“Boy Meets World” fans around the country were in for a treat on “Dancing with the Stars,” as Mr. Feeny got his flowers over 25 years after the hit show ended.
Contestant Danielle Fishel, known for her role as the ’90s heartthrob Topanga, brought out the ultimate surprise for her dedication dance during the Oct. 14 episode of the ABC dance competition.
The actress performed a jive to the catchy “Boy Meets World” theme song, and William Daniels, aka Mr. Feeny – the stern but loving teacher on the series — joined her on the dance floor. Sitting at his iconic teacher’s desk, Daniels gave fans pure nostalgia when he appeared on screen. He even closed out the choreography, holding up an “A+” paper for his beloved Topanga.
“Everybody was so excited. He means so much to so many people. And he’s the most deserving,” Fishel told our entertainment reporter Courtney Tezeno backstage.
She continued, “Tonight, felt like, although it was my dedication to Bill on this stage, I knew for sure I was just a conduit for all of the love that every person who’s ever been impacted by ‘Boy Meets World’ and by Mr. Feeny specifically, I was just channeling all that love and all that respect. And I hope he felt it.”
Mr. Feeny’s cameo was no easy feat for the 98-year-old. It took lots of planning and adjustments for Fishel and her pro dancing partner, Pasha Pashkov, to pull off.
“It means the world. I’m so honored he allowed me to do it,” she said. “It was a big ask for him, at 98 and a half years old, to leave your house and be here. By the way, for like eight hours. There’s a dress rehearsal. There’s a Zoom meeting. He had to bring his wardrobe.”
“He very easily could have said, ‘Danielle, I love you, but no, thank you.’ And instead, he said, ‘I want to do this for you.’ And I was like, ‘No, this is for you.’ But looked he did it for me.”
Not everyone had rave reviews for Fishel’s jive routine; judge Carrie Ann Inaba admits she was not impressed.
“I love a throwback, but I have to say this. Some of your dances are starting to feel like I’m watching the same dance over and over again,” Inaba said, receiving loud boos from the audience. “Try to give a little bit more variety as far as dynamics. This is also on you, Pasha.”
No contestants were eliminated during dedication week. Dancing with the Stars returns next week with “Wicked” themed songs on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu.
