Dancing With the Stars Season 17 Premiere Episode TV Replay and Recap: Amber Riley Stuns Judges
Dancing With The Stars season 17 kicked off today and the stars brought their best dancing shoes to the stage.
This season 12 celebrities - from actors to athletes - are battling it out against each other for the mirror ball trophy and the right to be called the DWTS Season 17 champion.
Unlike previous seasons, this year, the show will only have one two-hour show per week. This means teams will be performing on stage and viewers at home can vote for their favorite performances, scores will then be tabulated by adding the judges' scores for the night with the previous week's public votes. And as usual, the couple with the lowest scores goes home.
This season, aside from new star dancers, several new partner choreographers also joined the show, and tonight they were tasked to perform a cha-cha, a foxtrot or a contemporary routine. Needless to say, the night dazzled with stars in motion.
Here's how the stars performed on the first show:
Brant Daugherty and Peta Murgatroyd
Performing a cha-cha routine, Brant and Peta impressed the judges and the ballroom audience with their performance. While judge Bruno Tonioli saw a little problem with timing, overall the routine was applauded. Judge Len Goodman even called the routine "fabulous." The Pretty Little Liars star scored 22 out of 30.
Leah Remini and Tony Dovolani
Bagging 21 points, the actress performed a foxtrot routine. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba told The King of Queens actress that she had "sass and class." Leah, who had never danced before, had all 7 from the judges.
Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff
Corbin is no stranger to dancing, having starred in the hit TV movie High School Musical - this was evident in his performance of a contemporary routine. While it was Karina's first contemporary choreography ever, the two danced with precision and passion. "That was beautiful and passionate. Karina, well done for your first contemporary ever," Inaba told the pro. The couple scored 24 out of 30 - the second highest of the night.
Jack Osbourne and Cheryl Burke
Osbourne was a revelation on the stage as he performed a foxtrot routine with Cheryl. Making his mom Sharon Osbourne teary-eyed, Jack received high praises from the judges. Judge Inaba even told him that he is a true ballroom dancer. The team scored 23.
Amber Riley and Derek Hough
The Glee star killed the stage, earning her the highest score of the night (27 pts.). Dancing cha-cha, the ballroom audience gave the partners a standing ovation for their routine. The judges all had good words to say, Good man even said, "I'm palpitating, perspirating and flatulating. I'm telling you, week one and you come out to dance like that? Incredible, full on, flat out fabulous."
Elizabeth Brkley Lauren and Val Chmerkovskiy
Performing a contemporary routine, the two impressed the judges with all here giving them 8 points each (24 pts.). Also receiving the second highest score of the night, Inaba told the Saved By The Bell actress that she was "gorgeous, sensuous, beautiful, passionate."
Bill Nye and Tyne Stecklein
The comedian gave a unique cha-cha performance that entertained the crowd and the judges but not for his dancing, but for his wacky antics. The Bill Nye the Science Guy star gave a scientist-themed performance choreographed by new pro partner Tyne that earned him only 14 points. Goodman said the performance was "like being waxed: it was painful when it happened and lovely when it was over."
Keyshawn Johnson and Sharna Burgess
The former pro footballer danced to cha-cha to Bruno Mars' "Treasure". Earning 17 points, the NFL star was noted to a bit stiff by Inaba, but Goodman said he had a good attitude.
Christina Milian and Mark Ballas
Revealing that she was nervous, the pop singer performed a contemporary routine that was accepted by the judges and the crowd. Judge Carrie Ann said Christina did "move beautifully", while Goodman said the choreography was good. She received 22 points.
Bill Engvall and Emma Slater
The comedian performed a foxtrot routine that earned him 18 points. Although he says his friends think he has gone crazy for joining the show, the judges enjoyed his performance - giving him 6 points each.
Valerie Harper and Tristan MacManus
Valerie is back on TV! The actress performed a foxtrot routine that she obviously enjoyed. The legendary TV personality who battled cancer, earned 21 points for her "radiant" performance noted Tonioli. "Yes, you have to work on your spots, but you brought me to tears with your courage," Goodman said.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Sasha Farber
Snooki danced to a cha-cha routine that entertained everybody, even receiving compliments such as "great" and "little pocket rocket" from the judges. Snooki received 23 points out of 30.