by Kylene Hamulak

 

In the days leading up to this week's Dancing With the Stars, ABC has been teasing a big surprise announcement within the first few minutes of the show. Since we also know two couples will be eliminated, and we'll see this season's first team dances, the surprise just adds to an already exciting show. So what's the big news? Special guest star CHER will be arriving in the ballroom next week to judge and perform next week in Len's absence!

 

Here's this week's recap:

 

Elizabeth Berkley and Val (Quick Step) - Coming off their perfect score last week, Elizabeth and Val have a lot of tension in their rehearsal. By the time they get to the ballroom, the pair is in fine form. Elizabeth looks beautiful tonight, and their quick step, while not as impressive as last week's Cha Cha, is cute and well done. Len calls it "utterly full on...that's the way to start a show!" Bruno calls it breathtaking, and Carrie Ann agrees it was fantastic. "I see that she's becoming a ballroom dancer," Carrie Ann says.

SCORES: 9 (Carrie Ann) - 9 (Len) - 9 (Bruno) = 27

Brant Daugherty and Peta (Jive) - Brant is so committed to feeling confident with the Jive that he assigns himself homework - rehearsing at home even Peta isn't around to correct him and sharing the home video footage with us. Does it pay off? Well, yeah - things are going pretty well until he almost eats dance floor after slipping on Peta's skirt! Bruno describes him as "a frisky schoolboy on a sugar high" and commends the content of the routine. Even though Brant lost timing a couple of times, he says it was overall well done. Carrie Ann thought the routine was a little too challenging for him, but she commends him for pushing himself way beyond his comfort level. Len tells them, "What I love is your energy, your attack and your enthusiasm."

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

Leah Remini and Tony (Salsa) - Leah's not so sure about the lifts Tony's including in this Salsa routine, but despite her insecurities about dancing, Tony's pushing her to her limits. She's not her most comfortable in this performance, but it's not terrible either. Tony seems delightfully surprised at how well it goes, but what about the judges? Carrie Ann says, "That was like going to the hottest Salsa club and you guys are the hottest Salsa dancers on the floor!" Len applauds her for coming out and giving everything, and even though some of the lifts weren't "quite clean enough", he was entertained. Bruno calls her "salsalicious" - he loved it.

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

Jack Osborne and Cheryl (Jive) - Jack's feeling what he calls "the mid-season blues" as he faces longer routines and two dances. He's not sure if his fatique is medical related or just tired from training and pressure. He still manages to keep up on the dance floor though, and the routine looks great after such a negative buildup. Len loves Jack's naturalness and musicality, though he prefers a crisper Jive. Bruno agrees, calling him light on his feet. "The performance flow was absolutely perfect," he says. Carrie Ann tells Jack that although he and Brant had very different Jives, Jack's is the one she wants to see again. She breaks her paddle showing her score, leaving Jack with a souvenir of his first 10 of the season.

SCORES: 10 (C) - 8 (L) - 9 (B) = 27

Amber Riley and Derek (Paso Doble) - Amber and Derek are both dealing with pain and injury this week, and the frustration for both of them is palpable in rehearsal. On the dance floor? Gone. Their Paso is gorgeous, with the crisp lines and quick steps. The crowd loves it. Bruno compares the dance to "vintage wine - full of depth, flavor, amazing color," though he warns her to watch her shoulders. Carrie Ann channels all kinds of animalistic sounds to channel her appreciation for the routine, "You lit this ballroom up!" Len loved that they captured the flavor of the dance - "YOU are back in the game for me!"

SCORES: 10 (C) - 10 (L) - 10 (B) = 29

Bill Engvall and Emma (Quick Step) - Bill is channeling Elvis for the routine this week, and he's bringing Vegas to the ballroom. Showgirl Emma is quite a sight herself, and the performance is fun, with Bill continuing to impress. The steps aren't quite as "quick" as some other routines, but, as always, Bill is entertaining. Carrie Ann gives them credit for not breaking hold in their most challenging routine to date, but she does criticize it as not being strong enough. Len tells them that if he could judge with his heart, they'd get a 10 - unfortunately, however, they did lose technique in a couple places. Bruno says they had "a good go", and calls it a "very good try."

SCORES: 8 (C) - 7 (L) - 8 (B) = 23

Snookie and Sasha (Samba) - Snookie thinks she's channeling Beyonce for part of this routine, but I've never heard Mrs. Carter complain about having to travel and learn two dances and Blue Ivy's fever, so...just dance, Snookie. Because once they start dancing? They look great, and all the complaining is for nothing anyway. Len calls it well done, describing it as "faultless" once they got through a rough start. Bruno agrees - "Once you got into it, it was good." Carrie Ann tells her to think a little bit bigger and extend her movements.

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

Corbin Bleu and Karina (Cha Cha) - Karina spent the first several days of rehearsal trying to locate the choreography she feels good about, which made Corbin freak out a little bit. No worries, Corbin - Karina always finds it eventually. The crowd loves this routine, and it's a huge improvement over last week for the pair. Bruno says, "the timing, the shape, the finish - immaculate, brilliant!" Carrie Ann calls it the tightest Cha Cha she's ever seen. Len loved his crisp footwork, and though he didn't love the gyrating, he calls it a wonderful Cha Cha.

SCORES: 10 (C) - 9 (L) - 10 (B) = 29

 

 

Team Dances:

Team Spooky Bom Bom: Nicole and Sasha, Elizabeth and Val, Bill and Emma, Leah and Tony

The theme for this group's dance came from the brain of Bill, of all people, and it centers around a zombie graveyard. I'm a fan of the team dances, and the staging for this makes pretty much everyone look great. Leah is probably the weakest link of the group, and Bill is the undeniable star. The dance closes as the guys toss Snookie high into the sky, and she safely lands right on the beat. Len approves of the routine, as he was entertained throughout. Bruno liked it so much he wanted to join in.  Carrie Ann calls it thoroughly entertaining, saying Bill was the glue that held it all together.

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

 

 

Team Foxing Awesome: Amber and Derek, Corbin and Karina, Brant and Peta, Jack and Cheryl

While Team Spooky Bom Bom embraced their underdog status, Team Foxing Awesome is using Derek's perfect team dance record as motivation. They're taking on the viral sensation "What Does the Fox Say", and they're dressed as - you guessed it - foxes. The masks are creepy, the full costumes are creepy, but Corbin and Karina's freestyle solo? FOXING AWESOME. I personally liked Spooky Bom Bom's routine better style wise, but they definitely lived up to the hype. Bruno calls it clever and inventive, saying the choreography gave him goose bumps. Carrie Ann was impressed by how in sync the entire group was. Len loved the little touches and stands up to salute both teams.

Scores: 10 (C) - 10 (L) - 10 (B) = 30

 

Elimination Recap:

 

Very quickly, Tom reveals that all members of the perfect-scoring Team Foxing Awesome are safe - that's Amber and Derek, Corbin and Karina, Brant and Peta, and Jack and Cheryl.

 

With only four teams in danger, Elizabeth and Val are the first to find out they're safe. Leah and Tony are returning for next week's show as well, leaving Bill and Emma and Snookie and Sasha as the last two at risk. After a long pause, Snookie and Sasha are eliminated.

 

Viewers must love Bill - I'll admit I enjoy watching him, and he's lasted much longer than I expected. Snookie takes it very hard and is crying, not wanting to come down to the dance floor to say goodbye.

 

Do you agree with tonight's elimination? Are you on Team Spooky Bom Bom or Team Foxing Awesome? Let us know 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!