Recap: Dancing With The Stars, Season 21, Episode 4, “Most Memorable Year”

Dancing With The Stars, "Most Memorable Year"
Last week we had Ninja Turtles and Breaking Bad. This week DWTS is getting personal.

Tonight, we take a look at the Year that shaped our celebs when DWTS presents “Most Memorable Year” night. Each celebrity contestant has chosen a song that encompasses a memorable time or event in his or her life.

Dancing With The Stars, “Most Memorable Year”
Image credit: ABC/Adam Taylor

But first, Former DWTS champ and current America’s Funniest Videos host Alfonso Ribeiro takes over for Tom Bergeron this week as Tom takes time off to be with his ailing parent. Tom, our thoughts are with you, your father and your family. On to the fun!

Alexa PenaVega & Mark Ballas 1-855-234-5602
Memorable Year: 2000
Dancing Foxtrot to “Mama Said” by The Shirelles
Alexa is still mad that last week, Alfonso told her that she needs to be focused on her partner and not her husband. Alexa says family is the most important thing to her.
Her most memorable year was 2000 when Alexa booked Spy Kids and her mom made the tough decision to move the family to Austin to keep them together. She is dancing to a song that her mom used to blast in the car. Alexa’s Foxtrot shows off her physicality and how beautiful she looks even in glasses! Is there anything this dynamo can’t do!?!
Julianne: That was a great way to start the evening.
Bruno: You’ve got to lift from the waist.
Carrie Ann: We’re finally seeing your theatricality.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 7, Julianne: 7, Bruno: 7, total: 21 out of 30.

Gary Busey & Anna Trebunskaya 1-855-234-5607
Memorable Year: 1979
Dancing Jazz to “That’ll Be the Day” by Buddy Holly
Gary’s remembers the year he stated filming The Buddy Holly Story which led to his Academy Award Nomination. He also dances in memory of the 1988 motorcycle that nearly killed him and left him with a traumatic brain injury. Anna says that this week Gary is very focused. Who doesn’t love Gary in dark hair and Buddy Holly glasses? He’s dancing like he’s 36 years younger!
Bruno: Your passion for the character almost made me forget your unique interpretation of the dance.
Carrie Ann: Every time you dance, I feel your spirit and it makes me so happy.
Julianne: I think that you had persistence to recover, and you have persistence in this competition.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 5, Julianne: 6, Bruno: 5, total: 16 out of 30.

Tamar Braxton & Valentin Chmerkovskiy 1-855-234-5612
Memorable Year: 2012
Dancing the Rumba to “King” by Tamar Braxton
Val and Tamar are working on their connection and in 2012, Tamar almost lost hr husband Vince, when he almost died from blood clots in his lungs. Thankfully, he survived and because of the experience, Tamar and Cince decided to have their beautiful son. Tamar is dancing to her new song, which is in honor to the two men (and miracles) in her life. After the amazingly emotional dance, Tamar was so emotional!
Carrie Ann: (Crying) Your story touched me deeply; but your dance touched me more deeply.
Julianne: I’ve never seen you more beautiful than you are right now.
Bruno: Tonight your connection was wired to perfection.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 9, total: 27 out of 30.

Before Hayes and Nick dance, Dance Pro Allison Holker announces that she and her husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss are pregnant! Allison is four months pregnant and reassures fans that she’s 100% committed to Andy.

Hayes Grier & Emma Slater 1-855-234-5608
Memorable Year: 2014
Dancing Contemporary to “Stitches” by Shawn Mendes
Hayes talked about how he went from a shy kid-next door to paid cameraman for his brother’s videos to an internet superstar. This week, Hayes is dancing to a song of one of his BFFs, fellow Vine star, Shawn Mendes.
Julianne: What just happened!?! I am so shocked right now. You have broken out of that shell you’ve been living in.
Bruno: Get out of here! What was that?!? What a breakthrough!
Carrie Ann: You finally understood the nuances of every move.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 9, total: 27 out of 30.

Alek Skarlatos & Lindsay Arnold 1-855-234-5601
Memorable Year: 2015
Dancing Paso Doble to “Wake Me Up” by Avicii featuring Aloe Blacc
Alek’s life in 2015 has changed dramatically, he went from soldier in Afghanistan, to tourist turned hero, to his latest remarkable life moment when he spent frantic hours trying to find friends and family in the wake of a senseless shooting at his college. The thoughts of the nation are with the staff and students of Oregon’s Umpqua Community College, where Alek is a student. If it had not been for his stint on DWTS, he may have been on campus at the time of the senseless shooting. It’s clear that Alek’s thoughts are everywhere but here this week, but he still delivers a lovely performance.
Bruno: We are all with you … Well done
Carrie Ann: I have a lot of respect for you, always. It was strong and sturdy.
Julianne: You had a focus and connection with Lindsay, that is amazing.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 8, Julianne: 8, Bruno: 8, total: 24 out of 30.

Nick Carter & Sharna Burgess 1-855-234-5610
Memorable Year: 1992
Dancing Jazz to “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” by Backstreet Boys
Nick and his former BSB bandmates talked about when Nick joined the group. Nick grew up a part of a dysfunctional family and try as he might, he couldn’t fix it. But being a part of the Backstreet Boys saved him; they became his family and got him out of his rough environment. This song is a way for Nick to say, “Thank you” and “I love you” to his Brothers. It was so fun to relive my youth with a mini-BSB concert. I’m pretty jealout of the 300-audience members who got to participate.
Carrie Ann: You were really good when you were in BSB, but you are better now!
Julianne: Hot! Hot! Hot! And I made a little sign for you (That reads I [Heart] Nick!)
Bruno: This is what I call a mega-Sexy, mega-Hit!
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 9, total: 27 out of 30.

Dancing With The Stars, “Most Memorable Year”
Image Credit: Witney Carson’s Instagram Account

Carlos PenaVega & Witney Carson 1-855-234-5605
Memorable Year: 2012
Dancing Waltz to “Amazing Grace” By Ray Chew LiveCongrats to Witney who got engaged over the weekend to her longtime boyfriend, Carson McCallister! The duo have been together since high school. Witney shared adorable photos on her Instagram account including the pic at right, taken by pal McKenna Fullmer. Wow, look at that sparkler!

This week, Carlos is dancing because in 2012, at the height of his fame with Big Time Rush, he turned to drugs. His life felt empty and he found himself by going to church. And at a bible study, he met his wife. What a beautiful, simple, and heartfelt dance.
Julianne: Thank you so much for sharing, and sharing that beautiful dance.
Bruno: Your were like to luminous heavenly bodies.
Carrie Ann: Dance is artistic expression … Tonight I understand how you move because the spirit moves you. That was mind-blowing.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 8, Bruno: 8, total: 25 out of 30.

Paula Deen & Louis van Amstel 1-855-234-5611
Memorable Year: 1989
Dancing Cha Cha to “Respect” By Aretha Franklin
In 1989, Paula ended her 27-year unhappy marriage and opened her business, The Bag Lady. Paula’s trying to find the confidence to trust in herself. Once again, Paula’s amazing legs are on display.
Bruno: Look at you Momma! And look at your lollies! Camp it up more, have more fun!
Carrie Ann: The way you move is so hot and sexy, but you keep losing focus.
Julianne: Paula, you are a strong, fierce woman.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 6, Julianne: 6, Bruno: 6, total: 18 out of 30.

Andy Grammer & Allison Holker 1-855-234-5603
Memorable Year: 2009
Dancing Cha Cha to “Good to be Alive” by Andy Grammer
In 2009, Andy was a street performer and when his mom was diagnosed with cancer and died soon thereafter, he wrote a song to be his own, personal pick-me-up that became his first hit “Keep Your Head Up.” It’ amazing that he found success form that sad place and a wonderful honor to his mom that he does this for her. It was a little strange that he mouthed the words to his song as he danced, but if can do it and not pass out, more power to him.
Carrie Ann: I’m judging the dance… but tonight, I felt an awkwardness.
Julianne: I disagree, I think this is the most comfortable you’ve been since week 1.
Bruno: That worked for you.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 7, Julianne: 8, Bruno: 8, total: 23 out of 30.

Bindi Irwin & Derek Hough 1-855-234-5604
Memorable Year: 2006
Dancing Contemporary to “Every Breath You Take” by Aaron Krause f. Liza Anne
Bindi’s package isn’t even aired, and she’s always crying. Even 9 years after her father’s death, her bond is still strong and her loss is still profound.
And her lovely dance is the tear-filled moment of the night.
Julianne: I am probably not the only one, that took my breath away.
Bruno: He was dancing with you every step of the way.
Carrie Ann: Every time I watch you dance, I feel like I’m watching the way you live your life.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 10, total: 28 out of 30.

After crying like babies, we still have an elimination to get though. Since Kim withdrew last week, the scores from the last two weeks are used in consideration of tonight’s elimination.

Dancing With The Stars Season 21

Carlos and Witney are the first team in jeopardy, and the crowd is furious. Gary and Anna are also in jeopardy. After a few seconds of tension, we know that Gary and Anna are the ones going home. Gary is grateful for what he calls “A beautiful experience” and we got to hear him say “Anna, from Russia, with love” one more time. He also made us laugh one more time by saying that he hasn’t really been voted out, his spirit will inhabit the ballroom for the rest of the competition.

Twitter voting for the “Switch Up” continues, and the public can continue to vote throughout Monday’s program. To vote, viewers must Tweet using #DWTS followed by the first name of the celebrity and the first name of the professional dancer. For example, to pair up celebrity Tamar Braxton and professional dancer Mark Ballas, use the Tweet “#DWTSTAMARMARK.” In addition, www.ABC.com will have a page dedicated to assisting viewers in casting their votes. There is no limit on the number of votes one person can cast. Voting for the “Switch Up” remains open until Monday, October 5 at 11:59pm, ET.

This week (week four), viewers may cast their votes for their favorite couples via phone on Monday nights during and up to 60 minutes after the end of the Dancing with the Stars broadcast in each time zone. Online voting and on Facebook 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.

Dancing With The Stars Season 21
DWTS Voting Phone Numbers for Season 21
Recap: DWTS Season 21, Episode 2, “Hometown Glory”
Recap: DWTS Season 21, Episode 2.5, “Hometown Glory, Part 2”
Recap: DWTS Season 21, Episode 1 “Season Premiere”
Recap: DWTS Season 21 Special “First Dances”
DWTS Announces Pros for Season 21
DWTS Announces Celebrity Contestants for Season 21

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