Dancing with the Stars “Season 23 Premiere” 

The competition for the Mirror Ball trophy starts again. Yes, we are back with Season 23! It’s the premiere so all we have right now are some pre-conceived notions on how the contestants will do. Did the newbie ballroom dancers live up to the hype or did they let us down?

Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Julianne Hough and Bruno Tonioli were ready to go. One incident almost derailed the fun. It had everyone talking. Before we get to the Lochte news, we’re going to break down the dances. Let’s see how the couples did:

Marilu Henner and Derek Hough
Dance: Jive
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3408

Marilu looked pretty amazing. It’s not easy being the first of the season but she did it with ease and grace. I agree with Julianne that she gets so excited she hunches her shoulders a bit. But she was right on rhythm and she could actually be a contender. It’s nice to have Derek back in the ballroom.

Score: Carrie Ann-7, Len-7, Julianne-6, Bruno-7; Total: 27

James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess
Dance: Foxtrot
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3405

Of course I didn’t know what to expect from the race car driver, but he wasn’t bad. He was elegant and if he improves every week, he could go all the way. It looked like he was slightly nervous because he was concentrating so hard. I personally think he should have gotten all 7s but I’m not the judge.

Score: Carrie Ann-8, Len-8, Julianne-7, Bruno-8; Total: 31

Calvin Johnson Jr. and Lindsay Arnold
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3403

Calvin’s sister and a lot of others said he couldn’t dance. Well folks, he wasn’t bad. He came out with a lot of charisma and was in time with Lindsay. He just has to work on his technique, but he is in it to prove that people were wrong about him. Calvin is on his way.

Score: Carrie Ann-7, Len-6, Julianne-6, Bruno-7; Total: 26

Maureen McCormick and Artem Chigvintsev
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3409

Marcia Brady is 60 years old. Yeah, think about that. In the taped segment that was shown before their dance, you can see how emotional Maureen was to be on Dancing With the Stars.

Even Mrs. Brady showed up to support her TV daughter. As far as the dance goes, Maureen needs to connect more with Artem. But, otherwise, she did a lovely job, because she’s a lovely lady. (Anyone that gets that, is as much of a TV addict as I am)

Score: Carrie Ann-6, Len-5, Julianne-5, Bruno-6; Total: 22

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Allison Holker
Dance: Foxtrot
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3402

When Allison asked Babyface why he came on the show he said it was because he wanted to honor his mom and do something out of his comfort zone. She passed away in the last year. Babyface really came out and showed that he is a natural. He has some work to do on the technique, but the performance and musicality was excellent. And, seriously Allison, did you really have a baby and look like that? Annoying, isn’t it?

Score: Carrie Ann-7, Len-6, Julianne-6, Bruno-7; Total: 26

Amber Rose and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Foxtrot
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3401

Amber is really graceful but I thought she lost her confidence a little bit. During the dance, she would be doing really well and then disconnect. I think it was just nerves but it looks like Maks is the perfect match for her. I agree with Julianne and Carrie Ann she is not giving herself enough credit. She is a good dancer. She could do very well in the competition.

Score: Carrie Ann-6, Len-6, Julianne-6, Bruno-6; Total: 24

Vanilla Ice and Witney Carson
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3413

Apparently Vanilla Ice hadn’t even watched the show before he agreed to be on it. I don’t really get that, but he’s here. They used a lot of his moves from the early ’90s and not enough Cha Cha. He is a good dancer but he needs to work on more content and the details for next week.

Score: Carrie Ann-7, Len-5, Julianne-6, Bruno-7; Total: 25

Jana Kramer and Gleb Savchenko
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3406

First thing about these two: their chemistry is off the charts! I just wanted to shout, “Get a Room!” I didn’t know much about Jana but, obviously, she has rhythm and great lines. I think this is the couple everyone is going to wonder if they are hooking up this season. I also forgot how hot Gleb was. Welcome back.

Score: Carrie Ann-7, Len-6, Julianne- 6,Bruno-8; Total: 27

Jake T. Austin and Jenna Johnson
Dance: Jive
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3404

Jenna and Jake seemed like a good match. He really had trouble keeping up with Jenna and lost his place a lot. He seemed to blame it a little on Jenna which, to me, is bad form. I hope that he changes his thinking a bit and just lets Jenna lead the way. Time will tell.

Score: Carrie Ann-5, Len-6, Julianne-5, Bruno-6; Total: 22

Gov. Rick Perry and Emma Slater
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3410

He’s not the worst dancer that has ever been on the show but he’s definitely not the best. He put his all into it so you have to give him credit for that. His daughter’s wedding is coming up and he wanted to come on the show to learn how to dance. I’m thinking he might be in jeopardy next week. A couple of weeks are good enough training for the wedding, right?

Score: Carrie Ann-5, Len-5, Julianne-5, Bruno-5; Total: 20

Terra Jolé and Sasha Farber
Dance: Jive
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3412

She is the first little person on any version of Dancing with the Stars in the world. She was great and could perform. Terra was concerned that she be treated like any other dancer. Well she turned it out and really worked it. She just had a baby and is rocking the dance floor. Terra and Sasha make a great team. She thinks she is the underdog but is she? I don’t think so.

Score: Carrie Ann-7, Len-6, Julianne-6, Bruno-6; Total: 25

Ryan Lochte and Cheryl Burke
Dance: Foxtrot
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3411

Ryan danced pretty well, but has things to work on. Unfortunately, while Carrie Ann started giving her critique two protestors rushed the stage towards Ryan and Cheryl. Apparently, they were yelling a lot of anti-Lochte thngs. They didn’t show the incident because the camera was on Carrie Ann with a split screen of Ryan and Cheryl during their dance. Tom being the professional he is went to commercial. Security threw the instigators out immediately.

I had mixed emotions about him being on the show, but what these people did was not okay. They could have protested outside the studio, which isn’t great but coming into the show that millions of people love is not how to make your point. I hope Ryan keeps going next week. I know Cheryl will make sure he is on top of it.

Score: Carrie Ann-6, Len-6, Julianne-6, Bruno-6; Total: 24

Laurie Hernandez and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3407

After the all the craziness, the energy took a turn back to joy and fun. Laurie and Val came out and gave, I think, the best performance of the night. I knew Laurie would be really good, but this is the girl to beat. She is incredible. Laurie and Val have a great partnership. She isn’t resting on her gymnastics to get her through; she really wants to learn and is happy to be on the show.

Score: Carrie Ann-8, Len-8, Julianne- 7,Bruno-8; Total: 31

Favorite Quotes

Bruno: “How you manage those feet…”
Erin: “Sequins bring out a different side of you.”
Tom: “Suddenly, I’m happier to be here now.”
Tom: “Impending fatherhood makes one very mature.”
Vanilla Ice: “What’s a Mirror Ball?”
Erin: “If we can concentrate on Rick Perry doing the running man.”
Tom: “Len, when you put the 5 up you got a few different finger gestures.”
Tom: “By the way, we will pause briefly for our affiliates to take cold showers.”
Tom: “By the way, I want to applaud our audience, your booing has gotten more professional.”

First show down and there are many good dancers. What are your thoughts on the new cast this season? Who do you want to win? Talk to you next week.

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 airs at 8/7c central on ABC Monday nights. But next week, DWTS will be on Monday and Tuesday!