DWTS

Carrie Ann, Len, and Bruno – the trio of Dancing with the Stars judges is a big part of the success of the show. What do I mean? Watch the judges’ best moments from Season 12 summed up in a little rap.

Week 5 of Dancing with the Stars paired All American tunes to ballroom and Latin dances. Um yeah, weird. But for some, it worked like Hines Ward and Chelsea Kane. With the Houghs, Derek and Julianne, not dancing, Mark Ballas probably has the best choreography in Season 12.

What does Dancing with the Stars competitor, Hines Ward, think about the Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio, reenacting “The Crane” in one of his dances?

Q: Can you convince Ralph Macchio that he has to use “The Crane” during one of his dances?

Haha. I don’t think Ralph needs much convincing to do that. My guess is that that may be his secret weapon and we may see it at some point during the competition. I would love to see it myself.

from the Los Angeles Times.

For Week 4 of Dancing with the Stars, I have to go back to Mark Ballas and Chelsea Kane as one of my favorites. That Viennese Waltz was truly enchanting.

And speaking of the Karate Kid, here’s Ralph and Karina dancing the waltz. During the entire performance, I kept thinking, “Be strong, Daniel” from the movie Karate Kid.

Week 3 of Dancing with the Stars had many solid performances. I enjoyed Mark and Chelsea, but they were my favorites on Week 2 so I want to offer some variety. Kendra and Petra did well, but I wasn’t feeling their dances. I couldn’t decide on one, so I have two favorites from Week 3. The first is Hines Ward and Kym Johnson jiving to the elements otherwise known as Earth, Wind, and Fire.

Second is Kirstie Alley almost busting Maks’ leg only 20 seconds into their Rumba, and what a recovery! The song choice of Brudda Iz Over the Rainbow was a heavenly pick.

The twelfth season of Dancing with the Stars is going into its third week tonight but before that, here’s my pick from Week 2 in the competition. It’s Mark Ballas and Chelsea Kane doing a weird and wonderful jive.

This unique dance didn’t go over well with the judges, deviating too far from a traditional jive. But hey, I had just watched Finding Neverland earlier in the week, and Mark’s choreography reminded of Johnny Depp character and personality. And I am entertained by the weird and wonderful 🙂

Sadly, something happened to my recording of the Week 1, but the surprising favorite has to be the Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio. Daniel Larusso may very well be Karina Smirnoff’s best bet at the DWTS mirrorball trophy, not Mario Lopez. Ralph’s common dude look, his aw-shucks demeanor, and yes, his dancing ability are a winning combination.

Could it be Dancing with the Stars is appealing to a younger, hipper audience? In seasons past, the youth movement wasn’t as big on the competition featuring B-listers, former stars, and (mostly) retired sports jocks. But check out the early results in Season 11.

Week 1, internationally infamous David Hasselhoff is out. Both you and I know the Hoff as Michael Knight and Mitch Buchannon, but today’s kids are like, “that burger-eating drunk on YouTube?”

Week 2 saw 80’s crooner Michael Bolton in the elimination spotlight. Maybe kids would have recognized him if he still had his CD signature long locks.

So what can we extrapolate for Week 3, Story Night? Jennifer Grey will be safe with her Harry Potter routine. Oh, that’s not Harry Potter? Oh well, close enough for the kids. Kurt Warner will be there next week (and I think he can still take a NFL snap or two). Kyle Massey? Disney got his back.

Margaret Cho is in danger but exuding gay pride this week, she might get new allies. Cheryl Burke now has partner Rick Fox disrobing while dancing (and his gf Eliza Dushku in the audience). It’s a successful strategy.

Audrina Patridge waltzed her way to the top this week, and if it is true, the young, hip voters will keep Bristol Palin and “The Situation” dancing. I mean how else has this greasy french fry stuck around?

So that leaves Florence Henderson. Mrs. Brady is an icon, but will her emotional Sound of Music waltz resonate with the young’ens?

Amongst all the shows that started this week, twelve new stars took to the ballroom floor in Season 11 of Dancing with the Stars. Wait… no Edyta?! Why bother watching? 😉

But really, the Season 11 stars surprised me. I thought Season 10 was good, but there’s a bunch of potential with this group. Even the DWTS elder, Mrs. Brady, moved better than I’d given her credit for. Sometimes she even moved better than the Hoff. I guess all that crime fighting as Michael Knight and life guarding as Mitch Buchannon took a toll on David Hasselhoff’s bod.

Here’s a quick synopsis of Week 1.

• Audrina Patridge – Pro partner Tony Dovolani is thanking the dancing gods. Audrina has a slim chance at the Mirrorball trophy but at least listens to her partner.
• Brandy – focused
• Bristol Palin – office clerk who’s in the spotlight but is not comfortable with the spotlight.
• Jennifer Grey – didn’t recognize her as Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing. Could go very far with the Patrick Swayze sentiment.
• Kurt Warner – bringing his leadership to the floor and smoother than expected, but can he salsa?
• Kyle Massey – my favorite from Week 1. This chubby cherub can rock!
• Margaret Cho – probably gonna upset the judges one or two more times before elimination.
• Michael Bolton – meh, liked him better with his long locks.
• Mike Sorrentino – Karina Smirnoff is going to break The Situation.
• Rick Fox – he’s dating Eliza Dushku? He divorced Vanessa Williams in 2005? Wow, I’m out of touch. Cheryl Burke gotta like her chances of winning another one.

Here’s Kyle Massey rocking the cha cha cha.

And surprisingly, the Hoff was eliminated in Week 1. Yes, his dancing was bad, but I thought his fame would carry him for a bit.

While the official list of Dancing with the Star contestants (and pros) isn’t announced until next week, there are a bunch of rumors going around. So far I’m not digging the lineup. David Hasselhoff extends the Baywatch connection, and he might be entertaining to watch. Michael Bolton. Former NFL QB, Kurt Warner. Singer Brandy. Michael Sorrentino from Jersey Shore (which I’ve never watched). Audrina Patridge from The Hills (another show I haven’t seen).

From these alone, I’d have to root for the Hoff just because…

Congratulations to Nicole Scherzinger for winning the championship of Dancing with the Stars! Season 10 featured talented performers with a great top three dancing it out in the Finals. Potential dancing queen, Erin Andrews was the first to fall then Nicole and Derek knocked out Evan and Anna with a jamming jive.

If you missed Nicole’s Finals performances, here they are.

Nicole and Derek owned Season 10, averaging a score of 28.1 over all their dances, and they kept their game in check. Derek didn’t get sick, Nicole didn’t cover up, spat with Brooke Burke, or get all diva, and the pair didn’t adopt a dorky moniker. No fail here!

Season 10 of DWTS will be tough to top, not only for the talent but for these hidden gems. Though these gems can’t beat what Gilles Marini showed in Season 8.

Could it be?  Could ESPN analyst Erin Andrews be the 10th champion of Dancing with the Stars?  Highly regarded to be a DWTS Finals of Evan Lysacek and Nicole Scherzinger, underdog Erin made a statement for the mirrorball trophy with solid dances.

Erin’s first performance reprising the rumba bested Evan and Nicole, and I must say that her freestyle stood out for its daring and difference.  Using a couch and bed as props was risky, but they were rewarded for taking a chance.  Only a miscue in Derek and Nicole’s freestyle prevented the pair from receiving the highest overall score of the night.

Evan and Anna had a rocky first night of the Finals, coming in third.  Who knew that choreographing a freestyle routine would give so much grief for the dancing pros?

Whoa, the Semi-Finals for Season 10 of Dancing with the Stars was sweet! The level of competition was up there, and everyone was on their game. Erin Andrews proved she belonged in the top three with continued improvements, and Cheryl Burke shaped Chad Ochocinco into a contender.

The real battle is between Evan Lysacek and Nicole Scherzinger. Evan and Anna’s paso doble to Evanescence’s Bring Me To Life was primal and controlled fury. Best all-around performance for Evan I think.

But then there’s that Hawaii girl turned Pussycat Doll. She and that master choreographer Derek Hough, that’s a power packed duo. The Argentine Tango is becoming one of my favorite dances. The complexity and timing of this dance can make you or break you. I loved the lines of Derek and Nicole in their perfectly scored performance.

Nicole and Derek’s second dance of the Semi-Finals got a sneak peek before the commercial break and what a setup that was. Nicole decked out in purple looking like his highness Prince doing the cha cha cha. And that ending. Just watch Bruno’s contortions in the background and you’ll understand.

To no surprise, the dancers headed to the DWTS Finals are Evan, Nicole, and Erin. Chad Ochocinco became a dancing contender, but he’s not a dancing champion (yet).

DWTS Finals. Next week. Derek Hough and Nicole Scherzinger. Freestyle. Can’t wait!