Dancing With The Stars Surprises

‘Dancing With the Stars’ season 12 premiered last night, and while it lacked the headline power of Kate Gosselin and Bristol Palin, there were plenty of memorable moments that will have everyone talking at the post-show watercooler. Take a look at the four that I thought stood out the most:

1.) A Star Is Reborn

Ralph Macchio may not be the most famous member of the season 12 cast, but the ‘Karate Kid’ star definitely made a name for himself last night with a show-stopping foxtrot. The routine earned Macchio and partner Karina Smirnoff the highest score of the night (24), and set the bar high for the rest of the season. After tonight, Macchio moved one quick step closer to the Mirror Ball Trophy.

2.) All the Wrong Moves

Though last night’s premiere episode featured a number of strong performances, there were unfortunately a number of duds, as well, including DJ Mike Catherwood’s underwhelming routine, which received the night’s lowest score (13). Also disappointing: Wendy Williams, who gave a stiff performance that lacked the spark and energy she normally brings to the daytime airwaves. How you doin’, Wendy? Not very good at all.

3.) Ladies’ Choice?

In what is already a smoking-hot cast (hello, Petra Nemcova!) wrestler Chris Jericho made the women in the tonight’s audience swoon so loudly, you could barely hear him in his pre-performance interview. As an added bonus: Jericho did a mini-strip tease, after which judge Carrie Ann Inaba aptly compared to Chippendales. He didn’t receive the best score of the night, but at the very least, he knows how to work a female crowd.

.) Save the Best for Last?

Kirstie Alley made her long-awaited ‘Dancing’ debut at the end of the show with a sexy cha-cha that should silence all of her naysayers. The 60-year-old ‘Cheers’ alum was hilarious in her pre-performance interview (“I’m like a ‘Dancing With the Stars ho,” she said to partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy), and every bit as fun and charismatic on the ballroom floor. Suddenly, 60 is the new 25.