Despite lower week-to-week scores than some earlier-eliminated season 34 contenders, Richter’s army of “fandys” kept him in the competition until week 9.

Andy Richter admits to feeling ‘survivor’s guilt’ after outlasting so many on DWTS

Despite lower week-to-week scores than some earlier-eliminated season 34 contenders, Richter's army of "fandys" kept him in the competition until week 9.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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November 23, 2025 12:00 p.m. ET

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Andy Richter and Emma Slater on 'Dancing With the Stars'. Credit:

Disney/Eric McCandless

- After making it to week 9 with some of the lowest scores on season 34 of *Dancing With the Stars*, Andy Richter tells * *he felt "survivor's guilt."

- But the comedian and late-night mainstay says he doesn't "feel regret about that, about other people being eliminated before me, because that isn't anything I really had any control over."

- Richter also shares that his stepdaughter Cornelia, whom he danced with on week 5's "Tribute Night," protested the very rules that dictate that someone goes home: "She kept saying to me, 'Why did they go home? Why, why, why did anybody have to go home?'"

Andy Richter has no regrets, but may have a little guilt.

The comedian and longtime late-night mainstay had one of the most surprising arcs this season on *Dancing With the Stars*. Alongside pro partner Emma Slater, Richter tangoed, quick-stepped, and fox-trotted all the way to week 9 before being eliminated — just one week shy of the semifinals. Despite earning lower week-to-week judges' scores than all of his earlier-eliminated competitors, Richter's new army of "fandys" nearly vaulted their king to the finish line.

Speaking with * *a week out from his final dance, the host of SiriusXM's *The Three Questions With Andy Richter* podcast says he has "no regrets at all" about his time on the show. But he also notes, "You know, because I have been asked about it, there were times I felt survivor's guilt. But I don't really feel regret about that, about other people being eliminated before me, because that isn't anything I really had any control over."**

Andy Richter dancing with Kaitlyn Bristowe on 'Dancing With the Stars'.

Disney/Eric McCandless

Richter continues, "I just kept doing as well as I could, just as they did. I kept working as hard as I could, just as they did. And you know, nobody on that show is not working to the fullest extent of their capacity. I mean, I'm working at my capacity, and so is everybody else on that show."

Richter was thrilled and even surprised by his progress, so it was easy to accept his elimination on week 9's "20th Birthday Party," which celebrated the series' two decades on the air. "It became my time to go home, and I went home," Richter explains.

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Though Richter was able to accept his elimination, his most ardent supporter was in revolt around the very rules of the game from the beginning.

Richter's stepdaughter Cornelia with wife Jennifer Herrera stepped out onto the *DWTS *ballroom for a special dance during week 5's "Dedication Night." Cornelia had been watching her stepdad from the very first episode, however. When the first set of contestants were eliminated from the competition, Richter says Cornelia protested.

"She kept saying to me, 'Why did they go home?'" Richter remembers, laughing. "'Why, why, why did anybody have to go home?' She, I think, just assumed that the show would be these 14 people dancing every week. She never liked that aspect of it. She's always like, 'Why does anyone have to go home?'"**

Andy Richter and Emma Slater on 'Dancing With the Stars'.

Disney/Eric McCandless

Cornelia will finally get her wish next week. On the final episode of *Dancing With the Stars *season 34, no one is going home — because one of the remaining five contestants will be crowned a winner.

It's down to actress Elaine Hendrix, wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, Olympian Jordan Chiles, influencer Alix Earle, and content creator Dylan Efron. To find out who will take home the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, tune in to *Dancing With the Stars*' finale on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, and streaming the next day on Hulu.**

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