So we are down to the top five contenders for the 2006 Dancing With the Stars competition. They are:
George Hamilton
Lisa Rinna
Stacy Keibler
Drew Lachey
Jerry Rice
Last week (2/2/06), the featured dance was the samba. Also featured was a group dance, the salsa. Both of these dances are Latin American in origin and as might be expected, both are sexy and passionate dances.
Stacy Keibler was the big surprise of the evening. Stacy is, as her bio indicates, a professional wrestler. Stacy and her partner performed a Samba that even to my untrained eyes was perfect in its execution. One judge called her routine "saucy and sexy."
More telling than any commentary, the judges awarded Stacy a perfect score of 30 points out of a possible 30. This was the first perfect score of the competition.
Next up was one of my own personal faves, most because he's a movie star of my era. It was George Hamilton of the perpetual tan. George has consistently performed very well for an older fellow. For the samba, not so good.
I thought Hamilton's footwork was a bit awkward, less fluid than his previous performances. One thing I know for sure, George couldn't hold a candle to Stacy Keibler that evening. The judges seemed to like Hamilton's routine. I thought it one of his worst. George and his partner received 24 points out of a possible 30 for the samba.
Lisa Rinna has been more well known for her luscious lips than any astounding dancing talent. At least by email and comments on previous posts. I took a look at Lisa's bio from ABC's official web site on the series.
PROFESSION:
Actress/ CEOPARTNER:
Louis van AmstelBACKGROUND:
With her exotic looks, prodigious talent, infectious energy and savvy business acumen, Lisa Rinna has become one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. Lisa currently serves as host of the national television series Soap Talk, on SoapNet. In addition she is CEO of a wildly successful fashion venture, Belle Gray, which opened in 2003.
Article comments
1 - ted b johns
Do you think the host could wear a tuxedo instead of just a jacket and tie. Everyone looks so professional except him.
2 - Julane
Great explanation and setup, Patfish!
This week everyone did different dances--ones that had been performed before but not by them. I thought that was a great thing to do, as it helps level the playing field somewhat.
I hope you will be giving a full description of what went on this evening at some point, so I won't do that here, but I did want to raise the question of how the music is chosen. Lisa and Louis had to do a quickstep to "Workin' 9 to 5"--what was THAT about?? I believe their music is chosen for them and given to them and I don't really think it's fair, because it makes such a huge difference when the music works--or doesn't.
I thought Stacy and Tony were outstanding and so were Drew and Cheryl. Clearly the judges agreed, giving both a perfect 30. Lisa came close with 27, an amazing feat with the silly music as previously mentioned. Jerry and George are both very likeable (and I, a straight female, could watch Edyta all day) but their dancing can't hold a candle to that of the others. As we have seen, though, that may not matter as this is ultimately a popularity contest more than anything.
I predict Stacy will win with Drew a close second. Hard to know, though, as the format keeps changing. All I know is I wouldn't miss it!
3 - Beverly Creps
I have a suggestion for judging. Why not keep all couples and give points at the end each week. Then at the end, the couple with the most points wins. It is very heartbreaking to see the wonderful stars and professionals work so hard only to get eliminated. This way, no one would have to leave, they would just continue to try harder and the audience and public would have no say...after all, what do we really know about ballroom dancing. I would love to see this format next time.
4 - c berry
The group dance is a great idea.. but by this time they are too comfortable with the partner they are dancing with... I would like to see for example in dancing the waltz.. the males spinning the female partners off to the next male dancer for a round or two each until back to the original dancer..I believe that would show how improved and adaptable they are..I love the show..and have to say...DREW..YOU ROCK !!!!!
5 - majobow
I think that the judging should be taken out of the public's hands. This is a ballroom dance competition, not a popularity contest, as was clearly evident in the length of time P Miller was kept around. Sorry P, but he should have been eliminated long before he was. Poor Giselle worked so hard only to lose in popularity to a more visible personality. Next time, let the judges judge, not the general public who knows very little about ballroom dancing.
6 - Purple Tigress
I also would like to see all the competitors in the semi-finals remain. I think P was bad and made no effort, but I also understand that he stepped in last minute to replace his son.
As for George Hamilton, I think it would be nice to keep him around. He and his partner are working around his broken ribs and he's being very gallant IMHO.
I tried starting up dancing again after spinal surgery (on my neck) and some basic things still make me nauseous.
7 - JAYNE PITTMAN
I WAS SURE THE DANCING WITH THE STARS WAS RIGGED WHEN JOHN AND CHARLOTTA LOST THE FIRST ONE.THEY HAD A REMATCH,AND LO AND BEHOLD, THE PERFECT THIRTY THEY SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN SEVERAL TIMES, WAS BESTOWED UPON THEM. NOW, IN THE SECOND DANCING WITH THE STARS,WE HAVE A CLUTZY FOOTBALL PLAYER THAT CAN BARELY MOVE HIS FEET DANCING AGAINST THE LIKES OF LISA RENNA.GET REAL, PEOPLE. HOW STUPID DO YOU THINK WE ARE? THERE IS NO WAY JERRY CAN HOLD A CANDLE TO LISA, BUT ALAS, LISA WAS VOTED OFF THE SHOW. IT WILL NOT SURPRISE ME ONE BIT IF JERRY WENT ON TO BECOME THE 'WINNER' IN THIS FIASCO. IT WILL BE BECAUSE HIS PARTNER DANCED ALL AROUND HIM AS HE STANDS THERE TAPPING HIS TOES,AND SHE DOES ALL THE WORK.I'VE NOTICED THIS IN SEVERAL OF THEIR DANCES.SHE MAKES HIM APPEAR TO LOOK GOOD. YET, IT IS THE STARS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE VOTED ON, NOT THEIR PARTNERS.SO, RICE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT TO SLEEP AFTER THE FIRST 'DANCE'WHERE HE STOOD THERE WHILE HIS PARTNER DID ALL THE LEG WORK. AND TO LEAVE THIS JOKE IN THE RUNNING AND KNOCK LISA OUT IS JUST FOOLISH. I WON'T BOTHER WASTING MY TIME WATCHING SOMETHING THAT OBVIOUSLY IS AS FAKE AS IT COMES,WHEN THERE IS SOME REAL SHOWS TO WATCH.WHEN I WANT TO WATCH FICTION,AT LEAST LET THERE BE SOME REASON BEHIND IT, AND LET IT APPEAR TO HAVE A HINT OF TRUTH BEHIND IT.