Access all your favorite blogs from myajc! Home > Channel Serf > Archives > 2007 > March > 26
Monday, March 26, 2007
The Dirty “Dancing” Details
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was Heather Mills in a walkover.
No, “Dancing With The Stars” didn’t crown the future-former-Mrs. Cutest Beatle champion Monday night. But Mills’s pretty much put to rest any of those lingering questions about possible fallout (aesthetic and literal) from her prosthetic leg. Early on in their mambo routine, Mills splayed herself across partner Jonathan Roberts’s knee and, legs extended sky-high, proceeded to do a BACK WALKOVER!
Leg still on. Case closed. And good enough for the 3rd best score of the night out of 11 couples. The only woman who performed better was Laila Ali, the world middleweight boxing champ whose fast-shaking hips clearly should be registered as a lethal weapon.
ABC has been tugging on viewers’ heartstrings relentlessly when it comes to Mills’s undeniable courage. Monday’s two-hour show featured footage of the “charity campaigner” (as she’s introduced) appearing with her partner at a fundraising event for children and at least one commercial plug for an upcoming “Good Morning America” segment on how Mills’ “Dancing” role (two whole nights so far) is inspiring other dancers with disabilities. Having seen the impact on the judges and — if ABC is to be believed — all of America, you have to wonder if some of her fellow celebrity dancers have taken note and decided they’re not above a little heartstring-tugging themselves.
Why else did birthday girl Leeza Gibbons announce “I want to be fearless at 50” (she even produced a button bearing that catchphrase; how soon before we can buy one online?). Ian Ziering publicly dedicated his Quick Step to his deceased mother (fortunately, he did her proud) and Billy Ray Cyrus made HIS routine an homage to Johnny Cash — right down to the music (“Ring of Fire”) and the lone guitar sitting at center stage.
The judges pronounced Billy Ray “Most Improved” and judging by the prolonged cheers, he’s an audience favorite. Maybe those slick Hollywood crowds appreciate his aw-shucks Kentucky attitude — In a clip from rehearsals this week, he mournfully proclaimed about the Quick Step, “It’s almost against the laws of nature.” Billy Ray still got one of the lower scores of the night, but considering how much viewer votes count on this show, it’s becoming increasingly clear he knows exactly what he’s doing out there. The good ole boy is crazy like a fox with two left feet.
Tuesday night will see the first celebrity eliminated during the live show at 9 p.m. If Billy Ray’s low judges scores don’t do him in, I predict either Clyde Drexler or — yawn — Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey will get the old heave-ho. Don’t let me influence your votes, folks, but let’s just say that there’s a reason Ms. Finnessey danced in a spangly bikini top. All that was missing was her sash and tiara. And much of anything covering her bottom. And, uh, talent.
Here’s my early favorites to take the overall crown in a sort-of/but don’t hold me to it order: Laila “Hips Don’t Lie” Ali; Apollo Anton “Oh Yes!” Ohno; Heather “Who You Callin’ ‘Yoko’?” Mills; and Joey “Joey!” Fantone.
Meanwhile, Tuesday night’s show features a veritable Walk of Shame to go with all those dancing clips. A segment called “First to Go” will feature interviews with the first celebs eliminated in the previous three editions of “Dancing” — Trista Sutter, Kenny Mayne and Tucker Carlson.
If only they’d worn spangly bikini tops…
