Dancing with the Stars “Season 22 Episode 1” aka Premiere Week 

It’s Premiere week!! Len Goodman is back and all is right with the world. Well, let’s not go crazy. After all, there is no Derek. Once again, the Mirror Ball Trophy is up for grabs. The most surprising thing this season, there are a lot of good dancers, some more shocking than others. This is an anything-can-happen season which makes it much more interesting. Here is how the couples did on the first night:

Kim Fields and Sasha Farber
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3406

• Kim is awesome! I didn’t know what to expect but I am excited she is on the show. Len is back and gave her constructive criticism! He’s not grumpy yet, but that probably won’t last. Tootie knows how to get down!

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

Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas
Dance: Foxtrot
Phone Number: 800-868-3410

• Who knew a UFC fighter had grace and could move so well? I agree with Bruno, she was so light on her feet. I forgot that she beats up other women for a living. Paige is an athlete, which gives her an advantage. I look forward to seeing how she progresses.

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

Doug Flutie and Karina Smirnoff
Dance: Foxtrot
Phone Number: 800-868-3402

• You can see that Doug is out of his comfort zone. But on the other hand, you can see how hard he is working. He needs to relax his body more. He has a lot of things to practice but he is enjoying himself.

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

Jodie Sweetin and Keo Motsepe
Dance: Tango
Phone Number: 800-868-3405

• I have high hopes for Jodie and I think she did very well. She has some weird facial expressions but overall she is definitely a contender! It looks like Keo is finally going to get past the first week of competition. (Sidebar: Remember when Stephanie Tanner was hip-hop dancing and it became too much for her? I guess it paid off)

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

Geraldo Rivera and Edyta Sliwinska
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 800-868-3403

• I don’t really have the words to describe what I just watched. It seems like he was just walking and watching his pro. It was a little uncomfortable, to say the least. Poor Edyta has been gone for 12 seasons and she comes back to this.

Score: Carrie Ann-5, Len-4, Bruno-4 Total: 13

Marla Maples and Tony Dovolani
Dance: Quickstep
Phone Number: 800-868-3407

• We have to remember she’s been on Broadway. She really is smooth and polished. It will be interesting to see her doing the Latin dances. But to start the competition with the Quickstep is crazy and she passed.

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

Wanya Morris and Lindsay Arnold
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 800-868-3412

• I enjoyed Wanya Morris a lot. He has some work to do when it comes to technique but the boy can dance. Even though Len didn’t love the hip-hop part because he is a purist. I agree with him that if Wanya and Lindsay continue dancing this way, they will go to the end.

Score: Carrie Ann-8, Len-7, Bruno-8 Total: 23

Ginger Zee and Val Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Jive
Phone Number: 800-868-3404

• When I saw her in previews she seemed super awkward. It’s nice to see that she isn’t really that way. She has some details that she must work on, but she looks like she is having the best time of her life. I thought that the scores were slightly high but she is someone to watch.

Score: Carrie Ann-8, Len-7, Bruno-8 Total: 23

Mischa Barton and Artem Chigvintsev
Dance: Tango
Phone Number: 800-868-3408

• Mischa is clearly not a natural dancer. I think she needs to loosen up a bit. She hit all the movements but needs to work on musicality and content. I get a feeling that she is a bit difficult but hopefully that is not the case. She needs a little more joy in her life.

Score: Carrie Ann-5, Len-5, Bruno-6 Total: 16

Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 800-868-3409

• Nyle is completely deaf and he danced better than most of the other contestants. That’s outstanding. Peta did an incredible job. The model says he just copies and watches her and that’s how he feels the music. When I heard about this guy being on the show, I thought why are they doing this? Now I know, he is an inspiration.

Score: Carrie Ann-8, Len-7, Bruno-8 Total: 23

Antonio Brown and Sharna Burgess
Dance: Quickstep
Phone Number: 800-868-3401

• The second football player of the night proved why athletes do so well on this show. He’s charming and entertaining. He has some frame issues but he went for it. He is on fire.

Score: Carrie Ann-8, Len-6, Bruno-7 Total: 21

Von Miller and Witney Carson
Dance: Foxtrot
Phone Number: 800-868-3411

• He’s the MVP of this year’s Super Bowl. How would he be in the ballroom? I think he did a nice job. He kept his hold with a bit of hip-hop. He needs to work on his posture and some technique but he is fun to watch.

Score: Carrie Ann-8, Len-6, Bruno-7 Total: 21

Favorite Quotes

Tom: “And we’re off!”
Tom: “I’ll have what’s she’s having!”
Tom: “You have not lost that quiet look of disdain. It’s like riding a bicycle.”
Tom: “There’s a conversation.”
Len: “There was more packed into that then Bruno’s make-up bag.”
Len: “It’s not in my nature to be nasty.”
Tom: “Carrie Ann, decaf, try it!”

This is truly the first season that I feel like I don’t have a clue who will win. Every season you worry that you won’t get invested but we are. Who do you like? Remember to vote!

Dancing with the Stars Season 22 airs Monday nights at 8/7c on ABC.