It’s 90’s night and since we’re down to just eight teams, someone has to help fill those two hours of programming. Welcome En Vogue and Salt N’ Pepa to the ballroom! It was a treat to watch Len Goodman watch your rendition of “Whatta Man” at the top of the set.
After a super-quick tribute to the late Aaron Carter — the DWTS contestant from Season 9 passed away on Nov. 5 — the night of shirtless hot guys — and a double elimination — is on!
Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki. I can’t be the only one wondering why the Jersey Shore star is still in this competition. At least he doesn’t waste the opportunity. tries to infuse his personality into his middle numbers, including tonight’s tolerable tango on “What is Love.” “You tried to do everything absolutely right,” said Bruno Tonioli. “You were there with your frame. The thing is, my love, tango should always be one level. You should never skip. You slide through it.” Rating: 29 out of 40
Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater. The duo took on the role of Barbie and Ken for their salsa to “Barbie Girl” which featured plenty of ab-tastic lifts and spins. (What can I say? Donovan’s well-defined breasts and tailored briefs deserve their own set of 10). “It was a great way to start the ’90s night,” said Carrie Ann Inaba. “The Barbie part you nailed made me laugh. Once we got into the dance, you were a bit stingy at times. Smooth it out. Just a little too tense sometimes.” Rating: 34 out of 40
Shangela and Gleb Savchenko. Shangela regaled her partner with memories of ’90s college in Dallas, when she went to her first gay club and “started loving who I was.” So they brought the club scene into focus, with Shangela donning a bunch of neon tassels for her exuberant samba. “You crushed the crowd. The crowd response is off the charts,” said Derek Hough. “The leg is still a bit sloppy in places. But listen, I’m not taking anything away from this incredible, amazing samba.” Rating: 37 out of 40
Heidi D’Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev. The reality star is definitely done with the judges telling her she needs more emotion. She loves dancing alongside her much more talented daughter, but realizes her numbers have increased and can’t help but burst into tears during rehearsal. Chigvintsev urged her to channel that feeling into their contemporary dance to Alanis Morissette’s “Ironic.” And he did, but it didn’t work for Goodman (who seemed much more impressed with Chigvintsev’s chiseled torso. For more, see above). “Heidi, it doesn’t suit your personality,” he said. “You’re much more outgoing. I thought that was more introspective.” Rating: 35 out of 40
Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart. The CODA actor shared a candid story about how he was adopted at 18 months old after his drug-using deaf mom abandoned him at a friends house. He eventually met her after high school but they never developed a deep relationship because she died of cancer. Yeah, I know, what does that have to do with jazz dancing to a 90s tune? Nothing, really. but I cringed when the music stopped in the middle of the show and the duo quietly booed in an enclosed ballroom. As Hugh said, it was “extremely strong”. “I want you to know that you are saving so many people out there and sharing your experience and teaching us what it’s like to be deaf,” Inaba added. Rating: 39 out of 40
Wayne Brady and Whitney Carson. The game show host recalled how he released Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1999 for ABC — ironic, since we just learned this weekend that the show will end next season. Still working with a “bum knee and a sore back,” Brady’s salsa was impeccable and he certainly played to his strengths. “When you get in the groove, you’re unstoppable,” Tonioli said. “The rhythm, the fluidity, the change of pace, the relationship with your partner… makes you the ultimate, perfect performer.” Rating: Perfect 40
Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy. The Bachelorette is hard to root for; Her temperature always seems to be low in the rehearsal packs and she never seems so enthusiastic about how far she has come in the competition. But boy is Windy brought to life when she takes center stage in her boa skirt. That samba belonged to Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” “You’re a saleswoman,” Hu said. “Every time you sell it, it’s great!” Rating: Perfect 40
Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas. The pioneer played tango. Want to guess how he did it? “I want you to know if you were a painting, you’re a Picasso,” Inaba said. “That was beyond anything I’ve ever seen on this track…a masterpiece.” “My love it was like watching two predators at the top of their game,” added Tonioli. “You never knew who was going to come out on top. The quality of the movement ..that’s it. That’s it!” Rating: Perfect 40
Second round! The relay dances.
Shangela and Gleb Savchenko vs. Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart. The challenge was to perform a cha-cha to “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice. (Yes, he was in the house playing live). Shangela appeared first but seemed to lag behind. Durant, however, was positively adorable and kept on pace (even his squished face is a treat to watch). But Goodman gave Shangela the 5 bonus points. Boo!
Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki vs. Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater. The couples had to play a samba to En Vogue’s live performance of “My Lovin, You’re Never Gonna Get it.” Guadagnino looked stiff, though he relaxed with the bounce of the white man’s head. Donovan (shirtless once again) wasn’t much better, but he sure remembered to bounce! Inaba struggled with her decision, but ultimately awarded the 5 bonus points to Donovan.
Heidi D’Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev vs. Wayne Brady and Witney Carson. Tonioli assigned them a samba in another Salt n’ Pepa live performance. D’Amelio picked up the pace but lost a few moves at the end. Brady, who not-so-humbly referred to himself as a “world-class performer” during rehearsal, had that in the bag. 5 bonus points to Brady.
Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas vs. Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy. Hough tasked the couples with a salsa to “Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody” performed live by Kid N’ Play. D’Amelio was perfect – it’s good to be young and nimble – but Windey was just as great with an extra credit boost and spin. Both deserved the extra points, but Howe gave them to D’Amelio.
The bottom three were Guadagnino/Iwasaki, D’Amelio/Chigvintsev and Donovan/Slater. D’Amelio fell first. she was at the bottom of the scoreboard and the judges were powerless to save her. All the judges saved Donovan, so Guantaninho was the next one to finally go. (Justice for Jordin Sparks!)
Next week is the semi-finals.
