'DWTS' Premiere Recap: Amber Riley Tops Scoreboard

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Season 17 of "Dancing with the Stars" kicked off with the entire new celebrity cast taking to the dance floor for a group performance.

The opening number wowed the audience and offered viewers a preview of which stars have the best chance at winning season 17's mirrorball trophy.

Keeping the energy high, the two-hour season premiere then saw each celebrity contestant and their professional dance partners perform their first routines together.

In the lead with the night's highest scores was "Glee" star Amber Riley and her partner, last season's "DWTS" winner, Derek Hough. The dancing duo earned 27 points from the judge's panel.

Second place was a tie between former "Saved By the Bell" actress Elizabeth Berkley Lauren and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy and Corbin Bleu and his partner Karina Smirnoff. Both couples earned 24 points for the contemporary routines.

Jack Osbourne and his partner Cheryl Burke danced the foxtrot for 23 points, tying them with Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Sasha Farber who performed the cha cha.

Rounding out the rest of the cast's performances, actor Brant Daugherty tied with Christina Milian with 22 points apiece while Leah Remini and Valerie Harper each earned 21 points from the judge's table.

Furthermore, comedian Bill Engvall scored 18 points while NFL star Keyshawn Johnson earned 17, and putting the lowest score of the night on the board, Bill Nye "the Science guy" and his partner Tyne Stecklein earned a mere 14 points for Monday's debut performance.

To see the first couple headed for elimination this season, tune in to "DWTS" on ABC on Monday at 8 p.m. EST.

Meanwhile, the show will only air on Monday nights this season, eliminating the Results Show that usually followed on Tuesdays in past seasons. The Monday night episode will be two hours long.

The reality television series first aired in 2005 and has captured America's interest with stiff competition and quality entertainment.

In the past, stars such as Julianne Hough, Kristie Alley, Maria Menounos, Pamela Anderson, and Jennifer Grey have appeared on "DWTS."

Other "DWTS" champions include "Bachelorette" star Trista Sutter, Evander Holyfield, Kelly Monaco, Drew Lachey, Harry Hamlin, as well as the show's host, Burke-Charvet, among many others.