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.
Florence Henderson was groped in front of us on Monday. How did you handle that?
You know, I don't think I'm surprised about the routine. With all of her [clip] packages and that time she kissed Len once, I felt like she had it in her. I was just kind of waiting for when we'd see that side of her. She couldn't do it week one, so this was the perfect time for her to bring it out.
That leaves Brandy, Kurt Warner, Kyle Massey, and Rick Fox. Do you think any of these guys will emerge as contenders?
I am in love with Kurt Warner. I know him obviously and I worked him right before he did the show. The only word I can say about him is "darling." He's just trying so hard. I love what an open mind he has. He went to this thing, and he and [his wife] Brenda were asking me just kind of what it was like, how difficult it was going to be. And when you watch him, how do you not have the biggest smile on your face? He is just trying so hard. I just appreciate that. Rick Fox is overall just so talented. He has an amazing partner in Cheryl [Burke]. He's just so coordinated and talented, and that'll obviously help him a lot. I think Kyle is doing so well. Lacey's doing a great job with him, she's a tremendous choreographer. I think that Kyle will mature in this a lot. I mean, it was hard for me being a 32-year-old and having to act "passionate" and in love. I was kind of giggly a lot of the time. I can't imagine what it's like for a 19-year-old to do it, but he's doing a good job.
What did you make of the "acoustic" conceit for this week? Was it effective?
I thought it was really cool. I would've been a head case with that circular raised stage. I was watching the show with my sister going, "OK, this would've been the focus of our package." I mean, between Maks and I -- I'm 6'0 in my heels, and he's like 6'2, 6'3. I know I would've stressed about falling off that stage. Our steps had to be so wide. That would've caused me so much of a problem. I would've been a headache for Maks that whole week. But I thought it was really cool.
Lastly, what are you looking forward to in the weeks to come?
I'm really looking forward to seeing just how much higher Jennifer Grey can go. Derek is a sick choreographer, his stuff is always great. I'm interesting to see how Brandy and Maks's relationship develops. I've been there where you're fighting and you're making fun of each other, stuff like that. In the end, she's going to have to learn to do what I did which is just trust him, be quiet, let him do his thing, speak up when you need to. But in the end, he knows what he's talking about. It's hard to let go. She's a very strong woman like I am. It's just very hard to pass the reins over. That struggle is always typical of Maks and his partners. But she's phenomenal, getting better scores than I ever did. And she's beautiful! I'm excited about Kurt Warner too, and I'm excited to see how he progresses as a dancer.