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RSSMelissa Rycroft & Chuck Wicks face elimination in Week 8 of 'Dancing with the Stars'
Host Tom Bergeron bellowed that tonight may be the most shocking elimination of this season's "Dancing with the Stars." Depending on your expectations, this could be a true or completely not.
Unsurprisingly, Team Tango gets the encore nod to keep of the show. The mistake that marred Lil' Kim & Derek's solo section was nowhere to be seen this time around. I don't think I mentioned it last night but I love the ladies' costumes. And I don't remember seeing that little dismount move - it was cool.
After the recap package, we get our first bit of filler in the guise of "Ballroom Dancers of Genius," fashioned after those beer commercials with awesomely cheesy vocals. I gotta say it was pretty dang hilarious. Ironically enough, the show takes a break immediately after.
We're serenaded by Robin Thicke next. He's performing his first single, "When I Get You Alone," which I love. It's based on the disco version of Beethoven's 5th. Kym, Cheryl, Edyta, Alex, Dmitry, and a guy that looks like Tony but not accompany him. Robin sounds like he's got a little bit of a sore throat. I liked the choreography, the pros did great as always.
Melissa Rycroft makes her first appearance on the show in the form of having to talk to Samantha Harris. Poor thing (both because of the injury and having to talk to Sam - *buh-dum-dum*). Tom then reveal that Lil' Kim & Derek have been saved. As it should be.
More filler after some adverts. This bit is about building the perfect celeb partner. They want to use Chuck's head (mentality wise), Gilles' arms, Ty's core, Melissa's legs, Shawn's feet, and Lil' Kim's face (expressions). Perhaps it's unnatural experiments like this that brought about the cuuuuuuuuurse.
In a well deserved surprise, Ty Murray & Chelsie are safe. He really did step it up this week.
Filler sandwich! Another mock commercial in the form of "Dance Match," a take-off on the dating commercials with Chuck & Julianne and Melissa explaining how the process works. Aw, aren't they adorable? *Blargh*
Robin Thicke returns to sing his current track "Sidestep" while pros Pasha Kovalev & Anya Garnis dance. Yay! Because I heart them. Anya looks totally different though thanks to the blond hair. Robin also busts a few moves with his back-up singers...who may actually just be dancers masquerading as singers.
The next couple saved is Gilles Marini & Cheryl, leaving all the members of Team Mambo on the chopping block. Another fake commercial follows - this one features all the pros in a PETA-like fashion about the "ethical treatment of dancers." Cheryl, Edyta, Tony and Derek sport strategically placed mirror balls a la "Austin Powers" at the end. The writing staff has stepped it up with these.
Post-adverts, the four remaining potential pros perform again in hopes of getting a spot next season. Genya Mazo, Afton Delgrosso, Mayo Alanen, and Anna Demidova are left. I'm okay with who's left though I'd trade Afton out for Snow.
Genya & Afton are first, though in rehearsal Genya admits he's rusty on his Ballroom. The package makes it appear that Afton took the lead on choreographing their Quickstep, a fact that may hurt Genya in the voting...but he is awfully charismatic and that goes a long way. They dance to "I'm Sitting On Top Of The World" by Bobby Darin. Len dug it, Bruno thought they nailed the characteristics, and Carrie Ann was equally complimentary of Afton's teaching ability and Genya being able to adapt so quickly.
Anna & Mayo are given the Jive this week, their rehearsal footage starting with Len's curiosity about how such a tall couple would do with a Latin discipline. He had absolutely nothing to worry about. They perform to "Wild One" by Johnny O'Keefe and tear up the floor. Carrie Ann knew Anna would be great and is surprised and impressed by Mayo, Len admitted to being wrong twice (about tall folks and Ty), and Bruno compliments Mayo's sharpness before telling Anna that he loves her. I really like them both but I think Mayo shined a little brighter this number.
Now that that's out of the way, Tom saves Shawn Johnson & Mark which leaves Chuck & Julianne and Melissa & Tony in danger. Shawn was so happy/relived that I thought she might cry for a second.
After an action packed fifty-seven minutes of show and two minutes of padding that seemed longer, it's Chuck & Julianne's swan song. Melissa & Tony are relieved and a bit surprised, which Julianne isn't.
Chuck takes it very well and appreciates getting standing ovations the last three weeks. He also says it says a lot about Melissa's fans to save her from being five points down. All the while that they're talking, the director keeps cutting to Melissa wiping away tears. Classy. Also, Chuck gives a shout-out to all the haters that didn't think they'd last this long. Huh.
Their last dance is to "Home" by Michael Buble or Blake Shelton depending on which way you roll.
Can't say I'm surprised at tonight's results. In fact, I like the way it turned out. How about you? Are you still digging how much content they're packing into the results show? Any other thoughts?
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
Yeah, normally, aside from the occasional cool guest artist, the result shows are booooorring! But, not tonight. I was truly entertained. The comedy vignettes were spot on. They didn't run too long, and any time I can see Melissa dressed up as a sexy teacher, I'll take it.
I knew Chuck was going to go sooner or later, but I think Ty not going first is a real shame. Chuck was finally starting to "get it" while Ty just looked like he was being thrown around by Chelsea and posing like a mannequin while she danced around him. I'm not an expert, but even a monkey can see that Chuck is clearly the better dancer between the two. What screwed Chuck was Len and his big mouth. The whole "it's time to go" comment for Ty obviously won him the "F-U Len" vote. The judges need to just judge based on what they see, not throw their personal opinions in there. It really can skew the voting, as evidenced by tonight.
I will miss Chuck, because no more Chuck means no more Julianne! But, what I won't miss is the lovey-dovey relationship BS. That is the other half of the equation that probably had people saying "blarrrgh" as well. I predict they're splitsville by the end of summer.
I am happy Melissa was saved. She is my favorite this season, not only because of her beauty, but because she's a damn good dancer, and heck, she's been through a whole hell of a lot. Granted, she put herself in the bachelor situation, but it's still nice to see her doing well. No one likes to be dumped, and she had to go through that on national TV! She deserves to be a finalist based on her dancing ability. Not out of pity, sympathy or anything else. BUT, I will say, that if the injury keeps rearing its ugly head, then she should just voluntarily remove herself from the competition. It's not fair to the other dancers who could be competing against her and the sympathy votes. I do wish her all the best, though.
I thought this season was going to suck, but it's been a long time since we've seen so many teams who could truly vie for the top spot! It's been great so far!
Oh, and one more thing. The whole "vote for the next pro dancer" has been making results night very entertaining too! Maybe they could include this every season? Heck, maybe the could pit current pros against newcomers and make them compete to save their jobs! Now THAT would be fun to watch!
I think cowboy should have been singing "Happy Trails" and left the show. There's no way he's dancing better than Chuck. Chuck really was just starting to break out and get into his groove.
This is crap. Melissa DID NOT PERFORM one of the dances, and the other was rehersal footage. She should not be allowed to continue.
Enjoyed the gag commercials like I always do. The pro competition is also pretty good for show filller. I like Genya so far. But all 4 looked better than last week. Maybe it would be good to have tall guy on the show like Mayo to accomodate tall celebrity women but he's not my favorite so far. And I know he can't help it, but he is really thin and with his height it looks awkward to me.
I like both Ty and Chuck and I get why people vote for Ty but Chuck was the better dancer. But good for them for really improving and ending on a high note. And Julianne will be just taking a season off, she's not gone for good. I think Chuck put her a little off her game, but remember she's only 20 or 21 and I am not surprised she would be a little off her game when working with her boyfriend. I know people were annoyed with their couple antics but geez guys, just let them be happy. And the producers are the ones who really exploited it- they begged her to come back this season using Chuck as bait.
2 dances next- yay! And really, I do like him, but Ty just has to go next week. The other 4 couples established themselves as the true 'Top 4' a long time ago!
I agree with ferretrick...if you are injured and you cannot perform, BOO HOO SOB SOB....you're done. I feel as though you must perform the dance(s) that you are scheduled to do, if you can't/don't then you must give up your position. No excuses.
I think Ty and Chelsie have a big fan base that largely includes people who enjoyed her on "So you Think You Can Dance" and some sympathy votes from people who would have voted for Jewel.
I thought Chuck and Julianne have been over-scored from the git-go. I love Julianne, but I'm not sad to see them go.
I loved the fake commercials, in particular "Dance Match". Chuck and Julianne were spot on in their mockumercial. (I'm trying to figure out why Edyta was only given one mirrorball trophy to hold in her part of the PETA spoof, but then she's the one known for a lack of clothing.)
Ty, Chuck, and Shawn could never win, so I don't care about the order in which they're eliminated.
Regarding Melissa. Her performance until now has been excellent, so I have no problem giving her a p*** for one week. Precedent was already set with Steve-O. More than that, though, Melissa is a top contender and this is a show that requires suspense. It also promises a certain number of episodes, or the network\sponsors will get testy. This week I voted for her on the basis of past performance. The same thing won't happen next week.
(I've never watched The Bachelor, or the Olympics, or rodeos, so these things don't sway me.)
I completely agree with Ann about Julianne and Chuck being overscored from the get go! I love Ty and was glad it was Chuck who was sent packing. From day one, I've been pulling for Gilles and Cheryl to waltz off with the Mirror Ball Trophy!