By Anya
DWTS heads into week 7 with only six stars remaining. Who will go home this week?
First, let’s say goodbye to Jake Pavelka. I think most would agree that Jake, with no real performing background, did better than expected. While many predicted ahead of time that it was “his week to go”, I don’t think Jake was really ready to leave. I think it is easy to get invested in one or two of our favorites and forget how much time, energy and emotional commitment is required for a non-pro to come out every week and perform a new dance in front of millions. I give all the stars, but especially people like Kate and Jake, huge kudos for doing the show. When it was over, Jake tweeted: ”Well guys, I did everything I could. Layed it all out there on the dance floor. I’m pretty bumbed (sp)…” He also got a little choked up on stage when his name was announced, as Kate had the previous week. As they had the week before with Kate, some bloggers took the opportunity to criticize Jake for being visibly upset. I guess it is all too easy to take potshots at others while sitting on your butt with your laptop plastered to your thighs. Nice.
Speaking of Kate’s exit, there is an excellent interview with charming DWTS host Tom Bergeron in this week’s Entertainment Weekly. You can read the entire article here. Tom has nice things to say about Kate and is empathetic about the tears we witnessed when she left.
Ok, depending on who you talk to, the ratings either basically stayed the same or took a little bit of a dip during the first Kate-free episode of the season last week. In other words, DWTS is still a hugely popular show and that means a big ’ol cash cow for ABC. Think they are going to cut the show down to an hour now that half the stars are gone? Think again! Instead the stars will be required to perform two dances. Here is a quick guide as to which dance each star is expected to dance in the individual part of the show.
Individual Dances
-Nicole/Derek: Slow Waltz
-Evan/Anna: Argentine Tango
-Chad/Cheryl: Viennese Waltz
-Pam/Damien: Slow Waltz
-Erin/Maks: Quickstep
-Niecy/Louis: Quickstep
I made fun of ABC for milking this and stretching out the show, but the additional dance is, in fact, a staple of DWTS at this juncture of the competition. In what is being billed the “Cha Cha Challenge”, the stars have been separated into two teams to perform the Cha Cha – only one will win and take the extra judges points.
Team Madonna (dancing to “Holiday”)
Evan/Anna
Erin/Maks
Niecy/Louis
Team Gaga (dancing to “Telephone”)
Nicole/Derek
Pam/Damian
Chad/Cheryl
Conventional internet wisdom (ha, I didn’t even mean that as a joke) holds that Niecy, Chad and Pam should be most concerned about going home this week. But, it wouldn’t be reality television if there weren’t at least the possiblity of a shocking exit. The group dance just adds another layer to the puzzle.
Are your favorites still your favorites this week? Any predictions for Monday night? Please share your thoughts before, during and after Monday night’s broadcast.
Tags: Cha Cha, Dancing with the Stars, DWTS, DWTS Week 7, Entertainment Weekly, Jake Pavelka, Kate Gosselin, Tom Bergeron
Everyone has done great tonight! I’ve enjoyed every dance. It would be hard to choose a winner.
On a side note, the host Tom?, is so funny. I really like him.
Wow Evan got all 10’s.
Thanks for the updates Wendy. I can’t sit down to really watch and will catch it online tomorrow. I want to see Erin and Maks and Nicole, well all of them I guess. I didn’t watch the elimination last Tues. But, I saw a clip of Jake’s goodbye (and Jake too) on The Soup. I am glad I missed it. It may have just been the short clip, but it seemed so fake. It will be interesting to see if the one going home is either Niecey or Pam. They all improve so much each week, but I’m thinking Niecey may be next.
I know the ratings have gone down, but I thought this was the best episode yet. It wasn’t painful to watch anyone. I am shocked at how much Chad has improved. The Lady Gaga team was so much fun to watch, even though I like the group on the Madonna team better. I quit voting, because they all are doing great. I’m finished gushing:).
Wendy,
Thanks, I am recording it and I will be sure and watch it but I might not get to it until tomorrow.
So who do you think will get eliminated this week?
Evan got all 10s? Was that the first person this year to do so?
I loved Evan’s dancing this week. I thought Chad was great too. Pam was not that great in the Lady Gaga dance.
I liked the Madonna Dancers better. Once again, Erin was my favorite. This week I lliked Erin, Evan, Chad, Niecy in that order.
Based on the dancing IMO Pam should go home.
I think Niecy then Pam.
Btw, I am sick of the Chad gifting/flirting/trying to ask Cheryl out thing. Also, I think the dancers need to let the stars shine, even in these impromptu clips and bits and interviews. They’re playing this one up too much and I find it embarrassing.
Pam, I think Nicole got all 10s at least once.
I agree that by and large everyone did really well tonight. It’s getting hard, I think. Based on dancing, I think Niecy should go. I’d be fine with Pam or even Nicole going (fat chance) but that’s just based on personality. Mostly I just want Erin to be safe because I looove her. She did great tonight, in both dances, I thought.
I was happy for Evan too – he was very good. Chad really has improved a lot.
Theresa, on the Chad/Cheryl flirting thing, it doesn’t bother me that they feature it because it’s their shtick or “hook”, I guess, and the producers will flog it until something better comes along. Who knows, maybe the dancers think a fauxmance will help get them votes.
That said, and I find myself surprised that I’m saying this, because I think I sound like a conservative 80-year-old, but: Cheryl should really not be accepting expensive gifts from Chad if there is no real relationship there. It’s just kind of icky. Whether the whole thing is for show, or whether she’s stringing him along, I don’t think it makes her look very good, you know? I know, he can afford it, but she can afford her own damn jewelry, I’m sure, and as for him giving her gifts for teaching him, well, she’s compensated for that already.
And while I’m at it, kids, pull your pants up and get off of my lawn.
It was a good show last nite! I missed the first 2 dances because i was talking to a friend online. I really want Erin to win it. I have to work tonite so you ladies will have to keep me updated. I did think Evan awesome, I was so impressed. I agree with the Chad thing it doesn’t do a thing for me either.
I think they all were great. I know Nicole is actually the best dancer, but I kinda’ resent her for being so good. She’s a professional dancer, for crying out loud, which gives her an unfair advantage. I think Erin is great. She’s not a pro, and is not even a performer. But she has come a long, long way towards becoming both. Chad was fantastic. He has learned how to use his feet and his positions and extensions were fabulous. I think Chad and Erin are the most improved. Neicy is actually trying and she looked like a dancer and was amazingly light on her feet and quick in her steps, but she still has a long way to go. Pam’s waltz was excellent, but her frame was wrong or most of the number. I was relieved that she didn’t do the simpering, pouty lip sex siren thing though. It makes me uncomfortable and doesn’t really help her image. I loved that they showed her as more of a regular person with the bit at the shelter. And that’s real, she actually does do that regularly.
I’ve watched this show from the beginning and one of the things I have liked about it are watching non-professional performers become dancers. Love it.
The more I see of Evan, the more I like him. He just seems so sweet, sincere, kind hearted and well spoken. Is that enough adjectives?
It is getting hard to decide who should go. I really like them all except maybe Nicole only because I think she has an unfair advantage. To me, she doesn’t really represent what the competition is really about. Did she get as much flack as Kate for manipulating the audience by mentioning her aunt with Down’s Syndrome?
I really enjoyed the team dance especially Team Gaga.
The Lady Gaga team was so much fun to watch, even though I like the group on the Madonna team better. - Wendy
I feel the same way. After Team Gaga performed, I was hoping against hope that the Team Madonna would be better because I like their team more, but Gaga had it. The judges were generous to give onlyl a one point difference in the scores.
It is getting hard to decide who should go. I really like them all except maybe Nicole only because I think she has an unfair advantage. To me, she doesn’t really represent what the competition is really about. Did she get as much flack as Kate for manipulating the audience by mentioning her aunt with Down’s Syndrome? Teresa E.
I totally agree with this. No, I don’t think Nicole will get much flack and I wouldn’t give it to her to her either, but the double-standard applied to Kate is super annoying!
As Caren said, the fun part is seeing the stars become better and better dancers. To that end, I think the two that haven’t really made any transition are Pam (decent dancer in Week 1, decent dancer in Week 7) and Nicole (fantastic, almost pro dancer in Week 1, fantastic, almost pro dancer in Week 7). For that reason, one of them would be my choice to go. (I did enjoy seeing Pam at the animal sanctuary, however).
As long as Erin and Evan remain in the competition, I am a happy girl!
Hello it’s me again,
Did you miss me? I missed you guys for sure. Vacation with the family is really fun if you strive to make it so. While my girls are not interested in history & hubs is we turned our trip to Gettysburg, Harpers Ferry, Amish settlements, and Hershey Chocolate into a fun trip for all.
Back to serious business, my favorite dancers are Erin & Evan who I hope to see in the finals. I like them doubly because they are Kate defenders. I also enjoy Niecy. The pussy cat doll, the sex kitten, the football ladies man, and Diva Bruno are all a little too OVER THE TOP for me. So anyone of them leaving and/or Bruno falling off the podium would be OK.
We saw Evan in the Stars on Ice show, got his and Scott Hamilton’s (who did not skate but is my favorite) autographs so my girls really, really want Evan to win DWTS because he was so sweet to them. He suggested seperate pics for each which meant so much to them as it is oftentimes difficult to make others realize they are individuals as well as multiples. Kudo’s to Evan.
Psst, psst Go Erin!
FYI,
Kate and Tony will dance again May 25th on the DWTS finale.
FYI, The BL has a new post about an article where Neicy is making jokes about Tony having to step in for her partner who had food poisoning. It’s a light hearted joke thing, you all know how Neicy is, and they are taking it dead serious. Fools.
I agree with the Erin/Evan thing, but I’ve got to tell you, I thought Chad was soooooo sexy last night. I don’t normally get all hot and bothered but that man’s body had me thinking wild and ca-razy thoughts. Whoooeee. Like to see him stay around just to get the old juices flowing, know what I mean? And, if you can stir up a 73 year old, you got something.
I’m so glad you’re back Lindsey, sounds like a good time was had by all. Did you get to bathe in a tub of warm chocolate at Hersheys? Scott Hamilton lives in the town I lived in in CA, before I moved to KC MO. I saw him a couple of times out to dinner. I never had the guts to ask for an autograph, but I saw people who did and he was always so gracious and polite. I adore him, because he was so brave and candid about his cancer, I just know that he saved more than one mans life by talking about it. Not to mention that he is a fantastic skater. I think he’s Evans coach.
Lindsey,
Glad to see you back and glad to see that you had a great vacation? Do you live in the PA area? I visited the areas you mentioned back in 1978 and would love to go back. So much rich history.
Caren,
No warm chocolate baths for me. Alas, I am allergic to chocolate. Fortunately my husband and girls are not, but whew, those chocolate faces and sugar highs can be real character builders or NOT. Interesting stories about Scott Hamilton. He has always been one of my heros and isn’t he a great role model for young men? Just so you know, Evan is more handsome in person. He doesn’t seem so oily headed or dark tanned in person.
Pam,
I met my husband when my parents forced me to go to college and the only school that would have me was Univ of Md. My parents & sibling are academicians, I, however am not. I’m glad they co-erced me into going to school there just so I could meet my life partner. So, that’s how I became familiar with the area. Also one of my suite mates was from Mckee’s Rocks, Pa. and another was from Elliott, Maine. I am truly one of those Southern Gals and proud of it. I do love NC, Va, Md, and Pa., just as Kate does. The beautiful scenery from the mountains to the sea and all that history from the beginnings of our country to the present day.
Last summer during a trip to DC we actually got to see the authentic original Declaration of Independence. It was quite moving even though the only part visible without a magnifier was John Hancock’s signature and no cameras were allowed.
If you get the chance you should go to Harper’s Ferry as it has been turned into a national park. The drama they put on at the armory is quite good. We did enjoy hiking to Jefferson’s Rock where you can see with the naked eye a number of states. Also the food prepared in the colonial manner was delicious. My girls enjoyed the ole general store and now have a new favorite treat BB-Bats. Does anyone remember those?
What are BB-Bats? Never heard of them or at least that expression.
I know what a BB Bat is. Hard taffy on a stick. Not my favorites. Too sticky and the banana tastes just so artificial. Still, I would never turn one down when I was a kid. I mean, candy is candy.
I have never been to Harper’s Ferry, though I’ve heard it is great, Lindsey. I wanted to see the Declaration of Independence again with my kids 2 years ago, but the line was out the door and onto the mall, in the blazing sun. We went to the Natural History museum instead.
BB Bats are Kits on a stick.
The only good ones are the chocolate flavored.
I like Evan alot – he seems like a terrific guy and he’s very talented! I also like Chad and Erin, too!
My guess is Pam or Niecey tonight.
Nope, Niecy’s safe. So is Evan. Chad and Pam are at risk. Hey, why is the Phillies game on??? Who keeps changing the channel???
ETA: Nicole is safe. Erin is in the bottom two
BB Bats
I hope Erin does not get cut.
Sorry, not a fan of that kind of candy. I am more of a licorice person.
The ABC DWTS thread says it was Pam that won’t be back. I didn’t get to watch anything yet. Hope everyone is having a nice evening.
Sorry if you were a Pam Anderson fan, but I am sooooo glad this, ugh, so called sex kitten is gone. Now we need to get rid of the pussygirl pro dancer.
We purchased pink (strawberry??) and chocolate BB Bats. My girls were allowed the sugar only because of vacation, so they considered those things real treats. They usually get fruit yogurt or yogurt ice cream for treats. At home, that is. There’s no telling what the “grands” allow them to have. The 4 grands recently took them to see “How to tame your Dragon” and all 4 came home with caramel popcorn stuck to them or their clothing.
Anya,
Would you please e-mail me the link to or the name of Kate’s sister/mom site mentioned in one of your earlier postings about Kate & DWTS…………..please, please, please. I’m really not computer savy and must confess I didn’t get the hints given. I promise I will not even tell my mom.
Lindsey, lol regarding the “grands”.
I sent you an email with the link.
Hello all, hope everyone is having a happy Friday evening. This is kind of a cute hoot. Since some of us enjoyed seeing Buzz on DWTS, I thought I’d post it. I just saw it on The Soup. Buzz Aldrin Hosts WWE.
Lily, thanks for posting. That was really cute.
I do like Buzz. Nice to see he is getting some opportunities from the DWTS gig. It opens doors.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone back for the last show.