Thanks for sticking around, just in case you haven't been checking out the sidebar and wondering about my disappearance, I was/am sick... actually, our house has been sick (well, except Rocky... though there was that one day when he vomited 5 times that required clean-up. Note to self: train dog to vomit on TILE only!). But anyhow, Todd started feeling bad the weekend before last... I really kicked in with things last Wednesday night... and we are both in recovery mode. The worst of it was a very bad night (the worst I can remember in recent years) to kick it all off with fever and chills and repetitive dreams and pretty much no sleep. Still some lingering congestion and coughing, but hopefully a few more days and it will have worked its way out of both of us!
Okay, onto Dancing With The Stars. As long time readers will now, I like to make predictions of who will make the final based on only 1 performance. I have been reasonably accurate in the past, but if last night is any indication, I am not sure it is much of a challenge since I seem to whiddle down the potential teams pretty easily. So let's get choppin'...
DWTS never keeps around the models very long, brainless reality stars don't have a great track record either... so I doubt late replacement, Playboy reg Holly Madison is going to stick around for long. She actually wasn't bad (and a shame we won't get to see much of new pro Dmitry Chaplin), but again just not the type that sticks around without superior dancing or personality
Even with Jewel out, I don't think DWTS' whole "husband vs. wife" angle would have lasted all that long as Ty Murray's boots are made for walkin', not dancin'.
Steve O did much better than I expected, but the fact that he did take it seriously, worked against him. Though not sure if the acting crazy stuff would be any better. He's not going to be a good enough dancer and I just don't see him connecting with any of the demographics that watches the show.
Normally I would pencil in NFL players to the final, but Lawerence Taylor seems to be lacking both the dancing ability and/or charisma that got likes of Jerry Rice, Emmett Smith, Jason Taylor, and Warren Sapp far in the competition.
Ok, I have already run through the gone-gone and she's doesn't have the beat jokes, but as with most of the "mature" woman on the show, Belinda Carlisle doesn't seem to stand much of a chance... and she doesn't seem as crazy devoted or deluded about it as some of those other have either.
And alas, Steve Wozniak is no surprise to round out my list of immediate no-consideration votes. Again, give him all credit for stepping outside the box/comfort zone... but his time is short.
Onto my next round of cuts, these aren't as knee-jerk "out" reactions... but I don't think they'll make it either...
One of the better teams of the night was Lil Kim and Derek, but she's certainly a bit of spitfire and I don't think her personality will keep her around to the end, no matter how good the dancing is... modest usually wins over confidence on this show and Lil Kim was having none of that on the premiere
Before the show started, my gut told me Denise Richards would stick around for a while and while she may, I don't think she will make it to very end. She's trying to be this season's Brooke Burke... but it was pretty clear she doesn't have the maturity or composure or ability of last year's champ. I think fan fave Maks, might keep here in for a bit, but it won't be enough.
The biggest surprise of the night was David Alan Grier. The comedian did a far better job that I ever would have imagined, but again I question the fanbase that will keep him in and/or I have a feeling his weaknesses will be more on display with the Latin dances.
And my last will likely not make it to the "end" end, is the other replacement "star" Melissa Rycroft. Now I know nothing about the whole Bachelor fiasco other than what's made it onto the entertainment news programs and stuff like GMA, etc... plus entertainment websites... so probably more than I would or should know. I know the dumped Melissa has the sympathy of the world it seems (and more importantly a major DWTS demo who watched The Bachelor!). But I know I am also tired of hearing about all of it, so I think there is gonig to be some kind of backlash about her... and this is now her 3rd reality show (pre-Bachelor, she was in a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader reality show), so that never sits well the whole 'famous for being famous' thing. She did dance pretty well though, so who knows.
Okay, so that's my process of elimination, let's see who is left!
And even these teams, I have some reservations with!
There seems to be no reason that Shawn Johnson and Mark should get to the end, but I think we remember the shocker of Mark and Sabrina Bryan being ousted early a few years back and I am getting that vibe off of them as the clearly dubbed favorite to win this season. Also, I think Shawn has to work the personality a bit more. I know she's young, but seemed a bit word-less last night.
I wasn't that blown away by Chuck Wicks and real-life girlfriend Julianne last night... but she since is the sweetheart of the show and Chuck certainly looks to be an upstanding gentlemen, I sense this couple will be sticking around for awhile... unless everyone gets tired of them. I think Julianne has stayed cute and innocent without crossing into annoying territory, but a real-life romance playing out this season may test that.
The final, and quite pleasant, surprise of the last night was Gilles Marini. We don't know much about him other than being Samantha's often-naked Malibu neighbor in the movie version of Sex and the City... but ay carumba! Or I should say c'est magnifique?!! The guy has something and like little know Cristian de la Fuente, I have a feeling that Cheryl will be keeping the hunk around for a while.
