Dancing with the Stars: An Injury Makes for an Interesting Elimination Round

Welcome to week three of Dancing With the Stars! It’s movie night in the ballroom, so we’ve hit peak cheese levels, and I LOVE IT! But before we get to the latest elimination, let’s dive into this DWTS Films production (rated G for Glitter).

Lauren Alaina and Gleb Savchenko
Pretty Woman, “Oh, Pretty Woman”
Tango
There’s nothing quite like opening movie night with a tribute to your favorite film prostitute! (Just kidding! Let’s all pause the dancing to rewatch the 1990 classic immediately.) Len was super impressed with Lauren’s “attack” and “purpose.” But Bruno called out her transitions and Carrie Ann wants her to work on her musicality. It was a solid performance, but I wonder if it will be memorable enough for voters.
20/30

Hannah Brown and Alan Bersten
Bridesmaids, “Hold On”
Rumba
How kismet! Bachelorette Hannah is planning a bachelorette party for her BFF, so it only makes sense she’d pay tribute to Bridesmaids. And yes, the “party” featured Alan as a “stripper.” What a weird world. Hannah’s dance was really beautiful, but she lacked the hip action the rumba requires. But if she continues this trajectory, Hannah will become a real contender for the Mirrorball Trophy.
21/30

Alan Bersten and Hannah Brown, Dancing with the StarsPhoto: Eric McCandless, ABC

Karamo Brown and Jenna Johnson
Rocketman, “I’m Still Standing”
Jive
Taron Egerton, who played Elton John in the recent biopic, sent a video message of support to Karamo and Jenna. Unfortunately, it didn’t help the pair. Karamo isn’t the best dancer, and it’s a little painful to watch. But the energy he brings to his routines is contagious. Honestly, that’s half the battle on DWTS. And at any rate, they deserve a 10 for the piano-themed costumes, complete with him playing Jenna’s sleeve.
16/30

Ally Brooke and Sasha Farber
Selena, “Dreaming of You”
Rumba

Selena is Ally’s favorite artist of all time, so this dance was a match made in heaven. And it translated. This is one of the better rumbas I’ve seen this early in the competition. Sasha packed a tone of technique into this routine, and Ally really impressed the judges too. They tied for the highest score of the night!
24/30

Ray Lewis and Cheryl Burke
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, “Twist and Shout”
Cha Cha
Ray escaped elimination last week only to be sidelined by a tendon injury. Heeding his doctor’s orders, the NFL superstar had to withdraw from the competition. But lest we be deprived of a Ferris Bueller tribute, former Mirrorball champion Rashad Jennings returned to the ballroom to perform in Ray’s place with Cheryl. Considering the judges saved him over Mary last week, it’s a real disappointment to see Ray exit the competition so early.
No Score

James Van Der Beek and Emma Slater
A Star Is Born, “Shallow”
Rumba
James dedicated this dance to his wife, so cue those DWTS-induced tears. James seems like a genuinely good person, so it’s almost annoying how good he is! Is there anything he can’t do? It wasn’t as smooth as Ally’s rumba, but it was a very solid week-three routine. Watch out, fellow dancers!
23/30

Kate Flannery and Pasha Pashkov
9 to 5, “9 to 5”
Quickstep
What a way to make a livin’ and high dance scores! The quickstep is usually the kiss of death, but Kate is killing this competition so far. And this routine was no different. Shoutout to Kate’s partner, Pasha, who’s a first-time pro this season. I know this was James’ movie, but A Star Is Born, indeed.
24/30

Lamar Odom and Peta Murgatroyd, Dancing with the StarsPhoto: Eric McCandless, ABC

Lamar Odom and Peta Murgatroyd
Risky Business, “Old Time Rock & Roll”
Cha Cha
Lamar called Peta the Kobe Bryant of ballroom dancing, and that is a big compliment. Unfortunately, Lamar Odom is the Lamar Odom of ballroom dancing. He hasn’t improved much from week one. But I can’t help but root for this pair. What Lamar lacks in dancing skills, he makes up for with entertainment value. His fans have kept him in the competition up to this point, and they’ll have to stick with him if he expects to win a Mirrorball Trophy.
12/30

Sailor Brinkley-Cookand Val Chmerkovskiy
Mamma Mia!, “Mamma Mia”
Tango
Here we go again! Sailor took the constructive criticism from the first two weeks to show off her best dance yet. Len called it a “fantastic routine” which is incredibly high praise for week three. And, of course, mom Christie was super proud. (And so is Meryl Streep out there somewhere, probably.)
23/30

Kel Mitchell and Witney Carson
Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On”
Rumba
Celine Dion is always a win in my book. And unlike the character he was emulating for this routine, Kel did not sink. (There was definitely room on that door for Jack.) The judges’ critiques seemed a little harsh for the mostly-solid performance, but I think it’s because they’ve already set such high expectations for him.
20/30

Sean Spicer and Lindsay Arnold
Saturday Night Fever, “Night Fever”
Cha Cha
It’s 2019 and Sean Spicer is John Travolta. File that under sentences I never thought I’d say. Unfortunately for Sean, the comparisons to John stop with the above sentence. He more closely channeled the non-real person Adele Dazeem. Len called it “Monday Night Lukewarm,” and he’s not wrong.
15/30

Ray Lewis and Cheryl Burke, Dancing with the StarsPhoto: Eric McCandless, ABC

Elimination:
In no particular order, these couples were deemed safe: Ally and Sasha, Sean and Lindsay, Hannah and Alan, Lauren and Gleb, Kate and Pasha, James and Emma, Sailor and Val, and Karamo and Jenna. Kel and Witney and Lamar and Peta found themselves in the bottom two, but (and raise your hand if you saw this coming) both Kel and Lamar were saved because Ray had to withdraw from the competition! Oh, tricky producers. See everyone next week!

Other Notable Moments:

• Tom suggesting viewers play a confetti cannon drinking game. Your liver does not support this, as the final count was six.
• Demi Lovato and Not Demi Lovato (aka Demi Burnett) side-by-side in the ballroom to support Hannah Brown.
• Couple alert! Property Brother Jonathan Scott was in the audience with Zooey Deschanel. So I guess that relationship is officially official.
• Len saying “don’t touch me again” after Ally ran over to give him a high five. Way harsh, Len.

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