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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DTWS S027, Week Three, Most Memorable Year: Tears and Goosebumps

Normally, when I write a #DWTS column, I dutifully watch the episode I’ve recorded, and am able to rewind and fast-forward to my heart’s content to insure I get every last nuance. However, that is not what we have with this episode. So, I apologize ahead of time. The episode was lost, and sadly, they don’t have back DWTS episodes on Disney Plus yet, so I am at a loss. I do, luckily for me, have my notes (yes, I also take notes while I’m watching the show), so I am going to write this column (so we have all episodes of the season) from my notes and from rewatching the videos. Sorry. That’s the best I’ve got at this time. What will mostly be lost are the extensive judges’ comments, which I know I  always love the most, especially during Most Memorable Year night.

Let’s begin. I will note that in the opening number, where they nicely have graphics representing what the year in question represented to each celebrity, at the end, the lyrics of the song say something about “love” and you can see Alan hugging Alexis tighter. Hmmm.

Once again proving that Hayley and Brit need to be pros now.

Tom promises tonight will bring “tears and goosebumps.”

First up is Mary Lou Retton doing a Viennese waltz with her partner, Sasha Farber.

Mary Lou and Sasha:    Viennese waltz
Most Memorable Year:  1984
Why?: She won the gold medal in gymnastics in Los Angeles

Mary Lou talks about what a thrill it was to win the gold medal for this country. But she also tells us: “There’s another reason why it was so special that people don’t know. Six weeks before I competed, I had knee surgery.” WHAT? Doctors didn’t even think she could walk again after six weeks, let alone compete in the Olympics. She says: “I just wasn’t gonna give up.”

So they are dancing this Viennese waltz (!) to “We Are the Champions.” Says Mary Lou: “That song got me through some really dark times, times when I wanted to give up. The words inspired me, and kept me going. This is gonna be emotional. I don’t know if I can do it without crying. I’m very proud of that moment.”

Of course, it’s a much slowed-down version of the song. As they dance, images of her at the Olympics are projected on the floor. They also have a woman singing, which gives it an extra poignancy. And the adult Mary Lou at the end raises her arms as the 14 year old did. *tears*

Awww, man. It’s only the first dance. Whew.

JUDGES’ SCORES:  24 (out of 30)

Milo and Witney:            Viennese waltz
Most Memorable Year:  2018
Why?: “My movie came out, I’m on this show, I graduated from high school... I feel like I’m starting with life this year”

Most of his package bores me, but we did learn that he calls Witney “Wittles.” I need to call that out.

I will note that DWTS seems to be reusing a lot of songs (and choreography) from previous seasons. They never used to do that. Milo and Witney are dancing to the so-memorable number from Jenna and Adam’s Mirror-Ball-winning freestyle. WTF? Also, I really HATE when they choose to dance on the judges’ podium. Leave it alone. Dance somewhere else. Very annoying.

JUDGES’ SCORES:  27 (out of 30)

Nancy and Val:               Rumba
Most Memorable Year:  2006
Why?: I think she said that’s when her first baby was born. In any case, she is dedicating this rumba to her family.

Val’s dancing, the perfection of it, just makes me swoon. So exquisite. But Nancy seems to be mostly just kinda standing there in this dance. Also, rumba is supposed to be the most sexual dance of all, and this wasn’t in any way sexual. They dance to “When You Love Someone.”

JUDGES’ SCORES:  22 (out of 30)

Alexis and Alan:              Contemporary
Most Memorable Year:  2014
Why?: The year she learned her mother was going to die.

Whew. That one was pretty sad, too. Her mom had Stage 4 cancer.

BTW, the women singing on this show are just phenomenal.

JUDGES’ SCORES:  26 (out of 30)

At this point, they do something they’ve never done (and should do more): they ask the pros what their “Most Memorable Year” was. Alan: 2018. Sharna: 2003, the year she moved to London. Keo: 2009, when he won the South African Ballroom & Latin championships. Lindsay: 2015, the year she married her “high school sweetheart Sam.” Sasha and Emma come on together, and Sasha says that 2018 is their most memorable year, cause they got married. (Awww!)

Wait...where’s everyone else? :-(

Evanna and Keo:            Viennese waltz
Most Memorable Year:  2006
Why?: The year she booked her role in Harry Potter.

They do a Viennese waltz to the Harry Potter theme song. “Suddenly, I was in the world, living the dream. I adored the franchise, and Luna Lovegood was my favorite character. I just felt like I knew her soul, and I was meant to be playing her.” Evanna talks quite poignantly about her pen friendship with JK Rowling, and how JK Rowling and the Harry Potter books really saved her life. “Being in Harry Potter proved to me that I had something to offer the world.” Says one of the best dancers on this show.

JUDGES’ SCORES:  27 (out of 30)

Joe and Jenna:                Viennese waltz
Most Memorable Year:  2018
Why?: How could it be any thing other than this one? He was on TWO previous TV shows, one where he met his current girlfriend. Now he’s on Dancing with the Stars. Does life get better? NO. Oh wait, let him speak... Oh yeah. That’s what he said, too.

This dance was so beautiful. Jenna’s costume and hair are goregous, as is her amazing dancing. I loved this dance. I wish I could hear the judges’ comments. (Oh, they hated it.)

(That was Leona Lewis and Kellum Scott doing the singing while they danced.)

Len said he “needed more recognizable Viennese waltz than two bars,” at which Jenna makes a face.

JUDGES’ SCORES:  18 (out of 30)

Some dude named Lucas Graham performed, and Val and Jenna danced to it. It was beautiful.

Juan Pablo and Cheryl:  Samba
Most Memorable Year:   1999
Why?: The year he moved away from Buenos Aires.

Juan Pablo moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream “of being an entertainer,” and after almost ten years, he got a part in Mamma Mia (working with Meryl Streep).

The role he was doing just before he got Mamma Mia was as a “salsa dancer” on a TV show. Fitting then, that they dance salsa to celebrate his arrival in LA.

If nothing else, I sure hope this turn on DWTS helps to cement Juan Pablo di Pace’s status as a heartthrob that needs to be cast in a a lot of things! (Ahem...)

This salsa was steamy and hot and wonderful, as most of their dances are. It gets A STANDING OVATION FROM LEN (not a daily occurrence by any means).

JUDGES’ SCORES:  30 (out of 30)

The first perfect score of the season!

Aha. Here they are. More “Most Memorable Year” items from the Pros. Brandon: 2008, when he first came on #DWTS. Cheryl Burke: 2018, because she got engaged. Witney Carson: 2015, when she got married. Val: 2001, when he won Junior World Latin Championships (just after 9/11). Jenna: 2018, because she “got engaged to the love of her life, Val.” That segment ends on a funny note, when the producer tells her: “you know Val didn’t choose 2018, right?” Jenna: “He didn’t choose this year?” She pauses, and points at her engagement ring. “Not this year?“



Pretty funny. Oh, look, Val and Jenna are watching it air. She doesn’t look happy.

John and Emma:             Waltz
Most Memorable Year:   2016
Why?: The year his home and his mother’s home was destroyed in a flood, and he found love, and his mother died.

John dedicates this waltz to his mother, and Emma notes that his mother’s favorite flower was a yellow rose. They start the dance with John holding a yellow rose in his hand, which is transferred to Emma (standing in for his mom). The dance ends with yellow rose petals raining down on John as he stands alone. Beautiful.

In the package, John talks about his mother was happy to learn he had found love. “You’ve got your smile back,” she said. So they dance to “Smile.”

JUDGES’ SCORES:  21 (out of 30)

Bobby Bones and Sharna:   Contemporary
Most Memorable Year:        1998
Why?: The year Bobby graduated from high school, the first kid in his family to do so.

He describes a really difficult life growing up. His mom was 15 when she had him, she hadn’t graduated from high school. He didn’t know his dad. His mom struggled with drugs and alcohol addiction, which she died from at age 40. But before she died, she got her GED, having been inspired by her son.

They are dancing to “A Million Dreams” from “The Greatest Showman.” “What I would like people to see,” says Bobby, “is that it doesn’t really matter where you come from. It matters where you are going. It doesn’t matter where you start. It’s how much you want it.”

They have this little kid in the background, who is supposed to represent the kid Bobby (clothed the same). Little Bobby is dreaming in his bedroom (even though he said in the package that he didn’t have a bedroom, just slept on the couch and pushed his clothes under the couch).

At the end, he picks up a book, and holds it to his heart. So moving. I loved that dance.

JUDGES’ SCORES:  23 (out of 30)

My notes say there was a “Cool bumper” after the break, but I couldn’t tell you what it was. :-(

I have two pet peeves on this show. One is when “stars” have other things on their agenda, besides doing the show, which require them to travel all over. This show deserves your full attention, people! The other is when celebrities dance to their own songs. Ugh. That is what we have here with this rumba.

Tenashe and Brandon:    Rumba
Most Memorable Year:   2014
Why?: The year she released her debut album, “Aquarius.”

Her parents talk about what a prodigy she was... (Yawn...)

The other disadvantage to dancing to one’s own music is that it might not be as good as what they normally dance to, and the star is unable to see that. (For me, it was a quite unremarkable song.)

For me, it was also marred by the sweatstains under both of Brandon’s arms. Very unsexy, even though it was a gorgeous silk shirt.

JUDGES’ SCORES:  27 (out of 30)

DeMarcus and Lindsay:    Argentine tango
Most Memorable Year:     2016
Why?: He won the Super Bowl.

And it's most happy for him because he has his kids with him. What all that has to do with this Argentine tango, I’m not sure.

Lindsay likes throwing in lots of lifts with the football players, and that’s certainly true here.

In the last move, Lindsay pulls away, and when the camera pulls back, both of DeMarcus’ kids were by his side. (Nice touch!)

I will say that it’s incredible choreography overall.

JUDGES’ SCORES:  26 (out of 30)

Who’s going home on this night?

Sadly, Val and Nancy. :-(

Miche’s Favorites of Most Memorable Year night
1. Juan Pablo and Cheryl (samba)
2. Bobby Bones and Sharna (contemporary)
3. John and Emma (waltz)
4. Evanna and Keo (waltz)
5. Milo and Witney (jive)
6. Joe and Jenna (waltz)
7. DeMarcus and Lindsay (Argentine tango)
8. Mary Lou and Sasha (Viennese waltz)
9. Alexis and Alan (contemporary)
10. Nancy and Val (rumba)

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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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