'DWTS' Week 3: Two perfect stars, one elimination
We needed some popcorn — or maybe something stronger — to get through Monday's Dancing With the Stars.
It was Movie Night.
And it was the first combined performance and elimination night of the season.
Add to that: A rowdy, funny Kevin Hart took Len Goodman's seat at the judges' table alongside (crazy) Carrie Ann Inaba, (nitpicking) Julianne Hough and (relatively calm) Bruno Tonioli.
Hart hilariously roared his way through the night, shouting out his scores louder than any of them. Josh Gad joined Hart on the ballroom floor to do a mean hand jive. The two co-star in the upcoming movie The Wedding Ringer.
But before there was any competitive dancing, hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews told Randy Couture and Karina Smirnoff they were in jeopardy of going home. Would he ultimately be the one to get the boot?
Here's how the night unfolded:
Janel Parrish: The actress was excited to be doing a jazz dance to West Side Story music. But then producers told her and partner Val Chmerkovskiy not to use any moves from the famous film. They were bummed, but managed to do a jazz dance to America that was charming and filled with lifts and jumps, completely wowing the ballroom. Julianne said it was like watching "a full on Broadway show." Bruno said it was her "star-making turn." Carrie Ann said it was "insane" and attempted to say Janel "gives good sexy dancing," but it came out, "gives good sex." Kevin said, "I bow down." Score: 10, 10, 10, 10 = 40
Bethany Mota: Derek Hough had big plans for Bethany to do a classic Gene Kelly number. The famous dancer's widow, Patricia Ward, came to visit to wish them luck on their jazz dance to Singin' in the Rain. No pressure living up that, right? Derek was, of course, amazing, choreographing a number that included umbrellas and rain and tons of sweet steps. Carrie Ann's jaw was dropped. Scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 = 40
Tommy Chong: If there's one dance the comedian knows, it's the Argentine tango. He gave Peta Murgatroyd a few tips for their sizzling number, which he completely commanded. Bruno said it was "sensual." Carrie Ann said it was like "watching Yoda dance." Kevin said he was "poised." Julianne said he was "flawless." Scores: 8, 10, 8, 8 = 34 "I think I owe Kevin something," said Tommy after the scoring.
Sadie Robertson: Sadie and Mark Ballas danced a sweet Viennese Waltz to Married Life from Disney's Up. At the end, Sadie floated up in the ballroom on balloons. Carrie Ann said it was her "favorite dance." Kevin said it was "seamless." Julianne was critical of her arms. Bruno said he was "totally and utterly charmed." Scores: 8, 8, 8, 8 = 32
Alfonso Ribeiro: The actor has always liked Austin Powers. So he put on a frilly shirt and a velvet suit and quickstepped his way around the ballroom with a little Mini Me. His son, A.J., who is only 11 months old, was shown in the audience in mom Angela Unkrich's arms. Carrie Ann said she was "so impressed." Kevin said, "You don't put a black man in a tux and ask him to dance." He added that Alfonso "murdered that, brother." Julianne nitpicked about him not getting "low" enough. Scores: 8, 8, 8, 8 = 32
Jonathan Bennett: The actor and Allison Holker, who was upset about criticism from last week, attempted a tango to Back to Black from The Great Gatsby. It was a tough song for tangoing, and the actor seemed to have a few missteps. Kevin liked the "moment." Julianne said he needed to work on his frame. Bruno liked his "intense melancholy." Scores: 8, 8, 8, 8 = 32
Lea Thompson: Of course she danced to The Power of Love from Back to the Future. Her cute cha cha with Artem Chigvintsev had a prom theme. Kevin loved that she was smiling through it all. "Amazing job." Julianne noticed a "little hand slip," but praised her versatility. Bruno said it was "the power of Lea" on display. Carrie Ann thought she was off throughout the whole thing. Scores 7, 8, 8, 8 = 31
Betsey Johnson: The designer had a fear of falling, she said, in rehearsals. "I don't know if I can do it." She and partner Tony Dovolani danced a slow, contemporary dance to Unchained Melody. It included a couple of lifts and, yes, a back walkover into the splits. The judges liked it. Carrie Ann said Betsey had "beautiful extension" but wanted her to point her toes more. Kevin said she was like a "21-year-old girl" and that she was "dropping it like it was hot." Julianne praised her flexibility. Bruno added, "No one can bend it like Betsey." Scores: 7, 9, 6, 7 = 29
Antonio Sabato, Jr.: Cheryl Burke cracked the whip on Antonio this week as he learned his foxtrot. Their dance to Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Guardians of the Galaxy version) was a crowd-pleaser, even though it was a little clunky. Bruno said he needed to "turn from the waist." Carrie said he was "stiff in places that are a little strange." Kevin booed Carrie Ann and said Antonio was "killing that tux," adding, "I think you did good." Scores: 7, 7, 7, 8 = 29
Michael Waltrip: The NASCAR star put on a pointy hat to do a sweet and romantic Robin Hood waltz with partner Emma Slater. "I'm going to step on the gas tonight and nail this waltz," he promised. And he did. The crowd loved it. And so did the judges. Julianne called him over and told him it was his "best dance" ever. Bruno said it showed that he had "worked" hard. Carrie Ann was "mesmerized." Scores: 7, 7, 7, 7 = 28
Randy Couture: His MMA background helped provide him with some fierce moves for his paso doble to Eye of the Tiger. But it wasn't enough. Julianne said his timing was off and the dance lacked charm. Bruno also noted the timing problem, but urged more "shaping" of his dance moves. Kevin thought it was "a hell of a performance." Scores: 7, 7, 6, 6 = 26
In the end it came down to Randy, Jonathan and Antonio in jeopardy.
Who got the boot? Randy and his partner, Karina Smirnoff. "I'm shocked," said Erin Andrews.
"I'm happy," replied Randy. "It's been a great experience, putting myself out there, trying something new. It's been fun."