‘Dancing With the Stars': Alfonso Ribeiro Sets High Bar in Season 19 Premiere
— -- "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" star Alfonso Ribeiro was the early standout during the Monday premiere of the 19th season of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," while designer Betsey Johnson and Olympian Lolo Jones suffered significant missteps during their routines.
Ribeiro finished in the lead among the 13 celebrities who are vying for the coveted mirror ball trophy.
This year's celebrity cast includes reality TV personality Sadie Robertson, who appears in "Duck Dynasty," YouTube beauty guru Bethany Mota and NASCAR legend Michael Waltrip.
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The pairs were scored by judges and will earn votes from the audience. The couple with the lowest combined total of judges' scores and audience votes will be eliminated. The first elimination of the season will come during a results show Tuesday.
The judges' panel was expanded this year to include former "Dancing With the Stars" pro dancer Julianne Hough, a two-time mirror ball champion herself and sister of current pro Derek Hough. Julianne Hough evaluated performances alongside head judge Len Goodman and judges Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.
Tonight's Routines
Antonio Sabato Jr.: The "General Hospital" actor's cha-cha with Cheryl Burke drew moderate praise. Said Goodman: "Well it's obvious that you've got dancing in your blood. Unfortunately it hasn't reached your feet," Hough said Sabato's performance was "a little-flat flooted" but she liked his extensions. Tonioli liked that Burke gave Sabato "a lot of content" for the first week and said Sabato had good hip action, while Inaba said the couple had "hot chemistry" that would lead to higher expectations. Goodman, Hough and Inaba each gave Sabato a 6, while Tonioli gave him a 7, for a total of 25 out of a possible 40.
Lea Thompson: The "Back to the Future" actress who was a ballet dancer decades ago earned warm praise from the judges for her elegance, but they cautioned her to watch her posture. "It was beautiful! It was so beautiful. It made me so happy," Hough said. Tonioli agreed, describing Thompson's quality of movement as "exquisite." Inaba said she thought it was one of the "best first foxtrots I have ever seen … you guys are a really well-balanced team," and Goodman said it "that was terrific. Well done." Thompson earned four 8s for a total of 32 points.
Janel Parrish: Judges like the spirited jive that Parrish and partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy delivered. "Naughty! Naughty! Naughty!" Tonioli said, although he said Parrish needed to polish her jive moves. Inaba liked that Parrish had the courage to "just go for it," adding: "You've got great potential." Goodman said it was "a bit untidy on occasion" but said, overall, it was well done, while Hough said Parrish was a true performer. Tonioli awarded Parrish an 8, while the others each gave her a 7 for a total of 29 points.
