“Dancing with the Stars” Recap: Emmitt Smith Tops Leader Board

ABC (LOS ANGELES) — Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars premiered Monday night on ABC, with 13 past contestants dancing either the cha cha cha or the foxtrot.

The show saved the best for last: Emmitt Smith closed the night with a cha cha cha that received the highest score of any celebrity.

At the bottom of the leader board and facing elimination on Tuesday night’s results show: Pamela Anderson.

The competition added a new wrinkle to its scoring format. Judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba were allowed to award whole and half points, up to 10, to each contestant. In past seasons, the celebrities’ scores had to be a whole number.

In addition, host Tom Bergeron noted during the show that viewers can now vote for their favorites on Facebook.

Here’s a rundown of what happened:

— Joey Fatone, the season-four runner-up, began his cha cha cha by tossing his hat a la Michael Jackson and leapfrogging his partner, Kym Johnson. The rest of his moves, set to the King of Pop’s “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” weren’t quite as stylish, but they were effective.

Len said he enjoys watching Fatone dance, though he was slightly critical of former ‘NSYNC member’s posture. Carrie Ann noted that it was a fine way to kick off the all-star season. Total score: 20.5 out of a possible 30.

— Season-eight champ Shawn Johnson didn’t show much rust as she danced the foxtrot with Derek Hough to the current pop hit “Good Time” by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen.

Bruno said the foxtrot was so loaded it was “like two dances for the price of one.” Carrie Ann said the technique and posture were great. Len threw a wet blanket on Shawn’s good time by saying her routine didn’t resemble a foxtrot. Total score: 22/30.

— Sabrina Bryan, who was shockingly eliminated during Week Six of the show’s fifth season, was added to the cast via a fan vote. She and Louis Van Amstel did the cha cha cha to the One Direction hit “What Makes You Beautiful.”

Carrie Ann exclaimed that the former Cheetah Girls star danced with “fire under her boo-tay.” It was still early in the show, but Len called the dance his favorite of the night. Total score: 22.5/30.

— Helio Castroneves, a race car driver and the champion of season five, and Chelsie Hightower brought elegance to the ballroom with a foxtrot to Marvin Gaye’s “Pride and Joy.”

Bruno said Helio has style and charm. Carrie Ann asked him to increase the level of body contact with his partner. Total score: 21.5/30.

— Season-10 contestant Pamela Anderson and Tristan MacManus performed the cha cha cha as the band played Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good.”

Bruno urged Pamela to work harder. Len said her dance was like watching a kid who just graduated from tricycle to bicycle. In other words, it was a little shaky. Total score: 17/30.

— Melissa Rycroft, who finished third on season eight, and Tony Dovolani tackled the foxtrot to the sounds of “Big Spender,” from the musical Sweet Charity.

Len complained that it was a little too theatrical for his taste, but added that he liked it anyway. Bruno echoed Carrie Ann’s advice to Helio by stressing the need for more body contact. Total score: 21/30.

— Season-four Mirror Ball trophy winner and Olympian Apolo Anton Ohno, wearing a blue shirt and pants and purple suspenders, joined Karina Smirnoff for the cha cha cha to LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem.”

Len said it was deserving only of a bronze medal. Carrie Ann gushed that Ohno’s hip action made him “three thousand times more sexy” since she last saw him on the dance floor. Total score: 22/30.

— Season-eight finalist Gilles Marini donned a white tux for his foxtrot with Peta Murgatroyd, set to “Call Me Irresponsible.”

Bruno raved that it was glamorous and technically sound. Carrie Ann sighed, “I missed you.” She then referenced Sunday’s Emmy Awards and Mad Men star Jon Hamm, who she said didn’t win a statuette because “Gilles Marini had to come out here and win it tonight!” Total score: 24/30.

— With her mother Sarah and her son watching in the audience, Bristol Palin — a lightning rod for controversy during her run to the season-11 finals — and Mark Ballas shimmied their way through the cha cha cha. Their music of choice was Pink’s latest single, “Blow Me (One Last Kiss).”

Carrie Ann declared Bristol to be the most improved contestant. Len said she showed more confidence on the dance floor. Total score: 19.5/30.

— Season-two champ Drew Lachey and Anna Trebunskaya performed the foxtrot to Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song.”

Len opined that Drew needs to soften his arms, but again followed a negative critique by saying he liked the dance. Bruno said the pair had chemistry but agreed with Len that Drew was stiff at times. Total score: 21.5/30.

— Kelly Monaco, the first-ever winner of Dancing with the Stars, showed off a sexy golden outfit for her cha cha cha with Valentin Chmerkovskiy.

Bruno jumped out of his chair and yelled that Kelly was sexier than ever, calling her a stunner. Len said Kelly seemed somewhat anxious. Total score: 21.5/30.

— Kirstie Alley, a contestant on season 12, paired up with Maksim Chmerkovskiy on the foxtrot, with Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” providing the soundtrack.

Carrie Ann said Kirstie’s moves had a sensual quality to them. Len and Bruno said her technical skills could use some improvement.

The real show came after the judges’ comments, when Kirstie grabbed Bergeron and gave him a long kiss for winning an Emmy. Total score: 19/30.

— Former football star and season-three winner Emmitt Smith reunited with Cheryl Burke for a cha cha cha set to Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools.”

Calling it the best dance of the night, Len praised Smith for showing flair. Carrie Ann declared that Emmitt was born to dance. Total score: 24.5/30, the highest score of the night.

The first elimination of the young season will take place on the two-hour results show, which begins Tuesday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time on ABC. Justin Bieber will be the musical guest.

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