DWTS Recap: What Really Happened When Carrie Ann Inaba Was Judging Ryan Lochte?

Marilu Henner and Derek Hough: 27
It’s hard to say who the audience was more excited for Taxi actress Marilu Henner or six-time champion Derek Hough. Needless to say, this is a highly anticipated duo! Jenner and Hough got the night started with a lively jive ate both set the bar high and gave them ample room for improvement. Head judge Len Goodman loved how she went straight into the routine without any hesitation. Julianne Hough lauded her brother for loading the routine with footwork and commended Henner for being sharp. Carrie Ann Inaba was impressed that Henner didn’t miss a step. The judges did, however, point out some stiffness in her upper body and Inaba noted that she could spot her turns a little better.

James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess: 31
It’s out of the driver seat and into the ballroom for Indycar driver James Hinchcliff. The athlete showed off his graceful side with an impressive Foxtrot that saw him gliding across the floor smooth as butter. Goodman admitted that he didn’t know what to expect, but called the performance a “knockout.” Hough called him a “breath of fresh air” and said “we need to keep an eye on you.” Bruno Tonioli, on the other hand, was already looking ahead to Latin night because of Hinchcliffe’s “ease of movement” in this traditional ballroom style. There’s no denying that the driver is an early stunner.

Calvin Johnson Jr. and Lindsay Arnold: 26
Will the Megatron win the mirrorball? The lanky pro baller and his size 15 feet attacked the Cha cha with style and flair and an impressive amount of rhythm. Agility is typically not an issue for NFL stars in the ballroom and Johnson is no exception. The judges agree that the NFL player has strong potential. Hough was really impressed with the performance, but admitted he does have a “long road ahead.” Tonioli was more supportive and marveled at how he managed all the footwork with his enormous feet. Inaba also noted the room for improvement, but said “it’s all there.”

Maureen McCormick and Artem Chigvintsev: 22
Though she’s never danced before, the Brady Bunch star was on the verge of (happy) tears during every one of her rehearsals. Judges were impressed with McCormick’s musicality and emotional connectivity to the music. Tonioli said she moves very well, but wanted her to relax more, elongate her body and find some smoother footwork. Inaba loved her vulnerability, but wants to see the former TV star trust her partner a bit more.

Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds and Alison Holker: 26
Edmonds showed off a suave side with his foxtrot. He performed with personality and an innate sense of movement. Ina said he looked “right at home” and “lit up the stage.” Goodman noted that the performance got “a little hectic” in the middle, but said that the musician is “going places.” Hough called the performance “timeless and classic.”

Amber Rose and Maks Chmerkovskiy: 24
The former exotic dancer is tackling a different set of moves in the ballroom. Rose managed to deliver a sensual and sultry foxtrot that left the audience wanting more — no easy feat on night one. Hough loved her beauty and grace on the dance floor but urged Rose to use her facial expressions more in her performance. Tonioli raved about the talk show host’s “natural grace,” but also gave some critique to make all of her moves more connected.

Vanilla Ice and Witney Carson: 25
What else do you expect Vanilla Ice to dance to on DWTS than “Ice Ice Baby.” The singer Cha cha’d to his hit song and had the whole room standing and clapping along. Ice earned high marks for performance, if not for actual Cha cha content. Goodman loved watching this routine, but as the audience could probably predict before the dance even ended, there wasn’t enough cha cha on the dance floor. Tonioli diplomatically said, “the cha cha was well-disguised within your style.”

Jana Kramer and Sleb Savchinko: 27
The recently separated country singer is most likely to get romantically involved with her partner. Inevitable sexual tension aside, her Viennese waltz was an explosive and impressive first outing. The judges definitely noticed how much this pair smoldered on the dance floor. Tonioli dubbed it the “hottest, sexiest Viennese waltz Ive ever seen.” Inaba said the pair really doesn’t have to work on the sexiness. Goodman “wasn’t transported to old Vienna” and found the dance “too dramatic.”

Jake T. Austin and Jenna Johnson: 22
Kramer and Savchinko may not be the only couple with some extra-ballroom chemistry, at least not if the former Disney star has anything to say about it. Austin performed a lively Jive that the judges picked apart a little bit. Hough said it looked like Austin was “trying to keep up with Jenna” for most of the dance. And Tonioli noted that the TV star messed up some of his footwork, but they all praised his energy and charisma.

Rick Perry and Emma Slater: 20
It’s very sweet that the former Texas Governor’s motivation for joining the show is to learn how to dance for his daughter’s wedding. Regardless of your politics, Perry’s country-themed Cha cha was … well it wasn’t the worst first-week dance the show has ever seen. Goodman said it “was a little bit pedestrian at times.” Hough deemed it “fun to watch” and “definitely a little crazy at times.” Tonioli told the Texan to work on his timing next time.

Terra Jole and Sasha Farber: 25
Given the incredible height differences, Jole and Farber truly made the jive work. Goodman gave maybe the grossest praise of the night when he declared that the new mom “delivered twice in one month.” Inaba said she didn’t see a little person in the ballroom, she saw a huge star. Hough called Jole a “firecracker” and was so impressed with the performance, declared that the reality TV star was “born to entertain.”

Ryan Lochte and Cheryl Burke: 24
From worldwide controversy to dancing phenom? Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But Lochte proved less a fish out of water during his Foxtrot than many expected. “I thought I was watching a condensed season of The Bachelor,” Tonioli said, commenting on the car and the roses used as props in the routine. Inaba — though interrupted during her critique — said the simmer “brought your best to the ballroom” but noted that he still has a lot to work on. Goodman said the performed at a high level and that people should be proud of him.

Laurie Hernandez and Val Chmerkovskiy: 31
Expectations were high for the gold medal gymnast and she more than surpassed them. Hernandez showed off her strength, flexibility and made the movements look effortless during her Cha cha. Inaba applauded the gymnast for changing the mood in the ballroom after the incident during Lochte’s judging. Goodman praised her for performing a “proper Latin routine.” And Hough wouldn’t let her off with a small critique — to work on her hip action in future weeks.

What do you think happened during “the incident”?