For real? I'm shocked too. Isn't Charlotte(a) John's partner, the blond? I had her pegged for 40's as well.

.

He's married to Lisa Mesloh (Golf Channel exec/presenter) now, though. I don't know anything more about her than that, (and that they're big Red Sox fans).

How can the voting make sense? If there are 60 pts possible from judges/60 from voters...even if they rank the "vote winners" 1-2-3 and apportion points accordingly, how could Trista and Rachel be last, when Kelly lost (badly) with the judges both nights?

And would so many people watching dancing vote for Evander that he, too, could be saved from his abyssmal placing with the judges both weeks?

Oh, and word on the camerawork. Have they got their ice skating crew filming it? On the quickstep, let's see the....step! They should film it like Fred Astaire recommended dancing being filmed--full figure on camera at all times.

That said...great fun to watch! Since its doing so well, I hope ABC'll keep going with new "celebrities" when this one's over.

He felt it…for himself. Me, Louis, you only girl to throw around and make me look bad.

It would be nice is to have the professionals demonstrate each dance at the beginning of the show so we viewers will know exactly what to look for in the nonpros. Showing us what a rhumba is vs. what they think they should show us.


I think what they mean is “Dancing with the Stars” of Professional Dancing.

Edyta is only 25???????? Girl needs some serious face cream.

Ouch, I couldn't disagree more. For me, the mugging totally makes it better. It looked like he was really having a good time and while that may be a no-no in true professional competition, for me it worked.

If you have this TiVo'd...rewind to Trista's final dance...there is a point out there, you gotta really watch..you can see it register on her face that her 15 minutes have SO run out....

I could not love this show more. I missed it last week and although I heard people mention that it was re-run, I couldn't find it on my TiVo program listings. When/where are the episodes repeated?

I thought Kelly's partner was absolutely luscious, and completely agree with the poster above who said it looked like the two of them were going to get a room after the show...or had done so before the show...

Honestly, the fact that the amateur half of the couple is supposed to be some sort of celebrity is something of a non-issue for me. Haven't heard of some of these people. But the whole pro-am thing is really cool to watch! I guess it does make it a bit more fun if you kind of know who they are.

And finally:


After checking dates on my Tiger Beat with pull-out posters of Bobby Sherman and Davey Jones, I make you roughly 42-45.

Trista and her partner were on Good Morning America with the 2 male judges. The segment couldn't have been more awkward. You could tell Trista was pissed because she knew that she didn't get booted because her dancing sucked but because America hates her.

Yep, Trista's face on during the last dance is a moment to behold...

I still can't believe that the judges scored Evanders trainwreck from last night higher than Kelly's dance from last week. Did she steal Carrie Ann whatever's boyfriend?

Rachel does such a good job looking graceful because she has an extensive ballet background and her partner is a Pro-Am champion. I don't think she's a bad dancer, but it annoys me to all get-out when they get on Kelly for "not dancing" and let Rachel get away with it 2 weeks in a row. Kelly and Alec did the most waltzing steps last week and were blasted, so this week they did more posing steps and are blasted for it agan.

It is interesting when you go to a wedding and look at the differences in dance abilities in men according to age. Most of the older men are out there leading their partner accordingly and the younger ones do the "clutch and sway". I knew the minute I saw JOH that he would be a good dancer, based on his age alone.

I have to give props to the celeb guys last night b/c the quick step looked so hard! Kelly was en fuego and her partner- meow! I am glad to see other people were horrified by Louis' lacy shirt too. And what is going on with the hair stylists for the celeb women? Rachel and Trista's hair both looked like ass and even Kelly wasn't looking her best and she is gorgeous.
I was very pleased that Trista was given the boot first. Well deserved! Also, according to the Q&A with Trista on the DWtS website, she had already practiced the jive dance so I guess that is what the ladies will be dancing next week. Or did we already know this?

I'm going to be the dissenting vote and say I thought Joey and Ashly looked full-on batshit crazy last night and their "dance" looked like a couple of loons clinging to each other desperately to avoid spinning into orbit. Geez, I know it's called the quick step but when you look like you're creating centrifugal force it's time to dial it down a notch.

Did Kelly not get the memo that there's a reason woman ballroom dancers wear their hair in a up-do with half a can of Aqua-Net Extra Hold on it? Honey, locks of hair stuck to your face is not a good look.

I also suspect that Evander is being scored by the judges as much on how much he's improving and how hard he's trying, as on how good he is.

And if Johnny O has been on Broadway, and composes music, then he's definitely starting from a place that's miles ahead of any of the others.

Fraoch - I thought the strange announcer guy in Stricty Ballroom says "the dirty rhumba". It's fruity??? Will have to watch that movie again!

What was with that "final dance" of Trista's? Did they not have anything prepared or was she so pissed that it was all she could do just to stay out there on the floor? It really seemed like the latter but I wasn't sure.

I LIVE to watch Evander dance! It brings a smile to my face. I will admit the elephants in Fantasia had more grace but that is part of the fun. I didn't see last week's ep but lots of people here seem to think he has improved.

No question, though. For stage presence, actual ability, chemistry, etc John and Charlotte were the best. Others had better routines, others had more moves, etc but for all elements combined they did the best, I believe.

I'm another one who likes John's "mugging." I think the humor, chemistry, and character John and Charlotte bring to their dancing is great. Charlotte is from Denmark, so the pronounciation of her name is Danish, not pretentious.

I also think Joey and Ashly are a great team and have great chemistry. I don't know anything about ballroom dancing, but their quick-step routine actually seemed faster and more difficult than John and Charlotte's.

I think the judges have been a bit too critical of Kelly. I thought her first episode performance was actually middle of the pack rather than clearly last place (as it was scored). Plus, I'm a fan of her abdomen, so I'm glad she stayed at Trista's expense.

I'm rooted for Edyta since she's a Pole. I wish she had a better partner. She had such a pained look after the quick-step, that I thought at first she must've got hurt when Evander spun her on the ground. I guess it was just anguish over a poor routine.

I wish they'd show us the precise scores from the home viewer vote. Teams with average scores will probably be in danger from the viewer vote because there's less urgency then among supporters of the lowest scoring teams.

Last night's ratings according to Zap2It:

I think that's more than last week. There's no way ABC won't bring back another edition of the show now.

From mtlchickie's link:



Hee! That has put it more succinctly than I could have ever hoped to.

Im so glad this has taken off in the US like it did in Australia. Makes it seem...so much more normal now ;p

One this which is strange is the obvious separation of the guys/girls in the dances they have to do. That wasnt the case in our series, IIRC. (Im sure on Rumba/Quickstep night Suzie did the Rumba and Holly did her amazing Quickstep).

I think it at least gives the audience a better indication of who is doing well if they mix up the sexes a little bit, but with only 6 couples, things can only be mixed up so much, I suppose.

When Kelly walked out at the beginning of the show, I thought her outfit proved she was trolling for audience votes at any expense. I thought Strictly Ballroom exaggerated the skankarificness of competition costumes.

Unfortunately, I received a phone call and didn't see Trista again until her sulky elimination. I did, however, watch her on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, so I can't understand why she had a problem being sensual with an acquaintance on television. On the Bachelor, she all but admitted sleeping with Alex before he made his choice. On the Bachelorette, she had a horrifying necking session with Russ the second time they met, and she made out with other guys too, all while also "dating" her now husband. So what's the problem with dancing?

My assumption was that certain dances are just too darn hard to do with a female pro/male amateur couple--how would that death drop have worked if the man bungled the catch?

Frankly, I'm surprised there haven't been any major falls, or mishaps like when bald guy stepped on old smoker lady and ripped off her skirt in "Shall We Dance". I would have pegged Evander for a "stepped on her toes" kind of guy.

On his bio it says he owns a dance studio. Really? As in an actual dance studio, or a room in his house that can be used for dancing? Because if he's so in to it, he sure does suck really badly. He's just embarrassing. From the shoulder and head shaking of last week to the clunking this week to the perpetual "squinting / sunglare" look.... he's an all around embarrassment. However, I bet he sticks around longer than either Kelly or Rachel.

You are correct, sir! (Or Madame...heh.) Last week it was about 13.35M. Last night, 14.86M according to Mediaweek. You know there will be a Desperate Housewives edition soon enough.

Hip 2 Be Square they re-aired it Sunday at 7.

I agree that Charlotte looks old, however when she was doing her talking head interview, she looked quite young. She and John are one of my favorites!

I love this show! My stepfather swore it off (he's sensitive and decided to quit watching when the judge criticized Joey about underperforming), but I think it's fabulous. I liked John and Charlotte, no question. I also liked Joey and Ashly, but the song choice was horrendous. That's coming from someone who loves "Grease". But their footwork looked great.

I wondered if using the entire floor was something that lead to higher scores. I'm guessing -- like in figure skating -- the faster you go the farther you go, and faster and farther is better. There were a few times I seriously thought John and Charlotte were going to fall into the laps of the audiences. I wouldn't want to sit in the front row if I were there.

And speaking of the audience, they need to shut up. The ridiculous booing is moronic. I want the judges to give constructive critcism so I can learn more. Shut up, audience.

Word, word, word. I suppose it's difficult because it's live, but I can't believe they can't do better. I wonder if that's part of the reason we're confused by the judging, because we don't actually see most of what they see. When Rachel was doing her "death lean" or whatever it was, we only saw her upper body and had no way of knowing if her legs or shaking or whether she did it well.

I agree. And it made it a thousand times more pathetic that she blamed them showing that for the judges score. Good riddance, hopefully forever.

That final dance out was one of the most awkward moments on television since -- well, ever. I've seen better dancing from really, really drunk people at weddings where all the family members hate each other and are forced to pretend to like each other. Louie may be slimy, but she's just so soulless.

And even more so when they show him in practice and he's wearing shorts, white socks, and patent leather shoes. I'll never get tired of seeing him fall down in that outfit. I hope he sticks around for a while.

I'm too old to have cared about NKOTB, and Joey did nothing for me last week. He whined about the clothing (sparkley clothes don't make you gay, dude), and his teeth scared me. But he's winning me over. His teeth still scare me, but he seems like he's having a good time and working hard. And his outfit last night -- totally gay.

But I love, love, love John and Charlotte. I don't mind John's mugging. To me a good team is someone who's learning, doing well, and having a great time.

I have no idea why, but I think I'm falling for Bruno. There, I said it. I'm sort of ashamed, but admitting it is the first step.

And as a huge fan of "Strictly Ballroom," I can't wait for the Pasa Doble. "Pasa Doble? Pasa Doble? You call that a Pasa Doble?"

I was glad to see that Kelly and Alec were spared last night. Never doubt the Soap Opera fans! Every GH viewer has seen the ad for this show at least 4 times when it's on. I also thought that Kelly was trying a lot more and took the criticism last week seriously, like she really wanted to fix whatever it was she got wrong.

I don't know what these judges are expecting from them though. They are too snarky for my liking. It's like they were watching AI one night and someone said, "That Simon Cowell is a jerk and people love it, let's have the judges say things like him!". I mean, come on they only have a few weeks to learn these dances.

I also get annoyed when the audience boo's the judges for giving ANYONE a score of 6 or below [whether they deserved it or not]. I just find it irritating. News flash people, just because you boo doesn't mean they are going to change their vote. Just go home and do it.

And I am SO glad that Trista is gone. I really can't stand her. I never watched any of her shows, but I read enough tabloids and watch enough E! to know that she is just whoring herself for all she can [not to sound too harsh]. She just seems so FAKE to me! Her dance last week annoyed me. She was smiling too much [AFTER the judges said that Kelly should look like she was enjoying herself] and it was such a fake smile. And last week at the end where they just walked...what the heck was that?? She and her partner had no chemistry. Glad she's gone!

FINALLY [after all of my ranting] I think that J. Peterman and partner are going to be the ones to beat. Joey Mac is in second place for me [but he's still my favorite NKOTB].

Evander Holyfield didn't do half the fancy footwork that the other 2 guys did- I'm guessing he'll be kept around for the snark value, though.

J. Peterman MUST! WIN! And Charlot-tuh needs to back up- she's all over him like a cheap suit.

ETA: Even though she's been voted off, I bet Trista will be in the audience next week, & the week after that, etc. No way is she giving up a chance to get her mug on TV.

I would! I have developed quite the crush on J. Peterman. Fall in my lap, O'Hurley, fall in my lap and fall in love with me and dance, dance, dance me away to a pub where we will drink Irish stout and I will muss up your hair.

God, he's adorkable. I lurve him. Lurve. It can't be denied. I love the dorkiness, the mugging, the self-depracation, how he looks in a tux and especially the way he and Charlotte seem to honestly like each other and enjoy being together.

I can't believe I'm watching this show. I especially can't believe how big a kick I'm getting out of it.

From Marc Berman--The Programming Insider:

Any bold/italics are mine.

My selections for the next version - John O'Hurley will host whether he wins or not:
Alton Brown
Jamie Denton
Jake Webber
Melinda Clark
Andrea Parker
Eva Longoria-to fill out the DH cast participants in addition to Jamie Denton

After watching two weeks of the Kelly Monaco roast I started wondering if the judges are actually very angry Sonny/Carly and Jason/Courtney fans from GH or something. Then I figured that her standing up to their criticisms were nothing compared to the crap she got from the aforementioned fans.

I find myself rooting for her because of the roastings.

But J Peterman and Charlotte were terrific yesterday. I'm loving this show. It takes me back to the PBS championships, too. My youngest sister and I would start out nicknaming different couples based on some bizarre costume choice (Chest Guy; Nipple Guy; Ladybug Girl etc) and then by the end of the competitions we'd know exactly who they were and would be rooting for them. (We loved us some Jean-Marc and France from Canada although my other sister did call her the She-male whenever she was on.)

Actually, the show makes me want to pull those old tapes out. What fun.

Dandesum, momjaq and I used to do the same thing! Good viewing days, those were.

I think this is largely due to the heavy makeup, horribly gelled coif and gaudy dance costumes these women often wear. Seriously I watch a lot of ballroom competitions and I swear the women always look really old to me and then you see an interview with them and it's like seeing a stranger. I'm not surprised Charlotte is only 33 because in the clip of her and John practicing and working out, she definitely looks that age. It was amazing to me how gorgeous she looked in that clip.

It's the same thing with Joey's partner. I didn't watch the show last week so when they showed the brief clip of their previous performance, I thought I was looking at a 30yr old. Once again though, once I saw their rehearsal clip, I could tell she was pretty young. Speaking of Joey and his partner, judging by their rehearsal clip, they seem to have a very adorable chemistry. I thought it was cute how she said he was being a baby this week about the routine.

As for the dancers, John and Charlotte really did put everyone else to shame. Evander was just tragic to look at. Seriously, after a few seconds of laughing it just became too painful to watch. Rachel and her partner were pretty decent but my goodness Rachel looked terrified at the start. I was sure she'd mess up because she just looked so unbelievably nervous. Joey and his partner were good but there were clearly some off steps on his part. While I too think the judges are just crucifying Kelly...there were clearly some problems in the routine. The major problem she seemed to have is not knowing what to do with her body at times. Her body movements at times were very awkward.

Okay finally Trista....seriously that entire dance looked like someone had put a gun to her head to get her to dance with this guy. Frigid doesn't even begin to describe it. Plus she barely danced at all, poor guy literally had to do all the work and she literally just stood there and did some pseudo-sexy walk once or twice. The whole deal with her being bugged by the guy getting close was just way stupid since that guy can't be anymore gay....and even if he isn't "get the hell over yourself Trista, I doubt he's interested." I knew she was a goner once they talked about the public voting because let's face it people can't stand the woman....just like I knew Kelly would be safe because GH fanatics have proven themselves very dedicated when it comes to the show's stars.

I can't believe I am as into this show as I am. Even my husband watched it, and judging from his reaction to Kelly in that costume will watch it again!
J. Peterman was AWESOME and he seemed to really be enjoying himself.
Can you imagine the judges reactions when Kelly/Alec were kept, and I bet very high on the list. They must have realized that the GH fans are out in droves and they won't be able to get rid of her. I thought she did very well and basically voted for her since the judges were so harsh on her.

I LOVE Tom Bergeron -- I have ever since he used to host an FX show years ago -- pre eBay -- where viewers would call in and buy stuff that was being auctioned. I think he's effortlessly charming and witty. A born show host.

I like Rachel Hunter -- dug her on Gilligan's Island -- but I agree that her "dance" was nothing but a series of impressive poses.

I'm tired of Trista and her megawatt smile, but her partner bugged. Totally.

Loved Joey and John's performances -- I've been an O'Hurley fan since he used to be on the soap "Loving" years (and years) ago.



I couldn't agree more -- I was thinking those exact words while he was dancing.

Yay, I'm so glad that Trista is gone. Buh-bye.

Joey and Ashly are darling, but I do see the judges point about his posture.

John and Charlotte were terrific. I love his facial expressions and his personality oozing out while dancing. I mean, isn't it complex enough just dancing, but he puts so much more into it. I thoroughly enjoy them.

What was the deal with Trista's dancing partner singing the song while they danced? Did anyone else notice this? I thought counting/singing was a big No-No in dancing.

It drives me crazy that the cameras don't always show the footwork. It's a dance contest.

I was thinking the same thing Selma04--in fact I think about Figure Skating-Dance when I watch the show. Speed, footwork, covering the ice--these are the marks of the really good skaters. I'm sure the same goes for dancing. I actually thought the dance floor was too small.

isiscloud, I love your list of potential choices for the next series. Jamie Denton in a tux, dancing---very nice thought indeed.

OMG, it was sooo good last night!

John & Charlotte: They were tops! Great song, choreography, and chemistry together and John individually. He managed not to mangle any of the steps and they seemed to be in good sync. He really looked like he was enjoying himself and it came out to the audience as well. They really enjoyed each other and hopefully not in the biblical sense. Put me in with the ones who said they looked really chummy with the way he was rubbing her arm up and down, she was draping herself all over him, and smiling at each other.

Joey & Ashlee: They were also really good. They also had great chemistry together on the floor. There were a few steps where I thought he got clunky and couldn't keep up but overall a really great performance.

Trista & Louis: That song was completely wrong for a rhumba. It was way too slow. And together, they had no chemistry. I have to confess that I missed much of their dance and caught the last part. That costume was horrible.

Evander & Edyta: That was just painful to watch. He totally couldn't keep up and was completely out of sync with his partner.

Kelly & Alec: Hot chemistry and sexy moves but no actual dancing. She stood alot and gyrated her hips and that was it.

Rachel & what's his name: She looks very graceful doing the poses and that split was incredible but much like Kelly, she just posed a whole lot.

I may actually register on the ABC website in order to vote. And the look on Trista's face for the final dance was priceless. She was not happy to be going home first.

Yes, TxRiney but you don't just dance with your feet. You dance with your entire body. That said, I think more time could be spent on the feet during dances like the quick step. I was getting creeped out by Joey's face a little and I have loved him since I was 13. I even had sheets. Last week I thought he looked a little gay, but hot, like in a Hugh Jackman as Peter Allen kind of way. This week, he just looked gay, and maybe a little possessed.

I can't believe I love this show as much as I do. I was going to watch it anyway (see previous paragraph re: Joey -- I even watched Boston Public) but I'm glad I actually like it. John is great, too, and I do love watching Evander, but for the love of god, give the man a slow dance please.

I also don't get, along with many other people, why the judges hate Kelly so much. I certainly don't think she's great, but she's not THAT bad.

Whee! I'm glad I have SOMETHING to watch in the summer!

ETA: Forgot to mention the outfits of Trista and Fabio, I mean Louis. She looked like a Vegas bride (nothing against them, I actually want to be one, but the outfit was both bridal and spangled, so. . .) and I can't get into his lace shirt. Also, I think part of her sexiness deficiency was the big goofy smile plastered on her face. NOT sexy or smoldering or, to quote Kelly, Rumbalicious!

Did anyone TiVo/tape this? I have a question about what TB said last night regarding the "final two" - did he say they were the lowest *combined ranking* or the lowest in the *public voting*? Because I did a little figuring today about how the voting would work, and if Rachel was in the bottom two based on *combined ranking*, then she *must* have been the lowest vote getter, with Trista second-lowest. IIRC, these were the judges’ rankings, and I’ve listed next to each celeb what their maximum and minimum combined ranking would be:

6 John (12/7)
5 Rachel (11/6)
4 Joey (10/5)
3 Trista (9/4)
2 Evander (8/3)
1 Kelly (7/2)

If Tom said they were the bottom two combined, then Rachel must have been the lowest public vote getter, because only a 1 would net her a score lower than Kelly’s maximum 7. But if TB only specified they were the bottom two in public voting, then Rachel could’ve gotten a 2 (for a combined 7) which would put her tied with or above Kelly, but still not make TB a liar.

Knowing whether it was bottom two combined or public only will also tell us a lot about Kelly’s ranking with the public, because if it was the former, it means Kelly *had* to have come in first in the public voting, but if it was the latter, then she could have placed anywhere from first to fourth with the public and still beaten Trista.

Why yes, I am a huge nerd with a lot of time on her hands.

You must be my long long twin. Joey love (only watched his season of Boston Public too), Boy From Oz love...yay!

Exactly, and that is the difference between him and Joey (his closest competitor in my mind) - J. Peterman sells it and makes it look effortless. Like this is so easy for him he can spend the energy on mugging, a sort of "Look ma, no hands!" kind of thing (and his mugging isn't nearly as bad as a lot of the stuff I've seen in professional ballroom competitions). Joey looks like he really has to concentrate, and as a result, doesn't look as good. I agree that he probably has a leg up on the competition due to his training as an actor, but I also think he does better because he's having a blast while the rest of them seem like they spend half their time in training whining.



Nope. And everytime J. Peterman takes the dance floor I think "Ken Railings is a ballroom king!" (that's who he reminds me of, with the hair and the mugging).

I am loving the cheesy goodness of this show.

And I agree that the camera should spend a little more time on the footwork and not their faces.

It feels like they're keeping him around just for comic relief, or because he's supposed to be the underdog. Last night he was doing more walking than dancing, like he was carting a little old lady around the floor. Edyta seemed devastated by the harsh comments, even after they gave her high scores (whereas the bad comments AND bad scores didn't break Kelly down). I really don't see any chemistry between them; they're somewhat difficult to watch.

Watching again I did think Joey and his partner got a little carried away, but they had so much enthusiasm I guess they got away with it.

I'm happy the show is doing so well. It proves that in spite of all the sneering critics, reality TV wasn't "dying" - people just wanted a new type of program, something more fun and less full of drunken sluts.

I sensed that J. Peterman was not reciprocating the gushy looks that Charlotte was giving him last night. Yeah, they've got great dance floor chemistry, but she seemed to be a little too intensely chummy with him afterwards. Whenever she would look up at him with her googly eyes during the scoring and interviews, he would smile also, but I swore his eyes were saying, "Back off just a tiny bit there,woman, I'm learning to dance for my WIFE."

Sorry, I don't blame Trista for getting a little skeeved out by her partner's moves during practice. She had probably been bumped one too many times by his crotch and didn't want her husband to get upset by that. Once she knew Ryan was okay with the dance, she relaxed a little. It was sorta nice of her to consider how her spouse might feel- lotta hubbies and wives could benefit from that occasionally, you know?

Also, I must admit I am somewhat a Tom Bergeron fan. After watching countless episodes of America's Funniest Videos with my kids, he brings the right amount of sarcasm to his jokes, acknowledges the cheesiness, and does it with a good level of self-awareness (of course, I'm comparing him to Bob Saget, Daisy Fuentes, and somebody Fugelsong.)

I don’t think I agree with that. Triscuit was a cheer dancer, Joey Mac did choreographed stuff in his boy band, and Rachel’s had ballet lessons. On the other hand, I thought at first that Evander might do ok considering the physicality of his sport but as the judges inferred, Muhammed Ali he ain’t. (Wonder what Ali would have been like as a dancer?...) Have to say that John O’s got a really great attitude. He didn’t lose patience with the lessons and kept his sense of humor throughout. It’s pretty hard to not root for him.

Whoever said that "Trista looked about as sexy as a bucket of fish," I have to agree. How she thought she could do a rumba while touching her partner as little as possible and looking at him not at all I don't know but I'm glad she's gone. And with that team's departure, the show's forehead quotient drops precipitously.

I don’t have an issue with anybody’s “mugging.” Guess I must have gotten used to it after watching the antics of some of the Russian mail-order brides in my ballroom classes – “jazz hands!” before I even knew it had a name and smoldery, pouty, bitchy expressions that put Kelly’s to shame. Plus it all seemed pretty par for the course in the pro competitions I’ve seen on TV. I like it. The drama just adds to the performance as far as I’m concerned.

I thought her outfit looked pretty typical for the latin dance competitions I’ve seen on PBS – a few rhinestones and LOTS of doublestick tape. I get that Kelly has the desired body type for this day and age but I thought she could use some hips and ass to fill out her costume. Even when they have sort of scary faces, a lot of professional dancers have these utterly pneumatic bodies, kind of like Jessica Rabbit, and absolutely nothing moves or jiggles while they whip around on the floor. Look at Edyta and Ashley. It’s fantastic. And I say this as a woman who’s always been closer to Kelly’s size and shape. Guess it's true what they say about always wanting what you don't have.

John and Charlotte are charming together but … It’s clear that Ashley is pretty starstruck by Joey, but it seems to me that Joey acts like Ashley is Sally to his Linus. He rarely seems to make eye contact with or smiles at her as John does with Charlotte. I don’t know. There’s something about the boy that I don’t care for. Aw geez. Here comes the NKOTB fanclub.

If she was so scared of crotch-bumping (in a dance that had no intimacy as far as I could tell) why did she go on the show in the first place? And is her husband really going to be upset if she has to get close to a man who is probably gay and who looked like a pumpkin?

I think she just wanted to get more airtime and to play up the "America's perkiest lil' missus" routine for the public. Apparently viewers had had enough even before this. For once, the viewing public had good instincts.

I always thought the Strictly Ballroom announcer called it "the flirty rhumba".

I remember him from that FX morning show that he used to host with a woman named Laurie and a puppet named Bob that looked like a muppet that had been attacked by wolves. Shudder.

I thought he said that Trista and Rachel were the bottom two, combining the judges' scores from the two weeks and the public vote from the last week. Otherwise it doesn't make sense.

I wonder if for next week, they will combine judge's scores for next week's dance plus the public vote from this week? Or will they take cumulative judges scores plus public vote? IMO, each week should be a clean slate. Otherwise it penalizes people who had an off night.

ITA, Tegan Jovanka, Ryan was just sitting there going "what? i'm pretty." He could have cared less. I was so glad to see her go. HAATE. She couldn't even fake it for the last dance, that was just mean. Skeevy Pumpkin or not, she could have at least pretended to give a shit. That's just rude.

I just caught this show last night. I'm scared by the level of vehemence with which I'm commenting on it already. Put me down as another PBS-Dance-Competition-watching, Strictly-Ballroom-loving choreography whore. I'll see your Ken Railings, and raise ya a Chayanne "Eet comes from the music" in Dance with Me. MMM Chayanne.

Hi!

Well...I'm out! Trista got the boot and I shall take my leave of this show. As much as I enjoy Peterman bringing it on the dance floor, I need my Trista fix.

I still can't believe that little widget from OLTL managed to overcome her horrible (and much deserved) judges scores. The audience must have been sympathetic. That is the only explanation.

Anyway I think I will now focus on The Scholar and Hit me baby one more time.

ETA


True, but they don't help!

Hey StarryNite, I have had that same movie "Dance With Me" with Vanessa Williams on my mind as well lately! I just need to go see "Strictly Ballroom" and then I can join the club. :)

I'm in the minority here but I'm full of Rachel love and Kelly hate. Rachel looked much prettier last night with her hair pulled back. And I don't care if it's posing, she is soooo graceful.

With Kelly I get the feeling that she's probably the type of girl who thinks she is the greatest dancer and is more than a little shocked at the negative comments. As evidenced by last nights "dancing", I could totally picture her on the dance floor of a club thinking to herself, "God....I am such a sexy dancer!!!" While others around her hide their eyes and are completely embarrassed for her.

And what's up with that signature backbend move she's got going on? Her hand and arm go up over her head with her flat palm facing the ceiling. Yeah, that's beautiful, graceful arm/hand positioning there. Gack.