Season 29, Week 7: Villains Week, aka Halloween

Dancing with the Stars always has a big, splashy night for Halloween. Well, this is it, and they are calling it (for the first time) “Villains Night.” It begins with a very lame Blair Witch takeoff as the opener.

Brandon and Jeannie, paso doble, Hannibal Lecter

Not sure if the concept of Villains is working yet, but the paso had some great shapes and lines.

Derek: “You absolutely ate up that paso. You had proper frame, the oval shapes. I loved it. That was a great paso.” Bruno: “You throw yourself with such gusto and intention, that it’s really irresistible to watch.” Carrie Ann: “That was an explosive way to start the show. Great attack. Really powerful. I want you to start adding back in some of the grace.”

JUDGES: 25 (out of 30)

Britt and Johnny, Viennese waltz, vampires

Vampires dancing to “Creep”? I’m so there for that. There really wasn’t enough in hold for a good Viennese waltz, IMHO, but it was fun to watch anyway.

Bruno: “I am bitterly disappointed, because it wasn’t bad at all. It was very, very good. What you did, that I really really liked, apart from the fact that you have wonderful sweeping motion is you really captured the Gothic romance feel. It was passionate, and it was fluid. It’s a question of balance. You balanced it extremely well. Fantastic job.” Carrie Ann: “I agree. You floated through that like a dream, like you were a rock star. There was so much interpretation of the music, more than I’ve ever seen. I felt like you became one with the bass, and the strength and the power and the story.” Derek: “One of my favorite parts about the show is redemption. Having a bad week and coming back and doing what you just did. It was so beautiful. I loved the version of that song. Rock and roll, the costume, the theme, the character, the dancing. It was like a perfect formula. Fantastic.”

We have a skull mirror ball, hanging in the ballroom!

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Gleb and Chrishell, paso doble, Malefecent

Not really much of a dance there. Ugh.

Carrie Ann: “Chrishell, you are in your element. Talk about storytelling at its finest. That is what this night is all about. It was simple, the strategy was good: simple moves, executed beautifully.” Derek: “That was cinematic. You, tapping into that villain, with the horns. The simplicity of it called for that. It was sparse. There was space.” Bruno: “That was mesmerizing. Your focus, your intention, your purpose were absolutely spot on. You lost the fluidity sometimes. Overall, it was a very strong performance.”

JUDGES: 26 (out of 30)

Val and Monica, jazz, Nurse Ratched

Any dance to “Fever” is a good one, especially with Val Chemerkovskiy’s stunning choreography.

However, Monica Aldama still doesn’t seem really comfortable with all this, and she seems to be stepping rather than dancing through it all.

Derek: “First of all, that opening leg! The musicality, the transitions into the lifts, I really felt that seductive energy at the beginning. And I think that tonight more than ever, it’s really about the character. For me, that side by side moment, I lost the character in the middle, but overall, I thought it was a  really strong performance.” Bruno: “I didn’t get a fever. I got more of a mild chill. Great leg extensions. Great lifts. The thing with jazz, it has to always come from the body. Think Fosse. (And he shows us what he means.)” Carrie Ann: “I agree with Bruno. What was not lacking was the intention behind the movement. The shapes were really nice. Tonight especially, it’s about storytelling. It wasn’t your best dance. You are still improving. This is a process.”

JUDGES: 22 (out of 30)

Cheryl and AJ, tango, Norman Bates

AJ likes dressing up in women’s clothes, so he loved dressing as Norma Bates’ mom (as in the movie) for this dance (at the beginning at least). Personally, I like the old-timey ’50s feel to the dance, with costumes and hair. 

Cheryl hit her head in rehearsal, but says she’s ok.

Carrie Ann: “AJ! Wow. I’m truly impressed. That was a really difficult routine, and you did… every movement was great. The power, the dramatic shifts. This is kind of what we’ve been looking for all night: the light and shade.My God! Well done.” Derek: “AJ, I loved the intro, with you dressed up as Normal Bates’ mother. That was so creepy and wonderful. I was watching your footwork a lot in that. Well done.” Bruno: “Thrilling. You managed to translate the neurosis of the character into the steps.”

JUDGES: 26 (out of 30)

Daniella and Nelly, Argentine tango, Freddie Kruger

They dance to “I Can’t Feel My Face,” which is hilarious. Daniella, as always, was fantastic. Her choreography is just amazing. Nelly is, um, Nelly.

Carrie Ann: “Nelly! What is going on? That was by far your best dance. Everything you were doing was so dramatic. There was a sense of urgency to your moves. The dynamics in that: the push the pull, the hold, the footwork, everything. Booyah!” Derek: “That was definitely not a nightmare on that dance floor. You were such a great partner to Daniella.” Bruno: “You killed that Argentine tango. I don’t know how it happened, but your whole stance was completely different today.”

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Sasha and Justina, tango, Carrie

Well, this is funny. Justina hates Halloween, and she’s paired with the King of Halloween, Sasha Farber. 

Now, that’s a tango! Wow. Great dance.

Justina screams a few times during the dance. Chilling.

Derek: “You literally set this place on fire. That was awesome. First of all, your screams. I loved it. Your frame is exquisite. Also what I love: you travel across that floor. You move so much. And that means that you’re in the correct position.” Bruno: “Blood-curdlingly good. She stormed through it like a woman possessed. So powerful.” Carrie Ann: “You, to me, are one of the best dancers here. You have such a shot at winning this. I love the way you use the space. When you come out in the ballroom, it is yours. You own everything that you do, and I love that.”

JUDGES: 26 (out of 30)

Jenna and Nev, paso doble, Black Swan

Jenna gets big points for creativity for this whole concept and choreography. Just wow. Nev gets big points for all the manscaping he had to do for this.

Bruno: “It has to be perfect. And it was! I loved this piece and you lived up to the expectation.” Carrie Ann: “There were high expectations coming into this performance, and you met them, and you exceeded them. I want to thank your dad for exposing you to ballet at such a young age. Look, it’s paid off. Your lines, your negative space, the way you change character, all of it. Wonderful job. Breathtaking.” Derek: “From beginning to end. The opening moment, when Jenna’s spread out like that. Gorgeous. Oh my gosh! It’s so good. The light. The shapes. The way you stretched. Just beautiful.”

JUDGES: 30 (out of 30, first perfect score of the season)

Alan and Skai, Argentine tango, Bride of Chucky

Interesting Argentine tango to a Billie Eilish song. Lotsa lifts. Still felt awkward to me.

Carrie Ann: “I am so proud of you. You’ve had the roughest road of this competition this season. And you came back stronger this week than ever. The power that you exuded in that dance was mesmerizing.” Derek: “Last week, I felt for you. This week, I feel you. You are on a mission. You were focused. So good. You actually killed that routine. Amazing lifts.” Bruno: “There isn’t a bad bone in your body, and not a bad step in that tango. What was fabulous tonight: the way you extended the shapes.”

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Artem and Kaitlyn, paso doble, Cruella DeVille

Yes, it is hilarious for anyone who follows Kaitlyn’s social media to see her playing someone who hates dogs. Her dogs are so loved!

Really great paso doble.

Derek: “Artem, I want to adopt you. Kaitlyn, you are dancing your butt off every single week, with so much content. I just have to thank you for that. The shapes! Great way to end the show.” Bruno: “You had the right intention. For me, it felt slightly rushed. It wasn’t as crisp and defined as a paso doble should be. But at this stage, you have to get the finish absolutely right.” Carrie Ann: “What’s so hard, Kaitlyn, is that you are a good dancer. I saw you trying really hard tonight. I don’t wanna discourage you, but this was another not great dance of yours.”

JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)

Who are in the Bottom Two?

Brandon and Jeannie and Monica and Val. Who goes home?

Sadly. :-(

MICHE’s Favorites of Villains Week

1. Sasha and Justrina, tango

2. Jenna and Nev, paso doble

3. Cheryl and AJ, tango

4. Val and Monica, jazz

5. Britt and Johnny, Viennese waltz

6. Artem and Kaitlyn, paso doble

7. Brandon and Jeannie, paso doble

8. Daniella and Nelly, Argentine tango

So Done With

1. Skai

2. Chrishell

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S028 Week 7: Halloween’s Tricks and Treats

 Halloween is always a big event over at Dancing with the Stars, and this week was no exception. We start off with a movie where Len is a chauffeur driver, delivering a coffin. The coffin gets delivered, but along the way we see Tom Bergeron as a quite angry head on a platter, Lindsay and Witney as two very scary sisters, and Val as an elevator operator. Wacky. 

The tableau enters into the DWTS stage, where everyone is fittingly decked out, and we learn that the coffin holds Sean Spicer as (but of course) Frankenstein. Best casting of him so far this season.

Are we having fun yet? I sure hope so.

Witney and Kel, jive

Here’s an example of how often Witney’s choices just don’t work for me. (Compared to Val Chemerkovskiy, who punctuates every word correctly.) Witney has chosen a great song for this jive: “Time Warp” from Rocky Horror Picture Show. But I would bet money that she’s never actually seen the movie, much less the dance in the movie. 

Her concept in this dance is to make them both snakes. Kel asks why, and she says she “just wanted to be weird.” Um… ok. First of all, snakes don’t have feet, and the jive is all about kicks and flicks. #Sigh.

So automatically, this whole concept doesn’t make sense, and “just being weird” isn’t good enough. It’s a lame cop out. To say nothing of how they don’t do the “hands on your hips” part, to say nothing of the “pelvic thrust”—both of which are vital parts of this dance.

Ugh. I just hated this whole lame thing.

Len chastises Tom for “not dressing up” and Tom says he’s a “gray-haired Ryan Seacrest.” (Tom always makes me laugh.)

Len: “I tell you, Kel, you were rocking and I was reeling. It was fast, it was fun, it was fearless. Your feet were right on point, sharp, clear. It was a terrific way to start off the evening.” Bruno: “What a surprising Halloween treat that was.” Carrie Ann: “Everything was so tight, and so clean. 

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Their highest scores of the season.

Emma and James, Viennese waltz

They are dancing this Viennese waltz to “I Put a Spell on You” (he says in the package that it’s the Annie Lennox version, but that doesn’t make any sense, because he’s supposed to bee the one singing it. So I’m going with the original Screaming Jay Hawkins version). So the context  of their story (which actually works, and has thought put into it) is that Emma is in a relationship with Keo, and James is a demon, who tears her away.

Emma’s choreography was just sublime. What an exquisite number! Loved every second, every movement of that. Wow

Bruno: “You are like the Prince of Darkness: mesmerizing, totally in command. It was such a powerful performance.” He mentions a tiny slip up they made. “Until that, it was absolute perfection. It was incredible.” Carrie Ann: “I was dancing with you. It was so flawless, and so powerful.” Len: “Well, James, honestly, you put a spell on me, because I thought the dance was terrific. You had lovely wide elbows, great movement, great footwork. It was a lovely mix of tricks and treats.”  

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Of course, the highlight of any DWTS Halloween show is all the ways that Sasha sneaks around and scares the beejesus out of people. Jenna is the first victim they show. She is NOT happy about it.

Sasha and Ally, tango

Sasha put in lots of content and body contact with our Harley Quinn lunatic. It was a fun tango.

Carrie Ann: “Halloween is on point. Everybody is bringing A game. That was ridiculously good. What I love most about you is the way you dance right on the edge. It makes your performances more visceral. So good.” Len: “Last week, you were nearly dead and buried. And I’m so glad you’ve really come back to life. A terrific tango. I congratulate you, Sasha. Lots of proper dancing. It was so good. What a terrific dance.” Bruno: “Absolutely. That really was a Premiere League tango, with a wicked attitude. The tango was exactly as it should be—full of content, done correctly.”

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Tom: “You have other paddles, right?” LOL

Alan and Hannah, jazz

How perfect is this? Pageant queen gone bad? LOL

In her package, Hannah says: “I’m always gonna be a pageant girl. If you don’t like it, it’s too damn bad.” Here’s my weekly mention of how OVER Hannah Brown I am. All of her schtick bugs the crap out of me. Also, I really hate how Bachelors/Bachelorettes just roll over from one show into another. Haven’t you thought of how SICK OF YOU WE MIGHT BE? UGH. But wait, she doesn’t give a crap. Way to make an audience love you, Hannah.

They are dancing to “Bad Girls,” which, BTW, Hannah Brown will never be. However, I really like how they incorporated the pageant wave into the choreography. LOL And at the end, she puts on her crown, sits on the throne and gives us another pageant wave (as all her competitors are vanquished).

Alan really put together some fun choreography for this dance, and Hannah does strike me as someone who can really do something if she puts her mind to it.

Len: “I think the Bad Girl is a terrific dancer. What I like is that you’ve come out and you’ve performed. You were out there, full on, giving it plenty of welly. I thought you did a terrific job.” Tom echoes: “Plenty  of welly…” Bruno: “Nothing scary about that. It was lively, great performance. Now…you’ve got to be a bit more grounded. Punch it, punch it, punch it, my darling.” Len argues with Bruno: “I thought it was really clear and crisp and on point.” Tom: “Where do you come down, Carrie Ann?” Carrie Ann: “I agree that it was crisp and clear, but I also agree with Bruno. There is something lacking in your performance. You are disconnected from the movements. I need you to give me your heart. You look, and then you look away. You’re not really staying in it. It’s almost like there’s a bit of a shyness in you. You kind of close off to the dance. I want you to stay open. We wanna get to know you through the dance. I want to see layers of you that no one has seen before…” (as she’s saying this, Hannah is closing off…) “I swear, if you let it go raw, we will be here for you.”

(Note the overused word of the night is “terrific.’)

This whole exchange really shows the power of this show, IMHO. And what Carrie Ann is describing is part of what made her so annoying as The Bachelorette. There wasn’t and isn’t really a vulnerability there. Years of forced smiling in pageants does make you close yourself to your own real feelings, IMHO. 

Erin asks Alan what he thought of the comments (about Hannah being “disconnected”). “She has been insecure. But she has no reason to be insecure.” Erin: “I mean, this is free therapy. Enjoy it.”

JUDGES: 25 (out of 30)

Erin asks Hannah how she’s feeling. Hannah: “I told myself that no matter what was said after the performance, to just have fun, and I did have fun.” Erin: “Do you agree at all with what Carrie Ann said?” Hannah: “I think I definitely have more to show and more to give, and I hope I get to do that.” (She says in a really fake, pageant girl way…) 

Jenna and Karamo, paso double

Karamo in his package has a massive pumpkin, compared to Jenna’s tiny one. “Go big, or go home!” says he, “and we are NOT going home this week!” Scary to speak those words on Halloween. You might wanna be careful with that…

I’ll spare you the rest of the lame pumpkin carving exchange… They are dancing to “Survivor” from Destiny’s Child.

As Passos go, this wasn’t one of my favorites, though their makeup is suffifciently Halloween scary. But the shaping was kind of nonexistent, except for a couple poses.

Tom says: “Looking good, Ghoul Brynner.” LOL

Bruno: “No lack of power and purpose in that one. You were really on it. You went wrong once. You should never shorten your shape.” Carrie Ann: “You were like a sonic boom. There’s something about when you release that emotion when you dance, like I was just talking about. You opened up, you let it rip, and it ripped the horns riglht off my head.” Len: “May I just congratulate hair, makeup and wardrobe? They have been fantastic! Plenty of attack, plenty of intensity. It’s the shaping. The shaping in the paso doble has to be a little bit more exaggerated. Having said that, one of the keys to the paso doble is to come out and attack the dance, and that you did.”

Erin: “How do you feel?” Karamo: “I feel like a survivor, who is going to keep climbing to the top.”

JUDGES: 25 (out of 30)

Gleb and Lauren, Argentine tango

Wow. They are dancing “Whatever Lola Want” from Pal Joey. Not what I’d expect from this modest country singer. 

That was really an exquisite Argentine tango. Gleb provided lots of content (and complicated footwork) which Alaina kept up with. Really nice. She did seem to slip once though. :-(  Overall, I seriously think that was one of Glen’s best dances ever.

Carrie Ann: “Can I just say how much I love Halloween? This is incredible. What I see with you is true transformation. You are evolving as a dancer. Every minute, every day. It’s amazing.” Len: “I’m not sure what Lola wants, but I saw plenty of what Lennie wants. You were so full of Argentine characterization. I thought that was wonderful. It was such a spirited performance. I thought the two of you sparked off of each other, and it was a terrific team.” Bruno: “Deadly sexy, irresistible vampire bombshell. The sequence of ganchos you did were exquisite. If Marilyn Monroe was a vampire, doing the Argentine tango, that’s what it would look like, with a little bit of Madonna thrown in.”

Seriously. Drink for every time they say “terrific’ in this show…

Although Carrie Ann mentioned her strong core, Erin discovers that actually Lauren has four “broken” ribs. She said she sprained one the first week of the show, “and I haven’t had the others X-rayed, but they don’t feel great.” 

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30) Well-deserved.

Lindsay and Sean, jive

Man! That is one of the scariest images of the night. And the idea that Frankenstein is going to be doing kicks and flicks scares the crap out of me.

In his package, Sean and Lindsay visit a haunted house and participate in a seance! :-0

Sean: “A guy like Frankenstein and a guy like me both have the same type of natural rhythm and movement.” :-0 (Which is to say… NONE?) He continues: “I don’t know that the spirits can vote for us, but I still want their support.” Um… OK…

Frankenstein dancing to “The Monster Mash,” but of course…

Len: “Well, Halloween is about the supernatural, and this wasn’t super and it wasn’t really natural either. It lacked jive content. You know you’re not the best dancer on the show. But you always come out and you try your hardest and give it your all.” Bruno: “Listen, Sean, the monster part was perfection. The jive was six feet behind. Lindsay, the dance, the production, veery good, very entertaining. Your timing is not your strong suit.” Carrie Ann: “Sadly, that was a dance only your mummies could love. Truthfully, I do feel like you are backsliding a little bit. This was not your best dance. You have done more dances where you were more confident and you didn’t make as many mistakes. I know it’s a lot for someone who’s never performed before, but I do love your spirit. You do come out here, and you never give up.”

JUDGES: 18 (out of 30)

Now, you would THINK that would mean he’s eliminated… #Sigh.

Pasha and Kate, rumba

They do a weird thing in this season, where occasionally they show a detail of how a dance is supposed to go (using pros from the season). Here they show Keo and Daniella (whom Maksim Chmerkovskiy calls the best rumba dancer) doing the rumba. Kate: “Rumba, isn’t that the thing that vacuums?” Pasha: “Exactly, just not as flat.”

Then Kate and Pasha go to an evening Halloween haunt (where they have the same intricately carved pumpkins they showed earlier.

But now, to the dance. So far, Pasha gets the props for best music. They are dancing to “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak. Nice!

Although it’s kinda bizarre cause Red Riding Hood is now doing sexy time with the Wolf, but… OK. At least it’s not snakes doing the Time Warp inexplicably…

For some reason, Kate seems uncomfortable with the body contact that this dance requires. Although there is some nice choreography in here.

Bruno: “That was a beautiful and haunting rumba. I love the way you’re able to tell a story: you drag us with you. In everything you do, you really capture our attention. Sometimes you lost a little bit of fluidity, but your arm-shoulder extension? So much better.” Carrie Ann: “What I love most when I watch a rumba is to see a woman who feels absolutely 1000 percent confident to do every move. And feeling so good with the choreography that you know you can really get into it. You were oozing this kind of confidence that I love, that only comes—I only see it in Latin and ballroom dancing. And it’s happening right here. What you did was beautiful. Kate, you are shining very brightly.” Len: “Kate, excuse me. Pasha, week after week, you give me routines that you know (all these steps)… you stick ’em in, and I’m just blown away with your choreography.” (Soooooo agree. It’s been really stunning all season.) Len: “What you’ve done, since I admire your dancing and choreography so much, you’ve inspired some of the other professionals to give me proper, authentic routines.” (See Glen’s routine today for proof of this.) Len: “Kate, the trouble with the rumba is that it’s like dancing under a microscope, and any little wobble or anything is magnified. As always, a knockout performance from the pair of you.”

Erin: “Pasha, can I give you some love? This is your first season. Every single week, we’ve seen the growth with her. You deserve this. What’s this experience been like for you? We love having you here.” Pasha: “I’m having a blast. Thank you guys, it means so much to me, all these words. Thank you so much for the support.” Erin: “Every single week, Kate, you’re growing and growing. And you look smokin.’ Let’s get your scores.”

JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)

Then, we have more Sasha scares. LOL (You’d think they’d all be used to it by now…)

And, it’s Halloween, so of course we have Team Dances.

First, the entire cast goes to a creepy warehouse, where they are greeted by a coffin with flowers in it, and a TV nearby, which suddenly bursts alive. Len (in costume) talks to them: “I’ll be splitting you up into two groups: Team Trick, Team Treat for a special Halloween team dance, Pick one of the items on the table…” (oh, sorry, it looks like a coffin) “…and that will determine your fate. We’ll start at the bottom of last week’s Leader Board, and Sean goes first.”

Sean: “I’m ready.” 

Let’s just say that all the good dancers end up on Team Trick, who goes first. 

Team Trick’s song is “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell. Seriously. Sasha’s on this team. This is almost a gimme. LOL

Great shaping, in this sufficiently creepy dance. Although, back in the day, each team dance used to require separate solos by each couple. That doesn’t appear to be the rule now.

Team Trick

Len: “It was a lovely mix of paso doble, tango, touch of Viennese waltz. But that was all put together with a fantastic, interesting choreography.” Bruno: “I loved it as well, because it was dramatic, but it was elegant at the same time. You managed to combine the two so well, and that little hip hop break you put in, with the girls taking over… Hannah, that’s what I’m talking about, about bringing out the personality. You did it then. So it is there, within you.” Carrie Ann: “I loved it. I love these kind of dances, when you dance in sync like that, where you match each other’s lines. It was really powerful. And Hannah, I did feel it. Did you feel it?” Hannah: “I’m not a performer. I’m a girl on reality TV, and every time I come out here, I’m trying my hardest.” (She actually sounds like she is tearing up, which is actually good.)

Carrie Ann: “You hang in there, cause that’s what we want, more of that.”

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Back when Derek Hugh was here, both teams always got 10s… #sigh

Team Treat

Team Treat dances to “Sweet Dreams” by Beyoncé. Karamo, who LOVES Beyoncé (and just danced to her in his individual dance is “freaking out” at his luck at getting another one to dance to. 

To my eyes (well, first, the song isn’t as good as Team Trick’s was, IMHO) but the dance seemed more awkward, with not as much finesse in choreography. Although they clearly featured all of the “stars” in a solo, which I’m not clear the other group did. (It used to be one of the rules.) But the other dance was better overall.

Bruno: “That was nightmarishly entertaining. What a concept. I have to say not everyone was always on time. But I really enjoyed the effort.” Carrie Ann: “I loved the concept, but I’m gonna give Most Valuable Player to Kate, because you were dancing and keeping up with some of the best lady dancers in this business, and then you wrangled all the men, and you put ’em in place. And then you led that kickline. It was good.” Len: “I liked the fun of it. Wonderful entertainment. Congratulations.”

JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)

Tradition has it that the person going home is also from the losing Team Dance team…

Who gores home tonight? Who are in the Bottom Two? Well, what do you know? Both are from Team Treat.

MICHE’s Favorites of Halloween Night

1. Emma and James, Viennese waltz

2. Gleb and Lauren, Argentine tango

3. Alan and Hannah, jazz

4. Sasha and Ally, tango

5. Pasha and Kate, rumba

6. Jenna and Karamo, paso doble 

Guess he’s not this week’s survivor after all…

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DTWS S027, Week Six, Halloween: Scary Dead Folks, Broken Necks and Hot Tangos

For maybe the first time ever, this Dancing with the Stars Halloween opening number really seemed like a bunch of people at a Halloween party, in different costumes, dancing with each other.  As such, it was really, really fun. Also, bowing to the amazing choreographer extraordinaire Mandy Moore. They were dancing to the “Purple People Eater” song. trippy. Even Tom and Erin got in on the action. Carrie Ann is dressed as Morticia. And Val kissses Bruno. LOL Then, all the couples dance out (not announced). And Milo is on the floor. Crazy. So fun.

After that fun, funny, great number, they take the energy down, down, down. They don’t even start with the normal package. They cut to a sanitorium. But Witney is talking to Milo about Week Six. Milo talks about how much he loves Halloween. Uh oh. Witney says that she “doesn’t really get scared.” (Although we have seen MANY Halloween episodes now, where Sasha jumps out from behind things, and Witney jumps very high... but maybe that’s not really scared... just startled... OK...)

Anyway, they are doing a contemporary. Witney calls it “the creepiest dance she’s ever choreographed” (as visions of her creepy dance with Frankie Munoz goes rumbling through my brain...). They end the package with Witney locking Milo in the asylum.

There are just no words for this dance. Pretty amazing choreography, though.

Tom mentions that he didn’t think that Len “is a big fan of contemporary.” Len: “But, for some bizarre reason, I thought this was spellbinding. It was terrific.” Len says he thinks Milo is “going to be the first one back next week.” Bruno: “It was mind-bending, and insanely good. It was impeccably acted. It was superb.” Tom calls her “Scary Ann Inaba”: “It was impressive, and all the things they say, but it was such a beautifully nuanced, mature performance. What I so respect about you is how you were absolutely in control. The partnering! You guys are such a dynamic duo. We take it for granted how well you work together. It’s beautifully executed.”

Milo comes up the stairs and has some blood pack in his mouth or something, and Erin is REALLY not happy about that.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30)

Back from commercial, the overhead shot shows us a graveyard (with kinda too many graves). Tom is talking about all the Halloween puns that are going to be coming at us.

Just look at everything about this! The costumes! The sets! The lighting! The makeup. Stunning stuff. But then, the dance! A paso doble.

The whole package, she’s talking about Anne Bolelyn, and he took her head off, and this dance is her revenge, or something. So, even though she’s dead, she’s going to try to take his head off now. John talks about how he barely understands most of the stuff Emma says “at the beginning of a dance.” John: “There’s a lot of steps, and hand placement, and shapes, but I’m not going to lose my head over it.” So, here we go.

Emma is so beautiful, and so fierce. And so damn good.

And, at the end... well, no spoilers. But it was fun. (No neck-breaking in this one.)

Tom: “Bruno, whatcha think?”

Bruno: “Oh my god. That really was an historical tragedy, on an epic scale, ending in carnage.” (Ooops. Bruno spoiled...) “I appreciate the fact that you attacked it like a war horse. I appreciate that you put so much in, but you’ve lost the refinement and the timing.” Carrie Ann: “My heart breaks, because I see how much effort you’ve put into it. It was filled with content, filled with lots of shaping. You pushed yourself really hard. I feel like you never quite got your feet under you. The paso, of all dances, you need to have that strength and the gravitas, in your posture, especially. This was maybe one of your roughest performances.” Len: “Everything you did in hold, I thought was terrific.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 19 (out of 30)

A beautiful bumper from Gleb and Hayley. With singers and everything...

DeMarcus and Lindsay are doing a salsa. Lindsay’s concept is also that she is dead. She died as a bridesmaid. The troupe spices up this dance (love seeing Brit).

There was a lift in the middle of this dance that just made me gasp.

Carrie Ann: “For such a somber topic, you definitely lit up the ballroom with that. You guys were very clear, every dance step was executed with clarity. Normally, I’m the lift police, but with you, I’m becoming the lift fanatic, cause your lifts are out of this world.” (I’m still shaking from watching that one lift.)



Len: “It was full of rhythm, it was full of interesting choreography. You had two professional guys out there with you, you kept right up with them. From Week One, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you reach your potential. I think you had a breakthrough tonight.” Bruno: “You were part of the troupe, you were so in sync with the other dancers. I say, Lindsay, keep it going. He was firing on all cylinders tonight.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)

Evanna says in her package that she is going to stop people-pleasing and just dance for herself. She is doing a tango tonight.

God, she is just fantastic to watch. I love her dancing. (I just keep wishing through the entire thing that she was with another partner.) Loved the other troupe cat women, too.

Len: “Plenty of tango content. Sharp, crisp as a Pringle. You came out and you just sold the whole dance.” Bruno: “I like what I see. She went from tame pussycat to a wild panther. Beautiful and devilish. So strong, so sexy, so in control, so slinky. The lines were absolutely beautiful.  You placed it, and I never felt you were trying to keep up with him.” Carrie Ann: “Evanna’s on fire (echoing what Keo said in the package)... You are so fierce tonight. This is you, stepping up to the plate. You nailed that number. You worked hard, and it showed.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 29 (out of 30)

After the commercial, we had this:

This was really an incredible performance by Jabbawockeez. Quite stunning. (They had been running around through the show, but I thought they were just Halloween flavor...) They are performing in Vegas. Do seek them out.

So, Witney, speaking of that creepy Frankie Munoz dance, really crossed a line when she first did that one. She had this like stalker dance, and it was one of her best (certainly most memorable) dances ever. Here is Sharna’s version of it. Danced to a creepy version of “Mr. Sandman.”

Wow. Creepy and sexy and a great Argentine tango. Lotsa feelings about this one. I also gotta say how much I love the pink poufy pumps. (So LA.) And Sharna is so gorgeous.

Tom: “I don’t know what your over-under is for neck cracks at home, but we’re at three right now.” (We’re actually at four, because Lindsay’s dance had three itself.)

Bruno: “Oh God. That was like an Argentine nightmare. The storytelling and involvement was absolutely chilling.” He basically says there wasn’t enough Argentine tango. Carrie Ann: “This is so bizarre. I wouldn’t expect myself to say this, but that was your best dance so far. You were just so authentically in the moment. You told the story so well. It was a very simple Argentine tango, yes, but that was within your wheelhouse. What you did tonight mesmerized me and drew me completely into the performance.” Len: “It had mood and it had atmosphere. I would’ve liked a bit more Argentine tango. But I liked it, and I liked the feel of the dance throughout.”

Bobby talks about what a great coach Sharna is. How hardworking, etc.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 22 (out of 30)

Can I just say how very much I miss Allison Holker as a pro on this show? Sure, I know, babies are important, and all that, but damn...she was really something special on this show. I have missed her every show since she left, and now, here she is, BACK. Well, ok, maybe only for one dance, but still...

Allison Holker, her husband Twitch, and their dance troupe. So awesome. Something about FREEFORM’s YouTube channel... (is where you can find them).

Mary Lou and Sasha talk about vulnerability in their package. She talks about going through a divorce in February, after 27 years of marriage. I was just starting to bum out, because I hadn’t yet seen any Sasha scares: a beloved feature of every Halloween on DWTS. Ah ha! At last! Here they are.

A very nice tango, with lots of effects and stuff. My favorite move was when teacher Mary Lou pushes away a chair, so that Sasha can jump there. Complicated and clever. They have two bookcases full of books, so that the special effects team can make them drop down. And at the end, Mary Lou gives a demonic laugh. Nice.

Carrie Ann: “You channeled all that energy. But the dance got a little away from you.” Len: “Scary Mary. You needed slightly cleaner feet. The saving grace was it was full of tango content.” Bruno: “I like it, darling. Let it all out. You deliver what’s on the menu. It says: TANGO, and you deliver a tango.”

Tom asks her how hard it’s been, and she talks about how great the people are (on the show) and that they “are my family.” She calls Sasha “a brother for life.” He hugs her.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

The hot men of DWTS—minus the one who just danced... (Val C., Artem, Brandon and Gleb) do another round of Purple People Eater, with their shirts wide open. Am I complaining? HELL no... Thanks, guys.

In preparation for their jazz dance to “Candyman,” Alexis and Alan go to the Candy Store in the Grove. Alexis talks in her package about how she’s “developing feelings for Alan.” At the moment, he doesn’t (on camera, at least) reciprocate them. Although he hugs her pretty good.

They have other people coming out, you know, dressed as candy and such. Tom: “I know Hayley was supposed to be a dancing Mirror Ball, but suddenly I’m craving Jiffy Pop.” LOL I swear, Tom makes me laugh so much.



Len: “Candy is dandy, and so was that performance. A lot of content in there. A lot of fun. I enjoyed it so much.” Bruno: “I love a bit of light relief. Enough sugar to last a lifetime. What you do is so effortless. You really are an all-American dancing beauty.” Carrie Ann: “You’re just so adorable. Every time you come on the dance floor, you just light it up in such a sweet way. The partnership you guys have is there. It’s trust. It makes it so easy.”

Erin tries to put Alan on the hot seat about this relationship. Quite fun.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 27 (out of 30)

This was actually to announce that these wonderful people are going on another DWTS Live tour. (So glad they do this. Hope you managed to see it.) The big news is that Val was also joining the tour!

Bats keep flying at us, through the whole show...

Joe notes that he really thought they were going home last week. Everyone seems to need some motivation for their dances. So Jenna gets the idea (or the producers do) of having Jenna and Val go on a double date with Joe and Kendall. To the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride.

OK, can I just say how bizarre it is to see the Bride of Frankenstein do an Argentine tango with Frankenstein? Ok, then.

They are doing this dance to a really trippy version of “Roxanne.” But Jenna is just so fantastic. I actually really love this dance.

It was really good until Joe dropped her at the end. Yikes. (Luckily, she was ok.)

Bruno: “Actually, your tango didn’t scare me. It looked like an Argentine tango.” Carrie Ann: “I am blown away that you learned how to dance from the Halloween Horrors night. Truthfully. What a huge change.” Carrie Ann says she’s going to give him a bonus point for the end, even though he dropped Jenna. “You held it to the end. You didn’t give up, which is what you normally do.” Len: “Sometimes on the darkest days, a ray of sunshine breaks through. For me, Joe, that was your best dance.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 22 (out of 30)

That is their highest score. Everyone starts chanting: “Joe! Joe! Joe”

Tom: “They are competing against each other, but they are cheering each other on. We love that about this show.”

I just noticed that the judges’ desk is covered in cobwebs. So cool.

Cheryl tells Juan Pablo in the package that they are doing a jive to “Dead Man’s Party.” Juan Pablo: “Oh, I love that song!” Then, he proceeds to draw what he wants for his costume. Cheryl: “Juan Pablo is the first to draw his own costume.”

They do an amazing jive. And once again, I am left thinking at the end of this episode, that for sure Cheryl and Juan Pablo are going to win this thing. They just seem to do this so effortlessly. Their dances are so amazing.

Juan Pablo and Cheryl Burke, with an assist from Brit. Courtesy of ABC/Disney.

Carrie Ann: “I don’t have much to say, that was just sheer perfection. And the costume, also.” Len: “What I liked was that you got the balance right between the theme and the dance. And also, you got the How of the technique, you got the Wow of the performance. I saw nothing I didn’t like.” Bruno: “I bow to thee, your Majesties. That was a triumph for the Pharoah. But apart from that, the jive itself was absolutely spot-on. Perfection all the way through.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30)

So, who’s going home tonight? 

Alexis and Alan are in the bottom two with Mary Lou and Sasha.

Mary Lou and Sasha are going home. :-(

Miche’s Favorites of Halloween Night:
1. Juan Pablo and Cheryl (jive)
2. Mary Lou and Sasha (tango)
3. Bobby and Sharna (Argentine tango)
4. Milo and Witney (contemporary)
5. Alexis and Alan (jazz)
6. Evanna and Keo (tango)
7. John and Emma (paso doble)
8. DeMarcus and Lindsay (salsa)
9. Joe and Jenna (Argentine tango)

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