‘Dancing With The Stars’ Recap: Alfonso Ribeiro ‘King Of The Night’

“Fresh Prince of Bel Air” alum Alfonso Ribeiro made his geeky dance move “The Carlton” famous on his ’90s television show, but on Monday night’s “Dancing with the Stars” Season 19 premiere, he got to show America how serious he can be in the ballroom.

The television and Broadway star, who once danced toe-to-toe with Michael Jackson in a Pepsi commercial in the 1980s, hit the “DWTS” ballroom and, as judge Carrie Ann Inaba pointed out, brought some real style.

Alfonso and his pro partner, Witney Carson, were given the jive, and with their quick feet and smooth moves, they electrified the ballroom.

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“You have the swagger of Season 19,” Carrie Ann said above the cheers of the crowd. “You just raised the stakes, my friend. Excellent.”

New full time judge Julianne Hough called it, “honestly, unbelievable,” while Bruno Tonioli said Alfonso was the “king of the night.”

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Every single judge, including Brit Len Goodman, gave them a 9, making the pair very, very happy. Their score (36/40) set them up  as Season 19’s frontrunners.

She claimed to just have one dance move (a little hand and head wiggle), but when “Duck Dynasty” cutie Sadie Robertson took to the “DWTS” stage with her partner, Mark Ballas, she soared. The pair did a cha cha that earned a 34 out of 40, and a lot of respect from the judges.

“Duckling no more,” Bruno said. “Here, we’ve got a bird of paradise.”

YouTube star Bethany Mota came in third place for the evening, thanks to help from her five-time mirrorball champ of a partner, Derek Hough. The young woman, with Derek, churned out a jive that Carrie Ann said was, “tight, clean and well-rehearsed.”

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“Back to the Future” alum Lea Thompson was one of the celebs who had a slower, more graceful dance – the foxtrot, with Artem Chigvintsev, a pro champ from the UK version of “Dancing,” and in their debut “DWTS” outing, they added class to the evening.

“The figures and the quality of movement that you have is exquisite,” Bruno exclaimed before they duo was awarded 32 out of 40 points (they tied Bethany and Derek for third).

Another charmer on the slower numbers? “The Expendables” franchise star (and former UFC champ) Randy Couture, who graced the ballroom with pro Karina Smirnoff. Not only was his dance elegant, but it left the two female judges feeling a little hot and bothered.

“I pride myself on being professional, but I got weak in the knees,” Carrie Ann said. “You are sexy out there. You are so sexy, sexy!”

“You’re making me randy, Randy,” Julianne chimed in later, before Randy and Karina earned 31 out of 40.

While he landed toward the bottom of the pack, Tommy Chong made a big entrance with partner Peta Murgatroyd, stepping out of a car driven by Cheech Marin. Dressed in green, he and Peta did a cha cha to “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” and in their short routine, it was clear that Tommy had some moves. Bruno even said he was expecting “bad grandpa,” but what the audience got was, “cool grandpa.” Tommy and Peta earned 27 points.

Tuesday, one couple will be eliminated on “DWTS.”

Here was the complete leaderboard on Monday’s “DWTS”:

Alfonso Ribiero & Witney Carson 36/40

Sadie Robertson & Mark Ballas 34/40

Bethany Mota & Derek Hough 32/40

Lea Thompson & Artem Chigvintsev 32/40

Randy Couture & Karina Smirnoff 31/40

Jonathan Bennett & Allison Holker 30/40

Tavis Smiley & Sharna Burgess 29/40

Janel Parrish & Valentin Chmerkovskiy 29/40

Tommy Chong & Peta Murgatroyd 27/40

Antonio Sabato Jr. & Cheryl Burke 25/40

Michael Waltrip & Emma Slater 25/40

Lolo Jones & Keo Motsepe 22/40

Betsey Johnson & Tony Dovolani 20/40

— Jolie Lash