DWTS cast announced

Two Olympic gold medalists, an American Idol, a Disney Channel Star, a reality TV star and a football player. All that’s missing is the Playboy factor in this field of 11. American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler was one of the first “Dancing with the Stars” cast members leaked by the press, but the full announcement of the 11 new contestants and their professional dance partners was made this morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

The cast of stars are: NFL player Jacoby Jones, country music singer Wynonna Judd, stand-up comedian D.L. Hughley, Real Beverly Hills Housewife Lisa Vanderpump, comedian and rehab celeb Andy Dick, pro boxer Victor Ortiz, Disney Channel star Zendaya Coleman, Olympic gold medal gymnast Aly Raisman, soap opera “General Hospital” star Ingo Rademacher, country singer Kellie Pickler and Olympic gold medal figure skater Dorothy Hamill.  Season 16 of DWTS begins on Monday, March 18 with a two-hour premiere  (8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET) on ABC and will have a one-hour results show on March 26 (9 p.m. to 10:01 p.m.).

Probably the bigger surprise will be who isn’t returning among the professional dancers: Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Chelsie Hightower, Louis van Amstel, Anna Trebunskaya and Peta Murgatroyd. There will still be a Chmerkovskiy–Valentin. Derek Hough is back, despite reports that season 15 (All-Stars) was his last. New professional dancers are Lindsay Arnold who was a contestant on “So You Think You Can Dance” (season 9), Sharna Burgess and Gleb Savchenko.

Savchenko previously was on the DWTS Australia cast and was the Australian National Professional Latin-American Champion for 2011-2012. Burgess is also Australian and represented that country at the World Championship in both Standard and Latin when she was 15. She also performed at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games closing ceremony. She appeared in the UK tour of “Simply Ballroom” and in 2006 became a cast member of “Burn the Floor” which toured 30 countries and in 2009 was on Broadway where she was one of the lead female dancers.

Arnold was born in Provo, Utah and attended Timpview High School. Her specialty is Latin Ballroom.

1. Jacoby Jones & Karina Smirnoff
2. Wynonna Judd & Tony Dovolani
3. D.L. Hughley & Cheryl Burke
4. Lisa Vanderpump & Gleb Savchenko
5. Andy Dick & Sharna Burgess
6. Victor Ortiz & Lindsay Arnold
7. Zendaya Coleman & Valentin Chmerkovskiy
8. Aly Raisman & Mark Ballas
9. Ingo Rademacher & Kym Johnson
10. Kellie Pickler & Derek Hough
11. Dorothy Hamill & Tristan MacManus

Hosted by Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Brooke Burke-Charvet (“Dancing with the Stars” Season Seven Champion), “Dancing with the Stars” is the hit series in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

“Dancing with the Stars” is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, “Strictly Come Dancing.” This version is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Ashley Edens-Shaffer and Joe Sungkur are co-executive producers. Alex Rudzinski directs. “Dancing with the Stars” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

“Dancing with the Stars” season 16 begins on Monday, March 18 with a two-hour premiere  (8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET) on ABC and will have a one-hour results show on March 26 (9 p.m. to 10:01 p.m.).

DWTS 15: Week 3 has Melissa Rycroft and Kelly Monaco tied for top spot

Last night (Monday, Oct. 8, 2012) on “Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars,” there was a tie for the top between  Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani and Kelly Monaco & Val Chmerkovskiy. At the bottom again was Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas with 22.5. Tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 9) is a double elimination so there’s double trouble.

Palin and Ballas improved over their score from last week (18), but still were at the bottom of the leader board with 22.5 after performing the paso doble that originally was performed by Derek Hough and Joanna Krupa. That’s a controversial pairing–daughter of the family values Republican Sarah Palin and the Playboy model who has a reality TV celebrity habit and a live-in relationship still.

At least Ballas couldn’t go bonkers with this one. Still the oldest contestant, Kirstie Alley, scored better with a 24. She and Maksim Chmerkovskiy tied with Drew Lachey and Anna Trebunskaya.

Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough were in third place. Last week’s top scoring team, Sabrina Bryan and Louis van Amstel were in a four-way tie for fourth with Gilles Marini and Peta Murgatroyd, Apolo Anton Ohno and Karina Smirnoff and Helio Castroneves and Chelsie Hightower.

You can still vote online through the ABC.com website or by Facebook.

1. Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani: 27.0 (9.0,9.0,9.0)
2. Kelly Monaco & Val Chmerkovskiy: 27.0 (9.0,9.0,9.0)
3. Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough: 26.5 (9.0,8.0,9.5)
4. Sabrina Bryan & Louis Van Amstel: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)
5. Gilles Marini & Peta Murgatroyd: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)
6. Apolo Anton Ohno & Karina Smirnoff: 25.5 (9.0,8.0,8.5)
7. Helio Castroneves & Chelsie Hightower: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)
8. Emmitt Smith & Cheryl Burke: 25.0 (8.5,8.0,8.5)
9. Drew Lachey & Anna Trebunskaya: 24.0 (8.0,8.0,8.0)
10. Kirstie Alley & Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 24.0 (8.0,8.0,8.0)
11. Bristol Palin & Mark Ballas: 22.5 (7.5,7.5,7.5)

Take iconic and be more iconic.

[Youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkAI3LSuQYI]

Cha cha cha

Trebunskaya sexed it up with the costumes and stripping Lachey’s shirt.

Drew Lachey & Anna Trebunskaya: 24.0 (8.0,8.0,8.0)

• “Crazy in Love“—Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
• Joey McIntyre & Ashly DelGrosso (Season 1)
• Song: “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé
  Score: 20 (7,7,6)

Did you like Maksim with the long hair? Of course, we always like Maksim without the shirt. The strategy here was to improve the technique and camp it up.  This almost made iconic night worth it.

Kirstie Alley & Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 24.0 (8.0,8.0,8.0)

• “Moves like Jagger“—Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera
• Carson Kressley & Anna Trebunskaya (Season 13)
• Score: 17 (6,5,6)

Foxtrot

Is it possible for Apolo Anton Ohno to be steamier than Gilles Marini? Marini and Burke received two tens when they performed this and here’s where being an actor really helps. Marini was suave but sexy as the devil. Ohno was sophisticated but not with the same intensity as Marini.

Apolo Anton Ohno & Karina Smirnoff: 25.5 (9.0,8.0,8.5)

• “Fever“—Michael Bublé
• Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke (Season 8)
• Score: 29 (10,9,10)

Paso doble

With this dance and partner, Val finally rises out of the shadow of his brother Maksim. Kelly and Val have chemistry, but Kelly doesn’t bristle with the kind of powerful physicality that Laila Ali had–few women do. With Laila Ali, you thought that she and Maksim could punch it out and Maksim would lose. With Kelly and Maksim it’s more a match of forceful personalities.

Kelly Monaco & Val Chmerkovskiy: 27.0 (9.0,9.0,9.0)

• “España Cañí“—Erich Kunzel
• Lalia & Maks (Season 4)
• 21 (7,7,7) Week 4
• 29 (10,9,10) Week 10

Can Bristol Palin ever equal the sex appeal and technical skills of Joanna Krupa. You know the answer is no. Ballas goes kooky and they get to play white queen and black king. This is a chess metaphor and has nothing to do with race.

The judges felt it was their best dance of the season–that’s one out of three. It had the most content and attack.

Bristol Palin & Mark Ballas: 22.5 (7.5,7.5,7.5)

• “Living on Video“—Trans-X
• Joanna & Derek (Season 9)

Sabrina Bryan is a strong woman, even if she’s the youngest contestant. However, judge Carrie Ann Inaba thought this team brought nothing new artistically to this routine.

Sabrina Bryan & Louis Van Amstel: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)

• “Free Your Mind“—En Vogue
• Mel B & Maks (Season 5)
• Score: 30

Scary Spice was definitely scarier than Sabrina Bryan. Bruno called her an “adrenaline charged dominatrix.”

With Emmitt Smith, there were some awkward moments, but he is already a commanding presence. There was a scary moment, but it all ends well.

Emmitt Smith & Cheryl Burke: 25.0 (8.5,8.0,8.5)

• “Canción Del Mariachi”—Los Lobos feat. Antonio Banderas
• Mario Lopez & Karina Smirnoff (Season 3)
• Score: 30

Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke had already seen this paso doble–twice. He competed against Mario Lopez and won.

Quickstep

As expected Derek Hough decided to up the acrobatics and even included an illegal lift and a lot of drama at the end.

Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough: 26.5 (9.0,8.0,9.5)

• “Hey Pachuco”—Royal Crown Revue
• Helio Castroneves & Julianne Hough (Season 5)
• Score: 30

I think Johnson and Hough lacked the sophistication that Castroneves and Julianne had.  When Castroneves and Hightower performed their own quickstep it had an amazing amount of joy–even with the slight bobble when Castroneves stepped on Hightower’s dress.

Helio Castroneves & Chelsie Hightower: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)

• “Mr. Pinstripe Suit”—Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
• Apolo & Julianne (Season 4)

I can’t choose. I love both versions and both sets of costumes.

Samba

Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani: 27.0 (9.0,9.0,9.0)

• “Conga“—Gloria Estefan
• JR Martinez & Karina Smirnoff (Season 13)
• Score: 28 (9,9,10)

Of course, Martinez didn’t have to perform all the drops and turns that Rycroft did because he’s the guy.

Tango

Don’t you love Gilles Marini doing the tango. Menacing and erotic, Marini delivered another solid performance, but lost points for his hold and some footwork mishaps.

Gilles Marini & Peta Murgatroyd: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)

• “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)“—Eurythmics
• Erin & Maks (Season 10)
• Score: Technique: 18 Performance: 21

Week 1, it was Drew Lachey and his partner Anna Trebunskaya who were in the bottom two. Week 2, it was Hélio Castroneves and his partner Chelsie Hightower who survived the bottom two.

I’m hoping that Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas will be eliminated and most likely Drew Lachey will go as well. With Joey Fatone gone, the entertainment factor is low with this cast so I’m hoping that Kirstie Alley and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy will continue to dance.

Remember, you can vote online until 8 a.m. PST by going to the ABC DWTS official page for voting or by using Facebook.

DWTS 15: Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson

Former NSYC members and television personality is happily reunited with Kym Johnson. Since they were paired together, Johnson had taken two celebrities to mirrorball trophy victories: Donny Osmond during season 9 and Hines Ward during season 12.

Johnson also finished first in the Australian version of the show (with TV/radio presenter Tom Williams). In America, Fatone was her second celebrity partner. Her first was Jerry Springer during season 3 (for a fifth place finish).  She and Fatone finished second with Brooke Burke and Derek Hough winning.

Johnson finished second with Warren Sap during season 7. Brooke Burke and Derek Hough would win the mirror ball that season.

Fatone has showmanship and a large personality on-stage. Fatone and Johnson’s tango to the theme from “Star Wars” has to be one of the highlights of DWTS 14 seasons.

Vote: 1-800-868-3401

Age: 35

Born: 28 January 1977

Website:

• Joey Fatone (MySpace) and Twitter
• Kym Johnson

Season: 4

• Winners: Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough
• Second: Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson
• Third: Laila Ali and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Best dance:

• Jive (30)
• Foxtrot (30)
• Tango (30)
• Freestyle (30)

Worst dance:

• Cha cha cha (24)
• Quickstep (24)

Although the cha cha cha from his first week ended up being one of his lowest scores, he was the high score of that night. Ali and Chmerkovskiy received a 23 for second on the leaderboard, but things would quickly change the next week when Ali and Chmerkovskiy posted a 27 and Fatone and Johnson received another 24.  This was another one of those seasons when week 1 and 2 scores were combined leaving Ali and Chmerkovskiy in first place on the leader board. Fatone and Johnson would be two points behind with 48, but one point behind them was Ohno and Hough. Weeks 3 and 4, Fatone and Johnson had the top score although week 3 was a four-way tie (with Ian Ziering and Cheryl Burke, the Heather Mills and Jonathan Roberts and Leeza Gibbons and Tony Dovolani).

Week 5 Ohno and Hough would post the high score (30) and Week 6, Ohno and Hough would tie for first (28) with Ali and Chmerkovskiy.  It was a tight race at the end with Fatone and Johnson and Ali and Chmerkovskiy in a tie for first (both receiving one perfect score) during week 7 when the contestants performed two dances. Ohno and Hough had the high score for week 8, but the team Fatone/Johnson and Ali/Chmerkovskiy would be tied with perfect scores of 60/60. Ohno and Hough were only one point behind. During week 10, Ohno and Hough received 88 points for 3 dances and were two points ahead of Fatone and Johnson.

Ohno is competing as an all-star, but without his partner, Julianne Hough. Instead Ohno is paired with Karina Smirnoff. Smirnoff has in the past lost focus, (remember Ralph Maccho) and has only one once, during season 13 with army vet and soap opera star J.R. Martinez.

Smirnoff did get to second place during her first outing on DWTS with Mario Lopez during season 3. She finished 4th with Macchio during season 12. She’s finished fifth three times: season 4 with the earnest but awkward Billy Ray Cyrus, season 6 with the surprising Mario and during season 9 with the earnest but unpopular Aaron Carter. She had the dubious honor of dancing with Steve Wozniak during season 8 for a tenth place finish.

Fatone and Johnson will be able to work on what they already know about each other and we’ll have to see if the Ohno/Smirnoff pairing has the right stuff for first place.

DWTS 14 Week 7 results: Jaleel White leaves

Jaleel White and Kym Johnson were early favorites on season 14 of “Dancing with the Stars” and while they did have the top score Week 1 and Week 6–both times tied with Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas, they lacked the fan base to continue on.

White does have a certain style that judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli compared to Gregory Hines. White is handsome and loose; his posture doesn’t say ballroom, but nightclub dancing. Like many American men, his arms could be stiff, particularly his free arm and he doesn’t always reach full extension with either his legs or his arms.

Currently the weakest dancer is Melissa Gilbert, but White and Roshon Fegan have lacked the votes. This week when it came down to a rumba dance off, the judges were unanimous in voting to save Fegan and his partner Chelsie Hightower.

In the rumba, White was at a clear disadvantage.  Fegan had essayed the rumba as an individual dance during week 6 (Motown Week) for a score of 23 (7, 8, 8).  White had performed a rumba during week 3 (Personal Story Week) as the smooth Stephan Urkell for a 25 (9, 8, 8). Yet Fegan as a hip hop dancer had better hip movement, and, for the judges, needed to stop popping and make his movements smoother. Fegan also showed extension in his moves while White tends to me more lax.

Fegan and Hightower had been in the bottom two for week 4 and 6 while White and Johnson had been in the bottom two for week 5. Both had survived a dance off: Fegan and Hightower against Gladys Knight and Tristan MacManus during Week 6 (jive). White and Johnson had danced the cha cha cha against Gavin DeGraw and Karina Smirnoff.

Looking at their averages, Fegan and Hightower have 25.1 for eight dances against White and Johnson’s 24.9. That’s pretty close. Compare that to Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy whose average for eight dances is 22.3.

Gilbert and Chmerkovskiy were tied with White and Johnson for the lowest score in the Viennese waltz with 24. Fegan and Hightower currently do not hold the low score thus far this season for any of the individual dances. Fegan and Hightower have the current high score for the quickstep (26) while White and Johnson have the high score for the cha cha cha (29).

Contrast that with Gilbert and Chmerkovskiy who have never been in first on the leader board. The team has the low score for the cha cha cha (20), salsa (21), the paso doble (22), the Viennese waltz (tied with White and Johnson with 24), and the Argentine tango (21).

From our viewpoint, it’s unfortunate that of the two TV child stars currently on “Dancing with the Stars,” the one with the lesser dance talent went forward. It is likely that Gilbert and Chmerkovskiy will outlast Fegan and Hightower given that the latter has been in the bottom-two three times while the former never once.

Below are videos of White and Johnson’s performances, always delightful entertainment, especially compared to Gilbert and Chmerkovskiy’s dances.

Fans of Jaleel White can see him on “Total Blackout” on the Syfy channel.

Week 1

• Foxtrot
• 26 (9,8,9)
• “The Way You Look Tonight“—Frank Sinatra

Week 2

• Jive
• 22 (7,7,8)
• “Marry You“—Bruno Mars

Week 3: Personal Story/memorable year week

• Rumba
• 25 (9,8,8)
• “For the Cool in You”—Babyface

Week 4: Rock Week

• Tango
• 22 (8,7,7)
• “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction“—The Rolling Stones

Week 5: Latin Week

• Samba
• 24 (8,8,8)
• “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You“—Gloria Estefan

Week 6: Motown Week

• Cha-Cha-Cha
• 29 (10,9,10)
• “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg“—The Temptations

Motown Marathon

• Score: 8
• “Nowhere to Run“—Martha and the Vandellas

Week 7

• 24 (8, 8, 8)
• “Did I Make the Most of Loving You?”—Mary-Jess Leaverland

Team Tango

• 27 (10,8,9)
• “Toccata from Symphony No. 5“—Claudio Monteverdi

DWTS 14 Week 6: Jaleel White in second

Jaleel White has showed early promise “Dancing with the Stars” and the Pasadena-born TV star had a smooth dance style but in this highly competitive season 14, he needed something more. Last night during Motown Week, White and his partner Kym Johnson finally brought it to the floor.

White and Johnson were initially tied for first after the individual dances, but despite impressive lifts, they fell to second after finishing third during the Motown Marathon.

White and Johnson’s cha cha cha to ”Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by The Temptations  was the season’s high score for that dance. Watching the rehearsal package, we saw Johnson drilling White on sharpening his moves and getting that free hand to place with conviction and control. This week his turns were so crisp they crackled and he hit his marks with a new sharpness.

The previous high score for the cha cha cha this season had been telenovela star William Levy and his partner Cheryl Burke with 24 (8, 8, 8). If you want to compare the styles: White is cool and fun while Levy is hot with sex appeal.

Head judge Len Goodman expressed how disappointed he was that White had fallen off the contender path since week 1, but told him with this performance he was back.

Bruno Tonioli told him he  burned that floor and his performance was “the biggest sizzler of the season” and concluding by announcing, “You’ve come back big time.”

Carrie Ann Inaba warned that White has to bring his A-game every time and this time he brought it.

Head judge Len Goodman hasn’t yet given out a perfect ten so he actually rated four teams the same las night:

• Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas
• Jaleel White and Kym Johnson
• Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd
• Maria Menounos and Derek Hough

Yet remember Levy had less time to practice for his week 1 performance and Levy showed just how much he had improved by beating White during the Motown Marathon which was also a cha cha cha.

Yet because Levy and Burke’s rumba was too raunchy they got an 8 from Goodman in the individual dances and that might have decided who was second at the end of the night.

• Compare rumba

Will White and Johnson survive? I hope so, but White and Johnson have been in the bottom two while lower scoring celebrities such as Gladys Knight and Melissa Gilbert have not. White and Johnson survived last week by outdancing Gavin DeGraw and Karina Smirnoff in the cha cha cha. I hope White and Johnson continue because he’s a hometown boy and I like his style.

LEADER BOARD
Individual dance + Motown marathon

Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 29 (10, 9, 10) + 10 = 39
Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 29 (10, 9, 10) + 8 = 37
William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 27 (9, 8, 10) + 9 = 36
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 27 (9, 9, 9) + 7 = 34
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 26 (8, 9, 9) + 4 = 31
Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 24 (8, 8, 8) + 6 = 30
Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 23 (7, 8, 8) + 5 = 28
Gladys Knight and Tristan MacManus: 21 (7, 7, 7) + 3 = 24

Individual Dances

Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 29 (10, 9, 10)
Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 29 (10, 9, 10)
William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 27 (9, 8, 10)
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 27 (9, 9, 9)
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 26 (8, 9, 9)
Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 24 (8, 8, 8)
Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 23 (7, 8, 8)
Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus: 21 (7, 7, 7)

Motown marathon

• Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 10
• William Levy and Cheryl Burke:  9
• Jaleel White and Kym Johnson:  8
• Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd:  7
• Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy:  6
• Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 5
• Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 4
• Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus:  3

Vote online

DWTS 14 Week 5: Jaleel White’s booty-bouncing samba (VIDEO)

Last night on “Dancing with the Stars” season 14, Jaleel White proved that had had the Brazilian party spirit in his samba. He and his partner Kym Johnson had the second highest score for the samba, but ended the night in the middle of the pack.

I thought he needed more sensuous movement, contrast between sharp and smooth and wondered why he waited so long to take his shirt off? Yes, it is a battle of the hunks. The man could belly dance. I loved Johnson’s dress–that little there was of it. White’s performance was more street than ballroom, but who didn’t love it?

Judge Len Goodman said he had “rhythm in abundance in your hips” but didn’t like that he took a few liberties with technique. “Your bum was going like you were chewing a toffee” is what Goodman said.

Bruno Tonioli said that White and Johnson, who were the first couple to perform last night, “got the party started.” Tonioli said that “wiggle was unstoppable” like he had a mini me inside those pants.

Carrie Ann Inaba liked the attack and fire in the performance but cautioned White to watch where he places his arms when he’s out of hold.

The judges agreed on this performance giving them eights for a total of 24. Although this couple finished the night in sixth place, for this season, they posted the second highest score for the samba. Roshon Fegan and Chelsie  Hightower posted one point higher during week 3. White and Johnson actually tied the score that Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskay received week 3 (24).

White and Johnson haven’t been in the bottom two, so I hope they’ll continue on.

LEADER BOARD

Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 29 (10, 9, 10)
William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 29 (10, 9, 10)
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 27 (10, 8, 9)
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 27 (9, 9, 9)
Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 26 (9, 8, 9)
Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 24 (8, 8, 8)
Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 21 (7, 7, 7)
Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus: 20 (7, 7, 8)
Gavin Degraw and Karina Smirnoff: 19 (6, 6, 7)

By Individual Dance

SALSA

• ***William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 28 (9, 9, 10)*** Week 3
• Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 27 (9, 9, 9)
• Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 26 (9, 8, 9)
• Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 21 (7, 7, 7)

SAMBA

• ***Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 25 (8, 8, 9)***Week 3
• Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 24 (8, 8, 8)
• ***Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskay: 24 (8, 8, 8)***Week 3 ELIMINATED
• Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus: 20 (7, 7, 8)
• Gavin Degraw and Karina Smirnoff: 19 (6, 6, 7)

ARGENTINE TANGO

• Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 29 (10, 9, 10)
• William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 29 (10, 9, 10)
• Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 27 (10, 8, 9)

Week 4

Week 3

Week 2

Week 1

• Vote online

DWTS 14 Week 5: Five tens and a tie for first

Things were heating up on “Dancing with the Stars” on Latin night, with three teams receiving tens and a tie for the top spot. The celebrities for season 14 are all dancing well with the lowest score a 19.

• Vote online

Taking the top spot were two teams who performed the Argentine tango: Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins and her partner Mark Ballas  and Latin telenovela heart throb William Levy and his partner Cheryl Burke. They received the exact same score with only head judge Len Goodman refraining from giving them perfect scores, settling instead for a nine.

Goodman gave a nine to TV commentator Maria Menounos and and her partner Derek Hough. With nines straight across, that team was tied for third with last week’s leader, football player Donald Driver and his partner Peta Murgatroyd. Driver and Murgatroyd received a perfect score from Carrie Ann Inaba, but an eight from Goodman and a nine from Bruno Tonioli.

Menounos and Hough performed a salsa to “The Cup of Life” by Ricky Martin. Driver and  Murgatroyd danced an Argentine tango to “Sin Rumbo” by Otros Aires.

Menounos and Hough were the high score for salsa for Week 5, but Levy and Burke, who performed a salsa during week 3, still have the high score for salsa this season.

Jaleel White and Kym Johnson scored a 24 (8, 8, 8) to be the highest scoring samba of the night, but were the second highest score for that dance. Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower received a 25 (8, 8, 9) for this samba routine during week 3. Singer/actor Jack Wagner and his partner Anna Trebunskaya received a 24 (8, 8, 8) for their samba during week 3.

At the bottom, were Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus with a 20 (7, 7, 8) and Gavin DeGraw and Karina Smirnoff with  19 (6, 6, 7).  Both teams performed a samba with DeGraw and Smirnoff performing to “Sweetheart from Venezuela” by Harry Belafonte. I think DeGraw and Smirnoff is likely to go.

LEADER BOARD

Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 29 (10, 9, 10)
William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 29 (10, 9, 10)
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 27 (10, 8, 9)
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 27 (9, 9, 9)
Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 26 (9, 8, 9)
Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 24 (8, 8, 8)
Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 21 (7, 7, 7)
Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus: 20 (7, 7, 8)
Gavin Degraw and Karina Smirnoff: 19 (6, 6, 7)

By Individual Dance

SALSA

• ***William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 28 (9, 9, 10)*** Week 3
• Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 27 (9, 9, 9)
• Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 26 (9, 8, 9)
• Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 21 (7, 7, 7)

SAMBA

• ***Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 25 (8, 8, 9)***Week 3
• Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 24 (8, 8, 8)
• ***Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskay: 24 (8, 8, 8)***Week 3 ELIMINATED
• Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus: 20 (7, 7, 8)
• Gavin Degraw and Karina Smirnoff: 19 (6, 6, 7)

ARGENTINE TANGO

• Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 29 (10, 9, 10)
• William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 29 (10, 9, 10)
• Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 27 (10, 8, 9)

Week 4

Week 3

Week 2

Week 1

COUPLE NAME

Donald Driver & Peta Murgatroyd

Phone:

• 800-868-3403
• 800-VOTE4-03
• Text-in Code: 3403 

Gavin Degraw & Karina Smirnoff

Phone:

• 800-868-3404
• 800-VOTE4-04
• Text-in code: 3404

Gladys Knight & Tristan McManus

Phone:

• 800-868-3411
• 800-VOTE4-11
• Text-in Code: 3411

Jaleel White & Kym Johnson

Phone:

• 800-868-3412
• 800-VOTE4-12
• Text-in Code: 3412

Katherine Jenkins & Mark Ballas

Phone:

• 800-868-3410
• 800-VOTE4-10
• Text-in Code: 3410

Maria Menounos & Derek Hough

Phone:

• 800-868-3401
• 800-VOTE4-01
• Text-in Code: 3401

Melissa Gilbert & Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Phone:

• 800-868-3407
• 800-VOTE4-07
• Text-in Code: 3407

Roshon Fegan & Chelsie Hightower

Phone:

• 800-868-3405
• 800-VOTE4-05
• Text-in Code: 3405

William Levy & Cheryl Burke

Phone:

• 800-868-3408
• 800-VOTE4-08
• Text-in Code: 3408

Vote online. 

DWTS 14 Week 4: Jaleel White channels Jagger

Rock week on season 14 of “Dancing with the Stars” wasn’t kind to Jaleel White as he and his dance partner Kym Johnson didn’t get any satisfaction. They ended the night tied at the low end of the leader board.

Dancing the tango to ”(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones, White affected a George Jefferson walk in order to get on his Mick Jagger. It seems there was “zero rock in my house” he says. He did seem to lose character but he definitely got the rock feel, but not the tango sharpness.

Carrie Ann Inaba loved it, but thought that because White tends to be smooth, he needed to be a hair more staccato.

Len Goodman liked the humor White added, but thought the dance needed more tango attack. Tango needs that sensuousness. Goodman compared it to a panther, with delayed foot action.

Bruno Tonioli loved the Jagger beginning, but also wanted more drive and aggression in the footwork.

I think White got the rock feel, but not the tango feel and as he isn’t used to dancing tango, the real problem is Rock Week. This wasn’t the worst song choice, but I don’t think it helped White since he has no experience in the tango.

I hope this couple continues on. At the end of the night three couples were tied with 22 points: William Levy and Cheryl Burke, Jaleel White and Kym Johnson and Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Len Goodman favored Gilbert and Maksim, giving them an eight. But White and Johnson had Carrie Ann Inaba in their corner. Tonioli favored Levy and Burke.

White needs to work on getting Len Goodman in his corner because he’s a better dancer and performer than Gilbert. I’d pick White over Gilbert but I’m not sure how the majority of DWTS fans feel.

LEADER BOARD

Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 27 (9, 9, 9)
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 26 (9, 8, 9)
Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 26 (9, 8, 9)
Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 24 (8, 8, 8)
Gavin Degraw and Karina Smirnoff: 23 (8, 8, 7)
William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 22 (7, 7, 8)
Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 22 (8, 7, 7)
Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 22 (7, 8, 7)
Sherri Shepherd and Val Chmerkovskiy: 21 (7, 7, 7)
Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus: 20 (7, 6, 7)

STANDINGS BY INDIVIDUAL DANCE

Jive

• William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 22 (7, 7, 8)

Levy and Burke had the fourth highest score for jive, tied with Jaleel White and his partner Kym Johnson.

Paso Doble

• Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 27 (9, 9, 9)
• Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 24 (8, 8, 8)
• Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 22 (7, 8, 7)

Tango

• Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 26 (9, 8, 9)
• Gavin DeGraw and Karina Smirnoff: 23 (8, 8, 7)
• Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 22 (8, 7, 7)
• Sherri Shepherd and Val Chmerkovskiy: 21 (7, 7, 7)
• Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus: 20 (7, 6, 7)

Viennese Waltz

• Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 26 (9, 8, 9)

Week 3

Week 2

Week 1

DWTS 14 Week 3: Jaleel White’s rumba

Jaleel White and Kym Johnson danced a rumba to ”For the Cool in You” by Babyface. White took on the persona of Jaleel Urkelle, the cool alter ego of his best known character Steve Urkel.

Carrie Ann Inaba said White was back in the game.

Len Goodman felt White needed to use his arms to be more expressive though he had the hip movement.

Bruno Tonioli wanted more smooth.

• Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 29 (10, 9, 10)
• William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 28 (9, 9, 10)
• Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 27 (9, 9, 9)
• Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 26 (9, 8, 9)
• Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 25 (8, 8, 9)
• Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 25 (9, 8, 8)
• Sherri Shepherd and Val Chmerkovskiy: 24 (8, 8, 8)
• Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskaya: 24(8, 8, 8)
• Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus: 24 (8, 8, 8)
• Gavin Degraw and Karina Smirnoff: 24 (8, 8, 8)
• Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 24 (8, 8, 8)

Foxtrot

• Gladys Knight andTristan McManus: 24 (8, 8, 8)

Knight has the third highest score for the foxtrot. She danced to ”Cupid” by Sam Cooke.

Jive

• Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 24 (8, 8, 8)

Dancing the jive to Jive “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine, Gilbert and Maksim received the second highest score for the jive.

Rumba

• Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 27 (9, 9, 9)
• Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 26 (9, 8, 9)
• Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 25 (9, 8, 9)
• Sherri Shepherd and Val Chmerkovskiy: 24 (8, 8, 8)
• Gavin Degraw and Karina Smirnoff: 24 (8, 8, 8)

Salsa

• William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 28 (9, 9, 10)

Samba

• Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 25 (8, 8, 9)
• Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskaya: 24(8, 8, 8)

Waltz

• Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 29 (10, 9, 10)

Online voting 

Vote online. 

Week 3

Week 2

Jive

• Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 26
• Sherri Shepherd and Val Chmerkovskiy: 23
• Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 22
• Gavin Degraw and Karina Smirnoff: 21
• Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskaya: 21
• Martina Navratilova and Tony Dovolani: 17

Quickstep

• Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 26
• Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 25
• William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 25
• Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 24
• Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 20
• Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus: 19

WEEK 1

Foxtrot

• Katherine Jenkins & Mark Ballas: 26
• Jaleel White & Kym Johnson: 26
• Jack Wagner & Anna Trebunskaya: 23
• Sherri Shepherd & Val Chmerkovskiy: 23
• Gavin Degraw & Karina Smirnoff: 20
• Martina Navratilova & Tony Dovolani: 20

Cha cha cha

• William Levy & Cheryl Burke: 24
• Roshon Fegan & Chelsie Hightower: 23
• Gladys Knight &Tristan McManus: 23
• Maria Menounos & Derek Hough: 21
• Donald Driver &Peta Murgatroyd: 21
• Melissa Gilbert & Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 20

DWTS 14 Week 2: Jaleel falls to fourth (VIDEO)

Last night on week  2 of “Dancing with the Stars” season 14, Jaleel White showed that he could be a leading man on stage as he performed a casual jive dressed as the guy behind the counter romancing a certain girl in an innocent 1950s sort of soda and burger joint. The performance wasn’t good enough for him to remain in first place. White and his partner Kym Johnson fell to fourth.

What went wrong? Footwork and posture. He’s light on his feet and nimble enough, but it lacked full extensions with his legs and feet.  There were times when it seemed like he missed the beat and his posture was too forward. He could have held his shoulders back.

Head judge Len Goodman commented that the routine “lacked real attack and speed” and there “wasn’t a crispness,” and he wanted more punch.

Bruno Tonioli commented, “You cooked a very good dish,” but also complained about the kicks and flicks.

Carrie Ann Inaba called it a fantastic performance but thought he was dancing flat footed.

White is still a delight to watch on the dance floor and although his 22 (7, 7, 8) to  ”Marry You” by Bruno Mars left him in fourth place, behind first place Katherine Jenkins and Derek Hough and the two teams tied for second (Disney star Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower and Telenovela actor William Levy and Cheryl Burke), we want to see him back to dance some more.

Cumulative scores

Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 26+26 = 52
William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 24 + 25 = 49
Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 23+26=49
Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 26+22=48
Sherri Shepherd and Val Chmerkovskiy: 23+23 = 46
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 21+ 25 = 46
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 21 + 24 = 45
Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskaya: 23+21 = 44
Gladys Knight andTristan McManus: 23+19 = 42
Gavin Degraw and Karina Smirnoff: 20 + 21 = 41
Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 20+20=40
Martina Navratilova and Tony Dovolani: 20+ 17 = 37

Jive

• Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: 26
• Sherri Shepherd and Val Chmerkovskiy: 23
• Jaleel White and Kym Johnson: 22
• Gavin Degraw and Karina Smirnoff: 21
• Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskaya: 21
• Martina Navratilova and Tony Dovolani: 17

Quickstep

• Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower: 26
• Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: 25
• William Levy and Cheryl Burke: 25
• Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: 24
• Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 20
• Gladys Knight andTristan McManus: 19

Online voting