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Dancing With The Stars, Season 12, Week 1 - Dance Night, March 21, 2011
SIO's Early Favourite: Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff - Even though Ralph has no dance experience, he looks like he hasn't aged since The Karate Kid movie made some 28 years ago. He looks to be a very fit and graceful 49 years old.
Second Favourite: Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas. Never underestimate stars that have come from Disney TV and/or movies because they have been selected for their looks, winning personalities, talent with music and/or dance. Chelsea has tons of personality, lots of energy, eager to learn, and willing to work. She teamed with a great partner in Mark. They looked good together on the dance floor. Great chemistry.
Third Favourite: Hines Ward and Kym Johnson. Never underestimate a Football Receiver as DWTS contestant. Great conditioning & stamina, agility and body positioning that translates into good dance moves.
Lambs to the Slaughter:
Mike Catherwood and Lacey Schwimmer. The radio personality is out-of-his league.
Wendy Williams and Tony Dovolani. The talkshow hostess is out of her league. Sluggish on the dance floor.
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/dancing-wi...ason-39740.aspx
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/dancing-wi...e-re-39746.aspx
SIO's Early Favourite: Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff - Even though Ralph has no dance experience, he looks like he hasn't aged since The Karate Kid movie made some 28 years ago. He looks to be a very fit and graceful 49 years old.
Second Favourite: Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas. Never underestimate stars that have come from Disney TV and/or movies because they have been selected for their looks, winning personalities, talent with music and/or dance. Chelsea has tons of personality, lots of energy, eager to learn, and willing to work. She teamed with a great partner in Mark. They looked good together on the dance floor. Great chemistry.
Third Favourite: Hines Ward and Kym Johnson. Never underestimate a Football Receiver as DWTS contestant. Great conditioning & stamina, agility and body positioning that translates into good dance moves.
Lambs to the Slaughter:
Mike Catherwood and Lacey Schwimmer. The radio personality is out-of-his league.
Wendy Williams and Tony Dovolani. The talkshow hostess is out of her league. Sluggish on the dance floor.
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/dancing-wi...ason-39740.aspx
'Dancing with the Stars' Season 12 Premieres Tonight!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Laurel Brown
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
It's been a long, dark winter. No stars! No sequins! No samba! But all that ends tonight with the premiere of the 12th season of Dancing with the Stars. And BuddyTV will be bringing the show to you via our live recap.
Starting at 8 PM EDT/5 PM PDT, check back here at BuddyTV for constantly updated news, reviews and scores as the season 12 celebrities begin their quest for Mirror Ball glory!
What sparkly excitement can we hope for tonight? For one thing, there will be no eliminations in this first week of competition. The 11 DWTS stars will get a free pass this week, hopefully enabling everyone to get into their dancing groove before the slaughter begins. As a result, there will be no Dancing with the Stars: The Results Show until next week (premiering March 29).
Even without the imminent threat of elimination, the stars will have to put their best feet forward in one of two styles of dancing: the foxtrot or the cha-cha-cha. The accumulated hints from rehearsal videos and Twitter updates indicate the following break-down of dances.
Foxtrot:
•Chelsea and Mark
•Mike and Lacey
•Ralph and Karina
•Petra and Dmitry
•Sugar Ray and Anna
Cha-Cha-Cha:
•Chris and Cheryl
•Hines and Kym
•Kendra and Louis
•Kirstie and Maks
•Romeo and Chelsie
•Wendy and Tony
Will any of the celebrities take an early front-runner position? Unlike in previous seasons, there's definitely no pre-season favorite. None of the celebrity contestants have much of a dancing background (Chelsea Kane was in some musicals as a child and Romeo has done a little dancing with his music, but that's it). Nobody is so incredibly famous or popular that he or she can coast to the finals, regardless of skill. And there's not even a hint of a political agenda to entice or put off DWTS voters.
So who's it going to be? I made some predictions right after the casting announcement, but it might be time for an update. Having watched the rehearsal videos and listened/read/watched an interview or ten, here are my updated views on the season 12 contestants:
11 - Kendra Wilkinson: I know she's a favorite for a lot of people, but I don't see it. Her dance moves didn't look too great, and she's much less famous than much of the competition. Plus, I don't see a lot of middle-America fans connecting with Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend.
10 - Kirstie Alley: Can she dance? I have no idea. Her rehearsal video emphasized more rolling on the floor than dancing. Personality and recognition will help Kirstie, but how much?
9 - Ralph Macchio: Much as I desperately want Ralph to do well, none of his rehearsal footage makes me think the guy can dance. I hope I'm wrong!
8 - Wendy Williams: There might be some moves there. But Wendy has to contend with the "funny celebrity" issues as well as the dancing.
7 - Sugar Ray Leonard: If we've got a superstar in the bunch, it's Sugar Ray. If he can avoid stiff movements or looking like he's going to punch Anna, Sugar Ray may have a shot.
6 - Mike Catherwood: We don't know him, but he's obviously likable. And athletic. He just needs a few moves to win over lots and lots of hearts.
5 - Hines Ward: He's charming, he plays football (athletes often do well) and he looks to have some moves during rehearsals.
4 - Chelsea Kane: No one knows her, but ... You can see the dance ability in the rehearsals. While the others struggle, Chelsea looks ready for her costume.
3 - Romeo: Based on rehearsal footage, this is a young man comfortable with movement. The looks don't hurt either.
2 - Petra Nemcova: She's beautiful, graceful and seems totally sweet. Her rehearsal dancing looks promising, and she wins hands-down for the best tragic-past of the season.
1 - Chris Jericho: The guy has more charisma than 20 normal people and a familiarity with choreography. And he might actually be able to dance.
Want more Dancing with the Stars info? Check out our DWTS Insider page on Facebook.
Who are you looking forward to seeing tonight? Who has the best shot of winning? Do you expect any horrible dancing, or just success? Let us know in the comments section!
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/dancing-wi...e-re-39746.aspx
'Dancing with the Stars' Live Recap: Week 1 Dances
Monday, March 21, 2011
Laurel Brown
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Greetings to the sequin-deprived viewers of Dancing with the Stars! We've finally reached the premiere of season 12, and it's time for the dancing to begin. Who will wow us? Which stars will swiftly fall? Just how crazy can the costumes get? It's time to watch and see!
If you're looking for up-to-the-minute DWTS information, BuddyTV is your place! I'll be recapping live throughout the show. That's right -- every step, every flash of glitter and every crazy Bruno comment as they happen!
Who are the stars this season? They're a varied bunch. We've got:
•The Karate Kid (Not the one named Smith. The other one.)
•A boxer famous enough for me to know his name
•A wrestler famous enough for me to know his name
•Rebecca from Cheers
•A Disney kid
•A "Psycho" radio guy
•A talk show host regularly mocked on The Soup
•Hugh Hefner's ex
•The obligatory football player
•The obligatory slightly-faded music star
•And a really pretty model!
Sound good? I certainly hope so, because these are the stars we get for the next many weeks. At least this season we can go in with absolutely no idea of which star will have a shot at Mirror Ball glory. It seriously could be anyone.
Keep in mind as you're watching tonight, that there's no Results Show tomorrow. With only 11 contestants this season, the celebrities get a week of breathing room before one of them goes home. But you can still vote! DWTS will then use those votes in some complicated manner that I don't pretend to understand.
With that in mind, let's begin!
Want more Dancing with the Stars info? Check out our DWTS Insider page on Facebook.
OK, Tom Bergeron. Thank you for letting me start the season laughing. We do deserve dancing after this winter! We do! So let's boogie.
It's the band! And the Stairs O' Doom! Is anyone going to fall on the first night? And that would be... a no. Oh well. This does look like a party bunch though.
Enough of that chatter, time for the first dance with Chelsea and Mark!
Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas
Dancing the foxtrot
Judges' Opinions:
Len: "I thought that routine had a young, fresh routine to it." "It went a bit clanky for me." "You're the first out and well done!"
Bruno: "You started on your back, you ended on your back..." "
Carrie Ann: "You have a lot of potential." "Just connect it all a little more."
My Opinion: They are cute. Like super cute. Ooh! Flowers! Wait, now they're elegant? So Chelsea's good. Like super good. This would be a decent performance midway through the season, and she's starting out that way? Cool on her. Maybe a bit of a fall, but otherwise pretty darned impressive!
Scores: 7+7+7 = 21
Wendy Williams and Tony Dovolani
Dancing the cha-cha-cha
Judges' Opinions:
Len: "You've got your dumplings boiling over." "You have to bring your personality out on this floor, and you didn't."
Bruno: "Wendy! Listen to me! You are a sumptuous, luscious, gorgeous woman!" "Technique can improve, but you have to deliver the performance value!"
Carrie Ann: "I saw real fear in your eyes before you started this, and that's what's so great about this show." "You need to unleash the beast next time."
My Opinion: Can I just say right now that I like Wendy? Because I do. It would be awesome if she were good. She definitely looks a bit tentative at the beginning there. Her steps and moves look good enough, but it's too tentative, especially with Wendy's personality. Tony looks like he's still teaching her on the dance floor. Decent, but not exciting overall. OK, can Wendy stay all season just so we can hear more of those comments from the judges? Please?
Scores: 5+4+5 = 14
Ouch. I guess they wanted more dumplings.
Hines Ward and Kym Johnson
Dancing the cha-cha-cha
Judges' Opinions:
Len: "You continue the tradition of footballers being able to dance." "I was looking at your bum! Your bottom's the tops, I'll tell you that!"
Bruno: "So nimble! So light-footed! The timing was excellent!" "You really have to, as Len says, work on the posture."
Carrie Ann: "Who knew under that helmet and all that football gear was all that?" "Your smile lights up the whole stage!" "You were in control out there!"
My Opinion: Cool, Kym didn't know anymore about Hines than me! He's cute. Like little-boy cute. Awww... He looks like he's having fun too! Not bad footwork there. Kind of hard to see Hines through Kym's crazy fringe, but what I can see looks good. Why does this guy waste so much charisma on football? He definitely knows how to perform. Definitely not a perfect performance, but I really, really enjoyed that!
Scores: 7+7+7 = 21
21 seems to be the "we liked it" score of the evening.
Petra Nemcova and Dmitry Chaplin
Dancing the foxtrot
Judges' Opinions:
Len: "I thought the whole routine had a charm about it." "Well, done. It was a charming dance."
Bruno: "There was some moments of extreme beauty and sophistication." "It's not just enough doing one pretty thing, then another pretty thing... link everything better."
Carrie Ann: "There is something about the way you dance... It's truly breathtaking. But... there was a long drag there that sort of turned into a littlelittle lift."
My Opinion: We can't not love Petra, can we? Sweet, pretty, enthusiastic and with that story? If she can dance, that's it. Stop. Making. Me. Cry. Petra! Dance instead! Petra may be a little stiff, but that dress covers it up well. She definitely looks lovely in the pauses. Can we just stare at Petra and Dmitry without judging? Sigh... Honestly, I'm not sure about the dance, but I kind of loved that anyway.
Scores: 6+6+6 = 18
The judges are feeling very agreeable tonight, aren't they?
Romeo and Chelsie Hightower
Dancing the cha-cha-cha
Judges' Opinions:
Len: "One thing for sure, Romeo, you've got plenty of energy." "It was all a bit casual and carefree." "The performance side, you've nailed. Now just work on technique."
Bruno: "Ah, Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo! So vibrant! So energetic! So playful! Still messy though."
Carrie Ann: "You have sex appeal for days! There was so much testosterone on the floor!" "What you didn't nail was your posture."
My Opinion: Hey! More cute! They're even cute arguing. He's got the smooth attitude down cold, that's for sure. Maybe a little tentative in his moves, but this is definitely not bad. Weirdly, all that cute rehearsal chemistry seems missing on the actual dance floor. Romeo would look almost the same dancing alone. It was a good dance but missing something...
Scores: 7+6+6 = 19
Hey, it's Jennifer Grey! She looks happy to not be competing.
Hines Ward and Kym Johnson
Dancing the foxtrot
Judges' Opinions:
Len: "Foxtrot is fine wine and caviar. This was beer and a pizza."
Bruno: "Can I call you Sugar? Thank you! I love that, it's like Some Like It Hot! Call me Daphne!" "You turn into a Ninja Turtle!"
Carrie Ann: "You're incredible, the way you light up the dance floor." "Posture, posture, posture. Please."
My Opinion: I'm guessing that Sugar Ray isn't the most humble of men. For his sake, I hope he doesn't have to learn humility dancing. Starting from a seat? Interesting choice. Slow start for the dancing, but at least he looks comfortable out there. That said, I'm not sure Sugar Ray is doing all that much. He looks like he can dance when he wants to but just isn't for most of the song. Not bad overall...
Scores: 6+5+6 = 17
Kendra Wilkinson and Louis Van Amstel
Dancing the cha-cha-cha
Judges' Opinions:
Len: "You held my interest from start to finish, not always for the right reasons, but you did." "Very entertaining."
Bruno: "You can definitely strut your stuff, my darling. Full frontal attack!"
Carrie Ann: "I don't think you missed a step, which I give you credit for."
My Opinion: She does seem to be enjoying herself. Always a nice thing. Ah, Louis took the bunny ears off. Boo. It's quick this time and certainly has its energy. Kendra is good, but still a bit stiff, I think. Except when she's shaking. She really does do that well. Kendra may be lacking the flair that some others have, but she can definitely move. And she can do the splits! OK, there's my respect earned.
Scores: 6+6+6 = 18
Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff
Dancing the foxtrot
Judges' Opinions:
Len: "You've got great potential, a bit rough around the edges." "It's the best foxtrot tonight. Well done!"
Bruno: "I've got the feeling that you're a great stalking(?) hit!" "Watch your hand though, because sometimes it's very, very weird."
Carrie Ann: "That was just an amazing surprise!" "That was truly gorgeous."
My Opinion: Ralph Macchio really is a nice-seeming guy. But can he dance? The rehearsal isn't terribly promising. Although the actual dance isn't too bad. He is maybe a little cheesy-looking, but the dance moves are still there. I guess he turns on the charm for the performance? I bet they're going to call him on being sloppy, but you definitely want to watch the guy. Or not.
Scores: 8+8+8 = 24
Wow. Highest scores so far! This is definitely a surprise -- way to hide talent in the rehearsals, producers!
Chris Jericho and Cheryl Burke
Dancing the cha-cha-cha
Judges' Opinions:
Len: "I think your hips are allergic to music." "You're a great big boy and you came out... What's wrong with that?"
Bruno: "The dancing beast! I haven't had so much fun with leather and PVC since the Village People." "Sometimes messy but always entertaining."
Carrie Ann: "It was kind of like a Chippendale's cha-cha!" "You didn't miss anything." "I think you need to put a little more content in your dances."
My Opinion: Chris is a fun guy. And he jumps awfully well. He's maybe a little too stiff to start, but losing the jacket sure helps. Is it a problem that I can't stop picturing Chris picking up Cheryl in a wrestling hold? Probably. Overall, that was pretty good, but not amazing.
Scores: 7+6+6 = 19
Mike Catherwood and Lacey Schwimmer
Dancing the foxtrot
Judges' Opinions:
Len: "You did move, and there was music. But there was very little dance quality about it."
Bruno: "It was slightly ungainly." "You look like you're constipated. What's that all about?"
Carrie Ann: "Obviously you don't have a lot of dance experience." "You kept up. You're a little jerky." "Good effort."
My Opinion: At least he embraces the fact that we have no idea of who he is. Ooh! Crazy lights! Was he off right near the beginning? Hard to tell with the lights. He definitely seems stiff, but there's still a lot of charm going on. Mike kind of looks like that frat boy whose girlfriend conned him into a ballroom dancing class -- having fun but totally out of place. Still, I liked him.
Scores: 5+4+4 = 13
Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Dancing the cha-cha-cha
Judges' Opinions:
Len: "It was fun, it was cheeky, it was entertaining."
Bruno: "I like what I see..." "I think we are just scratching at the surface of what you can do." "Your foot placement in the cha-cha-cha was the best of the night."
Carrie Ann: "Honey, you are working it!" "Thank you!"
My Opinion: OK, they're going to be fun together. Can she dance? Maybe not. But Kirstie will be entertaining no matter what. She may not be quite keeping up, but that's awfully close. This is why it's good to be a performer on a show like Dancing with the Stars. Of course, her steps don't look half-bad either. I'm very much liking this performance. Bit of a surprise, but Kirstie was good! And last season goes wild!
Scores: 8+7+8 = 23
Great ending for the first show! Of course, Kirstie might pass out in about two seconds. That would certainly hurt her chances in the long run. But a great first performance!
What do you think about the first week of performances? Was anyone a standout? Did anyone surprise you? Which celebrity do you expect to go first next week? Leave us a comment!