Dancing With the Stars Eliminates Fan Favorite on 20th Anniversary

Originally appeared on E! Online

Dancing With the Stars‘ 20th birthday was not so happy for Andy Richter and Emma Slater.

As the ABC dance competition marked the milestone on the Nov. 11 episode, the pair became the eighth couple to be voted off season 34.

But for Andy, he feels “like a winner” regardless of the elimination.

“It’s changed my life,” the 59-year-old said alongside Emma. “I’m a different person because of this show and because of this woman right here. None of this would have happened without her. She knew how to use me.”

Andy added, “It was just TikToks and dancing and it exploded. It’s crazy.”

On the episode, the couple danced the quickstep set to Robbie Williams‘ “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and received a total score of 29.

As the series heads into its final two episodes, only Alix Earle, Elaine Hendrix, Jordan Chiles, Dylan Efron, Whitney Leavitt and Robert Irwin remain for the semi-finals on Nov. 18.

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But while the episode was full of heartbreak for Andy and Emma, there was much to celebrate during the anniversary special, which also saw the return of some familiar faces.

OG host Tom Bergeron, who left DWTS after the 28th season in 2019, returned in a new capacity, serving as a guest judge alongside Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough.

And Bergeron credited the dancing series’ showrunner Conrad Green for convincing him to return to the ballroom after a tumultuous exit.

“He really kind of extended the olive branch,” the 70-year-old explained, “and got me reminiscing about all the fond memories.”

Disney/Frank Micelotta

In addition to Bergeron, all six of the show’s original pro dancers—Edyta Sliwinska, Ashly DelGrosso, Louis van Amstel, Jonathan Roberts, Charlotte Jørgensen and winner Alec Mazo—also made an appearance. The group took part in an opening number choreographed by Derek, which was set to a reimagined live version of the DWTS theme by Ray Chew.

Dancing with the Stars Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba — Disney/Andrew Eccles
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And Bergeron and the former cast members who took part in the 20th Birthday Party are not the only faces from DWTS past to appear on the current season. Former veteran dance pros Kym Johnson-Herjavec and Cheryl Burke served as guest judges.

“I feel so great,” Cheryl—a two-time Mirrorball Trophy winner—said on the Halloween episode on Oct. 28, “to be home again.”

Until the new champ is crowned, keep reading for a look back at all the stars who stepped into the ballroom for a shot at the season 34 DWTS title…

Baron Davis