Season 23 - Week 8

Here is ABC's Press Release for week 8:


Seven Remaining Celebrities Compete on a Special Halloween-Themed Night, on ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ Monday, October 31

THE SEVEN REMAINING CELEBRITIES COMPETE ON A SPECIAL HALLOWEEN-THEMED NIGHT THAT INCLUDES A COMPETITIVE DANCE OFF, ON ‘DANCING WITH THE STARS,’ MONDAY, OCTOBER 31


“Episode 2308” – “Dancing with the Stars” treats viewers to a frightfully delightful night filled with chilling performances on MONDAY, OCTOBER 31 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT). For the first round of the competition, each of the seven remaining couples will perform an individual Halloween-themed routine in a dance style not yet danced. The highest-scoring couple from the first round will receive immunity, cannot be eliminated and does not have to compete in the Dance Off, and will also receive an additional five points added to their judges scores. The remaining six couples will dance off against each other, either dancing a cha cha, salsa or jive. The winner of each dance off will receive an additional three points added to their judges scores. At the end of the night, one couple will be eliminated.

The couples will dance to the following songs (in alphabetical order):


Marilu Henner & Derek Hough – Argentine Tango – “Sweet Dreams” by Emily Browning

Laurie Hernandez & Valentin Chmerkovskiy – Viennese Waltz – “Pure Imagination” by Jane Monheit

James Hinchcliffe & Sharna Burgess – Viennese Waltz – “You Don’t Own Me” by Grace ft. G-Easy from Suicide Squad

Calvin Johnson Jr. & Lindsay Arnold – Quickstep – “Dr. Bones” by Cherry Poppin’ Daddies

Terra Jolé & Sasha Farber – Cha Cha – “Day – O” by Harry Belafonte

Jana Kramer & Gleb Savchenko – Jazz – “Little Shop of Horrors” by Alan Menken

Ryan Lochte & Cheryl Burke – Tango – “Howlin’ For You” by The Black Keys

Hosted by two-time Emmy-winning host Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews (sports host and ”Dancing with the Stars” season 10 finalist), “Dancing with the Stars” is the hit series in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts, including dancers/choreographers Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Julianne Hough.

For week eight, viewers may cast their votes for their favorite couples via phone on Monday night during and up to 60 minutes after the end of the “Dancing with the Stars” broadcast in each time zone. Online voting at [url=http://www.abc.com/ /t _blank][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] on Facebook at [url=https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ /t _blank][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] open for 24 hours, beginning from the start of each episode on the East Coast at 8:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. PDT and closing at 8:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. PDT on Tuesday evenings.

“Dancing with the Stars” is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Rob Wade, Ashley Edens-Shaffer and Joe Sungkur are executive producers. Phil Heyes directs. “Dancing with the Stars” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG, L parental guideline.

About BBC Worldwide Productions

BBC Worldwide Productions is a key business under BBC Worldwide North America, the U.S. division of the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), BBC Worldwide.  Based in Los Angeles, BBC Worldwide Productions develops and produces scripted and unscripted projects based on BBC formats/brands for cable and broadcast networks, as well as digital platforms. Key titles include “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC), “Getting On” (HBO), “Top Gear” (History), the limited series “The Night Of” (HBO) and the upcoming game show, “Hypnotize Me” (FOX).

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Interesting that they are putting Laurie and James head-to-head by having them both do Viennese Waltzes while everyone else is doing something different.

Halloween Week is usually one of my favorites because the costuming and music choices get so creative.  Looking forward to tonight!

First off, where is Len?   I had thought he was back for several more weeks.

Terra did a nice job.  Didn’t totally wow me, but it was nice.

Laurie’s VW was so gorgeous!!  Absolutely loved that.  The 30 was so deserved.  Loved it!!

I like Marilu, but I did not like that dance.  Once again she seemed just “off.”  There was a stumble at the beginning, and then the arm thing went wrong.  It also didn’t seem really crisp or as intense as you expect an AT to be.  She’s got gorgeous legs, and I’d kill to have that body, but the dance just wasn’t that good.

I thoroughly enjoyed Calvin’s quickstep, but you’re not supposed to break hold in the middle of it.  I wish Lindsey hadn’t done that, but it was just so much fun.  I don’t think I would have given it a perfect score, but I don’t mind it, either.  I’m really enjoying Calvin.  J

I thought Ryan was really improved this week.  He’s been getting better little by little, but Cheryl really did a great job with him this week.  That was really nice.  But Cheryl looked awful!  Whoever did her hair and make-up managed to take a gorgeous woman and make her look awful.

Jana’s jazz routine was okay.  I know she’s a good dancer, but that routine didn’t really grab me, even though it was fun. 

James was great as usual, but I actually liked Laurie’s VW better.  But cynic that I can be, as soon as I heard that Sharna was injured and wouldn’t be able to dance, I knew James would get a 30 to give him immunity, so he wouldn’t have to try to learn 4 dances in a week with a new partner. 

That was a great dance-off between Calvin and Laurie.  I gave the edge to Laurie because she was crisper and sharper, but what fun!!

I didn’t actually like either of the salsas of Jana and Terra, but I decided to vote for Terra when Gleb took off his shirt.  Yuck.

I thought Ryan and Marilu did good jobs with their cha chas.  I gave the edge to Ryan because I thought Marilu was a bit careful while Ryan was having a good time and really trying.  I think Derek went safe – Marilu could have done more, I think. 

I’m actually kind of sorry to see Ryan go.  He was really trying hard and had such a good attitude.  I was hoping it might be Jana or Marilu.  Oh well.  I’m glad Ryan had a great experience on the show.  Hopefully he’s grown up a bit.  Best of luck, Ryan!

mustang, I pretty much agree with all you've said.

After Val became tearful in rehearsal, he already had me in a mood.  I had a tight throat and goosebumps watching Laurie's waltz.  Beautiful!

I must have missed something on Calvin & Lindsay's bone dance.  It just felt like I couldn't follow them well enough.  Not 10's for me.  BUT, it might have been more impressive in person.

I felt the same as you about Marilu and Ryan.  Wow, her legs are fabulous!  But as you said, Ryan has been really trying ,while she fell for the second time last night.  She may just be as worn out as her feet are. 

I was terrified to see James having to dance with "flash" Jenna because of the way I see her work the camera.  She always reminds me of a brothel advertisement.  *Sorry*  But the dance was great.  I'm glad she came through for him.  Sad for Sharna.

Sasha has been so great with Terra, but now that the field has thinned, she's not standing out as she previously did.

And what's up with Jana?  She's a pretty girl, dances well - but I just don't connect with her.  I can't even say she doesn't have a spark because it seems to be there.  Is it Gleb's choreo?  When he tore off his shirt, I thought You shouldn't have done that!  lol.  Sasha's body looked better.

Once again, the entire night went to Laurie and James for me.  I'm glad Val got back on the ball with choreo for Laurie.  That tour has had her slipping performance-wise.  I hope he stays with it, because a finale with her and James should be mind-blowing.  I'm supposing Calvin will be the third.  Do they have a final three or four now?

Beats me, Singly.  Tom said they were at Week 8, and we've got 6 couples left.  So we'll have at least a double elimination next week to get down to a final 4.  They've never done a triple elimination, which is what they'd need to get down to 3.  Unless the season is longer than 10 weeks this year?  Maybe it's 11 weeks, since I think they usually end right before Thanksgiving, which would have 3 more weeks left.  I don't think I've heard anything, and given the way it goes sometimes, they may not even know!  < lol >  I swear sometimes they just seem to pull stuff out of their butts. 

It sounds like Sharna is out for the rest of the season, which is a shame.  That's tough for James to have to end with a different partner.  I'm guessing either Calvin or Jana will be the third (and fourth) people standing?  Dance-wise, they should be.  But Derek's fans could keep Marilu in to the final four.

SLA - I don't worry about James with Jenna.  Sharna will still be doing the choreography, which I think is Jenna's weak point right now.  I know a lot of people don't like her playing to the camera all the time, and I hope she grows out of it a bit.  Others have, and there's no reason to think she can't.  Witney was terrible about it, and she learned to tone it down.  Alan is another one who's gotten a bit better.  Anyway, camera issues aside, Jenna is a fabulous dancer, and with Sharna doing the choreography, I think James will do just fine. 

I agree that Marilu should go next, but not just because she's probably the weakest dance left.  Derek is coming unglued with her.  He's been real passive-aggressive in his attitude and remarks towards her the past couple of weeks at least, and it's unpleasant and uncomfortable to watch.  Marilu doesn't deserve that.  She's trying, but it seems like she has some kind of performance anxiety that is getting in the way now.  Derek's toxic attitude isn't helping.

It's kind of hard for me to be really objective about Jenna.  I saw her first on So You Think You Can Dance, and she was fantastic.  She did a jazz-type routine with one of the All Stars that was absolutely amazing and that I don't think any other dancer on that season could have touched.  So I have a soft spot for her. 

After reading the piece Derek wrote about Marilu's feet, it's no wonder she's been falling and cautious.  She's 65(?) and in excruciating pain.  I hope she goes out on a high note next week.

As for Jenna, she was my absolute fav on SYTYCD.  If I'm not mistaken, it was during the auditions, when she was advised to drop the "sex kitten" look.  It bothers me that it's back.  The girl can dance, but I detest seeing her bat her eyes and licking her lips.  She's better than that.  Otherwise, she's a solid replacement for Sharna.

Wow.  I had not heard anything about Marilu's feet, but I don't read any of the dancer's blogs (mostly because I never know where to find them).  But that makes me even more annoyed with Derek then.  If she's in that much pain and is still trying that hard, he needs to STFU with his passive-aggressive remarks and be fully supportive of her.

I think you're right about Jenna and the auditions.  She still vamped too much for the camera for some people, which is why she didn't make it to the final 4.  But from everything I've read about that season, the choreographers loved her.  They said she was easy to teach and very hard working.  I think James will do just fine with her dance-wise. 

Yes to your last line.

If you want to see Derek's explanation about the foot, there's a follow-up on the Team Hennergy Thread.  Psyche posted it.

Thanks, singly.