Photo Courtesy of WoodTV.com
People all over the country tuned in on Monday, Sept 14 for the “Dancing With The Stars” Season 29 premiere and again on Monday, Sept. 21 for the first elimination episode. Even with no live audience, DWTS brought in stars like Skai Jackson, “Catfish” host Nev Schulman and yes, Carole Baskin. Hosted by Tyra Banks and featuring judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough, this season is one of the best yet. DWTS said goodbye (kind of) to Len Goodman, who did not appear in person due to his concerns about COVID-19. However, he still does make some virtual appearances to comment on the dancing.
Here is a rundown of how the contestants did during the first two weeks:
AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys kicked the night off with his partner, Cheryl Burke, doing the jive and receiving a score of 18, which is not bad for the first week. The second week McLean and Burke performed the foxtrot, which Inaba called “smooth as silk.” The judges gave them a score of 19 to make a total of 37 out of 60.
“Selling Sunset” star Chrishell Stause and her partner, Gleb Savchenko, were next with the tango. They did not do as well as McLean and Burke, receiving a score of 13. However, Strause and Savchenko made a comeback the second week, with Strause using her family background to bring emotion to the ballroom. They received a score of 18 for a total of 31 out of 60.
Next up was NFL player Vernon Davis and his partner, Peta Murgatroyd, doing the foxtrot. They received score of 17. During the second week of performances the couple attempted a challenging paso doble, slightly improving with a score of 18 for a total of 35 out of 60.
Actress Anne Heche was next with her partner, Keo Motsepe, doing the cha-cha. They got a score of 18. Again, not bad for the first week. Heche dedicated her foxtrot with Motsepe to her two sons the second week. They received a score of 18, for a total of 36 out of 60.
Bubbly and energetic host Jeannie Mai was next with her partner, Brandon Armstrong. They started the season strong with the salsa, receiving a total score of 18. However, Mai’s mother disagreed, telling her daughter she had to do better the second week. Unfortunately, the couple received another 18 for their cha-cha, making the total 36 out of 60.
Next was actor Jessie Metcalfe with his partner, Sharna Burgess, performing the quickstep. Their total score was 18. They followed up week two with a foxtrot, receiving a score of 20 for a total of 38 out of 60.
At 18 years old, Disney star Skai Jackson is the youngest contestant to have ever participated on DWTS. Nevertheless, Jackson and her partner Alan Bersten left with the highest score of the night, receiving a 21 for their tango. However, Jackson did not do so well the second week, falling out of a lift that cost the couple some precious points from the judges. They received a score of 15 for a total of 36 out of 60.
Former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe was next with her partner, Artem Chigvintsev, doing the cha-cha. They received a score of 20. The second week, Bristowe had a bit of a scare after she injured her ankle during rehearsals. However, once she was cleared to perform, the couple performed the foxtrot and received a score of 22 for a total of 42 out of 60.
Next was “Catfish” host Nev Schulman with his partner, Jenna Johnson. They impressed the judges with the foxtrot, receiving a score of 20. Second week, Schulman and Johnson impressed the judges again with a cha-cha, receiving a score of 21 for a total of 41 out of 60.
Then, figure skater Johnny Weir took the stage with his partner, Britt Stewart. They received a score of 18 for their cha-cha. Second week, “Johnny Gaga” appeared on stage, with the couple dancing the tango to Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.” They received a score of 18 for a total of 36 out of 60.
Actress Justina Machado brought some serious energy and personality to the stage with her partner, Sasha Farber. They performed a cha-cha, receiving a score of 21. The couple performed a foxtrot the second week, with Machado again showing off her charisma. They received a score of 21 for a total of 42 out of 60.
Next was basketball star Charles Oakley and his partner, Emma Slater. They performed a salsa, but the judges were unimpressed. The couple received a score of 12. The second week, the couple did not do much better with their cha-cha, receiving a score of 15 for a total of 27 out of 60 and were ultimately eliminated at the end of the episode.
“CHEER” coach Monica Aldama performed a foxtrot with her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy. They received a score of 18. The second week of performances, the couple did not do so well with the jive, receiving a score of 16 for a total of 35 out of 60.
Next was rapper Nelly and his partner Daniella Karagach. The pair danced a salsa to his song “Ride Wit Me” and received a score of 16. During the second week Nelly showed some great improvement, with the couple dancing a cha-cha. They received a score of 18 for a total of 34 out of 60.
Last was the long-awaited performance by Carole Baskin with her partner Pasha Pashkov dancing a paso doble to “Eye Of The Tiger.” However, the judges were unimpressed, with the couple receiving a score of 11. The following week, Baskin shared her struggles with all the negative media attention from Netflix’s “Tiger King.” However, she drastically improved in her Vietnamese waltz with Pashkov, receiving a score of 16 for a total of 27 out of 60.
Overall, DWTS started out its first couple of weeks with a bang. This will be a season to watch, if only just to see Carole Baskin dancing around to cat-themed songs.
