DWTS Halloween Night: Scores, Dance Marathon Winner, and Who Was Eliminated in Season 34

High-Stakes Halloween: Barry Williams Eliminated as Three Couples Tie for the Top Spot

Halloween Night on Dancing With the Stars Season 34 delivered its annual blend of theatrical spectacle and high-stakes competition, culminating in a dramatic elimination and the return of the grueling Dance Marathon. The episode, which aired in late 2024, proved to be one of the most consequential of the season, significantly reshaping the leaderboard just weeks before the quarter-finals.

When the judges’ scores and viewer votes were combined, the competition bid farewell to actor and fan-favorite Barry Williams and his partner Peta Murgatroyd. Despite a spirited performance of their Viennese Waltz, the couple landed in the bottom two alongside Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber, ultimately receiving the fewest cumulative points and ending their journey.

The night was dominated by technical excellence, with Ariana Madix securing the first perfect score of the season. However, it was the grueling Dance Marathon that provided the critical edge, awarding up to 5 bonus points and creating an unprecedented three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.

Final Leaderboard and Elimination Details

The elimination process combined the judges’ scores from the individual routines, the crucial bonus points earned during the Dance Marathon, and viewer votes. The bottom two couples were Barry Williams & Peta Murgatroyd and Alyson Hannigan & Sasha Farber.

While the judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, Derek Hough, and Julianne Hough—did not have the power to save a couple this week (as the elimination was based purely on viewer votes and cumulative scores), the results underscored the immense pressure of the mid-season cut. Barry Williams’ elimination was sealed by the combination of lower viewer votes and zero bonus points from the marathon.

The final cumulative scores for all couples, including the bonus points, were as follows:

Note: The three-way tie for the highest score of the night—a rare occurrence—sets the stage for an intensely competitive quarter-final round.

The High-Stakes Dance Marathon Results

The Dance Marathon is a classic DWTS challenge where all remaining couples perform simultaneously on the floor, dancing to various styles (including Cha-Cha, Jive, and Samba) until the judges tap them out one by one. The longer a couple survives, the more bonus points they earn, making it a pivotal moment for couples near the bottom of the leaderboard.

This season’s marathon was particularly intense, lasting over seven minutes. The distribution of the crucial bonus points was as follows:

• 1st Place (5 Points): Jason Mraz & Daniella Karagach. Their endurance and adaptability across multiple dance styles secured them the maximum bonus, propelling them from third place into a tie for the top spot.
• 2nd Place (4 Points): Xochitl Gomez & Val Chmerkovskiy. A strong showing that solidified their frontrunner status.
• 3rd Place (3 Points): Ariana Madix & Pasha Pashkov.
• 4th Place (2 Points): Charity Lawson & Artem Chigvintsev.
• 5th Place (1 Point): Alyson Hannigan & Sasha Farber. These single points proved vital in keeping them out of the elimination spot.
• 6th Place (0 Points): Barry Williams & Peta Murgatroyd. Being the first couple tapped out meant they received no bonus points, a factor that heavily contributed to their eventual elimination.

Individual Routine Highlights: Perfect Scores and Technical Triumphs

Beyond the marathon, the individual routines showcased the celebrities’ growth, with many tackling difficult, spooky-themed dances. The pressure of the Dance Marathon did not detract from the quality of the main performances.

The standout performance of the night belonged to Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov, who earned the first perfect score of the season (40/40) for their mesmerizing Argentine Tango. Judge Derek Hough called the routine “cinematic and technically flawless,” reflecting the high standard of the competition.

“That was not just a dance; that was a performance piece. The technique was impeccable, and the storytelling was chillingly beautiful,” remarked judge Julianne Hough.

Other notable performances included:

• Xochitl Gomez & Val Chmerkovskiy: Their contemporary routine, set to a haunting theme, earned them a near-perfect 39/40, demonstrating emotional depth alongside technical precision.
• Jason Mraz & Daniella Karagach: Mraz continued his trajectory as a dark horse contender, scoring 38/40 for a powerful Paso Doble that showcased his improved frame and intensity.
• Charity Lawson & Artem Chigvintsev: Lawson’s Viennese Waltz received 38/40, praised for its elegance and seamless transitions, despite the challenging Halloween theme.

Key Takeaways: The Road to the Quarter-Finals

The elimination of Barry Williams marks the end of an entertaining run for the beloved actor, but it sharpens the focus on the remaining contenders. The results provide critical insight into the dynamics of the final weeks:

• The Top Tier is Crowded: The three-way tie for the top of the leaderboard (Ariana Madix, Jason Mraz, and Xochitl Gomez) indicates a highly competitive race where technical perfection is now the baseline expectation.
• Marathon Strategy is Critical: The Dance Marathon proved its value as a game-changer. Couples who prioritize endurance and versatility in this challenge gain a crucial advantage over those who rely solely on individual routine scores.
• Voter Support Remains Key: Despite a lower individual score and only one bonus point, Alyson Hannigan survived the bottom two, suggesting her strong viewer support is compensating for lower judges’ scores, a common phenomenon that keeps popular underdogs in the running.
• The Stakes Increase: With only a few weeks remaining until the finale, every point and every vote becomes exponentially more important, demanding consistent high performance from all remaining couples.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead to the Quarter-Finals

The remaining five couples now head into the quarter-finals, where the pressure will intensify further. The results from Halloween Night confirm that Season 34 is one of the tightest races in recent memory, with the outcome likely hinging on the ability of the frontrunners to maintain their perfect form while securing consistent fan votes. The next episode will see the couples tackle new challenges as they fight for a spot in the semi-finals, where the competition traditionally reaches its peak intensity.