DTWS S025, Week 5: Disney Night Full of Magic and Miracles

Hi! Welcome to Week 5, Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars. I know there’s a theme tonight. I’m just trying to remember what it is...

Some kind of corporate suckup, ABC thing... just can’t place it...

Oh yeah. It's Week 5. It's DISNEY night.

The opening number starts with a beautiful dance with Jenna and Armin to “It’s a Small World (After All),” which kicks into a bigger opening number.

Then, as they introduce all the stars, they also name which movie they are dancing to a song from. Ugh.

Oh, but they have a different spin on it this year. Tom Bergeron informs us that it’s ”Disney Through the Ages,” ”from Mickey's early beginnings, right up through next month.”  (They are performing a song from “Coco,” which at this point had not been released yet, so that was a coup.) Also it’s the halfway point in the DWTS competition.

Wait. Val and Victoria are doing “a jazz dance to ‘Steamboat Willie’ ” (did that have music?).  For that matter, did it have Minnie? (I think not.)

I dunno. This one was a tough sell. If I remember right, this was a silent, and the only character was Mickey himself. The dance was probably longer than the whole short. But it was what it was.

Len, ”Steamboat Willie. 1928. I missed the premiere, but you were there, Tom, weren‘t you?” Oh, that Len. What a cutup. Len saw “Charleston, Lindy Hop, even a little bit of Twerking.” Bruno: “It was effortless, and it was beautiful.” Carrie Ann: “You were in perfect sync the whole time.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 27 (out of 30)

Val says that Victoria “is Disney. She’s the epitome of magic and miracles.”

Tom does a tease for the next number, Maks and Vanessa dancing to “Snow White.” He says “the Seven Dwarfs... I think only six are there...” They cut to a different shot with an errant dwarf and Maks sitting next to him. Tom continues, ”Oh, there’s Grumpy... and the other dwarf.” (I laughed.)

Then, they show the troupe dressed up as the Mickey Mouse Club. Sasha gets a kiss from Minnie. Very sweet.

This dance (“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” from the 30s) starts with seven tiny Makses (as the dwarfs), the highlight of which was all of them saying “I‘m the show,” (perhaps Maks' most famous #DWTS line). (Made me laugh.)

For some reason, they sing “Someday My Prince Will Come” in French. It’s a nice waltz. The costumes are the best. Bruno notes how she gets out of balance in the fast spins. Carrie Ann mentions that there were moments that it seemed like she stopped breathing. But that she “had many stunning moments in that.” Len loved the “turn and lock.” And the choreography, that it was “a proper waltz.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

OK. We’re up to the 1940s now, with Lindsay and Mark's ”When You Wish Upon a Star,” from “Pinocchio.” Just a beautiful foxtrot.

At the end of the dance, there was an animated Pinocchio, clapping on the judges’ stand. Beautiful.

Carrie Ann: “What I loved the most is that this week you didn‘t go quirky. I know it took a lot more courage to do this number.” She also mentions that it was “one of the finest holds I‘ve ever seen.” Len: “THAT was delightful. I loved the way that every nuance in the music was transcribed into the movements you used.... I absolutely loved it.” Bruno: ”By the end, I felt like I was bathing in stardust.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 28 (out of 30) (including a ten from Len)

Then, a wonderful bumper from the (1950s) Mickey Mouse Club (in b and w), where we actually get to learn everyone‘s names. (They never say the troupe names anymore; although pros were mixed in too—Sasha, Sharna, Jenna, Alan.)

Nick and Peta do a quickstep to “Bare Necessities” from (the ’60s) “The Jungle Book.” Peta is such a phenomenal dancer and choreographer, and I think I don’t say that enough. Nick isn’t quite up to her standards, though. The best thing Len can say is, “You came out and enjoyed yourself, and I thought that was commendable.” (Ouch.) Bruno notes that he lost a step a couple of times. Carrie Ann says “you don‘t have to be a perfect dancer.” (Um, yes you do.)

JUDGES’ SCORES: 22 (out of 30)

This was from the ’70s, Kermit the Frog was involved and something about a Rainbow. Whatever it was, I missed this show. But the Viennese waltz that Emma and Drew danced to it was quite beautiful.

Emma does her normal wondrous choreography. Every time I look at her, I see a rainbow anyway, so this song was quite fitting.

Oh Lord. They have Kermit at the judges table. Ugh.

Bruno to Drew: “You‘re getting more and more polished every week. You‘re leading well.”  Carrie Ann: “You two have become one of my favorite couples.” Len: “I liked your footwork a lot.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 25 (out of 30)

Minnie and the female pros welcome us back with a cute bumper.

Gleb and Sasha are dancing a rumba to ’80s “The Little Mermaid.” “I need you to be very sexy and romantic,” says Gleb to Sasha in the package.

And she tries, but boy, the camera angles are all wacky and unflattering. I found this rumba to be very unsexy, even forced.

(EDITOR’S ASIDE: I apologize. From this point forward, my DVR died, and so I’m going from my notes and the YouTube videos.) :-(

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

Terrell and Cheryl do a quickstep to “The Lion King.”

Whew. I really hated this song (the music). The dance was a whole lot of the troupe moving trees around. (Sasha was the best part, frankly.) Ugh. My least favorite. That gold coat was pretty swinging though.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 25 (out of 30)

Witney and Frankie’s package has Witney saying to Frankie: “You can act, sexy, right? Cause you’re not normally sexy.” Deadpan look from Frankie.

Frankie and Witney do an Argentine tango to “Pirates of the Caribbean.” For my money, this was by far the sexiest dance of the night. This was certainly NOT the Frankie Muniz we think we know. He was a fierce, leering pirate. Yeah, he can “act” sexy, all right.

The set (as you can see) was another #DWTS treasure (props to this stage crew), and look at that eerie sea foam lighting. Just great stuff, start to finish.

Such a great dance. Such stunning choreography.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 29 (out of 30)

Jordan and Lindsay then regale us with a foxtrot from “Moana.” (To the song, “You’re Welcome.”)

(I think Jordan is the one singing this song, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda...)

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30) (First perfect score of the season.)

The last two dances (prior to this one) had some pretty spectacular stagecraft. But this one, showcasing the soon-to-be-released “Coco” just blew everything else away.

Artem and Nikki dance jazz to ”Remember Me” (of course) from “Coco.” Look at those incredible costumes. Whirling troupe members. Confetti! A showstopper.

One of the judges (not sure, notes unclear) called Nikki “Coco” (which isn’t exactly accurate, given the movie).

JUDGES’ SCORES: 27 (out of 30)

And who is going home?

Miche’s Favorite Dances of Disney Night
1. Frankie and Witney (Argentine tango)
2. Lindsey and Mark (foxtrot)
3. Jordan and Lindsay (foxtrot)
4. Drew and Emma (Viennese waltz)
5. Nikki and Artem (jazz)
6. Victoria and Val (jazz)

Erin Andrews was really digging Disney night.

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DTWS S025, Week 4: Most Memorable Year Brings Many Tears and Surprises

Let’s start out Most Memorable Year Week by saying that this time has the most “2017”s of any of these ever. Four 2017s, two 2016s, one 2015. Ugh. (Keeping in the same year, that is.)

But what will we have from that? More rehashing of “this is the year I got that show”? Or, will they make us cry? It’s always a toss up with these.

But, the goal is to get the celebrities connected to their emotions through dance, so that the rest of the season is emotion-filled. By all means, let's go!

MEMORABLE YEAR: 2017      WHY: Memory Loss (?)

Oh, “cause I learned to live in the present.”

Frankie and Witney kick things off with a nice quickstep. It opens with some visual pyrotechnics from the VFX crew, and jaunts into a beautiful dance. I‘ll give him this. Frankie really has more flair and style than I ever gave him credit before previously.

Len liked the “quickstep content” and likened it to his “mom's Yorkshire pudding.” (??) Bruno likes that nothing is going to stop Frankie. Carrie Ann likes the “contagious joy.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

MEMORABLE YEAR: 2012      WHY: Loss of his Grandmother Who Raised Him

Terrell and Cheryl dance a dreamy Viennese waltz (a favorite dance of Most Memorable Week) for his grandmother. He gets very emotional at the end.

Bruno calls it his “most accomplished performance to date.” Carrie Ann: “Tonight I saw poise, I saw a newfound eloquence. There was a reverence to the dance that I’ve never seen, and it elevated everything you did in front of us.” Len congratulates Cheryl for “a very well-crafted routine. There was an ease and an elegance about it, and the emotion of the dance came out.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

MEMORABLE YEAR: 2016      WHY: Her life-threatening injury and how she overcame it

It was a beautiful contemporary number, which began with the fabric/silks thing.

The production team created a whole wrestling ring for us. Beautiful stuff.

Carrie Ann marvels about tonight‘s continuing breakthroughs “when you connect the heart and the body.” She also mentions how tough it is to work with silks. Carrie Ann says it‘s “the first time we‘ve really seen you.” Len liked it, it was very creative. “It was strong, it was powerful, it was dynamic, and for me, it was great. Well done.” Bruno thought it was “very sexy, as always.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

Tom thanks the crew for setting up the wrestling ring. It is pretty amazing, I agree. He also calls it “the night of 8 paddles” (since every judge has given an eight for every team so far).

MEMORABLE YEAR: 2011      WHY: The year he got married

They show amazing clips of Nick’s engagement and wedding, and how totally smitten with Vanessa he was/is. The contemporary dance is to the always amazing “Falling Slowly” from “Once.”

Peta’s choreogrphy was so great. I don’t really like contemporary usually, but this was stunning. Really beautiful stuff. Nick is very moved by the end.


Len thought “it was touching, the whole thing.” Bruno “loved it.”  Carrie Ann thought “it was beautifully choreographed. That was by far, for me, your best dance ever.”

Vanessa comes out of the wings for the scores.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 22 (out of 30)

This was shown just before the commercial break...

MEMORABLE YEAR: 2017      WHY: Her dad died

As these Memorable Year moments come rolling along, usually I stay pretty stoic and don’t cry. With this one, though... ugh...

The premise is that Lindsey is dancing, one last time with her dad, who passed this year. Mark is even wearing a scarf and hat that her dad favored.

But you can see through the evolution of the dance (and Mark Ballas’ brilliant choreography), the evolution of Lindsey’s relationship with her dad. It starts out with her standing on his feet (to learn how to dance), and then, the point when she learns he has cancer. And then, he’s gone. All told through dance. So incredible.

Bruno calls it, “gorgeous and magical... one of those dreams you never want to wake up from.” Carrie Anne: “There is such a unique emotional quality to what you do. The artistry, the chemistry.” Len: “It reminded me of a Banksy painting. It was thought-provoking, it had great imagination.”

Lindsey mentions how she felt like she was dancing with her dad.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)

MEMORABLE YEAR: 2007     WHY: His daughter had eye surgery

Derek and Sharna “Move On Up” through this fun 70s jazz number.

Carrie Anne: “I love that it was a celebration.” Len: “It was danced with energy. There was great rhythm. It was upbeat. It was uplifting, and for me, your best dance.” Bruno: “It was an uplifting treat.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 23 (out of 30)

MEMORABLE YEAR: 2005     WHY: He was officially adopted

Jordan and Lindsay do a contemporary dance to celebrate the year he officially got adopted.

His parents are in the audience. So beautiful. So moving.



Len: “That was fantastic.” Bruno: “That was exquisitely flawless. You dance with such open-hearted sincerity. It was a work of art.” Carrie Anne: “It was absolutely exquisite. That kind of feeling, that you just had, that‘s what we all dance for.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 29 (out of 30) (The first 10s of the season)

MEMORABLE YEAR: 2016     WHY: Her last season of “Pretty Little Liars” and getting engaged

Ugh. Terrible music. Stupid choreography, with doors. Ugh. Just hated this foxtrot.

Bruno: "A proper foxtrot.” Carrie Anne: “Well-done.” Len: “I liked the quantity of foxtrot, and I liked the quality of the dancing.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

MEMORABLE YEAR: 2017     WHY:  “The year that our family was complete”  

They had difficulties with a premature baby, and “this song  (sung by her husband Nick), helped get her through it.” Maks and Vanessa dance a rumba to it. She is very teary.

Carrie Anne: “it was a beautiful expression  of  motherhood.” Len: “I loved the routine, and I loved the way you danced and performed it.” Bruno: “It was classy.”


JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

MEMORABLE YEAR: 2007     WHY: When he and his brother became “The Property Brothers”

So they start out this jive... But wait, it's about The Property Brothers... something’s missing...

Yup. There's Jonathan! And here's this.

Len: “That was twice as much fun, twice the energy, and that was undoubtedly your best dance.” Bruno: “It’s a bit early in the season for a threesome, don’t you think? It was a full-on jive, with a feel good factor.” Carrie Anne: “You got your secret weapon tonight, eh? Well, it worked.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

MEMORABLE YEAR: 2017     WHY: Coming back from her paralyzing injury

Victoria and Val dance such a beauitiful, moving foxtrot. Such inspiring choreography. Wonderful.

Bruno: “What you have achieved, is really beyond belief. You emerged out of it like a star, and you danced like a star tonight.” Carrie Anne: “I feel honored, to first, see you dance in the wheelchair. To see you get up, and be who you are now, clean, precise. The chemistry between you two is so tender and beautiful. Well-done.” Len: “You have overcome the pain, the struggles, the disappointments. You are so inspirational. You should inspire the whole of America. Well-done.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 27 (out of 30)

So, who’s going home?

Miche’s Most Memorable Dances of Most Memorable Year Week

1. Mark and Lindsey (Viennese waltz)
2. Emma and Drew (and Jonathan) (jive)
3. Val and Victoria (foxtrot)
4. Peta and Nick (contemporary)
5. Lindsay and Jordan (contemporary)
6. Maks and Vanessa (rumba)

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