Dancing With The Stars Season 33 is a disaster.
Written by: Monica Lopez
Dancing with the Stars cast from season 33
What is Dancing With the Stars? Dancing with the Stars is a reality TV show where professional ballroom dancers (pros) partner with celebrities (stars) to compete in ballroom dance performances. The show runs from mid-September to around Christmas. The pros teach and choreograph dances, while a panel of judges—Carrie Ann, the known harsh judge, Derek, a more relaxed judge, and Bruno, the most critical—judge these dances. The leaderboard and rankings of each duo are based on the judges’s scores and audience votes during live shows. Typically, the duo with the lowest scores are eliminated each week.
Season 32, last year’s season, was exceptional and set incredibly high standards. The season had emphasized a family-friendly atmosphere as the stars, Xochitl Gomez, a younger contestant, set a more family-oriented tone for the season; thus, reducing the “over-the-top” sexual elements heavily associated with the show. Along with the change in target audiences, the contestants have aimed to emphasize both traditional and contemporary styles and techniques. Inspired by Len, a previous judge, recently passing, the contestants have treated the competition with dignity and upmost respect. They were focused on improvement and had their eye on the win from start. This consistent competitiveness elevated the season, making it exciting to watch as everyone put in their best effort. The judges, especially Carrie Ann, contributed to the feriosuouc competition as she critized each dancer harshly. However, the honesty and lack of bias of her judging made the competition feel more “real.”
This year’s season, season 33, however, seems to revert back, away from embracing the authenticity of having a unique dance full of diverse skills and techniques and more centered around trying to find the “wow factor.” Dances are filled with impressive tricks, trying to impress the audience and judges from the start. The absence of foxtrots and paso dobles makes the season feel less about improvement and more about showing off. The judges’ scores often don’t match the quality of the performances, with the pros unfairly taking the blame for low scores instead of the stars. To sum it up, the season lacks the same drive and emotion that Season 32 brought. There is no clear front-runner, and the contestants’ performances feel more routine and lackluster. Without the boundary-pushing, risk-taking energy from past seasons, the entire season felt subpar and disappointing. Another negative bit is when pro dancer, Ezra, wasn’t credited for his outstanding choreography in the Halloween Agatha All Along “The Ballad Of the Witches Road” group number. The lack of acknowledgment emphasizes the judges’ lack of interest in the dance’s authenticity and uniqueness.
Jenn’s most recent elimination was extremely disheartening as a viewer; her potential was clear, and she could have progressed much farther than others. For example, I believe Steve and Ilona, although passionate and energetic on the dance floor, should have been eliminated sooner due to their lack of improvement from week to week. Personally, I believe Joey and Jenna will win.
Season 32 set high expectations for DWTS, and unfortunately, Season 33 doesn’t measure up. While the costuming and props remain stellar, the lack of passion, motivation, and consistency makes it hard to feel invested this year.
DWTS has always been about contestants showing heart, pushing boundaries, and learning something new. Without that core energy and the pros getting due credit, this season feels like it’s missing the mark. Here’s hoping the show can bring back the passion, respect for ballroom tradition, and excitement in future seasons!
