Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Dancing With the Stars S28E09: Boy Band & Girl Group Night


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DWTS preps for Semi-Finals with Boy Band & Girl Group Night
By Kim Krober

Dancing with the Stars dusted off some familiar favorites for the star-studded opening of Boy Band and Girl Group Night, but the best thing was seeing guest judge Joey Fatone dancing and lip syncing to an *NSYNC song (right before he split his pants in an ambitious jump). Scheduling conflicts prevented Baby Spice from appearing. The Semi-Finals are next week, and everyone found themselves scrambling to learn two routines this week. Let's see how your favorites did during this ninth week of competition:

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James Van Der Beek & Emma Slater, Jive
James set an enthusiastic pace for the evening with his opening Jive to "I'm So Excited" by The Pointer Sisters. Len thought the kicks were sharp and aggressive, while Joey admired how easy he makes it look week after week. Bruno loved the frenzied excitement, but he did note it could have had more pumping in the legs. Carrie Ann said he once again achieved a smooth excellence, but she thought he was a hair ahead of the music.
Score: 36

Sean Spicer & Lindsay Arnold, Argentine Tango
Jenna (filling in for Lindsay) was back with Sean to dance an Argentine Tango to Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills". I think he looked better this week, striking a serious facial expression for a serious dance made him look less goofy. Joey said his frame was good from the waist up, but his feet could use work. Bruno said it was more of an Argentine straggle than an Argentine Tango. Carrie Ann appreciates his hard work, but she said the artistry and storytelling through the nuances of the dance are missing. Len said the best thing about it was that it wasn't very long.
Score: 26

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Hannah Brown & Alan Bersten, Salsa
Hannah's Salsa to TLC's "No Scrubs" looked difficult to me, but she seemed to be enjoying herself. Bruno said it was good to see her confidence continuing to grow, but her timing was off. Carrie Ann called it fierce, but noted the lifts were out of sorts. Len liked the lifts, but he could tell she was ahead of the beat. Joey could tell the tricks were a bit sloppy, but felt she did a great job overall.
Score: 32

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Ally Brooke & Sasha Farber, Samba
Ally channeled her inner Spice Girl for a Samba set to "Wannabe". I really hope she isn't in the bottom two again! Carrie Ann said being in a girl group paid off, although she called Ally and Sasha "The Wonder Twins" for dancing perfectly in sync. Len said there was plenty of recognizable Samba and fantastic technique. Joey told her she did an amazing job, while Bruno said he wanted more of that - a proper, technically right Samba. It was another perfect score from the judges!
Score: 40

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Lauren Alaina & Gleb Savchenko, Quickstep
Lauren and Gleb got to do an adorable Quickstep to The Supremes' "Can't Hurry Love" and Mary Wilson was back to show support. Len loved the spin turn and some other special steps though the dance wasn't perfect, while Joey thought the energy was good but the frame wasn't quite right. Bruno said she captured the joy of a timeless classic perfectly, but the precision of the Quickstep just wasn't there. Carrie Ann called it fantastic, saying she loved it. It was enough to garner two 8's and two 9's from the judges.
Score: 34

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Kel Mitchell & Witney Carson, Paso Doble
Kel's Paso Doble to "Free Your Mind" by En Vogue was full of attack. Is there anything Kel can't do? I wasn't aware that he was also a youth pastor. Joey thought it was an awesome job. Bruno said he set off the seismographs in California with the power of the performance. Carrie Ann told him he needed to free his arms and dance bigger, while Len told him it had too many gimmicks and not even Paso Doble content for his world.
Score: 34

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James Van Der Beek & Emma Slater, Jazz
James used to hang out with *NSYNC when they were underage? I loved his Jazz routine to "Bye Bye Bye". Len said it was too much of a Boy Band routine with too much aggression and too much solo dancing. Joey said if he could give it a 100, he would. Bruno loved it and the body language, though he did admit he could've paid a little more attention to Emma. Carrie Ann admired his perseverance, although his elbows didn't quite match everyone else's. It was a mixed reaction from the judges. Thankfully, Joey was there to give him a 10.
Score: 36

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Hannah Brown & Alan Bersten, Tango
I've never heard of the current Boy Band that Hannah's Tango was set to, but I thought her dance turned out well. Joey thought it was the best dance of the night. Bruno was purring like a kitten afterwards, calling it pure, undiluted pleasure with elegance and passion and old school glamour. Carrie Ann could feel the pressure of the competition, thanking her for bringing back her "A" game, while Len said it had great frame.
Score: 39

Sean Spicer & Lindsay Arnold, Foxtrot
Sean and Jenna attempted a Foxtrot to One Direction's "Story of My Life". I loved their costumes. Bruno said his dancing always goes in one direction, but it was a bit clumpy instead of fluid. Carrie Ann could tell he lost his step, but she knows he's doing the best he can. Len said it flowed, and then splattered with a few drips, before flowing again and then ultimately stopping. Joey admires his ability to keep going and that he's been on a journey.
Score: 24

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Lauren Alaina & Gleb Savchenko, Rumba
Lauren and Gleb did the Rumba to Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way". Carrie Ann was blown away by how much she's grown during the competition, admiring her vulnerability and artistic explosion. Len liked the surefooted movement. Joey said he would give it a 0 based on the song choice, but all joking aside, told her she did a great job. Bruno called it smoldering, saying if you were ordering a hot Rumba, call Lauren because she delivers.
Score: 36

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Kel Mitchell & Witney Carson, Viennese Waltz
Kel looked debonair for his Viennese Waltz to Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You". Len thought it was terrific, calling it a polished performance. Joey said it was amazing, while Bruno told him he danced like a perfect gentleman with a soft touch and musical phrasing. Carrie Ann agreed, admiring how he incorporated her comment about his arms from the first dance into this dance.
Score: 40

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Ally Brooke & Sasha Farber, Jazz
A Jazz routine to New Kids on the Block's "Step by Step"!? Yes! Joey said their energy was amazing and he loved the fun storytelling. Bruno called it "pure pop delight" and praised Ally for channeling his friend Paula Abdul. Carrie Ann felt it was flawless, while Len could tell her bubbly personality was reflected in the fun routine.
Score: 40

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Lauren and Sean were in the bottom two. To the surprise of no one, the judges saved Lauren and Gleb, although they admired Sean for being a good sport. Finally, Sean went home! How is it time for the Semi-Finals already? How did your favorites fare this week?

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