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New Interview with Tom Bergeron on DWTS 15

You gotta love Tom. :-) This interview is from MSN’s Reality TV – click the link to read the whole thing since I just put my favorite bits below. :-)

Some of your fans sent in questions they wanted me to ask. Tim wants to know: Do you come up with your own material, or do you have a writing staff?

No. I mostly ad-lib everything you hear. What is scripted on “Dancing” is the stuff that takes us to a commercial and brings us back — things of that nature. But my reactions to what’s going on in the moment are all my reactions.

On that note, Karen wanted to know if you have any tips on ad-libbing because you’re such a master at saying things that are right in the moment.

Thank you. I think listening is key. Look, even I screw up. We tried something new on Tuesday to kind of give a different pacing to the who’s in jeopardy and who’s safe. So instead of reading off a card I was just kind of paraphrasing things in my mind, and I wanted to paraphrase a quote from Carrie Ann to talk to the next couple, and as I was thinking of that I was going to toss to Brooke [Burke], and so I called Brooke Carrie Ann, so there you go! [Laughs] So to the best of us these moments happen, but I think being present is key and listening. It’s sort of like acting. Either you act or react, and I think that’s important.

October 14, 2012 I Written By

I'm a nerd and proud of it. Two degrees in geology also means I love BEER. :-) I'm also a Derek lover - proud of that too. So don't scream at those of us on this site and call us a bunch of "biased Derek-lovers" - it's just ME. :-) It may sound like I hate DWTS at times, but really, I'm just a snarky nitpicker from way back. And I'm cynical and jaded too. But I do love DWTS. :-)

DWTS Season 15, Week 3.5 – Gilles Pity Party, Half Naked Maks and Other Random Bits

Heh. In case you weren’t sure that Gilles was in the running for douchbag of the year, here’s a portion of an article from People.com. Thanks to TristanMacManusFans for sending the link to Courtney. :-) Be sure to click the link to read the whole thing for even MORE silly Gilles.

Gilles Marini, a fan favorite and likely finalist on Dancing with the Stars, tells PEOPLE that he was so sure he’d be eliminated after Monday night’s show that he needed to fortify himself.

“I opened a $400 bottle of wine,” the handsome French-American actor, 36, said on Wednesday. “I didn’t even pour it in a glass. I drank it right from the bottle!”

Marini danced an intense tango on Monday’s show, and while his scores were good, he says, “I wanted to do more, do better. I wanted to excel.”

Anxieties aside, Gilles is fully enjoying the DWTS experience this season, after having previously competed on the show in 2009.

“The first time I felt a little bit more like a puppet,” he says, “but now I have to bring the acting, the choreography … creatively speaking, I have a lot more input.”

For you Maks fans….here he is mostly naked on Ellen. The man needs facial hair, IMO. :-)

Derek and Shawn are in Iowa this week and will be performing at the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions tomorrow night (October 12). Derek tweeted these pictures, one from rehearsal and the other…well, not sure that one is from, I got distracted by Derek’s ever expanding biceps. :-) To read more on Derek and Shawn, be sure to hit up PureDerekHough.com

My man Tommy B. has an interview in the Wall Street Journal and there is one little interesting behind the scenes bit. Click the link to read the whole thing.

Normally, “DWTS” lets the pros know on a Sunday what the next dance style will be if they move on. When this didn’t happen, they were badgering, wanting to know what was going on. They discovered the twist – they’d be picking dance styles for one another from a yet-to-be-revealed list – at the same time viewers at home did, on Monday’s show.

The surprises continued Tuesday, for no one knew that the lowest would pick for the highest or what the dance choices would be until the live show. In dress rehearsal, the order was very different, and some of the dances listed didn’t make the final cut. “I think we had the chicken dance listed,” Bergeron said.

We won’t see the chicken dance on the next show, but we will see dances including bolero, Charleston, disco and hip-hop. “Some might fare based on luck of the draw,” Bergeron said of the couples’ prospects. “There were some tense expressions.”

October 11, 2012 I Written By

I'm a nerd and proud of it. Two degrees in geology also means I love BEER. :-) I'm also a Derek lover - proud of that too. So don't scream at those of us on this site and call us a bunch of "biased Derek-lovers" - it's just ME. :-) It may sound like I hate DWTS at times, but really, I'm just a snarky nitpicker from way back. And I'm cynical and jaded too. But I do love DWTS. :-)

Watch Out, Tom Bergeron – Paula Abdul on DWTS All Stars

Look out, Tom, she’s comin’ for YOU!! :-)  John sent me this before Tom tweeted it…but I think it’s funny anyway. :-)

I Written By

I'm a nerd and proud of it. Two degrees in geology also means I love BEER. :-) I'm also a Derek lover - proud of that too. So don't scream at those of us on this site and call us a bunch of "biased Derek-lovers" - it's just ME. :-) It may sound like I hate DWTS at times, but really, I'm just a snarky nitpicker from way back. And I'm cynical and jaded too. But I do love DWTS. :-)

DWTS 15, Week 2 – The Cheesecake Awards!!!!

Heidi: I’m on a roll…or a tear, depending on your POV, this week. I’m feeling mean. You’ve been warned. Don’t come crying to me later for my sense of humor having a mean streak this week.

Courtney: But everyone out to be thankful that Heidi’s on a streak, because I myself am feeling a bit…sedate.  Apparently I am allergic to either Cajun seasoning or lump crabmeat, as I broke out into hives about 15 minutes after sampling a hot seafood dip Mama Spence made for the Colts game.  A few hours, a trip to the urgent care, and a shot of dexamethasone later, I’m feeling less itchy…but a little blaaaahhhh.  But hey, at least the Colts beat the Packers! :-D

The C U Next Tuesday Award, Redux: Carrie Ann Inaba, for rather heavy-handedly chastising Bristol Palin for breaking hold in her quickstep

Courtney: Let’s get one thing straight: I fully acknowledge that Bristol & Mark broke hold in their dance (if you haven’t yet, see my post about it) and I agree that the judges were right in pointing it out.  HOWEVER – I don’t endorse CAI for going all Regina George on Bristol for it, claiming she was going to “slam back” because Bristol “slammed them in the face” by breaking the staying in hold rule. First of all, I have to laugh at how egocentric CA must be to think that all the couples break rules with the intention of somehow dissing the judges – I’ve heard her make the same ridiculous assumption about couples doing lifts, as if every single choreographic decision the couples make that doesn’t fit into her her specific (and ever-changing) rule book is a personal insult to her.  My god, woman, IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU!!! Second of all, at least direct your unwarranted indignance at the real guilty party – Mark.  Have you somehow forgotten that the pros ultimately make the choreographic decisions??? I don’t care how much influence you may think a celeb has over their pro partner - the pro gets the final say in the choreography, and if it really was Bristol insisting they break hold (and I’m not sure it was), then Mark should have had the cojones to put his foot down and tell her no.  But that’s neither here nor there – CA is a grown woman, not a teenage girl slamming another girl against a locker for stealing her boyfriend/copying her outfit/whatever.  Grow up, ya diva…before they have to pull an extra chair up to the judges’ table for your ever-growing ego.

Heidi: She’s just a nutbar. As you said she’s done this before – taken it as a personal insult to her that someone broke the rules.  Like Derek or Mark or Maks sit in a room with their partner saying, “What can we do to REALLY get CAI’s goat and piss her off?” But see, that’s the difference between CAI and the pros on this show. The pros are actual choreographers…it’s an art form, and sometimes they make creative decisions to put together the most exciting, memorable dance and that means a rule gets broken.  I doubt CAI was considered until they looked at the final routine and figured that they better warn their partner they might get in trouble because CAI is a self centered biotch who thinks it’s all about HER.

The “Making out is the new black!” Award: Helio & Chelsie and Apolo & Karina, for finding ways to smooch in their routine; honorable mention – Val Chmerkovskiy, for finding any excuse he could to kiss Kelly on the head/hand/arm/etc.

Courtney: This seemed to be one week where the makeup department was discouraged from using the long-wearing lipsticks that we’re used to seeing – as both Helio & Apolo proudly sported lipstick kisses on their faces from their female partners.  Love certainly seemed to be in the air this week…maybe they were inspired by Kirstie’s enthusiastic congratulatory smooch to Tom last week? :-P

Heidi: Well, I think Val and Karina have crushes. Don’t know what the hell the deal is with Chelsie. :-D

The “STFU Already” Award for Beating of a Dead Horse…AGAIN: Len Goodman for YET AGAIN reminding us of how shocking Sabrina’s elimination was in Season 6

Heidi: OMFG…how many times do we have to hear about this!!! Are they going to give her top of the leaderboard every week just to get the story they want at the end of the season?? “The most shocking elimination EVER finally wins!!! All is right with the fucking world.” :::rolls eyes:::  I think I actually freaking screamed when he said it yet again.

Courtney: Wait…Sabrina’s elimination was shocking? Hold the phone. MIND…BLOWN.  8-O Read more..

October 7, 2012 I Written By

Ultrasound sales specialist by day, semi-knowledgeable DWTS fan by night...with a smattering of hair & makeup enthusiast, occasional model, and crazy cat lady peppered in to make things REALLY interesting ;-) I might pee my pants in happiness if Donny Wahlberg ever does DWTS - or if they ever use "Sunglasses at Night".

DWTS Season 15, Week 1 – The Cheesecake Awards!!!!

Well kids, we’re back & snarky/juvenile/perverse/etc!  :-P And for those of you not accustomed to our particular brand of humor – consider yourself warned.  We swear, we get innuendo-y, we make fart jokes, and we call people out for being stupid on the show.  If you are hypersensitive/lack a sense of humor/are a prude/whatever, you probably should just skip this post altogether…and you sure as hell better not comment on it.  Because any Debbie Downers/Bobby Buzzkills lurking in the comments section will be deleted without a 2nd thought.  Consider this the party post – party poopers need not apply, because we have plenty of fellow freaks who love to party along with our special brand of humor.  Party on, Wayne ;-)

The “C U Next Tuesday” Award: Carrie Ann Inaba, for repeatedly calling out Tom for cutting her off

Courtney: We learned pretty quickly on Monday whether we’d get cool Carrie Ann or bitter, angry Carrie Ann this season – and I think she made it pretty clear it’s definitely the latter.  Look, CAI, I get it: your fairytale engagement didn’t result in a fairytale wedding, and you’re probably not too happy about that.  But did you really have to repeatedly heckle EMMY AWARD-WINNING HOST Tom Bergeron for cutting your commentary on Joey & Kym’s cha-cha off early? It was pretty obvious the show was moving at breakneck speed in order to fit everyone in, and I daresay that, being the EMMY AWARD -WINNING HOST of a LIVE reality tv show, Tom Bergeron knows a thing or two about effectively fitting into a time frame while still being entertaining – plus he probably had the Muppets upstairs screaming in his earpiece to move things along.  I highly doubt whatever long-winded critique you were going to offer up was all that insightful, CAI – it seldom is.  Yet your excessive self-importance forced you to interrupt things not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES to remind everyone that Tom cut you off – who’s the asshat now?

Heidi: My brother texted me during the show to call CAI names….then commented that her tampon is in sideways. :-)  Yes, that is my family…we tend toward gross at times. But also very apropos.  But seriously, don’t heckle The Berg, biotch. It’s not all about you. Hard to believe, I know.

Courtney: Looks like someone had a bad case of Emmy Envy.  :-P

The “Deeerrrrp” Award: Chelsie Hightower, for getting confused over the native languages of Brazil & South America; (dis)honorable mention – Val Chmerkovskiy, for not really knowing what Kelly did for a living

Courtney: “Wait…they speak Spanish in South America???” I’d like to think this was taken out of context, but from the puzzled look on Chelsie’s face…I doubt it was.  And by the earnest expression on Val’s face as he asked “Oh, you work in a hospital?”, I’m gonna venture a guess that “catching up on the soaps” is not on Val’s list of hobbies :-P

Heidi: Both were hilarious…but I was yelling at my TV, saying “Chelsie, STOP talking, yer makin’ it worse”, while laughing at her.  Val I thought was just endearing…and for Kelly, humbling. :-D

Couple’s Schtick That is Most Likely To Get Old VERY Quickly: Sabrina & Louis reminding everyone that Sabrina was voted in and this season is “all about redemption”; (dis)honorable mention for Derek’s short jokes and Kelly & Val’s pattycaking

Courtney: I just think the short jokes are corny :-P And I guess I would just rather see Kelly & Val doing something other than pattycaking…something more…intimate.  ;-) Maybe if they were playing pattycake with their face.  LOL :-P But the Sabrina & Louis “the viewers chose us to be here!” and “this is all about redemption because Sabrina left too early” poppycock is just beyond annoying at this point.  If that’s their big reason why people should vote for them – then they must not be that special, because every week that any of the couples is sticking around, is a week they are being “chosen” by the viewers, since they’re obviously getting votes.  And you want to talk about “redemption”? Gilles was narrowly beat out for the MBT by a mere 1%.  Joey & Kirstie are both 2nd place finishers; Bristol finished 3rd in her season, and was pretty unpopular.  Drew, Kelly, & Emmitt are all trying to prove that the earlier champions are every bit as good as the newer ones. I daresay any of the names I just mentioned have a greater hunger for “redemption” than a 7th place finisher who just couldn’t get the votes to stick around in season 5…and has been reminding us about it ever since.

Heidi: Eh, I don’t mind the short jokes and Derek usually recognizes the shelf life of  joke in general. (I have to say, though, that the harassment he got from one Shawn fan freak on Twitter was OTT – yo, Derek ain’t the one that looks bad here, nutjob!) Also didn’t mind the patty caking – was rather amazed by that, actually. Not sure I could do that without a shit ton of beer to relax me.  :-) But the Sabrina crap is in a whole other league from those other two because we’ve been hearing for YEARS about her (not) shocking elimination. Talk about drinking game potential. Get the fuck over it already! I’m about ready to stick a pen in my eye.  Guess what kids – you were voted in over Carson and Kyle, NOT the rest of the cast. You better hope like hell that Team Sabrina is a lot bigger than I suspect it is. Read more..

September 29, 2012 I Written By

Ultrasound sales specialist by day, semi-knowledgeable DWTS fan by night...with a smattering of hair & makeup enthusiast, occasional model, and crazy cat lady peppered in to make things REALLY interesting ;-) I might pee my pants in happiness if Donny Wahlberg ever does DWTS - or if they ever use "Sunglasses at Night".

Operation Smile’s 30th Anniversary Gala Honors Brooke Burke-Charvet and David Charvet

Last night, Dancing With The Stars co-host Brooke Burke-Charvet and husband, David Charvet, attended Operation Smile’s 30th Anniversary Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The were honored for their contributions for the charity whose mission is to help children in need worldwide. Tom Bergeron and Tony Dovolani also made a showing to support Brooke and David. Zimbio Pictures has some fabulous shots of them all if you’d like to check them out. Brooke also speaks a little about the charity and how you can help save a child in the video footage below. Go to Operation Smile to learn more.

I Written By

I'm a fashion and music nut....and I have always loved dancing too of any kind. Dancing With The Stars seems to have this way of bringing all of those things together. Derek Hough (one of my favorite dancers) said at a recent Get Healthy event that ‘dancing’ is an outward expression of what is going on inside you. He says that in some ways, everyone dances and it's so true. To TPTB, how about this song for next season's theme song? Robin G Ft. Wilunleashed - A Good Time (Original) // Download High Quality

ABC Releases DWTS All Stars Promotional Teaser For Results Night And More(Videos)

This is cool and Tom’s EYES are cracking me up!!

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Here are some highlights from last night as well…

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Also, if you weren’t able to catch the Dancing With The Stars After Party, you can watch it in full at the official site HERE.

September 25, 2012 I Written By

I'm a fashion and music nut....and I have always loved dancing too of any kind. Dancing With The Stars seems to have this way of bringing all of those things together. Derek Hough (one of my favorite dancers) said at a recent Get Healthy event that ‘dancing’ is an outward expression of what is going on inside you. He says that in some ways, everyone dances and it's so true. To TPTB, how about this song for next season's theme song? Robin G Ft. Wilunleashed - A Good Time (Original) // Download High Quality

Nightline And Good Morning America Cover The Premiere Of DWTS, Interviews And Reviews

So, last night after the Dancing With The Stars premiere, Nightline had interviews with Shawn Johnson, Gilles Marini, and Melissa Rycroft where they chatted about the competition and whether it’s harder or easier to do the show again. Gilles says it will be challenging to live up to expectations. Melissa is the most afraid of the athletes. You can watch this interview at Nightline here.

More of the cast and Tom Bergeron dish on Dancing With The Stars, what to expect, and the competition at this Nightline link too. They review the first dances as well.

Lastly, Wendy Williams gives her take on the first dances on Dancing With The Stars last at Good Morning America. Wendy says Emmitt was born to dance and he “glides”. She thinks the half points will help the contestants. Wendy is secretly rooting for Kirstie and Maks, but, she doesn’t think they will make the top five. It’s going to be a tough season and the contestants will have to bring everything. She thinks Apolo and Shawn will be in the top three. Sabrina will make the top five and, of course, Emmitt. She predicts Pamela is going home tonight because there was no chemistry with Tristan (wha?? I thought they had great chemistry. She just didn’t dance that well). Lots more at Good Morning America. So, what do you think of Wendy’s review? Did she nail it? Pretty much so, I think. I think Val and Kelly could possibly make the top three as well if they perform strong and have all the elements like they did last night. And then there is Gilles and Peta! 8O Wowza, we have ourselves a competition, don’t we?

Stay tuned for Heidi’s NUMBERS post next! ;) xx

I Written By

I'm a fashion and music nut....and I have always loved dancing too of any kind. Dancing With The Stars seems to have this way of bringing all of those things together. Derek Hough (one of my favorite dancers) said at a recent Get Healthy event that ‘dancing’ is an outward expression of what is going on inside you. He says that in some ways, everyone dances and it's so true. To TPTB, how about this song for next season's theme song? Robin G Ft. Wilunleashed - A Good Time (Original) // Download High Quality

PureDWTS Season 15: Media Wrap-Up After The First Dance (Videos)

Wow, what a night!! The dancing was out of this world and, to think, this is only the beginning of the season. Are you happy? Did you have a lot of “glitter” moments like I did? So, let’s get the couples reactions from On The Red Carpet with George Pennacchio….

First up, Shawn tells George she and Derek had a great start and are happy with their scores. Derek says their journey is about a lot of things, not, just dancing well. They talk of how they are both “perfectionists”. Derek says Shawn is perfect right now. So cute. Right after watching this, be sure you hop right over to Pure Derek Hough. Heidi has lots more on these two.

Tristan and Pam! Pam says she she’s got the fantasy part down and the character, she just needs to rehearse more and be consistent in dancing. They have a lot of plans if they make it. George reassures her of how much she is loved…an awww moment (I love this guy! he told her just what she needed to hear).

Kirstie and Maks! Kirstie comments on the low scores , but, says they can only go up now. She feels stronger than before. She says they need to step it up notch because everyone is amazing! Maks says they are right where he wants them to be. Maks says they are going to just have fun every week which is the most important. Kirstie explains her character which she loved playing and how the judges described it.

Val and Kelly are happy with their scores and they had so much fun. If they get voted off, Kelly would be happy since they did their best. Val talks of how he tried to turn Kelly’s fault of not dancing for so long into a charm. Kelly talks of how the cast of General Hospital is supporting her and how thankful she is.

Emmitt is excited for the moment they had last night! They are soaking the moment up. They wore green to bridge the old to the new and to set the standard last night. George says Emmitt reminded us of the joy he brings to the dance floor. So true.

Read more..

I Written By

I'm a fashion and music nut....and I have always loved dancing too of any kind. Dancing With The Stars seems to have this way of bringing all of those things together. Derek Hough (one of my favorite dancers) said at a recent Get Healthy event that ‘dancing’ is an outward expression of what is going on inside you. He says that in some ways, everyone dances and it's so true. To TPTB, how about this song for next season's theme song? Robin G Ft. Wilunleashed - A Good Time (Original) // Download High Quality

DWTS15 Tony Dovolani: “It’s Gonna Be All Steps Forward” With Melissa Rycroft

Tony Dovolani tells Celebuzz, he and partner Melissa Rycroft only have “up” to go. Read on further to see why….

“Now, she’s taking the opportunity by the horns and really wanting to do well,” he continued. “Back then, even though she wanted to do well, she had no idea what was going on. So I feel like she’s much more mature. I’m proud of her. I became kind of like a big brother when she first joined the show in season 8. Now, I feel like I can actually be her dance partner, because she comes in much more mature.”

Dovolani, who recently announced a partnership with Capezio dancewear, also told Celebuzz he is more than pleased to re-team with Rycroft this season.

“I feel like our chemistry was so great last time,” he said. “It’s the right fit. We get along; we get each other … It still feels fresh.”

“We only have up to go,” he continued. “There’s not gonna be a step back, it’s gonna be all steps forward. We’re so hungry, because we came so close [in season 8] and we didn’t get it.”

You can read the full interview at Celebuzz. I really hope these two come out strong tonight.

ADDING: Go here to see Melissa and Joey on the Morning Blend today too.

September 24, 2012 I Written By

I'm a fashion and music nut....and I have always loved dancing too of any kind. Dancing With The Stars seems to have this way of bringing all of those things together. Derek Hough (one of my favorite dancers) said at a recent Get Healthy event that ‘dancing’ is an outward expression of what is going on inside you. He says that in some ways, everyone dances and it's so true. To TPTB, how about this song for next season's theme song? Robin G Ft. Wilunleashed - A Good Time (Original) // Download High Quality