“Dancing with the Stars” 2011’s seventh week of competition came to a close November 1 as yet another celebrity suffered a ceremonious booting. But before another hopeful fell victim to the “DWTS” axe, teen smash sensation Justin Bieber performed and teeny boppers swooned. (Really, I’m sure it happened. Somewhere.)
Co-hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke-Charvet opened the results show by introducing teeny bopper heartthrob Justin Bieber, who performed the title track from “Never Say Never”. And moved his arms around a lot. While wearing a shiny purple jacket. It may be merely a testament to my age and to my kids’ ages, but I’d never seen The Biebs perform before. (Go ahead and pick your jaw up off the carpet.) I’m just not sure what to say about it. Flummoxed, I am. He was either confused, had to go potty, was blinded by the lights, had trouble with his mic or just posed in very, very awkward fashion. But anyway.
Post-performance, a pre-taped segment featuring dismissed contestant Carson Kressley interviewing show-goers about their favorite hopefuls. Bruce Jenner deemed it “a run for the top”. Coco Arquette was impressed with her dad David’s Cha Cha Cha and magic tricks.
Following a break, head judge Len Goodman asked Team Paso Doble, comprised of Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Ricki Lake and Derek Hough, and Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke, to perform their Team Paso Doble as the night’s encore. Yawn. Not impressed the first time, not impressed this time. (I’m still mad that the judges screwed J.R. Martinez last night and that I was unable to vote for him via phone. Boo! Lame.)
And then at long last, some results, boo ya. Tom and Brooke called big-butted Rob and Cheryl as well as Nancy Grace and Tristan MacManus forward to learn their respective “Dancing with the Stars” fates. Nancy and Tristan were quickly relegated to the evening’s bottom two –yes, the actual bottom two– while Rob and Cheryl were declared safe to dance again. (The news was followed by lots of awkward hugging and giggling by the pair.) No surprises here. Move along, now.
After a break, Brooke chit-chatted with Nancy, who was undeterred by being in the bottom two. When asked if he viewed himself as a “dark horse” in the competition, Rob Kardashian was vague. Cheryl, however, praised her partner for “improving every week”. J.R. broke into Bieber fever when asked if the competition was intensifying. (It was odd.)
And then, the night’s inspirational story –the AT&T Spotlight Performance, if you will– aired, this one from 17-year old Victoria-Rose. As a 14-year old, the aspiring dancer was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery. But it didn’t stop her; she re-learned how to walk and how to dance. And then she hit the ballroom alongside singer Christina Perri.
And because it wasn’t yet time for more results, Derek Hough and Alison Holker performed a Hough-choreographed number. She wore purple spandex, he wore pants. And shoes. But no shirt. And they sort of hissed at each other. It was… intense. Yeah.
Up next, finally, more results! J.R. and Karina Smirnoff, who were busted by their “Ghostbusters” dance, and Ricki Lake and Derek, who re-dominated the leaderboard, hit the stage for their results. Ricki and Derek were deemed safe to dance again, as were J.R. and Karina. Phew, well, that’s a relief.
Following a break, Justin Bieber returned to perform “Fa La La” from his brand new Christmas album “Under the Mistletoe”. Joining him? Boyz II Men. It makes me sad that Boyz II Men are kinda sorta singing back-up for Biebs. Sigh. Anyhoo, “DWTS” pros Chelsie Hightower and Mark Ballas strutted their sequined stuff in accompaniment.
With just a few minutes to go, the final two couples –the contentious Hope Solo and Maks Chmerkovskiy and the energetic David Arquette and Kym Johnson– stepped up to hear their news. (And man alive, there was some serious awkwardness in Hope and Maks’ confessional footage. Coulda used a knife to cut through that tension!) Hope and Maks were declared safe, leaving David and Kym in the bottom two. Well huh, that’s not what I expected. Me no likey. I’m tired of watching Hope and Maks bicker and be awkward.
Following a commercial break, it was “Dancing with the Stars” 2011 week 7 judgment time as Nancy and David faced the dramatic music with their partners. After the requisite dramatic pause, David Arquette was eliminated from “DWTS”. David had a great attitude about his elimination, and promised to dance more with Kym if she’d have him. (She said she’d be happy to hoof with him again!)
What a bummer to see him go after such a fun dance, but that’s the way the voting goes sometimes. Five couples remain to duke it out for Mirrorball glory. Tune in to “DWTS” season 13 next Monday night to watch them tackle TWO dances each, including the ever-challenging instant dances. Of course, you can always check in with me. You know I’ll be watching.