Dancing With the Stars Season 21 Episode 1 Review: “Season Premiere”

Dancing With the Stars

Welcome to another season of Dancing With the Stars! Coming off of the supposed high from last year, with it being both the 20th anniversary and judge Len Goodman’s final year, it seems like they were trying to match that and not being able to. It was a fine season premiere, but it just felt like the series was trying to do more and it wasn’t working. What they did do, though, was dance!

Out of all the different pairs that danced last night, it’s already obvious that some of them deserved to move on more than others. Alexa Penavega was described by one of the judges as having “a sensuality and a strength that I think is going to take you very far.” Bruno commented to Bindi Irwin that she was, “The wonder from down under!” Julianne even noted that Alex Skarlatos, who most people don’t know (he’s one of the three who prevented an attack on a Paris train earlier this year), “Took her breath away.”

All of these dancers had skills. They had technique. They all had dances that merited scores that were twenty or higher.

Then there were the other pairs. I don’t want to see all of these pairs to go in the near future. For example, Paula Deen was superb. She knew how to work the crowd. She was beautiful. She moved her upper body so well. I hope she comes back! Some things that may work against her are what Julianne said, which was, “You were holding on Louie for dear life.” Also, not working in Paula Deen’s favor, although I’m not sure not much this will play into it, is that some people may not have forgiven her for her racist comments. I won’t give my opinion here but her personality isn’t on trial here. Her dancing is and that’s what’s supposed to be getting your points.

I also would like Kim Zolciak-Bierman to come back. She danced so well, but her problem was that she seemed so nervous and that’s why she scored so low. If she returns next week with the “pow” that Carrie Ann wants her to have, she could go really far.

However, while some Dancing With the Stars couples who weren’t exactly “great showed promise, there were also some pairs that I’m already ready to see leave, and I’m sorry say to that. I know that Chaka Khan is a legend in the music industry and I like her stuff, but she didn’t seem to dance much. Then there was Gary Busey. Besides the fact that I had no idea what he was talking about, I just don’t think his dance was very good.

As for who I’m rooting for, it’s hard to say at this point. It’s only Week One. It’s still the beginning. The only person I’m actually cheering for is Sharna. After her work last season with Noah, she’ll always have one of my votes. Also, I know that I agreed and disagreed with the judges. What are you going do? I’ll be back tomorrow to give you a recap of Tuesday’s Dancing With the Stars. In the meantime, below are the pairs’ scores and what the star does for everyone out there who doesn’t know: