DTWS S027, Week Two, Vegas Night: It’s Vegas, Baby

The opening number of Vegas Night on Dancing with the Stars this season features simulated dice (and actual dice, that the women sit on). The funnest thing about this (for me) was seeing Sharna dancing with Val. When they bring out the stars, it’s against a giant roulette wheel backdrop.

Erin Andrews is resplendent in gold. Tom announces that someone is indeed going home tonight.

In the package, Cheryl and Juan Pablo say their foxtrot “is gonna get steamy.” Juan Pablo describes them being alone in a penthouse, after gambling all night, “and we’re going to strut around the room, before we continue to the boudoir.” Ok, then.

Yep. OK. Pretty steamy. They are also dancing to Peggy Lee, so it’s got that old-Vegas vibe.

Whew! What a way to kick off Vegas night.

Len: “Juan Pablo, no problemo. First out, by and large, first class. I would’ve liked a little bit stronger frame. But, this isn’t a gamble: you will be back next week.” Bruno (who is wearing a glittery sparkling jacket): “Talk about opening big in Vegas. Those two are almost too hot to trot. Talk about sultry. You really managed to maintain top-notch sleekness and elegance. The choreography, Cheryl, was superb.” Carrie Ann: “There was something so impressive about you, the way you seasoned every movement. So not only was the technique incredibly good... what you did on top of it, all the nuances and all the pizzazz, but maintaining your core, and the beautiful lines? OK. Yummy.”

Tom chats with Cheryl and Juan Pablo a bit. JP goes off about how “we get to dance, and this is about DANCING!...” Tom: “That’s why it’s in the title.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)

Milo and Witney are dancing a tango to a Celine Dion song. As Tom announces that, they roll tape of Celine Dion wishing them both well. Milo and Witney freak out.

Wow, that dance was so good.



Bruno: “You two were on fire. So focused. So powerful. I love the touches of Argentine tango, then off to a proper tango.” Carrie Ann: “I love my job. Season 27 is so much fun. You have quite a range. At 17 years old, to show and display this kind of range of performance style, grace. The way you match lines, considering the height and shape difference, was ridiculous.” Len: “It started off with a bit of Argentine tango, which I don’t really mind, then you got into the proper ballroom tango. You hit every nuance in the music. That’s down to you, Witney. Very clear and precise.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)

Tom brings out Donny Osmond. I mean, it is Vegas night. Donny says that he and his sister “were supposed to be at the Flamingo for six weeks. We just announced our 11th year.” Tom laughs and says, “We were supposed to be on ABC for six weeks, and we just started our 14th year.” They laugh and hug. They talk about how Donny is going to be singing while Danielle and Artem dance. Donny notes how the fact that she’s blind “and on this ballroom floor is so inspiring.”

There is a bit of Blue Man Group to bring us back from commercial. Tom notes that they are playing at the Luxor Hotel in Vegas.

Wow. I had forgotten that Donny Osmond won a Mirror Ball on this show. (I only remember the part about Marie fainting when she competed.)

I gotta say, every time Danielle dances, it just terrifies me.

But she had a lot of people carrying her around in this quickstep.

Carrie Ann: “I love the way you used the space, Artem. That first pass was elegant and graceful. You touch our hearts every time you dance.“ Len: “Once the whole thing got cracking, I enjoyed it very much. You had lovely movement around the floor. Your dancing complemented Donny’s singing.” Bruno: “Lucky girl tonight. Your guys, your dolls, your Donny. That’s a good hand.” (OK, enough with the labored Vegas idioms.)

JUDGES’ SCORES: 19 (out of 30)

As we come back from commercial, everyone is in the balcony, which is emblazoned with #VegasStrong. Tom mentions that last night was the one year anniversary of the tragedy in Las Vegas.

Alexis and Alan do a pretty complicated salsa, after seeming to struggle in their package.

However, they commit the sin of performing a song which is already a legend on #DWTS. Maks performed this song so memorably with someone who actually HAS a “big booty.” Neither Alexis nor Alan has anything approaching a big booty. But it was passable.

Len: “If you were playing in Vegas, you went all in. No messing about. You were working your assets, I gotta tell you. You are a great dancer.” Bruno: “You’re definitely bootylicious, as they say. Very very bendy. Those lifts! Cirque du Soleil meets salsa. Very nice.” Carrie Ann: “You were great. You light up the stage. You have such an innocence when you dance. It’s really refreshing to see. Your flexibility works for you, and it works against you. Keep your core tight. You have great lines.”

Erin: “You are ridiculous.” (She means that in a good way.)

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

Well, OK. What is Vegas night without Elvis? Or multiple Elvii?

Emma Slater and her partner John Schneider camp it up with an Elvis jive. John mentions that he is in the Elvis museum in Graceland, because he has “the top-charting Elvis cover of all time.” Who knew?

The premise of the dance is that they are competing Elvis impersonators, and they have “an Elvis-off.”

That was funny.

Bruno: “I thought it was so much fun. But you lost a little bit of jive in translation. But as a number, and as an entertainment, really good.” Carrie Ann: “I don’t think it was quite as good as last night’s performance, but I think you did Elvis proud.” Len: “To do two totally different dances on Week Two, one night after the other is an enormous challenge. What a great job you two have done.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 20 (out of 30)

A quick break for a DWTS: Juniors promo.

Lindsay and DeMarcus do a quickstep while Boys II Men are singing onstage (“Ladies Man”). Great costumes!

Carrie Ann: “You’re out of breath, so that tells me you were working hard. Still, Ladies Man in the house.” Len: “I liked the dance.” Bruno: “You still are on a winning streak. You have such a dashing presence. Star quality. That’s a very good quality.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 23 (out of 30)

Wayne Newton does a Vegas plug to bring us back.

Jenna and Grocery Store Joe are doing a jazz dance to Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler.” It starts out with a nifty bit of glasses slinging around a bar. It is notable for this INCREDIBLE LIFT in the middle of this. I am still shocked by it. They get a standing O from the crowd. Even the crew applauded.

Len: “It was a routine. It held my interest from start to finish. Whoa, Jenna! The way you flew up there. Wow. That was scary.” Bruno: “I’ve got an image in my brain that I need to erase. I appreciate the fact that you started to tell a story. You still have to come out of your shell.” Carrie Ann: “I loved watching you walk over here after the number, because I saw you proud of what you'd done. You felt better tonight, didn’t you?”  

JUDGES’ SCORES: 18 (out of 30)

Blue Man Group does what they do to bring us back.

Erin introduces this with: “If you’ve ever gotten stuck in the desert, driving back from Vegas...” (and who hasn’t?)

Evanna and Keo dance a jive to “Heatwave.” Great song, fun to dance to, but it is clear that Evanna has not ONE iota of “heat” for Keo. No attraction there whatsoever. Nor much from him to her, so the passion of this dance is not believable. That said, it was very fun to watch, and Evanna is a dance star, as far as I’m concerned. I just wish she was with another partner.

Bruno: “You cooked up a pretty tasty jive.” Carrie Ann: “Wonderful performance.” Len: “High energy, fast and athletic.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

We had this bit of fun and frivolity after the commercial. LOL

Bobby, in his package says: “Whatever you want, Las Vegas has.” True statement.

They get scary by doing a magician’s trick with Hayley, where she is sawed in half. Ugh.

But they are dancing to Sammy Davis, Jr. (can’t get more Vegas than that). “That Olde Black Magic.” Beautiful quickstep.

Carrie Ann: “Don”t lose your joy.” Len: “A bit of Siegfried and Roy, a bit of quickstep down the street.” Bruno: “Be gentle. I like the energy.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 19 (out of 30)

Nancy and Val visit the Cirque du Soleil show Kà to prepare for their serious paso doble. We have fire, we have wind, we have water. We have a stern Nancy, defending her turf. Plus four half naked guys (including Val) dancing around her. (Not a bad day at the office.)



I will say, the sets, lighting and costumes for this number were incredible.

Len: “I thought it was lacking finesse.” Bruno: “I loved the story.” Carrie Ann: “What I love is when a woman can go toe to toe with four amazing dancers.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 20 (out of 30)

The backstory on this dance is that Tinashe used to perform with Britney Spears (they are dancing a cha cha to Britney’s “Circus.”). So that knowledge of the song really resonates.

Bruno: “You picked up an accent in the music. It was so on it. Splendid.” Carrie Ann: “Incredible musicality. You generate energy.” Len: “Another knockout performance. But there’s a tad of sameness about the performances.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)

Mary Lou and Sasha are doing a samba to “Copacabana.” They receive an encouraging Tweet from Barry Manilow himself. One of the best things about this dance (to Vegas it up) is that we get to see Brit and Hayley as fan dancers.

Mary Lou has the arms (arm movements) that judges always complain about. She’s doing them with pride. At the end of the dance, Sasha slides through her legs, and kisses the camera. Nice!

Carrie Ann: “The way you nailed that at 50, girlfriend!” Len: “That was a proper samba. I loved it. I wish everyone would do what you do: just dance the dance.” Bruno: “You captured the party mood of the song. Perfect ending for a party night.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

Who’s going home?

Whew. Big sigh of relief. Artem did a spectacular job, I must say, though.



Miche’s Favorites on Vegas Night
1. Juan Pablo and Cheryl (foxtrot)
2. Milo and Witney (tango)
3. Mary Lou and Sasha (samba)
4. Tinashe and Brandon (cha cha)
5. Evanna and Keo (jive)
6. Bobby Bones and Sharna (quickstep)
7. Nancy and Val (paso doble)
8. Alexis and Alan (salsa)
9. John and Emma (jive)
10. Joe and Jenna (jazz)

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DTWS S027, Week Two, New York Night: Reveling in the Big Apple

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s New York Night on Dancing with the Stars! It starts with this amazing set (and can I just give a shoutout to the incredible team of props and lighting and set design and costume people they have on this show?). New York Night was incredible, and really made you feel like you were in New York.

But it began with New Yorker Val Chmerkovskiy banging on the cab, like he’s Ratso Rizzo. “I’m walkin’ here!” he shouts (something you never hear in LA). As he hits it, our lovely judges (Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Toglieri ) get out, as “On Broadway” starts playing.

(Note our other judge, Len Goodman is driving... as he does.)

Course, it does make me wonder. Does NYC still have cabs? Haven’t Uber and Lyft taken over there like they have here? Ah, too late to wonder about that, it’s already onto the amazing Mandy Moore-choreographed dance.

Val is dancing. He pulls Alan into the frame. It’s four guys dancing. Then Sasha joins in. Now the lacy ladies come out. Some tap guys. The guys get into the cab that Len is driving. Then, they stop at a movie theatre, where a movie about ballet is playing (and the ballerina from the New York City Ballet is actually dancing). Then Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews get out of the cab.

Our lovely stars are lined up in the background. Now, that’s a number!

Erin, btw, is breathtaking in white. She asks Tom: “Are you carsick?” Tom: “A little bit, with Sasha bouncing on the back.”

DeMarcus and Lindsay have a foxtrot, on a NY stoop. They dance to “Boy from New York City.”

Len: “How long did it take you to master that footwork? You nailed that fantastically. You were good last week. You’re better tonight.” Bruno: “You make it look like a stroll in the park. Musicality. If you kick any higher, you’re gonna join the Rockettes.” Carrie Ann: “Style. Elegance and softness. I see a great future for you right here.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

They just did “On Broadway.” How can they let that pass without mentioning one of the beloved DWTS alums, who is now on Broadway in Kinky Boots? So they Skype into Mark Ballas in NYC. A very nice segment. He tells the couples to take everything moment by moment, “cause it goes so fast.”

One of the best things about this New York Night is the amazing background sets. This one (though you can barely see it in this photo) had a beautiful Statue of Liberty, with fireworks going off in the background. Just lovely.

Artem guided her through this cha cha. But it’s very hard to watch her as an actual competitor. It’s a cool song, “Welcome to New York.”

Bruno: “Respect. You came down the slide. You went on the wrong foot, but you recovered.” Carrie Ann: “This radiance and confidence that came out of you. Artem, you are doing an amazing job.” Len: “Artem, great work. Very clever cha cha cha. A very competent performance.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 18 (out of 30)

A shoutout from the Good Morning, America hosts. Ginger says she misses everyone.

John and Emma are doing a Charleston, which could really be my favorite dance on this show. John, however, thinks it’s hard. In fact, he says it’s “the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

He plays a conductor, like at Grand Central Station. There’s a big clock as the backdrop.

He does this crazy move at the end, where he puts Emma behind his head and swings her down. It’s wild. It’s a really fun dance.

Carrie Ann: “That was fantastic. It made me feel like I was watching a show on Broadway. You are the greatest showman.” Len: “You’re on the right track. (Get it? Yuck, yuck.) It was a great improvement over last week. I would’ve liked to see a bit more Charleston in there.” Bruno: “That was a Grand Central spectacular mini musical. That was a first-class ride.”

Tom tells us that tomorrow night is Las Vegas Night. Erin says she loved that dance. She tells Emma: “Amazing choreography.” John says he’s “getting a little more comfortable and closer to my dance partner.”

 JUDGES’ SCORES: 23 (out of 30)

Nancy and Val dance to “Uptown Girl.” He kisses her hand in the middle of the dance. I just love his choreography and his style. So great.

Len: “You looked confident. You did a Fan in a Hockey Stick, which is a step you don’t see very often. (Val smiles.) Full of verve.” Bruno: “My kind of girl. You had a misstep, but you didn’t let it stop the flow of the performance.” Carrie Ann: “As the dance progressed, you really opened up. I thought it was great.”

Nancy has a fractured foot, so Val carries her up to the skybox. (What a gentleman.) Val says he just wants Nancy to have a good time.

 JUDGES’ SCORES: 21 (out of 30)

Tom is sitting in an easy chair. He gives his mic to Jordan and Frankie (the new hosts of Dancing with the Stars: Juniors.) Oh Tom, no one could replace you.

Great Wall Street bumper from the troupe to bring us back.

Tyler Peck from the New York City Ballet (who was in the opening number) FaceTimes in to give Alexis some tips on the ballet part.

Alexis and Alan are actually dancing to Swan Lake. It starts out as a ballet, then becomes an Argentine tango. Quite inspired choreography, actually.

Bruno: “You were prima Argentina. Plus, you threw in a very hard lift. You’ve done a very good job.” Carrie Ann: “The lift and the wardrobe, not so great. Everything else? Perfect. There was so much tension, and that’s what the Argentine tango is all about.” Len: “It was a great mix of precision and passion. It was, without a doubt, for me, the best dance so far.”

 JUDGES’ SCORES: 25 (out of 30)

Alan thanks Ray Chew (music) and the costume department “who works so hard.”

Ryan and Kelly toss to Tom, who says: “Thank you, Regis! (beat) He’ll get me for that.”

“Grocery Store” Joe and Jenna do a “redemption foxtrot,” which basically means he was so bad last week, and couldn't get the steps so much that they had to do the same dance again. Here is the power of social media, though, as Jenna notes. There were six couples in the bottom last week. They were not one of them, even though Joe really struggled with his steps and the judges hated the dance.

However, this week, we have an incredible New York skyline backdrop. They are both in a beautiful shade of blue, and we are definitely in a “New York State of Mind.”



Carrie Ann: “I recognize that this is so challenging for you. Tonight, what I saw is transformation. You had elegance. Much improved.” Len: “You went straight into the dance. Last week, a caterpillar. This week, a butterfly.” Bruno: “Tonight, you started to move. You started to hit some very nice lines.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 17 (out of 30)

Tinashe and Brandon are all up in a New York club, dancing an Argentine tango.



Len: “The lifts were spectacular. You can’t go too far away from the heart of the dance. It lacked a little bit of Argentine tango flavor.” Bruno: “More than that. Futuristic, fantastic. It was like watching Barbarella, landing in the hippest NY club. The lifts were spectacular.” Carrie Ann: “It was a very different type of Argentine tango. It was so sharp and strong. Da bomb.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)

Jesse Tyler Ferguson is walking around, handing out pretzels to everyone. Tom makes the mistake of eating a bite. Ugh. (Prop pretzels.)

Milo and Witney are doing a Charleston in the subway. As you do. Hopping turnstiles (I think that’s a New York thing.) But this dance!

I loved it so much. It was to that song with the refrain: “I’m living in New York City...” (don’t know the title). Minimal sets, but it was so good!!!! I just loved this dance. (I really think I like Charleston the most out of all the dances.)

Bruno: “That was exhilarating. It was like New York itself. It never ceases to amaze me. Fantastic.” Carrie Ann: “What is going on? This is Week Two! This is so good. This week, you blew us out of the water. The choreography was so good, it’s going to be one of those we remember forever. It was amazing.” Len: “You’ve got a lot of Lindy hop in there, a lot of Charleston, both from the Twenties. So much energy there. I gotta say, Tom, the cast this year is fantastic. Great dancing, great personality, great entertainment.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)



A toss back to Good Morning, America, who love New York City Night.

A little Newsies break from the troupe.


Mary Lou and Sasha waltz to “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman” from the Broadway show about Carole King, “Beautiful.” Actual people from the Broadway show are singing it.  To my eyes, this dance seems to have a lot of Viennese waltz flavor to it (rather than waltz).

Carrie Ann: “Halfway through the number, something opened up in you. That is what this journey is about, about letting go. Cause you already can move, girl. You fill the space. But tonight, you filled it, and you opened up your heart even more. It was beautiful.” Len: “It was a lovely, natural performance. It was just a lovely waltz.” Bruno: “Beautiful and inspired. You just let yourself go with the flow. Embracing the music. Embracing the moment.”

Mary Lou describes how Sasha’s been telling her to access the emotion in a song. Erin asks her how it felt. “It was fun!’ she says. She notes that she “felt pretty.” Sasha says: “You are pretty.“ They hug.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 22 (out of 30)

Juan Pablo, in his package: “I went home and researched (Len’s comments from last week: ‘the hunk with the junk in the trunk.’).... I found out it means I have a really big... heart.”

Juan Pablo and Cheryl do a fun quickstep to “42nd Street.” He’s wearing the coolest white tux.

Tom: “I’m loving this night.”

Len: “It was a joyful performance, full of energy, fleet of foot. You’ve got to work on this frame.” Bruno: “This was satisfying. It was a smash hit on 42nd Street. That jump at the end was so Gene Kelly. I love you for that.” Carrie Ann: “One of my new favorite quicksteps. It was very good.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)

Evanna and Keo “recreate a fashion show with their samba.” Evanna is so awesome. She is one of my favorite competitors this season, even though Keo is one of my least favorite. She far outshines him. They even get in the hand movements of samba, which normally boggle the judges.

Bruno: “What’s going on there? You’ve got rhythm.” Carrie Ann: “Watch out, lady! The inner core strength. Everything was open, and it was fierce. I didn’t ever expect to call you fierce.” Len: “This is a proper samba. I thought it was terrific.”

Erin: “It was hot. It was fierce.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

Tom: “I’ve been waiting the whole show for this one.”

Bobby Bones and Sharna are foxtrotting to “New York, New York,” because of course they are. It was quite beautiful. A proper foxtrot. Um, until the end, when he did this:

Gotta say. In 27 seasons, I’ve never seen a foxtrot with flossing at the end of it. Poor Sharna. (Although it was quite wonderful in the moment.)

Carrie Ann: “You’re still a little rough around the edges, but you’re so authentically joyous when you dance, and it’s contagious.” Len: “It was full of youthful exuberance. You give it all you’ve got. And you sell it.” Bruno: “It was so brilliantly bonkers. Everyone gave such fantastic performances.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 20 (out of 30)

Who goes home on this night? No one.



Miche’s Favorites of New York Night
1. Milo and Witney (Charleston)
2. Alexis and Alan (Argentine tango)
3. Juan Pablo and Cheryl (quickstep)
4. Evanna and Keo (samba)
5. Nancy and Val (cha cha)
6. John and Emma (Charleston)
7. Bobby Bones and Sharna (foxtrot)
8. Mary Lou and Sasha (Viennese waltz)
9. Joe and Jenna (foxtrot)
10. Tinashe and Brandon (Argentine tango)
11. DeMarcus and Lindsay (foxtrot)

Who goes home tonight? No one.

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