Season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars” is off to a wild start. The show, which premiered Sept. 17, streams on Disney+ and ABC on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. With two episodes and a double elimination now completed, there is a lot to catch up on.
The season's first night brought high judges scores, fast-paced dances and no eliminations. Judges Bruno Tonioli, Derek Hough and Carrie Ann Inaba scored dancers very high, with no score dropping below a five. Chandler Kinney received the top score heading into week 2, while fan-favorite Reginald VelJohnson was at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Episode two brought the theme of Oscar’s Night and an impending double elimination announced in the last episode. The first to perform was “The Bachelorette” star Jenn Tran, with a tango to “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got).” The star seemed much more comfortable this week with Sasha Farber, and their chemistry is already beginning to show on screen.
Tran ended with a score of 19 for the night. After her tango, Eric Roberts took the floor with partner Britt Stewart to perform a “The Godfather”-themed waltz. While judges praised him for his talent and acknowledged his previous Oscar nominations, the scores did not reflect this support. He ended the night with a 15 and received a 4 from Hough.
NFL star Danny Amendola and beloved partner Witney Carson performed a jive inspired by “Top Gun” to “Danger Zone.” Judges were overall impressed and Amendola made huge improvements from last week, ending with a score of 21 after paying homage to all those who served in the military.
Controversial star Anna Delvey performed a quickstep with partner Ezra Sosa. While an improvement, Sosa could not get the convicted felon to smile during the routine. The two briefly talked about Delvey’s hate she received online, but her overall attitude toward the show did not appear to change from last week. The judges encouraged her to drop the persona and embrace the competition, but they ended the night with a 17.
Next up, front-runner Kinney and partner Brandon Armstrong did a “Barbie”-themed rumba. The dance was beautifully done; Kinney is a top contender for the main prize, as highlighted by Inaba. The two ended with a 24 for the night, once again at the top of the leaderboard. She is one to watch moving forward in the competition.
VelJohnson went next. The charming actor has already won fans’ hearts on TikTok, as he has been making lots of videos with partner Emma Slater. Despite the TikTok fame, his dance style has ways to go to improve. The pair received a 15 for their pasodoble also getting a 4 from Hough.
Showstoppers Stephen Nedoroscik and Joey Graziadei performed back-to-back. Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold did a “Superman”-themed pasodoble and earned a 22. Nedoroscik’s fun energy with his pro-partner shines bright on stage, and they had a great routine. “The Bachleor” star Graziadei went next with Jenna Johnson and also earned a 22 for their sexy rumba. These male stars are full of energy. Based on fan votes, it seems the audience adores them as well.
Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy did a “Dreamgirls”-themed foxtrot with Tonioli saying, “The dream girl is here to stay.” Tori Spelling* and Pasha Pashkov did a rumba to “This Is Me” from “The Greatest Showman.” Spelling has an infectious spirit on the dance floor, with a clear competitive drive. The judges noted both female stars had much improvement from last week, and both looked more present and relaxed on the floor.
NBA champion Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach performed a foxtrot. Despite the massive height difference, they were able to perform an elegant routine leaving judges stunned and received a 22.
Spicing up the dance floor with their undeniable chemistry, Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko received a 20 for their quick step routine. Videos before the dance showed the pair flirting and giggling, with some speculating a romance may be brewing. The chemistry only continued afterwards, with judges joking about how connected they were.
Finishing out the night was Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten performing a salsa themed to “Dirty Dancing.” To pay tribute to the iconic movie, Bersten lifted his star partner before roles were reversed and Maher lifted him as well. This change-up in lifts has never been seen in the competition and was the most memorable moment of the night. The technique and remarkable lifts earned them a score of 21.
The show typically does one elimination a week, but hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro announced the night was a double elimination. Speculations rose that Roberts and VelJohnson may be leaving the competition. However, both stars were safe, despite the shocked faces of their professional partners, because of fan voting. Spelling and Delvey were eliminated instead.
When asked about the competition, Spelling shouted out her children and gave inspiration to fans. The star left a joyous mark on her two week “DWTS” run, and it is sad to see such a hardworking star leave. On the other hand, Delvey told Hough she would take nothing away from the competition. Her partner, Sosa, clearly had a disappointed look after this comment. Based on the controversy Delvey faced during her time on the show, this remark certainly did not change fans’ opinions of her. It seems she will not be missed from the show, but her partner Sosa will be.
“DWTS” will be back on air Oct. 7 and 8 for a two-night feature, due to missing a week from the vice-presidential debate. Who will top the leaderboard next? And who will unfortunately see themselves out?
