DWTS

I love "Dancing With the Stars".  I like it because I am always interested in the progress of each contestant.  It's an amazingly hard process and I identify with it even if I'm not the one dancing.  This season, I am already rooting for Jennifer Grey.  Why?  She captivated me in "Dirty Dancing" and she has great genes thanks to dad, Joel Grey.  Who can forget Patrick Swayze's `admonishment to Jerry Orbach, her father: 

"Nobody puts Baby in the corner!"

Rick Fox went first and, damn, if he wasn't good doing the quick step.  The guy is huge.  He has my favorite dancer, Cheryl, as his partner, and he pulled it off.  Following Rick was Florence Henderson, Ma Brady herself.  The judges were falling all over her and pandering to her.  bleech.  She just wasn't that good.

Plus, anybody see this?  As Lurch would say, "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........."

 No.  I did not embed the video.  TMI.

Anyway, DWTS is a rigged show.  No doubt in my mind.  I should not watch it but I am hooked and I do and I bemoan the silly voting allowed by the stupid tv audience who are all about favoritism over talent.  While I approached this season thinking Jennifer Grey might be the best, I have now watched two shows and am convinced.  Plus, she has Derek, the best choreographer...



With DWTS, however, one never knows who might emerge as a superb dancer.  Sometimes, I am genuinely surprised. 

Now, the worst part of the show...Sarah Palin.  Jesus Christ, WTF.  I get it.  Bristol's on the show but, do we have to showcase Mama Grizzly?  I mean, really!  Barf barf barf.  I don't know what Bristol is like but I sure as shit feel sorry for her.  She is so totally at the mercy of her mother and the RNC, Tea Partiers, etc.  As Bob Dylan would sing,  "...only a pawn in their game."

Okay, enough of my ranting.    Tomorrow night:  another elimination.

My Guilty Pleasure...

...is "Dancing With the Stars".  Oh yeah.  I have to watch it even when it's pretty dull, like this season.  But, the one person who is never dull is Derek Hough.  His sister, Julianne, originally captivated me with her style and ability and her YOUTH!  I think she was only 18 when the show debuted.  But she was so accomplished and appeared, to my untrained eyes, as good as the more mature dancers.   Derek, came on board a few seasons into the show.  He is every bit as accomplished and talented as his sister, perhaps more so. 

Watching him tonight, I am struck by just how incredible he is.  The guy is 21 years old.  21.  He has the athletic ability of Gene Kelly. He has the grace of Fred Astaire.  I do not say these things lightly as I have worshipped both dancers all my life.  I love dance movies from "Top Hat" to "The Red Shoes" to "Chicago", a recent fave.   This young man is also a wonderful choreographer; probably the best on the show.  Again, he is younger than his dancing peers but his talent is mature as you will see in the dance from Monday night when he and his partner scored perfect 10s.