The competition continued with the most emotional week yet on Dancing With the Stars Season 34. For the Tuesday, October 14, episode, “Dedication Night,” the remaining 10 stars honored the most important people in their lives with special routines.
To make things even more special, the honorees joined the contestants on the dance floor for parts of the dances. Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli were also joined by former pro Kym Johnson Herjavec at the judges’ table, so the scores were all out of 40 instead of 30 this week.
At the end of the episode, the star with the lowest combined judges’ scores and viewer votes will be eliminated. Scroll down for a live recap of the performances and leaderboard, and keep checking back to see who is sent home at the end of the episode.
Andy Richter & Emma Slater — 24/40
Andy Richter has been kept in the competition thanks to viewer votes all season long, and he continued to tug at heartstrings with his salsa dance, which he dedicated to his stepdaughter, Cornelia.
Cornelia joined Richter on the dance floor for part of his performance to “Jump in the Line.” Herjavec gave Richter some encouraging words, as she reminded him that she once danced with Jerry Springer and kept getting voted through, despite having low scores.
“Sweetness, light, all things bright,” Tonioli said, while also referring to Cornelia as a “little Baby Spice.” He noted that there were “plenty of steps” in the routing, although they weren’t always on time. “I saw improvement tonight,” Inaba said. “There’s something going on. You’re starting to feel really comfortable in the moves, which I love.” Unfortunately, she also had to note that he was “off in the musicality” in the beginning.
All four judges gave Richter a 24/40 for the routine.
Robert Irwin — 35/40
For his dedication dance, Robert Irwin paid tribute to his mom, Terri Irwin, who raised him and his sister as a single mother after Steve Irwin‘s death in 2006. Irwin danced a contemporary to “You’ll Be in my Heart” by Phil Collins.
The ballroom (and judges) were in tears after the performance. “You gave us all of your heart and soul. All I can say is this was the true expression of everlasting love,” Tonioli said. Inaba said if she ever had kids, she would’ve liked them to be like Irwin. “You’re so honest and open and you’re just always connecting with the audience. It was really beautiful,” she raved.
Hough fought back tears as he told the Irwins, “The love I have for your family … thank you. I love you, man. I’m so proud of you.” Herjavec also cried as she praised Terri for “raising such great kids.”
With three 9s from Tonioli, Hough, and Johnson, and an 8 from Inaba, Irwin scored a 35/40.
Elaine Hendrix — 30/40
Elaine Hendrix was joined by her longtime best friend and The Parent Trap costar Lisa Ann Walter for a foxtrot to “This Will Be (an Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole.
“This was amazing. What a wonderful way to celebrate friendship. You can see the joy,” Inaba said, while also praising Alan Bersten for his choreography. Hough said, “Elaine, you’re an absolute joy to watch!” However, he gave some pointers to Hendrix about her shoulders.
Johnson also got to her feet to give some pointers about Hendrix’s frame. “You always get exactly what it’s at. Ginger Rogers. The aura she had. The way you use the floor. The way you interacted. Pure glamour,” Tonioli added. Side note: Can we bring Walter on as a contestant next season?
Inaba and Tonioli gave the dance an 8, while Hough and Johnson scored it a 7, bringing the total score to 30/40.
Dancing With the Stars Week 5 leaderboard
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson — 35/40
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten — 30/40
Andy Richter and Emma Slater — 24/40
Dancing With the Stars, Season 34, Tuesdays, 8/7c, ABC and Disney+ (Streaming Next Day on Hulu)
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