Dancing with the Stars is finally back with Season 35. With 16 celebrities and pros, this season is tied with the show’s largest cast yet. It also welcomes two new pros and a returning pro back to the ballroom. There’s a lot to look forward to this season. There is the podcast with Andy Richter, the after show with Robert Irwin, and so much more. We’ll be breaking down every episode — what we loved and what we (maybe) didn’t — all season long.
Next up: Dancing with the Stars Season 35, Episode 5, “Mariah Carey Night!”
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Overall Thoughts?
Shelby: I think the theme nights are already taking interesting turns this season, but I have to admit that Mariah Carey Night does come with a stellar soundtrack for these dances. After only a few dances, you can just see how intense the competition is this season because everyone is doing such a great job of cleaning their performances. And as for the show’s structure, I still really wish there was a way to get longer packages because those are so pivotal in understanding the dance, let alone the partnership performing it. Why should we ever have to go to social media to see something that should be accessible in the show itself? Just weird. Even though I understand the importance of social media to the show now.
Shana: So, we started the night with the first jazz of the season. The problem with this show doing jazz (and, at times, contemporary) is…well. I’m kind of hyper-critical since it’s a thing I know in my body. I appreciated that, unlike some of the other “jazz” pieces over the years, I could actually recognize the style…but considering the judges have been overly harsh on Ciara at times, I really don’t think they did her or the audience any favors by not calling out a few things. (Despite everything I’m saying here, please do see my thoughts on the elimination below. Because nobody did her any justice there.)
I’m not even saying the judges had to hammer her; it just would’ve been nice to hear more balance in the critiques. Case in point: I had similar issues with Ciara and Tatyana in terms of sharpness and definition, but they only called it out on Tatyana. Why? Then again, maybe Ciara was due for the type of “we’ll pretend we didn’t see it” moment others have gotten in the first few weeks…and that some of the men continued to get tonight.
I also can’t help but wish we had more pros whose specialties were in non-ballroom styles if they’re going to have them on the show, specifically for a night like this one. It’s not that Mariah Carey doesn’t belong in the ballroom. For any doubters (I was never one), this episode showed her music fits right in, beautifully, anywhere and everywhere. It’s just that the couple of jazz numbers and parts of the opening number, while still excellent and of obviously professional quality, felt very “ballroom dancers stepping out of their comfort zones” at times instead of a true masterclass like we get with everything else. Super nitpicky? Sure. But I said what I said.
Anyway! The overall progress most of these contestants are making is insane. During Mariah Carey Night, every time I thought I’d seen the best performance of the night, someone else came out and stepped it up!
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Best Moment(s) from Favorite Partnership(s)?
Shelby: Jenna Dewan and Val’s package is another example of exactly why I wish those videos were longer. The second that you see some vulnerability from both the celebrity and the pro, the package has to move on, and it would’ve been so helpful for their partnership and how it’s conveyed to the audience — voters, by the way — to sit in that a little longer. But there’s just no time…somehow. Tyler Cameron and Sharna’s package is edited a bit more cohesively, but still — imagine if the packages were longer.
Tatyana Ali and Jan remain one of my favorite partnerships this season. They are having so much fun out there and improving every week, and that’s what this competition is all about. I just love watching them perform together.
Shana: I loved watching Amber and Pasha lock in right before they danced. Their looks very much communicated “I’ve got you, and I know you’ve got me. We’ve got this.” There is so much obvious trust there and a true partnership, and it’s a huge part of why they keep doing so well. Even better? That pure joy and pride at the end of their rumba—which was gorgeous, by the way.
Speaking of reactions: Maura and Mark after that 9.
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Favorite Dance(s) and Why?
Shelby: Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna’s Tango was a breakthrough. There’s been a real push and pull from trying to spotlight his dance credibility but it often clashed within the choreography. This dance found that balance that can carry him into the next wave of this competition. The exact same for Jenna Dewan and Val’s Rumba. It was stunning and a turning point for her. It was such a gorgeous display of what else Jenna can do as a dancer — Bruno’s comments were spot on.
I could be wrong, but I think it’s been, like, 14 years since Mark Ballas choreographed a Waltz for DWTS. Then, his partner was Katherine Jenkins. This week, it was with Maura Higgins and, my gosh, it was traditional and sophisticated and it just mesmerized me. On the other side of the coin, I adored how settled Julia Stiles looked in her Viennese Waltz with Ezra. It was beautiful!
Just to keep tabs for myself: I still believe this season’s Mirrorball is going to the Pashkov-Karagach household!
Shana: Jenna Dewan and Val’s rumba was incredible. I honestly, honestly—swear on anyone you want—yelled “yas, b**ch” at my TV when she just drew that extension out. It was like pulling taffy, or fondue, or even made me think of fondu (from ballet). Gorgeous. And that’s without even getting into how good the rest of it was. That, right there, is what I’m talking about! I also think it was a brilliant creative choice for Val to give her that solo moment at the very beginning. What a statement. Wow.
Side notes: I’m 99% sure Mark Ballas is a witch at this point. Otherwise, there’s no way he keeps doing that with his partners, season after season. This is only Week 4! Like, WHAT. Also, while I usually say I’d kill to have just an hour of instruction from him, I would not like an hour with Daniella because I would look like too much of a clown next to her. Not that she couldn’t still do great things—she’s working her own brand of witchcraft with Ezra out here—but, I mean, look at her. The quality of movement is disgustingly unfair.
Amber Glenn, your best is always enough. That was so beautiful! There’s something special about “Hero” being the song they used given Amber’s journey as an athlete, too.
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Most Unexpected or Underrated Moment?
Shelby: I’m a Gleek to my core. It’s very serious for me. So I had a visceral reaction to seeing Amber Riley — a Mirrorball Champion in her own right — perform “It’s Like That” for Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna’s Tango.
Ezra just casually getting Julianne to drop that she’s wearing a dress out of Mariah Carey’s closet?!
Shana: I was worried about a Mariah Carey episode, considering her vocals are so powerful and even some of the best singers can’t hit those notes, but thankfully, my ears survived the night. In particular, Amber Riley singing during Harry Shum Jr.’s tango was a treat.
The little nod to Aunt Viv’s audition in Tatyana’s jazz!!!! Also, does anyone else get kinda weepy every time Carlton calls Ashley Alfonso calls Tatyana “my TV baby sister,” or are all y’all normal?
More random thoughts: I would like to borrow Ezra Sosa’s suit! Julianne Hough in THE DIVA’S DRESS?!!! Fashion is important to me tonight, apparently.
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Reaction to Elimination
Shelby: Okay. We HAVE to be kidding, right? I’m actually devastated for Ciara and Brandon. I know people are voting for the celebrity they like, but we have to also view this show as a dance competition. Brandon is beyond justified to take the time to say that Ciara has been improving every week and her journey was cut short. It was, and it’s just a shame to see it happen. This pattern of sending home celebrities who are improving and pros who rarely make it far in the competition is not fun to watch. In fact, it’s really frustrating. Taylor and Britt should still be in this, and so should Ciara and Brandon.
Shana: No. Absolutely not.
Despite every single correction I would’ve given Ciara’s jazz that the judges didn’t bother to, I still don’t think she belonged anywhere near the bottom. And she definitely didn’t deserve to go home. No. Not on any planet. This is going to be a giant WTF from me. We can talk about drags that needed more drag, movement that needed to be sharper to hit the timing just right in the beginning, and all sorts of other things! But no. Absolutely not. And while I’m at it, did I mention absolutely the F— not???
I’ve adored Guillermo so far this season, but tonight wasn’t it. As in, I honestly thought it was time to free Witney. (Sorry?). That other guy in the bottom also shouldn’t have had similar judges’ scores to Ciara—especially not when it looked like he was about to drop Emma instead of catching her there for a second. Viewers are going to vote how they’re going to vote, but if the judges didn’t keep letting some of these dudes coast, that might make a world of difference.
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