Dancing with the Stars – Week 8

You can’t say that things were not with out drama last night as our stars were short one (again) due to injury, and that may have opened a door for Ty as he pulled off his best dance of the season last night.

Lil' Kim & Derek pulled out an amazing Paso Doble that had the crowd on their feet and us jumping for joy on the couch at home. Kim has turned in to the shining star of this competition and I can not get over her extension, movement and energy that she brings to the dance floor. She is my number one pick for winner this season, she really does have the whole package.

Gilles & Cheryl – did an okay and very hyperactive Lindy Hop, but I hated the costumes and didn’t think that it was a smooth as the Judges did. Cheryl is quite the task master and quite mean with her partner Gilles, and there are way better ways to get a partner to do well than other than having to be a major bitch. Yes we all know that you want to win Cheryl, but Gilles is the celebrity and you can at least play nice.

Chuck & Julianne did a nice Cha Cha and Chuck is continuing his satin pyjama fetish. Chuck is turning into quite the cheeky little monkey and Bruno is always making comments about his ass, and he is turning into a much better dancer than expected. I still think all the horizontal mamboing under the sheets is probably helping out too and it does give them an advantage not available to all of the other contestants. Despite all, they are improving and having fun and that is probably the best part of it.

Shawn & Mark did a great Samba that was technically extraordinary, but was missing the oomph part of the performance. Shawn still has a problem letting loose and letting her personality out and that may cost her a place in the Top 3. At least half of the points are relative to performance and she has to bump it up a notch or 2.

Melissa & Tony practiced the Jive and unfortunately her banged up ribs prevented her from performing, so we got a bad rehearsal piece that was more about blocking than performing. I feel bad for her, but it seems to be the underlying theme this year and not the first time we have seen an injured performer. Tony is such a sweetheart and I really hope that they have not been eliminated due to the lack of performance last night, I hate to say it but Melissa has been growing on me and I really like Tony.

Ty & Chelsie pulled out a Salsa that was the huge upset and surprise of the evening and probably saved Ty’s bacon. It was his best dance of the entire competition and will probably be the encore tonight at the Elimination. I think that having Dmitri around to show him how to move was some great impetus, but he really seems to like the Latin dances and has been upping his game each round.

Last night also debuted the Team competition numbers and I was blown away by the complicated and fun numbers.

Team Mambo performed to "Single Ladies" by Beyonce. This group is comprised of Chuck & Julianne, Shawn & Mark, and Melissa is subbed by Lacey Schwimmer (who came in at the literal last minute) & Tony but Melissa will get the same score as the rest of her group. Lacey was astounding for the last minute, and the number was great and for me, the better of the 2. The surprise finish with the guys was hilarious and I loved how the brought it to a whole other level.

Team Tango performed to "Womanizer" by Britney Spears and it’s Lil' Kim & Derek, Gilles & Cheryl, and Ty & Chelsie who make up this team. Tango is usually the force to be reckoned with, but Team Mambo had more intricate synchronised group parts (that were longer as well) and really shone. Tango was great but not as thrilling for me. The Judges felt the opposite.

Of course, it’s now up to the public votes, and this evening I feel that Shawn will leave instead of Ty, but Melissa may be in for some backlash for not performing last night.

South Park - Gay Fish (ft. Kanye West)

More brilliance from the minds of South Park and one of the best parodies that I have seen in ages.

Dancing with the Stars – Week 7

It’s hard to believe that we are already at the 7th week of competition, and while some of the couples are really picking up steam, some of the others are not hanging in there quite as well and I am pretty sure that our Football great Lawrence will be hitting the road after this week and our poor cowboy Ty will be next on the chopping block.

Strangely, Gilles has fallen off the top spot (but making up some ground once again) and Lil’ Kim is turning into the real surprise of the competition. That girl is hot hot hot and doing an astounding job. There was no specific theme to this week and there was a veritable smorgasbord of dance styles that were featured.Here is my overview of last night.

Melissa & Tony - Argentine Tango

While I do have to say the Melissa is slowly growing on me, I still have a problem with the whole celebrity thing and was laughing at the fact that they got Teri Hatcher (Susan) from Desperate Housewives to give her acting lessons… as much as I love Teri, there are much better actresses on the show and even better vamps (RIP Edie) that could have shown Melissa how to bring out her sexy side. Still, all in all, another good performance and she has amazing extension.

Lawrence & Edyta – Waltz

While I do applaud Lawrence’s attempt to put some clothes on Edyta, she was clearly uncomfortable with all that material and she gets much better scores when she flashes her hoo-ha at the Judges. Just for this bad idea alone Lawrence must go, but his dancing is not helping the situation at all either. The guy is just too out of his element and is the least agile football player to date that we have seen on the show.Next!

Lil' Kim & Derek – Rumba

My favourite couple of the competition is still running strong, and while Kim try to contain her energy and sexiness, she still knows how to get everyone going and has the best presence of all the dancers. I’d love to see her and Derek dance the same number again but with all the passion and oomph that they wanted to and I bet they would get all 10’s from the Judges. I still think that Len is way too cranky sometimes though.

Chuck & Julianne –Samba

They are improving (and I am sure that they practice at home all the time as well) and our real life couple have been picking up steam the past couple of weeks. Chuck was pretty sexy in those satin pyjamas and I think that Julianne was channelling her inner Christina Aguilera with that hair… it was a fun and sexy number and I couldn’t believe how much they moved around the floor. Things are definitely improving for them and they should be around for a few more weeks.

Ty & Chelsie – Waltz

Robot man danced another round and while the Judges may be enamoured with his hold on his partner but I am getting very bored and the guy is just way too stiff for me… and that means it’s a bad thing in this case. Back to the rodeo for you soon my friend but I will miss your energy and tight pants.

Shawn & Mark - Cha Cha

I am starting to get worried that Shawn is developing a crush on her cute partner and I need to remind her that Mark is dating that Cheetah Girl Sabrina, and Cheetahs eat little 17 year old gymnasts like candy. I love that Shawn is getting more comfortable dancing and she gets in some amazing moves, the scary part is her starting to get all sexy and although she is starting to awaken, she is barely legal (well here in Canada, as for the States I think that varies from State to State) and there is that fine line of appropriate and a bit too raunchy. I think I am starting to sound like Len…

Gilles Marini & Cheryl - Viennese Waltz

If there is one thing that I do know this season, it’s that Cheryl really really wants to win this season (and get back that Trophy) and she is working Gilles to death to do it, and it’s almost working. They are making a great comeback after getting bitch-slapped by the Judges a couple of weeks ago and are still contenders. I still see Top 2 with this couple and bet it will be a fight to the death ( or what they call a Dance-Off on this show) between them and Lil’ Kim & Derek.

Group Dance - Tribute to the 60's

We got to see the first group dance and it was a very fun filled 1960’s inspired number with a lot of action. The costumes were great and the energy was phenomenal. I am looking forward to tonight's elimination and expect to be a Football player lighter after tonight, or at the least Cowboy free. You never know... stranger things have happened...

Getting back on track

My apologies to all but was caught up with travel and family and unfortunately I have not had the time to catch up on a whole bunch of my shows and the blog -- I will be getting back on track later this week and have a ton of ranting to do. More to follow !

Dancing with the Stars - Back and Forth

I am speeding a quick comment in as I am in travel mode but wanted to make this post for the blog and putting in my 2 cents worth about last night's edition of Dancing with the Stars ... it was an interesting week with all of our couples doing either the Paso Doble or the Viennese Waltz. Per usual, there were the couples that shined in a big way and the others that didn’t learn much compared to the previous weeks. The judges still seem to have a bit of a stick up their butts with some of the dancers and you can see who is really pulling ahead of the pack at this time. I still cannot believe that Gilles and Cheryl did not get a perfect score (it was 29) as they did not miss a step. They do look very professional and i am sure that Cheryl is cursing that grouchy old man Len at this time.

Dear old Steve-O will not be hanging around for the competition if he does not get it together. I feel really bad for Lacey as this is her second season and she got a bit of a dud as far as partners go. It must be the luck of the draw and she will have a short season.

Chuck and Julianne are not doing that well and his lack of experience is catching up with him. I still think that the Judges expect more as his wife is the dancer,but it is not fair to judge him on a different level. Even with that said it still will not help out his long term experience on the show.

Lawrence is still not making an impact like previous football players and as hard as Edyta works the poor guy I don't think that he will be around for several more weeks unless he learns how to flow. Edyta is still doing all the heavy lifting (and looks as fabulous as ever) but it takes more than a pretty partner to win.

Shawn and Mark did an amazing job last night and really showed the Waltz off well... I think they still have a fighting chance and Shawn flowed across the dance floor. Great work.

Melissa (who is not a star) and Tony did a great Paso to Lady Gaga (great choice of music) and Tony worked Melissa very hard. She is doing a great job and will go far but I still don't think that just because she was on a reality show that she is a star..but that is in the eye of the beholder. She is still doing a great job and a pleasure to watch.. even if I can't help but make snarky comments.

David got a bit of smack down from the Judges and I feel bad for Kym but David has a problem connecting to the viewing public and I can honestly say that I don't like him. If I had my choice I would put him up for elimination but probably not this week. Soon if he doesn't find a way to connect with his partner and the public.

Gilles and Cheryl (as mentioned earlier) pulled out the best Paso (and best music using Bolero) and really pulled off an intense performance. Gilles is a clear front runner at this point and you just know that Cheryl is pushing him as far and hard as she can. Too bad I don't like Cheryl.

Ty is still pretty stiff (and not in the good way) and poor Chelsie will be getting her walking papers soon for this season. The guy just cannot relax and I found it humorous that this week he had the chance to do a "manly" dance and did a crappy job. He just needs to look at Gilles and see a strong male figure dancing with being to feminine. I hate those stereotypes, it's so ridiculous and especially on a dance show.

Lil' Kim was stunningly beautiful and my biggest surprise and treat of this season. Derek is doing a great job with her and I expect to see her and Gilles battliing it out for the trophy this season. Tonight I would love to see David leave but have the feeling that Ty and Steve-O will be doing the dreaded Dance off....

Weekend Rant - The Week in Review

The past week was not bad with some surprising episodes of Lost and Bones, while a few shows fumbled the ball (Smallville - again) and Project Runway Canada is really beginning to get on my nerves, but there were shows like Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Dollhouse that have really surprised and shocked me.

The Amazing Race is still as amazing as ever, and it was a shame to see Mike & Mel hit the road but you know that once one team gets way behind the others there is never that much of a chance to catch up. It's all about how you play the game and our 2 stunt men got perilously close to hitting the road after sabotaging the other teams. This game is really about fair play and you have to out perform to win -- not try to trip up the other teams. The teams are really pushing themselves and Tammy & Victor seem to be the leaders at this time.

Dancing with the Stars dumped Holly and the Woz (finally) and I hope that Steve-O gets his act together soon or he will be leaving soon.Lil' Kim was amazing and looks great, and you can really tell that Cheryl wants to win this year so she pulled out all the stops (and probably a roll of duct tape) to get her cleavage into that outfit and tangoed Gilles into a frenzy. Ty is still impressing me and Shawn is adorable.

Both Chuck and Heroes missed the boat this week with episodes that felt too repetitive (again) but I am looking forward to seeing the story arc with Chuck's dad. Heroes has completely lost it's way and feels like the same story done over and over.... I am just waiting for the next version of Ally/Niki/Traci to show up and get killed. My interest and hopes of a 3rd season are fading quickly, and I can't believe how the writers have dropped the ball on this series. What was once very promising has turned into an test of endurance.

Project Runway Canada has me waiting for Sunny to win and nothing more. This season was too dull for my taste and this crop of designers is too straight and bitchy. I can hardly wait until the US version returns (the legal issues are getting settled finally) and I will have to check out the new Bravo replacement The Fashion Show when it hits the airwaves. I need a Heidi and Tim fix.

The only thing that has been fabulous enough on TV recently was RuPaul's Drag Race (one of my favorite Guilty Pleasures this year) and I was like a little boy Christmas morning when I heard they have already booked a second season. The only thing as fun as that is this season of Make me a Supermodel, which has all the gorgeous people and the craziness of the Janice Dickinson Modelling Agency with out the psychopathic Janice and some astounding photo shoots. I think Jonathon has a great chance of winning and is really impressing me. The cast is less gay this time around, but as enthralling as ever.

Lost has my head spinning with possible temporal paradoxes and I absolutely love that Hurley asked the questions that we all had to know... and I was literally peeing myself laughing as he and Miles had their "nerd off" to see who had the right theories. I love how they are tying up some of the mysteries (what Sawyer whispered to Kate) while starting more and Ben being taken by Richard to be healed. Seeing our modern day Ben wake up to John Locke was a hell of an ending and I am literally on pins and needles waiting to see what happens next. One hour per week is not enough of this show.

Bones pulled off a surprisingly serious episode that was very Cam-centric, and was almost too different as it was not as humorous as the usual episodes. I was pretty sure that Cam's new adopted daughter is none other than Monica from Heroes, so I am glad to see her getting more work but wondering how this all fits into the series. I think I am just in shock because the episode was so different than the usual episodes of Bones and it was interesting to see one of the other characters in the spotlight. It was nice to see Tamara have the chance to show her acting chops.

Survivor: Tocantins is great and I love how we are getting up to the merge and the Hidden Immunity Idols are starting to come into play. I think that if anyone finds an Idol now they better be sceptical, because it seems that everyone who has found one of the Idols tries the Fake Idol fake out now (and it's a good idea) and it might keep people on their toes. Rule of thumb, they have to be played occasionally as well as it's great to have one but useless if never used. I would really like to see that tool Coach hit the road though, and hope that happens soon.

Smallville has me wondering why Clark is such a tool most of the time and why Chloe is still the poster girl for bad choices this season. I thought that after the previous episode she was being more proactive about things, but this Davis/Doomsday thing is getting out of hand. Tessmacher surprised me with blowing up Davis, and I saw an interesting twist on her personality that makes her psycho and dangerous, but nothing like Lex. Her idea of testing Clark is a good one and am waiting for the big fight at the end of the season. More adventure and less angst please.

Supernatural churned out another great episode and I loved the slant on the print version of Supernatural with our boys being all romance novel inspired. Angels, demons and prophets -- it seems the end of days is coming up and I expect an Apocalypse of a finale this year. I am glad that the show is coming back and feel better going into finale season knowing that there will be a follow up, but still wondering how they are going to try to tie up this major storyline in the next few episodes.The series has been even more thrilling this year and the writing has improved over last year.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles shocked me this week with the very unexpected death of Derek in a move that I really did not see coming. No one is safe on this show (except John) and it is really starting to tear him apart watching everyone die for him. There is some very interesting developments with the storyline and I am loving the tension. I just hope that next week is only the season finale and not the series finale. I expect a pretty big body count after the next episode and when the dust clears I hope to see Cameron still around. This show is not getting the credit or attention that it deserves.

Dollhouse is continuing to be another brilliant brainchild of Joss Whedon, and although I am having a bit of a problem getting past the whole "pet" angle of the Dolls (and am still not sure of the whole human traffic element of the show), the writing has been great and Eliza is as phenomenal as ever. I love seeing the Dolls bond, and the underlying story of our very hunky FBI agent Paul Ballard (loved our Canadian guy in Galactica) and the apparent chemistry between Echo and Ballard. Hot stuff... and the insights into what makes Echo, Victor, Sierra and November tick makes the show even more fascinating. Josh is all about writing great characters, and his work is shining here. I just hope that the ratings are enough to get another season, things are starting to get very interesting and this better not be another Firefly.