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Learn more- The "Dancing with the Stars" drama kicked off even before the season began, with everyone wondering and speculating which two female stars would replace Jewel and Nancy O'Dell, two stars who fell victim to injury while rehearsing for the show. The producers weren't so quick to reveal anything, either, as 11 of the 13 couples were introduced at the start of the show, with the promise from host Tom Bergeron that the "two brave stars" who would replace Jewel and Nancy, "having had the shortest training time in the history of 'Dancing with the Stars.'"
The season offered up several fun stories, including newly engaged pros, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff, competing against each other; the youngest competitor in the history of the show (Shawn Johnson), and the first official "Jackass," Steve-O.
Lil Kim & Derek Hough: But the best line of the night came from Lil Kim, who said, "The first time I ever watched 'Dancing with the Stars' was when I was in prison." Derek Hough was happy to come into this season as the reigning champion. He wanted to work some of Lil Kim's hip-hop "swagger" into their routines. She dedicated her first dance "to all my girls in the federal detention center." The couple danced the cha cha cha to Janet Jackson's "Nasty Boys." Judge Len Goodman praised the first dance, calling it "first class." He said it needed some more refining, "but overall, good job, well done." Bruno Tonioli said Lil Kim could "work wonders with that tooshy," but noted that she stumbled a few times. Carrie Ann Inaba said Lil Kim had great potential, but advised her to just let it out rather than thinking of ballroom as another type of dance from what she's used to. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21
Belinda & Jonathan: Former Go-Gos lead singer Belinda Carlile said she was "fanatical" about the show. Her partner Jonathan Roberts said he wanted to prove "that nice guys can finish first. Belinda was having trouble with the spinning in the waltz, which made her dizzy. Jonathan worried that would be a problem throughout the season if she couldn't get a handle on it. Bruno said Belinda went from looking like Julie Andrews at the start, to Cloris Leachman. He told her to work on his footwork. Carrie Ann said it "wasn't great, but it certainly wasn't Cloris Leachman," and told Belinda to trust her partner and let him lead. Len said there was some grace and elegance about it, but "overall I thought you did a good job on a very difficult dance." Scores: 6, 6, and 5. Total: 17
Lawrence & Edyta: NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was hoping he wouldn't break the dance floor. His partner Edyta Sliwinska reintroduced herself by reminded us, "I always bring seduction to the dance floor." Lawrence was nervous about looking uncoordinated on the dance floor. They danced the cha cha cha. It was a little clunky, but he more or less held his own. Carrie Ann told him to get "a little more on the offense." Len said he liked Lawrence's naturalness and said he enjoyed watching it. Bruno said "that was so laid back it was thrown away." He told Lawrence to attack the dance and go out and perform next time. Scores: 6, 5, and 5. Total: 16
Steve-O & Lacey: A more perfect match might not have been possible as "Jackass" star Steve-O met up with "Dancing's" new rebel Lacey Schwimmer. Lacey said she had the biggest job of transforming her star partner this season. They danced the waltz, during which Steve-O he hoped "this 'Jackass' can look like a gentleman." Len said he admired that Steve-O came out fully committed, "but technically there was a lot going on that wasn't quite the ticket. But, I've gotta say, I expected much, much worse." Bruno called it "a big pile of slapstick," but praised him for having fun with it. Carrie Ann said she had mixed emotions about the beauty and the weirdness and awkwardness. Scores: 6, 5, and 6. Total: 17
Gilles & Cheryl: Gilles Marini, the "naked guy" from the "Sex and the City" movie was teamed up with Cheryl Burke, who was hoping to become the first three-time champion on "Dancing with the Stars." Gilles and Cheryl were both worried about his lack of a fan base. They danced a steamy cha cha cha. Carrie Ann gave a "woo hoo!" and was nothing but complimentary about Gilles. Bruno said, "clothes on or clothes, you certainly know how to strut your stuff." Len praised Cheryl for her choreography and said it was "absolutely fabulous." Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24.
Chuck & Julianne: Real-life couple Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough found that being a real-life couple might complicate the teaching the process. During rehearsals, Julianne told him he was the worst student she's had. They took on a romantic waltz. Bruno said it was looking good at times, "but at times it looked like you were chasing her," and said that he thought Chuck was going to strangle Julianne at the end. Len agreed that it was a bit hectic, but praised Chuck's footwork. Carrie Ann said Chuck might be one of the most graceful men that has been on the show, but she pointed out that Julianne's foot came off the ground. Scores: 6, 7, and 7. Total: 20.
Injury timeout: Tom took a moment to chat with Jewel an Nancy O'Dell about their injuries. They were both disappointed they wouldn't be ale to compete, due to their injuries. O'Dell said she was having surgery next week.
Holly & Dmitri: Playboy Playmate and former "Girl Next Door" Holly Madison stepped in for the injured Jewel and had just one week to prepare with brand new dancing pro Dmitry Chapman. Len said "it wasn't bad," and acknowledged they only had a short time to practice and said he was sure they would be fabulous next week. Carrie Ann agreed that she'd be better next week, saying she was "really like a newborn deer right now, a little wobbly on the legs." Bruno noted that Holly lost her timing quite a few times, but told her to keep hope. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18.
Ty & Chelsie: Rodeo champion Ty Murray met up with new dancing pro Chelsie Hightower, a contestant on the last season of "So You Think You Can Dance?" Ty said Chelsie was going to have her work cut out for her trying to teach him how to dance. He missed a couple of steps on his cha cha cha. Bruno said "it looked more like an Army drill than a cha cha cha." Len said that part of the charm of the show is seeing people come out and try something outside their comfort level, and he praised Ty for doing that. Carrie said Ty was "one cute cowboy." "Your dancing, we're going to work on that," Carrie Ann said. Scores: 5, 4, and 5. Total: 14.
Shawn & Mark: Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson warned us not to underestimate her, and her partner Mark Ballas said he wanted his trophy back. The 17-year-old Olympian was struggling to show emotion on the dance floor, but Mark encouraged her to embrace it. They danced a nice waltz. Carrie Ann said she was "truly moved," watching Shawn's dancing and praised her dynamism. Bruno called it "surprisingly refined for somebody so young." Len said he "found the whole thing very appealing." Scores: 8, 8, and 7. Total: 23.
Steve & Karina: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak rode in on his segue to meet with partner Karina Smirnoff, who vowed that she could bring the sexy side out of anyone. Good luck with that, Karina! "The Woz" stumbled through their early rehearsals in black shorts with black dress socks and black shoes. He came out wearing a pink feather boa. It was a bit clunky, but Tom called out, "Take that, Bill Gates!" Len said it held his attention and called out some parts he liked, "but overall it was a disaster." Bruno said "it was like watching a Teletubby going mad at a gay pride parade." Carrie Ann said Steve was what the competition was all about and said he made viewers want to cheer for her. Scores: 5, 4, and 4. Total: 13.
David & Kym: Comedian David Alan Grier threw off his partner Kym Johnson at their first meeting, telling her he wanted to lose weight and wanted "a swimmer's body." They danced the waltz. Bruno said there were "some good lines at times," but said he was leaning too far into Kym on the holds. He also told David to stick to one character during the course of a dance. Carrie Ann agreed that David's face was a little distracting at times. Len said "there was far more good in that performance than there was bad," and he said that "overall, it was very commendable." Scores: 6, 7, and 6. Total: 19.
Denise & Maks: Actress Denise Richards met up with "Dancing's" bad boy Maksim Chmerkovskiy. There were some tense moments during rehearsals, but the couple got through their "differences" and went out to do their cha cha cha. Carrie Ann said Denise looked terrified, but that she showed potential. Len said it was "all a little bit loose" and told her to dance herself without Maks pulling her around. Bruno said "there were some moments" when he could see it the right way, but it collapsed in other parts. Scores: 6, 6, and 6. Total: 18.
Melissa & Tony: After just two days of practice, Melissa Rycroft of sudden "Bachelor" fame teamed up with partner Tony Dovolani, as a replacement for Nancy O'Dell. They held it together without any major flubs. Len said "'The Bachelor's' loss is 'Dancing with the Stars'' gain." Len said it was obvious she'd had ballet experience and said she had to get lower on her feet. Bruno called "the 'Bachelor' guy" and loser. He said she was a revelation and said "it was like watching a beautiful bird just about ready to take flight." Carrie Ann said she looked forward to seeing how it worked out, but said she didn't want Melissa to take it too lightly. Scores: 8, 7, and 8. Total: 23.
SCOREBOARD:
Gilles & Cheryl: 24
Shawn & Mark: 23
Melissa & Tony: 23
Lil Kim & Derek: 21
Chuck & Julianne: 20
David & Kym: 19
Holly & Dmitry: 18
Denise & Maks: 18
Belinda & Jonathan: 17
Steve-O & Lacey: 17
Larence & Edyta: 16
Ty & Chelsie: 14
Steve & Karina: 13
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