his feet sharper. (Kym is wearing a neck brace in rehearsal). Carrie Ann says it was "so much fun" and says Hines is able to make the audience feel like he's running for a touchdown. Len says it was a vast improvement on the last time, but "it's not quite there yet." He says the competition is still anyone's to win or lose. Bruno says it "was like watching a mega-production on Broadway. Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29Chelsea & Mark freestyle: Chelsea is scared of Mark's freestyle choreography. He wants to showcase their youth and energy. Their high-energy routine is accompanied by flashing lights on their hands and shoes, and Chelsea's lights went out about halfway through the light show. Len says it still showcased her talent. He says the routine was "so full-on, so much attack, it was fantastic." Bruno says it's "electrifying." He liked the incorporation of classic Latin moves. Carrie Ann says she can't find the words to describe what she watched, so she stands up and shimmies a little to explain. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Kirstie & Maks freestyle: Maks somehow manages to describe Kirstie as neither young or athletic without sounding like a jerk, and she vows to make the dance "spectacular." Bruno says that 10 weeks ago he would not have thought of Kirstie "even attempting" to do lifts and other moves she did. He says some of it could have been smoother, but "respect, girl -- respect." Carrie Ann says the dance embodied Kirstie's role as "the new poster child for life as it should be lived at 60 years old." Len liked the elements of rumba and cha cha cha he saw. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Hines & Kym freestyle: Using a football halftime show as the inspiration for his routine, which is based on a drumline. Carrie Ann says it was risky and "wasn't really halftime show -- that was the whole damn Super Bowl." She loves that they were "still going for it." Len says the competition is "about give and take -- the more you give, the more points you take; you've just given your all." Bruno says they pulled all the stops "and created a crowd-pleasing event!" Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30LEADER BOARD:Chelsea & Mark: 29 + 30 = 59Hines & Kym: 29 + 30 = 59Kirstie & Maks: 27 + 27 = 54
S12.E19 ∙ Episode #12.19
Host Tom Bergeron kicks off the "Dancing with the Stars" finale with a dramatic introduction to the three finalists: Hines Ward, Chelsea Kane and Kirstie Alley.The pros get the dancing started with a group routine that rolls into an introduction of all the couples that came and went this season.To the recap: Chelsea & Mark ripped up the night despite a technical malfunction of Chelsea's lighting apparatus. They finished with 59 judges' points.Maks & Kirstie surprised everyone with acrobatics and finished with 54 points. Len Goodman reacted to the crowd's boos by saying, "If they don't like our scores, then vote for them. That's the deal."Hines & Kym made it a near-perfect night again and wound up with 59 points.The finalists will dance one last time for judges' scores before it's all done tonight.Be our guest: The first guest of the night are the Black Eyed Peas, who perform their new single, "Don't Stop the Party."Now, the finalists: The judges praise Chelsea's technique and precision. Len says Hines Ward has established himself as the best of the "footballers" the show has welcomed. Bruno says Kirstie is like a phoenix rising from her own establish and being reborn every week. They agree that not one clear leader as emerged this season. This leads into the introductions of the three finalists.Memory Lane: We get to the recap of the dancers who were eliminated this season with Mike Catherwood starting things off. In a pre-recorded bit, he auditions for the "DWTS" Troupe. Then he performs live with Lacey Schwimmer.We see more highlights from the season before Petra Nemcova takes the stage with Dmitry Chaplin to perform her watlz from "You Raise Me Up." We then see Josh Groban is singing live.Kendra Wilkinson takes the floor to perform with Louis and a few other guys, which leads into more highlights. This, in turn, leads to a head-to-head showdown between wrestling champion Chris Jericho and legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, who perform a paso doble dance-off. Chris then provides one of the more memorable moments of the night: an impression of Bruno that Carrie Ann gives a 10.Wendy Williams interviews herself and Bruno. She gets in a dig at Mark Ballas, saying she isn't sure if he or Chelsea wears more eyeliner. The rest of the segment is, well, it happened.Audience's choice dance: Maks, Lacey, Cheryl and Chelsie perform the fans' choice dance for the season to the Go-Gos' "We Got the Beat."Back to the memories: Romeo and his story of wanting to inspire kids through his dancing, returns to the stage to perform to Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love of All." The song is backed by a children's choir and Romeo later talks about his charity, Urban Born.A recap of some of the tense, dramatic and touching moments of the season follows, and this leads into a performance from Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff.Chelsea & Mark: Asked to choose their favorite dance of the season for their final performance for the judges, Chelsea and Mark quickly agree on doing their "Wizard Waltz," the Viennese waltz that Len thought wasn't traditional enough. Mark vows to make some adjustments to show Len that the young kids can learn. Len admits they've had their ups and downs this season, but tells Chelsea, "Bottom line, you are a fantastic dancer." Bruno says they're all under her spell and says he loves her. Carrie Ann says a lot of people may not have known helsea before this show, but now they know her as an "artistic, beautiful, graceful woman." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30 (Combined from both nights: 89)Kirstie & Maks: Kirstie wants to do the cha cha from Week 1 because it's sentimental. She also wants to show the fans and the judges that her dress is "half the size it was in Week 1." She realizes she has more strength and stamina than she did just 10 weeks ago. As the crowd chants her name, Bruno tells Kirstie she's "never danced better" and calls it "brilliant!" Carrie Ann salutes her and says she loves Kirstie for being her. Len says Kirstie's shown great resilience and overcome setbacks, and now produced her best dance. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30 (Combined: 84)Hines & Kym: In deciding their final dance, Hines & Kym kind of rub in the fact that they had so many great ones to choose from. But they settle on the samba that Hines dedicated to his mom. Carrie Ann can't even speak over the cheering crowd, but eventually gets to tell Hines that he's the "MVP of 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 12." She says she's "so impressed" with him. Len tells Hines that dance is the product, but his "packaging" brings it all to life. Bruno calls Hines a "charming dazzler" and says "we all fall in love" when Hines is on the floor. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30 (Combined: 89)The final guest: Sara Evans performs her song, "A Little Bit Stronger" while the three finalists' memorable moments flash on screens above the stage.To the results: After nearly two hours of build-up, the third-place finisher is revealed. It's Chelsea & Mark.Finally, after 10 weeks of competition, the winners of "Dancing with the Stars" are ... Hines & Kym.
S13.E1 ∙ Round One
The trumpets are blaring, the lights are too bright, and Brooke Burke has a new attachment to her last name (Charvet?), which can only mean it's time for another season of "Dancing with the Stars"!Let's meet the cast:NBA champion Ron Artest and partner Peta MurgatroydReality star Rob Kardashian and partner Cheryl BurkeTV star Kristin Cavallari and partner Mark BallasSinger Chynna Phillips and partner Tony DovolaniTV host Nancy Grace and partner Tristan MacManusActor David Arquette and partner Kym JohnsonModel and actress Elisabetta Canalis and Val ChmerkovskiySoccer star Hope Solo and partner Maksim ChmerkovskiyFashion guru Carson Kressley and partner Anna TrebunskayaWar veteran and actor J.R. Martinez and partner Karina SmirnoffTalk show host Ricki Lake and partner Derek HoughAuthor and activist Chaz Bono and partner Lacey SchwimmerHost Tom Bergeron says a lot about the new ballroom.Ron & Peta: Ron says he's moved on from his wild ways and took on the challenge of the show after his 4-year-old daughter survived cancer treatment and inspired him to take on new challenges. Peta is making her "DWTS" debut and says Kym better watch out because "there's another Aussie on board." Ron's dancing the cha cha, but having trouble because he's tall and stiff. It's pretty awkward. Len Goodman says it "lacked cha cha content" and Ron's "footwork was atrocious." Bruno Tonioli says Ron has strength and power and presence, but he has to work on technique. Carrie Ann Inaba says the sexiness worked, but the technique was wrong all around. Scores: 5, 4, 5. Total: 14.Rob & Cheryl: Rob says he wants to do the show to step out of his sisters' shadows. Cheryl says 10 seasons is too far removed from her last mirror-ball win. Rob wants to do better than his sister, Kim, did. They do the Viennese waltz. Rob's quite stiff. Bruno says Rob looked frightened, like he was only trying to obey orders. He says he didn't feel anything coming from Rob at all. Carrie Ann says Rob has to let it flow a little more because it was "all a little rigid." Len says he's "not impressed, but I'm not depressed." He says Rob was too careful. Scores: 6, 5, 5. Total: 16.Kristin & Mark: Kristin says she's "not a bitch," despite her role on "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills." She says she's had a rough year, having her engagement fall apart. Mark tells her she's naturally coordinated. They get the cha cha, and Mark wants it to be "one of those memorable routines." Carrie Ann says she's excited to see Kristin dance more because she has a great quality to her performance. She tells Kristin not to shuffle her feet around when she's dancing on her own. Len says he liked it, but Kristin went into her shell a little compared to the rehearsal footage he saw. Bruno says he likes bad girls, but Kristin has to control her movements more. Scores: 7, 6, 6. Total: 19Chynna & Tony: Chynna says her husband, Billy Baldwin, is the one who suggested she do the show. She gets the Viennese waltz, but has trouble keeping up with all the steps involved. Len says it wasn't the best first-night dance he's ever seen, "but it was close." Bruno says there was great musicality, good character and the talent it there, even though she has to clean it up a little. Carrie Ann says it was "gorgeous," and "everything was perfection," despite a few nervous moments. Carrie Ann says she can't wait to see more. Scores: 8, 7, 7. Total: 22Nancy & Tristan: Nancy says she wants to show her 3-year-old twins that "mommy can dance." She doesn't know anything about the cha cha, but after some tutelage says tonight she'll rest her case and declare herself a ballroom dancer. Bruno says he had "no idea (Nancy) was so lavishly gifted." He tells her she has the moves but she doesn't believe in herself. Carrie Ann says Nancy might be the happiest contestant she's ever seen out there, but she has to work on remembering her choreography. Len says it was a "see-saw" and adds that Nancy has to get balance. He calls it "underwhelming." Scores: 5, 5, 6. Total: 16David & Kym: David says he's from a whole family of entertainers and now he's ready to entertain America on the dance floor. He meets Kym and tells her he's been sober for "almost eight months" and now he's focused on "being present, being connected." He says he's going to go on the floor and do his "best impression of a person doing the Vienesse waltz." He gets big applause from the crowd, which includes his wife Courteney Cox, from whom the Internet tells us he's still separated. Carrie Ann says she "really liked it," saying there's a "beautiful vulnerability" to him. She says all he needs to do is relax a little. Len appreciates that he came straight out into the dance and says he was "very, very impressed." He declares that David is "a dancer." Bruno says he looked the part, then got "all entangled" and didn't know what the hell he was doing. Scores: 6, 6, 6. Total: 18Elisabetta & Val: Elisabetta says most people know her from her "past private life" -- and that's when we see a photo of her with George Clooney. Val says that after 10 seasons, he wants to beat his brother. First, they need to get past their language barrier. Elisabetta vows that they're only going to speak one language: The cha cha. Len says he didn't like the whole beginning, because it's not his "cup of tea." He says he "didn't mind it too much" once it got going, but then it got brittle and Elisabetta lost confidence. Bruno says that because Elisabetta is not a performer, she doesn't have the confidence to hold a performance on her own. Carrie Ann says Elisabetta has to "channel the model" in her to stand stronger on her own. Scores: 5, 5, 5. Total: 15Hope & Max: The World Cup goalie is ready to block all of her competition on the dance floor. She tells Maks she's nervous because she's a stiff and awkward athlete. Their first dance is the Viennese waltz, which Maks says it not ideal for her at all. Bruno tells Hope she has a bright future, with great drive, attack and musicality, but she has to work on her control. He says all the attributes are there. Carrie Ann says the real impressive part was the body contact because that's hard to do, but she tells Hope to be aware of not "muscling" things. Len says there was good posture, hold and lovely movement. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Carson & Anna: Carson says he's probably most well known for his "amazing shoes," and his show, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." Carson says he was surprised he wasn't paired with Maks or Mark or Derek, but she's beautiful and talented, so it'll work. He says no one will work harder than he is to compensate for his "lack of talent." They dance the cha cha cha. Carrie Ann says that was her "favorite dance of the night -- by far!" She says, technically speaking, it's not all there, but for performance and entertainment value, "Bam!" Len says there were elements of "Jagger, swagger and stagger." He says Carson gave "such good entertainment." Bruno calls it "two for the price of one." From one angle, Carson is "Mick" and from the other, he's "Bianca" -- making a reference to the song, "Moves Like Jagger," to which Carson performed. Scores: 6, 5, 6. Total: 17J.R. & Karina: J.R. explains how he served and was injured in Iraq, but he overcame the odds and survived, and became an actor. He explains he was driving a truck in Iraq when it hit a landmine. He said he's had 33 surgeries after being burned over 40 percent of his body. "So, there's a reason I'm this cute," he says, pointing to his heavily scarred face. He says, "The Army taught me a lot. But there's one thing it didn't teach me -- the Viennese waltz." Len says he "danced a performance that's right up there with every other of the best performances of the night." Bruno says he's an inspiration and adds that he can't wait to see the Latin dances from J.R., because did well with the waltz. Carrie Ann says she was "absolutely touched" and that it was mind-blowing that he was able to bring that kind of emotional connection to his performance on Day 1. Scores: 8, 7, 7. Total: 22Ricki & Derek: Ricki says she's 42 and she's "here to get (her) slammin' body back." Ricki says she "melted a little bit" when she met Derek. She tells Derek he's going to help her "get rid of all of this," pointing at some extra weight on her back. She says Kirstie Alley inspired her to do the show. They dance the Viennese waltz. Bruno says there was "great chemistry," and adds it was "another great Viennese waltz." Carrie Ann says it was spectacular how they finished each other's moves. Len says he doesn't want to be picky, but says he doesn't know what was going on with her feet, but it was "elegant" with "lovely movement, fluidity," and that overall he loved it very much. Scores: 7, 6, 7. Total: 20Chaz & Lacey: Chaz is the first transgender contestant on "Dancing with the Stars." Lacey says she can be called "weird, wacky, wild," but this year she'll be called a winner. Chaz says Lacey brings out the kid in him, which helps. They dance the cha cha cha. Carrie Ann says people have been waiting all night to Chaz and he did not disappoint. She praises Chaz's footwork and says he lights up the room. Len says Chaz had the right attitude, enjoyed himself, was "right on time," with "good footwork" and a great attitude. Bruno says he had no idea Chaz was so cuddly and cute. Scores: 6, 5, 6. Total: 17 LEADER BOARD:Chynna & Tony: 22J.R. & Karina: 22Hope & Maks: 21Kristin & Mark: 20Ricki & Derek: 20David & Kym: 18Carson & Anna: 17Chaz & Lacey: 17Rob & Cheryl: 16Nancy & Tristan: 16Elisabetta & Val: 15Ron & Peta: 14
S13.E2 ∙ Round One: Meet the Cast
The first results show of the 13th season of "Dancing with the Stars" starts with a rousing group routine to Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory," but one couple is on the edge of elimination -- and they're hanging on only about an hour longer with us.Host Tom Bergeron doesn't waste any time, getting right to some results and calling the first three couples to the stage: Ricki & Derek, Elisabetta & Val, and Rob & Cheryl. To the results: The first couple safe is Ricki & Derek. Also coming back next week is Elisabetta & Val. Rob & Cheryl are in jeopardy.Backstage, Elisabetta is very thankful to have a second chance, and her partner Val is also glad to be back for more than one week in his debut "DWTS" season. Derek admits he was nervous on Monday night in his first night back on the show in about a year. After a long featuette showing us the cast backstage -- Ron Artest wants to hit the clubs with Nancy Grace -- we get to a performance from Harry Connick Jr., who does the title tune from his new Broadway show, "On a Clear Day."Back to the results, Tom calls three more couples to the stage. Hope & Maks, Kristin & Mark and Ron & Peta. Hope & Maks are safe while Ron & Peta are in jeopardy. Kristin & Mark are safe.LMFAO pays a visit to perform its summer hit, "Party Rock Anthem."Tom calls three more couples to the stage: J.R. & Karina, Chynna & Tony, and Chaz & Lacey. The next couple safe for another week is Chynna & Tony.J.R. & Karina are also safe. Chaz & Lacey are safe, as well -- much to Lacey's surprise. Finally, the last three couples hit the stage. David & Kym, Carson & Anna, and Nancy & Tristan. The next couple definitely safe is David & Kym. Nancy & Tristan are still in jeopardy. Carson & Anna are safe.Down to the final three "in jeopardy" couples -- Rob & Cheryl, Ron & Peta and Nancy & Tristan -- are about to learn their fate. Rob & Cheryl are safe.With just two couples left, Len Goodman says he'll be sad to see either couple go after just one dance. The couple leaving after just one week is ... "Metta" & Peta. Which is probably not the worst thing, because it was going to be tough to call Ron Artest "Metta" all season.
S13.E3 ∙ Round One: The Results
It's sure to be a fast-paced two hours as the second week of competition on "Dancing with the Stars" challenges the couples to do either a jive or quickstep.We right to the action.Hope & Maks: Hope's week started with a soccer match in Portland, where she was honored for playing her 100th game with the U.S. national team. Maks tries to encourage her to practice hard in rehearsal by telling her they're going to get eliminated in Week 3 if she doesn't. They do a jive with a soccer theme. Head judge Len Goodman says it was crisp, sharp and, unfortunately she lost her timing a little during some intricate kicks and flicks. Bruno Tonioli says that all of Hope's power is lost if she isn't precise and accurate. He tells her to apply herself and take more time to learn the intricacies. Carrie Ann Inaba says it was fun and flirty, but agrees that she does have to work more on the details. Scores: 6, 7, 6. Total: 19Kristin & Mark: After impressing the judges a bit, but not coming out of her shell enough, Kristin is setting out to show some attitude. Her goal is to "hit" every beat and movement. She does an old, Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe-inspired glam performance to "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." Bruno loves it, but notes that she has to hold her frames longer. Carrie Ann says, "Last week, nervous; this week, stunning!" She calls it "gorgeous." Len says Kristin looks fantastic, but "it wasn't as good as you look." He says the footwork could have been cleaner, the hold could've been stronger," and he notes that they broke hold. But says that it was, overall, a great improvement from last week. Scores: 8, 7, 7. Total: 22 David & Kym: David's nerves threw him off last week, but this week's dance, the jive, is a lot like him. He says, "It's a little silly, but it's complicated, as well." He thinks in rehearsal that he nearly got it down, but Kym tells him it was "terrible." Carrie Ann says there was "incredible enthusiasm," but ... he was "a little too loose." She tells him to stop dancing from his shoulders. Len says he's almost speechless and that "any connection that had with the jive was a coincidence -- the technique wasn't there." He liked the enthusiasm, but "it was just a little bit wild and frantic." Bruno says David followed directions after they told him not to hold back. But he says it's good that David's starting to find his persona and gain confidence. Scores: 6, 6, 6. Total: 18Elisabetta & Val: After landing in second-to-last place last week, Val says "there's absolutely no room for error." This statement seems to contradict his choice in eyewear. Elisabetta has trouble picking up the routine, and she and Val fight in rehearsal. They dance a quickstep. Len says, "It's not great, but it was better than last week." Bruno says Elisabetta is "back on track." He tells her to keep working and it's great to see her bounce back. Carrie Ann says she "totally came back" and that the quickstep is her dance. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Rob & Cheryl: Rob played it a little too safe, according to the judges, last week. This week, he's "scared as hell" with the jive. He's worried that his "man boobs" and stomach are going to be bouncing around. He gets genuinely self-conscious. His jive gets a roaring ovation. Bruno says Rob is starting to blossom and find his own voice and his timing was excellent. Carrie Ann announces, "It's official! Rob Kardashian is a better dancer than Kim Kardashian!" Len agrees it was a great improvement. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Carson & Anna: Carson has to get beyond the personality and great costumes. He's worried that now he really has to show he can dance. He wants to take advantage of a chance to show some fancy footwork with his quickstep. He winds up laying on the judges' table. Carrie Ann says she "saw improvement." She says Carson was "a little wobbly" and she says there's not a great balance of energy in Carson's partnership with Anna. Someone in the crowd shouts something at this. Len says that if he held his knife and fork like Carson held Anna, "I would starve to death." Len laments that the dancers who are the most fun to watch this season are the worst ones. Bruno says it's great entertainment. Scores: 6, 6, 6. Total: 18Ricki & Derek: After an impressive first week, the jive brings a whole new challenge. When Derek explains some of the moves Ricki needs to do, she doesn't think there's any way she'll be able to do them. The crowd goes wild. Len isn't totally sure why he didn't like it. He liked the fun, exuberance and such, but he wanted more jive content. Bruno praises Ricki for being the first performer of the night to do the kicks and flicks correctly. Carrie Ann agrees, calling it the "best jive of the night, so far!" Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Chaz & Lacey: Chaz is having some knee trouble after a week's worth of dancing, and he's struggling through some rehearsal. He feels bad but the quickstep is having some of the more challenging aspects removed. Bruno says it's cute and "like watching a little Ewok dance with Princess Leia. He says the dance requires faster step than what was there. Carrie Ann agrees and says Chaz handled the pain well but the dance suffered. Len says he admires the grit and determination, but "it's a quickstep, and I move faster through the car wash." He says it needed more speed. Scores: 6, 5, 6. Total: 17Chynna & Tony: Ecstatic after sharing first place last week, Chynna is determined to stay on top. She has a little trouble with the jive steps in rehearsals, she gives in to cursing (using something worthy of a bleep after a series of "fudges" until then). Carrie Ann says she genuinely enjoys watching Chynna dance, but she feels like Chynna played it a little safe. Len says the show is about expectations, and she raised them after last week. "It was good, but it wasn't great, really," he says. He adds that it was a "polite jive." Bruno tells her there's a sexiness that's trying to come out. "Everything was there, but it was a little bit lacking," he says. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Nancy & Tristan: The judges dropped the hammer of justice on Nancy a bit last week, and Nancy fully shut down during rehearsal. She simply stopped practicing, so Tristan left. She later tearfully apologized to Tristan, and now she's ready to bring it. Len says, "How refreshing." He praises them for maintaining hold, despite lacking "flash" and "raz-matazz." Bruno says it was "a bit top heavy," but it's great to see her taking over the dance floor. Carrie Ann says she's saw some improvement and even though she likes more raz-matazz," she likes the chemistry they're developing. Scores: 6, 8, 7. Total: 21J.R. & Karina: A Viennese waltz earned J.R. a spot at the top of the leader board, but he thinks he needs to work harder to stick around because he's not as well known as others on the show. The crowd loves it and Bruno says J.R. has a feel for the music that comes from within him. He calls it "the most satisfying overall performance of the night." Carrie Ann is upset because it was great, but there was a lift that she has to penalize them for. Len says that as good as it was, it wasn't a jive. "It was too much Lindy," he says. Scores: 7, 7, 8. Total: 22LEADER BOARD: Ricki & Derek: 23Kristin & Mark: 22J.R. & Karina: 22Elisabetta & Val: 21Rob & Cheryl: 21Chynna & Tony: 21Nancy & Len: 21Hope & Maks: 19David & Kym: 18Carson & Anna: 18Chaz & Lacey: 17
S13.E4 ∙ Round Two
The second week of the 13th season of "Dancing with the Stars" is drawing near a close, and that means another star will be sent packing on Tuesday. Host Tom Bergeron wastes no time getting to some results and calls David & Kym and Caron & Anna to the stage. We get a recap that reminds us how much fun the judges seemed to have watching both couples, even though their techniques were totally off. The first couple safe for another week is ... Carson & Anna. David & Kym are in jeopardy.After the first set of results are done, head judge Len Goodman gets to put in his request for an encore ... and it's Ricki & Derek's jive.After a "Cribs"-like feature that gives us a tour of the rehearsal space at "DWTS," The Scripts take the stage to perform "For the First Time" -- for the first time on "Dancing with the Stars."The next set of dancers to get results are Kristin & Mark, J.R. & Karina and Ricki & Derek. Kristin earned good marks from the judges, despite getting a bit of a hard time for her arm movements. J.R. earned mixed praise. Carrie Ann loved it but had to penalize for a lift, while Len thought it was a great dance, but wasn't a jive. Ricki was called out as having the best jive of the night and took first place on the judges' leader board.The next couple definitely coming back next week is Ricki & Derek. Kristin & Mark are also safe. J.R. & Karina ... are also coming back next week, leaving David & Kym as the only couple in jeopardy.The stars tells us what it was like standing on stage last week awaiting results for the first time. Nancy says it's something she'll never forget. They go on to talk about how intense the competition is already getting. The first Macy's Stars of Dance performance is sort of a throwback and tribute to the old Hollywood choreography of Busby Berkeley.After some chit-chat in the skybox thingy, Brooke Burke sends Rob & Cheryl, Nancy & Tristan, and Chaz & Lacey to the stage. The recap reminds us that the judges generally liked Rob and Nancy, and were sad they had to give Chaz low marks because his knees were hurting. The first couple safe is Rob & Cheryl. Chaz & Lacey are in jeopardy, and Nancy & Tristan are safe.Back on the "DWTS" stage is Demi Lovato, performing her song, "Skyscraper."Back to the results, Chynna & Tony, Elisabetta & Val, and Hope & Maks are caled out. The judges thought Chynna played it a little safe, and she vowed to let the siren out next week. Elisabetta was pumped to get decent scores from the judges. Hope got Len to say, "That was booyah-catcha!" The next couple safe is Chynna & Tony. Hope & Maks are also coming back. Elisabetta & Val are in jeopardy.Down to the bottom three, which Tom confirms are indeed the bottom three, the first couple safe is Chaz & Lacey.The couple with the lowest combined total of judges points and votes is ... Elisabetta & Val. This means David & Cheryl, who were one point away from last place on the judges' leader board, are safe for another week.
S13.E7 ∙ Round Three
The stars are going to offer up performances that tell the stories of their most memorable years, and co-host Brooke Burke suggests keeping a box of tissues handy.Rob & Cheryl: Rob says he was 15 when his father died in 2003, and that's the moment he's going to use, dancing the foxtrot to "Fly Me to the Moon." The song was one of his dad's favorites and he wants the performance to be a celebration of his dad's life. Head judge Len Goodman says Rob "just put the 'dash' in the Kardashian." Bruno Tonioli says he likes the way Rob is starting to play and toy with Cheryl a bit. Carrie Ann Inaba says she likes watching Rob dance and that each week he genuinely makes progress. She calls it a charming and very smooth performance. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Chynna & Tony: Chynna last week vowed to give us more after the judges thought she played it too safe. She says the year she's drawing from for this performance is 1990, the year Wilson Phillips' first album, which included the song "Hold On" came out. She says there were many negative influences she exorcised while writing that song, and she still gets emotional when she sings it. She and Tony do a rumba to "Hold On." The Wilsons are in the crowd! Tony says it was beautiful and "always so expressive." She says Chynna belongs in a museum. Carrie Ann says she "definitely gave us more." She says Chynna is "stunning to watch." She says she's never heard that song the way she just heard it. Len draws on the idea of holding on for one more day and says that if she keeps dancing like that, she'll be "holding on for weeks and weeks." Scores: 8, 9, 9. Total: 26Chaz & Lacey: After escaping elimination last week and being compared to an Ewok, Chaz says he's going to dance his rumba this week to a song his dad wrote, called, "Laugh at Me." It's about this year, when he completed his transformation to being a man, and how "if you have a problem with me, that's your problem and not mine." Chaz says the rumba is a tribute to his dad. Carrie Ann says she's always impressed by Chaz's courage every week. But tonight wasn't his best performance and he looked really distracted. She also says it's breaking her heart to criticize, but he didn't dance enough. Len says the opposite and says "that was the best dance I've seen you do." Bruno breaks the tie, saying the rumba is difficult and requires continuous motion. He says at times Chaz looked a little bit lost. Scores: 6, 6, 6. Total: 18Kristin & Mark: After reeling from Len's remarks the week before, Kristin decides that Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" defines her most meaningful year: 2005. She says that was the year she moved to L.A. and had to decide after high school whether she was going to go to college or try for a career in entertainment. They dance a samba. Len is smiling, but didn't like "the Beyonce stuff," the side-by-side moves. He says the other 80 percent was fabulous. Bruno calls her a "fast-moving devil woman," and adds, "Who can say no after that?" Carrie Ann says Beyonce is some"did pretty good." Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Carson & Anna: Carson says he really felt like a loser last week when Len said he's one of the worst dancers in the competition. He's saying to "It's My Life" by No Doubt, which came out in 2003, the year "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" came out to big success. He says the show allowed him to feel comfortable and proud about who he was. They dance a tango. Bruno goes nuts and says a lot of loud and enthusiastic things that are someone indiscernible. Carrie Ann says she loves Carson, adding that he brought drama, craziness, sexy, and a lot of other stuff. Len tells Carson to listen carefully, and that he doesn't need a kiss. He tells Carson he "put the 'boy' in 'flamboyant.'" He says he enjoyed it very much. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23J.R. & Karina: J.R.'s jive got decent reviews from the judges last week, and quickly explains that his most memorable year was clearly when he was injured in Iraq after running over a land mine. He thought at the time that he would have been better off had he not survived. He says his mother inspired him to "just fight." He's dancing to Tim McGraw's "If You're Reading This." He says the song is about the soldiers don't make it home, and it's a tribute to them. J.R. is overwhelmed by the standing ovation that seems to last forever. Carrie Ann is already crying when she starts talking about how J.R. "did something extraordinary." She says she could "feel the weight" with which he danced. Len says J.R. is the guy this season who danced to a standard that was unexpected. Bruno calls J.R. a "hero" and "a source of inspiration" to everyone there. Scores: 9, 8, 9. Total: 26Nancy & Tristan: Nancy talks about "Moon River," the song she walked down the aisle to at her wedding. It was also the first lullaby she sang to her twins. She recalls the frightening medical ordeal that left her unsure of whether her daughter Lucy would survive. She wants her children to see something "beautiful and magical, and to know that it was all for them." Len tells Nancy to try to get the "ballroom stretch" and posture. Bruno agrees with Len, and expands on the kinds of arm movements she needs to achieve. Carrie Ann says she was "transported." She says she was lost in a fantasy, "Disney dream." Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Ricki & Derek: After taking over the top spot on the leader board, Ricki talks about last year, when she went through a bad divorce. She shares the story of her house burning down on top of it all, and feeling like there was no chance she'd feel love again. She dances the rumba to Sara Bareilles' song, "Gravity." Bruno says "every step was as expressive as if they were in a poem." He says "that was the actress, dancer at her best." Carrie Ann declares, "Ricki Lake is on fire!" Len congratulates Derek on a great routine, and congratulates Ricky on dancing it so well. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Hope & Maks: An energetic jive that lacked a little coordination. Her most memorable year was 2011, making it to the Women's World Cup and losing. She says she realized it was about the journey. She's dancing to Enrique Iglesias' "Tonight," which was the team's song before games. Carrie Ann says Hope is a "really strong dancer, and that was really sexy and really hot, but..." she wants to work on Hope's walk. Len says parts of the routine were "a little bit provocative" for him. But he thought it was Hope's best dance, so far. Bruno says the "sexy minx is out of the cage." He says it's "all there," but agrees with the notes on her walk. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24David & Kym: David was shocked to be in the bottom two last week, and when he thought about his most memorable year, he went to "this last year." He talks about how he escaped into alcohol after his marriage fell apart. He says he's grateful for it because he's had to look at himself so he can be there for his daughter. He's dancing to "Ooh, Child," and the voice in the song is him speaking to his daughter, telling her "everything's going to be alright." He's dancing the rumba. Courteney stands and cheers, with tears in her eyes. Len says David "did a great job" and says he's proud of him. Bruno says David brought sensitivity, vulnerability and calls it "wonderful." Carrie Ann calls it a "very nice comeback" after a tough week. She says David's raw emotion coupled with that kind of dance created something magical. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24LEADER BOARD:Ricki & Derek: 27Chynna & Tony: 26J.R. & Karina: 26Rob & Cheryl: 24Kristin & Mark: 24Hope & Maks: 24David & Kym: 24Carson & Anna: 23Nancy & Tristan: 21
S13.E9 ∙ Round Three: The Results
After a rush of emotions, tears and expectations exceeded, it's time to eliminate one more couple from the competition. Chaz & Lacey landed firmly at the bottom of the leader board and will have some significant ground to make up with America's votes to escape elimination. Mary J. Blige kicks off the night with a performance of her hit single, "Real Love." She returns later to perform her new song, "25/8."To the results: Host Tom Bergeron wastes little time getting to some results and we get a recap of Chaz & Lacey's night, in which Chaz found himself at the bottom despite his best score of the season. We see Ricki & Derek's night, in which they landed at the top. We also saw the beginning of J.R. & Karina's performance, when they both struggled to contain their emotions while the taped footage played in the ballroom. The first couple safe is ... J.R. & Karina. The next couple safe is ... Ricki & Derek. Chaz & Lacey ... are also safe. Lacey is shocked and Chaz is suddenly in the center of a group hug.Play it again...: Head judge Len Goodman says Monday night's performances were "fantastic," and the judges struggled to pick an encore performance. In the end, they selected Chynna & Tony's rumba.Back to the results: Nancy & Tristan's night is recapped, and Nancy was overcome with emotion after seeing her her children watch her dance. Hope & Maks struggled to get the sexy walk down. Carson & Anna was over the moon and kissed Bruno's cheek so hard he was sure he's injured one or the other of them. Rob & Cheryl stirred some uplifting emotions with a tribute to his late father.The next couple safe is ... Rob & Cheryl. Carson & Anna are in jeopardy. Nancy & Tristan are safe. Hope & Maks are in jeopardy.A fun time-filling feature shows how all the members of the cast this season are coincidentally connected, then, in advance of next week's movie songs night, we see a performance by the troupe to "Tera's Theme" from "Gone with the Wind."Estelle and Chubby Checker team up on a performance of "The Twist" and "Let's Twist Again." Chynna was feeling good about scoring a 26 after having given the judges the "more" they had asked for. David was emotional dancing for his daughter and got some congratulatory hugs afterward from his daughter and his wife Courteney Cox. Kristin was nervous dancing in front of her ex-fiance, Jay Cutler. The next couple definitely coming back next week is ... Chynna & Tony. David & Kym ... are also safe. That leaves Kristin & Mark, who are in jeopardy. The first of the three couples in jeopardy to be declared safe is ... Carson & Anna. That leaves Kristin & Mark and Hope & Maks.Brooke reveals that they are "not necessarily the bottom two" this week. Asked for his thoughts, Len says, "This is truly crazy." He said he expected these two couples to fight for the final. "It's madness," he says. "It's just madness."The couple going home is ... Kristin & Mark. They're both stunned and Kristin admits she's "shocked."
S13.E10 ∙ Round Four
It's movie night on "Dancing with the Stars," and it starts with a troupe performance to a medley of movie songs. Chynna & Tony: After holding on for at least another week, Chynna & Tony are shocked that Kristin went home and worry about their standing. They're going to dance a tango to "Mission: Impossible." Tony gets a little impatient when Chynna gets in his way repeatedly while he's trying to show her the right steps. She tells him she had an epiphany and is going to let him teach her. She seems to struggle through quite a bit of it. Chynna is visible shaken when she's done. Len Goodman says "it all went up the Swanee River" and it was clear she lost it, "it went wrong" and she didn't know where she was and panicked. He says, "unfortunately there was a lot of mistakes." Bruno Tonioli says she wanted to do it so badly that she lost the thread and couldn't get it back. Carrie Ann Inaba notes that Chynna did not lose her composure. She says she wants to see Chynna come back from this. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21David & Kym: David made it back into the judges' good graces, as host Tom Bergeron says, with his performance last week. They get the paso doble, which they'll dance to the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" theme. The crowd roars its approval, delaying Bruno's remarks for a moment. Bruno says it was very strong, but warns David to watch his turns because sometimes he's a little unsteady. Carrie Ann says, "David saves the day!" She says he's catapulted to a different level and says she "loved every minutes of it." Len says he liked David's intrigue and attitude, but "after that, for me, it was all 'Temple of Doom.'" The crowd jeers and Bruno and Carrie Ann both jump to David's defense. Len insists he never saw the posture and tight buttocks. [b[Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Carson & Anna: Carson got a great reception last week for his tango and felt good about surviving based on a good performance. This week, they're dancing a Viennese waltz to "The Curse of the Black Pearl" from "Pirates of the Caribbean." It's kind of a disaster. Carrie Ann says it was Carson's "most butch performance." She says Carson's a conundrum because she looks forward to his performances but his technique is awful. Len says it's "like child birth, terrible while it's happening and enjoy it when it's over." He says there was "no quality of movement, no technique" but adds it was "great fun," and says that if he was at home he'd be "phoning" for Carson. Bruno points out that he lost his steps a few times, but it's fun. Scores: 7, 6, 7. Total: 20Nancy & Tristan: Nancy landed near the bottom of the leader board last week and Tristan shows up at her show to tell her she needs to have that kind of personality and presence when she dances. They dance the paso doble to "Flash Gordon." She seems to stumble on the final step. Len says the dancing is competent, but he can't get excited because "it's not exciting." Bruno tells Nancy she's "got to become a ball breaker out there." He tells her to "just go for it." Carrie Ann says they need to give Nancy more credit because she delivers her routines, but says she does need to connect better with the audience. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Hope & Maks: After delivering what Len called her best performance of the season last week, Hope is back with a foxtrot to "You Got a Friend" from "Toy Story." She has trouble learning the routine by focusing too much on specific steps. Bruno says it was "so lovely" and adds that he loved it. Carrie Ann says it made her smile the whole way through. She says it was "so refreshing to see" them having fun. Len says he's frustrated because Hope could go all the way but he says she isn't spending enough time practicing and polishing her routines. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Rob & Cheryl: Rob gets a paso doble to the music of "Superman," which Rob says fits him perfectly (humble much?). He opens up to Cheryl about how invested he's become in the dancing and she tells him he should be proud. Carrie Ann says she likes the way Rob moves. She says it's "just the way a man should be in the ballroom." She says it "all worked." Len says he "didn't mind it," but he "can't go into raptures about it." He says the paso is the "most living dance," and says there has to be some intensity. Instead, he says, that when Rob was doing his walks, he looks like a waiter offering hors d'oeuvres. Bruno says Rob has the ability, but has to believe in himself more. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Ricki & Derek: After a very personal routine that earned her the top spot, she's getting the tango to the music of the movie, "Psycho." Derek has trouble choreographing a routine to the music, which has some odd time signatures. Ricki is also struggling to get the moves down. Carrie Ann's jaw drops as the routine finishes with Derek dramatically "stabbing" Ricki in the stomach behind a screen that only shows their shadows and turns red. Len says Ricki always delivers, but suggests that she get more shape in her neck. "Top of the leader board," he says, "I think so." Bruno says "it really was an immaculate tribute to the Master of Suspense." Carrie Ann says, "Brilliance in the ballroom. Done." Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29Chaz & Lacey: After surviving elimination despite being at the bottom of the leader board for the second week in a row, Chaz says he's "coming back strong." To help pump him up for his boxing-themed paso doble to the music of "Rocky," Lacey brings in Richard Simmons to whip Chaz into shape. Bruno says that "in the true spirit of 'Rocky,' no matter how many knocks you take, you keep coming back, you keep fighting, and you keep getting stronger." Carrie Ann is trying to figure out why she's crying. She says she loved it, and says he's magical. Len says that like Rocky, Chaz is "getting stronger." He says it was Chaz's best dance to date. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21J.R. & Karina: After a hugely emotional performance last week, J.R. says he wants to focus on his technique so he can stay in the competition. This week he's dancing the foxtrot to the "Pink Panther" theme. Karina brings in Nick Kosovich, a ballroom champion, to show him how it's done. Carrie Ann says she thought it was "OK," but says the performance felt a little flat. She says they didn't need the humor, which "didn't quite make it." Len doesn't understand Carrie Ann's critique, saying J.R. was the best male dancer of the night. He says it wasn't too much humor, and says "this was fabulous." Bruno says it was "subtle humor" and says J.R. is a dancer of great versatility. Scores: 8, 9, 9. Total: 26LEADER BOARD:Ricki & Derek: 29J.R. & Karina: 26Hope & Maks: 24Rob & Cheryl: 24David & Kym: 23Chynna & Tony: 21Nancy & Tristan: 21Chaz & Lacey: 21Carson & Anna: 20
S13.E11 ∙ Round Four: The Results
After a dramatic movie-themed night full of twists and turns, highs and lows, it's time to say goodbye to another couple on "Dancing with the Stars." The "celebration of movie scores" continues with a performance of "Soul Man" from "The Blues Brothers" by guest Raphael Saddiq. Later, Susan Boyle performs "Unchained Melody," which became synonymous with the movie, "Ghost."To the results: We get recaps for Rob & Cheryl, J.R. & Karina and Ricki & Derek, who will learn their fates first. The judges were mixed on Rob & Cheryl, and Carrie Ann was the lone detractor on J.R. & Karina's performance. Ricki & Derek earned the first two 10s of the season. The first couple safe is ... Ricki & Derek. The next couple safe is J.R. & Karina. That leaves Rob & Cheryl, who are in jeopardy. Welcome back, Julianne: Julianne Hough returns to the ballroom to hype her new movie, "Footloose," which comes out Friday. She dances with co-star Kenny Wormald to a medley of new versions of "I Need a Hero" and "Footloose," the latter of which is performed by Blake Shelton. Later, Julianne returns to dance with her brother, Derek.Back to the results: Chynna & Tony, Carson & Anna and Chaz & Lacey are up next. We get an in-depth look at the trainwreck that was Chynna's performance and how Tony tried to keep her going throughout. Carson and Anna were both emotional after a performance that Carson referred to backstage as "Chynna Phllips Part Deux." Chaz was glad he touched Carrie Ann, and even after realizing how that sounded, was still alright with it. The next couple safe is ... Chaz & Lacey. Joining them in safety are Carson & Anna. That leaves Chynna & Tony, who are in jeopardy.Nancy & Tristan's dancing failed to get Len excited. David & Kym were solid, but Len thought it was "all Temple of Doom." Hope & Maks were good, but got called out by Len for not committing enough to their rehearsals. The next couple definitely safe is Hope & Maks. Nancy & Tristan are in jeopardy. David & Kym, then, are safe.Down to the last three couples in jeopardy, Tom Bergeron announces that the next couple safe is Nancy & Tristan.Rob & Cheryl and Chynna & Tony make their way to center stage to find out which of them will be eliminated. After combining the judges' scores and America's vote, the couple with the lowest total is ... Chynna & Tony.
S13.E12 ∙ Round Five
It's '80s week on "Dancing with the Stars" and we open with the Bangles -- with Susanna Hoffs on lead vocals -- running through a quick medley of "Eternal Flame" and "Walk Like an Egyptian." Later, The Bangles return to perform "Manic Monday."This week, the judges are giving their take on each couple.Hope & Maks: Carrie Ann Inaba says Hope needs to tap into her "natural sexiness" and that she and Maks needs to work as one unit. They're going to dance a tango, and Hope says it's perfect for her and Maks because it's about a love-hate relationship. Hope is having trouble getting into character in rehearsal, and they dance a tango to Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer." Head judge Len Goodman says there was no strength in Hope. He says she's "too willowy in the body." He liked the "aggression and the attack" she put into it, though. Bruno Tonioli tells her she "got the '80s super-bitch down to a tee." He calls it "strong, sexy and powerful." Carrie Ann says they're both right, and that Hope was strong and in character, but Len is right that Hope's lines got awkward. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Carson & Anna: Bruno says "Carson is Mr. Personality," but says he's gotten away with poor technique until now. He says Carson can no longer by sloppy. after landing at the bottom of the leader board and escaping elimination, Carson says he's scared of having a bad week. They dance a jive to Wham's "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." Bruno says it was "loonier than a Looney Toon." He calls it "a crowning achievement in madness." Carrie Ann says it was definitely fun, but it is Week 5 and she didn't see much technique anywhere and adds that he was out of sync. Len says he's not sure it was good enough. Scores: 6, 6, 7. Total: 19Nancy & Tristan: Len says he loves that Nancy is a hard worker and found it refreshing when Nancy did a textbook quickstep. Nancy and Tristan butt heads a bit in rehearsal, and Nancy wants Tristan to "sex it up" a bit. They dance a rumba to Spandau Ballet's "True." Carrie Ann says it was "nice" and "appropriate," but she wants to see real passion. She's not seeing a connection to the dance, and says Nancy is feeling "a little on the drab side." Len says it was "simple but it was very effective." Bruno says they pitched it "exactly right." He says some things could have been more fluid, but that it was one of Nancy's best performances. Scores: 7, 7, 8. Total: 22J.R. & Karina: J.R. is hoping his Latin heritage will help him with the samba. Karina wants to see more hips and more butt. She takes J.R. to The Conga Room, where he can watch Sheila E. perform and see how the dancers there get their moves into it. They dance a samba to Miami Sound Machine's "Conga." Len says he wasn't sure how J.R. would do with the samba, but in the future if guys ask how they should do the samba, he's going to show them J.R.'s performance. Bruno says J.R. had "so much fire" it was "like a volcano." Carrie Ann calls it "muy caliente!" She says it was amazing and that he's on fire. Scores: 9, 9, 10. Total: 28Rob & Cheryl: Len loves that Rob is growing and getting better scores. He says their "great chemistry" is one of the keys to the rumba. He says Rob can be a contender if he stays on track all the way through. Cheryl tells Rob in rehearsal that she didn't he'd make it to the halfway point. Rob gets a visit from Romeo, who shows him how to be sexy. Rob and Cheryl then dance the rumba to Lionel Richie's "Hello." Bruno says we're starting to see "Rob the heartthrob." He calls it a great performance. Carrie Ann reminds us that she saw potential in Rob from the beginning and says he was "strong, sexy" and sturdy on his feet. Len says this dance is hard for guys, but Rob pulled it off. He says Rob "took command" in a dance when he often sees the celebrity partner being carried around by the pro. Scores: 9, 8, 8. Total: 25Chaz & Lacey: Carrie Ann says Chaz lost his confidence after his knees started bothering him. She says when Chaz gets it right "it's pretty remarkable," and when he gets it wrong, it's really bad. She wants to see more movement from him. With Chaz struggling to let loose and shake his body, Lacey brings in her dad, a champion dancer who's put on some pounds. Chaz sees that Lacey's dad is "a big guy" and can move the way he does, he can give it a shot himself. They dance a samba to Kool and the Gang's "Get Down On It." Carrie Ann says it's the most dancing she's seen Chaz do all season. Len says it was a gallant effort and even if the technique was a little off, he enjoyed that Chaz got into it. Bruno says Chaz did very well and shook his hips quite nicely. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21David & Kym: Carrie Ann says that if David can find balance in his dancing, "watch out." She says David doesn't think he's sexy, but he is. She says David needs to get into the character of the tango.David's hoping to break out of the middle of the pack. David is worried about breaking hold during the tango, and Kym's happy he's getting involved in all the aspects of the dance, including the choreography. He wants to show the judges and the audience that he can really dance. They do their tango to Soft Cell's "Tainted Love." Len says it had a "great '80s feel," and that from here on in, "you have to show up or shut up." He says David showed up and "it was fantastic." Bruno loved that David took charge. Carrie Ann liked his hold, saying it's improved, but says David has to work on his musicality. She says she sees him coming up to be a contender. Scores: 8, 9, 8. Total: 25Ricki & Derek: Ricki's coming off a pair of 10s and is the frontrunner, having landed at the top of the leader board for three straight weeks. She remembers the '80s fondly, saying she was eating a lot then and her whole career took off when she was "plucked from obscurity" by John Waters for the movie "Hairspray." Mr. Waters pays a visit during rehearsal and serves as a reminder to have fun with it. They do a foxtrot to "Easy Lover," by Phil Collins and Philip Bailey. Bruno says the Roger Rabbit interlude didn't work. Carrie Ann agrees, but says she loves the way Derek and Ricki work as a team. Len seems pretty upset and says it wasn't the mood that he appreciates in the foxtrot. Finally, he tells them it wasn't their best dance, but it wasn't their worst. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24 LEADER BOARD:J.R. & Karina: 28Rob & Cheryl: 25David & Kym: 25Hope & Maks: 24Ricki & Derek: 24Nancy & Tristan: 22Chaz & Lacey: 21Carson & Anna: 19
S13.E13 ∙ Round Five: The Results
After a "Manic Monday," as host Tom Bergeron calls it, '80s week is coming to a close on "Dancing with the Stars" as the results show means another couple is going home. To the results: Ricki & Derek and Hope & Maks are the first two couples called to the stage. They tied with 24 points from the judges. Ricki blew her "Roger Rabbit" portion of the dance, and Hope got emotional after her performance, saying she "got eight seconds of the dance right." Later, she told Maks, "I don't think I can do this anymore."Hope's smiling now, as Tom is about to announce the results. The first couple safe is ... Ricki & Derek. Brooke then tells Hope & Maks they're in jeopardy.Be our guest: After a little feature about how much the partners each mean to each other, Kelly Clarkson performs her new single, "Mr. Know It All." Kelly returns later to perform her hit, "Walk Away."In a new feature, we meet a dancer named Charm LaDonna, who grew up in Compton and whose mother scraped together the money to send her to dance classes, and eventually earned a spot on tour with Madonna. She used the money from the tour to pay her own way through college and now hopes to inspire young dancers.Next, The Band Perry performs its song "If I Die Young."Back to the results: Rob & Cheryl, J.R. & Karina and David & Kym are called out next. Rob impressed the judges and got the 9, which was all he wanted. J.R. got a 10 from Bruno. David was so excited about his results, he spent much of the rest of the night speaking in a British accent. The couple safe is ... J.R. & Karina. David & Kym are in jeopardy, while Rob & Cheryl are safe. Nancy & Tristan, Chaz & Lacey, and Carson & Anna are called to the stage next. Nancy pulled off what Bruno called "one of (her) best performances." Chaz realized after dancing that his fly was open the whole time. Carson was excited, but a bit disappointed in his low scores. The next couple definitely coming back next week is ... Chaz & Lacey. Nancy & Tristan are also safe. That leaves Carson & Anna, who are in jeopardy. Of the three couples in jeopardy, the first to be declared safe is ... David & Kym.Brooke tells us that they're not necessarily the bottom two, but it's now down to Hope & Maks and Carson & Anna. Tom announces that the couple with the lowest combined total of judges' scores and votes is ... Carson & Anna.
S13.E14 ∙ Round Six
It's Broadway week on "Dancing with the Stars," ad the night starts with a performance from the cast of "Sister Act." Rob & Cheryl: Rob is coming off of a second-place finish for the first time all season. He's getting the cha-cha to a song from "Jersey Boys." His mom, Kris Jenner, shows up in rehearsal and tells him he's gone "from a boy to a man" on the show and says the family is proud of him. The crowd loves it. Head judge Len Goodman says it was clean, precise and had good timing. He said, though, that "there was no rhythm," adding that "it wasn't oily." Bruno Tonioli says it has to be more intense and "you have to be in charge." He says it didn't have the power it should have at this stage. Carrie Ann Inaba says it wasn't "as great" as last week, but that there was more charisma than she's seen from him. Scores: 8, 7, 7. Total: 22Nancy & Tristan: Nancy's rumba fell a little flat last week and on Broadway week Tristan says they want to go big. They're going to dance a foxtrot to "Always Look on the Bright Side of life" from the musical, "Spamalot." Nancy becomes convinced that Tristan is trying to make the choreography so difficult that she'll definitely screw it up. He doesn't understand why she would think that. Bruno is impressed that they did a foxtrot and kept the spirit of the musical. Carrie Ann says Nancy upped the ante and pulled it off, calling it "a showstopper." Len is all smiles and says "much more personality" came out from Nancy, but the parts of the dance in hold weren't so good. Scores: 9, 7, 8. Total: 24David & Kym: A week after rocking the judges with his tango -- even getting a 9 from Len -- David wants to keep the momentum going with a quickstep to "We Go Together" from "Grease." He's going to have to find the balance between his high energy level and getting the technique down. The crowd goes nuts. Carrie Ann says the performance "completely lived up" to any expectation she had. She says they seemed a bit out of sync, though. Len says it was "a bit rough around the edges," and his enthusiasm got the better of him, "but it was fun." Bruno says David was so charged up that he got off on the wrong foot a bit. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Ricki & Derek: After tumbling a bit on the leader board, Ricki wants to get back to the top. She gets a quickstep that exhausts her in rehearsals. Derek is being tough on her because he knows she does best when he pushes her. They do their quickstep to "Luck Be a Lady." Len tells Ricki, "You don't need luck if you've got talent." He says he loved it. Bruno calls it "impeccable style" and says it was "outstanding." He says her interpretation of the music "was just beyond belief." Carrie Ann says "it's beautiful to see such poetry in motion," saying it was so quick, sharp and sophisticated. Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29Chaz & Lacey: Chaz is happy to still be in the competition and is excited to get "The Phantom of the Opera" because he's seen it at least three times because his mom was such a big fan of the musical. Lacey pushes Chaz in rehearsal, saying she can't keep making basic steps and she tells him she can't make him memorize his steps. She says they have to "up the game" and she can't keep talking him through everything. Bruno says the tango has to be menacing, dark and hypnotic. He says some roles fits different characters and some don't, and this one didn't fit. Carrie Ann says she agrees, to a point, but that there was some of the attitude she was looking for. She also agrees that there needs to be more content in the dances. Len says Chaz got through the dance, it's a tough dance "but well done." Scores: 7, 6. 6. Total: 19Hope & Maks: Hope is still reeling from her statement that she didn't think she wanted to do the competition anymore. Maks brings the female dancers from the troupe to show Hope how to be sexy in her rumba. Maks hurts Hope's feelings in rehearsal by telling her that everyone has lost faith in her become an amazing dancer, and he's close to joining them. Carrie Ann says she sees the effort Hope is putting in and says that she saw, for the first time, Hope trusting her natural sexiness. She adds that sometimes Hope forces the move a little too much. Len says he's "at a loss," and says that he's "never lost faith" in her. He says this was her worst dance of the season, and he tells Maks half the fault is his. Len fires back that he's "been in this business for over 50 years," and Maks snaps, "Maybe it's time to get out." Carrie Ann and Bruno both jump to Len's defense, with Carrie Ann telling Maks, "Don't be disrespectful like that!" Maks then goes into a speech about how everybody on the balcony (pointing to the other stars and pros) is putting in effort "only to hear your guys' little judgmental comments." Bruno jumps in to give his critique, saying it's a difficult performance to pull off. He says it didn't quite jell as well as it could have. Scores: 7, 6, 7. Total: 20 After getting their scores, Maks says, "With all due respect, this is my show -- I helped make it what it is -- I love every aspect of it, I love every professional that's ever been here, and I love every celebrity that puts effort into every week. Having said that, I'm a little tired that we're being judged -- some on effort, and some on heel leads. That's all I'm saying."J.R. & Karina: Coming off of a week when he landed at the top of the leader board and earned his first 10, J.R. isn't looking to slow down. He's got the quickstep and is motivated by the fact that he's got Ricki & Derek chasing him. Karina says she wants to prove, beyond a doubt, that J.R. isn't a fluke. She tells him she's giving him what's probably her most ambitious routine on "Dancing with the Stars." Len says J.R. is "truly relentless," then points out Helio Castroneves, who he says did a quickstep he thought no one would ever come close to, and J.R. has "really come up a notch." Bruno says J.R. delivered "a hit." Carrie Ann says that Bob Fosse would have been proud. Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29After a quick performance from Kristin Chenowith, we get to see the rehearsals for the Broadway group routine. Carson Daly is brought in as the "creative director." The judges aren't giving scores, but offering some comments. Len calls out Ricki and Rob, and Bruno echos Len's support for Rob. Carrie Ann loved it and calls out Nancy's handstand and flip as a highlight.LEADER BOARD:Ricki & Derek: 29J.R. & Karina: 29Nancy & Tristan: 24David & Kym: 23Rob & Cheryl: 22Hope & Maks: 20Chaz & Lacey: 19
S13.E15 ∙ Round Six: The Results
Head judge Len Goodman kicks off the night by telling host Tom Bergeron that Monday night "was a mix of flights, fights and delights," and calls for J.R. & Karina to give the encore performance.To the results: Conveniently, J.R. & Karina are the first couple to learn their fate. After finishing atop the leader board, they're safe. Be our guest: Kristin Chenowith returns with a performance of her song, "Lessons Learned." Later, Corbin Blue offers up a song-and-dance tribute to Broadway, choreographed by Kenny Ortega. Afterward, Martina McBride takes the stage to perform her new single, "I'm Gonna Love You Through It."Back to the results: Ricki & Derek's night is recapped and we see that Bruno was shouting "10" as the final note of their music rang out. Speaking of scores, we see that after Nancy & Tristan's scores were announced -- when Carrie Ann gave a 9 and Len gave a 7 -- Len turned to Carrie Ann and questioned the score openly. The two couples stand on stage together and learn that the next couple safe is ... Ricki & Derek. Nancy & Tristan are also safe.David & Kym's high energy quickstep was a little rough around the edges, and we see the Bruno noticed David was on the wrong foot at one point. Chaz was particularly upset in backstage footage we didn't see Monday night, saying he's "sick" of Bruno's comments about him looking like a penguin or an Ewok. The next couple coming back next week is David & Kym. Chaz & Lacey are in jeopardy.Rob & Cheryl had Rob's sister, Kim, calling for him to get a 9 and Len telling them to keep dreaming. We also get to see the judges' shocked reactions to Maks' statement, "This is my show." (He apologized for that particular comment just before the highlight reel began).Rob & Cheryl are safe and Hope & Maks are in jeopardy.Down to Hope & Maks and Chaz & Lacey, after a particularly emotional night for both couples, the couple with the lowest combined total and leaving the competition is ... Chaz & Lacey.Chaz says, "I came on this show because I wanted to show America a different kind of man, and I know that if there were somebody like me on TV when I was a kid, my life would have been different. And so I dedicate everything I did to all the people out there like me and especially the kids and teens who are struggling. You know, you can have a wonderful, great life and be successful and happy."
S13.E16 ∙ Round Seven
It's Halloween night, and "Dancing with the Stars" is really getting into it. Host Tom Bergeron warns us early on, "It's going to be one of those nights," after the umpteenth Halloween pun in the first two minutes.David & Kym: After getting mixed reviews for his "Grease"-inspired quickstep, David knew he messed some things up. Kym's decided to hypnotize him in preparation for his cha cha. His Halloween theme has him playing the role of a Dracula-esque magician. David tells us that if Kym can get him to swivel his hips, she's the real magician. Head judge Len Goodman says there were "lots of tricks and lots of treats," and says David turned himself into a dancer. Bruno Tonioli tells David he's "a natural at turning tricks." Bruno rambles on a bit before turning it over to Carrie Ann Inaba, who says David's "improvement is phenomenal." She says he could use a little more technique on his holds and more hip action. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24J.R. & Karina: A quickstep that impressed the judges put J.R. on top of the leader board. This week, they have to dance to "Ghostbusters." The timing is going to be tricky. We see some atypical conflict in rehearsal between J.R. and Karina. They hug it out and they set out to dance a tango. The audience loves it, but Bruno says the timing was very hard and J.R. lost it a couple of times. Carrie Ann agrees but thinks the couple handled the tone of the song just fine. Len says it was "substandard" to what he expects from J.R. He says J.R. has set such a high standard for himself that Len expects more. Scores: 9, 8, 8. Total: 25Nancy & Tristan: Coming off her first 9 of the season, Nancy is still celebrating but Tristan is ready to get to work on the next dance: the jive. Nancy thinks the judges are going to be waiting for her to mess up her footwork. Carrie says there are good days and not-so-good days, and this is one of the latter. She noticed Nancy lost her choreography several times. Len says "certain dances suit you and certain dances don't," and this "wasn't a good dance for you." It says it was a disappointment for him and he'd guess it was for her, too. Bruno says she was "suitably devilish, but the footwork was devilish, as well." Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Rob & Cheryl: The couple wasn't happy with the scores last week, but intends to turn things around with a tango to the music of "The Addams Family." Rob says it's going to be "so fantastic that it's going to scare the living 10s out of the judges." The crowd gives a huge ovation. Len says they did "a terrific job." He praises the footwork, attack and staccato. Bruno says Rob has never been so "manly and in control," but reminds him to keep his "bum" under him. Cheryl reminds him that Rob has quite a "bum," and Bruno tells her, "There's nothing wrong with a bum, as long as you know what to do with it." Carrie Ann tells Rob this was his "best dance so far." Scores: 9, 8, 8. Total: 25Ricki & Derek: Ricki redeemed herself last week after tumbling to fifth place the week before. This week, they get a paso doble that's giving Ricki a bit of discomfort in her ribs. A doctor says she has an inflamed nerve that needs time and rest to heal. He tells her it will get worse but since she can't stop dancing, she has to just get bandaged up and keep pushing. Bruno says it "was like a blizzard of passion and fear." That probably was a good thing. Carrie Ann praises her shapes are great, but she has to be careful of her shoulders. Len says he loved the shapes Ricki made, calling them "fantastic," and her precise footwork. He says that's what he loves about paso, the whipping and waning. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Hope & Maks: Hope's rumba lacked sizzle last week, Tom reminds us, and it set off a firestorm from Maks, who is fed up with the judges going around judging people all the time. Like they're judges. Maks injured himself the previous week, so he's brought Teddy in from the troupe to help Hope. Hope is happy dancing with Teddy, saying she's learned the dance quicker than ever, but Maks shows up to tell them they're both doing everything wrong. They dance a samba. Carrie Ann says Hope's lightness made this better than her "Toy Story" dance, which she loved. Len says the samba "can be the celebrity's graveyard," and gives her a "well done." He then praises the hair and makeup and costume department. Bruno says she had better timing, placement and finish, so she should be proud. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Team performances: The six couples are going to be broken into two teams. The team scores will be added to each couple's individual point totals. Team Tango: J.R. & Karina, David & Kym, and Nancy & Tristan make up Team Tango. Len says all their group dancing parts were good, "they were tight and together." He says "each one of the individual performances was a disaster." Bruno agrees, saying that once they took their individual turns, "everybody had a mistake." Carrie Ann says it "started out extremely well," but things fell apart when each couple hit the floor alone. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total 23Team Paso: The friction between Hope & Maks boils over at one point during the team rehearsal and Maks leaves the room with all the other couples around. Derek takes the moment to give Hope pointers on what Maks was trying to show her before he stormed out. The team pulls it together on the real stage. Bruno says it was "powerful" and had a "fantastic ending." Carrie Ann says everything about it was great, including the guys' individual cape work. Len says their individual parts were fantastic and he praises Rob, in particular, for keeping up with Derek and Maks. Scores: 9, 8, 9. Total: 26LEADER BOARD:Ricki & Derek: 27 + 26 = 53Rob & Cheryl: 25 + 26 = 51Hope & Maks: 24 + 26 = 50J.R. & Karina: 25 + 23 = 48David & Kym: 24 + 23 = 47Nancy & Tristan: 21 + 23 = 44
S13.E17 ∙ Round Seven: The Results
Monday was a spooky, scary night of performances on "Dancing with the Stars," but someone's going to get the most frightening news of all with Tuesday's elimination.No segue here, just noting that Justin Bieber kicked off the show with a performance of his single, "Never Say Never." Bieber returns later to perform "Fa La La" with Boyz II Men, from his new Christmas album.Play it again...: Team Paso is called to the dance floor to perform the encore. To the results: Rob & Cheryl and Nancy & Tristan are the first to get their results. We see that after his critiques, Bruno gave Rob some additional pointers on what to do with his "bum." Nancy & Tristan were worried after getting low scores from the judges, with Nancy telling her partner, "You know we're toast, right?"The first couple into the bottom two -- which are being revealed tonight -- is Nancy & Tristan. Rob & Cheryl are safe.Before getting to the next set of results, we meet Victoria, a teenage dancer who suffered a brain tumor that required surgery. She had to relearn how to walk and do many other basic functions. Two months after her surgery, however, Victoria was back on stage dancing. And now, she's dancing to "Arms," performed live by Christina Perri.Derek Hough was inspired to put together a results-show performance with Allison Holker, previously of "So You Think You Can Dance" fame. They perform a pretty intense flamenco.Back to the results: J.R. seemed a bit shaky heading into his performance. and was bummed afterward. Carrie Ann gave him a 9, but, as Bruno noted, she gave Nancy a 9 last week. Ricki seemed to have some pain in her ribs during her performance, and afterward when Derek gave her a bear hug that lifted her off the floor.The next couple definitely safe is Ricki & Derek. J.R. & Karina are also safe. Hope & Maks raised the eyebrows of the judges because Hope actually seemed to be enjoying herself and it made a difference. We also get a glimpse at David's last-minute scramble to find his magic-trick cane before his performance. He never found it, but it didn't shake his enthusiasm. The next couple safe is ... Hope & Maks. That leaves David & Kym in the bottom two with Nancy & Tristan.After much hype, the couple with the lowest combined total of judges points and viewer votes, and therefore leaving the show is ... David & Kym! The crowd boos and even Tristan seems a bit shocked, but David keeps smiling. On his way out, he pokes a little fun at Maks' mini-tirade last week, saying, "There must be some mistake because this is my show!"
S13.E19 ∙ Round Eight: The Results
The semifinalists on "Dancing with the Stars" by the end of the night, but first we get treated to a routine from the female pros and troupe members, dancing to "I Am Woman."To the results: We first see Rob & Cheryl's night recapped, and Rob was pleased with his 51 out of 60. He and Cheryl allow themselves a moment to dream about making it to the semifinals. Hope & Maks did so well, Len was thinking of asking Maks for a hug. Len then went in for a kiss on the cheek for Maks after an impressive instant jive. J.R. was fired up after his waltz, which scored a perfect 30. He nailed a second perfect 30 and he and Karina wanted to do it all over again. The first of the three couples into the semifinals is ... J.R. & Karina. Hope & Maks are also in the semifinals. That leaves Rob & Cheryl, who are in jeopardy. 'Dance Center': Kenny Mayne and Jerry Rice join Len for what Kenny thinks is the 12th edition of "Dance Center." The first solid line comes when Kenny says Derek Hough is "a lot like Mark Ballas, except that he's blonde and not nearly as creepy." Kenny harps on the fact that Ricki is old enough to be Derek's mom, and then takes some suggestive comments in rehearsal. Kenny makes a quip about J.R.'s love for musical theater, and Jerry gives a "lips-sealed" gesture to the camera, whispering, "Don't ask, don't tell."Rob's state sheet lists his occupation as "Brother of Kim Kardashian." One of his strengths is "he's a Kardashian," but a weakness is "has that Kardashian ass." They finish the first half by poking some fun at Rob's constant repeating of the fact that he went to USC. "Smart kid," Jerry says.Later, Nancy's stat sheet lists her height as "taller on TV." Referring to Nancy's past life as a high school cheerleader, Jerry Rice says he would never have won three Super Bowls with Nancy on the sidelines -- "I would've been too distracted."Hope Solo is listed as "Han" Solo, of course, and her occupation is "Millennium Falcon Pilot." They air a bit of video from Hope's nude photo shoot for ESPN the Magazine, and then Len shares some of his own video of a nude photo shoot on a suburban street. They end the whole segment with a riff on Maks' "this is my show" by showing the (altered, of course) credits from that night, which are revised to list Maks as the host, executive producer, and everything else, up to and including "Owner of the Whole Show."Be our guest: Andrea Boccelli stops by to perform a song from his new live album, "Concerto: One Night in Central Park." The cast from Cirque du Soleil's tribute to Michael Jackson rocks some iconic moves on the dance floor. Later, Flo Rida performs "Love Can't Handle Me" and his new song, "Good Feeling." Back to the results: We see that Nancy was worried about how she and Tristan were "going to be beat those nines." We also see Tristan trying to coach Nancy through all the steps in her jive. After her performance, Ricki was worried she doesn't have what it takes to perform multiple times on Monday nights, and Derek warns her, "Next week's harder."The next couple safe and into the semifinals is ... Ricki & Derek. That leaves Nancy & Tristan in jeopardy.The final two couples, Rob & Cheryl and Nancy & Tristan, await their fates. We learn that these are not necessarily the bottom two couples, but the couple falling just short of the semifinals is ... Nancy & Tristan.
S13.E20 ∙ Round Nine
It's down to the top four on "Dancing with the Stars," and the remaining contestants will have to perform three dances, including two individual rounds. They will all dance an Argentine tango and be allowed to do lifts, and take part in a cha cha relay. Hope & Maks: After racking up her biggest scores of the season, Hope is looking to wow the judges in the Argentine tango. She has serious shoulder issues that are making the dance very painful and her doctors comes to give her what's apparently a cortizone injection. Head judge Len Goodman starts by noting it's amazing to do three dances in one week. He liked her attitude and aggression, but that cost some precision. Bruno Tonioli agrees, saying it lacked artistry and reminds her that "control is as important as energy." Carrie Ann Inaba says she nailed the character, but the grace was missing from the holds. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21J.R. & Karina: A week after achieving "DWTS" perfection with two 30-point performances, J.R. can only hope to maintain that level. He knows the bar is that much higher. J.R. says he has no prior dance experience, contrary to what some people seem to think, then promptly rolls his ankle in rehearsal. He dances the paso doble. Tom Bergeron confirms with J.R. that he twisted his ankle again during the performance. Bruno says the role play was great, but the posture was not quite there. Carrie Ann credits J.R. for attacking the performance with his hurt ankle, but his posture really suffered and she says there were some "unsure pauses." Len says "this dance didn't suit you at all." He says "it was more zero than Zorro," referring to the costumes and theme. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Rob & Cheryl: Rob is making his move at the right time, and Cheryl wants him to do particularly well in the Argentine tango, because she says it is her dance. First up, though, the samba. Carrie Ann's reaction: "Who are you?" She says "it was amazing," and he didn't miss anything. Len says he thought it would be a nightmare when it started, and he was "saying, 'Oh, yes!'" Bruno tells Rob "that's how you turn a handicap into an asset," in praising Rob's hip action on the samba. Scores: 10, 9, 9. Total: 28Ricki & Derek: Ricki won't get a 10 from Len until she nails her footwork, and she'll have three chances tonight. Ricki is anxious about being lifted in the Argentine tango, feeling like she's too heavy and will crush Derek. First, though, she tries her feet at the samba. Len appreciates that there were no props and says it was "fabulous, fabulous, fabulous," and adds that Ricki just took a giant step into the finals. Bruno says it was brilliant from the beginning to the end. Carrie Ann praises Ricki's posture, even poking some fun about how hard she was working to keep her shoulders down and head up. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Hope & Maks: Before her second dance, Hope shares a bit about her childhood and a traumatic experience growing up when her father -- after a divorce -- effectively kidnapped her and her brother. He was arrested and imprisoned for a while, and when he got out, he started attending Hope's college soccer games. He died just before the 2007 Women's World Cup and Hope was benched in favor of another goalie -- and kicked off the team for a while after speaking out about the benching to the press. Len thought it was "far, far better than the paso doble." Bruno says it was a full-on display of athleticism. Carrie Ann says there was more fluidity to the movement, but that the movements into and out of the lifts needed to be cleaner. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total 24J.R. & Karina: J.R. recalls his childhood with a single mother in Louisiana and he enlisted in the Army on Sept. 12, 2002, in an effort to serve the country and get money for college. "I didn't process, exactly, that I could actually be at war at 19 years old," he says. J.R. looks pretty angry after the Argentine tango. Bruno says it was "absolutely beautiful to watch." Carrie Ann says there was a true fire burning between them, and she notes the very difficult lifts he was able to accomplishes. Len says he was "transported to the dark streets of Buenos Aires." Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Rob & Cheryl: Rob's childhood story was about having his dad as a best pal, and he passed away when Rob was 16. His goal in life was to graduate form USC like his dad did. Once he did that, he was still a bit lost as to where to go next. His mother says that Rob entered this competition as a boy and is now a man. After the Argentine tango, Carrie says "there's no way to fake good dancing," and she says "that was good, strong dancing." Len tells Rob it's not where you start, it's where you finish "and you're finishing strong." Bruno says Rob now looks like a leading man and he's doing great. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Ricki & Derek: Ricki shares her story of being molested in her own home and says she turned to food. She landed a dream role in the movie "Hairspray," and hit rock bottom afterward. She was reinvented with her TV talk show and set herself on a new path. And now she's dancing the Argentine tango with Derek. Len calls it a lovely contrast of movement and tells Ricki, "I don't think you know how good that was." Bruno says the mood was spot on and the dancing was "peerless." Carrie Ann says Ricki now has the "pop." Scores: 9, 10, 10. Total: 29Cha cha relay: All four couples are going to dance a relay format of the cha cha, giving the judges and viewers a chance to see them all side by side on the same dance. The couples will be ranked, from best to last, and points will be distributed, 10 for first place, 8 for second, 6 for third and 4 for last. In fourth place are Hope & Maks, getting 4 points.In third place are J.R. & Karina, getting 6 points.The winners are Rob & Cheryl, getting 10 points, meaning Ricki & Derek came in second and got 8 points.LEADER BOARD: Ricki & Derek: 30 + 29 + 8 = 67Rob & Cheryl: 28 + 27 + 10 = 65J.R. & Karina: 23 + 27 + 6 = 56Hope & Maks: 21 + 24 + 4 = 49
S13.E21 ∙ Round Nine: The Results
Someone's going home on "Dancing with the Stars," but not before an hour of dazzling entertainment.Things start with head judge Len Goodman calling for an encore performance of a samba by Rob & Cheryl. They were chosen partly because Carrie Ann Inaba wanted to see all the booty shaking, Len says.To the results: The recaps of the previous night start with Rob & Cheryl, and Rob did not expect the 10 he received from Carrie Ann. We also see that Rob had to pee before his Argentine tango. Rob was spreading the love by the end of the night, telling Brooke Burke Charvet that voters should keep him around because he loves to dance, and later telling J.R., for no apparent reason, "I love you."Brooke delivers the news that Rob & Cheryl are safely into the finals. Be our guest: Cobra Starship and Sabi stop by to perform their hit single, "You Make Me Feel." Back to the results: Hope & Maks finished at the bottom of the leader board and we see Hope's less-then-favorable reaction to the judges' scores. She said they could kiss her back side after getting her first set of scores, then later said the judges mean nothing to her. After her Argentine tango, she didn't even want to look at the judges, somehow convinced they have it out for her. Afterward, a baffled Len wondered aloud, "The thing is ... we were nice."Brooke announces that Hope & Maks are still in jeopardy.Design-a-dance: After a season worth of voting and hype, Derek and Anna combine for a paso doble to Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance," using moves and costumes voted on by fans of the show online.Back to the results: Ricki & Derek were fired up after their opening routine, and they came just one point short of a perfect on their first two dances. J.R. struggled with pain in his ankle and tweaked it on the last life of their Argentine tango.J.R. & Karina are still in jeopardy, which means Ricki & Derek are going to the finals.Brooke says they're not necessarily the bottom two couples, which almost ensures that Hope & Maks are out. And ... Tom quickly confirms this.
S13.E22 ∙ Round Ten: The Finals
The final week is upon us and the remaining three couples are set to battle on the dance floor for one hour on the eve of a champion being crowned on "Dancing with the Stars." The judges will make their seasonal visits to rehearsals to offer some last-minute pointers, and tonight's two performances will include the always-excting freestyle.Ricki & Derek: Ricki is back on a roll at the right time, reaching a perfect 30 last week. Carrie Ann Inaba shows up to help Ricki work on some sexiness in her cha cha. Len Goodman calls it an "action-packed performance" with good timing and rhythm, but says it could've been a little more fluid. Bruno Tonioli says Ricki's "never been hotter, never sexier," but agrees with Len on the "slight lack of fluidity" at times. Carrie Ann says "there's a difference between performing a dance and living a dance, and tonight you were living the dance." Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Rob & Cheryl: Host Tom Bergeron points out that while Rob got his first 10 last week, he's the only finalist who hasn't received a perfect 30 all season. He's struggling with the waltz, though. Bruno shows up to help show Rob how to walk in the waltz, saying it's one of the most difficult things to do on stage. After the dance, Bruno says Rob was "flowing" and "glowing," but notes that he just messed up the footwork a couple of times. Carrie Ann says Rob looked like a male Cinderella who made it to the ball, but agrees on the couple of stumbles. Len liked it, saying "it was simple, but it was simply beautiful." He also says it got "a little heavy, at times." Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27J.R. & Karina: A week after injuring his ankle but still making his way into the finals, J.R. gets a visit from Len, who helps him work on his hip action for the cha cha cha. By the end of the rehearsal, Len is calling J.R.'s hip action "bionic." Carrie Ann lets J.R. soak in the cheers, but says his musicality was off. She says he didn't work his arms very well, either. Len says it was "brave" that J.R. did a lot of the dance on his own, but gets real and says, "J.R., this wasn't very good." Bruno says he liked the mood J.R. set and that his intensity is "right on the money" when he plays with Karina. Scores: 8, 7, 9. Total: 24Ricki & Derek freestyle: Ricki says she's ready and willing to do anything Derek wants, and immediately goes running away when he starts proposing some crazy stunts. Things get tense in rehearsals at one point when Derek says the way she's doing something is bad. When she protests he tells her, "just shut your face!" Len loves it, saying it was fun and entertaining, even though she lost it a little bit during some of the quickstep portion. Bruno says it was challenging to combine the quickstep and salsa, and she did it great. Carrie Ann loved the combo, too, and paid special attention to the lifts that Ricki pulled off impressively. Scores: 9, 9, 9. Total: 27Rob & Cheryl freestyle: Cheryl tells Rob that his strength has been the slower dances, so they're going to start slow and then kick into some crazy, fast-paced stuff with big lifts. Cheryl is pumped after the performance. Bruno calls it a "brilliant performance" and add that Rob "piqued at the right time!" Carrie Ann says that to get a 10 in the freestyle you have to blow the judges away, then says, "consider me blown away!" Len says Rob has given his all and he and his family should be proud. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30J.R. & Karina freestyle: The couple is struggling with some tough throws and lifts, and J.R. is thinking they should reconsider some moves for safety's sake. In the rehearsal the morning of the show, Karina struggled to get her parts of some of the lifts right, and she's worried about nailing them live. When the live performance comes, it isn't the smoothest lift you've ever seen, but they make it through. Carrie Ann says, "that's the way to come back" and says those were the "sickest lifts I've ever seen." Len says, "Two things were revealed: Karina's body and your talent." Bruno says it was like a jungle, tribal, hypnotic experience. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30LEADER BOARD: Rob & Cheryl: 27 + 30 = 57Ricki & Derek: 27 + 27 = 54J.R. & Karina: 24 + 30 = 54
S13.E23 ∙ Round Ten: Final Results
The show opens with lengthy intros of our three finalists: Ricki Lake, Rob Kardashian and J.R. Martinez. A large dance number featuring all of the season's voted-off start follows. Tom and Brooke introduce the three finalists. Again. And Tom tell us that the winner will be decided by combining the scores from last night, with two dances from tonight and the viewer voting. Rob is in the lead right now followed by J.R. and Ricki who are tied in second.We see a vignette of last night's competition with some off-camera audio.Lady Antebellum performs.Tom tells us the three couples are each going to perform a dance from earlier in the season. This will help determine which two will make it to the final dance.We see Ricki and Derek discussing which dance they want to pick. Ultimately they go back to the second tango, which earned her a 29 the first time around. The performance seems to go well based on the crowd's (and Tom's) reaction. Len loved it the second time around. Bruno calls is a "grand cinematic extravaganza." Carrie Ann thought it was "beyond perfect."Rob and Cheryl end up deciding the foxtrot is their best option, particularly because it was dedicated to Rob's father the first time. Cheryl tells Rob how proud of him she is. The reaction to the foxtrot is also positive. Bruno talks about how much Rob has improved "beyond expectations." Carrie Ann calls it elegant and Len says Rob might have the best footwork of anybody he's seen on the show.We watch J.R. and Karina decide that the jive was their favorite, even though it earned a 22. They work to remove a lift for which they were penalized the first time around. Carrie Ann mentions J.R. having a "rough time" during the performance and says she missed the lift (zing!). Len talks about the band and Bruno stands up and bangs on the table for some reason.Tom reminds us of the rules and kicks it to Brooke who interviews the finalists. Ricki says she did the best she could do tonight. Rob admits to never thinking he'd still be around at this point. J.R. is confident in their choice of dance.Score time: In third place with 26 points is Rob & Cheryl. J.R. & Karina finish second with 28 points, meaning Ricki & Derek win round 3 with a perfect score of 30. The updated overall scores have Ricki & Derek in first with 84 points, followed by Rob & Cheryl (83) and J.R. & Karina (82).The judges' scores are combined with audience votes and we find out who finishes in third and will miss out on dancing in the final. The couple in third is . . . Ricki & Derek. The crowd groans and they speak with Brooke. Ricki says she loved "every minute of this." We see a vignette of her entire season.The finalists are reintroduced to us for the 15th time, with judges talking about each dancer and his strengths.Brooke reveals that the finalists will be dancing their Instant Samba to Ricky Martin's "Shake Your Bon-Bon." J.R. and Karina will dance first. We see a full season-wrap vignette as the finalists prepare for the dance.We begin taking a look back at the dancers from throughout the season. Ron Artest (er-Metta World Peace) and Peta dance, followed by Elisabetta Canalis and Valentin.After the break we see Kristin Cavallari and Mark, followed by Chynna Phillips and Tony.Following another break we check-in with J.R. and Karina who are practicing backstage. And sweating.Carson Phillips dances to "Vogue" with a half dozen different dancers.We flashback to the movie episode, followed by a dance from Nancy Grace and Tristan.Brooke checks-in backstage with Rob and Cheryl. They both sound confident.Chaz Bono, Lacey, and Lacey's father perform a dance routine. Afterwards Tom noted that Chaz has stuck around the set even after being voted off. Next we see David Arquette, Kym and the show's dance troupe perform.Lady Antebellum sing again, followed by another vignette. Hope Solo and Maksim dance.Finally J.R. & Karina take the stage for their Instant Samba. They leave and Rob & Cheryl follow them for the rest of the song. Rob and J.R. give each other a hug after the dance. Len gives both couples a standing ovation. Bruno said J.R. was "full-out party time" and mentions Rob has "learned how to use his bon-bon." Carrie Ann thinks both men were winners.Tom speaks with a few of the stars from the season sitting in the crowd. Brooke asks the finalists what they'll miss from the season.Time for scores: J.R. & Karina get a 10 from all three judges, giving them a score of 112 for all four rounds. Rob & Cheryl also get a 30, meaning they have a 113 for four rounds. The viewer votes are pretty much going to decide this thing.Three months of dancing comes down to this, the announcement of our champion: The winners are . . . J.R. & Karina! J.R. is happy he was able to get Karina her first win on DWTS. Rob and Cheryl say they will be friends forever.
S14.E1 ∙ Episode #14.1
Another quest for the mirror ball is underway, and in grand fashion the new cast is announced for the 14th season. And now, with their last names included for the first and last time all season...TV host Maria Menounos and Derek HoughActor and singer Jack Wagner and Anna TrebunskayaFootball player Donald Driver and Peta MurgatroydSinger Gavin DeGraw and Karina SmirnoffActor Roshon Fegan and Chelsie HightowerActress and TV host Sherri Shepherd and Val ChmerkovskiyActress Melissa Gilbert and Maks ChmerkovskiyActor William Levy and Cheryl BurkeTennis legend Martina Navratilova and Tony DovolaniClassical singer Katherine Jenkins and Mark BallasSinger Gladys Knighta and Tristan McManusTV star Jaleel White and Kym JohnsonMaria & Derek: The Extra co-host is used to awkward situations and so shes open to the competition. Derek says he wants as many mirror ball trophies as he has chest hairs -- which is four. First thing we notice in rehearsal is Marias undescribable laugh, as Derek puts it. They get to the sexy stuff right away, with the cha cha. Head judge Len Goodman starts the season by saying Maria coped very, very well for the first dance and suggested a little more hip action. Bruno Tonioli says Maria is so curvasciously delicious, and agrees with Len that Maria has to open up the sex pot, by gyrating her hips. He urges her to think about Sofia Vergara. Carrie Ann Inaba says it was a strong, solid cha cha, but tells Maria to work on moving confidently more from one move to the next. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Jack & Anna: Jack is ready to add dancer to his list of entertainment qualifications. Anna, the Russian redhead, is ready to push Jack harder whenever hes doubting himself. Their first dance is the fox trot and its testing his insecurities. Bruno says it was beautifully acted, beautifully danced. He loves the way Jack extends his moves, and wonders what hes going to do in Week 2. Carrie Ann says Jack just took her to a happy place. Len liked the feel of the dance, but says Jacks technique is poor and his footwork is a hazard. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Donald & Peta: Donald says that of all the balls hes caught, hes never caught a mirror ball and he wants one. Peta is ready for redemption after being ousted one week into her DWTS debut last season. In rehearsal, Peta takes note of Donalds super-skinny legs. The crowd goes nuts for Donald and his groove, and even Tom says, That didnt feel like Week 1. Carrie Ann says Donald is nothing but charisma and charm for days. She says it was a crowd-pleaser and she cant wait to see him come back next week and do a quickstep. Len says Donalds flair was great, but he got a little over-excited at times. Hes also looking forward to Donalds quickstep, which will require more control and form. Bruno says Donald is a diamond in the rough, but agrees Donald got a little excited -- he was like a rooster chasing a hen. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Gavin & Karina: The singer says hes been trying to get out from behind his piano in concerts, and hes feeling more vulnerable. Karina is ready to defend her DWTS title, which she won last season. They dance a fox trot. Len says Gavin coped well with a difficult dance, but he was a little stiff in what should have been a fluid and romantic dance. He thinks the jive will suit Gavin more. Bruno says Gavin had a great charm, but needs to learn to link the moves and not stiffen up at the wrong places. Gavin adds that he sometimes stiffen(s) up at the wrong times, too. Carrie Ann says Gavin brought the story together well, but what she thinks hes hyper-extending his arm movements. Scores: 7, 6, 7. Total: 20Roshon & Chelsie: This years Disney Channel star says he isnt intimidated. Chelsie says Roshon, a hip hop dancer, should have been good at the cha cha, but he looks like a lost puppy on the dance floor. The crowd goes wild and Bruno is smiling. Bruno says Roshon can go on and on and on. He says Roshons feet were laser sharp and he was unbelievable. Carrie Ann says Roshon did the coolest spin shes seen on a cha cha in all 14 seasons. She compares him to Michael Jackson. Len says theres no question Roshon can dance, but the technically, it wasnt great. He wants to see more cha cha and less hip hop. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Sherri & Val: Sherri reminds us shes an actress and comedian, and shes about to laugh her way to a mirror ball. Val refers to himself as Maks younger, better-looking brother. Sherris working on her elegance. They dance a fox trot, appropriately enough, to Frankie Vallis Sherry. Carrie Ann calls Sherri the happiest contestant theyve had in all 14 seasons, and she did a nice job. Len says Sherri brought the joy of dance into the ball room and sums his comments up in three words: Fun, fun, fun. Bruno says shes light on her feet, her timing was good, and shes lights up the room. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Melissa & Maks: After her marriage fell apart and her back broke, Melissa says shes ready to turn in her pig tails and prairie dress for sequins and high heels. She was happy to be paired with Maks because she loves to be challenged. Len says he would have liked to have seen more hip action and shape in her free arm. He says some of the lines she created were great. Bruno echos Lens comments about Melissas free hand. Carrie Ann says she sees great potential, but thinks Melissa was a bit nervous and her shoulders were held higher (in a tense way) during the dance. Scores: 7, 6, 7. Total: 20William & Cheryl: William, who Tom says is known as the Mexican Brad Pitt, which is odd because hes from Cuba, is a theater actor and is known for his roles on telenovelas. Cheryl is taken by how good looking he is, and they started a week later than everyone else. They dance a cha cha. Bruno is on the edge of his seat, and stands up to declare William and Cheryl the hottest package of the season! He tells William hes overdressed. Carrie Ann thanks ABC for her job. She says she liked Williams partnering, and control of Cheryl. Len says William was right on the edge throughout, but kept it under control, good job. Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Martina & Tony: Martina says she decided after surviving breast cancer, she decided theres nothing to be afraid of, so shes taking on DWTS. She says she hasnt worn a dress in 20 years, so were all about to see a different side of her. Carrie Anns breath is taken away by Martinas beauty on the dance floor. She tells her to work on her turns and spots for future weeks. Len says it was close, but it wasnt quite there, saying it was a little too careful. He says she has to come out and wow it a little more. Bruno tells Martina shes never looked better and she looks stunning. He tells her to learn to extend her moves through her arms to give a greater sense of fluidity, but she did very well. Scores: 7, 6, 7. Total: 20Katherine & Mark: Katherine sang on Season 12 of DWTS, but this time shes on the dance floor. She says its exciting that no one knows her in America and it makes it a whole new experience. Shes hoping people will want to support her after she throws herself into her fox trot. The performance prompts Tom to say this is his favorite premiere since the show started. Len says he liked the musicality and the details. He says she should life her rib cage when shes in hold a bit more. Bruno says it was exquisite. He says her style and quality of movement were great. Carrie Ann says she and the crowd got quiet because they felt like they were watching two pros dancing together. Scores: 9, 8, 9. Total: 26Gladys & Tristan: Gladys says the Pips never let her dance in rehearsals, and now shes going to make like a Pip. Tristan says hes the hot one from DWTS. Gladys gets a massive standing ovation after the performance, including from Bruno, who says she has got the moves. He calls her a real star. Carrie Ann says Gladys made her want to get up and dance, and she says shes so honored that Gladys is on their dance floor and shaking (her) tail feather like nobodys business. Len says theres a naturalness about Gladys dancing and it oozes rhythm. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Jaleel & Kym: Jaleel knows Americas is just waiting for him to fall and says, Did I do that? in classic Urkel style, so hes going to have to make sure he doesnt do that. Kym says shes ready to take back the mirror ball after Karina took it last season. She says Jaleel is a natural. They start their fox trot with an impressive synchronized spinning jump, and the smooth moves continue through the big finish that earns big cheers from the crowd. Carrie Ann says Jaleel was the icing on the cake at the end of a great night. Len loved the way he got into hold and out with elegance and sophistication, and adds that, without a doubt, this is the best first show of any season. Bruno says he thought he was watching the great Gregory Hines, and as a compliment it couldnt get better. Scores: 9, 8, 9. Total: 26LEADER BOARD:Katherine & Mark: 26Jaleel & Kym: 26William & Cheryl: 24Jack & Anna: 23Roshon & Chelsie: 23Sherri & Val: 23Gladys & Tristan: 23Maria & Derek: 21Donald & Peta: 21Gavin & Karina: 20Melissa & Maks: 20Martina & Tony: 20
S14.E2 ∙ Week 2
It's Week 2 on "Dancing with the Stars," and this time it's for real. The couples' scores from last week's performances will be combined with Monday night's scores and -- in conjunction with America's votes -- will determine the first couple eliminated on Tuesday night.Roshon & Chelsie: After a cha cha that wowed the judges, Roshon is getting a serious ballroom challenge with the quickstep. Len Goodman says he liked it. He praises Roshon for taking the slows on his heel, which hardly anyone does correctly. Bruno Tonioli says Roshon has "more sparks than a bolt of lightning." Carrie Ann Inaba says Roshon turned his swagger "into sophistication and elegance," and she calls him a little prince. Scores: 9, 8, 9. Total: 26Sherri & Val: Sherri draws the jive to "Proud Mary," and she's not really looking forward to the stamina test. "My equipment is way to heavy for all fo that bouncing around," she says. She's having tons of fun, but appears to skip a slide between Val's legs at one point. Sherri holds up quite well throughout, then collapses to the floor. Bruno shouts that Sherri knows "how to work all that magnificent equipment." Carrie Ann is screaming, too, and says she's "in love" with Sherri. "This is where confidence can take you past mistakes," she says. Len says Sherri, the audience and he felt good. "I love watching you," he tells her. Scores: 8, 7, 8. Total: 23Melissa & Maks: After a cha cha that had Carrie seeing "great potential," Melissa is looking to rise up from the bottom of the rankings. Melissa gets emotional during rehearsal when Maks tells her she's done well, which makes him feel like he can't win. They dance a quickstep to Billy Idol's "Dancing with Myself," and Melissa reminds us that she dated Mr. Idol in the '80s. Carrie Ann points out a slip, but says she liked the performance better after that because Melissa started to let go of some tension at that point. Len says Melissa started with good posture and energy, but once she lost energy, the posture went with it. Bruno agrees, telling Melissa that when she's enjoying it she dances better, but when she over-thinks it, she gets tense. Scores: 7, 6, 7. Total: 20Jack & Anna: Jack found himself near the top of the leader board after the first performance, and wants to keep his comfortable position after a tricky jive. Len says he liked the content, attitude and energy, but Jack lost a little control. Still, he thinks Jack's two dances are "acceptable" to get him through another week. Bruno says the kicks and flicks have to be right on in the jive, and Jack lost them at times. Carrie Ann says Jack's a really good dancer, but he "over-danced" this one, and she wants him to have a little more ease. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21Gladys & Tristan: Gladys is giddy from her "extraordinary night" the week before, but the quickstep is going to bring a new challenge. She gets the crowd on its feet again after a nicely paced performance to Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke." Bruno loves Gladys' natural connection to the music and to Tristan. He reminds her to be careful about her frame. Carrie Ann agrees, saying Gladys is "extremely light" on her feet, but agrees that the frame was a little off. Len congratulates Gladys on getting through the dance because there's "a lot of technique." He says that as much as he admires Gladys, he didn't really enjoy the performance. Scores: 7, 5, 7. Total: 19Katherine & Mark: The unknown star roared to the top of the pack last week, and she's ready to bring it. But she's not so sure she's ready to shake her "naughty bits" the way Mark wants her to. Carrie Ann is "all hot and bothered," and says she's never seen the speed and the leg extension Katherine brought. Len says the middle section wasn't really his cup of tea, but he liked it. Bruno declares, "the blonde bombshell is unleashed!" Bruno also tells everyone to take note that Katherine just showed "how you do flicks." Scores: 9, 8, 9. Total: 26 Jaleel & Kym: Jaleel was "over the moon" after last week's tie-for-the-top score. This week, they're dancing a jive that Kym keeps making more difficult because she sees Jaleel's potential. Len says it lacked a little attack and speed. There were moments he enjoyed, he says, but it wasn't crisp and sharp. Bruno likes that it was quirky, slightly different, but Jaleel also needs to be sharper with his kicks and flicks. Carrie Ann says Jaleel was dancing a little flat-footed. Scores: 7, 7, 8. Total: 22Maria & Derek: After Bruno called upon Maria to unleash her sexy side, she's going to perform a quickstep that has a "Bonnie & Clyde" theme. She hurts a rib in rehearsal, but says she's going to be a tough Greek and power through it. Maria says Maria had "a frame you can frame." He says it was nearly spotless except for one step they lost in a run. He calls it brilliant. Carrie Ann says "that is what we're looking for when we talk about frame and hold." She's also bothered by one bit where they got out of sync, but says it's a "huge improvement" from last week to this week. Len says the quickstep is about speed and control, and they had plenty of both. He says he wouldn't have been as harsh on the slip-up as the others. Scores: 8, 8, 9. Total: 25Martina & Tony: Looking to bounce back after playing it too safe last week, Martina wants to step it up during the jive. She re-injures a problematic toe in rehearsal. Carrie Ann says it was "sad" because she loved the approach to the routine, but there were several steps complete missed. Len says it was too neat and too precise, and a bit careful. He says he didn't see her attack the dance the way she should have. Bruno says "that serve went into the net." He hopes she'll get a chance to come back and hit it harder. Scores: 6, 5, 6. Total: 17Donald & Peta: After some disappointment last week, Peta is pushing Donald to his limits this week because she knows he can handle it. They dance a quickstep. Len says "that performance was up there with the best I've seen tonight." Len also says he re-watched last week's show and admits he "undermarked" Donald. He apologizes, and asks Donald to understand how even the referees in football games have the luxury of on-the-spot instant replay and sometimes still get the calls wrong. Donald thanks him. Bruno says it was "spot-on," and "refined and elegant." Carrie Ann tells Donald that "all those years of watching 'Dancing with the Stars' paid off." Scores: 8, 8, 8. Total: 24Gavin & Karina: After landing tied for last, Gavin wants to climb back but has a lot of trouble picking up the jive. He's ready to quit after getting the first round of pointers from Karina. But he pulls through with a smile. Bruno says Gavin messed up a lot of his kicks and flicks, and they were not that good. Carrie Ann says Gavin was definitely on the edge and pushing his boundaries. She enjoyed hi "animated and lively performance," and admired that he went way past what he's used to. Len liked the energy and attitude, and says this was an improvement over last week. Scores: 7, 7, 7. Total: 21William & Cheryl: The squeals you heard from pretty much wherever you were on Earth on Monday night could only mean William was on the dance floor. Indeed, Cheryl tells the voters that the more votes they get, the more of William's clothes will come off. They dance a quickstep. Carrie Ann says the quickstep is not just about sexy and heat, it's about technique, and he's "like the Harry Connick Jr. of the ballroom." Len says he liked the mix of steps, movement and posture, but says William needed cleaner footwork, lacked body contact and even though his frame started great, he lost it. Bruno says Williams has the ability to dazzle. He says William reminded him of "The Artist" with his sparkle. Scores: 9, 7, 9. Total: 25LEADER BOARD:Katherine & Mark: 26 + 26 = 52Roshon & Chelsie: 23 + 26 = 49William & Cheryl: 24 + 25 = 49Jaleel & Kym: 26 + 22 = 48Sherri & Val: 23 + 23 = 46Maria & Derek: 21 + 25 = 46Donald & Peta: 21 + 24 = 45Jack & Anna: 23 + 21 = 44Gladys & Tristan: 23 + 19 = 42Gavin & Karina: 20 + 21 = 41Melissa & Maks: 20 + 20 = 40Martina & Tony: 20 + 17 = 37
S14.E18 ∙ Performance Show: Week Ten
It's time for the finals on "Dancing with the Stars," which means the mirror ball will be handed to one couple Tuesday night. First, the couples will perform a dance chosen by the judges and then they'll get a chance to showcase their skills in the freestyle.William & Cheryl: Bruno Tonioli stops by to coach William through the cha cha, and tells him his hip action is "sex on legs," but he has to keep his form throughout the dance. Head judge Len Goodman says "that's as good as I've ever seen in 14 seasons of cha cha cha." Bruno again praises William's hip action, which made him "green with envy." Carrie Ann Inaba says Williams has "grown miles, and that's what the show's about." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Katherine & Mark: Len pays a visit to give some pointers on the paso doble, which he said had a little too much aggression and not enough finesse the first time Katherine did it. Bruno says it was "full of vivid, lush, lustrous artistry." He adds it was "technical brilliance." Carrie Ann says every movement was "perfectly executed." Len says it was "very satisfying -- fabulous." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Donald & Peta: Carrie Ann shows up to walk Donald through his Argentine tango. She liked his first one, giving it a 10, but Len gave it an 8 and Bruno gave it a 9. She thinks what was lacking was the content and choreography, so she urges them to include more dynamic movements. Carrie Ann reminds us that she loved it the first and she "loved it again." She says there was "a new crispness" in all of Donald's moves. Len says there was far more content, the lifts were great, but he thinks it "was a tad careful." Still, he thinks it was "a vast improvement." Bruno says it was very effective and subtle. Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29William & Cheryl's freestyle: Cheryl cooks up a lift-heavy freestyle for William, and she pays the price early on when he drops her a few times. He's also worried about one sequence in which he's supposed to carry Cheryl down the steps. Fittingly, Williams' freestyle is a Latin-inspired gem that sends the crowd into hysterics. Len can't be heard over the crowd, but it's clear he liked it. He liked the lifts, changes of rhythms, but "it was too predictable." He says he didn't want a salsa with lifts. Bruno says they were "like two devils unleashed onto the Earth, into a Latin-inspired extravaganza." Carrie Ann is fired up, smiling wide and making strange hand and arm movements. She says it was exactly what a freestyle should be, but Len vocally disagrees. Scores: 10, 9, 10. Total: 29Katherine & Mark's freestyle: Mark wants to show variety in Katherine's freestyle, so there will fast and slow dynamics, and different styles of dance. She falls hard on a trick in rehearsal, but keeps going at it. She says she's ready to give her all. Bruno says he's never seen so much content, so fast, so well executed, and says Katherine was on the money. Carrie Ann says Katherine "can do anything," and she thinks "that was the dance of a champion." Len says, "If I'm asleep and dreaming, don't wake me up; this is a freestyle." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Donald & Peta's freestyle: Donald sets out to surprise people with a trick-filled country-inspired dance. Things seem to be going just fine in rehearsal until Donald spins Peta around and she hits her mouth on his arm, cutting her lip. Things work out, though, and they bring the house down. Carrie Ann, who stood on the table to give her standing ovation, says "this is, by far, my favorite final and that was, by far, my favorite dance of the night." Len says it was "too hot to trot." Len says Donald took an enormous chance and it was fantastic. Bruno calls it "a country-inspired triumph." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30LEADER BOARD:Katherine & Mark: 30 + 30 = 60William & Cheryl: 30 + 29 = 59Donald & Peta: 29 + 30 = 59
S14.E19 ∙ Episode #14.19
After one of the closest-ever finals, just one point separates the three remaining couples and it's time to crown a champ -- in two hours. The opening dance brings all the couples back to the floor and we're off and running.The one remaining challenge is that the couples will have to perform one more dance to a song for which they received the music just 24 hours earlier.In a featurette highlighting the top three, Carrie Ann Inaba calls William "a phenomenon" and she says that "every nuance of every move is telling you something." Len calls Katherine "one of the most technically advanced dancers we have ever had on 'Dancing with the Stars.'" Bruno says some of the lines Katherine produces "are so amazing they belong in the Getty museum." The judges all hope Katherine can handle the pressure. Len says "Donald's like a gladiator coming out to do battle." Bruno says what's great about Donald is that he takes the judges' comments and comes back to show improvement.Sherri Shepherd performs with a bunch of dudes, and loves it, to "It's Raining Men."After a video recap of the whole season, we get performances from Martina & Tony and Jack & Anna. Gavin & Karina then take the floor. After more and more filler, Gladys & Tristan perform.Afterward, Jaleel gets a chance to perform a paso doble to the theme from "Shaft," which he says is a longtime dream. Next, Melissa and the Chmerkovskiy Brothers perform their trio dance from earlier in the season. Roshon & Chelsie get their chance to perform a freestyle. This is where Roshon feels like he can shine.Kelly Clarkson stops by to plug her new ABC show "Duets" -- er, perform a song.Maria & Derek reappear to perform their Argentine tango.William & Cheryl: The couple's salsa sends the crowd crazy. Len says that if salsa were an event in the Olympics, he'd get a gold medal. Bruno says "when it comes down to hot, saucy, sexy, spicy salsa, hips don't lie -- nobody does it better than William." Carrie Ann says William has "true star quality" and declares him "The Salsa King." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Katherine & Mark: Katherine gets emotional realizing her last dance is coming up, and she sets out to do her jive. Bruno says Katherine has "versatility, great technique" and good range in her performances. Carrie Ann says Katherine is a "brilliant artist," and she thanks Katherine and Mark for setting the bar so high for the rest of the group. Len tells Katherine she is "the complete package." Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30Donald & Peta: Donald is intimidating despite the hot pink pants and pink shoes with heels, and his dancing speaks for itself. Carrie Ann says Donald is the man to beat. Len says Donald is the best "footballer" the show has had -- and that includes champion Emmitt Smith, who is in the crowd. Bruno says Donald truly had the mind of a champion and piqued at the right time. Scores: 10, 10, 10. Total: 30LEADER BOARD:Katherine & Mark: 90William & Cheryl: 89Donald & Peta: 89Gladys Knight performs "The Way We Were" before the final results are read.The couple coming in third place is William & Cheryl.And the winners of "Dancing with the Stars" Season 14 are Donald & Peta.
S15.E1 ∙ Week 1
This season Dance With Stars welcomes back stars from past seasons including many champions to find out who is the best of the best while performing some great dance routines.
S15.E5 ∙ Week 3
This week the stars are their own artistic directors as Len challenges them to wow the judges with something new and unusual. The stakes are high as it's a double elimination week.
S15.E7 ∙ Week 4
'Paula Abdul' joins the show as a guest judge for this episode in which the contestants perform dances chosen for them by their competitors. This format introduces several new dance styles to the show and to the pros who find they need help with the choreography.
S15.E9 ∙ Week 5 Part 1
For guilty pleasures week the stars perform to their musical favorites. Then the first team chosen last week competes in the team dance.
S15.E10 ∙ Week 5 Part 2
The remaining four couples perform their dances and the second team performs Gangnam style. There is no elimination, so scores carry over to next week.
S15.E11 ∙ Country Music Week
With the Country Music Awards just three days away Dancing With the Stars presents country music week. The stars dance to country music favorites and perform a brief solo. Then all the couples are on stage together for a group dance competition. But several of the performers are nursing injuries.
S15.E12 ∙ Week 6 the Results
Apolo and Karina perform their Viennese Waltz for the judges' request dance. Then contestants choose the dance combinations for their competitors in next weeks fusion dance. Finally, the judges and audience are shocked as one of the leaders is eliminated from the competition.
S15.E13 ∙ Fusion Dance Week
For fusion dance week contestants combine two dances into one performance. Most contestant perform the one quick and one slow dance sequentially while a few accept the challenge to merge the two. Then couples have a chance to win extra points in a dance marathon. Due to the November 6 election there is no elimination this week.
S15.E14 ∙ Honoring Veterans
On this Veteran's Day, contestants dedicate their dances to America's veterans with an appropriate theme. Then it's time for this year's dance trios. But will two choreographers spoil the dance?
S15.E15 ∙ Week 7 & 8 Elimination
Kylie Minogue opens this double elimination show. Then the cast of Newsies performs a number from this hit Broadway show. In preparation for next week couples choose from dances that are new to DWTS complete with some strange themes that their competitors will perform.
S15.E16 ∙ Michael Jackson Week
This week DWTS celebrates Michael Jackson's music on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his "Bad" album. In this semifinal round couples begin performing dances new to DWTS to the odd themes chosen last week. Then the couples dance to Michael Jackson favorites.
S15.E19 ∙ Finals Part 1
For the first night of the first all female stars finale couples perform a favorite dance from a previous week followed by a freestyle. The freestyle includes production enhancements including additional performers so Shawn takes the opportunity to invite her Fierce Five team mates to dance with her.
S15.E20 ∙ The Finals Part 2
After Shawn and Derek reprise last night's dance at the the judges request the previously eliminated couples return to reprise their favorite or most memorable dances from season 15. Then the judges select a dance style for couples to perform in their final dance of the season; the instant dance. Dance Center provides commentary throughout the show.
S16.E1 ∙ Week 1: Performance Show
Dancing with the Stars welcomes 12 new stars and 3 new pros with a new dance style, contemporary, that has even the pros wondering. There is no elimination in round one but with scores ranging from 12 to 24 a few couples will have to work extra hard next week to stay in the competition.
S16.E2 ∙ Week 1: Recap
Tom presents the week one dances in a compressed format beginning with the couple with the judge's lowest score up through the highest.
S16.E3 ∙ Week 2
It's a night of fast feet with couples dancing the quick step, jive and jazz dance. For this first elimination round viewers have more votes and more ways to vote for their favorites.
S16.E4 ∙ Week 2: The Results
Following the pros opening extravaganza Zendaya and Val perform the encore dance as the couple who received the most tweets. The guest performers are Icona pop and Josh Groban. The stars share their fears and the new pros are introduced in interview clips. The show closes with a surprise announcement by Dorothy Hammill.
S16.E5 ∙ Week 3: Prom Night
Dancing with the Stars nostalgic prom night turns out to be a challenge for several of the stars who, surprisingly didn't attend their proms.
S16.E6 ∙ Week 3: The Results
Huey Lewis and the News and the pro dancers perform for the king and queen of the prom nestled comfortably on their thrones. Shawn and Peta reprise their YMCA impersonation of the Village People, this time with Bruno joining in. Then the pro guys give us a macho performance. Demi Lovato performs as the week's elimination approaches.
S16.E7 ∙ Week 4: Best Year's of Our Lives
The stars reminisce and dance to the inspiration of pivotal moments in their lives. And each dance routine includes a brief solo by the star.
S16.E9 ∙ Week 5: Side by Side Challenge
This week the dance routines include an intimidating twist. Len invites Max, Lacey, Tony, Chelsie, Tristan, Emma, Whitney, Henry, Sasha and Anna to return and dance the same routines side by side with the stars.
S16.E10 ∙ Week 5: The Results
As the judges choice Jacoby and Karina reprise their jive opposite Max and Anna. The stars re-experience some embarrassing moments with behind the scenes video clips. The Band Perry and Selena Gomez perform their hit songs.
S16.E11 ∙ Week 6: Stevie Wonder Night
Couples perform to Stevie Wonder hits because Stevie is in the building and has a few numbers to perform himself. Then the couples perform either a Samba or a Paso Doble in the first team dance of the season.
S16.E12 ∙ Week 6: The Reults
If you thought some of the contestants might be better at Karaoke than dance the excepts that open this episode will change your mind. We also get a peak back stage at the furious activity of the stage hands between performances. The performers reprise their team dance from last night and Macy's Stars of Dance, Olly Murs and Will.I.Am perform as we await the news of who will leave the competition this week.
S16.E13 ∙ Week 7: Latin Night
Juanes and the eliminated pros perform on the long awaited Latin dance night. Under the rules tonight the top scoring couple is immune from elimination and the rest compete in a dance off for additional points.
S16.E14 ∙ Week 7: The Results
Guest performer Michael Bublé opens this show. Then Aly and Mark reprise last night's dance at the judges request. And later the Camden Sophisticated Sisters appear as the guest dance troupe. Kellie and Derek get to relax this night as they are immune from elimination having received the highest score from the judges last night. But it doesn't look good for Andy and Sharna with by far the lowest judges' scores.
S16.E15 ∙ Week 8: Trio Dance
Couples perform traditional dances then a trio with a returning star.
S16.E16 ∙ Week 8: The Results
Zendaya, Val and Gleb reprise last night's trio at the judges request. Jason Derulo and Emeli Sandé perform their latest hits. Twitter viewers choose the dances couples will perform in the semi-finals. Derek choreographs a weightless dance routine.
S16.E18 ∙ Semi-final Results
All the pros including some returning from prior years open this 300th show with a sizzling number. The judges request an encore of Kellie and Derek's Argentine tango. Sophia Lucia a ten year old girl who set the world record for the most continuous pirouettes make a guest appearance and dances with her idol Chelsea Hightower. Avril Levine and The Wanted perform their hit songs.
S16.E19 ∙ The Finals
For the finals the couples perform a classic ballroom dance, a cha cha relay and a free style. Tom paused to acknowledge the people effected by the day's Oklahoma tornadoes and to recognize the first responders.
S17.E1 ∙ Premiere Week
The judges are impressed with the caliber of contestants this year. The competition is tough as many of the contestants have some experience and can dance right out of the chute.
S17.E2 ∙ Latin Night
Tonight's elimination includes the home audience votes from week one and the judges scores from weeks one and two. But with most of the couples dancing like it's week five and the weaker dancers being popular with the audience it's anyone's guess who's going home.
S17.E3 ∙ Hollywood Night
It's Hollywood night and the couples are dancing movie themed performances. But injuries are already causing consternation.
S17.E4 ∙ Week 4
Julienne Hough returns as a guest judge in Len's absence. Injuries continue to impact the competition as three contestants perform with injured knees, one with a injured shoulder, one with a virus and two narrowly avoid concussions.
S17.E6 ∙ Switch-Up Challenge
The celebs face their greatest challenge with their partners. Getting new ones!
S17.E8 ∙ Cher Week
Cher joins the show as a guest performer and judge in Len's absence as the contestants dance to Cher hits. In addition to their individual routines contestants have to prepare for any of three styles in a head-to-head dance-off.
S17.E9 ∙ Week 9
After performing the traditional pairs dances each couple chooses a second pro to perform with them in the trio dance. Leah, Tony and Henry parody the judges; Carrie Ann, Bruno and Len.
S17.E10 ∙ The Semifinals
For the semifinals the six couples perform two dances to two different versions of the same song in an evening heavy with tangos. Maks returns as a guest judge.
S17.E11 ∙ Two-Night Finale: First Night
Kellie Pickler returns as a quest performer. Contestants perform a ballroom dance that they previously struggled with, a samba relay with TLC performing their music and the no-holds-barred freestyle. Couples choose the fusion dances for the season finale. One couple is eliminated.
S17.E12 ∙ Grand Finale
The three finalists have one last chance to impress the judges in the fusion dance before the Season 17 champion is announced. All the season 17 couples have a last opportunity to perform. Elvis an the season's contestants perform to "What Does the Fox Say?." Guest performers include Enrique Iglesias, Paula Calais and Lady Antebellum.
S18.E1 ∙ Episode #18.1
Past competitor Erin Andrews returns as the new co-host for season 18. R2D2 makes an appearance as Billy Dee Williams dances to a Star Wars medley opposite a pair of storm troopers and Ewoks.
S18.E2 ∙ Week 2
One couple starts the show safe this week but the rest face a double elimination. Couples perform dances secretly chosen by the stars.
S18.E3 ∙ Most Memorable Year
Robin Roberts joins the judges panel for this week's competition as couples perform dances inspired by the stars most memorable years. Injuries claim their first victim as Billy Dee Williams is unable to perform and is disqualified.
S18.E4 ∙ The Switch Up Show
Julianne Hough returns to the show as a guest judge once again. In a change of pace the entire cast opens the show with a wild group dance. Then the contestants switch partners for the competition based on the home audience's Twitter votes. Scores are combined with last week's for next week's elimination. In a special surprise Derek shows off his first choreographed routine for the Macy's Stars of Dance.
S18.E5 ∙ Disney Night
The couples are back with their original partners and Donny Osmond joins the judges panel for Disney night. A few Disney characters find their way into some of the dances.
S18.E6 ∙ Week 6
Redfoo joins the judges panel this week. Macys Stars of Dance return to perform Derek's choreography.
S18.E7 ∙ Latin Night
Ricky Martin joins the show for the always popular Latin night as a guest judge and performer. Injuries begin to take their toll especially among the ladies leading up to the team dance.
S18.E8 ∙ Celebrity Dance Duels
Mark Ballas opens the show with a vocal number. After performing their tradition dances, pairs of couples perform synchronized dances.
S18.E10 ∙ The Finals
Couples open the show with the Judges Pick round. Then the pros have the cuffs removed as they choreograph their free style dances. Finally we say goodbye to one of the finalists.
S18.E12 ∙ The Finals Award Show
Following a group dance by the entire cast James and Peta reprise last night's freestyle at the request of the Twitter audience. Iggy Azalea, NeNe Leakes, Code Simpson, Ariana Grande and Christina Perry perform. Each couple performs one of their memorable dances leading up to the finalists final competitive dance; the "24 Hours Fusion Challenge."
S19.E1 ∙ Week 1: Premiere
Julianne Hough returns to the show as a forth judge and four new pros join the cast. But the new quirky stars steal the show.
S19.E2 ∙ The Results (Week 1)
Alfonso and Whitney step down from the top of the leader board to reprise last night's dance at the judges request. Smokie Robinson is the night's musical guest. The new pros are introduced. One of the returning pros chosen by the audience is embarrassed by their DWTS audition video. Sadly, one couple is eliminated.
S19.E3 ∙ Week 2: My Jam Monday
Couples dance to the stars favorite songs. Oh, and Cari Ann falls off her chair.
S19.E4 ∙ The Results (Week 2)
This episode presents an A to Z of DWTS featurette and Mark Ballas's DWTS audition tape. Janel and Val per fore in the audience encore dance.
S19.E5 ∙ It's Movie Night
Couples dance to the themes and in costumes reminiscent of the stars' favorite movies. Kevin Hart fills in for Len as guest judge. One couple is eliminated.
S19.E6 ∙ Most Memorable Year
Couples dance routines reminiscent of the stars' most memorable years. The television audience serves as the fourth judge in Len's absence.
S19.E7 ∙ Switch-up
The stars change partners based on audience voting for "Switch-up" night. In case that isn't disorienting enough they dance to obscure dance styles. But couples are spared an elimination this week. Jessie J joins the judges and performs in the opening number.
S19.E10 ∙ Dynamic Duos Night
Couple perform dances inspired by famous couples vying for immunity from elimination and to avoid a dance off.
S21.E8 ∙ Halloween Night
DWTS contestants of season 21 dance to famous Halloween songs, while also peforming a team dance to get extra good scores.
S21.E13 ∙ Grand Finale
3 contestants are left on season 21 of DWTS. Each will perform another dance and 1 will be crowned champion of this season of DWTS. Bindi Irwin paired with Derek Hough won this season.
S22.E1 ∙ Episode #22.1
Contestants are welcomed onto the show to perform their first dance, get to know their partner and go after the mirrorball trophy.
S22.E2 ∙ Latin Night
Contestants dance to the best latin music making dances such as the rumba, salsa, samba and paso doble very fun to watch.
S22.E3 ∙ Most Memorable Year
Contestants dance to the songs that feels like what their most memorable year in their life was.
S22.E4 ∙ Disney Night
Contestants dance to some of Disney's most memorable songs, with fun costumes and animation.
S22.E5 ∙ Switch-up
Contestants "switch-up" with a different partner, while their originals also pair up with a different contestant, each learning a new dance.
S22.E6 ∙ Famous Dances
Contestants dance to the most memorable and inspiring dances from movies and music videos.
S24.E1 ∙ The Premiere
The celebrities dance with the judges; each couple performs a tango, cha cha, salsa, Viennese waltz and quickstep.
S24.E2 ∙ Week 2
The competition continues as the celebrities get another chance to impress the judges with a new style of dance.
S24.E3 ∙ Vegas Night
On Vegas night, the couples dance to some of the most iconic songs from hit Las Vegas shows; one couple will be eliminated; Julianne and Derek Hough perform a number from their upcoming tour.
S24.E4 ∙ Most Memorable Year
The couples celebrate memorable experiences by dancing to a song of the celebrity partner's choosing.
S24.E5 ∙ Disney Night
The nine remaining couples perform to songs from Disney films; Alfonso Ribeiro, Auli'i Cravalho; Donny Osmond and ZZ Ward perform.
S24.E6 ∙ Boy Bands vs. Girl Groups
The eight remaining celebrities dance to songs from iconic boy bands and girl groups; the Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter serves as guest judge.
S24.E7 ∙ Night at the Movies
The seven remaining couples perform dances that capture the spirit of diverse movie genres; stars from "Descendants 2" perform; guest judge Mandy Moore.
S24.E8 ∙ Week 8: Trio Night
The pro in each couple chooses the dance style and song; the couples perform in a trio round in which the judges have chosen the partners.
S24.E9 ∙ Week 9: Semi-Finals
The judges each pair up with a couple and assign the couple a specific challenge; Cheryl Burke returns to the dance floor for a special performance; Calum Scott performs.
S24.E10 ∙ The Finals
The three finalists each perform a redemption style dance and a freestyle dance.
S24.E11 ∙ The Finals: Part 2
The remaining couples advance to the final stage, where they must fuse two contrasting dance styles; Hailee Steinfeld performs; OneRepublic performs.
S25.E1 ∙ Week 1: Fall 2017
Judge Len Goodman joins the entire cast for an opening number choreographed by Emmy-winner Mandy Moore.
S25.E2 ∙ Week 2: Ballroom Night
Each couple performs one of the following: tango, quickstep, foxtrot, or Viennese waltz; the first elimination of the season.
S25.E3 ∙ Week 2: Latin Night
Each of the remaining 12 celebrities perform a samba, rumba, cha cha, Paso Doblé, Argentine Tango, or salsa dance; an elimination.
S25.E4 ∙ Week 3: Guilty Pleasures Night
The celebrities dance to celebrate things in life that give them pleasure; one couple is sent home.
S25.E5 ∙ Week 4: Most Memorable Year Night
Participants stroll down memory lane and dance to celebrate a special time or experience in their lives; one couple is sent home.
S25.E6 ∙ Week 5: Disney Night
The remaining 10 celebrities transform into characters -- and dance to music -- from their favorite Disney films.
S25.E7 ∙ Week 6: Night at the Movies
The couples attempt to capture the spirit of a specific movie genre, performing a paso doblé, jazz, rumba, Argentine tango, samba, jive or quickstep; a couple is eliminated.
S25.E8 ∙ Week 7: Halloween
A Halloween-themed night with scary and chilling performances.
S25.E9 ∙ Week 8: Trio Night
The six remaining couples perform a regular couples dance and a special trio dance, in which a past season's winner or finalist is paired with each couple to compete; a couple is eliminated.
S25.E10 ∙ Week 9: Semi-Finals
Each couple must perform a regular dance and a reinterpretation of an iconic dance from past seasons; a couple is eliminated.
S25.E11 ∙ Week 10: Season Finale - Part 1
The finalists each perform two dances; guest judge Julianne Hough; musical performances from Pitbull and Fifth Harmony, and Alexander Jean.
S25.E12 ∙ Week 10: Season Finale - Part 2
All 13 couples return for the opening number; the three remaining contestants perform two dances; musical performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsey Stirling, Becky G, and Jordan Fisher and Debbie Gibson; the champion is named.
S26.E1 ∙ Athletes Premiere: Week 1
Each couple performs a cha-cha, salsa, foxtrot or Viennese waltz; eliminations are based on judges' scores and live viewer votes.
S26.E2 ∙ Athletes: Week 2
The couples perform individual dances; the athletes and their pros split into two teams, and the team dance scores are combined with the athletes' individual dance scores and the previous week's overnight votes.
S26.E3 ∙ Athletes Week 3: The Semifinals
The six remaining athletes perform an individual dance and then a dance-off battle; guest judge David Ross; three athletes are eliminated.
S26.E4 ∙ Athletes Week 4: The Finale
All 10 athletes return for a dance number; the three remaining couples perform two dances apiece; a new champion is crowned.
S27.E1 ∙ Premiere Week: Part 1
Season 27 opens with thirteen contestants from the worlds of entertainment, sports and social media, variously performing the cha cha, foxtrot, jive, salsa and quickstep.
S27.E2 ∙ Premiere Week: Part 2
The previous night's opening dances are recapped, and the upcoming premiere of Dancing with the Stars: Juniors (2018) is previewed, after which five couples dance again to avoid elimination.
S27.E3 ∙ Week 2: New York City Night
The twelve remaining couples dance to songs related to New York City.
S27.E4 ∙ Week 2: Las Vegas Night
The twelve remaining couples perform dances that pay tribute to Las Vegas, with one couple eliminated.
S27.E5 ∙ Week 3: Most Memorable Night
The eleven couples perform dances which celebrate the contestants' most memorable years, with one couple eliminated.
S27.E6 ∙ Week 4: Trio Night
The ten couples each perform with a third dancer, most of them past finalists, with one couple eliminated.
S27.E7 ∙ Week 5: Disney Night
The nine remaining celebrities put on their Mickey ears and transform into some of their favorite Disney characters to celebrate the magnificence of "Disney Night."
S27.E8 ∙ Week 6: Halloween Night
The nine couples perform Halloween-themed dances, with guest performers including JabbaWockeez, Allison Holker and Stephen Boss; one couple is eliminated.
S27.E9 ∙ Week 7: Country Night
The eight remaining couples dance to country hits, with various guest performers, then compete in team dances; two couples are eliminated.
S27.E10 ∙ Week 8: Semi-Finals
The six remaining couples each perform a dedication dance, then a dance selected by the judges, after which two couples are eliminated before the finals.
S27.E11 ∙ Week 9: Finale
The four finalists each take a second shot at a dance they selected from earlier in the year, followed by a freestyle dance, after which the season champion is named.
S28.E1 ∙ 2019 Season Premiere
A new cast of 12 celebrities kick off the competition.
S28.E2 ∙ First Elimination
The 12 celebrity and pro-dancer couples compete; the first elimination of the season.
S28.E3 ∙ Movie Night
The couples dance to a variety of songs inspired by the celebrities' favorite movies; a behind-the-scenes look at the studio's backlot; special "Star Wars" moment.
S28.E4 ∙ Top 10
The remaining 10 celebrity and pro-dancer couples dance to a variety of hit and well-known songs; guest judge Leah Remini.
S28.E5 ∙ Disney Night
The opening dance number takes place at Disneyland resort; the nine couples dance to a variety of beloved Disney songs.
S28.E6 ∙ Week 6
The nine remaining couples compete; the cast of "Dancing with the Stars -- Live Tour 2020" performs; one couple is eliminated.
S28.E7 ∙ Halloween Night
The couples perform terrifying dances set to Halloween themes.
S28.E8 ∙ Dance-Off Week
After a first-round dance to a style they have not yet performed, seven couples compete, with two couples dancing at the same time in the same style in a Dance-Off challenge.
S28.E9 ∙ Boy Band & Girl Group Night
A medley of songs from some of the most popular boy bands and girl groups in history; the six remaining couples compete; guest judges Emma Bunton and Joey Fatone.
S28.E10 ∙ Semi-Finals
The celebrities repeat a style of dance they struggled with earlier in the season, then they perform a style they haven't done before.
S28.E11 ∙ Finale
Four celebrity and pro-dancer couples return to the ballroom to compete and win the Mirrorball trophy.
S29.E1 ∙ 2020 Premiere
A new cast of 15 celebrities compete for the coveted Mirrorball trophy. Supermodel and businesswoman Tyra Banks hosts.
S29.E2 ∙ First Elimination
The 15 celebrity and pro-dancer couples compete a second week, with the first elimination of the 2020 season; host Tyra Banks teaches the celebrities how to "smize" and use it throughout the competition.
S29.E3 ∙ Disney Night
Fourteen celebrity and pro-dancer couples compete for the third week as the magic of Disney returns to the ballroom.
S29.E4 ∙ Top 13
Thirteen celebrity and pro-dancer couples compete for the fourth week of the competition.
S29.E5 ∙ '80s Night
Twelve celebrity and pro-dancer couples compete for the fifth week of the competition.
S29.E7 ∙ Villains Night
Ten celebrity and pro-dancer couples find their inner villain as they compete to a variety of songs.
S29.E8 ∙ Double Elimination Night - Use Your Vote!
Nine celebrity and pro-dancer couples face double elimination.
S29.E9 ∙ Icons Night
Honoring their favorite musical icons, seven celebrity and pro-dancer couples dance to the famous artists' songs and face elimination.
S29.E10 ∙ Semi-Finals
Celebrities repeat a dance style they struggled with earlier in the season; couples perform another style of dance as they try to make it into the semi-finals.
S29.E11 ∙ Finale
Four celebrity and pro-dancer couples dance and compete to win the coveted mirrorball trophy; Nelly performs.
S30.E1 ∙ Season 30 Premiere
A new cast of 15 celebrities and their pro dance partners compete in a variety of dances; host Tyra Banks.
S30.E2 ∙ First Elimination
The 15 celebrity and professional dancer couples are back in the ballroom for a second week with the first elimination of the 2021 season; host Tyra Banks performs a song to start the night.
S30.E3 ∙ Britney Night
The 14 celebrity and pro-dancer couples return to the ballroom.
S30.E4 ∙ Disney Heroes Night
The remaining 13 celebrity and pro-dancer couples transform into iconic Disney characters; the couples participate in the Mickey Dance Challenge where they will be tasked with incorporating steps from Mickey Mouse into their routine.
S30.E5 ∙ Disney Villains Night
The remaining couples transform into Disney characters.
S30.E6 ∙ Grease Night
The 11 celebrity and pro-dancer couples take on performances inspired by "Grease"; Frankie Avalon performs; a surprise appearance by an original Pink Lady herself, Didi Conn, who played Frenchie in the film.
S30.E7 ∙ Horror Night
The remaining couples perform dances inspired by horror movies and television shows.
S30.E8 ∙ Queen Night
The nine remaining couples take on performances inspired by rock band Queen.
S30.E9 ∙ Janet Jackson Night
An opening number featuring "Nasty" by Janet Jackson; the eight remaining couples battle it out to make it into the semifinals; a double elimination.
S30.E10 ∙ Semi-Finals
Six couples battle it out in two rounds; two couples are eliminated.
S30.E11 ∙ Finale
Four celebrity and pro-dancer couples dance and compete to win the coveted mirrorball trophy.
S31.E1 ∙ Premiere Night Party
Season 31 kicks off with a star-studded cast of 16 celebrities performing live for the first time.
S31.E2 ∙ Elvis Night
The 15 remaining couples perform dances celebrating The King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley.
S31.E3 ∙ Bond Night
The theme's Bond - James Bond. The 14 remaining couples take on Week Three of the competition.
S31.E4 ∙ Disney+ Night
The magic of Disney+ comes to life with performances inspired by Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and more.
S31.E5 ∙ Stars' Stories Week: Most Memorable Year
The contestants perform emotional routines that represent the most impactful years of their lives.
S31.E6 ∙ Stars' Stories Week: Prom Night
The two-night event continues as 11 remaining couples perform to hits from their high school proms.
S31.E7 ∙ Michael Bublé Night
The 10 couples dance to Michael Bublé songs. Michael Bublé joins as a guest judge and performer.
S31.E8 ∙ Halloween Night
The ballroom has tricks and treats. The couples perform haunting routines and take on a team dance.
S31.E9 ∙ 90s Night
The eight couples hit rewind with 90s-inspired performances, and special guest artists perform live.
S31.E10 ∙ Semi-Finals
The mirrorball competition heats up as the six remaining couples perform for a spot in the finale.
S31.E11 ∙ Finale
The four finalists perform their final two routines in hopes of winning the mirrorball trophy.
S32.E1 ∙ Premiere
A new cast of celebrities and their pro partners hit the dance floor for the first time to perform a Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Jive, Salsa or Tango; featuring a dazzling opening number to "Levitating" by Dua Lipa.
