Carrie Ann Inaba got so excited about Jackson Olson’s progress on Dancing With the Stars that she interrupted her own critique to apologize for her language.
The Savannah Bananas player had just completed a salsa with professional partner Emma Slater, drawing praise from the judging panel.
The exchange happened during the October 13 live broadcast, as Season 35 marked its first Super Bowl Night.
For Olson, the performance followed a week of traveling between baseball and dance commitments, with rehearsals squeezed around a championship game.
Inaba Thought Her Comment Had Been Bleeped
Carrie Ann Inaba spiced up ‘Super Bowl Night’ on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ by letting an unexpected curse word fly while delivering feedback on one athlete’s spicy salsa routine. https://t.co/bQRxfcJHa2
Entertainment Weekly (@EW) October 14, 2026
Inaba’s reaction began with the confidence she had been waiting to see from Olson. Then she invoked his baseball team. “My Savannah Bananas are kicking ass,” she exclaimed, before catching herself. “I’m not supposed to say that!”
She questioned whether she could use the phrase on television, then added, “Sorry, I got bleeped just now!” According to Entertainment Weekly, the remark actually aired uncensored.
Once she resumed her feedback, Inaba praised Olson for committing fully to the choreography. She still wanted him to refine some movements, but welcomed his more assertive performance.
Olson Earned His First Eights of the Season
Olson and Slater performed a salsa to “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. Their score was 31 out of 40, including Olson’s first eights of the competition.
Inaba, Derek Hough and guest judge Joe Buck each awarded an eight, while Bruno Tonioli gave a seven. Hough called it Olson’s best dance so far. Tonioli also recognized his improvement, although he wanted smoother transitions through the lifts and passes.
The result followed a waltz to Mariah Carey’s “Without You” that earned three sevens, or 21 out of 30, the previous week, as TV Insider reported.
Buck’s addition increased the available points this week. From the three regular judges alone, Olson improved from 21 to 23 out of 30.
He Rehearsed Around the First Banana Bowl
On Saturday, October 10, Olson was in Washington, D.C., playing in the Savannah Bananas’ inaugural Banana Bowl championship game. His team lost, and he still had Tuesday’s dance to prepare.
Slater traveled with him, and they worked on their routine between his baseball commitments. In the rehearsal package, Olson acknowledged how demanding the combination had become.
“I’ve never had a week like this in my entire life,” he said, according to PEOPLE. After the game, he wanted to “switch gears and crush this salsa.”
The pair had also been among the final three couples awaiting their results the previous week, before Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong were eliminated.
Football Alumni Returned for Super Bowl Night
The episode paired the contestants with songs associated with memorable Super Bowl halftime performances. Buck, an ESPN Monday Night Football broadcaster, joined the judging panel for the occasion.
Former NFL players and DWTS contestants Donald Driver, Emmitt Smith, DeMarcus Ware and Danny Amendola also returned. ABC tied the theme to its upcoming broadcast of Super Bowl LXI with ESPN on February 14, 2027.
Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson Were Eliminated
Olson and Slater advanced, while Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson went home after a salsa to Bad Bunny’s “Tití Me Preguntó.” Their 22 out of 40 was the evening’s lowest score, with the elimination determined by judges’ marks combined with viewer votes.
At the top, Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy earned 36 for a paso doble to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach matched them with a salsa to Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” according to ABC7. The remaining ten couples will compete on Dedication Night on October 20.