A Troubled Start to Season 35
The 35th season of Dancing with the Stars debuted Tuesday night at CBS Television City with high energy, but the premiere was significantly disrupted by technical failures. According to Deadline, ABC was forced to abandon online voting via ABC.com midway through the broadcast, leaving text-based voting as the sole method for viewers to support their favorites. The technical issues added an unexpected layer of complexity, as hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough warned voters to carefully distinguish between the two contestants named Conner/Connor to ensure their votes were counted correctly.
Performances and Scoring
The premiere episode focused exclusively on the season’s male contestants, with each performing a routine set to a number-one song from their birth year. Actor Harry Shum Jr. and partner Jenna Johnson set the bar for the evening, earning the highest score of the night with a 21 out of 30 for their cha-cha routine, which judge Bruno Tonioli praised for its “off the charts” chemistry. Conversely, Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech and partner Daniella Karagach received significant praise for their tango, securing a 20 out of 30. Judges signaled a stricter approach to scoring this season, with Derek Hough warning contestants that technique will be heavily scrutinized throughout the competition.
First Elimination
Despite the technical complications, the show proceeded with its first elimination of the season. Secret Lives of Mormon Wives personality Conner Leavitt and professional dancer Adele Zaikman were sent home following their salsa performance. While the judges acknowledged the pair’s enthusiasm, they characterized the routine as “chaotic” and off-tempo, ultimately awarding them a 12 out of 30, per ABC7. The show continues Wednesday night with the female celebrities taking the floor, followed by the next round of competition.