Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Who went home in week 2?

Ah, the results show.  A pet peeve of mine.  It's just too long in my opinion, and this week it seemed interminable.

As well as the musical acts (which are normally good, and were tonight), Macy's Stars of Dance, some behind the scenes footage and the "eliminations" we had a number of controversies this week.

  • Will Tony Dovolani shave his legs after scoring 23? (Yes)
  • Why was Bruno so mean to Michael Bolton? (He calls it how he sees it)
  • Was Sarah Palin really booed? (No, according to some very grainy footage)
This meant the producers could be even lazier than normal and padded to their hearts content.

Anywho, as usual some couples were "safe" and some were "in jeopardy, and it should not come as any surprise that Michael Bolton was voted off this week.  It was a very strange and very bad jive (not as bad as Bruno thinks though) and he really didn't have much chance of staying on.  

I assume next week will be a battle between The Sitch and The Cho - but you never know!

Monday, September 27, 2010

DWTS Week 2 Results

Last week on Dancing with the Stars we said goodbye to David Hasselhoff.  The producers had high hopes for David's ratings potential, and were disappointed he left so early.  Will someone rise up and give them the ratings they want to see?

This week the couples dance either the jive or the quickstep - both quite tricky in their own way.  Here are their scores:
  • Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke 21 - I can't get over the fact that Rick and Cheryl deal so well with his height.  When someone is that tall they can tend to stoop - but he doesn't do that.
  • Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas 19 - Florence is looking pretty good ignoring her age. I guess it'll catch up with her but at the moment she is very entertaining
  • Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy 21 - solid jive, nothing more.
  • Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower 12 - bad concept, bad dancing, bad Bruno.  The judges hated this, no more so than Bruno who said it was the worst jive he'd seen in all eleven seasons.  Len then told him off for saying things he shouldn't.  You know a celebrity is going to be bad when their partner tweets "Been a bit of a rough week for michael but we worked hard to get this jive ready and proud of him!".  Translation: "He's going to stink but he worked hard".
  • Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani 23 - Audrina improved markedly and is starting to look like a contender.  However, this dance will always be remembered for the "hidden" camera that picked up Tony saying "If we don't get three eights I'll wax my legs."  I guess he's waxing his legs...
  • Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough 24 - A well danced and exciting jive, Jennifer and Derek demonstrated why they are the favorites.
  • Margaret Cho and Louis van Amstel 18 - The comedy was limited to the occasional funny face and slapping of buttocks.  Margaret seemed to have an epiphany in rehearsal when she realized she was dancing and she got all emo.  A much better dance this week - as well as the advice from the judges I think she also needs to try and remember the steps.
  • Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer 22 - Kyle seems like a really nice guy - and very poised for 19.  Their quickstep was more like a jive with some quickstep bits thrown in, but Len was relatively kind to them.
  • Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya 21 - I honestly don't get Kurt's scores - to me he seems very stiff although he seemed to enjoy it more this week, which is very important.
  • The Situation and Karina Smirnoff 18 - based on the judges' comments I expected a worse score.  He seems to have worked really hard at this.  I still think one week he might surprise us all - if he stays around long enough of course
  • Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas 22 - Wow.  I thought she did really well this week.  It was a pretty well executed quickstep and I felt she deserved more technical points for it.  She was a little over-dressed and had the thickest gloves I've ever seen on the dance floor!
So Michael Bolton is six, count 'em, six points behinf The Sitch and Cho-cho.  I don't think he has a chance. What do you think?

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The First Elimination from Season 11

I have to say, the results show wasn't too bad tonight.  A dose of Santana is always good and they kept it pretty light.  They also spread the "Who was safe" throughout the program which makes it more interesting.

The first set of four in the spotlights were the bottom four scorers - The Hoff, The Sitch, The Cho and The Bolton.  Michael and Chelsie were the first to be told they were safe.  And then Margaret and Louis were stunned to find out they were safe too!

The next set were the top scorers - Jennifer, Brandy, Rick and Kyle.  Jennifer and Derek were safe (of course), as were Rick and Cheryl.

The third group were then under the spotlight - Florence, Kurt, Bristol and Audrina.  Audrina and Florence were safe.

They then stalled for a bit and then rushed through the remaining six, to leave The Hoff and Kyle on the stand.

And David Hasselhoff became the first to leave Dancing with the Stars season 11.  He approached it as he seems to approach his life - full on.  Unfortunately he was worse than Buzz Aldrin at dancing!  It's a shame Kym won't be there.

Bring on next week!

Shock Elimination Tonight?

Tom Bergeron just tweeted the following:
DWTS producers seem rattled by who is going tonight. Guess they had high hopes for this star (aka thought they'd be ratings draw). Hmm...
Now, I wouldn't put it past him to say things like that just to wind people up, but then I remembered Pamela Anderson almost left in week 1 of season 10.

The celebrities most at risk tonight are Margaret (15), The Hoff (15), The Situation (15), Michael Bolton (16), Florence Henderson (18) and Bristol Palin (18), Audrina (19) and Kurt (19).

To me the ones with the most ratings potential are The Situation, The Hoff and Bristol Palin.  All have potential for a fan base - Jersey Shore, old people and conservatives.  I guess it depends on which of those groups watch DWTS!

If there is a shock elimination 9or at least an elimination that the producers don't like) I think I'd go with The Situation.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Scores from Week 1 of DWTS 11

The eleventh season of Dancing with the Stars has kicked off among a cloud of glitter, feathers and pearly white smiles.

I have high hopes for this season, we'll see if it can be even better than last!

Here are the scores with some initial thoughts:
  • Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani - 19 - A nice performance from Audrina, I felt she deserved a higher score.  It's always hard to go first, but she seemed very comfortable on the floor.
  • Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya - 19 - Kurt was nervous to start but pulled off some nice moves.  Wasn't as good as Audrina.
  • Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer - 23 - I have to admit I had Kyle down as one of the first to leave, but after this performance it'd be a real shame if he did get booted off.  He's a real performer.
  • Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke - 22 - Rick was pretty good and they overcame the height difference pretty well.  I think dances like the jive might be harder for him.
  • Margaret Cho and Louis Van Amstel - 15 - Margaret started really well, and then messed it up trying to be funny.  It's a shame - I like her!
  • Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy - 23 - Brandy showed why she was one of the favorites with a technically good dance with some emotion in it.
  • Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas - 18 - Bristol was better than I expected.  She was obviously nervous, but seemed to actually try to enjoy herself.  If Mark can get the entertainer out, she could last a while.
  • Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower - 16 -  Michael didn't seem as though he was enjoying it and he was very stiff.
  • Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas - 18 - Now Florence DID enjoy herself.  She forgot the steps occasionally, but she gave an enjoyable performance.
  • Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino and Karina Smirnoff - 15 - If your factor in the fact that he only had five days of practice this was a pretty good performance - unfortunately it doesn't work that way!  Assuming he stays, I think he will improve rapidly.
  • Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough - 24 - A lovely performance with the choreography you've come to expect from Derek.  Jennifer had her heart on her sleeve dancing to a song from Dirty Dancing.  Unfortunately, the show tried to play it up a bit too much.
  • David Hasselhoff and Kym Johnson - 15 - Oh dear.  The Hoff was enjoying himself, but he just can't dance.
Just another observation - Brooke Burke seemed to be asking questions that were being served to her, rather than coming up with her own.  She seemed a lot like Samantha.  She was like this at the beginning of last season but loosened up - I hope she does this time too!

Overall, I'm very encouraged!

Santana to Perform on DWTS Results Show

Dancing with the Stars is starting the season with a bang by having some serious music stars on the results show.

Santana, India.Arie and Daughtry will all be performing on the results show on September 21.

Here's a segment from the press release:

This week, music legend Santana is set to perform three songs on the show, his classic Latin song "Oye Como Va" and two from his brand new album in stores today -- entitled Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time -- "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," featuring guest singer India.Arie, and Def Lepperd's classic "Photograph," featuring guest vocalist Chris Daughtry. Rock Band Daughtry will also perform their hit single, "September." "Dancing with the Stars" pros will accompany the acts on the dance floor.
There are two shows - one at 8 and one at 9pm.  I assume the first will be a recap of what happened the night before.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Season 11 Team T-shirts

This season ABC have legitimized the naming of each of the couples and are offering t-shirts for each team.

They're a bit pricey, but $1 per shirt goes to Stand Up To Cancer.

I think I like the Fox-C shirt the best...

Team T-shirts

The Pluses and Minuses of Season 11

Season 11 of Dancing with the Stars starts on Monday!  I have high hopes that it will be one of the best seasons ever.  I'm also a little worried about a few things that might make it fizzle out!

Here are some of the things that make me excited and some of the things that could make me cringe:

Pluses
  • No obvious ringer - I'm not as outraged as some fans of the show are when a celebrity has had significant dance experience.  I totally agree it's an advantage but so it being a sportsperson (particularly a skater), being attractive or being Donny Osmond.  Having said that, part of the fun is watching people learn and you can't do that when someone is already experienced.  This season, the only one with true dancing experience seems to be Jennifer Grey which was in a movie over 20 years ago.
  • Wide open field - Yes, Brandy and Jennifer are firm favorites with the bookies, but I do feel at least half the cast have a chance of winning.  As well as those two ladies, Audrina Patridge, Rick Fox, the Hoff and The Sitch have a good chance and don't rule out Michael Bolton and Kurt Warner. Plus, I think the producers have done a good job with the pairings.
  • Margaret Cho - I just think she's funny
Minuses
  • Enough with the Reality TV - Yes, Melissa worked out great.  Yes, Kate  increased the ratings.  But they're only celebrities because they're celebrities - they have no real claim to stardom (yet).  We have two reality stars - Audrina and The Sitch, plus someone who is simply the child of a politician.  I think we need more reason to include Reality TVers - no matter how well they work out in the competition and in the ratings.
  • The Bristol Circus - This poor woman is going to be hounded in the rags and in social media.  It doesn't matter that she's up to it, or what her family's politics are - it's just going to be a distraction.
  • Over the hill - "Dancing with the Wrinklies" is going a bit far but this is the oldest cast they've had.  What happens if no one can dance?  I'm of a certain age too, but it's the young ones that dance the best!
  • The Results Show - i just don't like it
What are you looking forward to, and what are you worried about?

Friday, September 10, 2010

Betting Odds for Dancing with the Stars Season 11

The cast has been announced, they are busy practicing (apart from The Situation) and various experts and commentators are giving their opinion on who's going to win.

Most of the time the betting odds are the best guide for who the champions will be (or at least who'll be in the final 3) because money is involved and the bookies look at the competition impartially.

Here are the odds at the moment:
  • Jennifer Grey +200
  • Brandy +250
  • Rick Fox +500
  • Audrina Patridge +600
  • Mike Sorrentino +700
  • David Hasselhoff +800
  • Michael Bolton +1500
  • Kurt Warner +2000
  • Bristol Palin +2500
  • Kyle Massey +2500
  • Margaret Cho +2500
  • Florence Henderson +5000
(Example: $1 on Jennifer Grey will get you $2 plus your original $1. Source: gambling911.com)

Jennifer Grey and Brandy have emerged as the two firm favorites.  There is then a groups of four - Rick, Audrina, The Sitch and The Hoff - who have a good chance, and the rest have effectively been written off.

I can't say I'm particularly surprised at any of the odds.  I would have though The Hoff would have been at lower odds, and that Bristol and Florence would have had even longer odds.

What do you think?  is it a two horse race, or will someone like Margaret Cho surprise us all?

Thursday, September 9, 2010

The Situation Will have Less Than a Week to Learn His DWTS Moves!

44041, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - Thursday August 26 2010. Dancing With The Stars celebrity dancer Karina Smirnoff enjoys some down time reading OK magazine and marvels at the abdominal muscles of Jersey Shore star Mike The Situation Sorrentino,who is rumored to be one of the contestants on next season's show. Photograph;  Anthony, PacificCoastNews.comKarina Smirnoff has been sitting around, twiddling her thumbs (well maybe not), waiting for Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino to turn up to dance practice.

Well, now she knows when he's coming!  She tweeted this on Wednesday:
The latest word on @ItsTheSituation is that we r starting to rehearse early next week! Yay! So excited! Finally!!!!
Given that the show starts September 20th that means they will have at most 6 days of practice!

Obviously Mike is fit (and abdominal strength is an important part of dancing!) but he has very little time to learn the basics.

I suspect he'll have a reasonably large fan base so may not be at risk early on, but it does seem a little unfair to Karina.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The DWTS Pairings Have Been Announced! Some Initial Thoughts...

After announcing the stars on Monday night, ABC made us wait until today to find out the full pairing for season 11.

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas had appeared yesterday on GMA so we knew that one, and the others weren't really a surprise.

Here are the couples on Dancing with the Stars season 11:

Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough
Margaret Cho and Louis Van Amstel
Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas
Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas
Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani
Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke
Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower
Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino and Karina Smirnoff
David Hasselhoff and Kym Johnson
Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya
Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer

And here are some thoughts about the parings:
  • Yes, Jennifer Grey appeared in a movie that was all about dancing, but that was 23 years ago.
  • I knew Louis would get Margaret.  He'll do fine, but they're going to need that bleep machine!
  • How come they roll out Corky when there is a woman of a certain age?  He's very nice, but I would have thought one of the other professionals would do just fine.
  • Bristol Palin will have a strong fan base, but I'm not sure it will grow over the season (depending on her performances of course).  So I'd expect her to stick around for a while.  On another note - how come Mark seems to get all the young ones??
  • I don't recall Brandy being known for her dancing.  I'm not sure her pairing with Maks is going to work.
  • Tony is very happy with Audrina as his partner.  It will be interesting to see how well she dances.
  • It's hard for someone as tall as Rick to dance ballroom and not look like a stick insect.  Cheryl is a good choice here though.
  • Michael Bolton is not known for his moves when singing, but I can see him waltzing well.
  • Mr The Situation and Karina are going to have their bellies bared all the time...
  • David Hasselhoff may be quite good, but I suspect he's going to be nervous too.  He's also very tall.
  • The NFL players have brough amazing footwork to the show - particularly Emmitt Smith, Jason Taylor and Warren Sapp - it'll be interesting to see how a QB does.
  • Kyle should be a good dancer but nmight be disadvantaged by his relative obscurity considering the audience.  I do hope he does well though - he seems like a nice boy.
I think this season has potential!