Pure Dancing with the Stars

Dancing with the Stars Season 19 – “What do you mean I’m a ringer??” Update

Introduction

A couple of seasons ago, I created a set of criteria with which to measure the benefits some dancers on DWTS have compared to the other dancers. That is, ringers versus non-ringers. I attempted to be as logical and scientific as possible, although it’s impossible to remove all subjectivity from the issue. But it’s far better than simply saying “so and so isn’t a ringer, IMO”. In your opinion? If your opinion is purely subjective with no effort at logical or rational thought, then what good is it??

No good at all, actually. The original series sprung from an effort to debunk the old, tired and stupid claim that the only reason Derek does well is because he gets all the good partners and no one else gets them. Utter BS, of course. It would be a good idea to read that series before starting this one as I can’t guarantee that I’ll include all the same rationale this second time around and I don’t take well to discussing a subject with someone who is so rude as to not read the blogs. Read more..

PureDWTS Guest Poem For DWTS Season 17 Week 8 “A Superstar Cher-abration”

PureDWTS reader Lois writes another fantastic poem. This time it’s a salute to Cher and Dancing With The Stars. Thanks Lois!!! Perfect!

MY POEM FOR WEEK EIGHT

A SUPERSTAR CHER-ABRATION!

DANCING WITH THE STARS was A SUPERSTAR CHER-ABRATON
CHER was superlative in opening, the entire cast a bright sensation

CHER took the seat of royalty, the judges welcomed her in the fold
Cheers rang out in the ballroom, sounds of a SUPERSTAR to behold

The couples were as ready as they could be for SUPERSTAR CHER
A heightened sense of excitement permeated through the ballroom air

IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME showing Derek, Amber’s Rumba beat
Bill and Emma were STRONG ENOUGH, their Disco a rocking treat

I GOT YOU BABE, Tony, Leah told CHER’s story in Viennese Waltz
Jack and Cheryl Tangoed gloriously to THE BEAT GOES ON’s pulse

Elizabeth, Val were Jazzed by CHER’s SUPERSTAR hit BANG BANG
Corbin and Karina’s Argentine Tango had a juicy BURLESQUE tang

Brant, Peta Foxtrotted to CHER’s SHOOP SHOOP with tender care
There were duo challenges still to come filling up the ballroom air

Cha-Cha-Chas were mirrored by Corbin, Karina, Elizabeth and Val
Corbin and Karina were chosen by the judges to have better style

The duos chosen for the Rumbas were Brant, Peta, Leah and Tony
The judges raised their paddles declaring Leah, Tony one and only

The Disco beat went on with Bill and Emma, and Jack and Cheryl
The winners of the challenge Jack and Cheryl gave it the best whirl

SUPERSTAR CHER serenaded the ballroom again, her voice strong
The CHER-ABRATION continued, everyone kept the beat, sang along

The time came, the elimination announcement ready to be shared
Brant, Peta had to go home, the cast gathered, showed they cared

CHER took her bows at the end of a special mystical, magical night
A SUPERSTAR CHER-ABRATION was a CHER-ABRATION delight

What will we be treated with as Week 9 is coming, within our sight
We will welcome back another rousing show next Monday night!

Written By Lois A Troutman, November 6, 2013

WE ROCKED, WE ROLLED TO A SUPERSTAR CHER-ABRATION!
A SPECTACULAR NIGHT IN THE BALLROOM, A CHER SENSATION!

ABC Releases Details For Dancing With The Stars Season 17 Week 9

ABC has issued their new press release for next week’s Dancing With The Stars. Note how they say there will just be one elimination again.

“Episode 1709” – Six remaining couples hit the ballroom floor and take on an exciting trio performance, on “Dancing with the Stars,” MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET). The couples will compete in two rounds of dance. In the first round, each couple will take on an individual dance in a style they have not previously performed including the Viennese Waltz, Tango, Charleston, Argentine Tango and Quickstep. In the second round, the couples take on a new challenge and dance with an eliminated pro or troupe member as part of dynamic trio. The trio dance routine will be in a style the celebrity has not yet performed including the Samba, Jive, Salsa, Paso Doble and Jazz. At the end of the night, one couple will face elimination.

More at ABC Media Net.

Afterbuzz TV Breaks Down Dancing With The Stars Season 17 Week 8

AfterBuzz TV has released their post game wrap up for Dancing With The Stars Season 17 Week 8. Tyne Stecklein joins them this time. It’s interesting getting Tyne’s inside perspective about Cher since she’s worked for her in Las Vegas. Anna Trebunskaya also joins them again (who I’m seeing in a different light this season and it’s not a favorable one sad to say. I didn’t realize until this season that she had so many issues with Derek.) With that said, here ya go. Let us know what you think.

PureDWTS Season 17 Week 8 Post Media After The Dances Including Interviews With Cher And Chaz Bono

Hi Dancettes! So, far there isn’t much to share for new interviews with the cast of Dancing With The Stars after the show last night. Hopefully, as the day progresses more will come out. For now, head to Entertainment Weekly. They interviewed Corbin Bleu, Elizabeth Berkley & Val Chmerkovskiy, Derek Hough & Amber Riley, and Jack Osbourne & Cheryl Burke. They talked of the elimination and how “intense” and “dramatic” it was. Val thought he and Elizabeth were going home. Derek said it’s going to be sad to see anyone go home from this week on and he is right.

Below is Corbin and Karina chatting with Access Hollywood. They talk of the crazy night and the elimination….

Also, Chaz Bono and Cher talked with Access Hollywood. Chaz talks on losing 85 pounds. He feels like a completely new man. Cher talks of how she cried before the show for how nervous she was, but, she had so much judging. She also discusses when she first met Sonny at the coffee house. Awww moment.

Henry of PopTVDotCom also interviewed some of the cast after the show heading to Mixology. Note how Tom wants more guest judges such as his friend William Shatner. I hope they have more guest judges in the future too. It helps mix things up. What do you think?

ETA: On The Red Carpet have released their new interviews. You can watch them all at this link. Afterbuzz TV is also starting to release their new interviews here.

ETA2: Carrie Ann Inaba has written a new blog at Parade.com. I thought this bit was interesting about hot “the right couple always goes home”.

Let’s get back to the question at hand: Did the right couple go home? My answer is that it’s always the right couple. It sounds like a cop-out, but it’s true. The audience votes and we score. If the question is: “Is Brant Dougherty a better dancer than Bill Engvall?” The answer is a loud and resounding “Yes.” But our results have always been a combination of the judges’ scores and America’s votes. That’s much more interesting than just letting the judges call the score. Although right about now, a lot of people wish it were only the judges’ scores that counted. Our combined scoring method is what makes it so fun and so different. No other show has judges who actually give a numeric score. They usually give their opinions, but that’s it. Its part of what I think makes our show so fun, so I always respect the way it all turns out. I’m sad and sometimes shocked at the results, but I respect the way our show works.

ETA3: Sorry for the delay as I had to work today. I am just now getting caught up with the On The Red Carpet and Afterbuzz TV interviews. From these interviews, we find out some dance info for next week. Derek and Amber have the Salsa and the Quickstep. They have picked Mark for their trio dance. Jack and Cheryl have a Samba with Sharna and a V. Waltz. Bill and Emma have The Charleston for their individual dance. They don’t mention what is their trio dance, but, they have picked Peta for it. Corbin and Karina have picked Witney for their trio dance. Val and Elizabeth have picked Gleb. Leah and Tony have picked Henry. Be sure to take in all of these new interviews here and here. JC and George do a super job as always.

Tony Dovolani Interviews Cast And Alumni Of Dancing With The Stars, Talks Finals And Predictions

…and check out how Kelly Monaco, Andy Dick, and Chaz Bono make an appearance. This is a good one…

Court’s DWTS Las Vegas Adventure (Live Show Review & Other Miscellanery)

As many of you know, I was in Las Vegas last weekend and had the pleasure of seeing the DWTS live show at the Tropicana – which, of course, I will review for you guys, since certain other individuals *cough*JOHN*cough* haven’t managed to write the 2nd half of their review of the premiere of said show 😉 This post could get a bit wordy, as I took quite a few notes (and just have a really good memory, to boot) and I’ll throw in a few other possibly-unrelated-to-DWTS details for context, as well as some general Vegas info, since some of you have asked about my trip – so if you’re only interested in my review of the show, feel free to skip the next few paragraphs. And if you hate spoilers (i.e. you want to be COMPLETELY surprised when you see the show), I’d either just skip this post altogether or just read my overall take at the bottom – because I’m not holding back. You’ve been warned 😉 And special thanks go to Heidi, for helpin’ a girl out with some picture merges that were driving me cray-cray 😛

So why was I in Vegas in the first place, you ask? My best friend Kendra is getting married at the end of July, and she wanted a bachelorette party for the ages – so naturally, we HAD to go Vegas 🙂 There were 12 of us altogether (11 rowdy bachelorettes and 1 gay bachelor, who I must say put us all to shame with how fabulously he was dressed the entire trip ;-)), and the majority of us stayed at the Flamingo, since we were able to get a great rate on standard rooms – with 4 girls to a room, it was only $82 total for each of us for 3 nights, which is pretty awesome for a well-known hotel on the strip that isn’t a total dive. Overall, I wouldn’t say the Flamingo is a particularly special or ritzy hotel (if that’s what you’re looking for, I’d go with the Bellagio, Palazzo, or Venetian…but be prepared to shell out big $$$), but if you’re on a budget, it’s certainly more than sufficient – the rooms are clean and the decor is kitchy & cute (think 1960’s, Rat Pack, original Ocean’s Eleven – lots of dots, stripes, retro furniture, and of course, pink :-)). I’m very into the nostalgia of Vegas, so the Flamingo appealed to me in that it was originally built by infamous mobster Bugsy Siegel, and legend has it that the actual motive behind his murder was to change the management of the Flamingo. But anyway – if you’re in Vegas, I definitely recommend trying their Paradise Garden Buffet – it’s pretty affordable, as far as buffets in Vegas go, and is quite good…especially the brunch buffet. Plus the views of their courtyard and flock of live flamingoes are gorgeous 🙂 Also at the Flamingo? Donny & Marie Osmond’s live show – I didn’t see it (no time, and honestly, not much of a desire), but I did see these in the lobby:

The one on the left is Donny’s costume from his freestyle with Kym in season 9, as well as his MBT (and yes, according to the guest services director that I asked, it is his real MBT – apparently he insisted it be put in the case with his costume); the one on the right is Marie’s dress from her quickstep with Jonathan in season 5 (and one of those freaky dolls she designs – guess they had to put SOMETHING there when they found out that Donny wanted to display his MBT, although I’m not sure why they didn’t display this doll instead). I found Marie’s costume pretty unremarkable up close – for as fabulous as it looked on the show, upon further scrutiny, it’s really just a tan silk gown with some gems glued on; but Donny’s suit is very well-made and clearly took a lot of work. Interesting how different the costumes look on tv vs. in person (more on that later). Read more..

Lacey Schwimmer Would “Totally, Totally” Do An All-Star Season Of Dancing With The Stars

The Las Vegas Weekly interviewed Dancing With The Stars pro Lacey Schwimmer about the Vegas Show and why people should go see it. She also chatted about why she didn’t do Dancing With The Stars Season 14 and if she would do the All-star edition coming up. Here is a take with more. To read the full article, visit the Las Vegas Weekly.

Would you consider another season of DWTS?

I would definitely consider another season. There’s all this talk about an all-stars season and bringing people back. I think it’s a phenomenal idea, and I would totally, totally do it.

In your DWTS career, who’s been the most fun person to work with?

You know, the little Disney kid that I have right now in Vegas with me, he’s like my little brother. He’s only three years younger than me, but he’s just a doll to work with, and he’s so much fun to have around. He’s always positive, he’s always happy and he’s just awesome. His name’s Kyle Massey and he’s just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen.

Who’s been your most difficult DWTS partner thus far?

I get, you know, the partners that are very hard to place … the cases like the Steve-Os, who are not quite concentrated on dancing. But I’m really patient, and I can make anybody dance, pretty much. I don’t look at it as a difficult situation; I look at it as a growing and learning experience.

So, what do you think of Lacey coming back for the All-star edition and which partner would you want her paired with again? I’d love to see a return of Kyle Massey. I loved Chaz Bono too and maybe that’s why he’s been taking lessons and working out with it still?

Picture above from Zimbio Pictures.

Chaz Bono Remembers The Good Times On Dancing With The Stars, Makes Predictions, And More

Chaz Bono has been attending the shows this season. He loves Dancing With The Stars. He does some reflecting and predicts who he thinks will win this season as well. I miss Chaz. I’m so glad he danced last season. It’s so cool how he hasn’t stopped dancing….

DWTS Celebrities: “What do you mean, I’m a Ringer?” Part 3

This is the 3rd and final part of the series where I take a look at the partners the pros have had and their “ringer” status. Part 1 discusses how I define a ringer – you can find it here —> I’m a Ringer?? Part 2 discusses the female pros and their partners and how I labeled them – I think it’s pretty clear that they’ve not been quite as blessed as the men. Reasons for that should be self evident – female celebrities are more likely to have some sort of dance experience, even if it is taking ballet or tap as a child. NOTE: This was mostly written before the pairings were announced for Season 14 – those pairings certainly change the game for lots of pros. Lots of potential ringers on this season.

I strongly recommend you read the first two parts before you comment – I don’t want to have to reiterate everything I wrote MONTHS ago. 🙂 Also, be wise and don’t complain about the length, admit that you didn’t read it all, and then argue with me – that will just earn you scorn and an eye roll. I know this is long – I considered breaking it into two parts, but then I figured it’s still long in two parts. People will either be interested or they won’t. :::shrug::: Also take note that I, personally, don’t care about ringers themselves. I think a season without them is deadly. What I DO care about is hypocrisy, revisionist history and the fairy tales that some like to spread about who has had ringers and who hasn’t.

From where I sit, there are two types of ringers – and then there’s just being blessed. Fanbase ringer (ie. Donny Osmond, etc.) or Experience Ringer (Mel B, Nicole, Sabrina, etc.), and lucky get (Lalia, Brooke, Gilles, JR). Just because someone happens to be a great dancer doesn’t mean they are a ringer. When someone is blessed with a partner who can dance, it doesn’t mean they were handed a ringer. That particular argument is so illogical that it’s hard for me to take seriously. If they actually seriously auditioned people to be on this show by making them dance with a pro for an hour or two, it would be understandable. But they don’t stand people in a room with a pro dancer and then say, “wow, she’s got some moves, let’s give her to Maks” or “she sucks, lets give her to Tony.” It doesn’t work that way. If it did, they wouldn’t be able to get people on the show. And can you imagine a pro like Tony sticking around if that was the approach they took?

As it happens, and as many people connected to the show have reiterated, the process of how a pro gets a celebrity often has to do with height, personality, looks, chemistry and the cast as a whole…and this becomes obvious as the show progresses. They are actually quite good at matching people up. I would imagine they give this a lot of consideration as it impacts, or has the potential to impact, ratings. You’re going to try to avoid having a bunch of pairings that make people go “eeewww” or get seriously pissed off. I think you need to limit that to one couple per season. Can you imagine what it would be like for every pro on a season to have a partnership similar to that of Hope and Maks?? I would want to stab my eyes out with a fork if they were ALL like that and there was no Carson/Anna or David/Kym. Seriously – think about it. So, it may be good to have ONE Maks/Hope – gives people (me and Courtney) something to talk about, rant about, get passionate about, etc. (This is separate from a discussion of whether Maks finally went too far or not – I don’t think that’s what the producers intended.) Read more..

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