“Dancing with the Stars” Season 33 Episode 9

Episode nine of “Dancing with the Stars” brought the semi-finals, as the five remaining couples battled it out for a chance to earn their spot in the finale.

Each celebrity was tasked with two dances: one ballroom style and one Latin style. Fans also got to finally see some longer performances from the couples.

The evening of course kicked off with an opening number from the troupe, choreographed by Sasha Farber and Ezra Sosa.

The star that received perfect scores for the entire night last week was Chandler Kinney, who performed her first routine of the night with her partner Brandon Armstrong.

Their first routine was a salsa to “Spicy Margarita” which earned them two 10s and a nine, as judge Derek Hough commented that there wasn’t enough actual salsa content.

Joey Graziadei and his partner Jenna Johnson performed a foxtrot to “I Won’t Dance” by Erin Boheme next.

The judges praised the performance and Johnson’s choreography, with Hough adding that it was one of the best foxtrots he’s ever seen from a male celebrity. Graziadei earned his first perfect score for a high-quality dance.

Ilona Maher’s first dance of the night was a Paso Doble to “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras. She and her partner Alan Bersten were sharp and powerful during the routine.

Carrie Ann Inaba praised Maher for her extreme growth throughout the competition as the couple earned two nines from her and Bruno Tonioli and a 10 from Hough.

Witney Carson wanted to choreograph a dance with a story behind it for her celebrity partner Danny Amendola. They performed a Viennese waltz to “Gravity” by John Mayer.

The judges complimented the routine and Amendola’s emotional depth which he brings to each dance. The couple earned straight nines from the three judges.

The final celebrity to dance during the first round was Stephen Nedoroscik. He performed a Cha Cha with his partner Rylee Arnold who fell a little flat.

The judges commented that this dance was a step back for the gymnast, and scored him two eights and one nine.

Kinney and Armstrong stepped back onto the floor for their second dance, which was a foxtrot to “Too Sweet” by Hozier.

Inaba pointed out a disappointing mistake to the couple: Kinney’s foot came off the ground twice, meaning they performed a lift.

Fans both in the ballroom and on social media seemed to be in uproar about this critique, but longtime fans of the show know that Carrie Ann does not play about illegal lifts.

New viewers of the show seem to forget that the judges’ job is to give criticism and feedback, as well as follow their set ballroom rules. Though she’s had some questionable opinions this season, Inaba was not in the wrong for this one.

The couple earned another set of two 10s and a nine for the dance Tonioli called “unforgettable.”

Graziadei came out hoping to keep the perfect-score streak going, performing a Paso Doble to “Come Together.”

Tonioli and Inaba pointed out some slight mistakes that the Bachelor star made, which resulted in him earning two nines and a 10 for a total of 58 out of 60 for the entire night.

Maher and Bersten took a 180 turn from their first dance and performed a Viennese waltz in the second round.

Hough called the dance delicate, graceful and stunning, while Inaba praised the Olympian for being such an inspiration and changing lives. The couple earned two 10s and a nine, which was their highest score yet.

Super Bowl champion Amendola stepped back onto the floor for a spicy and spunky salsa to “I Like It” by Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin.

The fiery dance included many impressive lifts, but not enough salsa. He and Carson earned another set of nines for their second performance.

Nedoroscik returned to the ballroom floor hoping to redeem himself from his first dance. He and Arnold performed a tango to “Sweet Disposition.”

After going through the competition doing dances without his glasses on, the star actually kept them on for this one. Within seconds, however, the glasses were crooked on his face. Arnold eventually took them and threw them off like a true professional.

The judges praised Nedoroscik for how impressive he danced during the mishap, and how he led Arnold through the dance like a pro despite the vision impairment.

The couple did in fact redeem themselves, earning a 10 and two nines for their sharp tango.

After getting their scores, co-host Julianne Hough expressed how she missed being a pro and wished she could get back on the dance floor.

To what seemed to be everyone’s surprise, she tore off her dress to reveal a fringe outfit and performed a surprise dance with some of the male pros.

Though the energy was high after this, it was time for elimination.

Hosts J. Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro revealed the finalists one by one, leaving Maher and Bersten and Nedoroscik and Arnold as the final two.

During their classic “the couple who will be dancing in the finale is” speech, a twist was revealed and they instead said “all of you!” This is the second year in a row in which all the semi-finalists advanced to the finale.

“Dancing with the Stars” will return next week for a jam-packed three-hour finale, featuring freestyles from each couple, surprise guests and a dance from D. Hough and former pro Mark Ballas.

Fans will not want to miss finding out who the winner of the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy will be. -Sarah Gavlak

Sarah Gavlak is a third-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, please email sng5393@psu.edu.