Let the dancing begin! This season, "Dancing With The Stars" kicks off with an amazing group of celebrities and our favorite professional dancers. The premiere was star-studded with sightings of Jennifer Lopez and boy-toy Casper Smart, a few of Glee alums like Dianna Agron, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz and Chris Colfer, and the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne joined by his beautiful wife and The Talk co-host Sharon. As usual, our favorite judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli graced the panel and Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke Charvet returned as the hosts.
The night was set up to a great start with Pretty Little Liar's Brant Daugherty and pro dancer Peta Murgatroyd dancing a provocative Cha cha, that proved that Brant can be a "double threat." He had previously said that he was just an actor and was considered a "single threat," but with Peta's help he was able to explore his new abilities, that along with his charm, and his beautiful physique and face (let's face it, he's gorgeous) will put him on top of the leader's board in the following weeks. Leah Remini and Tony Dovolani followed with a classy Foxtrot that earned them a 21 out of 30 and as the judges described it, it was an explosion of "class and sass."
Things started heating up when Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff took the dance floor. Their contemporary routine showcased the couple's beautiful lines and made the audience cheer nonstop. Although it was Karina's first contemporary, the judges and the audience seemed to agree that it was flawless and the bar was set very high. Carrie Ann seemed to be blown away, saying the performance was "beautiful and passionate." She added that it was a great choreography and that the emotion was flowing at all times. Len, who's almost always the toughest judge, said the performance was "full on," and Bruno loved that it was "powerful but with a tender touch." This couple's first dance scored a total of 24 out of 30, with all judges awarding it with an 8.
The first emotional moment of the night came when it was Jack Osbourne's turn. He partnered up with pro dancer Cheryl Burke to compete to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. He was diagnosed in 2012 and he wants to break stereotypes that people who suffer from this illness are forever disabled. Dad Ozzy had teary eyes from the audience, trying to keep his poise as his wife Sharon couldn't hold them in anymore and was visibly emotional, making this moment one of the sweetest of the show. Judges agreed that Jack can dance, and that he delivered a "joyful, playful and uplifting" performance of a Foxtrot with a lot of class.
How about Amber Riley and Derek Hough doing the Cha cha cha? Standing Ovation. There's no better way to describe this amazing performance full of rhythm, flavor, sass, energy and a lot of work. Amber brought it like no one else to prove "big girls" can be as great dancers as girls with a different body frame. Bruno couldn't describe her better, "the tigress of season 17" and Carrie Ann even bowed down to her. Every turn, every hip move, every step. It was a dance that went so fast because it was so well executed and left us wanting more. And the judges gave last season's champion and the Glee actress a total of 27, which is unheard of at the beginning of the season, really setting the highest standards so far.
The next couple to take the dance floor was Elizabeth Berkley and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, or Val, as everyone knows him. Their sweet and elegant contemporary routine earned this couple a 24 out of 30, but it was the calm before the storm as Bill Nye, the science guy took the stage after them with new pro dancer Tyne Stecklein and delivered a very interesting Cha cha performance. All we could think of was, "Could he be this season's Andy Dick?" The audience seemed to like the comedy of his routine, but the judges were not as impressed with his skills. Like Len said, this performance was "painful when it happened and lovely when it was over." Judges gave this team a combined total of 14 out of 30, landing on the bottom of the score chart.
They were followed by Keyshawn Johnson and Sharna Burgess. The football player actually has a lot of potential but he needs to let go a little bit more. His main issue with his Cha cha was timing, and like Bruno said, because he is so big, he might have issues with all the quick steps. Christina Millian had the same issues with letting go. She needs to get out of her head, and although her contemporary routine with pro Mark Ballas was beautiful, she struggled with technical issues that judges hope will be worked on for next week's performance.
One of the shockers of the night was comedian Bill Engvall and newbie pro dancer Emma Slater. Judges definitely saw potential and were pleasantly surprised. "I'm just happy to get through it," joked Bill after his Foxtrot was over and although his combined total was 18, Bruno expressed that he "felt something" to which Bill replied with "it might have been gas." Another Foxtrot was yet to follow along with another emotional moment. Valerie Harper and Tristan MacManus took on the dance floor and delivered a lovely performance that brought tears to the audience's eyes.
"This is an unfulfilled dream" said Valerie after overcoming cancer and being past her "expiration date" as she jokingly said, referring to her illness, which doctors said it was only going to let her live three more months. She's made it to nine months and after her beautiful dance, Valerie expressed "it's good to be alive and it's even better to be dancing." "You are an inspiration to the nation," replied Bruno with a teary Carrie Ann adding, "thank you for being on our show."
And after that heartfelt moment, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi or "Snoocole," as co-host Tom nicknamed her, brought the house down with her Cha cha, the last dance of the night. She teamed up with pro dancer Sasha Farber and impressed the judges who awarded her with a score of 23 out of 30. To sum up the season premiere, judge Len Goodman described it as "fantastic," and below we've shared the best dance of the whole night, Amber and Derek's Cha cha. Beyoncé's got nothing on her. Just saying.
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