PRANCING WITH THE STARS

SHOOTING WITH THE STARS

If you didn't blink, you might have seen me in the promos for this season of "Dancing With the Stars". I was hired to play the "assistant director" and help create the illusion that the stars were being rushed to the stage during the live show. Don't bother to try and find them cause they are not airing anymore. But I did have lines and scenes with several of the celebrities and professional dancers. So in a way, I have a connection to this year's cast since I got to know some of them at the shoot. So now that the season is half over, here are a few thoughts on the remaining cast.

KIRSTIE ALLEY and MAKS

Of all of the "stars" from this season, I think one of my favorites is Kirstie Alley. On the shoot, Kirstie was very friendly and just made me want to hang out with her. I was a little intimidated at first when Kirstie was standing a foot away from my face, but after we started chatting between takes, she put me at ease. She is also very professional and seemed a bit terrified about what she was getting herself into. Maks is simply...delicious! He exudes nothing but sex and was hitting on one of the extras. On TV he appears much taller and thicker than he really is. That's because all of the other professional male dancers are very lithe. But what you see on TV with him is what you get. It's all about Maks. I tried to engage Maks several times. He was friendly, but I could tell he really was more interested in the extra. So I went over to her, slapped her and said, "Lay off my man, bitch!" Kidding. But Maks is definitely eye candy.

CHRIS JERICHO AND CHERYL

I have to say, I loved Chris Jericho! A very nice, warm guy who was ridiculously excited to be doing DWTS. Again, he is much more compact in real life than the way he appears on TV and I was surprised that since he was a wrestler that he wasn't taller. All right! I admit it! I have a little crush on him. And he looked amazing in his tight ballroom slacks. Cheryl Burke looked amazing at the shoot although she seemed a bit over all the hoopla. I told her she was one of my favorite dancers on the show and she seemed genuinely grateful. I couldn't get a read on whether or not Cheryl really liked Chris's exuberance, since Chris is really touchy, feely, kissy. But they certainly are amazing on the show.

KENDRA WILKINSON AND LOUIS

Definitely a fish out of water. Kendra was nervous at the shoot and kept needing coaching saying, "I'm NOT an actress!" She seemed like one of these people that if she is mildly uncomfortable with something, she just wants to say "fuck it" and walk away. I actually got to put her at ease a bit since I had a scene with her where I am holding up a bra and she yells, "That's too big. It's going to cover up everything!" But despite her nervousness, she was very nice, warmed up during the shoot, did great and looked amazing! Louis, the only openly gay male dancer (go figure) kept to himself and didn't say a word to me. 

RALPH MACCHIO AND KARINA

I freakin LOVE Ralph Macchio! In the promos, I was playing a photographer and kept shouting out, "Hey Ralph...wax on, wax off!" It ultimately didn't make the cut and Karina actually wound up saying, "Wax on, wax off!" Despite the fact that she stole my line, I really love the two of them together. Ralph was very excited to be there and was extremely approachable. He was making jokes about his age and saying things like, "I hope I can keep up with Karina". The fact is, he looks incredible in person. And Karina is a doll. Loved her.

ROMEO AND CHELSIE

Romeo seemed like a nice guy at the shoot. I didn't really have that much contact with him except for a camera cross or two. But the thing I noticed about him was his tight body. No body fat at all. And Chelsie seemed nice enough, although again, not much contact.

CHELSEA KANE AND MARK

This was the one celebrity couple that I didn't work with at all. I was not needed in their scene and didn't even get to see them. Which sucks...cause I think Chelsea is doing great and I got me some serious Mark Ballas fever! Grrrrr!

HINES WARD AND KYM

Again, not much contact with these two. But was amused watching Hines at the ballet bar and Kym trying to teach him basic ballet moves. He seemed like a great guy and Kym's body is ROCKIN!

...AND THE REST

So for the ones who were voted off, I am just providing some short answers as to my impressions of them at the promo shoot.

MIKE CATHERWOOD AND LACEY

Mike- An adolescent. Reminded me of guys in a fraternity.

Lacey - Fun party girl, who loves to swear.

PETRA NEMKOVA AND DIMITRI

Petra - Stunningly, and I mean traffic stopping, beautiful and so, so sweet!

Dimitri - Tall and handsome. Boyish charm and very engaging.

SUGAR RAY LEONARD AND ANNA

Sugar Ray - Youthful and excited. I had a scene with Sugar Ray where I surprised him by jumping into his shot at said, "45 seconds Sugar Ray". It threw him cause he thought I was a real "assistant director". Kudos to my acting teachers.

Anna - Delightful. Love, love, love her. Chatted with her for a bit and she's a great girl, not to mention incredibly beautiful with that flaming red hair.

WENDY WILLIAMS AND TONY

Wendy - Big girl, big personality and packed into her dress. Was very nice to work with.

Tony - Like Maks...loves the ladies and was coming on to female extras.

IN CONCLUSION

Although not all of them qualify to be "stars", they are a very nice group of people. And as I watch each week, I find myself emotionally invested since I worked with many of them. I really should see if I can attend a live taping. But unfortunately, that wasn't in my contract. 

Gotta go practice my Pasodoble!