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ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" season 16 kicked off Monday night as the new 2013 contestants strapped on their dancing shoes and took the stage for the first time. Here's the week 1 recap:
In this season's premiere episode, the 12 "stars" (though some of them are unheard of) and their seasoned partners showcase the three dance styles of the fox trot, cha-cha, and contemporary (even though that's not even ballroom), as they partner up and perform in front of the usual judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli, and a live audience in their DWTS debut.
Dancing With the Stars 2013 hopefuls include: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Star Lisa Vanderpump,Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, American Idol cutie Kellie Pickler, Bachelor stud Sean Lowe, comedian Andy Dick, boxer Victor Ortiz, former figure skater Dorothy Hamill, Disney starlet Zendaya, soap star Ingo Rademacher, country superstar Wynonna Judd, funny man D.L. Hughley and Super Bowl winner Jacoby Jones.
The first pair to test out their partnering in the cha-cha was Kellie Pickler, sporting her new short hair-do and pro Derek Hough. As the "look-alikes" sizzled while dancing to a cover of Jesse J's "Domino," Pickler showed off her fabulous lines and flexibility. Receiving triple 7's across the board, the former "American Idol" singer, who Carrie said had "sass" and "class," takes her spot as one of the front-runners for season 16. (Score=21)
The second couple to duke it out on the dance floor was new pro Lindsay Arnold and Victor Cruise, who left his boxing gloves behind for the foxtrot performance to Maroon 5's "Daylight." Bruno commends the boxer's dance debut by noting "What a wonderful combination of boyish charm and Latino passion" he had and Carrie chimed in with "You Sparkle." That's all you got Carrie? It's only the first episode! The pairs' decent foxtrot earns them three 6's from the judges. (Score=18)
Next up was "team Aussie" consisting of pro Kym Johnson and blue-eyed Ingo Rademacher as they showcased a new genre for DWTS: contemporary. The barefoot, passionate dancers had mixed reviews from the judges receiving a 7,6,7. Bruno said: " That was good. It was a bit like watching Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook." He meant that as a compliment we're guessing? Ingo & Kym will have to win over the less impressed Len who gave them the 6. (Score=20)
Gleb, another newbie this season, and Lisa Vanderpump took the stage (with her stuffed-animal looking pup Giggy nearby of course) and began their foxtrot. Lisa looked a little hesitant in the dance, but seemed to have potential. Len liked her "fluidity," but said it was "acceptable, not exceptional." Bruno criticized her posture, but said "the lines were good." Carrie Ann: "You were out of sync a little bit... Hold your own." Giggy, sporting a canine tux, joined Lisa as she awaited her scores which were all 6's tying her with Victor & Linsday. (Score=18)
D.L/"Boogie Fantastic" made his dancing debut with Cheryl while attempting to cha cha. "I have legs of a chicken but heart of a lion," he told partner Cheryl Burke. His cha cha was uhh pretty bad, and D.L. should probably stick to telling jokes rather than dancing. Earning the lowest scores of the night with all 4's, the judges were not too impressed. Bruno: 'D.L., O.M.G." Carrie Ann: "That was yikes. Whoa." Len said, "This was no good." Poor Cheryl may be going home pretty early on this season. (Score=12)
Following the worst performance came the best performance as Zendaya and Val danced a contemporary routine. Although the Disney star is the youngest cast member ever to dance on the show, she is definitely the best dancer of the bunch (which is kind of unfair considering her dance background). It was obvious from the first few seconds to see that the girl is talented. The most exciting part of the well-danced performance was Zendaya spinning off the judges table into Val's arms. She nailed the choreography and earned the first standing-ovation of the competition. The judges agreed with the audience as they gave three 8's to the strong pair, making them the highest scorers of the night. Carrie Ann called it "amazing" and "mature," Len said it was "great," and Bruno called it "superb." (Score=24)
ABC's now off-the-market "bachelor" Sean Lowe performed with partner Peta next, explaining that he wanted to learn to dance on DWTS so that he wouldn't be embarrassed at his wedding. His new fiance Catherine Giudici (probably mad that she still has to watch her man hold on to other women) watched from the audience as the dance "virgin" uncomfortably fox-trotted with his partner. It was apparent that Sean had never danced before, looking a bit awkward on the dance floor (but studly as always in his suit). Covering up Lowe's lack of skills, the pair seemed to pull off a playful foxtrot that delighted the crowd. Len said, "It lacked finesse," but his posture was good. Bruno noted that, "For a dance virgin, you have a very good pelvic thrust." Bruno said it was a "Chippendales version of a ballroom dance," and told him he needs to "refine" his act. Carrie Ann praised his "fearless exuberance." They gave the couple 7, 6, 6. (Score=19)
Olympian gymnast Aly Raisman (and her boobs) made their debut next as she cha-cha'ed with Mark Ballas. It seemed like the only part of her body that Aly was letting loose while performing was her breasts as they poured out of her dress (can we cut to Papa Raisman's reaction?) Nevertheless, the gymnast showed potential in her semi-stiff dance to the One Direction tune and seemed to have much chemistry with cutie Ballas. Bruno was impressed and said "You are ready to burst out, big-time!" Carrie Ann wanted her to "push just a little more." Len loved the "vitality," but told her that her legs needed to be "crisper." The couple received three 7's (the seemingly most popular number of the episode.) Raisman will be one to watch this season, as previous gymnasts have done very well on the show. (Score=21)
Dorothy Hamill is another athlete to keep an eye on this season as the ice-skater and her good-looking partner Tristan gracefully tackled contemporary choreography to Elton John's Tiny Dancer. Dorothy danced beautifully and also earned a standing ovation from the crowd. Carrie Ann said, "That performance was golden," noting how "heartfelt" it was. Len praised the dance's "outstanding beauty." Bruno said she "told the story beautifully." Once again, all 7's showed across the board, leveling Dorothy with Aly & Kelly. (Score=21)
Next up was Wyonna Judd with partner Tony as they took the floor for a not-so-fierce cha cha cha to I've Got The Music in Me (random song choice?) Sister Ashley and mom Naomi were spotted cheering her on in the crowd. Len said it was "a little bit careful," but said he liked it. Bruno said her "timing was good," but told her to "go more for it." Carrie Ann: "Give it more. You got it, honey. It's there." The mediocre performance earned the pair three 6's tying them with Lisa and Gleb and Victor & Lindsay. (Score=18)
Newly sober Andy Dick partnered with new pro Sharna for a fox-trot. We couldn't help to feel bad for him as he explained his rough couple of years and broke down in rehearsal, frustrated over his inability to get the steps. His foxtrot was at times more of a walk than a dance, but his effort was notable. "It was like watching Woody Allen do the foxtrot," said Bruno. Carrie Ann said there's "something quite charming about you," but she said he has to work on "pancake hands and pancake feet." Len said there were "moments of a sophistication," but it lacked "fluidity." Andy earned 6, 5, 6, the second lowest score of the night. (Score=17)
The last performance of the night came from the "Raven" Jacoby Jacobs and partner Karina Smirnoff. The football player, clad in team colors purple and gold, showed much energy in his cha cha and picked up the moves quickly, considering his recent knee surgery and having less time to practice with his partner. "You definitely have the moves," said Carrie Ann, who likened it to a "big ol' medley of touchdown dances." Len wasn't as nice saying said the "technique was terrible," citing bad posture and bad footwork. Bruno said, "You can grind it... but you have to really work on your foot placement." A 7, 6, 7 was given to the final dancers, landing them in the middle with Ingo. (Score=20)
Who will go home this week, and who will get another chance to show what they've got? Stay tuned...
