Roshon Fegan & Chelsie Hightower
Roshon is the youngest dancer and has been a "hip-hop freestyle" dancer for a long time. Chelsie thinks he looks like a "lost puppy dog" trying to pick up the steps. The kid makes some funny cute faces, I'll give him that. Their cha cha to "Glad You Came" by The Wanted is definitely young feeling, and Roshon's got some serious flexibility and fluidity; he whips his legs around like some of the pros. Chelsie's got some great raw talent to work with here. Bruno's a fan, says Roshon was "laser sharp" on the beat. Carrie Ann says they did the "coolest spin" in a cha cha cha she's seen in all 14 seasons. Len wants more traditional steps - I'll wait while you recover from the shock of that - but says Roshon is a good dancer.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 8 Len: 7 Bruno: 8
Sherri Shepherd & Val Chmerkovskiy
Sherri says she's going to "laugh all the way to that mirrorball." My preview predicted that might be her strategy. And then she goes absolutely NUTS when she discovers Val is her partner. They've got the foxtrot to "Sherry" by The Four Seasons, which I will admit made me giggle. Sherri pulls a lot of faces when she dances, but she's more elegant than she predicted in her pre-dance segment. Carrie Ann calls Sherri the "happiest contestant" they've ever had. Sometimes I worry about the judges' memory problems. Len calls her "fun, fun, fun" and Bruno says she's light on her feet with good timing. Sherri practically skips across the floor to the interview area. Sherri apologizes to everyone she ever criticized as a viewer of the show.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 8 Len: 7 Bruno: 8
'Dancing with the Stars' recap: Season 14 premiere
No villains and, hey, no eliminations in season 14 premiere, either
Tom cracks that Sherri will be giving Gavin lessons on how to get over shyness. Love you, Tom.
Melissa Gilbert & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Melissa says she's had a few rough years, mentioning her divorce (from Bruce Boxleitner) and that she broke her back. She's excited to have Maks as her partner. Melissa cracks that there was no "cha cha" on the prairie. Their music is "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and Melissa's wearing a dress that plunges extremely low in the back. Pa Ingalls would not approve. She's trying so hard, but the moves are a little awkward. I hope her dance next week is something more along the lines of a waltz or foxtrot. Len wanted more "hip action" and called the routine "ambitious," saying she coped well with a "difficult dance." They're giving her very, very technical criticism, which I always think is a good sign. If they speak in generalities, they don't think there's room for improvement and that you're going home soon. I just noticed after the scoring reveal that Maks' hair tonight looks just like Don Draper's.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 7 Len: 6 Bruno: 7
William Levy & Cheryl Burke
The crowd goes wild before Tom can even say William's name. He and Cheryl got started a week later than everyone else because of his work schedule. He balks at the shoes Cheryl's laid out for him; dude, if Donald Driver doesn't bat an eye getting into heels, neither should you. It's a cha cha cha to Chris Brown's "International Love" that, naturally enough, has a nightclub feel to it. Cheryl's not a dummy - he's in a sleeveless shirt that's also cut short enough for us to ogle what my mom would call "his buns." However, Bruno tells William that he's overdressed. Carrie Ann thanks ABC for her job and felt like their freestyle stayed in the spirit of the cha cha cha. Len miraculously agrees.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 8 Len: 8 Bruno: 8
Martina Navratilova & Tony Dovolani
Martina describes herself as an athlete and breast cancer survivor. And says after breast cancer she didn't see any reason to fear dancing. Tony says, "I'm not the bad boy or the bad boy's brother" and that he's ready to win the trophy. It's a Dovolani/Chmerkovskiy feud! Martina says that what scares her the most is the "high heels." Now, see, Martina can get away with saying she's not very feminine waaaaay more than a traditionally beautiful woman like Maria. I absolutely love the way the announcer says "Navratilova." Whoa, the back of Martina's dress is almost entirely sheer and she is still in tremendous shape. You can see her trying to remember the steps in her head, as they foxtrot to "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby," but she looks great and her athletic background means she's not visibly panting in front of the judges. Carrie Ann compliments her beauty and wants her to work on her spins. Len wants more wow, less caution. Is that Chris Evert in the audience? I remember watching tennis as a kid when their rivalry was so huge. Martina has a sense of humor when Brooke compliments her on her appearance saying, "With all this hair, with all this makeup … If I don't look good now, it's over."
Scores: Carrie Ann: 7 Len: 6 Bruno: 7
