'Dancing With the Stars' Results: The first cut

Oh, no! That’s not how it was supposed to end at all. Season 10 of “Dancing With the Stars” continued its streak of surprises when its first results show ended in an elimination shocker.

And all signs pointed to an upset. First of all, Tom and Brooke could not stop dropping the words “surprising” and “unexpected” throughout the evening. And then it was announced almost immediately that Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood were one of the couples in the bottom two. Not our Pammy! Were her fans, um, too occupied to pick up the phone and call in their votes? I mean, come on. This woman has got oodles of personality and oodles of other things stacked in her favor. And she can dance! But chalk it up to passive viewers, or new pro partner Damian, who  hasn’t had a chance to build up a fan base, for their position in the bottom two.

Though with all the time that the couple was forced to spend under those damning fast-foot red heat lamps, it would have been particularly cruel and unusual had Pam and Damian ultimately been the ones ousted from the competition.

Unfortunately, that dubious honor went to Shannen Doherty instead. (9021-oh no they didn't!) And while this news wasn’t as upsetting as when Kelly and Dylan ganged up on Brenda and broke the news that they were dating, it was still kind of a shock. I had hoped that Shannen would stick around a bit longer – her jive was fun, and she was definitely showing improvement and conquering her performing fears. Plus, it looked like she was having a good time, which is more than I can say about some other people in the competition.

Sadly, perhaps it was her lack of drama that kept her out of the spotlight and out of the voters’ minds. And while I’ll miss the once and forever Brenda Walsh, perhaps it was all for the best, as it was also revealed that her partner Mark Ballas had pulled a muscle off the bone (ouch) during dress rehearsals on Monday, and would be out for six weeks.

Shannen's exit, of course, means that we get to see Kate Gosselin confront her fears and her control issues for another week. While she’s doing that, maybe she can have some one-on-one time with the mirror and practice cracking a smile. Every time the cameras panned over to her in this hour, it was glum, glummer, glummest. No gracious looks, no contact with partner Tony Dovolani (who already looked like his mind had journeyed halfway to Albania, and could give a whooping funt which way this cookie crumbled). I’m no psychology expert, but I’m guessing that mug of brittle petrification isn’t doing much to win over people’s hearts. Still, it got her through to next week. And I admit, I'm curious to see how Kate and Tony will get along.

And then there was all the filler. A lot of it was very Len-centric. The dapper head judge took us through a recap of the previous evening’s performances and introduced the season’s first encore performance (Nicole and Derek’s high-scoring jive, of course). The best, though, was when he channeled his inner Charlton Heston, donned robes and announced his Len Commandments. My favorites were “Thou Shalt Not Kill Time,” because “messing about on the stage” definitely seems to be Len’s biggest complaint.  The smiting of dancers (and the subsequent explosions) was also a nice touch. I also liked the “Thou Shalt Not take the Judges Name in Vain,” because it allowed a fun backstage clip of the usually mild-mannered Edyta going on an expletive-filled rant. And of course, “Thou Shalt Not Do Lifts” which Len clearly lifted from Carrie Ann’s Regimented Rectagon Rulebook. Though was it me, or was the fun of that segment completely sucked away by the judges’ command that each couple has to tell a story through their dance next week?

Season 6 contestant Adam Carolla returned for a “Between the Mirrorballs” piece that also pointed out Buzz’s affinity for astronaut tees. And I liked Adam’s use of “tom-catting” in reference to Bruno and Elton John's romp through the South of France, and the freeze frame of Bruno with his arms up and palms out in a moment of nostalgic reverie. But mostly, I enjoyed the pleasant clink of the mirror balls between each bit.

The pros came out for two dances: The first was a fusion routine choreographed by frequent Michael Jackson collaborator Travis Payne that incorporated ballroom with some more contemporary moves (it’s times like these that I miss Lacey Schwimmer’s all-around dance talent). The second was an accompaniment to the well-intentioned but oddly tinny sounding Beach Boys “California Girls”/”Kokomo”/”Fun Fun Fun” medley featuring John Stamos on the drums. Cheryl Burke, Anna Trebunskaya and Ashly Costa shot out like bright, fringy yellow rays of the sun, framed by Louis Van Amstel, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Damian Whitewood.

Brooke Burke got her own segment, as we saw a day in the life of the working mom on her first stint as a co-host. They really do give those spray tan bottles a workout, don’t they? Though who else thought Tom Bergeron's sudden bogarting of Brooke’s Teleprompter lines stood as a not-so-subtle plea for his own segment?

Finally, heartstrings were tugged during the Macy’s Stars of Dance — a passionate routine performed by Haitian dancers that shed light both on their country’s unflappable spirit and their continuing struggle after January’s devastating earthquake. I have to admit, I wasn’t prepared to witness the tragic story of former world professional mambo champion Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine’s son (oh, those pictures!) on a show such as this. But as much as this heartbreaking news seemed out of place amid all the frivolity and fringe of this very bedazzled program, I appreciated the show’s attempt to bring awareness to a charitable cause. I also appreciated the reminder that “dancing is an expression of hope, no matter what.”

Which brings us back to the decidedly more superficial world of rectagons and celebraquariums. Would you agree that glittery heartstrings were also tugged when Shannen graciously made her exit (her poor father looked absolutely crushed, didn’t he)? What did you think? Were you as surprised as I was with the first week’s results?

—Allyssa Lee

Related:

‘Dancing With the Stars’: ‘Turn up, keep up and shut up’

‘Dancing With the Stars’: Kick-off!

Complete ‘Dancing With the Stars’ coverage on Show Tracker

Photo credit: Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood: Craig Sjodin / ABC; Shannen Doherty and Mark Ballas: Adam Larkey / ABC

Comments

[Kathode]

Heck yeah, I was surprised!!!! Who the hell is voting for that Kate woman?!? And that jerk Aiden, for that matter. They're both such miserable, controlling whiners.

Shannen got a raw deal. First, she got paired with Marky-One-Note Ballas, who can't tune his choreography to match the ability of the partner he's paired with. Then she had to dance in one of the first two time slots on both nights of the competition. (She was the 2nd dancer last week, and 1st this week.) They should have a rule that if you dance in the first half of the show one week, you should be able to dance in the second half the following week. I guess it's good that she went off though, because with Mark's injury, she'd have been forced to dance with Corky Ballas, who's even more of a demanding creep than his son. I don't think that pairing would have served Shannen well, given her already considerable live-TV nerves.

I was really surprised to see Pam in the bottom 2. I wasn't a fan of hers before this show (not that I disliked her -- more that I just didn't care a fig about her one way or the other), but her foxtrot this week impressed. I didn't vote (because I had to tape the show and didn't get to watch until after the voting had closed), but I can't understand how the people who DID vote could possibly have scored Kate, Buzz and Aiden over Pam and Shannen. What are these people thinking?

Are they just voting for Aiden because he's hot? And for Buzz because he's a living legend? And for Kate because she's... well I can't legitimately think of ANY reason to vote for her - unless it were to sadistically prolong her obvious suffering by forcing her to train and humiliate herself another week. C'mon, people!!! Vote for DANCE ABILITY, not factors that have nothing to do the reason these people are on the show.

And, for God's sake, FREE TONY!!!!

[dennis]

It is not a real show.The judges pick who they want to go and stay..It has nothing to do with the fans..We saw this last year as well.The season is over for me.!!!

[H-Rob]

What is Dennis talking about?? The fans voting always ruins things. Buzz Aldrin and Kate Gosselin are horrible dancers!
(Altho' I would want to still see Ashley on the show). The show should be a real competition and not a popularity contest. Let the judges determine the winners.

[Melody Saberon]

i was disappointed that shannen was eliminated. kate was obviously the suckiest dancer and she gave her partner, tony, way too much grief. what?! did she get all the pity votes?! she likes to play the "victim" of her lifestyle - when really the way she deals with her life (and those of her poor children) are the result of her own choices of how to deal with things.

i hope kate drops next week. even buzz has more energy and grace than that witch...

[Sherry Wilson]

I loved this show until tonight. I can't believe they kept Kate on and sent Shannon. I think Kate is the biggest whiner and complainer. I will not be finishing this show this season. I have watched this sho since it started. I am very disgusted with the results. I admire Buzz but he had the poorest score of all. I guess people don't care about talent and I really thought that is what this show was all about.

[janejoad]

Watching this show is unbearable. I've only watched this season to catch my favorite Niecy Nash. Pamela Anderson? Good lord, trash, trash, trash, no literary, she looked like a piece of trash the wind blew around the world with that hair. Somehow her dance partner tricked her into COMBING it, because I don't think she ever does, and You look like May West NOT Marilyn Monroe. Christ, you're how old now? The "little girl , coquette act is played out by now. Kate Gosselin, has there ever been a more unhappy person than she? GO away. Buzz Aldrin, you're kind of like a dirty old man, and the face lifts you and the wife got, jeepers creepers.

[gman]

There is quite a large demography of retired people dancing Ballroom. to i figured they would all be voting for him. and of course the patriots and the state of Florida can be added in that category.
i thought that Kate and the soap opera british guy would fall in the bottom 2. But then again, i also thought that Kate pulled out the sympathy card on Monday night when she said "Everybody quits on me".
Pam was a big surprise. I guess all the conservatives are not voting for her. Or her fans were busy downloading her on the internet.
Overall though i am glad Shannen got picked. Still surprised. but i won't miss her.

I also agree with your post from yesterday. I think people will get tired very soon of Derek and Nicole.

[Brian]

Let's not be naive people. DWTS is basically a popularity contest that measures dancing ability as a secondary factor. We appreciate those that can dance but ultimately we want to see our favorite personalities make it to the next week. This is why I'm not surprised at all that Buzz and Kate made it.

Buzz was a shoe-in for making it at least a week simply because he appeals to everyone's sentimental side. It's like your dad or grandfather is on the show dancing and people are going to go "awww" and throw him some votes. Plus I suspect longtime fans of DWTS want to see Ashly last longer than just the first two shows.

I'm also not surprised Kate wasn't even in the bottom two. Yeah, there's a lot of people out there who aren't a fan of hers (including me) but she's still got a lot of fans out there plus she's controversial and those two things will carry you a good ways into the show, especially in the early weeks when the votes are so diluted between all the contestants. Eventually her non-existant dancing ability will catch up to her but give credit to the producers for bringing her on the show. She's a perfect fit for this since people are going to tune in either to support and vote for her or see how bad she fails. Then once she does get kicked off in a couple weeks (give or take) all those viewers who might have been watching mostly for Kate will now be hooked and will watch it through to the end. Clever.

[joan]

Being a semi-pro myself at age 68 & still dancing-Buzz does NOT belong in with that group of dancers-try a Senior's Competetion & even in that, I doubt he would place. I agree with some of the comments posted-no place for a whiner or complainer like Kate. I did not vote for either Buzz or Kate.
Shannen had potential to last a few more times.
Regarding all the injuries-you just cannot pull non-semi-athletic people into a rigorous dance training competetion without some warm up routine or especailly (leg) training on the side.

[taeko]

Kate should've been voted off so that she can start taking care of her disfunctional lifestyle and kids --oh wait, that's octomom -- still, Kate needs to tend to her whiney brood.

and yes: FREE TONY

[Valerie]

Kate has absolutely NOT rhythm at all and she should have been kicked off. I am also surprised that Shannon was voted off!! I thought she was showing much more potential this week than in the first week, she was obviously working very hard. And I agree that perhaps Kate needs a huge personality boost, even if the judges are critizes they are giving advice that should be taken more graciously! And I really like Buzz Aldrin, yes he cannot dance well, but he has much more rhythm and class than Kate ever will. (why is she even on this show???)

[Viewer]

I was really disappointed at the departure of Shannon Doherty. Who would have guessed that grumpy Kate would have a bigger fan base. Shannon had made a lot of progress this week and I expected that she would be around for a while longer but.... Anyway, I think Kate will be gone soon, (Ihope). I felt for her when her husband cheated on her but with that disposition, it's very obvious why he did. Her partner must have the patience of a saint or is very well paid.

[LAprGuy]

The commenters are missing the point that Kate is probably the biggest "star" on the show this season. Who in America DOESN'T want to see her suffer week after week for the first few weeks - that's worth a couple extra phone calls, right?!

[Tee]

Wow, people sure are passionate about the show!

I enjoyed the "behind the scenes" takes. The outcome didn't surprise me all that much. I was glad the eliminations were not drawn out like they've been in the past.

I loved the Beach Boys! Even though some members were there in spirit only - there will never be another band like them - they're truly one of a kind and the feelings/sentiment their music invokes will always have special place in my heart. Thank you all for that special treat.

[Bob/SDCA]

I was amazed and sad that Shannon is off. Should have been Kate. Let's hope Kate gets the boot next week.

[DOUG]

Shannen, we hardly knew ya.

[Coach]

Oh I was SURPRISED!!!! I for sure would of thought that Pam or Kate would be the bottom two or Buzz and Kate would be my other scenario, with Kate definately leaving the show. I knew Buzz would not be voted off as he might have gotten some (90%) sympathy votes.
I am sorry to disagree with some but I think Pam looks trashy.. But then again that is just my opinion.