DWTS 34 Recap: 20th Birthday Party

Hey guys! Welcome to this week's DWTS recap & HAPPY BIRTHDAY DWTS! The first season of DWTS premiered on June 1, 2005. To honor that, this week was DWTS' 20th birthday party. All couples danced to songs inspired by a past Freestyle. All couples (except for Whitney & Mark since they won immunity last week) also danced in a relay dance. However, for the first time ever, instead of dancing with their partners, all celebrities danced with a former champion for the relay dances. Former host Tom Bergeron also appeared as a guest judge. This might be my favorite episode of DWTS ever.

Let's get into it.

Individual round

Elaine & Alan

Dance: Salsa

Song: "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock

Inspired by: Mario Lopez & Karina's Freestyle (season 3)

Judges' scores: 9, 9, 9, 9 = 36/40

My score: 9

I loved the choreo & her legs were nice & straight. The lift at the beginning of the dance kind of threw me off a bit but I still loved it!

Check out their dance: Elaine Hendrix’s 20th Birthday Party Salsa | Dancing with the Stars

Robert & Witney

Dance: Foxtrot

Song: "Footprints in the Sand" by Leona Lewis

Inspired by: Bindi Irwin & Derek's Freestyle (season 21)

Judges' scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 = 40/40

My score: 40

I'm so happy that they finally got the perfect score they deserve! This was literally flawless & it was a beautiful dedication to his father. Also, having his sister come out at the end of it & the footage of them with their father when they were kids was so wholesome! I'm obsessed!

Check out their dance: (5) Robert Irwin’s 20th Birthday Party Foxtrot | Dancing with the Stars - YouTube

Andy & Emma

Dance: Quickstep

Song: "Puttin' on the Ritz" by Robbie Williams

Inspired by: Jordan Fisher & Lindsay's freestyle (season 25)

Judges' scores: 8, 7, 7, 7 = 29/40

My score: 7

I do think this was one of his better dances & for doing a Quickstep, this was kind of impressive. However, it was still a bit flat-footed & stiff.

Check out their dance: (8) Andy Richter’s 20th Birthday Party Quickstep | Dancing with the Stars - YouTube

Dylan & Daniella

Dance: Argentine Tango

Song: "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers

Inspired by: Milo Manheim & Witney's freestyle (season 27)

Judges' scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 = 40/40

My score: 10

Okay, this was amazing & I do agree that this was his best dance so far. However, Carrie Ann said that this was the best Argentine Tango of all time & I (respectfully) disagree. Though the dance was amazing, I don't think it was the best Argentine Tango of all time.

Check out their dance: Dylan Efron’s 20th Birthday Party Argentine Tango | Dancing with the Stars

Jordan & Ezra

Dance: Cha Cha

Song: "Get Up" by Ciara feat. Chamillionaire

Inspired by: Wayne Brady & Witney's freestyle (season 31)

Judges' scores: 9, 10, 9, 9 = 37/40

My score: 9

This was amazing & I loved the choreo. It could have used a bit more fluidity but other than that, it was a major serve.

Check out their dance: Jordan Chiles’ 20th Birthday Party Cha Cha | Dancing with the Stars

Alix & Val

Dance: Foxtrot

Song: "Singin' in the Rain" by Matthew Morrison

Inspired by: Nev Schulman & Jenna's freestyle (season 29)

Judges' scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 = 40/40

My score: 10

I literally have no notes about this. It was perfect from beginning to end. Just flawless.

Check out their dance: Alix Earle’s 20th Birthday Party Foxtrot | Dancing with the Stars

Whitney & Mark

Dance: Argentine Tango

Song: "Cell Block Tango" from Chicago

Inspired by Gabby Windey & Val's freestyle (season 31)

Judges' scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 = 40/40

My score: 10

This was beyond perfection. It was so sharp, so clean & so intense. Loved loved loved this!

Check out their dance: Whitney Leavitt’s 20th Birthday Party Argentine Tango | Dancing with the Stars

Relay round

Jordan & Apolo Anton Ohno (season 4 champion) vs Elaine & Rashad Jennings (season 24 champion)

Dance: Quickstep

Song: "I Get a Kick Out of You" by Michael Buble

Winners: Jordan & Apolo

My winners: Jordan & Apolo

Dylan & Rumer Willis (season 20 champion) vs Andy & Kaitlyn Bristowe (season 29 champion)

Dance: Viennese Waltz

Song: "Earned It" the Weeknd

Winners: Dylan & Rumer

My winners: Dylan & Rumer

Robert & Xochitl Gomez (season 32 champion) vs Alix & Joey Graziadei (season 33 champion)

Dance: Jive

Song: "Dance with Me Tonight" by Olly Murs

Winners: Robert & Xochitl

My winners: Robert & Xochitl

Tonight is Prince night & it is also the semifinals (2 weeks left & I'm not ready for this season to end). All couples will perform two dances; one they've never done before, & one they've done before but can improve on. They will be dancing to songs by Prince. Here are the dances for tonight:

Round one:

1. Alix & Val - Argentine Tango to "Little Red Corvette"

2. Dylan & Daniella - Tango to "I Would Die 4 U"

3. Elaine & Alan - Paso Doble to "When Doves Cry"

4. Jordan & Ezra - Argentine Tango to "U Got the Look"

5. Robert & Witney - Viennese Waltz to "WOW"

6. Whitney & Mark - Viennese Waltz to "Slow Love"

Round two:

1. Alix & Val - Viennese Waltz (week 4, disney night) to "Purple Rain"

2. Dylan & Daniella - Cha Cha (week 1, premiere) to "Kiss"

3. Elaine & Alan - Foxtrot (week 5, dedication night) to "I Wanna Be Your Lover"

4. Jordan & Ezra - Jive (week 2, one-hit wonders night) to "Raspberry Beret"

5. Robert & Witney - Jive (week 1, premiere) to "Baby I'm a Star"

6. Whitney & Mark - Cha Cha (week 2, one-hit wonders night) to "1999"

That's it for this week's recap.

Until next time,

~Brianna.