Tonight, the nine remaining celebrities and their professional partners reinvented famous dance in hopes of winning America’s favor and moving on in the competition. I can’t recall a previous Dancing With the Stars “Famous Dances Night” so I’m looking forward to see how the pros will take dances that we love and turn them into something that we’ll love even more. Special guest Olivia Newton-John joins Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli at the judges’ desk to see how the couples re-envisioned iconic dance routines from movies and music videos. And while DWTS co-host Erin Andrews covered postseason baseball on FOX, Season 17 contestant Leah Rimini filled in as Tom Bergeron’s prettier half. And at the end of the night, one couple will be eliminated based on the lowest combined judges’ scores and viewer’s votes from the “Switch Up” and “Most Memorable Year” performances.
I love the choreography of Mandy Moore! Every week she gets me amped for the fun that’s to come. And this weeks’ mash-up of iconic dances to Witney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” We saw a little Singing in The Rain, some MC Hammer, and even Flashdance!
Hayes Grier & Emma Slater 1-855-234-5608
Dancing Jazz to“You’re The One That I Want” from Grease
No Pressure Hayes, you’re not only channeling John Travolta’s pelvis, but he’s doing the dance in front of Sandy herself, Olivia Newton John. The dance was cute, but it wasn’t as much as ”Inspired by,” but it was like a high school production of Grease, the musical..
Olivia: Amazing choreography, Emma … And Hayes, you’re a baby John!
Bruno: A bit of tough –love, I believe in your talent , but you have to rise to the next level.
Carrie Ann: I was watching you and you are such a stud.
Julianne: Each week I tell you to open your gorgeous eyes, and you did it.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 8, Julianne: 8, Olivia 8, Bruno: 8, total: 32 out of 40.
Andy Grammer & Allison Holker 1-855-234-5603
Dancing Jazz to “Good Morning” from Singing In The Rain
Last week Andy and Switch Up partner Sharna nailed an awesome Argentine Tango with complete with stunning lifts. How will Andy do this week when he’s back with pregnant partner Allison? A note: “Good Morning” is my favorite song ever! And how awesome that they got to meet with Gene’s widow, Patricia Kelly. Please do this song justice! And not only did they portray a fresh and fabulous twist on the song, but the entire movie! Bravo Allison, what terrific choreography!
Bruno: For many people, this is considered the best musical of all tie. It takes balls to take that on, you succeeded with honor.
Carrie Ann: It is not easy to do a tap routine and reinvent it and make it exciting and contemporary and happy and fun like the original Congratulations!
Julianne: Every single week you are getting better, and better and better!
Olivia: I danced with Gene Kelly and I’d dance with you any time.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 10, Julianne: 10, Olivia 10, Bruno: 10, total: 40 out of 40.
Alexa PenaVega & Mark Ballas 1-855-234-5602
Dancing Cha Cha to “I’m A Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears
Alexa and Derek’s Tango to “Pompei” by Bastille was one of this most buzz-worthy dances of the year and the season’s first perfect score. This week Alexa had the unenviable task recreating Britney Spear’s iconic VMA dance by dancing with a live snake. Alexa gets to channel Bindi and Britney with a beautiful Albino Burmese Python.
Carrie Ann: This was the height of Britney’s career, you moved well, but you missed the essence of Britney.
Julianne: Sometimes these weeks need to happen so you can grow for next week.
Olivia: I thought you were very sexy and very brave.
Bruno: It worked very well for me; it was sex elixir.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 8, Julianne: 7, Olivia 7, Bruno: 8, total: 30 out of 40.
Bindi Irwin & Derek Hough 1-855-234-5604
Dancing the Rumba to “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing
This week, Bindi and Derek will channel Patrick Swayze and Season 11 champ Jennifer Grey (who partnered with Derek). And to get inspiration, Bindi and Derek practiced the dance’s famous lift in a putrid pond.
Image: Splash News
Was anyone else holding their breaths before Derek and Bindi’s lift? I was!
Julianne: Your legs were on fire! Gorgeous, Gorgeous.
Olivia: Bindi, it’s so wonderful to see you, you both touched my heart.
Bruno: My little star has gone supernova tonight!
Carrie Ann: When you dance like that, you make my job easy.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 10, Julianne: 19, Olivia 10, Bruno: 10, total: 40 out of 40.
Paula Deen & Louis Van Amstel 1-855-234-5611
Dancing Jazz to “Vogue” by Madonna
Paula has decided that she loves the character dances and her goal is to have fun. This week she’s channeling sexual icon, Madonna and her performance at the 1990 VMAs. Paula looks lovely as a steamy courtesan.
Carrie Ann: The costumes overwhelmed you a little bit.
Julianne: That was the perfect opportunity for you to be dramatic, and you were dramatic … It was still fun and it was a new character for you.
Olivia: You look gorgeous and you look like you were having fun.
Bruno: I’m not sure about Vogue, it was more like National Enquirer: entertaining, but you have to take the content with a grain of salt.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 6, Julianne: 6, Olivia: 6, Bruno: 6, total: 24 out of 40.
Carlos PenaVega & Witney Carson 1-855-234-5605
Dancing a Rumba to “Pony” from Magic Mike
Last week, Carlos’ quickstep was almost as perfect as his wife’s dance, and earned him a 39 out of 40. This week, he’s bringing out the sexy, which makes him a little nervous because he’s a man of faith and he’s not a raunchy person. I have ot give him a lot of credit — it was sexy, but still tasteful.
Bruno: Repent! Repent, I feel like I’ve answered the 7 deadly sins in one dance. You answered my prayers.
Carrie Ann: It’s not just grinding, there was a lot of substance. You owned it.
Julianne: That was the sexiest Rumba I’ve ever seen.
Olivia: I’m kind of speechless because it was amazing. I think you missed your calling … I’m teasing.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 10, Julianne: 9, Olivia 9, Bruno: 10, total: 38 out of 40.
Nick Carter & Sharna Burgess 1-855-234-5610
Dancing Samba to “You Should Be Dancing” from Saturday Night Fever
Nick is nervous to tackle Saturday Night Fever, especially because Sharna is really adding all of the famous dance elements from the entire film. Nick does great; disco is so fluid and looks fun to do. But I won’t
Carrie Ann: It was good, but it wasn’t perfect.
Julianne: For me, I thought that was a true reinvention!
Olivia: I think you brought disco back!
Bruno: You seamlessly constructed the samba in the disco feel.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 10, Olivia 10, Bruno: 10, total: 39 out of 40.
Alek Skarlatos & Lindsay Arnold 1-855-234-5601
Dancing Jive to “Jailhouse Rock” from Jailhouse Rock
Alek is still bummed from his low scores last week and this week he’s trying to regroup and channel the King. Alek looks hot with a little Black Velvet hair dye. And Lindsay’s legs — WOW!
Julianne: If you’re going to get out of the middle pack, you’ve got to commit a little harder. You have what it takes.
Olivia: It takes a lot of courage to take on the king, and we know you have a lot of that. And I think you did amazing and you did a great job.
Bruno: You really tried to get into the style and you put in a lot of jive content.
Carrie Ann: I’d like to see you work with Artem.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 8, Julianne: 8, Olivia 7, Bruno: 7, total: 30 out of 40.
Tamar Braxton & Val Chmerkovskiy 1-855-234-5612
Dancing Jazz to “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson
After last week’s disappointing performance, Tamar got sick and lost two days of practice. She’s dancing such a technical and specific song that if she messes up, we’ll all know. OMG, Tamar did not mess up! It was amazing and it was in black & white
Olivia: You were so precise and you had great attitude.
Bruno: That is how you stage a comeback: you take a knock and you comeback with a knockout!
Carrie Ann: Tonight is really who you are, as a dancer.
Julianne: I rally believe that this dance was made for you to perform.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 10, Julianne: 10, Olivia: 10, Bruno: 10, total: 40 out of 40.
After so much perfection this week and last, it’ll be hard to see someone go home. Paula and Louis are the first couple in jeopardy, and then, shockingly, Alexa and Mark are in the bottom two. Alexa is heartbroken and crying into her partner. Boo!! Thankfully, Alexa is safe and it’s Paula’s night to go home. Paula is a trooper and is so glad for the wonderful experience
Next week, it’s Halloween week and the team dance!
How to Vote
This week (week six), viewers may cast their votes for their favorite couples via phone on Monday during and up to 60 minutes after the end of the Dancing with the Stars broadcast in each time zone. Online voting at www.ABC.com and on Facebook at https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ is open for 24 hours, beginning from the start of each episode on the East Coast at 8:00pm, ET/5:00pm, PT and closing at 8:00pm, ET/5:00pm, PT on Tuesday evenings.
Find Season 21 voting phone numbers here!
Dancing With The Stars > ABC > Mondays at 8pm ET/PT
