Very interesting interview with Derek – don’t let the title mislead you, he actually doesn’t back away AT ALL from Nicole’s previous dance experience.  In fact, I think even Derek detractors will have a tough time finding fault with what he has to say. But maybe I’m overly optimistic on that front.  Anyway, from the Seattle Post – TV Guide, a few excerpts:

TVGuide.com: Anna Trebunskaya says you’ve been busting in on her rehearsals with Evan Lysacek. Are you scoping out the competition?

Derek Hough: Totally! We’re constantly walking in, like, “So what’s going on, guys?” [Laughs] It’s funny because Nicole does this certain move in our Viennese waltz that kind of looks like ice skating, like gliding, so every time she does it, she goes, “It’s the Lysacek!” Everyone’s having a good time. She gets along with everybody and she’s enjoying herself. Nicole’s a really hard worker, but we’ve been playing hard as well too. She’s a huge goofball. I thought I was crazy and goofy, but she’s definitely outmatched me.

TVGuide.com: There seems to be at least one person every season with a performing or dance background that people label a “ringer.” Some say it’s Nicole this season. Does that bother you?
Hough: For me, I don’t think it’s Nicole. I think it could be Evan. He performs choreography on ice. He’s like Baryshnikov on ice! Nicole is like, “Wait a minute. I’m a singer who just happens to do a few chest bumps and a few head rolls.” That’s what she compares her dancing to. But what’s so great about this season is that I don’t think there is a definite ringer. You’ve got lots of people who can be very good. Evan will be tough for so many different reasons. Chad [Ochocinco]’s got a great personality. We’ve learned in the past that people who’ve danced before don’t necessarily do well, let alone win. The show is so much more than just dancing. It’s about personality, it’s about story, it’s about charisma. Just look at Ty Murray.

TVGuide.com: How much has Nicole’s dance background helped?
Hough: I hate when people say, “No, it’s a totally different monster. It doesn’t help at all.” That’s ridiculous. Of course it helps! I think what helps the most is her musicality. But it is very true that this is hard. People make it look easy, but that’s what’s so hard about it — making it look easy. It’s definitely a struggle, but I think her dance experience has allowed us to up the ante as far as choreography.

TVGuide.com: Who are you excited to see dance?
Hough: I think Pamela Anderson is going to bring something good. She’s with Damian [Whitewood], the new guy, who’s going to bring new energy. Erin Andrews and Maks [Chmerkovskiy] should be something as well. I can’t wait to see Buzz [Aldrin]. Buzz is a little party animal. I went out twice last week and he was at both parties. He was kicking it right until the end. … This guy is a party animal and he’s 80 years old! He’s awesome. When he practices, he wears this shirt with this guy walking on the moon, and I said, “Is that you?” He said, “Yeah, it is, actually.” “Oh, wow!” [Laughs] People say that he’s a moonwalker, and he doesn’t like that. “No, I walked on the moon. I’ve actually walked on it.” It’s pretty funny because it’s true! You’re like, “Right, sorry. Duh. You’re a legend.”

As I was getting ready for the premiere of Dancing with the Stars season 10, I decided to upload all of the DWTS season 10 cast pictures so we could use them in our blogging throughout the season. There’s some really amazing pictures even if they did photoshop some of them a bit much.

Here they all are (click on the picture to see the full size picture):

I previously posted a DWTS 2010 poll to predict the winner of Dancing with the Stars 2010. We’ve had quite a few votes and it’s pretty clear who the 2 most popular stars are on this season of Dancing with the Stars. Looks like right now it’s Evan Lysacek and Nicole Scherzinger’s competition to lose. Here’s the full results to illustrate this fact:

I actually think the battle between Evan and Nicole is going to be epic. I predict that those 2 will reach the highest level of dancing that we’ve seen on any season of Dancing with the Stars. Plus, one or two other dancers are going to just surprise us with their superior dancing ability. My prediction is on Aiden Turner’s dancing keeping him in longer than expected. Will be nice for Edyta to have someone who can dance. At least that’s my prediction.

Entertainment Tonight had DWTS nearly every day last week. Or maybe it was EVERY day.

From ABC:

The 10th season of DWTS is upon us. As I started thinking about the new season of DWTS I started getting really excited that it’s back. This break seemed far too long for my liking. On that note, I thought I’d list the things I’m most excited anout the upcoming season and make some predictions.

The first is actually both. I predict that Chad Ochocinco is going to be way out there in what he says and does. This is going to make a lot of fans of the show absolutely hate him. I on the other hand will enjoy every minute of it. Every time Chad opens his mouth it’s pure entertainment.

I predict that the first Baywatch/and or huge chest joke about Pam will happen in the first episode. Honestly, I want my old baywatch babe back.

Edyta. Yummy!! Nuff said.

I predict we’ll have at least 3 male dancers with their shirts off in the first episode.

I’m excited to see Brooke host the show with Tom. Not because I think Brooke will be amazing (like Tom). She just better not let me down and be worse than Samantha. I’ve always known that change isn’t always better, but I think this one will be.

11 couples. We all know that there were far too many last season.

New dancers. I’ve hears people talk about these 2 new [to me] pros and I’m looking forward to see if they can live up to what people have said.

This one’s a no brainer. We’re going to have another Olympian in the finals and a pop star. Despite the ringer status, I’m fine with both of them making it.

Great dancing. Seems like forever since there’s been great dancing on TV. I need DWTS and SYTYCD to coordinate their schedules so that one of them is always on. Will never happen, but I can hope. Oh yeah, the pro dances. I can’t wait for that too.

Ok, so what are your predictions and what’s getting you excited for DWTS 2010?

Everyone probably knows by now that here at Pure Dancing with the Stars we try to list all of the music used on Dancing with the Stars. Don’t believe me? Go and check out our list of Dancing with the Stars music. Well, the plan is to do the same this year. In fact, that link will continue to update with the latest Dancing with the Stars 2010 music as the season progresses. So, bookmark it and come back regularly.

Each year, I like to do a post about the music I’d like to see on the next season of DWTS. However, this year I decided that I’d let the readers of Pure DWTS make their lists and then I’ll plan on highlighting those lists of possible DWTS 2010 music in a future post. So, let’s see people’s list of top 10 songs they’d like to see on DWTS 2010.

As a side note, Louis Van Amstel just tweeted the music that Niecy Nash and him will be dancing too: Rescue Me . Here’s his full tweet:

Our song is ‘Rescue me’???!!!!I wonder who needs rescueing???lol….who do u think @NiecyNash ?????

Ok, what other music will be on DWTS 2010?

UPDATE:
I’ll update this post with the Dancing with the Stars 2010 Premiere music as we find it.
Jake Pavelka will be dancing to Kiss from a Rose by Seal (Thanks Amanda)

Inside Edition has Erin, Niecy and Pam!

Deena Katz on ET March 3rd – The Casting Process

ET on the New Cast!

…Brooke Burke.  Keeping in mind that I can’t see the announcement on GMA for another hour or so – but Twitter is lighting up in congratulatory messages.  So…CONGRATULATIONS BROOKE!!!

One of the nicest things about the DWTS training center is that several celebs and their partners are training at the same time and I think it causes them to become friends faster – plus they tweet some interesting photos. I found the ABC “offical” rehearsal photos at Access Hollywood – some of the photos below were tweeted by the individual stars.