Dancing with the Stars Puts on Its Dancing Shoes for a New Season

Another season of Dancing with the Stars is upon us. Ballroom dancers paired with big names and not so big names has taken America by storm the last few years, and this year seems to be kicking off to be no different. Opening the night with a sexy flare, Lil Kim and Derek Hough offered a promising beginning. With decent lines, and a lot of attitude I have to say I was impressed over all and will in the future not pass judgment to quickly on Lil Kim. Coming up secondly we have Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts, the dance was not very fluid she was very stiff over all perhaps a bad case of the nerves getting to the singer. That being said she had her moments in the dance where things just clicked and she looked like a dancer. Bringing on some more Latin cha cha cha was the couple of Lawrence Taylor and, Edyta Sliwinska another rather un-sparkling performance, while it was cute and fun, the dance was also reserved and held back for a dance that is supposed to be spicy and hot. Perhaps in the coming weeks, we shall see better things.

Moving the night right along the shocking couple of Steve-O & Lacey Schwimmer. For those of you who don't know Steve-O was a star on MTV's show Jackass. Who ever would have thought he would have been on Dancing with the stars. But Steve-O did indeed do a waltz, and while it was certainly not sparkling of star power, it was not a total flop, and just for the sake of something interesting I wouldn't mind seeing Steve-O carry on for a few weeks. The best cha cha cha of a night full of the Latin dance came next with Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke, and can we say HOT! This man got his break in the Sex in the City movie as Samantha's naked neighbor, and he shows just as much appeal clothed and dancing. Bringing out a classical waltz Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough. The only couple ever on dancing with the stars to be a couple off screen made a good showing. The dance was a little fast with Chuck seeming to have to chase his girlfriend across the floor to keep up, but his lines were fluid, and I see this couple as a definite contender if they can keep from any tiffs while rehearsing. Holly Madison has come in to replace the injured Jewel with partner Dmitry Chaplin and unfortunately their cha cha cha was lack luster in quality. Holly moved without much fluid or attention to lines. She seemed to be forcing the movements, and seemed overly nervous with the whole thing.

Rodeo King and Jewels husband Ty Murray took the floor wit the beautiful Chelsie Hightower, another cha cha cha brought out for everyone to look at, and another unglamorous one. But Ty looked like he was letting go a bit ad having some fun, as a cowboy I am sure ballroom dancing is as far from his mind as one can get. Maybe he would be more comfortable two stepping, but he put forth an admirable effort, and lets face it he's just cute. Olympic gold medal winner Shawn Johnson becomes the youngest dancer ever on the show and is paired with Mark Ballas, their waltz was elegant and done well. I would expect a gymnast to be able to move, and she did not disappoint, I look forward to seeing more from this couple. Steve Wozniak and Karina Smirnoff brought out the Latin again, it was cute, and fun most certainly out of Steve's element but not that great over all. Winding our evening down were David Alan Grier with Kym Johnson, and Denise Richards with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, over all neither one glowed. But David Alan showed better lines and movement than Denise did, his draw back came in his over done facial expressions that made me want to laugh softly, instead of enjoy the waltz.

The glitter of the night came in the final performance, and a surprise it was. Betrayed Bachelor star Melissa Rycroft partnered with Tony Dovolani replacing the injured Nancy O'Dell and bringing forth a waltz. And what a waltz it was, beautifully done and intense as the dance should be. Adding to the accomplishment was the fact that the couple only had 48 hours to prepare the dance. The night like any certainly had its up and downs, but over all the air about it was light and fun, something that America surely needs. This season like those that have followed it looks like it will be a promising one, filled with some interesting dances. I am going to stay tuned, and I hope you will too.