DWTS 21 Premiere Live Blog and Performance Videos

DWTSPromo21

Hey All! :)

Welcome to the Season 21 premiere of Dancing with the Stars. I’m thrilled to be back to live blog my favorite reality-competition show and to engage with all of you once again here on the best blog on the net. :) Thanks MJ for inviting me back. I’m really looking forward to this season. We have some very interesting personalities and the potential for great dancing. I assume we will see some familiar theme nights this season but I am hoping for more of a transparent competition. I am never a fan of how producers sometimes feed viewers with who they should be voting for via cleverly edited packages, dancing order, pimping, etc… I know it happens on all these shows but it makes it a whole lot less fun. Let things happen naturally and let the chips fall where they will.

This season, Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews return as hosts with Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, and Bruno Tonioli back as jusges. Len Goodman will not be returning this season, as he has decided to concentrate on the UK version of the show as opposed to traveling back and forth. We will definitely miss grouchy Len. He may have been tough but more times than not, he was the one judge you could count on to give a fair and honest critique. No guest judges this season as well. I approve of that decision. The guest judges basically score the same as the others anyways. I look forward to seeing how the team of Carrie Ann, Julianne, and Bruno work on their own.

Tonight, we will be entertained by five different dance styles. Cha Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Salsa, Quickstep or Jive on the menu for the thirteen couples. Tomorrow night’s show will be a clip show that will include some extra rehearsal footage as well as goodies from tonight’s competition that we didn’t get to see. Of course that means NO one will be eliminated this week and all couples will be able to dance in week two. The first elimination will occur on Monday, September 21st. With all that being said, let’s see what the show came up with for our opening number!

We begin with the huge opening number that was filmed this past weekend on Hollywood Boulevard. All the pros, troupe members, and celebrities are showcased. Talk about a flash mob! This must have been crazy fun to be a part of. The taped footage eventually ends as Derek races into the ballroom and we are officially LIVE! Lots of high energy in that. Mandy Moore was responsible for the choreography.

Victor and Karina – Salsa
VICTOR-ESPINOZA
Victor talks about his height difference with Karina as well as his short term memory problems from various concussions. Oh boy. I’m laughing. Okay. Victor is cute. He has some decent moves but they aren’t exactly sharp or on point as much as they should be in a salsa. Karina put some “horse choreography” in there, which is good for a chuckle, but this isn’t really what you would call a salsa dance by any means. I will say that the energy is high and Victor has the right attitude throughout the dance but obviously, he needs some work as the show progresses.

Click to Watch Victor and Karina’s Salsa VIDEO

Julianne says it was fun and interesting. She was surprised that Victor wasn’t so stiff. Bruno wanted some more salsa basics and he wanted Victor on time more. Carrie Ann thought Victor was adorable. She loved the energy but agreed, no salsa was in the dance.
Carrie Ann- 5
Julianne- 5
Bruno- 5
Total: 15/30
On this first week, you can vote for Victor and Karina by calling 1-855-234-5613 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

Tamar and Val – Quickstep
TAMAR-BRAXTON
Tamar wants to put a pep back in her step. The rehearsals are funny. Tamar calls Val her annoying little brother. This is pretty fantastic for week one! So fast. So much good footwork here. Lots of energy and Tamar looks solid in hold. She is totally in this dance and it shows. Nothing over the top about Val’s choreography here but it wasn’t necessary. This is just a really good quickstep that shows Tamar is here to work hard and do well. A totally solid job and I am impressed.

Click to Watch Tamar & Val’s Quickstep VIDEO

Bruno loved the content and how Tamar kept up the pace. He mentioned a little error in foot placement. Carrie Ann was blown away. She says the quickstep is one of the hardest dances. Julianne loved the elegance and femininity. She wants her to work on her hold a bit so she doesn’t lean forward.
Carrie Ann- 8
Julianne- 7
Bruno- 8
Total: 23/30
On this first week, you can vote for Tamar and Val by calling 1-855-234-5612 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

*Of course, Val has to say something to disagree with the judges by saying Tamar doesn’t need to arch her back at all. Just take the compliments and good scores for week one dude!

Chaka and Keo – Cha Cha Cha
CHAKA-KHAN
Chaka loves that Keo is tall, dark, and handsome. Keo is a Prince in his hometown and loves that he is dancing with the Queen of funk. Rehearsals with these two are fun. Chaka is coming down from the ceiling on a pedestal. I want to give Chaka high marks on energy but unfortunately, this was a very weak cha cha cha. Chaka is smiling from ear to ear but she is a bit lost. The dancing is more… what Chaka would do in a club rather than a proper latin dance. She needs work. But kudos to her for going out and trying.

Click to Watch Chaka and Keo’s Cha Cha Cha VIDEO

Carrie Ann loves Chaka. She thought it was super fun but Chaka forgot a lot of choreography. Julianne found the entrance glorious. She wants Chaka to work on the space around her when she dances. Bruno loves the funk but he found the cha cha cha technique wasn’t correct.
Carrie Ann- 5
Julianne- 4
Bruno- 4
Total: 13/30
On this first week, you can vote for Chaka and Keo by calling 1-855-234-5606 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

Hayes and Emma – Cha Cha Cha
HAYES-GRIER
Emma has no clue about what the latest teen craves are. Hayes is having a weird time in rehearsals. He thinks they need to merge worlds as the season goes on. Alright. Hayes is okay. Nothing amazing but nothing dreadful either. He had some nice cha cha cha moves, though his timing could use a bit of work. He also needs to get more comfortable with the steps and be more in the dance. Practice definitely helps with those things and I think Hayes could have the potential to do quite well if he works hard.

Click to Watch Hayes and Emma’s Cha Cha Cha VIDEO

Julianne thinks Hayes has a natural ability. She wants him to work on his core strength and he needs to open his eyes. Bruno could watch Hayes for an hour. He liked his musicality but wanted him sharper. Carrie Ann makes a joke about Hayes age. She thought Hayes was fun to watch but has room to grow.
Carrie Ann- 7
Julianne- 7
Bruno- 7
Total: 21/30
On this first week, you can vote for Hayes and Emma by calling 1-855-234-5608 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

Andy & Allison – Foxtrot
ANDY-GRAMMER
Andy mentions that he has very little dance experience. He is doing this for his mother. He says she would have loved to have been a part of this show. Oops. We almost had a drop as Andy dipped Allison. Good recovery though. Andy definitely screams potential. But he needs practice because everything in that dance could have been done a lot better. It wasn’t bad or anything but you could tell that this is the type of routine that could be stellar if done properly. It was a nicely done foxtrot though for week one.

Click to Watch Andy & Allison’s Foxtrot VIDEO

Bruno thought Andy was a bit jerky but definitely elegant. Carrie Ann felt the tenderness but thought Andy was a bit nervous and the connection with Allison needs to be better. Julianne disagreed. She liked the musicality and connection. The shoulders need some work but she loved that Andy was very present in the dance.
Carrie Ann- 7
Julianne- 7
Bruno- 7
Total: 21/30
On this first week, you can vote for Andy and Allison by calling 1-855-234-5603 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

Paula and Louis – Quickstep
paula-deen
Paula mentions how long it has been since she has proper danced. Louis realizes he needs a lot of patience because Paula is so easily distracted. Oh boy. Louis really made this one easy. Simple foxtrot choreography and Paula wasn’t able to quite nail it. She was lost a few times, especially toward the end. She really needed Louis to basically tell her what to do and to move her around. The dancing wan’t exactly the most horrendous thing I have seen on this show but Paula needs to really chill out a bit, practice hard, and concentrate. And Louis needs to step up the choreography because every other couple will as we go along.

Click to Watch Paula and Louis’s Quickstep VIDEO

Carrie Ann sees potential. She felt Paula was being dragged around. It didn’t quite come together. Julianne felt Paula was holding on to Louis for dear life. Bruno wants Paula to relax. Bruno doesn’t want Paula to be scared.
Carrie Ann- 5
Julianne- 5
Bruno- 5
Total: 15/30
On this first week, you can vote for Paula and Louis by calling 1-855-234-5611 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

* So, Paula is one of those couples who makes jokes yet complains and makes some excuses. That could get a bit grating if she doesn’t improve a whole lot as we go forward. But good luck to her.

Time for a video package showcasing the first ever married couple on the show competing together- Carlos and Alexa. They talk all about how weird it is to compete against one another but you can tell it is all love and they just want one another to do well. Very funny moments in rehearsals between the two couples getting close.

Carlos & Witney – Jive
CARLOS-PENAVEGA
Damn. Awesome jive! Carlos and Witney are a bundle of energy and then some. Wow. Some awesome kicks and flicks. Witney is such a good choreographer because she always works to her partner’s strength. What is strong about Carlos is his ability to feel the music and to be confident in his steps. Sure, some of the dance is a bit hectic but first week nerves and the fact that this is… a jive adds to that. I think Carlos could be a major force if he can sustain his energy while still refining that technique. The tools are definitely there. I thought it was the strongest dance of the night so far or at least very much on par with Tamar and Val earlier.

Click to Watch Carlos & Witney’s Jive VIDEO

Julianne thinks Carlos is the most natural performer we have seen so far tonight. She wants even more. Bruno wants to see the devil inside Carlos. He loved the performance. He wanted some work on the kicks and flicks. Carrie Ann compliments the musicality. She thought it was fabulous.
Carrie Ann- 8
Julianne- 8
Bruno- 7
Total: 23/30
On this first week, you can vote for Carlos and Witney by calling 1-855-234-5605 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

Odd. No scores for Carlos until Alexa dances? Ok show… relax on the married couple competition. It isn’t that serious.

Alexa and Mark – Jive
ALEXA-PENAVEGA
Good dance from Alexa. Some nice moves in that. Similar to her husband, a bit hectic. This jive has so much content and is so fast paced that while Alexa keeps up well, it can look a tad messy. In my book, since the show seems adamant on making this husband/wife thing look serious, Carlos had the better jive but Alexa came very close. If I had to give her a critique, it would just be to remember that even a high energy dance needs to be grounded a bit so it looks like you are a professional. But again, for week one, doing a jive… really strong. Both PenaVega’s should be proud of their work tonight.

Click to Watch Alexa and Mark’s Jive VIDEO

Bruno thought it was hot, sexy, and wild. Carrie Ann loved the sensuality. She wants Alexa to watch the arm that isn’t in hold because it does weird things. Julianne felt the dance had a lot of content and wants the connection to be stronger.
Carrie Ann- 7
Julianne- 7
Bruno- 8
Total: 22/30
On this first week, you can vote for Alexa and Mark by calling 1-855-234-5602 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

Kim and Tony – Salsa
KIM-ZOLCIAK-BIERMANN
Kim’s biggest thing is getting out of her comfort zone. She is already crying in rehearsals. What is this? This is a very slow salsa. If someone like Paula, Chaka, or Gary were doing it, I would understand a bit more. But why is Kim dancing around like she is walking on hot coals and scared to death? Ouch. There isn’t much salsa in here at all. The dancing isn’t impossibly weak but boy does she need rehearsal and confidence. She needs to really believe she can actually dance. Just work on the steps and the confidence girl.

Click to Watch Kim and Tony’s Salsa VIDEO

Carrie Ann tells Kim she did it. She gives her advice. She tells her to go for it and don’t hold back. She thought it was the bare minimum. Julianne knows Kim can do better. She felt it was like slow motion. Bruno says the dance could be grounds for divorce. She has to deliver.
Carrie Ann- 4
Julianne- 4
Bruno- 4
Total: 12/30
On this first week, you can vote for Kim and Tony by calling 1-855-234-5609 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

Bindi and Derek – Jive
BINDI-IRWIN
Bindi has so much energy and Derek loves it. Bindi wants to make her dad proud as well as everyone down under. Lots of fun rehearsing from these two. So much energy and fun during this dance. Nice kicks and flicks and enough smiles to keep even the grumpiest dentist happy. What a joyous jive. That’s the best way to describe it. Bindi definitely has the potential to really soar in this competition if she’s that good in week one. I don’t really have precise notes for her because the dances tonight are so darn short but from what I saw and know of a jive, Bindi did it. Strongest of the night so far!

Click to Watch Bindi and Derek’s Jive VIDEO

Julianne thought Bindi had the best performance of the night. Bruno calls her the wonder from down under. He says she has adorable charm. Carrie Ann calls her a superstar. She loved the energy.
Carrie Ann- 8
Julianne- 8
Bruno- 8
Total: 24/30
On this first week, you can vote for Bindi and Derek by calling 1-855-234-5604 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

Gary and Anna – Cha Cha Cha
GARY-BUSEY
Gary is completely lost in rehearsal. Anna wants Gary to breathe. She admits teaching him is a bit of a challenge. Oh man. LOL. LOL. I mean, come on now. Gary is such a hot mess but this is so damn entertaining. The cha cha cha content is weak. The dancing on a whole is weak. There’s nothing really exceptional here to talk about except the fact that this is something I can’t take my eyes off of. I just want to watch it on repeat. Gary seems like he is having a blast and it shows. Of course, this can get tiring after a few weeks if Gary doesn’t improve (and I’m not he can) but for week one, I was smiling. Too funny people. Too funny.

Click to Watch Gary and Anna’s Cha Cha Cha VIDEO

Bruno thought it was crazy but he had to watch. Carrie Ann thought Gary gave it his all. Julianne calls Gary larger than life. She doesn’t know how much of a cha cha cha it was but she was entertained.
Carrie Ann- 5
Julianne- 5
Bruno- 5
Total: 15/30
On this first week, you can vote for Gary and Anna by calling 1-855-234-5607 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

* Seriously, Gary’s chatter with Tom, the judges, and Erin backstage is worth a comedy emmy. OMG.

Alek and Lindsay – Foxtrot
ALEK-SKARLATOS
We get to see Alek’s story, which is just an inspiring now as it has been since it first happened. Hey, this is quite good for Alek’s first dance. I am impressed. That was a nice and pleasant foxtrot with some good hold, nice rise and fall, and lovely elegance. Lindsay put some good stuff in here for him. Alek looks totally into it and not as lost or shy as I expected. He actually held his own out there very well. Maybe I came into this dance with such low expectations that I am praising more than I should but this was really solid for me.

Click to Watch Alek and Lindsay’ Foxtrot VIDEO

Carrie Ann did not expect that. Carrie Ann thought it was one of the best dances of the night. Lindsay gets complimented. Julianne calls it the surprise of the night. She says Alek is representing everyone in America. She’s happy for him. Bruno says Alek was born to ballroom. He wants him to be careful with linking the moves but he thought it was outstanding.
Carrie Ann- 8
Julianne- 7
Bruno- 7
Total: 22/30
On this first week, you can vote for Alek and Lindsay by calling 1-855-234-5601 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

Nick and Sharna – Cha Cha Cha
NICK-CARTER
Sharna is being a fan girl and Nick is a bit insecure about his dancing. As expected, Nick is damn good dancer. Very strong cha cha cha to close the show and probably the strongest cha cha cha of the evening. Some really great musicality and Nick looks zoned in. Sharna looks fantastic and again, awesome choreography. She is another one who knows how to make her dances work for whoever her partner is. The good thing is that Nick wasn’t so overly perfect that I think he will totally run away with the show. He has some real competition from a few others but let’s be honest.. this is Nick Carter. If he can keep up this level and perhaps even improve more, he has an amazing shot at the trophy.

Click to Watch Nick and Sharna’s Cha Cha Cha VIDEO

Julianne is being a fan girl as well. Julianne compliments the night and says Nick was on it and the choreography was creative. Bruno tells Nick to continue on like this all the way to the finals. WOW. Carrie Ann thought it was excellent but thought the beginning was a bit weak.
Carrie Ann- 8
Julianne- 8
Bruno- 8
Total: 24/30
On this first week, you can vote for Nick and Sharna by calling 1-855-234-5610 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at abc.com and/or https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Pacific time Tuesday morning.

Judge Leaderboard After Week One
Nick & Sharna – 24/30
Bindi & Derek – 24/30
Carlos & Witney – 23/30
Tamar & Val – 23/30
Alek & Lindsay – 22/30
Alexa & Mark – 22/30
Hayes & Emma – 21/30
Andy & Allison – 21/30
Paula & Louis – 15/30
Victor & Karina – 15/30
Chaka & Keo – 13/30
Kim & Tony – 12/30

And with that, the first night of the season comes to a close. What did you think of the season premiere? Did any of the couples surprise you? Do you have a favorite? Any underwhelming performances? We will have polls up in a new post shortly. I hope you guys enjoyed watching along with me tonight. As usual, I had a blast. :D

Upcoming schedule…
Tomorrow night (9/15)- Clip show from tonight with extra footage.
Next Monday (9/21)- New episode and first elimination.
Next Tuesday (9/22)- New episode and second elimination.