Dancing with the Stars “Season 18 Week 3” 

This week each dance was dedicated to the celebrities’ most memorable year. This show is always a tearjerker and it didn’t disappoint. This season’s first special guest judge, Robin Roberts, really did an awesome job not being a dancer herself. Let’s break it down:

James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd
Dance: Jive

• James’ most memorable year was 2007 because he was able to overcome the bullying he had to put up with because he was pudgy and not popular. Peta and he did a Jive that was clean and really fantastic. Talk about someone that you would never know was bullied. The guy is so hot now that I hope those people feel bad about themselves. Okay, that’s a bit much but talk about a little sweet revenge…

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 9- Len, 9-Robin, 9-Bruno; Total: 36

Voting number: 800-868-3402

Billy Dee Williams and Emma Slater

• Billy Dee announced that his doctor told him because of his back he couldn’t dance. He gracefully backed out by thanking everyone, especially Emma and the fans. The guy is still the coolest and classiest! But this meant that no one else was going home that night. (Well they never really said but that’s what happened).

Nene Leakes and Tony Dovolani
Dance: Rhumba

• 2013 was Nene’s most memorable because she remarried her husband Greg. The two of them had been married for about 15 years and then got divorced so the dance was dedicated to him. The song was the one that accompanied Nene as she walked down the aisle. I thought it was beautiful, passionate and a great tribute to love. Sounds cheesy, but it’s true.

Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 7- Len, 8-Robin, 8-Bruno; Total: 31

Voting number: 800-868-3401

Cody Simpson and Witney Carson
Dance: Jazz

• 2010 was Cody’s most memorable year. It was the year he moved to the U.S and signed a music contract. His family gave up everything (jobs, home, lives) and moved with him. Because of them he gets to do what he loves and the dance was dedicated to his family. The dance seemed more hip hop than Jazz to me but still good. I’m not sold on Cody yet but, again, maybe it’s just me.

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

Voting number: 800-868-3408

Danica McKellar and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Contemporary

• 2010 was the year that Danica picked. It was the year her son, Draco was born and her grandmother died just days before the birth.  Danica was sad that her grandmother didn’t get to meet Draco so her dance was to let her son know that even when she is gone she will always be with him; just like her grandmother is always with her. The dance was a tearjerker! Everyone cried including her incredibly shy son who jumped in Danica’s arms after her dance. She is the one celebrity who has surprised me each week and she gets better, which is what the show is all about.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 9- Len, 9-Robin, 9-Bruno; Total: 36

Voting number: 800-868-3403

Drew Carey and Cheryl Burke
Dance: Waltz

• 2005 was the year Drew became a father. His son Connor was born. At the time Drew was diabetic, had a heart attack and was overweight. Drew’s father had died when he was young and he didn’t want his son to go through that. His son was the reason he lost the weight. What I loved about this was we saw a different side to Drew then we do with most comedians. Was the routine perfect?  No, but it was charming and sweet. And Connor is a chip off the old block. Totally flirting with Cheryl on national television!

Score: 7-Carrie Ann, 7- Len, 8-Robin, 8-Bruno; Total: 30

Voting number: 800-868-3409

Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Dance: Foxtrot

• Instead of one year Meryl picked the last 17 years working with Charlie to get to the gold medal. She was a shy little girl and now she’s performing live. And, boy, you would never know after this performance that she was shy! As my friend, Bob said, “She can’t be that good of an actress!” The dance was beautiful and hot! They have to be together or getting together! The choreography and execution was probably Maks’ best dance ever. It was truly a great performance. The first 10s of Season 18!!

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

Voting number: 800-868-3406

Amy Purdy and Derek Hough
Dance: Contemporary

• 1999 was the year Amy contracted Bacterial Meningitis and lost both legs. She also lost her kidney function and had to have a transplant. Her father gave her his kidney and also helped her dance one day when she was getting frustrated and was able to help her heal. The dance was dedicated to him and there was not a dry eye in the house. Not only was it beautiful, it was powerful.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 9- Len, 9-Robin, 9-Bruno; Total: 36

Voting number: 800-868-3410

Charlie White and Sharna Burgess
Dance: Jive

• Charlie, like his ice dancing partner Meryl, couldn’t pick one year. Instead he picked 2010 when they got the silver medal at the Olympics to 2014 when they won the gold. It was dedicated to his family and girlfriend. There is no doubt that this guy can dance but I have to say it wasn’t my favorite.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 9- Len, 9-Robin, 9-Bruno; Total: 36

Voting number: 800-868-3412

Candace Cameron Bure and Mark Ballas
Dance: Jive

• 1995 was the year Full House ended and two months later Candace got engaged to her husband.  Lori Loughlin (Aunt Becky) and Andrea Barber (Kimmy Gibbler) stopped by rehearsals. Ah, it was a mini-reunion! They are still Candace’s close friends and supporters. She danced to an Elvis song — “Have Mercy!”  Where was Uncle Jesse? I mean Elvis was kind of his thing (and he may have uttered “Have Mercy” once or twice on the show). Well, maybe he was busy, but Kimmy Gibbler and Steve (DJ’s boyfriend on the show and the voice of Aladdin. How’s that for some trivia?) were in the audience cheering her on. The only critique I can give is that Mark has got to take it down a notch and let his celebrity shine more. (Talk to your friend Derek if you need a refresher on that)

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

Voting number: 800-868-3407

Favorite Quotes

Len: “Was that an earthquake or did you rock this place?”  (Talking to James and Peta after they danced.)

Tom: “It’s bring your kids to work day.” (After Danica and then Drew brought up their kids when they were talking to the judges.)

Len: “Be kind to senior citizens!” (When the audience booed him because of the criticism he was giving Drew.)

Drew’s son Connor: “I need her to teach me some of those moves.” (Flirting with Cheryl after Tom asked how his Dad did.)

Tom: “Mixology airs Wednesday on this network because why would I mention it!” (Introducing the stars of the show sitting in the audience.)

Amy: “My Dad gave me life twice.” (Referring to the fact that her Dad gave her a kidney when she lost her legs and kidney function.)

Erin: “The hairography, fantastic!” Talking to Candace about how she worked her hair in her Jive.

I thought Robin Roberts actually had insightful comments and really showed how much of a fan she was.  Next week Julianne Hough is back as a guest judge! Also next week is the “Switch-Up!”  It will be awesome!

Dancing with the Stars airs on Mondays at 8pm on ABC.