During Monday’s Halloween episode of Dancing With the Stars, there were plenty of treats — and only tricks of the intentionally choreographed variety.Of course, the biggest scare for the Season 30 contestants was probably when Spice Girls alum Mel C was unexpectedly eliminated last week. On Monday, however, the fear of an untimely exit seemed to work in many couples’ favour, with season-best performances and perfect scores popping up like that hand at the end of Carrie.Let’s take a look at the Horror Night routines:The Miz and pro Witney Carson (Hellraiser-inspired Paso Doble): Overall, I believe this was The Miz’s best performance to date, and I was pleasantly surprised by the restraint he displayed in a style that can easily go off the “We’re supposed to be dramatic!” rails.
However, the judges’ assumption that The Miz was acting stiffly on purpose in order to embody Pinhead, rather than because he was actually dancing stiffly, seemed a tad too generous to me. Judges’ Rating: 34/40 Kenya Moore and professional Brandon Armstrong (Arachnophobia-Inspired Argentine Tango): Kenya’s legs, hello! Kenya’s lines and dynamics during performances are really excellent, so it’s a shame she still doesn’t look completely at ease on the dance floor.
Kenya appeared lost in her own thoughts, especially in this Argentine tango, looking to Brandon for cues more than should be expected after six weeks of competition. Judges’ Rating: 32/40JoJo Siwa and professional Jenna Johnson (It-inspired jazz): Remember the scene in the 2017 It remake where Pennywise dances in the most terrifying way possible, gleefully bouncing up one leg at a time with a chilling expression on his face? (If you dare, watch it here.) JoJo was able to capture the essence of Pennywise’s haunting performance by bringing elasticity and energy to her moves without sacrificing technique.
I think this routine can only be described as delightfully deranged when paired with a creepy “Anything Goes” remix as JoJo and Jenna’s soundtrack. 40/40 from the judges Jimmie Allen and pro Emma Slater (A Quiet Place-inspired contemporary): Oh, this was wonderful. Jimmie is the best at conveying emotion through his movements of any of the remaining male celebrities in the competition, and this performance was done with such sensitivity.
I wish there had been a few fewer lifts for Emma, so Jimmie could show off his true dance ability without constantly hoisting her, but hey — a sob-inducing number is a sob-inducing number. Judges’ Rating: 38/40Val Chmerkovskiy and Olivia Jade (Paso Doble inspired by The Purge): What could be more impressive than this paso doble? Olivia and Val’s tap-dance about why Olivia isn’t connecting with the voting audience. Exceptionally smooth evasion all around! Anyway, this paso doble was pretty good; I just wish Olivia’s facial expressions had been as intense and enthusiastic as Val’s. Judges’ Rating: 36/40Melora Hardin and pro Artem Chigvintsev (pictured doing a Cujo-inspired jive): Unfortunately, this wasn’t Melora’s best performance, and it’s unfortunate that it was one of her weaker ones — Still good! Just a little weaker! — fell on a night when so many others did. Perhaps it was Artem’s choreography or the tempo of “Hound Dog,” but this jive felt oddly sluggish, and Melora is capable of handling something more complex. Judges’ Rating: 34/40
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DWTS | According to Matthew Hayden, “there has never been a more disciplined and humble approach to winning than in Pakistan’s locker room.”
