Dancing with the Stars season 5 begins with rhetoric of warriors, and a gender vs gender motif. Tonight the women competed while the men watched, tomorrow it will be the men's turn to show if they have what it takes to dominate the ballroom. First the business at hand, which of the women exceeded, and which failed to deliver. The answers may surprise you.
Things were definitely not as expected as Dancing with the Stars kicked of its fifth season. All forms of deception were at play tonight. In the beginning leg of the contest, supermodel Josie Maran proves she makes a better still life, delivering a limp performance that grabs the lowest score of the night. Maran really probably can't be bothered though, or at least it seems.
Jennie Garth comes off as humble and lacking of skill in her intro but is simply amazing on the floor. She also manages the first wardrobe malfunction of the season with a dress and underwear combo that frequently flashed Garth's practically bare derriere. Garth, once an underdog, establishes herself as a force to reckon with.
Sabrina Bryan, identified as possibly appealing to the wrong demographic, proves that talent can overcome anything. Bryan already has established herself as a fierce competitor. She was pegged for being a little too hip hop, but there is enough real dance talent going on here that the flash can go.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening is favorite Melanie Brown. Brown has been touted by many critics as being a force, but she surprisingly fails to deliver. She starts out by insulting Maksim immediately in their first meeting, and the arrogance just continues. Maksim is very clearly frustrated with her, but trying to keep a professional face. The result on the dance floor, though, is a study in dispassion. The performance is acceptable, but tainted by memories of Brown's arrogance.
Brown ties for second with Jane Seymour, and Bryan runs with the lead. Perhaps this was the very best premiere for Dancing with the Stars since its beginning. The men have a tough, very tough, act to follow.
- Jon Lachonis, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of ABC)