83 replies to this topic

[ChicksDigScars]

Oh, what a shock. Derek Hough gets another young, sexy, bendable beauty queen that can probably dance well and will stick around the show for awhile. My kingdom to see the Golden Boy stuck with a 70 year old!

[tip and fall]

Well, I can always hope that she ends up being more of a Josie Maran than a Brooke Burke.

[dely]

Grr, much as it galls me to be put in the position of rooting for anyone dancing with one of the Glimmer Triplets, I have to say that I really like Maria Menounos. I missed her when she left Access, but since I don't like the style of the one she's on now (Extra!?), I don't see her anymore. Anyway, of the two G.T. left, Derek ughs me much less than Mark, so I can live w/ it.

Why, oh why couldn't Maks have got her? She's fun, game for almost anything, has (I think) a bit, at least, of dance background, and would have made for a happy, happy, joy, joy, drama free season which might have finally led to a mirror ball trophy for Maks.

Oh well, I'm going to grit my teeth at all the Derek crap, hope he gives her decent choreo - cause I think she's going to be able to handle a lot - instead of the usual, 'look at me, I'm a flashy Hough dancing circles around my partner' silliness, and really enjoy watching her. As long as editing doesn't go nuts bombarding us with her laugh!!

[oakgal]

I was hoping against hope for this not to happen. But silly me, of course he gets a young, fit, hot one. They'll easily make Top 6. I'm positive. I cannot imagine her being stiff. She's ambitious, I'm certain of it.

[ChicksDigScars]

Why, oh why couldn't Maks have got her? She's fun, game for almost anything, has (I think) a bit, at least, of dance background, and would have made for a happy, happy, joy, joy, drama free season which might have finally led to a mirror ball trophy for Maks.

And there you have your answer. Maks simply cannot have a realistic chance of winning it all. That special treatment is reserved for a Hough.

[mtlchickie]

Why, oh why couldn't Maks have got her? She's fun, game for almost anything, has (I think) a bit, at least, of dance background, and would have made for a happy, happy, joy, joy, drama free season which might have finally led to a mirror ball trophy for Maks.

Because that would have been too EASY, see?

dely I'll co sign with you. I wasn't a fan of hers when she was Entertainment Tonight, but adored her on Access Hollywood when her goofiness shone through. Can't stand Extra due to my despise of Mario Lopez, but I still follow her on Twitter. She's in great physical shape, gung ho for anything and...I need to support my fellow NKOTB fan. (don't judge).

Ugh I have to root for Derek though. Damn.

[PBGamer89]

I couldn't imagine being Derek's partner each season thinking "Am I gonna be the one who gives him his earliest exit or his lowest score?".

The lowest score Derek has ever gotten has been a 20. (Joanna's Jive/Ricki's Viennese Waltz/Jennifer's first Paso). Consequently, he's only recieved a 6 on 4 dances. The three above and Nicole's Quickstep. I'd hate to have the pressure of being the partner to ruin that in his 9 seasons.

However, I think Maria will be ready and willing. Most of my friends i've talked to today know who she is and say they like her, so she could endear herself if she can prove to be able to laugh at herself and have fun. I just hope she's not a headcase.

Edited by PBGamer89, Feb 28, 2012 @ 11:34 PM.

[dely]

mtlchickie, I barely recall her time on ET, and mostly mix her up w/ Vanessa Manillo from then, but I've been going off of ET for a couple years now, after being a decades long watcher. If "entertainment news" can be said to have a credibility factor, I feel ET's been losing its & getting more tabloid-ey, while Access has been getting better. I also find Extra! to be too tabloid-ey (I'll bet they showed the full Whitney in casket photo, whereas ET showed the photo but blurred her face, and Access stated that they refused to show it), which is why I never see her anymore. Now & then when I'm channel hopping and come across Extra! I stop for a minute if it's Maria onscreen, but I can't stand Lopez either.

Maria, after being barely noticeable on ET, was such a fresh, fun addition to Access. I enjoyed her "Maria's Madcap Adventures", which is what I'm going from when I've commented that I think she has some dance background. She did a number in a production of "Chicago" as one of the segments, and of course, performed w/ the above mentioned NKOTB ;-). Also the "Adventures" are the reason I commented that she seems game, and up for almost anything. I still think she would have been so great w/ Maks, but I'm excited to watch her anyway, even if I have to do so w/ Derek!!

Edited by dely, Feb 28, 2012 @ 11:42 PM.

[PBGamer89]

Maria was just on JKL and she was very charming. Didn't come off entitled or snobby in the slightest. She definitely sounds like she wants to try something new and have fun.

She mentioned that Derek and her were rehearsing the Cha Cha today.

[Restar21]

Well, Maria seems excited to have Derek as her partner. She brought his name up a lot during her Kimmel interview and sounds crazy about him. I agree that she was very charming and likeable during the interview. Loved the funny stories about how excited her parents are that she's doing the show.

Cute video of the interview and that nervous laugh of hers is crazy!!
http://www.digitalsp...dance-sexy.html

[aceplace57]

Maria's story about leg braces reminded me of another dwts celebrity. Cameron Mathison had Perthes disease and wore a brace as a child for several years. Cameron did petty good on dwts but I recall some of his movements were restricted.

I hope Maria isn't limited in what she can do on dwts. I'd like to see her do well.

Edited by aceplace57, Mar 1, 2012 @ 7:47 PM.

[Sandynz]

Restar21, thanks for the video clips.

Don't know the girl Maria, but her gorgeousness +goofiness = win-win personality. Reminds me of Sandra Bullock.

Also, hope to see her parents and their reactions on the shows.

[Gladys4351]

I'm happy to see Derek with a partner who physically should be able to keep up with him. I have no idea if Maria's childhood leg braces will have any impact on how well she does, but I see her as someone who is positive and flexible. I also don't have to hear about her weight loss each week, so that is another plus!!! I think she has lots of charisma and spunk.

[KarenM]

Maria will vlog during dwts.

[aceplace57]

Maria talked dwts rehearsals with Adam Carolla. She starts about half-way into the podcast. Adam's partner was Julianne and he & Maria share rehearsal stories about the Houghs.
http://www.adamcarol...maria-menounos/

Edited by aceplace57, Mar 6, 2012 @ 5:53 AM.

[ImSoDizzy]

Thanks aceplace57.
Pretty good interview with Adam. A bunch of behind-the-scenes stories I found interesting about Derek, Julianne, and the workings of the show.

Sounds like Adam won't be doing any more comedy bits for DWTS - I wonder what TPTB did that "pissed him off"?

[Restar21]

Thanks for posting the interview. Adam is hilarious talking about Derek. I think someone has a crush...

ETA: I do not understand why Maria has to be in the makeup chair at EXTRA at 6:45am and there until 3pm every day for a 30 minute entertainment news show. What in the world do they do for over 8 hours?? I guess she IS tired before rehearsal even begins. She won't be able to handle it as the season progresses and it gets even harder. Adam is right, it's a huge disadvantage compared to people who do nothing but practice.

Edited by Restar21, Mar 6, 2012 @ 9:15 PM.

[Restar21]

New Maria interview. She's always talking about how good Derek smells, and she definitely has her pain management rituals down to a science.

http://www.celebuzz....arning-to-walk/

[mtlchickie]

ETA: I do not understand why Maria has to be in the makeup chair at EXTRA at 6:45am and there until 3pm every day for a 30 minute entertainment news show. What in the world do they do for over 8 hours??

Makeup for TV takes a while (even more so due to HD) and they have to practice reading and saying their reports w/out flubbing along w/ interviews. I read recently that they have to be done by 130 PM PT in order to edit and broadcast it out to affiliates so by the time she gets out of wardrobe and removes her makeup, I can see how she can only start rehearsals at that time.

[ImSoDizzy]

More AfterBuzz:

Maria Menounos Drives Home After another Dancing with the Stars Rehearsal

Maria Menounos' Dancing with the Stars Rehab at Extra

[Serendi]

That rehab video sure makes a person jealous!

[Restar21]

Recent Maria media roundup. She and Derek had a fun day at the Lakers/Celtics game yesterday. Lots of cute pics of them online. Here are a few.

http://www.celebuzz....rs-game-photos/

http://www.nbafrontp...-side-with.html

http://t.co/pj6sugJ0

https://twitter.com/#!/ebasketguate/sta...4/photo/1/large

Maria also did an interview with TV Guide. She doesn't like or understand why people are calling her the front runner. I don't understand it either. She doesn't have experience or a large fanbase. I think she'll have to work hard to stand out this season, but she has a wonderful work ethic and personality, so hopefully she can. And Derek's fans will help her a lot too.

http://www.tvguide.c...os-1044662.aspx

[scootman]

It was just announced that Maria would be doing a match at WWE Wrestlemania on March 31. She's done stuff with them before and learned some moves and looked good, but how is she finding the time to do this?

[oakgal]

I think she's one of the frontrunners.
1) She's partnered with Derek; he's popular with the fans and the judges (especially).
2) She's young, fit and good looking. It never hurts.
3) She's on TV all the time; she can promote herself and her partnership on a daily basis.
4) She's more well known than she's letting on. She's been kicking around for years.
5) She has the sort of the TV friendly personality that works well on these shows. She'll come across well. Not intimidating but friendly and self-deprecating.

[moni]

Rita Wilson will be in the audiance supporting Maria on Monday ;)) https://twitter.com/#!/RitaWilson

[popcorn]

I wasn't blown away. First up is tough, but she really wasn't memorable. Maria's laugh is in head to head competition with Sherri's scream for the most annoying sound of the season.

[hoosier]

Maria was meh. I don't get chemistry with Derek at all.

[legaleagle44]

I just hope that Derek doesn't eventually go postal over that laugh of hers. It's like listening to a Greek version of Fran Drescher.

[O2Sean]

I like sports! <cackle> I'm a boy with boobs because only boys like sports! <cackle>

That's most of what I remember about her. And she seemed to be in reporter/presenter mode throughout the interview. Maybe they should replace Brooke, after some of Brooke's behavior tonight.

[scootman]

I liked her. She did well, not great, but certainly not bad. The first one out is always a tough spot. I've heard the laugh before in interviews, so it didn't bother me.