“Dancing With the Stars ”recap: 500th episode sees season's first perfect score and intense new challenge

The instant dance round is truly no joke.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Dancing With the Stars season 33, episode 8, "500th Episode Night."

Happy 500th birthday Dancing With the Stars! You don’t look a day over 450.

To celebrate 500 episodes of the iconic show, the season 33 stars paid homage to some of the most memorable dances from competitors of the past. With the semi-finals clearly in sight, the judges were looking for the celebrities' charisma and technique to be in tip-top shape, and everyone delivered.

First up was Bachelor star Joey Graziadei and pro partner Jenna, who paid tribute to the emotional contemporary routine that Riker Lynch and Allison Holker danced in season 20 to Hozier's "Work Song." Carrie Ann Inaba caught a lot of flack on social media last week for giving out one too many 10s on Halloween night. The judge said, “I’m gonna tell it like it is, I’m always going to.” And tell it like it is she did, saying that the dance lacked rawness.

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NFL star Danny Amendola and NBA star Dwight Howard received similar scores from the judges with different critiques. Bruno Tonioli said Danny's quickstep was "firing on cylinders" and Carrie Ann said that Dwight's Argentine tango lacked some dance content from him, even though the couple were finally seeing eye to eye, a.k.a. Daniella was dancing on a platform the same height as Dwight. "I finally saw what he looks like!" Daniella joked. Danny received a 27 out of 30 and Dwight a 26.

Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik proclaimed that he's fallen in love with dance, and that tonight's Viennese waltz to "Glimpse of Us" by Joji was his love letter to dance. And that love was felt when he and pro partner Rylee took to the ballroom floor to reimagine season 31 winners Charli D'Amelio and Mark Ballas' routine. The judges gave such tender and meaningful critiques to Stephen, with Derek Hough stating that he loved how the dance made him feel. “A young man growing up in front of us," Bruno said. "You should be proud of what you’ve achieved." Carrie Ann agreed, "The world needed that at this moment." Carrie Ann and Derek both awarded the couple a 10.

Disney star Chandler Kinney and pro partner Brandon had the difficult task of not only recreating an iconic dance from the past, but a dance that was choreographed by one of the present day judges! The couple danced a reimagined version of Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough's Argentine tango from season 16, and received high praise for the fluidity and intensity of the dance. The pair got the first perfect score of the season. But the highest praise of all? Derek said he preferred Chandler's dance to his.

Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher said after last week's low scores she was going into this week really hoping for a 10. And with hard work and dedication, a 10 she got! Her quickstep was praised for her refined footwork, better timing and clear joy in performing the dance. She snagged her highest score yet with a 28 out of 30.

Related: Every song and dance on Dancing With the Stars season 33

Then, for the first time in Dancing history, the stars competed in an instant dance round. To say this was a challenge is an understatement as the couples had to perform a dance to a song and style they received only five minutes before performing it live! Despite such little preparation, they each pulled off satisfactory dances, leaving the judges in awe after each routine. Joey and Jenna and Chandler and Brandon ended up with the highest scores in the instant dance round with Chandler receiving her second perfect score of the night.

Finally, it was time to say goodbye to one pair, and that turned out to be Dwight and Daniella. The basketball star brought a lot to the ballroom week after week, but after consistently scoring lower than his competitors, it was his time to go home. The dance partners showed gratitude for their time on the show and signed off with a sweet goodbye.

Related: See every Dancing With the Stars season 33 elimination

DWTS season 33 episode 8 scores

Here's where each couple landed on the leaderboard (after the instant dance round):

Chandler & Brandon - Argentine tango + Cha-cha, 60 out of 60
Joey & Jenna - Contemporary + Rumba, 55 out of 60
Stephen & Rylee - Viennese waltz + Jive, 54 out of 60
Ilona & Alan - Quickstep + Salsa, 52 out of 60
Danny & Witney - Quickstep + Jive, 51 out of 60
Dwight & Daniella - Argentine tango + Paso doble, 48 out of 60

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Time flies when you're having fun! Next week it's already the semi-finals.

Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.