by Kylene Hamulak

 

Just as the ballroom is feeling less crowded on Dancing With the Stars, the couples become trios for one of their dances tonight. The trio dances are always interesting as the chemistry changes and the tricks come out, and with the Semi-Finals just one week away, all the couples have come too far to take it easy now.

Here's this week's recap:

Amber Riley and Derek (Quick Step) - Amber's had a tough week in rehearsals, as her knees are giving her problems with the quick dances they're performing this week. Derek feels underpracticed, but it certainly doesn't show in the ballroom. Amber looks beautiful and stays in step with Derek, defying any pain she may have battled through for the week. Len loved the choreography, but thought it needed to be a little bit cleaner. "If you don't polish, you're not going to shine." Bruno agrees that her presence is dazzling, but reminds her to lean back for her top lines. Carrie Ann points out some issues with her lines and footwork, and notes that Amber and Derek have set the bar high for themselves.

SCORES: 8 (Carrie Ann) - 8 (Len) - 8 (Bruno) = 24

Leah Remini and Tony (Tango) - Though she's happy to have made it to Week 9, Leah has the finals in her sites, and Tony is determined to push her there. Lean has had a couple of shakey performances, but this is not one of them. I'd put it among her best of the competition, but do the judges agree? Bruno calls it a "bad ass proper Tango" and tells her to maintain her strength and focus. Carrie Ann is impressed with her growth but warns her to keep her passion through her arms. Len loved the ingredients and says, "Leah, you brought the flavor!"

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

Corbin Bleu and Karina (Waltz) - Corbin and Karina are all about redemption this week, especially dancing Len's favorite style. It's an intense performance and much improved over their last Waltz (Viennese, which earned them their lowest scores of the competition). Carrie Ann calls it "dreamy," but noted that he wasn't on his "center" for two points. Len would've liked a little more in hold, but describes it as "a great number." Bruno says it was enchanting and breathtaking.

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

Jack Osborne and Cheryl (Viennese Waltz) - Having done well in ballroom styles previously Cheryl knows Viennese Waltz puts a lot of pressure on Jack. He doesn't disappoint, and I'm starting to wonder how these finals are going to shape up with everyone really improving. The audience loves it and Len LOVED it - he LOVED the natural turns, the elbows, the flat back...everything, basically. Bruno says "ballroom just flows out of you" but reminds him to be careful of his hands. Carrie Ann calls it amazing, noting the growth he's had throughout the competition.

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

Bill Engvall and Emma (Charleston) - Bill admits he's over the moon to have last another week, but can he take Emma to the finals? Emma knows he's at his best when he's in character, and this routine is fun as always. There's not a lot of content to their Charleston, but honestly, the fact that he's made it this far is still impressive. Bruno begins by noting how off timing Bill was throughout the dance. Carrie Ann says it's a pleasure to watch him, but she thought he was better in rehearsal. Len tells Bill that it wasn't good, and he thinks it might be the end of the line if his second performance isn't better.

SCORES: 7 (C) - 7 (L) - 7 (B) = 21

Elizabeth Berkley and Val (Viennese Waltz) - In an effort to switch things up in rehearsals this week, Val has requested "no communication" from Elizabeth - that means no questions interrupting rehearsals. The approach is effective. It's a beautiful dance performed beautifully with Elizabeth and Val playing the roles of bride and groom. Carrie Ann calls her lines breathtaking and commends her for paying attention to their notes from last week. Len tells her she is his top dancer in the competition, but he felt this Viennese Waltz should have had more flow. Bruno liked it - top line was beautiful and turns were exquisite.

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

 

 

Trio Dances:

Amber Riley and Derek with Mark (Salsa) - Somehow Mark and Derek seem to always end up dancing together for these types of routines. And by that, I mean they're sort of dancing together AROUND Amber as they try to figure out what to do.  Derek describes himself and Mark as her back up dancers, and they do a good job showcasing her, especially with bad knees. Len calls her a "ray of sunshine on a gloomy day" and says it was a great dance. Bruno describes her as irresistible, but thinks she could've done a little more with her hips. Carrie Ann calls Mark and Derek "The Dream Team" and the routine "a great job."

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

Leah Remini and Tony with Henry (Jive) - The concept for this trio has the dancers playing the judges, and the lead in is kind of hysterical, particularly Tony as Bruno. The dance itself is terrific, both in content and entertainment. Honestly, I'm a little nervous about how believable they were when they hopped up on the judges' table! Bruno says, "It was like watching a mirror! That was the most witty dance routine I've seen in a very long time!"  Carrie Ann notes that Leah was in control of the whole routine.  "There is a time when strategy matters - that was some goooood strategy." Len loved the concept and the routine, calling it "fantastic entertainment."

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

Corbin Bleu and Karina with Whitney (Jazz) - This trio has an ambitious routine to deliver, but all three dancers have strengths that could work very well together. It's theatrical, a jazz treatment to an Usher song, and honestly, it feels like something you might see in concert. I mean...you know, if Usher gave his songs a jazz treatment. Carrie Ann needs a moment to compose herself before declaring it POSSIBLY the best routine she's ever seen and then comparing Corbin to Bob Fosse. I mean...those are big tap shoes to fill. Len does a classic fake out, pretending not to be impressed before saying, "You came out and EXPLODED!" Bruno calls him "Grand Master Corbin the Magnificent" before he, also, compares him to Bob Fosse.

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

Jack Osborne and Cheryl with Sharna (Samba) - It's jungle fever with this trio, as Cheryl and Charna try to get Jack's hips to take over their routine. He sure looks like he's having fun, but the Latin styles are a much harder sell for him than the graceful ballroom routines he's performed at his best. Len loved the interplay and the fun, even if the technique wasn't great. Bruno stole my jungle fever joke before saying Jack "partied like there's no tomorrow!" Carrie Ann agrees it was fun, but notes that it wasn't his best dance.

SCORES: 8 (C) - 9 (L) - 9 (B) = 25

Bill Engvall and Emma with Peta (Salsa) - Bill's trio is a Willy Wonka theme, but it's not exactly the sweet theme it sounds like! Wonka's got a couple of Katy Perry-like Candy Girls supporting him on a Candyland dancefloor. What more is there to say? It's Bill. It's fun, and it's awful...but somehow that makes it totally entertaining. Bruno says he loves the "lunacy" of it all, but again, he cites him on rhythm and timing. Carrie Ann isn't quite sure what to say - "That was so weird," seems to suffice. Len tells him he needs to continue to work on his performances but, as always, it's good fun.

SCORES: 7 (C) - 7 (L) - 7 (B) = 21

Elizabeth Berkley and Val with Gleb (Salsa) - My favorite part of this rehearsal footage was Gleb commenting on what I've been saying for weeks: Elizabeth gets CRAZY EYES! The "Russian sandwich" puts Elizabeth right in the middle of it all, and that's a lot of pressure for her. She performs well Carrie Ann calls her "a girl on fire" and said it was her favorite of her routines ever. Len says it was fantastic, but not until he tells Gleb he looked fantastic, which prompts girlish giggles and accusations of boy crushes from Carrie Ann, who pretty much has crushes on EVERYONE. Bruno notes her ability to move from Gleb to Val with such ease - he agrees that it was her best dance.

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

 

Elimination Recap:

 

Corbin and Karina are the first couple to learn that they'll be dancing in the Semi-Finals, followed by Jack and Cheryl. Elizabeth and Val look pretty confident, until Tom tells them they're in jeopardy...then Elizabeth's eyes get extra huge.

 

Amber and Derek are safe this week, and Leah and Tony have made it to the Semi-Finals as well. That leaves Bill and Emma in very familiar danger territory with Elizabeth and Val by their side.  So who has made it to Week 10?

 

Shockingly, Bill and Emma are moving on.  Elizabeth and Val are eliminated.

 

It's a surprise, particularly after Elizabeth and Val had such a strong night. The ballroom is in shock, and the judges look ready to boycott the entire program. Does this mean Dancing With the Stars has OFFICIALLY jumped the shark?

 

Were you surprised by tonight's elimination? Is ANYONE safe next week? Let us know who you think will survive to the Finals in the comments below!

 

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

 

(Image Courtesy of ABC)