Since its Dedication Night in the ballroom, I’d like to devote this week 5 recap to all the Gen Zers who have dutifully followed Robert Irwin and the rest of the Dancing with the Stars competitors on TikTok. I may have dragged the specially themed night two weeks ago, but credit must be given to that (otherwise pestiferous) platform. The kids like sharing videos and chewing the fat over the latest episode of DWTS, just like olden days when we used to gather around the 20th century watercooler to talk about the last night’s Lost. Will our unpredictable youth save the Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy from extinction? I’m counting on it!
On Tuesday, former pro Kym Johnson was in the house to expertly guest judge while the honorees of Dedication Night were integrated into each number. Hold onto your hats…
Comedian Andy Richter with partner Emma Slater. Mr. Living-on-Borrowed-Time dedicated his salsa to daughter Cornelia, who stole the show when she joined big poppa on the dance floor and Alfonso Ribeiro called her the most beautiful girl in the world. Oh, and Richter danced, too; Carrie Ann Inaba even said he showed improvement! “I get so excited watching you every single week,” said Johnson, who really brought her A game to the judges panel this week. Honestly, she was stellar at offering dance tips that the competitors can actually understand. Anyway, here is the rest of her quote: “I can relate to you and Emma. I danced with Jerry Springer, and we had the bottom scores every week … You connect with people.” SCORE: 24 out of 40
Danielle Fishel (Boy Meets World) with Pasha Pashkov. Well, this was a choice: Fishel decided to invite William Daniels, her former Boy co-star who is now 98, to join her in the ballroom. Before you shout elder abuse, Daniels only had to stand upstage against a desk while his former “student” performed a playful jive to “Boy Meets World” by Twenty Cent Crush. Inaba had nothing positive to say — which seemed to be a trend for the night — but Johnson offered some constructive criticism. “That made everyone’s nostalgic hearts happy,” said Johnson. “There was so much jive content in there. You are very effortless when you dance, but I feel like you can have a little more attack in your extensions.” SCORE: 29 out of 31
Jen Affleck (The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) with Jan Ravnik. Affleck’s cute lil’ ma Maria joined their otherwise basic Viennese waltz to “Rescue.” Ravnik’s a newbie so he’s obviously in that learn-as-we-go mode, but that’s not exactly helping Affleck break out from the pack. Maybe he just skipped waltz class back at Dance U? Anyway, the judges were underwhelmed. “We told you before it’s getting better but you have to continue this flow, sometime your throw it a little bit,” said Tonioli. SCORE: 29 out of 40
Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying with Rylee Arnold. We may be waiting forever for a male-male partnership to compete on DWTS, but at least we got to see Hoying’s hubby Mark join in on his foxtrot! Actually, scratch that; poor Mark only got to take the microphone from Hoying at the beginning of the number (he sang his own Pentatonix song “Parallel”) and later joined his hubby at the end to … ugh, lie on the floor. Boo! At least we got to hear the news that Scott and Mark are expecting their first child via a surrogate. “It was a true love foxtrot,” said Tonioli. “We all felt it. I could feel you being much more at ease at it, your lines are getting better.” SCORE: 30 out of 40
Actor Elaine Hendrix with Alan Bersten. Hendrix invited her best pal and co-star on The Parent Trap Lisa Ann Walter to join them for their foxtrot to “This Will Be” (which just happened to be part of The Parent Trap score). Hendrix is an elegant dancer and doesn’t need a gimmick (or Dennis Quaid as her guest in the audience) to get the judges’ attention, but it was a gas watching Bersten waltz with two beauties at once. And Ribeiro was right to say Walter deserves to compete next season; the Abbott Elementary actress can certainly shake a tail feather. “This was amazing, what a wonderful way to celebrate friendship,” said Inaba. “Alan, you did a great job, the way you brought it all together.” SCORE: 30 out of 40
Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles with Ezra Sosa. Chiles’ dad Timothy was the one who got his daughter into gymnastics after she was diagnosed with ADHD as a kiddo, so she owes him her life, if not her medal. Dressed in a satin pink suit, pop got to briefly join Chili and Sosa in their sweet (if rather unenthusiastic) Viennese waltz to “Daughters” by John Mayer. Someone forgot to remind the clearly nervous Timothy to smile! “It doesn’t get much better than a father daughter dance,” said Johnson. “Jordan, you were actually leading your dad, and you were doing it beautifully. You have the determination to go all the way to the end.” SCORE: 32 out of 40
Whitney Leavitt (The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) with Mark Ballas. Leavitt surprised Ballas by saying she only dated her now husband Conner for four months before exchanging vows. And it turns out Conner is a big softie! He choked up over how his wife not only wanted to dedicate her contemporary number to their union but wanted him to join them in their contemporary to “Heal” by Jamal Roberts. Ballas almost did his job too well; Conner just about upstaged his popular wife on the dance floor. “Dancing is so healing and that was so beautiful to watch you share that moment with your husband,” said Hough. “Wow Conner you are a dancer!” SCORE: 33 out of 40
Wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin with Witney Carson. Irwin reminded viewers that he was only 2 when his dad Steve passed away, so he started to choke up when talking about his mom Terri and how she raised two kids on her own. It should be no surprise, then, that damn near everybody got verklempt while watching the duo perform a contemporary to Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be in My Heart.” The routine wrapped with Irwin’s mom joining her beautiful boy for a few steps and a big embrace. “You gave us all of your heart and soul,” said Tonioi. “This was the true expression of everlasting love.” That comment earned a hug from Irwin. SCORE: 35 out of 40
Social media personality Alix Earle with Val Chmerkovskiy. Earle ended the show by dedicating her gorgeous contemporary to her younger sister Izabel. Inaba once again didn’t have anything positive to say, which prompted Hough to comment on all the negativity in the night when it was all supposed to be above love. Oh to be a fly on the wall after the cameras stop rolling! Anyway, he said to Earle, “You made it look so natural.” SCORE: 35 out of 40
Reality TV star Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach. Efron brought his 5-year-old sister Olivia to join their contemporary number to “Rewrite the Stars” by Zac Efron and Zendaya. It started with Efron lifting the adorable tot — who could teach a few of her brother’s rivals about how to point one’s toes correctly — before Karagach took over with her joyful choreography. “I felt that story to my bottom of my soul,” said Inaba. “The love you feel for her was infused in every step of this dance.” SCORE: 36 out of 40
Another record-breaking night for votes; the show exceeded 50 million! There was good news all around; no one went home on Dedication Night. I wonder if Inaba is happy about that?
It’s Wicked night next week.
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