Game Show Newsnet - Dancing with the Stars: Season 9

In 2006, 6 Celebrities gathered together with 6 dance professionals to take part in an experiment displaying ballroom to the home public. 10 seasons later, we never looked back. Here we are celebrating 5 years on the air as the #1 ballroom competition in America. It's still the same old show with a newer attitude. And with former champion Brooke Burke becoming the new co-host, we have a list of who's who and what's what. Wanna see them?

STARS
Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls)
Kate Gosselin (Jon & Kate Plus 8)
Erin Andrews (ESPN)
Chad Ochoconco (Cincinnati Bengals)
Evan Lysacek (Olympic gold figure skater)
Niecy Nash (Reno 911!, Clean House)
Buzz Aldrin (astronaut)
Aiden Turner (All My Children)
Pamela Anderson (Baywatch, V.I.P.)
Shannen Doerthy (Beverly Hills 90210, Charmed)
Jake Pavelka (The Bachelor: On The Wings of Love)

PROS
Derek Hough (Took Brooke Burke to a title; Nicole's partner)
Tony Dovolani (Took Stacy Kiebler to the finals; Kate's partner)
Maksim CHmierkovskiy (Partnered with Toni Braxton; Erin's partner)
Cheryl Burke (2-time champion; CHad's partner)
Anna Trebunskaya (Took Jerry Rice to the finals; Niecy's partner)
Ashly Costa (has a maiden name of Delgrosso; Buzz's partner)
Edyta Sliwinka (Only pro to appear in every season; Aiden's partner)
Damian Whitewood ("Burn The Floor" on Broadway; Pamela's partner)
Mark Ballas (Took Kristi Yamaguchi to a title; Shannen's partner)
Chelsie Hightower (Took Ty Murray to the finals; Jake's partner)

Now that we're all settled in, It's about time for a war. Springtime means lots of rain, and we're pouring down lots of steps and scoring, because you better believe when the dark clouds arrive, it'll be a thunderstorm of routines. No umbrella handy. Get ready. Season 10 begins...now!

Our theme tonigh will be the cha-cha and the vienesse waltz. Kicking this season off is Chad & CHeryl doing a cha-cha to "It's Just Begun" by The Jimmy Castor Bunch. By the time the starting gun fired, it had already begun thanks to this routine. Now to the judges for the first time this season. Carrie Ann said he needs to work on his dance movements, Len said he's a diamond in the rough and Bruno said he's huge talent. To the big board we go for the first time ever...

CARRIE: 6
LEN: 6
BRUNO: 6
Total Score: 18
Not a good start to the 10th season.

Next is Shannen & Mark doing a waltz to "The Killing Moon" by Nouelle Vague. One highlight you might see is a floor sweep by Shannon. On to the judges. Carrie Ann said she impressed Shannon, Len said she portrayed ease & elegance and Bruno said the dancing didn't flow. Maybe the numbers will.

CARRIE: 6
LEN: 6
BRUNO: 6
Total Score: 18
Weak score, but they tie for the top!

Next is Erin & Maks doing a cha-cha to "Tik Tok" by Ke$ha. Erin did a circle kick and both had a bit of a swerve. Time now for the judges. Carrie Ann said work on her arms another time, Len said she's a funky monkey and Bruno said she was bringing zest & vitality. What does the scoreboard bring?

CARRIE: 7
LEN: 7
BRUNO: 7
Total Score: 21
And they take the lead!

Ready to fly is Jake & Chelsie doing a waltz to "Kiss From a Rose" by Seal. Jake gets the rose from Chelsie and she does a ballerina spin. After a monster spin, she did a slink through to end it. We go to the judges. Carrie Ann said she was really impressed, Len sadi he moved very well and Bruno said he did a good job of leading. Will he take the lead?

CARRIE: 7
LEN: 6
BRUNO: 7
Total Score: 20
Not a lead, but he gets 2nd for that effort.

We got Niecy & Louis ready to cha-cha to "Rescue Me" by Fontella Bass. Niecy blew a kiss to the judges and a big falldown to end it. And to the judges. Carrie Ann said her energy was fantastic, Len said it was a but flat and Bruno said she's a sexy momma. Here's what the scoreboard said:

CARRIE: 7
LEN: 5
BRUNO: 6
Total Score: 18
It's now a 3-way tie for 3rd.

Evan & Anna dance next to "I'll be" by Edwin McCain. It provided a lot of arm work for both and it did help. It ended with a walk-off. Now let's walk to the judges. Carrie Ann said he needs to connect with the audience, Len said he has great artistry and Bruno said he has th grace of a swan. Will he fly like a robin or take a nose dive?

CARRIE: 8
LEN: 7
BRUNO: 8
Total Score: 23
and they break out into the lead!

Next is Buzz & Ashly doing "Cupid" by The spinners. Although it was a good routine, I'm going to giveto one comment from Bruno and that's it. He says if he could dance with his moon boots on. That may be funny, but you wanna know how serious when you see this....

CARRIE: 5
LEN: 4
BRUNO: 5
Total Score: 14
Grounded to the basement!

Moving on, Nicole & Derek doing "Love Me In Your Arms" by Ray Lamontange. One highlight you might see is a bautiful ballerina spin by Nicole. Now to the judges. Carrie Ann said the bar has set for this season, Len said it lacked musicality and Bruno said it was a performance of startling finesse. Here's the board:

CARRIE: 9
LEN: 7
BRUNO: 9
Total Score: 25
and they catapult into the lead!

Now we got Aiden & Edyta doing a cha-cha to "Hungry Like The Wolf" by Duran Duran. Aiden leaps off and takes off Edyta's coat. He also does a kick over her and Edyta did a bend walk. On to the judges. Carrie Ann said she liked the approach, Len said it wasn't a great performanc and Bruno said it wasn' t hot. Maybe this'll heat up a bit....

CARRIE: 5
LEN: 5
BRUNO: 5
Total Score: 15
They stay one spot out of last place.

Next is Kate & Tony doing "She's Always A woman" by Billy Joel. Although she says it's her fear of dancing, the fear is gone for now. Now we go to the judges. Carrie Ann said she's not a performer, Len said she looked nervous and Bruno said the technique was terrible. Here's what the score says.....

CARRIE: 6
LEN: 5
BRUNO: 5
Total Score: 16
They skip 2 places out of last.

To end the first show, Pamela & Damian doing "Gimmie all You Lovin'" by ZZ Top. Pam did a squat kick and ripped Damian's shirt off. It was one fiery routine for the 2. Let's cool off with the judges. Carrie Ann said it didn't disappoint, Len said it was a mess and Bruno keeps thinking about sex. Hmmm. Where were we?

CARRIE: 7
LEN: 7
BRUNO: 7
Total Score: 21
and they tie with Erin.

SO here's how the final tally goes. Nicole's out in front with 25, Evan gets 23, Erin & Pam have 21, 20 goes to Jake, 18s go out to Chad, Shannen and Niecy, Kate has 16, AIden with 15 and Buzz on the tail end with 14. Come next week, it'll be the foxtrot and the jive, and only one couple goes home broke. Season X. The journey continues in 7 days from now.

To see this episode in its entirety, go to abc.com/dancing.