After reporting several Covid cases last week, Dancing with the stars returned to the Disney+ ballroom on Monday to honor Elvis Presley and show how Tyra Banks towers over her host partner Alfonso Ribeiro. These two have to stand on opposite sides of the stage! The professional training was unfortunately a bit short: Daniella Karagach tested positive for the virus overnight, so her partner Joseph Baena had to mask up and perform with replacement troupe dancer Alexis Warr.
Let’s roll the tape on week 2!
Cheryl Ladd and Louis Van Amstel. The duo took an adorable ride in a convertible before their performance, but there wasn’t much cuteness about their tango to “A Little Less Conversation.” Ladd got lost, missed a lot, many not, and was truly overwhelmed by what was expected of her. But damn it, the spinster looks great! “It would have been a great routine, but we got the wrong foot a few times,” said judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “I appreciate how many times you came back. You keep coming back. Score: 21 out of 40
Teresa Giudice and Pasha Pashkov. During a rehearsal in New Jersey, Giudice recalled how she and her father looked DWTS before he dies. Pashkov tried to get him to infuse that passion into his jive at “All Shook Up,” but the judges weren’t moved. (Pashkov also had to perform with a mask because he is married to Karagach). “It was brilliant and it was lively,” judge Len Goodman said. “The problem was that there were too many mistakes in your leg action. Not sharp enough in the kicks, one of two ongoing mistakes. Score: 23 out of 40
Joseph Baena and Alexis Warr. Blow to the bodybuilder; he misses his ideal partner and had to perform the Viennese waltz with a stranger – and with a mask that didn’t fit him well, too! But as Judge Derek Hough said, “It could have been a disaster and it wasn’t.” “You were really in the lead,” Inaba added. “Watch your hands, they go into pancake mode.” Score: 24 out of 40
Jessie James Decker and Alan Bersten. The country pop singer has vowed to work on straightening her legs. She had to make some progress during rehearsals: she and her long ponytail opened the show by performing the foxtrot of “Trouble”. “I like the step mix, I felt your legs were stronger,” Goodman said. “For me, that’s an improvement from last week.” Score: 25 out of 40
Sam Champion and Cheryl Burke. The ex-meteor is still getting used to Burke’s tough loving coaching style, but it’s definitely working: his posture was better than last week and, more importantly, he showed a lot more confidence during the Viennese waltz of “Heartbreak Hotel”. “Cheryl can be a real bossy and tough teacher but she gets results,” judge Bruno Tonioli said. “You looked like a leading man.” Score: 26 out of 40
Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki. The reality star was embarrassed to have the lowest score last week, so he called Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino for a pep talk before tackling the fast pace to ‘Viva Las Vegas’ in his black jumpsuit and shiny Elvis wig. “Just like a Las Vegas gambler, you went all-in and it paid off,” Goodman said. Score: 27 out of 40
Jordan Sparks and Brandon Armstrong The singer won a karaoke contest as a child singing “Hound Dog,” so she’s definitely familiar with the song — just not the concept of fast steps to the fast tune. She struggled to keep up with Armstrong, which the judges noticed. “There has to be control,” Goodman said. “Your big problem is your frame. It’s loose, you have to try to strengthen your frame and then you’ll go far. Score: 27 out of 40
Shangela and Gleb Savchenko. Feeling like “Beyonce at the Super Bowl,” the drag diva took that same energy from night one and injected it into her enthusiastic, quick stride to “Shake, Rattle and Roll.” But a snafu prevented her from improving on last week’s score. “You’re so sharp when you play, I love when you engage in every move,” Inaba said. “Good work.” Score: 28 out of 40
Heidi D’Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev. The social media star’s foxtrot to “Suspicious Minds” was a big improvement on her one week cha cha. “He had elegance, he had sophistication. Beautiful musicality through your arms. Sometimes it needed a little more freedom, but overall I was really surprised at how good it was good,” Goodman said. Score: 28 out of 40
Selma Blair and Sasha Farber. The actress had a great first week; who wasn’t moved by his performance after learning about his personal battle with MS? Rocking out to “Jailhouse Rock” was a whole new challenge, but the orchestra did Blair a favor on Monday night by slowing down the tempo so she had time to perform a cartwheel and separate. “You made it yours and you made it work,” Tonioli said. Score: 28 out of 40
Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart. The deaf actor received a surprise visit from his mothers Lori and Mary during rehearsal before launching into “King Creole”. Dude, did he show a big face! Or, as Banks described it, “the face stank.” His CODA co-star Marlee Matlin was there to support him, but Hough didn’t call his talented date – Oscar winner Troy Kotsur. “It was so captivating to watch you,” Hough said. “The musicality was amazing.” Score: 29 out of 40
Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater. The actor still moves with trepidation during rehearsals and feels “vulnerable,” but his rumba to “You’re Always On My Mind” gave him a chance to show off his sex appeal and impressive abs. Tonioli couldn’t stop fanning herself and Banks was so concerned about how hot Donovan was that she forgot to line up to Goodman. “Do you remember when you were afraid of dancing? You like dancing,” Hough said. Score: 30 out of 40
Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovsky. The Bachelorette showed off her engagement ring and new fiancé Eric Schwer before performing the Viennese waltz — and flaunting her little flair during all those whirlwinds — at the classic “Fools Rush In.” “I’m totally swept away,” Tonioli said. “The partnership with you and Val, two instruments in total harmony.” Score: 32 out of 40
Wayne Brady and Witney Carson. The Let’s make a dealuh played the last of the night with a super jive to “Burning Love”. The man knows how to have a good time. “It was a good jive. I really liked watching you dance. I want you to realize that this competition is a marathon. I want you to protect your knees because I think you are a fabulous dancer. Score: 32 out of 40
Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas. TikTokker’s stamina was definitely tested as she practiced the quick step with her trainer, but she remembered to save her elbows and energy for “Bossa Nova Baby.” Additionally, Banks is apparently obsessed with D’Amelio’s neck. Keep up the good comments, girl! “That side-by-side section there was so good,” Hough said. “Your personality really shines through.” Score: 32 out of 40
The last two pairs were Giudice/Pashkov and Ladd/Van Amstel. Hough and Tonioli saved Giudice, while Inaba saved Ladd. Since Goodman has the final say, he chose Ladd over Giudice to send the reality TV star home.
Next week, DWTS pays homage to James Bond.
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