[Ed. note: Morning, DANCMSTRs! Carrie Ann has graciously volunteered to share her unique perspective of America's favorite quest for a knob of hardened glitter each week. The 'DWTS' judge and former 'In Living Color' Fly Girl emailed EW late last night. For more 'DWTS,' read today's TV Watch. --Annie Barrett]
***SPOILER ALERT*** (Duh.)
Tonight, despite the very sad departure of Belinda Carlisle (whose music I am a huge fan of — I used to choreograph numbers in my dance class to "Circle in the Sand"), I have never laughed so hard. When Bruno held up his paddle backwards, it was so funny to me. I’ve held up the wrong paddle once before, for Tia Carrere when she danced with Maks. I had to hold up an "I’m sorry" paddle the next night. It was so embarrassing, but we laughed about it, and tonight, we laughed again. We are like family up there, the three of us.
Tonight was a new format. It was a first for Dancing With The Stars to have a dance-off between the lowest scoring couples. We had to judge them again — their previous scores for that dance were tossed aside and the ones we gave tonight counted instead. However, despite the way it may have appeared, we judges do not have the final say. The audience’s and the judges’ votes are still split 50/50. What happens is that they replace our scores for the couple’s original dance with the scores they get for their dance-off performance. So it’s an opportunity for them to do better and improve their judges’ score — or sometimes lower that score, depending on how they do.
After the jump: Carrie Ann breaks down her favorite dances from week 2
I always wonder about the contestants who leave first. I think that’s avery difficult position to be in. No one wants to go first and I worryabout their well-being. I sometimes wish I could call them so that theycould tell me how they felt out there, what it was like, etc. Irealize it must be difficult for them to go through this process. Brunoand I went through it with the contestants on Dance Wars. It’s difficult to standand be judged. I do empathize with these people — they are so brave to do the show, to try something new like this. Andalthough I must score them and judge them, I do care about them andalways wish for them good things and many blessings. Belinda and Jonathan are such kind people from the looks of things,and I am hoping for great things in their future. I hope she enjoyedthe road. 
This week was a good week. There was a lot of improvement fromLawrence, Denise, Ty, and Lil’ Kim. Ty’s megawatt smile was adorable,but his strength is incredible and his posture is quite nice. He’squite athletic and that will help him in this competition. Deniseseemed to find her new confidence. I love seeing them grow like that. Iwas so proud of her and her new sense of self that emerged on the dancefloor this week. That is what I love most about this show, when peoplegrow from the experience. I already see that growth in a few people.It’s incredible to watch.
Steve Wozniak was, once again, adorable on the dance floor. Hissecond performance was much better than the first time he performedthat Quickstep, but the mistakes in the middle took his score back to a6 for me. But generally, it was smoother than the first time he did it.He is a trooper. He’s doing all this with a fractured foot. And I wouldbet that he doesn’t ever complain about it. He’s setting a good exampleto people out there about hard work and just enjoying where you are inlife. I find that to be wonderful to watch. His dancing skills arestill growing, but his life skills are quite admirable.
Gilles and Melissa were fantastic Monday night! Tony Dovolani did agreat job with that salsa. It was really the only one that had a truesalsa flavor. He had the basic and all the variations and the legtricks and the underarm passes and it just had the right tone to it. Itwas driven by the music as all salsas should be, and it was such apleasure to watch. Gilles is also a force to be reckoned with. He trulymade Leeza Gibbons swoon (she was sitting in the front row)! He’s afantastic performer with loads of charisma and a natural flair fordancing. He’s not a one-trick pony by any means, but we will have tosee how it all pans out for him. It’s still early in the competition.
I think this season is so fun. It has a vibrancy to it. It feelsalive. The performers are all so different and all so likeable. I thinkit’s going to be tough for America to choose the winner this season. Ihope people will vote, vote and vote again for the ones they thinkdeserve the trophy. I can’t wait to see what happens.
I have to wrap it up because even though it’s already late, I have arehearsal tonight for the Kids’ Choice Awards. I am choreographing anumber in the show and I’m rehearsing from 10:30 p.m. to midnightbecause it’s the only time I have to do it. But every day, I count myblessings that I have a job — and a job that I love. I am truly hopingthat this season brings joy to people across the country. That they cansit with us all every Monday and Tuesday night, hang out with us intheir living rooms and just enjoy the evening together with us andcelebrate dance.
Until next week — hope life treats you well.
See you Monday!!!
Xoxo,
Carrie Ann
Comments (1-30) of 51 Add your comment
Wow! I’m so excited that you’re blogging here Carrie Ann! I know there are a lot of people who criticize you for being too nitpicky (re: lifts, for example), but I’ve always enjoyed your honest evaluation of the dances – and your enthusiasm when someone does a great job. This blog is such a great opportunity for people to learn more about what the judging process is like for you! I look forward to reading more!
Thank you for making a blog! It’s always fun to get the input of a T.V. Host or Judge in your case about their show. I love the show! Do you ever have a hard time (Being Fair) having a favorite couple, pro or star? It’s seems like Len, Bruno and you are always fair. On a side note, do Bruno or you keep in touch with the kids on Dance War? It seems like they disappeared and it would be interesting to learn where they are in life. Keep up the good work!
jb
Yay – so happy that Carrie Ann is blogging! Let me start by saying that DWTS is my “Happy Show”! No matter how rough of a day I have at work, I come home on Monday evenings and thoroughly enjoy my night watching the show. DWTS always puts a huge smile on my face.
I love all of the contestants; each and every one brings something different to the show and I appreciate that.
Thanks Carrie Ann for sharing your views and I’m looking forward to reading more!
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Glad to read the new blog but if you all are expecting folks to come back and continue reading it you might suggest that she read some of the other celebrity blogs. this read like a high school note passed in class.
Carrie Ann — We’d love to read some more behind the scenes info, e.g. does everyone on the show dislike Karina as much as most viewers do? She’s an incredibly poor sport, and immature to boot. Watching her sulk and pout makes me makes me loathe her, and I always vote against her.
And another thing: How on earth does marble-mouthed Samantha Harris keep her job??? Lest you think I am all negative, I think Tom Bergeron is the most underrated talent on TV; his ad-libs are pure genius!
Carrie Ann, I just have one question. What the heck is “musicality”? I think it’s a made up word!
Can you please explain how the pros are teamed up with the celebrities? It seems unfair that some of the pros are always paired off with someone who doesn’t stand a chance or vice versa – some pros always seem to get the most promising celebrity dancers.
you are a sweetheart Carrie. To feel empathetic towards everyone is what more people should feel towards each other. we would all be living in a more peaceful world if people treated everyone like that. I never miss a show. I agree, who of us could ever do what these people accomplish, even when they are eliminated. They deserve huge amts of credit for their bravery and efforts. you have a good day too.
I would like to hear more about how the songs are selected. Sometimes it seems like the song isn’t meant to be danced THAT way, if you know what I mean. Also, would the show take song suggestions?
Hi Carrie Ann – Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to blog. I really am enjoying watching Woz. He is getting so much out of the experience. I know he doesn’t have a chance at winning but I hope he sticks around for a little longer. I wish Holly had been paired with Tony. I LOVE him. I think that Denise Richads may go the way of Elizabeth Shannon. She seems to not have very much confidence in herself and apologises too much. Not sure what to make of the dance-off yet. Just please please please – no more hip hop. That group number last season was embarassing. It’s a ballroom competition. Let’s keep it in the ballroom (do I sound like Len? I am British too!)
Oh, and I agree with Nancy R – sometimes the song choices are HORRIBLE. I think that is what did Priscilla Presley in. The dance she was eliminated for – I defy anybody to make an dance interesting to that!
Rather than seeing the worst dance in a dance off(which I switched channels for), why not announce the couple who received the most and let them give an encore dance? I would have been happy to watch either Melissa or Gilles do their routines again. But, I can’t watch Steve be humiliated any more.
And pls bring back the pros from season 6. I loved Fabian and Louis. Maks is just too arrogant.
Carrie Ann!!! I love hearing your perspective. Please tell us about the costumes sometimes. Who makes them, where does the design come from,why all the droopy, swingy, sparkley stuff and why-oh-why does everyone have to be Burnt Orange to dance?
Everyone I know who watches this show is only watching it for the pro’s now. They have become bigger celebrities than the “stars.” It’s fascinating to watch the pros take on someone with no dance experience and make them look fabulous. Chelsie, for example – she’s doing an amazing job with Ty. I love the pros-only dances, they’re always the highlight of the show.
Carrie Ann: Can you PLEASE relay to the producers how little sense this “dance-off” makes? Why in the HECK do we want to see the two least liked and WORST dances AGAIN? It is like one of those ideas that looks great on paper, but in practice is AWFUL. I love DWTS but I do NOT want to see 2 awful dances again and again on Results night.
regards,
Numbero Uno DWTS fan
Brent
I hate the new dance offs at the end of the show. I found it to be totally degrading to both couples, this is not necessary whatsoever. Just announce who’s leaving and be done with it. How do you think both of the couples must feel, put yourself in their place. This show is getting worse and worse with constantly repeating things that have already been aired as well. I also feel the judges this year were way too rough on these couples, in light it was the very first week and they are not dance professionals yet they’re being judged like they are. I also couldn’t believe none of the judge noticed the mistakes made by Cheryl Burke’s partner in his quick step, in my mind he cheated, he never did a “full” run through on the floor like the other couples who performed the dance did. Note the pauses that were very craftily snuck in. I definitely would have taken points off for this instead they were given high scores.
CarrieAnn – Thanks for blogging! I’d like to add my 2 cents about the dance-off – Is it going to replace the repeat of the best dance? What is the reason for showing the worst instead?- I don’t think we’re going to see enough improvement to justify the change in format – Please pass our comments on to the producers – Thanks
Why are you so hard on all the women season after season? And do you and Tony not like each other? He seems to be the only one who calls you out all the time.
Carrie Ann – This is my first season watching the show, and I’m loving it. I love your comments and your empathy for the new (and sometimes not terribly talented) dancers. You go, girl!
Hey Carrie Ann. I would also like to add that I am not to fond of the Dance-off. If you can not tell I am a big Cheryl Burke fan and I hope that she And Gilles can win this. What do you think his chances are. I have also noticed how you react to him and think that you are going to need a rag sometime this season to wipe the drool from your face, when he dose a real sexy dance like the samba next week. Keep up the good comments and when you like the performances get up and get down.
I think that the judges are being very harsh with their comments this season. The way they flat out laughed at Steve W. was wrong. Isn’t the point of the show to have people on who have never danced before. They should give him tips not embarrass him. Do they want it to be like last season where Brooke rec’d 9’s from the first week which made the season boring because from Week 1 everyone knew she would win.
Thanks for blogging this season. It is always interesting to hear the behind the scenes perspective. In a future blog would you write about song selection and costume choices. I often think the songs don’t match the style of dance, so I wonder who selects them. This early in the season the dance off is a bit painful, but I can see the benefit of it later to prevent the ouster of a Sabrina caliber dancer too early in the season or keeping poor dancers like Marie in the game too long.
Carrie Ann,
Why do the judges remarks sometimes insult people who competed in previous seasons? We heard Bruno compare Belindas dancing to Cloris and there have been references to Billy Ray long after he participated. Isn’t it bad enough that you are cruel to them when they are on the show?! Why continue??
Do the pros get to pick their celebrity partners or are they assigned by the producers? It seems odd that Jonathan and Tony usually end up with the older female celebrities who probably have less of a chance of winning, while Derek and Mark always get the athletes and younger ones. Karina too, the last few seasons (and Edyta before her) get stuck with the less physically gifted partners. Is it their choice?
Hey I have a suggestion for a tuesday show. Instead of a recap of monday how about a show of the pro dances from the past seasons. Those are always so entertaining and the fans can just watch and enjoy the performances.
For the person talking about Gilles making a mistake for his QS?I thought he was flawless,smooth and very elegant.He is very expressive as well and that makes him very enjoyable to watch.I am particularly surprise with his great frame and intricate footwork.If you look closely, him and Cheryl were so nsync together and the body contact was the best i’ve seen on the show.That made it even harder to do for a QS. but Gilles and Cheryl made it look so easy..Having said that, they had a very bad and tough music to dance to and there is just no way in hell that song should have been used for a QS.I’m amazed how Cheryl still pulled off a good routine though.The song didn’t allow them to do a much faster run around the floor.
This is totally my concern Carrie Anne, what’s up with the song selections?A wrong choice of music for some particular couples can hurt them in the process and lessen their chances.I hope the producers do something about it because it isn’t fair for other couples.My 2c
First of all Carrie Ann, thank you for blogging. Here’s some knowledge from a fan who has extended family across several states who all watch the show and call each other to share thoughts about the show each week. As appointed family spokeman I have to say congratulations on the phenomenal ratings success so far in the early going of season eight. That #1 spot in America is certainly within reach again for the 2nd consecutive season. I just saw a blog that says that Monday night’s DWTS performance show was just a half point shy of beating American Idol’s performance show ratings. You must be beside yourself!!! How thrilling it must be to be staring down another ratings title. Of course for me, my family, and friends nothing supercedes the beautiful execution of one of the most inspiring, uplifting, spiritually wonderful shows to ever grace tv. In an era where sadistic programs such as Hell’s Kitchen are deemed noteworthy, its nice to see a show like DWTS be such a big winner.
As someone already stated DWTS is “that happy show” that brings the family all together and gets us all through stressful long hours of work away from each other. Some of the things my family admire most besides the hard work put in by the choreographers and stars are the orchestra, the background singers, the hosts, and the judging. We love the orchestra because of their phenomenally talented musicians and equally adept vocalists. The host(s) are quick witted and keep the show flowing smoothly and the judges are such amazing speakers that when they critique a performance they teach and paint such an exact picture of what it is that the performance needed or lacked that the audience gets a clear mental photo of what to look for the next time the dance is performed. We love the performance and elimination shows, Carrie Ann. The Macy’s Stars of Dance package choregraphed by Mickey Rooney’s son last night was stellar!!! Jewel’s vocal abilities blew me away and the dance off was great!!