Dancing with the Stars receives Emmy nom for Len Goodman tribute

The 2024 Emmy nominations are out and Dancing with the Stars has earned a nomination for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality programming. While the show has been nominated for two routines--"Moon River" and "La Vie en Rose" by Jenna Johnson and Valentin Chmerkovskiy--it's the tribute to Len Goodman that's likely the most moving for the choreographers/dancers, the team behind the series, and those of us who tune in from season to season.

Goodman retired from the show in season 31 citing that he wanted to spend more time with his family. He was bicontinental, working in Los Angeles, where the dancing competition is filmed, and living in England. Goodman made that announcement in November 2022. He passed away less than six months later on April 22, 2023 from prostate cancer at the age of 78.

The famed ballroom dancer was beloved by his co-workers and friends at Dancing with the Stars and the at-home audience. When news broke that the mirrorball trophy would bear Goodman's name going forward in tribute to his legacy, it was more than fitting. He'd been with the competition since the beginning, and he was a major force in the pro dancers' lives, many of whom had known him since they were children learning and competing in the dance circuit.

As fans, we knew that season 32 wouldn't slip by without a performance being done in his honor, and we figured it would be emotional. The routine was also exceptional with "no riff-raff, no messing about, just a clean, simple waltz" to a song they all knew he loved.

The dance opens with a top hat on the dancefloor in the spotlight that's then picked up by Dancing with the Stars judge and former pro Derek Hough before he and his sister, co-host and former pro Julianne Hough, glide into a beautiful waltz frame. They have their moment as solo dancers before they're joined by the rest of the group including the following dancers:

• Kym Johnson
• Anna Trebunskaya
• Karina Smirnoff
• Edyta Sliwinska
• Tony Dovolani
• Louis van Amstel
• Maks Chmerkovskiy
• Mark Ballas. 

Given the elegance of the performance, the heartfelt sentiment, and the camerawork that showcased the breathtaking routine, it's no wonder Johnson and Chmerkovskiy have been nominated. Their second nom for "La Vie en Rose" is also a stunning waltz. It was one of Chmerkovskiy and Xochitl Gomez's semi-finals performances in season 32.

The Emmys will air Sunday, Sept. 15 on ABC. Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more news and coverage.