Image courtesy of Dancing With the Stars‘ Facebook page
This week, we get a partner swap-a-roo as “The Switchup” shifts celeb and pro pairings for a one-night only engagement. Season 18 Mirrorball-winner Maksim Chmerkovskiy will guest judge alongside Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. And might I say, that Maks is looking extra sexy tonight!
Tom Bergeron is back and I’m so sorry to learn of the passing of your father. I’m so glad that you got to spend his final days together, and hopefully your DWTS family can comfort you through what I’m sure is a difficult time.
Tamar Braxton & Louis van Amstel 1-855-234-5612
Dancing the Samba to “End of Time” by Beyonce Knowles
I have a feeling that this pairing is going to be a good one! I am so glad that Louis has a spitfire and I’m thrilled that he has a Latin dance! He can move and I think the hot Samba is perfect for Tamar’s saucy ‘tude. Tamar looks like she’s in her head and not enjoying this dance as much, but her legs look fantastic!!
Maksim: The switch up think is hard…you’re an amazing performer, but it was difficult for you to get into this.
Bruno: Bring on the girls! When you started getting into hold, there were some balance issues.
Carrie Ann: Of the women left in this competition, to me, you are the one who owns the dance floor.
Julianne: I give you props. The dances are twice as long. My tip — get grounded.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 7, Julianne: 7, Maksim: 8, Bruno: 7, total: 29 out of 40.
Hayes Grier & Allison Holker 1-855-234-5608
Dancing the Viennese Waltz to “Like I’m Going to Lose You” by Meghan Trainor
Before sweet Hayes dances, my husband leaned over and said, “That guy looks exactly like a human version of a Disney Prince.” Exactly! And then he dances just like he is Prince Charming. What a sweet kid, and nice dancer.
Bruno: You are like the ideal prince charming.
Carrie Ann: I thought it was very sweet and sophisticated. Be careful with your chin.
Julianne: I think that this partnership is really beautiful. It was youthful and efflorescent with a grace.
Maksim: There were a lot of steps, but not a lot of Viennese Waltz.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 8, Julianne: 8, Maksim 7, Bruno: 7, total: 31 out of 40.
Paula Deen & Mark Ballas 1-855-234-5611
Dancing the Jive to “Shake” By Sam Cooke
Is it fair to say that Mark pulled the short straw this week? That’s okay, because at least he can focus on costuming and makeup, one of his favorite aspects of performing. When Mark walked into the rehearsal space, Paula yelled “You’re so edgy!” and Mark called her “Bad Grandma.” And then the rehearsal dissolved into talk about spankings and kissing on the mouth. And as promised, Mark got to use props. And the dance was one of Paula’s best.
Carrie Ann: You are a naughty little, crazy silver fox…That was your best dance ever!
Julianne: Well Mark brought the milk, and you brought the cookies.
Maksim: Well this was a lot of fun, thanks for that… I liked it.
Bruno: Naughty, Naughty Paula. You need kicks and flicks on the toes. Paula: Oh, I didn’t know that!
Scores: Carrie Ann: 7, Julianne: 7, Maksim: 6, Bruno: 6, total: 26 out of 40.
Alek Skarlatos & Emma Slater 1-855-234-5601
Dancing Rumba to “Let it Go” by James Bay
Alek is having a hard time staying focused with his sexy partner. We all know that Alek is a single man, so this may be a very arousing performance. IN the performance I saw a moment or two, when they were supposed to be pressed together when Alek laughed a little, he’s clearly not used to being so close to a woman. Remember, he’s not an actor. He’s a regular guy. Well, maybe not a regular guy, but a more regular guy. After their dance, Erin Andrews played matchmaker and Emma agreed to a date with Alek.
Julianne: I think we all just witnessed something happening on the dance floor.
Maksim: I think you’re the dark horse of this competition.
Bruno: Remember, the feet skim across the floor in a rumba
Carrie Ann: Did not get to comment
Scores: Carrie Ann: 8, Julianne: 7, Maksim 7, Bruno: 7, total: 29 out of 40.
Bindi Irwin & Valentin Chmerkovskiy 1-855-234-5604
Dancing the Cha Cha to “Hold My Hand” by Jess Glynne
A week after Bindi Took out breaths away with a touching tribute to her deceased father, she’s been paired with the DWTS’ steamy sexpot, Val. How will the Aussie Lassie fare with the Russian renegade? Well, she brought in a snake, which was pretty awesome. She’s really a fearless woman. I just adore her so much! And her brother is her Dad’s mini-twin!
Maksim: I loved it. I think it was the dance of the night for me. There is so much positivity coming out of you … I smiled the entire time.
Bruno: You lift my spirit like a bright summer’s day.
Carrie Ann: You took yourself to another level.
Julianne: Wither Derek, with Val, no matter who you’re with, you’re Bindi and you’re a ray of sunshine.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 9, Maksim 10, Bruno: 9, total: 37 out of 40.
Carlos PenaVega & Lindsay Arnold 1-855-234-5605
Dancing the Quickstep to “Fun in Acapulco” By Elvis Presley
Last week, Carlos found himself in the bottom two pairs after an emotional dance to “Amazing Grace.” While he was ultimately saved, I’m sure his confidence is shaky. Hopefully Lindsay’s spark can raise the hunk out of his funk!
Lindsay is just a light little bit of merriment, she’s just what Carlos needed, and I loved the fast fun of his Quickstep.
Bruno: Look at me, that was not a quickstep … that was turbo charged!
Carrie Ann: It doesn’t get any better than that!
Julianne: That was exactly what you needed, Carlos.
Maksim: That was not a great Quickstep, that was an amazing Quickstep!
Scores: Carrie Ann: 10, Julianne: 10, Maksim 9, Bruno: 10, total: 39 out of 40.
Alexa PenaVega & Derek Hough 1-855-234-5602
Dancing Tango to “Pompei” by Bastille
Derek loves the Tango. Each season, his best dances have been tangos, and once again he presented a dance that was thrilling and powerful to watch. It was so good, that I just wanted to watch …
Carrie Ann: That was a revelation!
Julianne: There was an element of authenticity.
Maksim: You’re too much in your head…very well done.
Bruno: It was a metamorphosis.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 10, Julianne: 10, Maksim 10, Bruno: 10, total: 40 out of 40.
Andy Grammer & Sharna Burgess 1-855-234-5603
Dancing Argentine Tango to “I Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd
Sharna’s goal for this week is to show Andy’s sexy side, and also to show his … balls. Andy is fully committed to this process and even cancelled a performance to spend more time with the show. This week, Andy was the king of power, with some really hot lifts!
Julianne: Musicality, the footwork…nailed it!
Maksim: Argentine Tango is my favorite…your performance value was through the room!
Bruno: Sinfully sensual, steamier than an erupting volcano.
Carrie Ann: This week it was like watching James Dean! … It was hot!
Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 9, Maksim 9, Bruno: 9, total: 36 out of 40.
Nick Carter & Witney Carson 1-855-234-5610
Dancing Paso Doble to “Don’t Look Down” by Martin Garrix featuring Usher
Last week, Nick’s dance to his hit, “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” was one of the highlights of the week. This week, Nick’s been paired with perky dynamo Witney. How will they work together? Well, this much I know, Witney LOVES to chorograph memorable Paso Dobles, so expect something futuristic and hot.
Maksim: This is not my cup of tea. It’s not my type of Paso.
Bruno: Nick, still the leader of the pack. You’re an avenging Hell’s Angel.
Carrie Ann: The best thing about you, you found your way and you stay in the zone.
Julianne: There were moments where you went too far.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 9, Maksim 8, Bruno: 9, total: 35 out of 40.
There’s no elimination this week, so this week’s scores will carry over and be added to last week scores and next week after Famous Dances night — with guest judge Olivia Newton John — someone’s going home.
How to Vote
This week (week five), 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!
