Dancing with the Stars 22 – Week One Power List

Time for the first power list of the season! I went back, viewed all the routines from Monday night, and took into account a wide range of factors in determining how to place this season’s crop of twelve. For a few (the really bad and the really good), it was easy. For others, I had to really look at their prospects and quite a few couples are bunched together right now until we get to see more from them. With that being said, here’s my list ordered from 12th to 1st…

12th – Geraldo & Edyta

I have witnessed many bad first week dances on this show. And this routine was right up there with them. Geraldo was lacking everything from musicality to remembering pretty simple choreography. I feel for Edyta. She hasn’t been a pro on the show in so long and she returns and is paired up with someone who is more than likely going home immediately. Geraldo seems to be enjoying himself and I always gives credit to people of a certain age going out there and trying but I can’t see him escaping elimination this week.

11th – Doug & Karina

I thought Doug would end up being the worst of the bunch Monday night until Geraldo danced. Geraldo may have given Doug an extra week in the competition. But I’m not sure it will help. He just isn’t a natural dancer and it comes off really awkward. He doesn’t even have that “this is so bad that it is funny” thing that could enable him to stick around a few weeks. His only saving grace is being a notable former football player but with two other (and so much better) NFL players on this season, Doug is just waiting for the axe to fall.

10th- Mischa & Artem

Mischa really needs to start looking as though she wants to be there and is trying to enjoy herself. I know the tango sometimes calls for intensity but she came off more stoic than anything. Len was harsh, yes, but he wasn’t wrong. A lot of the routine was indeed walking around and Artem didn’t do her any favors with the choreography either. I’m also not sure if she will even have a fan base. She could actually end up leaving before Doug but I placed her 10th because at least her dance was a bit better than his. She really needs to come out of her shell though on Latin night next week.

9th- Marla & Tony

Marla surprised me. She was elegant out there, stayed in hold with pretty good posture, and performed a proper quickstep. Tony finally has a partner who he might be able to give some advanced choreography to. The jury is still out on how Marla will do with a dance that requires a bit more rhythm but if she is able to learn the steps, keep up with Tony, and be as positive and endearing as she was during week one, she could end up sticking around far longer than anyone expects.

8th- Kim & Sasha

Kim is a lot of fun. She has a big personality and that goes a long way on this show. I like this partnership very much. And her dancing was decent too. She just needs to perfect things a bit (practice, practice, practice) and she will be fine for a while. Her reaction to the scores was hysterical and she just screams “I really want to be here and learn” which is great. I have a feeling she will do well with votes too.

7th- Antonio & Sharna

Okay, this is probably the placing many people will give me a side eye about. How could I put Antonio in 7th below a few other people? Simple. I found his routine Monday to be a mess. It was manic, hectic, and he was all over the place. His hold was lackluster and Sharna really failed to do him justice with the choreography. The show is clearly going for an Antonio Vs. Von subplot so I expect the two of them to go back and forth with scores all season. A bit like Carlos and his wife last season. This show loves to make drama even when no drama exists. But he really needs to calm down and Sharna needs to choreograph better. I think she really wants to win (she was dying for it last year with Nick). But if she expects to do so, she will need to work hard on not only making Antonio into a better dancer, but also working hard on how she choreographs because a few female pros are nipping at her heels. I would also hope Antonio isn’t too cocky as his rehearsal package came off on Monday. Humility goes a long way on this show.

6th- Jodie & Keo

Keo is such an odd case as a pro. He has had really bad partners and gone home super early each season he has been on. Some say it is because of his partners, while others argue that he should be a better teacher despite who he is paired with. I agree with both arguments. He has a great partner this season. Jodie can dance, she has a built in fan base, and she is a likable contestant. So it really is up to Keo to show her off well and give her the right routines to get them both to the end. I have high hopes for her as long as everything comes together.

5th- Ginger & Val

It was almost a case of flipping a coin with these two and Von & Witney. I went with 5th place for Ginger simply due to the routine. It was fine and all but I think Val could have given her even more and really sold the jive. I wanted more kicks and flicks. I wanted a bit more flare. I also think it would have worked better if they danced on the ballroom floor instead of the platform. Ginger is fun to watch and she has a big leg up on the competition since she works for ABC and can be seen every morning on GMA. That will help her connect to fans and earn votes. I can easily see her going very deep this season.

4th- Von & Witney

Von impressed me in that he and Witney handled the height issue really well. Witney is right- she looks like a child next to him. But they worked it out. Von had some really nice moves and was quite endearing to watch. My issue with Witney (and it comes up every season) is to be careful of those freestyle/hip-hop moves she puts into routines. She did it with Carlos last season a lot. I get she likes to be contemporary and make dances stand out. And I appreciate seeing a celebrity get down. But if the dance is foxtrot, make sure you have enough content. I don’t think Von will have any issues with choreography so this will be another pairing where the pro really needs to make their partner shine in the right way.

3rd- Paige & Mark

Paige is a really beautiful woman and if I didn’t know before, you couldn’t convince me she is actually a pro fighter. She was totally elegant and graceful on Monday night. She had some great lines, her posture was really good, and she took to the foxtrot really well. Mark is a great partner for her because I think he will push her hard and come up with some great routines. My only worry is that she may not have too many people behind her that will actually vote. She is going to have to dance strong each week so the judges score her high and the viewing audience is compelled to throw her votes. If she can do that, she is a contender.

2nd- Wanya & Lindsay

This was really wonderful. The show would like to have you believe the male football players are dynamite but Wanya just crushed them. He has a great personality, can follow choreography, and makes the dancing look fun. Lindsay is also continuing to show why she might actually be the best female pro in terms of putting together a routine. She did it last season with Alek and she has another opportunity to go all the way this season with Wanya. I am excited to see how he does with a more refined dance but if Monday is any indication, he is a keeper.

1st- Nyle & Peta

I can’t believe how impressed I was with everything about this pairing. Nyle, as a deaf man, had more skills on the floor in one routine than some previous season dancers had in weeks five and six. When you combine how positive a personality he has, a dedication to learning the steps and following Peta, and add in some charm and good looks, you have someone who has the potential to go all the way to the finale. Let’s hope Peta doesn’t go overboard on the sex. She has a history of doing that. It will be fine when the dance calls for it, but it doesn’t need to define the dance. I think Nyle has the ability to impress by simply going out there and nailing proper dances. Sure, you could say he might earn sympathy votes and I’m sure you would be right to a degree, but I have a feeling he will earn votes by doing one simple thing- dancing really well.

What do you guys think? Did I rank anyone way too high? How about too low? Do you feel as though another couple deserves that top spot in this week’s ranking? Sound off in the comments if you like and remember, Dancing with the Stars is live this coming Monday, March 28th, @8 Eastern with “Latin Night,” which will include the first elimination of the season! See you then!