The Dancing With the Stars Judges Just Gave Us the Lowest Scores in 20 Years—And It's a Disaster

The Season 35 Premiere: A Dance of Disappointment

As we all know, Dancing With the Stars has been on a rollercoaster ride for years now—its once-popular format is now a relic of past glories, but this season's premiere brought something truly new to the table: an entire night of low scores. For those of us who've been following this show since its early days, that's a shocker.

When the judges gave their feedback during the Season 35 premiere, we were treated to what can only be described as an unprecedented collective performance of harshness. In fact, it was the lowest average score given by the panel in over two decades—a damning verdict for a show that's been relying on nostalgia and celebrity appeal more than actual artistry.

“It's like watching paint dry with a little too much sugar,” one viewer commented on social media after seeing the first performances.

Let me tell you, if we're going to keep calling this show “entertainment,” then we're probably in dire need of some new definitions. But that's a discussion for another day. What's clear is that this year's contestants are not only struggling with choreography—they're failing to make an emotional connection, too.

The Judges' Critique: A Sudden Shift in Tone

The usual judges—Valerie Harper, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Drew Lachey—delivered their critiques with a mix of frustration and mild bewilderment. Their commentary felt less like constructive criticism and more like a group of confused elders trying to explain quantum physics to toddlers.

• Carrie Ann Inaba said she couldn't even tell the contestants apart after watching them perform.
• Valerie Harper noted how the music seemed to have been chosen by someone who'd never heard the word “syncopation” before.
• Drew Lachey gave the lowest score of the evening—yes, a full point lower than anyone else—while admitting he didn't even know which couple he was reviewing.

What struck me most was how this felt like a direct response to the audience's fatigue with the show's formulaic approach. It wasn't just that the dancing was bad; it was that the performers failed to bring any real energy or excitement to the floor. The music was there, the costumes were there—but everything felt like it was done by committee.

Why This Matters (Even If You Don't Watch)

This isn't just about a dance show. It's a reflection of what we're seeing in entertainment at large: a reliance on celebrity and familiarity over actual innovation. The Dancing With the Stars formula has been broken for years now, and we've all seen it coming. But no one expected this kind of outright disinterest from the judges—especially after so many years of them being the face of quality in dance television.

What's really alarming is how this might affect the show's trajectory going forward. If viewers are already losing interest, and the judges are giving out scores that make you wonder if the dancers were even on the same planet as the music, then it's time to reevaluate everything about this show. I mean, what's next? A live musical number with the judges in full drag?

Behind the Scenes: A Show in Crisis

The producers of Dancing With the Stars have clearly been under pressure to bring something fresh to the table, but it seems like they've taken a left turn into a dead end. The show's format has become so predictable that even the contestants are getting tired of it.

I've watched this show since its early seasons and I can't recall a time when I was so uninterested in the performances. Even the celebrity couples who are meant to be our favorites—like the ever-charming but somehow underwhelming duo of Real Housewives star and her partner—managed to deliver a performance that felt like it belonged on a late-night talk show, not a prime-time dance competition.

It's almost as if the producers were trying to prove that they could make a show worse than the last one. It's not enough that they're boring us with stale choreography and unremarkable couples; now we're getting judges who don't even know what they're talking about.

Can It Be Saved?

Look, I'm not one to give up on a show this quickly, but the damage here is real. The only thing that could possibly save Dancing With the Stars now would be a complete overhaul—like, an actual overhaul—not just changing the costumes or updating the music.

What's needed is a new judging panel, new choreography, and a complete reimagining of what this show represents. If they're going to keep relying on celebrity names and old tropes, then I fear the writing is already on the wall for this once-beloved program.

In a time when streaming platforms and viral dance challenges dominate our cultural conversation, it's clear that Dancing With the Stars has lost its edge. It's not enough to just be on TV anymore—it needs to be relevant, engaging, and maybe even slightly shocking. But for now, we're just watching a show that's been left behind by the world around it.

Final Thoughts: A Cultural Moment?

This low score moment might not be about dance at all. It could be a cultural mirror—reflecting a moment where our expectations have outgrown the format of the show itself. The judges, in their own way, are trying to tell us something: this show is broken, and it's time to fix it or let it go.

Maybe it's time for a reboot. Maybe it's time to give some fresh faces a chance to show what dance can really be on television. Or maybe we should just admit that the days of Dancing With the Stars as we know it are over.

I don't like saying goodbye, but sometimes, goodbyes are necessary to make way for new things. And if that means Dancing With the Stars fades into history, then so be it. At least we'll have had a good run.