top of page

Everything 'Dancing With the Stars' Did Right — and Wrong — This Season

  • Writer: Kristyn Burtt
    Kristyn Burtt
  • Nov 23, 2020
  • 3 min read

Derek hough holding 10 paddle
Photo credit: ABC/Eric McCandless.

Dancing With the Stars did it! They managed to successfully pull off a full season in the middle of a pandemic. Many people thought it couldn't be done considering dance is a contact sport, but with daily COVID-19 testing and keeping the couples in a bubble, the show was a success.


While not every change landed well, the producers, cast and crew should be proud of what they accomplished. For two hours every Monday, they sprinkled a little joy in a world that weary of the news around them. DWTS did it without politics entering the ballroom this season, which was probably the smartest choice of them all.



The host switch was not without controversy. The show asked Tyra Banks to fill Tom Bergeron's shoes as well as Erin Andrews' job with a splash of Tyra somewhere in there. It took a while for Tyra to find her groove, but her hosting smoothed out as the show reached the latter part of the season. If there's a Season 30, viewers should expect Tyra back at the helm.


The judging panel looked a bit different this season as well. Derek Hough took the lead judge position as Len Goodman was benched due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. His short segments each week were welcome, but it makes us wonder if we will ever see him back judging DWTS full-time. Carrie Ann Inaba also made waves with criticism of Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev, which ruffled a few feathers. It was reminiscent of last season's kerfuffle with Hannah Brown and Alan Bersten. Coincidentally, both couples wound up winning the Mirrorball trophy.



Fifteen contestants might have been too heavy of a cast as the first few weeks felt burdened by a lot of dances and a lack of time getting to know the celebrities. However, it also gave us fifteen of our beloved pros on the job. Daniella Karagach and Britt Stewart made a big splash as first-season pros and brought their choreographic flair to the ballroom. It was also a welcome return to the ballroom for Artem and Sharna Burgess, who were both unceremoniously left off the Season 27 roster. Artem proved that his setback was a set-up for a major comeback.


While the show relied on gimmicky sketches, it also lacked the pro group numbers that normally open the show. We watched longingly at Strictly Come Dancing, which filmed all of their pro numbers ahead of the season. If COVID-19 protocols are still in place next fall (Please no!), let's hope the producers prioritize those big opening dances. They were sorely missed, along with a live studio audience with an energy that can never be replaced by canned applause.



As Season 29 comes to a close, this will always be a season that many thought would never happen. Yet in the end, it might be one of the most memorable seasons of all. The contestants and pros will always have crazy memories of masks, plastic dividers separating them in the balcony and the realization that a pandemic DWTS will probably never be replicated again.


Before you go, click here to find out if Cheryl Burke is retiring from Dancing With the Stars.


666 Comments


danish
7 days ago

This is a well-written and informative article. Many users today value platforms that provide simple account access and mobile-friendly experiences. Helpful resources about ReddyBooke Login, getting a verified ReddyBooke ID, and using the ReddyBooke App Download option can make the entire user journey much smoother. It's great to see content that helps readers stay informed and understand the different features available to them. Keep sharing such useful insights with your audience.

Like

MushikA WanikA
MushikA WanikA
Jul 20

What I appreciate the most about Sky Exchange is how effortless the overall experience feels. The clean interface, fast navigation, and minimal clutter create a refreshing environment for users. skyexchange biz complements this with reliable accessibility, consistent performance, and a mobile-friendly design that adapts beautifully across different screen sizes.


Visit to know More- https://skyexchangez.com/

Like

isha
Jul 18

Fantastic article! It's refreshing to come across content that focuses on providing genuine value to readers. In today's digital landscape, users often seek reliable resources that can help them navigate account access, registration requirements, and mobile accessibility with ease. Information related to ReddyBooke Login is especially useful for existing users who want quick and secure account access. Similarly, guides covering the process of obtaining a ReddyBooke ID can help new users understand the necessary steps before getting started. For those who prefer using smartphones, the ReddyBooke App Download option offers a convenient way to stay connected and access features from anywhere. Thank you for sharing such detailed and helpful information with your audience.

Like

andrian
Jul 15

Excellent article! I really appreciated the insights you shared. As someone who enjoys following cricket and other sports, I've recently been exploring different online platforms and found Fairplay to be quite user-friendly. It offers smooth navigation, live sports updates, and an enjoyable overall experience. If you're into sports, it's definitely worth checking out.


Click here to know more : https://fairplays.net/

Like

toootaa1210f
Jul 13

Mình có lần lướt đọc mấy trao đổi trên mạng شيخ روحاني thì thấy nhắc nên cũng tò mò mở ra xem thử cho biết. Mình không tìm hiểu sâu جلب الحبيب chỉ xem qua trong thời gian ngắn để quan sát bố cục جلب الحبيب cách sắp xếp شيخ روحاني các mục và trình bày nội شيخ روحاني dung tổng thể. Cảm giác là các phần được trình bày khá gọn, các Berlinintim mục rõ ràng nên đọc lướt cũng không bị rối Berlinintim với mình như شيخ روحاني vậy là đủ để nắm tin cơ bản rồi. جلب الحبيب

😍

Edited
Like

© 2016 by Kristyn Burtt. Proudly created with Wix.com

  • Facebook Social Icon
  • Twitter Social Icon
  • Instagram Social Icon
  • Google+ Social Icon
bottom of page