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Dancing With The Stars Season 8

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marigold:
Ty Murray's Blog:

Today it just seemed like it really clicked’

Today it felt like it really came together. We finally got our music and Chelsie slowed it down three percent because she said the routine didn't look like a foxtrot at normal speed.

The last two days have been so frustrating and then today it just seemed like it really clicked. We had a good practice and I don't feel like I'm as worn out. I'm tired and sore, but it's not as bad as it has been.

It seemed like today – with practice going well – we got quite a few runs in and we still have tomorrow to try and get the routine better, and just try to make sure it's burned into my brain so that when it's time for lights, camera, action that it's all instinct.

The more you can burn it into your brain the better off you are, so you're not having to think as much because there are things that can distract you.

I was ready for us to have a good day because it was starting to get really frustrating. You have the pressure of the show coming up on you at a fast rate and, as of yesterday, I didn't think I was even going to know the routine by Monday.

It just puts you a little more at ease when you're able to start running through it on time with the beat of the music. We laughed a lot more today and just had a much better practice.

The big thing that I think helped my practice today was that I got a great night of sleep, and then after I got up Jewel and I went and had a really nice lunch. I felt better today, whereas in the days before I would go to one studio to practice, fight the traffic to get over to CBS, and the fight some more traffic to get to another studio, and you're living on power bars all day.

I know it must sound funny, but it felt good to get a good lunch in me today and to be well rested before I went and hit it at practice. Chelsie and I practiced from 1 o'clock straight through until 5, we both felt great about what we accomplished, and now Jewel and I are off to see "Slumdog Millionaire."

When we get out of the movie we'll get home and I'll try to get another good night of sleep before I hit it hard again tomorrow.

http://www.pbrnow.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/3/21/Today-it-just-seemed-like-it-really-clicked#more

marigold:
Ty Murray's Blog:

‘Everybody’s in the same boat’

We went to the TV studio and did some camera blocking and I got a chance to see a couple of the other routines and, really, everybody's in the same boat.

Even though you're not on television you can feel your nerves when they do the countdown and then you hear the voice that says, "Next, doing the foxtrot, Ty Murray and his partner Chelsie Hightower."

Then the music starts and you go. I think we got to run through it three times at the TV studio and it went pretty good.

It's funny, but they had foot masseuses there for everyone and all the contestants and the pros took advantage of it because everybody's feet are just fried.

As soon as we were done with camera blocking we went to wardrobe and did one final fitting for some last minute adjustments and to make sure everything fits right.

It's amazing because they make our clothes from scratch every week and the tailors do such a great job. They're like the best fitting clothes you've ever had on in your life.

Right after that we went straight to practice.

Chelsie doesn't work on technique that much on the day before the show because then it gets in your head and you start that backward spiral that you have trouble pulling out of. It just seems to make everything go downhill, at times, so we try to hit the technique all during the week until you're beat over the head with it.

The day before she just likes to run it over and over and keeps her critiques to a minimum. That way you can get comfortable knowing all your moves like the back of your hand.

The foxtrot is a really graceful dance and when you do make a little mistake in practice it's really obvious. It requires a lot of balance and timing. Even bumping feet throws everything off, so you want to do your steps right.

That's the thing, the choreography sets it up to where if you do your steps right and your partner does their steps right then everything works out fine, but every now and then in practice you'll just bump your feet and it knocks you off-balance.

When that happens, it can go bad on you really fast.

We just ran it over and over and felt pretty good about it. I'll bet we probably ran it 50 times. I know it's hard to believe, but you don't hear the words, "that was perfect." Sometimes it's better than others, but there's always some little aspect of it that could have been a little bit better.

You're striving for perfection, but, I think, that's very seldom achieved in dancing.

http://www.pbrnow.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/3/23/Everybodys-in-the-same-boat#more

marigold:
An interesting article:

Nancy’s Notes: I’m Done With ‘Dancing’ Surgery!

Well, surgery on my knee is done and over with and it went well! I am so happy as I am ready to start rehabbing my knee and get it back to normal!

I had the surgery done Friday arthroscopically. The surgeon and anethesiologist gave me the choice of going under or getting a block from the waist down. I chose the block, so I was actually awake for the surgery and got to watch it on the monitor. I didn’t think I would like it as I can’t even watch blood getting drawn. But because it was on a monitor and I never looked down at my actual knee, it was pretty cool.

When the surgeon first went in and saw the inside of my knee on the monitor, he said and I quote, “You really SHREDDED your meniscus!” Shredded wasn’t the word I wanted to hear. I knew it was a large tear based on the doctor reading the MRI, but it was ripped up even more than the MRI depicted. I saw it myself… the meniscus was pretty torn up… kind of looked like a snow globe inside my knee. Can you belive it all started from a salsa move! The doctor cut the torn part away on both tears…. I had a small and large tear on different sides of the knee. And then before I knew it, the surgery was over. It only took about an hour. I spent several hours in recovery as the block wore off. And by afternoon, I was able to head home, albeit on crutches, but I was glad the procedure went so well and it was outpatient surgery. I was pretty woozy and sleepy yesterday from the anesthesia and pain medicine. I only had a little bit of pain yesterday and today, it hasn’t been bad at all. I can only walk using crutches right now and have to stay in bed mostly.

But I’ve already started leg exercises today per doctor’s orders and will see a physical therapist this week. After about 6 weeks of rehab, the doctor tells me my knee will be back to the way it was before the injury. All in all, not too bad. I had a great surgeon and everything went smoothly. I’m planning on my recovery being the same so I can dance again next season, I hope. I won’t be back at work Monday, but I’m hoping I will feel up to it by Tuesday. See you soon.

http://www.accesshollywood.com/nancys-notes-im-done-with-dancing-surgery_article_15853

RealityFreakWill:
Gilles & Cheryl: Ready to Reveal Skin on 'Dancing with the Stars'?


ET's in the "Dancing with the Stars" rehearsal studio with French 'Sex and the City' hunk Gilles Marini and pro dancer Cheryl Burke. The busy couple reveal which dance they're doing tonight -- and if they'll be showing some more skin!

"[We're doing] the very difficult, difficult, tricky, sexy samba," says Gilles. "I think the samba is the hardest Latin dance. I'm lost. I still don't know it yet."

"This is when you know who will actually be in the competition the longest," says Cheryl. "Who can handle the pressure, who can learn to dance in a short amount of time and still be able to perform, so this is a true test."

But she assures her sexy partner that despite being strict with him during rehearsal, he's doing well. "I'm really proud of him," she says. "Samba's all about shaking your butt out and having fun -- it's like a party dance -- and he knows how to shake his butt, obviously."

So, can we expect to see Gilles take something off this week during the dance?

"We've got something in play for you guys," he teases.

"[He's] not actually necessarily taking anything off, but you will be seeing lots of see-through action," reveals Cheryl. "We're in very, very tight clothing this week."

Cheryl, however, won't be showing any more skin, "Because I'm barely in the costume already."

As for Gilles' separated shoulder, he says, "It's all drugged up. I've got my x-ray in the house -- it's a beautiful separation. It looks like I have a little of Steve-O in me."

Gilles also pulled up his pant leg to reveal a knee brace, much to the surprise of Cheryl.

"He doesn't tell me about his injuries," she complains, telling him, "We made a deal to tell me and now you're breaking the deal!"

"I love to compete, no matter what," says Gilles. "Every week it's very different. Every weekend we learn it all over again. So it's very challenging, especially remembering choreography, but I love the process."

Watch ET for more with Gilles and Cheryl, performing tonight on "Dancing with the Stars" on ABC!

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/03/72039/index.html

RealityFreakWill:
In the 'Dancing with the Stars' Studio with 'Team Shark': Shawn & Mark!


Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and pro dancer Mark Ballas are up there with the frontrunners of this season's "Dancing with the Stars," and we're with "Team SHARK" as they rehearse the foxtrot!

Sporting a "Vote for Shawn and Mark" T-shirt that says "Team SHARK" on the back (which incorporates SHawn and maRK), the 17-year-old Shawn says it feels good to be a frontrunner, but she doesn't take it for granted.

"Anything can happen," she says. "Every week's different. Just because you're kind of in front one week doesn't mean you'll be in front the next one."

"We're in a good spot," says Mark. "I'm happy where we're at right now."

The pair reveals to ET that they do a "secret handshake" before every dance, so keep an eye out for it right before they take the dance floor!

Of course, many stars have sustained injuries on the dance floor and in rehearsal during the show's intense competition, and both Shawn and Mark are susceptible.

"You've got to be careful when you're doing this," says Mark. "Some people don't realize how hard it really is. It does take its toll on the body. Some of the things we do are really demanding and if you don't pace yourself and you go in full throttle, you can get hurt."

"Anything can happen, but you just try to stay safe and keep your fingers crossed," says Shawn.

As for the other frontrunner competition, 'Sex and the City' movie star Gilles Marini and pro dancer Cheryl Burke, Shawn and Mark only have kind words to say:

"He's such a sweetheart," says Shawn, while Mark says, "I think he's doing a really good job. He's really great; we've had a lot of fun with him and I think he's dancing really well -- Cheryl's doing a great job with him -- and we wish them luck. But, you know, we'll be out there swinging as well."

Watch ET for more with Shawn and Mark on "Dancing with the Stars," airing tonight on ABC.

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/03/72037/

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