DWTS GALLERY - Tamar & Louis - S21 Wk05

DWTS - SEASON 21, Week 05
GALLERY:  Tamar & Louis

Pictures go with written review:
Tamar & Louis - Review of DWTS Season 21, Week 05
(click here to see)

Tamar & Louis' Samba
DWTS Season 21, Week 05 -
Switch Up Week

Tamar & Louis' Samba
DWTS Season 21, Week 05 -
Switch Up Week

Tamar & Louis' Samba
DWTS Season 21, Week 05 -
Switch Up Week

Tamar's "... once-again absent-minded
facial expression ..."

Seriously ... what is she looking at?

Tamar's so-called Samba roll

DWTS GALLERY - Balcony, Band, & Cast - S21 Wk04

DWTS - SEASON 21, Week 04

GALLERY:  Balcony, Band, & Cast

(From L to R) Carlos and Alexa PenaVega,

Louis Van Amstel, Witney Carson, and Alek Skarlatos

offer an always welcomed Big Hand from the Balcony

for their fellow competitors! - S21, Wk04 

DWTS Mirror Ball Champion Pros,

Mark Ballas (Left) and Valentine Chmerkovskiy (Right)

are joined by Season 21 Celebrity,

Alexa PenaVega (Center) in the cheering on

of some of their fellow competitors.

(From L to R) Season 21 competitor

Carlos PenaVega, Witney Carson, Louis Van Amstel,

Paula Deen, and (wait a minute ...

is that the back of Derek Hough

being reflected in the Balcony's mirror???)

Sharna Burgess root for their fellow contestants! -

Week 04, Most Memorable Year Night

15-year-old Vine Star and Internet Sensation,

Hayes Grier (Center), is joined by fellow contestant

Carlos PenaVega (Left) and partner Emma Slater (Right)

in the giving of another much needed

Big Hand from the Balcony. - S21, Wk04

Alexa PenaVega shows some support alongside

Most Memorable Year Night's high-scoring

Duo, Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough.

- Season 21, Week 04

Season 21 Couple, Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson,

show their support of Backstreet Boys contender,

Nick Carter, through the dance!

Backstreet's Back ... on the Balcony!

Carlos PenaVega  and his partner, Witney Carson

(goofing off just slightly!),

 cheer on their fellow Season 21 contestants,

Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess, with the dancing of

an iconic dance move from The Backstreet Boy's

hit Music Video, "Backstreet's Back".

S21, Wk04

DWTS' hard working live band, Ray Chew Live,

get a well-deserved moment in the spotlight!

- S21, Wk04

(From L to R) A.J. McLean, Sharna Burgess,

and Nick Carter rev up an already excited

live audience just before Nick & Sharna's

Backstreet Boys-inspired Jazz routine for Week 04's

Most Memorable Year Night - S21

DWTS GALLERY - Tamar & Val - S21 Wk04

DWTS - SEASON 21, Week 04
GALLERY:  Tamar & Val

Pictures go with written review:
Tamar & Val - Review of DWTS Season 21, Week 04 
(click here to see)

Tamar & Val
DWTS Season 21, Week 04 -

Most Memorable Year Night

Tamar & Val
DWTS Season 21, Week 04 -

Most Memorable Year Night

Tamar & Val
DWTS Season 21, Week 04 -

Most Memorable Year Night

Tamar & Val
DWTS Season 21, Week 04 -

Most Memorable Year Night

DWTS S-21 Week 09: By The Numbers

DWTS – Season 21, Week 09 SCORES:

The DWTS Judges give their scores.

Bindi & Derek

Viennese Waltz

“Roses and Violets” by Alexander Jean

30 (10,10,10)

Tamar & Val

Contemporary

“Wicked Game” 
by James Vincent McMorrow

22(8,7,7)

Alexa & Mark

Contemporary

“Make It Rain” by Ed Sheeran

30 (10,10,10)

Alek & Lindsay

Salsa

“Back It Up”  by Prince Royce
 feat. Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull

24 (8,8,8)

Nick & Sharna

Quickstep

“A Cool Cat In Town”

by Tape Five

28 (9,9,10)

Carlos & Witney

Argentine Tango

“What Do You Mean?” by Justin Bieber

27 (9,9,9)

--------------------------------------


Show-stopping Dancing Duets:

Bindi & Derek And Alexa & Mark

Charleston

"All That Jazz" and “Hot Honey Rag” 
by Kander and Ebb (From Chicago)

30 (10,10,10)

Tamar & Val  And Nick & Sharna

Rumba

“Hey Jude” 
by The Beatles 
(From LOVE by Cirque du Soleil)

27 (9,9,9)

Carlos & Witney And Alek & Lindsay

Paso Doble

“We Will Rock You” 
by queen (From  We Will Rock You)

24 (8,8,8)

Tamar Withdraws!! – DWTS, S21

                                

Tamar Braxton Withdraws

from the competition,

following Week 09’s Episode!

Ballroom Blight, Braxton, officially Withdrew from Season 21’s competition Wednesday, to what I can easily imagine to be the relief of many, albeit reportedly under most unfortunate circumstances.

“With a heavy heart I regret to inform you that my season of #dwts has come to an end …” the Singer informed fans via Instagram, “solidifying” her Withdrawal, following yet another much-talked about Hospital stay that took place at the conclusion of Monday night’s Showstopper Episode.

Tamar Braxton

“ … I don’t have pneumonia” Tamar continued, “but something way more serious and that is having several P.E’s (blood clots in both sides of my lungs) … thank you ALL for your support … Big hugs and kisses to my boo @iamval for being beyond a friend, brother and the BEST partner EVER”

Prior to the announcement, Val Chmerkovskiy had voiced his support of his Celebrity partner, when he Instagrammed a somber message, referring to Tamar as his “friend” and “family”, and noting to the 38-year-old personally that he would “always have your back.”

Val Chmerkovskiy

Nick & Sharna, Tamar & Val – Review of Dance Duet, DWTS Season 21, Week 09

DWTS Season 21, Week 09

Dance Duet REVIEW:

Nick & Sharna, Tamar & Val

Dancing a Cirque du Soleil Love-themed Rumba to “Hey Jude” by the Beatles, Nick Carter, Sharna Burgess, Tamar Braxton, and Valentin Chmerkovskiy presented their Week 09, Show Stopping routine.

“I’m concerned about me dancing with Cirque du Soleil and looking like a Cirque du Soleil Professional Dancer!  I don’t want to look like ‘Tamar, the Competition Girl’ dancing with all of these Professional Dancers.  I want to look like I worked just as hard and you can’t tell the difference!” expressed Tamar during her pre-dance, Rehearsal Package.

<Popping Lips> Well, Tamar, consider your worst fears realized, as “Tamar the Competition Girl” is exactly how you danced on Monday.

Tamar & Val and Nick & Sharna 

DWTS Season 21, Week 09 -

Showstopper Night - 
Dance Duets Round 

Once again, a slumped Frame, lazy Movement and a lack of Character Portrayal ruled the major part of your performance and was combined with a new flaw: dancing out of sync with everyone else, effectively tainting the entire routine.

I did enjoy the Choreography however; and, I thought that Nick more or less killed it; but, even his old, Haunting Habit of Hunching his shoulders and weakening his Frame reared its ugly head one or two times during the dance.

Tamar & Val and Nick & Sharna 

DWTS Season 21, Week 09 -

Showstopper Night - 
Dance Duets Round 

It was nice, too, that Tamar managed to make it back in time to the Studio so that Nick & Sharna wouldn’t have to be judged by their Dress Rehearsal footage!

(I think that it’s pretty plain that, judging by her Contemporary Dress Rehearsal footage displayed earlier in the evening, Tamar would not have fared well at all with this potential outcome, although one can easily imagine that Nick would have done alright … still, it cannot be a fun thing to go through.)

In the end, I found the judges’ scoring of three 9’s for this dance to be entirely too generous and so very obviously the judges’ version of a “Pity Vote” which was a little more than unfair to the Night’s other Competitors!

I mean, Tamar’s reported illness could indeed be seen as “Pitiable”; but c’mon people, that dance rated no more than a 7 or an 8.

But, hey!  Don’t make it bad!  This Duets’ participants took what very easily could have been a rotten ending to all of their evenings and, through an all around group effort (including Tamar’s unexpected arrival), made it better!

Tamar & Val and Nick & Sharna 

DWTS Season 21, Week 09 -

Showstopper Night - 
Dance Duets Round 

Tamar & Val and Nick & Sharna 

DWTS Season 21, Week 09 -

Showstopper Night - 
Dance Duets Round 

Tamar & Val – Review of DWTS Season 21, Week 09

DWTS Season 21, Week 09

REVIEW:  Tamar & Val

Dancing a Cringe-inducing Contemporary, Tamar Braxton and her (poor, poor) Professional partner, Valentine Chmerkovskiy, submitted their first Week 09 routine.

Tamar & Val

DWTS Season 21, Week 09 -

Showstopper Night

Well, that dance was way more Catastrophe-in-motion than Contemporary!

Truly Tamar’s worst …

Tamar & Val

DWTS Season 21, Week 09 -

Showstopper Night

And yes, I know, I know, it was only the poor thing’s Dress Rehearsal performance, and she WAS sick; however, that excuse can only carry a Celebrity so far, for while Braxton’s illness may cover any number of lazy Movement, unfinished Lines, and absent-minded Expressions - of which, this performance had in abundance - it cannot account for the fact that Tamar clearly only knew about little more than half of the routine!

Tamar & Val
DWTS Season 21, Week 09 -
Showstopper Night

And as we all watched, and winced, and groaned at the sight of Tamar fudging and slurring her way through the Steps of the dance, the disastrous scene laid before us could not help but beg the question:  If Tamar didn’t have her routine down by the show’s DRESS REHEARSAL, doesn’t it stand to reason that she just NEVER WAS going to get it right? 

America’s Choice Dance Offs – Season 21, Week 08

DWTS’ Always Exciting

Dance Offs Gets a

Red, White and Blue Makeover!

S21, Wk08

DWTS’ staple, Dancing Duels returned to the Glitter Dome Monday night, with a never-before seen, patriotic twist! …

Ladies and Gentlemen, sitting in as Head Judge for this enthralling Round was … YOU, the Viewer!

That’s right, folks, in a brilliant, judging change-up, America was allowed to temporarily “sit in” with the show’s Panel Judges as “Head Judge” via votes which were displayed live in the Ballroom whilst each Dance Off was performed!

Furthermore, as “Head Judge”, should a Tie have resulted following any Dance Off, America’s vote would automatically carry more weight, and therefore its chosen Couple would be named the event’s Winners!!

It was an all-new, thrilling game changer; and, it all happened live, for the night’s second Round of competition! ...
 

Bindi & Derek, Carlos & Witney:
 
“Who wants to Jive?” an excited Derek asked when selecting his and partner Bindi’s dancing opposition.

As the Night’s second highest scoring Couple, Bindi & Derek had earned the strategic right to choose any Couple from the remaining six, to Dance Off against.

Immediately raising their hand in the affirmative, Carlos &Witney deftly accepted Hough’s challenge right before an anxious Host, Tom Bergeron, stepped in vocally and reminded the Ballroom at large that, while it was certainly Bindi & Derek’s right to choose their opposition, the right to choose a Dance style (of the pre-selected, offered three:  Jive, Cha-Cha, and Samba) remained with Carlos & Witney.

“Trying to use Jedi mind tricks, Derek?” an amused Tom playfully reprimanded.

Bindi & Derek

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

After officially settling on Carlos & Witney as their dancing opponents, a laughing Bindi & Derek quieted in anticipation of that Couple’s response.

Carlos & Witney

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

Following a brief conference,

Carlos & Witney

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

a grinning Witney turned round again from facing her partner and boldly announced “The Jive!”

Opening up the exciting, “dueling” Round of competition with a Jive to “Travelin’ Band” by Creedance Clearwater Revival, high-scoring pairs Bindi Irwin & Derek Hough and Carlos PenaVega & Witney Carson, took to the dance floor! …
 

Bindi & Derek vs. Carlos & Witney

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

Wow!!  Talk about your shucking and jiving, that Dance Off was an absolute amazing Flurry of Fast and Furious, quick-Flicking Fun; and, that Bindi/Carlos Lift at end was just all too cute!

Bindi & Derek vs. Carlos & Witney

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

Both Couples jived so brilliantly, it really would be impossible for me to choose which performed their routine better!!

Bindi & Derek

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

Carlos & Witney

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

“Nice strategy,” An impressed Judge Julianne Hough informed her big brother, before addressing Carlos & Witney with, “but also, interesting that you gave into that strategy!”

“…I’m just saying!” she continued, teasing both Couples, “I’m just saying did that pay off? Because, I gotta be honest, this is probably the closest I’ve ever seen! …”

Bindi & Derek vs. Carlos & Witney

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

“It was so unexpected!” Judge Bruno Tonioli chimed in. “You've really got to wait to see what happens [With the Scoring] … because it’s so unpredictable!”

“I was really impressed!” concluded Judge Carrie Ann Inaba “…And I loved the comradery at the end, with the Lift! …” she added with a smile.  

In the end, the show’s three Panel Judges voted in favor of Carlos & Witney’ Jive, while America chose Bindi & Derek’s!
 

Bindi & Derek vs. Carlos & Witney
"Good game."
"Good game."

 
Tamar & Val, Alexa & Mark:

Challenging “the beautiful Alexa”, Tamar & Val quickly settled on their opposition, while Alexa & Mark swiftly decided on their Dance style of choice:  The Cha-Cha.
 
Dancing the Cha-Cha to “Fun” by Pitbull, featuring Chris Brown, Tamar Braxton & Val Chmerkovskiy, and Alexa PenaVega & Mark Ballas all stepped down onto the Ballroom’s dance floor …

Tamar & Val vs. Alexa & Mark

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

Well, for me, it was certainly no contest … Alexa & Mark just completely owned that dance floor!

Heavily-peppered with difficult Cha-Cha content, Alexa’s dance took on a distinct, authentic flavor,

Alexa & Mark

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

while Tamar’s efforts leaned far more towards the “Contemporary take” side of the Latin Classic.

In addition, Alexa’s performance as a whole sparkled with delighted enthusiasim, affording it that much-needed edge of some having “Umph!” to it, while Tamar’s stereotypically-relaxed approach once again lent itself unto a sloppy Frame and lazy, unfinished Lines.

Tamar & Val

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

“ … Those girls are hot! … You have to wait and see!” began Bruno Tonioli as he opened the Judges comments, following the routines.

“One of you had more ‘flavor’, one of you had more … ‘traditional’ …” teased Carrie Ann Inaba, “So, depends on what I like!”

“ … I definitely preferred one over the other, so you’re gonna have to wait and see!” added Julianne Hough, much to the anticipatory agony of the two ecstatic Couples.

The Couples didn’t have to wait for long, however, as Carrie Ann voted for Alexa & Mark, Julianne for Tamar & Val, Bruno for Tamar & Val, and America for Alexa & Mark.

As “Head Judge” America’s choice was counted as the “Deciding Factor”, and the Win was awarded to Alexa & Mark.
 

Andy & Allison, Alek & Lindsay:

With little choice in the matter, as there were no more Couples or Dance styles left to “choose” from, Andy Grammer & Allison Holker and Alek Skarlatos & Lindsay Arnold descended onto the show’s dance floor, more or less resigned to their respective fates as they prepared to perform a Samba - For each of the Couple’s first time of the competition - to “Lean On” by Major Lazer and DJ Snake, featuring MO.
 

Andy & Allison vs. Alek & Lindsay

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

Well, to be completely, albeit brutally, honest neither one of these efforts were very good, with both failing to meet an even “Half-way Decent” standard.

Andy & Allison vs. Alek & Lindsay

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

It does seem worth mentioning; however, that Alek’s Samba was far more traditional,

Alek & Lindsay

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

while poor Andy’s leaned toward … well, “leapt into” is more like it! … much more of a Freestyle-type performance.

“Andy breaking out the rarely seen ‘Samba Worm’!” Joked Tom. 

Andy & Allison

DWTS Season 21, Week 08 -

Icons Night - 
Dance-offs

Carrie Ann began the Judges critiques with, “Okay, first of all, BOTH of you need to go work on your Sambas! … Okay, Andy, impressive: You said, ‘You know what?  I’m not doing this, so I’m going to Flip! … Well done!”

“… Andy, I actually think you did a really good job with the Samba!” countered Julianne, “…if you’re back next Week, you should maybe do the Samba! … That Hand-spring … We got tricks, guys! …”

“Andy, you put the Bounce in there,” finished Bruno, “… Alek, as always, you Present the girl so well! … Samba:  incredibly hard!  Just doing it like this, off the gate, is really, really [Broke into an appreciative applause]”.

Despite Alek’s admirable efforts, the voting against him was shown to be frightfully unanimous with every Panel Judge being joined by America in the choosing of Andy’s Samba, an outcome most unfair I thought, as I’m sure Alek (or most anyone, for that matter!) could have performed better if they had been made aware of the freedom to leave the selected style of dance altogether and simply “wing it”.