Bruno Tonioli Getting Jiggy With It on DWTS

Strictly Come Dancing (UK) and DWTS (US) judge Bruno Tonioli surprised the audience at the live Dancing With The Stars show by hopping up on the table and doing a dance during the commercial break! If only our judges were this much fun…

Dancing With The Stars Videos

Check out these crowd favourites from the most recent episode of the US version of DWTS

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska (Quickstep)



Marissa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovolani (Tango)

Backstage Secrets from American Idol & DWTS

The New York Times reveals some of the secrets behind American Idol, bringing up the perennial question, how real is reality television?

We already know that some reality shows have scripted elements or are manipulated to increase the dramatic elements. Popular US reality television show The Hills admits that some scenes are re-enacted if the camera misses important drama, and when aired on Britain’s Channel 4 it opened with the disclaimer

The following programme may contain scenes that have been created purely for entertainment purposes.

Unfortunately, most reality television makers aren’t so honest.

Some of the revelations about American Idol are probably common knowledge to anyone who has been in the audience for the live taping of game shows, reality shows or talk shows. When I went to the live filming of Dancing with the Stars, Phil Vaughan - who described himself as the audience “warmer upperer” - got us into the spirit and told us when to cheer. We were told to groan if we didn’t like the judges’ comments and to clap and make encouraging noises any time the celebrities came on stage or did anything that looked good.

We ran through the first few minutes of the show with Jason Gunn and Candy Lane entering the stage and had to rehearse clapping and cheering. We were also instructed to always be smiling and looking attentive, for fear the camera might catch someone snoozing when it pans the audience. More instructions and pep talks were given during commercial breaks, and both Phil and Jason kept us entertained.

Cadbury chocolates were given to the people who made the most noise or had the biggest smiles! For those of you who wondered why the audience sometimes sound “over the top” you now know why – we were all desperate to win those chocolates!

American Idol takes it a step further. In addition to telling the audience to smile, they give specific instructions. They recruit sorority girls for the mosh pit (the area immediately in front of the stage) so the camera catches cute young things energetically bouncing up and down.

The show, of course, does not just throw a bevy of sorority women in front of the cameras and allow them to cluster as they may. Stage assistants choose specific women and place them where the hand-held cameras will swoop during performances.

The audience visible to cameras is told to:

• Clap with their hands above their head, and
• Stand after every performance
• Wave their arms during slow songs

Also in backstage gossip NY Times reveals that the judges leave their seats during commercial breaks to chat on their mobile phones, to greet the audience or chinwag with the executive producer. apparently sneaks in at the last moment and is often seen slinking into her chair as the show goes to air.

Many of the “live” segments on the show are pre-recorded

Parts of many shows are recorded, particularly some performances by guests and the segment where callers pose questions to the contestants or judges. “We pretape it because we’re afraid somebody might say something bad,” Ms. Williams explained to the audience.

In the episode aired last week in the US Mariah Carey appears to be performing live, but the segment was pre-recorded and aired during the show as if it was live!


Photos: Fox

Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas Rumba

Ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi scored an almost perfect 29 out of 30 for this rumba with professional dancer Mark Ballas, on the U.S. version of Dancing with the Stars.

Paul Mercurio’s Most Embarrassing Movie

A younger, rather gorgeous version of Dancing with the Stars judge Paul Mercurio starred in the soft porn movie Exit to Eden, with Dana Delaney (currently appearing on Desperate Housewives).

Talking about the movie Mercurio said

"On Monday I made love to Dana. On Tuesday I went down on Dana. On Wednesday I was washed by a couple of semi-naked girls in the bath. On Thursday I had my bottom slapped and I had to cry. On the Friday we had to reshoot the going down scene which was very difficult. And then I had to wash Dana in the bath." Not exactly Endless Love. At one point, his wife, children, and mother visited the Los Angeles set for a looksee, prompting one bewildered toddler to ask why daddy was kissing another woman.

In this scene Paul Mercurio, playing the part of Elliot Slater, performs for Mistress Lisa (Dana Delaney). Check out that hot body as he strips off his bathrobe and shakes his booty!




This video is the trailer to the BDSM movie and includes nudity - mainly Paul's terrifically toned butt. NSFW!

Monty Betham: Dance to DWTS Finals +Photos

This year’s Dancing with the Stars champion Temepara George may have won on the dance floor and the wheel, but Monty Betham has come out several column inches ahead of his rival in the media and won himself a new following of fans – despite the bright pink lycra and PVC pants.

Best known as a rugby league player and boxer, Monty was on last year’s Celebrity Treasure Island reality television contest, where he was beaten by ultimate winner Hayley Holt. Monty continues to coach boxing, and also has plans for a new business and a book to be launched later this year.

Monty’s dancing and personality has flourished over the eight weeks of DWTS, and he’s shown a lot of sass and the drive to succeed. He believed in himself, even when wife Jaymie feared he would be eliminated in the first few weeks!

Check out his path to the finals, plus excerpts from some of his media interviews


Week 1: Cha Cha (Score 23)



Week 2 : Quickstep (Score 23)



Week 3 : Jive (Score 26)



Week 4 : Foxtrot (Score 29)



Week 5 : Samba (Score 30) & Viennese Waltz (Score 25)





Week 6 : Waltz (Score 29) & Rhumba (Score 27)




Week 7 : Paso Doble (Score 35) & Tango (Score 29)





Week 8 : Quickstep (33), Paso Doble (38) & Freestyle (37)








Media Interviews

Monty says he'll be gutted if he's dumped
Sunday News March 2, 2008

Monty talks doesn’t want to be the first celebrity to be given his marching orders and swaps nappy stories with dance partner Nerida Jantti. As you do.


Monty’s Family Emergency
Woman’s Day March 10, 2008

Two pages with photos of Monty, wife Jaymie and son Riley (now 15 months old), talking about how Riley broke his arm after the little dare devil climbed out of his cot and fell.

In the parenting quote of the week, Monty, who clearly subscribes to the philosophy of no pain no gain says:

You don’t want your kids to go through any pain, but unfortunately in life they’re going to have to. Facing a little adversity early on might make him strong.

Or it might give him arthritis in old age. The rest of the article talks about the couple, their hopes for their son, and how Monty likes to boogie when they go out.


Monty has Pecs Appeal
Sunday News April 6, 2008

A photo of a topless Monty jogging with heavyweight boxer Shane Cameron talks about how “mean and lean” Monty is looking. Dance partner Nerida Jantti talks about all the hard work he’s put in and how well he’s handling the judges.


The Full Monty
Woman’s Day April 14, 2008

Settle down Candy Lane, Woman’s Day were only fooling with you. Muscles shows his pecs and the top of his Mossimo undies peeking out over his black jeans, in an article that definitely did not show the “full monty”. Described as “toned, taut and with a rippling six-pack” the article suggests Kiwi women have been swooning and drooling. But Monty says he’s no pin up, and his wife is cuts him down to size labelling him short with a big butt. Women everywhere are going to be slapping Jaymie in the face for those little gems. Hope she doesn’t mean he’s short in the shorts, if you know what I mean, as that would really make a man feel insecure.

He also admits to being a quasi metrosexual and uses facial cleanser and cream. There goes the tough guy image...

Expect to see more of this likeable sporting man on the television and in a bookstore near you. There are also rumours he may play for the Samoan Rugby League team.



Photos: TVNZ

Temepara George wins Dancing With The Stars 2008

There were lots of surprises in tonight’s final of Dancing with the Stars with Temepara George saying it was a-ma-zing to win. Gorgeous Teme looked tearful in her colour-coordinated dress as she grasped the glittering ball and struggled to find words.

Stefano Olivieri wasn’t lost for words for a single moment, and made the point that he is the first professional to win the trophy back to back. Presumably he means in New Zealand because Cheryl Burke won seasons two and three of the United States version, and Julianne Hough won seasons four and five.

Tonight the past contestants from this season and past seasons were on-stage including Brendon The Body Pongia. Sorry Monty, you might have the pecs but Brendon oozes sex appeal. The highlight of the evening has to be Candy Lane dancing with “the boys”. Highly entertaining and original.

Other highlights

• Turns out Temepara George is sexy enough to turn a gay man straight


• Candy Lane reveals herself as a lady of the night, and definitely not of the day after poor Candy’s wrinkled neck was shown in the makeup room. Oops. Guess botox doesn’t make it to the neck


• Lots of sexy costumes, plus Tina Cross in a lampshade


• Rob Guest tried to eat the microphone and wins the don’t get caught when the wind changes award for anguished facial expressions


• The ego finally landed with Stefano changing the words of their final song to say “I am Stefano’s creation”. Someone hand Miss Prozac a barf bag.


• Tina Cross embarrassed the heck out of Jason when she outclassed him in a singing duet; there should be no tomorrow for Jase and his microphone.

Candy Lane in a Brothel

Candy Lane and the “boys” danced in a brothel. Miss Prozac is trying hard not to read too much into this intriguing symbolism.

Brendan Cole danced while Candy hugely overacted and wore her knickers over black stockings and stilettos. Aaron Gilmore, Brian Jones, Jonny Williams and Brendon Pongia joined in the action and shared Candy around. Even a slimmed down showed a small sign of hip movement while Candy gryated around him. And let’s face it, no one does the chest thrust quite like our Rodney.

Then Brendan (Cole this time) muscles back in for a tango with Candy who is trying desperately to look like a 15 year old. But don’t worry Brendan got her for her sins and slaughtered her.



Round 1 – New choreography of a dance

Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Quickstep

The video previews show a serious Monty Betham counting the beat in last week’s Tango plus his rehearsals with miss pixie ears Nerida Jantti. Contrary to Miss Prozac’s fears that the final would be a whitewash, Monty stepped up to the plate and gave lively and entertaining performances.

The first few seconds of the quickstep looked uncomfortable but once in hold, Monty looked more confident however one has to wonder what the judges were drinking. The quickstep lacked lightness; Monty galloped across the floor instead of springing. But the judges all loved it.

Brendan was the only judge to point out the awkward beginning but thought it was bang on once they got into it. Alison blinded us with her mirrored jacket and then gabbled on about how proud Monty and his wife should be. Craig accused Muscles of being a sly underdog who was showing far too much improvement. Paul Mercurio agreed and said it was a lot better.

Score: 33


Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri Foxtrot

TVNZ flew partner Sione to New Zealand, presumably to protect Teme from the amorous Stefano Olivieri. Lots of references to their close friendship and a very stoic Sione seated in the front row. He may be wanting to tackle Smirky Stefano after the show.

Temepara George looked delicious in pink and did an elegant and graceful foxtrot. Not technically perfect but a huge improvement on earlier weeks and lovely to watch.

Craig said she put the fox in foxtrot and had magnificent musicality. Paul said it was elegant and seamless. Wonderful, a pleasure to watch. Brendan said she had star quality, smooth, sophisticated and absolutely gorgeous. Miss Prozac was too blinded by Alison’s jacket to notice what she said.



Round 2 – Favourite Dance

Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Paso Doble

Once again wearing the black bolero jacket (has no one told TVNZ bolero jackets on sloping shoulders are a no no?) while Nerida dazzled in orange. Still love the choreography of this paso but somehow it didn’t live up to the excitement of last week’s action. The caping action was superb, characterisation was good and the intensity was there too. Monty swung Nerida around by her hand and foot and into the hearts of the judges. However, Miss Prozac is far more interested in knowing when Nerida will be announcing her pregnancy.

Paul said you lived the dance. Fantastic. Brendan thought it was a step up, energy and shaping magnificent. Alison says if she was the bull she’d run the other way. The only place Alison would be running is to the bedroom to turn back the sheets. Craig thought it was fabulous and really, really brilliant.

Score: 38


Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri Samba

Wearing pink again, Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri wriggled and shimmied to the Samba party dance. There were a couple of moments when the synchronisation wasn’t there and it wasn’t as good as their performance the last time they did it. The Samba ended in the upside down fandango Stefano loves so much that he put it in both Suzanne Paul and Teme’s routines.

Jason talks once again about the love and friendship between the two. Quelle surprise they’re going to be friends for life.

Alison felt like she went to Brazil and made some corny joke about him being a travel agent. Craig said it was almost perfect, amazing bounce action, just a little error coming around the corner.

Paul said you really have grown as an artist and a performer. ‘Triffic’. Well done. Brendan felt some of the transitional movements were lacking, and not your best performance but both fantastic together. Hooray, some common sense.

Hmmm and then Stefano said that Sione was the luckiest man on earth and that if Teme wasn’t taken he’d be putting his hand up for her. Huh? Guess Craig Revel-Horwood is right when he says she’s sexy enough to turn a gay man straight.

Score: 36



Round 3 Freestyle

Monty Betham and Nerida Jantti Samba variations

Nerida Jantti mounts Muscles and piggy backs onto stage with her arms out like a crucifix and wearing a skimpy tasselled costume. It was no match for Miriama Smith’s sizzling Samba costume but was still pretty hot. They looked like they were having fun, but unfortunately we had already seen two superior samba dances this evening, and the music was heh heh heh heh awful. Hang on, was that it? It’s over already. Where was the variation? The light and shade? Even Monty admits he didn’t do it justice.

Jason Gunn congratulates Monty on his muscles and his lack of dress and pixie Nerida loyally says Muscles did well.

Brendan says Monty is a legend and loved Nerida. Paul loved the opening image, fast and furious movements, you pushed it right to the end. Craig didn’t think it was possible to base an entire routine around one step – the shimmy – and said he was loving it daaaaarling. Alison loved the music and made more smutty remarks about there being nothing on Monty that is going to rust.

Score: 37


Temepara George and Stefano Olivieri

The smirkster has made a big secret of this dance refusing to reveal the style of dance for the piece de resistance, which means it better be good, or the voting public will be texting ‘MONTY’.

Are you kidding? The opening lyrics to the song are

‘I am what I am, I am Stefano’s special creation.’

How nice to have your own Barbie doll to play with, but people are already being turned off by Stefano’s arrogance.

Teme came onto stage in a black dress making it obvious she’s going to do a strip tease. Sure enough the black and silver number get pulled off to reveal – quelle surprise – more tassels. The wardrobe department must have a special running on tassels.

Then they cha cha and boogie before Teme cartwheels onto Stefano’s shoulder. A much better routine than Monty’s samba.

Craig loved the fact that they were dancing to his anthem. (Craig sang this number on a UK reality show). He said the dance was A-ma-zing. Gorgeous. Alison gave a pep talk about dancing through her heart and leaving footprints. Brendan said both of you have thrilled us. Copying Craig he said, one word, sen-sa-tion-al. Paul said it was a great number to finish the evening with. Fantastic.

Score: 39


Leaderboard

1. Temepara 37 + 36 + 39 = 112
2. Monty 33 + 38 + 37 = 108

Monty’s only hope rests now with the public vote.


Past contestants

The eliminated couples returned to the dance floor to reprise their favourite dances. Mannequin Geeling Ng did the rhumba while the follicle challenged Brian Jones brought reinforcements which wriggled across his lip and chin. Even he looked bored.

H-Bomb Hayley Holt and Peter Urlich - to list them in order of their star power - waltzed and Mr Haughty Martin Devlin and Lauren de Boeck tangoed but this time she didn’t lay down across Shane Cortese.



In the second segment of eliminated celebs, Tina Cross in her lampshade and Aaron Gilmore did the Cha Cha. It was good but Miss Prozac was hoping to see their stunning Paso Doble again. Cory Hutchings unfortunately did decide to reprise his robot moves with Rebecca Nicholson in the Paso. Lucky he looks so young and sexy, but the Paso wasn’t his best dance. Miriama Smith and her tassels did the samba. Wow! Very sexy. Jonny Williams and Mirama danced beautifully. Tonight their Samba was better than Teme and Stefano’s.


All singing, all dancing finale

While we were waiting for voters to fill the coffers at the telcos, Peter Urlich sang some numbers from his latest album, Tina sang, and Jason made some noises that vaguely resembled a tune. Somehow it’s not the same seeing Jason singing without a pile of six year olds dancing around him.

The eliminated contestants and the indefatigable Candy Lane were dancing fools as everyone jived while Jason banged out a tune. Geeling and her wig got into it too. And then we were told the voting lines were closed.



Then with a drum roll and a very long pause… Tempara was crowned the winner of Dancing with the Stars 2008! Congrats Teme. Sione, lasso your woman and head on back to Townsville with her. She’s not safe while Stefano is around…


Photos: TVNZ

Brendan Cole takes on Strictly Come Dancing Judges

You heard about the arguments between Dancing with the Stars judges Craig and Brendan on tonight's Close Up show... now see the video

In this interview Brendan Cole goes head to head with Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel-Horwood to question them about their comments and scoring.

For New Zealand viewers it is a fascinating insight into the prior relationship of these duelling pair.



Related Stories:
Candy Lane & Brendan Cole Waltz
Brendan Cole and Candy Lane Jive
Brendan Cole and Rachel Hunter Rhumba
Brendan Cole Crooning!
Craig Revel-Horwood interview
Craig and I have professional differences, I'm professional and he's not!

Relive Last Year's DWTS Final

Ahead of this year’s final of Dancing with the Stars we relive some classic moments from last year’s final, including performances by winner Suzanne Paul and runner up Megan Alatini as well as Jason singing and Paul Holmes infamous ‘Thriller’ Paso Doble.


Suzanne Paul and Stefano Olivieri Cha Cha



Suzanne and Stefano Tango



Suzanne and Stefano Freestyle



Megan Alatini and Jonny Williams Rhumba



Megan and Jonny’s Freestyle



Megan and Jonny Quickstep



Jason Gunn and the Candy Lane Dancers



Paul Holmes and Rebecca Nicholson Paso Doble

Dancing with the Stars 2008 Final

Tonight’s final of Flirty Dancing with the Stars will be a two hour all singing, all dancing, all lame jokes spectacular as Temepara George and Monty Betham go toe to toe in their attempt to win the sparkly globe and title of Dancing With The Stars champion for 2008.

The smart money is on Teme who has consistently performed well and is popular with voters. Tonight, the judges scores don’t matter. The winner will be decided by public vote and online polls suggest a landslide win for Teme and the smirking Stefano Olivieri.

If the final two were chosen on technical ability Miriama Smith would be there in place of Monty Betham. But, as we all know it’s a popularity contest, and Monty connected with the viewers and entertained us. He also coped better with criticisms from the judges.



Muscles surprised and delighted audiences last week with a hugely improved performance in the Paso Doble. Kiwis love an underdog and were willing to forgive his lacklustre performance in the Tango after he stepped up his game in the first dance.

If he can put in three good dances he may have a chance at taking out the trophy. There will be some that will vote for him irrespective of performance – because they’re fans or because they belong to the small faction that believe it’s time a man won (the last two years have been won by women). Not that you ever hear that said in any other sporting environment. When was the last time the public said, "Awww isn’t it about time we let those poor kids from Namibia win a rugby game?"

In the grand finale

• Each of the contestants and their pro partners return to perform their favourite dances
• Singer Rob Guest will perform
• The Candy Lane Dancers will strut their stuff
• Host Jason Gunn will be singing
  

Each pair performs three dances

• Monty will be doing the paso doble, quickstep and a freestyle dance incorporating samba moves
• Temepara will be doing the samba, foxtrot and a freestyle dance

Watch the two hour final of Dancing with the Stars tonight, 8:30pm on TV One.


Photos: TVNZ

Junior Dancers on Dancing with the Stars

Watch Brian Dibnah, Yelena Gaghis, Yvette Pugh, Chase Limmer, Lyu Ishizuka and Samantha Nicholson perform on last week's Dancing with the Stars while singer Bella Kalolo sings 'Last Dance'.



These talented youngsters are all age group champions. The beginning of the video also shows a photograph of a young Candy Lane!

Temepara Wins Wheel of Fortune

Last night Temepara George took first blood in the Dancing with the Stars challenge beating Monty Betham and judge Brendan Cole on Wheel of Fortune.

It took a bit of getting used to the new-look noisy Wheel with the extra clickers and new hosts Jason Gunn and Sonia Gray. Game show hosts are usually smooth, suave and slightly cheesy in their delivery. Phillip Leishman fit the bill. Jase doesn’t, but no doubt he will “make it his own” as the American Idol judges are wont to say.

The three contestants struggled to solve the puzzles. While people around the country were yelling 'Ballgowns and Tuxedos' at their television sets the contestants continued to look stumped. A new element to the show allows viewers to text their answers (at a cost of 99 cents) to win prizes, so if you’re quick with word puzzles, and speedy on the text pad you could get lucky!



The real news from last night’s Wheel of Fortune was the obvious camaraderie between Teme and Muscles Betham. Clearly they had been told to play up the battle and be competitive, but any rivalry sounded faked as they whispered to each other and Muscles gave Teme a noogie.

According to a salacious headline on the cover of the latest NZ Woman’s Weekly the pair have a ‘secret past’. What could that be? Are they both members of the Church of Scientology? Do they brew potions in a cauldron in their backyards? They’ve had a sex change? They were swapped at birth? Oh, the mystery. And the disappointment. The great secret is that Teme’s partner Sione introduced her to Monty a few years back and they’ve renewed the friendship. There was obvious affection between them and it looks like they’re very good friends.

Brendan was excluded from a lot of the banter, but he didn’t seem to mind. He was looking very English and surprisingly debonair in his pinstriped suit. Mr Metrosexual has done something to his hair and it suits him. However, Brendan struggled to gather his thoughts and express himself, leading one to wonder if his comments on Dancing with the Stars are scripted earlier in the day during rehearsals.

Brendan admits that his brain only works for about one hour a day. This clearly wasn’t his hour, but he was very gracious in defeat and genuinely upset when he thought he’d failed to win anything for his charity. Luckily the sponsors chipped in and gave $1,000 to each of Monty and Brendan’s charities, so everyone went home happy.


Photos: TVNZ

DWTS Competitions 14 April 2008

This week's Dancing with the Stars competitions courtesy of TVNZ, Cadbury and Novotel Hotels give you a chance to win a holiday or chocolates.



Novotel holiday package
The grand prize from Novotel is airfares and five nights accommodation at the luxurious Novotel Hong Kong Citygate. Enter here! Entries close on Tuesday 1 May at 5.00pm.



Cadbury Hamper
Enter the Cadbury Smoothest Move competition and be in to win a hamper of Dairy Milk from Cadbury's. Entries close on Tuesday 15 April 2008.


Photos: TVNZ

Temepara and Monty Spin the Wheel

Tonight, Dancing with the Stars finalists Temepara George and Monty Betham spin the wheel on the new season of Wheel of Fortune for their favourite charity.

The new-look Wheel of Fortune is hosted by Jason Gunn and Sonia Gray. Watch it tonigh