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'Dancing With the Stars' Diary: Welcome back to Thunderdome
Zap2it's weekly "'Dancing with the Stars' Diary" offers fans a backstage pass to everybody's favorite only reality competition that throws celebrities at the mercy of that fickle mistress we call dance.
A new ballroom, no more CGI rooftop intro... what is this, "Dancing With a Stranger?"
The significantly revamped Season 13 of our beloved "Dancing With the Stars" got off to a rocky start with all the unfamiliar visuals (and Ron Artest's hair), but the show quickly settled into the familiar routine of scantily-clad ladies, (Kar)dash(ian)ed hopes for mirrorball glory and sexual innuendo from Bruno.
All in all, it was a great debut for our remarkably vital little show. Over the course of two hours, half of the 12 competitors tackled the Cha Cha Cha, with the rest of taking on the intimidating Viennese Waltz. Unlike most seasons, a clear frontrunner did not emerge, but we did figure out a few stars who won't be winning anyone's office pool.
"And who are you referring to?" you ask. Allow us to break it down for you and recap some of the night's biggest takeaways from backstage:
We didn't see it coming
Scores and steps
Backstage banter
There'll be no second chance for one of these 12. The first elimination show is quickly approaching, and though no one really is safe this early in the game, we're going to make an official prediction and call it the end of the road for Elisabetta. On top of bad scores, she didn't really take the opportunity to show any personality. Not a promising combo...
Agree? Sound off in the comments.
A new ballroom, no more CGI rooftop intro... what is this, "Dancing With a Stranger?"
The significantly revamped Season 13 of our beloved "Dancing With the Stars" got off to a rocky start with all the unfamiliar visuals (and Ron Artest's hair), but the show quickly settled into the familiar routine of scantily-clad ladies, (Kar)dash(ian)ed hopes for mirrorball glory and sexual innuendo from Bruno.
All in all, it was a great debut for our remarkably vital little show. Over the course of two hours, half of the 12 competitors tackled the Cha Cha Cha, with the rest of taking on the intimidating Viennese Waltz. Unlike most seasons, a clear frontrunner did not emerge, but we did figure out a few stars who won't be winning anyone's office pool.
"And who are you referring to?" you ask. Allow us to break it down for you and recap some of the night's biggest takeaways from backstage:
We didn't see it coming
- How about that Nancy Grace, huh? Our skepticism over the oft abrasive HLN host was as strong as anybody's, but she worked it out there on the floor. Better still, she looked like she was having a blast. We may have to upgrade her from "snowball's chance in hell" status.
- The only thing more unexpected than Elisabetta Canalis' sleepy performance -- really, she might as well have stayed in the bed -- was her hilariously appropriate intro as George Clooney's ex-girlfriend, courtesy of host Tom Bergeron. Gotta love that Bergeron!
- We have two words for you: Carson Kressley. He may not be that great of a dancer, but he delivered the most enjoyable routine of the night. If he and partner Anna Trebunskaya can keep it up, they may be able to skirt by on personality alone.
Scores and steps
- Let's start at the top. The highest score of the week was a 22, with both Chynna Phillips and J.R. Martinez sharing the top spot for their respective waltzes. The dance seems like a bigger challenge for the ladies, so we're going to give Phillips the advantage in week one.
- Just shy of the leaders, and also rocking the Viennese Waltz, are Hope Solo and Ricki Lake, who ended the night with a 21 and 20, respectively. Kristin Cavallari was the highest-scoring Cha Cha Cha of the night. She and Mark Ballas managed to pull in 19 -- thanks in no small part to her "hairography."
- Also in the middle, but on the less-appealing side of it, are David Arquette (18), Kressley (17) and Chaz Bono (17). Bono surprised the judges by showing polished technique in week 1, though we're going to have to respectfully disagree with their scoring of Arquette. He turned in one of the three strongest performances of the night.
- Showing off that charm didn't help Grace very much. She pulled in a mediocre 16, as did Rob Kardashian. But at least they fared better than the lowest scorers, Canalis (15) and Artest (14)... Excuse us, "Metta World Peace."
Backstage banter
- If you, readers, are anything like us, your heart skipped a beat when you saw Arquette's estranged wife Courteney Cox cheering him on with their daughter Coco. "It was so sweet to see her there," Arquette said backstage of his visibly thrilled daughter. "For her to see all these amazing dancers and have her dad come out and do this routine... She loved it.
- "I was extremely nervous today, I'm not going to lie," returning pro Derek Hough, who took Season 12 off, told Zap2it. "It took me a second to adjust to the audience. Now I know what its like to be back in the ballroom. For next week, I know I'm going to up the ante."
- Carson Kressley was pleased the judges loved his energy and sense of humor, but he does want fans to know that he's trying. "Anna worked so hard," he says of his partner. "She was so kind and patient. She was like Mother Teresa, only with better hair and make-up. And alive. I got a little off on the footwork, but, at the end of the day, it's about entertainment. I think we totally entertained."
There'll be no second chance for one of these 12. The first elimination show is quickly approaching, and though no one really is safe this early in the game, we're going to make an official prediction and call it the end of the road for Elisabetta. On top of bad scores, she didn't really take the opportunity to show any personality. Not a promising combo...
Agree? Sound off in the comments.
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Photo/Video credit: ABC
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