Dancing with the Stars Semifinals Under Fire: Cheryl Burke Reveals Why the Performances Fell Flat

Cheryl Burke, a seasoned professional with over 25 seasons of experience on Dancing with the Stars, is no stranger to the thrills and challenges that come with the competition. As one of the show’s most successful pros, her insights on what makes the semifinals so special have proven invaluable over the years. However, after watching the Dancing with the Stars season 33 semifinals, Burke expressed disappointment in what she felt was a lackluster display from the contestants.

In her candid reflections on the Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans podcast, which aired just after the semifinals, Burke explained that she felt the performances fell short of the high standards she has come to expect at this stage of the competition. “I would say I gave no tens, not even close, because no one deserved it,” she stated frankly. “And I’m not being negative or bitter; this is just how I see it.” Burke went on to explain that the semifinals typically hold a special place in the competition because it’s when the contestants give their all—fighting for a chance to make it to the final round. It’s one of their last opportunities to impress the judges and the audience with a powerful performance, and Burke expressed that she simply didn’t feel that energy from most of the couples this season.

A Lack of Passion and Drive

Burke’s critique centered on the feeling that, despite being one of the most crucial weeks in the competition, the contestants did not “leave it all out on the dance floor.” She singled out Ilona Maher, the Olympic rugby player, as the only dancer who truly embodied the energy and passion typically expected from the semifinals. “This is how you do the semifinals,” Burke said with enthusiasm, praising Maher for what she saw as her “best dance” of the season. However, Maher’s performance seemed to be the exception rather than the rule.

Burke pointed out that many of the other contestants seemed to lack the same fire and commitment, leaving the night feeling “a little underwhelming.” She stressed that, in previous seasons, the semifinals were often a time when dancers pushed beyond their limits, showcasing their absolute best moves. But for many this time around, Burke felt the stakes weren’t reflected in the quality of their performances.

From Costumes to Choreography: Everything Felt Off

Burke’s critique didn’t stop at the dances themselves. She also expressed dissatisfaction with several elements of the episode’s production, from the costumes to the music to the video packages that introduced each performance. Starting with the full-cast opening number, Burke wished for more. Choreographed by Sasha Farber and Ezra Sosa, the opening was a grand number designed to feature all the contestants. Burke seemed to feel that there was untapped potential here: “I wanted more. But hey, you can only do so much with so much time,” she said, acknowledging that time constraints can limit what’s possible, but still feeling that more could have been done.

When it came to the individual performances, Burke took issue with several of the couples’ routines. For Joey Graziadei, known for his role on The Bachelor, Burke criticized his form, particularly his “cockeyed, weird position” when performing certain moves. “You’re not supposed to look at your partner for this exact reason,” Burke explained. “You have to look where you’re going. Meaning, if your feet are pointing forward, your toes are pointing forward, and that’s where you’re going.” She suggested that Graziadei’s posture and focus were hindering his performance, and ultimately prevented him from fully connecting with the routine.

A Critique of Footwork and Flow

Burke also had strong words for NFL player Danny Amendola and his partner Witney Carson during their Viennese waltz. While the routine was elegant, Burke felt that Amendola’s footwork lacked the smoothness necessary for such a graceful dance. “If you look at his footwork, he’s not gliding. He’s not making love to the floor with his feet,” Burke said, adding that Amendola’s knees needed to be more flexed for a smoother motion. This lack of fluidity, she argued, took away from the overall performance.

As for Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, Burke shared a more nuanced critique. She noted that the choreography seemed mismatched with Nedoroscik’s strengths, especially when his partner Riley Arnold was asked to bring out the “sexy” side of their performance. “If you know there’s no chance in hell that’s ever gonna happen, don’t say it,” Burke commented, adding that this instruction was not only intimidating for Nedoroscik but also made the entire routine feel disjointed. “You can see from the beginning that he was not dominating this,” she said. In this case, Burke felt the choice of music didn’t match the couple’s energy, further contributing to the routine’s lackluster impact.

Uninspiring Video Packages

Burke also expressed frustration with the video packages that introduced each couple’s dance. For actress Chandler Kinney and her pro partner Brandon Armstrong, Burke felt the video package was a missed opportunity. “This is what I mean by you’re just throwing a bunch of nothingness into a package in a semifinal, which is kind of disappointing,” she said. The video packages are meant to offer insight into the contestants’ journeys, their personal stories, and what drives them to push harder. But for Burke, the segments felt empty and lacking the emotional connection needed to fully engage the audience before the dancers took to the floor.

A Silver Lining: The Final Five

Despite her criticisms, Burke ended on a hopeful note. She expressed that she hoped no one would be eliminated after such an underwhelming semifinal, a sentiment shared by many fans. “When I asked my Threads who they want in the finale, it wasn’t like one couple got the most mention. It was everyone,” she said, acknowledging the support for all of the remaining couples. Ultimately, Burke’s wish came true as all five couples made it through to the finale, including Graziadei and Johnson, who earned the only perfect score of the night.

While the semifinal episode may not have lived up to expectations for Burke, the final night promises to be a thrilling conclusion to what has been a highly competitive season. With everyone fighting for a chance to win the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, the stakes are higher than ever. As Burke rightly points out, this season’s finale is anyone’s game, and all eyes will be on the remaining contestants to see who can finally deliver the type of performance fans have been waiting for.

The Future of Dancing with the Stars

With season 33 now coming to a close, Dancing with the Stars continues to be a major fixture in the world of reality television. Though the semifinals may not have provided the high-energy moments that Burke had hoped for, the finale holds the promise of redemption. As the show gears up for another highly anticipated conclusion, one thing is clear: Dancing with the Stars remains a competition where the best dancers fight to leave it all on the floor.

As we look ahead to next season, it will be fascinating to see how Dancing with the Stars evolves, and whether future contestants can bring the fire and passion that Burke feels was missing in season 33. For now, all eyes are on the finale, where the remaining couples will face off in a battle for the Mirrorball Trophy that will determine who truly has what it takes to be the last dancer standing.