MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY RETURNS TO GUEST JUDGE THE FIRST EVER PLUGGED/UNPLUGGED NIGHT ON "DANCING WITH THE STARS," MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18

Five Remaining Couples Compete in the Semi-Finals

"Episode 1710" - Maksim Chmerkovskiy returns to the ballroom and for the first time participates as guest judge alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli on "Dancing with the Stars" first ever plugged/unplugged night MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET). Not a stranger to expressing his strong opinion, Maksim is sure to unleash his unique brand of critique during the intense semi-final competition. The night will begin with a spectacular opening number by Emmy(R) Nominated choreographer Mandy Moore, featuring the pro dancers. The couples then must rise to a new challenge and perform to two different versions of the same song. In the first round of competition, the couples will perform either a Jazz, Paso Doble, Cha Cha or Tango routine to an original or "plugged" version of their selected song. In round two of competition, the couples will perform either a Viennese Waltz, Argentine Tango or Rumba routine to an acoustic or "unplugged" version of that same song. Special musical guests will accompany the unplugged performances including singer Kerli, who will perform a version of Fall Out Boy's "My Song Knows (Light em up)," and YouTube sensation Noah Guthrie who will perform his popular cover of "Sexy & I Know It." At the end of the night, one couple will face elimination.

Hosted by Emmy(R) Award-winning host Tom Bergeron ("America's Funniest Home Videos") and Brooke Burke-Charvet ("Dancing with the Stars" Season 7 Champion), "Dancing with the Stars" is the hit series in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

Viewers may cast their votes for their favorite teams via phone on Monday nights during and up to 60 minutes after the end of the "Dancing with the Stars" broadcast in each time zone. Online voting at www.ABC.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dancingwiththestars is open for 24 hours, beginning from the start of each episode on the East Coast at 8:00 p.m., ET/5:00 p.m., PT and closing at 8:00 p.m., ET/5:00 p.m., PT on Tuesday evenings. For the final week, on Monday, November 25, online voting will open for 15 hours, beginning from the start of the episode on the East Coast at 8:00 p.m., ET/5:00 p.m., PT and closing at 11:00 a.m., ET/8:00 a.m., PT the next day. A custom Facebook app lets fans vote, share whom they voted for and say why, as well as see whom friends voted for.

"Dancing with the Stars" is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green, Ashley Edens-Shaffer and Joe Sungkur are executive producers. Alex Rudzinski directs. "Dancing with the Stars" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG, L parental guideline.

About BBC Worldwide Productions

BBC Worldwide Productions is one of five core businesses under BBC Worldwide America, the U.S. division of the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), BBC Worldwide. Led by Jane Tranter, BBC Worldwide Productions is based in Los Angeles and develops and produces scripted and non-scripted projects for U.S. cable and broadcast networks, as well as digital platforms. The production company is responsible for various titles including the upcoming "Getting On" (HBO), "Criminal Justice" (HBO), "Us & Them" (FOX), "Americans in Bed" (HBO), as well as "Top Gear" (HISTORY), "What Not to Wear" (TLC), "Richard Hammond's Crash Course" (BBC AMERICA), "Torchwood: Miracle Day" (Starz) and the cultural phenomenon "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC).