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Television Blog from the Chicago Sun-Times
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Television

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Sabrina Bryan exits 'Dancing with the Stars' in shocker

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Sabrina Bryan was shown the ballroom door ---- again ---- as she was voted off "Dancing with the Stars: All Stars" tonight. The former Cheetah Girl had been voted ON to the show's celebrity roster this season by fans, beating out Kyle Massey and Carson Kressley for the final slot.

What made the results even more shocking was that Bryan was joined by two other couples in the "jeopardy" zone who, with Bryan and her partner Louis Van Amstel, had received the three highest scores Monday night for their solo performances. Apolo Ohno and his partner Karina Smirnoff, and Melissa Rycroft and her partner Tony Dovolani, were also at risk of exiting the show, as all three couples had received the lowest combined judges' scores and fan votes over the past two weeks of competition (weeks 5 and 6 were combined into one results show).

Bryan completely broke down into tears while saying good-bye to her fellow competitors.

Host Tom Bergeron summed it up best when he said "week six sucks," referring to the fact that Bryan had also been voted off in a shocker on week six of her original "DWTS" competition during season 5 (after receiving similarly high scores from the judges).

Sandy snarls Kimmel, Letterman, Fallon shows

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The massive storm hitting the East Coast is wreaking havoc with New York TV production today. Here are the details from USA Today:


Jimmy Kimmel, who was to have taped five shows in Brooklyn, his hometown, starting Monday, canceled at least the first, which was to have featured guests Chris Rock, Kelly Ripa and Alicia Keys. "Though it pains us to do it, JFK from Brooklyn tonight is cancelled," he wrote on Twitter. "I'm disappointed too, but we want you to be safe." ABC will expand "Nightline" to one hour with storm coverage.

Also dark were most syndicated talk shows, including "Live With Kelly and Michael" and "Katie" ("Rachael Ray" was on planned vacation). A week before the election, Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" also will substitute repeats tonight. "Tomorrow's tapings are TBD and will be evaluated as the day and storm track progresses," says channel spokesman Steve Albani.

Exceptions: CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" still plans to tape tonight's show, without an audience, though it moved taping an hour earlier, to 3:30 p.m. ET, with guest Denzel Washington. It also plans to tape tomorrow, without an audience. And NBC's "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" is "all systems go," says NBC's Rebecca Marks.

As for prime-time series, CBS' "Elementary," "Blue Bloods," "The Good Wife," "Person of Interest" and midseason drama "Golden Boy" all suspended production Monday. New York City officials pulled outdoor filming permits, and while studio soundstages were unaffected, "We don't want to get in people's ways," says network spokesman Chris Ender, who also cited "logistical issues" including power and transportation.

The latter is a key reason why many talk shows have shut down: With New York's mass-transit system suspended, there's no easy way to shuttle studio audiences to show tapings.

On Chicago TV, Bears beat Detroit but tie the debaters

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While the rest of the country was riveted by bayonets and horses Monday night, Chicago TV viewers took a keener interest in Bears and Lions. Data from Nielsen reveals about 1.69 million viewers in the Chicago area watched Jay Cutler and his team defeat Detroit on ESPN and WCIU-Channel 26, about the same as the 1.71 million tuning in to one of the many channels carrying the final Barack Obama-Mitt Romney debate. Contrast that with national picture, where almost six times the viewers watched the debate (59.2 million) vs. "Monday Night Football" (10.7 million). For more, see the Chicago Tribune.

A wild night on 'Dancing with the Stars All-Stars'

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It was a wild and crazy night in the ballroom on "Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars" as "10s" made their first appearances on the judges' panel, pros fell, Bollywood reigned supreme and a broken toe couldn't stop one "contemporary" dancer.

It was also a night of a four-panel judges' dais, as special guest Paul Abdul put on her dancing shoes to help score the contestants.

When all the craziness settles, it was a night filled with wow factor.

Soon after judge Bruno Tonioli declared "A BOLLYWOOD STAR IS BORN!" Gilles Marini and his pro partner Peta Murgatroyd earned a near-perfect score with their fabulous Bollywood dance routine. Marini proved there's pretty much no dance style he can't conquer, earning 10s from Carrie Ann Inaba, guest judge Paula Abdul and the aforementioned Tonioli. Only head judge Len Goodman gave them a 9.5 for their efforts. Still don't understand what he down-scored.

Of course, this is the same judge who praised Bristol Palin's flat-footed rock n roll routine earlier in the night, a routine that was more Lindy hop and jive than rock n roll, but no matter. Palin earned a 32 out of 40 for her flat-footed effort on the dance floor. It wasn't a bad routine that she and partner Mark Ballas turned out; there just wasn't a whole lotta rock n roll goin' on.

Shawn Johnson and her partner Derek Hough tied Gilles with their score of 39.5 for a fiery mambo that had the judges simply beside themselves with praise.

Apolo Anton Ohno and Karina Smirnoff weather a scary moment during their routine as Karina slipped and slammed onto the dance floor during their hip-hop routine. It look so very painful, though Karina said her tears at the end of the routine were all for her feeling like she let Apolo down. The unfortunate fall cost them dearly in the scores, earning a 34.5 for a routine that was pretty exciting (had it not been for the fall).

Kelly Monaco danced with a broken toe (suffered earlier in the day) in a contemporary dance routine that would make Twyla Tharp take notice. Gotta admit, this was probably the most difficult dance genre of the night on so many levels, and Monaco and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy nailed it. And they proved there is some REAL chemistry happening between the two. Their very emotional routine earned 37.5 points from the judges.

Kirstie Alley proved she was up to the task of the Charleston, literally jumping out of a cake to get things started with partner Maks Chmerkovskiy. It was fun and spirited and it earned her a score of 30 out of 40.

Sabrina Bryan and Louis Van Amstel gave it their best disco shot on this night, but could only manage a 35.5 for their final score.

Cheryl Burke and Emmitt Smith continued to wow with a slow and sexy bolero that was positively steamy. "Lovely" and "fluid" were some of the comments used by the judges to describe the dance that was a new one for both Burke and Smith, who used the help of an outside choreographer (it was allowed this week for the pros who'd never danced their assigned dances before) to nail down the choreography. Their score: 36 out of 40.

Melissa Rycroft and her partner Tony Dovolani scored a 37 for their jitterbug that was playful and lively, but not as snappy as the judges perhaps anticipated from this, one of their favorite couples.

So who should go home Tuesday night? It should be lowest-scoring (again) Bristol Palin as her dance was just not up to the level of the rest. Will her fan base yet again come to her rescue?

Soon after judge Bruno Tonioli declared "A BOLLYWOOD STAR IS BORN!" Gilles Marini and his pro partner Peta Murgatroyd earned a near-perfect score with their fabulous Bollywood dance routine. Marini proved there's pretty much no dance style he can't conquer, earning 10s from Carrie Ann Inaba, guest judge Paula Abdul and the aforementioned Tonioli. Only head judge Len Goodman gave them a 9.5 for their efforts. Still don't understand what he down-scored.

Of course, this is the same judge who praised Bristol Palin's flat-footed rock n roll routine earlier in the night, a routine that was more Lindy hop and jive than rock n roll, but no matter. Palin earned a 32 out of 40 for her flat-footed effort on the dance floor. It wasn't a bad routine that she and partner Mark Ballas turned out; there just wasn't a whole lotta rock n roll goin' on.

Kirstie Alley proved she was up to the task of the Charleston, literally jumping out of a cake to get things started with partner Maks Chmerkovskiy. It was fun and spirited and it earned her a score of 30 out of 40.

Sabrina Bryan and Louis Van Amstel gave it their best disco shot on this night, but could only manage a 35.5 for their final score.

Cheryl Burke and Emmitt Smith continued to wow with a slow and sexy bolero that was positively steamy. "Lovely" and "fluid" were some of the comments used by the judges to describe the dance that was a new one for both Burke and Smith, who used the help of an outside choreographer (it was allowed this week for the pros who'd never danced their assigned dances before) to nail down the choreography. Their score: 36 out of 40.

Melissa Rycroft and her partner Tony Dovolani scored a 37 for their jitterbug that was playful and lively, but not as snappy as the judges perhaps anticipated from this, one of their favorite couples.

'Dancing with the Stars' shocking double-elimination

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After Monday night's judges' scores and audience votes, it was a bit of a shock Tuesday night to find Sabrina Bryan and Louis Van Amstel along with Helio Castroneves and Chelsie Hightower standing in the creepy red light awaiting their fate on the "Dancing with the Stars All-Stars" results show.

It was double-elimination night, and season 2 champ Drew Lachey was already sent packing 30 minutes earlier. Alas, luck ran out for season 5 champ Helio Castroneves as he was sent packing, too.

The big shock was learning that Bristol Palin will dance another day, even though she and partner Mark Ballas were at the bottom of the leader board Monday night.

We've seen it before; Palin's fan base is one of the largest and strongest of any competitor in the history of the show. In 2010, Palin made it all the way to the finals even though her scores found her consistently near the bottom of the leader board for a majority of the season.

Next week, it's all about celebs' choices for their co-competitors. Should prove to be an interesting night of dancing.

For the first time in the history of "Dancing with the Stars," the celebs and their partners got to choose the dances for their competitors for next week's show.

There should have been strategy in play (stick it to your rival or play nice?), but some of the choices proved less than smart moves by some of the dancing duos.

To wit: next week's dance line up will play out thusly:

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas selected "Bollywood" dance for Gilles Marini and Peta Murgatroyd;

Kirstie Alley and Maks Chmerkovskiy selected "disco dance" for Sabrina Bryan and Louis Van Amstel;

Kelly Monaco and Val Chmerkovskiy selected the bolero for rivals Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke;

Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani selected hip-hop for Apolo Anton Ohno and Karina Smirnoff;

Apolo and Karina seleted the jitterbug for Melissa and Tony;

Emmitt and Cheryl selected "contemporary dance for Kelly and Val;

Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough selected the "Broadway" dance for Helio Castroneves and Chelsie Hightower;

Sabrina and Louis selected the Charleston for Kirstie and Max;

Bristol and Mark were left with "rock 'n' roll' dance as the last of the bunch.

This was after Drew Lachey (season two champ) was sent packing from the ballroom as the first casualty of a double-elimination results show.

Next Monday --- that would be Oct. 15 --- Paula Abdul will pick up the ballroom scoring paddles when she joins "Dancing with the Stars" for a guest star stint as an official judge. It will be her first time judging ballroom dance on the show, which has made use of guest judges in the past.

Abdul served as a judge on "American Idol" from 2002 to 2009; she was also on the judging panel for the first season of "X Factor" until she exited that series earlier this year.


It was a night of surprise announcements on "Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars." First came the news that Paula Abdul would guest star on Oct. 15 as one of the judges for the hit series.

That was followed about a half-hour later by the news that for the first time ever, the celebs next week (also the 15th) will pick the dance styles for each other.

Will they be cruel or kind? Hey, there IS a mirrorball trophy at stake, isn't there?

It was a weeping Bristol Palin who accused her pro partner Mark Ballas on "Dancing with the Stars" of being unhappy with her as a partner for the all-star edition.

Breaking down into tears, she demanded to know why Ballas was a no-show for a rehearsal date earlier in the week. He apologized but did not explain.

The duo then entered the ballroom for their chessboard-inspired paso doble, with Palin resplendent as the white queen. Alas, there was more drama in her cry fest.

The judges, however, called it her best dance of the week, proving herself a worthy competitor. She earned a score of 22.5, her highest score of the season to date.

Maybe it's the camera angles.

Paula Abdul headed to 'Dancing with the Stars'

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Next Monday --- that would be Oct. 15 --- Paula Abdul will pick up the ballroom scoring paddles when she joins "Dancing with the Stars" for a guest star stint as an official judge. It will be her first time judging ballroom dance on the show, which has made use of guest judges in the past.

Abdul served as a judge on "American Idol" from 2002 to 2009; she was also on the judging panel for the first season of "X Factor" until she exited that series earlier this year.

Joey Fatone exits the 'Dancing with the Stars' ballroom

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Joey Fatone is the latest "All Star" to exit the "Dancing with the Stars" ballroom.

It all came down to Helio Castroneves, Kelly Monaco and Joey Fatone, standing in the eerie red light to learn their fate.

First to learn they were "safe" were Kelly and partner Val Chmerkovskiy.

After combining the judges' scores and viewer votes, Helio and Joey were the bottom two (Helio being a former "DWTS" champ!). Alas, a smiling and relieved Fatone summed it all up thusly, upon learning his fate: I'm going to a wedding tomorrow so I don't give a damn!"

Leading the pack after week two is fan favorite Sabrina Bryan who wowed the ballroom Monday night with partner Louis Van Amstel.

Next week, the usual surprise "twists and turns" commence with a double-elimination: Two all-stars will be sent packing.

Live television always has the potential for disaster, but that risk is ramped up when the real-time coverage involves car chases.

Fox News Channel -- no stranger to airing speeding vehicles attempting to flee the cops -- found out the hard way Friday when it inadvertently showed a man shooting himself in the head after being chased by Phoenix police.

Fox News was covering the chase using a live helicopter shot from its Phoenix affiliate when the driver stopped his car, ran into the desert and staggered around before putting a gun to his head, pulling the trigger and slumping to the ground.

Fox anchor Shepard Smith apologized to viewers, saying the video was supposed to be on a five-second delay so the network could pull the footage off the air in case something graphic -- like a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the head -- should occur.

Prior to the apparent suicide, Smith had been narrating the video of the chase, which was generating social media buzz -- and no doubt a boost in ratings. "Would not be a Friday with out a high speed car chase on @FoxNews! #LovesIt," tweeted one of many captivated viewers leading up to the disastrous final act.

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Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy tried their best to rekindle their oh-so-marvelous ballroom chemistry on tonight's "All-Stars" premiere, but there was little of it to be had (though the duo, who were first paired in season 12, started a bit slow out of the gate back then as well).

Their fox trot was not that good, alas, and their score of 19 reflected it.

Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke were at the opposite end of the spectrum with their razzle-dazzler of a cha-cha-cha, or as Len Goodman called it, "the last and the BEST dance of the night."
Carrie Ann summed it up in one word "yabba-dabba-do!"

'Nuff said. And their score of 24.5 put them at the top of the leader board!

So who goes home Tuesday night?
Look for Pamela Anderson witht the night's low score of 17) to bid the ballroom adieu.

Tuesday night's entertainment? That would be Justin Bieber... a big, huge ratings booster (as if this ridiculously popular show needs one?) AND.... Pitbull! Call it one wild and crazy night in the ballroom.

Here's how the evening played out:

Season 15 of "Dancing with the Stars" otherwise known as the "All-Stars" edition, has one big change in store for its roster of competitors: the scoring system has been revised to include "half points." In other words, the judges, our old pals Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman and the recently un-engaged Carrie Ann Inaba can now upgrade or downgrade their scores in half-step increments.
So that calls for a whole new set of score paddles, too! Yawn

One big change over last season: there are no super-high scores to be had on this first night of competition. (Many a fan complained that high scores flowed like the mighty Mississippi last season, leaving some in the pack nowhere to go but down).


So after the first four couples on the "All-Star" season of "Dancing with the Stars" and a few things come to mind:

1) Everyone looks a whole lot older
2) Melissa Rycroft's tan looks way too orange
3) Pamela Anderson is probably going home Tuesday night
4) Tristan MacManus' new 'do is mighty fine
5) Len Goodman, so far tonight, leads the Quips leaderboard with this nifty notable:
"I'm a cup of tea in a sea of lattes."
Thanks Len!

Joey Fatone kicked things off with a sparkly, spangly cha-cha-cha with his old partner Kym Johnson. Though he earned only a 23.5 (love those half-points), it was a fiery start to the much touted all-star season.

Shawn Johnson was next out of the gate with a fox trot that failed to wow the judges, earning a mere 22 points out of 30.

"Viewers' Choice" contestant Sabrina Bryan started off on the right foot with a super-charged cha-cha-cha with partner Louis Van Amstel, but the excitement (probably over those newly instituted half points) pushed her to "overdance" the routine, which led to more than a few slip-ups and a score of 22.5.

Season 5 mirror ball champ, Indy car racer Elio Castroneves and his "they gave me another blond" partner Chelsie Hightower didn't do much for their fox trot either, lacking much punch and style. Their score: 21.5

And then there was Pamela Anderson, who with the young Tristan MacManus (who called Anderson "every guy's dream"), attempted a cha-cha-cha, that well, just went nowhere. Anderson maintained her composure as the judges stumbled over ways to not hurt her feelings with too much criticism. To summarize, they felt she lacked technique, precision and was a bit shaky. Her score of 17 reflected their sentiments. (Early favorite for departing Tuesday night).

Melissa Rycroft followed with her willowy fox trot with her partner (they were also paired in season 8 when they made it to the finals) Tony Dovolani, earned high praises from the judges across the board. Tony even called her the best partner he ever had. The new mom earned a 21 for her first-night efforts.

Season eight "almost champ" (he lost by just a half a per cent to Shawn Johnson) Gilles Marini brought a sense of elegance to the ballroom with his gorgeous fox trot with partner Peta Murgatroyd.
All I can say is ditto to the judges' comments:
Len Goodman: "sophistication," "terrific"
Bruno Tonioli: "style, panache and finesse" and "technically so good"
Carrie Ann Inaba: "I missed you!"
(double ditto on Carrie Ann!)
The debonair Marini, with his white dinner jacket, was impossibly suave as he navigated the dance floor. Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire rolled into one sexy ballroom dancer.
The bar has been set for tonight's competition.

How do you follow Gilles Marini's sizzling turn on the dance floor?
If you're Bristol Palin, you have to be asking yourself that very question.
Of course, with encouraging words such as "Shake that a--") from her partner Mark Ballas (during their rehearsal video footage).... how could she NOT be ready for her big return to the ballroom (as proud mama Sarah Palin looked on from the sidelines) with the ever booty-shaking cha-cha -cha.
Carrie Ann called her "most improved," while Bruno called her "refrehsed, revived and refurbished" ... Len liked her legs, not her arms.
Her score: 19.5 out of 30.
But as Mark pointed out about his partner: "She's beautiful and having a good time."

Apolo Anton Ohno was back in fine form in the All-Stars "Dancing with the Stars" ballroom. The season four champ (with Julianne Hough) is partnered this season with Karina Smirnoff, and the duo will be one of the couples to be reckoned with down the road.
Ohno's cha-cha-cha looked better on TV than in the ballroom for Len Goodman who called the Olympic gold medalist's dance a "bronze medal performance." OUCH!
Of course, Carrie Ann was beside herself with giddiness, proclaiming that Ohno was "3,000 times more sexy" than his previous stint on the show five years ago.
His score: 22. Look for that to go way up in the weeks to come.

On the ladies' side, "General Hospital" star Kelly Monaco, and the very FIRST "Dancing with the Stars" champion was a firecracker out there with a sizzling cha-cha-cha (a dance she never did on that very first, six-week long DWTS season!).
Bruno Tonioli called her "hotter than ever".....
Consider Monaco in this for the long-haul unless her fan base is asleep at the wheel.
Monaco's score: 21.5

Drew Lachey,(season 2 champ with Cheryl Burke) is now partnered with Anna Trebunskaya, and the duo managed a stylish fox trot that didn't do much for the judges, landing a score of 21.

Kelly Monaco, Apolo Anton Ohno early ballroom dazzlers

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Apolo Anton Ohno was back in fine form in the All-Stars "Dancing with the Stars" ballroom. The season four champ (with Julianne Hough) is partnered this season with Karina Smirnoff, and the duo will be one of the couples to be reckoned with down the road.

Ohno's cha-cha-cha looked better on TV than in the ballroom for Len Goodman who called the Olympic gold medalist's dance a "bronze medal performance." OUCH!

Of course, Carrie Ann was beside herself with giddiness, proclaiming that Ohno was "3,000 times more sexy" than his previous stint on the show five years ago.

His score: 22. Look for that to go way up in the weeks to come.

On the ladies' side, "General Hospital" star Kelly Monaco, and the very FIRST "Dancing with the Stars" champion was a firecracker out there with a sizzling cha-cha-cha (a dance she never did on that very first, six-week long DWTS season!).

Bruno Tonioli called her "hotter than ever".....

Consider Monaco in this for the long-haul unless her fan base is asleep at the wheel.

Monaco's score: 21.5

Interesting how nobody's mentioned the famous dance-off Monaco endured after season one was over, against the second place finisher, actor/game show host John O'Hurley (O'Hurley ended up winning the trophy!)

I'm just saying.

Bristol Palin is back in the 'Dancing with the Stars' ballroom

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How do you follow Gilles Marini's sizzling turn on the dance floor?

If you're Bristol Palin, you have to be asking yourself that very question.

Of course, with encouraging words such as "Shake that a--") from her partner Mark Ballas (during their rehearsal video footage).... how could she NOT be ready for her big return to the ballroom (as proud mama Sarah Palin looked on from the sidelines) with the ever booty-shaking cha-cha -cha.

Carrie Ann called her "most improved," while Bruno called her "refrehsed, revived and refurbished" ... Len liked her legs, not her arms.

Her score: 19.5 out of 30.
But as Mark pointed out about his partner: "She's beautiful and having a good time."

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