Dancing with the Stars has two-stepped right past Derek Hough ’s expectations.

“This little engine that could is defying all the odds in television,” the judge recently told E! News of the ABC competition series’ undeniable popularity, “breaking down walls, setting records and creating history. It’s incredible.”

In fact, even before cameras started rolling, Hough—who has been part of the show on and off since 2007—knew the jive would be different for season 34.

After witnessing the excitement around Robert Irwin ’s early casting, “I felt like this was going to be something special and big,” he shared, “and it has exploded.”

That's an understatement. After all, in the show’s 20-year run, the current season has amassed more votes than ever before. And now, heading into the Nov

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