'Dancing With the Stars' 10th Anniversary Special Recap, Past Champions Return to the Show, Meryl and Maks Reunite on the Dance Floor

By Virnelli Mercader, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, April 29, 2015

"Dancing With the Stars" 10th anniversary show was a walk down memory lane as fans saw the return of past champions and contestants, all together for one night to celebrate the hit ABC show and to reconnect with each other.

The special, which was taped last week and aired this Tuesday, includes a group dance with seven NFL stars, first season winner Kelly Monaco and pro Val Chmerkovskiy recreating an earlier dance, a stunning rendition of "Lady Marmalade" by original singer, and a favorite couple's much anticipated return to the dance floor.

The opening number showcased 45 dancers, and among those twirling on the dance floor were judges Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman. Pro dancers Tony Dovolani, Sharna Burgess, Peta Murgatroyd, Artem Chigvintsev, Mark Ballas and Allison Holker also performed short routines for the number.

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Monaco proved that she still has it as she effortlessly did the Paso Doble with her partner, and towards the end of the number they stripped down to their bathing suits and splashed around in a puddle.

"The O.G. is in the house," she exclaimed.

NFL stars Kurt Warner, Jacoby Jones, Michael Irvin, Donald Driver, Hines Ward, Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith hit the dance floor for an ensemble Paso Doble routine choreographed to Monday Night Football theme "Heavy Action." Later, they were joined by some female dancers, with Karina Smirnoff joining in on the fun. Jacoby even recreated his jump with Smirnoff, wherein he jumped over her head, and later Driver twirled her around while she held on to her ankles.

Season 20 contestant Patti LaBelle was sent home last week, but she returned to belt out her 1974 hit "Lady Marmalade" along with season 17 champion Amber Riley and one-time contestant Lil' Kim. The divas' powerful vocals had the whole studio on their feet.

Maks Chmerkovskiy and Meryl Davis' encore was one for the record books. The season 18 DWTS champions recreated their Paso Doble/ Tango fusion and though they didn't almost kiss like they did during their season, it was as if time had not passed at all for the pair.

After their performance, Tom Bergeron called them over and the host introduced Chmerkovskiy's audition tape. The pro dancer cringed in embarrassment as he watched himself on the clip saying, "You don't wanna look at me? Fine, don't look at me. But I know that 99 percent of the rest are gonna love me … and deep inside you're gonna love me too…you're just lying to yourself, cause I'm the man."

"Dancing With the Stars" airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.