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 7, “Dedication Night!”
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Overall Thoughts?
Shelby: I’ve weirdly liked and gotten used to not having guest judges because I think it helps find some version of consistency. Kym Johnson is an inspired choice for a guest judge. She always gives excellent critiques that tie back to technique to help the celebrities improve in the competition. The beach ball advice for Connor? That will be so helpful for him moving forward.
I love that she was able to give out the first 10 of the season to Ezra Frech and Daniella’s incredible contemporary.
And not to get too sappy, but nights like this one remind me why I love dance and this show. By this point in the season, the celebs are really learning technique. They’re improving and really getting a handle on these ballroom and Latin styles. Then we get these breathtaking dedication numbers that cut through to why they’re here. Usually they inspire narratively driven dances that also let the pros shine in a new light. It’s just impactful to watch art matter to the people in the ballroom and everyone watching. Yes, this is a competition reality show. But it can be more than that, too.
Shana: Dedication Night is always unofficially “Make Me Cry About Almost Everything Night,” and this was no exception. I also feel like everyone was at their best this week, and having Kym as a guest judge is always a treat.
But since I did the Debbie Downer thing with the first jazz of the season, I guess this is where I have to say that, overall, the contemporary was better than I expected. There were some really interesting movement choices (Daniella’s step up onto Ezra’s prosthetic, Amber’s backbend, Amber throwing some off-ice jumps in…) that broke up the standard “made for TV contemporary” vibe that I was expecting. Still, given the viral popularity of the “Storm” dance, I just wish we could trust viewers to appreciate the unfathomably diverse movement that fits under the “contemporary” umbrella. Also, for what it’s worth, the style isn’t always “about” whatever Carrie Ann said with hearts and souls or whatever. Sometimes, it’s just…dance, modern and post-modern work. I’ve seen some incredible choreography over the years where the choreographers literally said they just went in and studied movement itself. So. Again, let’s trust our audience?
Anyway. Like I said, the pieces we had were actually better than I expected. But—and this is a huge but for me—I either need clearly stretched feet and ankles (and pointed toes) or clearly flexed. The third option is something creative and different. Regardless, I shouldn’t see biscuits. Period. Honestly, the best foot form of the night came from Tyler’s wife up in that lift—great stretched knees, too!
I guess what I’m saying here is I want more risk and just as much attention to detail when judging the technique as you’d get for any of the ballroom and latin styles. If they need to bring someone in to judge for that, there are plenty of SYTYCD alumnae/i out there…at least two of whom don’t belong near a platform ever again…but otherwise.
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Best Moment(s) from Favorite Partnership(s)?
Shelby: It’s impossible to pick favorites this week. Everything is so personal and specific. So, I’m just going to highlight some of the standout moments in an episode of them. Everything about Tatyana and Jan’s Viennese Waltz is so, so special. I love that Alfonso got to be a part of it and that she sang the song. I love the props being nods to the show. It’s just all such a gorgeous tribute to James Avery. I was also in tears watching Alfonso watch the judges compliment this dance.
I have missed Sharna Burgess in this ballroom, so I am geeking out about having her back. Her presence is so supportive in the package ahead of Tyler Cameron’s dance. She knew when to support Tyler before they ever took to the ballroom floor. Seeing Sharna take that conversation and incorporate it into a gorgeous dance that gives Tyler a sense of closure is a beautiful reflection of what makes this partnership work. And congratulations to him and Tate for expecting their first baby together! I think that’s the first time we have ever had a gender reveal in the ballroom (besides the one BTS with Witney a few weeks back).
Shana: I’m not exaggerating when I say I was losing it before I saw a single count of choreography for Tatyana’s Viennese waltz. Then, to see her just float across that stage and feel every bit of music, with such softness and grace, as well as that little bit of breath before the transition to dancing with Alfonso…wow. I’m a total mess after that performance. That was real emotion and intention, not manufactured or rehearsed to have a certain expression in a certain place. As a huge fan of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air growing up—shocker to those who’ve seen me calling Tatyana and Alfonso Ashley and Carlton all these times, I’m sure—I can’t help but think that Uncle Phil would’ve loved that. If only James Avery could’ve seen that. If only.
Also, the backbend from Amber Glenn, while she waited for Brooke to come in to hold her up, has got to be one of the best things I’ve ever seen on this show. Again, it’s not just that it takes a lot of strength and flexibility to do…it’s the way Amber did it. She took what could’ve just been a single, one-and-done “trick” and actually kept that tension and constant energy in it. That wasn’t a pose—it was a living, breathing thing. The whole piece was gorgeous, and that’s coming from me, someone who’s excessively critical of made for TV contemporary that’s all kind of one “type.”
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Favorite Dance(s) and Why?
Shelby: I was excited to see a dance from Maura and Mark where they aren’t in hold most of the time. We know Maura is very, very good at frame, and I want to see even more from her. Seeing her come out with a Pasodoble dedicated to the whole of Ireland was impressive across the board. It brought out a new side of her that I think proves she’s not letting this competition slip through her fingers. She’s got the fight. And, because it is worth repeating, Mark Ballas is a freaking genius.
The Pashkov/Karagach household delivered two stunning contemporary numbers. The storytelling and vulnerability in Amber and Pasha’s dance — dedicated to her sister Brooke — is one of my favorite dances I’ve ever seen Pasha choreograph. He’s such a beautiful artist, and Amber delivered such breathless work in that dance. Gosh, I don’t know how to shut up about this dance. It’s going to stick with me, and I hope that it sticks with other people who need it and the reminder it comes with: Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. They deserve those 10s and then some.
I am so, so obsessed with Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna’s Foxtrot. It was the first time this season that I really felt him disappear into the ballroom. He was incredible, and Jenna’s choreography was spectacular. They delivered a gorgeous story that spanned three generations. Beautiful!
I can barely see my screen to type this. I just am inconsolable in response to Julia Stiles and Ezra’s contemporary tribute to Heath Ledger. 10 Things I Hate About You is my favorite movie. I can’t properly explain what it means to me, but I guess my reaction is in the total sobs I let out at the sight of the entire 10 Things cast. I just never could’ve imagined that reveal as something that could actually happen. How deeply special and surprising and wonderful.
Shana: As a figure skating fan who’s seen some of the extreme highs and lows over the years, anything Amber Glenn did tonight was probably going to be my favorite no matter what. And. Well. Yeah. Amber had my heart tonight. That performance featured an insanely beautiful blend of Amber the skater—I saw those jumps, ok?—and Amber the dancer, but all of that heart and vulnerability was (as far as someone who follows the sport can tell from the outside looking in) just…Amber.
Obviously, I also broke when the audio from 10 Things I Hate About You started playing. Julia and Ezra were great up until that point—but I was side-eyeing some technical things here and there, I guess I should say so I can be consistent about calling things out. I also adored Julia’s presence and the release of energy in her arms right at the very beginning. But the way the moment with the rose attacked my feelings at the end was beyond unfair.
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Most Unexpected or Underrated Moment(s)?
Shelby: Daniella standing on Ezra’s prosthetic leg in their contemporary is one of those moments I will never forget.
Dani pointing to the camera when they revealed that Pasha is the Sexiest Dancing with the Stars Pro is EVERYTHING.
Jenna Dewan’s dance with Alan was stunning, and I’m so glad that her The Rookie family was there to see her shine. Bruno is right — Jenna shines when she does lyrical styles.
The unexpected dedication dance to Dolly Parton made me audibly gasp. I wasn’t prepared! But I loved it!
The tonal whiplash of Tyler’s dedication to his mom and gender reveal to a Cat in the Hat dance to a tribute to Heath Ledger is… a lot.
Shirley Ballas being the guest DWTS judge reveal for the week of Halloween is actually like a combination of all of my favorite words.
Shana: I’m sorry. I have no idea where else to put this, but Mark Ballas was so unserious (complimentary) for having “TINK” in his hair. I also cracked up at Maura’s “thank you for watching illegally” to her fans in Ireland.
Daniella’s little celebration for Pasha’s “Sexiest DWTS Pro” win: Art! Get you someone who loves you enough to do that on live TV!
I think what might actually get lost in all the mess before tonight, as well as all the great performances during the episode, is how much harder Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten had to work to dance as well as they did. As in, I hope the average viewer understands the disadvantage Jenna was at this week. Everyone else has been building relationships with their partners for over a month, and she had the last-minute switch because of things that had nothing to do with her. Alan’s a great pro and partner. Honestly, maybe he was a better fit for her. But it’s still rough to make that kind of switch—at any time, much less in a week that demands absolute trust and emotional vulnerability like this. And yeah, we’ve got to give a major hand to Alan for stepping in, stepping up, and working with Jenna to deliver that in spite of everything.
Also…what just happened? I’m actually shocked that they did that perky, cutesy Cat in the Hat number in this episode, of all episodes—right before a tribute to the late Heath Ledger, no less. Was there seriously no other week, whatsoever, they could do that?
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Reaction to Elimination
Shelby: I figured that this is what would happen. After last season, I expected that everyone would stick around. It does feel quite mean to send someone home after bearing their heart and soul in a dedication dance. And, I can’t lie, a double-elimination for Horror Movie Night does work.
Shana: I mean, it would be unnecessarily cruel to crush someone by eliminating them after everyone created such deeply personal pieces. They’ve also gone non-elimination for “Everyone Hurts Me, Personally Night” before, so I’m not surprised.
But also: This was a big cast to begin with, so we have to start getting people out of here if anyone’s ever going to actually win. Which means I’m worried about how the eliminations will go in later episodes.
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