Personal Stories Week on DWTS

This week sees "The Most Memorable Year of My Life".  I do wish they did this later in the season.  It's very hard to emote when dancing and I think the celebrities need to be more comfortable in the ballroom first in my opinion.  There have been some very poor dances in the past (good ones too I admit) that might be OK technically but are so cringeworthy when it comes to the interpretative part.

The results show has Seal (he's good), Rascal Flatts (they're good) and Macy's Stars of Dance (variable, but looks OK this week,)

And then a couple gos home!

(Here's an extract from the press release).

"Episode 1403 & 1403 A" - This week's episode of "Dancing with the Stars,"  themed "The Most Memorable Year of My Life," challenges  the remaining eleven couples to perform a meaningful dance using any style dance of their choice, MONDAY, APRIL 2 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.  On Tuesday, acclaimed singer and songwriter Seal returns to the ballroom performing "Lean On Me" from his latest album "Soul 2." His soulful performance will be accompanied by four members of the Troupe. Also hitting the stage is best-selling country vocal group, Rascal Flatts, with a network TV debut performance of "Changed," the title of their new album due out April 3rd. Their performance is accompanied by pro dancer Tony Dovolani and Troupe member Sharna Burgess on TUESDAY, APRIL 3 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.  Also during Tuesday's show we have the season's first "Macy's Stars of Dance," with an all- star dance number featuring some of Hollywood's most prominent and talented male dancers from film and TV, including Kenny Wormald ("Footloose"), Twitch ("Step Up 3D" and "Step Up 4"), Travis Wall and many others. The exciting performance will be accompanied by one of the worlds most sought after horn trios, Grooveline Horns, who will be performing their composition "Copchase." This spectacular performance is choreographed by Misha Gabriel and Nick Bass who've shared the stage and screen with artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, Britney Spears, Beyonce and many more. Tuesday's show also welcomes the season's first "AT&T Spotlight Performance" which will feature Julia Ivleva's inspirational story. Julia is a world-class professional ballroom dancer who has recently been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Her good friends Jonathan Roberts and Anna Trebunskaya will be dancing a powerfully emotional number in a special tribute to Julia and the fight against cancer.

Getting to Know Katherine Jenkins

 

Adam Taylor/ABC

Katherine Jenkins makes the complicated moves look easy.

Jenkins, one of the breakout favorites on season 14 of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” has wowed judges and the audience with her dancing skills and personal charm.

Her life, though, wasn’t always as perfect as it might appear today.

via abcnews.go.com

A very open, candid interview with Katherine Jenkins on what she has faced growing up.

The first eliminated couple is...

...further down the page (well it will be).

After a very promising first two weeks we are faced with our first elimination. There aren't any stinkers this season so whoever goes will be a shame, and everyone who stays deserve it.

But first we have to endure the Results Show.

- we kicked off with a very pleasant routine by the professional dancers and the re-formed DWTS troupe
- some behind the scenes and hidden mike stuff from Melissa, Gladys, Martina and their partners. Apparently Melissa has done it in Disneyland!
- Melissa/Maks safe. As are Gladys/Tristan. But Martina/Tony still in jeopardy.
- Sugarland and a gentleman called Matt who I don't know performed a really great song I've never heard before.
- Brooke's dress seems to be made of recycled Victoria's Secret bags!
- Roshon, Jaleel and William are up.
- Jaleel/Kym safe. Roshon/Chelsie in jeopardy. William/Cheryl safe.
- the Troupe did a routine - they all seem very nice
- Maria/Derek, Katherine/Mark, Sherri/Val all went onto the stage, and then all trooped off when they were told they were all safe.
- Sugarland sang another song. They are very good.
- Next are Donald, Jack and Gavin.
- Donald safe. Gavin in jeopardy. Jack safe
- So the final three are Gavin/Anna, Roshon/Chelsie, Martina/Tony
- Roshon safe

Martina Navratilova and Tony Dovolani have been eliminated from season 14 of Dancing with the Stars.

By no means a stinker, Martina was probably the worst but could easily have lasted until mid-season. Forgetting the steps can do that for you. Kudos to her for going all in!

Tristan MacManus blogs week 2, explains why he sticks out his tongue

via popwatch.ew.com

Tristan MacManus ("the hot one") does a nice little blog on his week 2 performance on Dancing with the Stars.

Week 2 Scores Live

It half worked last week so I'll try live blogging the scores again (spoiler alert!).

The scores from last week (shown first) will be added to this week's and the first couple will be eliminated tomorrow!

Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower - 23 & 26 = 49 - a very professional, energetic quickstep! Messed up a bit in the middle but Len liked it. Bruno thought it was delicious, Carrie Ann thought it was sophisticated.

Sherri Shepherd and Val Chmerkovskiy - 23 & 23 = 46 - energetic jive. She missed a big bit in the middle and sang along too much. Magnificent equipment said Bruno. Confident said Carrie Ann (I agree). Len felt good.

Melissa Gilbert and Maks Chmerkovskiy - 20 & 20 = 40 - a very good quickstep, a little slip. I seem to be the only one who thinks she's really good. Her posture went as she got tired said Len. Carrie Ann was encouraging (a bad sign), Bruno let her down easy. Boos in the Ballroom said Brooke.

Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskaya 23 & 21 = 44 - competent jive, but he over-concentrated. Carrie Ann said he over-danced. Len said it was "acceptable quality".

Gladys Knight and Tristan MacManus - 23 & 19 = 42 - it was good but I felt she was just going through the motions. Bruno thought she had to be careful with her frame, Len congratulated her on getting through the dance, but he apologized for not appreciating the performance (he gave her 5).

Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas - 26 & 26 = 52 - wow she can dance. Other than singing along she was perfect. The judges liked it too.

Jaleel White and Kym Johnson - 26 & 22 = 48 - not as good as last week, he has a bit flat-footed. Len said it wasn't terrible. Bruno liked the concept. Carrie Ann said he was flat-footed. We have a psychic connection this week!

Maria Menounos and Derek Hough - 21 & 25 = 46 - I thought they were blindfolded but it was masks. Good dance, bit boring. Bruno liked her frame, Carrie Ann did too, Len thought they has speed and control and wanted more body contact.

Martina Navratilova and Tony Dovolani - 20 & 17 = 37 - oh dear. I think it was a jive. She forgot her steps and never really recovered. Points for trying and the pants. Too neat and precise says Len. "It happens to everyone" said Bruno.

Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd - 21 & 24 = 45 - bad music choice - too slow for a quick step. Great performance. That performance was up there says Len. He also said he under-marked the previous week. Bruno thought it was refined and elegant.

Gavin DeGraw and Karina Smirnoff - 20 & 21 = 41 - better than last week, still a bit stiff. Bruno liked the leather. Carrie Ann thought his posture was funky. Len liked the feel and attitude.

William Levy and Cheryl Burke - 24 & 25 = 49 - good form, dancing a little dull, he looked very good. "even fully clothed you have the ability to dazzle" - Bruno.

Overall it was pretty good for a week 2 which normally sees much lower scores versus week 1. The first couple goes home tomorrow!

Donald Driver set for quickstep on 'Dancing with Stars'

ABC/Rick Rowell Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd need a good score to avoid "Dancing with the Stars" exit.

via espn.go.com

I think Donald has some potential.

Sugarland to Appear on First Results Show

This week in season 14 the couples dance again - either a Jive or a Quickstep (my favorite) on Monday night.

Then, on Tuesday after the now obligatory recap episode, we will have the first results show, and therefore elimination, of the season.

As well as lots of filler Sugarland will be performing as will Matt Nathanson. Then the forest couple will be ejected from the glitter and sequin factory.

Derek Hough Says No Obvious Favorite This Season

In a nice little interview with TV Guide (link below) Derek Hough says that this season everyone is a contender.  I do agree that it seems more wide open that normal both in terms of who might win and who might get eliminated first.  There aren’t any real stinkers!
You can read the interview at the link below.  (He also talks about his goatee!)
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Dancing-Derek-Hough-1045217.aspx

The Scores in Week 1 of DWTS (live, sorta)

Spoiler alert! I'm sorta live blogging this depending on how many times I get interrupted by the dog or my son.

Just the scores and the odd comment:

Maria Menounos and Derek Hough - 21 - pretty solid for a week 1 dance

Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskaya - 23 - Jack looked confident, the dance was lovely

Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd - 21- crowd pleasing dance, lots of energy, lots of mistakes, he could go far!

Gavin McGraw and Karina Smirnoff - 20 - wasn't bad, looked a little heavy-footed at times

Fegan and Chelsie Hightower - 23 - Roshon is a dancer. Period.

Sherri Shepherd and Val Chmerkovskiy - 23 - she really enjoyed it! I think her score was a little high though

Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy - 20 - very good routine, she was very confident. I think Maks slipped! The score was a little low, I think.

William Levy and Cheryl Burke - 24 - he carries himself well, a little lost at times but he looked great! He WILL go far!

Martina Navratilova and Tony Dovolani - 20 - good try but she was stiff and a bit too tentative. Her score was a little high I thought.

Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas - 26 - really quite lovely. If people get to know her she could go all the way!

Gladys Knight and Tristan MacManus - 23 - Tristan did the same thing as last season and played it safe, and it worked. A great performance (factoring in age etc.).

Jaleel White and Kym Johnson - 26 - oh, very nice. He's a natural.

The performances were all very good tonight. No stinkers and at least 6 could be competing for that Mirror Ball.

Vegas Odds for DWTS 14

From vegasoddson.com here are the latest odds on the celebrities in season 14:

• William Levy    4/1
• Jaleel White    9/2
• Donald Driver    5/1
• Maria Menounos    5/1
• Roshon Fegan    9/1
• Gladys Knight    10/1
• Katherine Jenkins    10/1
• Sherri Shepherd    12/1
• Melissa Gilbert    12/1
• Jack Wagner    15/1
• Gavin DeGraw    20/1
• Martina Navratilova    20/1

As always with this sort of thing you know at least 2 if not more of those odds are way out.  I tend to agree with the favorites but think Roshon has a much better chance than Gladys and that you should never count out Martina.

Val is always shirtless!

via socialitelife.com

Sherri Shepherd says that Val Chmerkovskiy is always shirtless during practice.

Maria Menounos goes to the top of my DWTS list

Hey, anyone who has a Bichon has my vote!  (Yep, I have one too.)



Maria Menounos on WhoSay

Maks thinks his chances of winning season 14 are small

via theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com

Whilst they want to win, Melissa doesn't actually want to beat specific people, she's just happy to compete. And Maks thinks their chances of winning are very slim because of the size of the mirror ball...