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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →On the September 24, 2024, Oscars-themed episode of Dancing with the Stars season 33, Reginald VelJohnson and his professional partner, Emma Slater, performed a Die Hard-inspired paso doble to Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” VelJohnson dedicated the dance to his former co-star Bruce Willis, saying Willis had been kind to him during his first major film role.
What VelJohnson and Slater performed
The routine opened with VelJohnson in uniform beside a police car, calling for backup. Money floated across the ballroom in a nod to Die Hard’s vault sequence. The pair danced a paso doble to “Ode to Joy,” and VelJohnson closed with the film’s line, “Welcome to the party, pal.” Entertainment Weekly’s report republished by AOL described the performance and its staging.
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The same report said the pair earned 15 judges’ points that night, bringing their reported two-week total to 31. Those figures are episode scores, not audience ratings or measures of viewership.
Why Bruce Willis was part of the tribute
VelJohnson played LAPD officer Al Powell in Die Hard (1988) and Die Hard 2 (1990); Willis played John McClane. Powell helps McClane by radio during the original film. Disney’s season 33 cast announcement also identifies VelJohnson with the Al Powell role in both movies.
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Speaking to Slater about making the original film, VelJohnson recalled having “nice memories.” He said it was his first big film and that Willis “was very kind to me in my first major role.” He added, “I thanked him for that, I always will,” and called the dance “a tribute to my friend Bruce Willis.”
When the performance aired
This was a season 33 performance from 2024, not a new Dancing with the Stars event. Disney announced VelJohnson and Slater as part of the cast on September 4, 2024; that season premiered September 17. The announcement said episodes would be available on Hulu the next day.
Rank #2
- Ballroom Instruction
- Excercise
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- DVD
Where to check for the episode
ABC’s official series page currently provides show information and identifies Disney+ as a streaming option. Its current listing does not confirm whether this particular 2024 episode is available. Check the episode catalog on the platform before expecting to find the tribute there.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Full Screen, NTSC
- Language: English
- Region: Region 1 U.S. and Canada only
- Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
- Video Run Time: 51 minutes
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