Disney/Christopher Willard
Well, here’s a treat: guest host Billy Porter got to open Week 8 with a performance of “How Will I Know” to kick off the Whitney Houston evening. A much better start than some of those silly skits from weeks and years past! Porter even had a chance to explain his role the night before the competition began: “I’m going to be looking for storytelling. I’m going to look for connection and I’m going to look for purpose.”
Not stated, but certainly implied: Be kind to the memory of Mrs. Houston!
Reality TV star Harry Jowsey (Too Hot to Handle) with partner Rylee Arnold. Arnold’s bandaged shoulders (for unknown reasons) were a bit distracting during the rehearsal package as Jowsey talked about him being an average Joe who couldn’t dance a plum lick. Then Arnold took him to a ballet class, which was absolutely no different from their Viennese Waltz (performed to “I Have Nothing” by Houston). However, Jowsey looked handsome in his crumpled blue velvet suit. “They’ve grown exponentially,” Porter said. “It’s about storytelling. The seduction was about a 5. I need to see it at a 10.” Score: 28 out of 40
Actor Barry Williams (The Brady Bunch) with partner Peta Murgatroyd. Peta makes this partnership look great, but Williams can only hide behind her talent and beauty for so long. He must know he’s living on borrowed time, so just raising your arms and swaying your hips to “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” isn’t enough to do a rumba, man. However, the judges were friendly. “You have captured the heart of America,” said Judge Derek Hough. “The way you used your arms. There were a few things here and there, but great rumba, Barry.” score: 32 out of 40
Actress Alyson Hannigan (American Pie) with partner Sasha Farber. Hannigan broke down while talking about how the Houston song “Greatest Love of All” taught her to love herself as a child. “This song has meant so much to me,” she said. Wow. Talk about putting a lot of pressure on your contemporary dance! But something happens to celebrities when they are allowed to go barefoot in the ballroom. Hannigan had her most confident performance yet. “Simple, effective, heartfelt and true,” said judge Bruno Tonioli. “I definitely saw a different side of you and I liked it.” She deserved at least another 9, but only got one from Porter. score: 33 out of 40
Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz with partner Daniella Karagach. The duo were tasked with dancing to “Higher Love” – a song that Mraz said was similar to his song “I’m Yours.” The pop singer acted like he had two left feet during rehearsal, but brought so much confidence to his samba despite a botched rally that he couldn’t endure. He was clearly having the time of his life, but Porter hated the way he said the lyrics throughout the performance. Seriously, so what? But whatever. Porter: “It’s distracting. Save that for when you’re on Broadway because you’re singing at the same time.” Score: 33 out of 40
Charity Lawson (The Bachelorette) with partner Artem Chigvintsev. The reality star beamed a big smile as the music reached its climax; She was clearly swept up in the moment as she danced the Viennese Waltz to “I Will Always Love You” in her gorgeous crystal-encrusted dress. Just breathtaking. Wait, Porter said that! “My courage, so refined, so noble,” said Tonioli. “That a cappella section, you were totally into it. Everything followed the lyrics beautifully.” Score: 36 out of 40
Ariana Madix (Vanderpump Rules) with partner Pasha Pashkov. Madix matched the paso doble and the song “Queen of the Night” perfectly. The woman shares a moment between her newfound fame on Vanderpump Rules and her new business ventures with sandwiches and cocktails. I’m sure she would like a mirror ball trophy to top it all off. She’s definitely heading to the final three. “You don’t miss a moment,” said Judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “You attack with everything you have.” Score: 39 out of 40
Actress Xochitl Gomez (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) with partner Val Chmerkovskiy. We got a little more information about the ankle injury that Gomez tried to dismiss during last week’s show; She suffered a severe sprain while practicing the team dance and was still sore this week as they practiced their tango to “I Want To Dance With Somebody.” But if it still felt rough in the ballroom on Tuesday, you definitely didn’t notice it. Gomez remains the leading candidate to beat. “That was flawless. So absolutely flawless,” Tonioli said. “Girl, you’re a black panther out there,” Inaba said. Score: A perfect 40
BARRY WILLIAMS, PETA MURGATROYD (Disney/Christopher Willard)
The Dance Off.
Madix and Pashkov had to sit out this game because they were at the top of the leaderboard last week.
Hannigan vs. Jowsey. The two had to compete against each other with the rumba. Jowsey and Arnold were much louder and sexier with their moves, but as Hough said, Hannigan “had a leg up.” Oh, and Porter called Jowsey a log for Arnold to dance around. Nice. I guess he didn’t get Porter’s vote! “You’ve both grown so much and it’s really been a joy to see. “Harry, you told the story,” Inaba said. “Allison, you were dancing little circles around Harry.” winner: Hannigan
Mraz against Williams. The two were tasked with making the salsa. It was difficult to focus on as both men made HUGE moves to get the jury’s attention. It was so close until Greg Brady opened his shirt to reveal his freshly shaved chest. The audience chanted his name after it was over! Mraz knew he had been drinking afterwards. “Barry, when I grow up I want to be like you,” Hough said. “I mean, the rotation. The movement and you are such a competitor! This was amazing to see and I loved it!” winner: Williams
Gomez vs. Lawson. I love a good fringe, so I wanted to give Lawson the advantage here with her cha-cha, but Gomez is just too sophisticated, so crisp, so perfect in her dancing. As host Alfonso Ribeiro said, it was “a clash of titans.” “That was really good and exciting to see,” Inaba said. “You were both competitive, but one of you was just a little bit more competitive. I really enjoyed watching this. It was like the eye of the tiger. Both of you, fantastic.” Winner: Lawson.
The final three were Williams, Mraz and Lawson. But it was time for Williams to go. He stopped talking to Ribeiro and Julianne Hough.
Next week is Taylor Swift night.