Kelly is an Emmy-nominated soap actress who also was Playboy's Palymate of the month in April 1997. She has more than just soap fans who recognize her. I think she is a talented actress who just so happens to have a body that doesn't quit.

Is this true? Where did you find that out? Because I was under the impression they did it all that week when practicing. If it was one day, I guess she is a quick learner!


And just because you spoke our fears, ABC will make it a reality... Now I am scared!

RE: Kelly Monaco Hate

I am starting to wish she had been eliminated because some things said about her borders on out-right viciousness instead of snark. From the sound of it, you would think she stole someone's baby, told them it died, then became America's sweetheart.... oops, wrong thread. *G*

Man, that's funny! How many of us just tried the thumb thing? ElectricBoogalo, you've got me trying some weird things at home right now. I'm not sure how flexible I am, I can bend my fingers backward but that might just be some crazy freak thing I have going on. I imagine your flexibility is greatly increased by your general fitness level, right? If you aren't that fit, would you still be able to measure your natural flexibility so easily?

I was impressed by the splits Kelly did--naturally flexible or not, it's something. Didn't Rachel do the splits too?

There seems to be a presumption that K/A are getting votes based on Kelly's fan-base. After watching their Paso (and recalling cooments here), I'm thinking that Alex is getting quite a few MaleCandy votes. The two combined could be what's keeping them on top.

I hope John wins, but I won't be crushed if Kelly does. I'm just glad that Joey "The Kicker" is out before either of the two that actually, you know, dance.

Louis, Alec, Jonathan and Edyta (maybe Anna as well) will start a ballroom school in Los Angeles called Genesis Ballroom after the show that will teach competitive, social and kids. So some intances, you might be able to take group classes under them!

I really hope all the pros will be back next year. I have gotten attached to them, esp. Charlotte, Alec, Jonathan and Ashly. They have put in so much work, it would be great to see them better known for their efforts -- esp. since this is the guinea pig first season.

Hate to see the show end next week. I hope ABC produces a new edition and not wait till next summer. DWtS can definitely bring back the viewers in the fall and/or winter. The only thing I fear is that with DWtS' success, other networks will clone it to death (witness Fox' "Skating with Celebrities" and NBC's "I'm A Celebrity but I Want to be a Pop Star") because they feel it's the celebrity component that made this show so popular.

I missed John and Charlotte's foxtrot, so I'll just have to take everyone's word for its quality (at least until the downloads are up). *sigh* I admit to having voted for them several times last night.

I don't watch GH at all, but whenever I watch Kelly Monaco dance (and I stand by my earlier comments about her outfits), I think of the line from Strictly Ballroom: "A little musicality. Please." She can move, but it never feels like she's moving to the rhythm of the music, or, considering how bad the music is, the rhythm of her partner.

On the flexibility front, you either have it or you don't (though stretching and practice can help). My grandmother could put her leg behind her neck until she was 80 (and more importantly, get it back where it belonged again). She was overweight and out of shape, too. So I have to agree that while splits and high kicks can look impressive, they aren't dancing in the same way that synchronizing your movements with your partner are.

Hee, I'm now picturing a bunch of TWoPers sitting in front of their computers bending their thumbs back! Those tests are used to evaluate natural flexibility, so it gives you/the teacher an idea as to whether or not you are predisposed but it doesn't guarantee your ability. Flexibility is like strength - it's something you can always improve. Even if you aren't in great shape or working out daily, the thumb test gives you an idea of your natural flexibility. Is that what you were asking? Sorry, it's almost Friday and my brain is fried so I might have misunderstood your question.



Last week she did a handstand with a sort of center split action, but I am pretty sure that one week she did something resembling the other kind of splits - maybe a backbend/dip with one leg pointed at the ceiling?

Alex, I'm very glad I had no food or beverages nearby as I read your post because...Bwah! Also, word up to your suggested line-up.

Flexibility really is a matter of body make-up. I haven't been dancing for several years, but I took a few ballet classes some weeks back and was able to progress from first to fourth position easily.

Why are we assuming Ashly picked the music? Joey has been very vocal in their choreography -- why not try to be the Boss of the music, too.

Extra just aired here - there was an interview with Kelly and Alec, taped shortly after the show ended last night. Questions were about her costume - and both pointed out that she never even saw the Paso Doble outfit until arriving at the studio for the Live show yesterday. A follow-up question made it sound like she got basically zero input in costumes.

And I, for one, would watch this even if I couldn't vote on the outcome.

I was already getting sentimental last night, John's interviews were so touching, about how he was doing Foxtrot for Charlotte, and then he made me laugh too. When he was doing his Paso it dawned on me at most I will only see him one more week, then that's it. Then I hoped that I would see him on my tv again soon!

I really hope this reignites his tv career. I was actually thinking what comedy series I would like to see him in, but most comedies on the big networks suck nowadays, I don't want Mr. Peterman stuck in some dreck. But hosting the new DwtS wouldn't be bad, I think I would like that, he would be perfect. Rachel can take Lisa' job, but no Trista please!


Seriously, Charlotte's face looks so youthful and fresh in training, she could be 29 (I know she's only 33). The make-up people need to stop caking her face with that god-awful pasty white crap that makes me think of grandma's.

I have a question about the studio audience. It looks like everyone in the audience, at least those on the sidelines, are dressed up in suits and gowns. Is this a requirement that you dress up to look classy in order to watch the show? Or is there some kind of open dance floor you get to dance before or after the show?


Well sorry but I have no respect for her or any woman who gets naked so men can pay money to gawk at her body. If not for that, what is she? A soap actress, which not too many people give the credibility of being a real actress. Yes there are some people with real talent who start there a move on, but she ain't one of them.

Joey/Ashly going last night was a foregone conclusion and I first I though John/Charlotte were going to win just because they are the better dancers but I'm slowly going on the Kelly Monaco train. Alec does a pretty good job leading her and I no longer blame her for those atrocious costumes since finding out she doesn't pick them. Besides I loath her GH character so much and she seems to be totally opposite what she's playing on the soaps so I can't help but cheer for her - she's trying awfully hard for this and I doubt its for famewhorish reasons since she already has a permanent gig. It's hard to explain to those who don't know how detestable all of the characters on General Hospital. how well she seems to come off as herself.

There was a blurb in the TV section of one of my local papers that ABC is already regretting only ordering 6 eps of the show since its gotten the best ratings of any summer series since Survivor. I'd wager the next time we see "Dancing with the Stars" the star power will be much higher.



John O'Hurley seems like such a naturally funny guy (I thought so even before this show when he was doing that game show, To Tell the Truth) and he has a fantastic speaking voice. I wonder why none of the networks haven't headlined him in a sitcom or let him be one of the key players in an ensemble piece, kind of like the Phil Hartman part in Newsradio.

What are any of them? A bunch of has-beens and c-listers. Personally, I'd be more embarrassed to be an ex-boybander than a soap star but that's just me. Talent is a matter of opinion. And I don't really care in this case unless it has something to do with dance talent. I still cheered for most of them (minus Mrs. "Don't touch me unless it's ok with my husband").

There's a clip on the Extra website about last night's show. Scroll down to the picture of Joey on the left side.

Extra

jacobndiana said


Got some bad news for you - you've got 'em on this show. Especially in the last few years Dick has gotten as bad, if not worse than Bruno. I can't tell you how many times he's orgasmed over jumps that were sloppy as hell and barely held onto by the skater or has just gushed rivers over a layback by Michelle Kwan. (Hers are among the worst laybacks of all the female competitors. Her free leg is nearly always dropped with the hip not nearly open enough, and her back position could be better.)

Peggy is a bit more unbiased. She's not nearly as bad about gushing over things she shouldn't, and has contradicted Dick several times. He's not got a clue. He's still looking at things the way they were done 40 years ago when he skated, and the form and lines are much crisper now.

It's really a lot like Bruno, seeing what he wants to see while sticking his nose up someone's ass who doesn't necessarily deserve it.

ITA djork. My fear is that if/when ABC brings the show back for a 2nd season they make too many changes. The only changes I'd be ok with is new judges and new scoring rules.

Maybe I should let one of the dance sport competitors among us answer this, but I know for me, whenever I've gone to dance competitions audience members have always dressed up, or at least worn clothes that would be appropriate for let's say a night at the opera. I've always assumed that it was some unspoken "rule". Or as my mother would say - just the right thing to do.

Maybe it is just me, but soap actors are real acotrs. And some have more talent in their right ass cheek than some of the A-list stars.

Maybe the network, and not Kelly, is materminding her wardrobe. It seems like people are FINDING reasons to hate her (she doesn't smile, she wants to win too badly). I felt the same way about Rachel too.

I enjoyed them all (except Trista!).

In the Extra clip I posted the link to earlier, Kelly says she never even saw her Paso costume until she arrived at the studio on Wednesday.

That would be Judd Nelson. Judd Hirsch is the guy from "Taxi". (Which could be interesting.)

I would love it if they could land Paul Mercutio -- judge, announcer, competitor, demonstrator-- I don't care. Just get him.

Yes, that's exactly the type of show I'd like to see him in. What surprised me last night was how Fernando could easily have been in Mr. Peterman's autobiography! I wasn't sure how much of J. Peterman was John's creation or how much was scripted, but after last night J. Peterman is clearly all John. I didn't know I could love Seinfeld even more.


WORD to you miak2. Nobody knew this show was going to be a hit, much less the no. 1 show apparently. There was a huge possibility of embarrasing yourself and being belittled by judges, and worst, probably the biggest ego concern for a 'star' -- that you don't actually have as many fans you think you have and you can't win any new ones while you're at it so that you are eliminated first!

I don't think they were going to get any A-listers or even B-listers for the first season. So I credit all of them for taking the risk and for all doing such a fab job with the dancing that I am sufficiently entertained both as an audience and ballroom dancer. Now that the show is established and is such a hit, I wouldn't be surprised if more 'name' celebs jump on the ship!

The above is from and ABC DWtS board (shut up!) and is supposed to be direct from Ashly, in a post to her fans. Hum, if it's legit and if it's true than we could see the same pros next year. I am fine with that I think, unless there are even hotter male eye-candy dancers out there.

ETA link: ABC Board

Okay, I just rewatched John's Paso Doble and he did NOTHING to warrant those scores and the tongue bath from the judges. I concentrated on his feet, he mostly stood around and walked normally. There was hardly any dancing there compared to what Joey did, and what there was was very poorly executed - like he was going to trip over his own feet. It was all above his waist in that dance along with a lot of Charlotte.

Kelly had an interview on the radio today and she mentions she was one of the last people signed on to the show. I think the producers were having a hard time getting people to do this and had to dip into the company pool for someone. I think she was doing a favor for Brian Frons (head of ABC daytime).

Has this been the pattern in other countries, where the same pros are used?

Because I gotta tell you something, folks, you may have grown fond of these pros, but there are ALOT better choices out there in the US--better looking, better dancing, more magnetic.

For one thing, the #1 latin american couple in the US, Slavik and Karina ,are not just way better dancers but much hotter than Alec/Edyta. Slavik is very hunky (he was one of Jlo's pro partners in a brief clip in Shall We Dance), and Karina will make guys forget Kelly.

Then there's this whole Italian contingent of pro dancers living and competing in the US right now and not only are some of them great dancers, but they have a lot more hunkiness than Jonathan. (not ANYTHING like Bruno, thank God).


Here for instance would be one of my guy choices (shown competing with Charlotte a few years ago:)

Photo

And here's one of Slavik and Karina:

Another photo

Then there's California born and bred Victor Fung, one of our best ballroom guys.

Photo here


It's the celebs that make this show and this current crop of pros would be quickly forgotten if the producers moved on, and some of our more magnetic dancers might be more interested, just as better celebs might be, now that the show is a success.

As much as I dislike Kelly (not sure why really, she just comes across as bitchy to me), I have to give all credit except maybe Joey and of course Reyn. Both of those seemed to be invested in the exposure more than any of the others. But Joey got into the whole thing. Reyn never seemed to see it as anything more than an extension of her deluded sense that she is America's sweetheart.

Yes, I second this suggestion. I want some Paul Mercurio too.

Yes, you did answer my question ElectricBoogalo. Thanks!

Changes I would most like to see:

1) Ballroom music offered to all the couples not just one.

2) John O'Hurly for backstage host (replacing Lisa of the stupid questions)

3) John O'Hurly for backstage host (replacing Lisa of the stupid questions)

4) John O'Hurly for backstage host (replacing Lisa of the stupid questions)

5) John O'Hurly for backstage host (replacing Lisa of the stupid questions)

Oh I have no doubt you are right, but the thing is, for me anyway, I like the show how it is, bless it's cheesy heart. I don't need new, better or more or for it to be flashier and glossier, I like it just fine.

Also, it would be interesting to see how these dancers do with another set of celebrities, because part of the fun has been seeing how the professionals on the show help their partner along and play to their strengths and try and avoid their weaknesses. It's almost a mini-competition in and of itself, as they work to make their celebrity look good.

I don't hate Kelly, and I think she really has worked hard, but I don't think she's as good a dancer as John. Maybe it's just because John is so well matched with Charlotte in their strides and stuff that they just look better. But I would kill for Kelly's body--and is it just me or does she look like a brunette Kelly Preston?

A question for the dance experts... I want to know about the shoes. Are those any kind of special shoes that don't slip around as much or anything? I don't wear killer heels like those on a regular basis, but even trying to pull off some simple swing dance in my regular block-heeled Mary Janes send me flying all over the place? I see that the women practice with those shoes on, but is there anything special that keeps them from falling?

And judging by that picture of Karina, Kelly's outfits aren't too off the mark. I do wish she'd put her hair up more. It looked lovely during the foxtrot, but too wild during the Paso Doble.

After muddling through this whole thread, a few random thoughts came to mind.

I know I've read in a few places that some of these dancers are not as experienced in teaching as others. I know that, when I first started teaching figure skating, it was a whole different ballgame from doing it. I understood the manuevers and could do them quite well. I knew what was required to make them look good and come out right, but I wasn't the best at spotting sometimes what seemed to others to be glaring flaws. When you're a newer instructor, you're wanting to make the best impression, so you can tend to nit-pick the minor things, while missing the big ones because you want to be seen as detail-oriented. You also do not have the, I guess the best way to put it is "vocabulary" to break things down into manageable bits for consumption by the student. All of these issues lead to a lot of second-guessing. I know I let a lot of parents run roughshod over me in the first year or two of teaching.

Once I learned how not only to show, but explain and break down a maneuver into something that could be easily comprehended and mastered by a student, I gained the critical eye needed to see the whole picture. My choreography also became much stronger as a result. I didn't just see the required maneuvers, but the connecting steps and movements that made the whole program flow. I also learned how to choreograph simple programs that gave the appearance of more difficulty than they really held because I worked just barely above the apparent level of my student.

In Ashly, I actually see a lot of that second-guessing and problems with gauging difficulty in routines that I went through. I wanted to cram things in that didn't work as well, instead of allowing more flow. Of course, some (or a lot) of that could have been due to Joey's influence/opinions. I also see some of the form issues from the beginning arising from this same problem. Too much focus on the content of the programs without enough stress on the form leading to the content. Without form you cannot have a good dance routine.

I think where Charlotte has shined as an instructor and choreographer is she understands how to give the appearance of difficulty while playing to the actual ability and strengths of her partner. She has found what John excels at, and has used it as not only a focus for the routines and a building block for John's learning.

I believe that, as Ashly gains more experience as an instructor, she will do very well. It just takes time.

Me too! I mean personally, it is only Alec that I find hot, but I love all the pros the same and want to see them all back because they've all endeared themselves. I think it's the idea of being part of the show from inception.

At least that how it is for me, the first group always holds a special place (I mean I still remember the first Power Rangers!) I think it would also be good for the show to have that familiarity at least for a few seasons. Maybe they can add a few new pros (yes, Slavik is also a hottie, and so is Alec's younger bro), but I like a recurring cast of pros.

It's kinda like your baby, might not be the cutest or most talented, but you don't wanna trade it in! Disclaimer: I've never had a baby :)

ETA
I am nowhere anywhere close to an expert (only an amateur Latin dancer), but I am almost 100% sure all ballroom shoes have SUADE bottoms. I have never appreciated suade before I started ballroom dancing but it's like the ideal material with just the right amount of frictional coefficient -- it has good enough traction that you would not slip on newly buffed hardwood or waxed cement like you might with hard leather soles, and they are perfect for spinning.

And great pair are also really well-balanced, supported and comfortable even in 3"-4" heels. I can dance in mine for 4-6 hours straight and hop in them like mad for Jive. It took a while to find just the ideal pair for my feet though.

I feel like Joey did a lot of marching in the Paso Doble and there was nothing in the choreography that suggested a bullfighter with a cape.

Kelly always looks terrified to me. When she looks to her partner it is like a cry for help. And often it seems like he's just pushing/dragging her around.

I love John's over the top persona in the Latin dance. In competitions the Latin dancers always seem over the top to me anyway. And when they did the quick step? That's when the show hooked me. I adore the quick step.

BoDiva, I got the impression that J/A were doing the version where she's the bull. Seems like she ran toward him a couple of times like a bull would, but I'd have to go back and watch it again.

That being said, I couldn't get past their music. Maybe that makes me shallow, but their music ruined the matador feeling for me.

I just saw a new ABC promo during commercial breaks of Toy Story! The promo is calling Kelly "the underdog" battling John "the favorite" and that the entire group of stars and pro partners will be dancing one more time.

See, I got attached to this group of pros in such a short time (it would have been NICE to see more of Louis' technique even though he seems to terrify some posters here! I would love to see a longer season of DWtS and see one or two new pros added to the mix. Yeah, I think a lot more "known' stars may be interested too.

Dance shoes have suede soles to provide some grip on the floor, and women's ballroom shoes are also much better balanced than women's dress shoes that can be bought off the rack. I see beginner ladies showing up to dance lessons in the worst possible shoes-- sneakers (they have overly sticky soles!), stilettos that offer no stability through the heel, shoes that pitch the wearer's weight forward or back, even MULES if you can believe it.

When you consider that really serious dancers usually have undying loyalty to a particular brand and style of shoe, I think you will begin to appreciate how important the shoe can be. Some dancers even try on many different pairs of the same brand/style in order to avoid getting a pair that has even the slightest "wrong" variation in manufacture.

John O'Hurley's getting the soap star vote from me - he was on a most of the soaps in the '80s and '90s (Edge of Night, Loving, Santa Barbara, General Hospital), but I know him best as Cricket's dad on Young and the Restless. He also does a ton of voice over work (and probably a ton of stage work, but I don't keep up with that) - he's currently on the promos/station identification of the new radio station MAX FM in San Fran and just as cheesy as ever, but that's what they want!

BTW, no cane here - I'm in my early thirties, my mom was just a soap fiend and we watched together.

Dancing heels also usually have a strong shank running from the heel through the curve of sole, so the the heel doesn't rock back the way some street heels do, and the heel tends to be set a tad bit further forward, so that it's directly under the leg, rather than at the very back edge of the foot. (Thank you, Juliette Prowse -- I learned that on Championship Ballrom Dancing, way back when. It was a little time-filler segment.)

In addition to what tanz15 said, the suede soles are extremely thin... if you wore them on the street, pretty much anything would puncture them (not good, when they're easily more than a hundred dollars a pair, and some competitive dancers can go through a pair every couple of months). The heel cup is usually pretty fitted to your heel, even without the straps the shoe will probably stay on. As tanz15 said, everything is constructed to give maximum stabiliy and grip to the floor while still giving the ability spin and turn easily. Actually, the standard colors for latin shoes for women are usually gold/nude shades now because it also tends to lengthen the leg line (other colors have to be special ordered or dyed).

As you dance, the suede will wear into the sole and pick up dirt, and you need to use a steel wire brush to brush your soles to maintain the ability to grip the floor otherwise they'll get too slippery. For example, if the sole of the shoe is vertical, you brush horizontally against the sole. Mucho fun with the dust flying! (I usually had to brush my shoes once a week).

[Edited to add] In addition to the shoes you see on the show, serious dancers to spend hours and hours in practice and teaching tend to also have a pair of "coaching" or practice shoes which are also sueded soled, but at least for women they tend to have a lower heel. They tend to be plain black or nude colored lace-up shoes, but when your back starts to start straining from being in 3 inch heels after a few hours, they are a godsend. (I don't know if non-dancers have noticed, but the men's shoes on the show also have a heel. It's not like a ladies HEEL, but it's definitely a heel. They're shoes aren't flat either.)

As an aside, most serious swing dancers I know use either dance sneakers (like Blochs or Capezios), specially made swing dance shoes like Bleyers (it's a German company that specializes in shoes for swingdancing), or they take regular street sneakers and rubber cement suede (or "chrome") to the soles. If they use chromed street sneakers, they're usually sneakers with fairly thin soles like Keds again because with anything too thick it will be difficult to feel the floor which isn't good whatever dance you're doing.

Although there is only one episode left, this show has convinced me that the phrase "go big or go home" must be banned from all future reality shows!

The same pros again?

Boring!

The producers were forced to make some second-tier choices for this show because they decided to start production of the show while the most important competition in the world was going on. Only couples without much of a chance of making the finals were about to pass that up.

Plus, it's not just about dance ability. Since this is a judged sport, top couples are not only great dancers but usually have the whole package--looks (yes, life is unfair), dynamic performing personality, ability to project in a performance. We are missing a lot of that.

Deciding to do the same dancers just because they had them once is like deciding to keep eating vanilla ice cream just because you've never had anything else.

If a woman has a good body and wants to make money from it, that's her business.



Actually, soap actors have probably the hardest acting job. A soap actor in a hot storyline can be in FIVE one hour episodes of television a week. They have more dialogue to memorize than any other acting medium and they do it on very short notice. Yes, there are plenty of people on soaps getting by solely on looks, not talent, but no one should be saying they aren't real actors when they have to work five times as hard as any A lister putting out a couple movies a year and spending the rest of the time prosletyzing about their psycho religion, Mr. Cruise.

I haven't seen GH in years, so I don't know if Kelly has any acting talent, but I do know that there is no soap actor with a main character who doesn't work hard. And the fact that she's obviously putting in a lot of time on Dancing in addition to her GH commitments earns her my respect if nothing else.

John & Charlotte better win. They are by far the class of that show. What is with the shimmy that Kelly does in every dance. She is much improved but to win???????

But where did it say that only one of the couples was offered ballroom music? I know that only Charlotte/John actually danced to it, but was there a list published somewhere that showed all the couples' choices? I know we've speculated a lot about the songs they may have had to choose from, but is there any proof that Ashly/Joey didn't choose Eye of the Tiger over a standard ballroom piece? (Not trying to be difficult here, but if I missed the post or link that had the official choices on it, I'd really like to look at it.)

I think the voting process is very sensible. The way it's set up now, they can eliminate one couple on the night of the dancing, because they already have the phone tally. The way you're proposing, it would have to be like American Idol, with a separate elimination show the following night.

The person who thought of the method of using last week's phone tally with this week's judges' marks is a genius.

I predict that next week, we will see more than one "10" from the judges. This past week began the gradual, unwarrented grade inflation.

True, we haven't seen any lists, and yes, it's all speculation. But it's awfully suspicious to me that Peterman has always seemingly gotten what seems to me would be a professional's first choice for the chosen dance. Even something like Debelah Morgan's "Dance With Me" was a much better tango song than Britney Spears' "Toxic" which is what Rachel Hunter got stuck with. "Dance With Me" was slow and methodical and had the beats of a tango. He's also gotten songs by Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. None of the crap by Enrique Inglesias or Snorah Jones.

I really don't like the face he makes when dancing. And I'm not talking about the obvious mugging. I'm talking about that face he has - the tightly pursed lips, the raised eyebrows, the bugged out eyes. It's like he is concentrating really hard to hold in his diarrhea or something. It's sort of the same face he had as Peterman, so maybe that's just his acting style.

Yeah, I know. Simply put, I don't like that the public is voting on one dance and the judges vote on another one to come up with the tally. I just find it pointless--it's just an opinion. It bugs me.

I cannot believe I spent 3 hours perusing the internet for recaps of a show I have seen and watch 3x in repeat! DwtS is officially an obsession! Too bad TWOP does not do DwtS. I did find quite a snarkalicious recap on this Fans of Reality TV forum. Just look for recap threads started by Burntcrow. Funniest comments about costumes, expressions and quotes. Hee.

Photos from last night's show is up at ABC. They make me wish DwtS is actually a FICTIONAL show, and our celebs and pro's to be characters...

So I can root for these two to frolic in their bunny love (tm Burntcrow!).

For these two to be in some harlequin novel to indulge in some hot, carnal love (because it cannot be said enough, mmmmmAlec).

And for these two to make sweet dancing in some golden-age hollywood musical (Charlotte makes me feel like she's from another era, just elegant)!

Great match and casting ABC!

But is it the professional's first choice? With Charlotte, probably. I wouldn't be surprised if she's the one who's making all the music choices for that team and that John's deferring to her experience and taste, which is clearly classical.

But with Ashly? Classic ballroom music may or may not be her first choice, but Joey seems like such an ex-boyband/pop music type of guy to me that it wouldn't shock me at all if he pushed for (i.e., bullied Ashly into using) non-classical music.

Hey, I'm not discounting the possibility of favoritism. But to assume that Ashly/Joey weren't even offered any classic ballroom music and then to present that assumption as fact is...well...wrong. (I feel the same way about the whole dresses/outfits discussion, but that's for another post.)

My own opinion is that Joey's lack of basics, his lack of fundamental dancing skills, might show up more clearly when dancing to classic ballroom music. I think he needs flashier music, flashier moves, and little gimmicks like waving around dollar bills in order to draw attention away from his posture and his sloppy footwork. And either Ashly's smart enough to realize that and chooses music that suits his personal style and limitations, or she's a doormat and lets him decide.

I'm glad I'm not the only one!! As I type this, my 6 year old is watching the show upstairs on the TiVo and is begging me to sign her up for dance class.

I believe he does much voice-over work in cartoons. I have children, and oftentimes when I'm in the other room overhearing the cartoons they're watching, I'm thinking "hey, that's J Peterman!".

And, because it can't be said enough....I don't find Alec to be all that hot, but I sure think that John's hot! Rowrrrr!!!!