The 20 Best Dances in DWTS History: Part Two

By: Jacob Elyachar

If you have not had the chance to view part one of my countdown, click here: https://www.jakes-take.com/2012/09/23/the-20-best-dances-in-dwts-history-part-one/

 At 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST, America’s favorite ballroom will reopen for business as Emmy-winning host Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke Charvet reintroduce to the country, 13 celebrities who were brazen enough to dance again for votes and to win the show’s signature Mirror Ball Trophy.

Yesterday, I began counting down the best performances from the show’s history and today concludes the countdown with the best dances that were performed on the ballroom floor.

10. Marlee Matlin & Fabian Sanchez, Cha-Cha-Cha (Season Six)

One of the most inspirational dancers that this show has ever had been Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin.  While critics thought that Ms. Matlin could not dance because she was deaf, she proved everyone wrong when they danced an inspirational Cha-Cha-Cha to a cover of Gloria Estefan’s “Get On Your Feet.”

Marlee and Fabian received a standing ovation from the audience and a 23-out-of-30 from the judges: http://youtu.be/GnWfZLIAjGg

Kelly Osbourne and Louis Van Amstel Waltz

Kelly Osbourne went from being rock star’s daughter to elegant lady when she performed an impressive Viennese Waltz. (Photo by ABC’s Adam Taylor)

 

9. Kelly Osbourne & Louis Van Amstel, Viennese Waltz (Season Nine)

Another inspirational celebrity dancer was Kelly Osbourne.  Before the show, she was known for her swearing and tomboyish looks but as the weeks went on, viewers watched Ozzy’s youngest daughter blossom into an elegant dancer.   Her first routine was the best Viennese Waltzes ever danced on the show and gave viewers goose bumps.

Kelly’s Viennese Waltz received strong praise from Bruno and Len and made her parents proud: http://youtu.be/FO4ngjUhRi8

8. Stacy Keibler & Tony Dovolani, Tango (Season Two)

The former WWE diva turned heads when she appeared on the show’s second season.  Out of all of her dances, Tango showed off her aggression, intensity and fancy footwork during their interpretation of Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango.”   While the judges stated that it was not emotional until the end, she received a 27-out-of-30.

Stacy’s Tango was one of the best Tangos of the earlier seasons.  To watch it again, click here: http://youtu.be/KKveIVYWk-M

 

J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff Rumba

There was not a dry eye in the house after J.R. and Karina performed an emotional Rumba on Season 13’s Most Memorable Year week. (Photo by ABC’s Adam Taylor)

7. J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff, Rumba (Season 13)

During Season 13’s most memorable year week, J.R. and Karina delivered an emotional Rumba to a cover of Tim McGraw’s “If You’re Reading This.”  This dance was dedicated to the brave men and women fighting overseas in the U.S. Armed Forces and earned one of the longest standing ovations in the show’s history.

While Len stated it could have been more musical in the arms, both Bruno and Carrie Ann praised the movements and creativity.

J.R. and Karina’s Rumba was the best performance of the night and propelled him to his journey to become a Dancing with the Stars champion: http://youtu.be/Tn79KU1uRmg

6. Joey Fatone & Kym Johnson, Tango (Season Four)

The former *NSYNC star brought out his showmanship and creativity every time he danced on the Dancing with the Stars dance floor.   Joey and Kym’s Star Wars inspired Tango showed off incredible footwork and excitement that transported viewers to the Galaxy Far, Far Away.   Despite his buttocks getting in the way to receive nines, the judges gave him strong praise and a 24-out-of-30.

Joey and Kym reprised the Tango once again during the finale and finally received a perfect score for their tribute to Star Wars: http://youtu.be/l_LK3h-Gawg

5. Mario Lopez & Karina Smirnoff, Paso Doble (Season Three)

During the first weeks of the competition, the former Saved by the Bell star and EXTRA host was known as a rule breaker as he infuriated the judges through some of earlier routines.  However, Mario and Karina began to listen to the judges’ comments and delivered one of the best Paso Dobles from season three but also in the show’s first four seasons.

To watch the dance that redeemed Mario and Karina, click here: http://youtu.be/bCC_LwBKch4

 

Mel B and Maks Paso Doble

Mel B and Maks Chmerkovskiy became the first couple to dance the same genre twice in one season and earn two perfect scores for both interpretations. (Photo by ABC’s Adam Taylor).

4. Mel B & Maks Chmerkovskiy, Paso Doble (Season Five)

The Spice Girl was crowned Season Five’s Queen of the Paso as she danced two different versions of the Latin dance twice during her season.  Both of them received perfect scores for their two different variations and won over fans with their intensity, attitude and powerful moves on the dance floor.

To watch their first Paso to “Free Your Mind,” click here: http://youtu.be/hQ3mjMW7D-Q and their second performance of the dance, click here: http://youtu.be/t2EumIvx0O8

3. Cha-Cha-Cha Face Off (Season Six)

Season six’s finale started off with a bang as Cristian de La Fuente, Jason Taylor and Kristi Yamaguchi and their professional partners: Cheryl Burke, Edyta Sliwinska and Mark Ballas participated in the first Cha-Cha-Cha Face Off.  This dance not only showed off each couple’s chemistry but all of them came together to execute a big finish during the final moments of the song.    While Kristi and Mark came on top at this performance, it was terrific to see the camaraderie between all of the finalists and see how much they have grown in their season’s 10 weeks.

Keep an eye out for an exchange between the Olympic athlete and Bruno during the very beginning of her segment: http://youtu.be/EYv0q8lLl00

2. Drew Lachey & Cheryl Burke, Freestyle (Season Two)

Drew and Cheryl’s Freestyle set the standard to how Freestyle danced during the finale.   It was full of lifts, excitement and impressive footwork that received a perfect score from the judges and a standing ovation from the crowd.

Both the judges and fans respectively thought that Drew and Cheryl’s Freestyle was one of the best dances in the history of the show: http://youtu.be/9OvqwJsNZVQ

 

Sabrina and Mark Paso Doble

Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas’s Paso Doble received the first perfect score ever given out by the judges during the first four weeks of competition. (Photo by ABC’s Adam Taylor).

1. Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas, Paso Doble (Season Five)

The best dance that has ever been performed on Dancing with the Stars belongs to Sabrina and Mark.   This perfect Paso Doble showed passion, fire and aggression that viewers did not see in the early weeks of the competition.   It also marked the first time ever in the series that a perfect score was handed out in week four of Dancing with the Stars.

Sabrina and Mark’s Paso landed at number nine in the judges’ favorite dances during the 100th landmark episode: http://youtu.be/y6pW53BKh0g

Do not miss the action as the first performance show of the All-Star season begins tonight!   For everything Dancing with the Stars related, visit the show’s Website: http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/

Copyright 2020 Jacob Elyachar