Ep 1. 2020 Premiere

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Dancing with the Stars enters its 29th season with some significant changes. Most notably, the show's hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews have been replaced by Tyra Banks, and there will be no live audience for the performances. Additionally, the contestants and their dance partners have been quarantined together in a hotel for two weeks prior to the start of the competition.

The 2020 Premiere episode kicks off with Banks making her debut as host, welcoming viewers to a new season of the show. She explains the changes that have been made due to COVID-19 and introduces the twelve celebrity contestants who will be competing for the Mirrorball Trophy. The contestants include former professional basketball player Charles Oakley, Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause, and Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean.

The episode then transitions to the ballroom, where the contestants perform their first dances with their professional partners. The first dance of the night goes to actor Jesse Metcalfe and his partner Sharna Burgess, who perform the Quickstep to "Part-Time Lover" by Stevie Wonder. The judges praise their performance, with Carrie Ann Inaba calling it "a great way to start off the season."

Next up is Jeannie Mai, the host of the television show The Real, and her partner Brandon Armstrong. They perform a Salsa to "Tell It To My Heart" by Taylor Dayne, with Mai showing off her impressive flexibility and athleticism. The judges commend her on her energy and enthusiasm, with Bruno Tonioli saying that she "sizzled like a chili pepper."

Former NFL player Vernon Davis is next to take the stage with his partner Peta Murgatroyd. They perform a Foxtrot to "All of Me" by John Legend, which highlights Davis' elegance and grace. The judges are impressed with his footwork, and Inaba says that he has "so much potential."

Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause and her partner Gleb Savchenko perform a Tango to "Raise Your Glass" by Pink. Stause shows off her acting skills during the performance, and the judges appreciate her precision and confidence. Tonioli says that Stause has "added some spice to the competition."

The next dance goes to rap artist Nelly and his partner Daniella Karagach. They perform a Salsa to "Ride Wit Me" by Nelly himself, with the rapper impressing the judges with his rhythm and hip action. Inaba says that it was a "fantastic way to start things off."

The sixth dance of the night goes to figure skater Johnny Weir and his partner Britt Stewart. They perform a Cha Cha to "Buttons" by The Pussycat Dolls, with Weir showing off his signature elegance and fluidity. The judges are particularly impressed with the way he incorporated his skating skills into the dance.

Actress Skai Jackson and her partner Alan Bersten perform a Tango to "Super Bass" by Nicki Minaj. The judges are impressed with Jackson's control and technique, and Tonioli says that she has "potential as a leading lady."

Next up is retired NBA player Charles Oakley and his partner Emma Slater, who perform a Salsa to "In Da Club" by 50 Cent. Oakley shows off his confidence and charisma during the performance, but the judges critique his footwork and timing.

Kaitlyn Bristowe, a former star of The Bachelorette, takes the stage with her partner Artem Chigvintsev to perform a Cha Cha to "Stupid Love" by Lady Gaga. Bristowe impresses the judges with her precision and technique, with Inaba calling it a "near-perfect performance."

The penultimate dance of the night goes to actress Anne Heche and her partner Keo Motsepe, who perform a Cha Cha to "Don't Start Now" by Dua Lipa. Heche shows off her energy and enthusiasm, with Tonioli saying that she has "a lot of untapped potential."

Finally, Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean takes the stage with his partner Cheryl Burke to perform a Jive to "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd. McLean shows off his precision and rhythm, with the judges praising his performance as a "great way to close out the night."

Overall, the 2020 Premiere episode of Dancing with the Stars delivers a strong start to the season, with all of the celebrities and their partners showing off impressive skills and potential. Viewers will have to tune in each week to see who will emerge as the early frontrunners in this year's competition.