1401 Performance Show – Week 1

It’s a brand new season of Dancing with all new stars. So, let’s get this dance party started!

Maria & Derek

Maria Menounos steps away from her TV hosting duties and onto the dance floor with partner Derek Hough to do the Cha Cha. It’s a solid first dance of the season. Len thought Maria did very well overall, but could use a little more hip action. Bruno thinks Maria’s timing was good but agrees with Len about the hips, as he wants more sexiness. Carrie Ann thought it was a nice way to start the season but wants her work on moving confidently from one move to the next. Trip 7s from the judges gives her 21 out of 30 to kick things off.

Jack & Anna

Jack Wagner goes from leading man to leading his new dance partner, Anna, in the Foxtrot for his first dance of the season. The whole routine is tons of fun. Bruno loves the springtime romance of their dance. Carrie Ann believes that Jack just took her to a happy place. Len liked the feel of the dance, but felt Jack’s technique was poor. But again, the feel was fun so he really enjoyed the performance. 8-7-8 gives them a total of 23.

Donald & Peta

Donald Driver says he’s caught a lot of balls in his career, but none have been a Mirror Ball. His Cha Cha with Peta is the first step toward hauling that one in. Donald shows he knows how to get down in his sizzling debut dance. Carrie Ann says he’s nothing but charisma and charm during this crowd-pleasing dance. Len loved his attitude and attack but he needs to avoid getting overexcited. He needs more control. Bruno thinks Donald is a diamond in the rough. His attitude is right, but his talent needs to be refined. Trip 7s gives them a score of 21 and an unhappy response from the audience who thought they deserved higher.

Gavin & Karina

Gavin DeGraw has wanted to get out from behind his piano while performing. Well, he gets his chance by doing the Foxtrot with his dance partner, Karina. These two glide across the floor throughout their flowing routine. Len felt Gavin was a little stiff throughout and lacked musicality. Bruno thought he had great charm but must learn to link his moves so he doesn’t stiffen up at the wrong times. Carrie Ann liked the tenderness to his dancing but wants him to avoid hyper-extending his arm. 7-6-7 from the judges gives them a total of 20.

Roshon & Chelsie

Roshon Fegan stars on a TV show called Shake It Up. Well, he’s shaking things up in the ballroom with partner Chelsie as they do an energetic, rockin’ Cha Cha that ends with Roshon collapsing on a couch. Bruno says Roshon captured the beat in a laser-sharp way. Carrie Ann likes his cool, youthful flavor. Len thought the performance level was very high, but the technical level was very low. Still, he thinks Roshon is a good dancer. 8-7-8 from the judges gives them a total of 23.

Sherri & Val

Sherri Shepherd steps away from the talk show world and onto the ballroom floor with partner Val to do a spinning, swaying Foxtrot. These two certainly look like they were having a lot of fun out there. Carrie Ann thinks Sherri had so much joy when she danced. Len agrees that she brought the joy of dance into the ballroom. Bruno agrees. He says she can move very well and lights up the room. 8-7-8 gives her a total of 23.

Melissa & Maks

Melissa Gilbert endured many hardships in her little house on that prairie, but it was likely nothing compared to the work on the dance floor with her partner, Maks, as they do the Cha Cha. Len says he would have liked to have seen a little more hip action but thought she coped very well with a difficult dance. Bruno thinks there is work to do, but it was a very inspiring first performance. Carrie Ann thinks nerves may have gotten to Melissa a bit. She encourages her to let loose more. 7-6-7 gives them a total of 20 for the night.

William & Cheryl

Heartthrob William Levy surely made even more hearts race as he does his sexy Cha Cha with partner Cheryl. The ballroom audience goes berserk when the dancing is done. Bruno says William is the hottest package of the season and that he’s overdressed. Carrie Ann thanks ABC for her job before letting William know that he sure can dance. Len says he went to the edge but kept it under control. In other words, he thought the dance was well done. Trip 8s gives them a total of 24 which is the highest score of the night so far.

Martina & Tony

Tom Bergeron says that tennis great Martina Navratilova will now be working without a net as she does an elegant Foxtrot with partner Tony. Carrie Ann says Martina is so beautiful and refined. She wants her to work on her turns. Len feels her dance was a little too careful. He wants her to wow them more. Bruno says she needs to extend her moves through her arms, but still thought she was very elegant. The judges give them 7-6-7 for a total of 20.

Katherine & Mark

Sexy soprano Katherine Jenkins is a vision in yellow as she takes to the dance floor with partner Mark Ballas for their Foxtrot. These two seem to be pretty darn in sync for a Week One dance. Len thought Katherine had wonderful musicality but he would like her to lift her rib cage a little more in holds. Bruno feels that Katherine has set the bar very high for herself. Carrie Ann felt like she was watching two pros out there. 9-8-9 gives them a total of 26 and the lead for the night.

Gladys & Tristan

Gladys Knight says she was never really allowed to dance with the Pips. Well, times have changed as the music legend takes to the ballroom floor to do a totally fun Cha Cha with partner Tristan. Once again, the audience goes crazy. Bruno says the legend has got the moves. Carrie Ann says her dance just made her want to get up and move. Len loved the naturalness of her routine. 8-7-8 gives her a total of 23 out of 30.

Jaleel & Kym

Jaleel White used to bounce around while wearing suspenders and oversized glasses on his classic sitcom Family Matters. Now he’s doing some serious dance moves with partner Kym as they do their Foxtrot. Carrie Ann thought Jaleel’s dance was the icing on the cake tonight. Len thought he was truly elegant. Bruno felt like he was watching the great Gregory Hines out there. 9-8-9 gives them a total of 26 and a first place tie with Katherine & Mark. Season 14 gets off to an amazing start with a truly talented crew of dancers. It was arguably the best, first night of dancing ever! This week’s scores will be combined with the ones accumulated in Week 2. Who will make it through to the end? There’s only one way to find out. Keep watching and, more importantly, keep voting!