‘Dancing With The Stars’ Recap: Julianne Hough Hosts; Valerie Harper Gets Eliminated

Dancing With the Stars began with a group number starring DWTS dance pro-turned-movie star Julianne Hough, who then retreated to the judges’ table as a stand-in for Len Goodman.

The first duo to take to the dance floor was Jack Osbourne – who recently dressed his daughter up to look like his dad Ozzy – and Cheryl Burke. Despite a frustrating week of rehearsals, Osbourne proved he’s a capable ballroom dancer with the Quickstep routine. They receive 24 points from the judges.

Next up was Val Chmerkovskiy leading Saved By Bell’s Elizabeth Berkley in a sultry Argentine Tango. It’s nearly flawless, as Berkley puts her Showgirls misery behind her and shows herself to be a natural in the Latin dance. Berkley and Chmerkovskiy received straight 9s from the judges for a score of 27.

Brant Daugherty’s high score of 27 last week made his partner Peta Murgatroyd feel as though they really needed to take the difficulty up a notch for this week. Unfortunately, a bike accident injury left the actor with a shoulder too weak for the lifts. In the end, they put together an energetic Salsa that includes the removal of Daugherty’s shirt. Eye candy or not, the dancing wasn’t up to par and the judges gave the pair just 21 points.

A Viennese Walt was a much better dance for Valerie Harper and Tristan MacManus this week. Harper, though out of sync when not attached to MacManus, seemed to flow much better in the dance when she was with her partner on the dance floor. The judges awarded them straight 6s for 18 points.

Leah Remini tried to have Tony Dovolani strip during their Cha Cha to bring the sexy to the Latin dance – but her dance moves were enough. The actress, who recently split from the Church of Scientology, impressed the judges with her immersion in the dance. Some errors in technique knocked her down slightly, but she still pulled off a score of 24.

Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff danced a powerful Paso Doble, which further confirmed that the former Disney star is the guy to beat in the competition. Smirnoff opted to keep the whole routine gimmick-free – aside from encouraging Bleu to tear his shirt off. Some weak hip action keeps the pair from getting the competition's first 10 and they receive 27 points.

Jiving in cheerleader costumes were Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Sasha Farber. It’s one of the Jersey Shore star's weaker performances, due in part to Farber’s goofy theme and choreography. Still, they manage to avoid getting any 7s and finish with 24 points.

This week, Christina Milian and Mark Ballas danced the Foxtrot in a routine that began dramatically behind the bars of a jail. It’s a fun version of the ballroom dance, but both Carrie Ann Inaba and Hough complain that Ballas showcases himself and his choreography ideas before his celebrity partner. They get 24 points.

Amber Riley, who’s juggling shooting Glee and recording an album on top of DWTS, is having some knee troubles. The injury is forcing her to sit out rehearsals and to learn the Tango routine by watching pro Derek Hough. In the end, Riley proves a quick study and they get 9s from the judges.

Last up was comedian Bill Engvall and Emma Slater doing the Samba. Engvall’s hips failed him this week in the rhythmic dance. Even though he gave an admittedly entertaining performance, the judges scored him fairly with 7s all around.

The three dancers listed in jeopardy were Daugherty and Murgatroyd, Harper and MacManus, and Polizzi and Farber. After it was revealed that Polizzi and Farber were safe, it was confirmed that it was the end of the line for Harper on Dancing With the Stars.

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

– Chelsea Regan

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