Tonight on ABC the glitz and the glimmer returns to the ballroom as another new episode of Dancing With The Stars season 25 airs! We have your all-new Monday, November 13, 2017, season 25 Week 9 “Semi-Finals” DWTS and we have your Dancing With The Stars recap below! On tonight’s DWTS Season 25 episode 9 as per the ABC synopsis, “An elimination occurs after the ninth week of competition, which is the semifinal round. Each couple will perform two dances: one is a song chosen by the pro, and the other is an iconic dance from a previous season.”
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Tonight’s Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) Season 25 has entered the Semi-finals, the heat is on, the stars are ready to go to finals and determined to win and are now one week closer to the Mirrorball Trophy. We are introduced to the 5 semifinalists, and learn in the second round of competition, they will have to recapture the magic of an iconic dance from a past season; all of these routines earned perfect scores and for many were performed by a couple who went on to win the Mirrorball Trophy.
Drew Scott and Emma Slater – Tango – “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers.
Emma chose this song because of his Scottish heritage and his sheer determination for not giving up when so many people didn’t have faith in him. He comes out wearing a kilt, just like he plans to at his wedding. Judges’ comments – Len: Well Done Braveheart. Dance is a balance, you lost your posture and technique (everyone boos). I enjoyed it, it was entertaining but you need to work on technique. Bruno: It’s the Flying Scotsman. You gave a tango like no other but the tango is not skippy; you went for the character and lost the style of the dance. Carrie Anne: There is something so much fun about you. Everyone appreciates the entertainment value but I do think the tango lacked artistry, it was very steppy but I give you kudos because the kilt was a little bit revealing. (Tom jokes that now he isn’t the whitest guy in the room as they joke about Drew’s legs). Scores – Carrie Anne: 8 Len: 8 Bruno: 8 Total: 24/30
Victoria Arlen and Val Chmerkovskiy – Waltz – “To Build a Home” (feat. Patrick Watson) by Cinematic Orchestra.
Last week Victoria has a scary spasm and Val had to carry her off stage, hours before the performance; the judges didn’t feel it was her best performance but Val thought she was a trooper. Val said they are going to retell the story of when she was in her bed when her parents took her home when she was deathly ill. This dance is a thank to her parents for never giving up on her and believing in miracles. (She rushes to hug them when the dance is done!) Judges’ comments – Bruno: Oh my darling, that was so touching, so poignant. A wonderful story, very well put together and praises you Val for the choreography. (He thanks, Jenna Johnson for her help). Carrie Anne: I was watching, the routine was simple, you took the notes from last week and went deep. I saw all the shades of all the emotional qualities that made that dance fantastic. You inspire me. Len: It was your life story through dance. The perseverance, the struggles of everything you’ve been through. I loved the little bit where you were walking through the air. It was beautiful and well done. (She admits her parents had no idea she did this but admits they are the wind beneath her wings). Scores – Carrie Anne: 9 Len: 9 Bruno: 9 Total: 27/30
Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold – Argentine Tango – “Brother” (feat. Gavin DeGraw) by NEEDTOBREATHE.
Lindsay chose this song because Jordan is an older brother to Cory and Trinity. Jordan says he didn’t have good examples when it came to older siblings and he promised he would never be like that. Lindsay wants this to pay homage to what kind of brother and inspiration Jordan is to her and them. Yesterday, during rehearsal, they had a terrifying moment when Lindsay stepped on a stair and it felt like her whole leg gave out, she worried it would stop her. Judges’ comments – Carrie Anne: You are so much about what made this season so fantastic, you kept the standard high for yourself and everybody. This was not your strongest performance and there was a disconnect. You’re still fabulous but you need to show it. Len: I am a fan of yours but the ballroom tango is a guy dancing with his wife where the Argentine Tango is a guy dancing with his mistress. It’s as though you shouldn’t be watching it. This was too big and too much about the story; work on the dance. (People boo) Bruno: (Tom says let’s hurry over to the 4-yr-old) What I saw was your most mature performance to date. You were strong, stylish and connection was well-balanced, but the timing was to the music and it was fabulous. Scores – Carrie Anne: 9 Len: 9 Bruno: 10 Total: 28/30
Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas – Contemporary – “Head High” by Alexander Jean.
Mark chose this song because its all about being resilient and pushing forward and Lindsey is the epitome of that. She has heard “no” so many times, that had she listened she wouldn’t be where she is nor have the career she has now. Judges’ comments – Len: Lindsey, I think you’re a talented dancer, wonderful extensions through it, you blew me away; it was a really fabulous performance. Bruno: Dynamic! Athletic! Surprising! It really captured to be free; to be one’s self and to let it all hang out. I love that! Carrie Anne: Your quality of movement from the beginning to now has drastically changed. You have evolved so much, you used to be all about the sky, light and pastel and now you are deep, blood, earth mama. There was so much beautiful, deep, primal movement in that dance. It was stunning!! Scores – Carrie Anne: 10 Len: 9 Bruno: 10 Total: 29/30
Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson – Salsa – “Shake” by Yin Yang Twins & Pitbull.
Witney picked the song because even thought Frankie comes off shy, inside he just wants to “shake it”. This dance is going to require a lot of confidence, which is what Len has been pushing him to show and feel for weeks now. Judges’ comments – Bruno: Witney, you transformed the new king on the block. I loved the originality and spirit of it, but you missed an arm pass, and Witney’s hair got tangled, but Frankie was perfect. Carrie Anne: I don’t think the song necessarily matched you and don’t know if I would have chosen it. I loved that you give it all, you didn’t feel great doing the moves but did them anyway. This is the semi-finals, so you need to stay in the beat, not on top or ahead but IN the beat. Len: I agree, that you come out with so much enthusiasm and always watching you is joyous for me, but it was too much hip hop and not enough hip action (everyone boos). Scores – Carrie Anne: 8 Len: 8 Bruno: 9 Total: 25/30
The pros come out and do a bit of a performance that will be part of the Dancing with the Stars Tour; Tom Bergeron talks to Sharna who says this will be the best DWTS tour ever and the perfect gift for this holiday season. We now jump right into the Iconic Dances from seasons past!
Drew Scott and Emma Slater – Jazz – “Yeah!” (feat. Lil Jon, Ludacris) by Usher (Season 17, Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff).
Judges’ comments – (Tom says he had never been more nervous in the entire 25 seasons). Len: It was fun, but it was like a pizza, crusty on the bottom but quite tasty on top. Great imagination but you need more finesse in your dancing. Bruno: I am just happy Emma survived that. OMG, I never have seen anything like it. You captured the spirit of the dance but it was more croquet than rocket; the timing and sharpness are not your strength. Carrie Anne: This round is more challenging because you are up against routines that have been done before with perfect score. You pretty much erased Corbin from it but I have in on the brain; it was sloppy though and never do that lift again. Scores – Carrie Anne: 8 Len: 8 Bruno: 8 Total: 24/30 = total 48 for the night!
Victoria Arlen and Val Chmerkovskiy – Charleston – “Bang Bang” by will.i.am (Season 17, Amber Riley and Derek Hough).
Judges’ comments – Bruno: Its incredible because I have to say your acting tonight was right on the money. You gave this your own interpretation and your timing was spot on and you won on this one. Carrie Anne: I didn’t think it was possible but I truly forgot about Amber and Derek while I was watching you. No way, shape or form, resemble what they did. It was all yours and uniquely yours and I love watching you. I feel good watching you. Len: That put a smile on my face, full of energy. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t come out and perform because that was a PERFORMANCE! Scores – Carrie Anne: 9 Len: 10 Bruno: 10 Total: 29 Total for the night = 56.
Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold – Jive – “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner (Season 22, Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas).
Judges’ comments – Carrie Anne: (standing on her feet, hands in the air). OMG, first of all, WOOOOWWWW! I am so glad you got that number, as that is the marathon of all jives. You nailed it and did the double cartwheel with straight legs; the cherry on top… one eye, one leg… amazing! Len: Over the years there have been good jives, great jives, and now Jordan’s jives! Bruno: That was a triumph, very rarely a remake can top an original; this one did. Jordan, you pulled a Derek and a Mark in one dance. Insane! Scores – Carrie Anne: 10 Len: 10 Bruno: 10 Total: 30 Total for the night = 58.
Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas – Tango – “Feel So Close” by Calvin Harris (Season 18, Meryl Davis and Maks Chmerkovskiy).
Judges’ comments – Len: Plenty of snap crackle and pop. Sharp, clear and crisp. The overall feel of dance was correct and proper tango. Bruno: you raised your game tonight; just at the right time. That was a wonderful tango, the extended line and every change of direction was exactly on the money. Tonight you two were like mirror images. Carrie Anne: Meryl and Maks had sexual chemistry but you two have this friend chemistry that is so powerful, its like watching two of the same dance together and it is really stunning. There were a few turns that loss a little but I am really torn. (Maks joins them for their scores). Scores – Carrie Anne: 9 Len: 9 Bruno: 10 Total: 28 Total for the night = 57.
Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson – Paso Doblé – “Carnival De Paris” by Dario G (Season 4, Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough).
Judges’ comments – Bruno: You’re so macho and violent, what happened to you tonight? Great attitude, one thing, you need to get your shoulder sorted for the Paso Doble; open that chest. The stance and attitude were there. Carrie Anne: The audience went wild for you, the good news is you handled the props wonderfully, everything you worried about was fantastic, but the stuff in between was good but short, so if you make it to finales next week, you have to remember to breath, and since you’re a smaller guy, you need to always expand. Len: I understand the audience liked it, there is an innocence and charm about you. I like you so much but not enough shaping in the Paso Doble. For spirit, you can’t beat it! Scores – Carrie Anne: 9 Len: 8 Bruno: 9 Total: 26 Total for the night = 51.
The couples are all together on the stage and the scores have been combined. Tom and Erin reveal the first couple dancing in the finals is Lindsey and Mark; joining them is Drew and Emma. Jordan and Lindsay are also going to the finals. Frankie and Witney, Victoria and Val – one of the couples had the fewest combined votes and will be leaving the competition tonight while the other has a place in the finals.
In the 9th week of competition, the couple leaving tonight is Victoria and Val.
