Dancing With the Stars Week 3: Blondes, Sweat, and Tears

Another live performance show and this week the couples get personal.  We learn a little more about our stars as they dance to a song from a memorable year in their life.

It should be emotional, it should be uplifting.  Tonight Liiiiiiiiiiivvvvveeeeeeeee!

First up tonight, Rob Kardashian and Cheryl.  Rob picked  a song from 2003, the year his father died.  He's dancing the foxtrot and is honoring his dad.  A nice foxtrot and his did his dad proud.  He's improving each and every week.  The judges agreed and he gets a 24.

Can Chynna Phillips keep impressing?  We find out now as Chynna and Tony take the stage.  She looks back at 1990 and the songs she wrote.  She dances to her own song, "Hold On."  Tony and Chynna were really into it.  A very passionate rumba.  The judges and audience loved it and of course, the personal connection to the music.  She gets a 26.

Chaz and Lacey are up next.  He was at the bottom of the standings last week, he looks to rebound.  They get a rumba so Chaz might've caught a break.  Chaz will dance to a Sonny Bono hit, "Laugh at Me."  Chaz didn't look good and the dance wasn't that great either.  The judges appreciated Chaz's courage but were fairly nice to him.  He gets a 18.

Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas next.  The judges were hard on Kristin last week.   She picks 2005 as her most memorable year.  They get a samba this week and dance to a Beyonce song.  It appeared she was a little off the entire dance.  Maybe it was because Jay Cutler was in the audience.  She gets a 24 and Jay Cutler avoids another sack, for now. 

Carson and Anna are next on the stage.  Carson isn't a great dancer, but he's having fun.  They get a tango and will dance to a No Doubt song.  Carson may not be a greta dancer, but he has the head snaps and leg kicks down.  Bruno loved it, Carrie Ann loves him, and Len said he put the boy in flamboyant.  He gets a 23.

No story is more personal that J.R. Martinez's.  He's an inspiration to every American.  He was injured in Iraq and faced a long recovery.  He dances to a Tim McGraw song and he dedicates it to the men and women who didn't make it home from war.  He does a great job again.  He received multiple standing ovations and a 26 out of 30.

Nancy Grace is on next.  2007 was her memorable year.  She dances to "Moon River."  Tristan does a good job with Nancy, but something look awkward.  The judges were fairly kind.  She gets a 21.

Up next are Ricki Lake and Derek Hough.  Ricki's memorable year was last year.  She got divorced and her house burned down, but she met Christian.  An emotional and beautiful dance.  The judges like her because she is a performer.  A great dance.  Ricki gets a 27.

Hope Solo and Maks take the floor.  Her memorable year is this year.  The U.S. Women's Soccer team made the finals of the World Cup.  They dance a cha cha.  A very sexy dance and Hope is in a skimpy dress.  High energy and good comments from the judges.  She gets a 24.

Last tonight is David Arquette and Kym Johnson.  David was in the bottom two last week, so  he needs to improve his technique.  They dance a rumba this week.  A much better effort from David.  David and Kym get a 24.

Dancing With the Stars Week 2 Results: Elisabetta is Eliminated

It was quite a show last night.  We had highlights, lowlights, and one of Nancy Grace's headlights making an appearance.

Tonight, we have some musical guests, more pro dance routines and one team will be sent home.

The men kicked off the evening and Tom Bergeron said that they are indeed available for bachlorette parties.

On to the eliminations.  David Arquette and Carson are the first two pulled out.  The first couple saved is Carson and Anna.  David and Kym are in jeopardy.

We get to see and encore dance tonight, and of course it is Ricki and Derek's jive.

Next we get a little tour of the DWTS training studio.  

Then the first of the musical guest, The Script.  The Script happens to be one of the only current bands I would actually buy or download a CD of.  Dimitry and Chelsie Hightower were the dancers.

More eliminations.  Next on the floor are Kristin, J.R., and Ricki.  The couples that are safe are Ricki and Derek, of course, Kristin and Mark are also coming back.  No surprise here, J.R. and Karina are also coming back.  

At the half-way point of the show they debut this season's Macy's Stars of Dance.  A big production with tons of dancers and props. 

The next three couples waiting for their results are Rob Kardashian, Nancy Grace, and Chaz.

Combining the judge's scores with the votes means Rob and Cheryl are safe.  Chaz and Lacey are in jeopardy, and Nancy and Tristian are safe.  

Six couples are now safe.

Returning to the ballroom with new single is Demi Lovato.  

Three couples still to learn their fate.  Hope and Maks.  Elisabetta and Val and Chynna and Tony.  Coming back next week are Chyna and Tony.  Hope and Maks are also coming back.  Elisabetta and Val are pulled into jeopardy.

One couple wil be brought to safety.  That would be Chaz and Lacey.  Also safe this week, David and Kym.  Elisabetta is eliminated. 

Dancing With the Stars Week 2: An Ewok Dancing With Princess Leia

Ron Artest was the casualty from the first week elimination on Dancing With the Stars, now the remaining stars are hoping to show improvement in week two.

Impressing the first week were Ricki Lake, J.R. Martinez and believe it or not, Chaz Bono.  

This week the couples attempt the jive or the quickstep.  Lets see who improves.

Leading off tonight are soccer player Hope Solo and Maks.  Hope showed a lot of potential last week and Maks loves that.  He has a great partner to work with this season and he'll take advantage of that.  They get the jive and it's a high energy jive that has them both working hard.  The judges liked the level of difficulty and her foot speed.  She now needs to work on her precision.  She gets a 19 for her jive.

Next up is Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas.  Mark really wants her to perform this week.  She wants to use some more of her performance skills.  really how many performance skills do you have to possess to be on a reality show?  They do a nice quickstep with a lot of energy.  Bruno called Kristin a "Blonde Bombshell" and he liked it.  Carrie Ann loved it, but Len picked it apart.  Kristin gets a 22.

Now on the floor, David Arquette and Kym Johnson.  If David can get over his nerves and relax a little he should be able to deliver a good jive.  They look like they are had fun and danced well together.  Carrie Ann liked the enthusiasm, even calling it "Carsonesque."  David gets an 18.

Next up is Elisabetta Canalis and Val.  Elisabetta really needs to pick up the pace this week.  They had some difficult rehearsals but pushed on through.  They get a quickstep.  She looks good, and it was better than last week.  The judges thought it was a much better effort.  She gets a 21.  

Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke are next.  Rob showed some skills last week, but I have a feeling he was one of the bottom teams.  He says he is over his nerves this week as he tries the jive.  They get a Beach Boy's tune and Rob seemed more comfortable.  The judges liked the improvement.  He gets a 21.

Buckle up here comes Carson and Anna.  Carson gets the quickstep this week and even he doesn't know what to expect.  He's sure light on his feet and dramatic with his kicks.  Still, it was a more normal routine.  Carson gets a 18.

Ricki Lake and Derek Hough are next.  I liked Ricki's routine last week, but how will she handle the jive?  Derrick has faith in Ricki, but does she have faith in herself?  A lot of action and some tough choreography gets the pair a 23.

Here we go with Chaz and Lacey.  Chaz's body is starting to break down.  They simplified the quickstep so Chaz could get through it.  Not much movement from Chaz, Lacey did most of the work.  Bruno said it was like an "Ewok dancing with Princess Leia."  It needed to be quicker.  Chaz gets a 17.

Chynna Phillips and Tony are on next.  She was great last week, can she do it again?  She is feeling the pressure getting ready for the jive.  She was moving the whole jive, but the Carrie Ann thought she played it a little safe.  Chynna gets a 21.

Second-last to go is Nancy Grace.  She is looking to improve from last week with her partner Tristian.  She gets the quickstep this week and it's been a rough week of practice.  I can say it was better than last week, but it wasn't that quick.  Len thought it was a proper quickstep.  Nancy gets a 21 out of 30.

Last up is the crowd favorite, J.R. Martinez.  He earned a lot of fans last week with his story and performance.  I liked it, lots of flips, kicks and good footwork.  Carrie Ann spotted one lift and Len didn't think it was a proper jive.  They get a 22.

Results show tomorrow night.

Dancing With the Stars Week 1 Results - Artest Fouls Out!

There was nothing boring about what took place in the new Dancing With the Stars' ballroom last night.

We got to see some good, some bad, and the show producers made sure they saved the ugly for the end.  That happened to be the controversial Chaz Bono, who didn't dance all that bad.

It appears that NBA-player Ron Artest, who was only able to garner 14 points last night may be the first to go.  
Here comes the results show...

After the opening dance number choreographed by Lacey Schwimmer we get down to business.  

Millions voted via phone and on ABC.com last night.  The first three contestants up are Ricki, Elisabetta, and Rob.  Ricki Lake and Derrick Hough are safe.  Elisabetta and Val are also safe.  Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke are put into jeopardy. 

Kind of a surprise, but Rob was in danger with his low scores.  Elisabetta and Ricki and very happy to move on.

Next up was a new song by Harry Connick Jr.  It's for the new movie, "Dolphin Tale."  Harry also has a new show opening on Broadway in December.  Should be good.

Here we go with more eliminations.  Hope Solo, Kristin Cavallari, and Ron Artest are front and center.  The next coupe safe is Hope and Maks.  Ron and Peta are put in jeopardy and Kristin and Mark Ballas are safe.

Following this we got to meet this season's dance troupe.  Three new members and some returning dancers. 

LMFAO was the next musical guest.  Peta, Cheryl, Maks and Val did the dance number with LMFAO.  Mark and Lacey then joined then with some more high energy steps.  Why does that guy in LMFAO have a box on his head?

Next on the block are J.R., Chynna, of course Chaz.  Chynna and Tony are safe.  J.R. and Karina are also safe, as a bonus, Chaz and Lacey are also safe.

The final 3 to find out their fate are Nancy, David and Carson.  The next couple safe is David and Kym.  Nancy and Tristan are in jeopardy, that means Carson and Anna are safe.

It all comes down to Rob, Ron Artest (Metta), or Nancy Grace going home.  Who will it be?

After Rob and Cheryl are brought to safety, it comes down to two.

The first couple eliminated is... Ron (Metta) and Peta.  More dancing next week!

Dancing With the Stars Season 13 Premiere: Jagger, Swagger and Stagger

Dust off your dancing shoes and get out your sequins, it's Season 13 of Dancing With the Stars.

Tom Bergeron is back to host again this season along with someone named Brooke Burke-Charvet, oh it's just Brooke Burke.  The contestants are the usual mix of athletes,  actors and actresses, reality show "stars" and relatives of people more famous than you or me.  There are also a few wildcards thrown in.

Tonight our couples will dance either the cha-cha or the Viennese Waltz.  It's a new stage and a new ballroom, but it all looks good.

Here we go...

First up will be Ron Artest, he is going by Ron Artest this week.  His partner is a new pro in Peta Murgatroyd.  Ron is a tireless worker on he basketball court, can that translate to the dance floor.  He did pretty well, an upbeat number with some moves.  A good pair here who should get better.  The judges were a bit rough on Ron.  Artest gets a 14.

Next up is gravytrainer Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke.  Rob's goal is go further than Kim did when she was on the show.  They start out with a Viennese Waltz.  He's somewhat stiff and uncoordinated.  Bruno agreed with me and said it was lacking musicality.  Cheryl has her work cut out for her here as Rob gets a 16.

We now have Kristin Cavallari and one of the best pros, Mark Ballas.  She's on the rebound now since Jay Cutler came to his senses and dumped her.  Maybe che'll channel her frustrations into her dancing.  She is ok with dancing, but she can't shake it!  A bit robotic, but ok.  If she can make it through the first couple weeks, she might get some confidence.  They earn a 19. 

Here's an 80's flashback with Chynna Phillips of Wilson Phillips fame.  She's partnered with Tony.  She has elegence, she has grace and a good partner.  A very precise and good dance.  It was excellent for a first dance, they get a 22 out of 30.  

Next up the former prosecutor in Nancy Grace.  Her partner is a new pro in Tristan.  She actually has some dance background.  AHHHHHHHH!  There's a shot of Nancy Grace with no makeup!  Close your eyes!  They dance the cha-cha.  She tried real hard, but it didn't look that great, Carrie Ann said she forgot some of the choreography.  They get a 16.

Now it's David Arquette.  He said he's been sober for over eight months now.  That may not help him in this competition.  He's partnered with Kym Johnson.  You can tell he practiced hard for this.  What is Courtney Cox doing there, aren't they separated?  He did pretty well though and gets a 18.

I'm curious about Elisabetta Canalis.  I mean her dancing potential.  She used to date George Clooney and now she's on Dancing.  Her partner is Val, Maks' brother.  She has some moves and some raw talent.  She gets a 15.

Here comes my favorite to win, Hope Solo and Maks.  Maks may have a good partner this season.  Hope is very athletic and athletes have fared well on this show.  She looked good in pink and with Maks.  A nice effort earns her a 21.

Carson Kressley from Queer Eye is up next.  I have no idea what to expect here.  He has a good partner in Anna.  He says he puts the "C" in Caucasian.  His dance was a tribute to gay men everywhere.  There was no technique, there was no musicality, but it was fun,   He gets a 17.

J.R. Martinez is a true hero and I hope he does well.  He has Karina as a partner and I have him as my darkhorse pick.   Martinez survived a mine blast in Iraq.  He's now on All My Children, and is looking forward to dancing.  He's a good dancer and a loves the competition.  The judges liked him and he gets a 22.

Talk show host Ricki Lake is up with Derrick Hough.  Ricki is a big fan of the show and she wants to get in shape.  They dance a nice waltz and get a great reaction from the crowd.  The judges liked it and she gets a 20.

Of course, Chaz Bono is last.  he proved he can become a man, but can he become a dancer?  He attempts the cha-cha and I mean attempts.  He tried I give him that, but I didn't think it was very good.  Chaz gets a 17.

Results show tomorrow night.