Dancing with the Stars Season 17 Week 10 [The Semifinals] 

Yay, it’s the semifinals!  Tonight the couples had two dances that were to the same song. The first dance being the “plugged version” and the second as the “unplugged version.”  Who would go to the finals?  Do the right couples go through?

And more than just the semifinals, Maksim is back!  Yes, the bad boy of the dance floor goes to the other side of the table as a guest judge!  Will he be brutal or a sweetheart? Would it be awkward for him to judge his ex-fiancée’ Karina?

Here’s how things went down, last night:

DANCE #1: (Plugged Version of song)

Leah and Tony- (Song: “Bad Romance”)

Dance: Paso Doble

I am a fan of Leah’s but I had to agree with some of the judges’ comments.  It was a clean performance but it lacked some emotion and I think gusto.

Score: 8- Carrie Ann, 8- Len, 8-Bruno, 8-Maksim; Total: 32

Voting Number: 800-868-3411

Corbin and Karina- (Song:  “My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light ‘Em Up)”)

Dance: Tango

It was a very fast moving tango and I knew before he even said anything that Len would have issue with it.  I thought it was powerful but Len felt it was “too full-on.”  I thought it was enjoyable.  I have to say that Maks was fair with them, considering his history with Karina.

Score: 9 -Carrie Ann, 8-Len, 9-Bruno, Maksim-9; Total: 35

Voting Number: 800-868-3406

Jack and Cheryl- (Song: “Roxanne”)

Dance: Jazz

In the rehearsal package, we saw how Jack had a flare up of his MS.  Did he use this as an excuse?  No, he did not.  I have to say that Jack has improved so much.  I thought this was is best “fast” dance.

Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 8-Len, 8-Bruno, Maksim-9; Total: 33

Voting Number: 800-868-3402

Bill and Emma- (Song: “Sexy and I Know It”)

Dance: Cha Cha

When I heard that the song was “Sexy and I Know It,” I was worried.  Again, I think Bill is great and seems to me like he’s a great person.  The dance was not good but he gave it his all and went for it.

Score: 7-Carrie Ann, 7-Len, 7-Bruno, Maksim-7; Total Score: 28

Voting Number: 800-868-3409

Amber and Derek- (Song: “Locked Out of Heaven”)

Dance: Jazz

The judges were a little hard on Amber last week but her knees were really a problem.  She never used it as an excuse and the girl came out and rocked it!  Carrie Ann said that Amber is the Einstein of dance.  She’s been saying some weird stuff but it’s all good. I think she should have gotten all 10s but I think Maks has some issues with Derek.  I was a little disappointed in his 9 for her.

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 10-Len, 10-Bruno, Maksim-9; Total: 39

Voting Number: 800-868-3407

DANCE #2: (Unplugged version of song)

Leah and Tony

Dance: Argentine Tango

I don’t think this was Leah’s best dance but she still is awesome and probably got the correct scores.  In her taped package before the dance, she has definitely gone through a lot. And she has a lot of support from family and friends.

Score: 8- Carrie Ann, 8- Len, 9-Bruno, 8-Maksim; Total: 27

Voting Number: 800-868-3411

Corbin and Karina

Dance: Rumba

What can I say about this dance?  It was beautiful.  The best part was how Maks complemented Karina and she gave him a peck on the cheek.  See even exes can get along! In Corbin’s package it shows how much his family cares about him and also how talented he is.  He’s been performing since he was a young kid.  He even studied with the great Debbie Allen. (“If you want fame, well fame costs. And right here is where you start paying, in sweat!”)  If you get that reference you and I are BFFS forever.

Score: 10 -Carrie Ann, 10-Len, 10-Bruno, 10-Maksim; Total: 27

Voting Number: 800-868-3406

Jack and Cheryl

Dance: Argentine Tango

What I love about Jack is how far this guy has come not only in the competition but in life.  He has an amazing family that has supported him through everything.  In fact his mother was crying all through the show because of her pride for her son!  This dance was great.  He and Cheryl did an amazing job.

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 9-Len, 10-Bruno, 9-Maksim; Total: 38

Voting Number: 800-868-3402

Bill and Emma

Dance: Argentine Tango

This one was one of Bill’s best dances. He didn’t joke around but played it straight and went for it. Bill has an amazing family as well.  His wife is his rock and he shows how much she appreciates her.  I appreciate that he has worked really hard.

Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 8-Len, 8-Bruno, 8-Maksim; Total Score: 32

Voting Number: 800-868-3409

Amber and Derek

Dance: Viennese Waltz

Again, the girl comes out and rocks it!  It was such a beautiful dance and almost made Carrie Ann cry. (Is that really that difficult to do though?) Bruno said she looked like an angel dancing. I totally agree! And even Maks gave them a 10!  He even said some nice stuff about Derek. I don’t think he liked being booed the last time. Just saying……  Perfect score from all judges!

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 10-Len, 10-Bruno, 10-Maksim; Total: 40

Voting Number: 800-868-3407

Before we discuss elimination, I would like to say that this year without the second show has really screwed up the voting process.  I’m not sure how they can fix it but it doesn’t seem right how they are doing it.  Anyway, other than that, this is who made the finals:

First announced was Corbin and Karina.  Then the next couple safe was Amber and Derek.  The third couple safe was Jack and Cheryl.  It came down to Leah and Tony and Bill and Emma. I had a feeling that I knew who was going home and I was right.

Leah and Tony were the ones leaving the dance floor. Which means that Bill and Emma are going to the finals. No offense but this is a bit unfair. But now it’s anyone’s Mirror Ball trophy to win.

Maks said at the beginning of the show he didn’t want to be a hypocrite. For the most part he wasn’t but he could have been better about giving constructive criticism. He was entertaining and looked really good, but really when does he not look good?

See you for the finals next week!

Dancing with the Stars airs Monday nights at 8pm on ABC.