‘Dancing with the Stars’ Halloween Nightmares recap: Celebration of spooky season included fearsome dance-offs [Live Blog]
“Disney Night” on “Dancing with the Stars” was bright and cheery with its individual routines and team dances. But things are going to get dark for “Halloween Nightmares,” where the celebrities will face some of their fears. Who will scare up the best performances, and who will face their worse nightmare: elimination? Scroll down for our live blog with all the minute-by-minute developments and commentary throughout the night.
With last week’s elimination of reality TV star Phaedra Parks and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy, there are seven couples remaining in contention for the Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy: Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola and pro Witney Carson, “The Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei and pro Jenna Johnson, NBA champion Dwight Howard and pro Daniella Karagach, TV star Chandler Kinney and pro Brandon Armstrong, Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and pro Alan Bersten, Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and pro Rylee Arnold, and “The Bachelorette” star Jenn Tran and pro Sasha Farber.
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There will be two rounds of competition tonight. In the first round the celebs and their pro partners will perform routines inspired by their worst nightmares. The dance styles will include tango, Argentine tango, contemporary, and Viennese waltz. Then in round two the celebs will go head-to-head in a series of dance-offs for bonus points to add to their judges’ scores, potentially giving them the boosts they need to stay in the competition. Chandler is exempt from the dance-offs. As the high-scorer from last week’s show, she gets to sit out the second round and enjoy automatic bonus points. So the three bouts will be Ilona vs. Dwight (cha cha), Danny vs. Joey (jive), and Jenn vs. Stephen (salsa).
Who will come out on top? Follow along below starting at 8:00pm (times listed are Eastern).
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Cordell Martin, 8:03pm — Here we go. This is one of my favorite nights on ‘DWTS’
Jeffrey Kare, 8:03pm — That intro was killer!
CM, 8:03pm — Oh Stephen LOL
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Tango)
CM, 8:05pm — Thank God Chandler isn’t first
Daniel Montgomery, 8:05pm — Makes me worried for Ilona. I think she’s at risk of going home.
JK, 8:06pm — My sentiments (or in this case, fears) exactly.
DM, 8:07pm — Very solid tango. Hope it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. I’m guessing 8s?
JUDGES — Bruno Tonioli could see Bruno’s hard work, especially on her frame, but she needs to refine the footwork. Carrie Ann Inaba is seeing growth, everything is a little bit better. She lost balance a couple of times, though. Derek Hough agrees with Bruno that the footwork needs work.
JK, 8:09pm — Loved her starting with a mask, taking it off, then going into the dance. The routine itself had such really good energy.
CM, 8:09pm — I thought she did a great job. One of her more confident performances
SCORES — Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Bruno (8) = 24 out of 30
JK, 8:13pm — Let’s hope she doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.
CM, 8:13pm — Oh Dwight is coming up next!
Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach (Contemporary)
DM, 8:15pm — This had better deliver. No pressure, Daniella.
CM, 8:16pm — I know right. Interesting he’s performing earlier in the show. Calling that we’ll see the first 10s of the season tonight.
JUDGES — Carrie Ann thinks he left nothing, he went all in, and not just on the lifts. Derek gives a standing ovation, it was creepy in the best possible way. It was a moment. Bruno thought the danger and fear were tangible, he was more determined and focused than ever. Everything was designed and implemented to perfection.
DM, 8:19pm — The choreography was definitely all there. The execution wasn’t quite “Us” level, though. A little self-conscious on Dwight’s part.
JK, 8:19pm — Certainly had the feel of a horror movie. The production values were out of this world.
CM, 8:21pm — It was a memorable routine, not at the level at Iman and Daniella. I will say his best performance tho.
JK, 8:21pm — Probably the best he’s done in a while.
DM, 8:22pm — I think Daniella spoiled us, but the storytelling in that choreography was spot-on.
CM, 8:22pm — I can see all 9s.
DM, 8:22pm — Me too.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Bruno (9) = 28 out of 30
CM, 8:24pm — Well deserved scores for Dwight
JK, 8:24pm — I had a feeling Carrie Ann was going to give a 10 shortly after she said “First one of the season.”
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Argentine Tango)
DM, 8:25pm — Danny has a tough act to follow, but Argentine tangos are often showstoppers when done properly.
JUDGES — Derek thought it was fantastic, every lift feels safe and supportive, but his shoulders got a little hunched over at times. Bruno thought it was intoxicating, He was trying to do the heel leads, and missed a couple, and lost time a couple of times. Carrie Ann thought he was on point with his form.
DM, 8:31pm — Damn, those lifts were phenomenal. Not perfect in the rest of the dance but very good.
JK, 8:31pm — Remarkable!
CM, 8:31pm — Love the opening. The lifts were amazing but I felt he stomping around a bit
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Bruno (9) = 28 out of 30
DM, 8:32pm — Carrie Ann is getting carried away tonight LOL
CM, 8:32pm — Oh chile, that was a 9 dance LOL
JK, 8:33pm — Wow! Carrie Ann must be in an amazing mood tonight.
CM, 8:34pm — Carrie Ann better keep that energy for the other couples LOL
Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber (Contemporary)
DM, 8:35pm — Jenn was hoping to get a 9 for her last routine, but didn’t. Contemporary juices scores, so she just needs to put it on her feet, unless the judges are being super strict now all of a sudden for some reason.
JUDGES — Bruno thought she was on top of the dance, didn’t lose control. Carrie Ann insists that she truly earned whatever high score she’s going to get. Derek praises her character work, well done.
DM, 8:39pm — Really good contemporary, she’ll get the 9s she wanted.
JK, 8:41pm — Absolutely breathtaking from beginning to end!
CM, 8:44pm — Great job. Ilona is toast.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Bruno (9) = 28 out of 30
DM, 8:46pm — Seeing all these 10s, Ilona must be thinking, WTF?
JK, 8:47pm — She’s probably having a stroke right now.
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Argentine Tango)
DM, 8:46pm — Second Argentine tango of the night. Danny did pretty well (I don’t think it was 10 good, but it was good), I think Joey’s technique will be a little better.
JUDGES — Derek says he’s always in control. There was a lot of content, but there were one or two moments where the lifts were unstable. Bruno calls it a spine-chilling thriller of a tango with good story woven into the choreography. Carrie Ann thinks he’s been consistent, but he took it up a notch by embracing his character so fully.
DM, 8:52pm — Very strong tango. Didn’t blow me away necessarily. I’d give it a 9, Carrie Ann will give a 13
JK, 8:52pm — Perfection!
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Bruno (10) = 29 out of 30
JK, 8:53pm — About time someone other than Carrie Ann gives out a 10 tonight.
DM, 8:54pm — This is getting out of hand. Ilona definitely got screwed to not even get a 9 for her dance.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Contemporary)
DM, 8:57pm — C’mon, Steve! Stay on the damn music. It’s contemporary, and the judges are just giving away 10s today.
JUDGES — Carrie Ann calls it the best dance of the night. Derek likes to see him in darker dramatic roles. Bruno thought he found a dramatic persona, lost in the character, and he delivered something beautiful.
DM, 9:02pm — Maybe Stephen’s best dance. But everybody keeps dragging their partner away from the camera. Come up with a different closing move y’all!
JK, 9:03pm — I agree. He’s back in business!
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Bruno (9) = 28 out of 30
DM, 9:05pm — That’s the first set of scores tonight that I think were right on the money.
CM, 9:07pm — Wow Stephen is back in the competition
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Viennese Waltz)
DM, 9:09pm — If she can’t get a 10 on a night like tonight, I don’t know what to say.
JUDGES — Bruno is spellbound. It was like a classic gothic novel, with exquisite quality of movement. Carrie Ann thinks she’s still in the zone, but it wasn’t perfect because it was one of the hardest routines. Derek gives a standing ovation, and praises the choreography, calling the dance perfection.
DM, 9:15pm — That was probably the best technical dance of the night.
JK, 9:16pm — A great way to end the solo routines!
CM, 9:16pm — Let’s go Chandler. She better get a 10 or two
SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (10), Bruno (10) = 29 out of 30
CM, 9:17pm — Oh Carrie Ann bye
JK, 9:17pm — What do you know? The first performance in a while where Carrie Ann doesn’t give a 10, everyone else does.
DM, 9:18pm — I really don’t understand Carrie Ann’s criteria tonight. Feels so random
DANCE-OFF ROUND
Dwight Howard vs. Ilona Maher (Cha Cha)
DM, 9:25pm — My money’s on Ilona for this one, especially with her so low on the judges’ leaderboard. They’ll want to give her a little bump.
JUDGES — Carrie Ann thinks both celebs have come a long way. Dwight started off strong, but Ilona was more technically sound. Derek thought Dwight’s cha cha was fantastic, this is going to be a tough one. Bruno thinks Dwight went for it, while Ilona was more technically sound.
CM, 9:28pm — It was pretty even. Maybe give the edge to Dwight but I can see the judges go with Ilona.
JK, 9:29pm — Their costumes should’ve been more inspired by the “Ghostbusters” franchise. As for the actual performance, I thought both were really good, but I give the slight edge to Dwight.
DM, 9:29pm — I’d go with Ilona on that one.
JUDGES’ CHOICE: Dwight wins!
DM, 9:30pm — Damn, Ilona is toast.
CM, 9:33pm — Poor Ilona
Jenn Tran vs. Stephen Nedoroscik (Salsa)
DM, 9:35pm — I think Jenn has the edge when it comes to the basics of salsa, while Stephen can do more tricks. In the last round, the judges didn’t go with the more technically proficient dance, so I’m not sure which way they’ll go here.
JUDGES — Derek thought Jenn had a lot of content and went into it right away, while Stephen had great tricks. Bruno thinks Stephen’s performance value keeps getting better, but it’s a tough call. Carrie Ann thought their styles were very different, Jenn with smoothness, Stephen with impact.
DM, 9:39pm — Stephen got a little lost at times during his salsa. I’d give it to Jenn, though Stephen was having a ball.
JK, 9:39pm — I don’t know who to choose. They both looked pretty strong to me.
CM, 9:39pm — Jenn won this one
JK, 9:40pm — Wouldn’t surprise me if the judges pick her.
JUDGES’ CHOICE: Jenn wins!
Joey Graziadei vs. Danny Amendola (Jive)
DM, 9:45pm — I’d give Joey the edge, mostly because I feel like Danny has been over-scored for the last couple of weeks.
JUDGES — Bruno calls it a battle of the six-packs. Bruno thinks they did well, one had more attack, the other had better technique. Carrie Ann noticed their approach was different. One was more polished, and the other was more intense. Derek thinks it’s a hard decision, it was a true battle that went back and forth.
DM, 9:51pm — I’d go with Joey, I think his technique is just better.
JK, 9:51pm — Both were great, but Joey owned it.
CM, 9:51pm — They both brought it but Joey edged out Danny.
JUDGES’ CHOICE: Joey wins!
JUDGES’ LEADERBOARD
1. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Argentine Tango) — 29 + 3 = 32
1. Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Viennese Waltz) — 29 + 3 = 32
3. Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach (Contemporary) — 28 + 3 = 31
3. Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber (Contemporary) — 28 + 3 = 31
5. Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Argentine Tango) — 28
5. Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Contemporary) — 28
7. Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Tango) — 24
RESULTS
CM, 9:54pm — Bottom three predictions?
JK, 9:54pm — Stephen, Ilona, and Dwight
CM, 9:54pm — Ilona, Jenn and maybe Stephen?
DM, 9:56pm — Ilona, Dwight, Stephen, but they’ll probably put Danny in jeopardy for fear factor.
CM, 9:57pm — As long as Chandler is safe I’m good LOL
DM, 9:57pm — Safe from elimination are … Dwight (fans clearly love him), Danny (ah, I thought they’d put him in jeopardy), Joey (duh), and Ilona (whoa, fan base!). And the eliminated celeb is Jenn Tran
CM, 10:00pm — Holy smokes
JK, 10:01pm — Whoa! Shocking eliminations on reality competition shows shouldn’t be shocking at this point, but still.
DM, 10:02pm — Didn’t see that coming. Bachelor Nation clearly made their choice for the season.
JK, 10:02pm — No kidding.
CM, 10:05pm — She would’ve lasted longer if Joey wasn’t on. I guess TPTB are pushing for a Danny vs. Joey finale.
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