For a minute, I wasn’t sure if the latest episode of Dancing with the Stars was a tribute to Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 or a celebration of Disney’s 100th. Looks it was a whole lot of both! Ah, the magic of product placement.
It felt like an opportunity lost, though, not putting judge Bruno Tonioli in the middle of that rousing opening number to Encanto‘s “We don’t talk about Bruno.” But Tonioli still got to show off his chest hair at the end of dance, so all was not lost.
On with Disney 100 night!
Actor Barry Williams (The Brady Bunch) with partner Peta Murgatroyd. When tasked with dancing jazz, Williams said he comes well prepared: He starred in a Broadway staging of Pippin back in the ’70s that was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse. It’s been a looong time since that memorable run in New York City; Williams lost the beat during his performance to “He’s a Tramp” and almost dropped Murgatroyd during a lift. But he quickly recovered, thanks to his infinite stage presence and having the former Cindy Brady in the audience. “Oh Barry that was your best dance so far, it truly was,” said judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “There was some mistakes … but you carry yourself with so much charm. No matter what you do, it’s always a joy.” Score: 18 out of 30
Actress Alyson Hannigan (American Pie) with partner Sasha Farber. The actress was treated to a visit from season 31 competitor Selma Blair before having to perform a dreadful “jazz” routine to “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast. She had to play the candelabra? Come on, Sasha; American Pie girl deserved better. “You are the cutest candelabra I have ever seen,” said Inaba. “You are a brave girl. You are animated but if you get overly animated you lose the musicality of the piece.” Score: 18 out of 30
Real estate mogul Mauricio Umansky with partner Emma Slater: It was a little difficult to take the reality star seriously in that sorcerer’s cap and Mickey ears, but his paso doble at the top of the show seem to impress the judges — at least before they revealed his actual scores. “It was like an adorable matador,” said judge Derek Hough. “It was mata-dorable!” Score: 19 out of 30
Actress Mira Sorvino with partner Gleb Savchenko. The actress went into rehearsal feeling more of the competitive spirit. And it seems like the show was wanting to help her; it gave her the best tune in the Disney repertoire — Cinderella’s “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” — to perform her first waltz. Though far from magical, it wasn’t quite as stiff as her previous spins in the ballroom. “Mira, my darling, you are the belle of the ball,” said Tonioli. “Elegant, soft, ballroom suits you. Trust in yourself, let yourself me swept away because you have it.” Score: 21 out of 30
Reality TV star Harry Jowsey (Too Hot to Handle) with partner Rylee Arnold. The stage designers did Jowsey a solid by giving his quickstep a playful back drop. It certainly made his middling quickstep to Toy Story‘s “You Got a Friend in Me” a whole lot more interesting. “The character is perfect. You look like you were having fun out there,” said Tonioli. “It was quick, plenty of steps. At times not always on the right beat, but much much better. You are on your way.” Score: 21 out of 30
NFL All-Star Adrian Peterson with partner Britt Stewart. Peterson’s Viennese waltz was such a delightful surprise, even Peterson seemed impressed that he pulled it off. “Dude seriously, you have literally transformed before our eyes, not just in your dancing, but the way you carry yourself,” said Hough. “You are finding your new strength.” Score: 21 out of 30
Social media star/Latin music artist Lele Pons with partner Brandon Armstrong. Her rumba was immaculate but she got screwed out of good feedback from Hough because Inaba wouldn’t stop talking. Matter of fact, she got screwed out of more 8s, too; she only got one from Tonioli. “I love that you are taking the corrections and it’s beautiful to witness,” said Inaba. “You look like a princess,” said Inaba. Score: 22 out of 30
Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz with partner Daniella Karagach. The foxtrot was definitely a new experience for Mraz, but he checked off all the right boxes with his straight back, extended neck, sweet smile, and princely costume. He didn’t really deserve the 8s the judges gave him, but it’s clear that Mraz is someone they’d like to see in the finals. “This was a whole new Jason that we’ve seen, we’ve haven’t seen you in your frame yet. It’s great to see you become a dancer before our eyes,” said Hough. Score: 24 out of 30
Charity Lawson (The Bachelorette) with partner Artem Chigvintsev. The duo rode the wave of popularity from the remake of The Little Mermaid with Halle Bailey by dancing a near flawless waltz to “Part of Your World.” “You talked about stepping into these beloved characters,” said Inaba. “I want you to know you brought that justice and brought it to life in the most beautiful way.” Score: 24 out of 30
Ariana Madix (Vanderpump Rules) with partner Pasha Pashkov. Her contemporary performance to Frozen 2’s “Into the Unknown” was gorgeous but it left Inaba wanting bigger moves. Whatever; the men on the dais were dazzled. “Ariana you have an amazing ability o truly embody the essence of whatever character you are playing in these dances,” said Hough. “That was sensational. Beautiful movement. Score: 25 out of 30
Actress Xochitl Gomez (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) with partner Val Chmerkovskiy. We interrupt our regular programing to give you this breaking update: HYUNDAI SPONSORED THIS EPISODE! So guess what the duo drove to rehearsal (Insert eye rolling emoji here) before they practiced their paso doble to music from Disney’s Coco? Please stop busying the frontrunner with such menial tasks, DWTS, while she’s trying to remain firmly ensconced at the top of the leaderboard. “That was unbelievable,” said Inaba. “I’m watching you dance. I’ve seen many, many paso dobles what you bring to the dance floor but there is a speed, a dynamic. You are in your power but in a beautiful and light way.” Score: 27 out of 30
After a quick and classy tribute to season 20 competitor Suzanne Somers, who died recently at 76, it was time to name the final three: Pons/Armstrong, Williams/Murgatroyd, and Peterson/Stewart.
Peterson got the boot.