Dancing with the Stars: Season 6 kicked off tonight with another interesting range of participants.  This time around we had a football player, an R&B artist, a magician, a radio DJ and two actors.

For the show’s first week, the men had Monday night to themselves.  (The ladies will take their floor tomorrow.)  This will all lead to the very first double-elimination next week (one man, one woman) after all 12 couples get another chance to perform.

So how did the six new gentlemen stack up?  Read on!

Penn Jillette (partner Kym Johnson)

(Dance: Cha-cha-cha/ Song: ‘Fool in Love’)
The magician quickly proved that he knows how to put on a show.  After being led around by a boa, the tall man did a nice slide across the floor.  Although Kym eventually did most of the work, I thought it was a good solid effort.  Even though he was the first performer (and had every reason to be nervous), he was quite animated.  Some of his moves - like the hip shakes, hand gestures and disco moves - were slightly questionable, but it was an overall fun dance.

Len said that the couple did a good job of keeping the flavor of the dance; he thought it was fun and entertaining.  His criticism?  Penn’s feet.  Len said he needed work on his technique before next week.  Bruno said the performance was like watching a trailer of ‘Shrek Goes Cha-cha-cha’.  Although he thought it was entertaining, he though Jillette should be lighter on his feet.  Carrie Ann said he had great energy and attitude and liked that he went for everything 100%.  Score: 5/6/5 (16)

(Dance: Foxtrot/ Song: ‘Pride and Joy’)
I see Edyta has started off this season in a fairly conservative gown.  I’m sure things will get much skimpier from here.  I was very impressed with Jason.  Although he seemed unwilling to do some of the more ‘feminine’ moves during practice, he really stepped up his game tonight.  He was very long, lean and graceful.  He seemed very light on his feet and displayed some very nice lines.  And the killer smile was an added bonus.

Len started off by telling Jason that he was a good looking guy.  “When I look at you, it’s like looking in a mirror.”  He went on to say that the athlete had great posture and moved across the floor well.  He simply suggested that Jason work on the ‘acting’ side of the dance.  Carrie Ann complimented Taylor on being fluid and coordinated.  She admitted that she expected him to be much rougher.  Bruno said he was graceful for a tackler and also noted his nice posture.  Score: 7/8/7 (22)

(Dance: Cha-cha-cha/ Song: ‘Bang Bang’)
Wow.  That’s got to be one of the most hideous outfits I’ve ever seen Cheryl put on.  It looks like a clown threw up on the bottom half of her dress.  Thankfully, she had a handsome partner to help distract our eyes.  Although Cristián definitely looks like he should be a good Latin dancer, he is a bit stiff and awkward.  At one point, it appeared as if he was grabbing his partner’s arm.  On the plus side - he’s definitely moving his feet quite nicely.

Carrie Ann said he was well-suited for that type of dance; he had energy, fire and charisma.  He also had poorly hunched shoulders.  Bruno thought it looked like he was riding a bike.  He then went on to deliver the quotable of the night:  “She bangs, you have to bang as hard she does.”  Nice.  Len said from the hips down, Cristián was fine.  He instructed the actor to work on his posture for his next performance.  Score: 7/7/7 (21)

(Dance: Foxtrot/ Song: ‘Mellow Yellow’)
Adam looks very dapper in his tuxedo tonight—even if he does remind me a lot of Greg Brady.  The DJ earlier joked that Julianne’s winning streak would soon be over, and now I know why.  His footwork lacked precision, his kicks were unintentionally funny and he was stiff as a board.  But I truly applaud the guy for trying.  He looked like he was at least having fun.

Bruno said “If the Foxtrot was an actor like George Clooney, you were Will Ferrell.”  (Or something like that.)  Len said that his footwork was good but that Julianne had her work “cut out for her”.  He also told Adam to relax a bit.  Carrie Ann - who was at a loss for words - simply recommended that he “keep working”.  Thanks for the constructive advice.  Score: 5/5/5 (15)

(Dance: Cha-cha-cha/ Song: ‘Request Line’)
Despite only being 21-years-old, the singer quickly gave Karina hope.  Was she finally going to take home the mirror ball trophy?  Mario oozed charm and confidence from the very first step.  Even though he has never been a ‘trained’ dancer, he was a whiz at the turns and footwork.  As long as people aren’t neglectful about voting - or simply turned away by a possible cocky attitude - his natural abilities should take him far.

Carrie Ann was so dazzled by his hips that she was momentarily flustered.  She told that ladies that his performance was the standard they would have to watch out for.  Len said Mario was quite rhythmic, but criticized the singer for slightly poor footwork.  Bruno said that he had good musicality and was a great performer.  Score: 8/8/8 (24)

(Dance: Foxtrot/ Song: ‘Lazy River’)
The good news?  He was quite charming and very enthusiastic.  The bad news?  The actor was very stiff, lacking technique and very mechanical.  He was also a bit theatrical.  But he seemed very, very happy and managed to perform a cute little jump. 

Bruno noticed that Guttenberg really put his heart and soul into his dance.  He simply suggested that Steve take some more ballet to open up his chest and arms.  Carrie Ann thought the performance was ‘adorable’ and found something very charming about him.  She did advise him to watch his musicality, though.  Len said Steve was the first one to come out and look like he was really enjoying it.  Although he dinged him for technique, Len said as a performance, it was really good.  Score: 6/6/6 (18)

You can watch a clip of tonight’s highest rated performance (Mario’s) below:

(You can find all the Dancing with the Stars: Season 6 posts here.)