"Sharna Burgess in the 4th Chair: Halloween Night"

Podcast: Danielle with... | Host: iHeartPodcasts | Date: October 30, 2025
Featured: Sharna Burgess as "4th Chair" Balllroom Judge

Episode Overview

In this special Halloween Night recap of Dancing with the Stars, Sharna Burgess brings her trademark expertise and warmth to a detailed review of the week's performances, with a special focus on the main show dances. She discusses the guest return of legendary pro Cheryl Burke to the judges' panel, the evolving pressure on dancers, and offers honest, insightful breakdowns of each couple's routine. Sharna emphasizes the importance of storytelling, technical execution, and musicality—peppered with her own ballroom wisdom and memorable commentary.

“Pressure is a privilege.” — Sharna (quoting Robert Irwin), [22:00]
"I'm obsessed with the characters and the everything, even the execution of it and the way that it looked. I just wanted it to be in sync." — Sharna on Mark & Whitney, [12:30]
“You gotta try these big things. Sometimes, you fail, sometimes you don't. I'm not saying it was a fail, but I... don't think it was executed to its fullest.” — Sharna on Jordan & Ezra's bold routine, [18:20]

Key Discussion Points and Dance Breakdowns

1. Guest Judge Cheryl Burke and Judging Dynamics

• Cheryl Burke returned as a guest judge, alongside Carrie Ann, Bruno, and Derek.
• Sharna appreciated the perspective Cheryl and other seasoned pros bring:

  “Having those seasoned pros sitting behind the judges table... is such a cool idea because we bring something different... little insights, tips and tricks.” [03:30]

• The week featured tight timing for commentary, with Derek, in particular, rushing to critique.

2. Couples Breakdown and Critical Insights

Mark & Whitney (Jazz Routine)

• Strong concept—classic jazz with a Halloween twist, Fosse elements, and Green Day music.
• Judges praised choreography, technique, but all except Bruno noted they were out of sync.
• Sharna highlighted Whitney being just ahead of the beat:

  “She's biting the timing...not a whole beat ahead, but fractionally ahead of Mark...it takes your eyes out of it.” [11:45]

• Sharna’s Score: 9 (“Wanted to give it a 10, but I just couldn't... she wasn’t in the pocket of the music.”)
• Notable Quote:

  "Pressure is a privilege." — Robert Irwin (quoted by Sharna and Whitney, [22:00])

Jordan & Ezra (Contemporary with Prop)

• Routine explored "demons inside" via a rope prop; judges liked ambition but found the story confusing and the prop distracting.
• Sharna noted conflicting character interpretations between partners:

  “Either somewhere in the middle, the story changed, or they had two different ideas of what the rope meant.” [16:30]

• Technical critique: movement lacked stretch, story didn’t fully come across, feet not as pointed as needed.
• Commended the risk but felt execution needed refinement.
• Sharna’s Score: 8

Andy & Emma (Paso Doble)

• Judges and Sharna noted clear improvement in posture and timing.
• Needed more “power from the legs, bigger stride, and energy through the arms.”
• Judges and Sharna aligned on critique—fun to watch, but still technical growth needed.
• Sharna’s Score: “Lower end of a 5” (Judges: Series of 7s; his highest yet)

Elaine & Alan (Argentine Tango, Rehearsal Video Due to Injury)

• Elaine sidelined with injury; judged on rehearsal footage.
• Sharna empathized deeply:

  “It sucks getting injured...My heart broke for them and I’m so glad they’re through.” [28:23]

• Judges impressed even by a practice run.
• Sharna’s Score: 8 (with notes she would've likely landed a 9 for a live performance)
• Hoped for a future “redemption” Argentine tango.

Danielle & Pasha (Viennese Waltz)

• Judges praised progress, animation, and storytelling, but wanted still bigger movements (“more, more, more”).
• Sharna saw improvement but observed moments where energy and finish dropped:

  “It went from something really amazing, and then I lost it...the movements weren't finishing.” [35:40]

• Technical notes: soften left hand, reach further, fill the space.
• Sharna’s Score: 8

Robert & Whitney (Argentine Tango)

• Judges called him a “natural showman.” Technical notes on his Argentine tango, particularly footwork.
• Sharna praised musicality and partnership, but harsh on “sickled” feet:

  “His feet had a whole few things going on for me in this one.” [41:05]

• Adored his in-character transformation.
• Sharna’s Score: 9

Jen & Jan (Contemporary, Elimination)

• Judged as “best yet,” especially strong opening and storytelling, but lack of full-bodied engagement by Jen.
• Sharna: “Her arms would go limp...there wasn’t enough tension.”
• Technical note: choreographer Jan still learning how best to teach non-dancers.
• Sharna’s Score: “Higher end of 7 or low end of 8”; judges gave it straight 8s.

Alex & Val (Tango)

• Theme of "Vintage Val" coaching—brutal but effective.
• Judges and Sharna discussed “breaking hold” (tango technicality)—Cheryl critical, others less so.
• Sharna’s major critique:

  “I wasn't as in love as the judges...On a technical aspect, they broke hold, the frame was a little wobbly.” [53:29]

• Entertaining and intense, but not top-tier technical for Sharna.
• Sharna’s Score: Between 8 and 9, didn’t commit.

Dylan & Danny (Viennese Waltz, “Shadow Daddy” Theme)

• The character and chemistry (“Shadow Daddy vibes”) wowed judges.
• Technical issues: “booty out,” head position off, frame needs work, especially in ballroom.
• Sharna: “I did love how it flowed, but it just technically fell short.”
• Sharna’s Score: 8

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Pressure is a privilege.” — Robert Irwin (re-shared by Sharna and Whitney), [22:00]
• “Give more stretch, go bigger in stride.” — Sharna, on Andy, [23:20]
• “I've seen celebrities injured on the show. It is just the worst...my heart broke for them.” — Sharna, on Elaine’s injury, [28:23]
• “The routine—entertaining and intense, but not top-tier technical for Sharna.” — On Alex & Val, [53:29]
• “I am also a romantasy fan, so I did love the Shadow daddy vibes that we were getting from Dylan this week.” — Sharna, [1:03:50]

Episode Flow — Main Segments & Timestamps

• [02:52] — Sharna’s Introduction & Halloween Night overview.
• [05:00-13:30] — Mark & Whitney (Jazz): Judges’ thoughts and detailed breakdown.
• [13:40-20:30] — Jordan & Ezra (Contemporary): Judges’ notes, storytelling analysis.
• [20:35-23:53] — Andy & Emma (Paso Doble): Progress, technique, and scoring.
• [28:23-34:20] — Elaine & Alan (Argentine Tango / Injury): Rehearsal review.
• [34:25-41:05] — Danielle & Pasha (Viennese Waltz): Animation, storytelling, technical room for growth.
• [41:10-48:00] — Robert & Whitney (Argentine Tango): Footwork critique, partnership.
• [48:05-53:29] — Jen & Jan (Contemporary / Elimination): Execution, teaching non-dancers.
• [53:30-1:01:05] — Alex & Val (Tango): Coaching style, technical breakdown.
• [1:01:06-1:04:00] — Dylan & Danny (Viennese Waltz): Chemistry, technical gaps, “Shadow Daddy” branding.
• [1:04:10–end] — Closing remarks, optimism for the rest of the season.

Summary

This episode is a Halloween treat for Dancing with the Stars fans, blending ballroom technical mastery with personal encouragement and a dash of backstage reality. Sharna offers compassionate, sharp-eyed criticism on everything from musical timing and frame mechanics to storytelling ambition—a must-listen for viewers who want to understand both what happens on stage and why it matters. Her recurring encouragement to “enjoy the journey” and let pressure be a privilege is as relevant in life as it is in the ballroom. This detailed, dancer’s-eye-view recap leaves listeners ready for the next quickstep on Danielle Fishel’s ballroom journey.