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After a brief hiatus for the US presidential election, “Dancing with the Stars” made its grand return on November 12, marking a significant milestone with its “500th Episode.” This special presentation showcased fresh competitive performances alongside tributes to memorable routines and past contestants. For live commentary and updates, spectators were invited to follow along through a dedicated live blog.
The competition intensified after the elimination of “Bachelorette” star Jenn Tran and her partner Sasha Farber in the previous episode. This week, six couples aimed for the coveted Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy: Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola and pro Witney Carson, “The Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei partnered with Jenna Johnson, NBA champion Dwight Howard and pro Daniella Karagach, TV personality Chandler Kinney with Brandon Armstrong, Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and pro Alan Bersten, along with Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and pro Rylee Arnold.
As the night commenced, the opening number was choreographed by Daniella and her husband Pasha Pashkov, accompanied by a nostalgic performance set to the music that first graced the series in 2005. The pressure heightened as contestants prepared not only for their initial routines, which drew inspiration from historic “DWTS” performances but also faced the daunting task of second-round instant dance challenges. For these, they would learn their dance style and song only five minutes before hitting the stage, significantly raising the stakes. Announcements for their routines would begin at 8:00 PM (Eastern time).
Cordell Martin, 7:57 PM — Expecting an exciting night ahead. Elimination predictions are difficult this week.
Daniel Montgomery, 7:57 PM — The instant dance challenge piques my curiosity; it could lead to unexpected outcomes.
CM, 7:57 PM — It may reveal hidden struggles among some contestants. Any predictions on who might go home this week?
Jeffrey Kare, 7:58 PM — I suspect it could be Dwight.
CM, 7:58 PM — Dwight’s fate may depend on his performance with the Argentine tango. I’m hoping Chandler remains safe; both she and Brandon have shown incredible talent.
DM, 7:58 PM — I’ve got reservations for Ilona and Stephen; Dwight certainly seems to have a fan base backing him.
CM, 7:59 PM — Dwight could potentially slip past elimination once again.
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Contemporary)
DM, 8:05 PM — Their routine pays homage to a contemporary piece that Riker Lynch and Allison Holker previously performed. Following in those footsteps won’t be easy.
CM, 8:05 PM — An interesting choice to have Joey lead-off tonight.
JUDGES — Bruno Tonioli praised the emotional depth and choreography while Carrie Ann Inaba described it as beautiful but noted a lack of rawness. Derek Hough thought Joey excelled in the lifts.
DM, 8:10 PM — The dance showcased Joey’s emotional connection but could improve on overall expression.
JK, 8:10 PM — A breathtaking performance from start to finish!
CM, 8:10 PM — A solid routine, albeit not my favorite. I expect a high score nonetheless.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (10), Bruno (9) = 28 out of 30
CM, 8:11 PM — I anticipate Carrie Ann will score Chandler a 10 while Derek may give her a 9.
DM, 8:12 PM — Agreed; that score seemed a bit generous for the routine. Let’s see how scores unfold.
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Quickstep)
DM, 8:14 PM — They’re attempting to recreate the famous quickstep originally performed by Julianne Hough and Helio Castroneves.
JUDGES — Carrie Ann found it fantastic, while Derek compared the performance to a fizzy drink, indicating it brought him joy. Bruno noted the need for improved synchronization.
DM, 8:19 PM — Danny truly shined this time, showcasing exceptional choreography. I’d rate it a 9.
JK, 8:19 PM — Elegant, energetic, and delightful!
CM, 8:19 PM — A fun routine where Danny was animated on the floor. A solid 9 from me as well.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (9), Bruno (9) = 27 out of 30
JK, 8:21 PM — The judges agree with your scores.
DM, 8:21 PM — A fair assessment all around.
Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach (Argentine Tango)
DM, 8:24 PM — After achieving the season’s first 10 last week, expectations are high. They will honor a routine by James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess.
JUDGES — Derek appreciated the couple’s height dynamics, while Bruno found the performance effective. Carrie Ann commended their innovation but desired more dancing from Dwight.
DM, 8:28 PM — Daniella’s performance was stellar, though Dwight seemed to lean more on her for support.
CM, 8:29 PM — I noticed Dwight mostly walked through the dance but still entertained the audience.
JK, 8:29 PM — It felt average overall.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (8), Derek (9), Bruno (9) = 26 out of 30
DM, 8:30 PM — Carrie Ann provided a reasonable score this round.
CM, 8:30 PM — Surprising to see her fair this time.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Viennese Waltz)
DM, 8:30 PM — Following a remarkable performance from Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas, Stephen has high stakes with this routine, but Mark is assisting him through the process.
JUDGES — Bruno praised the elegance while Carrie Ann noted there were no noticeable mistakes. Derek complimented Stephen’s emotional expression and timing.
DM, 8:35 PM — Although not quite at Charli’s level, this was a lovely, controlled performance.
JK, 8:35 PM — A definite improvement and one of his better dances recently.
CM, 8:35 PM — He needed this performance tonight.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (10), Bruno (9) = 29 out of 30
JK, 8:36 PM — Very close to a perfect score!
DM, 8:37 PM — While I lean toward the 9, I’m thrilled to see him get the 10s.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Argentine Tango)
DM, 8:39 PM — Recreating a routine by Derek Hough and Kellie Picker. I’m eager for Chandler to receive perfect 10s.
JUDGES — Derek favored this performance over his own, stating it flowed beautifully. Bruno was amazed, likening it to the grace of a panther, while Carrie Ann hailed Chandler as the most powerful female dancer on the floor.
DM, 8:42 PM — Absolutely deserving of those 10s; it was impressive.
JK, 8:44 PM — Truly MAGNIFICENT!
CM, 8:44 PM — Chandler knocked it out of the park! She deserves a 30!
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (10), Bruno (10) = 30 out of 30
DM, 8:49 PM — It’s refreshing that no two performances have received identical scores tonight. The judges are fairly assessing the routines.
CM, 8:49 PM — Fans need to ensure to vote for her!
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Quickstep)
DM, 8:49 PM — They aim to recreate a routine by Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold, which poses a daunting challenge.
JUDGES — Carrie Ann found it stunning, while Derek reported she made a commendable comeback from the previous week. Bruno commended her refined footwork.
DM, 8:52 PM — That was exhilarating, clean, and self-assured. Could have been her best routine to date.
JK, 8:53 PM — Terrific execution, highly creative.
CM, 8:53 PM — Kudos to Ilona for an outstanding effort.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Bruno (9) = 28 out of 30
INSTANT DANCE CHALLENGE
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Rumba)
DM, 8:56 PM — Joey going first again in this new challenge that requires quick thinking.
DM, 9:01 PM — They’ve had time to practice potential dance styles ahead of the performances, so it isn’t entirely unforeseen.
JUDGES — Bruno noted the heel leads but acknowledged the overall quality given the time constraints. Carrie Ann thought it was lyrical and beautiful. Derek also highlighted the musicality.
DM, 9:02 PM — Impressive polish and delivery for Joey under the circumstances.
JK, 9:03 PM — Smooth sailing overall.
CM, 9:04 PM — Quite an impressive performance.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (9), Bruno (9) = 27 out of 30
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Jive)
DM, 9:05 PM — A fast-paced round after their quickstep, which could be a double-edged sword if they are running low on energy.
JUDGES — Carrie Ann deemed it clean, albeit safe, while Derek noted the challenges of the jive in this format. Bruno pointed out inconsistencies in timing.
DM, 9:11 PM — Danny had a few struggles but rebounded, thanks to Witney.
JK, 9:12 PM — A lively routine!
CM, 9:14 PM — Agreed on the slower start, but it concluded well.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Bruno (8) = 24 out of 30
DM, 9:14 PM — These scores seem fair.
Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach (Paso Doble)
DM, 9:15 PM — It appeared that Daniella was less than thrilled about the randomly drawn style. My worries are focused on Dwight tonight.
JUDGES — Derek found it commendable, though he highlighted issues with timing and flatness. Bruno stressed the importance of precise timing, while Carrie Ann pointed out mishaps but acknowledged how well Dwight performed under pressure.
DM, 9:21 PM — This was the roughest instant performance yet, although it showed great effort.
CM, 9:22 PM — It was indeed a rocky performance; he may end up in the bottom two.
JK, 9:22 PM — He gave it his all, but execution fell short.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (8), Derek (7), Bruno (7) = 22 out of 30
DM, 9:24 PM — Ratings in the 7s this late in the competition are tough but honest.
CM, 9:24 PM — It will be interesting to see if his supporters rally for him.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Jive)
DM, 9:25 PM — This is a second attempt at a routine that showcased Stephen’s promise earlier in the season; can he maintain the rhythm without lengthy rehearsal time?
JUDGES — Bruno noted better timing overall despite a few mistakes, while Carrie Ann saw improvements but still detected tempo issues. Derek found joy in Stephen’s dance, noting he persevered through the challenges.
DM, 9:31 PM — A successful jive for Stephen; his timing has noticeably improved.
JK, 9:32 PM — He’s surely back in the game!
CM, 9:32 PM — A significant growth from his earlier performance!
SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (8), Bruno (8) = 25 out of 30
DM, 9:34 PM — Scoring reflects genuine engagement; judges are well calibrated this round.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Cha Cha)
DM, 9:35 PM — Excitement was palpable from Chandler, while Brandon appeared maybe less enthusiastic.
JUDGES — Carrie Ann asserted that she owned the dance floor; Derek acknowledged her flawless execution, while Bruno admired her exquisite hip movements.
DM, 9:41 PM — She delivered an exceptional performance. It’s impressive how she adapted so well at such short notice.
JK, 9:42 PM — Certainly impressive!
CM, 9:42 PM — Well done, Chandler! Truly her moment to shine.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (10), Bruno (10) = 30 out of 30
DM, 9:43 PM — I’m amazed they managed to improvise like that by the end. Those 10s are well earned!
CM, 9:44 PM — They better not mess this up in votes!
JK, 9:44 PM — Fingers crossed for their advancement!
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Salsa)
DM, 9:45 PM — Ilona just delivered an outstanding performance when she needed it most—now she must be equally strong to compete with Chandler’s perfect score.
CM, 9:46 PM — Not “Da Dip,” right? (laughs)
DM, 9:46 PM — I won’t deny it; I enjoy “Da Dip” quite a bit! (laughs)
JUDGES — Derek applauded her effort, indicating a reliance on shaking things off. Bruno praised the performance overall but pointed out near mishaps during lifts, while Carrie Ann appreciated how far Ilona’s skills have developed.
DM, 9:52 PM — Some of those lifts were not executed cleanly, yet Ilona’s routine was impressively strong.
JK, 9:52 PM — While not as stellar as the first performance, it was still commendable.
CM, 9:53 PM — A solid routine, but perhaps the lifts could have been avoided.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Bruno (8) = 24 out of 30
JUDGES’ LEADERBOARD
1. Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong — 30 + 30 = 60
2. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson — 28 + 27 = 55
3. Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold — 29 + 25 = 54
4. Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten — 28 + 24 = 52
5. Danny Amendola and Witney Carson — 27 + 24 = 51
6. Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach — 26 + 22 = 48
RESULTS
CM, 9:55 PM — My predictions for the bottom two are Dwight and possibly Danny or Ilona.
JK, 9:56 PM — That aligns with my thoughts.
DM, 9:58 PM — Safe contestants include Ilona Maher (great fan support out there!), Stephen Nedoroscik (great to see his progress), and Danny Amendola (concerns looming for Dwight). The contestant heading home is … Dwight Howard.
CM, 10:01 PM — The outcome isn’t surprising.
DM, 10:01 PM — I believe it was the right choice; the season is shaping up well.
CM, 10:01 PM — For sure! The coming weeks will be thrilling.
JK, 10:02 PM — I’m relieved we didn’t face another shocking exit.
CM, 10:02 PM — It’s reassuring to see Chandler still in contention.
Source
www.goldderby.com