'Dancing with the Stars' Recap: 'Week One Performances'

[Dancing with the Stars - Season 13, Episode 1]

The new ballroom set the tone for a very explosive season. Tom Burgeron and Brooke Burke-Charvet welcomed America to the competition and introduced a new set of celebrities. The stairs were now situated in the middle and epically move to reveal the band behind them. The couples tried to get their best scores in the Cha-Cha or the Viennese Waltz.

Ron Artest & Peta - Cha-Cha - Ron was doing the show for his daughter, but his biggest issue was his height and lanky motions. The dance was generally awkward in the beginning and there was a lot of time wasted with the stairs. Though this was his first performance, there were a lot of issues. The end of the performance missed an arm tug, but they finished correctly.

Len found the performance flawed, from the content to the lack of footwork. Bruno thought there was power, but his height was an issue. Carrie Ann thought the performance was eccentric, but sexy. She knew it was technically wrong. Score: 14 (5, 4, 5).

Rob Kardashian & Cheryl - Viennese Waltz - Rob claimed to lack confidence and wanted to break away from his sisters. Ron wanted to do at least better than his sister, Kim, but he lacked focus. Rob started a bit awkward but he managed to maintain a strong smile throughout the routine. There is a lot of potential from his dancing, but he needs to work on his stiff extensions. Cheryl was smart on her choice of choreography to make Rob look as good as possible for week one.

Bruno thought he was a petrified duckling and he needed to relax and feel musicality. Carrie Ann saw a lot of potential, he listened but he needed more flow. Len wasn't impressed or depressed; he was too careful about the instructions. Score: 16 (6, 5, 5)

Kristin Cavallari & Mark - Cha-Cha - The reality star wanted to make sure she wasn't a bitch like television showed. Mark pointed out that she had natural dance rhythm so he pushed her hard during practice. Mark did a good job trying to choreograph Kristin, but he was over emphasizing his dancing to make her look better. Mark Ballas should stop looking like a fool and focus on his partner instead.

Carrie Ann thought she had the body and hair; there was quality in her dance. Len thought there was liveliness and content; she needed to have more power. Bruno thought she was unsteady in her turns and needed to hit harder. Score: 19 (7, 6, 6).

Chynna Phillips & Tony - Viennese Waltz - Billy Baldwin convinced her to go on the show because she loved to dance around. While Tony tried to provide information, it confused Chynna quickly. The first dance was with the smoke machine and it helped cover up the minor mistakes. There was grace and elegance in the spins, but I think Tony depended on the spins too much to make her performance look great.

Len thought it looked like one of the best first week performances. Bruno thought the dance looked like a dream and balletic touches; he warned her about being unsteady. Carrie Ann loved the grace and perfection of her spins. Score: 22 (8, 7, 7).

Nancy Grace & Tristan - Cha-Cha - Nancy wanted to have fun. Tristan was new from last season's dance troupe. Nancy had an issue with Tristan's accent. I loved the table opening and ripping off of the jacket and the sheer fact that Nancy was trying to have as much fun as possible. She was being dragged around a bit at times. Nancy's walk at the end looked like she ran out of breath.

Bruno thought Nancy had the moves, but lacked the confidence. Carrie Ann thought the performance had sass, but there was a lot of forgotten choreography. Len needed to balance the precision with attack; he was underwhelmed. Score: 16 (5, 5, 6)

David Arquette & Kym - Viennese Waltz - David wanted to use the show to change his life and he's happy to be on the show. David's dance was trying to be as serious as possible, but he was led by Kym really well. There were a few minor stumbles during the routine and there were occasional turns that looked rusty, but he did a great job throughout the performance.

Carrie Ann thought he got lost in the dance, but he needed to relax. Len was impressed by the dance but he warned him about the mistakes. Bruno thought he couldn't keep one character and needed to channel the actor that he was. Score: 18 (6, 6, 6).

Elisabetta Canalis & Val - Cha-Cha - Elisabetta thought it was a dream to be in the United States, but Val's dream was to beat his brother, Maks. Her broken English with his Russian-English was funny. The opening bed sequence was a bit broken and the individual dancing needed help. When she was in hold, she had more confidence as she danced. There's a lot of potential with the splits and body rolls, but her questionable fan base is the biggest issue.

Len hated the bed, but didn't mind the dance; her solo moments lacked confidence. Bruno thought the hold was strong, but she was weak by herself. Carrie Ann thought she needed to channel her modeling background as she danced. Score: 15 (5, 5, 5).

Hope Solo & Maks - Viennese Waltz - Hope worried about being stiff during dancing, but she was hysterical with Maks during practice. Hope was immediately in hold and keeping her there helped a great amount to make her look more elegant. There were moments where her shoulders were riding up, but she has a lot of potential.

Bruno thought Hope had a bright future, but she needed to work on control. Carrie Ann was impressed by the body contact in the hold; she suggested working on loosening her muscles. Len thought the hold, posture, and movement were good, but he needed more feminine movements. Score: 21 (7, 7, 7).

Carson Kressley & Anna - Cha-Cha - Anna was excited about having an enthusiastic partner. Their dance began with some funny steps and marching. There was something about Carson looking a bit like a chicken. Whoever gave him a fringe scarf should be shot. You have to give him credit for having such a fun time with his performance.

Carrie Ann loved the dance, but it was technically weak. Len thought while he had entertainment, he occasionally staggered. Bruno thought it was campy-fun and worth watching. Score: 17 (6, 5, 6).

J. R. Martinez & Karina - Viennese Waltz - J. R. explained his burns and surgeries but was proud of his journey. He's enthusiastic about learning, which helps Karina trying to teach him. Karina did a good job keeping J. R. as graceful as possible. The dance was refined and had a lot of movement across the dance floor.

Len thought the routine was one of the best of the night. Bruno liked the courage, but he needed to clean up his lines. Carrie Ann was touched by the performance and the confidence of the dance. Score: 22 (8, 7, 7).

Ricki Lake & Derek - Viennese Waltz - Ricki Lake is 42 and so excited that she had Derek. She knew that she lacked some grace, but was ready to work hard. Ricki had a big smile as she danced and there was a confidence being with Derek. I loved the choice of arm turns and the final spin because it showed so much grace in the routine.

Bruno loved the chemistry and arm passes. Carrie Ann loved how the two were fluid together. Len thought the footwork needed some help, but appreciated the elegance. Score: 20 (7, 6, 7)

Chaz Bono & Lacey - Cha-Cha - Chaz is the first transgendered contestant and has great chemistry with Lacey during practice. He knows that the combination of age and weight will put pressure on his body. Chaz tried his best to have fun during the routine and Lacey choreographed to his strengths as much as possible. Lacey had a few moments where she was over-dancing to compensate, but nothing that lost focus on Chaz.

Carrie Ann thought that Chaz had dance-ability; she's hoping to see more. Len loved the attitude and footwork. Bruno thought there was something cheeky and cute in his debut performance. Score: 17 (6, 5, 6).

Total Scores:
J. R. & Karina - 22
Chynna & Tony - 22
Hope & Maks - 21
Ricki & Derek - 20
Kristin & Mark - 19
David & Kym - 18
Chaz & Lacey - 17
Carson & Anna - 17
Rob & Cheryl - 16
Nancy & Tristan - 16
Elisabetta & Val - 15
Ron & Peta - 14

It seems like experience was the biggest factor as the three newest professionals were in the bottom. While there was a one point difference between Elisabetta and Ron, I expect the model to be eliminated because of her questionable fan base.