'Dancing With the Stars' Season 35 Night 1 recap: Scores, dances and first elimination

Dancing With the Stars Season 35 opened its two-night premiere on Tuesday, September 15, with eight male celebrities taking to the ballroom and one pair being eliminated.

Returning judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli assessed the performances, while Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returned as hosts.

The first night featured Conner Leavitt, Connor Wood, Ezra Frech, Guillermo Rodriguez, Harry Shum Jr., Jackson Olson, Taylor Hanson and Tyler Cameron.

Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson closed the night with a cha-cha to “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind and Fire, earning 21 out of 30, the highest score of the evening.

Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach followed with 20, while Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess scored 17.

Other scores included 16 for Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold, 16 for Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart, 15 for Jackson Olson and Emma Slater, 12 for Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman, and 10 for Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson.

The premiere also introduced this season’s theme, with contestants dancing to number one hits from the years they were born.

Songs included tracks by the Spice Girls, Lenny Kravitz, Kelly Clarkson and Billy Joel.

Despite the usual premiere format, Season 35 introduced an early elimination.

After judges’ scores were combined with audience votes, Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were eliminated on Night 1.

The second half of the premiere continues on Wednesday, September 16, at 8pm ET on ABC, featuring the seven remaining female celebrities.