Dancing with the stars kicked off its 31st season on Monday in the most peculiar of ways: by asking viewers to click a watch On Disney+, hit tune in at exactly 5pm/8pm if you tune in earlier and you’ll get a reminder – NO, it’s 8pm ET, mate! Come back when it’s time. This is the new reality for dance fans who are used to seeing their favorite competitions show it off Second hand be on ABC.
Otherwise, the live, two-hour episode of DWTS kicked off like it used to (i.e. before the pandemic) with a grand opening number, an enthusiastic (but casually dressed) studio crowd and a grand entrance from host Tyra Banks. A few updates were made to the aging franchise: DWTS Veteran Conrad Green is back as Executive Producer, and Season 19 Champion Alfonso Ribiero now offers much-needed help with hosting duties by throwing softball questions into the Sky Box.
Here’s what happened on the first night:
Jason Lewis and Peta Murgatroyd. That Sex and the City The actor greeted his two-time champion partner with flowers and a warning that he could only dance after consuming whiskey or tequila. He was very sober while performing the cha cha, so use your imagination if you missed the show. “What I need from you is breathe. That’s what’s missing. You need to breathe and relax,” said Judge Carrie Ann Inaba. Score: 18 out of 40
Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki. That Jersey Shore Alum says he’s a fish out of water in the ballroom. Apparently he’s much more comfortable stripping with the Chippendales in Las Vegas, where he’s based. Maybe he should have ripped his shirt off at the salsa because he didn’t have his number Warmth. “I don’t get it, Vinny,” said Judge Len Goodman. “That of all dances is a club dance and you didn’t show me that. It was rough, your legs were too bent. I really wanted you to come out and knock my socks off.” Score: 17 out of 40
Jesse James Decker and Alan Burst. The country crooner admitted he’s been at it for a long time DWTS Fan, however, has been reluctant to comment on her chances as she was kicked out of dance class as a child. Luckily, her cha-cha on “Sweet Home Alabama” didn’t anger the judges. “You came out and sold it. The level of performance was really high,” said Goodman. Score: 20 out of 40
Teresa Giudice and Pasha Pashkov. the previous Real housewives Stern said she does DWTS because she wants viewers to see the real Teresa — not the one who went to jail for cheating. She has also worked with a therapist to study Not to be triggered. That should be good news for the judges I guess? Anyway, her tango on “We Found Love” wasn’t terrible, except the way she stared at the ceiling was just weird, man. “I saw you look up a bit. Think really big, not up or down or far,” said Judge Derek Hough. score: 20 out of 30
Sam Champion and Cheryl Burke. the previous Good morning America Weather Guy was giddy to learn that Champion had been her partner since she encouraged him to do the show 10 years ago. A gay man looking to “step out of his comfort zone,” Champion made his ballroom debut by performing a foxtrot to “Tiny Dancer” amidst a cloud of dry ice. “It was so tender and so sweet. You were a bit nervous after the start,” said Inaba. score: 20 out of 40
Cheryl Ladd and Louis Van Amstel. The former star of Charlie’s Angel reminded us she’s 71 but was thrilled to learn that Van Amstel, who hasn’t been on the show for 7 seasons, is her partner. He cut out his work for him; Ladd admitted she’s not a dancer and was careful with her cha-cha. But she’s got a pair of great wheels, so she’s halfway there! “Cheryl Ladd has bragging rights! They have an elegance for you. I think maybe the routine was too easy for you,” said judge Bruno Tonioli. Score: 21 out of 40
Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater. Apparently the 90210 Actor is afraid of dancing. Like an “irrational phobia”. There’s something in my head that’s keeping me from moving at all.” Sure, do it then Dancing with the stars What could possibly go wrong? Maybe his first quickstep to “Dancing With Myself”? “It was hectic, it was manic. They just came out and flew across this floor,” Goodman said. Score: 21 out of 40
Joseph Baena and Daniella Karagach. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son got lucky in scoring last year’s champion as a partner. His father wasn’t in the ballroom for his jive, but he paid tribute by bending his guns on top of his jive and doing a burpee at the end. “We all get bicep envy! But actually your musicality was good. you weren’t heavy I’ll tell you, you will come back‘ said Tonyoli. Score: 23 out of 40
Heidi D’Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev. Most viewers probably won’t recognize D’Amelio – a YouTuber with her own family show. But the producers seemed to like the idea of both Mama D’Amelio and her much more famous daughter Charli doing the show together. D’Amelio was the first for the family with a cha cha on “Lady Marmalade”. “Put all the energy and thought and interpretation behind each step. You really have to project your personality through your body,” Tonioli said. score: 24 out of 40
Jordan Sparks and Brandon Armstrong The platinum-selling artist reminded us that she won american idol at the age of 19 and enjoyed a successful singing career. But one thing that has been missing in her life is a mirror ball trophy! She opened the night with an impressive Cha Cha to Whitney Houston’s “I Want to Dance with Somebody”. “Jordan, you have such an amazing presence on the floor,” Hough said. “That split in the middle, girl! I have seen that. It was fantastic.” Score: 26 out of 40
Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart. The actor out KODA wants to show that “even the deaf can dance”. (Oh, we knew that. Who can forget season 22 winner Nyle DiMarco? Durant, dressed in neon green, danced a neat tango that received high praise. “You moved well on the ground. I’m really excited to see how you evolve over the course of this show,” Goodman said. Score: 27 out of 40
Wayne Brady and Witney Carson. That let’s make a deal The host is doing the show to make his grandmother proud. This shouldn’t be difficult; His cha cha started with a nasty pop and lock that immediately served as a warning to his competitors: Brady is coming difficult for this mirror ball trophy. “Welcome to Wayne’s dance floor! Performance level through the roof. You have it and you know what to do with it,” Tonioli said. score: 29 out of 40.
Shangela and Gleb Savchenko. Let’s hear it for change makers! She also appears as the first drag queen DWTS, Shangela also announced that she will be doing all rehearsals from drag (her pronouns are he/him). Finally two men dancing together under the mirror ball! If only it didn’t take 31 seasons and a new digital home to create true inclusivity. “You have so much energy, so much power, so much charisma,” Hough said. “Well done.” Score: 28 out of 40
Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy. It’s traditional for singles from the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise to perform DWTS. And like her predecessors, Windey has some hoof experience. Her jive showed that she won’t be going home anytime soon. “For me, I think it was the best dance of the night so far. So sharp, so clean,” Hough said. “Your spin was off the hook.” score: 28 out of 40
Selma Blair and Sasha Farber. The longtime actress was diagnosed with MS in August 2018, so problems with stiffness and balance will make the competition a challenge. But the judges were overwhelmed by her plight and courage, so they generously supported her. “So nice to see you here. You really created magic tonight. It was beautiful,” said Tonioli. score: 28 out of 40
Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas. The social media star (and daughter of Heidi D’Amelio) is this year’s wrestler: she has amassed millions of followers on TikTok for her nifty moves. She’s also a natural on camera, which is why her cha cha was the last dance of the night. “Season 31 got really hot, really fast. It’s like I saw 20 different people dance! You were kind of amazing,” Inaba said. Score: 32 out of 40
The last two were Lewis/Murgatroyd and Giudice/Pashkov. All the judges saved Guidice, so poor Lewis went home.
Next week is Elvis night!