ABC's hit show "Dancing With the Stars" celebrated its 10th anniversary on Tuesday with a grand reunion of its most popular pros and participants, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The special featured a massive opening number with almost 50 stars, judges, hosts and dancers, according to Entertainment Weekly.

At the heart of the event, as might be expected, were some very special moments on the dancefloor: Kelly Monaco, the winner of the very first "Dancing with the Stars" season, heated things up with Season 15 "All-Stars" partner Val Chmerkovskiy: The couple's "fiery dance," as the Los Angeles Times put it, had the model "stripped down to a teeny bikini" and the professional dancer in nothing but briefs, garters and socks.

Chmerkovskiy "seemed to realize his level of exposure in the post-dance chat with host Tom Bergeron," the newspaper noted. "Bare it proudly, pal!" it counseled.

The 10th anniversary gala also reunited the show's various NFL alumni, which include former St. Louis Rams, New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner; Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinal running back Emmitt Smith; and wide receivers Jacoby Jones of the San Diego Chargers, Michael Irvin of the Dallas Cowboys, Donald Driver of the Green Bay Packers, Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jerry Rice of the Oakland Raiders.

In a fitting tribute, the football stars performed an ensemble routine choreographed to the Monday Night Football theme "Heavy Action," Entertainment Weekly noted. "With the glittery, gilded jackets ... and hip thrusts, the boys reminded us why we need football players on this show every season," the magazine judged.

Finally, it was time for contestant Patti Labelle -- who was sent home during the sixth week of the current season -- to do what she does best: The singer performed one of her most famous hits, to which Season 17 winner Amber Riley and one-time contestant Lil' Kim offered a dance routine.

LaBelle, whom the newspaper called a "a hard-working, good sport" participant, "brought down the house with 'Lady Marmalade,' a soulful tune she made famous in the '70s," the Los Angeles Times judged.