'Dancing With The Stars' week 4: Dance-by-dance recap, elimination
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The celebrities on "Dancing With The Stars" have been making plenty of new memories during the first four weeks of Season 19. But for this round, they were asked to turn back the clock and focus on the most memorable year of their lives. Some years reflect joy; some success; some heartbreak and loss. But no matter the "memory," they were all emotional. Bring on the Kleenex!
One aside: No Len Goodman again, so instead of a guest judge sitting in on the panel, viewers were able to "raise their paddles" (thank you Tom Bergeron) and be the fourth judge for the night. EXCEPT ON THE WEST COAST. We lived through this on "Rising Star" this summer. Once again, Pacific Time zone gets left out of the fun.
PHOTOS: "Dancing With The Stars" week 4 highlights
Here's a recap of the week 4 performances, from highest to lowest score:
ALFONSO RIBEIRO - 40 out of 40
Alfonso Ribeiro finally brought out the signature move fans have been waiting for: "The Carlton"! It was 1990 when the actor begin his six-year journey on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" as the character that would follow him throughout his career. He admitted there had been both good and bad things about it. He said he was pigeon holed for many years by casting directors. But in the end, he has been able to reflect on the fun of Carlton (and his dance) and loves that it brings on such a feeling of nostalgia for so many fans. The best part of this jazz routine is seeing Witney Carson (who for the record was born in 1993) do it with him; and when they pulled out the move the ballroom exploded! Julianne Hough told Alfonso she was glad he waited to bring the dance to "Dancing With The Stars." Bruno Tonioli called the whole dance flirtatiously delicious, and Carrie Ann Inaba simply said "finally!"
VIDEO: Alfonso Ribeiro, Witney Carson talk "Dancing With The Stars" week 4
LEA THOMPSON - 39 out of 40
If Lea Thompson had been wearing sleeves, we would have seen her heart on it. She was honoring her father, and the year 2003 when he had a very short but ultimately fatal battle with cancer. Lea called him the coolest guy ever, and she spent her last week with him celebrating a different holiday every day (what a cool idea by the way). She chose Luther Vandross' "Dance with my Father" and it looked like everyone was in tears from the start. The dance style was contemporary so it worked perfectly with the song and the mood, which was not maudlin but a celebration of life. Lea nails the dance, and completely breaks down at the end. There could not have been a dry eye in the house! Carrie Ann told Lea and Artem Chigvintsev that she'd remember the dance forever. Julianne called the dance flawless, and Bruno's word: exquisite.
VIDEO: Lea Thompson, Artem Chigvintsev talk "Dancing With The Stars" week 4
SADIE ROBERTSON - 37 out of 40
Sadie Robertson's memorable year was 2012; naturally, the year "Duck Dynasty" burst onto the reality TV scene. She was 14 at the time and said the show flipped her life upside down. The teen quickly had to learn that both good and bad came with being in the public eye. But the entire family also realized that if they stuck together, and stuck to their faith, nothing could come between them. Mark Ballas takes the stage in full camouflage and an homage to the "D.D." long beard; Sadie's dressed in a costume that's part Brazilian Samba and part duck. (It works!) At the end of the dance, all of the Robertson family blows into duck calls. What a hoot. Carrie Ann called it "ducks gone wild," but also the best Samba of the night. Julianne told Mark he found the perfect combination of content and concept.
VIDEO: Sadie Robertson, Mark Ballas talk "Dancing With The Stars" week 4
JANEL PARRISH - 36 out of 40
Janel Parrish's memorable year was 2002, the year she felt brave enough to leave her home in Hawaii, jump on an airplane and chase her Hollywood dream. She dedicated the performance to her first vocal coach and mentor, a lady named BJ, who Janel called her second grandma. She died of cancer the same year Janel left to pursue her career, and Janel mourned the fact that she didn't get to say goodbye to her teacher. Val Chmerkovskiy told her to channel all the confidence BJ instilled in her, and perform from the heart. Their Rumba flowed, not just with dance moves but also emotion. Bruno called her an exotic angel, and Carrie Ann reminded Janel that the best way to pay tribute to someone is to live a full and complete life, and she's done that.
VIDEO: Janel Parrish, Val Chmerkovskiy talk "Dancing With The Stars" week 4
BETHANY MOTA - 33 out of 40
We learn just why Bethany Mota turned to YouTube back in 2009 to start making her short videos: She was bullied. And bullied by supposed friends. Bethany said for a while it felt as though she had lost her "voice." YouTube friends (the millions and millions of them!) gave it back. She also said something that seemed to resonate with everyone in the ballroom, and probably at home: She wished she could go back in time and tell her younger self that it would all be OK. Derek Hough comes up with a very inspirational routine, and they dance to Colbie Caillat performing live, which is not easy! Little sister Julianne told Derek the concept of the dance was gorgeous, but there wasn't enough Rumba in it. But all three judges praised Bethany for putting herself out there with a message that needs to be heard.
VIDEO: Bethany Mota, Derek Hough talk "Dancing With The Stars" week 4
ANTONIO SABATO JR. - 29 out of 40
Antonio came to America from Italy with the plan to be a star. He struggled at first, but then came that magic, iconic music video from Janet Jackson ("Love Will Never Do (Without You") and Antonio was launched into fame. His mom comes to rehearsal, and he says this week's Samba is dedicated to her for her support of his pie in the sky dreams. Of course he danced to the Janet song, and Cheryl Burke had him shirtless, so that got the crowd going! Carrie Ann loved the "amazingly hot" beginning of the dance, but advised him to keep working. Julianne told him to fill up more of the space around him, and Bruno thought he might have been watching the preview of the next "Magic Mike" movie.
VIDEO: Antonio Sabato Jr., Cheryl Burke talk "Dancing With The Stars" week 4
BETSEY JOHNSON - 29 out of 40
Betsey Johnson embraced this week's theme and did not hesitate with her choice for the most memorable year: 1975, when her daughter Lulu was born. Betsey was a single mom almost from the get-go, but rather than seeing it as a burden, she chose to let Lulu inspire her. That inspiration continues today, and Betsey does not do a runway show without Lulu being there too! Her song: "Love Will Keep Us Together." Awwww!! Yes, Lulu walks her mom out at the beginning of the routine. It's a Jive, which might seem a bit scary for some 72-year-olds, but not Ms. Johnson! High knees and kicks, plus a handstand in the middle of the dance! Sure, she got lost a little bit, but she's Betsey! The dance made Carrie Ann giggle with delight, and Julianne said America celebrates Betsey the same way she celebrates her daughter.
VIDEO: Betsey Johnson, Tony Dovolani talk "Dancing With The Stars" week 4
TOMMY CHONG - 28 out of 40
The crowd can't wait to see what Tommy Chong will do each week. He's not just amazing for a 76-year-old, he's pretty much just amazing. His memorable year is 2003, the year he went to prison on drug charges. Literally losing all of his freedom chilled him to the bone, and forced him to overcome a lot of fears. (Makes you realize dancing on live TV isn't really all that scary compared to jail time, right?) The biggest lesson Tommy learned: live each moment to its fullest. He certainly did that on the dance floor with his Jive. Peta Murgatroyd played sexy warden to his prisoner. It's fun for us as an audience to see him having fun with his own story. Bruno praised his spirit, but warned him about missing steps. Carrie Ann said his "naturalness" saves him when he does make those mistakes, and Julianne told Tommy she's obsessed with him!
VIDEO: Tommy Chong, Peta Murgatroyd talk "Dancing With The Stars" week 4
MICHAEL WALTRIP - 25 out of 40
Back in 2001, Michael Waltrip had the best and worst of times, all in the time span of a few minutes. He won NASCAR's Daytona 500, and while he was celebrating the victory, he learned his very good friend and mentor Dale Earnhardt had been killed when his car crashed during his last lap. Michael said part of him is still not over the emotions of that day. But he also thinks Dale is proud of him, and smiling, or maybe laughing, at his dancing. Emma Slater does her best to choreograph a Quickstep that Michael can get his head, and his feet, around, but it doesn't quite work out. All three judges talked about the fact that Michael has some moments of glory, followed by moments that were a bit cringe-worthy.
VIDEO: Michael Waltrip, Emma Slater talk "Dancing With The Stars" week 4
JONATHAN BENNETT - 24 out of 40
The year was 2004 and the movie that let Jonathan Bennett know he'd "made it" as an actor was released. He danced not only in tribute to "Mean Girls," but also to his parents, who supported his decision to head to New York City as an 18-year-old wannabe actor. Sadly, both of his parents have died, but they did get to see their son enjoy success. Jonathan said his folks would not have wanted this to be a sad, sappy story; they'd want him to celebrate life. Allison Holker understood, and choreographed a fast and fun Samba to Kelis' "Milkshake" (from "Mean Girls" of course). Jonathan wasn't quite on the beat, and the judges called him to task about needing more technique. But all three also praised his "attack" and his spirit.
VIDEO: Jonathan Bennett, Allison Holker talk "Dancing With The Stars" week 4
The three couples who landed "in jeopardy" for week 4 were Betsey Johnson and Tony Dolovani, Michael Waltrip and Emma Slater, and Tommy Chong and Peta Murgatroyd. Tommy was saved first, and in the end, it was designer Betsey Johnson who had to cartwheel off the dance floor.
The 72-year-old fashion icon leaves with a happy heart.
"It was... the best experience in my life for a long, long time," said Betsey.
"I think I was able to take control and really transform her and give her the true gift of 'Dancing With The Stars,'" said partner Tony.
"And tony really tried to and did make me feel like a different woman and prettier and, you know, all that stuff," Betsey added
Next week, the stars will switch it up by dancing with a different pro. And while many of them aren't happy with the switch from their partners they're so comfortable with, they are looking forward to no elimination in week 5!
