On November 11, 2025, the question — “who left Dancing With the Stars tonight?” — was answered when the partnership of comedian Andy Richter and professional dancer Emma Slater were eliminated from Season 34 of the show during its special 20th-birthday celebration episode. Their exit marked the competition’s narrowing field as the semi-finals draw near.
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A Milestone Episode With High Stakes
This week’s episode of Dancing With the Stars was no ordinary elimination night. Season 34 celebrates the show’s 20 years on air, and the Nov. 11 broadcast transformed the ballroom into a true birthday party — complete with former champions, vintage dance numbers, returning pros and guest judge Tom Bergeron making a surprise appearance.
From start to finish, the tone was celebratory. Yet behind the confetti and nostalgia lurked another elimination looming: one couple would be sent home despite the pomp. As the couples performed under tremendous pressure, Andy Richter and Emma Slater delivered a quickstep set to “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” scoring a total of 29 for the evening. Despite their improvement and growth, their combined judges’ scores and viewer votes landed them at the bottom for the night.
The Journey of Andy Richter & Emma Slater
From day one, Andy Richter paired with Emma Slater brought charm and heart to the ballroom. Known more for comedy than choreography, Andy admitted early on that he was out of his comfort zone. Emma, a former champion on the show, embraced the challenge of molding him into a credible competitor.
- Week 2: Tango to “It’s Raining Men” – early rough edges but marked enthusiasm.
- Mid-season: A jazz routine during “Wicked Night” signified a turning point in his performance quality.
- Week 9 (20-year anniversary): Their quickstep under the spotlight of returning legends and perfect-score contenders.
Despite not being frontrunners for the trophy, they steadily built momentum — only to fall short on a night where nearly everyone else soared. At elimination, Andy reflected: “I’m a different person because of this show and this woman right here.” His gratitude for Emma’s leadership resonated, even as he stepped off the ballroom floor.
Why the Elimination? What It Means
When viewers pondered “who left Dancing With the Stars tonight,” the answer is clear: Andy and Emma. But the deeper story is how competitive this season has become, especially on such a milestone episode.
Several factors contributed:
- Theme night pressure: With the 20th-birthday celebration, the show pulled out all the stops — returning pros, special guests, and a relay round twist added complexity.
- High bar of performance: Multiple couples earned perfect scores; for example, one team earned 40 out of 40 this night, underscoring how the leaderboard tightened.
- Low margin for error: Even a respectable 29 wasn’t enough when others dazzled. The combined viewer + judges vote tipped the send-home decision.
For Andy and Emma, it meant their journey ended as the field drops to the final six couples. Looking forward, the remaining duos face semi-final level dances and a clear shot at that elusive Mirrorball Trophy.
Standout Moments and Night Highlights
Here’s a quick rundown of the major moments from Week 9’s “20 Years” themed episode:
- A grand opening number featuring former winners and pro dancers set the nostalgic stage.
- Guest judge Tom Bergeron returned to the panel, elevating the evening’s tone and stakes.
- The dance relay twist had couples rotating through legendary moves, creating extra pressure.
- Several couples achieved perfect or near-perfect scores, making this elimination round one of the toughest yet.
- The final reveal placed Andy Richter & Emma Slater at the bottom and officially eliminated them, ending their Season 34 run.
What’s Next in the Competition?
With Andy and Emma gone, the competition intensifies. The remaining couples now enter the semi-finals with only a few weeks until the grand finale. Viewers can expect:
- More technically demanding dances: two unlearned routines per couple.
- Bigger emotional stakes: as contestants get closer to the trophy, storytelling and performance depth matter even more.
- Fan engagement ramping up: voting becomes more critical than ever.
- Possible surprises: guest judges, special themes, and live audience twist moments could emerge.
The elimination this week serves as a reminder: on “who left Dancing With the Stars tonight” the landscape of the competition shifts fast. Every dance counts.
Final Thoughts
The departure of Andy Richter and Emma Slater doesn’t mean their journey lacked impact. In fact, their charm, growth, and partnership made them fixtures that fans rooted for. While they may no longer be competing, their presence enriched Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars in meaningful ways.
As the season heads into its final chapters, with only six couples remaining, the energy is cranking up and surprises await.
I’d love to hear your thoughts — what did you think about “who left Dancing With the Stars tonight”? Feel free to drop a comment below and stay tuned for what happens next!