Mel B and Damian Whitewood Making A Big Splash On Australia’s Version Of Dancing With The Stars
…but, not without some big waves!!
Have any of you been keeping up with Australia’s version of Dancing With The Stars? I’ve had several fans tweet me for how good it is this season. As you know from previous reportings, Spice Girl and season 5 contestant, Mel B is presenting on the show, but, not without some criticism. Below is a take from the Daily Mail for what happened last week when Mel B told the first eliminated contestant to go and “get wasted” after the show.
But it was her hosting on Sunday night’s show that prompted fans and viewers to complain about her, especially after she told the first eliminated celebrity, TV presenter and former Miss Australia Erin McNaught, to go and ‘get wasted’ after the show.
They took to Twitter and other social networks to express their outrage and dismay that she was co-hosting the show with one saying: ‘Risking disapproval here, but honestly, Mel is awful to watch on Dancing with the Stars. She’s classless and offers nothing.’
Another wrote: ‘Dancing with the Stars Australia is bloody awful. It’s so embarrassing, what on earth is Mel B doing with her life!?’
One viewer even said the show had gotten ‘so boring’ now she was hosting and another said: ‘Still unsure about Mel (spice) co-hosting Dancing with the Stars!!!! Her voice…’
Her presenting debut even prompted Paralympic triple gold medallist Evan O’Hanlon to write: ‘When Mel B comes on my television I want to throw my TV out the window! Why did they break Australian television like that???’
But Mel, 36, who was a contestant on the US show in 2007, said she doesn’t care what they say as she is having a great time – and getting paid for it.She said: ‘I don’t care, I’m getting my pay cheque and I get to do my live show and I’m loving it. I get to wear gowns every week which is nice and I’m here to get the job done.
‘It’s only the second week and I’m always a bit nervous. I don’t mind a bit of nerves, it keeps me on my toes.
‘It’s live television and you saw we had some classic clangers and everyone loved it.’
Hmmm, not sure that behavior would fly here either? But, I’d take Mel B over Brooke any day. You can read more at the Daily Mail.
Also, I have to mention this too while we’re on the topic of Mel B. Below she is pictured with Dame Edna who was unveiled as the new face of Jenny Craig in Sydney this past week as well. Mel B recently lost 33 pounds on the Jenny Craig diet and Dame Edna took to Mel B for a kiss and some advice. The video below is a hoot. How about Dame Edna for Dancing With The Stars?
Back to the Australia’s version of Dancing With The Stars… Damian Whitewood, one of the most loved pros on the U.S. version of Dancing With The Stars, is dancing with singer, song writer Danielle Spencer. Here they are dancing the Viennese Waltz, the Jive, and the Samba for their first three dances. What do you think? Do they have what it takes to win?
Not bad I’d say! I especially loved their Samba to Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro”.
Much luck to Damian and I hope he’s asked to come back to the U.S. version of Dancing With The Stars some day. He has to be one of the most requested pros by fans to come back! TPTB, are you listening? 
Thanks to PureDWTS reader Carlos and @Edyta_and_Alec at twitter for the inspiration for this post. xx
AftEr seeing Mel on the Aussie version, glad she did not get the cohost gig here. It seems like Brooke is doing better lately anyway.
I always liked Damien and wished he got another chance on dwts. Good job so far!
Is Mel really that bad? Wow, maybe I should have watched the first two episodes to see before making any kind of judgement?
Vogue I gotta agree with Melissa on this one. Sorry!
Mel is too rough around the edges, and actually so bad that I almost want to say “Brooke Rocks”. Not really but in comparison, yes.
Thank You Vogue, I have always wanted to wake up to Damian… hehe! One thought though, can you imagine if they both, Damian and Peta, take home the MBT…..
Oh, wouldn’t that be cool? I hadn’t thought of how both he and Peta could win. That would really be something.
And that’s ok about disagreeing on Mel.
Ok, their third dance from last night has just been added to the post too. They scored at the top of the leaderboard last night.
Vogue, I love these!! Thank you so much… You know I love ya!!
YW and love you too!!
xx
I just watched some dances (a couple just get a total 8 in his jive. EIGHT! And lifts are allowed… think about it… hehehe)
Overall, what i’ve watched from Mel B is ok, but I havent’ watched the full show yet, so… I’m not a reliable source… =p
My friend Glauber is addicted to DwtS AUS and always talks about a pro that just copycats all DwtS and SCD choreos…
Carlos, thanks again for the shout out on this. I’ve been watching more of the dances just now. You’re right, …the judges aren’t quite so hard on their judging as the US judges. For instance, I bet Damian and Danielle’s Samba wouldn’t have scored past a 7 or an 8 here and yet, all three judges gave them a 9. Interesting.
Im soooooooo happy we didn’t get Mel B on our dwts. However, if Brook was the best out of all those people who auditioned…….Ay Ay Ay!
I HAVE WATCHED DAMIAN DANCE ON YOUTIUBE BECAUSE I WANT TO KNOW WHY USA DIDN’T KEEP HIM. HE’S DOING GREAT.SORRY HE HAD TO LEAVE THE SIDE OF PETA HIS GAL. ANNIE
“My friend Glauber is addicted to DwtS AUS and always talks about a pro that just copycats all DwtS and SCD choreos…”
Yeah, it’s true!…her name is Melanie Hooper and she always does that! For example, Kyle & Lacey’s tango:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrydHXar2lU
…but i still loving this show. And Mel is doing a great job! (Better than Brooke). And here’s the video with the girl who scored an 8 in her jive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1JhZrboiAs&feature=player_embedded
She’s really bad…
OMG, people didn’t liked Mel B. as co-host? I liked! Maybe for the US version she’s not great, but she’s a lot more entertaining than Brooke…
Hey Glauber, welcome to the site!!!
Thanks for the videos! As for the JIVE girl, I’ve never seen such long legs! 
Hey Annette, welcome, but, you don’t need to write in big text here, k?
As for Damian….I agree. He’s really good. I don’t know why the US didn’t keep him? It has to be hard for Peta and Damian to be seperated too. Such a beautiful couple in and out.
I think that the dancing on the Australian version is vastly weaker than the dancing on the American version, and I think it is because the Australians are dancing for money for their charities, whereas the Americans are dancing for money for themselves. At the moment sitcom star Zoe Crammond is the best dancer on the Australian version and Danielle is second, but they would probably be the worst on this season of the American version.
Dont get me started on the lifts being allowed, it ticks me off. Especially in quick steps and tangos, where the couples break hold in the middle of the dance to do a lift, and the judges do nothing to penalize.
And Danielle Spencer is also married to Russell Crowe. Just a bit of trivia there.
As much as I liked Mel when she was on the show, I don’t think I’d like her as a host, not even as much as Brooke. Sorry Mel
Brooke has actually been doing alright for a little while. Maybe she’s improving.
I really liked Damian, it’d be great to see him back. Danielle is actually pretty good, not bad at all! Good luck to them!
I’d take Brooke over her any day. As for Damien and Danielle, she isn’t bad but if he wins the us version would probs want him and pan on the all star season so its cool w me
It’s funny because I remember someone in the comments section awhile back, I can’t remember for sure who it was, asked “Geez, were Mel B and Melissa Rycroft that bad that Brooke was the best one?” Now I guess we know the answer. And to be honest, I won’t sh-peel on more, because I’ve already said my peace, but I still love Brooke as co-host. Always unintentionally funny and I love the answers she gets from celebs. Always makes for good TV
I vote for Dame Edna on DWTS too! Unfortunately, I think she’s retiring. Otherwise I’d pair her with Maks–she’d keep him in line.
Re the more lenient scoring in Australia: it’s much different in Germany. The one who fills the Len role gives 1s and 2s.
Lenka – Dame Edna with Maks????
I don’t think the US would be ready for that same-sex pairing….. If he did the US DWTS, I’d say put him with Kym – after all, she used to be an “Ednaette”. 
Thank you Vogue for writing this article! It looks awesome
I actually think Mel B is funny on DWTS Australia, but maybe the “in your face” attitude might be a little much for some people. Regarding DWTS Australia’s scoring, I think they can be really inconsistent. They went and gave 9′s last week to a couple who fell over at the end of their dance, and gave Jessica Watson a total score of 8 for a dance that really wasn’t that bad.
I think Danielle is doing fantastic with Damian, and I love that he puts a lot of content in the dances and not an overabundance of lifts. He knows she can dance, and that’s why he puts rather challenging choreography in their routines. I think their Latin dances are cute, but I actually can’t wait to see her do more ballroom because her arm and line extensions are beautiful!
Good luck to Damian and Danielle! If they win, I hope he gets asked back on DWTS US!
YW and thank you!
LOLLLLL to Dame Edna keeping Maks in line. That would so fun!!!
Wow, its fascinating to see the differences between the U.S. and Aussie versions. The Aussie set, judges and audience all seem a bit more low-key and restrained. But Damien, as usual, is doing a wonderful job teaching and dancing. I do hope TPTB ask him back for the U.S. show soon. Thanks for these fun videos!
I think Brooke is better this year too! Still room for improvement? Oh yeah, but much better!
Glad I am not alone in seeing her improvement. I wonder if Brooke heard all the rumbling about people liking Carson and it lighting a fire under her, lol. Not that Carson seemed like a real possibly but he did RT everyone who tweeted Carson to host.
I hope Damien does well enough they bring him back.
Hope Damian and Danielle take the Aussie MBT. I’m enjoying their partnership. Still I’d rather have the pleasure of seeing Damian on US DWTS.
I see nothing wrong with Brooke at all these days and feel she’s doing a great job on a live show especially, and I don’t have any feelings regarding Damian and would never imagine that he’s the most requested pro, but I’d like to add that if they’d swap him out with Louis I’d be thrilled. I can’t see where Mel is that bad, but she’s not great and I’d much rather have our Brooke.
PS Oops I forgot.. Loved the Dame Edna bit.
I like Damian too and would love to, nice to see him dancing!!!
The judge in the middle looks like tabitha fromthat reality show about hair styling.
How do these extra points get factored in . I don’t understand . Please explain to me how it works.Thank You!
It’s the same as always, Kristie…each member of team tango, for example, gets a 27 in addition to their individual dance score…from there everything else is the same.