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 10, “Grammy Night!”
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Overall Thoughts?
Shelby: I come into every episode of this show forgetting what the theme is before they remind me, and I always wonder if I’m going to be as shocked as I was on Yacht Music Night or Super Bowl Night. As it turns out, Grammy Night is actually a really good theme.
I still find myself wanting more from scouring. I’m begging for more consistency in the numbers on the paddle and more substance in the comments to the celebrities. I know the judges only have a second of time to gather their thoughts and convey them, but they’re losing specificity. Then, when they present a score that doesn’t coincide with their feedback, it’s confusing and frustrating.
Shana: I came into tonight already irritated because I knew they were having Tatyana Ali dance off against Jenna Dewan, whose partner made that ignorant “joke.” Tatyana shouldn’t have to be the sacrificial lamb on which we get more buzz and ratings (or whatever) after all of that. The same goes for Jenna. And yet…here we are. So, of course, the Grammys explainer after the opening number irritated me more. Like, who actually needed that???
Then, once again, the scoring was…a choice. Especially in light of Julia Stiles’ elimination after not dancing up to her ability after a similar injury, I’m side-eyeing the gifts Maura was given for what was obviously a (very understandably) cautious and hesitant Argentine tango. Then, you have Connor getting gushed over and receiving the same 9s as people like Ezra, Amber, Tatyana, Jenna, and Harry…Which, ok. Let’s be halfway fair! Jenna Dewan’s past experience is 100% relevant to what she did tonight, so holding her to a higher standard is fair, actually! But he was on the same level as Amber and Tatyana? No. Did he deserve the same numbers as Ezra and Harry? Can we please be for real? For once? I don’t understand the judges’ obsession with this man. Honestly, why not just name this “9s Night” and be done with it?
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Best Moment(s) from Favorite Partnership(s)?
Shana: I love Evanescence (uh, no comment on the cover), I love Amber Glenn, and I love that Amber was able to perform to such a wildly popular song from “Fallen.” I mean, I personally would’ve gone with “Going Under,” but…that’s a story for another time. Anyway. I’m obsessed with Amber just letting go in that paso and dropping, knowing Pasha would catch her. Then, we had her carrying him out on her back before the dance-offs???? Iconic, mother behavior.
(Also, for the figure skating nerds out there: Those knee spins are totally going to wind up in a program as her choreo spin at some point, right? Right???)
Tatyana Ali really did a lip sync in the middle of a fierce tango. Your faves could never. (Is that even a thing people still say? If not, I’m bringing it back for this, specifically.)
Shelby: I keep saying it, but there is magic in the Karagach/Pashkov partnerships. Both Daniella and Pasha do such brilliant jobs choreographing for and to their partners. They know how to provide content for the Argentine Tango and the Paso Doble so they hit those marks but can bit the celebrities strengths. It just can’t be overstated how important a skill that is on this show is. It makes the pros and their partners stand out for all the right reasons and in all the right ways.
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Favorite Dance(s) and Why?
Shelby: I know a lot of people were concerned that there couldn’t possibly be an Argentine Tango to “Thong Song,” but if anyone is going to prove everyone wrong about that, it’s Mark Ballas. That man is so skilled — so considerate as a partner. The package just demonstrates how Mark shows up for Maura and how Maura is eager to show up in this competition. That care for the journey is what translates into the dance that was genuinely impressive given that Maura has literally never danced before this competition and the pain she’s been experiencing with injury flare ups recently.
TATYANA AND JAN’S TANGO TO “BOOM BOOM POW.” That’s it. That’s the comment. I loved it. She’s so committed to this competition, and I’m having such a wonderful time watching her partnership with Jan. The way he’s growing as a pro? I’m OBSESSED. I keep saying it, but I need them to go all the way to the final. I actually got teary eyed watching Tatyana be speechless at getting all 9s. She deserves this! They deserve this!
Shana: Sorry, not sorry. I know she had an advantage with her experience and all, but Jenna Dewan’s jazz (funk) to Janet Jackson’s “All For You” was everything to me. Some of us grew up watching Janet and instantly knowing “I want to do that.” (Full disclosure: For me, it was Madonna and Paula Abdul, with a healthy amount of Janet and Michael thrown in there somewhere.) So, to Carrie Ann’s point, I’d be willing to bet a lot of people from my generation are going to be inspired all over again—and that’s a good thing. If nothing else, there should be fond memories.
I think, if Val really wanted to challenge her and make the case to the audience that she didn’t have an unfair advantage, maybe the choreography could’ve gone in some more unexpected directions. But that’s nitpicking. When you’ve got Jaxon Willard bowing down to you in the background as you’re about to receive your scores and Janet Jackson herself sending you a video message, that’s probably enough said.
Tatyana and Jan’s tango was also incredible. I can’t say enough about how much I loved the lip sync moment (which I already mentioned above), but of course, that wasn’t actually the dancing. Her head and focus were both so sharp, especially during the side by side part. And, overall, the confidence was there! That whole performance was pure fire, precise, and lovely.
I’m not sure I’ve ever had a dance off as a favorite, but that rumba dance off? Amazing. Hi. I need Pasha and Daniella to switch partners again, just to see Amber get to dance with her some more. For science. And even outside of that, everything the judges said about both partnerships showcasing each other so beautifully is 100% correct.
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Most Unexpected or Underrated Moment(s)?
Shana: DID I SEE DEBBIE ALLEN IN THE AUDIENCE??? THE DEBBIE ALLEN????
What if we applaud whomever came up with the idea to put Tatyana Ali in that suit? Honestly, it could’ve worked for a “Men In Black” tribute if Tatyana and The Powers That Be had been on board, too.
We all need to take a moment to appreciate Harry Shum Jr. turning to the camera and giving that shoutout to Costa Rica in Spanish.
I am nothing if not committed to reminding everyone, everywhere, at every opportunity, that nobody does good sportsmanship like Amber Glenn. So, even though I just called attention to it in the previous section, I’m reminding y’all again. This sort of thing will forever be underrated because there’s no way to ever praise her attitude, or her level of genuine respect and care for her competitors, enough. Everyone else involved in that dance off gets major, major props for that dynamic, too. Also, the piggyback entrances: I need 5-7 business days to recover…and that’s before I even process that Brandy and Monica were there, singing “The Boy Is Mine.” Live.
Shelby: The Oli Pop promo during the packages was so obvious that I couldn’t help but chuckle.
I also can’t believe how many times Alfonso had to remind the judges to lock in their scores. Was there something going on with their system, or were they just forgetting?
The vibes of the Amber/Pasha and Ezra/Daniella dance off is everything my heart could have desired. Them switching partners at the end? I audibly gasped. It was BEAUTIFUL and FUN. Also, Brandy and Monica singing “The Boy Is Mine?” ARE YOU KIDDING? I am in AWE.
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Reaction to Elimination
Shelby: I can’t believe we’re already going into the semifinals. This season has FLOWN by. I feel like this episode was built and produced to have Jenna & Val and Tatyana & Jan in the final 2, which is…a choice. But I am relieved that Tatyana and Jan are through to the semifinals. They are a lightning in a bottle partnership and they deserve that spot. But, yeah, I agree with Julianne that it’s shocking for Jenna to go home. She came into this competition with more skill than other competitors, but she’s also GOOD. Part of this show is watching great performances. I’m mostly just so, so thrilled for Tatyana and Jan. LET’S GO!
Shana: “It’s shocking…to say the least” from Julianne about sums it up. For me, it was Connor’s time to go, but with the obvious favoritism of folks saying he’s going to make the finale at every possible opportunity kinda ruined that, huh. If not him, Maura needed to be eliminated to rest her body.
When it came down to Jenna and Tatyana, I was instantly mad because there was no way either of them deserved to leave. For whatever reason, there are people who haven’t quite connected with Jenna Dewan this season, but I always love seeing people come back to dance after time away and thought she easily had two of her best performances these past couple of weeks. And, to go back to my point about the Val drama negatively affecting both Jenna and Tatyana here, you know someone in production was loving making it down to those two when Jenna was the one going home. Not a fan.
Still, considering how many times Tatyana has been judged more harshly than others, I’m thrilled the audience continues to show up for her.
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