Andy Richter’s Dancing With the Stars journey isn’t over yet. This comes as a surprise to many people, Richter, 58, and the show’s judges included. After the comedian’s latest performance on Wicked Night, some fans are speculating Derek Hough might be running out of patience.
Richter’s jazz routine with pro partner Emma Slater featured his usual mix of humor and heart that many DWTS viewers are loving this season. He earned 7s from Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli — his first of the season. Hough, 40, gave Richter a 6, but his critique is what’s raising eyebrows now.
“We’re getting pretty deep into the competition, so we’ll see,” Hough told Richter. Some viewers think Hough’s remark could be interpreted as a subtle hint that Richter’s time on the show should be coming to an end.
“Did anyone else get the sense … that Derek is getting tired of Andy continuing to avoid elimination each week?” one Reddit user wrote.
“I thought his comment … was a little out of left field, almost like he meant to say ‘OK, you’re cute and lovable and all but you’re starting to make a mockery of this show and don’t deserve to be here anymore.’ Just thought Derek’s comment was kind of prickly and wondered if anyone else felt the same!”
Other viewers were quick to run to Hough’s defense. “Derek’s job is to judge the dances, not attempt to get contestants off the show because he’s ‘over’ them,” another Redditor pointed out in the comments. They also mentioned Hough’s comment about Brandon Armstrong and Lauren Jauregui. The night they were eliminated, Hough had told them he thought they would be in the competition “a long time.”
“I think Derek’s now extra cautious about telling contestants they will return,” their rebuttal concluded.
Despite his place at the bottom of the leader board, Richter has a loyal fan base. They keep voting to keep him in the competition week after week.
His self-deprecating humor and genuine reactions to remaining in the competition have made him one of Season 34’s most endearing contestants. And if Cheryl Burke‘s recent comments are any indication, Richter could make it to the DWTS finale.
Regardless of how fans are interpreting Hough’s comment, Richter remains in the competition and one step closer to dancing in the finale.
Watch Dancing With the Stars on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Stream episodes the next day on Hulu.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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