Happy Dancing With The Stars premiere night! The much-talked about Season 33 will kick off tonight on ABC and Disney+ with new pros, a new troupe, and a night of dancing debuts.
Alfonso Ribero and Julianne Hough return as hosts, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough take up the judges table.
There will be no elimination tonight, and votes and judges’ scores from tonight will be combined with next week’s for the season’s first elimination. Vote live during the show at dwtsvote.abc.com.
The season premieres with a group performance by the pros and troupe members. Interestingly, it looked less ballroom and more jazzy.
Joey and Jenna – Cha Cha Cha – “Dancing In The Country”
He’s a little stompy but for his first ballroom dance, Joey did decent. Jenna did a good job adding a country flare to a Latin dance.
Derek says if America didn’t already love him, they’ll love him even more after this dance. Bruno calls him a “cha cha charmer” and says he’s got timing and musicality but must work on his hip action. Carrie Ann says it was a great way to start the show and compliments their partnership.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 7, Bruno- 7 = 21/30
Brooks and Gleb – Tango – “Piece Of Me”
Choppy and a few mistakes but people will probably only see her sex appeal. She has good legs but needs to learn how to use them to their full potential.
Bruno says she needs to work on strength and core and notes she went on the wrong foot at one point. Carrie Ann says it was hot (see?) and she has a lot of potential. Derek says she has buckets of potential but she kept getting ahead of the music.
Carrie Ann- 6, Derek- 6, Bruno- 6 = 18/30
Ilona and Alan – Cha Cha Cha – “Man (I Feel Like A Woman)”
Ilona has great hips that are crucial to a Cha Cha, but she’s not extending anything else. It’s such a fun Cha Cha routine but it’s like one second she’s got it and the next she doesn’t.
Carrie Ann says she loves everything Ilona is about and “well done for day one.” Derek says he wants to see more of her natural charisma and to go out there with confidence. Bruno says it was a correct Cha Cha.
Carrie Ann- 6, Derek- 6, Bruno- 6 = 21/30
Reginald and Emma – Salsa – “Motown Philly”
I don’t understand why Reginald did basically no steps during this. That’s entirely on Emma. For someone who actually has some background in dance, having him stand there twirling her was such a missed opportunity.
Derek calls it a compact Salsa with not a lot of footwork. Bruno says it was centered and asked for more steps moving forward. Carrie Ann says he’s got the groove and what he did, he did well.
Carrie Ann- 6, Derek- 5, Bruno- 5 = 16/30
Danny and Witney – Tango – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Danny is another one that’s stompy, but I appreciate his dedication to the steps and the vibe of the dance. Also love seeing Witney back, this was very Witney choreo.
Bruno says he sees power, focus and determination and led with belief, but was skippy at times. Carrie Ann says it was ambitious choreo and he executed it finely, but also wants to see joy. Derek says he was truly impressed and he led it very well, then critiques his frame.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 6, Bruno- 7 = 20/30
Tori and Pasha – Foxtrot – “Trust Fall”
On a personal note, I’m not a fan of modern songs for a Foxtrot. But professionally speaking, Tori is great at being both fun and elegant. Great turns.
Carrie Ann says this performance was a little shaky but she’s reaching for it. Derek says dance is all about trust and it felt stuff but there were beautiful lines. Bruno says she did very well and reminds her the importance of elegance in a Foxtrot.
Carrie Ann- 6, Derek- 6, Bruno- 5 = 17/30
Jenn and Sasha – Cha Cha Cha – “Flowers”
A few lyrics in and Jenn already has great lines and nails the steps. Great legs, needs to work on the hip action. Really fun routine from Sasha.
Derek says she found her perfect match here with Sasha and notes her beautiful lines and legs (!). Bruno says she’s blossoming in front of them and has a natural sense of music but must work on the foot placement. Carrie Ann says it was entertaining as a performance.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 6, Bruno- 6 = 19/30
Chandler and Brandon – Tango – “Hot To Go”
Chandler’s the one to beat, calling it now. Great execution of Tango steps, beautiful lines, fun, relevant song, and great partnership.
Bruno whips off his jacket for her and says it was one of the best. Carrie Ann says it was amazing and she set the standard for the season. Derek says it was hot and compliments the finesse and ease, but notes she needs to get lower in her legs for a Tango.
Carrie Ann- 8, Derek- 7, Bruno- 8 = 23/30
Dwight and Daniella – Salsa – “This Is How We Do It”
Daniella is so killer and always really makes her partners shine. The whole performance was so much fun to watch, but Dwight has a lot of work to do. Those flaily arms need to go.
Carrie Ann says that is how you do it and compliments the groove and the lifts. Derek says Dwight is doing it right and she’s taking flight, then says it’s like watching a giraffe and a gazelle dance together. Bruno says it was a sparkling debut and they’ve got a natural connection.
Carrie Ann- 8, Derek- 7, Bruno- 7 = 22/30
Eric and Britt – Cha Cha – “Old Time Rock And Roll”
Eric has so much spirit and looks like he’s having a blast, but definitely too slow, especially for a Cha Cha. Not the greatest choreo either, especially for night one.
Derek says it was like assembling IKEA furniture, some pieces fit nice and some were like a puzzle. Bruno critiques his footwork but says it was a very good try. Carrie Ann says that routine was simple and there were a lot of mistakes.
Carrie Ann- 5, Derek- 5, Bruno- 5 = 15/30
Phaedra and Val – Cha Cha Cha- “I’m Every Woman”
Pedra can get it!! If she just fully hit each step, she’d be near perfect. Val brought such a fun and upbeat debut routine.
Bruno says he can sense the fire and spice, then notes she went on the wrong foot. Carrie Ann says she’s genuinely impressed and it had all the nuances and flavors. Derek says she needs to clean up the footwork but she’s a phenomenal performer.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 6, Bruno- 6 = 19/30
Stephen and Rylee – Jive – “Don’t Stop Me Now”
Woo, Stephen’s legs! He’s killing it with the lower half, but the arms will definitely need work. This boy is such a ball of energy, Rylee makes a great partner for him. For a first dance, he killed this.
Carrie Ann says she had a feeling he’d be incredible, but reminds him to point his toes. Derek says it had twists and turns and colorful surprises, then reminds him to slow down because he rushed the beginning. Bruno calls it an unstoppable explosion of energy and tells him to work on the details.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 7, Bruno- 7 = 21/30
Anna and Ezra – Cha Cha Cha – “Espresso”
Zooming in on the bedazzled ankle monitor and putting it at the forefront is so unnecessary. Let’s talk dancing. She’s not terrible but she’s not good. I feel for Ezra. Great routine to a great song.
Derek says she could be a beautiful dancer and has great arms, but missed some steps here and there. Bruno says she doesn’t know how to link all the movement but she has all the bits in her hand. Carrie Ann comments on the shift in energy in the room when she came out and says this is about the dancing.
Carrie Ann- 6, Derek- 6, Bruno- 6 = 18/30
What a premiere night! See you next week for Oscar night and a double elimination!
