DANCING WITH THE STARS 10-EPISODE #1

AND IN THE BEGINNING!

ABC - Monday, March 22, 2010 8:00-10:00 PM

New Season, New Co-host, New "Stars".

Tom Bergeron introduced his new co-host, Brooke Burke, former DWTS Champion (7), followed by the judges, returning again this year : Carrie Ann Inabe, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli. Tom Bergeron shared with the audience that this season the contestants would be in "the aquarium"... which was a glass room behind the audience and not back stage as in past seasons.

The contestants were to dance either the Cha-Cha or the Viennese Waltz. Of course, the costumes would be as provocative as always, the women beautiful as always and the men handsome with loads of personality.

BREAKDOWN OF PERFORMANCES

(In the order they danced)

#1 Chad Ochocinco and Cheryl Burke - Cha Cha. Best described as a "diamond in the rough" Score 18 points

#2 Shannon Dougherty and Mark Ballas - Viennese Waltz - Impressed the judges with the difficulty of the choreography, her ease and elegance but that she flailed her arms like a "primate". Score 18 points

#3 Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovsky - Cha Cha Complimented Erin on some good moves, but offered advice that she needs to improve the arm movements and leg work. Looked a little like "a funky monkey".

Score 21 points.

#4 Jake Palvelka and Chelsie Hightower - Viennese Waltz. Complimented Jake on his posture and movement and that he led well. Generally impressed. Score 20 points

#5 Niecy Nash and Louis Van Amstel - Cha Cha Complimented Neicy saying that her energy is fantastic, went wrong in a few places, but that the performance was clean, clear and concise. Score 18 points

#6 Evan Lycacek and Anna Trebunskaya - Viennese Waltz. Complimented on his gorgeous line but that he needs to point his toes as opposed to the way he does in skates. Felt he demonstrated great artistry with the grace of a swan. Their advice to him was that he needs to connect with the audience more. Score 23 points

#7 Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa - Cha Cha - Buzz was commended for his bravery and that he is an inspiration to older people. (Buss is 80) Score 14 points

#8 Nicole Sherzinger and Derek Hough - Viennese Waltz - The judges were astounded despite the fact that it lacked musicality and there was no foot work. Score 25 points

#9 Aiden Turner and Edyta Sliwinska - Cha Cha - Judges felt that is was stiff and disjointed and didn't go anywhere and full of everything "I don't like" Score 15 points

#10 Kate Gosselin and Tony Dovolani - Viennese Waltz - Judges felt she was very nervous and that her technique was terrible. Kate has a long was to go. Performance was described as "Tony was pushing a shopping cart" Score 16 points

#11 Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood Cha Cha - Most outstanding comment was "sex, sex, and more sex" Felt that she was having fun and was engaged in the dancing. It was felt to be, however, messy and off time.

Score 21 points

Although the audience is encouraged to vote for the contestants this week, there will NOT be an elimination this week. The votes will be added into next week's along with the contestant's points from both weeks.

WHAT DID YOU THINK...WHO DO YOU THINK WILL EMERGE VICTORIOUS ?

I was surprised at the scoring of 25 for Nicole Sherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls because despite the fact that she makes a career of music and dance her performance was NOT worthy of a 25.