Last night launched a new season of Dancing With the Stars. Did you watch? Did you cheer? Did you groan? I did all of those things. And I laughed. First, Hi Tom!! So good to have Our Affable Host back. Even better, he’s partnered with a capable co-host in Brooke Burke. She hosted the Rock Star competition show and won this show, which gives an added insight, so I think it’s a good fit. She’s a much more confident hostess than Sam could ever hope to be.

Overall, it was a good night. Not many surprises. Nicole Sherzinger and Evan Lysacek were both good, Buzz Aldrin and Kate Gosselin, not so much. A lot of “could do well with improvement” types that can turn the tide of the show, too. And a few who will probably sink quickly. I miss having Julianne, Lacey, and Kym there as pros, but am happy to see Ashley back. And the new guy, Damian, looks like a pretty good choreographer. A little bummed that Derek once again gets paired with the Sure Thing, so I’m hoping others will surge forward and garner crowd appeal. None of the contestants make me gnash my teeth just by their very presence (no Tom DeLay’s this season) though Kate Gosselin can stop being in my immediate line of vision any day now and I won’t miss her. She’s not all that on the dance floor, so I’m not thinking she’ll be long on the show, either. It will be interesting to see what kind of fan support Buzz might get. For 80, he was giving it his best shot. And Ashley as his partner is quite adorable. I think the pro/am matchups are all good this season.

I hope Aiden the soap opera hunk improves because I’m not in any hurry for that eye candy to take a walk (yes, it’s an umbrella drink season, blog babes! Join me in the shallow end of the pool right off and get cozy!) I thought The Bachelor looked mighty cute, in that mighty morphin’ power ranger kinda way he has about him. Looks pretty sweet in a tux. And rounding out the Eye Candy Report, Evan isn’t hard on the eyes, and neither is Chad Ochocinco, who I think did a great job and has really good chemistry with Cheryl. On the pro side, we get Max, Derek, and the new guy, Damian, too. So, all in all, a nice balance to the Erin Andrews, Nicole Pussycat Doll, and Pamela Anderson’s of the competition. (And speaking of Pamela….was she high? What was that backstage? Endorphin rush?) She’s the only woman I know who can create chemistry with herself.

So, looks to be another entertaining season! Tonight we get 11 Idols singing. The theme this week is #1 Billboard Hits (was supposed to be Teen Idol week…) But instead, they ditched that and got an actual current teen idol as the mentor. Current Teen Idol. Mentor. One of these things is not like the other. And who did they tag? Yeah. Miley Cyrus. (……crickets……) Fortunately, they won’t be singing from her vast music songbook, but still. A mentor? Really? I mean, can you just see her trying to explain to Crystal how she could, you know, like totally improve her performance? Seriously?

So, that could be entertaining as well. I’ll be checking it out…with finger poised on the fast forward button!

Don’t forget to enter this week’s Free Stuff Friday contest. Details in Monday’s blog post. Up for grabs is an advance review copy of my late May release, SOME LIKE IT SCOT. Get your entries in, winner announced on Friday. Hence, you know….the name of the contest.

In the meantime, you need to DISH! Who were you surprised to find you liked more than you’d expected after watching rehearsal clips (Chad and Shannen for me.) And who surprised you by being a better dancer than expected? (Umm……) Or worse? (I thought Erin might be better, Aiden, too.) Are you rooting for anyone yet? Right now, Chad and Cheryl really got my attention in the beginning. I like Chelsea a lot as a choreographer and I think she’s cute with Jake. Yeah, yeah, I hear you groaning….and I care not! Like her or not, I admire how he’s been such a solid supporter for Vienna this entire time. Guy gets brownie points from me. He has her back and she has his. We should all be so fortunate. (Yes, JESSE. I’m looking at you. Wow, dude. Just…no words.) And was that Gia next to Vienna in the audience? Show of hands on who’d have rather watched Gia as the next bachelorette? I’d like to see Shannen make it a week or two, just because it really is cool how much it means to her dad. Very awesome that he could be there to watch, given his medical issues. Mostly I’m hoping someone gives Nicole and Evan a run for their money (Chad!) so it’s not a slam dunk season. What say you, blog babes?

Tags: Writing //