Dancing With the Stars Archives

May 19, 2009

"Dancing With The Stars:" Shawn Johnson Wins it All

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(ABC)


Closest ever...and the winner is: Shawn and Mark.

Don't be surprised, "Dancing With The Stars" fans.

She was the best. Absolutely the best. Mark Ballas too.

Congrats to both.

(Meanwhile, if there is anyone who doubts whether she was the best, check out her winning freestyle, on the jump, from the other night. Scroll in three minutes...This was a "no contest.")

>> Photos: "Dancing With the Stars" Season 8

Continue reading ""Dancing With The Stars:" Shawn Johnson Wins it All" »

"DWTS:" And The Winner Is...

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My pick to win. (Pix: Getty)

Now, the post you've all been waiting for...

Who will win "DWTS?"

Here's Pierre Dulaine's order:

1.) Gilles wins

2.) Melissa/ 2nd

3.) Shawn/3rd

Now, here's Gay's picks.

1.) Shawn wins.

2.) Gilles/ 2nd

3,) Melissa/ 3rd

Of course, there's another dance tonight, and judges' scores to be factored into the vote. But...if Shawn and Gilles merely tie via the judges tonight, as they did last night, then I think the voters will push her over the edge. It'll be a slight margin of victory, but that's my hunch.

We'll see.

May 12, 2009

"DWTS:" Pierre's Picks

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Front 'o the pack? (ABC)


As faithful readers know, I've had the chance to rely this season on one of the world's great dance teachers - Pierre Dulaine - for my weekly analysis. PD's been on the road last two weeks, but he's back just in time for next week's finale, bless 'im.

(Also, please go here to find out more about Pierre and the fine work he does in New York City and environs...)


In any event, he gives last night to Melissa and Gilles; Ty is gone. Here's Pierre's wrap:


Melissa and Tony
: Quickstep: Lively - energetic - good choreography; PD 10, Judges 9 - 10 - 9
Cha Cha: Not grounded enough here for real Latin feel; PD 9, Judges 9 - 9 - 9


Gilles and Cheryl: Waltz: Elegant - good partnering, stiff at times; PD 9, judges 10 - 10 - 10
Salsa: Excellently choreographed - very loose & relaxed; PD 10, Judges 10 - 10 1- 10


Shawn and Mark: Argentine Tango: Was not impressed - too rough, music from Take the Lead; PD 9, Judges 10 - 10 - 10
Jive : Was O.K....but looked 'heavy going,' was disappointed; PD 9, Judges 9 - 8 - 9


Ty and Chelsie: Viennese Waltz: Tried very. hard - awkward and not smooth enough; PD 8, Judges 8 - 9 - 8
Samba: Too physical - not relaxed - looked rushed; PD 8, Judges 8 - 7 - 8

May 5, 2009

'Dancing with the Stars': Lil' Kim...

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(Getty Images Photo)

Nice picture of Lil' Kim, above, from the 2008 BET Awards, and nice run on "DWTS," now officially over.

Surprised? Well, yeah, sure. She was, too. But between her and Ty - in a draw (which it wasn't, in fact) - I always figured he'd pull out ahead in the popular vote. She and Derek beat him/Chelsie soundly on Monday - 52 to 46, which is a big margin this late in the game. But the viewers liked Ty. The other interesting thing about him - he's gotten better week to week. She always seemed pretty good. That may have played in his favor, too, with the viewer/voter.

And so now, over, for Lil.'

Your final four: Shawn vs. Gilles vs. Ty vs. Melissa...

April 29, 2009

"DWTS:" Big, Fat Edge to Gilles & Cheryl

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If Mel doesn't get better (fast), your winners... (Getty)

Sure, yeah, why not. Chuck: I thought he had a chance of holding on another week, but...

This leaves the field to...Gilles and Shawn and Melissa. Lil' Kim can't win - doesn't have the popular vote; Ty can't win - doesn't have the judges' vote.

And...if Mel's rib is bad as she seemed to indicate Tuesday, then this probably gets down to Shawn and Gilles.

In "DWTS," tie between guy and gal always goes to the guy; that's the way voters roll on this show. Plus, Gilles is the best, too (loved his - what WAS that? - Lindy hop the other night too.)

So that should make this call an easy one, right? Unless Gilles gets hurt, he is almost certainly our winner. Again: Mel's gotta get better fast, or he and Cheryl are the ones...

April 27, 2009

Melissa: The Dance Will Go On

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(Kelsey McNeal / ABC)

Melissa hurt? Not to worry...not to WORRY.

Unless you want to worry, in which case, worry.

But Mel has cracked a rib, and got hurt - I do believe that up until tonight she was the only one who hadn't actually broken something this season - but she'll go on.

Please go to the jump for the full story from "ET:"

Continue reading "Melissa: The Dance Will Go On" »

April 21, 2009

Yup, LT

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So that's that - an improbable and pretty good run ends tonight. LT will not be the next winner of "Dancing with the Stars."

He was bounced tonight, took it all in stride, and seemed to actually be pretty darned happy about it. Said he - in thanking ABC and the show - "I've been very blessed.[Partner Edyta Sliwinska] taught me everything I know about dancing; don't know where the hell I'm going to use it." Then, a promise to his pals in Miami: "I'll be on the practice range at 9, tee off at 9:30."

(Kelsey McNeal/ABC)

April 14, 2009

"DWTS:" And You Know Who's Gone...


steve-o-guilty-b.jpg Steve - O. Yeah, yeah - I' ve been hard on Steve-O, but not nearly as hard as the judges. (I do believe Steve-O may have a lawsuit when this is all over.) But let's give the guy some credit: He's had some problems, and some serious ones too, from the Jackass days. Tried to get himself in order. Did that. Worked hard on the show, had a sense of humor, but also tried to make the best of it, as well. Plus, he had some injuries.

So, here's to Steve-O.

I'm just wondering: What will Steve-O say in tomorrow's exit interview with "Access Hollywood?" You remember, I'm sure, what David Alan Grier had to say last week - I haven't heard so many bleeps since "Southland." And what will happen on "Kimmel" tonight? Will Steve-O burn his shoes, or sell them...

The suspense...

(Right, Steve-O, Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

"DWTS:" Pierre's Picks

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Moving to the front o' the pack? Pierre thinks so... (Pix:ABC)

Okay, "Dancing" fiends. As we sail into tonight, the question becomes - as it usually does - who? As in, who must go, who must stay.

And for the evaluation from our resident expert, we go to Pierre Dulaine, New York master teacher, former world champ and someone who knows a thing or two about the business of hoofing.

Here are Pierre's picks from last night..

Lil' Kim & Derek (Jive) "GREAT routine and choreography." 10 from Pierre 10 - 8 - 10

Gilles & Cheryl (Jive) "Very energetic & good footwork, Excellent. partnering." 10 from Pierre 9 - 8 - 9

Ty & Chelsie (Jive) "Not enough from him...this dance did not suit him." 6 from Pierre 6 - 6 - 6

Steve-O & Lacey (Rumba) "He just should NOT bother, so wooden & unrhythmic." 5 from Pierre 7 - 4 - 5

Melissa & Tony (Rumba) "Too many tricks - not enough hip action." 8 from Pierre 9 - 9 - 9

Lawrence & Edyta (Jive) "Good rhythm but looked awkward and not at all light on his feet." 7 from Pierre 7 - 7 - 8

Chuck & Julianne (Rumba) "Lacking technique - too busy and too rough." 7 from Pierre 8 - 7 - 8

Shawn Johnson & Mark (Rumba) "Good lines but not much personality...felt uncomfortable." 8 from Pierre 9 - 9 - 9

April 7, 2009

David Alan Grier off "DWTS"

340x.jpgWell, that's not good.

David Alan Grier, off "Dancing with the Stars." In fact, that stinks. Come on - the obvious call was to boot off Steve-O. He is, by far, the lowest vote-getter from the judges of the entire remaining group. He is as good a dancer as I am - which, frankly, is enough said. And yet, he remains. To torture the judges again another week. DAG was actually pretty good. The guy seemed to put his heart into it - and was pretty solid as well.
Steve-O's success? Clearly Howard Stern has organized a get-out-the-vote. "Jackass" fans of the world have united. "Totally Busted" fans too - take that back. Oh, wait. There ARE no "Totally Busted" fans. Nor should there be. Maybe he's getting the pity vote...Maybe "Votefortheworst.com" is finally getting some traction here...Maybe... And here's where it gets really strange - LT was in the bottom two. Recount!

( AFP / Getty Images Photo)

March 31, 2009

"DWTS:" The Woz Is...

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...Gone.

Yes, gone.

The Woz...

He's gone.

And suddenly, just like that...

"Dancing with the Stars" has ruined my night.

But I'll get over it. Really...seriously...honestly...the Woz was my Favorite Bad Contestant of all Time on "DWTS." He had it all: Aside from my ability on the dance floor (pretty much the one thing I could identify with), he was passionate, interesting, unique, different, fun, outspoken, unusual, a genius...the guy who HELPED CREATE APPLE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

Good Lord. And who's left? Gilles and Mellisa and a few others whose names I've already forgotten. (With, of course, the exception of LT.)

"It started out kinda weird," said the Woz, upon elimination, using his gift for understatement.

And - he mighta added - it continued kinda weird. The pink boa...the worm...what am I missing here?

But, man, the guy was great.

Oh yes, Holly is going home too.

(Pix of Woz and boa - ABC)

"DWTS:" Pierre's Picks

88496_dmitry-chaplin-and-holly-madison-dwts-week2.jpgHere we go - another week of Pierre DuLaine's picks.

Two people go tonight...who will they be?

Pierre's picks...Holly and Steve-O.

Quickie memory refresher: Pierre DuLaine is one of New York's great dance teachers - a former world ballroom dance champ and founder of the famed Dancing Classrooms - which has taught dancing to hundreds, thousands, of New York City school kids, and has programs throughout the five boroughs and on Long Island...

He has graciously agreed to give TV Zone his "DWTS" analysis each week. He knows what he's talking about, and I usually don't. So awaaaaaay we go! Here are Pierre's observations...

Lil Kim: Very clean, not as passionate and she was a bit too busy. Not as sensual as I'd like. An 8.

Melissa: Very in character with her choreography...a ten.

Gilles: My favorite. He did an incredible job. In character, passionate and sensuous. He was present - it's like doing a part [in a play]. You are engaged in his story...you believed it...a ten.

David: Good energy. an 8.

Chuck: I was disappointed. Not very Lindy-like [they did the Lindy Hop.] Too much slow work too. A 7.

Shawn: What horrible costumes. Oh please. No body wears shorts - and their midriffs showing! But...their choreography was good. I gave them a nine.

Holly: Oh my God, what is she doing t here? Very stiff. No character or passion for a tango. A 5. She'll be out.

Lawrence: Not his dance [the Argentinian Tango]. He was never in charge, no passion, no seduction whatsoever...a six.

Ty:
He was very good at partnering and very much in character. I gave him a ten.

Steve-O: Very stiff and mostly uncoordinated. Not enough partnering and unmusical. A five.

Steve: He had the worst marks [and] it was not a tango. But I believe [his fans, the Woz Posse] want him to stay...so a five.


(Pix: Kelsey McNeal / ABC. Is Holly gone?)

The Woz Watch: Will He Be Saved by Twitter?

woz_dancin.jpg Well, well. The Woz. The greatest worst contestant in "Dancing with the Stars" history.

And we come down to this: Will you save him?

I'm not so sure now. Here's the thing. You can be pretty certain that the Woz will get very few telephone votes, but what sort of text/computer votes will come in?

Check out search.twitter.com for a sense of what the Geeks are going for...And as you probably know, tweeters have organized a pretty elaborate campaign to keep our boy in the hunt. Check out votewoz.com...In case you already haven't yet.

Here are some sample pro/anti-Woz tweets...

"Steelisreal: I don't even watch dancing with the stars but just voted 11 times for Wozniak."

But then, there's THIS Tweet:

"TVChatHotline: Dancing with the Stars: Woz Stinks Up the Dance Floor with his ...: Steve Wozniak and partner Karina Smirnoff ex.. "

Or this one...

"matthewemay: Watching Steve Wozniak doing the Argentine Tango. Only reason to watch a silly show like Dancing With the Stars. Think he needs his Segway."

Or...finally...this...

"Trakix: Just voted for Steve Wozniak on Dancing With the Stars 22 times and I didn't even watch the show. Let's get him to the finals! #votewoz"

I suppose my point, then, is this: The Woz, if he's saved at all tonight, will be saved by PEOPLE WHO DON'T EVEN WATCH THE SHOW.

We'll see...

Here's his tango, again...


March 25, 2009

Woz Stays

Ah, Woz. Who makes Cloris look good.

And yet he stays again, after getting the second worst score in "DWTS" history on Monday.

(Oh, yeah, Denise Richards got the boot. Yawn.)

And yet, that was just a warm-up. Clearly, the Nation of Apple is voting for one of our favorite contestants of all time. That way, he avoided last night's Dance-off, which slew Richards. She had to do her thing opposite Holly Madison. It didn't really matter who went - as long as the Woz stayed to worm his way again into our affections.

March 23, 2009

"ET:" Wozniak has pulled hamstring

400_swozniak_090312_adrianv.jpg "ET" is reporting that the Woz - Steve Wozniak - has pulled a hamstring, but no word on whether the dear boy will dance tonight.

This marks the second injury he's suffered - not counting the self-inflicted one last week where he charged that"Dancing with the Stars" producers had (maybe) "lied" about the numbers, which explained why he ended up in the dance-off. As close readers of 'Zone know, he later retracted, saying he didn't mean to hurt anybody, and that he was sorry, and wrong, etc. etc.

But honestly, at the time I wondered whether ABC might exercise some sort of "Woz Clause:" Fire any contestant who gives lip about the secretive behind-the-scenes ways of the megahit. ABC, in fact, never commented on the verbal flaws of the Woz (I can't HELP myself - please stop me before I badly rhyme again) which gave me pause...

Oops. (Sorry.)

As soon as I hear the condition of My Favorite Contestant, will let you know...

In the meantime, vote who will be the next contestant to cha-cha their way of "DWTS" and then see more photos from "DWTS."

(Photo by Adrian Varnedoe / PacificCoastNews.com, as posted on ET)

March 18, 2009

Woz Backs Down! Says "I Hurt....Honest People"

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Woz spins away...from his charge.

The conspiracy theory is dead...for now.

The Woz has backed down. He now says "Dancing with the Stars" IS NOT cooked, and that the producers ARE NOT liars.

This is an amazing tale.

[Note to TV Zone readers: I'm not backing down. I still think "DWTS" should release the viewer vote totals. What's the harm in that?]

Here's the Woz's full Facebook apology - posted, I am told, before last night's show:

" I have been around the internet conspiracy theory forums for too long.

We know how easy it is to espouse a lot of ideas and build conspiracy theory. No conspiracy theory can be proven wrong, so there are always plenty of die-hard followers.

Yesterday I wrote my suspicions of the secret Dancing With The Stars audience vote tabulations. I wrote that the producers were liars, simply because I truly believed in that possibility, not because I had a shred of evidence.

I hurt a lot of honest people.

Today, a storm kicked up over my allegations. I started my apologies
but it has to go further than that.

The top people of this show, ones responsible for counting audience votes and keeping them honest told me all the specific details of where their numbers came from. More than that, they explained how they can catch onto various forms of manipulation of the system by exactly the methods I had thought out in my head that would work. I was offered an opportunity to see the equipment they use also. You can tell when things are extremely on the level. You can also see why the exact totals cannot be released. That would make it harder to detect fraud. One main way that they detect fraud is when the phone-in votes and text votes and internet votes don't follow each other, percentage-wise. There are other things they look for as well
that IT experts would detect as signals of something wrong.

wozdancing.jpg

Do you remember how honest Jarnal was in Slumdog Millionaire? I feel so horrible inside when Conrad, one of the DWTS producers, told me how horribly what I had said injured the show and himself. You can tell when someone is speaking in a way that they can't possibly be a liar or trying to deceive you the least bit. Conrad and the other producers are not liars. They are extremely honest people in my mind.

And nobody could get me to write this if I didn't believe it myself.

In this case they are certainly more honorable and honest than myself.

The only thing I can offer as an explanation is that emotions wind up getting very high on a show like this. I was around some swarming emotions yesterday. Now I feel like a heel who stuck his shoe in his mouth, no puns intended. I have done it before and been on the other
end of it as well, and it's not nice either way.

My last hope is that you can see inside of me and know that I am telling the truth from the bottom of my heart, and forgive the loudmouth emotional notes I wrote earlier.

I'm on to have fun with the show now, and you may see me dance in minutes.

regards,

Woz"


(Pix: ABC)

Woz: 'Dancing With the Stars' May Be a 'Lie'

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(AP Photo)

Oh boy, TVTattle.com has posted THE HOT story of the day, and I'm just catching up with it now.

As posted on CNET.com, the Woz - one of my favorites of the show - is charging that ABC/the producers of "DWTS" - are manipulating the show and though he doesn't quite come out and say so, that's tantamount to saying they're manipulating the outcome.

Mostly he's claiming he shouldn't have been in the Dance-off last night.

Honestly, I agree - shoulda been Belinda and Ty.

Woz says ABC/"DWTS" is manipulating the game by not revealing viewer votes.

NOTICE TO TVZONE READERS:
I've been saying the same thing for a year.

Now a computer genius agrees with me.

Here's what he says in this remarkable CNET piece:

"His is suspicious that the true voting numbers, both from telephone and online voting, are never revealed. This leads him to believe that he may be forced into the two-couple dance-off, just to boost ratings.

"The producers play games to get viewers and don't disclose the numbers. If they disclosed the numbers, it would be less of a game, but still suspect. If tomorrow, they claim I'm in the bottom 2 dance teams, including viewer votes, I believe that it's an outright lie," he said.

"He has begun to make his accusations in ABC interviews, too.

"I called it fake about 20 times today on camera," he said. "Each time in the same sentence as whatever comment they wanted about doing a dance-off tomorrow. That way, they couldn't edit it easily to say what they wanted. They kept trying to get me to say what I'd do if I was in the dance-off without using the word fake."

I'm wondering: Can a contestant be fired from "Dancing With the Stars"? We're about to find out.

Here's the point, and it's a good one: ABC should reveal viewer votes. They don't, and there's a reason - because viewers will realize that the people they're voting for are not necessarily advancing.

March 17, 2009

"Dancing with the Stars:" The Go-Go Goes

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Jonny Roberts and Belinda...

And this time, the person who's leaving us wasn't injured, thank gosh.

Yes, Belinda Carlisle is the first ejectee of "DWTS," which is too bad because she seemed like a nice lady, but this departure is not particularly surprising either.

A little bit of a surprise tonight? Honestly, I'd have to say the Woz ending up in the Dance-Off; he's a crowd-pleaser everyman who just happens to be a billionaire - someone we can ALL identify with, right? The judges seemed awfully hard on the guy, though. In any event, the Woz lives to see another week.

(Pix: Craig Sjodin / ABC)

'Dancing With the Stars': Is Steve-O gone-O?

steveo300.jpg Top 'o the morning, everyone. Pleasantries now dispensed, this news: Steve-O did not compete on America's favorite dancing show last night, and may be out for good, joining a growing list of fragile stars who have been crippled by the ABC hit.

What's going on here? Is there anyone who hasn't been damaged yet? By my count, roughly half of the stars are in various states of deterioration, and no one has even been officially eliminated yet. He landed on some microphone on his backside during rehearsal, and that was that.

Does anyone else detect "irony" here? Steve-O, a professional clown (really - he went to clown college...) has done so many things to his body over the years - including the stapling of certain parts of it to other parts - that it's a miracle of modern science that he's not completely dead at this point. At least he got this far in the show without urinating on stage.

Will he return? I'm certain he will - no microphone pack is gonna stop this guy.

Meanwhile, Melissa. I can't say enough about Melissa Rycroft, who just happened to be available to fill in for Nancy O'Dell and who just happened to have stepped onto the dance floor for the first time last week.

Did anyone see how this neophyte danced last night? (Actually, former cheerleader and ballet dancer, so "neophyte" is probably the wrong word. ) I guess Tony Dovolani is a very good instructor.

“I’m pretty shocked, too,” Rycroft told hobbled Nancy O recently. “When I look back, what we did starting at point zero to get to where we were tonight, it’s pretty cool.”

These things happen for a reason, I guess. Meanwhile, check out the next winner of "Dancing with the Stars":



A healthy Steve-O (Matthew Simmons / WireImage Photo)

March 10, 2009

"DWTS:" 21.5 Million

dwts-season8-1.jpg Huuuugggge opener for "Dancing With the Stars:" 21.5 million viewers.

That helped "Castle," by the way -- 11.6 million -- but I gotta think ABC would have liked to have held on to a little more of that lead-in. Meanwhile, ABC is saying this is the biggest "DWTS" opener ever...

Here's more from the news release...

"... “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)."

'Dancing with the Stars:' Melissa Rycroft's Good! Surprise!

melissa-rycroft-of-the-bachelor.jpg Well, I for one am amazed that Melissa Rycroft just "happened" to be available for last night's "DWTS" premiere, and filled in for Jewel (or Nancy O'Dell) who just "happened" to have injured themselves. And she just "happened" to be available mere days after she just "happened" to have been dumped by Bachelor Guy who just "happened" to make her a household name.

And then, she just "happened" to get a call to appear on another ABC show whose ratings just "happened" to have softened last season.

Then, last night, she appeared and just "happened" to be very good and poised even though she just "happened" to step on a dance floor FOR THE FIRST TIME on Saturday morning.

That's a lot of "happens," and a lot of truly amazing coincidences. Don't you think? I guess the reality gods were in favor of this.

Dear reader: You can choose to be credulous, but I choose to be incredulous. Everything happens for a reason on television reality shows. Happenstance is something that doesn't happen.

That said...I thought Melissa was pretty good last night. But then, I wasn't surprised.

Here's a clip, gratis Scoopish...
By the way, I wouldn't be shocked if she wins this whole thing. (Nor should you be, but vote here anyway)

>> Meet the Season 8 cast of "Dancing With the Stars"
>> The "Dancing With the Stars" career lift
>> Pet Rock handicaps the field for Season 8

March 8, 2009

Melissa Rycroft to "Dancing with the Stars"

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Sorry, Jase, it's over. I'm goin' dancin!

Admit it: You saw this one from the next county. Melissa Rycroft is joining "DWTS." She'll be the second one, along with Holly Madison, to fill out the dance card, depleted by all those injuries (Jewel, Nancy O'Dell).

Rycroft: Dumped by Bachelor Guy, who is now the most hated man on the planet, or maybe after Chris Brown.

People.com reported this earlier today, and I could kick myself for not realizing this is exactly what was going to happen. (ABC is neither confirming nor denying, which is the same thing as confirming.) Now, we'll all be able to discuss at length whether the whole thing (the dumping thing, on national TV, last week -- come on, how could you forget so quickly?) really was a con job, designed specifically to lead millions of viewers from "The Bachelor" to "Dancing With the Stars."

So now the big question: Did Nancy O really hurt her leg, or was she asked to step aside to make room for a more bankable star?

March 5, 2009

Jewel, O'Dell Out at "DWTS"

85090_nancy-odell-style-detective-02042009.jpg Here's reasonably big news on the "Dancing with the Stars" front: Nancy O'Dell AND Jewel are out...

Quotes and details below, but suffice it to say, this is a big blow to "Dancing with the Stars:" Jewel is one of THE big gets this season, in fact the biggest. Nancy's departure is a surprise, too, but stuff happens when you get out on the floor (and you're not athletically inclined...)

Here's the problem for "DWTS:" It now has to replace TWO female contenders, and not just one - Jewel was rumored to be out a week ago. Holly Madison, the ex-Playmate, will probably get the call, but she's far from a household name (that's her and Hef, below)... Meanwhile, Gilles Marini has physical problems too.

A possibility he's leaving too? Who knows - earlier today when I asked, ABC said "no comment." But check out the line below: "Additional changes to the cast will be announced on Monday's show..."

Oh boy...

Here are all the details...

"Jewel and O’Dell will appear on the season premiere of “Dancing with the Stars,” MONDAY, MARCH 9 (8:00-10:02 p.m., ET) to address their injuries. The women were paired with professional dancers Tony Dovolani and Dmitry Chaplin, respectively. Additional changes to the cast will also be announced during Monday’s premiere.

“Like most sports, dancing can be a demanding, physical activity. Each participant of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ warrants in contract that they are physically fit enough to participate in the competition. We love and appreciate Nancy and Jewel’s competitive spirit, drive and desire to perform their best. Though we share in their disappointment that they can no longer continue, their physical well-being takes precedent above all else. We thank them both for giving it their all and wish them a quick and full recovery,” said Executive Producer Conrad Green.

“When the doctors told me my injuries were so severe that I couldn’t walk, let alone compete, I was devastated that I couldn’t continue the show,” said Jewel. “I have every intention of being at ‘Dancing with the Stars’ this season supporting my husband, Ty, and his partner, Chelsie (Hightower). I hope to be back on the show in the future.”

0_61_102008_madison1.jpg “Beyond disappointment doesn't even being to describe how I feel about not being able to continue on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’” said O’Dell. “It has been one of my favorite shows since Season One! But I have torn the meniscus in my knee in two places, which requires surgery. ‘Dancing with the Stars’ was a great experience. I'll miss working with my partner, Tony Dovolani, and all the other wonderful people on the amazing production that is ‘Dancing with the Stars’”

February 26, 2009

"DWTS:" Jewel Good to Go

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She's OK!

She can dance!

Don't worry!

Anybody!

But I'll tell ya, ABC sure did (worry, that is) when it looked like she might be sidelined by tendinitis.

Jewel just announced on her blog that she can dance...Good thing, because she and her husband, Ty Murray, are perhaps the biggest draws this season.

Here's the full post:

"So, I went to the physical therapist yesterday and I can say that I am feeling better! He said if I take time now to heal that I will be good to go by next week. I hate missing these days, but it's all for the best in the long run, because I'm in it for the long haul and I wanna win it! :)

Ty and Chelsea are taking advantage of out-practicing me now! Haha.... We don't really feel that competitive against each other, we really just feel supportive and sympathetic for how hard the process is, and we are glad to share it together; but we do like to joke about it being a race. Like yesterday on the Billy Bush show, Ty said that he thinks his best chance of beating me is if I get pregnant during the show so I would be too tired to dance! Talk about a strategy! Haha... Of course, that would be fine with me if it did happen, so either way would be a win!

Anyway, I'm excited to get back to work next week dancing, hopefully it didn't cause me to get too far behind all the other contestants- I only had 3 weeks to prepare, and now it will be only 2 weeks - which isn't much considering how much I have to learn. All I can do is what I'm doing and to try and have fun- which I am! I will enjoy the days off to hang with my husband, and our family.... Anyway, talk to you soon and thank for your well wishes. I will keep u all posted! See you March 9th for my first dance."

[Pix: AP]

February 8, 2009

"DWTS:" No Stevie, but LT, DAG, Jewel...

60_Taylor_1126.jpg
Well, Len - YOU gonna criticize this guy's footwork?


Yes dance fans, here's the list.

And - no - dance fans. Stevie Wonder isn't on it.

Yeah, bummer. The biggest - by farrrrrrr - name in "DWTS" history woulda been him. But not to be.

Here's my story, as appearing in Monday's Newsday...And away we go!!

Number 56 is in.

Lawrence Taylor, probably the greatest outside linebacker in Giants history, will be on the eighth season of "Dancing with the Stars."

Don't snicker (and certainly don't snicker in from of LT). Other famed grid stars have probably made it safe for big men to waltz - or jive, or samba, or Mambo, Rumba, Jitterbug or (umm) cha-cha-cha. Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith was 2006 champion, while veteran defensive tackle Warren Sapp came perilously close to winning last season. Now, the charter member of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew's turn.

And in a "DWTS" first, a famous husband/wife team will compete: Jewel, and Ty Murray, a rodeo champion.

jewel2_v_e.jpg Taylor - a partner of Fla.-based Exfuse, a health beverage company - was not the most unusual name dropped last night, in ABC's "Name Drop Night" for "DWTS."

Steve Wozniak, Apple co-founder, is on board.

So is Steve O, stunt man on shows like "Jackass" and "Wildboyz," O has been arrested numerous times for narcotics possession, and probably his best-known stunt is something called "the Butterfly" - which will almost certainly NOT be described to viewers of the ABC program.

Other names announced early in the evening:

- David Alan Grier, affectionately known as "DAG" to fans of "In Living Color," currently host of Comedy Central's "Chocolate News."

- Shawn Johnson,
the 2008 Olympic women's balance beam gold medalist with the big sunny smile who got almost (but not quite) as much attention as Michael Phelps in the recent Olympics.

- Country music singer Chuck Wicks

- Belinda Carlisle, of '80s new-wave group, the Go-Gos.

- Gilles Marini, or Dante, who lived next door to Samantha (Kim Cattrall) in "Sex and the City" movie.

- Denise Richards, actress, model and Charlie Sheen ex.

- Lil' Kim, top rapper ("The Naked Truth," remember?)

- Nancy O'Dell, co-host (with Billy Bush) of "Access Hollywood.")

Show starts March 9.


lil_kim_2.jpg
Not Stevie, but at least catchy outfit...


(Above, Lil' Kim from Wallpaperbase.com.)

(And...Jewel pix, courtesy of the Valory Music Co.)

"DWTS:" Stevie Wonder?

539w.jpg

As we get ready for tonight's unusual "Dancing with the Stars'" cast reveals, here's the one name out of any and all that would be a jaw-dropper.

Stevie Wonder.

That's right.

Stevie Wonder.

Cast announcements will take place tonight during a series of "interstitials" - short programs - on ABC's primetime, as a gimmick to keep viewers from wandering over to the Grammys (where they might stay.)

And the one name, the biggest name, that just might keep people glued is this one: Wonder. After all, he has won something like two dozen Grammys, so maybe this is what's behind ABC's gimmick. They've got Stevie on board.

Other rumored contestants: Jewel, Lawrence Taylor, Denise Richards, Heidi Klum...

Wonder rumors first surfaced last December, and they were more than rumors - they were essentially confirmed by Wonder himself. He didn't actually say that he was joining this season's cast, but that he had been approached, and that the idea appealed to him.

"It'd be fun, it'd be fun," Wonder told Steve Valentine, host of LA radio show, "Valentine in the Morning." "I've watched it before - no really - I've checked it out before. But I've heard some talk of us possibly doing that, so we might."

We might. Wow.

Wonder would arguably be the biggest star in "DWTS's" history - perhaps unknown to a younger generation more familiar with T.I. - but a household name, and a treasured one, to many millions of others.

Blindness? It'd certainly be a challenge, but any pro he's matched with could function as a pair of "eyes." He'd do very well - a finalist even perhaps.

Pix: Getty

February 3, 2009

"DWTS:" Dancers Announced Sunday; Et Tu, LT?

04giants.1.190.jpg Interesting idea ABC has to announce this season's dancers - their names will be "dropped" throughout Sunday night. It's called: "All Night Name Drop."

Will No. 56 be one? That's the rumor, bordering on likelihood...

Tom Bergeron will host these little interstitials throughout the night - you won't know when and you won't know where, so that viewers won't be flipping back and forth to the Grammys.

Veeeerrrrrry clever. Meanwhile, the LT rumor looks to be true. Show's had a whole lotta success with former football greats. He's a logical choice. Strahan next!

(Pix: Getty)

January 28, 2009

Donny O: Not Doing "DWTS"


98_dosmond_090128_emiller_83909552.jpgSorry to dash your hopes, sports fans, but Donny Osmond is not gonna do "DWTS," as he said on a taping of "Bonnie Hunt," and which got a TON of play on-line (for reasons which elude me.)

This was just posted on "ET's" website:

"I'm definitely not doing this upcoming season," Donny tells ET. "If there was an offer on the table, I'd do it in the fall. I would make room for it. Absolutely!"

What gives? I don't know? Do you know? Anyone got Marie's number? I'll call to see if SHE knows...

November 26, 2008

Marty Feldman

martyfeldman_2_396x222.jpg Well, I am the jerk of the moment. In this morning's wrap for Newsday on last night's "Dancing with the Stars," I closed out my piece with this line...

"Cloris Leachman ... well, you know all about that. Season eight next: I wonder - does Marty Feldman have any plans next spring?"

As Marty Feldman fans - and as I should have - Feldman died in December 1982. I was not making a joke here - of that, I assure you. It was late. The brain had ceased functioning. And the name of Marty - may he rest in peace - popped into my mind.

In any event, I've substituted the name of this gifted comic in the online edition for another...Gene Wilder!

Sorry, Feldman fans, and sorry, Marty. The mistake - as we say in the trade - was unintentional and regrettable.

Meanwhile, go to the jump to read this interesting note I got from Sue Madore this ayem. Sue's with Guttman Associates - a big-time LA-based PR firm - who reps Cheryl Burke. She INSISTS - contrary to my musings - that Burke and Maurice Greene get along just fine.

Read away...

Continue reading "Marty Feldman" »

Gay to "DWTS": Show us the numbers

340x.jpg I've got a modest proposal for "Dancing with the Stars," and I lay it on you this morning.

Oh, and by the way, Happy Thanksgiving.

Here it is. Are your ready? Sitting down? Good ... without further ado:

"DWTS" should reveal to viewers just how many fan votes came in for each of the three finalists.

There. That's it! Modest, is it not?

Just imagine, when all is said and done, Samantha or Tom look at a piece of paper, and say, "ah, Brooke got XX million votes, while Warren..." And so on.

Here's why the show should do this. So that you - who so eagerly pressed the buttons on your phone all fall, or texted in your vote, or registered on some site to get your votes in on time - can find out whether it was all a massive waste of time.

And guess what? I think it was.

Here's my theory, and faithful readers know it well. Virtually all power on this show resides with the three judges, and their shadow bosses, Conrad Green and the ABC hierarchy. They instituted viewer voting to give viewers the IMPRESSION that they made a difference, much as they do with "American Idol."

When, in fact, these votes don't.

Oh, sure, heavy viewer voting will keep a contestant in the hunt. There's no doubt about that. Cloris Leachman is the perfect example of this. But at the end of the day, ABC - and "DWTS" - know exactly who they want to win, and they make certain that this person does win.

They wanted Brooke Burke to win. And guess who won?

I'm not going to go to my algorithmic charts to prove why this is so, and how it got to be so. But consider this simple fact: Warren Sapp, in all likelihood, got millions more votes than Brooke. How many millions more? That's the question I'd like answered. Simply put, the judges are there to pick the best - so this thing doesn't turn into a travesty (that's good) - but they're also there to pick who they WANT to win. That's bad because it ultimately means the viewers' votes don't count.

So, once more "DWTS." Show us the numbers. Tell us who REALLY was the fan favorite, and then we can all enjoy our turkey.

November 25, 2008

"DWTS": Brooke Wins. Why Not Warren?

warren.jpg


That's correct: Maybe Warren Sapp could have won and maybe should have won instead of Brooke Burke.

Yes, Warren Sapp, former TB Bucs/Oakland Raiders defensive lineman could have won "DWTS" if you believe "Dialidol," which had him waaaay ahead in the phone count yesterday. And (I ask you) why not? He may not have been the best dancer in this field (but heaven knows, he's got the best personality. Oh wait - you're right. I forgot: This is a DANCING contest.)

Tonight's Judge vote counted for half the total, and Warren/Kym needed a perfect thirty in their romp. Per my theory stated earlier this morning - the Three Amigo Judges planned to do everything in their power to hand this to Brooke. Why? Because they want to overcome the fan tendency to vote for men over women...

The judges succeeded.

Now, check out an endorsement from a Warren fan on the jump; her name's Nialla and she makes some good points in a rebuttal to my Lance post of this morning...

Continue reading ""DWTS": Brooke Wins. Why Not Warren? " »

"DWTS": Why the judges hate Lance Bass

lancebass509.jpg Watching "DWTS" last night got me to wondering - why do the judges have it in for LB?

I've actually wondered about this all season: Why? He's perfectly good, sometimes very good. He probably should win this thing. While that's not been obvious all along, I do think it was more or less obvious last night.

So why the nattering and general distaste the judges hold for this guy? Week after week, demerit after demerit. What's the problem here? My theory? That he is a guy: "DWTS" has to prove that this show - slogging through a big bad ratings slump in the 7th - isn't weighted heavily in favor of guys. That's why they added Kristi Yamaguchi last season - one of the world's great athletes! - amid a group of amateurs. Naturally ... she won.

70_brooke_burke_small.JPG Brooke Burke's been quite the surprise - a starlet, E! host, and former Playmate, with no apparent dancing background, who turned out to be terrific. But the Achilles heel of "DWTS" is gender. Unless the female contestant is beyond-the-pale good, female viewers (who comprise the bulk of this show's audience) vote for the males.

That means the judges have to - my theory - shade in favor of the good female contestants just to keep this thing competitive, going into the bloated two-hour finale tonight.

(Another pet theory: That "DWTS" added Brooke Burke to this season to actually build the anemic male viewing base; after all, why shouldn't they tune in to watch, and vote for, a lad mag pinup model?? Ditto Kim Kardashian...)

This is the engine that is currently propelling the entire ABC lineup - a big number tonight is imperative, and if there's a sense that this competition is already over, then the number takes a dive.

In other words, I'm imputing less-than-pure motives to our judge panel.

But you be the judge. Here are the two final freestyles from our two likely finalists...

They couldn't have loved BB's any more ... they yawned over LB's ...

sapp2.gif (Oh - and how important are the judges? Beyond important on "DWTS." Consider - you've already voted but THEY get the final word on that last dance tonight; your votes, millions of them, will count for only HALF. Their's will count for the other half. Three against millions. Not bad odds. If I were Lance/Lacey, I'd be worried...Brooke may pull this out yet.)

And after all my swell theories
, wouldn't it be wonderful if Warren Sapp won tonight? I do believe he might...I do believe he might. But...he'll need a great night.



November 19, 2008

"DWTS": Why Lance will part, Part 3

113897_9405_pre.jpg
Ladies and g'men, your winners...

Now that Cody's gone, we get to this question -- the only question.

Who do the judges, and by association, ABC, want to win?

That's all that matters. In their minds they already have a winner. So who is that? For weeks, Brooke's been the anointed one, though -- for the past couple weeks -- anointment has slipped to disappointment. Why? Maybe that first dance on Monday wasn't great, but the second was good. Warren? Beloved by the judges -- but their votes haven't reflected that. You wonder about their sincerity.

That leaves Lance. I believe they want Lance to win. Unless something really shocking happens, he is the winner.

Why?

The reasons: No. 1, don't forget that the judges know EXACTLY whom viewers are voting for each week. They know who's ahead, and who's dead. They know -- I suspect -- that Lance is pulling in by far the most votes. The judges' votes are more important than viewer votes (simply because the three totals, as expressed as a percentage, are weighted just as much as the votes of millions and millions of viewers.) In short, they don't want to back a loser.

No. 2, women can't win this comp unless they're OVERWHELMINGLY GREAT. (See: Kristi Y.) Brooke's wonderful, but not OG.

No. 3, He's Lance Bass! Fame trumps non-fame, usually -- but not always -- on "DWTS." In the final three, we have a world-famous star, a former NFL great, and Brooke -- who, I'm sorry, but no one ever heard of until she got here.

No. 4, I think ABC wants to be in biz with Lance Bass. In a recession, getting people to those expensive "DWTS" tours, you need a draw. No, LB's not the draw he was eight or nine years ago, but he's still LB, hence more promotable. Sure, you'd say, LB will be on the tour even if he doesn't win BUT the tour's more promotable and hence saleable if he DOES win. Believe me on this point.

Yeah, Len's been hard on him, but I think it's been a "good" hard - as in, "get your act together pal, because we're depending on you."

That's my "DWTS" wrap. Let's check back next week to see if I'm outrageously wrong -- it's been known to happen -- or right.

November 18, 2008

"DWTS:" Lance, the Winner?

nike-af1-white-grey-2.jpg


Is this the shoe that just won the seventh season of "Dancing with the Stars?" The shoe that was lost in the final routine of one Lance Bass? The shoe that was an anonymous white sneaker - just happy to get tied once in a while - that suddenly flew off the foot of Bass and, as a result, got its close-up on national TV?

It could be (or probably not, since I just grabbed the image off of Google - but hopefully you get the idea.) These kind of things turn voters, and turn competitions - not that this has happened on "DWTS" before. It has not. But the fact is, Lance Bass/Lacey - who I picked to win this from the very beginning - had their best night of the season, and you can't pick a better night to have a best night than the penultimate one. Then off came the shoe - and that sealed it.

So here's where it stands a week before the end:


1.) Cody will go tonight.

2.) Next week's shoot-out leaves...Warren Sapp and Lance Bass as the finalists (I just don't think Brooke has the popular vote to push her past him, particularly since last night, she and Warren were dead even, with a total of 49, at the end of the night; Lance/Lacey? A huge 57.)

3.) And the winner...if both shoes stay on...if he does as well as he did last night...if the votes keep coming in from 'N Sync fans...If Len gets off his case...If Brooke stumbles...If Warren does something really unexpected, like throw a body tackle on the three judges...Then...

Lance wins.

Yes, that's a lot of "ifs" and only one shoe. But it looks good right now for LB..

November 17, 2008

Hoofer Mark Cuban Charged with Insider Trading


Good Lord, what's going on with "Dancing with the Stars" stars? First Helio gets charged with tax evasion; now, Mark Cuban.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is charging him with insider trading - apparently dumping shares of something called Moma.com, and thereby avoiding a loss of $750,000. All this happened about four years ago; as you know, Cuban was evicted from "DWTS" just about this time one year ago.

Here's a nice walk down memory lane, in case you've forgotten some of Mark's fancy footwork...umm, on the dance floor.

October 28, 2008

"DWTS": Cloris ...

Finally, and sadly, I'm pretty certain we can say goodbye to Cloris tonight.

In fact, let's just say goodbye right now.

Goodbye, Cloris. You were the best. And by "the best," I don't mean "the best," but something approximating "the most amusing, the most aggravating, the most cleavaged, the most outspoken (if ya know what I mean)."

There's no way she can overcome last night's judge's score of 15 - which is almost as low as you can go on "DWTS" without actually just throwing up your hands and saying "to hell with THIS! I'm outta here."

We're all fond of Clo, but there's been reasonable speculation that the show wanted her gone. If so, success is at hand.

Consider: Temp judge Michael Flatley seemed to give everyone a "9" last night. And then he shreds poor Clo with a 5.

Here's a clip from a disgruntled viewer, if you missed last night, who even went so far as to insert bubble comments...

value="true">


October 24, 2008

Next Season on "Dancing with the Stars"?

Nikki Finke posted this one on her always-engaging blog (deadlinehollywooddaily.com), and I feel compelled to share too...

She said she got this via email. And now, for your viewing pleasure...

dancing.jpg


October 21, 2008

"DWTS:" QB Killa Should Win. Will He?

tb_sp_shelton_sapp450.jpg
"Vote for MEEEEE!!!!!"


My God, is the fix in on "Dancing with the Stars," or what? For some reason - probably some reason to do with demographics, ad rates, money, finance, profit, and the continued dominance and preeminence of the Walt Disney Company - "DWTS" judges have effectively decided that either Brooke Burke or "Commander" Cody Linley will win this competition.

That's it. Over. Done. Don't even bother voting anymore. Your votes no longer count. As long as the judges continue to give 9, 10s, and - I'm sure if they could - 11s and 12s to Burke and Commander Cody, this edition is over.

I don't get it.

They're good, I suppose, though last night's jitterbugs were almost insufferable - obnoxious, cute, treacly and just plain gross. But the judges LOVED them, the Cutesy Twins, and they always do, because - as mentioned - they've decided to crown one of these two.

But there is still hope.

I believe Warren Sapp could win this thing.

I believe Warren Sapp SHOULD win this thing.

I believe Warren Sapp WILL win this thing.

If the judges put a brake on their bias for the Cutsie Twins. If they do...

Sapp was the best last night. Easily the best. Style, poise, passion - Kym Johnson too. It's up to the voters now. They have to do the work. Let's see if they do.

(Pix of QB Killa from his Buc days, courtesy James Borchuck, of the St. Pete Times.)

October 6, 2008

"DWTS": Misty definitely out

74391_dancing-with-the-stars-misty-may-treanor-and-maksim-chmerkovskiy.jpg Cripes, Misty's definitely leaving and no surprise there - especially when the poor woman hobbled on stage a little while ago. Here are the basic details: Misty May-Treanor, Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball, and a pretty good hoofer, too, confirmed she had ruptured her Achilles' tendon during a Friday rehearsal for the Lindy Hop. Hobbling on stage with aid of crutches and her left lower leg in a cast, she told viewers that she heard a "pop" and at first assumed she could continue dancing because "I thought, 'I'm an athlete ... [but] it felt "like nothing was there ... I knew something bad had happened."

"I never thought in a million years, especially in ballroom [dancing], that I'd hurt myself." Surgery Tuesday and no big deal with respect to the volleyball biz because "I was planning on taking time off anyway." She's the first to leave the hit show while in progress because of an injury. Country singer-songwriter Sara Evans left the show a couple of seasons ago, citing personal reasons.

"DWTS" will announce tonight how it'll work around May-Treanor's early exit. Could Kim be coming back?

"DWTS": Misty May-Treanor likely out

mistymay-treanor.jpg Looks like it's true, though an official confirmation is due later this morning. Misty May- Treanor is expected to withdraw after she was injured in practice Friday. A Saturday statement didn't look too encouraging: "Misty May-Treanor sustained an injury on Friday and received immediate medical attention," producers say the in a statement. "Despite previous reports, she did not break her ankle."

("Previous reports...????")

"Doctors will reevaluate her condition on Monday and determine the outcome of her participation on the show."

Well, you can probably predict what they'll say - what SHE'LL say. (Why would a world-class athlete continue to work through an injury? No reason at all.) She won't be the first withdrawal. Sara Evans left midway in the third season and the show did go on. Still, MMT looked like a keeper - talent, stamina and charisma.

October 3, 2008

Helio: I'm Innocent


helio-castroneves.jpg Yes, Helio Castroneves has pleaded not guilty to those tax evasion charges, if you hadn't heard.

Here's the full AP story with all the details:

MIAMI (AP) — Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and TV "Dancing With The Stars" champion Helio Castroneves pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he used offshore accounts to evade U.S. taxes on more than $5 million in income.

The 33-year-old race car driver, who appeared in court in handcuffs and leg chains, was ordered released on $10 million bail. His lawyer, Mark Seiden, said Castroneves would depart later in the afternoon for a weekend race in Atlanta.

"We would enter a plea of not guilty," said Seiden, standing alongside a visibly shaken and frowning Castroneves.

Terms of Castroneves' release allow him to travel for work in the United States but not abroad, meaning he will likely miss a race later this month in Australia, Seiden said.

A grand jury on Thursday indicted Castroneves on charges of conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion for purportedly failing to report to the IRS about $5.5 million in income between 1999 and 2004, according to court documents. Each count carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.

Also facing charges are Katiucia Castroneves, the driver's sister and business manager, and attorney Alan R. Miller of Birmingham, Mich. They did not enter pleas but were ordered released on bail of $2 million and $250,000, respectively.

Another Castroneves attorney, David Garvin, said he was disappointed that the tax dispute could not be resolved without criminal charges.

October 2, 2008

Helio Castroneves Indicted on Tax Evasion Charges

260xStory.jpgHere's something that's hard to believe, but Helio Castroneves, winner of "Dancing with the Stars" -- and oh yeah, incidentally, who also happens to be one of the world's great Indy car drivers -- has been charged with tax evasion.

Here's the story from the Indy Star, via USA Today.

Meanwhile, TMZ is reporting that he has pleaded not guilty to seven charges.

October 1, 2008

"DWTS": Cloris still here

0_42_102307_kim.jpg I'm hearing that some people are actually surprised that Cloris Leachman remains - perhaps to become the next Marie Osmond of "DWTS" - while they were surprised that Kim Kardashian got the one-way exit ticket last night. Why? What could be their reasons? Playmates almost never win this competition, while the core audience is composed of enough AARP members to keep the somewhat grayer contestants in the hunt for at least a few weeks. Plus, you will note that votefortheworst.com - that puckish site that encourages viewers to vote for the worst - has put its muscle and passion behind Cloris. Kim could have only wished she'd been selected for this distinction.

September 24, 2008

"DWTS": Cloris still in!

17_jeffreyross_lgl.jpg My vote counted! Cloris survived to another night, to another possible obscenity-laced invective against Len! This is getting good. I wasn't surprised - this is Cloris, Frau Blucher, the lady that told Len where to get off. She got more votes - I imagine - than Lance.

I stick with my prediction, and will do so until the day he goes - which will be the finale: Lance wins this. Brooke? Yeah, fine, good, talented, a surprise, etc. But this one's Lance's.

And you do know, right, that Jeff Ross got the boot last night? I hear Clay Aiken is out too. I'm shocked, shocked, shocked, shocked...

September 23, 2008

"DWTS": Len Goodman, "You Bastard"

youngfrank128.jpeg Yes, that's why I love live TV, too - you never know, you just never know.

Because, if you can read lips, as 25 million people did last night, they know what Cloris Leachman called Len in the season premiere. And if that wasn't enough, she laid the "s&*%$!" word onto Carrie Ann, and then Bruno got pretty much the same. This in response to VERY generous scores of (I believe) 6s.

But the s-word - you know, in French, "merde" - did sneak in without getting beeped.

Said she, translated to French, "Merde, I can't even add up those numbers..."

(She probably shoulda gotten fours. Question: What expletive would come with a four? )

Amazing, and...a "Dancing with the Stars" first!

How WAS Frau Blucher, otherwise? As pretty much you would expect, she was perfectly OK... But my fearless prediction: She will not last much beyond this week, if that, and after last night's now-legendary outburst, I'm thinking the producers are hoping that she gets the hook by tonight. What a shame if she goes. Cloris is a fun gal! She's got MY vote.

This season's winner? I stick with my original prediction: Lance Bass will win this thing. There is no doubt. He is so good, so facile, so famous, and so perfect for all the requirements of this show - notwithstanding the fact that every 'N Sync fan will of course vote for him - that it's all over, right now. Turn out the lights - although we do have to come back tonight to see what other choice descriptors Cloris will lay on us.

You go girl.

Lance and Lacey Schwimmer? I was very impressed, and I'm NEVER impressed by the first episode of this show; it tends to be arduous, if not painful. Not this one: Bass/Schwimmer came out and tore it up, and only an hour into the seventh season. Pretty impressive.

Here's a repeat (and glad to see my old friend, Phillymac25630 back...)

August 27, 2008

Bass Will Win "Dancing with the Stars"

lance_bass.jpg Well, here I go again. Making a wild - and possibly wildly inaccurate prediction - but I'm gonna do it anyway. That's just what I do, and if I'm wrong, don't blame me. Blame the voters. (Because I AM right here.)

Drum role...

Take a deep breath...

And now, introducing my choice to win the 2008 7th season of "Dancing with the Stars", bowing September 24 is....

Oh, wait. You already who it is. I put his name in the headline (And there's that nice big picture too.)

Yes, Lance Bass will win this season's "Dancing with the Stars."

I've consulted the charts. Spoken with astrologers. Thought long and deeply about this. Considered the pros. The cons. The in-betweens.

And this is what it all adds up to: This is Lance's to lose.

Let's count my nine reasons:

1.) Right age (29).

2.) Huge fame from 'N Sync, which will guarantee votes no matter how lead-footed.

3.) He's NOT lead-footed, of course. Hey! We're talking boy band talent here.

4.) Hugely competitive - he'll really want to beat Joey Fatone.

5.) Great stamina. He's an astronaut, for crying out loud.

6.) He's serious about this - "DWTS" isn't some gig to fill the hours between more important gigs.

7.) Very camera savvy

8.) A male will win this season - that's just the way it's gonna be.

9.) Yeah, he's out, but that shouldn't make a difference here and may actually help.

10.) For a moment, I don't have a tenth reason, but give me time. I'm sure I'll think of one.


Go to the jump for the odds for the rest of this season's crew...

Continue reading "Bass Will Win "Dancing with the Stars"" »

August 25, 2008

"DWTS:" Misty May-Treanor is Joining!

Misty-May-1.jpg
(Holly Stein photo)


Do we need to mine deeply to figure out what the HUGE news from this ayem's "GMA" announcement is? Misty May-Treanor is gonna be a "DWTS" contestant. Plus a little more news outta this announcement, and from the press release I quote: "For the first time ever, all 13 teams must prepare two routines for the first week of competition, one of which they’ll perform on Monday night." The significance of this? Obvious - it means more work, more stress, and more sweat for the contestants, but also forces them to get up to speed more quickly. (On "DWTS," it usually takes a few weeks for most contestants to get their dancing skills up to speed, but this new wrinkle should hasten that.)

More news from "DWTS:" That Lance Bass has joined. He was expected to, and precipitated some chatter over whether he'd be paired with a male dancing partner; he will not be. The show said he'll be paired with new-comer pro Lacey Schwimmer. The full list is on the jump, and I'll get to an analysis when I have a few minutes today.

Show bows Sept. 24.

(The above photo - incredible no? - was shot by Holly Stein. To find out more about Holly and her extraordinary work, go here...)

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