Things got spooky in the DWTS ballroom on the October 31st episode.
The show’s annual Halloween episode, which was named Monster Night, the night featured the remaining nine couples all putting their own ghoulist twist on their respective routines. To add to the fun, last Tuesday’s show was full of Halloween treats – actress and season 10 competitor Niecy Nash Betts pulled up a seat at the judge’s table.
Additionally, couples also competed in a dance marathon for the chance to earn extra points. These extra points definitely shook things up – especially since couples also had the chance to earn 40 points instead of the usual 30 from their main numbers. Last Tuesday’s scores had a nine-point gap between the lowest to highest couples, with scores ranging from 28 to 37.
Grammy winner Jason Mraz and his partner Daniella Karagach opened the show with their Contemporary to “Zombie” by The Cranberries. Mraz shared he hoped for a “10” this week, and although he didn’t get his wish, he still got four “9s” earning him 36 out of 40 points, and landing him at second place on the leaderboard.
Actress Alyson Hannigan then danced a Paso Doble with her partner Sasha Farber to “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse. The routine earned the couple 29 out of 40 points.
Next up, actress Xochitl Gomez and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy danced a Contemporary to “Game of Survival” by Ruelle. Gomez shared how excited she was about earning a “10” the previous week. Towards the end of the couple’s routine, Gomez suffered an ankle injury that required Chmerkovskiy to carry her to the judge’s table to hear her feedback. Despite the minor setback, Gomez still landed atop the leaderboard after earning 37 points and was good to dance in the dance marathon later that night.
Too Hot To Handle star Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold danced next with an Argentine Tango to “Blinding Lights” by District 78. Jowsey shared how discouraging it is to land at the bottom of the leaderboard each week. “I’m doing my best and it’s never enough,” he explained. Despite Jowsey’s best efforts to have a comeback, the routine only earned the couple 28 points, landing them at the bottom of the leaderboard once again.
The Brady Bunch star Barry Williams and his partner Peta Murgatroyd danced next with a Viennese Waltz to “It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” by James Brown. Judge Bruno Tonioli commenced Williams for staying on beat, but judge Derek Hough recommended Williams focus on “a little more content.” The routine earned the couple 31 points.
Vanderpump Rules reality star Ariana Madix and her partner Pasha Pashkov were up next with their Argentine Tango to “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish. Madix shared her excitement about receiving a “9” the previous week, and how that definitely gave her motivation for Monster Night. The couple’s routine earned Madix her first “10” of the season and 37 points, as well as landed her tied at the top of the leaderboard with Gomez and Chmerkovskiy.
Social media personality Lele Pons and her partner Brandon Armstrong danced next with their Paso Doble to “Bloody Mary” by Lady Gaga. Pons shared how she wants to continue to get higher scores and that she wants to “show the judges I’m up for a big challenge.” The routine earned Pons her first “9” and a total of 33 points.
Real estate broker and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills husband Mauricio Umansky and his partner Emma Slater were next with their Argentine Tango to “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell. Umansky shared that his three “8s” the previous week felt great and how, “I wanna prove to everyone and especially the judges that I am a serious contender.” The routine ultimately earned the couple 31 points.
Bachelorette star Charity Lawson and her partner Artem Chigvintsev had the last dance of the night before the dance marathon. The couple performed a Jive to “Skeleton Sam” by LVCRFT. The routine earned the couple 35 points, and landed them at third place on the leaderboard.
It was now time for the dance marathon! Every couple danced improv routines in small areas, and based on the judge’s decisions, couples were removed throughout the marathon. Halfway through the marathon, the dance switched to the Charlston, which allowed the remaining couples to move around the floor. Williams and Murgatroyd and Jowsey and Arnold were the first couples eliminated from the dance floor, earning both couples only one bonus point. The last couple standing at the end of the marathon was Gomez and Chmerkovskiy, making them the winners and earning them five bonus points.
It was now time for the scariest part of the night – the elimination. Hannigan and Farber, Jowsey and Arnold, and Umansky and Slater found themselves as the bottom three based on viewers’ votes. It was then revealed that Umansky and Slater had been eliminated.
A new episode of DWTS premiered on Tuesday, November 7 – and it was Music Video Night! It will be exciting to watch the remaining eight couples compete in the first team dances of the season!