When Chaos Meets Choreography: Flavor Flav Shakes Up 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 34, Week 8
Dancing With the Stars decided to spice up Season 34 by inviting the unpredictable Flavor Flav as a guest judge, and let’s just say, the results were as wild as his signature clock necklace. But here's where it gets controversial: does a reality TV icon with no ballroom experience belong at the judges' table? You decide.
Flavor Flav’s presence alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli was nothing short of entertaining. His scoring logic? Well, let’s just say it was as erratic as his stage persona. When he slapped a '10' on Dylan and Daniella’s mediocre jive, we thought he’d be the judge who just hands out perfect scores for fun. But no—he gave Alix and Val’s flawless paso doble a nine! And Andy and Emma’s underwhelming contemporary? Also a nine! His unpredictability kept viewers on their toes, perfectly fitting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame theme.
The Performances: Who Shined and Who Stumbled?
Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach (Jive): Dylan’s growing confidence has been a joy to watch, but this week, nerves got the better of him. His kicks lacked sharpness, and a bizarre hip-hop interlude left us scratching our heads. Judges' Score: 36/40.
Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy (Paso Doble): Alix’s TikTok fame might’ve carried her far, but her talent is undeniable. This performance was a masterclass in intensity and synchronization—though Flav’s 9 left us baffled. Judges' Score: 39/40.
Andy Richter & Emma Slater (Contemporary): Andy’s journey has been heartwarming, but his plateauing skills suggest his time might be up. This dance was sweet, but against stronger competitors, it’s hard to justify his continued presence. Judges' Score: 30/40.
Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas (Paso Doble): Whitney’s passion was undeniable, but Carrie Ann’s critique of her wobbly feet was spot-on. Her facial expressions, usually a highlight, felt forced this time. Still, she brought the fire! Judges' Score: 39/40.
Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten (Viennese Waltz): Despite a recent injury, Elaine delivered an elegant performance. Her grace and precision were impressive, but will her health hold up in the quarterfinals? Judges' Score: 37/40.
Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa (Jazz): Jordan bounced back from last week’s lukewarm performance with a high-energy routine packed with tricks. Her personality shone, reminding us why she’s a contender. Judges' Score: 38/40.
Robert Irwin & Witney Carson (Paso Doble): Robert tackled the challenging male lead role with gusto. While his solo opening had missteps, his partner work was electric. That knee walk? Iconic. Judges' Score: 38/40.
The Elimination: Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov
Danielle’s contemporary routine, set to Aerosmith’s Dream On, felt flat despite its emotional potential. Her movements lacked fire, and a botched lift sealed her fate. Was it the weight of the moment that held her back? America thought so, sending her home in eighth place. Judges' Score: 34/40.
And this is the part most people miss: Was Danielle’s elimination fair, or did her personal story deserve more leeway? And as we head into the quarterfinals, who’s your pick for the Mirrorball? Let’s debate in the comments—don’t hold back!
