'Hollywood Night' plagued with injury, but stars still shine on 'DWTS'

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

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Jennifer Matarese, Eyewitness News

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The stars took on "Hollywood Night" on "Dancing with the Stars" for week three of the competition. This week, they will perform a dance style they have not yet performed which could include Quickstep, Foxtrot, Charleston, Cha Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, or the Jive.

Leah and Tony were up first with their Rumba for "Hollywood Week". She and Tony were very sensual and had a lot of flow in their movements. I liked that she was quick right at the perfect spots in the dance. I do see improvement with her week to week. Len said that he loved the chemistry and passion, although he would like a tad more fluidity in her arms. Bruno had to fan himself due to the sexiness of the dance but agreed with Len on the arms. Carrie Ann said that she disagrees with them on the arms and thought that they extended, and said that she turned up the notch to full steam ahead.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 8, for a total score of 24 out of 30.

Before the next dance, Brant revealed that he had a foot injury, but took the boot off and would be ok, but Bill Nye was receiving medical treatment backstage for a torn ligament in his knee and was advised not to dance. However, I'm going to guess that he's going to dance anyway.

Corbin and Karina danced the Quick Step. Of course they were amazing right out of the gate. They had so much energy! It was really fun to watch! He had a lot of height in all of his kicks and knee lifts. That was a 10 in my book! Bruno said it was one for the record books and he's never seen anything like it and keeping the synchronicity at that speed is almost impossible and they did it. Carrie Ann said it was really impressive and it was sharp and bright and they nailed the footwork. She did notice that his hip hop background slipped in there a bit. Len said that for him it was a bit hectic at times but that it needed a little more balance.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 8, and Bruno 9, for a total of 26 out of 30. What?! I cannot believe Len gave them an 8, that's way too low!

Elizabeth and Val were up next with their Fox Trot. They danced as a pilot and flight attendant to "Come Fly with Me" and they did fly across the dance floor! They were very graceful, and the dance was very fitting for "Hollywood Night". It was like watching an old Hollywood movie. They had great personality and it was delightful to watch! Carrie Ann said that it was a thrill to watch them and it was very elegant. Although she noticed that she got ahead of herself for just a second in the middle. Len said it was "Chicken Soup for the Eyes" and said it was delicious and satisfying. Bruno said that she was "flying first class all the way". Even though there was an air pocket or turbulence it was still great.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 9, and Bruno 8, for a total of 25 out of 30.

Brant and Peta struggled a bit in rehearsal but hoped to pull off a good Quick Step. I loved the flapper theme of the dance. They had very crisp movements which was nice although I could totally see him counting at one point! Their performance was great and I think it was amazing considering he had that earlier injury. You would never know! His timing also might have been a tad off at times, but overall, I think it was a great job! Len said that he was the "no stress express" and said he had great control. Bruno said that he played the part really well but he dropped his shoulder just a little sometimes. Carrie Ann said that he is not who she thought he was and that he's a fantastic dancer!

Their Scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 9, and Bruno 9, for a total of 27 out of 30.

America's sweetheart Valerie Harper did the Cha Cha with Tristan. Valerie seemed a little more unsure of this dance than in past weeks. She was just as light on her feet as ever though and in the middle seemed to be having some fun. She also looked pretty in her blonde wig! Who knew she could pull off blonde?! Bruno said that she got the look absolutely right, but she went wrong so many times. Carrie Ann said that she lost her way throughout the whole dance but that when she shines, she shows real confidence. Len complimented Tristan and the way he takes care of Valerie out there on the dance floor but compared it to a flight in coach.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann 6, Len 5, and Bruno 5, for a total of 16 out of 30.

Bill and Emma danced the Paso Doble danced the Paso Doble. They brought the fire and the passion to it, but there was some silliness due to their Wild Wild West costumes. I thought they were crisp and fast! I was really impressed and so was he! Bill ripped off his mask and hat at the end and picked up Emma and twirled her around. It was very sweet though he made sure to run over and kiss his wife. Carrie Ann said that he nailed the Paso! Len said that he came out guns blazing and he loved it. Bruno said that it had so much attack and he loved it.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 8, for a total of 24 out of 30.

Amber and Derek danced the Charleston. They pumped up the dance right away and had so much fun! They were right in synch! They are always so much fun to watch! They mixed the dance up with some modern movements which let's hope the judges enjoyed and won't criticize (Ahem, Len). The crowd gave them a standing ovation at the end. Len said that he would have liked a little more swivel in their feet but it was full of razzle dazzle and he said it was well done. Bruno said that she needed to be a little sharper but that it was really fun. Carrie Ann said it was another great performance, but Bruno is right. She said she needs to focus on her lower half. I just have to say, I loved this dance!

Their Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 8, for a total of 24 out of 30. I was thinking 9's but I guess her foot issues were a little more obvious to them than they were to me.

Jack and Cheryl decided to go 70's style Hollywood with their Cha Cha. Jack slid down a ramp on the stairs and then started dancing! He was very smooth! He really does a good job leading Cheryl. My one criticism is that he needs to move his hips just a little bit more. Bruno said that he loved the opening and said that it was a very ambitious routine. He did note that there needed to be more hip action though. Carrie Ann said it was good but not his best. She thinks he's taking steps that are too big and restricting his hip movement. She also wanted him to watch his arms when they are not in hold. Len said that he loved his commitment, but he also thought the hip action was lacking.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann 7, Len 7, and Bruno 8, for a total of 22 out of 30.

Christina and Mark were up next with their Charleston. I feel like she could have had a little more pop in her movements and tried to get a little more height. Mark kind of outshone her on this. It was a really cute dance though, but I think that Amber and Derek had more "classic" Charleston dancing in their performance. Carrie Ann said that it was incredible and wonderful range of motion and emotion. Len said that he would have liked a little more swivel action but as a dance it was top notch. Bruno loved the details and called it utterly brilliant.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 8, and Bruno 9, for a total of 26 out of 30.

Snooki and Sasha danced the Quick Step this week. She came out full on and moved her little legs really fast! She looked great! Her footwork looked like it had improved a lot from last week. She could use a little bit more extension through her movements to really finish them. They even pulled off a side by side cartwheel holding hands! It was AMAZING! Len said that she came out and really surprised him. Bruno said that she is on fire and that the difference in a week is amazing. Carrie Ann called her a superstar and said that she deserves a star on the Walk of Fame for that performance.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 8, and Bruno 8, for a total of 25 out of 30. She did a great job!

Lastly, it was time for the highly anticipated dance of Bill Nye "The Science Guy". Everyone wanted to see how he would do because of his knee injury. He did indeed dance as I thought he would. He and Tyne danced Jazz style to "Get Lucky" and his robotic dance clearly was mostly because of his injury, he stayed pretty much in one place and waved his arms around. Any resemblance to a Jazz dance was clearly accidental. He's super fun to watch though. Bruno said that there was very little jazz but it was very entertaining. Carrie Ann said that he had just one leg to dance on and didn't give up and she said she would like to see more content when he is feeling better. Len said that Tyne did a great job choreographing that routine, and he thought that Bill had guts and bravery to perform with that severe of an injury.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann 6, Len 5, and Bruno 5, for a total of 16. I think that was a pretty generous score.

Then it was time for the big elimination. It was down to Bill, Brant, and Christina right away. After Brant learned that he was safe, it ended up being Bill and Tyne. They were definitely in trouble with those low judges' scores, but I thought the fans may be able to pull them through again. At least now he can get some rest and treatment for his injury. Next week, Julianne Hough (Derek's sister) will be on as a guest judge!