…And here we go again.
Dancing with the Stars returns for its fourteenth season and I am thankful to MJ for allowing me the opportunity to live blog and share the experience with all of you. It feels like almost no time has passed at all since JR Martinez and Karina Smirnoff took home the coveted mirror ball trophy last season. Tonight, twelve new celebrities will embark on that same journey.
In a bit of a different system (though it has been used before), we will not have a live result show tomorrow. Instead, all twelve celebrities will return to the dance floor next week and perform a second time. This could potentially help out some of the lesser known celebrities (looking at you William Levy, Katherine Jenkins, and Roshon Fegan) and give those who do not score so hot tonight a second go at remaining in the competition. As always, a combo of scores from the judges and viewer votes will determine who is eliminated.
Next week, the celebrities will tackle either the Jive or Quickstep but for tonight’s premiere, it will be the Cha-Cha-Cha or Foxtrot. And so it starts…
Maria Menounos & Derek Hough – Cha-Cha-Cha
To vote for Maria & Derek, call 1-800-868-3401. You can send the word “Vote” to 3401 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
Maria and Derek are already very compatible as partners. The dance kicks off the season and it is a very good performance from Maria. The dance itself is a bit slower than the usual Cha-Cha-Cha we would see from Derek but that’s understandable since it is her very first dance with him. All in all, she seems confident and is smiling a whole lot, making the dance fun and spirited. A really solid job to start off season fourteen.
Len talks about how difficult the first dance is for anyone. He says she needs a bit more hip action but a good start. Bruno compliments her but does tell her that she needs to work on opening up a bit and being sexy. He basically agrees with Len on the hip action comment. Carrie Ann is also complimentary but thinks Maria needs to work on having each movement in the dance flow a bit better. All three judges were positive with some constructive criticism.
Carrie Ann- 7, Len- 7, Bruno- 7 for a total of 21/30.
Jack Wagner & Anna Trebunskaya – Foxtrot
To vote for Jack & Anna, call 1-800-868-3402. You can send the word “Vote” to 3402 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
Jack & Anna perform a very sweet foxtrot. He is a little awkward at first but once they get into hold, it is really nice to watch. Of course, Jack suffers from the same issue as many first time dancers do performing a foxtrot- he needs to perfect that frame and work on those lines. But there is no denying that this is a very adequate dance and actually exceeded my early expectations for Mr. Wagner. Good job!
Bruno says it was beautifully acted and danced. Carrie Ann says she was taken to a happy place and was very impressed. Len says the feel of the dance was fantastic but the technique was poor. Len wants Jack to work on his posture and footwork.
Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 7, Bruno- 8 for a total of 23/30.
Donald Driver & Peta Murgatroyd – Cha-Cha-Cha
To vote for Donald & Peta, call 1-800-868-3403. You can send the word “Vote” to 3403 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
Will yet another football star have success on the dance floor? The answer is a big yes. Donald is fantastic in his first dance. He was light on his feet, had intense chemistry with Peta, and moved very well. This was a quicker cha-cha-cha as compared to Maria. In fact, it was a bit manic but I guess Donald is extremely excited. The audience gave them a very long standing ovation.
Carrie Ann says he is charisma and charm for days. She isn’t sure if there was a whole lot of cha-cha-cha going on but it pleased the audience. Len says he got a bit over excited at times and lost time a bit but complimented him otherwise. Bruno says it was full impact but does agree with Len that he needs to relax a bit and refine everything. I personally thought the judges were a bit harsh but perhaps they see lots of potential.
Carrie Ann- 7, Len- 7, Bruno- 7 for a total of 21/30.
Gavin DeGraw & Karina Smirnoff – Foxtrot
To vote for Gavin & Karina, call 1-800-868-3404. You can send the word “Vote” to 3404 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
Gavin & Karina perform a very elegant foxtrot. It was nice. Gavin is a bit clunky on his feet (especially in hold) but that could be worked on. Gavin needs to get lost a bit in the dance as you could tell he is preparing for what the next movement will be. That being said, the possibility for improvement is high.
Len says he coped well with the dance but the foxtrot needs to be fluid and romantic and Gavin was stiff. Bruno says Gavin has charm but he needs to learn how to link the moves. Carrie Ann says Gavin has good musicality and disagreed with Bruno on the flow. But she wants him to watch his arms during the dance.
Carrie Ann- 7, Len- 6, Bruno- 7 for a total of 20/30.
Roshon Fegan & Chelsie Hightower – Cha-Cha-Cha
To vote for Roshon & Chelsie, call 1-800-868-3405. You can send the word “Vote” to 3405 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
Well, I am not sure if people will be crying “ringer” out loud but Roshon was excellent. He has some great hip action, amazing musicality, and the dance was very well choreographed by Chelsie. This is going to be a great partnership because it looks as though these two should be dancing together. Very impressive and it seems as though being one of the more unknown celebrities this season isn’t going to hurt Roshon.
Bruno says Roshon can go on and on and on. Carrie Ann loved the spin. Len definitely says Roshon can dance but thought the technique was low. He is sure Roshon is a good dancer though.
Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 7, Bruno- 8 for a total of 23/30.
Sherri Shepherd & Val Chmerkovskiy – Foxtrot
To vote for Sherri & Val, call 1-800-868-3406. You can send the word “Vote” to 3406 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
Sherri has a great smile and attitude and can make anyone laugh. She put me in a better mood instantly while watching her dance. Of course, the dance was choreographed to be a bit easier and you could tell that Sherri is the feel good dancer who may not have amazing skill but is endearing and a blast to watch.
Carrie Ann says Sherri is the happiest contestant ever. She loved watching Sherri’s joy. Len says Sherri had one or two incidents but called it fun, fun, fun. Bruno can do with a bit of Sherri every day of the week. He was very complimentary to her.
Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 7, Bruno- 8 for a total of 23/30.
Melissa Gilbert & Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Cha-Cha-Cha
To vote for Melissa & Maksim, call 1-800-868-3407. You can send the word “Vote” to 3407 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
Maks looks fantastic. Okay, shallow moment aside. Maks really gave Melissa a very difficult dance for her first time. She has some good moments but at other times, it is a bit of a mess. Some of this comes off a bit awkward. It is better when they are together as Melissa on her own has a few hiccups. It was pretty average but like some of the others, she could improve a whole lot.
Len wanted more hip action and shaping but thought it was very ambitious. Bruno thinks she needs to work on the simple things but thought it was inspiring. Carrie Ann sees great potential in Melissa but thought perhaps some nerves were going on.
Carrie Ann- 7, Len- 6, Bruno- 7 for a total of 20/30.
William Levy & Cheryl Burke – Cha-Cha-Cha
To vote for William & Cheryl, call 1-800-868-3408. You can send the word “Vote” to 3408 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
Hello GORGEOUS! Alright, my second shallow moment of the night is over and done. The dancing needs a bit of work. It wasn’t bad. But it wasn’t fantastic either. I am being a bit difficult on him because he is latin and I am expecting him to bring that fire. He did somewhat but I guess I wanted more. Cheryl once again proves why she is on the best at choreography. She knows her partners limits and ability and puts together a dance to compliment that. But yes, the guy is insanely good looking and I am sure that will bring in some votes.
Bruno is going nuts. He calls William the hottest package of the season. Not much talk about the dancing. Carrie Ann thanks ABC for her job. She compliments his partnership skills and his solo movements. Len thought he kept very good control and had the spirit of the cha-cha-cha.
Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 8, Bruno- 8 for a total of 24/30.
Martina Navratilova & Tony Dovolani – Foxtrot
To vote for Martina & Tony, call 1-800-868-3409. You can send the word “Vote” to 3409 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
I find it hysterical that Tony is consistently partnered with an older female and has to be the “gentleman” of the show. He does it well but he is such a nice guy, I wish he would get an amazing partner. Martina is fine but this is so careful and parts of it feel like the show is currently on slow motion. Martina does all the moves but everything is done with such care. She is really going to need to let go next week and come out with guns blazing. I have faith.
Carrie Ann says Martina was beautiful. She wants her to work on her spots (turns). Len says it was close but not quite there. He says it was a bit too careful. Bruno says Martina has never looked better. He tells her to learn to extend her moves and it will be more fluid. He tells her she did very well.
Carrie Ann- 7, Len- 6, Bruno- 7 for a total of 20/30.
Katherine Jenkins & Mark Ballas – Foxtrot
To vote for Katherine & Mark, call 1-800-868-3410. You can send the word “Vote” to 3410 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
Katherine & Mark perform a spectacular foxtrot for week one. Seriously. The two had chemistry, danced with such elegance, and completely surprised me. Katherine is yet another unknown on this show who really knocked it out of the park. I can’t wait to see her do a latin routine considering how good she is at ballroom in only her first week.
Len thought the musicality and details in the dance were good. He does think she needs some work in hold but he thought it was “crackin”. Bruno called the style impeccable and said she has a lot to live up to. Carrie Ann says it was like watching two pros together. She called it the best first dance on a first episode of this show- ever.
Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 8, Bruno- 9 for a total of 26/30.
Gladys Knight & Tristan MacManus – Cha-Cha-Cha
To vote for Gladys & Tristan, call 1-800-868-3411. You can send the word “Vote” to 3411 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
I am not going to be easy on Gladys even though she is older and a living legend. She still needs to be judges fairly as compared to everyone else. And the dancing is…okay. You can see, just as when Martina danced, just how careful this is. Gladys has some weird moments throughout the dance. But on the positive side, she also has a whole lot of rhythm and is fun to watch. It does need to be said though, the judges are going to be extra kind to her but I do hope they judge her fairly as the weeks go by. Of course, I need to give her props for getting out there and doing what she just did.
Bruno says the legend has the moves. Carrie Ann says that dance made her want to get up and dance. This is all very complimentary. Len says the dancing was natural and she did a wonderful job. They are being extremely kind.
Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 7, Bruno- 8 for a total of 23/30.
Jaleel White & Kym Johnson – Foxtrot
To vote for Jaleel & Kym, call 1-800-868-3412. You can send the word “Vote” to 3412 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 12 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this first week.
This is yet another fantastic routine. Wow, some of these celebrities tonight are doing an amazing job. Jaleel is light on his feet and elegant. He has great lines and the dancing in hold was just as good as out of hold. Fabulous!
Carrie Ann called him the icing on the cake. Len loved the routine and agreed that this was the best first show of any season. Bruno thought he was watching Gregory Hines and agrees, the show has been fantastic.
Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 8, Bruno- 9 for a total of 26/30.
And here’s the final leaderboard for the night:
Katherine & Mark – 26/30
Jaleel & Kym – 26/30
William & Cheryl – 24/30
Gladys & Tristan – 23/30
Roshon & Chelsie – 23/30
Sherri & Val – 23/30
Jack & Anna – 23/30
Donald & Peta – 21/30
Maria & Derek – 21/30
Gavin & Karina – 20/30
Melissa & Maksim – 20/30
Martina & Tony – 20/30
Seeing as how we have another week of dances before anyone gets the boot, I think it is safe to say the judges went a bit easy tonight on just about everyone. I expect them to be harsher in their critiques next week and I also expect some lower scores. This was a very “feel good” premiere- and that’s just what the producers said they wanted. They don’t have any controversial contestants and are hoping that “water cooler” moments go the way of good ol’ dancing and smiles. Will that hurt or help the ratings? Who knows. Point is, not a single person tonight was horrible and we have some very good dancers stepping up right out of the gate. Let’s hope it keeps up… :)
