Topic: Dancing With The Stars Season 8

[RealityFreakWill]

Bachelor’s Melissa Rycroft Dazzles in Dancing Debut

If Melissa Rycroft had an inkling of a doubt that she made the wrong decision to join the cast of Dancing with the Stars, it was erased the minute she stepped foot onto the stage Monday night.

“She was radiant. She owned the place,” judge Bruno Tonioli gushed to PEOPLE after the live show. “She embraced the whole feeling of the show.”

The Dallas beauty, whose engagement to The Bachelor’s Jason Mesnick ended unceremoniously on television just a week earlier, was embraced by the supportive crowd as she and partner Tony Dovolani took her mark during the commercial break before she performed.

After she and Dovolani danced an elegant Viennese waltz, the crowd leapt to their feet. The thunderous applause was much deserved, especially considering Rycroft had only two days to rehearse while her other fellow competitors had four weeks. With 48 hours of practice, Rycroft managed to earn one of the highest scores of the night: a 23 out of 30.

The warm response brought tears of joy to Rycroft’s eyes, and made the judges gush.

“You’re just a beautiful dancer,” an awestruck Carrie Ann Inaba said.

Perhaps head judge Len Goodman summed it up best, telling Rycroft, “The Bachelor’s loss is Dancing with the Stars’ gain.”

http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/03/10/bachelors-melissa-rycroft-dazzles-in-dancing-debut/

[RealityFreakWill]

Dancing With the Stars Returns: Kim, Gilles & Shawn Sizzle; Holly Madison, Bachelor's Melissa Show Up



Celebrity toes resumed twinkling tonight as Dancing With the Stars kicked off its eighth season and, despite the desperately random assortment of said stars, this has the makings of a good go-around.

This barely begun season has already witnessed the premature exit of two injured stars—Nancy O'Dell and Jewel—and the last-minute arrival of their replacements—Girls Next Door babe Holly Madison and extra-burned Bachelor castoff Melissa Rycroft. Not to mention half the pros are dancing on surgically repaired joints and Hollywood newcomer Gilles Marini has tendinitis in his groin.

The ballroom also welcomed two new pros, the show's youngest-ever contestant, its first already established star-pro couple and a pair of newly engaged DWTS veterans.

As Bruno Tonioli would say... Actually, he'd say something gross, so we're just going to recap tonight's performances:

Lil Kim: The raunchy rapper, who revealed that she first started watching DWTS while in prison, has rhythm and her cha-cha with defending champ Derek Hough got the night off to a very saucy—and technically sound—start. She needs polish but has major potential. "You can work wonders with that tushy!" Bruno offered, while head judge Len Goodman called the performance "first class."
Score: 21

Belinda Carlisle: The former Go-Go's frontwoman looked lovely, but, according to her debut waltz with Jonathan Roberts, she's missing the inherent grace possessed by past elder stateswomen such as Jane Seymour and Priscilla Presley. There certainly weren't any Cloris Leachman moments, as Bruno suggested, but the 50-year-old still needs to get that beat back, pronto.
Score: 17

Lawrence Taylor: He might have been wearing Emmit Smith's cha-cha outfit, but the 50-year-old NFL Hall of Famer isn't quite disco ball material yet. Not that he needed to be, what with Edyta Sliwinska returning in fine scantily clad form after last season's one-and-done appearance with Jeff Ross. But as Len noted, there's a "naturalness" about Taylor.
Score: 16

Steve-O: The former Jackass player didn't exactly stick his foot "up the waltz's butt," but he didn't suck too hard, either. Let's just say Lacey Schwimmer has her work cut out for her, but if anyone can cover up someone's rough edges with edgy choreography, she can.
Score: 17

Gilles Marini: Turns out Sex and the City's Samantha would have done well to visit her naked neighbor. The 33-year-old Frenchman, who quite literally flashed into American theaters last summer, is a frontrunner at this point, as far as raw talent is concerned. He's rough around the edges, but his cha-cha was the best of the bunch. And, for the record, Cheryl Burke looks great.
Score: 24

Chuck Wicks: The 29-year-old country singer is the first star to join the show having already seduced his pro partner. Julianne Hough's easy-on-the-eyes boyfriend showed a lot of potential, waltzing his girlfriend around the ballroom with relative ease, although his desire to impress her—and make her laugh during rehearsals—could make for a rough ride behind the scenes.
Score: 20

Denise Richards: She was the first to cry during rehearsal this season, but the actress rebounded nicely, minus that limp left arm. Going for Richards already are her flexibility, killer bod and fan-favorite partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Not great are those nerves, which she needs to shake. "You've got it all, but you don't know what to do with it!" exclaimed Bruno.
Score: 18

Melissa Rycroft: OK, we'll say it... Suck it, Jason Mesnick. A week after being ceremoniously dumped on national TV (thanks, producers, for replaying the moment tonight), in a snazzy bit of ABC synergy the former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader made a triumphant return to prime time. Her promising waltz, combined with all the good will she's acquired (standing ovation, anyone?), means Tony Dovolani finally has a shot at the title.
Score: 23

Holly Madison: DWTS first-timer Dmitry Chaplin certainly didn't need to whip his Playboy Playmate partner into shape for the challenge. Holly's lovely limbs, spray-tanned to perfection, could serve her well eventually, but tonight's cha-cha proved that a week's practice just ain't enough.
Score: 18

Ty Murray: Well, Jewel wouldn't have had to worry about her hubby wrangling the title away from her. The rodeo cowboy gave his cha-cha a go, and his aw-shucks demeanor is very charming, but newcomer Chelsie Hightower is probably going to have a very short debut season.
Score: 14

Shawn Johnson: Girl knows how to compete. The Olympic gymnast, fresh off a four-medal performance in Beijing and the youngest-ever DWTS competitor at 17, has the potential to add a disco ball to her trophy case. Her waltz was graceful—"surprisingly refined," Bruno called it—and she partners well with the boyishly handsome Mark Ballas (who, after all, is only 22).
Score: 23

Steve Wozniak: It is possible for the billionaire entrepreneur to win this season. It would require free iPods suddenly appearing in mailboxes across the U.S., but still... Anyway, Karina Smirnoff had her man suited up to be the clown, trotting him out for the cha-cha in a pink boa, but unless Wozniak's minions find a way to hack the database, the likable Apple Computer cofounder probably won't last too long.
Score: 13

David Alan Grier: The comedian was likable but forgettable, his waltz—and his face—being neither here nor there. "One character will suffice," Bruno advised, referring to Grier's constantly shifting facial expressions. The In Living Color star couldn't even get a break from former Fly Girl Carrie Ann Inaba, who docked him a point for lifting both of Kym Johnson's feet off the ground.
Score: 19

Wow, so much to think about. The 13 contestants will dance again next Monday and this week's scores and votes will be combined with next week's before the season's first elimination show on Tuesday, March 17.

Here's a rundown of tonight's leaderboard:

Gilles and Cheryl: 24
Shawn and Mark: 23
Melissa and Tony: 23
Lil Kim and Derek: 21
Chuck and Julianne: 20
David and Kym: 19
Denise and Maksim: 18
Holly and Dmitry: 18
Belinda and Jonathan: 17
Steve-O and Lacey: 17
Lawrence and Edyta: 16
Ty and Chelsie: 14
Steve and Karina: 13

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b103568_dancing_with_stars_returns_kim_gilles.html

[RealityFreakWill]

Dancing with the Stars Episode Recap: Monday, March 9, 2009

Has it been three months already? Season 8 of Dancing with the Stars kicks off with some very interesting renditions of the Viennese waltz and the cha-cha, along with two new (but not-so-new) faces.

No, your eyes are not deceiving you: Mickey is no longer around these Dancing parts, and so, I have inherited his quite large shoes to fill. I know, I'm mourning his absence too, but I hope you'll bear with me. My Dancing background: size 7 shoe, rhythmically challenged, and avid Olympic fan — thus, I only started watching when Apolo Anton Ohno killed it (random side note: I screamed his name when I was drunk a few years ago, but that's a story for another time). Kristi Yamaguchi made me squeal, but Misty May-Treanor made me cry. And so, I'm automatically partial to Shawn Johnson this season (join me in convincing her to go to London 2012), now more than ever with Nancy O'Dell out.

Speaking of, Nancy and Jewel, Season 8's first two casualties (Did I use that correctly, Jewel? Sorry, I don't have my Night Without Armor near to consult) are sporting pouts on the sidelines as we await the first dances of their heretofore unofficially announced replacements. But first — the healthy folks!

Lil Kim & Derek Hough: Cha-Cha
"Black Barbie" Kim tells us about discovering Dancing during her days behind bars and she dedicates her first dance to all the gals at the federal detention center. What up! They cha-cha to "Ms. Jackson" and "Nasty." Anyone else see the irony in Mormon boy getting "Nasty" with an ex-convict? It's fun and sexy, if a little shaky. Tom dedicates his hosting to everyone at Riker's Island. Len thinks it was first-class and a job well done. Bruno says she's nasty but tasty (and you would know?), but Kim needs some precision. Carrie Ann says she has great potential.
Score: 21

Belinda Carlisle & Jonathan Roberts: Viennese Waltz
Belinda told me she was uncomfortable with the waltz and that she was. They kick it off with some pretty spinning... and then it gets not-so pretty. She's a tad slow and tentative, and you can tell she's counting the steps in her head... or maybe just hoping her boobs don't pop out. Did ya see her shaking those things in the clip intro? Bruno says she looks like Julie Andrews, but then turned into Cloris Leachman, which I personally don't think so at all. If she reminded me of anyone, it's Priscilla Presley. Carrie Ann says it wasn't Cloris-esque, but Belinda needs to trust Jonathan. Len says there was grace and elegance. The curmudgeon hasn't reared his ugly head yet.
Score: 17

Lawrence Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska: Cha-Cha
Edyta gets another football giant (no pun intended), and LT wastes no time dissing Jason Taylor. He feels uncoordinated in rehearsal and doesn't wanna look like a fool. He doesn't, but he's no Jason Taylor either (that's a diss) — or any other Dancing football great. Their cha-cha is blah-blah. I'm over it after 15 seconds. Carrie Ann tells him he needs to get on the offense and down and dirty (you're single now, aren't you, CA?). Len says he has a naturalness about him. Bruno says it was very laid-back and LT needs to perform. Duh-duh-dun!
Score: 16

Steve-O & Lacey Schwimmer: Viennese Waltz
Johnny Knoxville and Wee-Man are in da house! Still on the mend, a clean-and-sober Steve-O tells us he's using Dancing to show that he didn't lose his mojo in his darker days. His biggest problem? He's very "Caucasian," but he wants to prove this Jackass can be a gentleman. Watching him waltz is like watching Britney & Kevin: Chaotic. It's weird and uneasy, yet you can't turn away. Unlike B&K, Steve-O is actually interesting and good. Let's face it: There will always be something odd about watching Steve-O do ballroom, but it's also slightly endearing. Now he just needs to get all the moves down pat. He gets a partial standing O. Len admires his commitment, but calls him out on some technicalities. He expected much worse. Bruno echoes the tecnique. Carrie Ann was oddly mesmerized by his beauty and awkwardness. "I wanna put my foot in the waltz's butt," Steve-O says afterwards.
Score: 17

Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke: Cha-Cha
Side note: I met Gilles last year and he is quite dishy and hairless in person. The Sex-y star knows he's a nobody and hopes he doesn't succumb to the "model curse." Well, I think most people have something besides your dancing to remember you by. This is definitely the best dance, let alone cha-cha, by far — fast, sexy, lots and lots of hip action. Gilles is a natural in the vein of Brooke Burke. He looks like he's been there for weeks. Standing O. Samantha would be proud. Carrie Ann says he has great potential (isn't this what you told Albert Reed?). Bruno sounds jealous of Cheryl and expects "explosions." Len thinks it's the best of the night so far. Dirty exchange backstage:
Samantha: How hard was it really getting a sexy dance out of the guy known as the sexy, naked neighbor?
Cheryl: Well, all I can say is look at him! C'mon, it's not that hard!
Gilles: It's hard! Trust me! It was hard. Uh...
Score: 24

Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough: Viennese Waltz
I can honestly say I had absolutely no idea who Chuck Wicks was until he hooked up with Julianne... and I still don't quite know who he is. They "baby" each other in rehearsal, reminiscent of Michael and Jan "babe"-ing each other. The grapefruit growing out of Julianne's ass is mildly distracting. The lovebirds ebb and flow. It looks like their first dance at their wedding — you know they rehearsed for it, but it's not without flaws. Bruno feels Chuck was chasing Julianne at times (aren't we all?). Len concurs and says he needs to refine his dancing (um, could you be more general?). Carrie Ann says he's one of the most graceful men, but she spotted an inadvertent lift. Ruh-oh.
Score: 20

Injury break! Jewel says she'll be back to sing for her hubby (next week!) since she can't dance. Nancy has matched her knee brace to her dress and she's jealous of Tony's new partner. She's disappointed — but the folks at Entertainment Tonight are happy, Tom says. Oh snap! And now for our first replacement...

Holly Madison & Dmitry Chaplin: Cha-Cha
They have one week to prepare, and so Dmitry has no time to teach her technique. And apparently no time to teach her words either. "Cha-cha-cha, walk, walk?" Holly's nervous about winging it in front of America. She's no worse than some of her predecessors tonight and is definitely more "offensive" than LT. But then again, is it surprising Holly has no problem shaking it? Tom prefaces the judges scores by telling us the trio isn't going to take the duo's lack of prep time into consideration. And so naturally, what's the first thing out of Len's mouth? It's not bad considering she had one week. Le sigh. Carrie Ann says she has charisma. Bruno says she's easy on the eyes (Jewel isn't?) and notes that there's hope for her. By the way, lay off the spray-tan, Holly.
Score: 18

Back from commercial, Tom tells us it is, indeed, Bachelor's No. 1 woman scorned, Melissa Rycroft, who has replaced Nancy. She will have 48 hours of rehearsal under her belt — the shortest in show history.

Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower: Cha-Cha
Time to do Jewel proud. Ty looks like an older and taller Kevin Connolly. He's approaching the whole thing like bull-riding: You're never quite ready and then it's just your turn. And Ty is way more than not-quite ready. He's awkward and stiffer than my drink right now (Kidding! I haven't drunk... yet), which was exactly what I expect of a cowboy dancing. Bruno says it looks more like an army drill. Len likes that he tried... and then gives him a 4. Carrie Ann's hitting on Ty, too.
Score: 14

Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas: Viennese Waltz
Glittering balance beam! Mark's got some sort of 5 o'clock shadow. Trying to be a man? Mark tells her to show emotion, which she is struggling with because it's a sign of weakness in gymnastics. Their waltz is sweet and graceful, a far cry from her powerful gymnastics self. It's definitely the best female dance of the night so far. Carrie Ann is truly moved and says Shawn has "dyna-na-namism." Bruno says it's surprisingly refined for someone so young and warns her of "gymnastics arms." Len finds it all very appealing and fantastic.
Score: 23

Steve Wozniak & Karina Smirnoff: Cha-Cha
Woz! Am I the only one who finds it amusing that the Woz is healthy in this, while Jewel and Nancy are not? Woz overthinks it in rehearsals (left-brained, analog, thinking breaks). He wants to prove nerds can dance. Pink boa! Who-a! Woz can move, y'all! But not exactly in step. He looks like he's half-seizing in places, but I give him props for shaking all his junk that's not just in his trunk. How adorkable is he?! Len likes that it held his attention and enjoyed the knee spin, but says overall it was a disaster. Bruno says it was a teletubbie gone mad. Carrie Ann likes that he makes us cheer for him. Karina calls him the nicest man alive. But what about Maks? Sexiest Man Alive?
Score: 13

David Alan Grier & Kym Johnson: Viennese Waltz
David's hoping to get sexual favors outta this. About time someone says it! Awkward first meeting between the two. Guess the humor was lost Down Under. Har har. Their waltz is controlled, light and there's not much to laugh about. He fudges the final extension a little. Bruno wants him to choose one character per dance. Fly Girl Carrie Ann warns him about his face, too. Len says his "bun" is sticking out because he's not doing something or other.
Score: 19

Denise Richards & Maksim Chmerkovskiy: Cha-Cha
I must preface this performance with this tidbit, only because I tell everyone this and I have an obsession with birthdays: Monday was Denise's daughter Sam's 5th birthday, as well as my dad's birthday. Dancing first premiered on June 1, 2005 — the day her second daughter, Lola, was born. June 1 is my birthday, though I'm not 3. OK, just had to get that off my chest. Denise was excited to get Maks because she loves bad boys (we know), but like all bad boys do, he's reduced her to tears. Why does Maks always make his partners cry (OK, not literally, but you know)? Denise is clearly nervous and seems to be rushing through everything. She's way too emotional for this. Don't worry, Denise: You're gonna beat Charlie in the ratings. Carrie Ann says she looks terrified and wants less shoulder action. Len says she needs to tone up. Bruno says she's got it, but she doesn't know what to do with it. It's like acting — you can't drop something after you commit. Can she really relate, Bruno?
Score: 18

Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani: Viennese Waltz
It's America's Sweetheart! I know they use the term "stars" loosely on this, but really? Yeah, yeah, Trista Sutter was on it (though I know many want to forget that), but that was the first season with, like, half ABC vets. Her 11th-hour casting means another reason to show "Jason is a Douchebag" again. "Boo!" the crowd hisses. "People skills," Tom tells Jason. Melissa and Tony don't even have an intro piece. Well, who needs one when you're the most famous person in America not named Octo-Mom? Their waltz is fluid and serene. It's obvious her ballet background (and probably her cheerleading one too) has helped. Time for more Jason-hatin'. Len says Jason's loss is Dancing's gain. Bruno calls Jason a loser, hand-L and all. Carrie Ann says she's a beautiful dancer. She's overwhelmed... or maybe scared she'll get dumped again somehow.
Score: 23

And that's that! Gilles and Cheryl lead the pack with Woz and Karina bringing up the rear. What did you think? Which dance was your favorite? Are Holly and Melissa worthy replacements? Did Bruno wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Was Len actually nice? Can the Woz make a comeback?

http://www.tvguide.com/Episode-Recaps/Dancing-Stars/Dancing-Stars-Episode-1003853.aspx

[RealityFreakWill]

'Dancing With the Stars' recap: Steppin' Out

Welcome to season 8 of Dancing with the Stars, the Little Reality Show That Could...add a Playboy Bunny and a Bachelor Dumpee at the very last minute and somehow play out rather normally. The Girls Next Door's Holly Madison and recent ABC darling Melissa Rycroft replaced former contestants Jewel and Nancy O'Dell, both of whom withdrew last week due to injuries. Apparently, Dancing With the Stars' primary goal for season 8 is to support the flailing industry of general surgery. All Cheryl has to do is fling Gilles Marini and his troubled groin into a spin fast enough, and she'll keep the dream alive! Don't you dare do it, Cheryl. Here's how the 13 couples — let's call 'em The Top 13, for Steve Wozniak's sake — ranked after either the waltz or the cha cha cha….

Gilles Marini and Cheryl: 24/30 Might as well face it: I'm addicted to Gilles' early adoption of DWTS' famed ''buttons ruin a shirt'' policy. Who cares if this guy was in Sex and the City? I'd be rooting for him if he was just some vagrant Cheryl found sleeping under the bleachers at her favorite theme park, Sea World. Usually the not-so-famous model type gets sent home first, but Gilles and Cheryl should clearly stick around after that bangin' red and black cha cha cha. Their shared slow, full-body wave was as sexy as an oversize dollop of Nutella smeared over the tip of a giant baguette. Plus, Gilles is already comfortable enough with his partner to not only grope her face, but trace one finger downward from her clavicle…and if you know anything about Dancing With the Stars, you know that's final-three material right there. Let's hope Gilles' bizarre rosary tee makes another appearance during rehearsals, and that he and Cheryl engage in more masculinity jokes, because it's annoying when the men in this competish get all hung up on how manly they look. Get a clue: We want you to dress like Gilles and the smarmy Russians who are hot, know it, and clap their hands. Embrace the character, y'all!

Shawn Johnson and Mark: 23/30 I was an Olympics fanatic this summer, so hearing Shawn's adorably squeaky, optimistic rambling on a reality show about ballroom dancing was a bit surreal after that voice had been etched into my brain from Shawn's post-gold medal-winning sofa chat in Beijing. (Was Samantha the Béla Károlyi or the Bob Costas in this analogy? Totes Béla.) Shawn surprised the judges with an elegant waltz — the only complaint Bruno and DANCMSTR had was with her gymnastics-esque arm extensions. It's true, I thought she was saluting for her second vault as she and Mark drifted into one corner. Carrie Ann was so moved by Shawn's dynamism that she teared up a little. She is so the Denise Richards of the judging panel. Side note: Scruffy rehearsal Mark was super hot. Who knew? I hereby restrict Mark Ballas' shaving privileges to once per week. He's definitely reading this and will eagerly obey.

Melissa Rycroft and Tony: 23/30 We missed out on this couple's rehearsal package, while Melissa and Tony missed out on, oh, multiple weeks of intense training. Turns out they didn't need it! Conveniently, Melissa's so good at dancing already that Tony just had to take ballet and ''throw some waltz around it.'' That was funny, and so were Tom and Bruno as they ruthlessly ripped on Bachelor star/highly functioning chimpanzee Jason Mesnick for dumping Melissa on national TV. (Hooray! ABC! You can't fight synergy, Lemon; it's bigger than all of us.) But I think my favorite part of this entire slapped-together segment was the ridiculous turquoise-spangled decal used to cover up Melissa's classy lower back tattoo. Keep that creativity up, for real, costume designers. I want flames for the samba, a curlicue mustache for the tango, and a giant bull's head for the paso doble. Fringe = optional.

Lil' Kim and Derek: 21/30 Sure, discussing one's jail time in the first episode seems a bit shocking, but Dancing with the Stars is ultimately a better television program for having featured Lil' Kim dedicating a cha cha cha set to Janet Jackson's ''Nasty Girls'' to all her girls in the Federal Detention Center. It simply does not get better than this. Actually, it did a little when Kim artfully and somewhat seductively brushed a sticky strand of hair from her mouth, mid-arm move. Bruno's right; she can ''work wonders with that tooshie,'' especially when it's swathed in silver fringe. I liked how Lil' Kim blatantly acknowledged her increasingly plasticine appearance with that ''I'm gonna look like Black Barbie and this is my Ken'' remark. Someone had to say it. Loved her. She better not go home soon.

Chuck Wicks and Julianne: 20/30 I wouldn't mind if this guy left, though. I barely remember him except that he was cheesily attractive and a perfect visual complement to Julianne. Oh, and I wanted them to stop arguing during rehearsals, whether it was for the cameras or in spite of them. That's going to get old pretty fast. DANCMSTR called their waltz ''a bit hectic,'' and Bruno claimed ''At times it felt to me like you were chasing a whirlwind...then you were going to strangle her.'' A logical progression; thanks, Bruno. It's hard to tell whether Chuck's fan base watches this show, whether Julianne's fans will keep them safe, or whether enough unaffiliated voters will keep the couple in because they happen to be exceedingly attractive and currently dating. Actually, if the judges keep scoring Chuck highly, the voting element might not matter for a while. Hmmm. Just realized the whole time I was writing that paragraph, I was picturing Jonathan Roberts instead of Chuck. Close enough.

David Alan Grier and Kym: 19/30 I'm not sure DAG's highly evolved sense of humor went over too well with the audience, but it didn't seem to go over smoothly with Kym. (That ''I came on the show for the free dance shoes and sexual favors'' line he delivered last night won't help.) The judges really scrutinized the technical parts of his performance, which to me suggests that it was generally pretty good. Bruno's relatively uncharacteristic snippiness (usually DANCMSTR's the crankier one) shone through in his critique of DAG's various performance faces: ''I know you're a multifaceted character. One will suffice.'' Like he should talk! The biggest takeaway from the judges' critique: Kym needs to rein in her partner's errant ass.

Holly Madison and Dmitry: 18/30 The Bunny whose nervous giggles haunt my nightmares danced a barely competent cha cha cha. Granted, after Holly stepped in for Jewel on Tuesday, she and So You Think You Can Dance alum Dmitry had less than a week to prepare to follow the orders of their song and ''Just Dance,'' so maybe I should cut them some slack. Nah. I got a Kim Kardashian vibe from Holly — not the porn star kind, just the going-through-the-motions, thinking-about-the-dance-too-hard kind. Holly does seem more jazzed in general than Kim was, so that might buy sheer-shirted Dmitry a few more weeks. Shame spiral time: Holly's orange fringed dress was easily my favorite of the night. I'd love to wear that frock while typing these recaps, if only because it'd be so uncomfortable that I'd finish way, way sooner. Speaking of Holly and fashion, those ratty tee/satin mesh shorts/high socks getups she sported during rehearsals reminded me of my own fashion sense during high school. No, I was not on crack during high school.

Denise Richards and Maks: 18/30 Well, that rehearsal segment was pretty brutal — the most endearing part about it was Maks imploring Denise to give him a ''high ten,'' while the worst of it involved Denise crying and apologizing for annoying Maks, which obviously is only going to annoy him further. Duh. This does not bode well. Denise exhibited an...interesting sense of rhythm during their cha cha cha, and only fully relaxed during the half second she was resting in a full splits, because damn, that s---'s impressive and she knew it. Bruno counseled Denise to think of dancing like acting: ''Once you get on top of a performance, you have to stay on it.'' Denise certainly followed that philosophy during that brief shot of her slyly turning around to the camera while clutching a disco ball. Channel the disco ball. It could be that simple.

Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan: 17/30 With her constant threat of "needing a bucket," Belinda seemed to be channeling her own inimitable 1988 single, ''I Get Weak.'' (How come she didn't mention her solo career instead of just The Go-Go's? That Heaven Is A Place On Earth cassette tape changed my life, man.) Backstage before taking her turn, Belinda looked like a cross between Jennie Garth — due to extreme nerves — and Priscilla Presley — due to the fact that she looks almost exactly like Priscilla Presley. DANCMSTR called Belinda and Jonathan's waltz performance ''an overall good job on an elegant dance,'' but crotchety Bruno had to go and compare Belinda to Cloris Leachman. Actually, I'm surprised Cloris wasn't planted in the audience along with Brooke, Maurice, and the other esteemed alums. Cloris and Marlee's combined enthusiasm would make a tremendous SuperFans section.

Steve-O and Lacey: 17/30 ''I've got disadvantages for days,'' warned the former Jackass star. ''I'm very Caucasian.'' Like Lil' Kim, Steve-O laid his past indiscretions on the line for America to harshly judge: He was out of control, using drugs and alcohol, and recently landed in rehab. The showrunners may wish to incorporate one of Steve-O's direct quotes into their next promotional campaign for luring in prospective ''high''-profile talent. ''Dancing with the Stars: A way to prove that even though you're sober, you haven't lost your mojo.'' Steve-O's waltz was a lot better than his and Lacey's scores would suggest — the orchestral Godfather theme sounded perfect, Steve-O grinned devilishly in character as he kissed Lacey's hand, the audience seemed consumed in a massive giggle fit...they even incorporated a handstand/walkover at the beginning. I'd say that qualifies as ''putting his foot in the waltz's butt,'' wouldn't you?

Lawrence Taylor and Edyta: 16/30 This could be the first season in which the football player doesn't make it to the finals, and don't think the intense pressure of living up to this proud football-playing tradition has escaped Mr. L.T. The two-time Super Bowl champion's cha cha cha was ''a little too small'' (said Carrie Ann), lacking in crispness (said DANCMSTR), and, according to Bruno, ''so bad that if you threw it away, I couldn't find it.'' Watch your back, you simile-loving Italian pipsqueak. At least Edyta did her part to help the couple's cause, by convulsing around LT while tangled in beige netting, and by feeling up her own breasts in the alluring visual for her mini-bio. ''I always bring seduction to the dance floor.'' We believe you. Come on, Lady Legwarmer, whip your latest hulk into shape!

Ty Murray and Chelsie: 14/30 The two contestants with the lowest scores last night were the ones I found most endearing, possibly because they were just so out of their elements. And in ''King of the Cowboys'' Ty Murray's case, I happen to be terribly amused that joining the cast was probably his wife Jewel's idea, and now she's not even a part of it. So there he is, just so cowboyish, quiet and alone. (And yes, Carrie Ann, CUTE!) Ty joined his partner, So You Think You Can Dance's Chelsie Hightower, for a cha cha cha appropriately set to ''Train In Vain'' by The Clash. Ty could have some potential; the most glaring problem with his performance to me was that he refused to stop looking at Chelsie for a second, even when they were supposed to be doing solo work. I loved Ty's unintentionally brilliant comparison of ballroom dancing to his own area of expertise, bull riding: ''You're never completely ready. It just becomes your turn.'' I'd like to see this cowboy do some cape work.

Steve Wozniak and Karina: 13/30 These two are so ridiculous together that they're kind of my favorite couple so far. Come on, Woz has to stick around until week 3, if only so that Karina can incorporate his Segway into a paso doble à la Adam Corolla on his unicycle. The Apple co-founder is an all-out geek, and if his shirts weren't all soaked in sweat in the exact same ''problem patches,'' I'd want to hug him for it. Karina's general impatience and ''WTF is this guy on about?'' face while Woz talked about how ''dancing is sort of analog'' were priceless, as was her delightfully awful Male Pattern Body Hair-themed cha cha cha costume. Plus, Woz kept speaking out of turn, eventually letting it slip to Tom (and the nation) that he was ''having so much fun they're testing me for drugs tomorrow.'' I love this man. His dance wasn't great, but the guy did knee spins! And Tom's clearly not out of Apple-centric jokes yet. I advise the viewing public to take a ''five-minute thinking break'' and mull this one over.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20264441_4,00.html

[RealityFreakWill]

Melissa Rycroft on 'Dancing With the Stars': 'It'll show everybody I'm okay'

Wearing a sequined turquoise dress and dancing to a song that only days earlier was meant for Nancy O'Dell, Melissa Rycroft -- a.k.a. The Bachelor's most famous reject ever -- closed out the premiere of Dancing With the Stars Monday with a waltz to "show everybody I'm good, that I'm okay." Rycroft stepped in for O'Dell on the morning of March 7 after a knee injury forced the Access Hollywood host to quit the competition. Rycroft, who was dumped on national TV March 2 by Jason Mesnick, had already returned to Texas to resume her career as an event planner when she got the call about DWTS on the morning of March 6.

"I thought, 'What is going on now, I thought it was over!'" Rycroft told EW. She didn't appear frightened at the prospect of performing complicated steps on the ABC reality show, since she studied ballet in grade school before becoming a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. "They said they had a dropout and they would love for me to come and be the replacement. I sat there going, 'What?' Did they know who they just asked?'"

It took about an hour for Rycroft to say yes. Twenty-four hours later, she began rehearsals in Los Angeles with Tony Dovolani. Rycroft spent all weekend learning O'Dell's routine to "Moon River"; costumers even had to fit Rycroft with O'Dell's floor-length dress while she was learning the steps. "I thought, you know what? Here I go again! Why not?" said Rycroft, who harbors no ill-will toward ABC. "I signed up for The Bachelor, and while it didn’t go quite as I had hoped, everything worked out. I'm fine, and this is definitely helping me to move on from everything."

After Monday's premiere, Rycroft got a hug (and a microphone in her face) from O'Dell, who was doing post-show interviews while sporting a blue-toned knee brace that matched her strapless mini-dress (O'Dell's injury, a torn meniscus, will require surgery). O'Dell described her decision to drop out as "traumatic" and said it's even been hard to hear the strains of her waltzing song. "I was here when they were doing camera blocking and when I heard "Moon River," I called up my ortho doctor and said, 'Are you sure I can't do this?' I'm like, 'I can run really quick and get the cortisone shot and get my knee drained!'"

O'Dell, 43, also joked that it took Rycroft, 25, only two days to learn what she toiled over for a good two weeks. Melissa and Tony waltzed off with a score of 23.

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/03/melissa-rycroft.html?iid=top25-Melissa+Rycroft+on+%27Dancing+With+the+Stars%27%3A+%27It%27ll+show+everybody+I%27m+okay%27

[RealityFreakWill]

Monday’s Dancing: What You Didn’t See



For Her Girls:  Rapper Lil’ Kim, the first performer of the night, dedicated her routine to the women at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, where she served a sentence after being found guilty of committing perjury in 2005. “Yeah, my first dance was to my girls at FDC. They are representatin.’ I know they are,” she said. “We watched the show and I know they’ll be happy to hear that that’s where I first watched [Dancing with the Stars].

French Dressing: Before Monday night’s DWTS, he was known as “the naked guy” from the Sex and the City movie. But now, actor Gilles Marini is known as the sizzling hot Frenchman. You’d never know Marini, who is coping from tendonitis in his left shoulder and groin area, dancing through pain. His steamy cha-cha had the crowd in a tizzy and left his partner speechless. “I can’t believe this night. I felt like I was in another world with Gilles on the dance floor,” Burke gushed. “It was crazy tonight,” Marini told PEOPLE. “I felt so good. I am going to the doctor on Wednesday. But tonight, it felt really good to get that first dance out of the way.”

She’s Still Upbeat: The judges agreed that Go-Go’s Belinda Carlisle, this season’s oldest woman of the group, had a promising start that waned. Bruno Tonioli said her dancing started off like Julie Andrews but turned into Cloris Leachman, who was often criticized by the judges in season 7. Carlisle didn’t mind. “I love Cloris Leachman and Julie Andrews, too. So for me, it was a double compliment.”



Pieces of Her:  Jewel, who was scheduled to appear this season but forced to withdraw from competition after suffering from stress fractures in both legs, admitted that it was hard watching her replacement Holly Madison cha-cha with dance partner Dmitry Chaplin. “It was hard seeing someone else in my dress, doing my routine with my partner. I was kind of territorial,” she joked. But Jewel plans to hobble on crutches to the studio each week to watch her rodeo-star hubby Ty Murray, who is also competing. Though Murray had a rough start, Jewel said, “This was so opposite for him and I’m just so proud.”

The Gown Off Her Back: Carrie Ann Inaba wore a custom Randolph Duke dress on Monday’s premiere, which will be up auctioned off at www.clothesoffourback.org, with proceeds going toward The Andrea Rizzo Foundation, an organization that provides dance therapy to children with cancer. The winner will be fitted for the dress, get a pair of shoes and diamond earrings to wear to the show’s finale. “What’s great about this dress is that we designed it so that it could be expanded or shrunk to actually fit whoever buys it,” Inaba said.

A Steve-O-Vation: At some point or other during the show, everyone joked that Steve-O was a Jackass, in reference to his antic-filled TV show of the same name. But the crowded cheered for the endearing stuntman who wowed the audience enough to bring them to their feet. “I heard we got a standing ovation and I didn't even know,” he said afterward. His partner Lacey Schwimmer added, “ He was so nervous. I think he just zoomed out.”

http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/03/10/mondays-dancing-what-you-didnt-see-17/

[RealityFreakWill]

Melissa: 'I Accept Jason's Apology'



Melissa Rycroft rebounded from her "Bachelor" heartbreak by waltzing onto "Dancing with the Stars" last night in an eye-popping outfit -- and she revealed to "Extra" that she's moving on from the Mesnick mess.

Jason has admitted that he was wrong to dump Melissa on national TV -- and sent her a message via "Extra" to say he was sorry. "You don't deserve what happened to you -- and I apologize from the bottom of my heart," said Jason, adding, "But I am very happy for you right now and I know you're in a place you want to be."

The 25-year-old former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader isn't holding a grudge. "I accept the apology -- forgive, forget. I'm moving on, and I'm away from that situation, in a new relationship and a new life really," Melissa revealed. That was quick!

Fellow "DWTS" replacement Holly Madison had nothing but praise for Rycroft -- and dished to "Extra" that Jason is missing out. "I think she's awesome, and the guy who dumped her is stupid," said the Playboy recently un-mansioned bunny.

Melissa's transition from "The Bachelor" to the ballroom didn't disappoint her fans -- or the judging panel! After only 3 days of rehearsal, Rycroft and partner Tony Dovolani scored a 23 -- the second best score of the night!

http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2009/03/melissa_i_accept_jasons_apolog.php

[marigold]

 :sucks

OVERNIGHT ABC RATINGS

ABC Press Release

ABC's Premiere Monday Lineup of "DWTS" and "Castle" Dominates, Producing the Net's Largest Monday Audience in Close to 3 Years

ABC's 8th Season Opener for "Dancing with the Stars" Marks its Most-Watched Premiere Ever and the Net's Largest Audience in the Time Slot Since May 2000

"DWTS" Wins Each of its Half-Hours to Outpace its Closest Competition In the Time Period by 10.8 Million Viewers and by 40% Among Adults 18-49
   
"Castle" Opens Strong, Greatly Improving its Time Slot for ABC and Generating The Network's Most-Watched 10pm Drama Telecast on the Night in 9 Years

Monday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)
With the eighth season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars" leading into the series debut of "Castle," ABC stood as the No. 1 TV network on Monday for the 2nd week in a row in Total Viewers (18.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.1/13), drawing its largest audience on the night in close to 3 years - since 5/15/06.   The Network outperformed second-place Fox on the night by 7.2 million viewers and by 21% in Adults 18-49 (11.7 million & 4.2/11).   

"Dancing with the Stars" (8:00-10:00 p.m.)
Despite airing opposite stiff all-original competition in its eighth season premiere, including CBS' 8:00-10:00 p.m. comedy block, NBC's "Heroes" and "Chuck" and Fox's "House" and "24," ABC's broad appealing "Dancing with the Stars" drew an average audience of 22.5 million viewers and a 5.9 rating, 15 share in Adults 18-49 to emerge as Monday's No. 1 TV program in viewers and young adults.  In fact, "Dancing with the Stars" won each of its half-hours and soared to the top of its time period, outdrawing second-place Fox by 10.8 million viewers and by 40% in Adults 18-49 (11.7 million & 4.2/11).   

* "DWTS" was up over its year-ago season opener by 1.3 million viewers and by 5% in Adults 18-49 (21.2 million & 5.6/15 on 3/17/08).  In fact, "Dancing" turned in its most-watched season open ever and second-highest ever in Adults 18-49.

* Excluding only the 2001 Rose Bowl, "Dancing with the Stars" produced ABC's biggest audience in the time slot in nearly 9 years - since 5/1/00.  Furthermore, excluding the "Academy Awards," the 8th season premiere represented ABC's most-watched telecast in over 1 year - since 11/27/07.   

"Castle" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
ABC's series premiere of "Castle" drew 11.6 million viewers and a 3.3 rating, 9 share in Adults 18-49, placing second in the 10 o'clock hour to CBS' veteran "C.S.I.: Miami."  The ABC drama outdelivered NBC's "Medium" (7.1 million & 2.5/6) by 4.5 million viewers and by 32% in Adults 18-49.   

* Compared to the Net's average in the hour this season with series programming, "Castle" improved the time period for ABC by 2.9 million viewers and by 18% in Adults 18-49 (8.7 million and 2.8/7).

* Among Adults 18-49, "Castle" opened as ABC's highest-rated regular Monday 10:00 p.m. series telecast in almost 16 months - since 11/19/07.  In addition, the new ABC program produced ABC's largest audience for any 10 o'clock drama telecast on the night in 9 years - since 3/12/01 with "Gideon's Crossing."     
 

[marigold]

An interview with Gilles Marini:

DWTS's Gilles In Pain: "I Couldn't Move My Arm"

Gilles Marini is a man on a mission. He wants that Dancing With the Stars' disco ball trophy—no matter how much it may hurt for him to get it.

While the Sex and the City showering stud tells me the tendonitis in his groin is gone, he's still having trouble with his shoulders.

When he woke up yesterday, Gilles couldn't lift his left arm. Just a couple of hours before last night's DWTS premiere, Gilles thought, "I'm freaking done. This is not good."

So how did the French model-actor overcome the pain in order for him and partner Cheryl Burke to waltz into the lead with 24 points? I caught up with Gilles this morning just after he took his son, Georges, to school.

Last time we spoke, you had just been diagnosed with tendonitis in your groin and your shoulders. How are you feeling today?
The groin is much better. The problem is yesterday morning I couldn't move my left arm. It was completely stuck. I had a separation or something inside my shoulder. It was like, "OK, I'm freaking done. This is not good." I took 2,000 milligrams of ibuprofen, and it had no effect. It wasn't working. Cheryl was like, "Fix that now." They had to make someone come emergency. She was a magician. All the nerves were twisting in there. This lady twisted me all around the place, and finally there was cracking and popping, and she put it back in place.

Aren't you scared of permanent damage?
Right now, who cares! I mean, it's an amazing rush and passion. Nothing is a permanent injury. Everything is fixable except for some diseases in the world. I had the knee injury like Nancy O'Dell four years ago. My meniscus was completely torn. I had surgery, and now I am completely healed.

OK, let's talk about your performance. You came out on top!
I don't  know what happened. It's a big blur—but it's a very good big blur. It's once dance at a time. I feel very happy for Cheryl because she put so much time into me. I never danced before.

What does your family in France think about you on Dancing With the Stars?
My mom doesn't know what is going on. She doesn't really understand. She's thinking I'm doing the tap dance in a local show. But she's coming for my son's birthday on Wednesday. She booked the ticket eight months when I had no idea I was going to be on the show. I know for a fact she's going to get crazy. She's going to be like, "Oh my God, what is going on?" She is very emotional.

http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b103704_dwtss_gilles_in_pain_i_couldnt_move_my.html

[marigold]

An interview with Nancy O'Dell:

Nancy O'Dell Jealous of Bachelor's — Er — Dancing's Melissa?

Crippled by a torn meniscus, Nancy O'Dell watched the Dancing with the Stars premiere from the sidelines instead of waltzing up a storm on the floor with Tony Dovolani. "That was tough because I so wanted to be a part of it," she tells TVGuide.com. O'Dell was replaced by The Bachelor's No. 2 gal, Melissa Rycroft, who netted a score of 23 with 48 hours of rehearsal. See what O'Dell has to say about her substitute, and get an update on her knee. We'll be checking in weekly with the Access Hollywood host and almost-contestant to get her take on Season 8, so be sure to come back next week.

TVGuide.com: How's your knee doing? Can you walk?
Nancy O'Dell: Yeah, I can walk fine. Walking and standing are no problem. The irony of it is that Jewel's in pain, but she doesn't have to have surgery. She's just resting. Mine doesn't hurt unless I go downstairs or I try to do twists and turns and I need surgery. ... The doctor said he could see it from three different views, which means it's a large tear and it will not heal itself, so I need surgery or it will totally mess up my knee in the future and I'll have long-term problems.

TVGuide.com: When are you having surgery?
O'Dell: Next week. Then I have rehab for six to eight weeks. I have an MDA [Muscular Dystrophy Association] bash that I'm hosting, which is another reason I'm bummed. My mom loved the show and she passed away from ALS and MDA was so instrumental in being there for us, and the Dancing cameras were gonna follow me. So I'm gonna go do that first. But it's driving me crazy. I'm so ready to get it done.

TVGuide.com: When did you tell Tony?
O'Dell: He was with me when I went to see the second doctor, which was the Dancing with the Stars doctor ... so Tony knew. He was very devastated because he thought he was out for the season too. I was so excited when I found out he had a new partner. I was so nervous when he stepped on the floor. He became, like, my family. Literally when he got into the position of how we start our routine, I was shaking.

TVGuide.com: Were you jealous of Melissa?
O'Dell: There was a part of me! [Laughs] I told Melissa after, "Oh my God! I totally know how you felt on The Bachelor. Here you are watching your man with another woman and I felt that!" I was more sad, but there was a part of me where I was like, you're doing my routine and you're wearing my dress. He didn't have time to choreograph anything else and wardrobe didn't have time to design another dress, so they just cut it about six inches for her. ... We were laughing because I was outside hosting Access earlier in the day and I heard "Moon River," which I would've danced to. So I knew they were rehearsing and I was like, "Oh my God, do not be a nerd and cry right now!" [Laughs] I have to admit I teared up because I put so much work into it.

TVGuide.com: Did you talk to her about this yet?
O'Dell: I talked to them after the show and she was so cute. I said, "You did it! Here you are with my man!" And she was like, "Thank you, thank you for everything!" I'm like, "Are you thanking me for getting injured?" [Laughs] She was like, "I feel like there's a reason for everything with everything I went through with The Bachelor, but now look at this!" We were just teasing each other, but I do think there's a reason for everything and for some reason I'm not supposed to be on this season. Maybe next season.

TVGuide.com: Are you going to come back next season?
O'Dell: That's what I'm hoping! [Laughs] The producers certainly can't commit yet, but they know that I'm definitely interested and Jewel said she's interested as well, so they know I'm pushing for it and the possibility is there.

TVGuide.com: They should do an injury season with you two and Misty May-Treanor.
O'Dell: I know! They need to have a comeback season. Jewel said she'll do it too.

TVGuide.com: Who was your favorite from Monday?
O'Dell: Well, of course Melissa and Tony. I thought Gilles [Marini] was great. He is the nicest, cutest person. I mean, not just talking about his looks, but his personality is so cute. I think women are gonna fall in love with him. He's kind of the one to watch. He was the first one to call me when he found out about my injury and he left the longest message about how he had a torn meniscus too and he told me how the surgery went and who his doctor is in L.A. "Please call me and I'll tell you all about it." It was really sweet. I think he could totally go all the way.

TVGuide.com: On our updated poll, Shawn [Johnson] is leading to win.
O'Dell: Oh, she did great, didn't she?! How am I doing on the updated poll?

TVGuide.com: Well you're not there anymore, unfortunately.
O'Dell: Darn it! [Laughs] Well, I guess Shawn does have a fanbase and she did so well last night. She's so freakin' cute. She's so little. You just wanna squeeze her. I was thinking, if ever at one point during the show, they had me, Lil Kim and Shawn, people would be like, "How tall is she? 6'5"?" They're both 4-feet something and I'm 5 feet 10. Lil Kim was good too and so sweet.

TVGuide.com: Do you think Melissa's going to get sympathy votes?
O'Dell: Oh, absolutely. I think her dancing deserves it, but she'll definitely get some sympathy votes because we're all mad at Jason! [Laughs] I said to her, "Now, look at you. You go danced like that after two days and you look tremendous. What do you want to say to Jason?" And she said, "Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha."

TVGuide.com: Would Jason ever be invited on?
O'Dell: I think it would be funny for Jason and Tony to do a dance-off. Wouldn't that be great? We could humiliate him.

TVGuide.com: You could train him for two days like Melissa.
O'Dell: Yeah and then make him do it and see how he does. This is a good idea we're having right now.

http://www.tvguide.com/Dancing-Stars/Nancy-ODell-Interview-1003904.aspx

[RealityFreakWill]

'Dancing with the Stars'' Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks the Morning After

The morning after Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks placed fifth on "Dancing with the Stars," the two were already hard at work on next week's dance -- the salsa -- and ET was there!

"I am so glad it is done and over," Chuck tells ET. "My first-day jitters are still around. As soon as we got our scores and got off stage, I said, 'We've got to go do the salsa.' Everybody is so great, so we have a lot of work ahead of us."

"Fifth out of 13 is great," Julianne adds. "If you are No. 1, you can only go down. We are toward the middle, so we can only progress."

Despite the long hours of rehearsal, Chuck says his body feels pretty good: "I have always been an athlete, but the first few weeks I was really sore."

"He has Twiggy legs. Now they are strong and muscular," Julianne reveals. Then she adds, "I like your skinny legs."

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/03/71623/

[RealityFreakWill]

'Dancing with the Stars'' Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke are No. 1

The morning after making his "Dancing with the Stars" debut, Gilles Marini, the hot Frenchman who is famous for his shower scene in 'Sex and the City,' tells ET he feels like a million dollars.

Gilles and his partner Cheryl Burke were awarded 24 points last night for their cha cha cha, which put them in first place. But what viewers may not know is that on Monday afternoon, just hours before it was time to perform, Gilles couldn't lift his arm and a therapist had to be called in.She fixed him up and by performance time, he was good to go.

"Three weeks ago, I didn't know how to dance," he says. "Cheryl makes me commit to it.

After last night's winning performance, Cheryl admits she went out and partied with her boyfriend, but Gilles, who is the father of two, went home.

"I went home like a good daddy and tucked my kids in bed," he says.

Next week, Gilles and Cheryl will be dancing the quickstep.

"It is completely different," says Cheryl, who rates Shawn Johnson and Melissa Rycroft as their biggest competitors. "He has to throw everything out the window and start over."

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/03/71621/

[marigold]

Maks Blog:

Maks’ Exclusive Blog: I Didn’t Make Denise Cry!

It has been crazy. I had to help Denise with the paparazzi yesterday. It’s a little nuts. I personally have never experienced it like this before–we’ve had paparazzi shoot us coming out of the clubs or whatever–but this…this is crazy. With Denise, it’s insane. Every time we leave the studio, there’s about 10, 20 photographers and they’re very…I didn’t know they were that pushy.

It’s actually scary because there’s no personal space, and then when they start driving after you, that becomes very bad, and that’s what happened yesterday. So I had to get Denise to her car and have her follow me when we left the studio to go to our wardrobe fitting for the next dance [the quick step] and cars were cutting each other off the whole way just to get a picture inside.

This is her life. With all the controversy she’s had in the past, sometimes things happen in life that make you a target for the paparazzi, your pictures rise in value, or sometimes it’s just that they make you into something else entirely.

It takes one false accusation or gossip to come out, and suddenly everybody’s taking your picture and they don’t even know why.

It’s pretty funny the way the whole thing works.

People keep asking me how my dancing with Denise puts pressure on my relationship with Karina—it doesn’t. I was brought up in a very family-oriented environment, with a lot of morals, but I’ve also been brought up as a person who doesn’t do anything unless it is exactly what you want. When I proposed to Karina, it wasn’t spur of the moment. If it was, I could have done it 10 years ago. The reason we started dating after all these years we’ve known each other is a testament to how true our relationship is.

I proposed now because this is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with and I don’t feel like I’m missing out.

And then that picture of me and Denise came out last week in the tabloids, and people talk. Whatever. Karina and I are laughing at these things. But obviously it’s hard, because you have to completely trust the other person, which I hope we’ve established.

And it’s not going to shake us up. If you are smart, and true to yourself, it doesn’t matter what people say or how they portray you.

Take, for example, our package from the premiere. We come out to do cha cha, we say ‘Hi Maks, Hi Denise,’ and BAM…we get in a fight, and she cries.

But that’s not what it was. It was that there was so much pressure. There is enormous pressure that comes with doing this show.

And I didn’t make Denise cry! What made her cry was the situation we were put in. What made her cry is, ‘Oh my God, we are days away and we’re going crazy trying to finish our dance.’

Now what it was made into was…I had a fit, and she responded with tears. Look, if that were true, you could make a package like that about me every single day of every single season.

But why didn’t you see it with Mel B.? Because I’ll tell you, Mel cried too.

And you know what, I’m pretty sure even Warren Sapp wanted to cry at one point. He actually texted me yesterday and we speak all the time, so I’m not putting the big man on the spot, but if you ask any of the alumni of the show, they will testify to how hard it is, how much pressure it is, and how difficult it is to keep your cool and NOT burst into tears and cry!

Okay, now that we cleared that up, I have to run into wardrobe consultation!

I’ll write more soon when I get a break in this crazy schedule.

Maks

http://www.fancast.com/blogs/tv-news/maks-exclusive-blog-i-didnt-make-denise-cry/

[RealityFreakWill]

Bachelor’s Melissa: The Ultimate Rebound

What a week it was for Melissa Rycroft! On March 2 viewers saw her get engaged to Jason Mesnick on The Bachelor, then, only minutes later, they saw her get dumped on the After the Final Rose special.

One week later to the day, Rycroft emerged smelling like a rose when she performed the Viennese waltz live on Dancing with the Stars. She had the support of not one, but two men — Dancing partner Tony Dovolani and new boyfriend, Ty, a former flame she started seeing after things went south with Mesnick. Rycroft calls Ty, a Dallas-based insurance agent, her “rock.”

In the latest issue of PEOPLE, Rycroft says all she wanted to do after the Bachelor drama was go back to her life in Dallas. But when she got a call on Friday, March 6, from Dancing producers asking her to fill in last-minute for injured Access Hollywood host Nancy O’Dell, she couldn’t resist.

“This is a reward, in a way, for what just happened,” Rycroft says, knowing that sore muscles and all, the opportunity was a no-brainer.

Even though doing the waltz made the former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader “feel like an elephant in high heels,” Rycroft says her objective was simple: “to go and have fun. That’s the best I can do.”

Rycroft received two standing ovations from Dancing’s March 9 audience –- when she took the floor for the first time and after she executed an admirable waltz with Dovolani.

The affection touched her heart. “I cannot think of a bigger word than overwhelming,” Rycroft said of her debut.


http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/03/11/bachelors-melissa-the-ultimate-rebound/

[marigold]

Love the caption!

A Letter from Woz "Post Dance"



On Mar 10, 2009, at 1:29 AM, Steve Wozniak wrote:

I want to thank all the supporters and fans who are watching DWTS to see me. If enough people like me or relate to me and watch it, they will become a visible demographic and that will keep me on the show.

Tonight the judges were not in tune with what the public likes. The live audience applauded a judge's comment that what my partner and I did was what the show was about. The press people that we talked with for an hour or so afterwards all told me that they cheered our dance, from their quarters. The dancers gave total support and indicated that we did great after our post-interview, and they did so for none of the other dances.

I have hundreds of emails saying the same sort of thing, that people loved our dance.

Karina became aware of my playful joking nature some time ago. As she was supposed to do, she choreographed a dance around my personality. We didn't take it easy. This is a balls-out, sweating routine. We built in lots of comedy. At the start I have a pink boa (the 'softer' Woz) and I blow a kiss rather effeminately towards the audience. I keep my smile and eyes on the audience throughout. Early on I sway my hips out as I rotate, for comedy. At 3 points we swing our hips while ducking down together, again for comedy. I make one turn with a cat's paw move and, unknown to you, I yelled "meow" in my loudest voice. It couldn't carry over the orchestra but at least Karina heard it and maybe the nearby judges. Nobody knows that I had planned to shake my butt towards the judges at that turn but didn't do it. Later, after the knee walks, I shimmied and pretended to remove a dress. Well, the producers wouldn't let us cross-dress on this family show. Another funny point was when I took Karina on my right leg and smiled at the audience, then on my left thigh with an open mouthed look of shock, just for comedy. There was even a bit more.

Someone has to try things a bit out of the normal.

Well, the judges gave us the lowest score. But the audience applauded one of the judges saying that what we did was what the show was all about. I don't believe that they did much similar applauding for any of the other dances.

Afterward we spoke with press for an hour. They all said how in the press room they had cheered us only, loving our dance. One press person said she was getting lots of messages saying how much people loved our dance. She didn't get any such messages for any of the other dancers.

When Karina and I returned and finished our post-interview, the other dancers all told us how much they loved our dance and how fun it was. I have made a lot of good friends among the dancers and celebrities, and being nice helps.

Karina and I did exactly as we planned, so we came away extremely happy. I hit every beat. I didn't hear any specific comments about not leading with toes or having toes pointing wrong, or a hand upside down, or leaning forward, or having a foot miss even a single beat (it didn't happen). All I heard was some teletubby comment, which might be valid. I would say that there is a big mismatch between the judges' votes and the audience responses. That might be a matter for the producers.

I went into the dances deciding in advance how little the judges' scores mean. Through the dress rehearsal, it was easy to see two equal performances getting very different scores. I truly expect, from things I'm seeing and hearing, that I may even wind up winning last night's contest once the online voting ends.

I do love all my fans who actually vote for me, via phone or online. We can show the DWTS people that we represent a large demographic that is new to the show.

More tomorrow after I see the doctor.
floating, Woz -- -- tv is wake zone

http://www.woz.org/

[marigold]

.... more on Steve

Apple's Wozniak Turns to Social Media for Dancing with Stars Support

Puts Social Media Marketing to the Real Test

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak appeared on Dancing with the Stars last night and came in last place. Now he wants help getting votes.

Naturally he's turned to social media. There's a Tweet stream set up: http://twitter.com/votewoz

There are other sites dedicated solely to voting for Wozniak on Dancing with the Stars.  "With sites like VoteWoz.com and Woz.org supporting the Silicon Valley icon, he's hoping that he'll get enough viewer votes to push him past other Dancing contestants like Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson, rapper Lil' Kim and Bond girl Denise Richards," says Sharon Gaudin at ComputerWorld.  Wozniak  even says there's an iPhone app on the way.

With Apple's rabid fan following, this should be quite a test of just how effective social media marketing can be. On the other hand,  even a MacWorld reporter had this to say about it:

The rest of the article is here:  http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2009/03/10/apples-wozniak-turns-to-social-media-for-dancing-with-stars-support

[marigold]

.... more of the same:

Geeks Rush To Boost Steve Wozniak's Dance Score

Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak delighted geeks by dancing with Karina Smirnoff Monday on TV's Dancing With the Stars. But not everyone appreciated the Woz's grace on the dance floor.

While his performance was strongly criticized and the judges gave him only 13 of a possible 30 points, the geek community rushed to Wozniak's defense. Viewer votes could push him past the other contestants. On Facebook, a Vote for Woz page already had more than 1,500 members Tuesday, and others are following Twitter's Votewoz.

On woz.org, Wozniak told his fans they can vote up to 13 times with a cell phone. And he said an iPhone app to vote for him should be on Apple's iTunes Store soon.

He added, "Your support has made a huge difference in my outlook and transition from fear to enjoyment, at least so far. So thank you very much for everything. I'd like to demonstrate, by viewers and voters, that people in the entertainment businesses (including professional sports) are not the only people in this world that count."

Attired in a pink boa over a black shirt and pants, Wozniak, according to judge Bruno Tonioli, was "like a Teletubby going mad in a gay pride parade." Judge Len Goodman liked the Woz's knee spin but not his cha-cha. And judge Carrie Ann Inaba called the smiling Wozniak's performance "heartwarming."

Smirnoff, a Russian ballerina, called Wozniak the "nicest man alive."

Wozniak is expected to dance on the show again next week.

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nf/20090310/tc_nf/65200

[tory]

omg the geek squad!!! love it ..

the season opener was ok something was missing for me?? i don't no what though i love this show so i will allways watch, i think it is awsome that melissa got chosen for the show and she did a great job.
i hope next week is better

[marigold]

Chuck Wicks Blog:

First Day On The Set Of DWTS!!

NERVOUS!!! I'm sitting in the Hair and make-up trailor with julianne right now and she said she just blogged.....now let me give you my bird eyes view on things!! haha 
 
just did the walk through of walking down the stairs for the opening of the show! piece of cake! lol...i wish dancing was as easy as walking!
 
did some camera blocking dismorning and ran the dance through a few times and the first 2 were pretty good....the last one was much better!
 
the girls get plenty of attention around here when it comes to hair and make up! julianne has been in hair and make up for like 3 hours!! she doesn't need it, but they do a great job! Ty Murray just sat down in the make up chair and told the lady this is as good as it gets! hahaha...love that guy jewel will be showing up later, to support Ty......LT is a Big Man! and very nice! Steve-O is very soft spoken but very unpredictable....cool guy. Derrick Hough and I have been hanging out a little today killing time and he's pretty amped about his album that comes out tommorow called "BALLAS HOUGH BAND"........
 
Talked with Steve WOZ, such a sweetheart of a guy and incredibly SMART! haha... He was showing us a special type of watch today that i won't even get into because i don't even know where to start....long story.
 
kinda been watching the other dancers and stars rehearse and they're all really good!!! i think this season will be alot of fun to watch!!
 
ALRIGHT...i'm being called for Hair and make-up! lol....who would of thought?
 
VOTE FOR US AND WISH ME LUCK!!!
 
CHUCK

http://www.chuckwicks.com/blog.html

[marigold]

Ty Murray's Blog:

March 10, 2009

‘I was definitely out of my comfort zone’

Well, what can I say, I'm a little bummed. We did so well in rehearsal today that I had a lot of confidence going into tonight, and then I saw a lot people getting nervous. I thought, "I'm not going to get nervous."

My whole career was riding in front of big crowds and on television. I mean, that's all I did for a living for a majority of my life. But I was definitely out of my comfort zone, trying to remember everything, trying to relax, trying to smile and trying not to think about my two best buddies sitting in the front row.

At that point, I was trying not to think about how hard I would have been laughing if it was one of them – not in a bad way – because it would be so funny to watch Cody Lambert or Jim Sharp doing what I was doing.

It's all still so new to me and, like I said, we were killing it in rehearsal, so we'll go back to work.

Jewel said it looked like I had the most trouble when Chelsie would turn loose on me, so the good news is that next week is the quick step. We kind of hold on to one another the whole time, so maybe that will help me out. I think getting the first show out of the way will help, and now I know a little more of what to expect.

I thought the judges were fair. Actually I thought they were more than fair. By far, I messed up the most tonight and it's a little embarrassing to think I got nerved-up on a dancing show.

I put a lot of work into it, and Chelsie put a lot of work into, and I was trying not to let her down. Then you have 20 million people watching me do something way out of my element and it's a heck of a lot tougher than it looked when I was sitting on the couch--I know that.

The good news is that no one gets voted off this week, and we have another week to train. It feels like the quick step is coming a little easier for me than, perhaps, what the Latin stuff did, and every day you just get a little more accustomed to it.

I'll just practice hard and try to do a bang-up job next Monday.

The thing about messing up tonight and getting bad marks from the judges is that it leaves us a lot of room for improvement next week.

http://www.pbrnow.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/3/10/I-was-definitely-out-of-my-comfort-zone

[marigold]

.... another blog from Ty:

March 11, 2009

‘I can’t believe how much encouragement I’m getting’

I'm blown away by all the support that I have. So many people seem to be behind me on this deal that it makes me feel like I'm carrying a flag for all the cowboys and the western lifestyle. I never dreamed we would be getting this much support.

When we got done with the show Monday night, my phone was blowing up with like 60 text messages. In fact, I got so many texts that my battery was dead. I've looked through all the blog comments and the blog traffic is unbelievable!

The encouragement I've read is going on at all sorts of sites, from my daily blog to other blogs about "Dancing with the Stars." That kind of support is amazing to me, and it's something that can help me next week...I hope.

We got in about four hours of practice on Tuesday. It's like four hours is all your feet can take when you drill it and drill it and drill it. You get to the point after four hours where you're so tired and sore that you start to make mistakes, but we're going to try to work in five hours tomorrow. Our plan is to take a 10-minute break at the four-hour mark, regroup and then hit it hard again for another 50 minutes.

There was a big sign in the studio today that showed a guy stretching and sweating, and he had rosin all over his feet. In big letters, at the bottom of the poster, it said: DANCING IS WORK. I would not have known what that poster meant a month ago.

Like I said before, I can't believe how much encouragement I'm getting from all over the country. It's truly amazing and it does help.

Chelsie and I are working on the quick step now, and it's completely different from the cha-cha.

You can't say it's harder. Trying to compare the quick step to the cha-cha would be a lot like comparing bull riding to bronc riding. They're both really hard, but for really different reasons.

We're focused in on the task. Chelsie and I are still both vested in this, so we're going to give it all we have this week and see what happens Monday night.

http://www.pbrnow.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/3/11/I-cant-believe-how-much-encouragement-Im-getting

[tory]

ty mg thoses blogs r cute from chuck and ty they even blog in country love love it...

[RealityFreakWill]

'DWTS''s Gilles Marini Injury News

ET has new information about an injury suffered by French hunk Gilles Marini, who wowed viewers in his debut performance with Cheryl Burke on "Dancing with the Stars."


Gilles, who is famous for his sexy shower scene in 'Sex and the City,' suffered a separated shoulder but tells ET he still plans to come back for the next "Dancing with the Stars" on Monday.


Gilles and Burke were awarded 24 points Monday night for their cha cha routine, which put the pair in first place. It was later revealed that just hours before that performance, had Gilles complained that he couldn't lift his arm and a therapist had to be called in to fix him up before the show.

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/03/71722/index.html

[RealityFreakWill]

Injuries continue to plague ‘Dancing’ cast
Marini separates shoulder, bad back could force Steve-O out of competition

“Dancing With the Stars” has yet another casualty. “Sex and The City” actor Gilles Marini has suffered a shoulder injury, but he is not planning to drop out of the competition.

“Gilles Marini has separated his shoulder but still is dancing,” a rep for the actor told Access Hollywood.

The news comes just three days after the season 8 premiere of the reality TV hit, which saw Gilles and partner Cheryl Burke wow the judges with a sexy cha cha cha, netting a 24 out of 30 score from the judges — the highest total of the night.

Marini is the third contestant to suffer a serious injury since rehearsals began, with a possible two additional injured “Stars” out there as well.

Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell had to pull out of the competition before the season premiere due to a torn meniscus in her knee and country singer Jewel had to bow out with a fractured tibia in both legs.

But Marini may not be the only wounded “Star” this week.

Photos surfaced early Thursday of computer wiz Steve Wozniak walking with a boot on his left foot. No details were immediately available on Wozniak’s injury.

Additionally, Steve O told AccessHollywood.com’s “Dish of Salt” Laura Saltman on Wednesday that he has a bad back that may force him out of the competition.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29658122/

[RealityFreakWill]

Cheryl Burke to Dancing Fans: Let’s Make a Deal!

Some would call it naked ambition.

But two-time Dancing with the Stars champ Cheryl Burke prefers looking at it as an incentive program — one to get fans to get vote for her and her partner, French actor Gilles Marini.

“Every week we advance, he will lose one piece of clothing,” Burke says, giggling. “He’s the naked guy from the Sex and the City movie, and people know he has a great body. So he can pull it off.”

The pair have already pulled off a feat after Monday’s premiere: they are at the top of the leader board, scoring a 24 out of 30, after earning high marks from the judges for their cha cha.

Burke’s concern is that Marini, known for his “revealing” role as Samantha Jones’s neighbor, doesn’t have as big of a Stateside fan base as some of the other celebrities on the show.

Hence, the idea for the weekly strip tease.

Marini says he is game for the challenge.

“I will do whatever it takes,” he says. “Cheryl is the boss.”

http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/03/12/cheryl-burke-to-dancing-fans-lets-make-a-deal/