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 6, “Super Bowl Night!”
MORE: Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Roundtable: Mariah Carey Night
Overall Thoughts?
Shelby: The bar is already in an interesting place heading into this week’s episode because Super Bowl Night is certainly…something. The syndication of ABC and ESPN having the rights to Super Bowl LXI are likely the reason this themed night is happening. But I find it objectively wild that Joe Buck is the guest judge when Erin Andrews — sportscaster and former DWTS co-host and contestant — is right there. It all just feels very commercial, which isn’t really the reason I watch this show.
I don’t know that the judging is all that consistent. The 8s are really flying off those judges’ panels tonight, and I don’t know how constructive or productive it is to give out so many so soon. A few earned 9s, for example, this early feels fair for a few pairings. But to have everyone pretty much earning 8s in the first hour doesn’t feel like they have room to grow when there is so much competition left this season. I guess the point is: What happened to earning every single point?
Shana: Yeah, it didn’t take long to annoy me—and I didn’t exactly stop being annoyed for most of the night either. I saw all sorts of rehearsal videos hyping up Jamal Sims’ opening number…for what? To not give anywhere near a clear picture of his artistic vision??? There was so much dancing going on that the camera didn’t even attempt to cover…for what. It’s a show about DANCING, and yet, let’s disrespect the hard work of the dancers. I guess.
“I don’t know anything about the technical side of this” from the guest judge had me seething. My initial thoughts were somewhere along the lines of “ok, so then, why is this dude here??? Go away.” But then, throughout the night, he was actually the most consistent and semi-understandable in his scoring, so, my bad. Even so, “a tango that made Joe Buck proud to be Irish” was certainly a comment.
Then, you had the judges absolutely gushing over a “salsa” that took 10 years off my life before it ever got anywhere near salsa territory…8s. And these judges really played in Amber Glenn’s face by giving her the same 8 as Banana Dude after she did that and he did…that.
“Jazz 101” for lumbering, no ability “jazz” that happened to have some atrocious pas de bourrées stuffed in. Sure. Who among us hasn’t done “jazz” with heavy, shapeless feet in sneakers and then been endlessly praised for it? Giordano and Luigi are rolling in their respective graves. No, wait—they’re doing Jazz 101 in their respective graves. And an 8 from Carrie Ann? The same 8 as Amber, Maura, and too many others? Better than the scores Ciara got for her jazz last week, which—despite having issues that I called out—was lightyears better than what Sharna’s partner did tonight. Lightyears. Also, why was he practicing in the world’s shiniest shoes, only to just wear sneakers??
TL;DR What a trainwreck of an episode, with absolutely ridiculous commentary and scoring. And, considering all the propping up of white dudes with 8s they weren’t anywhere near deserving of, only to hit Tatyana with the 7s, the allegations have yet to be beaten.
MORE: Fangirlish Feels of the Week: October 5 – October 11
Best Moment(s) from Favorite Partnership(s)?
Shelby: Tyler Cameron and Sharna are such a fun pair. They look like they have fun dancing together, and you can see that Sharna has been teaching him technique. The same can be said for Connor Wood and Rylee. The competition is so tight this season that I think people forget that this is also meant to be fun.
Shana: Julia and Ezra with the arms en bas (ish…or was that closer to middle fifth? Stupid camera angle and stupid me having heard various positions called different names, depending on the teacher) right before their rehearsal package: A thing made for me, personally! Now, was the choreo they borrowed from Save the Last Dance necessarily jazz? …no. But they knew that going in. Besides, many a dance recital has included something that’s more hip hop than jazz for a jazz class, so whatever. Am I kind of hypocritical for not being more critical here? Yes. Do I care? Absolutely not. If people getting paid to judge can be all over the place, so can I. (Much like Amber, Julia was robbed if you want me to believe the dudes legitimately earned 8s, by the way.)
Jenna encouraging Val to go “OG” and yell at her had me cracking up. There was also this blink-and-miss-it moment, roughly halfway through their paso, where she just grinned at him because she knew they were killing it.
MORE: Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Roundtable: Yacht Rock Night
Favorite Dance(s) and Why?
Shelby: I know I’m not the only one curious about Maura Higgins and Mark are seemingly doing so many ballroom dances so quickly. But, you know what? She’s doing a beautiful job with them, and I think that makes me even more excited to see how she grows into different styles, especially the Latin ones, as the season progresses. Because, let’s be honest, there’s no way she’s going anywhere.
They broke out the fringe pants for Amber Glenn and Pasha’s Samba! Their dance was the first one of the night where I felt the theme’s energy with the required content and technique for the style. This partnership is SO in sync. Deserved 9s — they should’ve had at least one before now.
I knew Ezra would deliver the Save the Last Dance vibes. I just didn’t expect them this early — in Julia Stiles’s first jazz routine on the show. It was excellent! I love the trust that Ezra shows in Julia and rightfully so because she was so confident out there. She’s an icon, and she danced to an icon’s (Jennifer Lopez) song. I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.
Closing the night out with Ezra Frech and Daniella’s Salsa is so, so smart. His star power is getting stronger alongside his dancing skills. Daniella’s choreography is just so clever and entertaining that their partner work always stands out to me as much as the moments that are meant to make Ezra shine.
Shana: Thank God for Amber Glenn. Those hips to begin her samba! The way she knows how to find that camera and give everything! Just so good.
Carrie Ann was right to call Jenna and Val’s paso doble “the first touchdown we’ve had tonight.” As much as I adore Amber (who gave us whatever the next best or closest thing is), and for as much fun as I had with Julia’s Save the Last Dance tribute, that paso was just utterly and completely everything. Some of the transitions in movement were just seamless in a way that only someone incredibly well-trained can manage, and on top of the paso technique and performance quality being there, Jenna just had some exquisite intention and musicality. The 9s were deserved…and then some, if some of those “8s” were anywhere near legitimate. There should’ve been way, way, way, way, way more separating that from some of the other performances we saw tonight.
And finally, I just think that Daniella Karagach. The end.
MORE: Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Roundtable: Viral Hits Night
Most Unexpected or Underrated Moment(s)?
Shelby: Listen, I’m obsessed with Amber and Maura. And it’s very fun to see Emmitt Smith, Donald Driver, DeMarcus Ware, and Danny Amendola back in the ballroom. Danny being a supporting character in Guillermo and Witney’s dance is actually everything to me — Witney, your mind.
Tatyana Ali getting 7s (minus Joe Buck) when the men around her got 8s still just makes me so sad and a little mad. It’s especially strange since she had such positive feedback, like the men. She’s been improving every single week, making much larger strides than her higher scored competitors.
Sue me! I’m a Bailey defender on The Rookie because I think she gets a bad rep for being capable and independent. And guess what? I really liked Jenna Dewan’s performance of that Paso Doble — she is turning up the heat in this competition.
Dare I say that I really liked the back and forth between Carrie Ann and Jenna Johnson about the lift? Maybe it’s because this show used to be dramatic back in the day. I like when the pros are defensive of their work — they work hard.
Shana: What if we decide to ship Amber and Maura? Then what.
Maybe I totally lived for (Pro) Jenna’s face,and then, her questioning “a lift?” to Carrie Ann, followed by Val cracking TF up behind her when Julianne gave her a chance to give a gracious/PR answer. Now, that’s entertainment! Girl, considering the gushing Carrie Ann Inaba did over the most basic mess tonight, you could’ve been like “I said what I said,” and I would’ve supported you.
MORE: Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Roundtable: Premiere – Night 2
Reaction to Elimination
Shelby: I hate that I still get so nervous watching these eliminations. But, wow, I’m actually stunned that Guillermo and Witney are going home. I was starting to think that Witney was going to be dancing well, well into her pregnancy. I was so charmed by their partnership and Guillermo’s commitment. They’ve been so enjoyable all season, and I love that he went out wanting everyone to be happy and cheering for him. That feels very fitting for Guillermo’s journey on this show.
Shana: I mean…ok. Fine. It had to happen soon-ish, but Guillermo was actually fun to watch. I need the “jazz” guy from tonight who’s always bad but gets propped up by Carrie Ann to go home next, though. Either that or the banana one.
MORE: Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Roundtable: Premiere – Night 1
—
