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‘Dancing With the Stars’ Moving Tribute to Len Goodman Has Viewers in Tears

The ‘DWTS’ pros performed a beautiful waltz routine in Goodman’s honor.

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ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" - Season 30 - Week Nine
DANCING WITH THE STARS – "Semi-Finals" – The penultimate episode will feature this seasons six remaining couples battling it out in two rounds of dances for a spot in the finale, as they also face a double elimination live, MONDAY, NOV. 15 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (Christopher Willard via Getty Images) LEN GOODMAN

Months before Season 32 of Dancing With the Stars premiered, the show lost one of its own. In April, head judge Len Goodman died at the age of 78. At the beginning of the season, DWTS shared that they renamed the Mirrorball Trophy to the “Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy” in his honor. The show continued to pay tribute to Goodman on Monday night’s “Most Memorable Year” episode, and fans were understandably emotional over the performance. 

Prior to the routine, the pro dancers shared some of their fondest memories of Goodman. Dancing With the Stars pros from the current season took part in the tribute. Additionally, given Goodman’s lengthy history with the show, they couldn’t help but bring back former pros, such as Mark Ballas, Karina Smirnoff, Tony Dovolani, and Kym Johnson-Herjavec, to make the tribute that much more special. In a nod to Goodman’s penchant for clean, no-frill routines, the pros performed a beautiful waltz routine choreographed by Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy that was set to one of the judge’s favorite songs, “Moon River.” 

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At the end of the routine, the dancers all looked towards the judges’ table where Goodman used to sit. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli then embraced and, of course, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Based on the responses on social media, there wasn’t a dry eye amongst the viewers, either. 

Tears Are Flowing

It was hard not to get emotional while watching the routine. Fans are sorely missing Goodman. 

Too Much

At the end of the performance, DWTS shared a voiceover from Goodman. As this fan noted, that was enough to put anyone “over the edge.”

So Touching

If the performance itself wasn’t enough to make you tear up, watching how Inaba and Tonioli reacted to it might have. They shared a tight embrace after watching the routine. 

It Was Perfect

The performance was a perfect tribute to Goodman. He would have loved it. 

Very Emotional

DWTS focused on Goodman’s empty chair at the end of the performance. It was enough to get the tears really flowing. 

Beautiful

Every single thing about the tribute was perfection. DWTS knocked it out of the park.

Cheers To You, Len

Many fans pointed out how much Goodman would have loved the performance. That’s exactly why it was so special. 

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