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 8, “Horror Movie Night!”
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Overall Thoughts?
Shelby: Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I’m always here for this show’s themed episodes. Some of my favorite and most creative dances come from this night.
I also couldn’t help but look forward to THE Shirley Ballas making her way to this ballroom after judging so fiercely (complimentary) on Strictly Come Dancing. I have thought that the scoring has gotten away from the judges a bit in the last few weeks, so I was curious to see what Shirley would bring to the mix. And, of course, her critiques are direct and technique heavy, which is what the celebrities and their pros need to sharpen their abilities and performances. I did crack up at her threatening to use the 2 paddle. She knows she’s here to be strict!
And wait a minute… the confessional component of the package? Is DWTS hearing that we want MORE? Should I get excited, or is this a one-time, completely random thing?
Shana: I love Halloween, I don’t think we ever get anywhere near enough respect or time for spooky season, and I love this particular theme night. Also kind of love starting off the evening with Bruno calling Shirley Ballas “Mistress of Evil.” (Their mock Ghostface call in the cold open, though, was a miss.)
On the subject of Shirley, I’m going to have to go ahead and defend her against any potential haters here (even though I’m still kinda bitter she eviscerated Briar Nolet on Next Pro). If anything, my only issue with her is that she wasn’t consistently “harsh” across the board. Overall, she was giving constructive criticism aimed at making dancers better, and if the resident judges on this show were more consistent about both giving the critiques and giving scores that backed them up, her (admittedly) extremely low numbers might not crush the contestants quite as much. But, honestly, it’s a disservice to both the people learning these dances and to the audience to be all “rah, rah!! So good!!! Perfect!!!” all the time to performances that lack content, or technique, or performance quality, or whatever else. But eh. Maybe that’s just the b**chy ballerina in me talking. Whatever.
Meanwhile, there were a couple of times when even The Shirley Ballas suddenly forgot her own brand. Choices were made. If Julia and Tatyana were both 4s, some of these men…
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Best Moment(s) from Favorite Partnership(s)?
Shelby: Connor and Riley’s partner work is so FUN. And the relief in Connor’s face when Shirley complimented him? My heart! To hear Connor say “This dance clicked for me” and then receive TWO 10s and an 8 from Shirley is so thrilling. I just want to keep watching them work together.
I am endlessly endeared by Maura and Mark and endlessly impressed by Mark Ballas’s brain. He conceptualizes gorgeous pieces that compliment his power every single time. I loved having BC Jean, Mark’s wife and a beautiful musician, back on the mic for the song. I just want to watch them dance together forever. Because Maura keeps improving. And because Mark is so skilled at this job.
Shana: I liked Amber and Pasha having the conversation about pursuing perfection, especially since they had it in the context of a Black Swan tribute. A lot in ballet is about pushing for that perfection—we’re always told, rightfully, that there’s always something more that even the best dancer can do to be even better. I think as long as we recognize that we’ll never actually be perfect, it’s good to keep fighting to improve more and more; in some cases, it can be good for people who know they have perfectionist tendencies and want to channel them into something. (It’s possible “people” are typing at the moment.) Unfortunately, a lot of people get chewed up and spit out by the disappointment of being human. And, even if the push for perfection can help some, it almost surely hurts more. Acknowledging the way it can go toxic far too easily is definitely an important conversation to have.
At any rate, the fact that I didn’t immediately roll my eyes over Black Swan being used here is already a win because for a while there, everyone seemed to think Swan Lake was the only ballet ever and that this movie was a documentary or WTFever. UGH. Don’t get me started.
Now, let’s all enjoy a throwback to Baby Amber’s Black Swan program, shall we?
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Favorite Dance(s) and Why?
Shelby: Harry Shum Jr. really clicked into the competition running last week, in my opinion. His contemporary with Jenna Johnson was so fun (and I don’t even like the Saw movies like that) and a truly creative contemporary. Jenna’s core strength alone was impressive! It really did deserve those 10s. The first to get all 10s this season, at that!
I knew from the second that we heard that Tatyana Ali and Jan would be dancing a paso doble inspired by Sinners and with a song from Sinners, I knew I would love this dance. And I did love it! I fully believe that Tatyana remains to be one of the most-improved dancers across the competition this season. And I couldn’t agree more with what Shana wrote about their number.
Jenna Dewan’s legs in her Argentine Tango with Val?! I am SCREAMING for her. I’m glad that Shirley noted the hiccup because Jenna pulled herself out of that — her heel got caught in her dress — so effortlessly that I almost questioned if I even saw the stumble in the first place. And I like that Derek stayed true to not seeing that mistake and scored accordingly. I’d rather he do that than just go with everyone else.
Is this where everyone pretends to be shocked that I loved Amber Glenn and Pasha’s Argentine Tango? It was so precise and beautiful and intense. I love the themes she explores in these dances, and I want to see her do it all the way to that Mirrorball!
Shana: Something hasn’t worked for me with Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson this season, in a way that hasn’t at all made sense to me. However. That contemporary—even with how picky and, sometimes low key nasty, I can be with that style!—was truly iconic. Jenna’s core is inhuman! The pointed toes! I also screamed when Jenna reminded everyone she started off in that style. (Insert me, once again, reminding everyone she was a Best Dancer winner at The Dance Awards, which is not easy. At. All.) It totally felt like everything I’ve mentioned, and more, were all things that were made for me, personally. Period. Like, y’all. Y’ALL. Even Shirley Ballas was a fan! Amazing, 10/10, no notes, easily one of the most earned 40s I’ve ever seen on this show. I’ve never cared about the Saw franchise, but I think I might have to after that.
A Black woman, dancing to music from Sinners, on a show that has had…problems with representation, we’ll say to be polite…was always going to be huge. I get where Shirley was coming from in her critique. I really do, especially since I’m that level of picky with “my” styles when I see them on TV. But. For Dancing with the Stars, for the journey Tatyana’s been on this season, and (again) I have to highlight for what it represents, I thought she deserved a little bit more respect on her name. That was beautifully staged, an improvement over some of her other dances, and just so utterly fiercely performed. Tatyana should be proud. Period. (And also, if I may take a moment to say to the bit with Jaxon Willard at the beginning: Yes, Sir.)
Val’s Argentine tango choreo was amazing, Jenna killed it (except for the little flub), and just…I mean, I’m here for the horror tributes! Love it.
Do I even need to say I just think that Amber Glenn? Icon, star, legend, all of the above.
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Most Unexpected or Underrated Moment(s)?
Shelby: I actually audibly gasped and stood up when Shirley started the show by giving Julia Stiles and Ezra a 4. I knew the lower scores were coming from her, but I didn’t expect them that low that soon.
I’m taking a moment for the set design of the night. Again, I love Halloween, so I appreciate the details. Likewise, I like the production of the dances themselves. They’re using the space and props in functional and memorable ways. The costume and makeup department continues to be incredible as well. Riley looks absolutely terrifying as that doll.
Coach Jackie being in the ballroom and pushing Derek Hough when he pops his head into frame behind Alfonso is not something I expected, but I should have.
Shirley brought out her little shoes!
Dani pointing to the camera after Amber and Pasha’s dance — that’s two weeks in a row. Love it!
Shana: Starting off the night with Julia Stiles not exactly delivering—and very much feeling tentative in a way I don’t think she really has all season—wasn’t remotely on my BINGO card. Talk about a cursed night in the least fun way possible. (At least most of the curses were fun after that?)
Shoutout to Jenna Dewan for kicking that dress out of her way when it messed her up. It could’ve gone so, so, so, so, so wrong there, but she was like “nah.”
I’m also really surprised they kind of coddled Maura a bit. She’s been knocking it out of the park, week after week, so for the judges to give her legitimate things to fix while still saying how “beautiful” she made what was her worst dance yet just doesn’t sit well with me. The usual performance quality wasn’t there, the feet were…something, she wasn’t particularly grounded in the places she needed to be, and watching Mark right next to her so I could see what the piece was supposed to be didn’t do her any favors. You’d think making us wait all night to see Mark dance in front of his mom (mum?), who absolutely went for the kill with Julia and Tatyana, there would’ve at least been something for them to bicker about like when they did Next Pro together. And yet.
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Reaction to Elimination
Shelby: The whole show, I kept going back and forth about who I thought would go home. I really didn’t know what would happen. All I knew is that I did not want Tatyana to go home. I’m actually so relieved that they get to stay another week. Like it brought tears to my eyes to see them make it though. I need EVERYONE to vote next week!
Shana: I WAS SO EFFIN’ STRESSED!!!! Thankfully, the right two people went home, though. Now, how do I get in on that tight-tight hug of relief between Tatyana and Jan? Because, uh, I need someone to hold me after they stressed me out like that.
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