Dancing with the Stars “Season 23 Week 8” 

After losing Maureen McCormick and Artem Chigvintsev at the end of last week’s Dancing with the Stars, the competition moved closer to the finale. Monday night was Halloween and the cast didn’t disappoint with their costumes. Even though Len Goodman returned to the judges panel last episode, he was absent for this Immunity/America’s Choice Dance-Off week. In fact, we won’t see him again until the finale. Boo!

Time to break down the dances:

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

I really enjoy Terra. Sasha has been the perfect partner for her. She works hard and it shows. I think that the scores could have been higher, but I think the judges want her to dig deep and push even further.

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

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

This was absolutely a fantastic dance. There are no words to describe it. Actually, here are a couple: stunning and beautiful. Even Val cried! Laurie’s dancing is on par with any professional. If Len had been present, even he would have given her a 10. In the eyes of the Carrie Ann, Julianne and Bruno, Hernandez was simply perfection.

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

Marilu Henner and Derek Hough
Dance: Argentine Tango
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3408

I think Marilu is a lovely dancer but she gets in her own way. There were some small mistakes. As Julianne said, she needs to stop second-guessing herself. This is what she has to fix to get to the finals. I think she needs to trust not only herself but also Derek.

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

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

Calvin and Lindsay danced well. There was something I didn’t love about it but I’m not sure what it is. The dancing was on point so I can’t really say anything else. He is proving that with hard work, anything can happen.

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

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

Cheryl was super hard on Ryan this week in rehearsal. She basically made a dance boot camp for him. They worked on his posture, which he still struggled with. However he did dance better than last week.

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

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

It was very fun, high energy and a lot of splits. However, I didn’t feel it to be a true Jazz routine. Then again Gleb admitted that he had never choreographed Jazz. I think after the red hot sexy Argentine Tango Jana and Gleb have to figure out the best way to use their chemistry.

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

James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess (Stand In- Jenna Johnson)
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3405

Sharna got hurt very badly last week and her doctor told her that if she does any more damage she would have to get a complete knee replacement. So as sad as it is, James had to continue on with Jenna Johnson as his coach. Well, those two came out and owned that dance floor. James showed he is the real deal with or without Sharna. He received perfect 10s as a result.

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

There was a 3-way tie for 1st place. The couple that had the highest cumulative scores would get immunity. James & Jenna did it! This added five points to their scores.

The Dance-Off: Cha Cha, Jive and Salsa

The couples were chosen based on their rankings. Each team that wins the dance-off, would get three extra points.

Laurie and Val chose first and they challenged Calvin & Lindsay. Calvin and Lindsay chose to do the Jive.

Then Jana & Gleb challenged Terra & Sasha. Terra & Sasha chose the Salsa.

Finally, it came down to Marilu & Derek vs. Ryan & Cheryl. They would each have to perform the Cha Cha.

Laurie & Val vs. Calvin & Lindsay
Dance: Jive

While both pairs did great, I thought Laurie and Val were stronger. Apparently America and the judges did too, because Laurie & Val won!

Score: Carrie Ann-Laurie & Val Julianne-10, Bruno-10; Total: 30
America’s Vote: Laurie & Val

Jana & Gleb vs. Terra & Sasha
Dance: Samba

Jana and Gleb remained sexy and Terra & Sasha were fantastic.

Gleb took his shirt off so that helped. (Sasha took his shirt off after the dance, which at that point didn’t matter!) This was a close contest but Jana & Gleb were declared the winners.

Score: Carrie Ann- Terra & Sasha, Julianne-Jana & Gleb, Bruno- Jana & Gleb
America’s Vote: Jana & Gleb

Marilu & Derek vs. Ryan & Cheryl
Dance: Cha Cha

Much like in their earlier routine, Marilu & Derek made a few mistakes. Meanwhile, Ryan & Cheryl were good.

Score: Carrie Ann-Ryan & Cheryl, Julianne-Ryan & Cheryl, Bruno-Marilu & Derek
America’s Vote: Ryan & Cheryl

The Elimination
-The first couple safe: Marilu & Derek.
-The next couple safe: Laurie & Val.
-Also coming back next week: Calvin & Lindsay and Jana & Gleb.

So it came down to Ryan & Cheryl and Terra & Sasha.

The couple leaving the dance floor: Ryan & Cheryl. That means Terra & Sasha are safe. That was a close one!

Favorite Quotes

Tom: “A new dance craze that I was unaware of because of all the cat videos.”
Tom: “You’re hammered at home aren’t you?”

Julianne: “Please keep calling yourself the Prince of Darkness or whatever that was.”
Tom: “What is it about that couple in the cauldron Jacuzzi that is really creepy tonight?”
Erin: “You know it is a good night when Bruno calls you bendy.”

Erin: “I wonder what Bruno would have done if Tom had taken his shirt off.”
Tom: “I will be taking off my shirt on love handles monthly.”

Did the right couple go home on Halloween Night? I think so.

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