'Dancing With the Stars': Carole Baskin claws out a paso doble in first dance, earns lowly 3 score
Its the first live show to come back during a pandemic, so there were going to be issues on Monday's season premiere of "Dancing With the Stars."
The piped-in audience sounds in the empty theater due to COVID-19 regulations were jarring at first, but workable. Judges Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough (filling in for stuck-in-London Len Goodman) were in rusty spring-training form. New host and executive producer Tyra Banks was tight after her fierce red gown entrance.
The show felt rushed and sometimes joyless getting through 15 new dancer introductions, partner meet-ups and dances.
But the celebrity dancers showed promise and the night's main event, "Tiger King" star Carole Baskin, did attempt her paso doble, as the night's "grand" finale competitor. The animal activist lived up to the expectations of being must-see TV, as she sprinted to the bottom of the judges' leaderboard faster than a cheetah going after prey.
Aside from her dancing debut, Baskin also had to deal with resurfaced suspicions regarding the disappearance of her former husband, Don Lewis, a subject explored in "Tiger King." A commercial aired during ABC's "DWTS" broadcast featuring Lewis' daughters, who are seeking information about Lewis' death. A $100,000 reward is being offered.
Family attorney John M. Phillips went so far as to mention Baskin specifically in the commercial.
"Do you know who did this, or if Carole Baskin was involved?" he asked.
In Netflix's docuseries, the Lewis' family paints Baskin in an unflattering light. Some, including Joe Exotic, believe Baskin fed Lewis to her big cats. Baskin denies this claim, and says she believed Lewis was on his way to Costa Rica when he vanished. She suspects he might have had Alzheimer's disease and could've been confused about his whereabouts.
After her performance, Baskin told Entertainment Tonight she was "not at all surprised" by the ad. "It's just been a huge publicity stunt on their part, so what more could they possibly do than that?"
Here's how the rest of the big first night went ahead of next Tuesday's first elimination show.
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Carole Baskin and Pasha Pashkov
The big-cat lover had already made it clear that she would be dancing her paso doble to the fitting Survivor anthem "Eye of the Tiger." Baskin and partner Pashkov chewed that theme to the bone with tiger ensemble, Pashkov emerging from a cage to begin and frequent arm-raised-to-claw tiger roars.
Baskin, 59, warned in the preview that she had "zero" dance experience, and it showed. That arm-lift tiger-roar got tiresome, and its only week one.
Tonioli was the only judge to speak somewhat harshly, saying, "You used those claws all the time, I thought you were going to dislocate your shoulder." He noted the dance "resembled" a paso doble.
"I want to hear you roar," Tonioli said, pulling out a rare and low 3 score. "Sorry love, it can only get better."
Hough trying to sound positive might have been the best footwork ever by the five-time "DWTS" champion. "You're here, you're doing it," he said, giving a 4.
Total judges score: 11/30
A.J. McLean and Cheryl Burke
The Backstreet Boy, 42, admitted he has never done anything resembling ballroom dancing, before finding his partner in Burke. He jumped off the steps with wild abandon and jived with seeming ease to “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd. He often kicked solo away from his pro partner, before spinning her out to end the routine.
"Shot right out the cannon," exclaimed Hough, who asked for a little more jive action. "But you feel comfortable out there. It's going to be great." The other judges called for a little polish from the likely contender and gave 6 scores across the board.
Total judges score: 18/30
Chrishell Stause and Gleb Savchenko
The "Selling Sunset" star, 39, said she has "the heart" to make up for her lack of ballroom experience. But in a glamorous gold dress, Stause rocked a tango to "Raise Your Glass" by Pink with more skill than expected before gold tape fell from the ceiling to signal the end. The judges called the real estate contestant a solid fixer-upper on the dance floor.
"I know you can sell, and you managed to get the tango into escrow, but you're a long way from closing," said Tonioli, who gave a 4. The other judges echoed the call for improvement.
Total judges score: 13/30
Vernon Davis and Peta Murgatroyd
The San Francisco 49er and Super Bowl champion, 36, showed effortlessly smooth moves in his foxtrot to “All of Me” by John Legend. There is work to be done, but he showed he could be a contender as he glided impressively across the dance floor.
Inaba was visibly impressed, "You have a stage presence; elegance with masculine control," she said, still dropping a point for an illegal lift. (On the first week, Carrie Ann. Really?) She ended up giving a 5.
"You got the foxtrot to the sizzling point," said Tonioli.
Total judges score: 17/30.
Anne Heche and Keo Motsepe
The "Psycho" star, 51, showed a quirk-and-a-half personality that will only grow on us during the season (we're hoping). On the floor, Heche impressed with surprisingly precise footwork in her cha cha to "Don't Start Now." She admitted later she was thinking, "Please God, don't let me fall and please give me a second take."
But there was style and potential.
"You're a star in this ballroom my friend," said Inaba, matching every other judge’s six scores.
Total judges score: 18/30
Jeannie Mai and Brandon Armstrong
The TV host, 41, showed an amazing willingness to try anything with her hot salsa to Taylor Dane's "Tell It To My Heart." Flinging off her florescent jacket in the first moments, it was the first planned wardrobe toss of the season. Then Mai really started to move. In one bold step, she flipped her hips directly into Armstrong's shoulders as the pro dancer spun her with hands out.
"That was amazing, you lit this room up," said Inaba.
Total judges score: 18/30
Jesse Metcalfe and Sharna Burgess
The "Desperate Housewives" star, 41, said he has the dance "talent within me." His quickstep to "Part Time Love" showed glimpses of the talent, especially for a fast, physically demanding first week dance.
Inaba said it was one of the "most passionate quicksteps" she'd seen but called for better posture. The panel gave sixes across the board.
Total judges score: 18/30
Skai Jackson and Alan Bersten
The youngest contestant at 18, Skai Jackson leaped through expectations, showing maturity and supreme dance moves to Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass." The Disney Channel star even rocked a split during her tango on week one, a power move generally saved for later weeks.
Hough was blown away as the judges shot Jackson to the top of the leaderboard, "Girl you’re good," he said.
"The sky is the limit" said Tonioli.
Judges total score: 21/30
Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev
Bristowe, 35, rocked a glam yellow dress and contender moves during her cha cha to Lady Gaga's "Stupid Love." The star of "The Bachelorette" called the dance "an out-of-body experience."
The impressed judges were left full of praise and fumbling for technical flaws. "It was so good," said Tonioli.
Total judges scores: 20/30
Nev Schulman and Jenna Johnson
"Catfish" host Nev Schulman, 35, brought flowers to meet his partner Jenna Johnson and continued the old school grace with his elegant foxtrot to "The Way You Look Tonight" in black tie with hair slicked back. The biggest surprise was the grace in movement.
"The world needs a little more Nev," said Inaba. Hough called him a "great dancer."
Total judges scores: 20/30
Johnny Weir and Britt Stewart
With his natural athleticism, performing ability and love of flamboyant outfits, the biggest question for Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir, 36, was – what took him so long to get on "DWTS"? From his first meeting with new pro Stewart, it's clear Weir has abundant enthusiasm matched with a lethal competitor's fire.
His cha cha to the Pussycat Dolls' "Buttons" showed champion extension and gestures.
"You have a wonderful lyrical quality, you feel the music," said Tonioli.
Total judges score: 18/30
Justina Machado and Sasha Farber
Another major surprise, actress Justina Machado, 48, worked Aretha Franklin's "Respect" into a joyous cha cha. The fast-paced number kept the "One Day at a Time" star smiling and her dress fringes flying. By the end of the audacious dance, the judges were all grooving and Machado was tied at the top of the leader board.
"Muy caliente, you are on fire," said Inaba.
Total judges score: 21/30
Charles Oakley and Emma Slater
The former NBA star and self-proclaimed "enforcer," showed a remarkable relaxed-yet-happy vibe dancing his salsa to "In Da Club”" by 50 Cent.
Hough critiqued the laid back dance for being "flat-footed and ahead of the music. But I felt the joy. That goes a long way."
Still the straight 4 scores put Oakley near Baskin at the bottom.
Total judges score: 12/30
Nelly and Daniella Karagach
It was getting hot in there for rapper Nelly, 45. Wearing all bright red and sneakers, he danced the salsa to his own song, "Ride Wit Me" and showed the moves.
He flipped Karagach, made it rain invisible dollars, and then pulled off a surprise black flip to end the routine.
Tonioli said he only needed to see looser shoulders to "keep the elastic fantastic coming." Inaba said he had to open up to "expose your heart."
Total judges score: 16/30
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Dancing With the Stars' recap: Carole Baskin claws out paso doble
