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Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Ep 4 Recap

Also available on YouTube.

Dancing with the Stars Season 35 heats up on Super Bowl Night as Sasha Joseph brings in Chappell, who shares his real-life halftime show experience, to break down every dance, score, and dramatic elimination. As the ballroom embraces Super Bowl themes, stars take on routines inspired by iconic halftime performances, all under the watchful eyes of special guest judge Joe Buck. With hosting shake-ups and the show’s own celebrity connections to football and pop culture, this week’s episode brings both energy and debate to the dance floor.

Sasha and Chappell dig into each performance, from Maura and Mark’s technically sharp tango set to Rihanna’s “Only Girl in the World” to the viral nostalgia of Julia and Ezra channeling “Save the Last Dance.” They debate the fairness of the judging, especially as multiple celebs receive the same score despite major differences in ability and entertainment value. The discussion also samples several stand-out production choices, including Gatorade-sponsored openings and questionable costume decisions, that shape contestants’ ability to stand out. Beyond the dances, they call out social media drama, like Brandon Donlon’s run-in with Jimmy Kimmel and how fan support shapes each star’s journey. The surprising elimination of Guillermo turns the spotlight onto Tyler and raises questions about who truly deserves to stay.

Key topics include:

Joe Buck’s presence as guest judge and his laid-back, vibes-only approach to scoring contestants

The controversial elimination of Guillermo, with passionate debate over whether Tyler should have exited instead

Performance critiques: Amber’s standout samba, Maura and Mark’s technical proficiency, and the chemistry (or lack thereof) between certain pairs

Frequent scoring inconsistencies, with men often receiving higher marks for less difficult routines

Choreography, song choices (including a lack of Beyoncé), and creative risks debated for their success and impact

How will the continued voting trends and production choices affect the contestants' chances as the season moves forward? Does the judging need a shake-up to bring more consistency and credibility? Dive into the full episode for sharp insights, lively debate, and a true fan’s perspective on all the Dance Floor drama.

0:00 Super Bowl Week: Chappell Joins5:12 Guillermo Eliminated, Fans React13:17 Beyoncé Snubbed, Song Choices Debated18:39 Maura’s Tango Impresses Judges24:02 Jackson’s Salsa Earns Mixed Reviews32:08 Amber Delivers Standout Samba37:25 Tyler’s Jazz Leaves Panel Cold45:06 Connor Struggles With Samba51:04 Julia Recreates “Save the Last Dance”58:24 Tatyana Frustrated by Song Choice1:07:20 Guillermo’s Final Salsa Performance1:12:26 Jenna’s Paso Doble Wows Panel1:19:14 Harry’s Samba Draws Critique1:26:54 Ezra and Daniella Dominate Night1:34:53 Elimination Twist and Finale Predictions

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Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Ep 4 Recap

Also available on YouTube.

It's Mariah Carey night on Dancing with the Stars Season 35, and Matt Liguoi and Sasha Joseph are breaking down all the performances, the judging controversies, and the heartbreaking elimination that's leaving the fandom with a lot of feelings. Episode 5 marked a milestone, the first 9 paddles of the season finally appeared, but the night also ended with one of the most-discussed eliminations of the year: Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong saying goodbye despite a season of crowd-pleasing performances. Matt and Sasha dig into what went wrong with the voting and why some fans feel the show's fanbase dynamics are working against certain contestants no matter how well they dance.

Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach delivered another standout rumba, Jenna Johnson had her best night of the season, and Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas broke the season's 9 barrier with a waltz to "If It's Over." Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov closed the show with one of the most talked-about finishing poses of the year. But not every moment landed: Carrie Ann Inaba's judging drew fire from both hosts, Val Chmerkovskiy's hairstyle sparked social media controversy, and Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold gave the show its most eyebrow-raising package segment of the season. Matt also drops a hot take about Sharna Burgess's hair, the duo digs into the Jackson Olson-Guillermo TikTok drama, and Sasha's complicated feelings about Guillermo Rodriguez make for one of the funniest exchanges of the year.

Ezra Frech and Daniella earn 8s across the board. Both hosts feel 9s were warranted

Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas score the first 9 of Season 35; Matt and Sasha debate whether it was truly a 9

Amber Glenn and Pasha close the show to high praise, but Carrie Ann's 7 draws serious pushback from Sasha

Ciara Miller's elimination over Tyler Cameron sparks a bigger conversation about Black women on DWTS and voting dynamics

Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa charm in the middle of the pack; Jackson Olson struggles with his performance face

With Super Bowl night on the horizon and Matt away, Sasha and Chappell will break it all down next week. Catch Matt when he returns the following episode.

Timestamps:0:00:00 – Intro / Ciara elimination reaction0:07:00 – Black women on DWTS and voting dynamics0:14:00 – Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson tango (Amber Riley in the ballroom)0:21:00 – Jenna's best night / Val's haircut controversy0:34:00 – Tyler Cameron and Sharna / Julianne-Val weirdness0:45:00 – Maura and Mark score the first 9 of Season 350:50:31 – Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson: "Obsessed" samba0:57:07 – Jackson Olson and Emma Slater: birthday week1:01:37 – Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik1:06:27 – Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold: the grinding package1:12:50 – Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa: Viennese waltz1:16:33 – Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov close the show1:22:07 – Elimination breakdown1:25:20 – Next week: Super Bowl night with Chappell

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Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Ep 4 Recap

Also available on YouTube.

Return to the ballroom with the latest round of Dancing with the Stars Season 35, Episode 4, as Matt Liguori and Sasha Joseph break down Yacht Rock Night. Sentiments run high from the get-go, with heated reactions to Britt Stewart’s unexpected early exit, her fifth within seven seasons. As the co-hosts sort through surprise eliminations, mixed theme choices, and clashing fan bases, this episode dives deep into the strategies, production decisions, and personalities shaping the season.

The conversation focused on the emotional reactions around elimination night, particularly regarding Britt’s recurring early exits and the broader implications for the show’s pro dancers. Judges’ scoring inconsistencies, the puzzling selection of Yacht Rock as a theme, and fan engagement online become central topics. The discussion explored the efforts of contestants attempting to merge their personal talents, like Amber Glenn’s blend of ballroom and figure skating or Ciara’s transformation into her iconic onscreen persona. Several points were raised, including the role of social media in voting, the pressures faced by pros who juggle DWTS with outside commitments, and the evolving landscape of themed nights.

Strong debate over Britt Stewart’s repeated early eliminations and its impact on pro participation

Close look at mismatched themes, from a confusing Yacht Rock Night to anticipation (and anxiety) for upcoming Mariah Carey and potential NFL-themed episodes

Observations about scoring disparities, with attention to how some dances receive higher ratings despite visible missteps

The spotlight on certain celebrities’ journeys, from Amber Glenn’s standout performances to the unique pairing-based fan dynamics

Behind-the-scenes talk on how travel, outside gigs, and social media presence factor into rehearsals and performance quality

Can future themes deliver on energy and music, or will song choices keep throwing off dancers and fans alike? Will the pros get more say in their celebrity partners—or do recurring elimination patterns signal deeper issues in casting and production?

Catch the full episode to follow the drama, dance breakdowns, and real-time fan reactions as Dancing with the Stars navigates a pivotal stage of the competition.

00:00 Yacht Rock Night Kicks Off06:48 Britt Stewart’s Early Elimination Outrage13:30 Yacht Rock Theme Critique19:31 Sexiest Pro Nominees Revealed25:39 Amber Glenn Tops Leaderboard35:11 Guillermo’s Surprising Fan Power41:47 Tatyana’s Breakthrough Performance46:07 Glee Cast Supports Harry Shum51:21 Taylor Hanson’s Painful Exit58:00 Maura and Mark’s Dynamic Chemistry01:03:31 Ciara Miller Finds Confidence01:08:41 Jackson Olsen’s Stalled Progress01:12:03 Connor Wood’s Questionable High Scores01:16:24 Jenna Dewan’s Samba Overdrive01:21:05 Tyler Cameron Struggles Despite Sharna01:26:04 Ezra’s Foxtrot Stuns Judges01:31:24 Britt’s Exit Sparks Frustration

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Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Ep 3 Recap

Also available on YouTube.

Chart a course for reality TV drama with Matt Liguori and Sasha Joseph as they break down week 2, episode 3 of Dancing with the Stars: Viral Hits Night. Fourteen couples light up the ballroom with viral songs, but only thirteen make it to the next round. Judges dish out one-word critiques, sometimes breaking their own rule, and an elimination leaves everyone talking.

Matt and Sasha recap the standout dances, offbeat themes, and celebrity journeys of the week. They weigh in on Giada and Alan’s exit, the viral song choices that didn’t always hit the mark, and the mounting pressure as live TV nerves sink in. Sizzling lifts, bold choreography, and a few wardrobe malfunctions keep the commentary lively, as the hosts examine how connection, or lack thereof, impacts voting and scoring. Discussion turns to Julianne Hough’s nostalgic look, record-breaking “hype” for the season, and the ever-present influence of Bachelor Nation as the celebrities try to win over America (and the judges).

Listen for insights on:

The judges’ one-word critiques, rule-breaking, and how it shaped the evening’s feedback

Giada’s tough night, her apparent discomfort on stage, and the hosts’ speculation about her and Alan’s partnership

The top leaderboard results and why certain performances felt emotionally flat or lacked genuine connection

Breakout dances highlighted by lifts, technical risks, or unexpected song-to-dance pairings

Wardrobe choices, both hits and misses, including Julianne’s throwback outfit and a handful of questionable celebrity ensembles

The episode spotlights big questions: Can charisma and confidence beat technical skills? Which partnerships will connect enough to survive? As Yacht Rock Night approaches, tune in for predictions, critical breakdowns, and spirited chat about the season’s next moves.

Dive into this week’s Dancing with the Stars discussion for sharp takes, memorable moments, and reality-TV analysis you’ll only find here.

00:00 Viral Hits Night Kicks Off06:57 Giada and Alan Eliminated13:01 Underwhelming Start for Jenna & Val20:50 Ciara Miller's Reality TV Journey25:04 Tyler Cameron's Shirtless Salsa Gamble32:47 Julia Stiles Struggles With Scores38:01 Jackson Olsen Balances Baseball, Dancing44:20 Giada and Alan's Final Dance49:15 Conner and Riley Stumble After Highs52:27 Ezra and Daniella's Showstopping Cha-Cha1:04:00 Amber Glenn's Powerful Tango Moment1:09:37 Guillermo Surprises With Rihanna Paso1:14:33 Taylor Hanson Falters With Cha-Cha1:17:08 Harry Shum Jr.'s Emotional Waltz1:22:57 Maura Higgins Overthinks Her Cha-Cha1:29:33 Looking Ahead: Yacht Rock Night

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Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Premiere Night 2 Recap

Also available on YouTube.

Dancing with the Stars returns for the second night of its 35th season, and Matt Liguori and Sasha Joseph break down every glittery step as the women make their ballroom debut. With five hours of content in the opening week and a jam-packed cast, the co-hosts dive into routines, judge banter, and the latest elimination, all while balancing the chaos of a two-night premiere. Among the laughter and technical critiques, they spotlight standout performances and evaluate what’s working—and what’s holding some celebs back.

This jam-packed episode examines the women’s performances, from Tatyana Ali’s early fumble and hopeful redemption to Maura Higgins' show-stealing cha-cha with Mark Ballas. Sasha Joseph and Matt compare the energy and nerves between nights, highlighting the troupe’s moment in the spotlight and Derek Hough’s fiery duet with wife Hayley. The discussion also touches on the season’s same-sex pairing with Sarah Jane and Haley, tracing fan support, voting quirks, and representation. Emotional storylines come front and center, especially for Summer House’s Ciara Miller, while wardrobe choices, judge commentary, and the afterparty coverage round out the night's drama and fun.

Dissecting Tatyana Ali’s jittery opener and the struggle to regain momentum after a major slip

Analyzing Maura Higgins’ performance as a surprising early highlight and the chemistry with Mark Ballas

Exploring Ciara Miller’s emotionally charged routine and what it tells us about her state of mind

Comparing judge critiques across the board, including Carrie Ann’s “lift police” moment with Jenna Dewan and Val

Questioning the impact of same-sex pairings and how fan bases shape who makes it through the first eliminations

Reviewing Derek and Hayley’s dynamic ballroom performance and the production’s shift with more elaborate troupe features

Amidst wardrobe debates, fierce competition, and emotional reveals, who is primed to break out in the coming weeks and who’s hanging by a thread in the leaderboard shuffle? Find out how the cast stacks up and the moves that spark the most debate by catching the full episode for your latest dose of Dancing with the Stars insight and analysis.

00:00 Premiere Night 2: Women's Turn06:42 Afterparty Co-Hosts: Dylan and Robert09:16 Derek and Hayley's Powerful Performance13:16 Tatyana Ali's Slip and Recovery18:14 Ciara Miller's Emotional Dedication26:51 Ciara Holds Back, Judges React33:10 Giada De Laurentiis' Struggles Revealed37:34 Julia Stiles' Dolly Tribute Dance43:26 Maura Higgins Stuns Judges51:26 Sarah Jane and Hayley Eliminated56:51 Jenna Dewan Scores With Val01:01:25 Combined Leaderboard, Top Scores01:04:19 Preview: All Couples Next Week

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