We’re baaaack! Season 8 of Dancing with the Stars

Posted By: admin On: March 10, 2009 Comments: ( 3 )

We’re back live!! First impressions…




Shawn Johnson almost falls down the steps and we haven’t even begun the show. Missing from the lineup is Jewel and Nancy O’dell obviously. Most of the women including Lil’ Kim need more clothes especially Edyta which isn’t a surprise, is it? Belinda Carlisle looks very matronly. Denise Richards is surprisingly covered up and looks not so bad. Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough make a cute couple. Karina Smirnoff looks annoying like her voice. Steve-O cleans up pretty nice after all. I was worried about him. Lacey looks wayyy too tan. I think someone got carried away with the spray tan.

Lil’ Kim and Derek Hough is up first. She said her first time watching the show was in prison. All I know is she has had some major work done on her face. She compared herself to black Barbie - plastic is right, Lil’ Kim. Wow - she has got a BIG BOOTIE!! They are dancing the Cha Cha Cha.  She is very fluid, has nice toe points, and letting loose. Their song is Nasty by Janet Jackson. Pretty good for the start of the show. Len thought it was first class - work on posture and needs some refining, but good job. Bruno called her nasty but tasty and said she can work wonders with her tooshie. He commented on her “funny” footwork. C.A. says she has great potential and she needs to just let it out. Scores are all 7’s for a 21 out of 30.

Belinda Carlisle and Jonathon Roberts are up next. I can’t believe she is considered the old broad on the show this season. I used to listen to her in the 80’s when I was a pre-teen. Belinda has issues with spins in practice and has to sit down. They start off this week with the waltz and they spin like crazy at the beginning. Nothing like getting those pesky spins out of the way early on. She has a nice smile and glides across the floor. She has nice rise and fall for the most part and she seemed really graceful. It was a very safe dance though - nothing spectacular about it. They dance to “What the World Needs Now is Love.” Bruno loved her first spin comparing her to Julie Andrews, but then said she turned into Cloris Leachman. He wants her to work on lines and footwork. C.A. said it wasn’t great, but it wasn’t Cloris Leachman. C.A. wants her to trust Jonathon more. Len said overall there was moments of grace and elegance. Scores are 2 6’s and a 5 from Bruno for a total of 17 out of 30.

Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska are up next. Lawrence thinks he has more dance ability than Jason Taylor so he knows he can go further than that. They dance the cha cha cha and he sooo reminds me of Emmitt Smith on the dance floor. I guess that isn’t a bad thing since Emmitt won so it is possible. He looked like he had a good time out there. C.A. started and said he didn’t quite live up to the reputation of the other football players. She wants him to get down and dirty more. Len said crisp and sharpness was lacking, but he enjoyed watching him. Bruno said it was so laid back that it was thrown away. He wants him to come out and attack it. Scores are 2 5’s and a 6 from C.A. for a total of 16 out of 30.

Oh look at that - Johnny Knoxville and Wee Man are sitting in the audience. They are there supporting Steve-O. Steve-O comes into first rehearsale on a bike and Lacey laughs. We learned that Steve-O is coming out of rehab after a year and really wanted to do Dancing with the Stars b/c it is healthy, wholesome and challenging. Good for him if he really means it. I really thought he’d be an A$$ Lacey and Steve-O are dancing the waltz. They start off with a nice trick where Steve-O is flipped over Lacey’s back. The crowd loves it. The music I don’t know is very macabre. His turns are a little stiff, but he glides pretty nicely and there were some graceful moments. He ends with a little Elvis move rounding his arm in an air guitar movement. Crowd loves him and Lacey is so proud. He looks cute in his suit!! Len admired his commitment stating he didn’t “jackass” about, but technically there was a lot going on that wasn’t the ticket. Len expected much worse, so well done. Bruno said it was big pile of slapstick - he laughed and was entertained. C.A. was oddly mesmerized by the beauty, but called it awkward, but said he has an incredible determination that was inspiring to watch. Good for Steve-O. Scores are 2 6’s and a 5 from Len for a total of 17 out of 30.

Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke have the cha cha cha. He admitted to being the least known celeb and I couldn’t agree more. I haven’t seen Sex and the City Movie. Cheryl said he doesn’t have the fan base so he has to work extra hard. He is also concerned about going home first. His movements are precise and crisp which Len will like. Him and Cheryl are HOT!! They do a move at the end where he runs his finger down Cheryl’s chest..HOT STUFF!!! The CROWD LOVES IT and honestly I loved it too. C.A. said WOOHOO! She says he has great potential and commended Cheryl. Bruno said he knows how to strut his stuff and said Cheryl has something to play with this time. Len commended Cheryl on the routine and said Gilles pulled it off calling it fabulous. WOW! What a great start for him in week 1. Scores are all 8’s for a total of 24 out of 30.

Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough are up next and he kisses her on the nose backstage. They have the waltz first. She calls him baby in practice and is still hard on him like her other partners which is what he needs if they are going to win this season. They dance to “Are you Lonesome Tonight?” They spin fast and his turns are a little off, but he isnt meant to be perfect week. He looks a little scared AND he lifted her at the end (her foot came off the ground). I know C.A. will point out the lift. Julianne comments she has never seen him this nervous before. Bruno said it looked good at times and other times it felt like he was chasing her. Bruno said “easy man, easy”. Len liked the footwork and he moved well, but to work on posture. C.A. said he might be one of the most graceful men they’ve had on the show in a long time and she did point out the lift - she did like how great they looked together and that he could possibly go far. Scores are 2 7’s and a 6 from C.A. for a total of 20 out of 30.

Tom Bergeron speaks to Jewel and Nancy O’dell who are sitting in the audience. Jewel is disappointed that she can’t compete with her hubby, but will be in the audience cheering him on and will get to sing. Nancy O’Dell is jealous with Tony’s new partner and anxious to see who that is. Nancy will need to have surgery.

Holly Madison Playboy cover girl and “The Girl’s Next Door” Reality Star is Jewel’s replacement. She only had 1 week to prepare with newcomer pro Dmitry Chaplin. They’ve got the Cha Cha Cha and she is easily frustrated. Who wouldn’t be with only 1 week to prepare? Everyone else had close to 4 weeks to prepare. They dance to Lady Gaga’s “Let’s Dance.” Holly is very unsure of herself and lacks technique and I have to say the singers singing this song are HORRID. The last trick was cool, but I didn’t care for it. Would have liked to see Jewel, but you always want what you can’t have. The crowd didn’t seem to like it and Jewel looked a bit embarrassed in my opinion. I couldn’t read her. We did see last season’s winner, Brooke Burke with her hubby David Charvet and Marlee Matlin. Marlee can’t stay out of the audience. Anyways, back to Holly and Dmitry, Len thought it wasn’t bad. Len thinks next week they’ll have longer to practice so it could be better next week. C.A. said she appreciates what she did, but would like to see her next week after she works on her balance. Bruno said she is easy to look at and said some of the sections were pretty good, but lost timing…there is hope. Scores are all 6’s for a total of 18 out of 30. I think they patronized her. I think Lawrence Taylor did better than her and he got a lower score.

With only 2 days to prepare, Nancy O’dell’s replacement is Bachelor’s rejectee Melissa Rycroft. She is partnered with Tony Dovolani. They show her backstage and she is darling! Tony is chattering his teeth on his fingers looking scared. Tom said she will preform a dance with the least amount of training in the history of the show. You go, girl! She is brave and I must say I fell in love with her on the Bachelor. Glad to see her on the show.

Up next though is Ty Murray (Jewel’s hubby) and he’s partnered with newcomer Chelsie Hightower from So You Think You Can Dance. They meet and he seems very, very shy and he is so cowboy. I didn’t think there were such cowboy’s left in this world. Oh lawdy he looks horrible in practice. They have the Cha Cha Cha and I must say after viewing practice he might be first out. LOL! He looks cute tonight though. I like him much better without his cowboy hat. He looks like a cute little boy.He looks darling dancing. His timing is a bit off and they got mixed up on their moves a bit. Chelsie is a great addition to the show. His footwork was a bit sloppy, but I think he is cute. Jewel seemed to think so too. Bruno starts and C.A. has her head down on the judges table - I can’t tell if she is laughing or what. Bruno said it looks more like an army drill than the cha cha cha. ha! Bruno said there is always next week. Len said he came out and tried. C.A. said she thinks he is one cute cowboy and loved the way he attacked it - she loved how he let go and have fun, but to work on his dancing. LOL! He is darling! Scores are 2 5’s and a 4 from Len for a total of 14 out of 30.

17 year old Olympic Gold Medalist, Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas have the waltz this week. Shawn is so cute and so incredibly tiny. Wow! Her concern is showing emotion and coming off as serious and emotional - we’ll see. I didn’t know that they were taught to not show emotion in gymastics b/c that is seen as weakness. I had no idea - I thought they were all just like that. I guess it does make sense. She is decked out in a flowing yellow dress and showing some cleavage - she is so stocky and muscular. She has nice toe points and she glides gracefully. Her hand extensions are gorgeous and her and Mark have great chemistry. She reminds me a lot of Mark’s former partner and ex-girlfriend Sabrina Bryant just tinier and less powerful. Shawn is my favorite so far!! C.A. was truly moved for a young little one. C.A. loved her grace and dynamics - she loved it. Bruno said she was surprisingly refined for someone so young, but to beware of the gymnastic arm. Len found the whole thing appealing, but overall it was fantastic. Scores were 2 8’s and a 7 from Bruno for a total of 23 out of 30.

Steve Wozniak and Karina Smirnoff are up next dancing the Cha Cha Cha. Karina’s voice is once again annoying - ack! Steve is such a nerd, but what did I expect? He is riding around on a Segway with a helmet to greet Karina - GEEK! In practice he is wearing black shorts, black socks, and black shoes - ick! He is trying to turn dancing into numbers and computers - and Karina looks disgusted. He starts off with a big pink boa on and he looks like twinkle toes, but he is giving it his all and having fun. They did have fast movements and he kept up just fine, but he will NOT be around long that is for sure. Len said the good news is it held his attention throughout, but overall it was a disaster. Bruno said it was like watching a teletubby go mad. OMG! C.A. said he is what this competition is all about - he is doing something new and going out on a limb which she likes. She liked rooting for him. Scores were 2 4’s and a 5 from C.A. for a total of 13 out of 30.

David Alan Grier and Kym Johnson have the Waltz. He comes in with dry humor and Kym didn’t really get it. I thought it was hilarious. He keeps asking Kym if he’s lost weight (today). Haha!  They dance to “You Light Up My Life”. He seems like a natural and very gentle. He has nice posture and grace. I’m impressed actually. Bruno said good lines at times, but in hold he is leaning into her and commented on his multiple characters in the dance. C.A. mentioned her background with him on In Living Color. She told him to watch his face b/c it is distracting. Len said well done - there was far more good then bad. He mentioned his bum sticking out. C.A. interrupts at the end stating Kym’s foot came off the ground. UGH - give it up Carrie Ann. Scores are 2 6’s and a 7 from Len for a total of 19 out of 30.

Dancing the Cha Cha Cha next is Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Denise apologizes too much in practice and then she pours on the tears. Hmmm. She looks timid and nervous. Wow she is uncoordinated, but with some work she could be good.  She did some nice splits, but her one arm looked awkward at times like she didn’t know where to put it. It was mediocre. Her Dad was there in the audience - he is so proud.  C.A. said she looked terrified and it is confusing b/c she has great potential and to watch the shoulders. C.A. said she was proud of her. Len said she came out and gave it a good shot - tone it up there b/c it was too loose. Bruno said she’s got it all, but doesn’t know what to do with it. Scores were all 6’s for a total of 18 out of 30.

Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani are the last to perform. I guess the producers put them last so they could practice all night while the other couples danced. That was nice of them. Tom made a joke stating she might not even remember the routine. That would be my thing too - Tony has his work cut out for him this week that is for sure. Luckily they have the waltz so it is slower and might be easier to remember - we’ll see.   She looks so cute and natural and the dance had some nice tricks. I love her pointed toes and extensions. C.A. will point out the lift unless she couldn’t tell it with her flowing skirt, but I saw it. She looks happy and the crowd is on their feet. Tony kisses her forehead! I thought she did GREAT! She gets a thumbs up from Nancy O’dell! Len said it is obvious she’s danced before and said her feet were so balletic to work on that. Bruno said the Bachelor is a loser and then he said he loved her fluid arms comparing them to a bird. C.A. said she has great lines and is a natural, but to pull it together as far as her emotions go. Scores were 2 8’s and a 7 from Len for a total of 23 out of 30.

Leaderboard:

Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke 24 out of 30

Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas 23 out of 30

Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani 23 out of 30

Lil’ Kim and Derek Hough 21 out of 30

Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough 20 out of 30

David Alan Grier and Kym Johnson 19 out of 30

Holly Madison and Dmitry Chaplin  18 out of 30

Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy 18 out of 30

Belinda Carlisle and Jonathon Roberts 17 out of 30

Steve-O and Lacey Schwimmer 17 out of 30

Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska 16 out of 30

Ty Murray and Chelsie Hightower 14 out of 30

Steve Wozniak and Karina Smirnoff 13 out of 30

I think Steve Wozniak and Ty Murray are in the trouble. I’ve picked Steve Wozniak to leave us first.

Sorry this was late - my site went down due to too much activity - I guess it is nice to have so much traffic. Enjoy…