Dancing with the Stars 14, April 2: The Most Memorable Year of My Life

Len loved the exuberance, the flair, and the devil-may-care attitude. He would have liked to see a little more traditional samba but he liked the Michael Jackson moves.

Bruno says Michael Jackson would love it and so does Bruno.

Carrie Ann thought it was a great tribute to Michael Jackson. She doesn’t think it was his best dance, however.

Tom plugs tomorrow night’s results show, with performances from Seal and Rascal Flatts. Be there at 9/8 Central!

Brooke asks what it was like working with Michael Jackson’s choreographer and Roshon says it was the greatest experience ever. He is so grateful to have had that chance.

Scores: Carrie Ann: 8; Len: 8; Bruno: 9. Total: 25.

Gavin DeGraw & Karina Smirnoff are dancing to Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.” It was a Billy Joel concert that encouraged Gavin to move to New York City in 1998. Gavin’s father played a big role in his success and Gavin wants to honor him and the rest of his family with his rumba.

Gavin & Karina play up the Piano Man theme at the start of their rumba. I am really impressed with Gavin in this dance. He looks so much more polished than he has in his previous dances. And he really looks like he’s having fun. Maybe standing under the heat lamp last week was a wake-up call for him. Really wonderful performance! His family loved it.

Bruno says it’s good to see Gavin move his hips and extend his moves. He’s getting better all the time.

Carrie Ann says she was caught off guard. Her heart is fluttering for him because there is something sexy and sensual about the way he moves. She has Gavin fever!

Len says the rumba is so slow every detail is shown. And he saw good hips, more musicality through his arms, and he sees progression.

Tom reminds us to vote for the song the pros will dance to during the Macy’s Stars of Dance routine. Go online to vote and tune in tomorrow to find out which song wins.

Brooke asks how Gavin felt dancing in front of his whole family tonight and he is too choked up to answer. So Karina says when you come out and lay your emotions out through your dance it makes you want to do a better job.

Scores: Carrie Ann: 8; Len: 8; Bruno: 8. Total: 24.

Katherine Jenkins & Mark Ballas are dancing our first waltz of the night. Katherine’s most memorable year was 1996, when she found out her father had lung cancer. She was 15 and her sister was 13 when her father went into a coma and passed away. She has chosen Josh Groban’s “To Where You Are” for their waltz. Oh yeah, this shouldn’t be emotional at all…

Katherine & Mark look elegant and beautiful as they take to the dance floor. The band, as always, provides a flawless soundtrack for their waltz. It’s just a beautiful performance that literally brings tears to my eyes. It’s elegant and flowing and everything a waltz should be. Katherine is setting the bar very high for her competitors this season! Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt performance.

Carrie Ann is a blubbering puddle of goo as she says Katherine’s dad is smiling down on her. It was like her father’s arms were around her as she danced.

Len says there was lovely movement, grace, and elegance. There wasn’t quite enough dancing in ballroom hold, however.

Bruno stands up, points, and screams, “Sensational!”

Tom plugs the results show again. Macy’s Stars of Dance returns. Be there at 9/8 Central.

Brooke asks about the emotional challenge tonight. Katherine says it’s been a tough week emotionally for everyone but she is glad to have the chance to celebrate her dad’s life.

Scores: Carrie Ann: 10; Len: 9; Bruno: 10. Total: 29.

Sherri Shepherd & Val Chmerkovskiy are dancing the rumba this week. Sherri tells us her son Jeffrey was born at just 25 weeks of pregnancy. He weighed less than 2 pounds and had several complications but he is growing up to be a strong boy. Does anyone else think it’s a little creepy that Sherri is dancing a rumba in honor of her son?

Sherri struggles during rehearsal so Val brings Jeffrey in. He is adorable. He dances with Sherri and reminds her what this week is about. Sherri says she wants to use the rumba to let Jeffrey know she will always be there for him and will never let him go.

Sherri & Val rumba to “If I Could” and it’s a beautifully sweet dance. Not the hot, raunchy rumbas we’ve seen earlier tonight but it’s a perfect way to honor Jeffrey. He’s there, of course, and he loves it.

Len thought Sherri did a great job.

Bruno says “Mama can move!” It was very deeply felt and very well expressed. She did a great job.

Carrie Ann says Sherri lets every emotion come through when she dances. Her lines tonight were the best Carrie Ann has ever seen.

The stars of Happy Endings are in the audience. Yippee.

Scores: Carrie Ann: 8; Len: 8; Bruno: 8. Total: 24.

Brooke asks Sherri how she feels and she says she feels great. She thanks Val and tells Jeffrey she loves him before breaking down in tears.

Melissa Gilbert & Maksim Chmerkovskiy discuss Melissa’s most memorable year. She tells us in 2010 she broke her back and had to have surgery, after which she walked with a walker. If someone had told her then she’d end up dancing 18 months later she would have laughed in their face. She cries and Maks says he didn’t do a thing to cause it. Melissa says she’s just happy.

Melissa & Maks are dancing the jive to “Dog Days Are Over.” They start with Melissa in Maks’s arms and I’m instantly jealous. He puts her down and they launch into their jive as the band once again gives a phenomenal performance. Melissa looks like she has gained a lot of confidence and she’s having a great time. Of course who wouldn’t have a great time with Maks and his bare chest so close by? I really enjoy this performance!