DWTS 11: Press Conference
So after the announcement and a few questions for most of us television watchers we went back to whatever show we were tortured to watch. But the Q&A continued and here is a transcript of that Q&A.
First Access Hollywood got a chance to ask a couple of questions…
Access Hollywood: I understand, Florence, you campaigned the hardest to get this position. What did you actually do for them to call you and say ‘ok we want you on’?
Florence: I took all my clothes off. No, uh, I have loved this show since it began. I absolutely love it, I’ve been in the audience so many times and I was never asked, really. But they would leak every year that I was going to do it.
Tom: Luckily this season we didn’t have to worry about that at all. Those pesky leaks.
Florence: I’m just so thrilled that they called me and I’m on it. It’s just fantastic for me.
Access Hollywood: One last question before I give the microphone to my colleagues. First of all I’m Shawn Robinson from Access Hollywood.
Florence: We know you.
Access Hollywood: David, who has better abs, you or the Situation?
David: Well we would just have to find out. You just have to watch.
Brooke: I think Maks is gonna wanna chime into that one too.
Tom: Yeah, probably.
Yes, let’s all blow up Maksim head more than it already has. Any more hot air perhaps it’ll explode. Don’t get me wrong I love Maks, but please don’t feed his ego, it’s gotten so big that if I ever get a chance to see him again, I would love to prick him with a pin just to see if some air would escape.
Anyway, the hosts asked a couple of questions.
Brooke: Kurt, we had so many football players on the show that have done really well. Do you feel like that natural competitive nature gives you an advantage on the ballroom floor?
Kurt: I hope so. But I’m not so sure, I know that they have done well in the past. One thing I have to fall back on is the fact that I am the first quarterback. And so I’m the first non-athlete of the NFL players to actually get out on the dance floor. So we’ll see if it carries over, if I could meet the standard that they’ve already set.
Tom: So we have humility and the potential for nudity on this show in Season 11.
Tom: Margaret I almost asked a question about your partner, but I won’t because that’s going to be revealed later in the week. But what are you looking forward to most and least in the training.
Margaret: I’m really looking forward to just watching everybody dance. That’s the exciting thing, we know everybody from other things. So I’m excited to watch everyone and excited to learn it. I’ve never done any ballroom dancing, I’ve got some stripper moves, so maybe…
Brooke: Which could come in handy. Especially if you have to do the solo this year.
Margaret: Oh! So I’m magic on the pole. Watch out.
Brooke: Which also means she’s brave. Half the battle.
Tom: I’m really loving this season so far.
Yes pole dancing! Wahoo! You go girl, *whispers* oh, she was joking? *more whispers* seriously? Darn it. I was so hoping, maybe Michael Bolton learned a thing or two in his advanced years… wait, scratch that… imagination just went into overload. HELP! Anyway, Tom almost slipped and asked about her partner… any idea as to whom that could be?
So someone from the press by the name of “George” asked a couple of questions, I didn’t catch who he was working with.
George: This looks to me like the tallest season of Dancing with the Stars yet and then in the back row there sits Kyle. Kyle what is your strategy to take these three dudes on?
Kyle: Basically being the youngest, that means that I’m the hip one of the group.
Brooke: Young and bold.
Kyle: They’ve been throwing short jokes at me all backstage. We’re all going to dance our hearts off, but it’s just the battle of the best.
George: And before I pass the mic over, how many of you already fear the power that is America’s mom, Florence Henderson. By a show of hands. (Everyone raises their hand) Ok so Florence, everyone’s hand went up.
Florence: Well, let me just say Jennifer Grey was worried about being 50, I’m 76, so.
Yes yes yes, everyone made a gasping sound, shocked that she’s so well weathered. For the record I saw Christopher Knight and his wife Adrianne Curry at the Chicago Comic Con a couple of weekends back, signing autographs… and wow… how the time flies by. His wife is a reality star as well, the first winner of America’s Next Top Model as created by Tyra Banks. In any case, I’m rather glad they found someone in their 70s for the show, since that’s the age range that they have been missing thus far.
Back to the hosts…
Tom: Bristol what made you decide to do this?
Bristol: I wanted to get out of Alaska for a few weeks.
Tom: Oh really?
Brooke: We’re going to have to ask you in a few weeks if you still feel the same way.
Bristol: I know, I’m like melting. And I just wanted to get in shape and have a good time.
Now why is it that when I heard “melting” immediately I thought about the Wicked Witch of the West? I’m just saying.
Anyway, the Insider got their turn.
Chris Jacobs: Rick, there’s two athletes in the cast this season and you guys have hoisted championship trophies in the past. Any inner competition to outlast your fellow athlete, Rick?
Kurt: For me there is.
Rick: Kurt threw down the gauntlet in the back already. It’s hard not to compete, this is what we all are going to be doing. We’re going to be competing, not only to learn how to dance but also to hopefully hoist the trophy. It’s been eight years for me. So I’m looking forward to competing for it.
Ok, so a piece of trivia for you guys, there has only been one other NBA player that’s been on the show. Can you guess who it is? If you guessed Clyde Drexler you’d be right! His partner was Tony Dovolani’s professional partner, Elena Grinenko way back in Season 4. Now Clyde was in his 40s when he was on the show, and he had won an NBA championship with the Houston Rockets back in the mid-90s when Jordan decided to play baseball for a while. Rick won the championship three times with the L.A. Lakers in the new millennium, they are both small forwards though Clyde also played shooting guard… so the similarities are astounding. However, Clyde placed 8th out of 12 celebs in his season… would history repeat itself?
Anyway, next up.. AOL! Wait, since when did AOL have their own media outlet? Ugh, I feel old.
AOL: Mike from AOL. Without giving away who your partners are. Do any of you have input into who would be selected as your dancing instructor.
Kyle: I had no clue. It was completely just, “alright walk into that room and you’d meet your partner”. And I was like, “alright”.
AOL: Ok so ladies, you did not fight over who gets Maks
Florence: They are all so great. We would have been happy with anybody, really.
Margaret: I used “the secret” to get my partner.
Jennifer: I did campaign for Edyta, because I thought it would br good to have the first girl on girl… but I heard that she’s not willing.
Brooke: everyone’s bringing a little edge. I was actually going to ask you that, Brandy, were you hoping for someone in particular.
Brandy: I was just happy to be part of the cast, I didn’t really care I just wanted to learn how to dance
Again, enough with feeding Maks ego, his ego does not need to be fed anymore. I mean seriously. Why aren’t they talking about other pros on the show? I mean, yeah, the eye candy is amazing, but still.
And Jennifer wanting to have a girl on girl dance? Kind of like Steve Guttenburg with Jonathan Roberts on that tango… or rather the mango? You know, if you go to college ballroom dance competitions, you DO see some girl on girl dance partners on the floor. Totally legit. But Jennifer stumbled a couple of times towards the end, a couple of odd pauses… a clue perhaps? Or am I overanalyzing?
Anyway… back to the hosts.
Tom: Did you all start training with your respective partners? So you all started?
David: You guys have all started?
Girl: Yesterday.
Girl: Two days.
Guy: SomewhatBrooke: Audrina, how do you feel that your experience working in reality is going to give you an advantage in this competition.
Audrina: I’m really nervous about performing in front of a live audience. Because with reality there maybe people around yet you’re filming and you know it’s going to be edited and that, this is going to be live and so it’s very different.
Tom: A little bit of a MTV smack down do you think?
Brooke: Does anyone have any dance experience?
Margaret: Strippers! Already said.
So it seems like training is a bit staggered for the celebs. Some started two days ago, other just the day before. Some already know their partners but haven’t worked with them yet… etc etc etc. I wonder why the need to stagger things?
Now In Touch had a chance to ask questions….
In Touch: Florence I’m just wondering, do you have any stipulations on costumes. Is there anything that you will not wear?
Florence: Not that I can think of, I’m so excited. I love doing new things, I love new challenges, whatever they want me to wear that I can keep on. I’m a little concerned because at my age your arms, you stop waving your arm keeps waving, things like that. So I’m sure they’ll take care of me. It’s the most fantastic costume show ever. I’m looking forward to it.
So why is the clothing question aimed at Florence? Oh, yeah, the skimpy tiny outfits. Well if Cloris is willing to work in them, Florence should be game.
Now it’s People Magazine‘s turn!
People: Brandy you have some experience in the entertainment industry, you’ve done lot of dancing. Do you think you have an added edge?
Brandy: Absolutely not, because the dancing that I’ve done is completely different than the dancing that we’re going to be dancing on the show.
Jennifer: What about that ballroom dancing you did on Cinderella?
Brandy: Girl that was camera faux
Brooke: Yeah, there’s no faking here on the show. It’s all the real thing
Wuh? You mean she didn’t actually dance in that movie! But I really liked that movie, *pouts*. So what did she and Paolo Montalban do during the Viennese Waltz sequence? Stand in the center of the room while the camera just circles around them with the background of dancers legitimately dancing to create the illusion of the two of them dancing? Ugh, sometimes I hate the movies.
So Ingrid from the Outside (has anyone heard of this magazine?) gets to put in her question.
Outside: Bristol, everybody we know from TV or movies or sports, a lot of America doesn’t know that much about you, what do you think people would be surprised about you and your personality?
Bristol: Like you said, a lot of people don’t know who I am. I hope people just realize that I’m a hard worker and that I’m going to put my heart into this and I’m just excited to be part of the cast.
Outside: Two of you were former judges on another reality show
David: Yeah, we’re in trouble
Outside: You’re in big trouble. How do you think that’s going to affect you being on the other side of the camera this time
David: it’s going to be awful. All the people that we voted off are going to buzz us out quick. They are just waiting.
Brandy: Thank god I was nice as a judge, and I’m glad I was only on there for one year. Sorry David.
David: Oh, oh no
Outside: Do you think it would make it more likely for you to talk back to the judges on this show.
Brandy: Yeah I’ve been talking back since I was a kid. So I probably will anyway.
David: I’m just going to smile alot, I’m just going to have fun. It’s all about fun, it’s a fun show, it reaches so many people at every age. It’s like America’s Got Talent, it’s the same thing, it’s good solid entertainment it’s what the world needs to watch. That’s why I’m here
Tom: From your lips to Nielsen’s ears.
Nice public ribbing between two ex-judges of another reality talent show. Anyone else find it odd that Dancing with the Stars got the two ex-judges of America’s Got Talent in the same season? How the heck did that happen? Or just one hell of a coincidence?
Now it’s Inside Edition‘s turn
Inside Edition: Pam Anderson we saw her last season on the show, did she give you any pointers for your appearance on this season? Did she give you any advice?
David: She just said, stand like this, and you’ll go far. I’ve been working on that. I saw her at the Central Comedy roast after she annihilated me and she goes, “I think you should do Dancing with the Stars” she said that she had a blast and she was never in better shape and she did really well, I actually voted for her, I thought she did great.
I have to find that central comedy roast that they were on. So that’s why David came on the show, because Pamela said, “go do this.” Man if all women had that kind of power….
And finally a question from Extra
Extra: Jennifer this if for you, from Dirty Dancing to Dancing with the Stars, do hope you get to perform I’ve had the Time of my Life.
Audrina: I do
Jennifer: I’m just really thinking about getting through the first dance at this point. I’m open to surviving on this thing honestly.
Audrina: Freestyle!
Personally I wouldn’t want Jennifer to recreate that dance in any capacity, not without Patrick Swayze… That dance should stay immortalized in the movies. But that’s just me. Besides I can’t think of anyone that I would want her to dance that dance with now… it would have a different feel no doubt.
Anyway… and there you have it… the Q&A that we didn’t get to see on television! There seems to be some good camaderie going already behind the scenes which is a good thing. What do you think?








[...] it’s People Magazine‘s turn! People: Brandy you have some experience in the entertainment industry, you’ve done lot of dancing. Do you think you have an added [...]
I would love to see Jennifer dance to Shes Like The Wind. More fitting since the didnt dance to it and Patrick sings it.
Honestly, I have no interest in seeing Jennifer dance ANYTHING from Dirty Dancing. It’s been done too many times before on DWTS, between the Swayze tribute and Tony & Cheryl’s dance back in season 4 (I think). And I agree wtih Marianya – there’s just something sacred about “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” that shouldn’t be touched. RIP Swayze.
As for who has the best abs – I don’t find Maks’ to be the most impressive on the show. I actually think Tony’s are better defined. And I think The Situation’s blow both of them out of the water. The Hoff? Ewwww. Too hairy to tell.
I can already tell we’re not going to be able to rely on Bristol for any particularly insightful comments. “I wanted to get out of Alaska for a few weeks.” Bor-ing. She seemed pretty bewildered during the press conference last night…and also ridiculously made-up. I mean a truly absurd amount of makeup – and this ain’t even the actual show yet! Oy vey.
Brandy needs to watch what she says or the main demographic for the show will vote her out. I am on the Brandy wagon. I have been a fan of hers since I was a kid and I will vote for her! Especially if she’s good! By the way, I just have to say that I loved Audrina’s reaction to the answers. She looks like she’ll believe anything. Love Audrina! Look, I’m not trying to be mean, but I have a feeling that Audrina must have had exclusive training on how not to give away who she’s dancing with. You can tell that she wants to just blurt it out but someone FINALLY got to her and she’s holding it well.
i love reading this blog–it’s so informative!! But I do think it’s ironic that you give Bachelor Pad a hard time, like these people and the people who watch it are pathetic and you’re above them. You’re the one who follows Twitter like crazy to get spoilers, and spend all your time writing a blog about DWTS. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but there’s nothing wrong with Bachelor Pad too or the people who watch it. Bad things happen to the people who judge…
I love Maks! And I think he and his abs are..ooolalalala!!
And this might be his year too if he has Brandy. I hope it is. He deserves it.
But, I was work this morning thinking on this cast. I think the black horse in this season is going to be….are you ready…. Florence Henderson. Seriously, the woman has done Broadway and she’s not a stranger to ballroom dancing. Wouldn’t it be a coo if she won?
I hate to say it and I could be wrong. But, I don’t think Jennifer will be as good as some are assuming. I think she was even trying to warn us all on that last night during the press conference.
Look in the mirror, Emily.
Emily – quick thing to note… I (as in Marianya) was never a fan of the Bachelor or the Bachelorette and not of Bachelor Pad… I definitely don’t go looking for spoilers because quite frankly I don’t watch nearly as much televisions as the average person does day in day out, prefering to read.
In any case, I gave Bachelor Pad the allotted time until the press conference announcements and decided that I didn’t like it.
Now when I said, “tortured” it’s because to me watching television is torture on some level, because do you honestly love every single detail of a show? Probably not. Personally I tried watching what was on television one day and felt brain cells die and promptly turned off the television and read a book instead. But that’s just me.
Keep in mind that there are four individual bloggers for PureDWTS and we all have different opinions about different things. So don’t put all four into a collective “you” as you have just done, because you may be pointing at someone when you meant someone else.
Just a fair warning… and not just to you, but everyone else… next time I may not be as civilised.
I missed how we got on the subject of Abs.
As for Jennifer, I hope she’s good enough to stick for a while – I don’t want Derek running off to England again and disappearing. The boy could have an awesome career if he didn’t do that.
Heidi – The boy’s in love… love does funny things to people… unfortunately
He needs me to smack the crap out of him, Marianya!! I mean people are in love and have careers all at the same time every day!!
I just read this post too – jesus, I bet more people fight over Derek seeing as how he actually WINS the show. Like Maks needs any more ego stroking. I don’t even find him remotely attractive, but to each her own.
Heidi – I know, but in Derek’s case his lady love’s at the other side of the ocean… it’s not like he makes enough to warrant flying over to her every weekend?
But yeah, he does need to get slapped around a bit, he should be a man and not a puppy… I almost feel like he’s a puppy at this point.
I don’t find Maks attractive, though I could find the allure. I like Dmitry much more. But I do prefer Maks personality when he’s not being a brat via the media… but I would never date the man, the rest of the world could have him… besides I think he’s better looking with clothes on if that says something.
The Situation may have defined abs but I could care less to see them or him on this show. I just read a People article and it didn’t sway my opinion.
@Princess Heidi: Like you said, to each her own. Personally, I don’t find Derek attractive but I appreciate that others obviously do. ; )
I love Maks too Voguerista!
Well, I think this is actually a very interesting cast. Yes, it skews a little on the older side, but so does the audience. No out-of-the-gate ringers, but of course we haven’t seen anyone dance yet, either. I was a tad disappointed that so many leaks were confirmed – hopefully there’ll be some surprises in the match ups. I’m still wishing (pointlessly it would seem) for LouiBri – Bristol’s pairing w/Mark is predictable and bo-ring. I’m hoping she and Audrina won’t be stricken with a bad case of stage fright/ performance terror! The other folks at least have experience performing in front of a live audience. I also like Chelsie w/Mike Sorrentino (The Cheluation) – but I suspect ABC will go with Karina as his partner. I always forget that the celebs often ask for – and get – a particular Pro, so that goes to explain some of these pairings. I would not have put Jennifer with Derek necessarily (there’s a pretty big height diff, is there not?) – I probably would have put Damian with her. BTW – I think Jennifer’s stumble during the press conference interview had to do with her uncertainty in revealing that Edyta was not RETURNING – she caught herself at the end to say Edyta was not WILLING.
When are they announcing the Pro partners? Did I read here somewhere that would be tomorrow morning on GMA?
Too bad no Van Palin this season. I would have paid money for Louis to go all Prop 8 again and a freaked out Mama Grizzly try to get Louis in the crosshairs.
“Van Palin” (LOL Andie, you keep cracking me UP!!!)and Louis as her partner. You are right. Sarah would have never went for that.
I got a good chuckle out of Van Palin too, Andie
As for Mama Grizzly, I’m not entirely sure we will see her in the audience this season…from the tentative way that Bristol said “Hopefully…” when asked if we’d see Sarah, I almost get the impression that Bristol doesn’t necessarily have her mother’s blessing in doing DWTS. I’m sure Mama Palin’s publicists are going to be doing some heavy duty puppeting as far as Bristol is concerned.
Courtney – If I had a mom that is potentially holding my life with a heavy hand I’d sign up to DWTS.
If it were me, doing DWTS would be a blessing, because I’m spending so much time dancing and with a small group of a people and to an extent isolated doing something with other people that are there to enjoy themselves too. It’s a relief and reprieve.
It almost makes me hope that Bristol could exceed above expectations, if only because it would give her that distance that it seems like she really wants to have away from her mom… even though she’s going straight to the media too… Gotta love that double edged sword.
Just saying… it might not be true… but it’s a thought.
Oh Girls, I really like the thought too that Bristol is doing the show striking out on her own and distancing herself from her Mom and her politics? That would be cool. I hate thinking that Sarah has a thumb down on her always and is dictating her life.
All right, maybe I’m being too flippant about Bristol, but for the life of me I don’t understand how she gets on the show.
Have y’all seen this?
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b198102_warning_david_hasselhoff_thinks_dancing.html
Looks like Kym has her hands full…
LOL Marianya – yep, no need to see Maks sans shirt (well, really, when you show it so often the novelty wears off
). As for Derek – I’m hoping he gets past the puppy phase and soon. I mean the super short hair is even because of the girlfriend. Lordy. There’s a very tacky phrase for what Derek is right now and I think you know what I’m saying.
Bwah, Andie – worse yet, she might try to shoot him from a helicopter if Bristol were dancing with him. Yeah, it’s a shame that those matchups are so predictable. Ah well.
I’m just saying, don’t write off people so quickly based on what the media says… to me Bristol is a young lady that made a mistake, decides to take responsibility for her mistake and quite possibly advocating to other teens to not make the same mistake that she made.
I see her mom (and her PR team) as a bit more controlling and what not… That’s just one side of the story that could very well be happening but we as the general public don’t always see that because of what we hear/read from various media outlets… and PR try to twist things around based on what they think people want to know.
As to why Bristol’s on the show? I’d love to hear the reason for that one!
Sally – Oooo Kym and the Hoff? That’s going to be interesting I daresay…
I am guessing more ask for Derek since he has won twice and he makes his partners look good.
Watching ET right now. Bristol did say her mom will be at a few shows.
It looks like Kyle Massey has the Gosslin clans vote, Kate was being the speacial corraspondant and said her kids love his show.
I forgot to mention to Marianya – the “George” person in the press is George Pennachio from the local ABC affiliate. He does the absolute best interviews of the cast every week after both the performance and results show.
I really admire Jennifer Grey’s tribute to Patrick Swayze. She’s doing Dancing with the Stars for him, class.