‘Dancing With the Stars’ recap: Jodie Sweetin heads home, five celebs remain for semifinals

It’s no accident that “Dancing With the Stars” is still going strong in its 22nd season. So why does it have such durable appeal? There are plenty of reasons for that, as any fan can enumerate, including its C- and D-list celebrities, its skin-baring pros, its now-familiar tricks and twists, its predictable tears and triumphs.

But it’s not one single quality. Its unfailing all-American charm comes from the sum of its parts.

One of those indispensable pieces? The judging panel. Guests may come and guests may go, and Len Goodman may hide out in the U.K. for an extended sabbatical, but he returns and takes his place beside Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.

And we love that, don’t we?

What we also adore? Len high-lariously said he’s mellowing with age, Carrie Ann played Fook Yu in “Austin Powers in Goldmember” and Bruno effused so much he fell off his chair (pick a season, any season).

So it’s a kick to see “Judge’s Team Up Challenge,” an episode that gave us more face time with the talented trio. Len, Carrie Ann and Bruno got to do what made them famous in the first place – choreograph and stage dance numbers for the remaining six couples.

And we got to understand a little of what makes each of them tick as people, not just score-givers. Carrie Ann’s a cat lady, Len has frighteningly white feet (from his golf cleats), and Bruno sits on his balcony naked. Well, there’s a newspaper involved. Gads! Are you relieved that we only see him in the ballroom?

Elsewhere in “DWTS” news: Nyle schooled everyone on what it’s like to perform in the ballroom as a deaf person, in just the kind of memorable moment that producers salivate and audiences sob over. More on that soon.

Keep reading to find out what happened on Monday night, but here’s a non-spoiler spoiler: Jodie Sweetin went home. That leaves five couples and two more shows until the finale on May 24.

Bets on the Mirrorball winner anyone? I’m sticking with Nyle, my early prediction and sentimental choice, and not just because I want more Tyra Banks sightings (but I do). Truth is, Ginger and Paige are rock solid and, with their obvious fan support, either could take the trophy.

Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd

Paso doble to “Victorious” by Panic! At the Disco

Every couple heard their status before they performed, so it’ll be noted at the top. Nyle and Pets, no surprise, were safe!

Nyle was first last week, and Peta wanted his follow-up performance to be particularly powerful. Nyle added his own twist – silence in the middle of the dance. Peta knew it would be risky, and Nyle was intrigued by the idea of making the pro dancers do some of the choreography without music. He wanted them to walk in his shoes for a moment. It would’ve been a sharp and fierce paso doble even without the stunt. Len found fault in his body position – to lots of audience boos – but Bruno called it a classic moment on “DWTS.” Carrie Ann, through tears, said she had “never seen anything that touched me so profoundly.” She thought it was “brilliant.”

Score: 29, 10s from Bruno and Carrie Ann

Antonio Brown and Sharna Burgess

Viennese waltz to “Love on the Brain” by Rihanna

In jeopardy

Antonio wasn’t quite sure what the Viennese waltz was, but Sharna tried to emphasize that it’s a lilting, romantic dance of love. Antonio did prove once again that he was serious about the competition, according to the rehearsal video, because he managed to make it to practice early. Sharna nearly fell over. But it was obvious that he’s learned and grown during his weeks on the show. Bruno loved his “attention to detail,” and Carrie Ann said he’s learned to elongate his lines. Len noticed his footwork, “more yes than no.”

Score: 27

Jodie Sweetin and Keo Motsepe

Jive to “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” by Christina Aguilera

In jeopardy

Of course we had to relive that critique where Carrie Ann threw Keo under the bus last week. Poor Keo! He referred to some nasty press reports that said he was holding Jodie back, and gracious Jodie stuck up for him during the practice video. “It’s ridiculous,” she said. “If anything, he’s made me shine.” They grabbed a bunch of pros for a gospel-tinged jive, and they had as much fun as you can have at a church revival. Carrie Ann backtracked a bit on Keo and called it Jodie’s “best dance ever.” Len said she’s “grown and flown,” and the performance made him happy. “Rejoice, hallelujah!” Bruno said, calling it “a creative tour de force.”

Score: a perfect 30

Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas

Viennese waltz to Demi Lovato’s “Stone Cold”

Safe

Paige landed a perfect score last week, making her feel like “I belong here.” And Mark “The Method Choreographer” Ballas decided to go “Game of Thrones” and “Romeo and Juliet” and some other mashup, but not “Monsters Inc.” as Paige had dubbed it. It’s was a frozen theme, but thankfully not “Frozen” themed. They were almost like icy statues come to life, and Paige got completely into character (not only can she dance, but she can act, too). Len nitpicked her form in hold but called her terrific, and Bruno thought it was “chilling and thrilling.” By interrupting the flow of the waltz, it was risky but “amazing.” Carrie Ann found layers of emotion in it, with “9,000 qualities of movement.”

29, with a 10 from Carrie Ann

Ginger Zee and Val Chmerkovskiy

Argentine tango to “Telephone” by Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce

Safe

Ginger snagged the season’s first perfect 10, rightly so, for an absolutely lovely waltz last week. The “Good Morning, America” meteorologist had to tackle a “dirty brothel of a character,” whatever that means, in the piece, she said during rehearsal. Val, man bun intact, challenged her to get aggressive, but we already know from her attempt at Janet Jackson that she’s better suited to flowing and bouncy than serious and sexy. But she really pulled it off, finding her inner black-clad tango goddess. She surged at just the right time in the contest. Bruno growled at her and called her a “tantalizing temptress,” and said the partner work was “outstanding.” Carrie Ann said it was “mind blowing,” and they were “one being.” Len loved the extremes: fire, ice, soft, hard. He had nothing bad to say. What?

Score: 30

Wanya Morris and Lindsay Arnold

Jive to “Can You Do This” by Aloe Blacc

In jeopardy

The Boyz II Men star wished he’d done better last week, and Lindsay was discouraged by the middling scores. They responded by working so hard that Lindsay took an elbow to the face – medic! – and Wanya topped 22 pounds of weight loss. They took on a Western-themed jive, and the competitor in both of them came out, but it just wasn’t enough to make up for some mistakes. Wanya slipped on a bandana prop, which threw him off time. Carrie Ann called it “a rough ride,” but Bruno compared him to a rodeo bronco.

Score: 25

On to the judge’s choice part of the episode, with viewers (not on the West Coast) able to score the couples online in real time, in essence playing judge No. 3.

Bruno Tonioli took charge of Nyle and Peta, Jodie and Keo, giving them an unconventional Argentine tango in that the men and women would dance together at some point, and Jodie and Nyle would do the same for the first time. And it was hot! Len loved the concept and Bruno’s “bravery” in switching up the couples. Carrie Ann dubbed it “not an easy dance” that was “really engaging to watch,” with all of it in sync, no matter the couplings.

Score: 29, 10s from Len and Carrie Ann, a stingy 9 from viewers

Team Len worked with Wanya and Lindsay, Ginger and Val, admitting he hadn’t done the samba since 1973. And he wanted a cameo in the number. No problem! The jaunty Caribbean-theamed number worked well for the whole crew, and come on, how adorable were Wanya and Ginger dancing together? Crazy cute! And Wanya had a glitter six-pack shirt. That must’ve been custom made. And then there was Len, King of the Jungle, in a grass skirt and headdress. Bruno thought it was “sambalicious,” and loved Wanya’s rhythm.

Score: 29, 10s from Bruno and Carrie Ann, another 9 from fans

Carrie Ann chose Antonio and Sharna, Paige and Mark because of their athleticism, and she upped the ante by adding rain and fog to the paso doble. So powerful, and they got drenched at the end. That was a stunning lift with Antonio and Paige, worth the price of admission. Len thought it was “full of purpose and emotion.”

Score: 29, 10s from Len and Bruno and yet another measly 9 from viewers

Three couples in jeopardy, with Antonio and Sharna getting the reprieve. It was between Jodie, with a perfect score, and Wanya with an early peak and a mishap-ridden dance on Monday. Jodie got the boot, but thanked her beleaguered partner and said she was just happy to go out on all 10s.

Semifinals next week, and a double elimination, which will leave three celebs going head-to-head-to-head for the Mirrorball.