Dancing With the Stars...Melissa is Safe

Thank goodness Melissa is safe. Chuck should have said goodbye to this competition weeks ago. 

And here's the fun tango number that won over the judges, even though I really liked team mambo. Come on, you can't beat Mark in tights! 

The 1960s Group Routine on Dancing With The Stars

It's Monday night and I just chassed onto my couch to watch the 1960's group routine on Dancing With The Stars. We also get to see what the partners designed for our celebrities' costumes tonight. 

Melissa met up with Terry Hatcher from Desperate Housewives to help bring out her inner man eater. She looked wonderful tonight in her red and black outfit that Tony designed for her. She has great long legs and the fancy footwork definitely helped show them off. Beautiful lifts as well, you can tell she has great trust in Tony. I don't know if I would call her expressions necessarily man-eater quality, it was more just sexy. But I loved it. Nice way to start off the evening.

Scores: 10, 9, 10

Lawrence had a tough week traveling around to Miami and learning two dances. He designed a long, royal blue coat for Edyta that was rather pretty. Lets see if what is underneath matches--it's a gorgeous, flowing dress with multiple shades of blue. Carrie Ann called the dress "beautiful." But at one point the sleeve became caught on Edyta's head. As for the dancing, I never see much chemistry between the two and there were a few missteps in the waltz.  Len commented that Lawrence was off balance when he took off her coat and Bruno thought Lawrence looked uncomfortable with his turns.  

Scores: 7, 7, 7

Lil' Kim performs the rumba this week and Derek tries to tone down her sexiness. I think he's one of the best choreographers on the show and he was having a hard time, second-guessing his choreography in rehearsal. When they performed it looks like he over thought it. They stayed in one place the entire time instead of moving throughout the space. Unfortunately, toning down the sexiness didn't work either. The judges thought she was second guessing her character throughout the performance. Derek didn't look pleased with the judges comments, he was looking off into the audience and rolling his eyes. Lil's costume looked like a loose, sheer towel wrapped over a pink bathing suite. Not a good night for these two. But hey, the scores are still high.

Scores: 9, 8, 9 

Chuck and Julianne performed the samba in what looks like red silk pajamas on him. Although his hands definitely still needs work, he looks much improved from other weeks. Julianne needs to continue focusing on his technique and he could last another week. The judges saw the improvement too, Carrie Ann even did a little dance for him and gave him a kiss. They're hoping Alabama saves them from elimination. Oh my, they beat Lil' Kim with their scores. 

Scores: 9, 9, 9

Ty and Chelsie try to find romance on the dance floor with the waltz. Jewel came into rehearsal to help them find that connection. He definitely looks better holding onto his partner than he does when they are separated from each other. He's a ballroom guy. You can tell from the way he holds her that he's a gentleman and a sweet person. Bruno said after this performance that Ty's "back in the game." 

Scores: 8, 8, 8

Shawn and Mark had a rough week because Shawn had two awards to accept and she had to learn the group dance by herself. But these two work well under pressure. Even though she's had limited rehearsal time Shawn looks confident and cute. Loved the Michael Jackson moves! Carrie Ann said they brought the dance to life tonight. Len thoughts she found the rhythm of the cha cha. And...a 10 from Bruno! Her first of many 10s I would think.

Scores: 9, 9, 10

Gilles and Cheryl try to reclaim their top spot in the competition after dropping to 3rd place last week. Gilles goes to a synchronized swimming coach to find the fluidity in the movement. Let's put Gilles in a bathing suite more often on this show shall we! It will keep up the ratings. He looks like James Bond and she looks like Belle from Beauty and the Beast in her yellow gown. Their movement and chemistry is lovely, but this is not their best piece. 

Scores: 9, 9, 9

Okay, the big group number is up next. Lets compare these performers side by side. Since Shawn couldn't be at rehearsal, Mark brought a cutout of her to move across the floor. Christopher Perry choreographed the piece. Christopher separated the partners and the celebrities had to dance by themselves unlike in other seasons. The pairs did get to choreograph their own '60s moves for the piece though. Ty's bucking bull move with Chelsie particularly is amusing. 

Quick thoughts throughout piece:

-Lill Kim looks awkward up on the stand

-Poor Ty got out of sync with the other men in the straight line

-I like Melissa's Wilma Flinstone outfit

-Wow Melissa's death drop move was crazy-great lifts tonight from these two

Fun finish to the evening! Who will be kicked off? Probably, Lawrence. 

Spring Awakening Fit For The Big Screen?

I knew this was coming: Spring Awakening the movie. 

McG has big-screen 'Spring Awakening'

By Borys Kit of Hollywoodreporter.com

McG is in talks to bring the Broadway rock musical "Spring Awakening" to the big screen, developing it with original book and lyrics writer Steven Sater. 

McG is attached to direct and would act as a producer. 

The project is not yet set up at a studio, though McG's Wonderland Sound and Vision has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. McG may opt not to go the studio route in order to make a more intimate, or indeed an edgier, movie version. 

Set in 19th-century Germany, the coming-of-age story follows a group of teens discovering their sexuality and dealing with high-wire topics like masturbation, abortion, rape and suicide. 

Sater and rocker Duncan Sheik based the musical on an 1891 German play and their resulting work resulted in a runaway Broadway success. The tuner won Tonys for best musical, best book, best original score and best actor.

McG, who is in post on the tentpole "Terminator Salvation," is not that odd a choice to helm a the film adaptation: The director got his start in the music business, first as a songwriter (he produced Sugar Ray's first album and co-wrote songs on the second) then as a video director.He also has kept one toe in the teen pool by exec producing such youth-centric shows as "The O.C.," "Chuck" and the upcoming drama school-set pilot "Limelight."

Sater, who shares the movie rights with Sheik and the stage producers of "Awakening," is repped by CAA, while McG is repped by Endeavor and Management 360.

How Many More 10s Will Be Distributed Tonight on DWTS?

New York Daily News writer, Cristina Kinon, said Sunday, "It has become way too easy for the celebs and their professional dance partners to score a perfect 10 on the popular ABC competition show [Dancing With The Stars], and it is dragging down the excitement of the program." Lets see if they continue this trend tonight.

The show begins with the stiff Ty Murray performing the Jive. Although he's really trying to jump, his feet aren't pointed, he's not flicking from the knee and his upper body moves awkwardly across the floor. Although the judges admire him for working hard and trying, they criticized him for getting out of sync with the music and Chelsie Hightower and for his lacking footwork. 

Score: 6, 6, 6. 

So what should this score really be, considering the curve the judges give all contestants? Probably around a 3. I wonder if Kinon agrees?

Shawn Johnson is up next with the rumba. She's wearing white again, I guess emphasizing her 17-year-old purity. Mark Ballas (too adorable) put together a prom set for her during rehearsal. Okay, a little bit awkward with the poses at the beginning. She has great sultry facial expressions. There doesn't seem to be a lot of footwork in this piece, a lot of posing though. Carrie Ann said she could tell Shawn was uncomfortable. Len thought the dance was "just right" in terms of how much sexiness was brought in. "Age appropriate" is what Mark called it.

Scores: 8, 8, 8

What the scores should be: 6s

Lawrence Taylor tries to escape being in the bottom two this week with the jive. He mission is to try and have fun, which he can't seem to show when he's learning in rehearsal. Unfortunately, he's so tall that he appears to be looking down all the time. Carrie Ann says, "you've brought your groove back." Len likes the basic movement of the piece, but thinks he could be lighter on his feet. I don't think the performance was that great, it had little energy and his happy face went in and out throughout the performance.

Scores: 7, 7, 8 (WAY TOO HIGH)

What the scores should be: 4s

Melissa Rycroft takes on the romantic rumba. She seems to have ease learning the piece. Lets see how it turned out. She appears a tad off to me tonight, like she did last week. Or maybe its just the awkward transitions between the movement and its not her fault. It lacked fluidity. But, the judges liked it. Bruno said it looked "effortless." In the future, he wants to see "Melissa the man eater." 

Scores: 9, 9, 9

What the scores should be: 7s  

Lil' Kim gets into a 50s character for the jive. Jailhouse rock, how ironic for her. Ha, love Derek's hair. Oh no, she messed up during the kicking section. But still a fun number. Derek really knows how to choreograph. The judges loved it, except Len thought it lacked jive movement and it was more of a theatrical performance. Most people on Twitter as of 9pm agree with Len and question whether any of the judges noticed the forgotten steps. 

Scores: 10, 8, 10

What the scores should be: 8s (Len was right--my Twitter friends agree)

Steve-O tries to be romantic in the brother-sister relationship he has with Lacey. I just hate the lack of fluidity in everyone's rumba. Steve-O always ends up walking around the floor. Carrie Ann "was totally taken in." She found him vulnerable and a lot better from last week. But Len says its "no good," and he's right again. "You have the charm of a confused puppy," said Bruno, what a perfect line.

Scores: 7, 4, 5

What the scores should be: 3s

According to @peoplemag, Lacey's mom was giving Len a hard time after the scores. 

The best of the best, Gilles Marini, is up next with the jive. Gilles' having a hard time with the choreography of the jive, at least at rehearsal. I'm sure he'll get it during performance. Now here's a guy who has the upper and lower body in sync. He can not go wrong. Cheryl is amazing. Now, that's a great performance! Len says Gilles messed up and the whole thing was too frantic. Bruno liked it but thought Gilles loses the strength in his kicks because the footwork was fast.

Scores: 9, 8, 9

What the scores should be: 9s

Chuck and Julianne try to show their love connection on the floor with the rumba. I thought they were a tad too forceful with each other throughout the whole thing. Bruno says, he "switched on the raunch factor." Carrie Ann was floored with the sexiness, while Len thought it was too much. But he still doesn't have the technique of most of the dancers, so he should get lower scores for that. 

Scores: 8, 7, 8

What the scores should be: 6s 

So, do you think the scores are inflated? I thought Len was pretty on with his scores tonight.

Gilles Goes for the Kill on Dancing With The Stars

Just like on this season's American Idol with Adam Lambert, Dancing With The Stars has developed a winner early on.

Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke just can't go wrong.



Do they really have any competition? I doubt any of the couples, even our beloved Melissa, can beat him. The only thing he has to work on our his hands. He has to bring the powerful quality of movement he uses so well with his lower extremities to his upper body. But, when you have performance quality like he does, who even cares!

So You Think You Can Dance Promo

May 21, 2009--The 5th Season of So You Think You Can Dance Begins.

Here's the new promo video with commentary from the judges and Cat Deeley.

How much do the celebrities on Dancing With the Stars make? More than most reality TV personalities.

Initial Payout: $125,000
Salary: Between $10,000 and $50,000 per week
Grand Prize: A disco-ball trophy and renewed cultural relevance

View comparisons of reality TV salaries in the latest Entertainment Weekly article written by Lynette Rice.