Dance of the Day… Let’s look at some Infamous Alumni…
Throughout the years that I’ve watched Dancing With The Stars, one thing that I’ve absolutely LOVED! was being able to get to know celebrities in a different way than we’ve ever known them. And, I’ve loved learning to actually like, and come to care for, several different celebrities that I thought that I would NOT like at all… Only to find that they’re HUMAN, and that I cared about the people they’ve allowed us to see.
This Dance of the Day post isn’t about them…. But, we’ll see some in a future post.
I’ve decided to take a different approach to the Dance of the Day, and look at those that…. For one reason or another, ended up in a different category than those that we’ve come to love. And….. I guess I’ll explain as I go.
JAKE PAVELKA. I’m starting with Jake, because he is the reason that this post is existing! I will admit that I DON’T watch any of the Bachelor franchise, so my first real exposure of Jake was during the episode of the Bachelor where they first announced the next seasons cast of Dancing With The Stars. And, surprise of surprise, he was announced as a contestant, with his brand new fiancee, Vienna Girardi,in the audience.
According to his IMDB page, he had some bit acting parts, both before and after the Bachelor franchise appeared. He was first a contestant on the Bachelorette, and followed that up with his first run as the Bachelor. From the Bachelor, he gained a spot on DWTS, Season 10, partnered by Chelsie Hightower.
This is what I consider to be his most memorable routines, their Risky Business Cha Cha, which gained them an 8 7 8 for 23 points.
Afterwards…. Jake and Vienna had a rather nasty split…. That’s all I will say, but if you care to review the break up, go to your favorite search engine…. 🙂 From there, he headed to Famous Food, where I couldn’t find any youtube links, and now, he’s on Bachelor Pad. With his Ex, and her new boyfriend.
Recently Jake appeared on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show. I tried to listen to this several times, honestly, and haven’t been able to listen to the whole thing, because he didn’t endear me during DWTS, and neither he nor Vienna are very truthful in my opinion. If you feel like listening to the whole thing, go here. It’s rather interesting. Especially the part about possibly returning as Bachelor again….
Okay….. I promise to NOT go off onto the soapbox again…. I hope.
Next up, Lawrence Taylor! Lawrence danced with Edyta Sliwinska in Season 8, and yes, during his run on the show, did seem charming. In week 7, he performed the waltz with Edyta to Journey’s Open Arms, and this was the week the contestant designed the costumes, and he chose to “put Edyta in clothes” only to have her become tangled up in them during the dance.
After he left…. Well, “our” LT was arrested, and convicted of a crime against a female, and was sentenced, and labeled. You can read a bit about it here or visit your favorite search engine. It’s not something that I want to hear again, or bring up here, I would like to leave this haven a “safe zone.” But, it definitely put L.T. among my list of “Infamous DWTS Alumni.”
And last for today, David Alan Grier…. Another season 8 Alumni. I was curious at the beginning of the season, how things would work between David and Carrie Ann, since both were on In Living Color…. But as it turned out, she didn’t end up his favorite judge. Things really seemed well during his run, and we saw this Viennese Waltz on week 5, with his partner, she of the awesome boobage, Kym Johnson. They danced to “I Put a Spell on You” by Nina Simone and got 7 8 7 for 22 points.
HOWEVER! This was also the week they were eliminated, and he showed some “bad sport.” THIS is why I’ve put him on my “infamous” list…. He put the sweet and wonderful Kym into a very bad spot at the end of this interview, and he really has some bad stuff to say to the judges…. It’s safe to watch, they censored it.
Who would you put onto your “infamous dancers” list? And why? Do you agree with those that are here, and who would you add?
And, for another post….. Who was it that most surprised you, that you were positive that you would HATE that you ended up liking?
I thought I would hate Lil Kim but I loved her!
I thought I’d hate Ty, but he’s my favourite male star side by side with Helio and Apolo!
Some of the infamous ones that I would list are:
The Situation (mostly because of that horrible attitude and even worse footwork)
Master P (need I say more?)
I agree with Sarah about The Situation and Master P. And lets add Cloris Leachman to the list too. 🙂
As for those I thought I would hate, but ended up liking very much: (I haven’t watched the first 4 seasons)
– Lil’ Kim
– Kelly Osbourne
– Joanna Krupa
– Pamela Anderson
– Kyle Massey
– Sugar Ray Leonard
– Chris Jericho
Loved Lil’ Kim. Loved Steve-O. Loved Adam Carolla. Adored Pamela Anderson. Totally surprised me about them.
Could not stand Kate Gosselin. Could not stand Wendy Williams. LOATHED Jake Pavelka. Both Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond were okay at first, but both of them totally got on my nerves.
Awww, I liked Mike Sorrentino. It irritated me to no end when he was called ‘The Situation,’ as, IMO, he was Mike when he was on DWTS, not the character he plays on Jersey Shore. Ended up liking Joanna Krupa as well, although I came in with a bad taste about her from the “Superstars” show she was on the summer before Season 9.
David Alan Griers, Jeffrey Ross, Steve-O and Michael Bolton for the men, Kate Gosselin and Wendy Williams for the ladies
Oh, duh, how could I forget Kate? And I also want to add Bristol Palin , Holly Madison (not attitude so much in the fact that she just sucked), Macy Gray, Steve Wozniak (a sweetheart, yes, but definitely not a dancer), Mike Catherwood, and Margaret Cho.
Literally countless times I have been pleasantly surprised. Many times I have no feeling going in one way or the other. Here’s my list of people who I thought I would like, but turns out ..not so much
Margaret Cho – I thought she was going to be a blossoming flower on the dance floor; just didn’t happen for me. I do think she took it seriously, just took her comedy more seriously, I guess.
Cloris Leachman – hate to put her on this list, really. And maybe she doesn’t belong here because I still like her, but that schtick got really really old. No, she was not ever going to be in the finals for heavens sake, but did everything have to come down to some humorous imitation of a real dance? IDK .. could be all Corky’s fault; seems like I saw a bit of that with Florence as well.
Macy Grey – lost a little cred with me because she really, really did not even try. And with my fave Jonathan, no less. Very much like her music, not her attitude with this endeavor, though. Should never have agreed to do it!
Joanna Krupa – saw her melt down on that other show where she reamed her partner for not being athletic enough. Strong competitive spirit, but no sportsmanship. She grew on me though – she was good with Derek. Still don’t LOVE her, but much better than I thought.
David Alan Grier – for all the reasons that Lori cites above.
Can’t include Jake or Kate in this list … didn’t think going in I would like them, and they did not disappoint.
The #1 villain in my book is Kate Gosselin. She’s a monster and really put poor Tony thru hell. The next villain would be Master P because he caused Ashly a lot of grief. Didn’t like Steve-O or the guy from Penn and Teller. I’m sure there are others that I’ll think of later.
I’m with you, Deena – I really liked Mike/The Situation! And I really didn’t think I would…but he ended up being a goofy charmer, and I do think he was genuinely trying, unlike some other less savory contestants…
…Kate Gosselin takes the cake for worst celeb on the show EVER for me, since she just seemed downright miserable & unmotivated the whole time and seemed to take it out on Tony. (Dis)honorable mentions for Master P (refused to really try), Jake Pavelka (constant self-promotion), Michael Bolton (just came across kinda douchey), David Allen Grier (mortifying exit speech), Macy Gray (didn’t try), David Hasselhoff (hot mess), & Kendra Wilkinson (generally kind of a crap attitude). With Bristol, I started off skeptical, started to like her, and then started to dislike her again once she started to cop an attitude. And I still think Erin Andrews is a mean girl.
As for celebs I thought I would hate but ended up liking – Jerry Springer, Joanna Krupa, The Situation, Pam Anderson, Hines Ward, Tom DeLay, Steve-O, & Lil Kim all were pleasant surprises for me.
Indeed – the list is long of celebs I thought I would hate but turned out to really like. Much shorter the list for those who I thought I would love but ended up not liking at all. Either way, I’m often blown out of the water – either WOW not what I expected (Kelly Osbourne to name just one), or WTF no what I expected (Macy Gray, for instance). It’s often a good lesson that I, too, sometimes see people through my own judgmental lens. I like to think of myself as a fair, open minded person but it’s so easy to get stuck between those blinders. I can sometimes use a good kick in the pants to remind me that everyone deserves to be seen as a 3 dimensional person, not judged by their cover, so to speak.
I agree that Kate Gosselin was THE WORST EVER!!! What a disagreeable person she turned out to be. Also didn’t like Wendy Williams or Kendra. Didn’t much like Bristol, but that kid was so far out of her league that you could almost feel sorry for her. And Jake, you don’t EVER make sweet little Chelsie cry!
No one’s mentioned Tom Delay, isn’t/wasn’t he in jail?
Oh Doug, I totally forgot about Tom Delay!
Umm, hi? *waves* I mentioned Tom DeLay this morning…see my above comment.
Yeah, he’s in Jail – but I think it’s more about being infamous from their run on the show. Isn’t it?
I do not considr Davidma infamous alum. He is a respected comedian and Yalr alum. I agree that exit speech was a bit much but I saw his frustration, tbh.
I agree that Kate takes the cake.