Jimmy Kimmel was not ready to accept Guillermo Rodriguez’s elimination from Dancing With the Stars Season 35 without making his feelings known. After the beloved television personality was sent home despite earning his highest score of the season, Kimmel reacted with a mixture of frustration, disbelief, and the sharp humor viewers have come to expect from him. But it was one unexpected joke about Guillermo’s future that gave the disappointing farewell a surprisingly funny ending.
Guillermo had become one of the season’s most recognizable contestants, bringing his familiar personality and sense of humor to the ballroom alongside professional partner Witney Carson. Although he entered the competition without the extensive dance experience of some other celebrities, his willingness to embrace each performance made him an entertaining presence.
His participation also created a special connection with Kimmel, whose late-night television show helped make Guillermo a household name. Over the years, Guillermo has become a beloved part of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, appearing in comedy segments, celebrity interviews, and memorable interactions with Hollywood stars.
Throughout his time on Dancing With the Stars, Guillermo approached the challenge with enthusiasm. Learning complicated choreography, performing in front of a live audience, and receiving criticism from professional judges represented a significant departure from his usual television responsibilities.
Witney Carson played an important role in helping him navigate those challenges. The experienced professional dancer worked to develop routines that highlighted Guillermo’s personality while encouraging him to improve his technique and confidence from week to week.
Their final performance came during the October 13 episode, when the pair danced a salsa to Bad Bunny’s “Tití Me Preguntó.” The energetic routine allowed Guillermo to demonstrate the progress he had made since the beginning of the competition.
The judges awarded Guillermo and Witney 22 points out of a possible 40, marking his highest score of the season. For a contestant who had entered the ballroom with limited dance experience, the result represented a meaningful achievement and suggested that his hard work was beginning to pay off.
However, the celebration was short-lived. Despite the improvement, Guillermo and Witney were eliminated after the judges’ scores and audience votes were combined. The outcome brought their ballroom journey to an end just as Guillermo had achieved his strongest result.
Kimmel was particularly vocal about the decision. Reacting to the elimination, he described the result as an “outrage,” expressing the disappointment of someone who had enthusiastically supported Guillermo throughout the competition. His reaction reflected the affectionate relationship the two have developed through years of working together.
Yet Kimmel’s frustration quickly became an opportunity for comedy. Rather than allowing the conversation to remain entirely serious, he turned Guillermo’s elimination into material for the kind of playful teasing that has long defined their on-screen dynamic.
The joke centered on what Guillermo would do now that his dancing career had come to an unexpected end. Kimmel’s humor suggested that the ballroom might have lost a contestant, but his longtime television colleague would not be escaping the responsibilities waiting for him back at the late-night show.
The exchange offered a fitting conclusion to Guillermo’s experience. Although he did not advance further in the competition, he had gained new skills, delivered entertaining performances, and introduced another side of his personality to viewers who previously knew him primarily through his comedy appearances.
Guillermo Rodriguez may have left Dancing With the Stars Season 35 earlier than his supporters hoped, but his farewell was anything but ordinary. Between his personal-best score, Jimmy Kimmel’s outspoken reaction, and the playful joke about returning to his familiar television duties, the elimination became another memorable moment in their longtime friendship. While Guillermo’s ballroom journey has ended, his ability to make audiences laugh remains firmly intact.
