Dancing with the Stars recap: Shirtless Week

Week six was billed as “shirtless” week and viewers weren’t disappointed as pro hunks Val Chmerkovskiy and Artem Chigvintsev went topless during their routines. Alas, Tommy Chong went shirtless too in his pre-dance video package so it just goes to show that the dance gods giveth and taketh away, but they did more giving than taking tonight with a special guest star and audience cameos in terms of past contestants. (More on that later.)

The big winner (for the most part) tonight was Leah Remini, who was filling in as regular host Erin Andrews is wearing her other hat as a sports announcer for the World Series this week.

The chemistry between host Tom and Leah got off swimmingly. Being height appropriate isn’t just good for dance pros and their celeb partners, it’s also nice to see hosts evenly matched. And Tom quoting Billy Crystal’s Fernando Lamas was pretty funny.

Less funny was guest judge Pitbull. I know the pros are great about keeping their emotions in check especially in front of the judges, but I’m sure some of them are so over a celebrity coming on and proclaiming they have no ballroom or dance experience or expertise and then giving 7’s to pro dancers, especially since those pros have trained their whole lives in the art of dance.

Jonathan Bennett and Allison Holker: 28/40 (Jazz)

After scoring poorly the past two weeks, Jonathan came out strong with a well-rehearsed jazz routine. Allison wisely used his height to their advantage in this number, and it scored well with the judges. I figured Jonathan would dance better this week because that’s what celebs usually do after having a lousy week (or two). But I was honestly more interested in how Leah was going to handle the post-dance interview. Why’s she bugging her eyes out, I wondered? Then, I quickly realized: duh, that’s what Jonathan does. He played along. Good for him. He has a sense of humor, but will that and this dance save him for next week? I’m guessing no, but it was a two hour wait for confirmation.

Janel Parrish and Valentin Chmerkvoskiy: 33/40 (Samba)

Their pre-dance video package is perfect. Val shows just enough adorable vulnerability over Janel’s sexy dance with Artem last week to make him and his rock hard abs seem slightly insecure. (Hey, look what being vulnerable did for his brother Maks last season.) Val should really get the mirror ball trophy for controlling his emotions, however. After guest judge Pitbull, who admitted he had no ballroom education or training, gave the couple a 7, it seemed as if Val had to use every ounce of self-restraint not to say anything negative. “I didn’t feel it,” Pitbull said. That’s like when Tom Hanks said to John Heard in Big about his important presentation at the toy company: “I don’t get it.” Julianne Hough defused the tension when she said she wasn’t the mean judge anymore. I wonder if Julianne and Bruno Tonioli were exercising “judge nullification” on Pitbull by giving the duo 9’s to offset his 7. (Don’t let it get you down, Val. I still think this is your year to win.)

NEXT: Special guest star: Cloris Leachman 

Tommy Chong and Peta Murgatroyd: 28/40 (Fox-trot)

Please, please, please don’t let Tommy dance shirtless, I kept praying before his routine. I should have been more specific. Although he didn’t go topless in his dance with Peta, he did take his shirt off in the pre-dance video package that had a nice surprise guest spot by Cloris Leachman, who is always great for a laugh. Tommy forgot a few steps during the fox-trot, but he’s clearly still the sentimental favorite this season. Perhaps he’ll go as far as Cloris did?

Sidebar: The audience was filled with past Dancing stars tonight, including last year’s winner Meryl Davis and Florence Henderson from season 11. Can I just say that there’s never been a more grateful celeb than Florence who’s been on this show? She wanted to be on. She got on and she did the post show press line every night even when her feet were all battered and bruised. (Plus, she gave me the best quote to lament the booting off of The Situation when he was cut from the show: “Oh, Mike!”)

Antonio Sabato Jr. and Cheryl Burke: 28/40 (Salsa)

First, wishing Cheryl’s dad a speedy recovery. Second, why the heck didn’t Antonio go fully shirtless? Since his technique hasn’t been the best, it might have behooved him to show a little more skin in order to get enough votes to continue on. Dimples, Cheryl’s teaching, and Jagger Cates fans will only take a man so far! Constructive comments followed the pair’s routine: Bruno: “Transfer the weight to get your hips moving.” Carrie Ann: “Let the music move you.” Leah: “Take it off right now!”

Sadie Robertson and Mark Ballas: 35/40 (Rumba)

Sadie came off endearing and genuine in this pre-dance video package in which she talked about not wanting to be too sexy in her routine, and kudos to Mark for devising something that was sexy, romantic and age-appropriate. The judges responded well. In the case of guest judge Pitbull, perhaps it was too well.  He gave the couple a 10. Not saying the pair didn’t deserve that because I’m not a professional judge. And neither is Pitbull. That’s my point. Sadie and Mark get a 10 and Janel and Val earn a 7? Doesn’t make sense to me. I noticed Julianne threw some love at Mark, telling him how generous he’s being to his partner this season. Looks like the remark she made about his partners needing to work hard if they want to be seen when dancing with him is forgiven and forgotten.

Lea Thompson and Artem Chigvintsev: 32/40 (Salsa)

This may be Artem’s first year as a pro, but he teaches like he’s been on the show for years. When Lea says she’ll be great, he tells her that she needs more than that. And more she gave. The couple’s aquatic salsa routine was dynamite. The other dances complemented the pair nicely and the special effects made the dance floor look like the deck of a boat. The judges’ remarks varied, but their scores were all the same. Artem delivered both as a teacher and, of course, with the pecs and arms.

Emma Slater and Michael Waltrip: 30/40 (Tango)

This was Michael’s comeback week. Emma’s a fantastic teacher. The sweet dynamic she shared with Bill Engvall a few seasons back will never be repeated, but Michael seems earnest in his fondness for his pro. The couple’s routine benefited from Michael’s height. The judges say he improved greatly; personally, all I could notice was Emma’s rockin’ legs.

NEXT: In which Derek Hough is nearly beaten to death with a microphone

Bethany Mota and Derek Hough: 36/40 (Tango)

When the show cut back rehearsal lengths a while back, Derek said it was a good thing; he’s the type of guy who can learn something quicker if he knows he has less time to do it. I’ve seen too many pre-dance video packages in the past where something happens and it’s a big “who knows if we can do it this week” ending only to have Derek knock it out of the park. This was no exception. He and Bethany nailed it. I’m still not quite sure why she’s famous. (I know—wrong demo.) But I say if Derek wins mirror ball No. 6 in November, it’ll be because of his fan base (and his teaching and dancing, too, of course).

And I have to add that the couple’s post-dance interview was surreal. I so concurred with Tom Bergeron when he said Leah was doing a great job. And, overall, she truly did. Unlike Erin Andrews, who almost feels compelled to insert herself and her experiences of dancing on the show into many of her skybox post-show interviews, Leah hardly brought up that she’d been a contestant on the show. She showed great sensitivity to her pal Cheryl over her ill father. However, her razzing (hazing?) of Derek over never having gotten a 5 or a 7, while funny at first quickly turned to overkill when she whacked him with her microphone 16 (I counted) times. Derek shouldn’t be beaten on even in jest just because he’s a great dancer and a great teacher who hasn’t gotten many low scores over the years. It was ironic that Leah was hitting him repeatedly because Derek was just honored by GLSEN, the anti-bullying organization last Friday night. Kudos to Derek for the great speech he gave. If Leah comes back to fill in for Erin, Derek should get protective padding. (For the record, Derek got six 7’s in his first season on the show with Jennie Garth.)

Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson 39/40 (Salsa)

We now know that the goal of the switch-up is to make pros whose partners do better with another pro feel like crap. Kudos to the cameraman and segment producer who followed Witney and Alfonso into the rest room to capture on tape her heartfelt reaction to both the judges scoring Witney and Michael so low and seeing Alfonso and Cheryl do so well. The couple put their angst aside (sadly, the same could not be said about Alfonso’s groin injury—OUCH!) and went out and performed an awesome Salsa. While this is still (most) anyone’s mirror ball trophy to win, I’d be shocked not to see this couple in the finals.

Surprisingly, Emma and Michael were saved yet again (don’t underestimate NASCAR fans, I guess). Not surprisingly, Janel and Val were saved and will dance again (and perhaps emerge as season 19’s first showmance?). Despite rallying tonight, after two low-scoring weeks early contender Jonathan Bennett was ousted after failing to get support from all the Mean Girls out there.