Fancast: Inside TV

Cameron Matheson was sent shuffling off the stage on last night’s show, and frankly after his strong first dance I thought the soap watching audience would keep him safe for another day. Helio, Mel B and Marie were the only safe couples, and when Jennie from the block and Cam Cam were the only two left I was convinced he would stay. The only thing that might have worked in Jennie’s favor was a stronger second dance, and if Cam had reversed the order of his Viennese Waltz and cha cha ch he might have been safe. Was it just me, or was Cameron sporting wood and making himself a nice little beige pup tent in his pants during the second song? Believe me, I like my soap stars sexy, but I don’t need to know their religion while they’re getting down.

It should be Jennie, Helio and Mel B in the top three, and although I like Marie and feel so sad for her loss I don’t think her dancing is up to par. If she can bring sheer magic in her upcoming dances she has a fantastic shot at continuing in the contest and solidifying her post talk show comeback. They never should have cancelled Donnie and Marie (the syndicated chat fest, not the Lawrence Welk impression) and with the outpouring of support Marie has received throughout this contest she should be armed to bring it full circle and find a new way to entertain her old fans.

It's the story gripping TV viewers across the country. Who will win this season's Dancing With The Stars? Well, maybe we're overstating the excitement, but only slightly. Television's top-rated program moves into its finals tonight with more than the usual intrigue. As Dallas Morning News media writer Tom Maurstad points out, this season has involved conspiracy theories (do producers want a female to win after a series of male champions), charges the show brings in ringers (Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan) and slags that it is nothing more than a popularity contest (duh). Make what you want of it, take what you want from it, the show is done well and this season has been full of the kind of real-life, off-camera drama that makes for gripping TV: co-host Samantha Harris gave birth at the start of the season, Jane Seymour learned her father had died, Marie Osmond fainted...and "Cheeter Girl" Bryan got booted sooner than conspiracy theorists expected. Going into tonight's finals, three couples are left:

1. Mel B. and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

2. Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough

3. Marie Osmond and Jonathan Roberts

Picking a favorite is a tough call. Osmond, the poorest dancer of the bunch, has the biggest fan base, or else why would she still be on the show? Mel B. is a Spice Girl, enjoying huge loyalty, plus she can dance. Helio has proved both charismatic and an excellent partner for Hough, who is the shows real star. The only sure bet is that the finals will be a ratings blowout. Last year's finale drew 23 million viewers.

Last night's Dancing With The Stars finale highlighted the hazards of letting voters put personality ahead of talent. We wanted perfection, and instead we got celebrity-powered TV that found most observers around the blogosphere feeling ho-hum if not admittedly disappointed at the lack of heat. Marie Osmond, looking as if she'd remade brother Donnie's old stage outfit from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (btw, that was the second musical from hitmakers Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice), just wasn't up to snuff, scoring a 46 out of 60 from the judge after a decidedly lackluster turn. The wattage was supplied by Mel. B and her partner, Mr. Hot Stuff Maksim Chmerkovskiy, whose cha-cha earned them a high score of 55 out of 60, continuing her steady one-two toward the championship. Competition from Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough, who freestyled to a 54 out of 60, seemed almost obligatory. But who knows. Two things to note: the real stars on this dazzling show are Hough and Chmerkovskiy, and tonight's episode brings back the entire cast of stars for one more turn on the dance floor.

New Dancing With The Stars champion Helio Castroneves has been busy since accepting his trophy Tuesday night. First he told Access Hollywood that he and fiancee Ali Vazquez had called off their engagement, then he hinted to Barbara Walters on the View that his Dancing partner Julianna Hough was going to teach Vazquez new moves for their wedding, and then he confirmed the engagement was off. Luckily the race car driver is used to going around in circles. And the truth? The engagement is off. "Ali’s a great person," Castroneves told Access Hollywood. "It’s a shame. The engagement has been off for one or two weeks. We’re still going to be friend." In a statement, Vazquez confirmed the split. "There's no animosity, there's nothing mean. Just a simple confirmation," Vazquez's publicist, Howard Bragman, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Almost immediately rumors flew spread that Castroneves had taken up with his comely dancer partner, Hough, who called of her own engagement to dancer Zach Wilson last May. The champ denied the two were a new couple, but added, "I will keep looking at her."

There's no question that video of Marie Osmond fainting on Dancing With The Stars will end up as one of the year's unofficial entertainment highlights. But it was cruel, cruel, and crueler when rumors flared earlier this week that Osmond, who earlier lost her father and put her 16-year-old son in rehab, had faked her fall. Questioned yesterday by Access Hollywood if it was true, Osmond, looking as seriously unamused as when she came to and reportedly muttered "Oh crap," said, “I’m sorry people feel that way. I wouldn’t have done that.”

Dancing With The Stars champ Julianne Hough, a winner two years running, is without a doubt TV's hottest star, a streaking comet who no doubt has a passel of Hollywood agents wearing out cell phone batteries as they field calls and angle for deals. Part Heather Locklear-part Kelly Pickler, she's #1 on Yahoo's search results, she signed a record contract with Universal Music Group Nasvhille and, according to CMT.com, will start recording in mid December, she's at the center of rumors swirling about the demise of her partner Helio Castroneves' engagement (she denied it to People magazine, saying, "Oh my gosh! No! I love Helio like he is my brother. We are the best of friends"), she reportedly received a "friendship" ring from Entourage's Kevin Connolly last year as he rebounded from his breakup with Nikki Hilton, there were whispers she was canoodling last season with her partner Apolo Anon Ohno (also denied), and she called off her own engagement to dancer and dental student Zach Wilson. With this clamorous media frenzy likely to blow up bigger than her long blond locks, we thought you should know the skinny on the 19-year-old breakout.

Birthdate: July 20, 1988

Family: She's one of five children, born to Mormon parents who met while on the ballroom dancing team at college in Idaho. Her uncle is former L.A. Dodger knuckleballer Charlie Hough.

Gotta Dance: At 9, she began dancing competitively, often partnered with her brother, Derek, three years older. They lived in London with their dance coaches, Latin Dance Champions Corky and Shirley Ballas. At 15, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, singing and dancing. She helped choreograph Gwen Stefani's "Wind It Up" video.

Single: Yes, she is single, but in terms of music, earlier this year she recorded a country single "Will You Dance With Me."

Quote: "It was more grueling this season because last season, people didn't know who I was," Julianne Hough told The Salt Lake Tribune just before Tuesday's rehearsal. "This season, Helio was great, and on top of the training hours, we were doing a lot more press and a lot less sleep."

Yes, word around the web is that Adam Carolla is the luckiest guy on the planet for being partnered with two-time champ Julianne Hough. But don't hate him. Watch previews of the new Dancing With The Stars season on Fancast. The competition begins March 17. Meet the cast, preview the action, and more.

Dancing With The Stars returns hotter, sexier, and steamier. Get in the mood with Fancast's DWTS tour de force slide show featuring more than 100 hot, sexy and steamy moments from the hit show. After the photos, watch Dancing videos previewing the new season.

"I'll be shaking," says Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor of his debut on Dancing With the Stars, which returns tonight on ABC. "I'm learning there are a few joints and muscles I didn't realize God gave me." Learn even more about the new season by watching Fancast's terrific DWTS preview videos. According to Sportsbook.com, two-time winner probably doesn't stand a chance at a three-peat, while former Olympic medalist Kristi Yamaguchi looks like a winner, with Mario and Shannon Elizabeth also in the running.

Odds To Win (Via Sportsbook.com)
Kristi Yamaguchi 7 - 4
Jason Taylor 3 - 1
Mario 7 - 2
Marissa Jaret Winokur 6 - 1
Shannon Elizabeth 6 - 1
Cristian de la Fuente 8 - 1
Monica Seles 8 - 1
Priscilla Presley 10 - 1
Marlee Matlin 15 - 1
Penn Jillette 15 - 1
Steve Guttenberg 20 - 1
Adam Carolla 30 - 1

As for a breakdown, CBS' showbiz buzz provided a good look at how everyone stacked up:

By Tracy Phillips
As Seen On TV
Comcast.net

Tom Bergeron, Samantha Harris and their host of exaggerations kicked off the sixth season of Dancing with the Stars with a two-night introduction that brought in over 20 million viewers. Now that we’ve seen everyone out on the dance floor, here’s a rundown of week 1's winners and snoozers:

The Ladies

Kristi Yamaguchi: The one to beat. Period.

Priscilla Presley: The biggest surprise. She seemed so nervous it made ME nervous, but she pulled down straight 8’s, something called a ‘death spiral’ and got a standing ovation. Elvis would be proud.

Shannon Elizabeth: The hot one. I will be referring to her from now on as ‘Legs.’ I also think she got a wee bit robbed by the judges. Or maybe I was so distracted by her nine miles of legs I didn’t notice any missteps.

Hunky Maksim Chmerkovskiy chose not to compete in this season's Dancing With The Stars. The LA Times postulates it was because "he was in truth too beautiful for this variety show." Can such a thing be possible on TV where 97% of the people on screen have careers because they are beautiful (we'll ignore the issue of talent)? Furthermore, why do DWTS fans still talk about the toned WWF diva Stacy Keibler, remember that Kelly Monaco took the title home season one, care that Drew Lachey may have done the horizontal mambo with Cheryl Burke, or bemoan the fact that two time winner and classic cutie Julianne Hough drew the impossibly bad Adam Carolla? "For an event in which imperfection is practically written into its DNA, [the shows} continued success is astonishing," says the Times. Then again, why not just accept DWTS as the best of the crop of dance shows -- sorry Randy Jackson. A much better use of time is to watch these DWTS videos on Fancast.

Attention Dancing With The Stars fans -- and particularly those who want to see as much of Julianne Hough as possible. Check out this video of Adam Carolla talking about how lucky he is to have been partnered with Hough. For contrast, watch Priscilla Presley discuss the challenges of dancing. Hey, does anyone think Presley resembles Mortitia Addams on the classic series The Addams Family? Watch The Addams Family here.

By Tracy Phillips
As Seen On TV
Comcast.net

Here’s the number one dance lesson from “Dancing with the Stars:” Everyone’s having a blast. So many people claimed to be having the best! time! ever!, I lost count. Gettin’ down must be the biggest upper there is. As we head into the first round of eliminations, here’s a look at the latest performances by the 12 couples:

Steve and Anna
I’ve fallen for The Gute. He tries so hard. The judges roughed him up, which was like tripping a toddler. Just mean. But he took the criticism with class: “Thank you, I respect you.” I recommend he be first in line for a career comeback...perhaps a self-help talk show? Who needs Dr. Phil’s tough love, when you could have Mr. Sunshine?
Dance: Mambo. Score: 16

Cristian and Cheryl
The “Officer and a Gentlemen” bit, pure cheese. Me, melting. Bruno called Cristian the Dancing Gangster, but I say he’s this week’s winner of the “They-Got-Robbed Award.” Len gave them a 6?!?! What?
Dance: Quick Step. Score: 20

By Tracy Phillips
As Seen On TV
Comcast.net

Just because we’re still early in the competition doesn’t mean the judges are going to go easy on anybody. Week 3 of 'Dancing with the Stars' found the judges stomping on some egos.

So much so that Steve Guttenberg donned some protective armor--a pan and goggles--leaving Tom Bergeron to call him “Our Little Pothead.” Take from that what you will.

Alas, he came, he charmed, he didn’t conquer.

His tango garnered Guttenberg his best scores yet--21--but it wasn’t a lucky number for The Gute, who became the third contestant booted from the show.

I’ll miss him…and his delusional optimism: “‘Dancing with the Stars’ makes the world a better place! It’s made me a better person!”

By Tracy Phillips
As Seen On TV
Comcast.net

Dance fever is at its peak right now, and several of the celebs and their sizzling partners on ABC's Dancing with the Stars have undeniable chemistry out on the floor (like Jason and Edyta, and Mario and Karina). But a few of the couples are generating some heated talk off of the dance floor as well (like Shannon and Derek, and Cheryl and Cristian). Now dance pro Cheryl Burke and Latin hunk Cristian de la Fuente are speaking out on “Extra”: Cheryl describes their relationship as an “old married couple, brother-sister relationship.” Fuente added, “Slash abusive.” Cheryl went on to say, “We've had the best relationship out of all the partners I've had.” Wonder what Drew Lachey thinks of that comment. Burke and Lachey won that tacky disco-ball trophy in Season 2, and the pair has since been the subject of gossip.

By Tracy Phillips
As Seen On TV
Comcast.net

"The Mambo King" may not have saved Marlee. Can anyone catch Kristi? More tears for Shannon? And who let Paula Abdul in the audience?

Let’s get right to this week’s recap:

Jason and Edyta:

Bruno complimented Jason on his “heroic presence” and I say right on! Jason also gets points for getting away with the most masculine outfits of the season (haven’t seen a sequin yet!). I also think Carrie Ann is off-base on her criticism of his “awkwardness with the arms.” He has excellent carriage and holds his arms gracefully.

Dance: Cha Cha Cha. Score: 8, 8, 8

Shannon and Derek:

If we learned anything last week, it’s that the Rumba is a killer. The slow speed of the dance draws attention to flaws. While the (real-life?) couple got props for their “love action,” “great chemistry” and for “sizzling,” Shannon also got slammed again (and looked very unhappy) for her footwork and lack of hip action. I didn’t notice sloppy feet...what are they talking about?

Dance: Rumba. Score: 24

By Tracy Phillips
As Seen On TV
Comcast.net

Romance rumors are rampant on the set of “Dancing with the Stars" -- and it looks like one is true. Dance partners Shannon Elizabeth, 34, and Derek Hough, 22, had been playing coy about their blossoming relationship but over the weekend, pictures surfaced of the couple kissing on the beach in Malibu. The two took a seaside stroll for a “Dancing” segment—and they snuck a smooch when cameras stopped rolling. Take a look at the video.

On Monday night’s performance show, co-host Samantha Harris straight up asked the too-pretty pair about the romance, and the grinning couple didn’t deny it. Cupid has previously cast his spell on the dance floor: Last year’s hot couple Cheetah girl Sabrina Bryan and her partner Mark Ballas (this year paired with Untouchable Kristi Yamaguchi) are still going strong, as are Season 3 couple Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff.

[More DWTS videos.]

By Tracy Phillips
As Seen On TV
Comcast.net

There’s more "Dancing" drama in the air! Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff have broken up, a source confirms to People.

The couple, who met when they were paired together on the show, moved in together last year, after they came in second place on the third season of "Dancing with the Stars."

This season, Karina is currently paired with another Mario, the 21-year-old R&B singer. Despite having some fierce moves, Mario has had some trouble with the judges and the duo was surprisingly among the Bottom 2 last week.

Meanwhile, Mario Lopez recently made his Broadway debut in a revival of "A Chorus Line" and is set to return to the "DWTS" dance floor for next week’s special 100th episode to perform a number from the musical. Former champ Apolo Anton Ono and his partner Julianne Hough will also be performing.

By Tracy Phillips
As Seen On TV
Comcast.net

Would Cristian de la Fuente’s arm injury force him to withdraw from competition? Would the low Samba scores do him in? Or would sympathy votes save him? Would comeback kid Marissa slide by another week? Would Mario and Karina be the sexiest couple in the Bottom 2 again? Would Shannon and Derek’s outburst come back to haunt them? After an hour of waiting, fans finally got some answers. (I would have enjoyed Def Leppard so much more if I hadn’t been wishing they’d hurry up.)

The Big News
Cristian is SAFE! And he’s not a wuss! His injury turned out to be more severe than the initial “muscle cramp” diagnosis. A visit to a specialist revealed that he ruptured a tendon in his bicep, and he’ll require surgery to repair it. Cristian has decided to man up and delay surgery so he can continue his quest for the tackiest trophy ever.

The Best Part?
Always love Kenny Mayne, a glittered Jerry Rice and Crankypants Len Goodman on the “DanceCenter” segments. Why don’t they do it more often? It’s worth Tom Bergeron’s giggle fits alone.

The Bottom 2
Marissa and Tony were one of the couples under the “Red Light of Shame” in the Bottom 2. I’m pulling for them, but not because of the little Mexican jumping bean on crack. Tony Dovolani has become my favorite male pro dancer. He’s kind of a goof, but he also reminds me of Burt Reynolds (you know, the good years).

The Boot
In a bit of a surprise, Shannon “Legs” Elizabeth was voted off! I can't believe she went before Marissa and even Mario. But it seems as if “Dancing” fans may have been turned off by her backstage meltdown last week, where she and Derek criticized the judges’ criticism of her. The judges didn't hold a grudge; they called Monday's Tango her best dance yet, but combined with viewer votes (and her apologies), it wasn't enough. A spoilsport never wins the game, Legs!

An emotional Shannon, who may hold the show's record for the most tears, gave us one last cry throughout her final dance. Obviously disappointed, she tried to handle her departure gracefully, saying of Derek “I’ve made a friend for life.” I’m curious to see how long their rumored “romance” lasts… Actually, I’ve already stopped caring.

By Tracy Phillips
As Seen On TV
Comcast.net

Dancing With The Stars' leaders Kristi Yamaguchi and Jason Taylor had off nights, while the One-Armed Bandit stole the show. The intensity of learning and performing two dances a night--one ballroom, one Latin--is taking a toll, as some of the dancers both sizzled and fizzled.

Any concern over whether Cristian de la Fuente’s arm injury would hamper his performance quickly evaporated, as the judges lavished him with praise and spread three 10’s among his two dances, putting him on top. “We should have started dancing with one arm way before,” Cristian said backstage after he hugged and high-fived everyone in the room.

The Leaderboard

Cristian and Cheryl: 57
Kristi and Mark: 55
Mario and Karina: 53
Jason and Edyta: 52
Marissa and Tony: 50

You need two legs to dance, but apparently one arm is enough. It was for Cristian de la Fuente on last night's Dancing With The Stars. He and his partner were the top-scoring couple after Monday night's "Dancing With the Stars" performance round, despite the injury the Chilean television actor suffered to his left arm last week after he dropped partner Cheryl Burke and ruptured a tendon in his bicep.

After getting an okay from doctors to continue, Burke choreographed their dances so that de la Fuente mostly used his good arm — including the lifts, which were allowed this round. They scored a 28 for the tango, and a near-perfect 29 for the mambo, to lead all contestants in judges' scores at the end of the night. De la Fuente plans to undergo surgery after the competition.

[more photos on the jump]

By Tracy Phillips
As Seen On TV
Comcast.net

It was another surprising night on Dancing with the Stars, mostly for who didn’t get eliminated. The eighth couple voted off "DWTS" was R&B singer Mario and his partner Karina Smirnoff. The youngest competitor on the show, 21-year-old Mario came on strong right out of the gates; he was a Latin dance superstar but was challenged by the ballroom genre.

Week after week, it has been the consensus that Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur would be hanging up her dancing shoes, and time and again, her surprisingly large fan base refuses to het her go.

The competition is on with only four celebs left to take the floor on tonight's Dancing With The Stars. and nothing will stop them! Watch this preview clip from tonight's episode and think about who you're going to vote for!

By Tracy Phillips
As Seen On TV
Comcast.net

On this week's Dancing With The Stars semi-final showdown, the stars drew their dances out of a hat, and some got the luck of the draw…and some didn’t.

Jason and Edyta were first up with a fox trot, which the judges agreed across the board was fantastic for a score of 9, 10, 9. And a “ten from Len” is the golden ticket. Their second dance, a passionate paso doble, received triple 9’s.

Marissa and Tony: Marissa won another underdog point when she acknowledged all the naysayers and dedicated her first dance to “everyone that believed in them.” Carrie Ann then gave her a double whammy saying of the first dance, you’re an “unlikely contender” and of the second, “I wasn’t excited by it.” At least Bruno called her “sexy in the city.”
Scores: quick step: a 9, 9, 8. rumba: 8,9,9

By Jen Smith
Fancast.com

There’s a major case of senioritis emanating from within the finalists of Dancing with the Stars tonight. They’ve just performed not one, but two dances (the Cha-Cha and Freestyle). They’re exhausted, but they plaster on the smiles while meeting with the ridiculously long line of press. They don’t even hesitate to sign autographs or take pictures with fans. That’s determination. But you can tell that as exhausted as they are, they had a lot of fun in the process. Just like that high school senior who has a yearbook full of memories, these finalists will have something to remember for the rest of their lives.

Cristian de la Fuente, an actor paired with two-time champ Cheryl Burke, is most relieved about the finale. He injured his arm three weeks ago, and Burke says they have certainly felt the repercussions. “He had to lift me with one arm and the right side of his body now feels it,” Burke said. “It’s tough because in the Freestyle we’re expected to do lifts and we can’t do these big lifts that everyone else is going to do because we only have one good arm.” De la Fuente says that despite the injury, they both tried their best. “There’s nothing more we can do because I don’t have three arms!” he said. “But we used everything and we gave everything and hopefully people are going to notice that.”

[Get to know Kristi Yamaguchi on an off-day with her family.)