“Dancing with the Stars” 2011 edged closer to the Mirrorball presentation on October 31 with a special Halloween-themed episode. Did shrieks of delight or horror dominate the night? Read on for a complete recap.
Co-hosts Tom Boo-geron and Brooke Burke-Charvet opened the evening’s action by welcoming the six remaining couples to the ballroom. Following their individual dances, the couples would be split into groups of three to earn the best scores possible in a group round.
Up first to dance were actor David Arquette and Kym Johnson, who were assigned an “Abracadabra” Cha Cha. In order to make the magic in their dance really realistic, David called in an actual illusionist to help them to perfect their moves. David had a harder time with the dance steps, though, noting “if Kym can get my hips moving, she’s a real magician”. But as always, he approached their performance with a good attitude.
Hey, they had fun. It wasn’t a perfect offering and he’s not the best dancer in the bunch, but it was good; better than I’d expected, really. Len Goodman declared “abracadabra, you’ve turned yourself into a dancer here” and “overall well done”. Bruno Tonioli said “you’re a natural at turning tricks… you do it so well”. Carrie Ann called David’s improvement “phenomenol” and loved his “polish” and “finesse”. David Arquette and Kym Johnson’s “DWTS” week 7 scores: 8, 8, 8 = 24.
A Tango to “Ghostbusters” was on tap next for war veteran and soap star J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff. During rehearsals, Karina called the process of melding the whimsical music and the serious style of the Tango challenging, but vowed to make it work. Later, the two struggled with getting along, but hugged it out. Phew!
J.R. and Karina’s dance was such fun! And impressively enough, they did manage to maintain a serious quality despite the music. Bruno declared “bewitched, conquered and swept away by the ghostly beauty” in homage to Karina’s get-up, but noted that they’d lost time a few times. Carrie Ann thought “you captured the tone of this piece perfectly” and enjoyed the performance. Len called it “substandard for what I expect from you” and accused J.R. of forgetting “to work on your feet”. Karina looked miffed. J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff’s “Dancing with the Stars” season 13 week 7 scores: 9, 8, 8 = 25.
The Halloween night action continued with TV host Nancy Grace and Tristan MacManus. Entering rehearsals for their Jive, Nancy was still riding high on the 9 the duo earned last week. Tristan explained that the point of the Jive is to bring the fun into the room, and the Irishman seemed annoyed when Nancy interrupted him to accuse him of calling her not fun. Yeah, awkward.
“The Devil Went Down to Georgia” served as the musical backdrop for Nancy and Tristan’s Jive. The pair certainly looked their parts in red and black. Tristan looked like a devil-leprechaun. Or maybe I just thought so because I know he’s from the Emerald Isle. Anyway, it wasn’t their best dance. Nancy lost it more than once. Carrie Ann appreciated Nancy for “having the time of your life” but noted that she’d lost her place more than once. Len said “this wasn’t a good dance for you” and called it “a disapointment”. Bruno quipped “either the devil got you or your shoes are too small”. He liked the “spirit” of the dance but not the moves themselves. Nancy Grace and Tristan MacManus’ “DWTS” week 7 scores: 7, 7, 7 = 21.
Reality star Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke were up next with an “Addams Family” Tango. During rehearsals, Rob took advantage of his partner’s skittishness and pranked her more than once. She paid him back by working him as hard as she could. And Rob? He promised a routine that would “scare the living tens out of the judges”.
Rob and Cheryl certainly looked their parts, that’s for sure. And their Tango was definitely fun and well-done. Len called it “a terrific job” and said it had “the right amount of attack”. Bruno said “you’ve never been so manly and in control” and but knocked him for his “bum sticking out”. Carrie Ann called it his best dance to date. Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke’s “DWTS” season 13 week 7 scores: 9, 8, 8 = 25.
Paso Doble was the word for the fifth couple to dance, talk show host Ricki Lake and Derek Hough. During rehearsals, Ricki saw a doctor about a rib nerve injury. Although rest is the only cure for her ailment, Ricki vowed that she wouldn’t let the pain stop her from competing.
I snickered when I figured out why Derek looked so familiar to me during their “Beautiful Nightmare” dance: He looked like Eddie Munster all grown up. And blonde. Anyway, good dance all around. Ricki-worthy. Intense. Bruno said “it was like a blizzard of passion and fear in the frozen woods”. He noted that she tensed her shoulders at times, but called it “incredible”. Carrie Ann appreciated her “shaping” and “transitions”, but cautioned her against letting her shoulders rise. Len also appreciated her shapes and “precise footwork”. Ricki Lake and Derek Hough’s “Dancing with the Stars” week 7 scores: 9, 9, 9 = 27.
Soccer star Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy finished up the individual dance portion of the evening with a “Werewolves of London” Samba. During rehearsals, the injured Maks brought Teddy from the “DWTS” troupe in to practice with Hope in his place. Maks got frustrated with the playful relationship the other two enjoyed, but joined in on the party by showing up to rehearsals wearing a wolf mask.
It was a little looser than the pair’s controversial week 6 Rumba, but Hope still looked a little tense and uncomfortable at times. Still, an improvement! Carrie Ann thought it was better than the “Toy Story” dance that had earned the judges’ praise. Len thought “you coped well with a very difficult dance” and took a moment to praise hair and make-up for their work. Bruno said “you were running away from the big bad wolf and you were dancing like your life depended on it”. He said she should be proud. “DWTS” season 13 week 7 scores: 8, 8, 8 = 24.
With the individual dance round finito, the teams took the ballroom by storm. Up first was Team Tango, chosen by J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff: J.R. and Karina, of course, David Arquette and Kym Johnson, and Nancy Grace and Tristan MacManus. There was a totally bizarre hotness to their “Disturbia” straight-jacket routine. David nailed the expression. J.R. had great sharp, pointed movements. And I totally want to dance with Tristan.
Len enjoyed their group segments, but called the individual performances “a disaster”. Bruno agreed with Len. He noted that David had fallen behind tempo, and then his criticisms faded out. Carrie Ann agreed as well, but called it “overall very nice”. What? I guess I’m nuts. I thought it was way better than their remarks suggested. Team Tango scores: 8, 7, 8 = 23.
Team Paso Doble, consisting of team captains Ricki Lake and Derek Hough, as well as Hope Solo and Maks Chmerkovskiy and Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke, danced last. I didn’t love this routine, but I’m sort of guessing that the judges were hard on Team Tango in order to give Ricki and Derek the best possible marks. So they’ll probably overlook Hope looking stiff and Rob’s awkward moments. Just a guess.
Bruno called it “powerful, moody, dramatic built into fantastic ending” and loved how everyone went for it. Carrie Ann called it “amazing” and was really, really excited. Len liked their individual parts. Uhm, yeah. Whatever. I smell poo. Scores: 9, 8, 9 = 26.
So who gets the boot on the “Dancing with the Stars” 2011 week 7 results show? I’m thinking Nancy, but I’m worried for J.R. The team dance score didn’t help him at all, and on top of that, when I tried to vote for him, three times out of four the phone just rang and the recording never picked up. Is something rotten in “DWTS” land? Probably not. But you never know. Watch the results show tomorrow night on ABC to see how things pan out. Or you can just check in with me. You know I’ll be watching.