Next Week is American Icons Night on DWTS – S21 (Wk08)

Icons Night is Coming

to the Ballroom for

Season 21’s Week 08

Next up for Dancing With Stars’ exciting 21^st Season is Icons Night.

Also coming next Week will be DWTS’ always-highly-anticipated and fun Dance Offs … with a terrific twist!

Making it’s Monday night Ballroom debut will be DWTS’ first-ever American Dance Offs in which Fans will help determine the Winners of this always-delightful event, via votes that will be entered during the show’s live airing, while the Dance Offs are taking place!

“Sitting in” as Head Judge for the Dance Offs, viewers of the show will be allowed to submit their votes as to which Couple they feel are performing better in the Dance Offs live through DWTS’ amazing abc.com website.

When the excitement ensues, the viewer votes will be displayed publicly within the Ballroom, in real time, for each one of the Dance Off’s participating Couples.

As usual, at the conclusion of each and every Dance Off, the show’s 3 judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, will each present a Paddle bearing the names of the Couple they have determined as the Winner of the event.

The majority of America’s votes (that were given live, during the performance), will count as the Viewer’s very own, virtual “Paddle”, and will count towards the Couple receiving these votes.

Also, in the event of a Tie, as “Head Judge”, America will be given the power to determine the outcome of any Dance Off!

(If one Couple receives Paddles from 2 of the show’s judges, and the remaining couple, a Paddle from the 1 remaining judge AND the majority of America’s votes, then whichever Couple America voted for will be deemed the Winner of that Dance Off!)

The Couple receiving the highest Judges’ scores during next week’s FIRST Round of Dances will, of course, receive “Immunity” from competing in the potentially Elimination-causing event, and ultimately from the night’s dreaded Elimination altogether.

(Also, the Couple receiving “Immunity” will be awarded with an automatic 3 extra bonus points to be added their overall score.) The Winners of the three ensuing Dance Offs will be awarded with 2 extra bonus points to add to their overall scores, thus bettering their chances come “Booting-off” time!

It’s a nail-biting, sometimes-heart-wrenching, often-epic event that we fans don’t want to miss; and, it all kicks off Monday!!

In addition, DWTS’ long-endeared (and greatly missed) Erin Andrews is set to return as co-Host to Tom Bergeron!

Here Are The Dances Assigned To Each Couple, As Revealed So Far:

 Alek & Lindsay - Contemporary

   Nick & Sharna - Contemporary

Andy & Allison - The Waltz     

Carlos & Witney - The Salsa         

               Alexa & Mark - The Argentine Tango

         Tamar & Val - The Paso Doble  

Bindi & Derek - The Foxtrot 

Noah & Sharna - Review of DWTS Season 20, Week 08

DWTS Season 20, Week 08

REVIEW:  Noah & Sharna

Noah & Sharna:

To begin the highly-anticipated America's Choice Night, Noah Galloway and his Professional partner, Sharna Burgess, danced the Tango to "Geronimo" by Sheppard.

I loved, loved, loved (... loved, loved, loved, ...) this dance!

And I cannot believe that I just saw Noah go out there and dance a Tango ... A perfectly-executed and beautifully-choreographed (another fantastic job, Sharna!) Tango!

Noah & Sharna's Tango S20, Wk08 -
America's Choice Night

Seriously now, did anyone else's bottom jaw just smack the floor!?! ... Noah's dancing was absolutely incredible!

Noah & Sharna's Tango S20, Wk08 - 
America's Choice Night

His Frame was positively impeccable, his Musicality was outrageously good, his Footwork was stellar, and his turns were so smooth, graceful, and seemingly-effortless as to make you take for granted for a moment that he was dancing this Tango on one leg!

Speaking of, I just want to take a moment and shed light on the questionable taste of the general public with the designing of this routine ...

Upon the whole, it was most excellently thought out and put together:  The all-white suit and dress, the pleasing blue hue that coated the Ballroom, the offset of the large, stark, white clouds, blowing fiercely across it, the all-white, sharply-clad Drum core that lined the stage .... all very beautiful to be sure; but, I just gotta ask, was it really the best choice to have a Iraqi War Veteran dance to a song that periodically blares the chorus "Bombs Away"?  And to add insult to injury, you designed the stage with a row of plain white flags standing across it ... the international, military symbol of surrender!?!  I'm sure whomever designed all that and/or chose the song had no ill or mean-spirited intent, and merely wasn't thinking clearly that day; but nonetheless, our War Heroes deserve a little more respect and consideration than that, wouldn't you say?

Once again, despite how much I enjoyed this captivating performance (... 'cause, you know, I'm sane ...), the judges seemed to derive nothing but personal pleasure from raining on my parade!

" ... It's difficult to judge," began Len Goodman, " ... My normal way of judging the Tango, I look for flexed knees, I look for staccato; and I can't look at those things, so I have to base it on performance ... I would've liked a little bit more intensity during it, between the two of you but, first out, first dance, well done!"

pffffttt!< Buzzer sound! > Next!

" ... it was a bit blocky," offered Carrie Ann Inaba, "I know it's very hard to avoid that, but I have to call it:  There was a bit of a blockiness, that I didn't see last Week, but, um, you have one more dance tonight."

<Crickets>

You mean "last Week", as in, when Noah and Sharna danced the Jazz!?

Noah's Tango was "blocky", was it?  Good grief, Carrie Ann, do you just enjoy stating the obvious sometimes?  It was a one-legged, one-armed Tango, and it was excellent, thank you very much!!

Really now, judges, the night is still young, but this is not a promising start!



See below for ABC's DWTS YouTube video of Noah & Sharna's Season 20, Week 08, Tango!

Chris & Witney - Review of DWTS Season 20, Week 08

DWTS Season 20, Week 08

REVIEW:  Chris & Witney

Chris & Witney:

For their first, Week 08 routine, America gave Chris Soules and his partner, Witney Carson, a Contemporary to "Lay Me Down" by Sam Smith.

Chris & Witney dance Contemporary.
DWTS - S20, Wk08

This was such a beautiful dance, and it was, without a doubt, Chris' best one yet!

Chris Soules & Witney Carson dance Contemporary.
DWTS - S20, Wk08

Once more displaying his now familiar "graceful side", Chris' dancing was smooth, flowing, and dramatic ... perfect for the quietly-passionate and emotional piece expertly-choreographed by his partner, Witney!

Chris Soules & Witney Carson dance Contemporary.
DWTS - S20, Wk08

And we cannot forget those amazing lifts! ... "Prince Farming" just effortlessly-hoisted Witney up there as if there was nothing to it!  Brav-O, Chris!  That was extremely well done!!

Nice Lift, Chris!
Chris Soules & Witney Carson dance Contemporary.
DWTS - S20, Wk08

And I'm not the only one who thought so, this fantastic performance also caused Judge Julianne Hough to gush,  " ... I gotta say Chris, to me, you won the award for most improved this Season! ... "

" ... Chris, by far, your best dance! ... " expounded Judge Carrie Ann Inaba, " ... Everything you did was fluid and unstopped, the lifts were astounding!  I'm so impressed with you, well done!"

Even DWTS' resident grouch, Head Judge Len Goodman, had nothing but nice things to say:  "Well, I've been a bit of a 'Meany' with you, Chris; but, I knew it was in there somewhere, and tonight you come out, performed it great.  Your best dance so far, well done!".

Yes, yes, I agree:  nothing but good things all around!  So, uh, just a quick, little question for you, WHERE ARE ALL THE 10 PADDLES FOR THIS DANCE!?!  Two 9's and two 8's, are you crazy!?!  Where, in the World, is the FAIR scoring, because that's where this dance should be!  It was a Contemporary, was it not?  It was graceful, moving, and in every way, 100% lovely, was it not?  Then, c'mon guys, give it up already, you're killing me here!

Chris & Witney perform a beautiful Contemporary Dance.
DWTS - S20, Wk08

See below for ABC's DWTS YouTube video of Chris & Witney's Season 20, Week 08, Contemporary!

Riker & Allison - Review of DWTS Season 20, Week 08

DWTS Season 20, Week 08

REVIEW:  Riker & Allison

Riker & Allison:

Up next for America's Choice Night, the ever-talented Riker Lynch, and his Professional partner, Allison Holker, dancing a Viennese Waltz to "What Now" by Rihanna!

I absolutely adored this next performance!

Riker & Allison's Viennese Waltz S20 Wk08
America's Choice Night

I mean, honestly, how could I not?  Riker's dancing was nothing less than exquisite, and he led the dance so beautifully!  And his Frame! ...  I mean wow, his Frame in Hold was positively stunning!  Not to mention, Allison's riveting and gripping choreography, definitely left you wanting more!

A dramatic pause in Riker & Allison's Viennese Waltz
Season 20 Week 08, America's Choice Night

I mean to say this Viennese Waltz was amazing:  Graceful, elegant, and flowing footwork was set to a raw, passionate, emotional, and intense setting that seemed to reach out and smack you upside the face in unapologetic demand for your attention and approval!

Riker & Allison's Viennese Waltz
DWTS Season 20, Week 08 - America's Choice Night

The judges obviously loved this routine as well, as was first voiced by Bruno Tonioli when he exclaimed, " ... Wow, what intensity, and yet such control of execution!  It's so difficult to maintain a Viennese Waltz with such power and yet keeping your Frame ... you were giving it so much guts, WOW!".

"It was big, it was bold, it was full on, and yet you still kept clarity of movement!" readily agreed Head Judge Len Goodman, before adding, "I would have liked a little bit more in Hold [interrupted by loud "Boo!"ing] ... It's all losing what it should be:  It's all becoming Contemporary and Show Dance, I wanna see a bit of Viennese Waltz in there, and as great as it was, I'm an old guy and that's what I wanna see!"

Well, as much as it may grate me sometimes to admit it, I do recognize the need for someone, like Len, to point these things out and hold that firm, albeit unpopular, Ballroom line, that once Len leaves the show <sniff!>, will almost immediately and inevitably pull further and further back until the show can no longer be accurately classified as a "Ballroom Dance Competition"; so I'm glad that Dancing With The Stars has someone like Len judging ... On the flip side, I'm certainly not held to any Ballroom judging standard, and anyone who's anyone can easily see that this dance deserved all 10's, instead of the three 10's and the 9 it received from Len; and so I think I'll just play the Fan card and say, Boooo!  BOOoooo, Lenny!



See below for ABC's DWTS YouTube video of Riker & Allison's Season 20, Week 08, Viennese Waltz!

Robert & Kym - Review of DWTS Season 20, Week 08

DWTS Season 20, Week 08

REVIEW:  Robert & Kym

Robert & Kym:

For their first America's Choice Night performance, Robert Herjavec and his partner Kym Johnson submitted a romantic Contemporary to "Champagne Kisses" by Jessie Ware.

Rooftop fireworks, hair-whipping fans, flourishing arms, and locked lips (much to the Fans' delight) bedecked this next routine, all beautifully choreographed by Kym Johnson!

Robert & Kym's long-awaited KISS 
during their Contemporary Dance. 
DWTS - S20, Wk08

Robert Herjavec & Kym Johnson dance Contemporary.
DWTS - S20, Wk08

As for Robert, his dancing was undeniably graceful and pleasing overall, although there were certain times when his dancing struck me as being a bit halt-y and non-flowing.

The dance lifts, however, were most impressive and expertly done.  Upon the whole, I found this routine to be light, breezy (Marilyn Monroe would of been proud!), and even at times, dangerously bordering on "cheesy", while still remaining within the realm of enjoyable!

Robert Herjavec & Kym Johnson dance Contemporary.
DWTS - S20, Wk08

"You didn't need a Wind Machine up there," explained Len Goodman, "you've got a big 'Fan' in me, and that was well done!"

Awww, Len you big ol' softie, you!  While I personally did not think that this performance required quite that much gush ("You can be so sweet sometimes ... ", laughed a mockingly bewildered Tom Bergeron!); to each their own, I suppose.

" ... It was like watching a deodorant commercial! ... " joked an amused Bruno Tonioli, and a very pleased Julianne Hough remarked, " ... everybody is stepping up their game tonight ... I think that you upped your game tonight also, the way that you do dance tonight, it was magic, and it just made me so happy!  I just loved it!".

Despite the positive effect the dance seemed to have on all the judges, Robert and Kym's performance only wound up scoring three 8's, and a 9 from Julianne, which I found to be a decent and appropriate scoring.



See below for ABC's DWTS YouTube video of Robert & Kym's Season 20, Week 08, Contemporary!

Nastia, Derek, & Sasha - Review of DWTS Season 20, Week 08

DWTS Season 20, Week 08

REVIEW:  Nastia, Derek, & Sasha

Nastia, Derek, & Sasha:

Presenting their routine for Week 08's exciting Trio Round, Nastia Liukin and Derek Hough were (very appropriately) joined once again by Troop Member Sasha Farber, in the dancing of a brilliant Jive to "Diane Young" by Vampire Weekend.

Nastia & Derek in their Trio Jive with Sasha!
DWTS Season 20, Week 08 - America's Choice Night

Ladies and Gentleman, making a Brilliant Ballroom dancing comeback since first sustaining his sideline-ing foot injury, following Week 06, with (According to Tom Bergeron) " ... some of the best broken toe dancing you're ever gonna see!", it's Derek Hough, and he is most certainly "right on time"!

Derek Hough & Nastia Liukin in their Trio Jive with Sasha Farber!
DWTS Season 20, Week 08 - America's Choice Night

Genius choreography, especially-catered to fit Derek's handicap needs, told the story of a high-kicking (and fast-flicking!) love triangle between a Book Worm, an all out Party Animal, and their High-maintenance Honey!

Ladies and Gentleman, Dancing with the Stars Productions
proudly presents:  
The Book Worm, The Party Animal, 
and The High-maintenance Honey!
Starring ... 

Derek Hough as :  The cutest bookworm ever! ...

Sasha Farber as:  The Party animal! ...

... and Nastia Liukin as:  The High-maintenance Honey! ...

... Very high-maintenance! 
DWTS Season 20, Week 08 - America's Choice Night

Nastia's dancing was right on the ball (if you'll pardon the pun!), and her newly-formed dancing-partnership with Sasha was shucking and ... well, Jiving like never before!

This whole routine was absolutely marvelous!
Genius choreography and fantastic dancing!!
DWTS Season 20, Week 08 - America's Choice Night

Naturally, this performance received rave reviews from all of the judges:  " ... genius from the first to the last frame! ... ", exclaimed Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba also gushed, " ... it was brilliant ... double the fun, double the flavor, double the taste, I mean, it was like gum!".

And Julianne Hough took care to compliment both Derek and Nastia when she said, " ... That was the most creative Trio I have ever seen! ... I feel like it's a complete metaphor of your whole Season! ... having to dance with these two different partners, which are very different styled dancers, and you have done unbelievable! ... ".

But the biggest compliment of all came from Head Judge Len Goodman, when he gave the dance his highest form of approval and stood up, before saying, "That - was - fan - tastic!".

The highly-acclaimed Trio Jive went to receive a scoring of all 10's from the judges, making it the second dance of the Season (behind Rumer & Val's Rumba, earlier that night) to earn a perfect score!!

< Whew! > We did it! ... Again!  
DWTS Season 20, Week 08 - America's Choice Night

See below for ABC's DWTS YouTube Videos of Nastia & Derek's Season 20, Week 08, Jive Trio with Sasha!

Rumer & Val - Review of DWTS Season 20, Week 08

DWTS Season 20, Week 08

REVIEW:  Rumer & Val, 

(and Artem)

Rumer & Val:

An American-made night of amazing performances lit up the ballroom for DWTS' exciting, Season 20 Quarterfinals!

Rumer & Val's Fiery Paso Doble with Artem
S20 Wk08

Ladies and Gentleman, WITH THE FIRST PERFECT SCORE OF THE SEASON, Rumer Willis and her professional dancing partner, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, topped the Leader Board for America's Choice Night with their Radiant, Romantic Rumba!

Rumer & Val's Radiant, Romantic Rumba - S20 Wk08

Rumer & Val's Radiant, Romantic Rumba - S20 Wk08

Seriously now, I loved (loved, loved, loved) this dance!!

Rumer & Val's Radiant, Romantic Rumba - S20 Wk08

Rumer was so beautiful, flowing, and feminine; and, Val's choreography was just so very spot on ... "Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps" the best Rumba I've ever seen!!

Rumer & Val's Radiant, Romantic Rumba - S20 Wk08

Rumer & Val's Radiant, Romantic Rumba
S20 Wk08

And, can we just talk about <wink to Erin Andrews ;) > their insanely great Paso Doble!?!  Rumer was amazing, and Val's routine was filled with content (Artem  was, of course, the perfect choice for this Trio Dance!) ... Fan-friggin'-tastic!! ... Earning them their second perfect score!!

Rumer & Val Dance The Paso Doble - S20 Wk08

Absolutely incredible!

Rumer & Val's Trio Dance with Artem,
The Paso Doble - S20 Wk08

Rumer Willis finishes her Paso Doble!
S20 Wk08

See below for ABC's DWTS YouTube video of Rumer & Val's Season 20, Week 08, Rumba, as well as their Trio Dance with Artem Chigvintsev, The Paso Doble!

Nastia, Derek, & Sasha - Review of DWTS Season 20, Week 08

DWTS Season 20, Week 08

REVIEW:  Nastia, Derek, & Sasha

Nastia, Derek, & Sasha:

Dancing an "America's Choice" Paso Doble to "Centuries" by Fall Out Boy, Nastia Liukin, Derek Hough, and Sasha Farber were next on the dance floor with their Week 08 Trios Dance performance!

 Derek Hough as:
Caesar

Enter the Gladiators:  Nastia & Sasha
DWTS Season 20, Week 08 - America's Choice

"Are you not entertained"!?!  This powerful, Gladiator-themed Paso Doble was so brilliantly choreographed by Derek, who made sure to tailor the routine to fit Nastia's, shall we say, particular talents!

Nastia 'will-crush-you' Liukin
DWTS Season 20, Week 08 - America's Choice Night

Icy stares, violent passions, "crushing" antics and grim fates abounded in this exciting performance, as Nastia viciously faced off against her "opponent", Sasha (who's doing a magnificent job filling in for Derek, BTW!), in an all-out dancing, epic battle!

Presiding over the cruel affair from atop his lofty throne, was, of course, non other than Derek (looking a little more than silly, to tell you the truth, in his 3-times-too-big-for-him costume that he seemed to have picked up last minute at a local costume store!), playing the part of Caesar!

 Derek Hough as:
Caesar
DWTS Season 20, Week 08 - America's Choice Night

Having finally conquered her challenger, Nastia receives a "thumbs down" from "Ceasar" (Derek), prompting her to finish off her opponent for a merciless victory.

" ... Nastia receives a 'thumbs down' from "Ceasar" (Derek), 
prompting her to finish off her opponent
for a merciless victory." 

Nastia & Sasha dance The Paso Doble! 
DWTS Season 20, Week 08 - America's Choice Night

"Are you not entertained?!"

DWTS Season 20, Week 08 - America's Choice Night

This captivating performance was met with some mixed emotions from the judges:  "I liked the passion of it, and the drama, and the full-on intensity of it," conceded Head Judge Len Goodman, " ... I'd of liked a little bit more of a recognizable Paso Doble in there, but ... !".

" ... An evil attitude [Inaudible ... "befitting"] Game of Thrones!" Added Bruno Tonioli, "You make the Lannisters look like pussy cats, I'm telling you!  The thing is ... when you get so much into character, at times, it happens that you lose artistry ... You still have to retain some 'flow', that sometimes you lose, because you put so much importance on it; but amazing performance!".

Not allowing her big brother's hilarious attire to go unmentioned, Julianne Hough also laughingly threw in, " I mean, first of all, I just gotta point out that Derek looks ridiculous!" before more seriously adding to Nastia, " ... I felt that you guys were a little out of sync in a couple of spots but, this the most feisty-ess, like the most sassy ... It was like really fun to watch, I loved it!".

While only receiving four 9's from the judges, this Paso will most certainly receive a "thumbs up" from me! ... Get it?



See below for ABC's DWTS YouTube video of Nastia, Derek, & Sasha's Season 20, Week 08, Paso Doble!