‘Dancing with the Stars’ season 33 premiere recap: A gymnast, a bachelor and a con artist walk into a ballroom … [UPDATING LIVE BLOG]

Daniel Montgomery, Cordell Martin and Jeffrey Kare
·15 min read
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“Dancing with the Stars” begins its 33rd season on Tuesday night, September 17, with 13 new celebrities entering the ballroom to compete for the Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy. So how will they do on night one of the competition? Scroll down for our live blog with all our minute-by-minute commentary throughout the evening.

The couples dancing are Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola and pro Witney Carson, convicted felon Anna Delvey and pro Ezra Sosa, “The Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei and pro Jenna Johnson, NBA champion Dwight Howard and pro Daniella Karagach, TV star Chandler Kinney and pro Brandon Armstrong, Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and pro Alan Bersten, model Brooks Nader and pro Gleb Savchenko, Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and pro Rylee Arnold, reality star Phaedra Parks and pro Val Chmerkovskiy, actor Eric Roberts and pro Britt Stewart, “90210” actress Tori Spelling and pro Pasha Pashkov, “The Bachelorette” star Jenn Tran and pro Sasha Farber, and actor Reginald VelJohnson and pro Emma Slater.

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On tonight’s show the couples perform a tango, cha cha, salsa, foxtrot or jive. Those dances will be judged and scored by the usual panel of judges: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. But as usual those scores are only half of determining who stays, who goes and who wins the whole thing. The other half are the votes of viewers at home, so activating your fan base is just as important to success as learning the steps (but please, do learn the steps). The scores and viewer votes from premiere night and episode two will be combined to determine which celeb will be sent home first next week. Who are you rooting for?

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Jeffrey Kare, 8:00pm — Now it’s a party!

Daniel Montgomery, 8:02pm — Ooh, I recognize one of the troupe dancers from this past season of “So You Think You Can Dance”! Hi Roman Nevinchanyi!

DM, 8:05pm — I can’t wait to see Dwight Howard try to dance with that poor tiny woman Daniella.

JK, 8:06pm — When they were introduced, it looked like Dwight was all alone at first.

Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Cha Cha)

DM, 8:06pm — He claims he can dance, but it takes some confidence to get it out. It would be refreshing to see a “Bahcelor” actually succeed on more than his popularity with viewers.

DM, 8:09pm — It was a completely inoffensive performance. Very middle-of-the-pack. But he has some potential.

JK, 8:10pm — I wouldn’t say it was great, but for a “Bachelor” alumni, he showed something promising.

JUDGES — Derek thought he needed to finesse the feet and work on the arms, but it was fantastic for week one. Bruno thinks he has timing, musicality, and is a natural performer, but he needs to work on the hip action. Carrie Ann liked the charisma and partnership between the two dancers.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (7), Derek (7), Bruno (7) = 21 out of 30

DM, 8:12pm — 7s is surprisingly good for that dance, especially for the first dance of the night. I expected one or two 6s.

Cordell Martin, 8:12pm — Hmmm, He might break the bachelor curse.

Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko (Tango)

DM, 8:15pm — She was on her high school dance team, so maybe she’ll have more range of motion than other models who have appeared on the show, who have been somewhat stiff.

DM, 8:17pm — She had really strong moments, but also some moments where her timing seemed a little off and her confidence was a little off. She has potential.

CM, 8:17pm — Brooks wasn’t too bad. Not sure how long she’ll last though.

JUDGES — Bruno says she needs to work on her strength and her core, because she gets a bit wobbly, and she went on the wrong foot once. Carrie Ann thought it was hot, but she needs to work on her contact in hold so she doesn’t step on Gleb. Derek thinks she has potential, but she gets ahead of the music and needs to get more grounded and balanced into the floor.

DM, 8:20pm — Oh God, they’re already trying to showmance Brooks and Gleb.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (6), Derek (6), Bruno (6) = 18 out of 30

DM, 8:21pm — Those scores are about what I was expecting.

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Cha Cha)

DM, 8:25pm — Ilona came on the show because she’s very muscular, but also feminine, so she wants to show girls that they can embrace their bodies. I can see her winning over fans.

DM, 8:27pm — I really like Ilona’s personality. She might win some fans. But her cha cha was a little rough. She lacks flexibility and range of motion.

JK, 8:28pm — That performance could’ve used a bit more work.

CM, 8:29pm — Yeah it was a bit rough, but I love how committed she is.

JUDGES — Carrie Ann loves what she’s about, but she needs to use all that muscle to power her movements. Derek sensed the nerves in the dance, she needs to work on her confidence. Bruno thought it was a “very correct” cha cha, but he too thinks she needs to let it all hang out.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (6), Derek (6), Bruno (6) = 18 out of 30

DM, 8:30pm — I’ve never seen someone so excited about 6s, I love this woman.

CM, 8:30pm — I felt it was a little over-scored but I like her so I’ll let it slide lol

Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater (Salsa)

DM, 8:34pm — He danced on Broadway and on “Family Matters,” he says, but we’ll see how well he manages as the oldest member of this season’s cast. I think he’ll be incredibly charismatic doing a salsa.

DM, 8:36pm — Hmmm, he mostly stood in place. I was hoping for more emoting, more charisma from him even if all the steps weren’t there.

CM, 8:37pm — Oh Reggie. Bless his heart. I was expecting much more from him.

JK, 8:39pm — He barely did any actual dancing.

JUDGES — Derek said it was very compact, but he made it work. Bruno thought it was internal and minimized. He asks for some more steps. Carrie Ann says he proves it’s not a young person’s world. It could use improvement, and could use more movement, but what he did he did well.

CM, 8:39pm — What we thinking three 4s or 5s?

JK, 8:39pm — I’ll be surprised if they’re all higher than that.

DM, 8:39pm — 4s and a gentleman’s 5?

SCORES — Carrie Ann (6), Derek (5), Bruno (5) = 16 out of 30

DM, 8:43pm — C’mon judges, we all like the guy, but that wasn’t a 6s dance!

JK, 8:43pm — Well, Carrie Ann had to be the more generous one.

CM, 8:43pm — She better not give anyone lower than a 6 tonight

Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Tango)

DM, 8:43pm — Two people who have won the show have been football wide receivers like Danny. There have been four total footballers to win the show, so there’s a lot of pressure on his first performance.

DM, 8:45pm — An okay tango from Danny.

CM, 8:45pm — I can see Danny come into his own later into the show. A bit concerned that he may fall into the background.

JK, 8:46pm — Another one that’s showing potential.

JUDGES — Bruno sees power, focus and determination. And he led all through the dance with conviction. But he was a bit skippy and not gliding. Carrie Ann loves his focus, and it was ambitious choreography, but he needs to show more personality. Derek thought he was a little hunched over, and he needs to show more character of the dance.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (7), Derek (6), Bruno (7) = 20 out of 30

DM, 8:51pm — They’re overscoring these dances so far.

JK, 8:51pm — Pretends to be shocked.

CM, 8:51pm — Wow, the 7s were a bit generous. Well Chandler better get an 8 or two lol

Tori Spelling and Pasha Pashkov (Foxtrot)

DM, 8:53pm — She admits this could be a disaster because she doesn’t have dance experience. She passed on the show ffor years, but at 50 she’s trying to find herself again after a public divorce. Fingers crossed!

DM, 8:55pm — Rough around the edges for Tori, but infectious personality and enthusiasm.

JK, 8:56pm — Clever intro; really breathed a ton of energy into the night.

CM, 8:56pm — It wasn’t as bad as I thought

JUDGES — Carrie Ann thought it was shaky and vulnerable, and she needs not to be so timid. Derek tells her she can do this. He could feel the stiffness and tension, but there were some beautiful lines. Bruno tells her she needs to retain the weightless, at-ease quality for the foxtrot.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (6), Derek (6), Bruno (5) = 17 out of 30

Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber (Cha Cha)

DM, 8:58pm — Four “Bachelorettes” have finished in the top four, so there’s a lot of pressure on her too. “Bachelorettes” are like the football players for women.

DM, 9:00pm — Jenn had one of the better dances of the night, though she’s not as natural as previous Bachelorettes.

JK, 9:00pm — Mostly smooth sailing.

JUDGES — Derek sees beautiful lines and a lot of potential, she needs to straighten the legs and arms, and she got ahead of the music though. Bruno thought it had all the quality of the cha cha, and she has a natural sense of music, but she needs to work on foot placement. Carrie Ann thought it was an entertaining performance.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (7), Derek (6), Bruno (6) = 19 out of 30

CM, 9:03pm — I think Joey might win the bachelor vs bachelorette battle.

JK, 9:04pm — Imagine if it comes down to the two of them.

CM, 9:04pm — I hope not lol

DM, 9:05pm — I think the 6s were fair for her, but not compared to other people who have gotten 6s tonight. She deserved a little better.

DM, 9:07pm — So far no one really stands out as one to watch for the Mirror Ball. Could just be Chandler vs. Stephen for the whole season.

Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Tango)

DM, 9:07pm — She has never done ballroom before, but don’t be fooled. She’s a ringer. A lot of pressure on her tonight. Will she be this season’s Charli D’Amelio?

DM, 9:10pm — Yep, she’s got it. Stephen, ball’s in your court.

JK, 9:11pm — Probably the first great contestant of the season.

CM, 9:11pm — That was good. She lived up to the hype. Hopefully she can get Brandon to the finals

JUDGES — Bruno thought it was one of the best week-one tangos he’s seen. Carrie Ann thought it was amazing, and she has set the standard for season 33. Derek thought it was “H-O-T-T-O-G-O,” with great range of movement. But she needs to get a little lower in the legs.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (8), Derek (7), Bruno (8) = 23 out of 30

DM, 9:13pm — Derek, that deserved more than a 7 and you know it. You gave her the same score as Joey, dude?!

CM, 9:14pm — Exactly. Chandler becomes one of our frontrunners.

JK, 9:14pm — That high score was still well deserved nonetheless.

Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach (Salsa)

DM, 9:17pm — The height difference is so wild that I’m honestly expecting a hot mess. Not gonna lie.

DM, 9:20pm — I give all the credit for that dance to Daniella. That was a surprisingly good salsa, but it was probably the best dance style they could have asked for to start with.

JK, 9:21pm — Considering the height difference, it was much better than it had every right to be.

CM, 9:22pm — That was a crowd pleaser. Props to Daniella! She has to be one of the best pros out there

JUDGES — Carrie Ann thought it had the groove, and he set the house on fire. Derek thought it was like watching a giraffe and gazelle dance together, but he has the energy and charisma to match his size. Bruno thought it was a sparkling debut. He has a natural connection.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (8), Derek (7), Bruno (7) = 22 out of 30

DM, 9:24pm — 8 was too high, I would have gone with 7s. Needs better technique. That score was strictly on vibes lol

Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart (Cha Cha)

DM, 9:27pm — Cha cha is a really quick dance, and Eric had an accident that caused an injury that messes with his timing. I’m rooting for him, though.

JUDGES — Derek thought some pieces fit and some pieces didn’t, like IKEA furniture. Bruno thought he had too much weight on the back of the foot. Carrie Ann thanks him for being there, her score may not be very high, but she appreciates how he carried himself.

DM, 9:31pm — Not gonna mince words, wasn’t very good, but he’s another one where I appreciate his spirit.

JK, 9:32pm — Despite his age, that was better than I expected…but still not great.

CM, 9:32pm — That was a bit of a mess. At least he moved more than Reginald.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (5), Derek (5), Bruno (5) = 15 out of 30

DM, 9:33pm — Carrie Ann thought it was worse than Reginald, though.

Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy (Cha Cha)

DM, 9:35pm — I have no idea what to expect from Phaedra, but she’s paired with Val, a three-time champ, so the sky’s the limit … maybe.

JUDGES — Bruno says she’s got it, but now she needs to control it. She went wrong, but she has all the elements and can sell it. Carrie Ann thought it was impressive, it had all the different flavors. Derek thinks the footwork needs to be cleaned up, but she’s a phenomenal performer.

DM, 9:38pm — For a complete beginner, I was impressed by Phaedra. Val is an outstanding teacher.

CM, 9:38pm — That was a cute dance. Val did a great job choreographing to her personality.

JK, 9:39pm — The intro already felt like a precursor of what to expect from her on Halloween night. Otherwise, everything else was OUTSTANDING!

CM, 9:40pm — It was a nod to her being a traitor on “The Traitors” lol

SCORES — Carrie Ann (7), Derek (6), Bruno (6) = 19 out of 30

CM, 9:42pm — Wow one 7!

Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Jive)

DM, 9:44pm — He’s got an engineering degree, but he’s hoping his mathematical brain will help him. I actually think it might.

JUDGES — Carrie Ann thinks he needs to point his toes more, but he’s really entertaining. Derek thought the jive had a lot of twists and turns, and he had too much adrenaline at first. Bruno loved the energy, but he needs to work on the details.

DM, 9:46pm — I thought Stephen had a little too much energy, went a little wild, made a couple of mistakes, but there were some great promising moments.

CM, 9:47pm — He was a bit off timing wise. Love the energy tho. The crowd ate it up lol.

JK, 9:49pm — After this Clark Kent proved to be a Superman in the Olympics, he does so again in the ballroom.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (7), Derek (7), Bruno (7) = 21 out of 30

CM, 9:50pm — Chandler, Stephen and Dwight are the front runners.

JK, 9:50pm — Just what he needed, three lucky 7’s.

CM, 9:51pm — I don’t have much faith in Anna lol

DM, 9:52pm — Yeah, I could see Anna getting eliminated no matter what her scores are. What fans would even be voting for her?

Anna Delvey and Ezra Sosa (Cha Cha)

DM, 9:54pm — She did ballet between ages four and 12. But her movement might be a little inhibited by, um, her ankle monitor.

JUDGES — Derek thinks she has the facility to be a great dancer. Bruno agrees that when she hits the right lines it looks really good, but she doesn’t know how to link it. Carrie Ann doesn’t have a chance to critique because she spends her time urging the audience to give Anna a chance.

DM, 9:58pm — As a dancer, she’s not all that bad. Maybe 6s? But she didn’t have any expression at all.

CM, 9:58pm — Yes it was so robotic lol.

JK, 9:58pm — For Ezra, he shows quite a bit of skills. Can’t really say the same thing about Anna.

CM, 9:58pm — Carrie Ann girl blame the casting department lol. She doesn’t deserve to be on the show imo.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (6), Derek (6), Bruno (6) = 21 out of 30

JUDGES’ LEADERBOARD

1. Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Tango) — 23
2. Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach (Salsa) — 22
3. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Cha Cha) — 21
3. Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Jive) — 21
5. Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Tango) — 20
6. Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy (Cha Cha) — 19
6. Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber (Cha Cha) — 19
8. Anna Delvey and Ezra Sosa (Cha Cha) — 18
8. Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko (Tango) — 18
8. Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Cha Cha) — 18
11. Tori Spelling and Pasha Pashkov (Foxtrot) — 17
12. Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater (Salsa) — 16
13. Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart (Cha Cha) — 15

CM, 10:00pm — Wow double elimination next week. Eric is toast. And either Reginald or Anna.

DM, 10:03pm — I think Anna is definitely out. She didn’t show any personality to win any possible fans. And her dance was just okay.

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