Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson in DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 25 | ©2017 ABC/Craig Sjodin

Stars: Vanessa Lachey, Nikki Bella, Frankie Muniz, Terrell Owens, Derek Fisher, Sasha Pieterse, Jordan Fisher, Debbie Gibson, Victoria Arlen, Barbara Corcoran, Nick Lachey, Drew Scott, Lindsey Stirling
Network: ABC, airs Monday
Original Telecast: September 18th, 2017

DANCING WITH THE STARS: Season 25 began with a full cast of 13 couples which is great except it doesn’t give the judges much time to critique. DWTS‘ solution was to have only one judge speak to the couples before their scores. This landed with a big dull thud in the ballroom because one of the best parts of the show is seeing the judges disagree and if only one can talk than there is no one to disagree with, is there? Let’s just hope this is just for this week. Nobody wants to see agreeable judges and congenial critiquing. Boring.

Anyway, the dances themselves ranged from slightly uncomfortable – yes, you Barbara Corcoran – to phenomenally emotional  – paralympic athlete Victoria Arlen with partner Val Chmerkovskiy not only danced well but she did it without even feeling her legs! Arlen grabbed the judges and the audience by the heart strings landing in a tie for third place with wrestler Nikki Bella and her partner Artem Chigvintsev. In first place are electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling and her partner Mark Ballas – welcome back Mark – along with Broadway star Jordan Fisher and his partner Lindsey Arnold. In last place is, you guessed it  – Corcoran and her partner Keo Motsepe who was more than embarrassed by Corcoran’s continuous come-ons towards him. Next week double the night and double the eliminations. Stay tuned.

Vanessa Lachey (TV host) and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Great start! Bruno Tonioli said yummy mommy, a proper Cha Cha, just wonderful.
Scores: Inaba – 7, Tonioli – 7, Goodman – 7, Harland – 8

Nikki Bella (WWE star) and her partner Artem Chigvintsev
Strong! Len Goodman said to stop looking down and lift up your chin during her Tango.
Scores: Inaba – 7, Tonioli – 6,  Goodman – 7, Harland – 7

Frankie Muniz (actor) and his partner Witney Carson
Biggest surprise! Carrie Ann Inaba said his Foxtrot was beautiful, honest, endearing and well done.
Scores: Inaba – 7, Tonioli – 6, Goodman – 6, Harland – 7

Terrell Owens (NFL player) and his partner Cheryl Burke
Kinda slouchy. Goodman told him to watch his feet during his Cha Cha but his performance was fun
Scores: Inaba – 5,  Tonioli – 5, Goodman – 5, Harland – 5

Derek Fisher (NBA player) and his partner Sharna Burgess
Entertaining. Tonioli said he was commanding in his Salsa but he needed to have more snakey hips.
Scores: Inaba – 6, Tonioli – 6, Goodman – 6, Harland – 6

Sasha Pieterse (actress) and her partner Gleb Savchenko
She’s got style. Inaba said she was fierce doing her Cha Cha and hit all the angles.
Scores: Inaba – 6, Tonioli – 6, Goodman – 6, Harland – 6

Jordan Fisher (actor) and his partner Lindsey Arnold
Sharp debut! Inaba said that was so good! You were so in control of that Tango.
Scores: Inaba – 8, Tonioli – 7, Goodman – 7, Harland – 8

Debbie Gibson (singer) and her partner Alan Bersten
Promising. Tonioli said they had great chemistry doing their Foxtrot but to watch her arms.
Scores: Inaba – 6, Tonioli – 6, Goodman – 5, Harland – 6

Victoria Arlen (paralympic athlete) and her partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Impressive! Inaba said her Cha Cha was the most joyous performance she’s ever seen.
Scores: Inaba – 7, Tonioli – 6, Goodman – 6, Harland – 7

Barbara Corcoran (reality TV star) and her partner Keo Motsepe
Not terrible. Tonioli said she needed to maintain her bite in her feet and body while dancing the Salsa.
Scores: Inaba – 5, Tonioli – 5, Goodman – 4,  Harland – 5

Nick Lachey (singer) and his partner Peta Murgatroyd
Well done! Goodman said he went for it in his Cha Cha with an all or nothing attitude. ,
Scores: Inaba – 6, Tonioli – 6, Goodman – 6, Harland – 6

Drew Scott (reality TV star)and his partner Emma Slater
Rushed and a bit sloppy. Goodman said if he was a house he would be a fixer upper dancing his Foxtrot.
Scores: Inaba – 6, Tonioli – 5, Goodman – 5, Harland – 6

Lindsey Stirling (Violinist) and her partner Mark Ballas
The best of the night. Goodman agreed, saying her Cha Cha was crisp, clean and the dance of the night.
Scores: Inaba – 7, Tonioli – 7, Goodman – 8, Harland – 8

Who’s going home: Barbara this is not your best investment.
Who Has Legs to Take Home the Mirror Ball: Lindsey vs. Vanessa for the win, sorry Nick.

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Article: TV Review: DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 25 – Week 1 – Season Premiere – 13 Couples Battle It Out

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