DTWS S027, Semifinals: Two dances, two eliminated. One SHOCKER.

Tom and Erin enter to what seems like a field of stars. Tom mentions the “British voice” making the announcements, and though I’ve heard it a thousand times, suddenly I’m wondering if it’s a holdover from the early British origins of the show. Why did I never realize that before? Anyway... Gorgeous lighting effects. There is no opening number. Each remaining contestant comes out as images of them are projected onto the massive dance floor. We have six now, we will have four remaining at the end of the night. But which four?

I will take this moment to say, that as I watched this, I fully believed that Juan Pablo and Cheryl were going to win it all. Or maybe Witney and Milo. But let’s see, shall we?

Bobby Bones and Sharna are first up. Bobby dedicates his salsa “to the people who put us here. I’m not here because of my scores, I’m here because of my people. I don’t call them my fans. They are my friends. I’m very lucky to have the biggest country morning show ever, but without anyone listening to it, I would be nothing.” So Sharna surprises him (and I’ve never seen this on any episode ever before) with an edit of messages from their fans. They sit down in a room, and project it on the wall in front of them, and they both seem to get pretty teary-eyed watching it. At the end, Bobby says, “That’s really special.”

And then he says: “I’m gonna work as hard as I can to get to the finale, for you guys.”

They then have a massive number, where lots of fans are crowding around the stage, you can barely see the dancers (and many of the pros and troupe have joined Bobby and Sharna). I’m thinking how much Len must LOVE this... Look for the camera shot of Sharna’s silver ass, shaking. Wonderful.

Bobby comes down and says: “I did every step for the first time EVER!” Sharna is laughing.

Len: “You put the boy into flamboyant. Not the most conventional of salsas, however, you’re not a conventional guy. You come out, you entertain, you give us fun, I enjoyed watching you.” (He hated it.) Bruno: “It was Bobby and the salsa angels. He looks like someone that just gate-crashed a Victoria’s Secret show.” (This makes Bobby laugh.) Bruno then grabs his crotch, and mercifully, whatever he does is off-camera. It does, however, prompt Tom to say, “Careful. Careful now.” Bruno: “I don’t know if it was a salsa, really. But as a show, it was great.” Carrie Ann: “I’m still a bit baffled, because I never thought in a million years, I’d see you dancing to that song. In the semifinals. Bobby, you’ve come such a long way, and it’s so evident that everybody loves you. I love your energy, and you are such a joy to watch.”

Erin asks Bobby about the Angels line, and what he was thinking. Bobby: “I’m thinking this is the craziest thing I’ve ever dreamed, and I’m here still.” Erin says it should be his driver’s license photo.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 21 (out of 30)

Bobby talks for a moment about the fires in California. And gives a number to help.

Tom then takes a moment to honor Veteran’s Day. And Stan Lee, who died the day this aired.

We have now established (last episode) that Alexis and Alan have feelings for each other. So, Alexis dedicates her waltz to Alan, or, as Tom calls him: “this guy.” They show in their package how everyone in the ballroom (and backstage) screamed when they kissed in the package.

Bruno: “Heavenly. Fluidity. Exquisite elegance and poise, but what this girl has is the turns. The way your turns are placed on the axis. It is just brilliantly beautiful.” Carrie Ann: “I agree with Bruno. The turns are spot on, but what’s incredible, there’s something that matured in the way you express yourself. I think that dedicating it to Alan made such a difference, because everything that you did had so much care put into it. This was your best dance. But there was a lift.” Len: “Elegant. Graceful. Continuous movement.” Len is bummed that there wasn’t any waltz content. “The further you go from the roots of the dance, the more you lose.” (That really goes for anyone he’s judging.)

JUDGES’ SCORES: 28 (out of 30)

Joe starts out in his package by saying he wants to dedicate this dance to “the women in my life,” then, as he sees the choreography is pretty sexual/sensual, he takes that back. So I guess it’s just for Kendall, his girlfriend, though he says, “the night is for his mom and grandmom” also.

Jenna is easily one of the best contemporary dancers on this show. That was gorgeous. Her choreography is stunning, starting from the first move, as the camera pans up Joe's body, and she raises up from behind him. Truly artful.

Tom: “I can see why that wasn’t for your mom or grandma.”

Carrie Ann: “I’m impressed. There’s a new fluidity that I’m seeing.” Carrie Ann talks about the importance of foot placement in contemporary, how it can be distracting if it’s wrong. But, she says, there was none (that were wrong). “The transitions were just impeecable.” Len: “You didn’t do much, Joe.” (It’s true. This was an incredible showcase for Jenna.) “But, you didn’t do much very well.” (This makes Tom laugh and laugh.) After all that, he does say he enjoyed it. Bruno: “It was fashionably minimalistic.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 22 (out of 30) 

Juan Pablo is also dedicating this to his mom. This steamy Argentine tango. Um, ok. He says “it reminds me of my mother’s warrior spirit. She inspires me every day.”

In all my years of watching Dancing with the Stars, I have NEVER seen a “star” learn how to do the legs thing in this dance (“ganchos”). Usually, it’s the woman pro doing it, and the star not doing it. But OMG! To see it done, and done right, is just bliss. Absolutely incredible. Blew my mind watching this. Seriously one of the best dances I have ever seen on this show. Stunning.

It was sexy, sultry, seductive. As an Argentine tango is SUPPOSED TO BE.

Standing ovation in the ballroom, including two of the judges (not Len). Prolonged applause.

Tom: “Len, you look like somebody drugged you over there.”

Len takes a long minute, as he’s shaking his head. Then, “I’ve gotta stand up here.” (Which, for the record, he NEVER does.) Len: “It was fantastic. It was a mix of care and flair. Flair in the dance, care in the technique. I will always remember that Argentine tango, because it was truly fabulous.” Whew. Just can’t get higher praise than that. Wow.

Bruno: “Honestly, I can’t catch my breath. It really was extraordinary. It was smoldering, and yet it was the pure essence of an Argentine tango. On top of that... that sequence of ganchos you did at the end building up to that incredible finale, is the best I have seen since the show started.” (I agree.) “We’ve never seen something like that.”

Carrie Ann: “Juan Pablo, you have been our most consistent performer, weekly delivering, but tonight you outdid yourself. There’s no words that I could find that could do that justice. What you just brought out here to me... people that have been watching our show for 27 seasons, I know that they, along with me, were blown away. There was so much artistry, passion. You’re in a class of your own, my friend.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30)

Bruno: “It should’ve been an 11.” That was stunning.

Evanna is dedicating her contemporary to one of her director friends who has ALS.

That was beautiful, though for me it was hard to watch after that Argentine tango.

Bruno: “You’ve become like another person in this season. Powerful, strong, heartfelt. In the moment. The storytelling was flawless. Your dancing was brilliant.” Carrie Ann: “You did him justice. You danced as though you were the essence of life. You have become a warrior. It was fierce and it was loud, and I’m proud.” Len: “That was a powerful, polished performance, and I loved it.’

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30)

Keo is crying, after Erin mentions that this is the first time that Keo has made it this far in the competition.

After the break, the bumper is Gleb dancing with Emma, and Artem dancing with Lindsay. Gleb seems to get a bit too sexual (as he does) with Emma. She seems shocked by it. Tom even says: “Emma, you all right?” Damn you, Gleb. We move on.

Milo dedicates his Argentine tango to “his Emmy®-winning mom,” as Tom says.

That was a beautiful Argentine tango as well, but it has pretty big shoes, following the other so perfect one.

Milo goes out and hugs his mom, who is crying in the audience.

Carrie Ann: “It was fascinating, watching you get all emotional before, and turn it into intensity. It was very different than Juan Pablo and Cheryl’s, which I was a little worried, because it was so good. But what I liked was the structural element that you created (pointing to Witney). There were so many beautiful shapes. I thought you had so much presence. You just brought it.” Len: “You came out and stayed true to yourself. Lots of intensity going on. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” Bruno: “Stylish, sharp, strong. All the sequences of lifts you did were very very good. Every time, so clean.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 27 (out of 30)

Erin talks to Milo about his getting emotional before the dance. Milo talks about how grateful he is for his mom.

Miche’s Favorites of the First SemiFinal Dances
1. Juan Pablo and Cheryl (Argentine tango) (OH MY GOD!)
2. Milo and Witney (Argentine tango)
3. Bobby and Sharna (salsa)
4. Joe and Jenna (contemporary)
5. Alexis and Alan (waltz)
6. Evanna and Keo (contemporary)

These have variously been called the “Redemption dances,” or “Judges’ choice.” In any case, it takes a dance they have previously done, gives them new music and new choreography, and one of the judges helps them with tips. The chosen dance for Bobby and Sharna is the jive, and their mentor is Len. While Bobby watches Len in rehearsal, he says: “Len’s still got moves. Who knew Len would still have the moves?” Then, after he practices a bit, “It was great to get advice from someone so wonderful. Yeah, I said that, Len.”

I loved their first week jive. But I love this one, too. And there is a massive picture of Len on the floor below. hahahaha Bobby lays down on Len’s face and does snow angels. LOL (just as the lyric goes, “gimme some lovin’ ”). At the end, Bobby whips open his button shirt to reveal... well, this:

Major suck-up action

LOL Bobby Bones. I don’t think (once again) that he told Sharna he was doing this. She goes up to him after and looks at his chest, and bursts out laughing, even falls on the floor. In 27 seasons, no one has ever done that.

Tom marvels about the fact that Sharna didn’t know about it.

Len said he “had so much fun coming to see” them. To quote Lou Reed, “it was a walk on the wild side... But for coming up and selling it, you’re my man, Bobby.” Tom says there is “a lot of welly.” Bruno: “He was jumping around like a golden cricket. But you actually did some kicks and flicks, that were sometimes recognizable.” Carrie Ann: “I was just watching the replay again, and it really was improved, and that’s what we’re looking for: improvement. The kicks were extremely high. It was so much fun.”



Bobby tells Tom that his bar for scores is “three eights. That’s my three 10s. When they did the odds for the show, I was picked to go home first. I literally was the worst person on the show. The fact that I’ve been able to last, and I’ve never danced before...” Tom: “It’s entertainment. That’s what it is.” Bobby tells all of the judges that he appreciates them.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

And with that, Bobby and Sharna get three 8s! (His perfect score.)

Bruno is the mentor for Alexis and Alan. They are again doing the jive. My favorite part of this song is that both Emma and Sasha are dancing in it.

Fun banter between Tom and Alan.

Bruno: “Nothing fuzzy about that one. It was clearly brilliant. Plenty of content, beautifully done.” Carrie Ann: “I remember when you first came out. You had star quality, but it was a little fuzzy, like everyone said. Tonight, you were toned. Everything was perfect. You need a workout video.” Len: “I’m exhausted watching it. The concept I loved. The dancing was fabulous. So clean, so clear. Alan! You see? It was full of content.”

Erin says she “cannot get enough of...” Alan’s gams in this outfit. Then Alan shows us the Band-Aids over his nips. Twice. Erin was so flustered, she forgot to get the scores.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30)

Carrie Ann is tasked with helping Joe and Jenna with their quickstep. BTW, such great costumes.

Carrie Ann, who no doubt is amazed that Joe is still here in the Semifinals, decided to help them work on “musicality.” She says that “for a non-dancer, the tendency is to rush, get ahead of the beat.”

She tells Joe: “America loves you. Put that into the dance.” But then, to us: “We’ve never had an underdog like Joe.”

I loved that quickstep.

Joe says: “I just wanna say: I couldn’t do any of this without Jenna. She’s an incredible person, and a real friend.” Awwww.

Carrie Ann: “Listen. What a difference. You had the most to gain, of redoing the dance you did Week One. You brought it to the dance floor. Your shoulders were open, your frame was good.” Len: “Your frame was better.” He turns to Carrie Ann and says: “You did good.” Course, she didn’t get a picture on the floor and a T-shirt in her honor, but... Well, Joe comes over to give her a hug. Len: “It was such an improvement.” Bruno: “That was a proper dance. From the beginning to the end, it was a recognizable quickstep. Plenty of content. Much more control. Much more musicality.” Turns to Carrie Ann: “Well done, Carrie Ann.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

Bruno takes on the task of “helping to sharpen their salsa,” as Tom tells us. And Bruno (not surprisingly) arrives dressed in a see-through shirt. LOL Sparkly, of course. Juan Pablo cracks up.

Juan Pablo tries to talk to the camera about how great it is to have Bruno there. “He’s such a sweetheart, so lovely and so full of life.” Cheryl cuts in: “So full of nipples.” LOL

“On Bruno’s advice, I’m ready to unleash the Latin beast.”

Right in the middle of the dance, I think it was about this part, Juan Pablo unleashes some massive hip action, right in Bruno’s direction... DING! I mean, 10!

Great salsa.

Bruno is blowing kisses at them. Oh my. “I don’t think any salsa could get any hotter or better than this one.” Bruno liked the choreography bit at the beginning, where he caught her head three times. “Sensational!” says Bruno. Carrie Ann (she screams YES! very girlishly): “OK. That was like 50 Shades of Salsa. You had it all. Two authentic, awesome dances today.” Len: “What you’ve had is two dances TO THE CORRECT MUSIC. That salsa was proper salsa music. It wasn’t a form of hiphop with knobs on... If you’re not in the final, I’m going to go home and pickle my walnuts. It was great.”

Erin: “I agree with Carrie Ann: the Yes! and the Yes! and the Yes! So hot. Can I give my girl some props here? The choreography for those last routines was INSANE. Incredible. Cheryl, what was going through your mind as you were just shimmying your little business all around?” Cheryl: “Tonight? I was just having the best time. I cannot be more proud than I am right now. You’re so great to work with, and thank you so much for everything.” Juan Pablo: “And I adore you. She actually makes me a better person. I love this girl.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30)

Two mind-blowing landmark dances from Cheryl Burke and Juan Pablo. I’m seeing that Mirror Ball with their name on it right now...

Evanna and Keo get a visit from Len. He suggests they redo their foxtrot (from Week One, which he scored a 5). He describes how Evanna’s gotta get better body contact and a better frame.

Sadly, there is barely any body contact in hold.

Len: “The improvement in the technique, in the movement, in the quality of the dance is amazing.” Bruno: “It’s like watching another girl, from what I saw in Week One. Everything about your performance is so much more focused. You finish the movement. You’ve done a fantastic job.” Carrie Ann: “When I was watching you dance, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Seriously. I started to cry, because sometimes there’s this X factor that happens and it’s magic, like I’m watching a moment of life. You were dancing with so much momentum, and so much freedom. So much confidence in Keo, and the partnership. I was blown away. Thank you for touching my heart tonight.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 28 (out of 30)

Milo and Witney get advice from Carrie Ann on their cha cha. Carrie Ann talks to Milo about “negative space.”

They do this incredible move at the end. Wow.

Beautiful cha cha.

Carrie Ann: “What I loved is that I saw even more confidence in your upper body. All those things we worked on. It still felt just a bit wild.” Len: “It’s full of youthful exhuberance. There’s a joy about your dancing. I always enjoy watching you.” Bruno: “I liked it. It was a very fresh, individual interpretation of a cha cha cha. It may not be traditional, but it’s very very effective. I thought it was a fantastic dance to finish a fantastic night.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 28 (out of 30)

Who is going home in this double elimination?

Erin says: “Not happy with this.” Tom says: “The cruelest cut of the season.”



Well, this couple:

OK. Yes. Kind of expected. Not really a surprise.

And?

The most perfect Argentine tango ever on this show. This couple.

They are leaving to loud BOOs in the ballroom, for whoever made this crazy choice. All three judges are dumbfounded.

Erin: “It’s wrong. Wrong!”

Len says: “There’s no justice here.”

SHOCKER. Big upset.

Tom: “It’s gonna take a little time to digest this one.” Indeed.

Miche’s Favorites of the Second SemiFinal Dances (Redemption/Judges’ Choice)
1. Juan Pablo and Cheryl (salsa)
2. Milo and Witney (cha cha)
3. Bobby and Sharna (jive)
4. Joe and Jenna (quickstep)
5. Evanna and Keo (foxtrot)
6. Alexis and Alan (jive)

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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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