Dancing With the Stars Recap 9/16/13: Season 17 Premiere

Dancing With the Stars Recap 9/16/13: Season 17 Premiere

Tonight on ABC the glitz and the glitter returns to the ballroom as the 17th season of DANCING WITH THE STARS premieres with a two-hour episode.  There is an all-new cast and fresh show format to shake the season up.

There is a new format this year for voting dancers off since we only have one night.  Beginning with the second episode on Monday, September 23, one couple will be eliminated at the end of the show by combining the judges’ scores from the first two weeks with the public votes from the previous week.

Tonight’s episode will kick off with a spectacular opening number featuring the entire cast. Each couple will then perform a Cha Cha, Foxtrot or Contemporary routine, vying for America’s vote for the first time.

We have the dance assignments for tonight’s episode for you.  Cha Cha Cha: Brant Daugherty & Peta Murgatroyd; Bill Nye & Tyne Stecklein
Amber Riley & Derek Hough; Keyshawn Johnson & Sharna Burgess and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi & Sasha Farber. Foxtrot: Jack Osbourne & Cheryl Burke, Valerie Harper & Tristan MacManus, Leah Remini & Tony Dovolani and Bill Engvall & Emma Slater.  Contemporary: Corbin Bleu & Karina Smirnoff, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren & Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Christina Milian & Mark Ballas.

Stay tuned to Celeb Dirty Laundry for a full live recap of tonight’s episode. We will keep you up to date on all DWTS news, reviews and spoilers and make sure to check back here regularly for more information on your favorite television shows!

Tonight’s episode is going to have all the usual glitz and glam in the ballroom, which you won’t want to miss. So be sure to tune in for our live coverage of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars Season 17 season premiere – tonight at 8PM EST! While you wait for our recap, hit the comments and let us know how excited you are about the new season and who you are rooting for?

Tonight’s episode begins now – Refresh Page for Updates

Tonight’s DWTS show open’s up with a spectacular group dance.   Dancing are the pros and this season’s contestants.  A great opening to the new season.

Starting out first tonight is:

Brant Daugherty & Peta Murgatroyd dancing the Cha Cha Cha. [VIDEO HERE]

Judges Comments: Len said: “I tell you some of these couples are going to have smooth sailing, Brant sail on that was fabulous.”  Bruno said, “Brant and Peta very hot stuff, that was a sizzling teaser of things to come.  You lost timing, you have the equipment, keep it going.”  Carrie Ann said: “I definitely see double threat potential.  Good job!”

SCORES:  Carrie Ann: 7  Len: 8  Bruno: 7  TOTAL: 22

Leah Remini & Tony Dovolani dancing the Foxtrot [VIDEO HERE]

Judges Comments Bruno said: “Are you sure you never danced that before.  You practiced a lot, it shows.  I liked the foxy trot you put in.  You put Miley Cyrus in.”   Carrie Ann: “You are sass and class.  Your hands are gorgeous, just extend in the future.”  Len: “It was a little careful, but it was clean and precise.”

Scores:  Carrie Ann: 7  Len: 7  Bruno: 7 – TOTAL 21/30

Corbin Bleu & Karina Smirnoff dancing a Contemporary routine [VIDEO HERE]

Judges comments: Carrie Ann said: “That was beautiful and passionate.  It was great, emotion, emotion.”  Len: “I am confused this is week 1.  That was full on, it had attack, well done.”  Bruno: “Strong, powerful yet you have an expressive touch.”

SCORES:  Carrie Ann: 8  Len:  8  Bruno:  8  TOTAL 24/30

Jack Osbourne & Cheryl Burke dancing the Foxtrot [VIDEO HERE]

Judges comments: Len said: “Jack I am telling you, you can dance.  Good posture, you are going to give Kelly a run for her money. “ Bruno: “You were skipping along, you did it incredibly well.”  Carrie Ann: “I want to know how Cheryl is feeling cause Momma bear is proud of her son.  Jack you are a ballroom dancer, I was blown away.”

SCORES:  Carrie Ann: 8  Len:  8   Bruno:  7

Amber Riley & Derek Hough dancing the Cha Cha Cha [VIDEO HERE]

Judges comments: Bruno said: “Amber you are the tigress of season 17, that is how you shake it.”  Carrie Ann: “I love you, I love you.  You turned that Cha Cha Cha into a dance.”  Len“Week 1 and you come out and dance like that, full on fabulous.”

SCORES:  Carrie Ann: 9  Bruno: 9  Len:  9  TOTAL: 27/30

Elizabeth Berkley Lauren & Valentin Chmerkovskiy dancing a Contemporary routine [VIDEO HERE]

Judges comments: Carrie Ann said: “What is going on, it is amazing.  That was a gorgeous angel.  This dance showcased you.”  Len:  “It was lovely to watch.”  Bruno: “Darling the original showgirl is back and she means business.  The choreography was fabulous.  You really do have wings and you can fly high.”

SCORES: Carrie Ann: 8  Bruno: 8  Len: 8  TOTAL: 24/30

Bill Nye & Tyne Stecklein dancing the Cha Cha Cha [VIDEO HERE]

Judges comments: Len said: “Well Bill it was like being waxed it was painful while it happened and lovely when it was over.  It was fun and had comedic moments.”  Bruno: “This is not going to get you the noble prize.  It did not gel, regroup and come back.”  Carrie Ann: “You are the kinda contestant that makes DWTS special.  You were alive and so happy to be dancing, you are the heart of the show.”

SCORES:  Carrie Ann:  5  Len:  4  Bruno:  5  TOTAL: 14/30

Keyshawn Johnson & Sharna Burgess dancing Cha Cha Cha [VIDEO HERE]

Judges comments: Bruno said: “The bigger you are the harder it is.  You really lost timing, but you have the moves.”  Carrie Ann: “Once you got those hips going you got the moves.  Good job!”  Len:  “This is a mix of attitude and technique.  Your attitude is good, you just have to work on the technique.”

SCORES:  Carrie Ann:  6  Len:  5  Bruno:  6  TOTAL: 17/30

Christina Milian & Mark Ballas dancing a Contemporary routine [VIDEO HERE]

Judges comments: Carrie Ann: “You move beautifully, but I think you need to open more.”  Len: “This dance really suited you, but try not to be so careful.”  Bruno: “I loved the it.  Sometimes you have to remember about your hands.  It is a minor point, I liked that very much.”

SCORES:  Carrie Ann: 7  Len:  7  Bruno:  8  – TOTAL 22/30

Bill Engvall & Emma Slater dancing a Foxtrot

Judges comments: Len said: “Week 1 is about getting you nerve.  But you did it well done.”  Bruno: “I felt something but I don’t know what it was, it might have been heart burn.  I sense a smidgen of elegance, dig deeply.”  Carrie Ann: “You have good frame and good musicality, good job!”

SCORES: Carrie Ann: 6  Len:  6  Bruno:  6  TOTAL: 18/30

Valerie Harper & Tristan MacManus dancing a Foxtrot [VIDEO HERE]

Judges’ Comments: Bruno: “How can you criticize a National Treasure.  You were radiant stylish, you were light on your feet.  Hold you balance a bit more.”  Carrie Ann: “Thank you for being on our show, dance is healing.  I respect you so much.  You brought me to tears with you courage.”  Len“There was an ease and elegance to it.  Valerie beautifully done.”

SCORES  –  Carrie Ann: 7  Len: 7  Bruno:  7 – TOTAL 21/30

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi & Sasha Farber dancing the Cha Cha Cha [VIDEO HERE]

Judges comments: Carrie Ann said: “You know how to party, that was great, your form was great.  You just went for it.”  Len: “Like a little pocket rocket.  It was fun and it was fast.  I loved your foot work.  Well done!”  Bruno: ” I do like a wild child.  I love the way you went for it.  For a non dancer I loved the way your legs were placed.”

SCORES: Carrie Ann: 8  Len: 8  Bruno:  7  TOTAL: 23/30

THE END!!  See you next week!!