'Dancing With The Stars': Elvis Has Left The Building
Or maybe Elvis just summoned Priscilla back to the crypt. Not particularly sure. But it was time for Plastic Barbie (if that' s not redundant) to go home, and America clearly agreed.
Not a lot of drama in this one, save for the competition between the little Julianne wannabes. A pint-sized 8-year-old named Cara -- whom Bruno declares to be a pint-sized 8-year-old Bruno and just one of the "cutest little Gremlins" -- takes the score, along with the hip-action 10-year-old boy toy Jaryd.
Did anyone else notice that while, as always, the safe contestants are revealed "in no particular order," that the order came down straight from the judges' leaderboard: Kristi (29), Jason (27), Mario (27), Marissa (24), Shannon (23) and Marlee (22).
The only aberration is Cristian (23) joining Priscilla in the bottom two. Alas, Cristian's presence in the bottom two is announced at the top of the show, knocking out pretty much any suspense.
Cristian is an interesting case -- he's up and down with his dancing, and he's generally charismatic, but does he have any kind of real public voting bloc? Do viewers really know him? Helio Castroneves (last season's winner) is also South American, but the man is a race car driver, which puts him smack on the radar screens of a lot of North American driving fans (and, oh yeah, he was a better dancer). Cristian's guest -role work on "Ugly Betty"? Not in the same league. So, yes, I think he's got trouble ahead. He has to dance his way in every week now, no mistakes.
Meanwhile, there is a strong suspicion on this end that Bubbles Jaret Winokur is probably raking in the audience votes. And Shannon (who looks on the verge of tears as she awaits the results, the little corners of her mouth turning down) has two things on her side. Partner Derek is fan-popular, and Derek and Shannon have the closest thing to a closet romance this season, so there's a whole other storyline to keep viewers interested.
When Priscilla gets the ax, she seems sad, although it seems difficult for her face to keep up with her emotions. The most hilariously pathetic moment of the night, though, comes when she explains that people should stop calling her management company trying to get a number for her psychic hotline. Uh, duh people, how could that April Fools' segment slide over anyone's head?
-- JENNIFER FREY
Jennifer Frey
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April 16, 2008; 8:45 AM ET
Dancing With the Stars
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Posted by: Dancing Mom | April 16, 2008 1:03 PM
Hey Jennifer, if age, and her last name is what bothers you the most about Priscilla having been kept in the competition longer than she should have, why the headline? It doesn't make any sense at all. You can't have your cake, eat it, then wander why the cake is still there. And the cake (Elvis), will always be there, long as he's being mentioned, and referenced, on and on and on
Posted by: Jiim Burrows | April 16, 2008 1:44 PM
Hey, Dancing Mom, don't forget Steeler Hall of Famer Lynn Swann (turned announcer), who took ballet classes to help improve his football playing. I believe he's still on the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater's Board of Directors.
Posted by: In da 'Burgh | April 16, 2008 2:50 PM
In da 'burgh, Thanks for reminder of Lynn Swann. Great example. Great dancer and one of football's greatest in every way. I remember watching him play college ball even before his NFL career. Stunningly graceful and memorable even after all of these years. I was thrilled when he was on DWTS.
Posted by: Dancing Mom | April 16, 2008 6:14 PM
Dancing Mom -
The sign language interpreter with Marlee Matlin isn't provided by DWTS. His name is Jack Jason, and he goes everywhere with her. He started working with her shortly after she made "Children of a Lesser God" and in addition to being her interpreter, he's also her business partner.
Posted by: Marleefan | April 17, 2008 5:39 PM
we have to disagree with you regarding cristian, we don't think he has ANY personality or charisma-he's BLAH and so is burke...we think her reputation has alot to do with losing so many fans. we think that louis was not putting in his full potential, but we don't care for his style anyway. He appears to be like a robot, an empty shell. of course as asians we are voting for KRISTI for her dancing, integrity, and decency...she has it ALL!
Posted by: S.F.FILIPINOS | April 17, 2008 10:41 PM
HEY JENNIFER DONT BE SO MEAN ABOUT PRISILLAS FACE, SHE WAS VERY UNLUCKY AND GOT THIS M.D. WHO BOTCHED UP HER SURGERY. TRY BEING KIND FOR A CHANGE. HOW ABOUT GIVING US YOUR OPINION OF MARISA!!!!!
Posted by: mvl | April 19, 2008 2:09 AM
i think priscilla looks real good for her age and should not have been voted off
Posted by: ditty | April 23, 2008 5:38 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Hey Jennifer, I wish you were in the print version of Style. I have always enjoyed your comments.
I am relieved Priscilla is gone. Her face and personality were downright scary. I also think she always received far higher scores than she deserved. I think her age and name clouded the judges thinking. At least she was properly ranked in last place, which secured her departure.
I think Marissa is this season's Marie Osmond. Great personality and is by far a much better dancer than Marie was. However, I hope she goes home sooner than did Marie, who should never have been in top 3.
I like Shannon, and think she has improved a great deal, but its Derek who will be keeping her in for awhile, esp. with Julianne now gone. He is by far the most likable/attractive of male pros, and clearly has a base. Also, they have chemistry as a couple.
I think Marlee is better than her scores. After Kristi (who is on another plain), Marlee is the most naturally graceful of the women. IMHO, she is quite beautiful and has a fabulous personality - why can't they find a woman sign-translator - its jarring hearing a male.
Christian is adorable - good dancer, strong potential and a delightful, self-effacing humor. He reminds me of Cameron Mathison from last season who won me over with his personality - not just another pretty face.
But he lacks a fan base, and Cheryl's may not be enough. He did post second lowest scores, which may have put him in Bottom 2. Unlike American Idol, judges scores between close contenders will make the difference. If you look at any polls, most of DWTS contestants are close in votes except Krist and Jason who lead the pack - no surprise.
Jason is amazing. He would make a great ambassador for ballroom dancing (when he's not churning up the football field). I'm happy to see Mario working hard - very talented and also could be an ambassador. Dance needs more strong male role models - and these guys have the "It" factor along with talent.
Btw, I have studied dance (ballet/jazz/tap) over many years as an adult student at a local dance school. One of the Redskins took ballet classes there as part of his off-season training. He would also speak to the young boy classes about the value of dance. Patrick Swayze also played football when not being trained at his mom's ballet studio. It's nice to see the athletic/dance
crossover.