It’s finally time for Dancing with the Stars again! I’m just grateful that Juan Pablo from The Bachelor wasn’t asked to participate because that would have been beyond a trainwreck. Lot’s of changes were made with the different band, mildly adjusted stage, the return of the judges’ table and upstairs area, and Erin Andrews replacing Brooke Burke-Charvet. Erin Andrews was a bit too sports newscaster, but even by the second hour, she loosened up.
We opened the show with a performance from Jason Derulo which also doubled as an introduction of the Pros and Troupe. That is the definition of guest musician integration where Jason still had his dancers but the DWTS cast was equally used, especially the women and the brothers Chmerkovskiy.
The format of week one remains generally the same. Contestants get the Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, or Contemporary while the judges critique. Gone are the days when the Waltz was an option.
NeNe & Tony - Cha-cha - Nene actually came onto the show to win, and she knows who the obvious competition are and is ready to take on the challenge. Maybe her stripper past is helping because she’s actually much more flexible and quicker on her feet than I expected from her. NeNe needed to be a little less robotic with several of her arm movements, but she had some potential body movement and understood that there should be fun in the performance. We’ll see if she could bring class to a ballroom routine.
Len loved the fun and energy of the performance, he did expect more hip action in the future. Bruno thought that NeNe was just scratching the surface, but with improved footwork she’ll shine. Carrie Ann loved that her personality shone through the performance; she suggested dancing as big as her personality. Score: 21 (7,7,7)
James & Peta - Foxtrot - We were warned to keep an eye on Peta’s reaction and it was because Peta apparently hung out with James before he was revealed to be her partner. She was still stunned when James walked away, but the two wanted to keep professional. Showmance alert! I actually thought that James was both channeling some emotion and some decent footwork. Peta choreographed him well and for his very tall frame he extended his arms out. He was willing to go that next step, which I appreciate as a viewer.
Bruno loved the determination of the performance, he needed to look more effortless. After Carrie Ann gushed over his looks, she pointed out the natural elegance, but he needed to be in control in the middle sequence. Len thought he did a good job trying; he suggested fixing his frame. Score: 21 (7,7,7).
Danica & Val - Foxtrot - Danica was excited to be on the show because she was a big fan of DWTS from the beginning. Val was already impressed by Danica because the two complimented each other when they practiced. Danica was trying to find her “womanlyness” throughout the competition. Danica’s arms were very strong for week one and she has the right grace for the ballroom category. I’m not sure if Val’s choreography was a bit too hectic for my tastes, but when the couple were spinning in hold, I could see a lot of potential. I hope that Val would link some of the choreography better so Danica could show better grace.
Carrie Ann loved the enthusiasm of the dance, but her shoulders were rising up and her mouth was over-expressive. Len had a terrific first impression. Bruno loved the exuberance and appreciated how the two worked well with each other. Score: 24 (8,8,8)
Sean & Karina - Contemporary - Sean explained that he was a “bad boy” and found the contemporary to be a full 180 of what he’s used to. Karina appreciates Sean’s personality and I’m happy to see that he’s a bit of a joker. The choice of contemporary for Sean was the best thing to soften Sean’s edges right off the bat. Karina’s choreography was a bit Karina-heavy due to all the tricks and lifts but Sean was a strong supportive lifter. The rest of the choreography was a lot of running to Karina so I couldn’t really judge quality of movement.
Len loved the intensity and lifts, but he lacked finesse. Bruno was surprised about the commitment to the performance, but he needs to have continuous motion. Carrie Ann managed to capture the spirit of the contemporary. Score: 20 (7,6,7)
Billy & Emma - Cha-cha - Billy walked in to a very surprised Emma. Billy had two hip operation and arthritis. He seemed enthused to dance as did Emma tried her best to help him out. Billy was really an old man moving around the stage as Emma danced around him. I give him credit for moving around as he did for 76 but clearly he’s not going to win.
Bruno thought he was too dainty when he moved, he needed more power. Carrie Ann thought he danced very relaxed, but the choreography needed to be less simple. Len thought the routine was entertaining, but easy. Score: 15 (5,5,5)
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Meryl & Maks - Cha-cha - Meryl seems saccharine sweet which doesn’t really match Maks’ normal set of dancers with bite. Maks was excited because he knew he had a contender. He also pointed out the elephant in the room that Derek did help. I thought the opening was cute and the confusion of Charlie’s face was nice. The couple definitely used the spinning to advantage even though she didn’t seem centered in her turns. That’s especially after watching a season of Elizabeth Burkley Lauren use that to her advantage. I thought that Meryl looked a bit slippery when she moved as if she was still on ice or her shoes didn’t have grip. She is clearly a front-runner and Maks could do much more with her.
Carrie Ann thought she moved like a champion. Len thought she was good on wood. Bruno loved the precision and sharpness. Score: 24 (8,8,8)
Candace & Mark - Contemporary - Candace loved to dance and has her family’s support and wants to win. That’s what I like to see: contestants that are competitive. Like Meryl and Charlie, her direct competition is fellow 90s tv star Danica. The couple started on the floor and I thought the graphics were interesting on the floor and while I’ll admit that Mark’s choreography can be a bit full of himself, I didn’t mind it. Considering that she was being the one lifted she had Mark’s trust pretty quickly. I saw that she slipped out of some of the choreography but I appreciate that she was close to Mark with all the side-by-side movements.
Len thought it was well done. Bruno loved the dramatic nature. Carrie Ann was impressed and wanted to see the routine again. Score: 25 (9,8,8).
Cody & Witney - Cha-cha - Witney asked Cody immediately if he had girlfriend, after he said yes, I’m sure her showmance angle went out the window. Cody knew that he had dance experience, but like every ringer tried to explain that the movements were different. He claimed he had a lot of energy, though he never seemed excited to be there when the camera went to him. The pop and lock movements were a nice nod, though Chelsie Hightower or Lacey Schwimmer would have been criticized for including in seasons ago. Cody walked to his places a lot of times but had musicality while he walked there. Witney did try throwing a little bit of everything in her choreography and I hope by week three, she’ll know not to throw the kitchen sink into routines. Cody was just a bit off timing the whole time for me .
Bruno thought the routine was fresh, but his basic cha-cha movements need improvement. Carrie Ann loved the upper body, but he has huge feet which goes everywhere. Len loved the confidence and attack, but he lacked technique. Score: 22 (7,7,8)
Drew & Cheryl - Foxtrot - Drew was happy to be paired with Cheryl and explained that now that he lost weight, he wanted to dance and do things he wouldn’t be able to otherwise. Cheryl explained that he needed to use his core, Drew was worried about the precision. I thought that Cheryl was smart in the way she choreographed Drew right off the bat. I thought Drew had the right charisma in the routine and he was much better than I ever expected for the stereotypical comedian on this show.
Carrie Ann thought that Drew was a crowd pleaser. Len thought the routine was watchable and good fun. Bruno thought that he had correctly merged content and comedy together. Score: 21 (7,7,7)
Amy & Derek - Cha-cha - Amy wanted to take a step away from the Paralympics . She explained that she lost both her legs below the knees and she doesn’t know what her dance capabilities are. Derek was nervous because this was the first time Amy would be experimenting with dance and her prosthetics. Amy was generally there, clearly there was a lack of leg-heavy content in lieu of a lot more arm exchanges. I’d be happier if the cameramen would stop zooming into her prosthetics. I thought that Amy occasionally lost her timing and Derek did his best to cover up basic cha-cha choreography with grinding.
Len pointed out that Amy had to be judged equally with the rest of the contestants; she did a great job. Bruno loved the timing, shapes, and performance level. Carrie Ann was shocked how well Amy did. Score: 24 (8,8,8)
Diana & Henry - Foxtrot - Diana admitted that she was a big fan of the show, but both she and Henry knew there was a challenge ahead. She never even wore heels which made her feel quite awkward.. She’s not a quitter and I appreciate all that she’s doing. The movement was a bit slow, but I knew that Henry did a smart choice keeping Diana almost all in hold most of the routine. Diana seemed enthused to be there, but I know that she deserves to survive an extra week.
Bruno thought she needed to find her footing. Carrie Ann loved how comfortable she started to grow, she needed to break in her heels. Len thought there needed to be more finesse. Score: 18 (6,6,6)
Charlie & Sharna - Contemporary - Sharna felt lucky that she actually got a good dancer. Charlie struggled with hip action as Sharna called him broken in his movements. I thought that the choreography was much better than the other contemporary routines tonight. Charlie was with Sharna the whole time and Sharna put his lifting skills to their advantage. They did a lift that was similar to something Charlie would have done with Meryl.
Carrie Ann called the dance poetry in motion. Len thought he had the perfect week one dance, but wants to see Ballroom/Latin. Bruno loved the attention to detail, but hoped that Charlie could keep the high standard. Score: 27 (9,9,9)
Week One Rankings
High
Charlie & Sharna - 27
Candace & Mark - 25
Danica & Val - 24
Amy & Derek - 24
Meryl & Maks - 24
Middle
Cody & Witney - 22
James & Peta - 21
NeNe & Tony - 21
Drew & Cheryl - 21
Low
Sean & Karina - 20
Diana & Henry - 18
Billy & Emma - 15