Conrad Green, it’s so good to have you back as executive producer on Dancing with the Stars! First we get Derek Hough running around like a spy and rappelling down to the ballroom before Peta Murgatroyd helped to kick off a fiery opening number to “Live and Let Die.” Just like old times when DWTS was in its glory years on ABC.
Let’s get on with Bond night, James Bond night on Disney+.
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Cheryl Ladd and Louis Van Amstel. The veteran actress thought she was a goner last week, but Goodman — bless his heart — saved her for another day. So she dug up an old photo of her and Sean Connery for inspiration so she can be “the Bond girl I never got to be” while performing a rumba. Elegant! “That was your best dance,” said judge Hough, who was particularly impressed with the graceful way she held her arms. “That couldn’t have gone better. You look absolutely beautiful, by the way. Let’s go, Cheryl!” Score: 24 out of 40
Jessie James Decker and Alan Bersten. The country star went the extra mile by dipping herself in gold for her rumba to “Goldfinger.” But some of the judges didn’t take a shine to what was otherwise a solid performance. Were they hoping she would sink to the bottom two or what? “You’ve got to work on your feet,” said judge Len Goodman. “Your footwork wasn’t great.” Score: 26 out of 40
Joseph Baena and Alexis Warr. Bummer, man: his partner Daniella Karagach was still out after testing positive for Covid before last week’s show. So Warr got another chance to dance with the bodybuilder, who showed off his strength by hoisting her over his head during their Argentine tango. “It lacked a bit of fluidity. I didn’t really like that lift, it was out of character,” said Goodman. “But the bottom line, I think it was your best dance to date.” Score: 29 out of 40
Sam Champion and Cheryl Burke. The former weatherman remembered how he and his dad didn’t talk for years after he came out of the closet. But dear ol’ dad eventually expressed pride in his son, which gave Champion the confidence he needed — like, say, for whenever he has to perform a samba in front of a studio audience (which included GMA‘s Robin Roberts). “You have this natural joy I think might have worked a little against you in this dance,” said judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “Let your body go a little more.” Score: 25 out of 40
Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki. The Jersey party boy was sent into mini-etiquette class so he’d know how to play a sophisticate during his “Thunderbolt” rumba. Honestly, the best part of his otherwise forgettable performance was when the cameraman cut to two unrecognizable women in the audience, who were simply referred to as “Vinny’s friends.” “You do have to start getting the details,” said Inaba. “Watch the nuance of your hands, which means maybe training a few more hours. No diss, that’s totally full of respect.” Score: 23 out of 40
Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater. The 90210 actor is getting the hang of this whole sexy dancing thing in the ballroom: he began his tango with an upstage somersault before bolting down to Slater and grabbing her neck. And did he hold up her leg later and pretend that it was a gun? By God, I think he did. “You attempted a very difficult routine,” said judge Bruno Tonioli. Score: 27 out of 40
Selma Blair and Sasha Farber. The actress admitted that her “MS leg” froze up last week during their jive. So why not make it harder and put her in a blindfold this week? Farber’s strange choice in props, aside, the actress got her sexy on by keeping those hips busy and performing the splits again. “So inspired as always. intensely romantic,” said Tonioli. “It was a bit risqué darling. I got a Nicole Kidman vibe.” Score: 28 out of 40
Jordan Sparks and Brandon Armstrong. The singer’s rumba was a little underwhelming, and her sleepy music, “Licence to Kill,” didn’t…
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