Dancing with the Stars-Week 1

The much anticipated season 6 opener started with "Macho Monday" and 6 guys strutting their stuff. First up was Pen Jillette (& Aussie partner Kym Johnson) who is known for his Vegas comedy/magic shows. Because of this background, I found his performance very entertaining. However, it did lack the speed and sex appeal that the Cha-Cha requires. The judges agreed saying that Penn needed to work on his footwork for next week. He left the floor with a 16 out of 30 from the judges.

Next on the floor was Jason Taylor. In the past seasons, most of the "jocks" have been pretty much train wrecks. They are too stiff and caught up in their "manliness" to let themselves loose for dancing so I didn't expect much. Wow, was I ever wrong! Jason has one of the hottest partners in Edyta Sliwinska so that helps, but I was impressed with the grace and fluidity of his Foxtrot. His efforts paid off in a 22 from the judges.

One of the sexiest men of this season, Cristian de la Fuente & partner Cheryl Burke showed off their moves in the Cha-Cha. For being a Latino, I was surprised at his lack of passion in this dance. However, his moves were good enough to earn him a 21.

Ok, so I know nothing of Adam Carolla except that his partner is the previous 2 seasons winner, Julianne Hough. Now, because of this I had high hopes but I wonder if the shows producers didn't saddle her with a loser to try and even the score. His dancing was awful! He had good footwork but was WAY too stiff and his constant talking during the judges review annoyed me. He received the lowest score for the men with at 15. If he doesn't step it up next week, he's going home.

Mario, Mario...where have you been all my life! He blew me away with his moves in the Cha-Cha. The passion that was between him and Karina Smirnoff was SMOKIN! I cannot wait to see more of this guy. Hopefully, with at score of 24, he will be around a long time!

I know many of us wondered if Steve Guttenberg (w/partner Anna Trebunskaya) was going to be goofy or not. He was very charming and is just a really likable guy! I thought his Foxtrot was fairly good and the judges gave him an 18. Not as impressive as some of the others but definately not as bad either. I am looking forward to seeing how he moves next week in the Cha-Cha.

On to the women:

First out of the gates was fellow "Pie" lover, Shannon Elizabeth & partner Derek Hough. What a great looking couple they make. Derek said he was a boy in last year's competition and is entering this one as a MAN. I wonder what he did over the break!! Shannon's Cha-Cha was a little stiff, surprising for someone who seems so in touch with herself. However, she was SMOKIN HOT in that red fringe outfit. I think she'll do well in the coming weeks. Her 21 out of 30 proved she has potential.

Monica Seles looked beautiful in her pink dress. I take back what I said earlier about her. Her partner Jonathan Roberts is one of the nices guys on the show. However, I did feel she was still way too hard around the edges and that came out in her dancing. Only 15 for a score, doesn't equal match-point in this competition.

Ok, the next dancer had me LMAO! This was Marissa Jaret Winokur and partner Tony Dovolani. Not only was their song hysterical (probably I'm the only one who thought this) but so was Tony's outfit! If I would have had internet connection last night I would have submitted that for the Tues Word Game entry. Black see-through sequined shirts and patent leather pants should be banned! At least he has a really nice chest! I felt their Cha-Cha was very tacky but that Marissa has talent if she can be reined in. Her score of 18 reflects that.

The biggest surprise of the evening came with Priscilla Presley and Louis van Amstel's Foxtrot. She took it a little easier on the eyeliner this time and didn't quite look like she belonged in a wax museum. Her dance was sexy and elegant, everything a Foxtrot should be. Apparantly the audience thought so too as they rewarded her with a Standing O. Her 24 should keep her around for a while yet.

Next up was Kristi Yamaguchi. After Priscilla left her with a tough act to follow, Kristi sure pulled it all out! Her Foxtrot with partner Mark Ballas was near perfection with a 27. She was smooth and graceful and made it look effortless. It'll be interesting to see how she moves in the Cha-Cha next week.

DWTS ended the night with the dancer everyone was most curious about. How would a deaf woman be able to dance? Well, Marlee Matlin proved that she is a force to be reckoned with! Her Cha-Cha was amazing. I guess if you have a great partner like Fabian Sanchez to lead you it doesn't matter if you can hear or not. Marlee is in third place for the women with a 22.

If you missed either of the nights, I strongly recommend you check them out online. Next week will be 2 more nights of dancing with a Double Elimination on Wed. Start making your predictions now.

-As American as Apple Pie