It's encores and results! Last season I just did links to the videos because I was worried they would be pulled for copyright infringement. This time I'll try putting the videos here in the post to make it easier for you if you want to watch. Let me know if they don't play, OK? Disclaimer...I don't make any money off this blog. I just love the show and like to share it with my blog community!
Well we know what we liked last night. I couldn't find only the short clips, so for some of these if you watch you'll have to buffer through some drama during rehearsal footage.
We liked the Jive from Evan and Anna.
We liked the Jive from Nicole and Derek.
We loved the Foxtrot from Erin and Maks, and not just because of the wardrobe malfunction.
But guess what? Even though we didn't throw them any votes, we're giving dance of the night honors to Niecy and Louis. She's not the best dancer, but we love her enthusiasm and her personality. Louis has the ability to understand his partners and make dances that show them at their best. And you might tell me you didn't smile the whole time you watched that, but I won't believe you.
Good stuff eh?
Here's a reminder of the leader board after two weeks of dancing.
53 Nicole and Derek 47 Evan and Anna 44 Erin and Maks 43 Pamela and Damian 40 Jake and Chelsie 39 Niecy and Louis 38 Shannen and Mark 34 Chad and Cheryl 34 Aiden and Edyta 31 Kate and Tony 28 Buzz and Ashly
Wow...there's no fooling around. We go right to results and find out that Buzz and Ashly are safe! Good for you Colonel!
But Pamela and Damian are in danger.
The judges select the Jive from Nicole and Derek for the encore dance.
Travis Payne and Stacy Walker create a dance for our pros. Excellent! I love to watch our pros, especially in this kind of mix between Latin ballroom and modern hip hop.
Oh no...not an Adam Carolla feature. Yick.
Results again. Aiden and Edyta are safe. Niecy and Louis are safe.
It's The Beach Boys! This is one of my all time favorite bands. I've seen them several times and I got to see most of the famous line up that included Carl and Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine. Regrettably, I never got to see them play with Brian on stage.
Performing tonight with Mike Love is Bruce Johnston, not an original member but as good as. And John Stamos joins the band too. They played California Girls, Kokomo, and Fun Fun Fun.
And the pros had a go on the floor as well with a bit of Cha Cha Cha and a bit of Jive.
Although they didn't sound great vocally, the music was terrific and they played it live. You gotta love that.
HA! We have the Len Commandments.
Thou shalt not kill time with fluffy foolishness.
Thou shalt not take the judges name in vain.
Thou shalt not steal dance moves.
Thou shalt not interrupt Mr Cranky Pants.
Thou shalt not lift.
Thou shalt have rhinestones and be glittery.
Thou may honor the judges with gifts.
Len challenges the pairs to tell a story in their dancing next week, not with gimmicks, but with movement and choreography.
Results...Evan and Anna are safe. Jake and Chelsie are safe. Nicole and Derek are safe.
Macy's Stars of Dance returns with ballroom dancers from Haiti. One of the dancers lost his toddler son in the January earthquake. He said during the interview that although he can't bring his son back by wishing, he can keep his son alive by trying to be happy. Music and dance don't make tragedy go away, but they sure can help to bring some measure of peace and maybe a little bit of joy.
Nice little feature on Brooke Burke. I think she's doing a fabulous job so far, and she looks amazing!
Results...Erin and Maks are safe. Chad and Cheryl are safe. Kate and Tony are safe.
So Pamela and Damian are joined by Shannen and Mark.
Pamela and Damian make it safe, so that means that Shannen and Mark are the first out. They didn't announce it until the end, but evidently Mark injured his knee and will be unable to dance for six weeks. If they had survived, his dad Corky Ballas would have stepped in to dance with Shannen.
Shannen had a great attitude. She accepted the invitation so she could dance for her father, and she got that done.
And now we're going to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
This week all of our 11 couples return for a second dance, looking for viewer votes to avoid being the first eliminated. Tom hinted at an upset in last week's voting results. Hmmmmm. Could an early favorite be in danger?
Our pairs dance either Jive or Foxtrot.
Jive is characterized by quick flick kicks, chassez, and ball/change movement, with rock steps and high energy. Let's re-visit the jive from Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas for our demonstration.
Foxtrot is characterized by smooth movements and timing...slow, quick, quick, slow. Steps should weave, feather, and zig zag across the floor. Yes, the demonstration clip is Marcus and Karen Hilton.
Oh! I need to remind you of our leader board from last week.
25 Nicole and Derek 23 Evan and Anna 21 Erin and Maks 21 Pamela and Damian 20 Jake and Chelsie 18 Niecy and Louis 18 Chad and Cheryl 18 Shannen and Mark 16 Kate and Tony 15 Aiden and Edyta 14 Buzz and Ashly
Now here we go!
Shannen Doherty and Mark Ballas dance Jive. The question for Shannen comes down to this...is she gonna go for it or is she gonna go home? If you do easy steps then you have to be perfect. She's just not musical enough to pull off perfection, so she might as well listen to Mark and go as tough as she can stand. Her legs are awkward and she had some rough footwork. But she did have energy and performance. About halfway through it she looked like she started to enjoy what she was doing. The choreography had classic Jive elements, and I always appreciate that because Jive is one of my favorites. It looks like she's going to struggle with musicality and coordination. Judges say 7,6,7 for a total of 20. A good score, but I'm still concerned with her technique. If she continues to trust where Mark is taking her, she might be able to improve. But I don't know that she can challenge for the win solely on dance ability. I suspect fanbase is going to be important for her.
Aiden Turner and Edyta Sliwinska dance Foxtrot. There's tension in rehearsal footage. That bit of drama can sometimes bring the celebrity and pro a bit closer together. Now once we're past that, I can tell you that Aiden looks much more comfortable in ballroom than he did in Latin. Last week he was awkward and clearly out of his element. This week he shows a charm and grace that I didn't anticipate after watching him stomp through Cha Cha Cha. And he took an elbow in the eye from Edyta like a champ...twice! LOL! He had some solid lines and there were some excellent moments of elegance. He was able to relax and glide through it. He put his feet in the right places and that allowed him to be a reasonably strong lead in the dance. He still needs some work, but I certainly can't complain about his improvement over last week. Solid job. Judges say 7,6,6 for a total of 19. I think maybe that could have been 7's across.
Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya dance Jive. That was terrific! It was high energy and fast. He really performed throughout the entire piece. He's really tall, but he has so much control over his frame. He's still having trouble pointing his toes, but I suspect with his work ethic that he'll ultimately be able to overcome that. What I like about him is his ability to make what he's doing look effortless. He is able to connect one step to the next to the next without short changing the prior move. That probably comes from his training as a skater. He understands that it's not about going from trick to trick. One thing I appreciate about Evan's skating is that he pays attention to the choreography between his jumps. And that has translated to his dancing. Well done! Judges say 8's across for a total of 24. Yup yup! Maybe there could have been a 9 in there.
Niecy and Louis dance Foxtrot. This is a vibrant and funny lady. She's also charming. And she did a pretty good representation of classy and sophisticated too. That dance had me smiling from step one. She and Louis have a terrific connection between them. I don't think she put a foot wrong in that dance. She made it look effortless. I like her a lot. Louis is a fantastic teacher. He made a dance for her that played on her strengths and helped her improve her weaknesses. She was so light on her feet. Last week she played up her "jiggly" bits, and this week she contained those "jiggly" bits in an elegant package that emphasized her grace and style. I'm thinking she's going to win some fans because of her personality. Judges say 7's across for a total of 21. I think somebody could have thrown an 8 in there.
Jake Pavelka and Chelsie Hightower dance Jive. So last week he had elegance and charm. This week he needs energy and coordination. If he can believe in himself from week to week, he can get this done. The thing I didn't expect was for him to get out there and perform like he did. He led Chelsie in the Waltz last week, and he was out there leading her this week in a difficult Jive. That was really good. I'm impressed. There were some early moments when I thought he was a little stiff in some of his positions. Chelsie held him to the difficult choreography. He caved, nailed it, and now trust shouldn't be an issue between them from here forward. They have great chemistry. Judges say 6,7,7 for a total of 20. Ppppppfffffffttttttttt. Carrie Ann called them on a lift I didn't see. But even if there was a lift, I'm not sure I like that overall score. I'd like to see him relax in the movement next week and be a little less stiff.
Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa dance Foxtrot. Call me sentimental and corny, but I think Buzz Aldrin doing a Foxtrot to Fly Me to the Moon is perfect. Ashly drew the Colonel a map of the steps to help him remember. He's struggling again with the dancing and musicality, but that's ok. Sorry...I just can't be critical of an American hero. The dance was sweet and charming. I think Ashly is doing a wonderful job with him. I think it's great that he's out there trying. Judges say 4's across for a total of 12. Ouch. That's the part I don't like. It's like telling my own grandfather he sucks at something...just can't do that. So I'll say this...thank you, Sir, for trying and for being an inspiration. And for not fussing at Ashly while she's trying to teach you to do the best your ability will allow.
Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough dance Jive. This is the first time I've heard a celebrity fuss about the music. She wanted a classic Jive, but the music the producers assigned is from Rhianon. Now I know what she was worried about. I'm not real pleased with it either. Derek had a real challenge to work with that music and I think he rose to the occasion. There was lots of traditional Jive mixed with the cross-over stuff from Lindyhop. What it did have was high energy, and Nicole was solid. When I ignored the music, I did enjoy the dancing. I think she could have extended on the flick kicks and been a bit sharper. But I'm probably picking nits. Judges say 10,8,10 for a total of 28. Now I don't know that I would have thrown 10's on that...but I would have gone a couple of 9's. They are definitely setting the bar so far this season.
Erin Andrews and Maks Chmerkovskiy dance Foxtrot. Maks is demanding...if you've watched this show for any length of time, you know that. But Erin has a strong personality as well. Maks wants her to be a princess for this Foxtrot. She is really impressing me. She's classically beautiful. She may not think she's graceful, but she is. She glows when she dances. Hey ladies...you can love sports and be a princess too. I can see her stealing some of the sports vote from Chad. If she listens to and works with Maks, he is going to teach her how to extend her lines, connect movements, and finish them off. I like her chances. Judges say 8,7,8 for a total of 23. I thought she did channel her inner Princess and I think she's only going to get better from here. Nice sense of humor too...looking for Maks' biceps. HA!
Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood dance Foxtrot. Last week they played up the sex kitten. This week, she needs to bring glamor. She looked fantastic. The dance was smooth and sweetly sexy. But...I wanted her to be Pamela Anderson dancing a Foxtrot, not Pamela Anderson playing Marilyn Monroe dancing a Foxtrot. I did like the choreography and I thought she danced it well. She's a voluptuous woman and she has a natural sensuality. That can be overpowering at times, but she channeled it into the Marilyn persona. I think that was the problem I had with it...I thought the acting in the performance was better than the dancing. I'm probably just being picky. Bottom line...I did like it. I just would have preferred less of a character-oriented piece, I guess. Judges say 7,7,8 for a total of 22. And Brooke throws the set up question...will we see all the sides of Pamela? HA! And the response...American may have seen all the sides of Pamela. Bwahahahahahahaaa!
Chad Ochocinco and Cheryl Burke dance Foxtrot. In rehearsal footage, Chad kept making himself smaller which caused problems with his posture. If he can manage to stand up straight and lead with his chest instead of his shoulders, he can bring off the elegance of a Foxtrot. I don't think Len needed to be so harsh, but the posture was a problem. It wasn't smooth and it didn't flow. Chad has to commit himself to the ballroom styles. I could see him trying to do things rather than just relaxing into the movement. Cheryl made a lovely dance, but it just fell short. Judges say 6,5,5 for a total of 16. Ouch. If he begins to understand that technique and posture are as important as charm, then maybe he'll be able to improve.
Kate Gosselin and Tony Dovolani dance Jive. Oy. I can do without the whining. In rehearsal footage, she spoke to Tony like he was a child and out the door he walked. I tried not to read a lot of the stuff that leaked before the premier last week, but it seems like she's living up (or down) to everything that has been written. That's a shame. As to the dancing, she really struggled. I feel badly for both of them. I feel bad for Tony because he drew a really difficult personality. And I feel badly for her because she's not an entertainer and she clearly didn't know what she was getting into. She looked really afraid of the whole experience. I just don't like to see anyone feel embarrassed or look foolish. It makes me embarrassed to watch. I don't laugh when somebody falls down. Judges say 5's across for a total of 15. I think that score is generous. She needs to catch herself and stop giving Tony such a hard time. Just listen and try to do what he's trying to teach.
Here's our leader board after two dances.
53 Nicole and Derek 47 Evan and Anna 44 Erin and Maks 43 Pamela and Damian 40 Jake and Chelsie 39 Niecy and Louis 38 Shannen and Mark 34 Chad and Cheryl 34 Aiden and Edyta 31 Kate and Tony 28 Buzz and Ashly
Did we vote? Of course we did! And we used all four phones...our own cell phones and each of our work phones. We split our votes three ways between Evan, Erin, and Nicole.
Hey! The Beach Boys are on the results show tonight, with John Stamos. Now I'm old school and it's not really The Beach Boys to me unless the line up includes Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson with Mike Love and Al Jardine. Of course, Dennis (drowned in 1983) and Carl (cancer in 1998) have passed and Brian doesn't perform with the group anymore. So I'm curious about the line up tonight.
Take This Tune is a feature hosted by my pal Jamie at Duward Discussion. Jamie puts up a video prompt complete with lyrics to the song, and the task is to find another song or to write something inspired by the title of the song or something in the lyrics.
I really enjoy participating in Jamie's feature because of where the prompts take my thoughts and emotions. This week's prompt is a song called Red Staggerwing, as performed by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. The lyrics have a wonderful risque innuendo.
But I wasn't inspired by that part of the song. I've had a flood of memory recently. I've been revisiting old playgrounds in my mind. So I've gone a little off the reservation with respect to the theme this week with a sonnet partly inspired by the mention of powerful go-fast machines in the Red Staggerwing lyrics, but softened by sweet boyhood memories.
This sonnet was composed using a Shakespearean rhyming scheme.
Heading east toward the returning sun, Chill darkness retreating before the day, I thought of hard round marbles lost and won. A boy's game of skill and daring to play. Bravado of youth risking precious stones. Dead eye aim, shoulders tense, then a thumb flick, Perfect orbs rolling, seeking fast to own The target, easing alongside and click, That one too becomes mine in my pocket. My treasure, smooth like glass, won fair and square, Stash'd away safe in my victory set With those special ones never play'd and rare. Eastward at dawn when dreams are possible, I drive and smile, remembering marbles.
This has been an original poem by Travis Cody, copyright 2010.
Some vocalists just make me smile. Bobby Darin is one of those. He was also one of my Gram's favorites. So whenever I hear his voice, I think of my Gram.
I'm dedicating Set 9 to my fiery red headed grandmother, who passed on 1 April 1986. I miss you.
Here's a bonus. Not only did Mr Darin have a velvety smooth singing voice. Not only could he write beautiful folk songs. But he had a prodigious talent as an actor.
Warning...if you take the 10 minutes to watch this clip, beware. It's from a movie called Captain Newman MD. Gregory Peck stars as a doctor assigned to treat cases of combat fatigue during WWII. Mr Darin was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Cpl. Jim Tompkins, a waist gunner on a bomb crew who survived a horrific experience when his plane was shot down.
In the clip, Tompkins relives his experience under the influence of sodium pentothal. It's worth your time, but difficult to watch. In context of the film action, this scene kind of sneaks up on you. The first time I saw the movie, I had to pause it after watching this.
I don't generally look for controversy in this space. I'm just not interested in shouting matches. I don't mind a reasonable debate, but that kind of discussion is in short supply these days. So I stay clear of controversial topics.
However, sometimes I just want to make a point.
There's an element out there shouting that "the people" don't want this health care legislation. This element is saying that Washington Democrats didn't listen to what "the people" want. I find that highly amusing.
None of these folks proclaiming a 100% objection to the bill asked me or Pam whether we want it. I'm a people. She's a people. If you're one of those out there presuming to speak for all of the people by shouting that "the people" don't want the legislation, then I just want to let you know that you forgot to ask me and you forgot to ask Pam.
So your 100% sample is a couple of people short.
Hey gang, you are an individual and you may or may not want the legislation. But remember that you speak for yourselves and not for anyone else. You may be part of a like-minded group, but unless you did a really good count of yourselves, I can pretty much guarantee that you are not 100% of "the people" as you seem to want to proclaim.
Hey...you may not even be a majority of "the people".
So chill. If you don't like the legislation, then you have options. Write to your representatives. If your reps voted for the bill, then I guess you know what you're doing when they come up for re-election. If you do like the legislation, then you're good to go.
If you appreciate that something got done, but you don't think it's enough or you think it's too much or you think something else is wrong with it, then again you've got the power of your pen and the power of your vote to make yourself heard.
Online polls are not scientific. That MSNBC.com poll that some of you seem to be using as your "the people" evidence? The sample is anyone who knew about the poll, had a computer, and bothered to go and vote on the thing. I didn't know about it and I still don't know where to find it. Pam didn't know about it until I showed her a couple of posts I came across that referred to it.
Again, we be people and we didn't get counted. So one more time, less than 100% of your "all of the people".
Nobody knows what 100% of the people in this country think of the legislation unless they've spoken to all 309 million of us.
So again, I say relax. Ease up on the rhetoric. Nobody knows what's going to happen, and a lot of folks out there are getting riled up unnecessarily. Certainly you should speak out if you oppose the legislation. I'm not suggesting that you shut up and take it if you have a beef with the bill or the way it was passed. But be constructive when you protest and don't presume that your opinion is going to carry the day.
And try to listen to others who might not agree with you. You don't have to change your mind, but neither of you is stupid because you don't agree with each other.
Here's a link to an article from US News & World Report. It's probably not going to change anyone's mind, but maybe it will remind you to settle down and not let anyone scare you into believing something about the legislation that may not be true.
Here's a sample from the article, written by Rick Newman.
It will be a long time before we know whether the historic healthcare reform finally passed by Congress will make the system better or worse. But the rhetoric surrounding the yearlong ordeal has already set new standards for overwrought fearmongering. There's a long history of pre-emptive hyperbole in Washington, in which the combatants on each side of an issue paint a dismal scenario if things don't go their way. But the dire predictions almost never materialize. Businesses adjust. Lawyers find loopholes. Lobbyists get new rules watered down. Entrepreneurs come up with better ways to make money, regardless of constraints. And if the new rules really do fail, we have this little process called electoral politics to make sure the government responds to voters' concerns.
Keep this in mind. Republicans were voted out of office in the last couple of elections because a majority of people were tired of what they thought Republicans were doing to them or not doing for them. So it stands to reason that if a majority of people are tired of what they think Democrats are doing to them or not doing for them, then Democrats will get voted out of office in the next series of elections.
I want to share one final passage from the book With the Old Breed, by WWII Marine E.B.Sledge.
On 8 August we heard that the first atomic bomb had been dropped on Japan. Reports abounded for a week about a possible surrender. Then on 15 August 1945 the war ended.
We received the news with quiet disbelief coupled with an indescribable sense of relief. We thought the Japanese would never surrender. Many refused to believe it. Sitting in stunned silence, we remembered our dead. So many dead. So many maimed. So many bright futures consigned to the ashes of the past. So many dreams lost in the madness that had engulfed us. Except for a few widely scattered shouts of joy, the survivors of the abyss sat hollow-eyed and silent, trying to comprehend a world without war.
In September, the 1st Marine Division went to North China on occupation duty, the 4th Marines to the fascinating ancient city of Peking. After four and a half months there, I rotated Stateside.
My happiness knew no bounds when I learned I was slated to ship home. It was time to say goodbye to old buddies in K/3/5. Severing the ties formed in two campaigns was painful. One of America's finest and most famous elite fighting divisions had been my home during a period of the most extreme adversity. Up there on the line, with nothing between us and the enemy but space (and precious little of that), we'd forged a bond that time would never erase. We were brothers. I left with a sense of loss and sadness, but K/3/5 will always be a part of me.
It's ironic that the record of our company was so outstanding but that so few individuals were decorated for bravery. Uncommon valor was displayed so often it went largely unnoticed. It was expected. But nearly every man in the company was awarded the Purple Heart. My good fortune in being one of the few exceptions continues to amaze me.
War is brutish, inglorious, and a terrible waste. Combat leaves an indelible mark on those who are forced to endure it. The only redeeming factors were my comrades' incredible bravery and their devotion to each other. Marine Corps training taught us to kill efficiently and to try to survive. But it also taught us loyalty to each other - and love. That esprit de corps sustained us.
This was one of the more difficult books I've ever read, and I highly recommend it.
Pam was grumbly at 1900 when a crisis erupted at her work. But she made attacked and resolved it and although she'll have to catch Music on the Couch on replay, she made it home with time to spare. So now we have our fine Premier Night feast, all phones are charged and in good order in case we feel compelled to vote, and all is right with my world.
Brooke Burke joins host Tom Bergeron this season, and that works for me. She looks stunning in a silvery shimmery gown. She is one hot mama!
Something else new for this season is the "Celebraquariam". The red room where the pairs get their scores is now out in front of the stage and open to the audience.
Our 11 pairs begin competition with Cha Cha Cha or Viennese Waltz, two of my favorites!
Cha Cha Cha is characterized by triple steps and rock steps in parallel and perfectly synchronized. This dance is fun, flirty, and cheeky with lots of sassy hip action. This is a great pair, Bryan Watson and Carmen Vincelj.
Viennese Waltz is characterized by graceful turns that sweep around the floor. This dance must be elegant and sophisticated. If you've been reading here for any length of time, you know I go to Marcus and Karen Hilton to demonstrate this dance.
Ready? OK!
Chad Ochochinco and Cheryl Burke dance Cha Cha Cha. He's out of his element, so his on field personality isn't so much in evidence. I definitely prefer the toned down version. Like most of the football players on the show, his initial problems are with his upper body posture. His shoulders naturally tighten into his neck and his upper body wants to lean forward. But he can definitely move. And he's taking this seriously, which I always appreciate from flamboyant celebrities. His technique leads a lot of work, but there's potential there. He's coordinated and nimble, and he doesn't seem to be embarrassed. He needs to extend and finish off steps and arm movements. Cheryl gave him some basic Cha Cha Cha footwork, and while he handled most of it he needs to relax into the floor and just let the steps flow. I like his attitude, which I did not expect. Judges say 6's across for a total of 18. That's about right. He forgot some steps in the middle of the dance, and didn't finish as strong as he started.
Shannen Doherty and Mark Ballas dance Viennese Waltz. I know Shannen has a bad reputation in the business, but I liked her on Charmed. That side by side opening was difficult and you can see her nerves all over her face. She's not as graceful as I'd like her to be. She seemed so focused on getting those opening steps in the right order. But once they got into hold, it was a little better. And when she finally got through that part, she relaxed a little and then came the smile. She needs to work on the glide and not making things so clunky. I did like the choreography, but I would have preferred more in hold so she could feel more secure. She handled it though, and it wasn't the worst I've ever seen. And the emotion of dancing for her father was heart warming. Judges say 6's across for a total of 18. I'd say that's about right. She wasn't as graceful as I think she can be, and she needs to work on her footwork. But in her favor, she managed the turns pretty well.
Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy dance Cha Cha Cha. I've always enjoyed Erin as a sideline reporter. And isn't she a little hottie in that tiny yellow dress!! She's letting those hips roll. She was a little rubbery in her arms and her legs were a bit weird in spots. She's inconsistent in her movement, but look at her perform! She's not an actor gang, she's a journalist. She mastered her inhibitions and went for it. I loved the performance. That was completely unexpected. She and Maks have fantastic chemistry together. And she has wonderful musicality. Her steps were on beat. Maks gave her difficult choreography, but it wasn't beyond her ability. Judges say 7's across for a total of 21. Good score. She could challenge Chad for the sports vote.
Brief interlude: Brooke is handling the Celebraquariam interviews quite well. I like her style. She's not just doing the gushy thing. She remembers what this competition was like and she knows what it takes to win.
Jake Pavelka and Chelsie Hightower dance Viennese Waltz. Pam says "sigh". He's up on his toes. Not great rise and fall, but not bad either. He's less awkward than rehearsal footage, which means he's listening and taking notes to improve. That was actually very nice. It was elegant and classy, and leaning toward the right side of graceful. His footwork was pretty good. He needs to work on posture and he also needs to slow down. The adrenaline got the better of him in spots and he rushed through some of the steps and turns. Pam says that he's handsome and romantic and sweet and charming and...OK OK! I think Pam may have found an early favorite. I will say that he danced very well, and that he took the lead in the dance which is difficult for the fellas in the first week. Judges say 7,6,7 for a total of 20. Excellent score and well deserved.
Niecy Nash and Louis Van Amstel dance Cha Cha Cha. She has huge personality. And she likes her jiggly parts. HA! She knows who she is and she's quite comfortable in her own skin. That kind of confidence can serve her very well on this show. And Louis is such an amazingly good teacher. Oh I like her! She's a lot of fun. And she's doing the dancing too. She's got the performance down, and her footwork is pretty dang good too. She has musicality. She's terrific! She brought her comedy to it, but she respected what she was given also. I thought she had the perfect cheeky, flirty energy for Cha Cha Cha. She had a few mis-steps here and there, but nothing to be overly critical of. I don't know about Mr Cranky Pants saying that was flat and uneventful. That dance was way fun. I could vote for her too. Judges say 7,5,6 for a total of 18. Ppppppffffffttttt to Len and Bruno. I know it probably wasn't the best dance of the night, but it was fun and I like fun.
Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya dance Viennese Waltz. Well that was unexpected. Spinning in a direction he's not used to makes him dizzy. Who knew? However, I did expect him to pick up technique quickly and he did. The technical part of his skating was clearly evident. He extended through movements and finished things off. He's tall and he knows how to use that height. He makes fantastic elegant lines. And he understands how to move across the floor. He's musical and artistic, which I expected. He does need to work on connecting more with Anna and with the audience. And he definitely needs to work on his feet. Judges say 8,7,8 for a total of 23. That's about right. He's definitely got a lot of potential and a bit of a head start over the rest of the field. But I don't think the competition is his to lose. It'll be interesting to see how he handles the Latin dances.
Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa dance Cha Cha Cha. HA! He called Ashly a cute babe. Well, he's right dangit! The man is a legend and an American hero. He's also 80 years old. Ashly did a great job leading him through that dance. He didn't do too badly. He remembered most of the steps and he had fun. He got the hard one out of the way. I think he'll do much better with the ballroom style next week. Obviously this isn't about technique or musicality or any of the things we're looking at with the younger celebrities. Having said that, my grandfather is 85 and still an active member in both his square dancing and ballroom clubs. Dancing is for anyone, at any age. It's a great way to stay fit in your body and your mind. So good on ya Buzz! Judges say 5,4,5 for a total of 14. Well of course that's harsh. But it's the right score. I'm just honored to see the man get out there and enjoy himself.
Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough dance Viennese Waltz. My expectations for her are very high. She's gorgeous. Wow. Oh my. They are almost a ringer couple. That was simply stunning. Classy, elegant, sophisticated, romantic, and beautiful. Once again, Derek is a master choreographer. He knows exactly the right switch to flip with his celebrity partners. They have really set the bar high, not only for the rest of the pairs, but for themselves as well. That was absolutely amazing. They hit on every possible level. I couldn't really see the things that Mr Cranky Pants was after because the performance was so mesmerizing. Judges say 9,7,9 for a total of 25. Len takes off too many points when he gets his back up. Maybe there were technique issues with her arms and feet, but the performance brings that up to at least an 8.
Aiden Turner and Edyta Sliwinksa dance Cha Cha Cha. Oh now this is definitely Sexy Couple. He has to work on the hip action. And on the dancing. It seemed like he mostly stalked through the steps. I guess the best I can say is that he got through it. Oddly enough, they didn't actually have a connection with each other. The judges had some tough criticism, and I think most of it was warranted. These two should have been able to really smoke things up with chemistry, but there was no heat in the routine. Nothing felt natural. Unfortunately, no matter how good you look, if it doesn't transfer to the dancing then it ultimately won't mean much. He has to be able to relax and feel the music. At this point, he's too stiff and careful. It wasn't horrible, but I don't see the same kind of potential in Aiden that I saw with Jake. Pam says yes, he's handsome but there isn't much more than good looks. Judges say 5's across for a total of 15. I think it was a few points better than Buzz, but it just wasn't a good dance.
Kate Gosselin and Tony Dovolani dance Viennese Waltz. Tony kept the dance very slow, more at regular Waltz tempo than Viennese. I think that helped Kate relax a little, although she still looked awkward and scared to death. But she got through it. Hopefully she'll be able to relax more now that this first one is out of the way. She's not a performer or an actor or an athlete. She's a celebrity by accident because she's got a lot of kids and was willing to put her family in front of cameras. Tony can teach her the steps and show her how to perform, but she has to buy into it and let herself enjoy the experience. Based on what I've read, I don't know whether she's going to carry any kind of fan base into the show. So she needs to find her connection to Tony, to the music, and to the audience. And to do that, she has to show that she's enjoying what she's doing. Judges say 6,5,5 for a total of 16. I can't imagine how she's going to handle the Latin dance next week.
Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood dance Cha Cha Cha. She's working it like a club dancer, but it's surprisingly effective. I like Damian's choreography. He's mixed a lot of basic Cha Cha Cha movement into the routine, and then thrown in some raunch to make Pamela feel comfortable with what she's doing. There were certainly technique issues. She had some places where she missed footwork, and her posture wasn't very good. But she did certainly perform the dance. She engaged the audience and developed chemistry with Damian. I think that if she wants to challenge for the win, she'll have to tighten things up and learn the dancing technique rather than only relying on being sexy. Judges say 7,6,8 for a total of 21. I think that score is a little high. The performance was fun and sexy, cheeky and flirty as a Cha Cha Cha should be. But it was a bit messy in places. I don't know that it was 3 points better than Niecy.
Here's our leader board after the first dance:
25 Nicole and Derek 23 Evan and Anna 21 Erin and Maks 21 Pamela and Damian 20 Jake and Chelsie 18 Niecy and Louis 18 Chad and Cheryl 18 Shannen and Mark 16 Kate and Tony 15 Aiden and Edyta 14 Buzz and Ashly
We were pleasantly surprised with the celebrities, which is why we always try to reserve judgment on anyone who goes on this show. We think this is a terrific group, and with few exceptions the celebrities have quite a bit of potential. This could be a very competitive season.
No results this week. All the pairs return next week for another dance.
Did we vote? Yes we did! Pam tossed a couple to Jake because he's charming, and she split the rest between Evan and Nicole. I split mine between Nicole, Erin, and Niecy. Since there are only 11 celebrities, the window to split votes is pretty tight. But we're nowhere near ready to narrow down to a single favorite yet.
Before we get to this week's edition of Take This Tune, I must post the traditional welcome in honor of the first day of spring.
Spring has sprung The grass has ris I wonder where The birdies is ...Bulwinkle J. Moose
It wasn't such a happy first day of spring at the Travis & Pam abode on Saturday, as we had our first skirmish with a very large NCELM (Nasty creepy eight legged monstrosity, or spider for short).
One more quick announcement...we're live from Hollywood tonight as Season 10 of Dancing with the Stars premiers!
Now, Take This Tune is a feature hosted by my pal Jamie at Duward Discussion. Jamie puts up a video prompt complete with lyrics to the song, and the task is to find another song or to write something inspired by the title of the song or something in the lyrics.
I really enjoy participating in Jamie's feature because of where the prompts take my thoughts and emotions. This week's prompt is the song Black Velvet, written by David Tyson and Christopher Ward, and performed by Alannah Myles. The song is a tribute to Elvis Presley.
I love the song. Ms Myles has that smoky, sultry voice I so love in a female singer. Her voice fits the song perfectly.
Elvis was the consummate performer. He seemed to instinctively understand how to invite an audience into the song with him. His vocal range seemed unlimited. He mastered the early cadences of rock and roll, scared the bejeebus out of countless parents with his gyrating stage movements, brought scores of teenage girls to tears with soulful ballads, and mesmerized the masses with his soaring gospel offerings.
In a movie career generally mocked for the silliness of the teeny bopper films he made, his acting ability is often overlooked. But if you check out his performances in Jailhouse Rock (1957), King Creole (1958), and Flaming Star (1960), you'll see his potential as an actor.
Howard Thompson, in his NY Times review of King Creole, said of Elvis, "As the lad himself might say, cut my legs off and call me Shorty! Elvis Presley can act. Acting is his assignment in this shrewdly upholstered showcase, and he does it."
Walter Matthau co-starred in King Creole and said of Elvis, “He was an instinctive actor...He was quite bright...he was very intelligent...He was not a punk. He was very elegant, sedate, and refined, and sophisticated.”
After early challenges, 4 seed Purdue and 3 seed Pittsburgh controlled their games and beat double digit seeds by double digits.
But 13 seed Wofford's upset bid of 4 seed Wisconsin went by the wayside with an unfortunate turnover with about 5 seconds left. I really don't like to criticize a young man who is trying to do his best on behalf of his team, but the player from Wofford dribbled away 12 seconds at the end of the game and ended up cornered on the baseline. With nowhere to go and no possible play to make, he bounced the ball off his body out of bounds. Wisconsin made a couple of free throws and escaped with the 4 point win.
There's no blame to the kid who committed the turnover. Rather we can celebrate solid defense from the Wisconsin player to contain the drive and force the turnover. But dribbling out the clock in search of an opening to the basket doesn't make any sense to me. Pass and cut and force the defense to react.
10 seed Missouri used a high octane grab-it-and-go offense to wear out 7 seed Clemson. It counts as another upset, but I look at these 7 vs 10 match ups the same way I see the 8 vs 9 games. It's an upset, but these teams are so close in ability that it's not a major one.
I don't know how we top yesterday, but let's give it a try anyway!
Every year one of the first potential upsets I look for is in the 12 vs 5 games. I know one is likely, but the key is picking which of the four games. This year I have 12 Utah State picking off 5 Texas A&M. I considered picking 12 Cornell over 5 Temple, but everything I've hard suggests that Temple was a team that could go deep into the tournament.
Guess what?
The Big Red jumped all over the Owls this morning and Cornell gets a win for the Ivy League, which doesn't happen all that often.
15 Morgan State got off to a great start against 2 West Virginia. The Moutaineers couldn't throw it in the ocean and it looked like we might be in for another morning of mayhem. But WVU righted their ship, stepped up defensively, and ultimately cruised to a comfortable win.
I read that West Virginia was miffed that they didn't get a 1 seed as the winner of the Big East conference tournament. The way I figure it, you still have to win 6 games regardless of where you get seeded. About the only thing guaranteed to a 1 seed is a first round win, since a 16 has never beaten a 1.
You take a chance at 2, since 15 seeds have pulled off that upset four times since the tournament expanded to 64 teams.
6 Xavier methodically did its thing against 11 Minnesota, and then held off a late rally from the Golden Gophers to advance.
So just the one upset in the early games today, and none of the games was all that close.
I really enjoy putting together my Sets each week. But you know what is quickly becoming my favorite part of Five on Friday? It's collecting the Sets of everyone who plays along so we can listen to them over the weekend. I definitely appreciate those of you who have decided to play along, and I'm glad I took the suggestions and opened this up as a weekly meme.
My Ipod shuffled heavily on one particular group this week, so Set 8 kind of chose itself.
The thing that attracts me to the music of Bread is the simplicity of the melodies and the clarity of David Gates' voice. And some of the lyrics play like poetry. For example, from the song Aubry...
And Aubrey was her name.
We tripped the light and danced together to the moon,
But where was June.
No it never came around.
If it did it never made a sound,
Maybe I was absent or was listening too fast,
Catching all the words, but then the meaning going past,
My pal Vinny has a great radio show on Blog Talk Radio. It's called Music on the Couch and his guests are mainly independent musicians. One of the questions he asks is what song do you wish you would have written. Well gang, that lyric is one I wish I would have written.
The tough part was narrowing down to just 5 songs for the Set. If you decide to play, read the guidelines for this feature here and don't forget to sign Mr Linky so I can collect you!
It's The Beach Boys! This is one of my all time favorite bands. I've seen them several times and I got to see most of the famous line up that included Carl and Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine. Regrettably, I never got to see them play with Brian on stage. 
