Introducing Movieline's Weekly Dancing with the Stars Review with Erin Andrews!
With two nights of Dancing with the Stars programming each week, it can be exhausting to look back and process all the sequins, steps, and Bruno Tonioli screaming. Luckily, sanity is in store for us all: Beginning today, ESPN sportscaster and Dancing with the Stars alum Erin Andrews will review each week's episodes with Movieline! You will note that Erin is 1) a shrewd critic, 2) serious about her Dancing with the Stars fanaticism, and 3) a total doll. Without further ado, let's check in with Andrews and review all the (well-choreographed) chaos.
OK, Erin, since we're jumping into this a bit late, tell us what you've loved about this season so far.
I knew that before the season started, I was going to like Jennifer Grey. I knew that once I heard Derek [Hough] got her. I was like, "Of course! Derek gets the great partner as always!" And who isn't a Dirty Dancing fan? I knew she was just going to be amazing -- but I didn't think she would be this amazing. I remember on one of those shows where she said, "I'm not Nicole [Scherzinger, last season's winner.]" Um, she's just as good. She's her own Nicole. She's incredible. The routine they did this week was amazing. I was thinking back to the routine she did last week when she was the schoolteacher. I had one of my friends say, "I just pulled out my yearbook and looked at my third grade teacher and thought of Jennifer Grey." Coming into it I thought I'd like her and I'm so glad I did.
I know she was talking about how her body is "falling apart." Her leg hurts, her neck hurts, her foot hurts -- um, her body is unbelievable for her age! She looks fantastic! I know the first routine they did, she had a breakdown about [Patrick Swayze]. You know everyone is kind of waiting for that lift, or something from the movie, or a tribute to him. I'm wondering if they'll pull that out at some point. Maybe have his wife in the audience or something like that. There's so much you can do with that movie and his memory.
What has surprised you about this season?
I have to say, I didn't think I'd cheer for Bristol [Palin] as much as I do now. I feel like she's trying to get out of her mom's shadow and do her own thing. When I watch her, I want to scream for her to shake her hips and just let loose. That's the consensus among my friends, they're all cheering for this girl.
Did you find Carrie Ann's critique for Bristol -- that she wasn't going or trying hard enough -- harsh?
I look at it a lot like me -- I'm not in a situation like Bristol's with the famous mom and going through everything she's gone through, but I had this gorgeous partner [Maksim Chmerkovskiy] who was unbelievable with show presence and stage presence. There were times I looked back at my performances and say, "God, I'm so stiff. I just wish I would let go." I think that's what Carrie Ann was saying to her. There were so many times in practices when Maks would say to me, "Come on, come on! Just let go!" He would say, "Put yourself into character and you'll sell it." I feel like that's what they're trying to urge her to do. She's got it. She really does have it. You just want her to take the barrette out of her hair, shake it, and just go.
I'd actually compare you more to Audrina, if you'll indulge me: You both came from non-dance backgrounds and proved yourselves as champ material very early on.
When I heard she was going to be on the cast, I think I said she was my wild card. I know Tony [Dovolani] is a wonderful teacher. And she's gorgeous. But I didn't know what kind of dancer she'd be. She's really surprised me. Her routine last week was lovely, and her routine this week with the lift was really, really good. I'm proud of her, and I think Tony's done a great job with her. It's just a shame she's let her body go. I mean, what is that, a sixpack? An eight-pack? Her body is insane. I'm sitting there with my hand in a bowl of popcorn going, "Wow, she's incredible." She's already getting better scores than what I could've ever received on that show, so I'm really happy for her. I knew she'd be really good-looking in her outfit, and I knew Tony would do a good job with her, but she's more of a dancer than I thought she was. She's doing great.
When the Situation was eliminated yesterday, it was a bit unsurprising. Who of the eliminated contestants have you missed the most? Who did you want to see more from?
I think it was Margaret Cho. What I loved about her is she really was a dancer. She was so right about her comment, "This is more therapy than I thought it was going to be." That show was so much therapy for me. That's why I did it, but I was surprised with all the layers it pulled back. Louis [van Amstel] is an amazing person and fantastic partner. I was very close with he and Niecy [Nash] last year. I know everything they were trying to say in the last dance they did, and I give them so much credit for going out there and putting it on the line, saying what they said. I felt like every routine and every package they showed with her was very emotional. I would've loved to have seen what she'd transform into. It would've been a great story.
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Comments
Wow this was a big surprise, Liked your review pretty much sumed up how I feel except, I think that you were a much better dancer than you give your self credit for and the chemistry was electric,(had us all fooled ha!) I'm not crazy with all the themed dance nites I would just like to see them dance. also not happy with the way producers make some of the couples look pretty bad in there packages and judges are down right nasty at times.By the sounds of things you have lost your confidence that Maks helped you get while dancing with him. You were great and you are a very beautiful and fun-lovin person and don't let anyone take that away from you. looking foward to hearing from you next week
Thank you Movieline for inviting Erin Andrews to do this and thank you Erin for agreeing to it. Erin, you are so well-spoken and have "been there" so you are the perfect person for this.
But.....Erin..... Kurt Warner is mine. I am in love with him. I'll even fight Barbara Walters for him. lol
You and Maks were the reason I watched last season and Kurt and Anna are the reason I'm watching this season. The rest of them can go home tomorrow. I just want to see Kurt and Anna dance. They have the purest chemistry and are "selling" the romance angle just right. They are charming separately so no surprise they are charming together. Kurt is used to being "coached" so I'm not surprised that he's a good student and Anna has proven her skills thru the seasons. Someone needs to tell her Kurt can "walk it out" with the best of them.
I've watched the elimination last night several times and Maks is on screen just behind and to the left of Anna/Kurt. I thought he was going to break out into a full-fledged dance when A/K were called "safe." Obviously their weekly football contests have made several of the DWTS guys this season very close to Kurt. ie Maks, Tony, Derek, Kyle. Even Sitch hugged Kurt when A/K were called safe. Hilarious. Kurt loves him, but Kurt loves everybody.
Erin, I agree with almost all of your analysis....there are a couple of things.....but I'm biased. Thank you for doing this and look forward to seeing you at DWTS when you feel like going and your schedule allows it. You're a busy lady and a class act yourself.
Thank you Erin for doing this! You definitely are perfect for the job! I agree with you comments and also love Kurt Warner!! I'm rooting for him...and Maks too! You were amazing last season and so fun to watch!! Hope you get to be at DWTS show once before its over! Looking forward to this article!! Great Job!!
Erin please stop puttting yourself down girl. You were the best with Maks last season. You made season 10 with Maks. Season 11 is ok put something is missing you dancing with Maks. Hope the producers find a way to bring you back to guest star on the show if your work lets you hope they have you come back on the 200th show and do your Argentine tango with Maks or your Samba. How about if you did Dance Center you would be a riot Bug. Just have to say it know your sick of hearing it but You and Maks really had something Bug and Bug it was no showmance also hope you two find away to get that closeness back again even if its Best Friends Forever, Erin Tweet Maks more Bug.
Great analysis. It's just a shame that a gorgeous man can go from sexy to scuzzy in a matter of a few weeks.
I hear you Donna. The man is obviously not happy. Sadly he is no longer gorgeous to me. He needs a mentor at this point and "darling" (thanks, Erin) would be perfect for that, but I don't want him mixed up with that mess. "Darling" knows himself very well and knows what is important in life and how to attain it and retain it. Too bad that some are too hardheaded, stubborn and egotistical to learn from someone who has had to fight for everything he has achieved. And make few, if any, enemies while doing it.
"You're judged by the company you keep" isn't just a saying.....it actually means something. Lack of character and self-control can make one very susceptible to being negatively influenced. It's a shame and a disappointment.
I'm just concentrating on Cute Warner with all his good looks, charm, elegance and integrity and that is enough for me this season. Still miss Erin though. Would love to see her dance with Kurt. Now that would be a hoot.
Erin, DWTS will never be the same without you! You may not have been the best dancer but you were the wittiest and the funnest ever.
Me again I didn't want to be the one to say it ,but since everyone else has brought it up. I too am up set with the way Maks has showed himself this season.( I think S11 is a mess) At first I thought that was his problem . He did say he was discouraged with production , but that "Happy Maks" is gone and it is really sad . You can always tell everytime you two have a dissagreement if you are even speaking at this time .He says some stupid thing in an interview like"he is closer to Brandy than he has ever been with any of his other partners" That was the last straw for me and many other people. We know better than that we are not stupid! We know the whole problem is he is missing you , but if it is not to be so be it . Life is too short and money isn't everything One of you has to back down and stop being so stubborn! Please don't hold that statement against him . He is hurting big time! Sorry but I really care for both of you.( Right now I'm pissed at him)
There will never be another partner pair as you and Maks were last year and I have watch since the beginning. I feel like Bonnie, I really miss the "Happy Maks"
with that said I’m supporting Maks 100% again this time around. I believe Brandy and Maks will never have the chemistry that you to had, but it doesn’t mean they don’t have what it take to win this whole thing. I think Jennifer is amazing, but I hope they don’t play out this whole Patrick Swayze-Dirty Dancing thing out and don’t get me wrong, I loved the Patrick Swayze-Dirty Dancing, but enough already.
I adore the fact your going to be reviewing every week and love your take on it.
By the way I believe everything happens for a reason and it’s all up to us how we deal with what is thrown are way.
In my eyes you have walked on the moon …
Erin thanks for being the face for many that can’t fight the fight.
Erin is truly "one-of-a-kind" !!! So well-grounded, she refuses to allow her successes to inflate her Ego. She down-grades her dance talent; but not surprising, for her growth, gives full credit due Maks, her "Pro". While most viewers admired the expanse of her learning, some of us were more focussed -- and very impressed by her growth and maturing as a person -- into a TOTAL WOMAN" !!! It shows her beauty is matched by her intellect. She deserves to be confident of her future, with some VERY luck guy as a partner.