Recap: Dancing With The Stars “Era Night” Season 20, Episode 7

Tonight on Dancing With the Stars: “Era Night”, it’s double trouble for two of our couples as two teams face elimination. At least that what Tom announced last week, even though the official release from ABC says only one couple will be eliminated. We’ll just have to see what Tommy B says. And at the top of the show, Tom announces that the double elimination has been moved to next week, so phew! Regardless, each team has been assigned an iconic dance style from a specific period, so let’s see who masters their history.

Dancing With The Stars, "Era Night"
Derek’s foot-selfie. (image courtesy, Derek Hough’s Instagram)

Plus, will Derek’s “Freak Accident” take him out of some competition?

Riker Lynch & Allison Holker
1-855-234-5608
Dancing a ’20’s quickstep to “Wiggle” by Jason DeRulo
Last week, Riker and Allison topped the leaderboard with a samba that was steamy but stayed loyal to Riker’s nice-guy image. This week, Riker is going back to the 1920’s as a baseball star. Riker is feeling the pressure; Len hasn’t given any 10s this season, and he wants to get a 10 from Len. I almost laughed out loud when I heard a 1920’s version of “Wiggle” — it’s so crazy!! So many coronet notes! But it makes the song pretty funny and makes the dance lighthearted. And at the end, Riker tap danced!!! Holy Moly, what a fun dance!
Len: Riker, a long ball into the outfield and off you went!
Julianne: You two together are so innovative. Home run for me!
Bruno: Riker, you’re twinkly toes on the Field of Dreams. The tap section was brilliant.
Carrie Ann: It was fantastic but it wasn’t as great as last week.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Len: 10, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 9, total 37 out of 40.

Dancing With The Stars, "Era Night"
Can we no longer consider Chris a “terrible dancer?”

Chris Soules & Witney Carson 1-855-234-5602
Dancing a ’40’s foxtrot to “5 Minutes More” by Frank Sinatra
Last week, Chris wasn’t terrible! (Pictured ->) Baby steps. And this week..who is this new dancer? Chris is doing so much better! I think when he buys into the story of his dance, he’s a much better dancer. He feels the story of him being a WWII soldier off to war in his soul and it shows.
Julianne: That was awesome!
Bruno: Hello sailor! You do take up on a smooth cruise. You’re turning into a dancer.
Carrie Ann: I think you’re the underdog and you’ve had to work very hard. You’re the most exciting one to watch.
Len: I do see improvement coming along. You were right on time. Well done.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 8, Len: 7, Julianne: 8, Bruno: 8, total 31 out of 40.

Rumer Willis & Valentin Chmerkovskiy 1-855-234-5610
Dancing a ’60’s Jive to “Dear Future Husband” by Heghan Trainor
Last week, Rumer’s raunchy dance to “Booytlicious” made Len cry, “This is a ballroom, not a bedroom.” Rumer has already evoked a roller disco this season, can she impress when she gets Jive in the 1960’s? This week, Rumer and Val were in NYC and her dad, Bruce Willis stopped by with his wife, Emma. Last night in a late-night rehearsal, Val accidentally gave his partner whiplash by giving her an overly-enthusiastic dip. This dance is so different from the sexy Rumer that we’ve gotten to know in previous weeks.
Bruno: You need to bring your arms back in, it’s a minor thing.
Carrie Ann: I thought it was pristine and light-hearted, but we lost something.
Len: It’s better to be safe than sorry. I like the toe heels, I like the whip you got in the under-arm turns. You’re a great pair.
Julianne: I get the frustration, but don’t forget who you are.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 8, Len: 9, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 9, total 35 out of 40.

Noah Galloway & Sharna Burgess 1-855-234-5605
Dancing ’70’s Jazz “Super Bad” by James Brown
Last week, Noah didn’t like his rehearsal package (but wowza, do I love his beard!) This week, America’s toughest man is playing a pimp. He’s bringing a little sexy swagger to his dance and I buy him as a tough gang leader. And even Ray Chu Live can’t kill the funk of James Brown. And no matter what Sharna wears (Whit week it’s an afro wig) she looks smokin’ hot! There was a moment where the group moves really slow, and Noah looked so unbelievably cool.
Carrie Ann: What? What?!? What!!! That was insane!
Len: Strong and it was clean. You may half the limbs, but you’re twice the man.
Julianne: I’m pretty much obsessed with you both.
Bruno: You two are bad-ass and so hot, yet so cool it gives me chills.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 10, Len: 8, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 9, total 36 out of 40.

Robert Herjavec & Kym Johnson 1-855-234-5609
Dancing an ’80’s Argentine Tango “Word Up” by Cameo
Last week, Robert’s jive earned him the praise, “You were bouncing around with kicks and flicks like a frisky pony!” by Bruno, but only earned him a 28 out of forty. This week, Robert has an ’80’s Argentine Tango, and if anyone can carry off a Miami Vice outfit, it’s Robert. Sadly, he’s not channeling Crockett and Tubbs, but he is sanding to a slow seductive version of “Word Up”
Len: You are like Chutes and Ladders, one week you’re down, and this week, you were up!
Julianne: This was a completely different character. The timing was great.
Bruno: Rrroberto, the wolf of Buenos Aires is taking over!
Carrie Ann: The chemistry you guys have is incredible!
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 7, Len: 8, Julianne: 8, Bruno: 8, total 31 out of 40

Dancing With The Stars, "Era Night"
Last week, Nastia and Derek failed to connect in their tango. This week, how will Nastia fare with a new partner?

Nastia Liukin & Derek Hough 1-855-234-5604
Dancing a Modern Charleston to “Honey I’m Good” by Andy Gramer
Last week, the perpetual leaders had an uncharacteristic mis-step when Nastia and Derek failed to connect during their tango and earned a 34 out of a possible 40. Also, Derek suffered a painful double injury (Broken toe and torn ankle ligament) while rehearsing for tomorrow’s 10th Anniversary show, so Nastia has danced all week with Sasha and will perform tonight with Sasha. The premise of their dance is the most entertaining subway ride anyone can hope to get. And even Derek got to semi-dance in the performance. And who didn’t love Andy Gramer’s song, so toe-tapping!!!
Julianne: Nastia, you’ve had quite a season. You guys killed that dance!!
Bruno: That was the best subway ride I’ve ever taken!
Carrie Ann: Nastia- come here (hugs her) I’m so proud of you. You were just dancing!
Len: Thumbs up!
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 10, Len: 9, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 10, total 38 out of 40.

Willow Shields & Mark Ballas 1-855-234-5612
Dancing Futuristic Jazz to “Electric Feel” by MGMT
The two geeks are doing a ninja show, (“Nin-Jazz” according to Mark and true to form, their rehearsal package was very production heavy and included a lot of wire work. They must feel pretty confident about their dance to be able to spend that much time goofing off. Mark is so creative that they seem to learn their routines pretty quickly. And it’s not like Jazz has a proper hold, or real technique, so the dance can be pretty relaxed.
Bruno: My little Crouching Tiger is a master of the martial arts!
Carrie Ann: Carrie Ann spoke Japanese to them, and I have no clue what she said.
Len: You have a very fertile and creative mind.
Julianne: It was so intricate. I think it was fantastic.
Judges Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Len: 9, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 10, total 37 out of 40.

Nastia and Sasha earned the highest scores so win immunity. I don’t think they were ever in jeopardy, but they do get to sit out of the dance-off rounds. The remaining six teams are competing for 2 bonus points and they’re either dancing a Cha-cha, fox trot or salsa.

Face off #1
Riker an Allison scored the second-highest in the first round (Behind Nastia and Sasha) and they choose to dance against Willow and Mark. Willow chooses to dance a salsa.
Riker and Allison are up first and Allison is so perfect to watch, especially when her outfit is microscopic and you can see her toned body. What an athlete! And Riker is a joy to watch.
Willow and Mark are up next dancing to the same song. Willow’s hair is a cascade and it was much more technical, but not as exciting as Riker.
Judges Choice: Carrie Ann: Willow, Len: Willow, Julianne: Willow, Bruno: Willow. Willow wins. Was I watching the same dance? Riker and Allison were waaay better.

Faceoff #2
Noah and Sharna get to choose their competitors and select Robert and Kym as their competitors. Robert wants to dance the cha-cha.
Noah and Sharna are up first. It looks like a typical Noah/ Sharna dance, but without the lifts that make his dances so fun.
Robert and Kym look a little more playful in their dance. And it’s not technically perfect, but I liked watching it.
Judges Choice: Carrie Ann: Robert, Len: Noah, Julianne: Noah, Bruno: Robert. Since it was a tie, Len’s vote counts since he’s the head judge and Noah wins. Again, I don’t agree.

Faceoff #3
Rumer and Val are up first dancing their foxtrot. They had great rise and fall, and accentuated their moves to go along with the music.
Then Chris and Witney danced, and Chris actually looked a little less wooden than usual, but he’s at a completely lower level than Rumer and Val.
Judges Choice: Carrie Ann: Rumer, Len: Rumer, Julianne: Rumer, Bruno: Rumer. Obviously, Rumer wins.

The six teams in jeopardy wait nervously on stage and Niah and Sharna are the first team announced safe. Next, Robert and Kym are safe and I can’t believe it. Chris and Witney are safe. Say wha?!? Who is voting for Chris? Are you insane!?! Next, Riker and Allison are safe and Riker look ready to faint. Willow and Mark are named as the team going home and I am shocked. Mark is shocked. The judges are shocked. Willow is crushed and breaks into tears.

Dancing With The Stars, "Era Night"
A sneak peak at Tuesday’s 10th Anniversary Special. Season 1 winner Kelly Monaco wants you to know — she’s still got it.

Don’t forget that tomorrow, April 28, ABC will air Dancing with the Stars: 10th Anniversary Special, from 8-9pm ET/ PT. The special will be filled with show-stopping performances featuring past and present Dancing with the Stars cast members and pro dancers, plus a look back at fan-favorite moments from the past 20 seasons.