Backstage at the "Dancing with the Stars" Season 27 Premiere

Dancing with the Stars kicked off its 27th season Monday night on ABC with 13 new cast members vying for the coveted Mirror Ball trophy.  Many of the competitors were immediately put through their paces, performing an always challenging jive or quickstep during the first live telecast.  Facts of Life star Nancy McKeon (with partner Val Chmerkovskiy) was among them but seemed right at home on the ballroom floor quickstepping her way to a respectable score of 18 out of a possible 30.  “I wanted to do this because it was terrifying and I wanted to do something completely different,” she excitedly told MediaVillage after her dance.  “I’ve been home for a while raising my family and I kind of wanted to step out, although maybe not this much, but I’m here now.”