It’s time to get to know the 11 remaining contestants even better on Dancing with the Stars. It’s Most Memorable Year Night, an evening where the stars reflect on important and often emotional moments in their lives.
In addition, since no one went home last week, the scores and votes of the past two weeks have been combined and one couple will be eliminated. Last week I was predicting that it would be Nikki and Artem, and I’m predicting the same thing this week.
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With the two oldest stars eliminated, the introduction previews the years, and they’re basically all from the past decade.
Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson: Quickstep
2017: This year is the culmination of his life, which he doesn’t remember. This may be due to having nine concussions or traumatic brain injuries. Wow, now his girlfriend writes down what they do every day so he can relive it, but now he lives in the moment. To make it even better, his Malcolm co-star Bryan Cranston offers testimonials about how inspiring her is.
The performance is light and fun, but a tad juvenile. The judges like the fluffy and joyful styles that he brings to his dances.
Judges’ Scores: 8+8+8=24
That seems about right.
Terrell Owens and Cheryl Burke: Viennese Waltz
2012: That’s when he lost his grandma, who essentially raised him. She had dementia for the last 16 years of her life, and his entire career was for her.
He’s very dapper and sophisticated with solid movements. This is easily the best he’s ever been, a beautiful marriage of technique and emotion. Bruno Tonioli calls it his most accomplished performance so far and they all praise his elegance and poise.
Judges’ Scores: 8+8+8=24
I definitely smell 9s and 10s later tonight.
Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev: Contemporary
2016: Last year she made her comeback after a neck injury that almost ended her career and life. She fought hard to get back into the ring seven months later.
The routine is set inside a wrestling and starts with some cool aerial silks. It’s a strong and beautiful performance. Carrie Ann Inaba was impressed with the silk work, which is harder than anyone realizes.
Judges’ Scores: 8+8+8=24
Is everyone gonna get a 24 tonight?
Nick Lachey and Peta Murgatroyd: Contemporary
2011: This is the year when he got married (to Vanessa, not Jessica Simpson). Having a family is the most important thing to him and it’s played up as an epic love story.
The dance is romantic, but it starts off very slowly, and then it’s over in the blink of an eye. It was good, for him, but there wasn’t a lot there. Len Goodman found it touching, but a little unstable at parts.
Judges’ Scores: 8+7+7=22
Yikes, for tonight,7s are like 5s in week 1.
Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas: Viennese Waltz
2016: That’s when her dad died. He was her hero and inspiration, always wearing a hat and a scarf. She’s very emotional talking about being grateful for the time and stories she had with him.
The dance is heartbreaking and touching, chronicling her relationship with her dad. At one point Mark disappears and it broke me. And the ending, with Mark being a screen in silhouette, was magical. The judges love her uniqueness. Len doesn’t want to criticize them, but he did want more Viennese Waltz content.
Judges’ Scores: 9+8+9=26
I get why Len had to do this, and I appreciate that he’s holding Val, Lindsay, and Mark all to the same standard. At least he’s being consistent.
Derek Fisher and Sharna Burgess: Jazz
2007: That year his 10-month-old was diagnosed with eye cancer and they had to choose to save her eye with an experimental surgery instead of removing it. He walked away from the three years left on his NBA contract to be with his miracle daughter.
The dance bursts with energy, but he lacks precision and it almost feels a little too exuberant and wild. It’s a celebration of life, but messy just like her real life. Carrie Ann points out that they weren’t in sync.
Judges’ Scores: 7+8+8=23
Another 7 pops up.
Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold: Contemporary
2005: This is the year he was officially adopted by his grandparents. His biological mother was a drug addict and his grandparents are sweet and loving, and they were always just mom and dad to him.
Now, THIS is a Contemporary routine, filled with precise, fast, and stunning movements. It starts slow and beautiful, then bursts into pure joy. At the end, he’s crying with his parents. Bruno calls it “exquisitely flawless.”
Judges’ Scores: 10+9+10=29
The first 10s of the season!
Sasha Pieterse and Gleb Savchenko: Foxtrot
2016: This year Pretty Little Liars came to an end and her career was in jeopardy because of her weight gain, but her boyfriend proposed to her, opening a new door.
It’s a cute little dance, but nothing too special or memorable. Bruno loved that it was a proper Foxtrot and her grace matches perfectly with this traditional ballroom style. Len liked the quantity of Foxtrot and the quality of the performance.
Judges’ Scores: 8+8+8=24
We’re back to the 8s.
Vanessa Lachey and Maksim Cmerkovskiy: Rumba
2017: Her third pregnancy came after29 weeks and it was a scary time as she was more concerned with making sure that her son was OK, not herself. Family is very important to her because she was abandoned by her mom at age 8.
The routine is simple but powerful, very dynamic, and perfectly expressing her emotions. She has very beautiful lines. Carrie Ann loved the storytelling, but there was a little wobble. Len commends Maks for giving him exactly what he wanted from a Rumba.
Judges’ Scores: 8+8+8=24
They are now the fifth couple at 24.
Drew Scott and Emma Slater: Jive
2007: That’s when he and his twin brother became the Property Brothers because he always wanted to be an actor, but it didn’t work out so he settled for reality TV.
It’s fun and I’m still impressed by how far he’s come. The second half turns into a Trio Dance with Drew’s twin brother Jonathan joining them. Drew has really come into his own and nails the exuberance. Carrie Ann didn’t like his prong hands.
Judges’ Scores: 8+8+8=24
Literally more than half of the couples have gotten all 8s tonight.
Victoria Arlen and Val Chmerkovskiy: Foxtrot
2017: This year she learned how to walk again after being paralyzed for a decade, which is a pretty great reason to choose this as her Most Memorable Year. She told her trainer she wanted to be the first DWTS contestant in a wheelchair, but he told her “Why do it in a wheelchair?”
The routine is wonderful and inspiring. It starts with her in a wheelchair, and then she stands and crushes it with great moves. The judges are so impressed with her story and dancing.
Judges’ Scores: 9+9+9=27
A great score for them.
THE RESULTS
The scores and votes from the past two weeks of performances have been combined, and one couple will be denied the joy of Disney Night.
The first couple IN JEOPARDY is…Nick and Peta
The second couple IN JEOPARDY is…Derek and Sharna
Wow, Nikki isn’t even in danger.
Derek Fisher and Sharna Burgess ARE ELIMINATED!
After five seasons in a row making it to the Top 5, Sharna goes out early once again and Derek continues the bad track record of NBA players on this show.
THE LEADERBOARD
29: Jordan Fisher
27: Victoria Arlen
26: Lindsey Stirling
24: Frankie Muniz, Terrell Owens, Nikki Bella, Sasha Pieterse, Vanessa Lachey, Drew Scott
22: Nick Lachey
What was your favorite routine of the night?
Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.
(Image courtesy of ABC)
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
John watches nearly every show on TV, but he specializes in sci-fi/fantasy like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and True Blood. However, he can also be found writing about everything from Survivor and Glee to One Tree Hill and Smallville.
