It just may be Dancing With The Stars’ most memorable episode yet when tonight’s episode not only celebrates the stars’ most memorable years, but pays tribute to a special someone missing from the ballroom this season.
After last week’s Disney 100 night celebrated 100 years of magical movies before saying goodbye to Adrian and Britt, tonight, the dance floor will hold a plethora of emotions as the stars pay tribute to their most memorable years.
Tonight’s episode will also include a tribute to the late head judge Len Goodman, who passed away earlier this year. A special number choreographed by Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson will showcase dancers past and present, including judge Derek Hough and co-host Julianne Hough, as well as appearances from former DWTS pros Mark Ballas, Maks Chmerkovskiy, Edyta Sliwinska, Kym Johnson, Anna Trebunskaya, Karina Smirnoff, Tony Dovolani and Louis van Amstel,
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DWTS 32 Spoilers: Most Memorable Year Dance Styles, Song Choices
Mira and Gleb – Contemporary – “Time After Time”
Mira’s most memorable year was 2004 when she had her daughter Mattea.
The performance starts out as a dance between Mira and Mattea. Mattea is a professional dancer and it shows. I love the way Gleb turned what would usually be a dramatic, emotional dance into a fun, slightly more upbeat one. Parts felt a little more like a Jazz than a Contemporary, but I loved that ending with the three of them forming a heart with their arms.
Derek says it was joyful to watch. Bruno says it had an uplifting feeling and he loved that it was lyrical, but criticizes the lifts. Carrie Ann calls it an iconic dance and says they turned something comedic into something heartfelt.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 8, Bruno- 7 = 22/30
Ariana and Pasha – Viennese Waltz – “Happier Than Ever”
Ariana’s most memorable year is 2023 because this was the year she caught her boyfriend and best friend betraying her.
As a performance, it was powerful. As a technical dance, it felt a bit sloppy. Ariana looked like she was completely distracted the entire time. Great choreo, just poorly executed.
Bruno says it was a power Waltz with a message. Carrie Ann says she loves seeing what a fighter Ariana is, but says the dance was missing some driving tempo. Derek calls her a beautiful actress but says he agrees with Carrie Ann and says there was a stumble.
Scores when we return!
Carrie Ann- 8, Derek- 8, Bruno- 8 = 24/30
Charity and Artem – Contemporary – “Lose You To Love Me”
Charity’s most memorable year was 2022 when she went on The Bachelor, but had just gotten out of a toxic relationship.
It was cool to see them utilize bars for this dance. Other than that it was your typical Contemporary routine, nothing that stands out. Charity had more fluidity at the end compared to the beginning of the dance.
Carrie Ann says every season has a dance everyone remembers, and this was that dance (I disagree lol). Derek says he hates to see a prop that isn’t used, but says they utilized it beautifully. Bruno compliments the visualization of the concept.
Carrie Ann- 10, Derek- 9, Bruno- 9 = 28/30
Alyson and Sasha – Viennese Waltz – “Perfect”
Alyson’s most memorable year was 2003 when she met her husband.
This Viennese also lacked drive like Ariana’s. There wasn’t enough force behind her steps. But it was beautiful choreo to a beautiful song, and that call to How I Met Your Mother with the yellow umbrella got me.
Derek says there was such a difference from last week, with better neckline and better frame, but had a few timing issues. Bruno says she was elegant and fluid despite a tiny foot problem. Carrie Ann says their criticism is out of pure love and they love her because she works so hard.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 7, Bruno- 7 = 21/30
Harry and Rylee – Contemporary – “Keep Your Head Up”
Harry says his most memorable year was 2020 when he landed in the spotlight.
This is another really upbeat Contemporary. Also quite fast for this dance. Not sure why they just started walking hand-in-hand in the middle of the dance, but.
Bruno says he’s an incredible lifter, despite something happening at the end, and criticizes his musicality. Carrie Ann says he took a step backward from last week. Derek says he’s a fantastic partner for Rylee, but he needs to work on rhythm, musicality, etc.
Carrie Ann- 6, Derek- 6, Bruno- 6 = 18/30
Len Goodman tribute
Now we break from the competition for Len’s tribute.
Dancers past and present did a clean, simple Waltz in tribute to Len, and it was beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. It was so special to see past pros dancing with current pros. They ended by gesturing toward Len’s empty seat at the judges’ panel and Bruno was especially emotional in the moment.
Jason and Daniella – Quickstep – “On The Road Again”
Jason’s most memorable year is 1999 when he decided to hit the road and pursue his dreams of music.
This was an incredibly unconventional Quickstep, but felt really fitting for Jason and Daniella. When did it become okay to break in the middle 57 times? Regardless, it was cute and fun and just what we all needed after that emotional Len tribute.
Carrie Ann compliments their partnership and says he’s superior in this competition despite a wobble. Derek says he’s taking a chance with dance and it’s paying off, and compliments his frame. Bruno says they gave us twinkling pleasure with this dance and it had a lot of content.
Carrie Ann- 9, Derek- 9, Bruno- 9 = 27/30
Lele and Brandon – Contemporary – “I’ll Stand By You”
Lele’s most memorable year was 2020 when she released a documentary about mental health.
Finally, a slow, fluid, traditional Contemporary! It definitely included some cheesy Contemporary steps – like when they literally skipped up the steps – but ended it with Lele’s husband giving her a rose was beautiful.
Derek says she’s been progressing every week and he felt the dance from the beginning. Bruno says she was most real in this dance. Carrie Ann calls it her best dance.
Carrie Ann- 8, Derek- 8, Bruno- 8 = 24/30
Xochitl and Val – Viennese Waltz – “Until I Found You”
Xochitl’s most memorable year is 2021 when she became a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe but she never got to have a quinceanera.
That was so beautiful!! This girl is going to win the whole thing, okay? I love the way Val really choreographed this to specifically fit the music and Xochitl’s effortless storytelling is so fun to watch in every dance.
Bruno says she swept us away and compliments Val’s little intricate touches. Carrie Ann compliments their momentum but says there was a tiny wobble. Derek says he didn’t see any wobbles and it was perfection.
Carrie Ann- 9, Derek- 10 Bruno- 9 = 28/30
Mauricio and Emma – Contemporary – “Rise Up”
Mauricio’s most memorable year is 1996 because it was a year of change for him, when he was fired and had a family to take care of.
It definitely had its off moments, but that was probably Mauricio’s best dance yet. He nailed some of those classic Contemporary steps. The ending was strange though, not gonna lie.
Carrie Ann calls it beautiful and says they were in sync. Derek says he’s “become a frickin’ dancer!” Bruno says he gave it all he got and it was true and honest, and then agrees with me and calls it his best dance yet.
Carrie Ann- 8, Derek- 8 Bruno- 8 = 24/30
Barry and Peta – Paso Doble – “Born To Be Wild”
Barry’s most memorable year is 1968 when everything changed in his life going from being young and wild to going on The Brady Bunch.
Barry is so much better than you’d expect. It was so good, no errors at all. I personally rarely enjoy a Paso but that was killer!! Gorgeous costumes too!
Derek calls it a beautiful redemption dance and says Len would’ve loved it. Bruno says even the nostrils were flaring and it had no mistakes at all. Carrie Ann says it made her heart happy to see him do a dance to the level he knew he could do it.
Carrie Ann- 8, Derek- 8 Bruno- 8 = 24/30
The couple going home is… Mira and Gleb. Harry and Rylee, Alyson and Sasha are also in the Bottom 3.
See you all next week for some monster-themed dances on Halloween night!
