Dancing With The Stars Season 10 - Night 1

I am not going to lie. I have been more excited about this season of Dancing with the Stars than any other season and opening night did not disappoint. I also knew that it was going to be a good season for my husband when he saw Erin Andrews in her little yellow dress and Edyta in her furry coat. The first thing he said was, "That is not staying on long." He was hooked, I was getting to watch it on the big television and everything was good.

Before I get to the contestants, I have to say that Brooke Burke was good. She is much better than Samantha (although I still had to be tortured by Samantha when watching Entertainment Tonight right before it). She seemed very natural and asked a lot of good questions. I was impressed and I think Andrew liked her dress (it accented the right parts on her). I also liked the new set and the interview room area. Reagan, who loves the show, commented about how it was a new room and that she liked the colors better than the old yellow and red set (how did she even remember that?). I did not like when they revealed the scores and had the judges marks on the side. We can see what they gave them since they are still holding up the paddles, but that is a minor thing.

First up was Chad Ochocinco and Cheryl. Tough spot to be in leading off the season, but he did well. He has potential and can definitely move his hips. I was disappointed because he was so calm and reserved last night, not the Chad Ochocinco that I love from the NFL who is a marketing machine, but hopefully that will come with time. They were good and the three 6s were good opening marks.

Next up was Shannen Doherty. Poor girl. She had hives because she was so nervous and was all swollen, but I commend her for getting out there not looking all that great. She struggled and I am afraid might be the first to go tonight. Mark Ballas couldn't even make her look that good.

Finally for Andrew, Maks and Erin Andrews hit the floor. She used to be on the dance team at the University of Florida before she went to work at ESPN. She was good for her first time out there. She has potential. She is like Natalie Coughlan was last year. Has the potential for gorgeous lines and is tall and flexible. I am not so sure about her sunshine dress from last night as Reagan called it, but Andrew liked it. I am also not so sure how this is going to add any credibility to her career as a sports reporter, let alone one that was just stalked by someone who put a camera in the peephole of her hotel room. I probably would have stayed low for a while, but she seemed to be having fun. I am sure Christine Brennan had a few choice comments before, during and after the show about her (and probably rightly so).

Buzz Aldrin was cute, but he looked 80 years old. I wish they would stop putting these older people in these kind of uncomfortable positions. Anyway, he was terrible and I couldn't bear to watch. He was counting the whole time and his partner had to tell him where to go. It was painful. He will never get voted off though because the first thing I saw on my Facebook account was that all my friends voted for him. Ugh.

Niecy Nash was much better than I thought she would be. She has a great personality and was a breath of fresh air. I hope she stays, although she is probably one the least known celebrities so I am not sure how long she will stay around.

Johnny Weir's rival Evan Lysacek was next (I love Johnny Weir and probably will refer to him a lot in this blog - you should watch his show Being Johnny Weir on Sundance Channel or In Demand Monday nights - it is a classic, must watch). Anyway...I also love Evan and he did not disappoint. He was the second best dancer last night and was really good. His skating training definitely came in handy as he had beautiful arms and extension all night. He will be one of the two finalists for sure. Hopefully Nastia will be there with him next week.

The Pussycat Doll girl (Nicole) was awesome and should win the whole thing. She was like Mya from last season - so far ahead of everyone else that it is not fair. She was just gorgeous and it also helps having the best partner and choreographer of the group as your other half. She will do well if people vote just on her dancing. She might not be as popular as the other stars, but she will go far.

Jake the Bachelor was OK. He annoys me. I think he is so hokey and he almost started crying last night which really bothered me. I know ABC is making him be that way to keep up with his Bachelor persona, but really...I am not sure how long he will last, especially if they keep showing Vienna. As Andrew said last night, he is a big star now and he should upgrade to Chelsea.

OK...Kate Gosselin was terrible. She looked so uncoordinated and she was frosty cold. She looked scared to death and was just awful. She really should be the first to go, but I am sure she has it in her contract that she has to stay for a certain number of shows. Her long hair is ugly as well. I really do not have a lot of positive things to say about her, so I think I will stop now.

Aidan and Edyta were not so good. Why do they always put Edyta with the loser partners? You would think they would want her around just so the male audience stays put. After she lost her coat (in the first 10 seconds) as Andrew predicted, her outfit was amazing. She is such a good dancer and she just gets the worst partners. He might be one of the early exits this season as well.

Then, what was possibly the talking point of the night - Pamela Anderson. The whole night she was acting like this sex kitten. I know...what did I expect, but really? Every time they showed her, she was acting like a diva from a porn movie (are porn stars really divas?). Then when she danced, she basically used her partner as a stripper pole and just danced around him (not that I would not have enjoyed being in her shoes...he is a nice addition to the show this year). She was much better than I thought she would be, but she was defintely Stripperella as Bruno described her. (Another weird thing...I do not understand how Bruno got so turned on by her, but I digress. I expected him to be more excited about Evan Lysacek.) And her hair...she was definitely a great way to end the show because people will be talking about her for a long time. Go to You Tube to see her dance if you have not already.

Opening night was really great. There is a lot of talent out there and lots of potential. It is hard to predict the order of finish this year. Len was really hard on the dancers for it being opening night, but I think he saw that they have a really talented pool this year. It is going to be an awesome season.

Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom

p.s. - only 8 weeks to go until the arrival of the newest Dancing With The Stars fan. I am actually due the Thursday before the finale so let's hope I am not late. :)

Dancing With The Stars 2010

Finally...the Dancing With The Stars 2010 cast was announced, and I have to say, I am thrilled with who is participating minus Kate Gosselin. Is it just me or does anyone like her new long hair? I actually thought her short hair was really cute and it was her signature statement. Now...she is just like everyone else and does not standout at all...or maybe that can be attributed to overexposure to the nth degree - and for what - having a ton of kids? On the other hand...she needs to feed her family (OK Latrell Sprewell) and that deadbeat, loser ex-husband of hers will be of no help to any of them down the road so she might as well take advantage of her 15 seconds of fame...which keeps dragging itself out. OK...enough about her...let's get to the highlights of the season.

You have to start with Evan Lysacek and Ochocinco! Fresh off of winning the gold medal, Evan Lysacek is an awesome choice, although Johnny Weir would have been just as good if not better (if you have not seen Being Johnny Weir on the Sundance Channel, you have to check it out - he is one interesting character and has so much charisma). Evan supposedly has a work ethic like no one has seen before and he stirves to be the best in whatever he does - hence the gold medal this year even though Evgeni Plushenko is a way better skater. I am sure he has the dancing moves and will follow in line with Kristi Yamaguchi from years past. Let's be honest though ... the best thing about Evan is that he is hot and he is dating Nastia Liukin - who was Shawn Johnson's arch enemy in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Nastia comes across as being a royal #$^%*%, but I still love her. Nastia and nasty girl Vienna might make great friends as the show progresses this season. BTW...Evan will win.

Next up is Ochocinco. He is classic. Talk about a great marketing mind. This guy knows how to market himself in every way possible. His dynamic personality will probably carry him a ways this season. It also helps that he is partnered with Cheryl who is the best dancer left on the cast now that Julianne and Karina are gone (sorry Edyta). I cannot wait to see what he does every week. He will have people talking about his antics just like he does during the NFL season. Great choice and great PR move for the franchise known as Ochocinco or whatever the translation is in Chinese or Japanese since that is the next move for him (absolutely brilliant by the way)!

I also have to thank the show for signing Erin Andrews...not for me, but for Andrew. And I have it twice as nice this year since Edyta is back (although I think she will be gone early again). At least with Erin on the show...that should allow me to have the hi-def TV for a few weeks longer. I do have to say though...I am questioning this move from a professional standpoint for Erin. Here she was just photographed by some creepy stalker and she is really fighting for professional credibility at this point and not just being another pretty face and she signs up for this? I am sure the costumes (or lack thereof) will not help her professional credibility and Christine Brennan probably has her first four columns calling this into question written already. She is a good dancer I would guess as she was a cheerleader at Florida (Urban Meyer will be her number 1 fan and use it as a recruiting advantage in some way, shape or most likely form ... oh wait he is on leave...right?????). I am just glad she is on the show so Andrew does not take the TV away from me...oh and she is with Maks! Hot!

The other people on the show are OK. Here is a breakdown of them...

Derek and the Pussycat Doll girl - They will be really good. She will not wear many clothes. Michael Phelps is guaranteed to make an appearance since I think he was dating her or one of the other Dolls. They have a guaranteed musical guest during the season. And for some reason, people like Derek - he is the most annoying male dancer to me, but he is good.

Buzz Aldrin - He looks old. I cannot imagine he will be good, but good for him for getting out there.

Shannon Doherty - Hopefully she will do better than her ex-husband. She better be a good dancer because she has no personality so I think her stay will be short even though she is with Mark Ballas.

Niecy someone - She will not go far.

Kate Gosselin - So annoying (see above). I am sure she has it in her contract that she has to make it to the finals. Say what you want about her, she is a smart business woman and can be shrewd. She will be on a for a long time and I am sure those eight kids will be in the ballroom each week in their free and matching gowns and tuxedos. Whatever. I need to have eight kids at once and see how I can live off of my kids and everyone else.

Edyta and her partner - I do not watch All My Children. This guy looks hot. Maybe another Gilles Marini.

Bachelor Jake...I am guessing that people are so mad about him choosing Vienna that he will not last long. The bigger question is how many times will he cry during the season. I am going to say at least 3 times. He is good looking, but what a baby and he was so fake. I did not watch the Bachelor this season until the final episode, but to say that he was in love with 2 women in the morning and then cry like he did when he let Tenley go...and then be so sure with Vienna. He is good actor. He should have stopped being a pilot long ago. But he is no Melissa and lost his likeability factor in the final rose so his stay will be short and he can go back to his "adventureous life" with Vienna.

Finally, how did I forget Pamela Anderson? She will be another reason that Andrew will want to watch longer. I am sure she will be very popular amongst the male crowd since I am sure she will not be wearing much - or at least that is what Andrew is counting on. I do have to say her partner, who is new to the show, is quite good looking so I wouldn't mind seeing him stick around. As long as she doesn't have to talk, she will do well.

Speaking of hoping they never have to talk...who will replace Samantha (a one of us)? Is it Melissa? I guess we will see. Samantha was so beautiful and her dresses each week were amazing, but she was so stupid and annoying. I am so glad she will not be on this year. Good luck on your journalism career. It is hard to be a journalist when you have to talk. Hmmmmm.

So there it is...my Dancing With the Stars preview for 2010. I will try and be better in updating this season. At least I am interested this year which is more than I can say for last year. Between this and Celebrity Apprentice and now Being Johnny Weir, my TV schedule is pretty full.

Oh...Reagan is good and I am plugging along - only 10 weeks to go until our newest arrival makes her appearance. Actually right during the Dancing With The Stars finale is the due date now. Hopefully she will take that into consideration and adjust her arrival accordingly.

Gotta "go, go, go,"

Reagan's mom