'Dancing With The Stars' week 8: Dance-by-dance recap, elimination
LOS ANGELES -- The seven dynamic duos who are still performing on "Dancing With The Stars" transformed themselves into famous duos for week 8. We saw Lucy and Ricky, Batman and Robin, and Romeo and Juliet, to name a few. Producers have come up with a new twist (of course) in the voting: The couple with the highest score from the first routine has immunity. The remaining six will go head-to-head in dance-offs, where they can earn extra points.
PHOTOS: "Dancing With The Stars" week 8 highlights
Here's a recap of the competition, from highest to lowest score:
Janel Parrish - 40 out of 40
If there's ever a week to pull out a perfect dance this would be it! Janel Parrish and Val Chmerkovskiy get to channel "Romeo and Juliet" with a contemporary dance. Given all the gossip that's surrounded these two, I'm sure the producers chose the (fictional) romantic couple on purpose. Janel was bummed by last week's judges' comments so she seemed to be on fire at rehearsal, even though the petite flower can only do one push-up! They dance to "Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)," a song by Zambian-born Zimbabwean singer Rozalla (thank you Google) and the ballroom is mesmerized. Head judge Len Goodman told Janel he knew she was good, but this week she showed she is great. Carrie Ann Inaba praised Val's choreography and Janel's execution of it, and Julianne Hough called it simply breathtaking. Along with the high praise, the duo gets something else: immunity!
VIDEO: Janel Parrish, Val Chmerkovskiy talk about special bond, immunity
Alfonso Ribeiro - 38 out of 40; 41 points total with dance off bonus
The caped crusader and his sidekick Cha-Cha'ed to a near perfect score, but not without a little drama. Alfonso Ribeiro entered the ballroom on a zip line; during rehearsal, Batman couldn't fly! His pulley jumped the line, and he was just plain stuck, a dozen feet above the floor! Alfonso played it cool and a ladder (eventually) rescued him. Witney Carson played an adorable Robin, and they owned their routine to Prince's "Trust." And when it really counted: zip line success! Julianne said the dance looked so fun, she wanted to get out on the floor and dance with them.
VIDEO: Alfonso Ribeiro, Witney Carson talk 'DWTS' week 8, injuries
Sadie Robertson - 38 out of 40
The youngest contestant is thrilled to be learning a contemporary routine while embodying "Adam and Eve." While she's happy it's a biblical story, she's also nervous because it's important to her. Mark Ballas had to put aside his anger after last week's judges' comments; or maybe he poured it into his choreography. No matter, it worked. Len held out an olive branch, sort of, and asked Mark if his anger meant the two would not be going clubbing together. Julianne and Bruno Tonioli both complimented Sadie Roberston on her maturity in the routine. Carrie Ann called it a poignant, powerful dance.
VIDEO: VIDEO: Sadie Robertson, Mark Ballas talk about 'DWTS' week 8
Bethany Mota - 37 out of 40; 40 total points with dance off bonus
We see the presence of TV Queen Lucille Ball, as Bethany Mota and Derek Hough bring the "I Love Lucy" characters of Lucy and Ricky to life. Bethany knows about Lucy because her mom was a big fan and watched reruns every day. She spent time in front of the rehearsal hall mirrors practicing her Lucy exaggerated faces. Derek choreographs a fast Salsa to a "Babalu" mix, and the judges smile from ear to ear. Len called it sizzling. Julianne said she's happy to see Beth coming out of her shell. Bruno and Carrie Ann told her she's exceeding their expectations with her versatility.
VIDEO: Bethany Mota, Derek Hough talk about 'DWTS' week 8
Lea Thompson - 32 out of 40
Lea Thompson and Artem Chigvintsev head back to the 1930s and channel Bonnie and Clyde. Character is very important to everyone in this round; Artem feels a little lost with the acting part of things. Lea hires a coach to come in and help them find their inner criminals. Their routine is a Jazz number to Miranda Lambert's hit "Somethin' Bad About to Happen." Carrie Ann was thrilled that Lea's confidence has returned. Len, Julianne and Bruno all enjoyed the dance but felt a bit underwhelmed, and wanted to see more risk-taking and "bad ass" attitude.
VIDEO: Lea Thompson, Artem Chigvintsev talk about 'DWTS' week 8, judges' critiques
Tommy Chong - 26 out of 40; 29 points total with dance off bonus
OK, even Tommy Chong is tired of people focusing on his age. Yes, he's 76. But he says he feels 16 in his mind. Peta Murgatroyd kicks up the rehearsal time and intensity -- no more excuses. We learn he's injured his calf, but Tommy steps into the "Ring of Fire" with his Paso Doble, imitating Johnny Cash to Peta's June Carter. The judges all felt he was off just a beat or two, but admired his tenacity and connection. Leave it to Len, who likened Tommy's dancing to a hot dog: tasty, but you're not sure about the content.
VIDEO: Tommy Chong, Peta Murgatroyd talk about 'DWTS' week 8
Michael Waltrip - 25 out of 40
Michael Waltrip certainly has won over the audience with his personality and the fact that he just won't give up. He's improved, for sure, but he's not at the level of the other six dancers. Emma Slater choreographs a lovely Foxtrot, with their assigned duo being Tarzan and Jane. Their song is from Disney's animated film "Tarzan": Phil Collins' "You'll be in my Heart." Julianne lets Michael know he's obviously doing something right since he got a standing ovation. Bruno thought it was a good try and cute... not exactly comments to pump you up! Len came in to save the day, telling Michael it was his best dance so far.
VIDEO: Michael Waltrip, Emma Slater talk about 'DWTS' week 8
We see a "dance off" with Alfonso vs. Lea in the Jive: Alfonso wins. Sadie faces off against Bethany with a Cha Cha; Bethany wins. Tommy and Michael battle with a Rhumba; Tommy wins.
So we know Janel is in next week because of immunity. They'll be joined by Alfonso, Bethany, Sadie and Lea. That leaves Tommy and Michael as the last two standing. And Michael finally gets the red flag and his part of the competition has stopped.
Six couples return next Monday for another intense round of "Dancing With The Stars."
