UPDATE: Scroll down or click here to find out which couple was eliminated in Tuesday’s results show!
Dancing With the Stars’ FaceOff episode featured the couples in battles — performing to different songs, but the same dance style — and the winner of each was declared safe for the next round.
The episode could have been a little off-kilter with the absence of Erin Andrews (due to a death in the family of her boyfriend), and the show was shortened due to the presidential debate, but those DWTS pros rose to the occasion.
See the performances below with their final scores (out of a possible 40).
Babyface’s rehearsal studio adorably featured a photograph of Jana Kramer and Gleb Savchenko labeled “The Enemy!!” Unfortunately, Alison and Babyface did not defeat. Mr. Edmonds looked terrified instead of sassy during their dance. His moves were perfectly done, but timid and without jive’s spontaneous nature. Babyface issued what would be one of many mid-dance butt-slaps throughout this episode. His was, by far, the most polite. The problem is, jive is a dance that was offensive to some in its time, called ‘vulgar, and dirty.” Sorry, Babyface.
Final Score: 25
Rank: 7
Gleb’s pink polka-dot shirt and snappy moves helped distract from Jana Kramer’s choreography being significantly easier than Babyface’s (more stepping though the counts, fewer weight changes). Jana nailed the exaggerated, surprised facial expression so key to African-American-originated dances like jive and Lindy Hop.
Final Score: 26
Rank: 6
Tom Bergeron made much of the budding Texas bromance between the far-too-excitable-to-be-leader-of-the-free-world Rick Perry and surprisingly well-aged white rapper Vanilla Ice. Perry was determined to sell his paso doble, connecting more with his machismo than his partner or the music. You could see him thinking, Gotta keep my arm up at all costs — a commendable thing for a male dancer. Not to be daunted, Emma whirled her beautiful black-and-white costume around him to impressive effect.
Final Score: 23
Rank: 8 (last)
Ice and Witney commanded the stage from the very beginning with matching goth-black studded costumes and their apocalyptic music. A dramatic floor spin impressed all, and was that eyeliner, Ice?! Judge Len Goodman broke the tie. “I’ve gotta give it to you, Vanilla.”
Final Score: 23
Rank: 8 (last)
Then came the cha-cha. Race car driver James Hinchcliffe continued his lock on “favorite” status. His elbows were so punctuated they could have sliced butter, and his hip twists had the suddenness needed in cha-cha. Most importantly, he spun Sharna Burgess into a last-second low-to-the-floor dip while keeping her head completely safe. This man will be in high demand when he goes out dancing in the future.
Final Score: 29
Rank: 4
Aquatic tall tale–teller Ryan Lochte, partnered with perennial saint Cheryl Burke, began their round as silhouettes, which thankfully didn’t last too long as it only served to accentuate Lochte’s relative inertia as a dancer. Lights came on, abs came out, and Cheryl did what she always does, which is give a flashy, energetic performance during which she does some or all of the leading. Lochte, while he was mostly grinning delightedly at Burke’s moves, did, however, throw in some decent head roll isolations and some light-footed ball-changes. When he popped his head toward the audience at the finish, you could almost hear the Jeah! in his head. Len: “Your best stuff, Ryan!”
Final Score: 25
Rank: 7
The Viennese waltz was up next. Terra Jolé charmed with her dramatic facial expressions, dancing to an inferior cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” (really Goo Goos, couldn’t you have lowered your royalty rate for such a good cause?). Terra’s obvious joy, precise waltz steps, and well-thrown-back head position earned her the judges’ love. Sasha Farber had a few unfortunate moves in his choreo that came off jerky, but it only subtracted momentarily from Terra’s obvious preparation.
Final Score: 30
Rank: 3
Calvin Johnson began his dance seated in a shiny tuxedo jacket and made the most of his time on the stage, sliding on his knees, pulling Lindsay in a split dramatically across the floor with her arms stretched overhead (painful unless done correctly), and generally making the most of his unfair advantages; a great smile and uber-long arms that look amazing in ballroom dance. If he can get those arms coordinated, he’ll be unstoppable.
Final Score: 32
Rank: 1
Amber Rose and Maks’ backdrop was a neon and graffiti delight, with the word “booty” on the wall behind them. It was a great juxtaposition to their salsa music. Amber was unnecessarily topped in a ’50s wig, and seemed heavy on her feet during the dance. Host Tom Bergeron: “I love Amber’s outfit, it’s like the Real Housewives of Hazzard.”
Final Score: 25
Rank: 7
Maureen McCormick, suffering from back problems during rehearsals, duck-faced and smiled her way through the pain onstage in a romantic blue ruffled performance dress. Some timing missteps and what looked like a dip gone a bit wrong aside, Maureen had so many showy turns and traditional salsa performance elements that they looked like quite the professional performers for much of their dance. McCormick, tough at 60 years old, was duly rewarded, along with partner Artem Chigvintsev.
Final Score: 28
Rank: 5
“It sounds like a whole other level I don’t know about,” said wide-eyed Laurie Hernandez about the tango. Talk about the dance understatement of the century. Our Olympics moppet started her tango out confidently, despite the twin oppressors of high heels and laser beams shooting across the dance floor. But at times, she looked alternately distracted and panicked during choreography that easily could have been more difficult. Come on Laurie, you can do back flips on a balance beam! Still, her perfect ochos earned her big points that were dinged by Carrie-Ann’s deduction of a point for their lift.
Final Score: 31
Rank: 2
Marilu Henner added gravitas to a smooth, confident tango that ended in a dramatic dip. The Gothic music and over-the top red and black costumes were perfect for her and Derek Hough, the king of melodrama on the dance floor.
Final Score: 28
Rank: 5
ELIMINATED! Rick and Emma were eliminated in the Tuesday, Sept. 27, results show.
