Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart’s surprising elimination from Dancing With the Stars has reignited a debate that has followed the show for years — whether the judges should once again have the power to save a couple from going home.
Taylor’s Season 35 journey ended during Yacht Rock Night on September 29 after he and Britt performed a foxtrot to The Doobie Brothers’ “What a Fool Believes.”
Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli each awarded the routine a 6, giving Taylor and Britt 18 out of 30.
The score wasn’t enough to place them near the top of the leaderboard, but it also didn’t leave them at the bottom. Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson scored 15, while Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess finished with 17.
Derek even described Taylor’s foxtrot as his best dance of the season, praising his improved frame, movement across the floor and willingness to apply the judges’ previous advice.
That made the elimination especially difficult for some viewers to accept.
When the results were announced, Taylor and Britt were sent home after the judges’ scores were combined with the public vote. The pair became the fourth celebrity-professional partnership eliminated from Season 35.
Almost immediately, fans began calling for the return of the Judges’ Save.
The rule, previously used on DWTS from Seasons 28 through 32, allowed the judges to choose which of two vulnerable couples should remain in the competition. Instead of the combined score and public vote automatically determining the final departure, the panel received one last opportunity to influence who stayed.
For viewers upset about Taylor and Britt’s exit, that system suddenly looked appealing again. Some argued that a judges’ save could protect contestants who are improving technically but don’t receive enough viewer votes.
Others questioned whether the rule would actually solve the problem. Part of DWTS has always been the public’s ability to determine which celebrities they want to continue watching, meaning surprising eliminations can happen even when a contestant receives stronger judges’ scores.
Taylor himself responded to the elimination with gratitude rather than anger. He praised Britt for guiding him through an experience far outside his comfort zone and admitted he was sad because he felt they were only beginning to find their momentum together.
Britt also appeared shocked by the outcome, but emphasized the connection she and Taylor had built during their short run.
Now their elimination has created a much larger conversation than simply who went home during Week 3. As Season 35 continues, viewers aren’t just debating the results — some are asking whether DWTS should restore an old rule that could completely change how future eliminations unfold.
