‘DWTS’: Barry Williams & Alyson Hannigan Speak Out After Len Goodman Tribute Night
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Barry Williams may have chosen 1968 as his “Most Memorable Year” for the Dancing With the Stars theme week, but 2023 is going to hold some fond memories for The Brady Bunch star, too. After suffering a setback last week, he and pro partner Peta Murgatroyd performed a powerful paso doble, earning them the comeback of the season. The couple scored an impressive 24, a full six points higher than their previous dance.
The pair was still justifiably smiling when they spoke to TV Insider on the post-show press line. “I’m so proud of him,” Murgatroyd said of Williams. The two-time Mirrorball champion realized they stood a chance of doing well this week as producers had scheduled them to perform last. (Traditionally, each episode ends on a strong note.)
“Dress rehearsal went really well,” Murgatroyd said. “We found out two days ago we were going last. It’s a compliment to close out the show. We had a great song [‘Born to Be Wild’ by Steppenwolf] to end with. It was powerful and uplifting.”
Going last may be a compliment, but being the last duo to hit the floor comes with some challenges. “It’s not the easiest place to be because we’re staying ready and warm throughout the show,” Williams pointed out. “We have to keep our mind in it, and there are a lot of distractions. You’ve got to keep focused.”
Disney/Christopher Willard
Murgatroyd and other pro dancers – past and present – pre-taped the Len Goodman tribute, a Waltz to “Moon River,” choreographed by husband-and-wife duo Val Chmerkovskiy (who remains in the competition with Xochitl Gomez) and Jenna Johnson. However, while there wasn’t a physical challenge of doing two dances in one night, there was an emotional one.
“I did watch the tribute, which I shouldn’t have because it was really tough [emotionally],” shared Murgatroyd, adding, “I couldn’t look at Carrie [Ann Inaba] and Bruno [Tonioli] – especially when Bruno doubled over.”
Still, Williams and Murgatroyd’s comeback ensured them a spot in next week’s competition, which is a Halloween theme. Also returning are Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber and no one is more surprised about that than Hannigan. While they were up three points after scoring a 21 for their Viennese Waltz this week, the former Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress thought that a stake was being driven through her heart.
“Oh, I was saying goodbye to Sasha,” said Hannigan regarding what she was doing when she realized she was in one of three duos in jeopardy. “I was thanking him. ‘It was great dancing with you.’ I thought for sure this was it.”
Farber was more optimistic. “She was saying goodbye, but I was like, ‘Hey, hang on. Alfonso [Ribeiro, host] says this is not the bottom three,” the pro dancer pointed out. “If it’s not us, then we’re not in the bottom three.”
“He says, ‘not necessarily,’” noted Hannigan, who gave a shoutout to not only Buffy fans but also devotees of How I Met Your Mother for helping keep her in the competition. Hannigan said she is sorry to see actress Mira Sorvino and pro partner Gleb Savchenko leave the show. “I gave her a hug, but haven’t seen her since,” Hannigan added. “Her family was surrounding her.”
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