by Kylene Hamulak

 

Every season, Dancing With the Stars tries to tug at our heartstrings when they ask the Stars to find inspiration from the "most memorable year of their lives." Typically, that year is one where a child is born, a sickness is diagnosed, or love is lost. Sometimes it's all three. Go ahead, DWTS - just try to tug at these heartstrings.

 

Before we even get into performances, Tom reveals as the scores stand, a female star would be eliminated based on votes from the viewers. Of course, those scores will combine with what the judges have to say this week, so anything can happen in two hours!

 

Here's this week's recap:

Christina Milian and Mark (Cha Cha Cha) - As expected, Christina Milian's most memorable year (2010) included the birth of her daughter and her divorce, so I guess that's two out of the three. She's also kinda pissed that Julianne Hough suggested that Mark outshone her last week, and she's determined to change that. Of course, dancing solo for the first segment of the routine pretty much guarantees that no one will be looking at Mark. She keeps the energy going when Mark joins her on the dance floor, and the ballroom loves it. Len calls it fantastic, describing Christina as "fire and ice - fire in the performance, ice cool in the attitude." Bruno says she "painted the perfect picture of a hot Latina." Carrie Ann describes it as something special and says their technique was on fire. Honestly, I think it was good, but I'm not sure it was THAT good.  

SCORES: 9 (Carrie Ann) - 10 (Len) - 9 (Bruno) = 28

Jack Osborne and Cheryl (Waltz) - Jack's most memorable year is last year, for its high highs (birth of a child) and low lows (diagnosed with MS), so we're two for two. He thinks the bad moments helped him realize how special the good ones were, and he's dedicating it to his wife and daughter. It's an elegant routine, and the pair are graceful on the dance floor. Bruno calls his dancing wonderful and his footwork light and musical. The pair managed to take Carrie Ann's breath away this week, and she particularly notes his grace. Len appreciated how much of the routine was in hold and calls it fabulous, though he suggested Jack work on his arms a little more.

SCORES: 9 (C) - 9 (L) - 9 (B) = 27

Leah Remini and Tony (Contemporary) - Leah's big year came when she left Scientology - this year. She doesn't come right out and say it, but it is, and it's been a year of independence for her. It's also a dance of independence. I feel like this was a missed opportunity for her to break out *NSYNC's "No Strings Attached", but she uses Katy Perry's "Roar" to break free from puppeteer Tony's strings instead. She looks very comfortable and confident tonight, and whether that's the routine or the theme, it works for her. Carrie Ann loved the storytelling, but she didn't feel like the lifts and storytelling were seamless. Len agrees - the concept was terrific but calls the lifts "labored." Bruno gives her a little more credit, saying she did well for her first time with Contemporary and calling her storytelling effective.

SCORES: 7 (C) - 7 (L) - 8 (B) = 22

Corbin Bleu and Karina (Fox Trot) - The most memorable year for Corbin was 2011, when his little sister was diagnosed with scoliosis. I'll admit that when they measured our spines in middle school, I had no idea it was so serious. The young girl wears a brace, and Corbin is inspired by her positive attitude as she deals with the pain. His dedication to his sister is sweet, and the pair looks great on the dancefloor. Well, except for that silly crown thing Karina is wearing. Len calls Corbin a terrific dancer, noting his sway and his footwork. Bruno says he "could be the love child of Fred Astaire and Ben Vereen" - that's a compliment. Carrie Ann and her self-declared crazy eye THINKS she spotted an illegal lift, though Karina insists she did not. Even so, Carrie Ann is happy with the performance - she even says she'll give back the point for the lift if a replay proves Karina is correct. Unfortunately, the rulebook won't allow her to change her score, so maybe her crazy eye needs to get itself checked so she doesn't steal points from anyone else.

SCORES: 9 (C) - 9 (L) - 10 (B) = 28

Bill Engvall and Emma (Viennese Waltz) - Bill's taking it back to 1982, when he married his wife. His dedication is very sweet, and Bill continues to improve on the dancefloor. The staging of this routine is soft and beautiful, and even though Bill is out there with Emma, you can tell he's really dancing with his wife. Bruno says, "You wear your heart on your sleeve, and it's so good to see," though he does comment on some issues with his arms. Carrie Ann agrees, "You touched our souls tonight. You were a little off timing while you did it." Len liked the romance of the dance, despite a little bit of lost timing.

SCORES: 8 (C) - 8 (L) - 8 (B) = 24

Snookie and Sasha (Jazz) - Here's a shock: Snookie's most memorable year was 2012 - the birth of her son, which changed her completely from being a terrible person. But then she says she works 7 days a week besides being a great mom to her son, and I'm not really sure what this "work" entails, since I refuse to acknowledge reality tv as "work". Anyway, the routine. I mean...it's impressive. This is Snookie's bread and butter, and she puts on a show that makes you forget that Sasha is the pro. Carrie Ann is impressed by her ability to work through moves that don't come naturally. Len says it had energy and attack and was fun to watch. Bruno declares, "She works hard for her money...exhilarating bundle of fun!"

SCORES: 9 (C) - 9 (L) - 9 (B) = 27

Brant Daugherty and Peta (Contemporary) - Since Brant already told us about the car accident that changed his life, I didn't think he'd have another tear jerker to share. Boy was I wrong. Brant's most memorable year was one of lost love (his dad), whose death made him focus on his dream. He wants his dance to be a celebration for his dad, and it's a good Contemporary routine. I found the lighting to make it kind of hard to really see, but the emotion was felt. Len loved the passion and interaction and thought it was terrific. Bruno says he acted it wonderfully and Carrie Ann agrees. She felt like every movement came from a true place of passion.

SCORES: 9 (C) - 9 (L) - 9 (B) = 27

Amber Riley and Derek (Fox Trot) - 2009 was Amber's most memorable year. She was working at Ikea. I mean, that's not why it was the most memorable year for her, that was just an extra tidbit. It's actually because she auditioned (and was cut) from American Idol, but also auditioned (and was NOT cut) for Glee. I love watching Amber dance. Every time she and Derek take the floor, you get a fun, energetic dance that's full of skills that must be harder than they make it look. Bruno exclaims, "Lady Amber is here to stay!" before calling her a sensational performing powerhouse. Carrie Ann says Amber has blown her away, and Len agrees with Bruno - Amber is a star. Unfortunately, however, he does criticize the lack of hold in this particular routine.

SCORES: 9 (C) - 7 (L) - 10 (B) = 26

Elizabeth Berkley and Val ()- In continuing with this week's theme, "The Year My Child Was Born", Elizabeth does, indeed, choose the year her son was born. I'll forgive her, however, because she also chose a memorable professional year, and it just so happens to be one of the all-time most iconic moments on any TV show for an 80's kid. I've been SO excited for this since she joined the cast!  The little skit before their Jive had a lot of promise, but she didn't even do the best part ("I'm so...SCARED!"), so I could barely appreciate the actual routine, which was done well enough. Still, the Saved By the Bell reference wins this dance for her. Carrie Ann appreciated the time warp, but she points out several mistakes in the routine. Len disagrees - he loved her kicks and calls it clean and tight. Bruno says, "You don't need any pills, you just need to dance!"

SCORES: 8 (C) - 9 (L) - 9 (B) = 26

Elimination Recap:

 

Once Elizabeth and Val receive their scores, Tom breaks the bad news to them that they are in jeopardy.

 

Couples announced as safe are Corbin and Karina, Amber and Derek (who have a great delayed reaction), Bill and Emma, Jack and Cheryl, Brant and Peta, and Snookie and Sasha.  That leaves Christina and Mark and Leah and Tony standing with Elizabeth and Val at risk for elimination.

 

Of these three, Elizabeth and Val are the first to learn that they'll be returning next week. Interestingly Christina and Mark - tonight's top scorers - find themselves standing with Leah and Tony - the evening's lowest scorers - as the remaining pairs in jeopardy, though not necessarily the bottom two.

 

Final results: Christina and Mark are ELIMINATED.

 

It's kind of a surprise - Christina was, after all, the first star to score a 10 this season. On the other hand, Christina hasn't always come across as a fan favorite, despite the booing in the ballroom. This should scare all of our stars, however - the results are certainly unpredictable.

 

Where you surprised by tonight's elimination? Who had the performance of the night? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!

 

Catch Dancing With the Stars every Monday at 8/7c on ABC!

 

(Image Courtesy of ABC)

 

Follow Kylene on Twitter at @keepingupwithky!