Dancing With The Stars Recap: Tom Bergeron Returns, Tears Flow, and the Final Five Are Revealed

The ballroom got a blast from the past Tuesday night as Dancing With the Stars threw a glitter-soaked anniversary bash worthy of its two decades on television. Former host Tom Bergeron made his long-awaited return to the ballroom, stepping back under the spotlight as a guest judge and briefly reclaiming his emcee throne beside Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough. The nostalgia was thick, the emotions ran high, and yes, there was plenty of sequined drama as the show revealed its semifinalists.

For longtime fans, Bergeron’s comeback was the emotional cherry on top of an episode designed to remind everyone why DWTS became a pop culture mainstay in the first place. The night doubled as a 20th birthday celebration for the franchise, complete with an opening number featuring the original Season 1 pros and a clever twist: relay dances that paired current contestants with past Mirrorball champions. It was a clever nod to history that paid off in both sentiment and sheer entertainment value.

A Ballroom Battle Worthy of the Anniversary Stage

The first standout of the evening was wildlife sweetheart Robert Irwin, who brought the house down with a deeply emotional foxtrot to Leona Lewis’s “Footprints in the Sand.” His performance hit every mark, blending technique with genuine heart, and the judges rewarded him with the first perfect score of the season. Add in his relay win with past champ Xochitl Gomez, and it’s clear Robert is waltzing his way toward the Mirrorball with real momentum.

Dylan Efron followed with a sultry Argentine tango alongside Daniella Karagach that earned another perfect 40. While his footwork impressed, his intensity fell just shy of the smolder fans expect from this dance. Still, his precision and his relay win with Rumer Willis kept him safely in semifinal territory.

Jordan Chiles, meanwhile, went full athlete in her cha-cha to Ciara’s “Get Up.” Her attitude was fierce and her energy unstoppable, though the technique occasionally took a backseat to performance flair. She earned a solid 37 and won her relay with Olympic charm courtesy of Apolo Anton Ohno.

Influencer Alix Earle continued her surprising rise, delivering a joyful foxtrot to “Singin’ in the Rain” that showcased both her growing skill and charisma. With Val Chmerkovskiy at her side, she floated through the routine with poise and grace, earning yet another perfect score. Alix’s transformation from social media star to bona fide ballroom contender might be one of the most satisfying storylines this season.

Finally, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas delivered pure Broadway fire with their “Cell Block Tango” Argentine tango from Chicago. Their razor-sharp precision and theatrical flair earned them a perfect 40 and immunity from the relay dances. It was showstopping, confident, and everything an anniversary episode demanded.

Unfortunately, every celebration needs a bittersweet note, and this week it came courtesy of comedian Andy Richter, who was sent home after his quickstep to “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” Despite steady improvement and an admirable effort to shake off the “novelty contestant” label, his 29 out of 40 wasn’t enough to keep him in the competition.

A Nostalgic Night That Hit All the Right Notes

Tuesday’s Dancing With the Stars episode wasn’t just a stroll down memory lane, it was a love letter to the show’s history and the fans who’ve stuck around through glitter storms, casting surprises, and countless lifts gone wrong. Bringing back Tom Bergeron felt like the universe correcting a long-standing wrong, and the mix of old and new faces proved that this ballroom still knows how to deliver television magic.

As the competition heads into the semifinals, five couples remain: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, and Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas. With four perfect scores and a flood of nostalgia, the Mirrorball trophy is still anyone’s game.

For a show two decades deep, Dancing With the Stars just proved it can still deliver the sparkle, the heart, and the jaw-dropping routines that made America fall in love in the first place. If the semifinals keep up this level of showmanship, the finale might just be the most emotional glitter fest yet.

Stay tuned to The TV Cave for more DWTS recaps, reviews, and exclusive interviews straight from the ballroom floor.