Erin Andrews on Dancing with the Stars' 200th Episode, Bristol Palin's Success and Trusting Men Again
Movieline's Dancing with the Stars commentator Erin Andrews is back with a slew of thoughts about this week's 200th episode. If you were observant, you saw that she sat in the audience with her old pal Evan Lysacek. Andrews also met up with beleaguered Bachelor Jake Pavelka, cheered for Kyle Massey, and got to meet Mel B. (who remains our finest Spice Girl). Join us for a discussion about Bristol Palin's chances to win, Jennifer Grey's status as the front-runner, and a frank discussion about how Dancing with the Stars helped Andrews to trust men again.
So Erin, once again you got to watch the show in person. Tell us your favorite parts of being back.
It was really a great time. A lot of the former stars I'd never met before [were there], and so it's funny because, in my eyes, a lot of them are big time. With me, I kind of duck my head a little bit and walk by them because I'm like, "I don't think any of these people know who I am." But a lot of them came up to Evan and I and said, "Oh, we loved you on the show! You guys are great!" I got to meet Tia Carrere, who had obviously danced with Maks before, and I had never met her before. I got to spend a little time with Mel B. too, which I wanted to do. So much fun, like afterward we went to this big party, and all they did was play music and everybody was dancing. It was just a blast. It was how you'd think a Dancing with the Stars party would go, if you thought there'd be one -- minus the rhinestones, the sequins, and the spray tan.
You'd mentioned that you really wanted to talk to Mel B. What was that like? I was 12 when "Wannabe" came out, so I'm part of a generation that once believed she was Aphrodite incarnate.
She's still Aphrodite. If you look at her body -- I was shocked about her legs. Her whole body is amazing, and just the way she carries herself is the way she carries herself on TV. So blunt, hilarious. She'd give it to Maks when he deserved it, when they worked together. It was great to see her for a little bit, and even Tia because I'm a huge Wayne's World fan. Evan and I started talking to her the way Wayne and Garth would in their language -- "If you were a babe, you'd be Baberaham Lincoln" and stuff like that, cheesy as it sounds. And then meeting Trista [Sutter, the one-time Bachelorette] for the first time, she came up to me and was like, "You probably don't know who I am." And I was like, "Trista, when I was in college, everyone wanted to be you because you got married to the good-looking fireman and all the girls wanted the Bachelorette wedding." It was a blast.
So you're still good friends with Evan Lysacek, eh?
Oh, yes. He's one of my best friends with the show. It was great seeing Kelly Osbourne too; she was in the press line next to me and Evan. She asked us if we got as close as she and Louie Vito got because I guess she and Louie Vito became close on the show. And we were like, "Oh, yeah, we became really best friends." Then she said, "I heard you and Evan were naughty together." And I was like, "Naughty?! What do you mean?" She said, "You were always getting in trouble together." Evan and I, even Niecy too, we were the loudest and silliest ones. Something that's very different from season eleven with season ten -- we always got in trouble running around to people's dance studios. Evan and I were saying that Kyle Massey would really fit in with us because he's very silly.
You were with Evan and Jake Pavelka in the audience. Are you guys friends with him?
Oh, it was great! We were surprised not a lot of people from our cast came; I'm sure everybody had commitments. It's hard to get away from work. It was good to see Jake and meet his new girlfriend, but when Evan and I get together, no one else gets a chance to get a word in edgewise. We dominate the conversation, we're loud, and we apologize to anyone who sat behind or in front of us. We'll scream for people and give our own commentary. So it was great to see Jake, but the poor guy didn't a word in.
I'm sure you were entertaining enough.
Who knows?
Onto the dancing: What did you make of the group numbers? The judges scored both teams closely, but I thought Apolo Ohno's team was far better.
I think the way the groups were divided -- and Len said this too -- he thought the group that Cheryl, Rick, Mark, and Bristol were in would be the underdogs. Because the other group was a powerhouse -- with Maks and Derek. But I thought honestly that both groups were really, really good. I know Evan was surprised with the second group's beating out the first. The first group was a get-out-of-your-seat, jamming-out thing. And the second group? They were good technically, they had the strongest dancers of the whole competition, but -- I'm so biased, I'm rooting for Maks non-stop. Last year in our group dance we lost, so I'm glad that Maks's group was the winner this time around.
Also: What was Kristi Yamaguchi thinking when she picked Bristol Palin first in her group? I was so confused. She needed Brandy on her team.
You never know with Dancing with the Stars what's going on behind the scenes. You don't know if maybe she was told that's what was happening. So it's hard when you look at it and it's like, "Huh. That's weird." But something may have happened behind the scenes where [producers] had said, "This is who we want you to pick. This is what we want you to do." So I don't know going into it if it was a preconceived bit there.
I mean, I know Kristi was partnered with Mark Ballas when she won her season. Would that have affected things?
That's a good point. Maybe she knew he's such a good choreographer.
I was also confused when Kelly Osbourne and Gilles Marini judged performances and didn't give 10s like the other former cast members. I mean, they were there to boost morale, not hand down real scores, right?
Again, you don't know what happened behind the scenes. When Kelly and Gilles' group came up, someone else gave a ten, right? You don't know the conversations that happen, like, "You can't all just give out tens." I don't know if those scores were for real.
Which of the individual dances did you love?
I have to tell you, and obviously I'm always loving on Maks and saying what a great job he and Brandy do, and I will do that again, but I really love Kyle. I hope the voters are taking notice of Kyle, and I think he and Lacey are doing such a fabulous job. The choreography is always so dead on. The costumes are great. His little bit before the dance was hysterical, when he was trying to channel Maks with the painted-on abs and everything. That was so funny. Like I said, he'd have fit in with me and Evan on season ten. The cast is not silly this year! I thought Brandy and Maks did a wonderful job; she's kind of got the inner -- not diva, but -- she's got that inner sexuality; she's a hot woman. You could tell she was focused and she really wanted to get back from where she was last week, from losing control. And I thought Rick and Cheryl did a great job too! That's why I'm kind of surprised with the whole outcome.
Oh, we'll get to that. But quickly, a word about Kyle: I don't think the judges give him enough credit for really "selling" some of the dances.
I love him because he's so entertaining. I really hope the voters see that. Kyle, I worried, would get lost in the mix with the two athletes, the two great dancers, and, like, "Oh, yeah, there's that kid Kyle." He's hilarious and hysterical, and he's a baby. He's working so hard to compete with these adults.
Now, Rick and Cheryl: Describe your feelings about their elimination.
I'm shocked. I really am. I think again heading into this week you had thoughts about who would go home, and it wasn't Rick and Cheryl for me at all. He's been getting better every single week! I don't know if it's a situation where he just didn't have the votes. It's funny, when you talk to people that I did inside with the show, you say, "How did Audrina go home?" And it's like, well, can Audrina [appeal to] middle America that doesn't know The Hills? The demographic that watches this show knows Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing, they all love Maks and Derek, so they'll cheer for them, and they all know Bristol Palin. I'm wondering if Rick fell into the same category with the two athletes. But it kind of surprises me because -- I love Kurt and cheer for him, but when you put the two athletes together, everyone loves Rick because he's this exotic, tall, good-looking guy. I was concerned that Kurt wouldn't get as many votes. He's a gorgeous guy, he played for the Lakers, but I guess America really appreciates that this is a little bit of a struggle for Kurt. He's really trying to learn and get better. But it's all still very confusing to me. I don't get it. They didn't deserve to go home this week.
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Comments
I find it interesting that she talked about the agenda of what the producers want on the show and how she ran to the bathroom when a meltdown was about to happen and then gets down on Jennifer for being emotional. In summary, she wants Maks to win.
Loved this article and all the background info about the show producers. I've always felt that the producers steer this ship a certain way. Why else would Derek always get the best dancer of the elebrities, Louis/Tony always end up with the ones that need the most emotional support, Lacey gets the freaky (odd duck) ones, and Maks gets the ones that need a strong backbone.
Jennifer does need to stop crying and whining about everything. I'm already tuning her out. Love that Erin loves Kyle. He is one funny dude and a great match for Lacey.
After reading this, I'm finding it hard to believe she gets paid to speak on television. Most of her answers were babbling gibberish and the only thing that came through loud and clear is she's still stuck on Maks and season 10.
I am really over her. She keeps talking about Maks this and that. Blah, blah. If she wants him to win, why not go away? There are a lot of people stuck on Erin and Maks. That's not helpful to him or his current partner. (And I don't even vote for Brandy and Maksim)
I have never seen anyone master the backhanded comment quite like this chick. I don't have a favorite this season, but even I can see her dislike for Brandy. She manages to "compliment" her and trash her in the same breath. This just seems like plain old hating to me. I mean, we get it. Erin and Maks had a great connection. They had fun together. They maybe even put in some miles on the Posturepedic. Blah blah blah. It's a new season now, she's not the center of Maks world. We've gotten over it. She needs to as well.
I know I used to be a HUGE Erin fan, but after reading this article I don't like her as much anymore, you can so tell that she doesn't like Brandy, and is still hung up on Maks. Stalker much Erin? Why does she keep talking about Kyle? OK so you don't like Brandy, you should still try and get people to vote for Maks. I think she jealous that Brand has a chance on winning the MBT and not her. If you really are Maks friend you should be supporting him. Who are you to say what this season cast is like, ugh..... No longer an Erin fan.
Completely turned off by this article. A friendly word of advice to Erin -MOVE ON! Jealousy and petty insecurities are screaming from this article. For you therapy might not be so bad after all.
LOL at the Brandy stans for finding everything that Erin says as bashing Brandy. This was one of the best articles about DWTS I've read and great insight. Erin has been nothing but supportive of Maks and Brandy and has complimented them several times. Maybe you should check your facts first. Erin is a classy lady and Brandy should be thankful that Erin has been as supportive as she has been because she sure doesn't have to be.
Why should Brandy be thanking Erin? If she is a true professional reporter, her article should be unbiased and informative. I just read the article and she was only one of those things. You must be one of those crazy Erin + Maks fans. Or are you one of those "little black girl should be grateful we allow her" people. You called Erin classy....we must not be reading the same thing.
Erin needs a nosejob quickly!
We're definitely not reading the same article. And FYI, I do like Brandy but I don't see where Erin is bashing Brandy in this article (or anywhere else). She didn't even mention Brandy a lot. Are you sure you're not one of those crazy Brandy fans that I see around who think everything (even nice things) Erin says, is criticizing Brandy? You kind of sound like one. Yes, Erin is a classy lady in more ways than one and has definitely shown more support to her partner and his new celeb than most other celebs who have been on the show. Which you would know if you follow everything she says so closely.
Erin is giving Brandy free publicity by talking so much about her and Maks and DWTS. She has a lot of followers and if even some of them will vote for B/M because she talks about them so much, then yes that's helping Brandy. I'm sure Brandy is appreciating all the help she can get. Too bad her fans don't.
Erin is giving Brandy free publicity by talking so much about her and Maks and DWTS. She has a lot of followers and if even some of them will vote for B/M because she talks about them so much, then yes that's helping Brandy. I'm sure Brandy is appreciating all the help she can get. Too bad her fans don't.
Oh yeah she's supportive all right, supportive in an backhanded catty way, if you can't read between the lines you're either ignorant or delusional, Did you really say Brandy should be thankful that Erin is supportive? Erin should be thankful that dwts is still allowing her fifteen minutes of fame to continue. If you ask me Erin should move on, she's already done DWTS do we really need her input every week? I think not.
Oh yeah she's supportive all right, supportive in an backhanded catty way, if you can't read between the lines you're either ignorant or delusional, Did you really say Brandy should be thankful that Erin is supportive? Erin should be thankful that dwts is still allowing her fifteen minutes of fame to continue. If you ask me Erin should move on, she's already done DWTS do we really need her input every week? I think not.
And with that post you just proved my point. Thank you! *high five*. You see things you want to see. Too bad you're giving other Brandy fans a bad name. But I guess you can't choose your fans like you can't choose your family.
FYI I am not a Brandy fan. I am however I am fan of the show. My weekly vote is for who I feel performed the best that day. I did re-read the article and still feel that Erin should not be talking about DWTS. Maybe she is not ready to be impartial, unbiased and fair to Brandy. She did mentioned Maks by name 20+ times, and I think Brandy by name once. That is classic passive aggressive behavior.
For once, I'm beginning to see what people are saying regarding Erin's blog. I hope I'm wrong. But, if I'm not Erin you're playing with fire. This blog doesn't sound like you're supporting "your friend". You don't have to like Brandy but you should support your Maks. SOMETHING TELLS ME THAT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MAKS WILL BE OVER IN A HOT MINUTE IF YOU CAUSE HIM TO LOSE THE CHAMPIONSHIP. This blog feels petty. You're so much better than that. Gently guiding your fans to vote for Kyle is crazy. Trying to make Brandy out to be weak is asking for trouble. It makes you look insecure and jealous. Ignore me if you wish but the only thing that I see after reading this blog is YOU'RE PUSHING MAKS INTO THE ARMS OF ANOTHER WOMAN. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.
Wow at people seeing things that aren't there. Why wouldn't she be talking about the show, she knows it. She's been in it just last season which is why she knows what she's talking about and is giving great insight. Would you rather they talk to some random person who doesn't even know what's going on in the show? And it isn't Erin's obligation to talk about only M/B. This blog is about the show, not a fan letter to Maks/Brandy. There are lots of people who like Kyle, but because she was Maks' partner, she's not suppose to like anyone else but Brandy? I'm sorry but that's just stupid. She's still praising Brandy and giving them free publicity and being SUPPORTIVE of them.
Hey Linda have you noticed, that you're about the ONLY one defending Erin? Maybe it's time to admit the truth that Erin is really catty (meow) and that no matter how much Erin and Maks fans want them to be a couple they are not. I've seen you post on here like three times and you keep saying the same thing over and over, hope you were never on the debate team. The fact is Erin should move on with her life it's embarrassing, what other star is this involved in past seasons of DWTS. Why doesn't she blog about her job, or go find another mascot to dance with. As people have stated before this is Brandy's year, If Erin had any class at all she'd fade into the background. Oh and just because I don't like Erin doesn't mean I think Brandy and Maks are hooking up.
I'm just saying the truth that people are obviously missing. And how you know it's not the same person posting under different name. It seems to be a theme from Brandy's fans to go after Erin these days. In case you haven't noticed, this is the the only interview with Erin on this site that has more troll comments than support comments. I guess the trolls have more time on their hands. Evan Lysacek (who you might know if you follow the show) is doing interviews for TV Guide. Why don't you go after him then and say how much his ruining Anna's and Kurt's partnership. I truly hope that the people commenting here aren't the true representative of Brandy's fans.
Linda, the reason that people go after Erin fans is because Erin fans are going after Brandy, there is a group of them that refuse to vote for Maks because he's with Brandy this year. There is also a group of them that keep calling Brandy a killer even though the car accident she was in wasn't her fault, it's gotten so bad that Maks address the haters in his blog. They are the REAL trolls of the internet, not Brandy's fans.
Stephanie, there are trolls on both sides. You can't single out just one fan group. While some bad stuff has been said about Brandy, there has also been a lot of nasty stuff said about Erin too. Both sides should focus just on their own thing.
Erin needs to STFU! She's nothing but a hypocrite. . .on the one hand [in another article] she criticizes Brandy for being too "emotional". . .yet 'here' she refers to her own emotional state when SHE competed.
What? It's ok for skinny biotches to get emotional but Maks' new partner is required to simply "enjoy the experience"?
What did Erin say? "It's only a TV show" yet again, she demonstrates what a hypcorite she is when she says the following: You think the show is just having so much fun, and putting on spray tan and crazy costumes, but for a lot of people that use it the right way, it is therapeutic." Please. Erin needs to just STFU. cuz she is showing her true colors.
I am not a brandy fan but I despise hypocrites and people with double standards.
Erin, you're a hater and it's very unattractive.
Why do brandy's fans have to be "group thinkers". . .you think because the artist [brandy] is black, her fans can't be "individuals" with their own individual opinions? Please. No one fan represents ALL of brandy's fans, that's just logic.
Stop being a covert racist cuz that's where your "they all think alike" mentality is really coming from....[racism].
Erin started ALL the negativity with her negative comments about brandy. Brandy hasn't said ONE BAD word about Erin [& I checked], so Erin is receiving EXACTLY what she [herself] put out there.
I guess Erin's parents didn't teach her, "if you can't say anything nice about a person, don't say anything at all". . .Maybe because of ADHD she couldn't focus on the lesson for the day, who knows?
All Erin had to do was keep the negativity to herself. . .she didn't. . .so she shouldn't be surprised that people who support Brandy take offense to what she said. . .
and also 'people like me' who recognizes a "true hater" when she reads one.
I dedicate the song "Hate on Me" by Jill Scott to YOU, Erin. . .it best describes your negative behavior & attitude toward Brandy.
One day [& hopefully soon] people will LAUGH at you when you're having a "moment".......I bet it won't be "funny" to you & your buddies then. LOL.
Ya hypocrite!