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Dancing With the Stars is Back! Who Got Eliminated?

Dancing with the stars

Dancing with the Stars is back! This time it’s a shortened four-week season with double eliminations each week, starting tonight! Wow! Let’s get started. As a reminder, here are your contestants who are only athletes:

Adam Rippon
Jamie Anderson
Jennie Finch
Tonya Harding
Josh Norman
Arike Ogunbowale
Chris Mazdzer
Johnny Damon
Mirai Nagasu
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I don’t understand why it’s only four weeks and why they aren’t having an entire season. And also, is this voting fair — remember how American Idol went last night?


Up first is Olympian Chris Mazdzer, who talks about the sport of luge. His first dance? Salsa. His partner — Whitney. Of course, during the first week, there’s a lot of awkwardness, but Chris seems a bit comfortable, which is a good thing and he’s already throwing Whitney up in the air. He definitely has some great sex appeal too, so this is a good start to the show. Len is impressed, Carrie Ann fans herself because Chris has ‘star quality.’ Scores, 7, 7, 7 for 21 out of 30.

Look up because Kareem Abdul-Jabaar is dancing next. Lindsay is dancing with Kareem, who is 7 foot 1 inches tall to Lindsay’s 5’4″. Doing the Cha Cha, Kareem looks cute with the women dancing around him, but of course here comes the awkwardness. Of course, it’s not nearly as polished as Chris, but he’s a lot younger than Kareem, who is really a support system for Lindsay, more than a dancer. The judges talk about keeping it simple, dignified and a nice performance. Scores: 6, 5, 6 for 17.

Pitcher Jennie Finch-Daigle and Keo are dancing next and Jennie lives on a ranch now and is a mom. Let’s see if Jennie hits it out of the park or strikes out. She’s staring straight ahead and looks nervous as hell, so she could loosen up a little during their foxtrot, but she seems to be holding her own. Aw, I love her kids at the end, that was cute. But it is a dance competition, so the judges say: Carrie calls it beautiful; Len says she has flair and control, but she went a little wonky. Scores: 7, 7, 7: 21.

Snowboarder Jamie Anderson hits the dance floor next with Artem and they are dancing the Viennese Waltz. She looks beautiful and the stage is definitely to their advantage with the smoke. Jamie looks nervous, but again she’s doing well. Nice first dance! Scores: 6, 7, 6: 19.

Figure skater Mirai Nagasu is dancing with Alan and they are doing salsa. Marai is definitely a little more advanced than the other athletes and I love her facial expressions. She’s selling it. But then again, figure skaters are dancers by sport, so it should be a little easier than for, say Kareem. Scores: 7, 8, 8: 23.

Arike Ogunbowale, a college basketball player, is up next and is the first collegiate athlete to be on the show. Gleb is her partner and Arike has some moves in this salsa. She’s also in sneakers! Love it. I’m not sure this is a salsa, but we’ll see what the judges say. Scores: 7, 6, 7: 20.

Adam Rippon, another Olympic figure skater, is Mirai’s best friend and they went to the Olympics together. Again, I think he has a step up above the other contestants. Dancing with Jenna (from So You Think You Can Dance), they are doing the Cha Cha and of course, he has moves. He lost a little balance on one spin, but the rest of the routine is fantastic. Len thinks Adam was good. Scores: 8, 8, 8 for 24: the highest score of the night.

Okay, I’ll admit it that out of all the contestants, I couldn’t wait to see how Johnny Damon would do. He’s dancing with Emma and they are doing the foxtrot. He looks so happy dancing to “Put me in coach.” Not the best of hte night, but I didn’t expect that he would be. Except that it is a fun routine and he did better than I thought he would. Scores: 6, 6, 6: 18.

Tonya Harding, figure skater, is up next and talks about her previous choices (see I, Tonya). She’s dancing with Sasha and is dancing the foxtrot and is it me or does Tonya look incredibly happy to be out on the floor. No judgments here, so let’s leave that somewhere else. Dang girl, she got twirled on the floor! Can anyone say dark horse? Awwww, they are throwing roses and she’s so emotional. Allison Janey is in the audience! Carrie Ann called her a beautiful dancer. Len calls it charming. Scores: 8, 8, and 7.

Last up is hunky Josh Norman — okay, they are closing the windows on voting??? Josh barely will finish dancing and they are closing the voting? I.DO.NOT.UNDERSTAND. Josh and Sharna are dancing the cha cha and Josh moves well and definitely has some sex appeal going on. I hope he sticks around. Scores: 8, 8, 8: 24. Tied for the highest score of the night.

Who is in jeopardy?
Jamie and Artem
Johnny and Emma
Tonya and Sasha

the rest are safe.

Tonya and Sasha are safe, so Jamie and Artem and Johnny and Emma are leaving the competition. Well, I got to see Johnny dance once. LOL

Written by Lisa Iannucci

Lisa Iannucci has been interviewing professional athletes and Olympians, sports writers and film/tv personalities for more than a decade. Her book, A Film & TV Lover's Travel Guide is now available: https://www.amazon.com/Location-Film-Lovers-Travel-Guide/dp/149303085X

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