Dancing With The Stars Australia

Sunday night Throng will be blogging live the finale of Dancing With The Stars as well as the almost final of The Voice.

On DWTS we have Johnny Ruffo, Zoe Crammond and Danielle Spencer fighting it out for the mirror ball trophy.

On The Voice we have Darren Percival, Rachael Leahcar, Sarah De Bono and Karise Eden trying to take out the inaugural title. Continue reading »

There will be glitter and glamour when an exciting and diverse line-up of celebrities make their way down the staircase and onto the floor for Series 12 of the hugely popular Dancing With The Stars that starts tomorrownight at 6.30pm on Seven. Continue reading »

INTRODUCING THE 2012 DANCING WITH THE STARS CAST

Channel Seven today announced the cast for the 2012 season of DANCING WITH THE STARS.
This series promises more glitter, more glamour and as always a touch of unpredictability with a cast including a solo yachtswoman, a rock legend, international DJ, AFL superstar and a television icon all hitting the dance floor.
The group will kick up their heels alongside Daniel MacPherson and his new co-host, the sensational Mel B. Having made it to the Grand Final of the US Dancing With the Stars, Mel knows what it takes to rumba to the top.
Judges Helen Richey, Todd McKenney and Joshua Horner will return ready with a keen eye to watch our celebrities dazzle them with their new moves.

Dancing for the coveted mirror ball trophy this year are:

Kerri-Anne Kennerley, TV icon
Brendan Fevola, AFL superstar
Johnny Ruffo, X Factor sensation
Danielle Spencer, Singer/Songwriter
Erin McNaught, Television presenter
Jessica Watson, Solo yachtswoman
Zoe Cramond, Actor, Packed to the Rafters
Vogue Williams, International DJ
Shannon Noll, Singer/Songwriter
Brian Mannix, 80s Rock legend
Caine Eckstein, Ironman

Each week during the live show scores will be combined from the judges plus the all important viewer vote to determine who will be at the top of the dancing leader board and who will be sent waltzing home.
Celebrities will be dancing to raise funds for their favourite charity.

Dancing duos for 2012 season are:

Kerri-Anne Kennerley – dancing with Carmelo Pizzino
Kerri-Anne has interviewed world leaders, sporting icons, leaders of business and superstars, and is a highly respected national television presenter, gracing our television screens for almost thirty years. Kerri-Anne has also written two books “People I’ve Met, Places I’ve Been” and “Kerri-Anne’s Life Energy”.

Brendan Fevola – dancing with Jessica Raffa
Brendan is regarded as one of the greatest full-forwards in the history of the AFL, finishing with 623 goals from 204 matches. „Fev‟ twice won the Coleman Media for the AFL‟s leading goal kicker in 2006 and 2009, and played for both Carlton and Brisbane.

Johnny Ruffo – dancing with Luda Kroitor
Johnny was thrust into the spotlight last year when he entered the hit show X Factor. Only a few months on after being a top 3 finalist, Johnny has ditched his job as a concreter and recently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia.

Danielle Spencer – dancing with Damian Whitewood
Danielle Spencer‟s musical career was undeniably destined from an early age. The daughter of Don Spencer – a respected musician and renowned TV presenter in Britain and Australia – Danielle first started to sing and learn the piano from her father at the age of four. Last year Danielle and her band joined Chris Isaak on his Australian tour in March, followed by the „Rock & Rebuild‟ charity concert alongside Sir Bob Geldof in May.

Erin McNaught – dancing with Gleb Savchenko
Glamorous beauty Erin first hit the scene in 2006 when she represented Australia in the Miss Universe competition. Now an MTV VJ, Erin co-hosts the MTV Hits Weekly Hot 30 Countdown and is a widely sought after ambassador.

Jessica Watson - dancing with Damien Samuel
Just three days shy of her 17th birthday, Jessica Watson shot to fame when she completed her dream of sailing solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world. Jessica later wrote a book about her epic voyage which went to number one in Australia and has been published in 11 countries. She was named Young Australian of the Year in 2011, and this year was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Zoe Cramond – dancing with Aric Yegudkin
Zoe Cramond burst onto the Australian television scene with her role on the hit Channel Seven show Packed To The Rafters. Zoe plays Emma, and has quickly settled into life with her Rafter family. Zoe tained at the Bachelor of Performing Arts in New Zealand.

Vogue Williams – dancing with Christopher Page
Vogue Williams has been a DJ in her homeland of Ireland for five years and most recently held a residency at the hip inner city club Andrews Lane Theatre in Dublin. Vogue, who has also modeled, is engaged to fellow Irish superstar and Australia‟s Got Talent judge Brian McFadden.

Shannon Noll – dancing with Elena Samodanova
Shannon has become one of the most successful singers in Australia, and is the only man to have ten consecutive top 10 ARIA singles chart. After hitting the scene in 2004 with his emotional cover of the Moving Pictures classic What About Me his debut album went on to sell more than 350,000 copies and went five times platinum.

Brian Mannix – dancing with Melanie Hooper
Brian first came to national attention through his work as lead singer and songwriter of one of the most popular bands of the 1980s – The Uncanny X-Men. Hit singles “Everybody Wants to Work”, “Party”, “How Do You Get Your Kicks”, “Still Waiting” and “Fifty Years” saw the band achieve gold and platinum sales. In 1997 he released a novel about a new team in the AFL made up of disgraced international sporting stars.

Caine Eckstein – dancing with Jess Prince
At just 25, Caine is the best endurance ironman Australia has ever seen. The Coolangatta Gold Champion took his wins to a new record this year by becoming the only person in history to win the iconic event five times. Caine is also a fierce competitor in the Kellogg‟s Nutri Grain Series and this year won the title overall in the 2011/12 competition.

DANCING WITH THE STARS returns soon to Channel Seven.

Kerri-Anne Kennerley has rightfully so, come lashing out at Channel Nine. The new Dancing with the Stars addition has compared the network to the ill fated ship, the Costa Concordia.

Newly signed with powerhouse Channel Seven, where she will hopefully get the respect she deserves, Kerri-Anne has said that after learning of her demise from The Sunday Telegraph, “I don’t think it’s too much to expect a little courtesy, no matter who you are.”

After spending December on safari in South Africa, she has compared the wid animals to the executives at Channel Nine. ” I loved it (safari), seeing all those wild animals, and having worked at Willoughby I was very well placed to deal with them.”

Having not watched the new ‘Mornings’ with Sonia Kruger and David Campbell (she’s not missing much) Kennerley also said about Channel Nine  “It’s on the record that they’re being chased by a bunch of banks who will need to resolve their financial issues”.

The glamorous star also said about Nine that “When people are under stress they don’t always do things as you would expect them to do things and there’s no denying that those Channel 9 executives are under high stress. There are a few paralells between Nine and the Costa Concordia – they veer off course, hit the rocks, try and right themselves and sink and the captain gets off first, so lets see how this year pans out”. Ouch! but so true.

Kerri-Anne will have a prime time show on Seven this year and can’t wait to see her frocked up for this years Dancing With The Stars that is also rumoured to star ex-Australian Idol runner up, Shannon Noll.

The full list of 2011 Reality Television Stars is now out- but there are a few notable exceptions. Some of those who didn’t make the list do deserve a mention, and here are those mentions right now!

EMMA DUNCAN (The Biggest Loser)

Second female winner of The Biggest Loser, which is saying something after being allowed back into the competition soon after being eliminated. She came from the very strong Duncan Family, who were trained by newcomer Tiffiny Hall. Her magnificent feat definitely needs some recognition.

SARAH MOON (The Biggest Loser)

Another Biggest Loser finalist, and this fiesty nutter kept giving us excuse after excuse to watch the show! Her continued outbursts of rage aimed at the Commando’s training regime, as regrettable to say, brought tears of laughter to our eyes while at the same time made us feel for her and what she must have been going through. She never gave up though, earning a cool fourth place in the competition.

JOE CHALLENOR (The Biggest Loser)

The villain of the season, Joe was most famous for putting his nephew Nathaniel up for elimination in his place and depriving his brother Damien of a much needed immunity opportunity. He was able to stun viewers though, with his stunning transformation and hard work.

JOSH DENSTEN & JENNA WHITEHEAD (The Block)

This bickering couple were probably the most outspoken couple on this year’s season. Having the only double fronted home, it seemed the unique position they were in lended them a hand as the couple went on to controversially win a good handful of challenges and money! Their most infamous moments included the finale proposal by Josh and Josh’s clashes with site manager Keith.

KATRINA CHAMBERS & AMIE GODDE (The Block)

These pair of sisters were something else on The Block. The third most successful couple on this years season, there was a lot these girls did for the audience- most of it revovled around laughter. Whether it was admitting themselves into self-created Women’s Clubs or singing along to Dynamite, these girls were just so entertaining. When they were down, the nation was down in the dumps with them.

TANIA & ROD WALSH (The Block)

Tania & Rod were the strong couple of The Block this year- both professionally and mentally. Having to deal with a recent death in the family, it wasn’t easy for these two to keep a brave face and renovate to their professional standards at the same time, but somehow they managed it and the nation was happy for it.

MO EL-LEISSY & MOS HAROUN (The Amazing Race Australia)

Mo & Mos were this year’s stereotype breaker. As two Muslims, it was hard to find them in a situation that didn’t challenge your beliefs on the religion. These fun loving, dopey characters proved to be continuous comic relief from the serious challenges and it was equally as sad to see them leave the contest half way through.

ANNE-MARIE BROWN & TRACY READ (The Amazing Race Australia)

The Big W ladies from WA were the first notable characters of the game in my opinion and had they stayed in the game for just a little while longer they may have made the list, but like Mo & Mos, their thirst for fun never parched and they continued to deliver strong comedic moments of television right up to their elimination early on.

DAVE & KELLY MILLER (The Amazing Race Australia)

These bikies were never short of laughs either, but at the same time, they were some of the biggest competitors the game had. When Dave wasn’t going off at an ice- Hockey Player who blocked all his shots, they were out to seek revenge from those who underestimated these two bikies!

JOEY TOUTOUNJI (The Amazing Race Australia)

Less her partner, Richard, Joey was the true villain of the series. Having betrayed former allies Mel & Alana, her ‘Focus, Believe, Achieve’ quote was one of the most annoying cliches of 2011. Good riddance to this one I say.

TIMOMATIC (Australia’s Got Talent)

Timomatic came 21st on my list in the end due to his incredible talent and the chills he sent up my spine when I saw him perform. He has since gone on to perform nationwide and is recieving a lot more notabilty after his stint on the show.

COSENTINO (Australia’s Got Talent)

For his death-defying stunts and his calm and collected nature. YouTube him. ‘Nuff said.

BENCHMARK (Australia’s Got Talent)

Another close call, but these group of oldies had it all- voice, charisma and inspiration. Despite their hardship, these guys taught Australia that anything is possible. It’s a shame they didn’t win the show in my opinion.

BEN PRICE (Australia’s Got Talent)

His funny impersonations will forever be stuck in my head, the head of Dannii and no doubt your head. If only I heard him on radio a little bit more, I may have moved him up and into the list of faves.

ROBERT DAVIDOV (Top Design)

Special mention for winning Top Design. Probably the show’s only winner.

GRETA YAXLEY (Junior MasterChef)

Special mention for winning Junior MasterChef Australia.

SAMMY & BELLA JAKUBIAK (My Kitchen Rules)

Special mention for winning My Kitchen Rules.

TROY THOMPSON & MACKENZIE GOGO-SMITS (Beauty & The Geek Australia)

Special mention for their engagement. Are they married yet?

SARAH LAWTHER & LACHLAN COSGROVE (Beauty & The Geek Australia)

Special mention for winning Beauty & The Geek Australia)

Special mentions also go out to those who are still notable for their work on reality television this year but their disclusion from my list was not terribly regrettable:

CHRISTINA PARIE (X Factor), JOHNNY RUFFO (X Factor), PAMELA COOKE (X Factor) ANDREW WISHART (X Factor), DECLAN SYKES (X Factor), CHRISTIE BLIZZARD (Renovators), NATALIE BROADHEAD (Renovators), AUGUST SMITS (Renovators), DANI VENN (MasterChef Australia), JOHN HUGHES (MasterChef Australia), ELLIE PAXTON-HALL (MasterChef Australia), TEAM ROCKET (Australia’s Got Talent), NATHANIEL CHALLENOR (Biggest Loser), MATT NUNN & TOM WARRINER (Amazin Race Australia), FARMER KEV (Farmer Wants A Wife) & HALEY BRACKEN (Dancing with the Stars)

Can’t list everyone, but there’s the who’s who of reality television 2011. All that there is to do today is to announce the 2011 Personality of the Year. That announcement will be up shortly.

Dancing With The Stars in the US has “leaked”  it’s “rumoured” lineup for 2012 – it’s twelth season. Unlike our version they actually do have “stars”.
 
The contestants are apparently:

- Nick Jonas – part of the Disney Channels The Jonas Brothers, a tween sensation.
- Dina Lohan – mother of the train wreck that is Lindsay Lohan.
- Khloe Kardashian – sister of the curvaceous Kim and star of Keeping Up With The Kardashians
- Shaquille O’Neal – Very tall basketball star – soo funny as dancers are so petite.
- Regis Philbin – Host of American morning show and holds Guiness Book of Records title – of most hours spent in     front of a TV camera.
- Mike Tyson – Heavy weight boxing champion, famous for biting off an ear and raising pigeons
- Ashley Hebert – Former Bachelorette of 2011.
- Queen Latifah – Singer and actress, who won a best supporting Oscar for Chicago.
- Donnie Wahlberg – Former New Kid On The Block and now star of Blue Bloods

.- Melissa Gilbert – former child star of Little House On The Prairie and president of The Screen Actors Guild.

I really have done research on this, but can’t believe some of them – Mike Tyson? Oscar winner Latifah? Snooki from Jersey Shore has been a strong rumour too – but has been denied by her management. Still, watch this space.

I would love it if a channel like 7 who has the Aussie rights showed it on digital, or handed it over to Foxtel. Guess too expensive – but got to give them credit for talent. When is officially announced will post.

Another week in reality television history is over and we are left with a day to reflect, refresh and get back into MORE reality goodness next week. While we wait, let’s just recap what kind of week it has been.

So the week started off with an Instant Dance edition of Dancing with the Stars where five couples danced as usual, before having to memorise a second routine within forty minutes. I really thought Samantha Armytage’s days were up but as it turns out, Lara Bingle was sent home after facing the bottom two with Haley Bracken. Out of the two, I don’t think anyone would disagree with that outcome.

There are two weeks left of this competition for the year and although it’s pretty obvious who’s going to be going through to the finals, I don’t doubt that Dancing with the Stars has yet another twist on the competition to keep viewers even mildly entertained.

MasterChef powered forward to its top ten with the elimination of Danielle Dixon, after failing to impress at a Moran farm buffet Sunday challenge and in the pressure test elimination, and fan favourite Kumar who has generated a lot of support online but failing to list ingredients in a blindfolded invention test and therefore failing to produce a scrumptious dish.

Other highlights of the week included a star-studded MasterClass involving Kiwi Chef Justin North and MasterChef New Zealand judge Simon Gault amongst other faves. I think you can guess that it was in fact a New Zealand themed MasterClass with Alana & Ellie winning a trip to the country itself.

Merle Parrish, competition and award winning baker of 70+ years, came and visited, challenging Billy to an immunity challenge. After producing her cakes, doing a bit of knitting and gleefully checking in on the rushing mad Billy, Merle won the challenge and was even allowed to keep the immunity pin!

Moving onto The Amazing Race Australia, and yet again, this show doesn’t fail to disappoint. It delivered laughs, whether due to the farmer’s constant road & authority troubles, or due to Dave’s increasingly volatile temper during the ice hockey challenge, this was certainly a side-splitting hour.

The contestants stacked beer, took photo’s of people waving flags (albeit most of the time the wrong ones, causing each team to count some stairs) and even attempted to eat some pig. In the end, Chris & Anastasia came into the pit stop first for once… only to be told that it is a double leg! This just makes me laugh even more, and want the next episode to arrive even more-er.

To The Block, and the contestants moved into their houses. Construction began on room one however it wasn’t long before Shelley Craft, new co-host of the show, delivered the first twist; the first team to complete her set challenge got to switch houses with someone (or was that ‘evict’ someone completely?). After racing around finding model houses, Polly & Waz won the challenge but decided not to switch houses!

Katrina & Amie had a scuffle with the on site foreman over a fireplace that brought them to tears as they and the other contestants (especially Josh & Jenna who experienced a few relationship troubles during Shelley’s challenge) realised how tough this competition really will be.

At the end of the week, Scott kept the surprises going, reintroducing The Block 2010 contenders Mark & Duncan and telling the current contestants that whoever wins his wall building challenge, will score Mark & Duncan as extra pair of hands for the next day.

Tania & Rod won and put Mark & Duncan to work on carpentry, building and grocery shopping. But Mark & Duncan’s appearance wasn’t the only one made by a former contestant with Jenna calling The Block 2010 contestant Chez to help after losing the challenge and wanting someone with experience to help them anyway.

As it turns out, all Chez did was give them a few tips, drank with them and left. She hasn’t been heard of since!

Moving on to Australia’s Got Talent and another three acts made it through in the penultimate semi final. They were Instant Bun, the Old Fella & Liam Burrows.  To the performances and while some were good, some were a little poor, it was Jordan Paris that got everyone talking; for all the wrong reasons.

After plagiarising jokes in the audition stage, his next routine was full of originals. Epic fail! While I thought some of his jokes were snigger worthy, the rest were certainly duds, falling flat on almost deaf ears. Kyle told him to stick to ripping off everybody else as his stuff ‘sucked ass’.

No doubt that he wont be one of the three making it through to the final however whoever does will be doing so on the final semi final of the season as the final eight semi-finalists battle it out for a place in the super sized grand final!

MasterChef continues on as usual and all I can tell you off the top of my head at this stage is that I know there will be two more eliminations this week like every other week, bringing us closer to the finals week!

UPDATE: My good buddy Johnson who provides invaluable and detailed information about MasterChef and the contents on (nearly) every episode’s special guests, locations, cuisine types etc. has provided some details on this week’s MasterChef. As usual, you can scroll down and read his comment but with so much happening next week according to him, here’s just a rundown on what to expect, courtesy of Johnson!

- Sunday will see Shane Delia as guest judge on the Middle Eastern theme invention test

- Tuesday will see Alessandro Pavoni, chef and owner of Ormeggio at the Spit in Sydney, returns to immunity challenge to avenge his apprentice Alex Keene’s loss to Hayden by a point in week 2 (predicting an absolutely unmissable episode here!)

- To Wednesday and a very special guest; English chef, restaurateur and TV presenter Marco Pierre White (he was the youngest chef to be awarded three Michelin stars at age 33) will be special guest.

- This Wednesday episode looks interesting in more than one way; it also features an English v French cuisine team challenge!

Thanks again, Johnson! Brilliant stuff!

The Block heads into its first room inspection and from a fleeting glance at some of the finished products these contestants will finish with, it will be a close call, but one to definitely tune into. After that, work on room two officially begins and the drama starts all over again.

Lastly, The Amazing Race finishes the rest of leg 7 with a bang. One very exhausted team will be going home and we’ve been promised that this episode will be hard for ‘more than one team’. What does this mean? Double elimination? Probably not, and if it isn’t, we can expect eliminations for ALL legs to come as we head into the final weeks of this massive race.

 It will be a huge week ahead, topped off with the launch of Project Runway Australia. I regret to inform you that I do not have Foxtel and any blogging I was going to do for this show and Australia’s Next Top Model was depending on my friend taping it and me watching it at a later date. She has told me today that she will be getting rid of her subscription in the next few weeks due to the fact she’s saving to move overseas. Therefore, I personally won’t be blogging any of these episodes as previously planned.

If anyone wished to blog these episodes and can post to this site, please do so at your own leisure. Similarly, if you can’t post to this site for whatever reason, you may email me your completed recap blog to c_rose_luvy1980@hotmail.com and I will happily post it with your name authored to the top of it!

Thanks for your appreciation and I apologise for any inconvenience.

The 2011 Dancing With The Stars Grand Final airs Sunday, July 10 at 6.30pm. All the couples return to perform one last time as our final three celebs battle it out for dancefloor supremacy!

That means the season final of Downton Abbey is being pre-empted on the 10th and will air the following Sunday, July 17 at 8.30pm.

Grey’s Anatomy will have its season end on July 7 at 8.30pm. Meredith will find herself at a new low in this suprising climax to the end of it’s seventh season.

Private Practice will also end it’s season 4 finale straight after Grey’s at 9.30pm, with the fate of the Oceanside Wellness hanging in the balance.

Two dead, four reunited, the collapse of a marriage, a progressive dinner party… and Vanessa Williams sings in the season final of Deperate Housewives at the special time of 8.40pm on Thursday, July 14.

Cougar Town wraps up its second season at 10.30pm on Tuesday, July 12. The cul-de-sac crew are still in Hawaii and Laurie has to resort to drastic and hurtful lengths to ultimately convince Travis to return home. There’s also emotional revelations – and complications – for Jules and Grayson, and for Bobby.

The ladies may normally swoon for Manu Feildel, but the sexy chef is hoping to make some romantic matches by playing cupid in his new show, Dinner Date.

Currently heating up the dance floor on Dancing With The Stars, Manu is back to his love of food in Dinner Date – which pairs singles in a blind date over a home-cooked three-course meal. “I can’t think of a better way to get to know someone than over dinner,” says Manu.

Each week Manu will introduce us to a single guy or girl looking for love. After perusing five dinner menus, they will choose the three most appealing menus and embark on three blind dates with the successful chefs cooking their ambitious menus and hosting the date in their own home.

Will anyone find true love? “Either way, they’ll enjoy some wonderful food and have a lot of fun,” says Manu. “And you just never know where you can find love these days.”

Dinner Date is coming soon to Channel 7.

Dancing With The Stars bid farewell to its most talked-about celebrity Brynne Edelsten at the end of a spectacular rock and roll theme night.

The social starlet found himself in the bottom two, alongside cover girl Lara Bingle, after receiving the lowest score of the night for her Paso Doble. Host Daniel MacPherson paid tribute to Brynne’s strength of character during the competition. “The way you held yourself was a testament to you,” he said.

The bubbly blonde was still smiling after her elimination. “I loved the entire experience,” she said. “It was a privilege to be part of this show. My dance partner Arsen [Kishishian] is amazing. He’s been my rock. I want to keep dancing. It’s so much fun.”

Tonight was a special rock music theme night where the stars had to perform one dance each as well as taking part in an all-in rock and roll dance marathon for a chance to earn up to 10 bonus points.

Haley Bracken tightened her grip on the mirrorball trophy finishing first yet again with 36 points. Her Tango to Pink’s So What brought the crowd to their feet. “I absolutely loved it,” Todd McKenney said. “It was an unbelievably great routine. It was classy, stylish and it had all the elements I look for.”

Sexy chef Manu Feildel powered into second place after winning the dance marathon. “You’re infectious,” Joshua Horner said “It’s fun to watch.”

Despite being in the bottom two couples this week, Lara Bingle delivered an outstanding Cha Cha to Pink’s Raise Your Glass which earned 24 points from the judges and a standing ovation from the crowd. “You had the audience eating out of your hand,” judge Helen Richey said.

The final scores were: 
HALEY BRACKEN & Aric Yegudkin 27 plus 9 bonus points = 36
MANU FEILDEL & Alana Patience 21 plus 10 points = 31
DAMIEN LEITH & Melanie Hooper 22 plus 8 points = 30
LARA BINGLE & Carmelo Pizzino 24 plus 4 points = 28
SAMANTHA ARMYTAGE & Brendon Midson 21 plus 7 points = 28
NICK BRACKS & Jessica Raffa 21 plus 6 points = 27
BRYNNE EDELSTEN & Arsen Kishishian 13 plus 5 points = 18