Dancing with the stars

Last week Lara Bingle and Manu led the leader board, yet this week it was ex Idol Damien Leith and Hayley Bracken that took the top 2. I was so glad they were kinder to Brynne after her harassment last week. The judges and commentators (Daniel McPherson and Sonia Kruger) all seems humble – as they should be. Is she a great dancer – No – but she doesn’t seem nasty or malicious and think she dealt very well with last weeks comments. They are smart at 7 not showing Manu until later as that’s why I watch – and Sam Armytage! But I PVR and can’t even be bothered watching and am only in week 2. It’s so long. But the bottom 2 are Jan – the golfing star and Mark, and Nathan Bracken and Marcia. Nathan Bracken and Marcia are now eliminated.

Written by Alicia B

So guys, it’s a boring Saturday night on television; dominated by movies, repeats, British crime drama and the odd 3 year old reality import. And while most of us are heading out for a night on the town, let’s quickly review the week that’s been in reality television; and take a dive into the week ahead. 

The week started off quite strong; the launch of Dancing With The Stars’ eleventh season wasn’t without controversy. Firstly, it was new judge Joshua Horner and his dig at Brynne Edelsten, calling her a ‘bedazzled sack of potatoes’!  

Sack of potatoes? Come on, Josh; I know she was bad, but this isn’t Ireland! 

Sonia Kruger’s follow up comment about Geoffrey Edelsten’s relationship with the competitor did nothing to smooth things over. I personally agree with Sonia (her response to the controversy; not necessarily the joke itself); it is just a lame joke. I myself have used it before when referring to my own friends. Why is this even an issue? It obviously wasn’t Sonia’s intention to cause harm; so why paint her in this way? I would argue that the only thing wrong with the situation was that a joke of that lame-ness should have never made it to television. And Sonia’s presenting skills are also worth some examination. 

Hidden away in the background was Manu’s performance; absolutely brilliant and definitely worth the points he got. He’s definitely got my back! 

Moving on to MasterChef and enter the first contest; bread baking! After Hayden’s heroic win in the immunity challenge against apprentice Alex Keene, the contestants divided into the infamous red and blue teams before working all night on many different types of bread. The blue team won, edging out the red team with 3 votes to 2; and the curse was lifted. 

The news however only got worse for Tom who, after putting himself up for elimination alongside Kumar, became the first contestant to be eliminated proper from the show. 

Coupled with the amazing voices and acts we saw on Tuesday, and particularly Wednesday’s episodes of Australia’s Got Talent; it was a pretty heavy week in reality teevee land! 

But enter next week! 

This next week will be explosive, no doubt. We not only get another dose of everything I described above; but a certain 50,000km race around the world begins on Monday. 

I am talking of course, about none other than the premiere of The Amazing Race Australia at 8.30pm Monday night on Seven. Already praised by critics and fans alike, this will surely be a reality event remembered from 2011. 

The eleven competing teams look great. We have a great mix of nut-jobs, with some down to earth commoners ready to take on 4 continents, 12 countries, 23 cities and a more difficult than usual trip from the MCG to the Airport (!?!). 

As a South Aussie myself; I will be paying close attention to representatives Alana & Mel; a pair of reunited sisters. My keen interest however lays within Big W co-workers Ann-Marie and Tracy. Seriously, my excitement is hard to contain; I just cannot wait (and of course, I will be blogging you exactly what I thought). 

The fallout from last weeks Dancing With The Stars is also looking like suspenseful television, and with another week of MasterChef (promising to be the biggest yet) and two fresh episodes of Australia’s Got Talent; it sure will be a busy week! 

That’s it for me this Saturday; enjoy your night and I will speak to you all very soon.

Dancing with the Stars judges are standing by their comments towards contestant Brynne Edelsten’s performance on last weekend’s season premiere.

Josh Horner got the Channel Seven series off to a controversial start by labelling the socialite “a bedazzled sack of potatoes” whose moves looked like she was “vomiting up something”.

This morning Todd McKenney stood by his fellow judge, saying that while Horner was a “little tough”, Edelsten is ”asking for it” by setting herself up as a “bombshell of a woman”.

“And then if she’s going to come on Dancing With the Stars and wear a shoestring strap, fully-breasted dancing around and not very well, then she’s gonna cop it,” McKenney told The Morning Show.

“She’s asking for it.

“For us to not mention the elephants in the room was always going to be tricky.”

However he also said that the judges criticism will also help Edelsten gain viewer support and work in her favour for the competition.

“She’s going to do very well, Australia is going to love Brynne because she’s also come out and said ‘water off a duck’s back, let’s move on.’”

Source: SMH

Dancing with the Stars contestant Brynne Edelsten has defended herself following the criticism she copped from new judge Josh Horner on Sunday night.

Horner labelled her “a bedazzled sack of potatoes” following her first performance on the Channel 7 series.

“It was brutal … really, really awful,” she said.

“To be told those things in front of 1.5 million viewers, it is embarrassing and hurtful.

“The dance went so quick, but when I was standing in front of the judges that felt like it was never-ending and I just kept thinking … hurry, hurry before I start crying.”

Edelsten says she has received plenty of support from fans over the past few days.

“I feel like I have Australia backing me right now and I don’t want to let them down,” Edelsten said.

“At least I have hit rock bottom, let’s hope, touch wood, so it is only up from here.”

Edelsten’s husband Geoffrey also hit out at co-host Sonia Kruger for her quip that suggested he was Brynne’s dad.

“You need to think before you open your mouth,” he said.

Source: Herald Sun

After watching the bullying of Brynne Edelsten last night, I must say I was turned off DWTS. In a culture where we are trying to eradicate such behaviour, I was shocked at how nasty people could be. To call a young girl, “a bedazzled potatoe sack rolling down the stairs” is horrendous. Would any woman want to be called that, nevermind on national TV. Ok she wasn’t a great dancer but really, critique her dancing not her. To add insult to injury, presenter Sonia Kruger then “joked” that “I think it’s nice you get on so well with your dad.” This was in reference to Brynnes husband Geoffrey Edelsten. What happened to constructive criticism – which brings me to Masterchef.

Even though some have slammed this season of Masterchef, it can’t be denied that any who watch have been inspired and touched by the contestant John, a gentleman who suffers from Cerebral Palsy. The judges here were fair, dignified and gave helpful criticism and due praise through his journey. Even though he didn’t make it to the top 24, it was an incredible story and was handled with wonderful decorum.

DANCING WITH THE STARS kicked off its 11th series in spectacular style with 11 new celebrities braving the dance floor for the first time.

Along with an exclusive performance from international superstar Ronan Keating, tonight also marked the debut of new judge Joshua Horner, who joined the panel alongside veterans Todd McKenney and Helen Richey.

Hosted by Daniel MacPherson and Sonia Kruger, it was a brilliant night of entertainment as this year’s contestants strutted their stuff.

Top honours went to celebrity chef Manu Feildel, whose Viennese Waltz to Tom Jones’ What’s New Pussycat blew everyone away. He top scored with 25 points, earning the first standing ovation of the series. “Great choice of music,” Helen said. “It let you show your cheeky personality.” Joshua added, “I love it. Manu you were magnifique.”

Model Lara Bingle finished in second place with a beautiful Viennese Waltz to Kelly Clarkson’s Cry earning her 24 points. Todd said, “It was an elegant routine. You probably silenced a lot of your critics.”

Damien Leith and red carpet sensation Haley Bracken also impressed with 23 points. Damien kicked off the show with a rock and roll charged Cha Cha to U2 and BB King’s classic When Love Comes To Town. While he called it “the most terrifying thing” he’s ever done in his life, his performance earned rave reviews. “You were fantastic,” Todd said. “What a great way to start. You’re a surprise package.”

Haley – who in a show first is competing alongside husband, cricketer Nathan Bracken – also dazzled with her Cha Cha. “It was a great performance,” Joshua said. In week one of the battle of the Brackens, Haley outshone her hubby who only managed 16 points with his Viennese Waltz.

Surfing legend Mark Occhilupo finished last with only seven points after a disappointing Cha Cha. Todd didn’t hold back, giving it only one point and calling it, “The worst routine we’ve had in 11 series. It was truly awful.”

Social starlet Brynne Edelsten and partner Arsen Kishishian finished second last with a score of 10. Failing to fire with her Cha Cha, the judges criticised her lack of coordination. “That was frightening,” Joshua said.

The final scores were:  

MANU FEILDEL & Alana Patience 25

LARA BINGLE & Carmelo Pizzino 24

DAMIEN LEITH & Melanie Hooper 23

HALEY BRACKEN & Aric Yegudkin 23

DAN EWING & Luda Kroitor 18

NICK BRACKS & Jessica Raffa 17

JAN STEPHENSON & Mark Hodge 17

NATHAN BRACKEN & Masha Belash 16

SAMANTHA ARMYTAGE & Brendon Midson 15

BRYNNE EDELSTEN & Arsen Kishishian 10

MARK OCCHILUPO & Jade Brand 7

Dancing With The Stars, 6.30pm SEVEN

This two and a half hour return will introduce us to the cast this year. We will see who can dance and who just makes us laugh. Manu Feildel, Lara Bingle and Samantha Armytage are just a few of the stars who will compete to win the disco ball trophy. 

Merlin, 6.30pm TEN

In this third season of this popular and almost cultish show, Morgana is found,dishevelled and bruised in the forest,claiming abduction. Superficially contrite,she is still in league with Morghause,for whom she collects tears shed by Pendragon. These are used to curse him and fashion a doll from mandrake,which Morgana places under his bed.It slowly starts to drive him mad and, as he begins to hallucinate,seeing ghosts,Morghause approaches rival king Cenred to invade the weakened kingdom,having first taken Merlin prisoner. However Merlin summons the Great Dragon to come and free him.

Lady Gaga presents The Monster Ball Tour, 8.30pm ELEVEN

Lady Gaga showcases all her hit singles and the show from her Monster Ball album, live at Madison Square Garden. A must for all fans ( Little Monsters ) awaiting her new album at the end of the month. Expect extravagance and shocks along the way, and embrace the new Madonna.

Moby Dick – Part One, 8.30pm ABC 1

This two part mini-series starts tonight with a man signing on to a whale boat only to discover how his charismatic yet despotic his new captain has become, in hunting a giant white whale.

Cutting Edge, 9.30pm SBS ONE

Gaddafi – Our Best Enemy. While Gaddafi rules the headlines now and his leadership is at risk, this examines his relationship with the West. His four decades of realpolitik, oil control and violence are all covered. A must see due to the drama all over the Middle East.

A Few Good Men, 8.30pm GEM

A classic from 1992 featuring a younger Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore. Worth watching for the nostalgia but also a great military trial – especially in post Guantanamo days and recent reports about Aussie defence behaviour.

Seven have now confirmed (officially) that Dancing with the Stars will premiere next Sunday, May 8 at 6.30pm, in a two and a half hour premiere special. It continues at 6.30pm Sundays.

It will be followed by a double new episode of Castle from 9.00pm. There is also a double episode of Castle following Dancing with the Stars next Sunday, May 15, at 8.30pm.

Australia’s Got Talent is confirmed for Tuesday and Wednesday nights 7.30pm for this week, next week, and the week after (May 17 and 18).

The season final of 30 Rock airs at 11.30pm, Thursday May 19.

Channel Seven announced today that talented Australian dancer Joshua Horner will be joining Helen Richey and Todd McKenney on the Dancing With The Stars judging panel when Series 11 returns to our screens on Sunday May 8 at 6.30pm.

Joshua said; “I am completely thrilled to join the judging panel. I am a huge fan of Dancing With The Stars and excited to be bringing my experience and energy to the show.  My passion for dance is so consuming that I can’t wait to see what Aussie celebrities can bring to the floor.”

Joshua has been a star of the dance world in Australia and abroad. He was in the Australian Ballet for five-and-a-half years where he played many principal roles and starred in Graeme Murphy’s Tivoli in which he was nominated for a Helpmann Award and won the Australian Dance Award for Most Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical.

He performed in Dirty Dancing in the role of Johnny Castle before being head hunted by Twyla Tharp for her smash hit dance musical, Movin’ Out, to play the lead role of Tony on London’s West End.

Preceding his West End Debut he joined a UK Tour of Guys and Dolls with the prestigious Donmar Warehouse. He then returned to Australia to play the older Billy in the first offshore production of Billy Elliot The Musical.

Joshua was then asked to join the Broadway production of Billy Elliot where he performed at the Tony Awards with Sir Elton John.

For the past two-and-a-half years, Joshua has been living in Los Angeles. Currently he is working for Disney as the Choreographic Consultant for the Disneyland Parade.

DANCING WITH THE STARS returns soon to Channel Seven on Sunday May 8 at 6.30pm.

Dancing With the Stars is the smash-hit BBC format that has been seen in more than 75 countries around the world.  It is a Freehand production for Channel 7 and BBC Worldwide.

The format has been licensed in over 35 territories and Dancing With The Stars is “The Most Successful Reality TV Format” – awarded by The Guinness Book of World Records 2010.

Joshua Horner has been named the new judge for Channel Seven’s Dancing with the Stars.

The Central Coast-raised dancer will take the seat left by departing judge Mark Wilson.

Horner, who was recruited by Seven from the US where he worked as chief choreographer at Disneyland, has danced on both the West End in London and Broadway in New York.

“My experience is with Australian ballet and musical performance across a broad field so I’ll be bringing something different to the panel,” he said.

Source: Daily Telegraph