Dancing with the Stars picked up this week following last week’s double elimination of athletes Diana Nyad and Sean Avery with its seasonal “The Most Memorable Year” episode, featuring Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts as a guest judge.

Dancing With the Stars Recap

The first to take the dance floor were Big Time Rush singer James Maslow and his professional partner Peta Murgatroyd. Maslow had chosen to represent the year 2007 – when he finally stopped getting bullied for being overweight growing up. In the high school-themed jive, Maslow showcased his athleticism with flips and kicks that duly impressed the judges’ panel. Score: 36

Dancing the rumba were NeNe Leakes and Tony Dovolani for the year Leakes got remarried to her ex-husband (2013). The dance was all about the passion and even included a bed for a prop. Leakes’ performance was an overall improvement, though Dovolani definitely stole the spotlight. Score: 31

Cody Simpson moved to the U.S. from Australia and signed a record deal in 2010, so that’s the year for which he and Witney Carson danced their jazz routine. Playing on Simpson’s pop dancing talents – and using one of his songs – they put on an energetic routine that left the judges satisfied despite it’s lack of traditional jazz moves. Score: 35

Danica McKellar and Val Chmerkovskiy danced a contemporary routine for 2010, the year the actress’ son was born and in which her grandmother passed away. Val interwove the themes of death and rebirth beautifully into the choreography, and McKellar stepped up to make the routine resonate emotionally with the judges. Score: 36

Drew Carey, inspired by 2005 when his son was born and he decided to make healthier life choices, danced a Waltz with Cheryl Burke. Carey again gave his all to the dance, but the effort and struggle was apparent. The judges are still looking for the comedian to improve his fluidity. Score: 30

Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy danced a foxtrot not for one year, but for her 17-year journey with fellow Dancing with the Stars contestant Charlie White. The judges seemed to lavish as much praise on Maks’ choreography as they did on Davis’ undeniable skills as a dancer. Her technique makes it obvious that her ice dancing experience is giving her a clear advantage. Score: 39

Paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy was dancing for 1999, the year in which she lost her legs and received a kidney from her dad that saved her life. With Derek Hough, she danced a contemporary routine that was inspired by the concept of her falling and her dad being there to help her up. Score: 36

The other ice dancer, Charlie White, picked 2010 as his most memorable year, as it was the one in which he and Meryl were awarded a silver and given the motivation to capture the gold the following Olympics. Like Meryl, White has the dancing experience that makes his routine – a jive with Sharna Burgess – look professional. Score: 36

Last up on Monday was Candace Cameron Bure, who chose to remember 1995 – the year Full House wrapped and in which she became engaged to her husband. Dancing a jive, Bure often seemed to struggle to keep up with her pro partner Mark Ballas. Also, once again Ballas seems more concerned with how he looks throughout the dance, rather than putting his star partner in the spotlight. Score: 32

Billy Dee Williams, who was unable to dance due to back problems this week and who had the fewest points last week, is going home. Toping the leaderboard this week is Meryl Davis, while Drew Carey and NeNe Leakes remain at the bottom.

Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays on ABC at 8/7c.

– Chelsea Regan

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