Billy Dee Williams withdraws from 'Dancing'

It was an action-packed, emotional night on Monday's Dancing With the Stars.

Sadly, it started with Billy Dee Williams announcing he'd been sidelined by a back problem and had to quit the competition. "I've had a wonderful, brilliant, fantastic, blast of a time," said the actor, 76, adding that working with pro Emma Slater was "pure joy."

But Good Morning America's Robin Roberts brightened the ballroom, adding to the fun at the judges' table with Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba."This is a surreal moment," said Roberts. She said she's usually at home with a big bowl of popcorn, her froggy slippers on, ready to tweet her thoughts.

"To experience this electric atmosphere firsthand is remarkable." But, she added, "It's a little smaller that I thought. I thought it was a little bit bigger in here!"

And then, on with the competition. The dancing theme was the "most memorable year of their lives," and when it was done Bruno said it was "the most extraordinary night in 18 seasons."

Here's what happened:

Meryl Davis chose the song All of Me, and said the years leading up to the Olympics were her "most memorable." Her foxtrot with partner Maks Chmerkovskiy was super sexy, tense and sharp. Whew! Robin said it was beautiful to watch." Bruno called it "romantic" and said the choreography was "extraordinary." Carrie Ann said she burst into tears in the middle of the routine. "You are like something out of this world!" Len said, "Merle and Maks, M & M, sweet and delicious." Scores from Carrie Ann, Len, Robin and Bruno: 10, 9, 10, 10 = 39

Charlie White picked the years from 2010 to now and the song Happy to capture his gold-medal feeling. His jive with Sharna Burgess was so easy and cute, with him roaming all over the ballroom in a bow tie and rolled-up pants. Carrie Ann loved how he "worked the room" but said he was a little ahead of the music at two different points. Len said it's "happy hour!" Robin said it was a "celebration." Bruno deemed it "delightful." Scores: 9, 9, 9, 9 = 36

Amy Purdy recalled 1999 as particularly unforgettable because it's when she contracted bacterial meningitis and lost her legs, as well as a kidney. Her father donated a kidney to her. She remembered how painful and confining her "new legs" were at first. But she heard some music that motivated her and she started dancing with her dad. She realized, "I can live a great life." Her contemporary dance with partner Derek Hough showed off new feet that allowed her to point her toes. It was graceful and beautiful, bringing tears to her father's eyes as he watched from the audience. "There won't be a dry eye in the country tonight," said Bruno. The routine "transcended dance." Carrie Ann loved it. Len said his heart was touched by her "artistry." Robin said, "I hope that you know what you are doing for people when they see you dance every week. I hope that you are feeling that love." Scores: 9, 9, 9, 9 = 36

James Maslow was called pudgy and fat as a kid, so he picked 2007 as his most memorable year because that's when he overcame bullying in high school. His jive with Peta Murgatroyd, was schoolboy-themed and full of pep and cuteness, starting with him back-flipping off the top of a school desk into the ballroom. Len said he "rocked this place." Robin loved the story and the moves. Bruno called it "explosive" and "superb." Carrie Ann called it "kinetic." Scores: 9, 9, 9, 9 = 36

Danica McKellar's most memorable year? 2010, the year her son, Draco, was born and the year her grandmother died. It upset Danica to tell partner Val Chmerkovskiy that her grandmother never got a chance to meet her son. She was happy to be dancing a contemporary routine. "It's all about the emotion," she said. She and Val twirled around the room, Danica's short white dress flowing around her. Danica picked up her son after the dance and held him as she got the judges' comments. Carrie Ann called it "sincere and delicate." Len said she was as "fluid as butter on a hot muffin." Robin called her a "wonder." Bruno called it "wonderful." Scores: 9, 9, 9, 9 = 36

Cody Simpson said 2010 is the year he moved to the U.S. and got a record contract and therefore the most memorable for him. "My family literally gave up everything for my career," he said, dedicating the song to them. His jazz dance with partner Witney Carson was about a kid from out of town wooing a California girl. Bruno loved it, calling it "so right now." Carrie Ann called it "so great!" Len said it was "tight" and "together." Robin loved his "flair." Scores: 9, 8, 9, 9 = 35

Candace Cameron Bure chose 1995 as most memorable because it was the year Full House ended and two months later she got engaged, "going from child to woman." Her jive to Elvis included a lot of hip action and some fancy footwork with partner Mark Ballas. Len called it a "proper ballroom jive." Robin called it "wonderful to watch." Bruno said he loves it when she "goes wild," but quibbled a little about her footwork. Carrie Ann said it was "high octane and high energy," and told her to keep her shoulders back. Scores: 8, 8, 8, 8 = 32

NeNe Leakes picked 2013 as her most memorable year because she remarried her husband Gregg. "He gets me," she said, explaining that they had divorced but decided they belonged together. She and a shirtless Tony Dovolani danced a slow, sexy rumba. The crowd loved it. Robin said it was "so sensual and beautiful." Bruno raved about "naughty NeNe!" Carrie Ann gave Tony's hot bod a thumbs-up and praised NeNe for her "beautiful job." Len liked that it wasn't "overly raunchy." Scores: 8, 7, 8, 8 = 31

Drew Carey picked 2005 as his most memorable year because his son, Connor, was born. Talking about his father dying of a heart attack when he was 8 made him get teary. "I don't want Connor to grow up without a dad," he said in the taped segment. As for his dance, Drew said, "Connor's going to be really proud of me. I'm his dad." (According to Wikipedia, Carey is a father figure to Nicole Jaracz's son, Connor, who is from a previous relationship she had.) Drew's sweet waltz with partner Cheryl Burke ended with Drew giving Connor a big hug. Len called it "charming." Robin called Drew "a beautiful dancer and a beautiful soul." Bruno said he looked "very smart" and "very elegant." Carrie Ann "felt" his intensity. Scores: 7, 7, 8, 8 = 30

No star was eliminated because Billy Dee Williams withdrew.

Next week: The Big Switch-up takes place, with stars and pros all getting new partners for Week 4. Then everyone goes back to their original partners.