Dancing with the Stars: Week 1
By Lisa Cannavo
On a cool September evening, one’s fancy turns to the show that always has the country talking..and I don’t mean the return of “Gossip Girl”. As the first week of DWTS ended, I came to the conclusion..
1) Alec Mazo is definitely breaking his 1week and buh-bye jinx…thanks Toni Braxton!
2) Jeffrey Ross just killed any chance of seeing Edyta after his Cha-Cha-cha.
3) Cloris Leachman is one funny old broad.
4) Susan Lucci makes my mother look even more malnourished.
5) I lied..I want to come back as Brooke Burke after having 4 kids in my next life..
…But if anyone even mentioned Ted McGinley and going home in the same sentence for Night #2..I’d say whatever they were smoking wasn’t potent enough. In a show that is always full of surprises, sequins, spray tans, and Bruno’s colorful analogies; I truly thought that the man who is synonymous with Jump the Shark and sitcoms would be around for another couple weeks. It just goes to show you that unless you are Anthony Edwards or Robert Carradine, “Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love” will reek of karma for a good decade and a half.. Timothy Busfield, you won immunity for “Thirtysomething” and “Studio 30″. And with only one week in, the hospital visits have begun! Here’s how my three-night campout on the sofa looked…
Brooke Burke/Derek Hough: Julianne’s brother got another knockout and as anyone could tell; probably a trip to the finals after a strong two nights. Unlike rumored love Shannon Elizabeth, Brooke’s legs are going to be an asset this time around. Her Cha-Cha-Cha showed how toned her body is and she was born to dance (23/30). Her Quickstep transformed the sexy soccer mom to a Hollywood diva making my favorite old Brit Len to reiterate how her dance was the best dance of the night so far. It was back to back first place finishes for the Wild On hostess (26/30).
Cloris Leachman/Corky Ballas: Ok, she’s 82; has a bunion, high blood pressure, osteoperosis, and a mouth like a sailor. What’s there not to love about America’s Favorite Crazy Old Bat??? Mark’s dad has resigned himself of the fact that he may not be taking the title from his son, but in the meantime; is using her entertainment as a platform. So what if her Foxtrot showed too much cleavage for Len’s liking? (16/30). And she apparently predated the Mambo (16/30)? The wackiness, censoring, and ten spots worked to give the calamity that is Phyllis to the public for another week.
Cody Linley/Julianne Hough: I’m thinking the powers-that-be realized the disaster of pairing Julianne with Adam Carolla and rewarded her with Hannah Montana’s on-screen love interest. Which in itself is an advantage with the ‘tweens. The youngest couple took flight by coming out with energy and showing in their Cha-Cha-Cha; with the caution going directly to Cody about tempering/evening out said enthusiasm (too much drooling, Codester!). There definitely is incredible potential here (18/30). Their Quickstep showed the overnight maturity in the ballroom with him; showing that indeed while he is still on the loose side (and according to Adam still prepubescent); a Hough Final Four would never be ruled out. (23/30).
Kim Kardashian/Mark Ballas: “I’m in the best hands possible!” gleefully exclaims the reality TV princess; right before she walks into a table. Her self-admission of having not so good balance as well as oh, um, a certain internet adult cinematic classic puts her at 0-2 before the competition began for her. Reigning champ Mark better channel his Henry Higgins and turn this beauty around. Her Foxtrot (19/30) showed a clean,yet unemotional interpretation which made Kristi Yamaguchi’s emotionless issues of last season seemingly happy. And where did she finish??? . And then, there’s the Mambo…which drove Bruno crazy. How could one known for such a posterior not shake what her mama or plastic surgeon gave her??? (18/30).
Lance Bass/Lacey Schwimmer: Another thing Lance is admitting to..being the worst dancer in N-Sync. While Joey Fats was the showman (and a runner-up in Season 4); Lance is relying soley on the help of Technicolor streaked-hair newcomer Lacey (Yes, she’s David’s cousin! Yes, she was in the finals of “So You Think You Can Dance”! Yes, she’s the one who briefly dated David Cook! Yes, you may regret being alone with her in a dark alley!). Personality nowithstanding, the Cha-Cha-Cha from Night 1 had an edge to it that of course Len being of the Old School didn’t like (22/30). The Quickstep was dynamic and had a fresh take to it. But then, that was Bruno’s opinion. (21/30).
Maurice Green/Cheryl Burke: Call me crazy (and I will answer); but looking at Maurice on Night 1, was anyone thinking of the pimp pageant from “I’m Gonna Get You, Sucka” and Antonio Fargas’ platformed shoes with the goldfish bowl? Night 1 had the Olympian citing he wanted to go out there and have fun. The Foxtrot was indeed wonderful and wacky (18/30). And then, there was the Mambo…while the transitions are still in need of being cleaned up; the Worm that was thrown in for good measure was one freestyle move too tacky for Len. (21/30).
Misty May-Treanor/Maksim Chmerkovskiy: The person everyone has been waiting for has returned from… his one season sabbatical. And as of Night 2’s end; he may have come back at a good time. The Medalist wants to show that she can be a lady; and Maks has his work cut out for him. However, in 2 nights; the volleyball player has gumption and spunk (which we like). Strong showings in her Foxtrot (21/30) and her Mambo (21/30) could see Misty as a dark horse with her elegance, intensity, and legs like Stacy Keibler..
Rocco DiSpirito/Karina Smirnoff: Anyone will tell you that if a hottie chef cooks for you upon your first meeting; you will do whatever it takes to make him see life out of the kitchen. Ok, so Night 1 should have had the chef cooking up a storm for the judges after his disastrous and chaotic Foxtrot (14/30). But not even a sprained ankle suffered by Karina would slow her down. The next night had the Mambo..and Mamma Mia! What a transformation!!! Any thoughts of Rocco being eliminated were squelched after what Carrie-Ann called a “super sexy performance” (21/30).
Susan Lucci/Tony Dovolani: La Lucci is not only disturbingly toned; but she is going to be a closet threat with the Ballroom dances. Her Cha-Cha-Cha was too timid and safe; showing everyone she is 61 and not the Erica Kane of the Latin dance (15/30). BTW, what was that comment by Carrie-Ann to gain weight???? Susan came back on Night 2 with a Quickstep that showed a colorful and powerful side that made Len observe that Ballroom may be her forte (22/30). No matter what, the AMC fans got her back.
Warren Sapp/Kym Johnson: Oh man, this guy is another one to watch for. He’s a retired NFL player. And we know how well those guys tend to do (Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Jason Taylor). Gotta be the Gatorade. And if anyone knows how big this former Bucaneer is; you’d be surprised how light he is on his feet. He is a 300 pound man. He is a ton of fun, and his Cha-Cha-Cha showed he’s going to be a bundle of joy to watch (21/30). Decked out in his urban Grimace suit for the Quickstep, Warren’s footwork still needs improvement; but his entertainment value is in his corner (22/30). The male fans who watch for the token sports representative may notice Kym looks a little different now; which means more votes called in from Hooters…
Toni Braxton/Alec Mazo: Love definitely brought the fans to their feet this week and didn’t send the Grammy winner home early. While discussing her well-known battle with Microvalve Angina; Toni made it clear to the Season 1 champ that she wants to conquer her fears and not be held back anymore. What was shown in her Cha-Cha-Cha was a “Week 5 style” performance, as noted by Carrie-Ann. And Bruno being Bruno was glistening like the glitter on his jacket. His Diva requirements were met; and then some (22/30). Her Quickstep was light and airy on Night 2 (23/30). And would someone email me and tell me I’m not seeing things…Girlfriend looks the same now as she did back when “Unbreak My Heart” came out!!!! Where’s Tyson Beckford??!!
Jeffrey Ross/Edyta Silwinska: I said it before and I’ll say it again. Poor Edyta. Not only did she get sent home way too early; but she somehow poked The Friar’s Club Roastmaster in the eye during rehearsal; rendering him with a patch. Which he should have left on during that uncomfortable Cha-Cha-Cha (12/30). He may have given ABC another reality show idea: “Eating with the Comics”. While he was gracious upon his elimination; he did say that he did it for the guys. And hey, to be able to dance with Edyta? And to think he was afraid she was going to hit on him……
Ted McGinley/Inna Brayer: I am still shaking my head over this one. While I wasn’t planning on seeing him during The Finals; I was kind of hoping that in a couple weeks Anson Williams or Ed O’Neill would peek into rehearsal with some words of encouragement. Since I’m waiting patiently for Henry Winkler to committ to appearing and he was Marlee Matlin’s special guest last season; I decided to use Potsie Webber and Al Bundy. His Foxtrot showed signs of schizophrenia: the elegance of Cary Grant and then the mania of Steve Carrell; but for the self-described Guy’s guy; it showed style (18/30). As for his Mambo..whatever attempts to make it “mambolicious” seemed to be awkward; although Len found it to be a commendable effort (19/30). Inna, sorry we didn’t get to visit with you for longer!
Related posts:
- Dancing with the Stars: Week 8 Y
- Dancing with the Stars: Week 6 I
- Dancing with the Stars: Week 4 “Th
- Dancing with the Stars: Week 5
- Dancing with the Stars: Week 3 “A
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Recent Comments