<p>I dont think he has been on before. Im rooting for Alphonso all the way, which really isnt fair because he is certainly leaps and bounds ahead of others. I like Antonio Sabato from my soap opera days. I dont like Tavis Smiley or LoLo Jones </p>
<p>Well I know Betsey Johnson and Lolo Jones - I guess it’s all about trying to draw in viewership with the NASCAR and Duck Dynasty “stars”. I have no idea who the 17 year old is but can imagine that it will be like when Bristol danced where you aren’t allowed to say they’re not your favorite dancer without being accused of being a “hater”. I imagine that the voting block who kept that whiney-blonde-former-child-star-whose-name-escapes-me in to the end will be out in force</p>
<p>This is the worst cast I think I’ve ever seen. Only a couple of them are remotely interesting to me. Sorry that Max is gone. </p>
<p>Alfonso is definitely the one to beat. Surprised that newer pro Witney got this ringer of a dancer. Sadie was adorable and has a lot of potential. Did Julianne call her Sadie Robinson? Now that there are 4 judges, they really have to “streamline” their comments so the show isn’t so hectic. Having Alison Holker on the show this season is an absolute delight. I think Erin seems much more comfortable.</p>
<p>Refreshing to see mainly “average” dancers this season after recent seasons where most were much better than previous starters with a few horrible “stars”. This time age doesn’t equal performance- think 72 as good and bad… It will be interesting to see who improves the most- in the past it seems as though some dancers were shoo ins from day one while others were doomed just because they were average, not poor to start with.</p>
<p>Agree about Alfonso. Hope the 72 year old show off lady goes ASAP while Chong stays awhile. Future episodes should be less hectic as the numbers dwindle. Tonight’s dancing times seemed rather short.</p>
<p>My commentary on the season opener: </p>
<p>A couple of train wrecks: Lolo Jones and Betsy Johnson. Betsy is my least favorite type celebrity, just too out there for my taste. But shame on Tony for giving her a prop the first week of dancing.</p>
<p>I didn’t care for Val’s partner, her personality was not to my liking, and in the introductory for the two of them, she was rubbing his chest saying everyone was jealous of her, I didn’t care for that at all. And their routine was way too ambitious for the first dance. too show-offy.</p>
<p>Tavis and Sharna were a nice surprise, so was the duck dynasty gal and also the kid from Mean Girls dancing with a new professional. Derek and partner were nice to watch as usual! Cheryl and her partner were sort of forgettable.</p>
<p>I didn’t care for Michael the race driver being dressed up as a race car driver, it was too cheesy. They were all crazy about Tommy Chong but he didn’t do anything for me. The same with Karina’s boxer guy.</p>
<p>I never cared for Lea Thompson as an actress, but she has some potential and I hope they dress her less matronly from here on in.</p>
<p>Loved Alfonso & Witney!!!</p>
<p>Why have four judges when they couldn’t fit in all their comments? </p>
<p>Erin Andrews voice didn’t get any easier to listen to and I get tired of seeing her stoop down to talk to the contestants and professionals.</p>
<p>I did catch a glimpse of Meryl & Charlie in the audience!!!</p>
<p>I know we all laugh about the “stars” part of the show, but I truly didn’t really know these people this season. I’m sure Betsey Johnson and the race car guy will be gone asap and that girl who forgot her dance can be in that first 3 in any order. Then there’s a whole bunch in the middle. Internet girl was impressive considering she’s “famous” for having a vlog, this experience has to be overwhelming to her. It will be interesting to see who can improve. Seems like an awful lot of older contestants this year. It will take me a few more shows to remember their names and why they’re “famous”. </p>
<p>To me, it seems like they’re trying to capture the younger audience with the duck dynasty daughter, blog gal, Val’s celebrity…can’t remember what she’s famous for, and mean girls guy along with some younger and new professionals. I read this is probably Cheryl Burkes last season and who knows, she may wind up in the judges chair too. I can’t remember the names well yet, either. Don’t count on the race driver to be out too soon as there are big fans in the racing circuit plus his professional, Emma, is well liked. Glad to see Witney with Alfonso as she brings some needed new energy to the show. Is it on again tonight or not till next Wed? I am mad they moved Big Bang to Monday but guess I will have something to watch when rerun time comes along.</p>
<p>I called it earlier, I knew Alphonso would be the one to beat. Its really not fair since he has had formal training, but I love to watch him dance. I am surprised Tavis got such praise from the judges, his dance was really short.</p>
<p>I agree that Betsey Johnson’s dance was sort of a fiasco, but if my body looks and moves like that at 72, I would be a happy woman! </p>
<p>I give them all huge props for being able to remember the choreography (except for Lolo Jones.) I tried to learn a few 8 counts for a Mom’s dance a few years ago and realized that I no longer have any ablity to remember choreography.</p>
<p>I am sick to death of the whole Lolo is a virgin thing. I guess they had to remind us all why she is famous.</p>
<p>I really dislike Erin Andrews’ interviews. They need to find a Cat Deely clone.</p>
<p>I’m with you @missypie , I dont like Erin either. She is just really rough around the edges to me. I guess she is used to being on the sports field, and it doesnt translate well to DWTS.</p>
<p>Perhaps because I had so little expectation because of a cast about which I know next to nothing, but I LOVED the show. My feelings were in line with the judges … loved the fighter, loved the Mean Girls kid, loved Carlton, love the Duck Dynasty girl. The Pretty Little Liars girl is a contender. I hope Lolo doesn’t go because I think she has more potential than the race-car driver. And, yikes, Betsey Johnson. Oh, and I was really shocked by how much I liked what Tommy Chong did. How did he pull off a little bit sexy?</p>
<p>I couldn’t take my eyes off the new girl with Carlton. She is so beautiful.</p>
<p>YDS, at least Witney Carson is almost 21 now. When she auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance she still had braces on her teeth…and still managed to be sexy as all get out. During her season of SYTYCD, it felt rather “wrong” seeing her be so sexy. But yeah, one of those small town Utah girls who’s really got it.</p>
<p>She’s not new - that’s Witney, she had that Disney kid Cody last year. She was on So You Think You Can Dance - so were the two girls in the troupe, the new pro Allison, Dmitri and Lacey.</p>
<p>Well, she looked gorgeous last night in a whole new way.</p>
<p>I’ve always really liked her since I saw her on SYTYCD. It’s funny that I can confuse her and Chelsea, who was also on SYTYCD. They had Witney work with Drew Carey last year during the switch up round and she was so kind with him and really did a great job with him, I thought like he didn’t even want to go back with Cheryl.</p>
<p>Witney got cut last season after the switch up round…so her “star” got cut because of the week she didn’t work wtih him. That didn’t seem fair.</p>
<p>I’m glad Lea got the top scores of the evening. Hopefully the votes reflect her solid performance. Wish Allison had choreographed a routine that had more content which head judge Len demands season after season. If you were the new pro on the block would you go outside the box and take that kind of risk in week 2? Agree with judge comments that Mark Ballas chose a crazy genre to do a country themed routine to. I like Janel the dancer but her personality is getting on my nerves. Will she be the “Sabrina Bryan” of this season? Will Alfonso be helped or hurt by having Witney as his partner? I’m not a fan of hers. To me, she lacks sincerity or doesn’t connect with people.</p>
<p>Last week, I gushed about Witney so it seems fair to say what I didn’t like about her this week. Her outfit. Gave her a uniboob. A friend called during the show so I was mega-distracted for part of it. :(</p>
<p>I was underwhelmed by the show. Lea was good but needs to do something with that stringy hair, it ages her. The two young gals with Mark and Derek are fun to watch but still something a bit off there. Maybe in time they will wow us. Betsy reminded me of a great grandma Cinderella, and that is not a compliment. The Mean girls guy was upstaged by his partner, Allison, who doesn’t seem to understand the concept of making sure the celebrity shines.</p>
<p>My favorite was Alfonso and Witney. I though they were smokin’ hot. </p>