It was a “Boy Meets World” reunion on “Dancing with the Stars.”
On Tuesday’s “Dedication Night,” Danielle Fishel and her pro partner Pasha Pashkov pulled out all the stops for a tribute to the hit series that launched her career.
The two performed a jive to Twenty Cent Clash’s “Boy Meets World” theme song featuring Phil Rosenthal. Fishel, who starred as Topanga Lawrence on the ’90s sitcom, dedicated the routine to co-star William “Bill” Daniels, who played the lovable Mr. Feeney.
“I don’t think I would have been able to be the professional I am today if I hadn’t been able to watch him for all those years,” Fishel exclaimed before the dance. “It’s been more than 30 years since we met, and I can see how proud he is of me. He’s someone who is really important to me.”
The day’s routine began with Daniels, 98, standing in front of a school set built by DWTS production staff for the special night.
He also appeared in the dance duo’s pre-recorded interview package that aired before the performance, telling Fishel, “I’m so proud of everything Danielle does. It’s fun to watch you.”
Many “Boy Meets World” stars packed the ballroom to cheer on Fishel and Pashkov. It received a total of 29/40 points from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and guest judge Kim Johnson-Herjavec.
In addition to Daniels, Will Friedle (Eric Matthews), Matthew Lawrence (Jack Hunter), Betsy Randle (Amy Matthews), William Russ (Alan Matthews), Trina McGee (Angela Moore), Bonnie Bartlett (Dean Lyla Bolander), and Alex Dessert (Eli Williams) were also in the star-studded crowd.
Rider Strong (Sean Hunter) was absent due to work out of town. But he has been coming to live shows in recent weeks to cheer on his “Pod Meets World” co-hosts.
Ben Savage, best known for his role as Cory Matthews, was also conspicuously absent from the memorial service, amid reports that he has distanced himself from the cast in recent years.
Fishel shared some kind messages for Daniels on Instagram ahead of Tuesday’s “Dedication Night,” saying she was “still taking notes from Mr. Feeney.”
“It feels like a huge responsibility to give a full and joyful celebratory dance to someone who has been responsible for teaching thousands of people and raising multiple generations,” she gushed in one of her posts.
“While this dance is my dedication to Bill, I represent all of you who have loved and appreciated him and his career for decades.”
Last month, Fishel and Pashkov teased that a special reunion might be coming while chatting exclusively with Page Six after the Season 34 premiere.
“If we’re going to be here long enough, let me tell you, we have incredibly special plans,” the host of the “Daniel with the Stars” podcast told Us at the time. “We need to get there by (a certain) week, so you guys need to vote for us! But once we get there, we’re planning very, very, very great things.”
“Dancing with the Stars” will return next Tuesday at 8pm ET/PT as “Wicked Night” on ABC and Disney+, with new episodes streaming the following day on Hulu.
