Dancing with the Stars “Season 23 Week 4” 

This week was a first: Cirque du Soleil week! Thinking of how the performers were going to pull this off was really exciting and scary. On the downer side, no Len Goodman around as judge. But, no worries, he’ll be back.

Good news: Carrie Ann gave a pass on lifts since this was Cirque week. Better news: there was a marriage proposal! Not so great news: the dreaded double elimination. Everyone seemed to experience a difficult week in rehearsals, but I feel like every couple ultimately stepped up their game. Who went home? Let’s break it all down:

Calvin Johnson Jr. and Lindsay Arnold
Dance: Charleston
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3403

Calvin gave his best performance so far. His footwork was incredible. His energy was incredible. His lifts were incredible. Everything was incredible. Wow. This guy is really improving every week. He is what this show is all about.

Score: Carrie Ann-8, Julianne-7, Bruno-8; Total: 23

Maureen McCormick and Artem Chigvintsev
Dance: Argentine Tango
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3409

After a difficult week in rehearsal, Maureen was focused, which means she danced beautifully. Her lines were lovely and she worked it. I think her biggest issue is that she whines a little too much but, clearly, it comes from a place of insecurity. Hopefully, after doing well, she will feel more confident in her dancing.

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

Jana Kramer and Gleb Savchenko
Dance: Foxtrot
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3406

After a busy week, Jana’s performance was simply nice. I agree with the judges. Gleb is doing great choreography. Her biggest issue is that sometimes she tends to come out of the dance, meaning she will be totally into her character and then, suddenly, we will see her break a bit. Julianne and Carrie Ann felt she needed to work on spotting during her turns. But the chemistry between Jana and Gleb is still there.

Score: Carrie Ann-8, Julianne-7, Bruno-8; Total: 23

Marilu Henner and Derek Hough
Dance: Paso Doble
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3408

Derek was worried Marilu would be stuck in her head. Marilu has this condition called Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory. She can remember any day of her life and tell you all the details. Turns out this might actually be holding her back a little bit. I thought their Paso Doble was powerful, but she needs to feel more of the dance.

Score: Carrie Ann-7, Julianne-7, Bruno-7; Total: 21

Amber Rose and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Argentine Tango
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3401

Apparently, after the last show, Amber felt Julianne had body shamed her, which wasn’t the case. Amber apologized to Julianne and all was forgiven. Her Argentine Tango with Maks was super sexy. Her energy was up. She really embraced herself.

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

Ryan Lochte and Cheryl Burke
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3411

This was definitely Ryan and Cheryl’s best dance. His posture and arms were perfect. He now has to work on his emotions and staying in character.

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

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Allison Holker
Dance: Tango
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3402

Unfortunately, he screwed up some of the steps. It wasn’t his best dance but I think the lighting worried him. It was a bit of a bummer.

Score: Carrie Ann-6, Julianne-6, Bruno-6; Total: 18

Terra Jolé and Sasha Farber
Dance: Samba
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3412

I really think that Terra is fantastic. This was the first time she really struggled during practice. But she came out and danced like a pro.

Score: Carrie Ann-9, Julianne-8, Bruno-8; Total: 25

Laurie Hernandez and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Jazz
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3407

This was the most spectacular dance of the season. Everyone thought, including myself, that the Olympic gymnast was going to do flips and she didn’t. As Carrie Ann said, Laurie killed it. And she was rewarded with perfect 10s.

Score: Carrie Ann-10, Julianne-10, Bruno-10; Total: 30

Vanilla Ice and Witney Carson
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3413

Believe it or not, Vanilla Ice’s Viennese Waltz was really great. It definitely put him out of his comfort zone. He had a crazy workweek but made sure he knew this dance. He has to work on his hands but he is improving.

Score: Carrie Ann-8, Julianne-7, Bruno-8; Total: 23

James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess
Dance: Quickstep
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3405

Racecar driver by day, Fred Astaire at night! It was a showstopper and it was magical. His holds with Sharna were perfect. Apparently, there was a little mistake that Bruno and I didn’t notice. But Carrie Ann and Julianne did.

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

On the second night there was dancing and singing, but we know what was most important. Marilu and Derek and Calvin and Lindsay were the first couples to find out they were safe.

Before the eliminations started there was a bit of a shocker. Sasha Farber proposed to Emma Slater! I didn’t know they were together.

It was a beautiful moment and the audience cried. As Tom said, “This proves what a family Dancing with the Stars is.”

Next up: three couples found out their fates: Amber and Maks, Babyface and Allison and Maureen and Artem. Safe: Amber and Maks. Then Maureen and Artem.

Sorry, Babyface. I kind of had a feeling he was on the chopping block, but he took it all in stride. The fact of the matter is he did the show for his mom who passed away last year. This was a nice way to honor her.

Following the first elimination of the evening, Derek did an amazing routine. He danced. Played the drums. And he co-wrote the music. What can’t this man do?

More announcements. Who was safe? Laurie and Val (of course). It wasn’t a surprise to find out Terra and Sasha were safe, too. That meant James and Sharna were in jeopardy.

Now for the last three couples: Jana & Gleb, Ryan & Cheryl and Vanilla Ice & Witney. The next couple that was safe: Ryan & Cheryl. Vanilla Ice & Witney were in jeopardy. Same with Jana and Gleb.

So it came down James & Sharna, Jana & Gleb and Vanilla Ice & Witney. The next safe couple: James and Sharna.

Vanilla Ice and Witney were eliminated while Jana and Gleb were safe.

Favorite Quotes

Erin: “We always have to have a party pooper and that name is Tom.”
Tom: “I’ve been trying to make a latte with this thing all day and it doesn’t seem to work.”
Tom: “It’s my opinion but I don’t have a paddle.”
Tom: “Like outside of a car dealership.”
Tom: “I bet a lot of people have table envy.”
James: “I sit for a living.”
Tom: “To recap, we have a double elimination and one consummation.”

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 airs at 8/7c central on ABC on Monday nights.