Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 7 Recap: Whose Dark Routine Was a Halloween Treat?

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Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 7 was devoted to “Halloween Nightmares.” This twist on the normal Halloween theme saw the celebrities embrace their darkest fears. And every pair delivered amazing and creepy performances. Plus, judge Carrie Ann Inaba, dressed as a leopard, was in a spooktacular mood, as she handed out 10s like candy.

Last week, during “Disney Night,” Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks and her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, were eliminated. Unfortunately, her technique in her Jazz routine and the group dance just didn’t rise to the level of the other contestants. Still, I enjoyed her sassy behavior and positive attitude.

Once again last week, Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong topped the leaderboard. Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten, along with Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, tied for second place. Since Brandon and Chandler had the highest score, they were immune from the dreaded Dance Off for “Halloween Nightmares.” That is a pretty sweet reward to only learn one dance.

What happened in Dancing with the Stars, Season 33, Episode 7?

Not only did the couples have an individual round, but they also took part in the Dance Off. Two couples danced to the same song, in the same style, side by side. Then the judges selected which couple would receive three points added to their individual scores.

Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach competed against Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten. The couples performed a Cha – Cha to Ray Parker Jr.’s song, Ghostbusters. Daniella and Dwight won.

Next up was Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold versus Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber. These duos performed a Salsa to Jump In the Line by Harry Belafonte. Jenn and Sasha won that round.

Finally, Joey and Jenna went up against Danny Amendola and Witney Carson. They performed a Jive to Time Warp, by Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, and Richard O’Brien. Joey and Jenna were the winners.

Who was eliminated in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 7?

Dancing with the Stars Halloween Nightmares

Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber were eliminated in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 7!

This elimination was a shock. Bachelorette star Jenn and her partner, Sasha, had a great night. Since Jenn is afraid of vampires, she portrayed one in their Contemporary dance to Olivia Rodrigo’s song, Vampire. It was dramatic, moody, and dark. Plus, Jenn was confident, which added to their performance.

“The Queen of the Damned. You really got your teeth into that performance,” judge Bruno Tonioli said. “Tonight, you were on top of it all the way through.”

Then Carrie Ann weighed in. “So, Jenn, I know that you were just waiting for a 9, but you actually have to earn a 9. Okay?” Carrie Ann stated. “And guess what? You earned that! That was an amazing dance. This was athletic, and it was emotional.”

Finally, Derek Hough said, “I loved it. The intensity, the drama. I love this partnership.” When Jen received a 10 from Carrie Ann, she was over the moon. After that, the duo won their Dance Off, landing them in a tie for third place on the leaderboard with a score of 31 points.

Even though she was eliminated, Jenn was happy about her DWTS experience. “I’m just so grateful to have met all the people that I’ve met here. Everybody here has been so amazing and so kind,” she said. “I can’t even imagine a life without Sasha at this point.” I am totally shipping Jenn and Sasha.

Who got the top score of the night in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 7?

Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong, and Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, got the highest scores in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 7.

Chandler and Brandon performed a Viennese Waltz to Secret by Denmark + Winter. In the routine, Chandler played an evil doll who stabbed Brandon at the end of the dance. “My darling, I am, and I think we all are, totally spellbound,” Bruno said. “But the quality of movement, that really was exquisite.”

Carrie Ann said that the dance was difficult, with more criteria to judge, so she wouldn’t call it “perfection.” However, Derek disagreed and stood up to give the couple a slow clap. Both Bruno and Derek gave the couple a 10, with Carrie Ann throwing up her 9-paddle. Chandler and Brandon were immune from the Dance Off but received three additional points.

Meanwhile, Jenna and Joey danced an Argentine Tango to Róisín Murphy‘s Ramalama (Bang Bang.) Jenna played a ventriloquist’s dummy. This performance was kind of creepy, yet kind of sexy.

“You are the ultimate puppet master because you are always in control when you dance, which is a huge compliment,” Derek told Joey. However, he felt there were a couple of times when the lifts seemed a bit wobbly.

Bruno exclaimed, “That was a spine-chilling thriller of a Tango! I was totally hypnotized. Slick. Clean. Brilliance.” And Carrie Ann was also impressed. “You’ve been at the top of the leaderboard for a while now, but what I saw tonight, is you took it up a notch,” she explained. Joey and Jenna received 29 out of 30, with 10’s from Carrie Ann and Bruno.

What were the judge’s scores in DWTS Season 33, Episode 7?

These scores include the three extra points that Joey, Dwight, and Jenn won in the Dance Off.

Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Viennese Waltz) – 32 points
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Argentine Tango) – 32 points
Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach (Contemporary) – 31 points
Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber (Contemporary) – 31 points
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Argentine Tango) – 28 points
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Contemporary) – 28 points
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Tango) – 24 points

I loved Dwight and Daniella’s Contemporary. In this piece, Dwight played a Boogeyman pursuing Daniella. Her palpable fear, the dizzying lifts, Dwight’s menacing presence, and the eerie music made this a bone-chilling performance. Both Daniella and Dwight cried after getting the first 10 of the season from Carrie Ann.

Plus, Danny and Witney’s slithery Argentine Tango was amazing. The NFL star continues to improve every week. And extra points to Witney for having someone bring in a giant snake for Danny to hold during rehearsal.

Still, one of my favorite routines was Joey and Jenna’s killer doll dance. I also liked Chandler and Brandon’s murderous, Victorian doll dance. Do I sense a theme? These two couples have nailed the technique and given their performances an ominous vibe.

Meanwhile, Stephen and Rylee’s Contemporary based on the Olympian’s fear of the dark was athletic and unsettling. Stephen played a dark, nightmare character pursuing Rylee. Stephen’s make-up made him look sinister. “Stephen, my friend, you look crazy,” Derek said. And Carrie Ann climbed up on the desk to show how much she loved the performance. She also flashed her 10-paddle.

Final thoughts on Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 7

The opening gave me a chuckle. Derek woke up at home from a nightmare but still heard eerie chanting. He pulled back the shower curtain to reveal Bruno in the shower. Hilarious! Overall, I enjoyed every ghoulish moment of “Halloween Nightmares.”

I thought that all the couples really brought it tonight. Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten’s Tango to Miley Cyrus’ Psycho Killer didn’t quite measure up to the other dances. Derek pointed out that the Tango uses toe leads, not heel leads. For some reason, Ilona seemed nervous. I’m hoping that she can rebound from this dance, or I fear that she will be sent home next time.

DWTS won’t air next week because it is Election Night, but it will be back on November 12, 2024. That will be the show’s 500^th episode and will feature reunions of fan favorites from the past. I wonder who will Salsa back into the ballroom? Plus, the competitors will face the most nail-biting challenge ever – the Instant Dance round. I dread that challenge, and I’m home on my couch!

Dancing with the Stars Season 33 returns on Tuesday, November 12 at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.

TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 33, EPISODE 7? WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT JENN AND SASHA WENT HOME? WHICH SPINE-CHILLING DANCE WAS YOUR FAVORITE?

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