'Dancing with the Stars' Season 17 Recap: Week Ten Performances (Plugged/Unplugged Night)

It’s the night of the semi-finals with a pro-dance choreographed by Mandy Moore. We welcomed Maks Chmerkovskiy as another judge on the panel and explained the twist: the dancers would have to interpret the music in two different ways.

Round One - “Plugged” Dances

Leah & Tony - Paso Doble - Leah explained that the two songs were different because the second round was instrumental. Tony was actually excited to be judged by Maks. Tony tried to emphasize Leah’s emotion during practice. Leah’s skirt skills started off slow and I would have putting Leah in hold earlier so Tony could guide her. The dance had good timing, but some of the routine came off labored. Leah slipped a bit near the end, but she tried to keep calm as she got stuck in her dress. The judges appreciated the precision and drama, but were worried that the dance was too careful and the turns were wobbly. Score: 32 (8,8,8,8)

Corbin & Karina - Tango - The couple was excited to both get a perfect score and make it to the semi-finals, but they knew they could be next. Karina wanted to put an assisted jump, but Corbin feared it’d be a lift. I found the routine to be passionate though it came off a bit chaotic. I credit for Karina for having aggressive, content filled routines where the shapes were innovative. The end with the leg drag was just enough drama to end the routine. The judges appreciated the intensity, but it caused the frame to be weak and his bottom stuck out. Score: 35 (9,8,9,9)

Jack & Cheryl - Jazz - Jack started to stress out as he realized that he was that close to the finals. He wasn’t sure what was wrong with his body but Cheryl was still there supporting him whether it was just fatigue or the MS. The lift near the beginning of the routine looked labored and Cheryl clearly looked like she was doing all the work for the two of them. Cheryl placed too many lifts and spins back to back where it looked like Jack was just a springboard. His movements away from Cheryl were still awkward. Jack’s acting also wasn’t the most desirable, but he tried. The judges appreciated Cheryl’s hard work, though Jack still was better in hold. Score: (8,8,9,8)

Bill & Emma - Cha-Cha - Emma was clearly emotional as the two survived another week. Bill was worried that the speed of the dance was going to get to him. He wanted a good week instead of being carried by voters. During practice, Bill pulled a groin muscle which flared back up Sunday. I appreciate Emma’s theme of the dance which helped Bill look passable. It did look like some jazzercise routine instead of a cha-cha. Bill’s timing was still off where he walked to places and didn’t shake enough. The judges were positive about Bill’s hard work and how Emma had smart choreography, even though they knew how weak of a dancer Bill was. Score: 28 (7,7,7,7)

Amber & Derek - Jazz - Amber went to her doctor to check with her doctor about her knees and was okayed for the rest of the season. Derek wanted to up the amount of difficulty but without putting too much pressure on her knees. I liked the hand work in the beginning because of how clean the two were, but it took too long. I get that she has knee issues, but it just seemed like a gimmick because of the duration. Once they were off of the table I appreciated that Amber actually moved and was pretty close in sync. It looked like Amber was actually stomping hard and giving it her all this week. The judges appreciated how synchronized the routine was and how she looked effortless. Score: 39 (10,10,9,10)

Round Two - “Unplugged” Dances

Leah & Tony - Argentine Tango - We learned that Leah moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles and became an actress in hopes of helping her mother. She realized that she had to fight for what she believed in. I liked the fact that Tony tried a storyline where he was “playing” Leah like an instrument. Leah’s legs were strong as she put in a few kicks and flicks though I wished that she was faster. She still walked from place to place when a song that was still moderately fast could have given Tony an opportunity to be faster or sharper. Len didn’t think that she got into character enough, but Bruno appreciated the intimacy. Carrie Ann and Maks wanted more confidence. Score: 33 (8,8,8,9)

Corbin & Karina - Rumba - Corbin, like Leah, was originally from Brooklyn and people proclaimed that he was a star from the start. I liked the intimacy of the staging as the two danced only half of the floor. I thought each movement was beautiful and while some movements were a bit too jazz, they didn’t last that long. It was one of those dances where I just wanted to watch over again. The judges loved the light and shade of the movements and appreciated Karina’s hard work with Corbin. Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)

Jack & Cheryl - Argentine Tango - Jack moved to LA from London at the age of 12 and was on The Osbournes at the age of 15. Jack was insecure about his life and turned to drinking and drugs. He went to rehab and worked hard to appreciate his life. I loved the slide right off the beginning of the routine. I thought that Cheryl was doing most of the work and was insanely passionate throughout the routine. Jacks’ legs were sharp when the needed to be, but I felt like he could have done it in more places. The judges appreciated the hard work and the dancing in the routine was much better than his first routine. Score: 38 (10,9,9,10)

Bill & Emma - Argentine Tango - Bill started stand up at a young age and it caused him to turn to drinking, but obviously hard work and a loving wife has helped him grow. Emma was really smart with the choreography by putting Bill on a chair for a bit, the less we had to show Bill not moving, the better. Emma did a lot of the work, but Bill was was a trooper as he lifted Emma around the dance floor. Emma had really creative lifts and I really hope she’s back another season with a dancer with better potential. The judges appreciated Emma’s choreography and Bill’s heart and hard work. Score: 32 (8,8,8,8)

Amber & Derek - Viennese Waltz - Amber had to choose between being a dancer or a singer because of the cost. She was critiqued for her weight issues and skin color so until glee, no one could see her strong entertainment factor. The opening was a bit silly, but once the couple got into hold, I thought that the dance was proper and correctly in hold. I thought that Amber extended her arms and finished lines much better than she ever has. The judges loved the holds and turns and how she glided through the routine. Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)

After the judges and fan scores were totaled Corbin & Karina, Amber & Derek, and Jack & Cheryl were all safe. The bottom two contestants were Leah & Tony and Bill & Emma and though they may not have been the bottom two Leah & Tony were eliminated.

Week 10 Scores

Amber & Derek 79 (39+40)
Corbin & Karina - 75 (35+40)
Jack & Cheryl - 71 (33+38)
Leah & Tony - 65 (32+33) - Eliminated
Bill & Emma - 60 (28+32)

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