Dancing with the Stars “Season 18 Week 1” 

And let the games begin! It was a great start to Season 18 of Dancing with the Stars. There were changes which we will discuss. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised how well the dancing was in the premiere.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure but I think this is going to be a great season. I also am going to write some of my favorite quotes every week. But first let’s break down each couple:

Nene Leakes and Tony Dovolani  
Dance: Cha Cha

• Boy, did the show start off with a bang!  And her name is Nene Leakes!!!!  I thought the girl did great and she brings something to the ballroom that only she can! Can she improve? Yes she can but she did great for the first dance.

Score: 7-Carrie Ann, 7- Len, 7-Bruno; Total: 21

Voting number: 800-868-3401

James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd
Dance: Foxtrot

• So in their taped package we learned that Peta and James had gone out a few times. (Can you say, awkward?) Of course they are going to be watched closely now. They did a great job and there is chemistry.

Score: 7-Carrie Ann, 7- Len, 7-Bruno; Total: 21

Voting number: 800-868-3402

Danica McKellar and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Foxtrot

• They did a good job. But she needs to tone down the enthusiasm a little bit. She is clearly a fan and I am curious to see how she does with the Latin dances.

Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 8- Len, 8-Bruno; Total: 24

Voting number: 800-868-3403

Sean Avery and Karina Smirnoff
Dance: Contemporary

• I’m a fan of his. I think next week we will see more dancing from him. His lifts were great but I need to see more. He has the passion, personality and movement.

Score: 7-Carrie Ann, 6- Len, 7-Bruno; Total: 20

Voting number: 800-868-3404

Billy Dee Williams and Emma Slater
Dance: Cha Cha

• I don’t know what to say about this. He is such a legend.  He was very low energy but did stay with the routine.

Score: 5-Carrie Ann, 5- Len, 5-Bruno; Total: 15

Voting number: 800-868-3405

Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Cha Cha

• She was great! Of course we knew she would be. Maks is so happy right now.

Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 8- Len, 8-Bruno; Total: 24

Voting number: 800-868-3406

Candace Cameron Bure and Mark Ballas
Dance: Contemporary

• I didn’t think she could dance but she totally proved me wrong. This was a beautiful dance. I think I need to see her in different styles of dance to see if she is versatile.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 8- Len, 8-Bruno; Total: 25

Voting number: 800-868-3407

Cody Simpson and Witney Carson
Dance: Cha Cha

• The kid is an international Rock Star. He dates a Model (Gigi, who is Yolanda’s daughter from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). He was good.

Score: 7-Carrie Ann, 7- Len, 8-Bruno; Total: 22

Voting number: 800-868-3408

Drew Carey and Cheryl Burke
Dance: Foxtrot

• I enjoyed this dance and he did as well. He is going to be the Jack Osbourne and Bill Engvall of the season. Cheryl is a great teacher.

Score: 7-Carrie Ann, 7- Len, 7-Bruno; Total: 21

Voting number: 800-868-3409

Amy Purdy and Derek Hough
Dance: Cha Cha

• I was a little nervous for her. But she was great! Derek is amazing at using his partner’s strengths to the best of their advantage. This girl can do anything.

Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 8- Len, 8-Bruno; Total: 24

Voting number: 800-868-3410

Diana Nyad and Henry Byalikov
Dance: Foxtrot

• It was a nice dance. She has a great sense of humor. She has some work to do but as she said, “It’s not how you start, it’s where you are in the end.” Words to live by.

Score: 6-Carrie Ann, 6- Len, 6-Bruno; Total: 18

Voting number: 800-868-3411

Charlie White and Sharna Burgess
Dance: Contemporary

• What can I say, one of the most amazing dances. We knew it would be good and it was great.  Beautiful job.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 9- Len, 9-Bruno; Total: 27

Voting number: 800-868-3412

Favorite Quotes

Tom: “She has Mark Ballas syndrome.” (Referring to the judges’ comments on Danica’s expressions)

Tom: “When Val starts translating for someone, it’s the sign of the apocalypse.” (Speaking for Danica because she was so excited)

Len: “You’re also good on wood.” (Referring to the fact that Meryl can dance on the floor.  He didn’t realize how it sounded, but Carrie Ann should did!)

Erin: “If Maks was your partner, he wouldn’t say that.” (Referring to a compliment given by one of the pros to their partner.)

The contestants knew there was going to be a twist announced at the end of the show. It is that the celebrities told the producers what dances they were most interested in learning. They didn’t know this was happening either and some even didn’t realize that they said it. Here are the dances the pros have to do and teach and make happen by next Monday:

Nene & Tony: Jive

Amy & Derek: Swing

Meryl & Maks: Swing

Candace & Mark: Rhumba

Danica & Val: Samba

Cheryl & Drew: Jive

Sean & Karina: Salsa

James & Peta: Salsa

Diana & Henry: Cha Cha

Cody & Witney: Tango

Billy Dee & Emma: Tango

Charlie & Sharna: Tango

I think Erin Andrews is a great change to the show. The new band is good, even though I love Harold Wheeler and his orchestra too. I also like how they put the judges back on their original side of the ballroom. (Not that it really matters but for some reason it bugged me last year).  There is a lot to look forward to this season.

Can’t wait for week two!

Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.