Welcome to TV Squad Lists, a feature where each blogger has a chance to list his or her own rundown of things in television that stand out from the rest, both good and bad.
Sanjaya's gone from American Idol: Do you hear that roaring noise? That's the sound of all the Idol purists celebrating that Sanjaya is now gone from their show. This means that they can now get back down to business in choosing who will be the next winner of an exclusive recording contract. Of course, while that finalist will record and receive a good deal of money he or she will probably fade into the background. In the meanwhile, Sanjaya will probably win the Nobel Peace Prize sometime in the near future. I wonder what hairstyle he'll wear during the award presentation?
(S04E10) With only seven couples left, it's getting tough to fill that 90 minute block. Rather than force ABC to trot out another sure to disappoint sit-com, the powers that be at DWTS added the group swing performance. Having now seen it, I have to say it was a good idea. We'll get to that in a moment though. First, the couples all had to perform for the judges.
(S04E09) After three weeks of watching women get sent home, it was about time that a male contestant got the boot. Samantha mentioned that the show has reached its midpoint, and it is time to get rid of the lackluster dancers and focus on the real contenders. I have a feeling that the next few eliminations will be as predictable as this week's.
As many fans guessed, the judges chose Apolo and Julianne for the encore performance this evening. The couple's Samba was called the dance of the season. No arguments here. Apolo and Julianne's performance was just as exciting and sexy as it was last night, and it was great to see it again.
Are you going to sit there and tell me that you've been watching Dancing with the Stars just for the dancing and expect me to believe it? It seems like the entire country is waiting for Heather Mills' leg to come flying off into the audience. It seems like that day is almost upon us.
Mills danced an almost perfect number and, for some reason, felt the need to stage a mistake and choreograph a fall. Her partner also choreographed a caring response to her fall. I would have an easier time believing this blunder if she looked genuinely mortified.
In other TV celebrity body part news, Regis Philbin is recovering after his bypass. He called into Live! With Regis and Kelly yesterday and admitted some interesting things about his love life.
(S04E08) Leeza Gibbons is gone, which means that there are only two women left to compete. After some of the men's performances tonight, I doubt that Laila and Heather are worried. There was an informal "muscle shirt" theme this evening, and the men's attempts at fun and sexy had mixed results.
(S04E06) Tom kicked off week four by proclaiming, "It's time to go big, or go home." I would disagree with that. We are still early enough in the competition that people can continue to skate by on popularity. When they get down to four couples, then it will be time to go big.
Len followed that up by going to the stats. According to his numbers, this group has been slacking on the practice. They have only been practicing 13 hours a week. The teams from the last season averaged 19 hours. He said that it shows in their performance, but I don't notice a stark difference between the two seasons. I think we have a similar division of couples again this year. He followed that up with a threat of lower scores for anyone he thinks isn't putting in the work. I wasn't buying that, but in retrospect, this was some of the tougher judging they have ever done. That said, on with the show.
Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.
Today on TV Squad Daily:
Heather Mills sure stays in the press a lot for someone who hates publicity. This week she's speaking out about not being a gold digger, and a gruesome surgery on her leg one year ago.
The MySpacer's hunger strike over Sanjaya Malakar's continued American Idol stress ended unsuccessfully.
The latest Lost commercial is funny, yet kind of embarrassing.
(S04E05) Another week, another "shocking" elimination. The hosts were all about hyping the "jam-packed" results show, bragging that there was more music and dancing "than ever before." What else would there be on a dancing show? An ad for a workout DVD? Oh, wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.
The behind-the-scenes interviews were combined with recap footage from last night's performances. A big deal was made of the unprecedented four-way tie. Joey Fatone was offended by Len's butt comment, and stuck out his rear (and his visible panty line) in protest during his interview. Heather wanted to advance even farther than Jonathan's previous two-legged partners. I'm still hoping that Heather's dancing talents will start to overshadow her disability. It was a valid topic in the first few episodes, but enough is enough.
(S04E04) We're back for another week of dancing, and the lovely Paulina is no longer with us. Many of the dances were inspired by movies this week; we had Star Wars, Pulp Fiction, and even Goldfinger. Contestants danced either the Jive or the Tango, and the results were very entertaining.
Shandi Finnessey and Brian Fortuna (Jive) - Shandi and Brian's Jive was good, but forgettable after all of the performances were finished. Their performance was fun and spirited, and Shandi wisely showed as much skin as possible. She can't compete with the other contestants' technical skills, but she's doing her best to corner the market on hotness. The judges were impressed with her progress and gave the couple a 21 (7, 7, 7).
(S04E02) Two weeks in and I have to say that this is a pretty good group of contestants. The new format with two weeks of performances before the first elimination was a good idea. Sometimes a contestant just doesn't handle a particular dance well, so it's nice to see them get a second shot. Lots of contestants, so a lot to cover. Let's get to it.
Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough (Quick Step) - At its base, the show is about the "Stars." The partners certainly factor in though, and I continue to be impressed with Julianne. She might be just 18 years old, but she carries herself as well as any of the other pros. It doesn't hurt that she is absolutely adorable either. Apollo has officially impressed me now. I didn't have high expectations for him coming in, but he really shows the potential to be a contender. Len said Apollo is going to stay for weeks and weeks. Bruno called it cool, fresh, young, and exciting. Carrie Ann was impressed with the footwork and sync. High praise all around, and deservedly so. The scores, (8, 9, 9) I like that score. A great start to the night.
By now, Dancing With the Stars is in full swing, pun completely intended. It seems that audience members were at first weary of Heather Mills' decision to be a contestant in a show where others who have both their legs had deemed too physically demanding.
Quick! What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Billy Ray Cyrus? Mullets!
Although right now Billy Ray is rocking a new glamorous hairstyle fitting for a soccer mom, he understands that the nation pretty much associates him with his "business in the front, party in the back" country lifestyle. So the choreographers thought they would have a little fun with him and incorporate a mullet on his partner's head. If you were watching last night's Dancing With The Stars you might have seen the hair malfunction that occurred during Cyrus' performance.
(S04E01) Another season of Dancing With The Stars is upon us, and I could not be more excited. Some important changes have been made this time around. Contestants were given four weeks to practice for the premiere instead of six, and there will be two weeks of dancing before the first elimination. The premiere was entertaining and surprising, as always. Let's get right to it!
Ian Ziering and Cheryl Burke (Cha Cha Cha) - It's tough to be the first dancers of the night, but Ian and Cheryl did a tremendous job. Their energetic performance included some decent footwork; those two definitely know how to have fun and work the crowd. Cheryl's hair was gorgeous, as usual, but I wasn't a fan of the Ziering facial hair. The judges gave Ian some technical criticism, but the pair walked away with a fair score of 21 (Carrie: 7, Len: 7, Bruno: 7).
Welcome to TV Squad Lists, a feature where each blogger has a chance to list his or her own rundown of things in television that stand out from the rest, both good and bad. 
(S04E09) After three weeks of watching women get sent home, it was about time that a male contestant got the boot. Samantha mentioned that the show has reached its midpoint, and it is time to get rid of the lackluster dancers and focus on the real contenders. I have a feeling that the next few eliminations will be as predictable as this week's. 
Are you going to sit there and tell me that you've been watching Dancing with the Stars just for the dancing and expect me to believe it? It seems like the entire country is waiting for Heather Mills' leg to come flying off into the audience. It seems like that day is almost upon us. 
(S04E06) Tom kicked off week four by proclaiming, "It's time to go big, or go home." I would disagree with that. We are still early enough in the competition that people can continue to skate by on popularity. When they get down to four couples, then it will be time to go big.
(S04E05) Another week, another "shocking" elimination. The hosts were all about hyping the "jam-packed" results show, bragging that there was more music and dancing "than ever before." What else would there be on a dancing show? An ad for a workout DVD? Oh, wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.
(S04E04) We're back for another week of dancing, and the lovely Paulina is no longer with us. Many of the dances were inspired by movies this week; we had Star Wars, Pulp Fiction, and even Goldfinger. Contestants danced either the Jive or the Tango, and the results were very entertaining.
(S04E02)
Highlights from a week's worth of posts
By now, Dancing With the Stars is in full swing, pun completely intended. It seems that audience members were at first weary of Heather Mills' decision to be a contestant in a show where others who have 
Quick! What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Billy Ray Cyrus? Mullets!
(S04E01) Another season of Dancing With The Stars is upon us, and I could not be more excited. Some important changes have been made this time around. Contestants were given four weeks to practice for the premiere instead of six, and there will be two weeks of dancing before the first elimination. The premiere was entertaining and surprising, as always. Let's get right to it!
NBC's Kings panel - Comic-Con Report
The Dharma Initiative wants you - VIDEO - Comic-Con Report
Forget the Knight Rider movie, say the series creators - TCA Report
