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Welcome to the WABC's "The Mirror Ball: Dancing with the Stars" blog. This blog is written by Jennifer Matarese, a loyal viewer of "Dancing with the Stars" and a WABC employee. This season we'll watch the stars struggle to become pro dancers and compete for the mirror ball trophy! I look forward to hearing all of your opinions on who you think should win! 05/08/2012 Down to the Final Four
The stage is set for the final four and the semi-final round of Dancing With The Stars Season 14.
In something of a shocker, Disney star Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower got the boot in the first half of the double elimination results show. Fegan and Hightower scored high on the judges' scorecards, but apparently not on the audience scorecards.
"I am happy to add ballroom dancing to my superduper dance moves," Fegan said.
(Courtesy ABC-TV)
The second couple to exit was not a surprise as Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy also got the boot. They were the lowest scoring couple in Monday's ballroom dance and threesomes, despite winning praise from the judges for giving their best performance of the season.
Gilbert, who celebrated her 48th birthday today, said, "It's been a real blessing and a joy." She also praised Maks as an incredible teacher and friend.
(Courtesy ABC-TV)
The results show also featured Chris Brown and an American Bandstand tribute to Dick Clark, who died last month.
The four remaining stars going into next week's semi-finals are Donald Driver, Maria Menounos, William Levy and Katherine Jenkins. Be sure to tune in Monday night at 8:00 on ABC 7!
Technorati Tags:dancing with the stars, Donald Driver, Katherine Jenkins, Maria Menounos, Melissa Gilbert, Roshon Fegan, William Levy Posted by WABC on May 8, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (0) 05/07/2012 Another perfect night for one coupleA double dance night ahead of a double elimination night on Tuesday featured the second perfect score of the season and some disappointing scores for others. The couples danced either a fox trot or a Viennese waltz to open the show, then each celebrity had to perform as part of a trio for the second dance.
William Levy earned a perfect score in his first dance of the night with Cheryl Burke. The couple finished with a 57, the highest of the night.
The audience seemed to love Donald Driver and partner Peta Murgatroyd in their tango and in their second dance, a jive with Karina Smirnov. The judges awarded them a 27 and a 28 respectively for a second place tie at 56.
Roshon Fegan was compared to a young Mickey Rooney in his opening fox trot with Chelsie Hightower. They picked up a pair of 10s, but Len short-changed them for perfection with a 9. They also finished with a 56.
Not far behind is Katherine Jenkins and USA TODAY blogger Mark Ballas. Their opening dance scored only a 26, but they bounced back with a solid 29 in the threesomes, Katherine dancing a cha cha with Mark and Tristan MacManus.
Maria Menounos performed a romantic Viennese waltz with Derek Hough, and came off the dance floor with tears in her eyes. They scored a 28, but then faltered in the threesomes with Henry Byalikov in a Bollywood-themed Samba. Len said if he was scoring Bollywood, it would be a ten, but where was the Samba? They ended up with a 53.
Melissa Gilbert finds herself at the bottom of the pile again, despite giving what the judges described as her best performances of the season so far. She ended up with a 51. The rehearsal video with Maksim Chmerkovskiy seemed very tense, at one point telling Melissa, "You are making me look like a terrorist!" Yikes!
On Tuesday night, the two lowest scoring contestants will be eliminated, setting the stage for the semi-finals next week.
The final show airs on May 22nd.
Technorati Tags:chelsie hightower, cheryl burke, dancing with the stars, derek hough, donald driver, karina smirnov, katherine jenkins, maksim chmerkovskiy, maria menounos, mark ballas, melissa gilbert, peta murgatroyd, roshon fegan, william levy Posted by WABC on May 7, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (0) 05/06/2012 Dancers Get Ready for a Ballroom Dance and the TrioThere will be two rounds of competitive dance performances on Monday - a ballroom dance and the Trio dance. Both dances will be a style that the dancers have not performed yet. The Trio dance is a Dancing with the Stars first, and will allow each couple to add an extra professional dancer to their routine. The judges will be paying special attention to how well the celebrity is showcased in the performance with the extra dancer added to the mix.
On Tuesday night, Grammy Award winner Chris Brown will be performing his hit song, “Turn up the Music,” which is the first single off of his new album, “Fortune”.
Also on Tuesday, Dmitry Chaplin and Anya Garnis will perform a routine from the “Dancing with the Stars Live in Las Vegas Show” to “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”
“Macy’s Stars of Dance” will be an American Bandstand tribute to the Dick Clark, and will feature a huge dance number with Karina Smirnoff, Tony Dovolani and the Troupe. The performance pay homage to four decades of American Bandstand, and many of the original “Bandstand” regulars will be in the audience.
At the end of the night on Tuesday, one couple will be eliminated, as determined by a combination of the judges’ scores and viewers’ votes on dances performed on Monday’s performance show. who among the six couples will be voted out of the ballroom?
Technorati Tags:american bandstand, ballroom dance, chris brown, dancing with the stars, dick clark, trio dance Posted by WABC on May 6, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (0) 05/01/2012 Cruel Dance Duel Sends a Fan Favorite HomeLen Goodman started off the show by announcing that the judge’s choice for the dance they would like to see again was Maria and Derek’s Paso Doble. They brought great fire and passion to the dance just as they did last night! Interestingly enough, this time at the end of the dance Maria died instead of Derek. Alternate ending, pretty cool.
Katherine & Mark, Donald & Peta, and William & Cheryl were first up to learn if they were safe or in jeopardy to dance the dance duel. The first couple safe was William & Cheryl. Donald & Peta were also safe. And, why not make it three for three; Katherine & Mark were also safe! Those other couples back stage must be pretty nervous now!
It’s Classical Night on “Dancing With the Stars” and this is the very week last year where we were first introduced to Katherine Jenkins. Now, instead of just being a guest performer, she’s a contestant.
The show opened with a stunning performance by a world class violinist Joshua Bell. It was just amazing, and the Dance Troupe did an amazing job dancing to it. This genre of music is a lot harder to dance to because there’s no distinctive beat; you just have to go by the count in the music.
Up first with a Rumba, is Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas dancing to Cannon in D. This is going to be interesting, it’s a sensuous dance that you normally wouldn’t think of doing to classical music. Right off the bat, I think they took a little too long to get into the dance by Mark making a huge production of him taking off his shirt. Len probably won’t like that. However, it was really full of grace and beautiful lines from Katherine. It was a slower Rumba, but it did have a lot of complicated holds, so we’ll see what the judges think about that. The crowd sure loved it! Len appreciated that they kept it elegant and he liked that Katherine stayed on time. He did mention him taking his top off! I knew it! Bruno said that she was the embodiment of the power of beauty. Bruno said that he would have liked to see the dance a little raunchier, but technically thought it was superb. Carrie Ann said that she is unmatched in the competition.
Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, and Bruno – 9, for a total of 27 out of 30.
Continue reading "Classical Night Brings the First Perfect Score of the Season!" » Technorati Tags:dancing with the stars, donald driver, jackie evancho, jaleel white, katherine jenkins, maria menounos, melissa gilbert, roshon fegan, william levy Posted by WABC on April 30, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (1) Meet Katherine JenkinsShe was a virtual unknown when the season began, but thanks to Dancing With The Stars, Katherine Jenkins is slowly becoming a household name. Each week, millions are rooting for the Welsh opera singer. Eyewitness News Reporter Kemberly Richardson had a chance to talk to the woman who some are calling her America's new sweetheart.
Technorati Tags:Dancing With The Stars, Katherine Jenkins Posted by WABC on April 30, 2012 in Celebrity Dancers, Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (0) Dancers square off on 'Classical Night'
Monday's "Dancing with the Stars," themed Classical Night, opens with a stunning live performance from classical music superstar Joshua Bell, who will be performing "Vivaldi's Summer," accompanied by the Troupe.
Other special musical artists joining the evening are soprano prodigy Jackie Evancho and world renowned Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo, who will grace the stage, accompanying dance performances throughout the evening.
Evancho will be performing "Dark Waltz" during a pro dance performance with Tristan MacManus and Karina Smirnoff. The seven remaining couples will compete to famous pieces of classical music and return to the ballroom floor later in the night for their always entertaining Team Dances.
Team Paso's Melissa and Maks, William and Cheryl and Donald and Peta battle Team Tango's Katherine and Mark, Maria and Derek, Roshon and Chelsie and Jaleel and Kym during Monday night’s show.
Earlier this season, he charmed audiences as we watched him Samba and Foxtrot, but on Tuesday night, Gavin DeGraw returns to the ballroom as a special musical guest. He will be performing his new hit single "Sweeter," accompanied by Karina Smirnoff and Louis Van Amstel.
And the final Dance Duel will be held this week, with the bottom two couples performing the Rumba, to the same song at the same time as the judges decide who will be the next eliminated couple.
Tuesday night not only brings back DeGraw and eliminates one more couple, it also brings us "Dancing with the Stars: Ballroom Battle." This competition features six pro dancers who paired together and held auditions for amateur couples throughout America. One couple was selected to represent each pro-dancer team in a head-to-head Ballroom Battle. On Tuesday, the three winning couples with their coaches – Cheryl Burke, Tony Dovolani and Louis Van Amstel – will compete in a live finale on stage. Each couple will perform a no-holds-barred Jive and the judges will name the Ballroom Battle champions.
Also, during Tuesday night’s show, there will be an "AT&T's Spotlight" performance by Richard "Steelo" Vazquez, who will perform with the Groovaloos for a very exciting and uplifting performance. "Steelo" was one of the top B-boy dancers working in music, film and television and a member of the popular dance group The Groovaloos. Sadly, in 2011 he suffered a brain aneurysm which resulted in him losing his ability to speak and walk. He spent six months in the hospital and now goes to physical rehabilitation five days a week, seven hours a day. On Tuesday, Steelo will reunite with the Groovaloos for the first time since his aneurysm.
Although he isn't back to full strength, this performance will be a testament to the perseverance he, his family and friends have shown despite all odds being against them.
By Tuesday evening’s end, one couple will be eliminated, as determined by a combination of the judges’ scores and viewers’ votes on dances performed on Monday’s performance show. Who among the seven couples will be the next to leave the ballroom?
Posted by WABC on April 30, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) 04/24/2012 It Comes Down to Youth vs. Experience in Motown Week's 'Dance Duel'The dance troupe kicked things off with a dance medley to some Motown hits. I really liked how they used the whole ballroom and showed off Louis Van Amstel’s awesome choreography.
William & Cheryl, Maria & Derek, Jaleel & Kym, and Melissa & Maks were all up first to find out if they were safe or in jeopardy. The first couple safe was Jaleel & Kym! Yay! I really like them. The first couple in jeopardy was Maria & Derek, I am shocked! William & Cheryl found out they were safe and Melissa & Maks also found out they were in jeopardy. We’ll find out later if either of the couples in jeopardy are actually in the bottom two and if they will have to face off in the dance duel.
The show started right off the bat this week with a performance by legend Smokey Robinson. The Troupe members did a great job dancing to “Tracks of My Tears” and then out of nowhere, Martha Reeves started singing “Dancing in the Street”. If that wasn’t enough, “The Temptations” come out with “Get Ready” and then the party was really started! It’s Motown Week on “Dancing With the Stars”!
Something weird happened during the intro and they didn’t show Donald and Peta. Instead they showed a trumpet player. Where’s Donald? After watching it back, they were there, and it looks like it was a camera mistake. They were standing there in the lineup at the end of the stair walk downs so I guess it was just a mistake. It is after all live TV! Jaleel and Kym look like a prince and princess I must say! Then they revealed the band and they will be accompanying the Motown legends all night long.
Continue reading "Motown Dance Marathon Shakes Things Up on 'Dancing With the Stars'" » Technorati Tags:dancing with the stars, martha reeves, motown, motown week, smokey robinson, the temptations Posted by WABC on April 23, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (0) Motown Week on 'Dancing With the Stars'
On this week's "Dancing with the Stars", it's Motown Week! It's going to be full of legends like Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and Martha Reeves. The legends will actually kick off the show tonight, performing an unforgettable live Motown medley accompanied by the Dance Troupe. For the first time ever, each artist will perform with the talented "DWTS" band and musical director Harold Wheeler before each of the remaining eight couples begin their competitive dance.
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