'Dancing With The Stars' recap: Surprising lows, highs

That familiar theme song. Those crazy judges. The stars, the sequins, the spray tans. And Hugh Hefner in the crowd! Dancing With The Stars returned for Season 12 in full glory Monday night.

PHOTOS: Meet the cast of Season 12

"This is perhaps the widest-ranging collection of stars we've ever had," said host Tom Bergeron. So true.

Biggest surprise of the night? Ralph Macchio, 49, whose hair rivals Rod Blagojevich's. The Karate Kid apparently still has his moves. His showmanship was praised (except for a "creepy hand" movement) by judge Bruno Tonioli. Judge Len Goodman declared his foxtrot "the best of the night." Score: 24.

Right behind him is Kirstie Alley, 60, who cha cha cha'd to Cee Lo Green's Forget You with pro partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy. "If I was a size zero and 22, it would be easier," she said, adding, "If someone told me to haul ass, it would take two trips." But she impressed with her "sizzle," said judge Carrie Ann Inaba. Score: 23.

UPDATE: Kirstie tweeted soon after the show: "You are all saying such sweet and complementary things to me... Thank u all so much.. I feel like Cinderella tonight... @MaximC is amazing"

Disney star Chelsea Kane, 22, and USA TODAY bloggerMark Ballas were praised for their "fresh, young" dance. NFL star Hines Ward, 35, was "nimble," said Bruno, while Len praised his bum: "Your bottom's the tops," he said. Score for each: 21.

Rapper Romeo danced his way to a 19 with pro partner Chelsie Hightower, as did wrestler Chris Jericho, 40, who said he was "nervous as all heck!"

Model Petra Nemcova's foxtrot was elegant. And Hefner was in the crowd to cheer his giggly ex-girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson, 25. Petra and Kendra each scored 18.

Said Sugar Ray Leonard, 54, "I'm always asked are you making a comeback? The answer is yes - on the dance floor." His foxtrot, slammed a bit for bad posture, drew a 17 from the judges.

The second biggest surprise was Wendy Williams' awful performance. The talk show host, 46, was stiffer than Kate Gosselin when she took the floor for her cha cha cha. "I saw your real fear in your eyes before you started," said Carrie Ann. "You need to unleash the beast." Echoed Len Goodman: "I thought, 'Here we go, loud and proud - you got your dumplings boiling over (a reference to her big chest)." But, "It was quiet. It was timid."

Said a panting Wendy backstage to co-host Brooke Burke while waiting for scores: "It's hard to catch your breath when doing something you're not familiar with." After she heard her low score of 14, Burke asked how she felt. A ticked Williams replied, "Fine. I did the best that I could."

But she isn't at the bottom of the pack. Radio show host "Psycho Mike" Catherwood scored a 13 for his foxtrot. "What I lack in ability to dance I make up for by being the least well-known person in the cast." His future doesn't look good.

No one will be eliminated this week. The show returns next Monday and the first celeb will be sent home on March 29.