Dude, something tells me this show already has that demographic firmly in its pocket. The outfits! The dancing! The hot, sweaty bodies! It's all so fabulous! That's why its so successful: something for everyone. ;)I guess you're right. But even so, I think someone like Martina would be an unexpected surprise. Maybe Chris Evert instead.

As long as there is someone as hot as Melissa competing. I don't know anything about dancing, but she looked great in both outfits last night.Melissa's paso doble outfit was pratically a copy of MelB's 1st paso doble outfit from Season 5. Both women looked great in it.

She is not a "classic beauty" but is incredibly pretty, smart and genuine. She can turn this into something very good but, hopefully, will get good advice from professionals. I'd hate to see her become another "TV personality" bouncing from one insignificant gig to another. I was very impressed with her answer to the "pose in Playboy" question. She said that she wouldn't because if she did "my father would never look at me in the same way again". The girl's got some depth.Melissa's pratically a shoo-in for a gig with Entertainment Tonight or the Insider or whatever those 7PM shows are nowadays. I don't see her doing much more than that. What she does with that is up to her.

As for PB, lots of women say something like that ... moments before their robes hit the floor and the flashbulbs start popping. Happens all the time. (note - that's not to say that Melissa will do it, just that I wouldn't be surprised if she did).

ft

BTW, without the benefit of tonight's dance, I will say that Melissa will be the winner. I think her fanbase is too strong ... although without really knowing the full voting results, who knows how strong someone's fanbase really is.

I wonder how much of an impact the dancer has in regards to who people are voting for. As I've said in the past, the dancers are often bigger stars than the "stars". My wife used to be a big Cheryl fan until the last couple of seasons where Cheryl appeared to give up once she realized her "star" had no chance. Gilles is losing my wife's vote due to his partner.

Well that didn't help my conflicts. Shawn made a big charge at the end, but like Mine That Bird in the Preakness, I suspect she's going to fall short by 3/4 of a length. If the race had been another 200 yards long...

I liked the way Melissa finally turned off her brain and just danced, but those two dances just didn't flow. BTW, I think the same complaint can be made of Shawn's freestyle (that it was a bunch of isolated tricks with no flow in the transitions).

I think Gilles managed to hold on to the win, but it certainly wasn't a big impressive win.


It seems to me that none of the pros have been able to do a good job choregraphing these trick-filled freestyles.

Joey Fatone seemed to do good job of making the tricks seem like a part of the dance rather than just isolated tricks. But, he wasn't doing these big lifts and flips, so his routines were a lot easier to master.

Based on last night's performances it's very tight between Gilles and Shawn. I thought the scoring was pretty accurate. They all have a chance to win. I'd think Shawn and Melissa would split some votes and give Gilles an advantage and for a dollar, he's my pick. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if one of the girls takes the ball. Close one.

...

Annika Sorenstam story: The LPGA used to visit Tulsa once a year. I have a weekly sports column in a alternative paper here. After her round (Cristie Kerr just shot a 61 and smashed her course record), Annika was sitting outside the club house, alone, petting a cat. I approached her with no real question but wanted to say "hey, I spoke with Annika one-on-one." She was really sweet and open... considering she was the best golfer on the planet at the time...


I think Annika never let the success go to her head because at the start of her career, Dottie Pepper and Nancy Lopez used to kick her ass back and forth down the course. I think she realized that the success wasn't something that she was entitled to and it would eventually end.

I think Annika never let the success go to her head because at the start of her career, Dottie Pepper and Nancy Lopez used to kick her ass back and forth down the course. I think she realized that the success wasn't something that she was entitled to and it would eventually end.

Not that I know Annika or anything, but I think part of her charm and endearing quality is her shyness. She's worked hard to feel more comfortable in front of a crowd or being the center of attention. It's hard to "disappear" when you're the best female golfer in the world. I once read a story where as a junior golfer in Sweden, she would purposely do poorly on the last couple of holes so that she wouldn't win ... just to avoid making the winner's speech.

Wow! What a long way she's come to overcome her shyness.

And with that, I'd like to officially add Annika to list of DWTS hopefuls.

ft

Julianne says she WILL return for season 10 next spring:

http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/05/18/julianne-hough-isnt-leaving-dwts/

(As previously reported, she will sit out season 9 this fall.)

Once again, the roast by Jeffery Ross was the best segment of the season. I wish they gave him more time. I loved the stunned nervous reaction shots.:D

Late enough to post this:

Final order for top three:

3) Melissa/Tony

2) Gilles/Cheryl

1) Shawn/Mark :eek:
(I really thought that Gilles and Cheryl had it)

Voting totals were so close that the top two were separated by less than 1 percentage point in the final combined total.

The results mean:
1) Mark joins Cheryl and Julianne as winners in multiple seasons
2) Shawn is the third Olympic athlete to win (Apolo Anton Ohno and Kristi Yamaguchi)
3) Shawn is the youngest to win the trophy
4) Makes is 5 out of last 6 seasons that a 'star' with an athletic background has won the championship.

It's over, see you in September!

Note: Shawn and Mark are NOT on Kimmel tonight - they're showing the Eminem episode. They'll be on Wednesday's Good Morning America and on Kimmel's show on Wednesday night.

Once again, the roast by Jeffery Ross was the best segment of the season. I wish they gave him more time. I loved the stunned nervous reaction shots.:D

So true. My wife kept asking me who Ross was and why he was being mean. She has obivously never seen him on Comedy Central roasting celebs. Judging by the reaction of some of the "stars" they were not familiar with his schtik either.

Did you see him turn to LT and LT say - "you better watch it" - I wonder if he had some material lined up for LT and backed away after the comment.

Anyway, I think Shawn and Gilles both deserved to win but I'm happy for little Shawn. Besides, Gilles did tons for his acting career so I don't think he should frown at 2nd place. Besides, as Ross said, he had the bigger part.

My votes for the finals:

3. (Belinda Carlisle) dresses like a hooker on Battlestar Galactica;

2. (Three judges): smokin', croakin' and flamin'

and...

1. "Dancing With The Vaguely Familiar".

Anyway, I wish Li'l Kim had made it. I didn't think Melissa would win but either Shawn or Gilles were reasonable champions, although I still maintain the "judges" went overboard with the latter.

Did you see him turn to LT and LT say - "you better watch it" - I wonder if he had some material lined up for LT and backed away after the comment.
:D Yes, I think Jeff put those jokes back in his pocket... and LT would have ripped his head off and punted.

My votes for the finals:

3. (Belinda Carlisle) dresses like a hooker on Battlestar Galactica;

2. (Three judges): smokin', croakin' and flamin'

and...

1. "Dancing With The Vaguely Familiar".

:D Too funny.

Last night's show could have lost 30 -60 minutes. Way too much filler. Jeff Ross was a scream and came very close to the line several times but that's what he does. I was very pleased, and a bit surprised, that the Munchkin won but would certainly been good with Gilles taking it. Shawn was excellent and her speed, power and precision only needed some showmanship which she gained coming down the stretch. She was very much like a shorter version of Sabrina, both very powerful dancers. It's ironic that Mark partnered both. The best reaction was Mark's. Methinks that he really expected Gilles and Cheryl to win and seemed genuinely surprised and delighted when Shawn's name was announced. And of course let's not forget the possibly strangest part of the evening: Samantha on Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago.

-snip-
And of course let's not forget the possibly strangest part of the evening: Samantha on Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago.

My reaction exactly. I turned to wifey and said "they're really scraping the bottom of the barrel, aren't they?" to which she responded "must be the economy". Really, I'm sure she's very nice and maybe even bright but the highlight of the season was when she got laryngitis (or similar). I mean, it seemed she struggled to remember the canned "what do you take from this experience" line.

BTW, was she the only one Ross didn't rake over the coals (aside from LT, of course)?

My reaction exactly. I turned to wifey and said "they're really scraping the bottom of the barrel, aren't they?" to which she responded "must be the economy". Really, I'm sure she's very nice and maybe even bright but the highlight of the season was when she got laryngitis (or similar). I mean, it seemed she struggled to remember the canned "what do you take from this experience" line.

BTW, was she the only one Ross didn't rake over the coals (aside from LT, of course)?

My wife asked whether Ross skipped over Denise Richards who seemed pretty wound up as usual. I don't remember him referencing her.

The show should now rename itself Dancing With The Vaguely Familiar. Great line, Ross.

...but the highlight of the season was when [Samatha] got laryngitis (or similar)...

She almost gave us a nipple slip highlight in every one of those backstage interviews last night. And I'm fairly certain that the camera man was intentionally trying to get the shot.


Anyway, I really underestimated Shawn's fan support. I should know by now that if there's a sports star in the finals, they'll almost always win. Shawn did manage to improve her hip action last night. She was actually getting some hip motion that she didn't have the first time they did that dance.


So who skipped out on the dances? I know Belinda, Denise and Holly skipped. Am I missing anyone? I thought David would skip, but he manned-up.

I found the Ross roast odd and anomalous. It was funny, and I am not offended by such things, but it just seemed weird to me and not in keeping with the tone of the show. I guess I am in the minority view here.

Speaking of weird, Lady Gag needs to fire her wardrobe staff, hair stylists, and make-up artists. Nothing wrong with the music, cotton candy pop keeps the kids happy, but she looked like an alien.

As far as the results go, I am happy. I would have been happy with any of the final three winning. They are all deserving.

It will be interesting to see Shawn in another decade. My bet is she will look like a bowling ball. I hope I'm wrong, but she's only 17 and she's already bulbous.

I wonder what will become of Melissa. I surprised myself by feeling very sad when she claimed 3rd place. She is such a sweetheart and no one matched her elegance on the dance floor. Hopefully this will propel her into some sort of fame and fortune just so I can continue admiring her from afar.

Gilles benefited more from this competition than anyone else. He only raised his profile and improved his chances of landing more acting roles. Plus he enjoyed dancing with my fiery Cheryl. Last night he also told Cheryl he loved her not once, but twice, while his wife only registered one. Ah, those permissive French, isn't it wonderful?

As noted by others, Mark seemed the most desirous of the title and the happiest when he won. Good for him!

She almost gave us a nipple slip highlight in every one of those backstage interviews last night. And I'm fairly certain that the camera man was intentionally trying to get the shot.


Anyway, I really underestimated Shawn's fan support. I should know by now that if there's a sports star in the finals, they'll almost always win. Shawn did manage to improve her hip action last night. She was actually getting some hip motion that she didn't have the first time they did that dance.


So who skipped out on the dances? I know Belinda, Denise and Holly skipped. Am I missing anyone? I thought David would skip, but he manned-up.

Belinda, Denise and Holly all danced, but they only did short versions of their routines - they did their routines right after Lady GaGa's first number. Everybody else (sigh! even Woz and LT) got to do full versions of their routines.

LT looked and sounded pretty disinterested in coming back for the finale and dancing again with Edyta. Poor lady deserved better.

I don't know - I may have to look again - but I think Chuck still did a boob grab on Julianne.

i can't believe that shaun butterball johnson won. :( I really don't think she should have even been in the final 3, should have been lil' kim instead.

Voting totals were so close that the top two were separated by less than 1 percentage point in the final combined total.
As I forecasted, it was a photo finish.

While I am happy that the vivacious Shawn won the title, all three finalists are to be congratulated for a job well done this spring.

And, I thought Jeffrey Ross' roast was hilarious-I was this close to begging for oxygen.;)

All I know is that Melissa was smoking hot last night!

Anyone know what the frak Samantha's comment was about when she said in pig Latin "ix-nay on the ong-thay"?

She meant "no thong"

This was just after LT made his lap dancing comments so she was still in shock :rolleyes: acting like the mother hen, doing her pc policing, keeping all the little kiddies ears (the wholesome folks who voted for Shawn) virgin clean. :rolleyes::p

It's an interesting fact that five out of eight DWTS winners have been world class/champion athletes and that three of them have been Olympic Gold Medalists. Their intense training habits and the experience performing under pressure are tremendous assets on this show. Kristi Yamaguchi, even though "retired". toured professionally for years and had to maintain all of her skills and her edge. Apollo Ono had come off a recent Gold medal as had Shawn. Each of them put on their "game face" before each performance. You could really see this with Shawn as the season wore on, especially with the more dramatic latin dances. As her Paso started if you looked at her face, you could see the same intense, "in the zone" look that she showed before doing her floor exercise in the Olympics. It will be interesting to see how many more Olympians they have on the show and how they do.

I don't know about you, but I'd pay to see Samantha Harris in a thong. Just the thong part, if you know what I mean. :D:D:D:D:D

^^^ In a silmilar vein, when I saw Tony in that see-through shirt, my first thought was that Tony and Melissa should have swapped costumes. :D

Ugh, the Oompa Loompa won. Completely undeserved if a decision is made based upon the entirety of the season. But who cares really, Ross was right, this show is nothing more than Dancing with the Vaguely Familiar. But all the aside, I'm not the show's target audience. My wife is. And she was bothered by the fact that Mark treated the victory as his own. His own alone.

... bothered by the fact that Mark treated the victory as his own. His own alone.:confused: Where did you get that impression? Was it from his reaction on DWTS or was he on some other show being interviewed or something. Our impression was that he was totally shocked and surprised and very happy... for Shawn.

:confused: Where did you get that impression? Was it from his reaction on DWTS or was he on some other show being interviewed or something. Our impression was that he was totally shocked and surprised and very happy... for Shawn.

On the show. He showed no reaction towards Shawn. It came off, at least to us, as a "oh my god look what *I* did" moment. But then again he did take the 4th best "star" on the show and won it, so props to him.

Best part of the show was the toastmater general himself jeffery ross....they could do an entire show just roasting all the contestants/judges/hosts....Holly Madison alone could have given them a half a shows worth of material....next season how bout less dancing & more roasting. :D

Couldn't DwtS replace Samantha with Melissa?

Who'd be against this?

Couldn't DwtS replace Samantha with Melissa?

Who'd be against this?
:DNow your talking... maybe she'll shoot herself in the foot (on Broadway) and they won't have to fire her.

Once again it became painfully obvious that DWTS needs to hire new producers. Their 2 hour crapfest finale absolutely paled in comparison to the 2 hour jam-packed finale of American Idol. Lady GaGa? Twice? Yeeeeesh.

Erin Andrews says she would like to do "Dancing With the Stars".

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052801393_2.html

Book her now! I don't care what kind of dancer she is, she would get every one of my votes every week just to see her in the outfits.

Erin Andrews says she would like to do "Dancing With the Stars".

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052801393_2.html

Book her now! I don't care what kind of dancer she is, she would get every one of my votes every week just to see her in the outfits.

+1 and she just might have the chops to make a good run!

Ugh, the Oompa Loompa won. Completely undeserved if a decision is made based upon the entirety of the season.
As you should know, having watched the show, a contestant needs only to better than last place to continue, and then one is supposed to be judged on the current week's performances, otherwise they would keep a running score for each contestant. How people choose to vote varies, as we all know.

If DwtS does the right thing, EA will be a contestant next year and Melissa will be the co-host. Seriously, if they get EA to compete, the ratings will increase by 10-20% easily.

If DwtS does the right thing, EA will be a contestant next year and Melissa will be the co-host. Seriously, if they get EA to compete, the ratings will increase by 10-20% easily.

Ordinarily, one could resist such a giddy remark as horny hyperbole. ;) But in this case, he's right. ESPN, a member of the Disney family as is ABC, would cross-promote the blond right off that babe. More awareness = more exposure = higher ratings. It's a simple equation they understand well.

I think if Erin Andrews is on it will be the spring season. She's a little busy covering college football in the fall.

From the New York Times' Mike Hale via the HOTP thread...someone with a bubbly personality who made a splash in DWTS season 6 will emcee a knock-off show with a weight-loss twist that starts later this month:

DANCE YOUR ... OFF (Oxygen, June 29) Marissa Jaret Winokur, the original Tracy Turnblad in “Hairspray” on Broadway, is the host of this cross between “Dancing With the Stars” and “The Biggest Loser.” Larger-than-they-want-to-be contestants are paired with professionals who train them in various dancing styles (ballroom, hip-hop, pole), which they then use in an attempt to dance a certain part of their anatomy off before a weekly weigh-in.

This may be worth watching, if for no other reason to see Marissa, who, though she may not have been much of a dancer (at least by Kristi Yamaguchi standards), was quite a character. Besides, the pole dancing sounds very appealing...;)

... who made a splash... :D That's funny

Fat people + poles = injuries.

I suspect the pole dances will consist of just walking around the pole since they won't have enough strength to hold their weight.

During yesterday's coverage of the LPGA Championship on Golf Channel they mentioned that Natalie Gulbis said she would love to do Dancing With the Stars but the schedule conflicts too much with the LPGA schedule.

During yesterday's coverage of the LPGA Championship on Golf Channel they mentioned that Natalie Gulbis said she would love to do Dancing With the Stars but the schedule conflicts too much with the LPGA schedule.

Yep; we've mentioned that here several times. She'd be a perfect fit, but not as long as she keeps playing the tour.

I have a few bones to pick with Natalie. First, she was out for almost an entire year with a wrist injury. That season would have been the perfect opportunity to do DWTS, but instead she waited until after the wrist had healed and then did The Apprentice instead. I not sure why that didn't conflict with the schedule.

Anyway, there's lots of great looking women in the LPGA these days and the vast majority of them don't make any real money in tournament winnings. So the only real downside of missing tourneys is the risk of losing your tour card and exemptions.

Heck since the matches are Thur-Sun it might actually be possible to play a match and do DWTS in the same week. After all, we've seen Chuck and Julianne fly off to do weekend concerts and we've seen Cam and other soap stars fly all the way back to NY every week. How much harder could it be to jet-off for a quick four rounds of golf on the weekend?

Heck since the matches are Thur-Sun it might actually be possible to play a match and do DWTS in the same week. After all, we've seen Chuck and Julianne fly off to do weekend concerts and we've seen Cam and other soap stars fly all the way back to NY every week. How much harder could it be to jet-off for a quick four rounds of golf on the weekend?

If she were to attempt to do DWTS and continue to play on tour simultaneously, she wouldn't need to worry about playing 4 rounds of golf during a tournament week, Mac. She'd only be playing two, and then she'd be going home. ;)

I have a few bones to pick with Natalie. First, she was out for almost an entire year with a wrist injury. That season would have been the perfect opportunity to do DWTS, but instead she waited until after the wrist had healed and then did The Apprentice instead. I not sure why that didn't conflict with the schedule.

Anyway, there's lots of great looking women in the LPGA these days and the vast majority of them don't make any real money in tournament winnings. So the only real downside of missing tourneys is the risk of losing your tour card and exemptions.

Heck since the matches are Thur-Sun it might actually be possible to play a match and do DWTS in the same week. After all, we've seen Chuck and Julianne fly off to do weekend concerts and we've seen Cam and other soap stars fly all the way back to NY every week. How much harder could it be to jet-off for a quick four rounds of golf on the weekend?

I would think dancing with a wrist injury would lengthen recovery time.

Celebrity Apprentice was in the winter.

Losing your tour card is a big risk.

LPGA pros have to play in at least one Pro-Am in the early part of the week at the tournament sites.

A couple of news items about DWTS pros:

Julianne is reportedly in negotiations to star opposite Chace Crawford in the upcoming Footloose remake (though the producers hope she can fine-tune her acting skills before they start production):

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b130091_julianne_chace_footloose_dance_partners.html

Maks and Karina will play Broadway for three weeks this summer-they will star in a stage redux of Burn the Floor:

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/06/75512/index.html

...

Maks and Karina will play Broadway for three weeks this summer-they will star in a stage redux of Burn the Floor:
...


Now that I'd actually like to see if it ever goes on tour.

As much as I enjoy the DVD, I'd much rather see a live performance where I can decide which dancers to watch rather than having the decision made by the director.

One of the entertainment shows had clips of Gilles interviewing Kate Walsh and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Both of them said they'd be interested in doing DWTS if they were asked.

Either one would be good for me. Walsh's tall and lean frame should look pretty good on the dance floor.

Maks is sure working a lot. He's on Superstars tonight too.

The teams for the new show are NFL star Terrell Owens and model/actress Joanna Krupa. Retired Los Angeles Dodger Jeff Kent and model/actress Ali Landry. NBA star Robert Horry and model/actress Estella Warren. Olympic skier Bode Miller and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" carpenter Paige Hemmis. X Games freeskier Kristi Leskinen and "Dancing With the Stars'" Maksim Chmerkovskiy. WNBA player Lisa Leslie and host/actor Cortese. Tennis player Jennifer Capriati and actor David Charvet. And women's soccer champ Brandi Chastain and singer Julio Iglesias Jr.

Melissa Rycroft has joined GMA as a special contributor:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/pressroom/2009/06/former-bachelor-and-dancing-with-the-stars-contestant-melissa-rycroft-joins-abcs-good-morning-americ.html

Looks like Maks is already cheating on Karina...


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1849/maksz.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/i/maksz.jpg/)


BTW, Maks and his partner Kristie (a "extreme skier") did very well last night with a 1st and 2nd place finishes in the run/bike and kayaking competitions putting them in 1st place overall.

http://i.usatoday.net/travel/_photos/2009/06/29/stars-harrisx.jpg

Samantha Harris, who will spend the next few weeks playing Roxie Hart in a Broadway revival of Chicago, shares her travel tips and highlights with USA Today's Gary Strauss:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/celebrity/2009-06-29-samantha-harris_N.htm

What goes around comes around: several months after being rejected by a bachelor on national TV, Melissa Rycroft is reportedly engaged:

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20288474,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines

Any word yet on celebrities picked for the Fall 2009 shows?

I'm suprised we haven't heard any leaks. By now there's usually a bunch of rumors floating around.

I have not heard anything announced or rumored as yet, but as I mentioned in my earlier post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16436056#post16436056), it would be nice to see Deborah Gibson on the floor.

Gilles Marini is making the transition from dancer to singer-he is currently working on his debut album:

http://www.accesshollywood.com/gilles-marini-working-on-first-album_article_20993

http://www.zaxbys.com/graphics/TV_Template_ro_08.jpg

Bruno is now starring in three new commercials for Zaxby's, a popular quick casual restaurant here in the Southeast specializing in spicy and satisfying chicken dishes.

Watch the ads here:

http://www.zaxbys.com/zaxtv.html

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6750/bruno1v2.png

Mmmm, Texas toast just like his mama used to make.

Lou Ferrigno will be on the coming season

^^^ That's going to result in some interviews that are really painful to listen to.

maybe he'll share some inside info on M.J seeing as he was his fitness trainer, lol.

Lou Ferrigno will be on the coming season

Give Hulk Shiny Ball or Hulk Smash!

:D:D:D

There are all sorts of reports on the "Hot Off The Press" thread about Paula Abdul possibly being a judge/whatever else on DWTS.

Personally, I don't get why they would want her as a judge. I really don't see her as having anything interesting to say or drawing any extra audience to DWTS. So why would they want to pay her big bucks for no benefit?

There are all sorts of reports on the "Hot Off The Press" thread about Paula Abdul possibly being a judge/whatever else on DWTS.

Personally, I don't get why they would want her as a judge. I really don't see her as having anything interesting to say or drawing any extra audience to DWTS. So why would they want to pay her big bucks for no benefit?

And why would the show's producers want to do anything to alter or disrupt the judging panel that has been with the show from day one? Even if one the current three left for some reason I can't imagine that someone more suitable than Paula Abdul couldn't be hired.

I think they want Paula because she seems to know where to get the good stuff. I heard rumor that was Ben Silverman.

They want to steal viewers from IDOL Even though their on different nights.
SOME of Idols fans are their (for some reason) because of Paula and if they can get them thats what they want.

Paula also was a dance choreographer for major people in her younger years.

I cant stand Paula and dont watch Idol anymore because of her. Seeing her train wreck antics each week was unbearable. Leave it be with the current crew. If they allow her to guest choreograph some of the freestyle stuff, I could deal with that, just dont let her talk too much.

They want to steal viewers from IDOL Even though their on different nights.
SOME of Idols fans are their (for some reason) because of Paula and if they can get them thats what they want.
.


I think you're correct that that is what the producers are thinking, but I doubt it would have a significant impact on the numbers. Since DWTS already draws about 10 million, it takes a hell of a lot of people to make a significant difference.



Paula also was a dance choreographer for major people in her younger years.

Yes, but to the best of my knowledge, she doesn't know squat about Ballroom.

If they're going to jack around with the judges, I'd much rather have them add Tony Meredith. He did a great job co-hosting the America's Ballroom Challenge shows and he'd have much more useful comments for the dancers.

If they're going to jack around with the judges, I'd much rather have them add Tony Meredith. He did a great job co-hosting the America's Ballroom Challenge shows and he'd have much more useful comments for the dancers.

That would be great. Tony is first rate and is, obviously, a superb choreographer. Maybe for chuckles they could add Melody as well and she and Tony would be the NappyTabs of judging. When they were in competition they were Gods. They would have to get a bigger table though.:D

.



If Paula's in....



I'm out!



http://graveyardrecords.com/images/figure_template_fonzshark.jpg

From Entertainment Tonight-a sneak peek at season 9:

ET Confirms 'Dancing With The Stars''s New Twist

ET has confirmed that "Dancing with the Stars" will premiere with 16 celebrities this season. Read on to find out what else executive producer Conrad Green had to say about the upcoming competition.

"This is going to be our biggest-ever cast," he tells ET. "We are going to start big, and then about halfway through, we are going to do three double eliminations back-to-back. The middle of the season is going to be brutal when half of our cast goes in three weeks."

In order to have enough professional dancers to partner with the stars, Green says he will be adding Anna Demidova this season, but no one new -- the show already has used Chelsie Hightower, Dmitry Chaplin and Lacey Schwimmer -- from "So You Think You Can Dance."

"We were turning into their alumni show," he jokes, "but we might bring in one or two new faces. We haven't decided yet whether to bring in new faces or more of our favorites."

As for the possibility of Paula Abdul joining the show, Green makes it clear that his judges table is full with head judge Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba, but that the former "American Idol" judge might be a possible guest judge one week … or even a competitor.

"She has never been trained in ballroom and Latin," he says, "so that is a possibility as well. It is for Paula to work out. At the moment, the world is her oyster. Everyone wants her. At our show, we are great fans of Paula."

Green goes on to explain that the reason for so many competitors this season is twofold: 1) he needs to fill the two-hour timeslot, and 2) he feels it is important to change up the show from season to season. As a result, there will be more athletes, with some new sports represented, some very big personalities, some slightly eccentric personalities [think Cloris Leachman], and a couple of names where people will go, "What is that person doing dancing?"

As for all the speculation that Donny Osmond or Lou Ferrigno are confirmed for "DWTS" this season, Green is staying mum. What he will say is: "I love the fact that people want to be on the show. If people get in the press and say, 'I am on the show,' even if they are not, what can you do? I think our celebrity show is the one that most people want to be on because they realize it isn't degrading or demeaning in any way. You learn a new skill, and it is a wholesome family show."

The new celebrity cast for "Dancing with the Stars" will be announced on August 17 on "Good Morning America." Then the new season premieres on Monday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/08/77356/index.html

AND: Mark Ballas says he would not mind seeing Paula Abdul compete on the show, but does not want to see her as a judge or resident pro:

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b138543_mark_ballas_just_say_no_paula_dancing.html

From Entertainment Tonight-a sneak peek at season 9:

...

"This is going to be our biggest-ever cast," he tells ET. "We are going to start big, and then about halfway through, we are going to do three double eliminations back-to-back. The middle of the season is going to be brutal when half of our cast goes in three weeks."
...


I've been lobbying for something similar to this. I guess we'll find out how well it works this season.




...

The new celebrity cast for "Dancing with the Stars" will be announced on August 17 on "Good Morning America." Then the new season premieres on Monday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

...




Wow!, Only six days to the official cast announcement and we still don't have any solid rumours. They must have really upped their secrecy procedures.

People magazine's season 9 dream lineup:

http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20184871_20297359,00.html

Included in this group: Kirk Cameron and his sister Candace, William Shatner, Naomi Judd, Elizabeth Berkley...and Deborah Gibson!

(If you think I am all for seeing Deborah on DWTS, you're right.;))

I'm more intrigued by the Judd and Elizabeth Berkeley submissions...

Kirk Cameron!?! Lord God, please no.

One of the entertainment news shows claimed that one of the Jackson sisters (Latoya, IIRC) was "in negotiations" to appear this season.

I'm still amazed at how few rumours we've heard this season.

Although Mark Ballas said that "if they have a bunch of 6 foot tall women I won't be able to participate". So I wonder if he's heard rumours of a bunch of WNBA players or the v-ballers on the show.

TPTB will reportedly restrict how long the competitors rehearse beginning in season 9, in response to the rash of injuries in season 8:

http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/08/13/dancing-with-the-stars-sets-new-rehearsal-rules/

^^^ I have a bunch of mixed feeling on the topic of injuries. The first one is that it seems that in the last couple of seasons some of the "injuries" have been overhyped to generate "buzz".

For example, Stacy Kiebler's ankle problems got almost no air time and no ambulances and no doctor's office visits compared to Woz's ankle injury.

However, there have definately been some much more serious injuries the last couple of seasons. But I doubt that less rehearsal time would make a difference in most of those cases.

For example, Misty's tendon tear was a freak injury on just a backwards hop that should not have been dangerous at all.

And Marie Osmond's fainting had nothing to do with rehearsals.

And IMHO, Gilles shoulder, Steve O's back and Melissa's rib injuries were due to the much more dangerous lifts and flips that they've been allowing in the last couple of seasons.

Nancy and Jewel's injuries might have been avoided with less rehearsal, although it sounded to me like Jewel would have had problems with that bone condition even with limited rehearsal time.

I think they'd be better off going to a strict "no-lifts" rule if they really want to limit injuries and tougher medical screening rather than rehearsal time limits.

The show's largest cast ever, announced Monday, features singers Mya, Macy Gray and Aaron Carter; actors Ashley Hamilton, Melissa Joan Hart and Debi Mazar (MAY'-zahr); and models Joanna Krupa and Kathy Ireland.

Contestants also include reality stars Mark Dacascos and Kelly Osbourne; entertainer Donny Osmond; mixed martial artist Chuck Liddell (lih-DEL'); professional snowboarder Louie Vito; Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin (KAWG'-lin); former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin and the former disgraced congressman from Texas, Tom Delay.



-------

Cool, can't wait to see the (DEATH) panel of judges send Delay packing. Can't find much to root for in this list of "stars".

Yeah, very uninspired list. Well, that makes the decision between this and SYTYCD this fall easy, at least. (If Jewel had come back to try again it would have been much tougher. ;) ) No way I could afford the massive time commitment to watch them both, although I'm sure some here will. DWTS sometimes chews up 5 hours a week in the early going, never less than 3. Too much other worthy stuff on the tube.

Yeah, very uninspired list. Well, that makes the decision between this and SYTYCD this fall easy, at least. (If Jewel had come back to try again it would have been much tougher. ;) ) No way I could afford the massive time commitment to watch them both, although I'm sure some here will. DWTS sometimes chews up 5 hours a week in the early going, never less than 3. Too much other worthy stuff on the tube.

Choice is easy for me. SYTYCD is awful, and my wife only watches DWTS. As for the 5 hours a week, if you have a DVR its more like 15 mins total.

Looks like lots of good eye candy to me, with Ireland, Coughlin, Krupa and Mya.

I'm conflicted about who to back. I've always been a big fan of Ireland and I like Coughlin too, but I really liked Mya's bit part as one of the Jailhouse Tango girls in Chicago, so I think I go with the underdog this season and back Mya since she'll have trouble carving out a fan base against the much better known Ireland and Coughlin.


BTW, have you ever noticed that while people never seem to complain about the zillions of worthless hours of football programming with all the pre-game, post-game, coach's and star-player's shows, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.... Not to mention that a 4 hour game only has about 30 minutes of actual playing time. But for some reason DWTS is just too long... :rolleyes:

BTW, have you ever noticed that while people never seem to complain about the zillions of worthless hours of football programming with all the pre-game, post-game, coach's and star-player's shows, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.... Not to mention that a 4 hour game only has about 30 minutes of actual playing time. But for some reason DWTS is just too long... :rolleyes:

While that's a good point in terms of total time commitment, watching a sporting event is a little different than watching a prime-time reality show that just drags on way too long because of useless fluff and filler. Sure, you can FF through some of it, but if you're watching the show because you like all the fluff and filler and pomp & circumstance (otherwise, why bother?), you're not going to save many total minutes out of the broadcast. It's still too much, and worthy prime-time dramas, movies, etc. will get squeezed out to make room. My opinion is both of these shows would benifit greatly from more dancing and less talking, fretting, and crying about dancing. But, to each his own.

Besides, I used to watch sporting events live, but now I just time shift them by an hour or so and am able to cut that total time commitment way back. If fact, if you just watch only the actual plays of a football game, FF'ing through everything else, you can blast through one in an hour or two. ;)

Ok... I haven't watched this show in like 2 seasons... but the fact that they are supposed to have Chuck Liddel has me laughing at watching that dude try to dance... going to be pretty hilarious. Especially also considering his interviews... good gosh this will be awesome

.... My opinion is both of these shows would benifit greatly from more dancing and less talking, fretting, and crying about dancing. But, to each his own....

And with more contestants and no eliminations, there will be a lot more dancing early in this season. So you should be happy instead of complaining.


....
It's still too much, and worthy prime-time dramas, movies, etc. will get squeezed out to make room.
....

If they actually existed they would get good enough ratings that they wouldn't have to worry about finding a time slot. But most of the "dramas" just want to get up on their ideologic soapbox and preach. Which instantly eliminates over half the potential audience and gets old even for the audience that agrees (c.f. Commander in Chief).

Ok... I haven't watched this show in like 2 seasons... but the fact that they are supposed to have Chuck Liddel has me laughing at watching that dude try to dance... going to be pretty hilarious. Especially also considering his interviews... good gosh this will be awesome


Layla Ali did fairly well. But Chuck...

I'd sure hate to be his partner and catch an accidental elbow to the head. It'd probably be a knock-out blow even when he's not really trying.

If they actually existed they would get good enough ratings that they wouldn't have to worry about finding a time slot. But most of the "dramas" just want to get up on their ideologic soapbox and preach. Which instantly eliminates over half the potential audience and gets old even for the audience that agrees (c.f. Commander in Chief).

You clearly don't watch many prime-time dramas. For the most part, they're police procedurals. If they get on any "soapboxes to preach", the message is that your typical everyday serial killin' schmo is no match for quirky cops armed with the latest TV-inspired technology, and that any crime can be neatly solved in 42 minutes.

Then you have your doc dramas. Their soapbox preaching consists of trying to talk their co-workers out of their scrubs while saving some attractive victim of a very unusual disease. Said scrubs can be sexily shed and the victim saved all in a tidy 42 minutes. See what you're missing while you're watching all these dancing shows? :p

The ABC PR of the cast announcement, posted by fredfa in the HOTP thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17013856#post17013856

Fred made what I thought was a spot-on comment in the following post:

Stars?

Kathy Ireland, Donny Osmond, Michael Irvin, maybe (at least at one time).

But stars?

Exactly what I'm wondering.

Not that there are no potential rooting interests for this go-round. I always liked Kathy Ireland, because she at least is a supermodel who is NOT a size zero; in her heyday, she could stuff a wild bikini like no one else. Mya should have a bit of an advantage going in; flashy choreography is a big part of her live shows. I remember Debi Mazar from her days as the cute secretary from the short-lived late 80's show Civil Wars; I don't know about her dancing ability (if she has any), but she could score some style points.

Donny Osmond could have an advantage among veteran viewers of the show, who may remember sister Marie making it all the way to the finals in season 5. Michael Irvin, Louie Vito and Natalie Coughlin (and maybe Chuck Liddell) will likely get votes from sports fans, while the pink cell phone set will likely go for Aaron Carter.

I am wondering if landing Kelly Osbourne was a ploy by TPTB to woo fans of America's Got Talent, on which her mom Sharon is a judge. Just a thought...

Tom DeLay? I don't think that he will last much longer than Tucker Carlson. (No political comments are necessary here.)

And finally...DARN! Deborah Gibson got passed over, at least until season 10 next spring. At least it gives her more time to work on her new album.;)

Will a Tom DeLay supporter send a mass email similar to the one he wrote in 2006 for then DWTS contestant Sara Evans? In that letter (story (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2006/09/dancing_with_to.html) and image (http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/delayletterbig.gif)) he wrote:

"One of her opponents on the show is ultra liberal talk show host Jerry Springer. We need to send a message to Hollywood and the media that smut has no place on television by supporting good people like Sara Evans."

We know how that turned out (page 5 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=721767&page=5) of this thread). Looks like he'll have step up to stomp out the smut himself this time, perhaps with a "superior dance".

^^^Well, every compelling drama needs a dastardly villain to root against. ;)

The ICEMAN!

I'll be watching, they could put the muppets as contestants and my daughter would make me watch so whether we think they are "stars" or not is irrelevant. IMHO - It'll crush SYTYCD in the ratings.

Have they announced the celebrity/pro pairings?

Have they announced the celebrity/pro pairings?

They're not on the offical ABC site yet. And I haven't been able to find them anywhere else.

A roundup of news stories about the season 9 competitors:

Advice for Donny Osmond, from Holly Madison and Penn Jillette:
http://vegasblog.latimes.com/vegas/2009/08/dwts-advice-for-donny-from-holly-penn-and-me.html

A few cast members have had prior scuffles with the law, albeit for mostly minor crimes:
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/17/crimesider/entry5247280.shtml

Aaron Carter is happy about his chance to shine in the ballroom:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1618956/20090818/carter_aaron.jhtml

Have they announced the celebrity/pro pairings?
If this is any indication: Chelsie tweeted (https://twitter.com/ChelsieKayH)earlier this evening that she will be meeting her new partner this Friday.

I'm betting she will partner with Ashley Hamilton or Louie Vito.

UPDATE: ABC's site says partner pairings will be posted this coming Monday.

Well, every compelling drama needs a dastardly villain to root against. ;)
Say it ain't so :eek: From this article (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2082971/cheryl_burke_and_tom_delay_partners.html?cat=2):

"Cheryl Burke posted on her Facebook page that she was rehearsing for Dancing with the Stars with Tom DeLay, basically confirming the rumor that Cheryl Burke and Tom Delay are partners."

For what it's worth the pairing is also mentioned in Tom DeLay's Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_delay). If true it could be a very short season for Cheryl, not to mention the dances may be very conservative.

Poor Cheryl. :(

The pairings that Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars_%28U.S._TV_series%29) is showing at the moment are:

Aaron Carter / Karina Smirnoff
Natalie Coughlin / Alec Mazo
Mark Dacascos / Lacey Schwimmer
Tom DeLay / Cheryl Burke
Ashley Hamilton / Edyta Śliwińska
Michael Irvin / Anna Demidova
Joanna Krupa / Derek Hough
Chuck Liddell / Anna Trebunskaya
Debi Mazar / Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Mýa / Dmitry Chaplin
Kelly Osbourne / Louis van Amstel
Donny Osmond / Kym Johnson

Corky Ballas, Mark Ballas, Tony Dovolani and Chelsie Hightower are shown to be competing professionals but their partners are not yet indicated. The pairing of the remaining stars not shown are Macy Gray, Melissa Joan Hart, Kathy Ireland and Louie Vito. Assuming Louie Vito will have a female partner, this list would imply:

Louie Vito / Chelsie Hightower

I guess we'll see on Monday if this is accurate.

The pairings that Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars_%28U.S._TV_series%29) is showing at the moment are:

Aaron Carter / Karina Smirnoff
Natalie Coughlin / Alec Mazo
Mark Dacascos / Lacey Schwimmer
Tom DeLay / Cheryl Burke
Ashley Hamilton / Edyta Śliwińska
Michael Irvin / Anna Demidova
Joanna Krupa / Derek Hough
Chuck Liddell / Anna Trebunskaya
Debi Mazar / Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Mýa / Dmitry Chaplin
Kelly Osbourne / Louis van Amstel
Donny Osmond / Kym Johnson

Corky Ballas, Mark Ballas, Tony Dovolani and Chelsie Hightower are shown to be competing professionals but their partners are not yet indicated. The pairing of the remaining stars not shown are Macy Gray, Melissa Joan Hart, Kathy Ireland and Louie Vito. Assuming Louie Vito will have a female partner, this list would imply:

Louie Vito / Chelsie Hightower

I guess we'll see on Monday if this is accurate.

Some oldies but goodies are back on the floor: Anna Trebunskaya, Alec Mazo, Louis Van Amstel.

Interesting that for pros we'll have some internal competition:
father vs. son (Corky, Mark - again)
husband vs. wife (Alec, Edyta)
fiancé vs. fiancé (Maksim, Karina)
SYTYCD alum battle royale (Lacey, Dimitry, Chelsie, Louis (choreographer))

Is this the season Edyta finally wins it all? :)

It's interesting that Natalie Coughlin and Alec Mazo both went to UC Berkeley at the same time. Natalie said that they didn't know each other but were probably in some classes together. Small world.

I noticed Jonathan Roberts is not listed for this season for the pros. I guess the situation of two husband vs. wife (he's married to Anna Trebunskaya) competitions within the pro ranks was just a bit too much. :D:D

The pairings that Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars_%28U.S._TV_series%29) is showing at the moment are:

Aaron Carter / Karina Smirnoff
Natalie Coughlin / Alec Mazo
Mark Dacascos / Lacey Schwimmer
Tom DeLay / Cheryl Burke
Ashley Hamilton / Edyta Śliwińska
Michael Irvin / Anna Demidova
Joanna Krupa / Derek Hough
Chuck Liddell / Anna Trebunskaya
Debi Mazar / Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Mýa / Dmitry Chaplin
Kelly Osbourne / Louis van Amstel
Donny Osmond / Kym Johnson

Corky Ballas, Mark Ballas, Tony Dovolani and Chelsie Hightower are shown to be competing professionals but their partners are not yet indicated. The pairing of the remaining stars not shown are Macy Gray, Melissa Joan Hart, Kathy Ireland and Louie Vito. Assuming Louie Vito will have a female partner, this list would imply:

Louie Vito / Chelsie Hightower

I guess we'll see on Monday if this is accurate.


I like the pairing of Natalie Coughlin / Alec Mazo. That should be a hot couple. Possibly even hotter than 1st season's pairing of Kelly and Alec.

Krupa and Hough will be another hot couple. If Krupa has any ability at all it could be like a repeat of Brooke and Derek.

I'm hoping Tony gets Kathy. That would be a classy pair.

I saw an interview with Gilles where he thought that Mark Dacascos would be really good due to his physicality. With Lacey he could definately be a threat.

They probably better pair up Corky and Macy. Macy and either Mark or Tony would probably be like throwing gasoline on a fire since neither Mark or Tony will be happy if Macy's not serious.

I noticed Jonathan Roberts is not listed for this season for the pros. I guess the situation of two husband vs. wife (he's married to Anna Trebunskaya) competitions within the pro ranks was just a bit too much. :D:D


I believe theirs is a marriage of convenience.

Wasn't Joanna Krupa paired with T.O. during the recent SuperStars programs - and bitched and moaned about his athleticism, and wound up abandoned and cut from the competition when he had to leave to do his Buffalo Bills stuff? :eek: :eek:

Hope she's a little more mellow on DWTS...

Wasn't Joanna Krupa paired with T.O. during the recent SuperStars programs - and bitched and moaned about his athleticism, and wound up abandoned and cut from the competition when he had to leave to do his Buffalo Bills stuff? :eek: :eek:

Hope she's a little more mellow on DWTS...

You mean was she the one that deservedly kicked TO's ass on national TV? Yes. Yes she was. My only regret is she didn't get paired with Max.

I noticed Jonathan Roberts is not listed for this season for the pros. I guess the situation of two husband vs. wife (he's married to Anna Trebunskaya) competitions within the pro ranks was just a bit too much. :D:D

I know you're just joking, but on a more serious note...

I suspect the reason that Jonathon is absent is due to him and Valentina winning a title at the last national meeting. So either he's getting serious about trying to repeat as a national champion or he's in heavy demand for teaching seminars.

It looks like Jonathon and Anna are tagging in and out of DWTS to ensure some stable income. When Anna and her partner were having some success on the competition circuit she dropped out of DWTS and Jonathon stayed in. Now that Jonathon is having success in competitions, Anna is back on DWTS.

You mean was she the one that deservedly kicked TO's ass on national TV? Yes. Yes she was. My only regret is she didn't get paired with Max.

I was hoping Mya would get either Max or Mark.

I felt like Dmitry was giving Holly routines that were too difficult too early in the season. Hopefully he'll find a better balance this season since I'd like to see Mya look a lot better and last a lot longer than Holly did.

I was hoping Mya would get either Max or Mark.

I felt like Dmitry was giving Holly routines that were too difficult too early in the season. Hopefully he'll find a better balance this season since I'd like to see Mya look a lot better and last a lot longer than Holly did.

I honestly think the problem with Dmitry is that he isn't good enough nor is he a capable teacher. His victims, err partners, will suffer because of this.

I honestly think the problem with Dmitry is that he isn't good enough nor is he a capable teacher. His victims, err partners, will suffer because of this.

I think he looked pretty good in the pro routines last season, but I agree that his teaching skills are questionable. Anyway, I'm hoping we're both wrong and he turns out to be a great teacher since I want to see a lot of Mya this season. :D

Surprised that noone has mentioned that Edyta now has the distinction of dancing with the Hamilton father/son combo.

Thanks for that interesting tidbit, Mac.

Meanwhile, the celebrity/pro pairings have been officially announced; here they are, in a nutshell, from MJ Santilli's blog: (http://mjsbigblog.com/dancing-with-the-stars-season-9-pairings-officially-announced.htm)

•Aaron Carter, pop star, teams with Karina Smirnoff, who returns for her seventh season.

•Natalie Coughlin, Olympic champion swimmer, teams with Season 1 champion Alec Mazo, who returns for his fifth season.

•Mark Dacascos, “Iron Chef” star, joins Lacey Schwimmer, who returns for her third season.

•Tom Delay, former House Majority Leader, teams up with two-time champion Cheryl Burke, who returns for her eighth season.

•Macy Gray, Grammy Award ®winner, teams with Jonathan Roberts, who returns for his seventh season.

•Ashley Hamilton, actor and comedian, teams with Edyta Sliwinska, who is the only pro to compete in all nine seasons of “Dancing with the Stars.”

•Melissa Joan Hart, actress, teams up with reigning two-time “Dancing with the Stars” champ Mark Ballas, who returns for his fifth season.

•Kathy Ireland, entrepreneur and model, teams with Tony Dovolani, who returns for his eighth season.

•Michael Irvin, NFL Hall of Famer, teams with Season 8’s Professional Dancer Competition winner Anna Demidova [the lone new pro this cycle], who makes her debut.

•Joanna Krupa, model, teams with Season 7 champ Derek Hough, who returns for his fifth season. [Derek posted a pic of Joanna and him happily rehearsing (http://twitpic.com/empoh)over the weekend, and another one (http://twitpic.com/f2ewt)earlier today.]

•Chuck Liddell, Ultimate Fighting Champion, teams with Anna Trebunskaya, who returns for her fourth season.

•Debi Mazar, actress, teams with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who returns for his seventh season.

•Mya, award winning singer, teams with Dmitry Chaplin, who returns for his second season.

•Kelly Osbourne, reality star, teams up with Louis Van Amstel, who returns for his fifth season [and first since season 6].

•Donny Osmond, showbiz legend, is paired with Kym Johnson, who returns for her seventh season.

•Louie Vito, professional snowboarder, joins Chelsie Hightower, who returns for her second season. [Which should be one of the most interesting couples to watch.]

Quote of the week:

"Friendship is like peeing on yourself, everyone can see it: but only you get the warm feeling that it brings..":D

--Chelsie Hightower, in a recent tweet (https://twitter.com/ChelsieKayH/status/3508444640)

So Jonathon is back. Interesting. And paired with Macy too. Well he seems to be good at just grinning and bearing it, so that's probably a good match for Macy.

Glad to see that Kathy and Tony are paired up.

I don't see any obvious favorites, like Kristie Yamaguchi. And a lot of these couples look like they have some potential.

So Jonathan Roberts IS doing this season (with 16 couples, they needed as many pros as possible) so a second husband vs. wife pros competition is in! :D:D

so in that vein (updating my prior post) we have:

husband vs. wife #1 (Alec, Edyta)
husband vs. wife #2 (Jonathan, Anna)
fiance vs. fiance (Maksim, Karina)

I almost drooled on my keyboard when I saw this pic of Melissa Joan Hart in sequins:

http://img200.yfrog.com/i/bvu.jpg/

(Mark should be proud to be dancing with one hot mama!;))

Wikipedia's listing before the official announcement was pretty close, which is good for Wikipedia :D Jonathan Roberts instead of Corky Ballas was the only error - perhaps a change? All the parings were correct.

I almost drooled on my keyboard when I saw this pic of Melissa Joan Hart in sequins:

http://img200.yfrog.com/i/bvu.jpg/

(Mark should be proud to be dancing with one hot mama!;))

I think you have officially the worst taste in women and singers. :p

I saw an interview with Debi Mazar where she said her kids were big fans of the show and wanted her to do it.

I've heard similar things so many times now that I think there are as many celebs doing the show to please their children as there are celebs doing the show to improve their career. ;)

I think you have officially the worst taste in women and singers. :p

+1..... That picture looks like a shot from the Miss Texas, 1965 pageant.

I almost drooled on my keyboard when I saw this pic of Melissa Joan Hart in sequins:

http://img200.yfrog.com/i/bvu.jpg/

(Mark should be proud to be dancing with one hot mama!;))

I thought you would have linked to the "bikini cover" shot:

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20281245,00.html

Mac: Thanks for posting that link-Melissa looks very hot in that pic too. (Sorry for stirring your pot, skyehill-I thought the sequin pic would be of interest to my fellow fans here.)

While we're on that subject...she opens up to Access Hollywood about the opportunity to compete on DWTS-and how her recent move to Connecticut threw her diet off whack:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545715/ns/entertainment-access_hollywood/

And, Donny Osmond tells Entertainment Tonight that he is "working up a sweat" under what he says is Kym's strict tutelage:

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/08/77809/index.html

[Peter Falk voice] Oh, and one more thing... [/Peter Falk voice]

More season 9 cast rehearsal pics!

http://www.etonline.com/gallery/2009/08/77849/index.html

Some oldies but goodies are back on the floor: Anna Trebunskaya, Alec Mazo, Louis Van Amstel.

Interesting that for pros we'll have some internal competition:
father vs. son (Corky, Mark - again)
husband vs. wife (Alec, Edyta)
fiancé vs. fiancé (Maksim, Karina)
SYTYCD alum battle royale (Lacey, Dimitry, Chelsie, Louis (choreographer))

Is this the season Edyta finally wins it all? :)

UPDATE: With Jonathan Roberts instead of Corky Ballas, it removes the 'father vs. son' competition, but adds a second 'husband vs. wife'. I won't repeat it as I did it in a prior post.

Doesn't take long for the posts to start adding up once the new season of the show gets close to going on air, doesn't it? :D:D:D

Here is my "before the start of the season" pick.
Kind of bold considering he's probably on the lower end of the "celeb status" rankings.

Mark Dacascos, “Iron Chef” & Lacey Schwimmer

I'll be pulling for the Iceman. Anna looks like a cute little chipmunk to me.

Here is my "before the start of the season" pick.
Kind of bold considering he's probably on the lower end of the "celeb status" rankings.

Mark Dacascos, “Iron Chef” & Lacey Schwimmer

....

You're in good company with that pick. I mentioned earlier that Gilles thinks that Mark will be really good.

He might have trouble getting votes, but at least he's not up against a hugely popular celeb like a Kristie Yamaguchi or a Shawn Johnson this season.

I'm having trouble making a pick this season. Joanna Krupa seemed fairly athletic in that Superstars show so she might have a chance. The others I don't know well enough to have any good ideas. Although, I'd think Louie Vito must have good balance and body control to be a pro snowboarder. Natalie is obviously very athletic, but does any part of swimming translate to dancing? Aaron Carter should have a good size voting block locked up, but can he dance?

[Peter Falk voice] Oh, and one more thing... [/Peter Falk voice]

More season 9 cast rehearsal pics!

http://www.etonline.com/gallery/2009/08/77849/index.html

Thanks for the link!

After looking at those pics, I'm going to say it'll be Aaron and Mark at the top of the pack.

They looked a lot more comfortable in the those pics than the others. Although Debi and Natalie looked semi-comfortable too. My favorite, Mya, looks like a deer frozen in the headlights. :(

Ashley, Tom and Chuck look stiff and flat-footed. But Kelly looks better than I would have guessed. She might be the dark horse this season.

Season 9 hasn't started, but just for fun.... Who gets eliminated first??

Here is my "before the start of the season" pick.
Kind of bold considering he's probably on the lower end of the "celeb status" rankings.

Mark Dacascos, “Iron Chef” & Lacey Schwimmer

I'll be pulling for the Iceman. Anna looks like a cute little chipmunk to me.I hate betting on a horse without a visit to the paddock area (http://www.saratoga.org/visitors/saratoga-race-course.asp) :p but I’m not one to shy away from an opinion. Therefore, without seeing or even knowing :rolleyes:who most of these “stars” :rolleyes: are, here’s my preliminary four horse triple box. And if that’s not cool then I’ll take it as a straight superfecta. :D

Natalie Coughlin
Debi Mazar
Ashley Hamilton
Mark Dacascos

After I see the first dance then I’ll tell you who the top three will be—and it will be a lock. :cool:

Season 9 hasn't started, but just for fun.... Who gets eliminated first??Kelly Osbourne

Season 9 hasn't started, but just for fun.... Who gets eliminated first??

Hopefully that clown Delay.

Hopefully that clown Delay.:rolleyes: The new season hasn’t started yet and that’s already your second unsolicited politically slanted put down. Please, let’s play nice and refrain from the easy slurs. This thread doesn’t need ideological arguments. It was more fun when we had fat contestants to poke fun at. :p

Season 9 hasn't started, but just for fun.... Who gets eliminated first??
My money's on Tom DeLay, but knowing this show's "supermodel curse," don't be surprised to see Kathy Ireland and/or Joanna Krupa take an early exit.

It was more fun when we had fat contestants to poke fun at. :p
Don't bring up that live wire Marissa Jaret Winokur...;)

:rolleyes: The new season hasn’t started yet and that’s already your second unsolicited politically slanted put down. Please, let’s play nice and refrain from the easy slurs. This thread doesn’t need ideological arguments. It was more fun when we had fat contestants to poke fun at. :p

My distaste for him has nothing to do with political affiliation and everything to do with him as a lousy human being.

But yeah, we may see the continuation of the supermodel curse.

Natalie is obviously very athletic, but does any part of swimming translate to dancing? I would guess that the stamina part will help her in training. She could practice longer and do more crazy dances later in the season.

but knowing this show's "supermodel curse," don't be surprised to see Kathy Ireland and/or Joanna Krupa take an early exit.Probably why they cast two supermodels this year.

I would guess that the stamina part will help her in training. She could practice longer and do more crazy dances later in the season.

Probably why they cast two supermodels this year.

Double elimination in week 1? :)

Season 9 hasn't started, but just for fun.... Who gets eliminated first??

Actually that should be "Who are the first two people to get eliminated?" since the first elimination will be a double with two more double eliminations following it.

Double elimination in week 1? :)

Doh!

Actually that should be "Who are the first two people to get eliminated?" since the first elimination will be a double with two more double eliminations following it.

I haven't heard of any plans for doing a double elimination for the first week. However, they're repeatedly announced about the mid-season double eliminations that will occur for 3 weeks in a row.

Reread my post Humdinger. I didn't say the double elimination was in the first week. I only said that the "first elimination will be a double". I intentionally did NOT mention which week it was since I wasn't certain. However they've also said that there won't be any eliminations until that first double, so I knew that the double is the "first elimination".

Official publicity pics of the season 9 couples in ballroom garb!

http://www.accesshollywood.com/dancing-with-the-stars-season-9-class-portraits_gallery_2129

Wow! What a terribly unflattering gown they put Kathy Ireland in.

Debi looks pretty good in those stills. I though she looked semi-uncomfortable in the rehearsal shots, but I may have to move her up a couple of notches now.

Poor Cheryl and the new girl. Won't be seeing much of them this season. And hello Joana Krupa and Natalie Coughlin!

The injury reports have already started:

Donny Osmond says he has a fractured bone in his foot.

He's apparently still dancing since there haven't been any reports about him dropping out.

Maks and Karina performing at the Emmy Awards ceremony later this month?:

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b142535_maksim_karina_dancing_over_emmys.html

Mario Lopez has picked Debi as a top competitor.

Oh and I keep forgetting to mention that Gilles has said that he'd love to do an "All-Stars" version of DWTS since he had so much fun. If they brought back Stacy Kiebler, I'd definately be there with bells on.

Perhaps some tension on the set now that Maks and Karina have called off their marriage?

Perhaps some tension on the set now that Maks and Karina have called off their marriage?
Where did you find out about this? Link please... :eek:

Where did you find out about this? Link please... :eek:

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b142995_dancing_with_star_duo_karina_maks_split.html

And so, the injury bugaboo on this show continues, witness Tom DeLay...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/16/delay.injured/index.html

Note: 5 days and counting to season 9 premiere! :D:D

And so, the injury bugaboo on this show continues, witness Tom DeLay...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/16/delay.injured/index.html

Note: 5 days and counting to season 9 premiere! :D:D


Awwww couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Poor Cheryl.

Hmmm. Same injury as Donny Osmond. I guess these guys haven't been doing enough weight-bearing exercises.

;)Hmmm. Same injury as Donny Osmond. I guess these guys haven't been doing enough weight-bearing exercises.Well what do you expect? It was Delay's weak left foot. He kinda’ favors the right, a bit. :p

;)Well what do you expect? It was Delay's weak left foot. He kinda’ favors the right, a bit. :p

Actually I think his foot is a little crooked.

Brooke Burke tweeted earlier today that there will be a Patrick Swayze tribute on next Wednesday's results show:

https://twitter.com/brookeburke/status/4034146756

^^^ Well in that case I would think that since Chelsie looks a little bit like Jennifer Grey did, that would make her the obvious choice for the female part of "Dirty Dancing". But who do you pick for Patrick's part?

I think I'd go with Louis, but ask again later and I'll probably have changed my mind.

Kathy Ireland cut her leg last Sunday in a surfing accident:

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b144502_dancing_curse_roars_back_strikes_kathy.html

...but is expected to dance next week.

(Her leg was stitched up by her husband, who is a southern Calif. ER doc.)

;)Well what do you expect? It was Delay's weak left foot. He kinda’ favors the right, a bit. :p

Maybe it's hammer-toe, Larry. :p

Maybe it's hammer-toe, Larry. :p:D;)

...or a minor bout with hoof-and-mouth disease. :D

:D;)

...or a minor bout with hoof-and-mouth disease. :D
Or more likely... foot-in-mouth disease... :D:D

BUMP!!

Weekly bump - season 9 premiere tonight! :D:D:D

Karina and Maks looked really good on the Emmy's last night. Big effortless lifts and sharp fast latin moves. The relationship troubles doesn't seem to have hurt the dancing.

Karina and Maks looked really good on the Emmy's last night. Big effortless lifts and sharp fast latin moves. The relationship troubles doesn't seem to have hurt the dancing.

Some reports had them screaming at each other backstage before their performance last night.

Best line from Bruno: "You're crazier than Sarah Palin" That sort of made up for the close up of DeLay shaking his behind to Wild Thing.

Bruno must be a worse-than-worthless piece of trash.

Bruno must be a worse-than-worthless piece of trash.
And your response makes you better? Lighten up!

Anna Demidova is one hot looking woman.

No one really stood out for me last night, but Donny, being quite the showman, came darned close. Aaron surprised me a bit; his cha-cha was a bit better than the Three Amigos said it was.

I echo the sentiment of MJ Santilli (http://mjsbigblog.com/dancing-with-the-stars-season-9-top-16-dancers.htm#more-9270): "The women better bring it tomorrow, or it’s going to be a long season…"

How about screencaps? Edyta?

No one really stood out for me last night, but Donny, being quite the showman, came darned close.Yeah, he did perform well:rolleyes:…unfortunately, then again, why would a singer, dancer, entertainer from birth (or since embryo as he put it) not perform well. Once again, it’s an unfair advantage. How can you have an "Osmond" compete with a Hamilton? Ashley Hamilton is a total dork- but that’s what makes this show great. If he’s able to put it together and improve, that’s what makes the show, for me.

No one really stood out for me last night, but Donny, being quite the showman, came darned close. Aaron surprised me a bit; his cha-cha was a bit better than the Three Amigos said it was.

I echo the sentiment of MJ Santilli (http://mjsbigblog.com/dancing-with-the-stars-season-9-top-16-dancers.htm#more-9270): "The women better bring it tomorrow, or it’s going to be a long season…"

Donny's experience as a stage performer was a big advantage and he was the best of the men. Mark has some potential. His martial arts training gives him a certain grace and ability to move that should see him go awhile. I was not impressed with Aaron in the relay waltz. He looked stiff and seemed to lurch a bit. I also thought (God help me) that Tom Delay was not bad doing his waltz and was a bit underpriced by the judges. Overall I agree with you that it was not an auspicious start. I supsect that, at least from some of the reports, the women will fare much better tonight. By some accounts, Debi Mazur has been good in rehersals and her promo stills look great. Kathy Ireland looks so different these days. If I didn't know that her partner was Tony Dovelani, I wouldn't have known that it was her last night. Has she had any "work" done?

^^^^ I think we've been spoiled by having really talented dancers like Gilles and Melissa last season. This season seems to be more normal. None of the guys look really good at this point, but a couple of them seem to have potential to improve a lot.

I went with Aaron and Mark before the start of the season. But I think I'm going to change to Aaron and Donny, since Aaron should get the younger demo and Donny the older demo with Mark scrambling to find audience votes.

AFA Aaron's relay, my take on it was that it looked very "hyper". He'll probably look really good in the Quickstep and the Jive, but he's going to need to really rein it in on dances like the Rhumba and all the other Standards except for the Quickstep.

Some of the scoring seemed a little strange last night. I thought Chuck was given higher marks than he deserved on that opening number. And I felt that Mark's relay was even more "skippy" than Tom's. And Donny sure lucked out by drawing the weak relay lineup and not having to go up against Aaron or Mark. I guess the actual order doesn't matter too much since only the bottom half of the scores are at a big risk of being eliminated.

Samantha, I don't like your hair that way at all!!

Samantha, I don't like you at all!!

Just my opinion. She also can not add 8+8+5 does not equal 20!

With the performances for the first week now over...

Best dancer among the guys, Aaron Carter (Karina, looks like you may have a shot at your first trophy)

Worst dancer among the guys, Michael Irvin.

Best dancer among the ladies, Joanna Krup (helps not to have T.O. around, eh?)

Worst dancer among the ladies, Macy Gray.

Eliminations...

Guys - it's among Ashley Hamilton, Michael Irvin and Tom DeLay. I think Michael goes.

Gals - it's among Macy Gray, Debi Mazur and Kathy Ireland. I think Macy has the fan base so I think Kathy goes.

Surprise of the first two nights - Kelly Osborne! The light bulb must have come on, because she figured it out and was a gracious lady performing.

Note: MSNBC Countdown's #1 story on Monday night was about Tom DeLay's performance - and Keith Olbermann wasn't there!!! Lawrence O'Donnell was hosting. The one story that needed Keith's touch and he's MIA. Shame on you Keith! :D:D

I went with Aaron and Mark before the start of the season. But I think I'm going to change to Aaron and Donny, since Aaron should get the younger demo and Donny the older demo with Mark scrambling to find audience votes.I agree with most of your post, but I did want to add something here.

I have a feeling that Mark will get plenty of votes. Did you hear the hooting and hollering when they put Lacey on the screen? I think she's gonna pull in a lot of votes for Mark.

Hopefully, he'll get better as time goes along ... as he was my pre-season pick.

... was my pre-season pick.Yeah… well preseason picks are just for fun and for those brave enough to put it on the line, not teeter back and forth every week with a Monday morning quarterbacking proclamation.

That said, I agree, Kelly is “not that fat little kid from TV”. She’s certainly not as horrible as I expected.

Aside from Ashely,:rolleyes: I still like my preseason picks but I think after this week, since we saw them all dance, it would be fun to see some real picks here.

This is my first season of DWTS, so I don’t really know how this works, but...

Joanna and Mya are the 2 best women dancers with the nod to Joanna.

Macy goes home tonight.

Aaron and Mark are the best men dancers with the nod to Aaron.

Tough call as to whether Ashley, Michael, or Chuck go home tonight. I hope its not Michael because I want to see more of Anna Demidova. :)

Among the men...Donnie, Aaron, Mark and Louie have potential. I think Mike got jobbed abit. It was very rough, maybe he hasn't been putting in the time, but I think, if he makes it, he'll get better. All in all, not a very good cast on the male side. I really hope that they get much better because I can't stand Donnie and he's head and shoulders above the others.

The women, as a whole, are much better...Natalie, Kelly, Mya, Joanna are pretty darned good out of the box...even Debbi has potential.

Hope it's Ashley and Macy that go...cuz I want to see more of Demidova too.

For those wondering, the actual quote by Macy Gray that got censored was;

''I feel like I really busted my cherry, you know?''

Not sure why that got censored as I would have been quite fine having my 7 year old daugther hear that quote.

For those wondering, the actual quote by Macy Gray that got censored was;

''I feel like I really busted my cherry, you know?''
It was obvious, what she said. I think the producers were confused as to what to do. There was no way around bleeping that wonderful analogy. :rolleyes: In her case, in my opinion, a more believable analogy would’ve been “busted a nut”. :p

It was obvious, what she said. I think the producers were confused as to what to do. There was no way around bleeping that wonderful analogy. :rolleyes: In her case, in my opinion, a more believable analogy would’ve been “busted a nut”. :pI don't watch this show regularly but happened to catch this and it sure wasn't obvious to me. You must be a lip reader! I even replayed it in slow mo and the best thing I could come up with was "I almost pissed myself out there" :D. The looks on the faces of a couple contestants sitting behind her right when she said it were classic.


ron

It was obvious, what she said. I think the producers were confused as to what to do. There was no way around bleeping that wonderful analogy. :rolleyes: In her case, in my opinion, a more believable analogy would’ve been “busted a nut”. :p
I hit rewind and understood what she said the second time.

Macy will be gone because it will be revealed she is actually a he. The first thing I said when I saw Macy - drag queen. :)

I guess I don't know squat. I thought that the scores were for the contestant only. I didn't think that the failure of the pro was supposed to be counted in the score? I guess that was why there was such a big disagreement between the judges.

I hit rewind and understood what she said the second time. Yeah, I didn’t catch it the first time. Actually, I can’t even look at the screen when she (?) is on. :eek: It’s sort of like that “don’t look at the lunar eclipse or you’ll burn your eyes out!” It’s like that.:p

Macy will be gone because it will be revealed she is actually a he. The first thing I said when I saw Macy - drag queen. :)That was, basically, what I was leaning towards in my own vulgar remark.:D

I guess I don't know squat. I thought that the scores were for the contestant only. I didn't think that the failure of the pro was supposed to be counted in the score? I guess that was why there was such a big disagreement between the judges.

I agree. I have never understood why the judges reduce the "star's" scores for errors made by the pro's, but they always have.

^^^ In the case of "not conforming to style" the judges are backed into a really nasty corner.

It's certaintly the fault of the Pro not the celeb, but you can't just let the Pros throw the style rules out the window because it gives them an unfair advantage in creating an audience pleasing routine and allows them to avoid having to teach annoying technicalities like frame and rise and fall and heel and toe leads compared to the other pros that (more closely) follow the style rules. This is especially true of the waltz.

When Dmitry did this:

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/4312/badhold.th.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/badhold.jpg/)

the thought that went through me head was "What the hell, this ain't a social dance, this is a competition, do a proper frame Dmitry, you're hurting my favorite girl's chances dammit."

I knew Len was going to smack Dmitry around a bit for that, but I didn't think Len would smack him around as much as he did.

Unfortunately, the judges haven't been very consistant. So it's not really clear what is acceptable and what isn't. For myself, I like to think of it like a good jazz interpretation. The example I like is Coltrane doing "My Favorite Things", lot's of grace notes, lot's of playing around, but the melody is always there and always recognizable. You can punch in anywhere in that song and instantly recognize the melody. When you go so far that the melody (or in this case waltz) is no longer recognizable then you've gone too far.

I agree with most of your post, but I did want to add something here.

I have a feeling that Mark will get plenty of votes. Did you hear the hooting and hollering when they put Lacey on the screen? I think she's gonna pull in a lot of votes for Mark.

Hopefully, he'll get better as time goes along ... as he was my pre-season pick.

I missed the applause for Mark and Lacey.

Anyway, after watching the women, I think my preseason picks have completely gone up in flames. :o

Now I'm thinking that Kelly is going to wrap up the youth vote and leave Aaron high and dry. I still think Donny has the best shot at the older demo, but there's so many strong women I'm not sure how it's going to play out. Maybe I'm wrong about Mark's ability to get votes. But in his shoes, I be trying to get the best judges scores possible so that I don't have to worry about the audience for a few weeks.

Other thoughts on the women:

Debi - Don't worry about the "monkey arms", long arms are actually good for dancing and besides no one will be looking at you're arms, they'll be looking at that huge rack.

Melissa - wow I didn't realize how short she is. Not bad. If she manages to stay around a few weeks she should get a lot better. But there's so many strong women, the best she can really hope for is a middle of the pack finish.

Mya - those rehearsal shots and Dmitry's choreography had me very worried, but my favorite girl did pretty good anyway.

Natalie - now Len wants more raunch. :rolleyes: Natalie did better than I expected. Again, the women's side is so deep I'm not sure how this will work out.

Macy - looked like some of the social dances I've seen after the couple has polished off 3 bottles of champaign. :D

Joanna - Personally I didn't like all the stops in that routine, at least one of which seemed to be Johanna hesitating because she wasn't sure what to do next. I think Brooke Burke was slightly better at this point, but overall Joanna did really good and deserved the top scores. And Joanna sure looks the part with that eastern european face and slender build. Drop her into the middle of a competition ballroom and nobody would think she didn't belonged there.


Kelly - There used to be a time when she couldn't stay sober long enough to do 5 weeks of dance training, nice to see that she seems to have turned her life around. Who would have guessed that there was a ballroom dancer inside of Kelly yearning to be set free. And more great choreography by Louie. Dmitry could learn a lot if he's willing to look around him on this show.

Joanna (with an awesome salsa!) and Kelly really surprised me last night.

I expected a bit more from Natalie, but did not quite get it.

I think Macy will be the woman to go tonight (she almost bored me to death); I will go out on a limb and pick Chuck as the man who gets sent packing.

Have you ever seen such a spread of points??:eek: 2 eights and five. It would seem that the judges can't decide how a routine should be judged!:rolleyes:

...I think Macy will be the woman to go tonight (she almost bored me to death)...You might be as surprised as me then to see that DialIdol is showing Macy Gray collecting the most votes among all the women. Did she play in the NFL or something? :)

^^^ I hope you're joking or that they're wrong. There's too many good women in this field, we can't afford to let the bad women off the hook.

Macy almost appeared as if she would have preferred to have been doing something else other than dancing. Boy she sure is a big woman, lol.

Shame shame talking about Macy like that. Oh well she can get on with her singing now.

Shame shame talking about Macy like that. Oh well she can get on with her singing now.Aw, :( now you're making me feel bad. She seemed sad to leave. Well, she does have a solid career as a singer.

Joanna - Personally I didn't like all the stops in that routine, at least one of which seemed to be Johanna hesitating because she wasn't sure what to do next. I think Brooke Burke was slightly better at this point, but overall Joanna did really good and deserved the top scores. And Joanna sure looks the part with that eastern european face and slender build. Drop her into the middle of a competition ballroom and nobody would think she didn't belonged there. I agree that Joanna is currently the best of the women competitors. I was impressed with how she looked in her salsa costume ... which happened to be a clone of Yulia's costume from America's Ballroom Challenge from 2 years ago (the farewell dance).

But there's something not quite right about her. Don't get me wrong, she's very good looking. She has a sorta crazy look that bothers me. I told my wife that she looks like Cameron Diaz's crazy older sister.

How bizarre to see Ozzy and Tom DeLay on the same floor - the prince of darkness and a famous rocker!

Good one! :D

Yea, well, this has got to be a singular season: there's not one contestant who stands out, IMO. In each of the past series there was at least one or two who danced like they knew what they were doing. This isn't bad, mind you. It's probably the way the show was originally intended; take a bunch of "losers" who never danced and try teaching them. I think the women have it all over the men this year: Joanna, Kelly and Mya (who, for some reason, they try to make look like Audrey Hepburn) seem to have the most potential.

As for Len's mock outrage: he's got only himself to blame. This kind of stuff (e.g. basically turning Waltz, Foxtrot, etc. into Showdance and Cabaret-style) has been going on since the first season or two and he only complains when it suits him. IIRC there wasn't a SINGLE hold in Kathy Ireland's relay dance (forget what it was) yet not a peep from him or any of the other "judges". Carrie Ann and her "stickler" act with lifts is similarly hilarious. Face it, the producers have decided that it's much more popular to distance themselves from ballroom dancing and simply have the celebs dance entertaining routines. Notice how, during the intros, they have switched (when they can) from identifying pros by their competition wins; rather, it's "former DWTS champion" or "2-time DWTS champion". F**k any pretense at actually doing something that's real difficult, unless it adds to the entertainment value of the show. If it makes more money then I guess I can't blame them. :)

Looks like Macy Gray didn't have the fan base since she got eliminated.
Ditto for Ashley Hamilton as he's gone too.

Poor Edyta - second time in the last few seasons she's been one-and-done. For goodness sake, pair her with someone who gets it (a Jason Taylor clone would be real nice)

Also, there go some of the internal competitions...

Alec vs. Edyta (husband/wife) - Edyta out
Jonathan vs. Anna (husband/wife) - Jonathan out

How long does a season last, or, when will this season end? Thanks.

How long does a season last, or, when will this season end? Thanks.

Usually about 11 weeks - they always set it up so the season finale will be part of sweeps weeks.

They had a double elimination on Wednesday and around week 4 or 5 they'll start 3 consecutive weeks of double eliminations (necessary with 16 couples instead of the usual 12).

Noticed they didn't do the opening montage of the couples at all this week (16 takes too long with so many participants). They may not do it this week either as they have 14 couples to perform in the two hour show on Monday.

They had a double elimination on Wednesday and around week 4 or 5 they'll start 3 consecutive weeks of double eliminations (necessary with 16 couples instead of the usual 12).Maybe they padded the deck, this time around, due to previous season’s premature departures. Now they have the option of double eliminations—or not.

I think that among the men pros, Louis is the best pure teacher by far. He knows who needs to be pushed and who needs to be coddled -- compare how he interacted with, say, Lisa Rinna compared to how supportive we saw him being with Kelly. It's not only the ability to teach (which he surely can, that's what he mostly does outside the show) but his ability to tap into what his partner's strengths and weaknesses are, not just physically but mentally. I have nothing but admiration for him and I thought that Kelly was lovely, the absolute surprise of the night. Kelly, Mya and Joanna are definitely the standouts among the women. Sorry, Macy, but your heart just didn't seem to be in it. I mostly feel bad for Jonathan.

Among the men, Donny, Mark, Louie and Aaron all have potential -- the other three are varying degrees of hopeless, for different reasons, though you never know how voting will go. I was a bit disappointed with some of the music/choreography the women pros chose for this week, particularly in the case of Mark and Donny. While it seemed that they were trying to play to their partners' comfort zone (the kung fu stuff for Mark, the broadway music for Donny) instead it let them overindulge. Mark was way too kung fu and Donny was too jazz hands. Seems to me like a strategic error.

I loved the two big performances at the results show -- the opening of Lion King kills me every time, whether on stage or in the film, and the Patrick Swayze tribute had me blithering like the teenage girl I was when Dirty Dancing came out. ("There's no crying in ballroom!")

Anyway. Off we go :)

Well here goes...the final 3 are...

Donnie (though I hope someone steps up and beats him out)
Mya (I think she's better than Joanna...certainly has more experience)
Joanna (Derek's choreography is better than Dmitris I think...more experience)

Dark horses that I'm hoping will make a go at cracking the top...

Kelly
Natalie
Aaron
Mark (I don't think he's got any chemistry with his little partner and he's going to have to overcome some herky jerky, smooth it up and relax)

I agree that Joanna is currently the best of the women competitors. I was impressed with how she looked in her salsa costume ... which happened to be a clone of Yulia's costume from America's Ballroom Challenge from 2 years ago (the farewell dance).

But there's something not quite right about her. Don't get me wrong, she's very good looking. She has a sorta crazy look that bothers me. I told my wife that she looks like Cameron Diaz's crazy older sister.

...

It's that eastern european bone structure. If you catch them in the wrong lighting and at the wrong angle then they look like an unattractive transvestite. Kind of like that Seinfeld episode where his girl changes in different lighting.

I'll post a cap later in the week that will back this up.


BTW, where did you get that quote from TVOD? I can't find that post anywhere in the thread. Did it get taken down or something?

.... I was a bit disappointed with some of the music/choreography the women pros chose for this week, particularly in the case of Mark and Donny. While it seemed that they were trying to play to their partners' comfort zone (the kung fu stuff for Mark, the broadway music for Donny) instead it let them overindulge. Mark was way too kung fu and Donny was too jazz hands. Seems to me like a strategic error.

...

I think this has become a bit of a theme. The most extreme example being Melissa's opening dance last season where Tony had to use a lot of balllet since he didn't have enough time to teach anything else.

If done right, I think it works out well. It lets the contestant start out with something that closer to their comfort zone and can help establish the background of the celebs who aren't well known. For instance, letting Sabrina use a lot of hip-hop in her first dance seemed to work out well. But, you're right that when it's overindulged it can really hurt. Especially when they keep trying to use it after the first week.

Oh, I forgot to say that I'm in total agreement with your comments about Louis.

We lost Edyta too early again this season, so there's not a lot of material to chose from. I was hoping that adding another tall woman (Anna D) that Edyta would catch break, but it didn't help. :(

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1705/edyta3.th.jpg (http://img223.imageshack.us/i/edyta3.jpg/)
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6654/edyta1.th.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/edyta1.jpg/)
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7291/edyta2.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/edyta2.jpg/)

Poor Edyta - second time in the last few seasons she's been one-and-done.

Poor male viewers, is more like it...

BTW, where did you get that quote from TVOD? I can't find that post anywhere in the thread. Did it get taken down or something?

It must have gotten taken down. Should I take my quoting of it down?

I saw nobody mention this, but Macy Gray bailed on appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday night after the results show, where he talks to the star (and sometime pro dance partner) who got eliminated and then ceremoniously burns the dance shoes. Jonathan Roberts, Macy's pro partner, said that she was too upset to appear. Ashley Hamilton and Edyta Sliwinska were there as well.

Could be that she was suffering a little burnout because she was on tour at the time and had to add the dance training into her hectic schedule.

I think it's the first time that someone who got eliminated didn't do the JKL show. I think she took it all a little too seriously. As Ashley said (I think he said it), all but one couple gets eliminated, it's not that really a big deal.

ok, IMHO a woman will win this year.

I'm pulling for Melisa Joan Hart - something about that lazy eye is working for me. Plus, I feel she'll pick up on the moves quickly.

OK, here's the example I promised.

In the first pic, we have "Jo" the unattractive Tranny.
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5660/34487000.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/34487000.jpg/)

And as she pivot around and the lighting and the angle changes, she starts to transform back into "Johanna".
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/971/joannaf.th.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/joannaf.jpg/)

My apologies to Johanna, it's not personal. You're a very attractive woman, just not from every angle. A lot of eastern european women have similar bone structure that causes the same effect, so you have a lot of company.

Does anyone know who this woman is that Tony and Maks accosted during the "Boys are Back" number? She's sitting in the VIP area near Shawn Johnson, so I think she must be a VIP, but I don't recognize her. She actually looks and dresses a little bit like Cat Deeley from SYTYCD, but I'm fairly certain it's not Cat.

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9801/assault3f.th.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/assault3f.jpg/)
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8125/assault1.th.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/assault1.jpg/)
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8353/assault2.th.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/assault2.jpg/)

Here's my favorite sequence from this week, the opening set of alternating walks and blocks in Kelly's Cha Cha. Unfortunately stills just can't do it justice.

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/4191/kellysass.th.jpg (http://img121.imageshack.us/i/kellysass.jpg/)


And here's Kelly totally in the moment. No audience, no thinking ahead to the next move, just letting her body move to the music.

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7894/kellyin.th.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/i/kellyin.jpg/)

And a bunch of people mugging for the cameras.

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/3671/face5l.th.jpg (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/face5l.jpg/)
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/886/face1p.th.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/face1p.jpg/)
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/6083/face2a.th.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/face2a.jpg/)
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/7421/face3p.th.jpg (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/face3p.jpg/)
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/465/face4n.th.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/face4n.jpg/)

Bruno's didn't really come out very good. He's actually saying "Wow!". And I'd agree.

Karina is in amazing shape this season. I guess all the off-season work in Burn The Floor and the Emmy's really sharpened her up. IMHO she looks fast enough and sharp enough that she could challenge Yulia's speed and precision.

I agree that Joanna is currently the best of the women competitors. I was impressed with how she looked in her salsa costume ... which happened to be a clone of Yulia's costume from America's Ballroom Challenge from 2 years ago (the farewell dance).

...

It took me a while to chase down all the fringed costumes I could recall. They've gotten really popular after that "Hip Hip Chin Chin" routine by Yulia and Max.

Here we have the original and a radical variation that Yulia has used more recently.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5817/fringey1.th.jpg (http://img80.imageshack.us/i/fringey1.jpg/)
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2773/fringey2.th.jpg (http://img18.imageshack.us/i/fringey2.jpg/)

I think Brooke was the first celeb to wear fringe. This one is the same two-piece design but in a different color.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6664/fringebl.th.jpg (http://img80.imageshack.us/i/fringebl.jpg/)

Karina wore a two-piece fringe in a different color at the Emmy's and the bottoms only in a different color for the first dance this season.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5170/fringek2.th.jpg (http://img18.imageshack.us/i/fringek2.jpg/)
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/435/fringek1.th.jpg (http://img156.imageshack.us/i/fringek1.jpg/)


Then we have Joanna, in what is technically a one-piece since it has that little band of material between the top and bottom.
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/971/joannaf.th.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/joannaf.jpg/)



But I think Julianna's costume in one of her dances with Chuck, is the best match. This two-piece version is very similar, if not identical in color to Yulia's original costume.

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/6300/fringej.th.jpg (http://img74.imageshack.us/i/fringej.jpg/)

It took me a while to chase down all the fringed costumes I could recall. They've gotten really popular after that "Hip Hip Chin Chin" routine by Yulia and Max.

Here we have the original and a radical variation that Yulia has used more recently.

WOW! Nice work.

I really loved Yulia/Max's "Hip Hip Chin Chin" dance, but it was the Matrix inspired dance that they did that did it for me. That dance was so unbelievable. Gotta be my favorite of all time.

When is Yulia gonna do DWTS?

Does anyone know who this woman is that Tony and Maks accosted during the "Boys are Back" number? She's sitting in the VIP area near Shawn Johnson, so I think she must be a VIP, but I don't recognize her. She actually looks and dresses a little bit like Cat Deeley from SYTYCD, but I'm fairly certain it's not Cat.

I believe EW.com posted that that woman is Tony's wife. Way to go Tony!

^^^ Interesting. That would certainly explain why she's in the VIP section. Thanks for posting that.

WOW! Nice work.

I really loved Yulia/Max's "Hip Hip Chin Chin" dance, but it was the Matrix inspired dance that they did that did it for me. That dance was so unbelievable. Gotta be my favorite of all time.

When is Yulia gonna do DWTS?

I'd love to see Yulia do a pro number of DWTS.

I'd also like to see Daniella Karagach (sp?). I haven't seen her in a couple since when she was still a junior, but she should be a pro now if she's still dancing.

very weird year. No real stand outs. Should be week to week. Reminds me of the first two seasons.

I figured Aaron's "hyperness" would be well suited to the Quickstep and he didn't disappoint. We'll still have to see how well he handles the slower dances.

All the pre-season buzz about Mark and Debi seems to have been wrong. The both have flashes of brilliance, but a lot more mistakes. However, Debi did look stunning in that costume this week.

Mya seems to have stepped up her game. And Dmitry seems to be reining in his choreography a bit. Although Carrie Ann said Len still wouldn't have liked it, I doubt he would have slashed three points off of that routine. Most of the messing around was isolated to the very beginning and they didn't waste too much time gettting into it.

Kelly looked pretty good until that stumble then everything fell apart.

Louis did some really nice kicks and flicks at the very end of that routine. Too bad the rest of the routine didn't look as good.

It looked to me like Joanna and Kelly fell back to earth a bit last night, while Aaron, Louie and Mya were the ones that shined.

Even money that Kathy's leaving the ballroom tonight...

I'm not sure what's up with Kathy Ireland, she doesn't lack grace and moves fairly well. For someone who's hocked her appearance for decades, she seems remarkably uncomfortable in hold...like she's got a phobia about being touched.

The truly awful were eliminated last week and except for Aaron, Mya, Donnie and perhaps Joanna, there's not a ton of difference within the pack.

And now that it's past 10:00 PM Pacific time....

We can now reveal that gone are.....

Kathy and Tony. Boy has she deteriorated since her SI swimsuit issue days... Loved her comment about the hat that had something on the order of "Ka-Tony" which translated to "bad donkey couple" (Kathy cleaned it up for TV)

By the way, I usually don't gush about Samantha Harris, but didn't she look smashing tonight? :D:D:D

Loved Tom's comment when Kym and Samantha were near each other in the back room about looking like sexy chia pets... :cool::cool:

Please, someone....

We need pics (several) of Samantha Harris with that hair and that smashing black dress!!

I believe EW.com posted that that woman is Tony's wife. Way to go Tony!

This pretty much confirms it:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3442077603_0631a6219b.jpg

Please, someone....

We need pics (several) of Samantha Harris with that hair and that smashing black dress!!

Wow, really? I hated it and thought she looked like some kind of Elvira impersonator gone wrong.

Am I imagining things or has Tony put on a bunch of weight. It looked like they were using that vest to try to hide it.

Am I imagining things or has Tony put on a bunch of weight. It looked like they were using that vest to try to hide it.

My wife said he has, I was thinking; "there are guys on this show?":)

^^^ I didn't notice it until he was standing around for the exit interview, since I usually don't notice the men either.

Here is a vid of Liddell visiting with some of the DwtS peeps talking about UFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq6zt6BcZ7E&feature=player_embedded

Weekly BUMP!

Is this the week The Hammer gets nailed??

I'd love to see Yulia do a pro number of DWTS.

I'd also like to see Daniella Karagach (sp?). I haven't seen her in a couple since when she was still a junior, but she should be a pro now if she's still dancing.

Daniella is only 16 years old!(hard to believe!). She is the current ADULT US 10dance champion! I saw them in a fantastic show in New York. Words can't describe how talented this little girl is. I hope to see her there soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ8R-DhxnrM

When they had the Leader Board tonight, with the phone numbers, that stupid boob, Samantha, read the wrong contestant and telephone number for Tom Delay and Cheryl.

As bad as he is, he is funny and entertaining. He’ll be around despite the bias.:p

Chuck is the worst dancer but Mark and Lacey are gone tomorrow night.

When they had the Leader Board tonight, with the phone numbers, that stupid boob, Samantha, read the wrong contestant and telephone number for Tom Delay and Cheryl.

As bad as he is, he is funny and entertaining. He’ll be around despite the bias.:p

Chuck is the worst dancer but Mark and Lacey are gone tomorrow night.
No way! That was a tough dance last night - not easy for anybody. I’d say Michael and Chuck are on the hot seat. Tom hung in there and will get the sympathy vote. He’ll have time to heal in prison. ;)

When they had the Leader Board tonight, with the phone numbers, that stupid boob, Samantha, read the wrong contestant and telephone number for Tom Delay and Cheryl.


I noticed that too, but I don't think it was Sam's fault. I personally think that the telephone number messages are pre-recorded and the tech guys insert them in. Either that, or they handed her the wrong cue card to read.

If you noticed, they gave Tom/Cheryl's number during Derek/Joanna's video and vice versa. The guy doing the editing probably mixed up the audio filenames.

No way! That was a tough dance last night - not easy for anybody. I’d say Michael and Chuck are on the hot seat.

Just to elaborate, regarding my logic, every time a contestant stands before the judges and they (the judges) begin to utter a negative syllable about the performance, the place erupts with loud displeasure. Last night, the judges went a while critiquing Mark, with no complaints from the audience. I don’t think he has much of a fan base. That’s how I handicapped this pick for tonight. ;) I agree, Chuck is awful, the worst since day 1. He should go but he probably has some fans out there.

Just to elaborate, regarding my logic, every time a contestant stands before the judges and they (the judges) begin to utter a negative syllable about the performance, the place erupts with loud displeasure. Last night, the judges went a while critiquing Mark, with no complaints from the audience. I don’t think he has much of a fan base. That’s how I handicapped this pick for tonight. ;) I agree, Chuck is awful, the worst since day 1. He should go but he probably has some fans out there.
Well, you’ve been with this show a lot longer than I have, so I’ll give you the insiders take. :) For me, Mark has been amongst the top 3 male dancers so far (Aaron and Donny the other two), so for him to be eliminated when there are others, including females that are clearly inferior, would be an injustice. Debi is another I’d add to the in jeopardy category for tonight.

Can anyone be any cuter than Chelsie Hightower? Anna was stunningly beautiful last night. I hope she and Michael can hang in for another week.

Well, you’ve been with this show a lot longer than I have, so I’ll give you the insiders take. :) For me, Mark has been amongst the top 3 male dancers so far (Aaron and Donny the other two), so for him to be eliminated when there are others, including females that are clearly inferior, would be an injustice. Debi is another I’d add to the in jeopardy category for tonight.

Can anyone be any cuter than Chelsie Hightower? Anna was stunningly beautiful last night. I hope she and Michael can hang in for another week.

agree about chelsea :), she's even making me forget about julianne.

Fun stuff last night with Donny making out with Bruno! :D:D

Also Paula Abdul being her spacey self and suggesting she make out with Carrie Ann (hint: DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! :D:D:D)

Tom DeLay survived his Samba (if you could call it that). He'll survive the cut, but will probably have to withdraw within a week or two.

Mya's scores were a hoot: Carrie Ann: 10, Len: 7, Bruno 10. Oh well, you can't please everybody.

Ana Demodiva (sp?) is beautiful and after watching her win the "new" dancer contest last season, I thought she'd be a wonderful teacher...a real contender for taller partners. She made Maurice Green look like a champ in one week. Now, he'd been through most of a season and I think it was a Paso or a Tango, which he hadn't danced before, but he wasn't raw. This season with Mike, not only do I not see any chemistry between them, but he looks like he's pretty good raw material. He's got rhythm, he just needs work. The judges haven't been kind (14 WTF???). I'm not sure why, he doesn't look that bad (compared to Chuck). Maybe, he's not putting the time in and he's getting punished. I'm also doubting her choreography and teaching abilities.

Hey girl, you're eye candy, start improving or you'll be gone. Mike might be in the bottom 2 tonight, but he's a pretty well liked guy. I don't think he goes.

Daniella is only 16 years old!(hard to believe!). She is the current ADULT US 10dance champion! I saw them in a fantastic show in New York. Words can't describe how talented this little girl is. I hope to see her there soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ8R-DhxnrM


After having to look it up on Wiki, I see she is actually only 16 (although just a couple of months away from 17). I was going by the announcments on season 3 of America's Ballroom Challenge where they announced her age as 16, and since that was two years ago, I guess they got her age wrong.

And yeah, Daniella is amazing. I'd really like to see her follow Julianna's lead and keep dancing for a few years instead of going to college, since dancer's careers are so short.

Derek - I'll bet that the insurance carrier for DWTS had a heart attack watching that opening.

Joanna - Doesn't seem to be improving.

Mya - I'm liking my girl's chances. She's doing better than I thought she would.

Melissa- Slowly improving. She might be better than Joanna and Kelly in a couple of weeks if they keep failing to improve.

Louie - Hooking up with Chelsie? Chelsie Wow! It took me four tries to watch Louie. I kept thinking, "OK, this time I'm actually going to watch Louie." Then the dance would finish and I realize that I only watched Louie for about 5 bars. :)

Debi - They should have used that song (Love is in the Air) when Lars was here since it was also used in Strictly Ballroom.

Donny - I keep thinking "He'll be terrible at this style.", but he keeps surprizing me. Never great, but never sucks.

Natalie- Officially my second favorite pair of legs ever on DWTS (Stacy is still #1)

Chuck - I don't understand why they're coddling him and busting Michael's balls.

Aaron - With all the gaffers tape and blurring all over his and Karina's clothes, I wonder how much they get cussed out by the director that has to run herd on that nonsense. I didn't get the karate theme. Was there a karate theme to that song? I couldn't understand any of the lyrics.

Kelly - The Lady Gag-Me song ruined it for me. I'm so sick of hearing that song. She sure got a big cheer during intros.


Seems that everyone has a different opinion on the eliminations this week. So there will probably be a big surprize.


Personally, I think Tom might get eliminated this week since everyone's probably tired of hearing about his feet.

Although Debi's being in the bottom two last week has me worried that she might not survive the even lower judges score this week.

Also Paula Abdul being her spacey self and suggesting she make out with Carrie Ann (hint: DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! :D:D:D)


The male viewership would increase by 500% overnight:D