In the above interviews, Brooke Burke said that she’ll dance the Jive and Salsa next week, and Lance Bass said he’s got the Jitterbug. No word on what Lance’s other dance is, or what Warren Sapp and Cody Linley will be dancing.
Cody told OK! that he thinks Miley Cyrus might perform for the DwtS 7 Finale. His original partner, Julianne Hough, will join him for next week’s semi-final round. She spoke with Access Hollywood about returning to the show and blogged about it for Fancast.
A new season of Top Chef debuts tonight on Bravo at 10 ET, minus judge Ted Allen. Entertainment Tonight has a list of this season’s celebrity guests, which includes the rock band Foo Fighters. I wonder if they’ll change their name to Food Fighters for the occasion (har, har)?
Speaking of Foo Fighters, they’re taking part in CBS’s Very Merry Yuletide programming this Christmas season.
Reality Blurred’s Andy Dehnart appears in a video that Survivor: Gabon host Jeff Probst shot of members of the press taking part in one of this season’s challenges.
Kelly, who was eliminated from The Amazing Race this week along with her partner, Christy, told People, "I have a good feeling we’ll be back for All Stars." I don’t know if that’s confirmation of a second All Star season or just wishful thinking on Kelly’s part, but I’d be happy to watch them bumble their way through another season.
A third mirrorball trophy wasn’t in the cards for Cheryl Burke this season.
Tonight’s Dancing with the Stars 7 Results Show began with an encore of Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson’s "Peter Gunn" Tango. The encore was followed by Edyta Sliwinska metaphorically passing the torch back to Julianne Hough, who’ll dance with Cody Linley again next week.
Then, musical guest Brad Paisley sang his first song of the night, while Lacey Schwimmer and her brother, So You Think You Can Dance 2 champ Benji Schwimmer, danced a West Coast Swing.
Following the performance, Warren & Kym and Lance Bass & Lacey were told that they’d made it to next week’s semi-final round.
Everyone got a chance to relax during a pretaped segment in which Celebrity Rehab‘s Dr. Drew Pinsky conducted a therapy session with each couple. With so much talking and no dancing, I tuned out during this bit.
The content of this week’s Macy’s Stars of Dance Performance was selected by online voters, who picked Julianne and Derek Hough to dance a Jive to "Great Balls of Fire." It had some exciting tricks, including Julianne walking in high heels as Derek sat on her shoulders.
Then it was time for a second performance by Brad Paisley, accompanied by DwtS pros Kym, Edyta, Karina Smirnoff, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Alec Mazo and Genya Mazo, Alec’s brother.
The pros took a seat on the stage after the dance, so that Tom Bergeron could chat with them about the upcoming DwtS Tour. Maks, who is choreographing the tour, said he plans to give it a "pop" flair, including songs sung by Toni Braxton.
Before the final verdicts were announced, a Kinesiology professor explained the science behind the pro dancers bodies, and how they’re able to generate such speed and power. Mostly, the segment was an excuse to see Alec and Edyta nearly naked.
Brooke Burke & Derek were then told that they’d made the semi-finals, leaving Cody & Julianne and Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke in jeopardy.
After Maurice & Cheryl were told that they were out of the competition, Cheryl said to Maurice, "Out of all of the seasons I’ve been on the show, you’ve been the hardest working partner I’ve ever had." During their farewell dance, Maurice brought his daughter out of the audience and onto the dance floor.
Here’s a couple of quick notes on Dancing with the Stars before I head off to do Veterans Day-type stuff.
Kym Johnson did a nice job last night covering up a shoulder injury she suffered over the weekend.
Entertainment Tonight got the couples to talk about their strategies for the semi-finals. If they survive the vote tonight, Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke will dance the Tango and Jitterbug next week.
Even though Derek Hough has been leading the pack with celebrity partner Brooke Burke all season, he told OK! that victory is not guaranteed: "There’s only been one occasion where the best dancer has won and that was last year [with Kristi Yamaguchi]. Other than that, it’s always been the best personality that has won." I think you’re on to something, Derek. (Though I will say that, even if Drew Lachey wasn’t the best dancer of Season 2, he definitely earned his win with the best performances in the final week.)
Even with the pressure of two individual dances this week, Brooke & Derek managed some impressive scores and held on to the top spot on Dancing with the Stars 7.
Ballroom Round
Cody Linley & Edyta Sliwinska — Fox Trot
Edyta’s dress looked like a costume designer’s idea of a ballgown from the future. Of the dancing, Len Goodman said, "I was pleasantly surprised." Bruno Tonioli told Cody the routine was "your most grown-up performance to date." Carrie Ann docked them a point for a lift, though she said she liked the performance.
Judges’ Scores: Carrie Ann…8, Len…8, Bruno…8 = 24/30
Brooke Burke & Derek Hough — Tango
I’m not sure why Brooke was wearing a belt under her dress instead of over it. Bruno told the couple, "You were in tune like two instruments that have played together forever." Carrie Ann told Brooke, "That is why you’re the last woman standing." Len said, "It was riddled with mistakes."
Judges’ Scores: Carrie Ann…10, Len…8, Bruno…10 = 28/30
Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke — Quickstep
The quickest thing about this performance was when Cheryl did a cartwheel at the end of the routine. Carrie Ann said, "Yeah! I loved it." Len said, "You flew round that floor." Bruno told Maurice, "You kept it going all the way through with aplomb."
Lance Bass & Lacey Schwimmer — Fox Trot
The daring duo kept things traditional this time. Len said, "You’re here on the wrong night. Extreme Makeover was yesterday." Bruno said, "I really, really enjoyed it." Carrie Ann told Lance, "You’re really animated out there."
Judges’ Scores: Carrie Ann…9, Len…8, Bruno…9 = 26/30
Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson — Tango
Warren wore a sparkly tux for the occasion. Bruno said, "Secret agent Warren Sapp is back. He’s big, and he does a mean Tango." Carrie Ann told Warren, "You make us all feel like we’re in the number." Len said, "You’re in it, now."
Judges’ Scores: Carrie Ann…10, Len…9, Bruno…9 = 28/30
Latin Round
Each star was required to dance a 15-second solo during this routine.
Cody Linley & Edyta Sliwinska — Mambo
Cody’s solo included a one-arm push-up and a leap onto the judges’ desk. Carrie Ann said, "It was a little erratic. But I know you were very excited." Len said, "Overall, I think you’ve done two good dances." Bruno said, "It went a little spasmodic at times." After the performance, Cody said that Julianne Hough will return to dance with him next week.
Judges’ Scores: Carrie Ann…8, Len…8, Bruno…8 = 24/30
Brooke Burke & Derek Hough — Mambo
Brooke’s solo featured some fast footwork and a wig that was as distracting as the belt from her first performance. Len said, "I thought that was a very ambitious performance." Bruno said the routine "could revive the dead. You’re a great dancer." Carrie Ann said, "At times your posture felt a little awkward."
Judges’ Scores: Carrie Ann…9, Len…9, Bruno…9 = 27/30
Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke — Paso Doble
Maurice twirled a cape for his solo. Bruno told Maurice, "You were twirling that cape like a wind turbine in a hurricane." Carrie Ann said, "Next week, I wanna see you bridge the gap between the stomping and the intensity and the gracefulness of the upper torso." Len said, "I thought you did a really good job. Well done."
Lance Bass & Lacey Schwimmer — Samba
Lance did a boy-band-style dance for his solo. Carrie Ann noted, "The Samba is one of the most difficult dances on the show." Len said, "I’m sure you’re going to be back because I think you’re very popular, but you must work on your footwork." Bruno said, "You did a very difficult Samba."
Judges’ Scores: Carrie Ann…8, Len…7, Bruno…9 = 24/30
Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson — Jive
Warren added some flair to traditional Jive moves for his solo. Len told Warren, "You come out, and it’s such a joyful thing to watch, except for your feet." Bruno told Warren, "You release such a contagious sense of fun that you can’t actually dissect the technique." Carrie Ann said, "I love that you did a Jive-inspired solo."
Judges’ Scores: Carrie Ann…9, Len…8, Bruno…9 = 26/30
Brooke & Derek have been the best couple for a long time, which makes voting for them this week even more important, lest they get Sabrina’d. I suspect Maurice & Cheryl will go home on Tuesday night, since I suspect fans will want to give Cody one last chance to dance with Julianne.
Kym Johnson told People that she thinks she and Warren Sapp can win Dancing with the Stars 7 if they keep having fun on the dancefloor, though she may have to use a few perennial pro tricks as well.
Tuesday night’s DwtS Results Show will feature a vocal performance by Julianne Hough that she recorded before leaving the show to have surgery.
I agree with Reality Blurred’s Andy Dehnart that last night’s Holi Roadblock on The Amazing Race was one of the best challenges ever, particularly because of Kelly’s self-inflicted misery.
The latest Survivor voted out of Gabon, Marcus, did interviews with Reality Blurred and People.
Since it’s a light news days, I’ll share with you a clip from the new Hindi movie that came out on Friday, EMI. It’s a dance number inspired by Saturday Night Fever. John Travolta’s got nothing on Arjun Rampal:
Last night’s episode of Survivor: Gabon was a doozy. Host Jeff Probst blogged about the episode for EW, and CBS’s website posted the first Ponderosa video of the season, which contained this quote about production’s efforts to conceal the ousted contestants’ identities as they drive through town: "They wrap you up in this cloak like you’re Frodo Baggins."
Catching up on some reports from the set of Dancing with the Stars, People posted an article about What You Didn’t See at Wednesday night’s show. Kim Kardashian blogged about what it was like to experience the show from the audience.
Lance Bass told OK! that he and Lacey Schwimmer will dance a Fox Trot and Samba next week on DwtS. And Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson interviewed each other for Entertainment Tonight.
People got the scoop on this season’s new permanent Top Chef judge, Toby Young, from Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio.
After being eliminated from Dancing with the Stars 7 last night, Susan Lucci spoke with Access Hollywood, E!, OK! and Us. Susan told TV Guide that, if she had to do it over again, "I probably would have asked for a leave of absence from All My Children."
In a post-show video interview with ET, Cody Linley revealed that he and substitute partner Edyta Sliwinska will dance the Fox Trot and Mambo next week. Cody’s original partner, Julianne Hough, "should be able to dance again in about a week," her doctor told People.
The cast and dates for the Dancing with the Stars Tour have been revealed. The lineup includes celebrities Lance Bass, Toni Braxton, Maurice Greene and Marlee Matlin and pro dancers Fabien Sanchez, Mark Ballas, Derek Hough, Kym Johnson, Lacey Schwimmer, Edyta Sliwinska, Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Maks told People he’s excited to take part in his first DwtS Tour: "I didn’t see the other tours but I guarantee that what we will do will not be redundant."
In other TV news, now that the election is over, cable news networks have to rework many of their nightly shows. ABC led all networks in number of viewers on election night, followed by CNN.
There’s no need to watch Celebrity Apprentice 2 now that Joan Rivers spoiled the finale on Howard Stern’s radio show.
But I have every intention of skipping A&E’s Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design. You know a network has run out of ideas when they start turning former pro football players into interior designers.
As this week’s Dancing with the Stars 7 Results Show began, host Tom Bergeron asked, "Are we in for a shock tonight?" We weren’t.
The program began with an encore of Monday night’s high-scoring Team Paso Doble. Even though they didn’t perform, the losing Team Cha Cha still had to wear their matching orange outfits.
Musical guest Lionel Richie was up next, singing his new song "Good Morning." It’s no "Hello," but getting to see Alec Mazo & Edyta Sliwinska dance made the song bearable.
Then Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke became the first couple to learn that they’ll be back to dance again next week.
Following the announcement, popular mid-season bit DanceCenter returned, featuring former contestants Kenny Mayne and Jerry Rice and judge Len Goodman. In the first segment, they discussed the relative merits of Warren Sapp, Susan Lucci and Maurice Greene.
DanceCenter was interrupted by a magic-themed Macy’s Stars of Dance performance, choreographed by Dave Scott.
Then DanceCenter was back, covering Lance Bass, Brooke Burke and Cody Linley. The segment ended with Len giving Kenny an awkward Tango lesson.
After DanceCenter, the other members of Team Paso Doble, Brooke & Derek and Warren & Kym, were told that they were safe.
Lionel Richie returned to perform his hit "Dancing on the Ceiling," accompanied by DwtS pros Kym Johnson, Cheryl Burke, Tony Dovolani and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who got a buzz cut for the occasion.
After a video segment in which the stars discussed what parts of the show they find challenging and which are easy, Lance & Lacey learned that they were safe. Cody & Edyta got a reprieve as well, as Susan & Tony were eliminated.
In the grand tradition of Cloris Leachman, Susan grabbed on to Samantha Harris’s microphone to say her farewells, leaving Samantha looking bewildered and unwilling to release her grip on the mic. If only I’d known you had such an affinity for irritating Samantha, Susan, I might’ve voted for you.
Tom and Samantha announced that next week’s competition will feature both a Ballroom Round and a Latin Round. During the Latin Round, each celebrity will have to dance a portion of their routine solo.
I’m not sure I like the sound of that. I’m happiest when the show focuses on the partnership between the star and the pro dancer. To paraphrase Len, I could do without all this messin’ about with the team dances and group dances and solo dances.
Here’s a short, post-Election Day Ox Notes. I need to recover after being exposed to CNN’s creepy new holograph technology last night.
Dancing with the Stars pro Julianne Hough told E! that she hopes going public about her struggle with endometriosis will encourage other women to seek timely medical help: "I think it can help other girls who ignore pain."
Catching up on news from Monday night’s DwtS Performance Show, Access Hollywood and People filed backstage reports from the set. And Kim Kardashian gave the judges a piece of her mind in her MSN blog.
ABC is working on a new reality competition from producers Ashton Kutcher and Tyra Banks called True Beauty. It’s scheduled to follow The Bachelor when that show returns this winter.
The lawsuits between Bravo and The Weinstein Company keep coming. The Weinsteins want a judge to allow Lifetime to broadcast Project Runway 6 as planned, since it was only after the network was barred from doing so that Bravo announced its intention to air the new reality competition show Fashion House.
TV Guide and OK! Magazine interviewed the cast of Dancing with the Stars 7 after last night’s Performance Show, and ET has video of the partners interviewing one another.
DwtS pro Derek Hough spoke with OK! about his sister Julianne’s recovery after having her appendix removed: "I don’t think she’ll be back to dance next week."
Before the couples took the floor last night, Lance Bass wrote about Cody Linley and Edyta Sliwinska, who’s filling in for Julianne: "It’s going to be funny to see this little teenager dance with this sex goddess."
Surprise, surprise. The Bachelorette‘s DeAnna Pappas broke up with her chosen beau, Jesse Csincsak.
FOX is working on a reality show called Secret Millionaire, in which rich folks go undercover to work blue-collar jobs in some of the most impoverished parts of the United States. The show debuts on December 3.
After you’ve voted — and subsequently gorged on free coffee, ice cream and donuts — get ready to settle in for a long night of election coverage. TV Guide has a list of what each network, including PBS and Comedy Central, has planned for the night. Happy Election Day!
My Ox Is Broken 