Dancing With the Stars pro Sharna Burgess took to social media prior to Monday’s live show letting us know that this week’s episode wasn’t about the competition, but rather about “spreading love and positivity and hope in such dark times.”
It was a clear reference to the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas on Sunday night. “We are performing for you tonight, and we love you.”
At the top of the show, host Tom Bergeron respectfully addressed the audience and on behalf of everyone at the show, stated support for those affected by the tragedy. He also announced that there’d be no elimination this week.
Of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t critique the dances anyway. Here’s a look at how the remaining 11 couples did in Week 3, aka “Secret Satisfaction” week.
Drew Scott (Property Brothers) and Emma Slater; Argentine Tango; 23/30
The Property Brothers star revealed that his guilty pleasure is watching unsolved crime shows. He and Slater incorporated an interrogation bit into their pre-dance package, which was cute.
The Argentine Tango allows lifts so Slater wisely incorporated a few into their routine to take advantage of Scott’s 6’4″ height. The reality star received high praise from judge Len Goodman (no easy feat) who said Scott was on a roll.
Derek Fisher (ex-NBA star; on-air analyst) and Sharna Burgess; cha, cha; 21/30
Fisher and Burgess danced a Cha Cha to the theme from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, given his fondness for Will Smith. Their routine wowed the audience and judge Bruno Tonioli said Fisher “really popped tonight.”
Goodman and Carrie Ann Inaba also praised Fisher. Maybe Burgess has a contender this season after all? She’s certainly due a mirror ball win.
Victoria Arlen (Paralympian/ESPN) and Val Chmerkovskiy; Quick Step; 22/30
Arlen’s a fan of Chumbawamba’s” Tubthumping;” Val wasn’t sure what that meant, but once the catchy tune started playing (“I get knocked down, but I get up again…”) everyone was on board.
This was a difficult routine for Arlen as it caused her to recall being made fun of in high school when she was in a wheelchair and also involves a lot of fast footwork and, due to her previous illness, she has no feelings in her legs. You’d never know, however. Goodman called it a “joyful routine.”
After the judges were done with their critique, Bergeron had a piece of advice for school kids today who might encounter someone in the position Arlen was in — “Don’t be an (expletive)!”
Vanessa Lachey (actress/host) and Alan Berman (filling in for Maks Chmerkovskiy); jazz; 23/30.
Maks was out this season for undisclosed personal reasons so…continue reading on the next page —>
Goodman said it was difficult to tell which one was the non-pro dancer when Vanessa danced with the troupe; there’s no higher compliment a celeb can receive (but it probably makes the pro dancers wince.)
Nikki Bella (Divas Champion) and Artem Chigvintsev; Viennese Waltz; 21/30
Bella’s love of “Fifty Shades of Grey” made for some fun visuals in her pre-dance video package with Artem, who’s got a chest made for romance novels. The camera cut to Bella’s fiance, wrestler John Cena, in the audience at the end of the sexy routine, who was applauding in approval.
Bergeron invited him to weigh in on the dance before the judges gave their (mostly) positive critiques. “Who was whipping who, I have no idea, but it worked,” Tonioli said of the couple’s routine.
Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle) and Witney Carson; Samba; 21/30.
Muniz’s love of boy bands drove him to Nick Lachey to get some advice and prompted a guest spot from ex-DWTS contender Joey Fatone, who made an ‘NSYNC pun, in the pre-dance video package.
Muniz lived out his fantasy of being in a boy band by mouthing lyrics to “It’s Gonna Be Me” during his routine with Carson. Kudos to ABC for cutting to 98 Degrees members in the audience. Inaba and Goodman said Muniz nailed being in a boy band, but he needed more hip action in his Samba.
Lindsey Stirling (violinist) and Mark Ballas; Jive; 27/30
Stirling’s guilty pleasure was to spend all day in her pajamas (hey, isn’t that everyone’s?) Wearing p.j.’s helped save on orange spray tan, but a few steps into the dance no one was looking at their outfits, adorable as they were.
The two danced a fun-filled jive to Wham!’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” and soon everyone wanted to get up on their feet. In fact, the crowd’s applause practically cut into critique time, but fortunately not all of it. Goodman called it “the dance of the season”; he and the other judges broke out the “9” paddles.
Sasha Pieterse (Pretty Little Liars) and Gleb Savchenko; Jazz; 19/30
Pieterse’s secret passion is baking, which led to a food fight in her and Gleb’s pre-dance video package. Their jazz to “I Can’t Help Myself” was upbeat, catchy — and ended with Savchenko taking a pie to the face.
Bergeron, a “Three Stooges” fan, called it worthy of Moe Howard. Noting that jazz can be “very broad,” Inaba called the routine well done if a bit different. Goodman and Tonioli were kind with their comments, but they broke out the “6” paddles, giving the pair the lowest score of the night.
Nick Lachey (98 Degrees) and Peta Murgatroyd; Jazz; 21/30.
Nick confessed he’s…continue reading on the next page —>
The pair danced with some troupe members, which sometimes the lead couple gets lost, especially when their outfits and troupe member costumes are all similar. Nick received lots of compliments from the judges, which were reflected in his score.
Terrell Owens (NFL star) and Cheryl Burke; salsa; 21/30
Owens hasn’t used them a while, but he calls his break-dancing skills a secret passion. An unimpressed Burke thought they were too much of a secret so she emphasized more salsa moves in their dance.
The judges have wanted more from Owens and this week they got just that. Inaba said Owens finally brought it! However, a more subdued Goodman noted it’s not a touchdown, but Owens is at least in the red zone.
Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold; Charleston; 25/30
Producers often save the best for last and that was arguably the case tonight. Fisher’s passion for comic books, specifically the X-Men, made for a fun video package and an even better Charleston routine complete with colorful costumes and lots of Bams! and Pows! straight out of Batman from the ’60s.
“Somewhere Adam West is smiling,” Bergeron told Fisher afterwards. Tonioli said the number combined Roy Lichtenstein art with all the thrill of an action-blockbuster, calling Fisher an “X-Man – First Class!” Goodman, who had been non-grumpy all night, reverted back to his rigid self and said there wasn’t enough of a Charleston, breaking out the “7” paddle to prove his point.
There’s no elimination this week, but there will be next week. Fans have until 8 pm. ET Tuesday to vote at ABC.com so their favorites can avoid elimination!
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