Toni Braxton, age 41 next month, is a singer-songwriter, Braxton has won six Grammy Awards and has sold over forty million records worldwide. Her U.S. number-one hit "Un-Break My Heart" is the second biggest single by a female ever.
Toni Braxton had one of the top scores on "Dancing wih the Stars" last night. She said she had been diagnosed with microvascular angina, and was afraid to do much of anything, so she decided to do the show to get over those fears.
Since she is doing so well on the show, I am sure there will be a lot of discussion in the media about her disease. I understand it's a plaque buildup in the smaller part of the arteries that cannot be stented, and is usually inferred from a stress test. I understand they normally treat this condition wih Lasix and Imdur. I also read that these two drugs are not that good against it.
So, at age 41, this doesn't sound like a bright future for Toni.
Dancing with the Stars biggest surprise: Warren Sapp wasn't close to the worst dancer
Sapp1 Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive star Warren Sapp made a bit of a splash during tonight's debut of ABC's hit reality competition Dancing with the Stars -- landing near the top of the competition with a spirited cha cha that earned 21 points and brought the crowd to its feet.
"Big boys can dance," exclaimed excitable judge Bruno Tonioli after the performance by Sapp, who stepped confidently around partner Kym Johnson to the strains of Stevie Wonder's hit Do I Do. "You showed us all."
Given 21 points by the judges, Sapp and Johnson now must depend on votes from the audience to stay in the game. In a new twist, one of the show's 13 couples will be ejected Tuesday night, and a second pair will leave Wednesday. Sapp's score placed him in the top of the middle, tied with beach volleyball Olympic champion Misty May-Treanor and behind singer Lance Bass, TV host BrookSapp3e Burke and R&B diva Toni Braxton.
Comic Jeffrey Ross, who suffered a scratched cornea after his dance partner poked him in the eye during a rehearsal, earned the lowest score for a lumbering routine that didn't seem that much worse for his lack of sight. Eightysomething actress Cloris Leachman earned the only bleeps from the ABC censors, cursing her low score (16) just minutes after host Tom Bergeron announced "I have this image of ABC censors doing tequila shots to get ready for (her)."
After one night's competition Burke and Bass seem the two to beat, with Sapp poised for an Emmitt Smith-style upset. Sapp was uncharacteristically silent for much of tonight's show, confessing a serious case of nerves. (photos of Sapp's rehearsals courtesy of ABC)
"I hope I just survive right now," he said, just after finishing his dance. "My feet are shaking so bad."
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'Dancing with the Stars' recap: Cloris Leachman steals the bleeping the show
by John Gonzalez | Going Gonzo | The Grand Rapids Press
Tuesday September 23, 2008, 12:45 PM
"Dancing with the Stars" will never be the same after Cloris Leachman's hysterical performance/commentary on Monday's return of Season 7's "Dancing With the Stars."
I have never laughed that hard while watching reality TV, and if the 82-year-old Cloris does not get enough votes to last more than a few weeks, then we know something is definitely wrong with America.
I was a little off with the "DWTS" predictions I made yesterday (saying Susan Lucci could win it all). At least I said Cloris would "pull the grandma vote," which is true. But she also has my vote!
Also, guest blogger Lorilee Craker put her foot in her mouth when she said she was "sick of guys from boy bands and football players as dance contestants." She loved NFL-er Warren Sapp.
But -- after Monday night's show -- Lorilee has a revised her rankings, and now I give you mine:
BTW, both of us predict comedian Jeff Ross gets the boot. That means no more Edyta Sliwinska. (Men, in unison: Booooooo!)
1. Toni Braxton/Alec Mazo
Toni is gorgeous, and has potential. I'm sticking with this feel-good story.
Craig SjodinCloris Leachman stole the "Dancing with the Stars" show last night, shamelessly flirting with the judges.
2. Cloris Leachman/Corky Ballas
My only concern is that her schtick will get old (sorry, no pun intended).
3. Lance Bass/Lacey Schwimmer
I'm still trying to figure out whether I like his rock-chick dance partner. I'm warming up to the idea that they could emerge as the front-runner.
4. Warren Sapp/Kym Johnson
Great energy. But can he sustain that week after week.
5. Cody Linley/Julianne Hough
I love how they built up the puppy-dawg, love-struck relationship between Cody and Julianne. That should keep him around, and he was not that bad of a dancer.
6. Kim Kardashian/Mark Ballas
I expected more, on the dance floor that is. And I expected less, from the costume side of things.
7. Brooke Burke/Derek Hough
The swimsuit mom can move. You never know. This could work.
8. Rocco DiSpirito/Karina Smirnoff
He was a little stiff, as Lorilee put it, but I love Karina and I think they'll get better.
9. Susan Lucci/Tony Dovolani
Susan, you looked great, no question. I just expected you to be a little more athletic.
10. Misty May-Treanor/Maksim Chmerkovskiy
A lot of people predicted an Olympic spark. No gold here.
11. Maurice Green/Cheryl Burke
Another athlete with unathletic moves. Weird.
12. Ted McGinley/Inna Brayer
I'm not sure what the judges saw in Ted, but he doesn't stand a chance.
13. Jeff Ross/Edyta Sliwinska
I chuckled at a few of his jokes, and I loved his KISS T-shirt (from the clip of him getting poked in the eye), but a dancing mo-sheen he is not.
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First Impressions of the Dancing With the Stars Cast
Tuesday September 23, 2008
It's official. Dancing with the Stars is back and more fun than ever! (Premiere recap coming soon). I must say I'm loving this new group of celebs. Judging from last night's season premiere, this season will be wildly unpredictable -- especially if they keep the outrageous Cloris Leachman around.
Here are my first impressions of the new Dancing cast:
Cutest Couple: Julianne and Cody. The good looking teens make an adorable pair -- and Cody's apparent crush on Julianne might lead to some sweet moments on the show.
Most Entertaining Celeb: Why, Cloris Leachman, of course! At 82, Cloris is the most outrageous celebrity in the mix this season. Her reaction to the judges' comments -- throwing her leg up for Bruno, getting down on her knees for Len, and sitting on Carrie-Ann's lap -- was the most memorable moment of the season premiere.
Hottest Newcomer: Lacey Schwimmer! With three new dancing pros this season, the cast seems a bit more interesting. But the newcomer who stood out the most was former So You Think You Can Dance contestant Lacey Schwimmer. The edgy, seemingly rebellious dancer certainly isn't the typical ballroom dancer.
Most Painful to Watch: Susan Lucci. I'm so used to watching Susan play the fierce and fearless Erica Kane on All My Children, it was strange to see her struggle awkwardly on the dance floor. That's so not Erica Kane-like.
Most Potential For Romance: Karina and Rocco. I know, I know. Karina already hooked up with her partner Mario Lopez and was rumored to be dating the other Mario last season. But she's single again now that her relationship is over with Mario Lopez. Besides, Rocco has already fed her pasta. Maybe they'll cook up a romance.
Contestant Who Should Come Out of Her Shell: Surprisingly, Kim Kardashian. The costume was disappointing and her performance was stiff. As one of the youngest, hippest contestants this season, Kim needs to bring a bit more style and energy to show.
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'Dancing With the Stars': Fringe-worthy
We size up the new dancers on their first night of dancing and see if we can spot the potential winners
Hi, everyone! I trust that your waking nightmare — featuring a closet full of Cloris Leachman's cleavage, Mark Ballas' Pepto-hued jacket, and the ''edgy'' styling of Lacey Schwimmer — has left you well-rested. Me, I don't need sleep. I've been operating on a serum of sparkles and pure joy ever since I saw Misty May serving a disco ball as if it were a volleyball (these are two of my most treasured types of balls) in ABC's ubiquitous season 7 promo. As soon as Edyta showed up wearing legwarmers in the very first shot of the season, I had a profound sense that Dancing With the Stars had never really gone away. Because it hasn't.
Last night's season premiere was as crazy as ever, yet many powerful signs suggest that this season will be vastly improved over the one that ended in ye olden days of four months ago. Fringe easily beat sequins. The judges suddenly remembered there are integers lower than 8. There's a flashy new intro-to-the-intros light show right before the Stars descend the staircase. And finally, Samantha's hair has never looked this flat. See? Best season ever. Let's jump right in with how the new couples ranked....
Brooke Burke and Derek: 23 out of possible 30 First of all, I'd like to pick a bone. (Lucci, get your arm out of my face, I didn't mean it like that!) Why create such fanfare over Brooke's ''hyper-extended legs,'' then costume this season's yummy mummy in floor-length brown pants? That was a cruel and unusual tease, much like Derek's hammy ''I love you, I love you not'' interactions with the giant disco ball during his All About Me bit. These two should be very mischievous together. Brooke seemed terrified before her cha-cha, but managed to pull it off with so much hip action that, according to Bruno, DANCMSTR was panting with his tongue hanging out. ''That's mostly an age thing,'' quipped Tom.
Lance Bass and a Pussycat Doll: 22/30 Fine, Lance's partner is So You Think You Can Dance alum Lacey Schwimmer, but it's often a bit difficult to make the distinction. Lacey's bringing some ''edge'' to the ballroom via pink hair extensions, boots that put the ''flat'' in ''unflattering,'' and the presence of Lance's face on her skirt. One night only, people! DANCMSTR hated the pair's ''young and modern'' version of the cha-cha because he's old and traditional, but Bruno and Carrie Ann adored the ''cha-cha-cha for now!'' Do I smell an impending Dance War, or is that just the rockin' stench of pure, unadulterated EDGINESS?
Toni Braxton and Alec: 22/30 As the third woman in a row to dance around the ballroom sheathed in white fringe, Toni would have my allegiance even if her cha-cha with Alec wasn't, according to Carrie Ann, worthy of being performed in week 5. The ''Unbreak My Heart'' diva — whom Bruno affectionately labeled ''slinky, sultry, sexy, BAM! BAM!'' — currently suffers from a heart condition that's inspired her to get out there and live life...in front of TV cameras. I think she and Alec will go far, but it really worried me when she told Samantha, ''I still feel like I’m trying to breathe, but it's all right, it's all right!'' Jeez. Is it? :( |
