The duty for the lads of this present was to try to embody James Bond, however that’s not at all times straightforward when the women are channeling their inside Bond woman! After final week’s three-way tie on the prime, Charli D’Amelio, Gabby Windey and Wayne Brady had been seeking to escape and make their mark, whereas everybody else was making an attempt to play catch-up.

It was an evening full of plenty of rumbas, because the sensual model is the right match for Agent 007. 9 of the fourteen remaining acts improved on their judges’ scores from final week, whereas one star had a massively disappointing drop.

Cheering on the D’Amelios from the viewers had been Dixie D’Amelio and a few representatives from actuality tv’s greatest present — serving to to advertise “The D’Amelio’s” season launch this week on Hulu. Kourtney Kardashian was noticed smiling alongside her new hubby Travis Barker and son Landon Barker — or should you’re Tyra Banks, that’s “Logan” Barker.

Sure, she’s nonetheless flubbing traces with epic consistency; she’s simply not fluid on reside tv in any respect. In the meantime, Alfonso Ribeiro is having the time of his life and has such an ease about him, he reminds us in some methods of his predecessor (on two reveals now), Tom Bergeron.

We’d argue he ought to change locations with Tyra, however Tyra isn’t any Erin Andrews. If we’ve got to decide on which ones ought to have comfy banter with the contestants, we’ll select Alfonso any day of the week. We keep in mind these darkish days when she tried to do each — and this present wasn’t but shunted to a streaming community.

Who do I feel I’m? you ask. Nicely, I spent practically a decade of my life sweating and bleeding to the music as a dancer. From a younger boy studying a shuffle-ball-change to performing with the St. Louis Ballet Firm, I skilled the ups and downs of probably the most troublesome bodily demanding sports activities on the planet. Throughout this time, I used to be additionally a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, in addition to a gymnast, author and cartoonist. I had much more vitality in my youthful years. And I’ve spent the final twenty years analyzing and critiquing actuality competitors reveals. I’ve acquired this.

Truthful warning, since I am protected at dwelling, I am in all probability going to be somewhat harsher than my colleagues Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. However I could be nicer, too. Perhaps.

Bruno truly has the right voice and accent for a traditional James Bond villain. This cute opening clip began with him threatening 007 over a video monitor system earlier than the spy breaks free in and across the set of “DWTS.” There have been enjoyable cameos from different members of the solid, together with the judges, the hosts and even contestants Selma and Gabby, who appeared greater than somewhat impressed.

Sure, it was apparent who Bond was (regardless of Len giving him a masks to the place), however there was a lot enjoyable and camp, we loved the overly dramatic entrance that arrange Derek Hough and the professionals dancing to a traditional Bond theme with simply as a lot drama and nice trend! With plenty of motion and even chair props, this was probably the most intricate and entertaining reside group numbers we’ve seen shortly on this present.

(Rumba – “No Time to Die,” Billie Eilish) Youthful contestants usually battle a bit to get into the sultrier aspect of a rumba, and Charli shared that she will be able to’t even look individuals of their eyes most instances, a lot much less have any thought how one can flirt or be sensual. This piece had a terrific story to it, and Charli definitely is aware of how one can hit her marks. Her legs had been unbelievable on this, although there was a hiccup hop when she first prolonged her leg to Mark earlier than that huge lean towards the tip. We thought she nailed the character of the piece, with plenty of perspective, and you might see her confidence develop because it went alongside, in order that by the tip she really was embodying all of the sensuality and hazard of a traditional Bond femme fatale.

After her efficiency, the digicam lower to a shot of Travis Barker, Kourtney Kardashian, and Landon Barker sitting alongside Dixie D’Amelio, clearly having loved the efficiency, and the truth that Charli proved (form of) that she was able to stare down something by staring down the digicam — which Tyra went on and on and on about earlier than calling Landon “Logan Barker” whereas shouting out the truth royalty in the home.

Judges Scores: 8, 8, 8, 9

My Rating: 8

(Rumba – “Diamonds Are Without end,” Shirley Bassey) After a tough time final week, Cheryl was decided to not be within the Backside 2 once more (and have the bottom rating) this week. That mentioned, rehearsals had been wanting tough, although she’s no stranger to performing sensuality. Her timing was a bit off at instances, however she didn’t lead with the incorrect foot this time round and this was a marked enchancment. Definitely her general efficiency was dramatic and sensual. There wasn’t plenty of dense rumba content material, however what she delivered was fairly assured and extra on level. Regardless of a tough begin in rehearsal, this piece got here collectively properly.

Judges Scores: 6, 6, 6, 6

My Rating: 6

(Tango – “You Know My Identify,” Chris Cornell) Trevor was positively in character, however he was additionally a bit an excessive amount of in his head. You can see it at first when he was fidgeting quite than simply holding his opening pose. After which all through, it saved him from gliding throughout the ground easily all through this piece. It’s not that he was essentially doing the incorrect issues at any level, however it was as if he was shedding concentrate on approach (tight, excessive maintain and that glide) whereas remembering the steps). The expansion we’re seeing from him, although, as he tackled a dense tango is due to the belief he has in his companion. From the rehearsal to the stage, you may see that bond — see what we did there? — strengthening between them.

Judges Scores: 7, 6, 7, 7

My Rating: 6

(Rumba – “The World Is Not Sufficient,” Rubbish) Daniel mentioned that on this slower tune, he can’t hear the music in any respect. Nicely, nevertheless he and Britt figured it out, his timing was impeccable all through this piece. His actions had been on level, he was proper the place he wanted to be and he had nice character and presence all through the piece. Britt did do plenty of the heavy lifting with some stunts and tips, however she was choreographing extra complexity than a few of the different dancers and he was proper there along with her each step of the best way. He used his physique superbly to fill the house within the music and shares an exquisite connection and partnership with Britt.

Judges Scores: 8, 7, 8, 8

My Rating: 7

(Rumba – “Licence to Kill,” Gladys Knight) There have been plenty of locations this wasn’t going Jordin’s means, proper from that first leg extension the place her knee by no means fairly locked. Hip swivels was slo-mo stops, her turns had been clunky, gliding wasn’t occurring and he or she simply by no means appeared comfy in actually something she was doing up there. There’s a sensuality to the rumba, and aside from the opening second the place she lifted herself up on the mattress, this appeared like a exercise she was doing beneath protest quite than something that moved her romantically. The partnering was additionally tough at instances, as if she wasn’t fairly the place she wanted to be going into strikes or if she’s not fairly prepared to totally belief Brandon with the complete weight of her physique.

Judges Scores: 7, 7, 7, 8

My Rating: 5

(Samba – “Los Muertos Vivos Están,”Thomas Newman f. Tambuco) You can see that Sam actually needed this to work, however then it rapidly fell aside. He largely walked via the steps and didn’t have any of the carriage and body that we had been in search of. On prime of that, his hips had been means too tight, and after they had been making an attempt to shake all of it out, he appeared extra like he was having a medical emergency than deliberately performing a dance transfer. He mentioned within the rehearsal bundle that his 61-year-old physique wasn’t positive how to do that, and it’s clearly nonetheless struggling. We applaud that he will get on the market and will get via these dances, however this one was a little bit of a multitude. His “Good Morning America” colleague Robin Roberts had nothing however love and assist for him from the viewers, although.

Judges Scores: 6, 6, 6, 7

My Rating: 4

(Rumba – “For Your Eyes Solely,” Sheena Easton) What an attention-grabbing problem so as to add to the dance, although we perceive there was sensory overload profit for Selma to blindfolding her. Nonetheless, she couldn’t see visible cues from her companion and needed to belief herself much more. Aside from overextending her hip a number of instances and never fairly nailing the sensuality of these hip swivels, this was a really superbly danced rumba. Truly, we’ll say that she was somewhat sharp at instances (wrists, hips, carriage) when she ought to have been clean. She had plenty of character within the dance. Her legs and arms had been beautiful all through and it actually felt like she was in control of her physique and her second.

Judges Scores: 7, 7, 7, 7

My Rating: 6

(Tango – “The Identify’s Bond… James Bond,” David Arnold & Nicholas Dodd) A really enjoyable dance with some nice sharp tango work from Wayne. His knees could be his downside space, however they weren’t an issue in any respect for him on this efficiency. He had a terrific presence throughout the stage, with a real main man high quality. His footwork was stable, and his partnering with Witney noticed him matching her posture, depth and beauty all through. His character was good for this piece. If he can simply proceed to tighten up nailing the steps with precision each second, he’s not going anyplace for a very long time.

Judges Scores: 8, 8, 8, 9

My Rating: 8

(Rumba – “Thunderball,” Tom Jones) Vinny was frightened about his arms and apparently he was proper to be. They weren’t good on this piece, along with his fingers pivoting on the wrist like an motion determine. He lumberd across the stage missing all of the grace mandatory via a lot of the piece, however as stiff as his legs had been (and absent as his hips had been), it was his arms that saved drawing our consideration for all of the incorrect causes. He was throwing them round like he was holding 10-pound weights in every one. It was all too quick out and staccato and stiff all through. After an enormous rebound final week, Vinny jumped proper again onto the battle bus.

Judges Scores: 6, 5, 6, 6

My Rating: 4

(Argentine Tango – “One other Approach to Die,” Jack White & Alicia Keys) In maintain, she wants to look at that her elbow doesn’t drop sometimes, however that’s one in all only a few actual criticisms we may levy at this efficiency. Heidi got here out with the right perspective to set the tone of the piece. She was ferocious in her efficiency and it carried via her physique superbly. She hit these moments and acquired these flicks in there. For all of the worry she had earlier within the week, she appeared fully assured on this piece. Artem didn’t maintain again, both, dropping in actually complicated lifts and strikes, with Heidi delivering her half with aplomb.

Judges Scores: 8, 8, 8, 8

My Rating: 7

(Rumba – “GoldenEye,” Tina Turner) Shangela wanted to sink somewhat extra into the ground within the opening bars, and prolong that leg straight in the course of the drag, and another locations. We discovered ourselves wanting somewhat extra from her in varied locations all through. At instances, she was giving us every little thing, however it simply wasn’t constant within the piece. The sensuality was there, so she had the character of the dance, however there have been instances we may see her enthusiastic about the subsequent step, hurting the completion of this step and creating these moments of disconnect the place the motion paused quite than repeatedly glide into the subsequent transfer. It’s simply too unhealthy Len wasn’t paying consideration at first over the last second when she ran over to him to steal a kiss. Michelle Visage was readily available to have a good time her queen’s huge second, too, and he or she was all about it!

Judges Scores: 8, 7, 7, 8

My Rating: 7

(Rumba – “Goldfinger,” Shirley Bassey) Big props to Jessie for going for the gold by recreating probably the most iconic “Bond” appears to be like of all time. That needed to take endlessly within the make-up chair to coat herself in gold. However it paid off as she appeared sensational and definitely hanging within the rumba. The monochromatic tone additionally helped to intensify her traces and the general fluidity of her actions. We noticed plenty of sensuality in her partnering, however getting her toes in the appropriate locations on the proper instances and pointing the appropriate means hasn’t fairly come collectively. She’s lacking the basics on the backside whereas actually rising on the prime.

Judges Scores: 6, 6, 7, 7

My Rating: 6

(Argentine Tango – “Writing’s on the Wall,” Sam Smith) We had been advised that Daniella Karagach is doing properly, however having examined optimistic for Covid final week, troupe dancer Alexis was again not solely to bop once more with Joseph, however she stepped in to coach him as properly (what an enormous alternative for her!). They didn’t fairly stick the touchdown on the finish there, however we’ve got to offer credit score to Joseph for completely being there for Alexis via all of these lifts — and his unimaginable energy on show (although we had no doubts about that). As for the tango itself, it had plenty of nice approach with unbelievable footwork once we acquired it, although Alexis protected him considerably from that with so many lifts.

We additionally form of cherished the second after he acquired his highest scores but when he mentioned he was a ball of feelings and would possibly cry. Alfonso mentioned we weren’t going to let Arnold Schwarzenegger’s child cry, and by no means shedding his smile, Joseph may very well be heard behind him saying, “Hey. We cry.” That’s proper, actual males aren’t afraid to have emotion, so props to Joseph for saying it proud. He did so along with his mom, Mildred, beaming from the viewers — however no point out of pop Arnold’s well-known “True Lies” tango? That is probably the most well-known dances in cinema historical past!

Judges Scores: 8, 7, 7, 7

My Rating: 7

(Cha-Cha-Cha – “Die One other Day,” Madonna) A really difficult routine with plenty of quick actions, it did look as if Gabby misplaced her spot a few instances. When she was on level, although, she was so robust. For somebody who thinks of herself as only a actuality persona, Gabby got here out with an extremely robust efficiency high quality. When her hair fell into her eyes, that toss was every little thing. The perspective she displayed all through this was so nice. Her hips had been fairly nice, too, so she will need to have actually been linked to her inside Halle Berry. Her footwork was at instances nice and at instances she stumbled a bit, however this was general one other robust outing for somebody who actually appears to be like like a dancer up there, regardless of what she appears to suppose.

Judges Scores: 8, 8, 8, 9

My Rating: 8

For the second week in a row, we noticed a three-way tie within the prime spot, and it was the identical three individuals in it: Charli D’Amelio, Gabby Windey and Wayne Brady. Are we seeing a sneak peek at this season’s finale lineup with these rankings, or can somebody break this prime trio up?

As for the underside of the board, poor Vinny Guadagnino fell proper again into the underside after a redemptive efficiency final week. Down there with him is Cheryl Ladd, who’s discovered herself constantly within the backside of the decide’s rankings this season. She was saved final week, however would they do this twice? If she’s there with Vinny, we may see it.

However that may additionally require the “Jersey Shore” followers to not come via like they did the primary time he was at risk. So did they arrive via this week? Did Sam Champion or Jessie James Decker fall into the Backside 2? Apparently, as soon as you bought previous the two-way tie for seventh place, every dancer beneath that was separated by one level by the judges.

That simply signifies that the viewers vote would carry much more weight with the rankings being so tight. Our prediction heading into the large reveal was that Vinny would in some way once more be spared, however on the expense of Cheryl, Sam and Jessie being the final three dancers to listen to their destiny, after which Jessie surviving.

The primary celebs despatched to security had been Heidi D’Amelio, Charli D’Amelio, Wayne Brady, and Jessie James Decker, throwing our idea out of the water. Perhaps Vinny’s followers had been as unimpressed as we had been after this week’s efficiency they usually’re simply not going to hold him anymore?

Subsequent introduced had been Shangela and Gabby Windey. We had been proper about these “JS” followers, although, as Vinny Guadagnino adopted them to security, regardless of having the evening’s lowest scores. Is he one other Bobby Bones within the making, or will he truly get higher as a dancer. Clearly his followers wish to give him the time to get there, so we’ll see if he can.

Selma Blair was subsequent to get the excellent news, adopted by Daniel Durant, Joseph Baena, and Jordin Sparks. That left Trevor Donovan at risk, so clearly he doesn’t have as huge of a fan-base outdoors of this present. He joined our predicted Cheryl Ladd and Sam Champion. After which, Trevor acquired the excellent news, which means our Backside 2 prediction panned out.

Honesetly, after contemplating this Backside 2, we may see the judges once more saving Cheryl. She’s a minimum of exhibiting some progress and approach and beauty up there, whereas Sam was an enormous mess this week. We’d vote to maintain her once more. Did they?

Bruno, maybe, didn’t wish to have to avoid wasting the identical individual once more, so his vote went to Sam, adopted by Carrie Ann with a second vote to avoid wasting Sam. It wasn’t wanting good for Cheryl. Derek then defined that his vote was about who had a stronger season to this point, and with a 3rd vote for Sam, Cheryl was out of the competitors. Len then confirmed he’d have completed the identical.

“Dancing with the Stars” continues because the first-ever reside streaming actuality present each Monday at 8 p.m. ET on Disney+.