Dancing with the Stars “Season 25 Week 1” aka Premiere Week 

In the first week of the 25th season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, there were surprises and more than one frontrunner quickly materialized.

The judges’ scoring was very inconsistent to what I was seeing on the dance floor. Another oddity: only one judge per performance could speak since there were 13 couples and not enough time. There was a lot to take in. Let’s see how everyone did:

Terrell Owens and Cheryl Burke
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 800-868-3411

Well ex-NFL WR Terrell Owens came out first and didn’t disappoint. He has personality already, but he also has rhythm and if he continues to dance like this he will shine. He just has to keep listening to Cheryl Burke and not get cocky (Something he is actually known for!). I did think the scores were way too low but I guess the judges are starting lower than usual.

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

Debbie Gibson and Alan Bersten
Dance: Foxtrot
Phone Number: 800-868-3402

Debbie Gibson hasn’t performed much since she was diagnosed with Lyme disease four years ago. She wants people to see that even though you have this horrible disease you can live. No need to worry, she did very well. Not only am I excited for her to be on the show but also that Alan Bersten is now a pro for the first time!

Score: Carrie Ann-6, Len-5, Bruno-6; Total: 17

Sasha Pieterse and Gleb Savchenko
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 800-868-3410

Sasha Pieterse’s parents were ballroom dancers but she took a different path: acting. I think Sasha has the potential to be really great, but it might take a little time. She seemed a little hesitant but her Cha Cha was okay. I think her nerves got to her a bit but a good start for her.

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

Drew Scott and Emma Slater
Dance: Foxtrot
Phone Number: 800-868-3404

Let’s be honest here, we didn’t know how this was going to go. But you know what? He has a lot of work to do, but Drew really put his heart into it. He is a little awkward and stiff but who knows, Emma Slater has worked magic before.

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

Barbara Corcoran and Keo Motsepe
Dance: Salsa
Phone Number: 800-868-3401

First of all, Shark Tank‘s Barbara Corcoran is hilarious. We’re definitely seeing a different side to her. She’s not the best dancer but she was clearly having the time of her life. Boy, oh boy does she flirt with Keo! Keo needs to watch it because she wants to marry him already. But apparently, she is a self-proclaimed cougar. What would you expect? She could possibly be one of the first to go next week.

Score: Carrie Ann-5, Len-4, Bruno-5; Total: 14

Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold
Dance: Tango
Phone Number: 800-868-3406

After this Tango, Jordan will be the one to beat this season. Carrie Ann agrees that this is the pair to watch! Everything about this dance worked. I personally thought they should have gotten higher scores, but again not a fan of the scoring tonight. I can’t wait to see what they do next week.

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

Nick Lachey and Peta Murgatroyd
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 800-868-3408

Nick Lachey comes into this season with a lot of pressure.

His brother Drew, who was in the audience, won the second season of DWTS (He even brought his Mirrorball trophy with him).

The other part of this pressure is that his wife Vanessa is also competing. Poor guy, he didn’t do that well, so he has a lot of work ahead of him. I feel like if Drew could get better and win, Nick can follow in his brother’s footsteps.

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

Vanessa Lachey and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 800-868-3412

Well, first, let me say Vanessa Lachey is definitely a fantastic dancer. She’s also much better then her hubby. I think Vanessa/Maks could be another pair that could go to the finals, but she has to keep getting better every week. We know Maks wants a second Mirrorball, since both his wife and brother have two. The pressure is on.

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

Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson
Dance: Foxtrot
Phone Number: 800-868-3405

I agree with Carrie Ann: this dance was beautiful. Frankie was once in a very bad car accident so it’s fantastic that he can move with such grace. However, he does need some work on his feet, which we all know judge Len Goodman loves to point out.

Score: Carrie Ann-7, Len-6, Bruno-6; Total: 19

Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev
Dance: Tango
Phone Number: 800-868-3409

WWE’s Nikki Bella is a little scary but is fierce and really nailed the choreography. She did have some mistakes, and she keeps looking down. But, overall, I think it’s a good showing from the wrestler! Hopefully she won’t hurt Artem. She seemed to like flipping him over, like she does in the ring. Yikes!

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

Derek Fisher and Sharna Burgess
Dance: Salsa
Phone Number: 800-868-3403

Well, this was an awesome surprise. I LOVED this Salsa dance from former NBA coach and player, Derek Fisher and his pro partner Sharna Burgess. It makes me happy he did so well. After all, DWTS is his mom’s favorite show.

We found that little bit of information out when we witnessed Derek tell her he was going to be on the show during the video package they showed before his dance. She even warned Derek about Len’s foot issues! How adorable is that? They did so well yet, once again, the scores didn’t reflect what Derek and Sharna did on the floor.

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

Victoria Arlen and Val Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 800-868-3413

As Val put it, Victoria is a living miracle. She was paralyzed for 10 years and the fact that she came out and danced the way she did was incredible. Carrie Ann said she sees such joy when Victoria dances and I concur. The craziest part of all was that she doesn’t have any feeling in her legs. It was amazing what she did.

Score: Carrie Ann-7, Len-6, Bruno-6; Total: 19

Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas
Dance: Cha Cha
Phone Number: 800-868-3407

Len said Lindsey and Mark’s Cha Cha was the dance of the night. This was another surprise. Lindsey is good, she even looked like a professional dancer. Everything seemed to work on all levels and, again, the scores didn’t reflect this at all.

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

FAVORITE QUOTES

Tom: “I knew they wouldn’t shut up.”
Tom: “I’m nervous of how I’m going to walk out of here now.”
Barbara: “That was a sexual turn-on my dear.”
Barbara: “Who is this guy?”
Tom: “Just our little friendly dance show.”
Tom: “Wow, Maks got married and had a baby. And someone took his personality.”
Nikki- “I’m used to body slamming women.”

Well, besides the fact that the scoring was a bit uneven, the premiere night of DWTS S25 went well and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Who do you like? Who will go home next week? Remember there is a double elimination next week. Also there will be a results show on Tuesday. Don’t forget to vote for your favorites!!!!

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