Sep 23, 2008

Dancing With the Stars: Cloris Leachman?


Glitter, glitz, glamour and gams...that was the opening night of the new season of 'Dancing With the Stars.' It was also a night of surprises...some good and unexpected and some not so good...and perhaps, better left unsaid.

Watching DWTS from the Douglas Island, Alaska home of my 91 year old father and 83 year old mother, certainly gave it all a new perspective. My parents had never seen the show before but learning that my 92 year old mother-in-law in Oregon loved the show and was staying up late three nights in a row to watch it, made them all the more eager to check it out.

Trying to explain the purpose, the process, and the procedures of scoring ...not to mention the personalities of the three judges was something else! All of a sudden, I wondered why I watch it and enjoy it so much ;) I saw 99% of it, and yes, we talked through almost all of it with their questions and my answers, but I think they enjoyed the experience!

What surprised them the most was not what surprised me. I'd barely heard of Brook Burke and was surprised to see what a good dancer, she was. I expected Lance Bass to be good and he was... frankly, a bit too good for show #1. Some stars do have a bit of advantage experience-wise! I loved Cloris Leachman's exaggerated comedy routine with the judges and Len's kissing her leg. But...I hated having to listen to the censor's bleeps backstage. That seemed inappropriate for a family show and ruined the good energy I love about the show. I'm sure some people loved her anyway, but I felt it detracted from her other pluses.

Misty-May Treanor had stronger more muscular-like energy than I'd expected, and her case of nerves surprised me for someone used to performing in front of Olympic sized crowds. And Toni Braxton who danced very well, as I expected, was hyper nervous with her anxiety over her heart irregularities.

It took me until the next day to figure out who dancing pro, Lacey Swimmer was....I also watch "So, You Think You Can Dance?" on occasion.... and forgot she was a previous season finalist on that show. Now, she is a professional dancer with Lance Bass on Dancing. Definitely a power couple to keep an eye on. It was actually cute listening to Lacey describe her teen crush on Lance during his boy band days. Their hip, young energy will be a real addition to the dancing, I think and should give traditional Len heart palpitations for sure, and not the good kind ;)

All in all, an interesting start to the season...let's see if my elders can stay awake and follow tonight and Wednesday night's shows or if I have to watch it alone ;)

3 comments:

Becky said...

I had to chuckle reading your post. I to love the show. Sometimes it's like a train wreck that I just can't stop watching, but it has pulled me in EVERY season. My 4 year old has taken to watching DWTS right along with me. The questions though are amazing. Keeps me on my toes and makes me watch the show through little eyes. Have a great day.

quiltmom anna said...

Hi Michele,

Dancing With the STars is a hoot- there is always something interesting happening on the show..

I made my first attempts at having my own blog so I thought you might want to have a look,

Here is the address:
http://quiltmomsjourney.blogspot.com/
Hope you are having a good week- the weather here is starting to turn and it is beginning to feel like fall..

Regards,
Anna

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that you are watching again this season. I love this show. Cloris may not dance well, but she is funny enough to carry the show. I think Misty May is gonna win.