‘Dancing With the Stars’ recap: Wanya Morris and Antonio Brown sent home in semifinals

What do “Dancing With the Stars” honchos expect when they create a themed episode such as “Trio Night?” Plenty of dumb jokes about threesomes? Sure, they’ll take it.

But minds out of the gutter, y’all, because this was serious business, with a capital S and a capital B -- because, double elimination! Read on to find out what happened during the brutal semifinals on Monday night.

But first, an important piece of “DWTS” news: Showmance!

This is just the kind of thing that series producers and shippers at home always hope for, and it may be happening. Perhaps. Possibly. Though it’s no Robert Herjavec and Kym Johnson -- OMG they’re getting married! -- Paige VanZant could be dating troupe member Alan Bersten, who filled in while Mark Ballas nursed a back injury earlier this season, and returned to take the third spot on Monday’s Trio Challenge.

Paige would say only that they’re “friends.” Sure, hon. Make of it what you will, fellow fans, but I say that Paige deserves a guy who’s not intimidated by her lethal right hook and can obviously keep his mouth shut. Good on you, Alan!

This budding relationship, if it’s real, will have to do because it seems that I didn’t get my shipper wish for the season: a Nyle-and-Sharna hookup. A recapper can’t have everything.

Back to that Serious Business at hand: Affable Boyz II Men singer Wanya Morris and NFL star with the gorgeous smile Antonio Brown went home even after strong performances. Wanya, in fact, landed his first perfect scores, which turned out to be nice parting gifts rather than game changers. Those departures were sad, but not entirely unexpected. Check out what else happened on Monday. Hint: Blindfolded dancing, which is a groundbreaker because Nyle did it, but no more same-sex dancing, which had definitely been a groundbreaker this season because Nyle (and others) did it.

Up first: Trio Challenge.

Paige and Mark with Alan Bersten

Samba, "Hip Hip Chin Chin" by Club Des Belugas

UFC's Paige tried to be so coy during the rehearsal video, matched only by Alan’s complete sidestep of the dating question. Mark was concerned only that they could have three-way chemistry in their fowl-themed samba. Are there peacocks in the jungle? At any rate, there was a lot of heat and there were lots of feathers in that number. Len Goodman said she “started with a showstopper.” Bruno Tonioli called her a bird of paradise, “the undisputed queen of the jungle.” Carrie Ann Inaba declared, “It is ON.” Cohost Erin Andrews wouldn’t let it go, though, because she’s a direct kind of gal. Alan still wouldn’t kiss and tell. Again, good on you, Alan!

Score: perfect 30

Antonio and Sharna with Hayley Erbert

Argentine Tango, "Mi Confesion" by Gotan Project

It was a night to be coy, apparently, because the NFL standout didn’t want to admit he could “handle two women at the same time,” as Sharna asked during practice. She choreographed a playful Argentine tango, she said, which would still require him to command – and toss frequently into the air! -- two fierce professional dancers. He pulled it off with some style and fairly sharp moves. The lifts were super-strong. Bruno said it was “beautifully handled,” and Carrie Ann loved the intensity. Len said he’d come so far, especially considering he had no dance experience at the beginning of the season.

Score: 27

Wanya and Lindsay with Witney Carson

Paso doble, "Explosive" by David Garrett, Franck Heijden and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Wanya adorably nicknamed Lindsay “Z Pak,” and Z Pak cried last week because her bandana tripped up Wanya during their Western-themed dance. It was a “rough ride,” as Carrie Ann said. Wanya wondered in the practice segment if he’d been too wrapped up in the steps that he forgot the fun. He vowed to bring it back, and dancing with two besties Lindsay and Witney, he regained his composure and confidence. Carrie Ann hugged him and said, “Welcome back!” Len stood and cheered, and Bruno called him “an electrifying force of nature.” It had “passion, fire, artistry.”

Score: 30, and Z Pak smiled

Nyle and Peta with Jenna Johnson

Jive, "Hit the Road Jack" by Hermes House Band

So it’s now confirmed – if you dance with Nyle on “DWTS,” you fall madly in love with the “America’s Next Top Model” winner. Jenna was spellbound. (Peta’s engaged to fellow pro dancer Maks, so she must be immune somehow). Peta choreographed a skippy, happy number that put Nyle in the role of play-a, and he seemed to dig it. Len thought it was a “bit hectic,” and lost sync in a few spots, but he found a “great blend of fun and energy.” Bruno said it was a technically difficult dance, and Carrie Ann agreed, saying she gave them “a lot of credit” for pulling it off, though it had a few wobbles.

Score: 27

Ginger and Val with Artem Chigvintsev

Paso doble, "Shot Me Down" by David Guetta

Artem! Poor guy had to pair with Mischa Barton this season, so it’s great to see him back in the spotlight (working with non-bratty serious competitors). Ginger, “Good Morning America’s” meteorologist, has surged at exactly the right time in this contest, and she’s deftly expanded her repertoire. When it seemed like she could mostly handle the fluid and sweet and lovely, such as waltzes and Disney princesses, she found a sexier, more forceful side. Carrie Ann and Bruno noted that she lost her frame a few times, but said she owned that paso.

Score: 27

On to the individual dances, and a little more backstory into the celebrities.

Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas

Argentine Tango, "One Time" by Marian Hill

Paige was a sporty kid, but she danced as a kid before going into gymnastics and cheerleading. Her natural athletic ability landed her on varsity teams but attracted the mean girls and bullies. She later went into mixed martial arts and started beating people up for a living. That’s why she had to dig so deep on “DWTS,” relocating her feminine side. That was such a steamy tango, and Mark really outdid himself with that number – he peeled off her dress! She peeled off his shirt! Len found the choreography “brilliant,” though “a bit too hot and spicy.” Bruno said it was like “Basic Instinct” with “Fatal Attraction” with “Fifty Shades” of something that should get them to the finals. Carrie Ann called her “phenomenal,” and erotic and sensual.

Score: 29, Len ruined the perfect score

Antonio Brown and Sharna Burgess

Contemporary to "Hall of Fame" by The Script

Antonio, a Miami native, talked about growing up quickly in a rough neighborhood, and his parents split, leaving him without a father figure. Antonio said he wouldn’t give up on himself, even though he was an underdog. His high school coaches told him not to count on early pick in the NFL draft, but he made it eventually and he’s become a star for the Pittsburgh Stealers. He called himself a dark horse in the “DWTS” competition, and likely he went further than a lot of viewers expected he would. Sharna has known how to showcase his strength, and Monday was no different. Those lifts! Bruno started to wax on about his 12-pack until cohost Tom Bergeron had to bring him back to the actual performance. Carrie Ann called him “a bright light,” even if he’s not the best technical dancer in the final five. Len called it Hall of Fame-worthy in its lifts.

Score: 28, his first 10, from Bruno

Wanya Morris and Lindsay Arnold

Charleston, "Shame on Me" by Avicii

Wanya was a musical prodigy as a child, and his family encouraged his talent. He grew up in a drug-plagued neighborhood in Philadelphia, and his escape was a performing arts school where he met fellow Boyz II Men members. He wanted to do well so he could help his family, he said during the video, and the day the singers signed with Motown, he felt like he’d made it. He came to “DWTS” with more natural ability than most anyone, but he peaked kind of early and had some bad breaks – nerves, overwork? He pulled it out at the end, but it was too late. Carrie Ann called it a comeback, then she devolved into gibberish. (Come on, we knew it was coming). Len said Wanya was such a joy that he wanted him to make it to the finals. Bruno loved the mix of choreography.

Score: 30, which caused Wanya to twerk after Bruno twerked, to which Bergeron said, “Boy, were you ever out-twerked,” to the judge.

Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd

Argentine Tango, "Unsteady" by X Ambassadors

Nyle’s mother called him fearless, and Tyra Banks dubbed him “fine as hell,” during the video segment. Nyle was almost a math teacher, but he changed his mind, feeling as though he could make a bigger impact as a deaf model. But though he doesn’t shrink from a challenge, even Maks wondered during rehearsal how he’d manage to dance blindfolded. But he did it. Bruno said you’d have to be blindfolded not to fall “head over heels in love” with that number. Carrie Ann loved the quality of movement and said he reminded everyone to push their boundaries. Bergeron wanted to know why he layered on the blindfold; Nyle said he wanted another hurdle, plus it went with the song.

Score: 30

Ginger Zee and Val Chmerkovskiy

Quickstep, "Fire Under My Feet" by Leona Lewis

Shy kid Ginger had a rough time with her parent’s divorce, and she was anorexic from age 10 to 14. She said she still struggles with body issues today. Professionally, she’s had a rather meteoric rise, going from TV intern to storm chaser to head meteorologist in short order. The new mom became a front-runner about halfway through the season, making very few missteps when it mattered most. Leona Lewis sang live, and Ginger wore the second of two fabulous outfits of the night (seriously, she should buy/steal those). Bruno said it was “superb,” and Carrie Ann noticed a catch in the dress, “a little bit of a boo-boo.”

Score: 29, a 9 from Carrie Ann

Bergeron didn’t want to say goodbye, “I don’t like this part,” he whined, while claiming that “Erin and I are blameless.” Dancing in the finals: Ginger and Val, Nyle and Peta, and Paige and Mark. It’s a two-parter next week, with the Mirrorball handed out on Tuesday night. It’ll come down to fan support, because these celebs are pretty evenly matched in their talent. Who will take the trophy?