Dancing with the Stars: Season 17 Week 5 aka My Most Memorable Year 

Every time DWTS does a most memorable year theme, you know there will be tears.  And there were a few.  Poor Tom had to announce before anyone started that of the scores from last week, a female star would be going home. But it is something that could be turned around with merely half of the judges’ scores in Monday night’s episode. I’m not such a fan of revealing this. Isn’t it enough that they are performing for a live audience?  I digress. Anyway, here is how everyone did:

Christina and Mark

Dance:  Cha Cha

In 2010 Christina gave birth to her daughter and got a divorce from the baby’s father. She found out that her husband was cheating on her from pictures online.  Mark and Christina picked Cee Lo’s song, “Forget You.”  She felt it was a great anthem for women who have gone through similar situations.  The dance was really good, so good in fact it got the first 10 of the season.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 10-Len, 9-Bruno; Total: 28

Voting Number: 800-868-3401

Jack and Cheryl

Dance: Waltz

Jack picked 2012 as his most memorable year because it had such high highs and a major low. In January he moved into a new house with his wife; In April his daughter was born; and 2 ½ weeks later he was diagnosed with MS.  He wanted to dedicate this dance to his wife and daughter.  And I have to say that Jack is really great at the strictly ballroom dances and he proved that again with his Waltz.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 9-Len, 9-Bruno, Total: 27

Voting Number: 800-868-3402

Leah and Tony

Dance: Contemporary

Leah chose this past year as her most memorable.  The dance showed how she broke free from Scientology and became her own person.  The concept was great and you could see that she felt empowered.  It might not be her best dance but it was one of the most important. I want her to keep going and stop doubting herself.

Score: 7- Carrie Ann, 7- Len, 8-Bruno; Total: 22

Voting Number: 800-868-3411

Corbin and Karina

Dance: Foxtrot

Corbin’s year was 2011 when his 12 year old sister was diagnosed with severe case of scoliosis. Again it was a great dance but there were some issues with his lifts.  But he did get the second 10 of the evening.

Score: 9 -Carrie Ann, 9-Len, 10-Bruno; Total: 28

Voting Number: 800-868-3406

Bill and Emma

Dance: Viennese Waltz

Bill picked the year, 1982.  It was the year that he got married to his wife, Gale.  He said that he gets all the accolades but it really was his wife that deserves the respect and applause. It was really sweet and a beautiful dance.  I agreed with the judges that Bill needs to work on his arms but he has surprised everyone with how well he is doing.

Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 8-Len, 8-Bruno; Total Score: 24

Voting Number: 800-868-3409

Snooki and Sasha

Dance: Jazz

Snooki chose 2012 as her year because she had her son.  She spoke of how it has changed her completely and for the better.  The dance was great and she might not be the brightest bulb in the shed but she is a good dancer.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 9-Len, 9-Bruno; Total: 27                                                           I

Voting Number: 800-868-3412

Brandt and Peta

Dance: Contemporary

In 2009 Brandt knew that he wanted to become an actor and his parents supported that decision. His father drove him out to Los Angeles and helped him get settled but his father knew something that Brandt didn’t. In February, his mom called him to say he had to come home. His father was in a coma because he had Lymphoma. Brandt stayed by his bed for 2 ½ weeks until he passed.  It was a heartbreaking story and dance and the judges said that Brandt’s father would be proud.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 9- Len, 9-Bruno; Total: 27

Voting number: 800-868-3403

Amber and Derek

Dance: Foxtrot

In 2009, Amber was working at Ikea.  But she wanted to pursue her dreams. She auditioned for American Idol and was turned down.  (First of all, how could this girl be turned down when she has one of the best voices out there?) But then she auditioned for Glee and got it. Things turned out even better then she imagined.  Even though this was not a conventional Foxtrot, the dance was amazing.  Amber got the third ten of the evening but I have a bone to pick with Len.  I appreciate that Len is a purist but a seven?  Really?  Her dance was one of the best of the night and you gave her a seven.  Shame, shame Len Goodman.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 7-Len, 10-Bruno; Total: 26

Voting Number: 800-868-3407

Elizabeth and Val

Dance: Jive

So I have to say, this is the dance that I was (no pun intended) excited about.  In 2012, she had her baby boy, Skye.  But in 1989 her career started on “Save by the Bell.”  Because of this it would lead her to her husband and the life they have now.  She decided to dance to the song “I’m so excited.”  If you are a fan of Saved by the Bell you know why this is amazeballs!  So fun and good!

Elizabeth’s Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 9-Len, 9-Bruno; Total: 26

Voting Number: 800-868-3405

Then after all the dancing was over someone had to go home. It did end up being a female star but one that was at the top that night.  Christina and Mark got the boot, which shocked everyone.  They were clearly upset but someone has to go home.

Until next week…..

Dancing with the Stars airs Monday nights at 8/7c on ABC.