# Dancing with the Stars Fall 2011 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 25, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101 "2011-08-25T23:37:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/41 "2011-09-01T04:09:00Z")
Found a nice article giving a brief bio on each celebrity and their pro partner. Gives some background on the pros and how they’ve done on other seasons of dwts. > **[ANALYSIS: HOPE & MAKS HIGHLIGHT 'DWTS' PAIRINGS](http://makshopedwts.blogspot.com/2011/08/analysis-hope-maks-highlight-dwts.html?spref=tw)** > > "DANCING WITH THE STARS" SEASON 13 CONTESTANTS Well, some of the worst-kept secrets have been officially confirmed. And as we announced Mo... ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/42 "2011-09-01T04:27:33Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Her sole claim to fame is being George Clooney’s girlfriend. And this narrows it down…how? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/43 "2011-09-01T12:35:55Z")
This show is always on at my house and I don’t really follow it, but this season I might. Even with my ignorance of current pop culture, I’ve at least heard of many of these people. Break a leg, Nancy Grace! No, seriously, do. 😃 I’m also interested in the Chaz Bono “controversy”. Someone’s really upset about this? The entertainment news wants you to think so. I’ll have to ask Mom; if she and the rest of my family aren’t freaking out, then nobody is. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/44 "2011-09-01T12:40:45Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Found a nice article giving a brief bio on each celebrity and their pro partner. Gives some background on the pros and how they’ve done on other seasons of dwts. > > [MAKS & HOPE - Dancing with the Stars (Season 13): ANALYSIS: HOPE & MAKS HIGHLIGHT 'DWTS' PAIRINGS](http://makshopedwts.blogspot.com/2011/08/analysis-hope-maks-highlight-dwts.html?spref=tw) ty aceplace57! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/45 "2011-09-02T12:41:32Z")
I asked Mom if she was upset about Chaz Bono. She was surprised that I would think that, then went off into a rant about the evils of Nancy Grace. 🙂 However, a co-worker did mention that her husband was upset about “Cher’s daughter-son dancing with a man.” I didn’t pursue the topic further. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/46 "2011-09-02T14:52:57Z")
Onemillionmoms is making a stink about Chaz. I just do not understand why anyone could possibly have a problem with this. It’s dancing. Your little kid is not gonna go all transgender just from watching Chaz dance. Actually, I’m glad I don’t get it. I hope he kills it. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/47 "2011-09-04T16:12:25Z")
Rehearsal pics. [Ron’s smiling. I’d smile too in that pic.](http://photos.toofab.com/galleries/dancing_with_the_stars_behind_the_scenes#tab=most_recent&id=519693) [Tiny dancer. But she’s so darn cute.](http://photos.toofab.com/galleries/dancing_with_the_stars_behind_the_scenes#tab=most_recent&id=519723) [Rob K., Horrible posture and lines.](http://photos.toofab.com/galleries/dancing_with_the_stars_behind_the_scenes#tab=most_recent&id=519633) [Ricki’s Done this before. Nice lines. Needs to smile](http://photos.toofab.com/galleries/dancing_with_the_stars_behind_the_scenes#tab=most_recent&id=519583) [Kristin and Mark working it. looking good](http://photos.toofab.com/galleries/dancing_with_the_stars_behind_the_scenes#tab=most_recent&id=519563) [Kristin looks like a natural. great lines](http://photos.toofab.com/galleries/dancing_with_the_stars_behind_the_scenes#tab=most_recent&id=519553) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/48 "2011-09-04T16:38:25Z")
[Poor Cheryl. Rob looks so clumsy.](http://photos.toofab.com/galleries/dancing_with_the_stars_behind_the_scenes#tab=most_recent&id=519653) [Elisabetta Canalis and Val Chmerkovskiy. she’s so thin and bow legged](http://photos.toofab.com/galleries/dancing_with_the_stars_behind_the_scenes#tab=most_recent&id=519673) [Elisabetta and Val figuring it out](http://photos.toofab.com/galleries/dancing_with_the_stars_behind_the_scenes#tab=most_recent&id=519683) ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/49 "2011-09-05T15:48:42Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > Ugh. It’s _Dancing with the Nobodies_. The biggest names are probably Ricki Lake and Ron Artest. They were scraping the bottom of the barrel last year; this year, they broke through the bottom and are digging in the dirt beneath it. Really! They’ve gone from teen-mom-who’s-mom-was-the-_losing_-vice-presidential-nominee to overshadowed-brother-of-three-sisters-of-man-who-helped-a-has-been-football-player-get-away-with-murder. If they’d ever get some A-list stars (and by stars, I mean actors/actresses that are contemporary and in well-known movies), I might watch. But having all these one-, two-, and three-off celebrities, reality show figures, and relatives of people who used to be (or shouldn’t be anymore) famous just throws the biggest irony at their title of “Dancing With The Stars”. (aside: and if “Survivor” was to be truer to its title, it’d be a contest to the death! :p:p) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/50 "2011-09-05T17:23:42Z")
The long 14 week commitment makes it nearly impossible to get any A list stars. They have too many other project offers that don’t involve sweating and pain. Also, I think the elimination process would be a turn off too. They have signed stars like Jane Seymour and Susan Lucci. They got voted off within 5 weeks. That’s got to be so frustrating to the casting director. It may have taken a year of negotiations to get them to sign up. Then the whim of a vote sends them home early. Star power doesn’t equal dance talent anyhow. Jen Aniston would be a huge pick for dwts. But some unknown reality show contestant may out dance her and win. That’s just how it works. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/51 "2011-09-05T17:44:16Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Star power doesn’t equal dance talent anyhow. Jen Aniston would be a huge pick for dwts. But some unknown reality show contestant may out dance her and win. That’s just how it works. AWB doesn’t get the appeal of DWTS (obviously, since s/he doesn’t watch). Despite the title, it has nothing to do with the star power of the dancers. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/52 "2011-09-20T02:40:00Z")
Wow, :eek: Peta gave Ron some horrible choreography that didn’t look anything like a cha cha. That’s the best she could come up with in three weeks? Sure Ron is stiff and obviously a limited dancer but the choreography would have given him 4’s no matter how well he danced. Ron’s blonde hair gave me ugly flashbacks of Dennis Rodman. Plus his belly was bulging over his belt in that terrible costume. A hot mess no matter how you look at it. I suspect Ron will be going home tomorrow. Frankly, I don’t think Peta needs to ever return after that chro… That’s just pathetic. Carson was the highlight of tonights show. He needs to improve his technique, but his showmanship is the best I saw all night. I thought David would do better than he did. It looked like his nerves got him. He started out way too fast and that threw the whole dance off. I didn’t see any obvious ringers. Hope is good, but she’s also super busy. She played in an exhibition game this past Sat and has another one Thursday. Factor in the traveling and other soccer promotions. Her rehearsal time will be limited. None of the other dancers really stood out good or bad for me. The dances seemed even shorter tonight. It seemed like they barely started and it was over. Even worse the choreography always stops a few seconds before the music. So there just wasn’t much content at all. I didn’t time the dances. But, I bet they were barely a minute this time. It totally pisses me off. We set through all the filler and boring talk just to see the dances. Then we get short changed. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/53 "2011-09-20T03:05:06Z")
Not sure I have much useful to add, but I’ll bloviate anyway. I found myself actively loathing Ron Artest. Please please please be the first to go. If Nancy Grace wasn’t Nancy Grace, I might have been charmed a bit by her enthusiasm, but unfortunately, she’s Nancy Grace and there’s nothing anyone can do about that. I suspect fan-base voting will keep her in front of me for a few more weeks, dammit. Elisabetta didn’t seem to be all that much worse than, say, Hope, but IMO the judges (and voters) tend to punish models and reward athletes, and that’s that. Guess we won’t be seeing a neck-and-neck, season-long battle between Maks and Val. Carson’s personality is like nails on a chalkboard for me, but he looked as though there was no place he’d rather be in the world, and that counts for something. Chynna looked just right for a waltz, but I suspect she’s going to have problems with the latin dances, as others of her lanky build seem to have. Chaz danced, and I hope this comes off as the compliment intended, like a guy in a fat suit. Some potential there. Right now, Carson, Kristin and Hope look the most solid. Not going to attempt any predictions, but two outside chances I’d like to see get at least to the semis are Ricki Lake and David Arquette. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/54 "2011-09-20T03:21:35Z")
Too early for me to comment about the end of the season, but I’m guessing Ron, Peta, and Chaz will not make it too far. I like Carson, and his dance was a whole hell of a lot of fun. He’ll be around for a while. Agree, I loathe Nancy Grace, but couldn’t deny she was having fun and throwing herself into it. I think this could be a good season – no one super good, and no one super bad. Other than Ron. ---
**Author:** ![MizQuirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/94ad74/32.png) [@MizQuirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizQuirk)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/55 "2011-09-20T03:41:42Z")
What a great show – the dancers got more and more appealing as the evening went on and I was an emotional mess by the end. Carson, the Iraqi war vet, and Chaz get kudos from me. Some of the others were maybe better dancers, but geeze, I’ll hate to ever stop seeing these three. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/56 "2011-09-20T03:50:50Z")
Nancy Grace is… larger… than I thought she was. Maybe it’s deceiving because I only see her little demon head floating behind the desk on CNN most of the time. She’s gotta be over 200lbs. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/57 "2011-09-20T07:01:31Z")
> [@MizQuirk](#): > > What a great show – the dancers got more and more appealing as the evening went on and I was an emotional mess by the end. Carson, the Iraqi war vet, and Chaz get kudos from me. Some of the others were maybe better dancers, but geeze, I’ll hate to ever stop seeing these three. Were you sitting here watching with me? Next time speak up and I’ll break out the drinks and a little something to eat. Now, you were saying… ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/58 "2011-09-20T08:01:00Z")
First week - Ron & Peta - it takes the new pros a few weeks (if not a whole season) to figure out what they’re doing. Peta hasn’t yet. I’m guessing that Ron has the athlete fan base and it might keep them alive long enough for her to figure it out. He’s got energy, but he was generally unlikable. Good for him, he was followed by Rob. Rob & Cheryl - he’s just obnoxious. And I didn’t like his dancing. He did better than his sister, but that’s damning with faint praise. Kristin & Mark - I’m over Mark, apparently no one talked to him during the off season (or he didn’t believe it). I can’t even tell if she was ok, because I got so sick of his obnoxiously outdancing her. Chynna & Tony - that was very nice. Nancy & Tristan - I was expecting Kate Gosselin revisited. And she wasn’t. She had a few moments. She also forgot a lot of her dance, but there were some solid steps in there. And she even showed a flash or two of performance ability. David & Kym - he kept going in and out of it, but he was surprisingly better than I expected, too. (He did end the dance when the music ended. He just kind of dropped Kym there and walked away. It was strange.) Elisabetta & Val - Val looks really good. But like Peta, he doesn’t know what he’s doing, she doesn’t have a fan base, and she didn’t dance well at all. They’re cannon fodder. Hope & Maks - her turns were kind of scary looking, but she’s used to training and she’s got a good coach. Carson & Anna - I’m not sure what that was, but it was entertaining as anything. JR & Karina - again, I was really surprised. That was really nice. Ricki & Derek - I missed Derek last season, and this was why. That was again, really nice. Chaz & Lacey - not going to make it to the finals, but he did ok for week 1. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/59 "2011-09-20T10:18:40Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > Kristin & Mark - I’m over Mark, apparently no one talked to him during the off season (or he didn’t believe it). I can’t even tell if she was ok, because I got so sick of his obnoxiously outdancing her. Whenever you see Ballas in white spats, look out, because the “all eyes on me and my magic feet” self-centered choreography is going to be in full effect. He really needs to spend some time with his “brother” Derek to learn how to choreograph to meet his partners’ strengths and weaknesses. He’s got the mindset that he’s a winner and can do what he pleases but he needs the reminder that he’s only won with partners who already have a strong knowledge and history of working with choreography. (Gymnasts and ice skaters, come on.) > [@](#): > > Carson & Anna - I’m not sure what that was, but it was entertaining as anything. It was Carson showing us that he could move like Jagger! I think he’s going to last a while if he and Anna keep making it fun like that. > [@](#): > > JR & Karina - again, I was really surprised. That was really nice. Yes, and they didn’t give us a big maudlin setup about his war injuries (or Chaz’s gender status) which I was glad for. And JR has moves! I’m really growing to like Karina’s choreo, too. She’s smart about playing to strengths. > [@](#): > > Chaz & Lacey - not going to make it to the finals, but he did ok for week 1. He was much lighter on his feet than expected and didn’t seem to have the nervousness that holds so many back. I agree that he won’t make the finals, but he acquitted himself pretty damn perfectly for all the crap that’s been thrown his way. I’m not sure who’s going to shake out to be the best dancer (this is the first season in many that I can’t pick the front runner right away) but I want to see a lot more of JR, Carson, Chynna, Ricki and Chaz. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101/60 "2011-09-20T10:41:01Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > Nancy Grace is… larger… than I thought she was. Maybe it’s deceiving because I only see her little demon head floating behind the desk on CNN most of the time. She’s gotta be over 200lbs. I was shocked too. Now we know why she wears the clothes she wears. They’re good at hiding her weight. I didn’t pay full attention, but but from what I saw, dancing wise I liked Chynna, Carson, and JR. I didn’t like Ron, Nancy, Elisabetta, and Chaz. Everybody else was so-so. By the way, I just want to congratulate DWTS for keeping true to their promise that this season would only have A and B listers, instead of C and D listers, has-beens, and wannabes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-fall-2011/594101.md?page=4)