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‘Dancing with the Stars’ Receives Blowback for Continuing During Strikes & Casting of NFL Star Adrian Peterson

By Michael Fairman

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The upcoming 32nd season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars is already marred in controversy. First, even though calls from the Writers Guild of America to push back its premiere during the ongoing writer’s strike, both the network and streamer, Disney+ are still moving forward with their planned season premiere next week on September 28th with its two-hour debut.

DWTS has one WGA staff writer, and according to a source through Variety, “the show will be working in compliance with SAG-AFTRA rules, and a key focus is not to put talent in a tough spot, given that many Season 32 cast members are part of the actors’ guild. Another major key consideration was ensuring that the large staff would not be out of work.”   The ballroom-dance competition series employs around 500 people.

The dance program falls under the same agreement as the soap operas under the Network Code agreement that isn’t a part of the current strike.

Photo: JPI

Cheryl Burke, former DWTS pro dancer and Mirror Ball champion, feels DWTS should remain on hiatus till the writers and actors strike are resolved. Burke told Variety, “I think they should hold tight. I think we need to stand as one. We need to unite for real and not just say we’re united.”

Meanwhile another controversy has emerged with the selection of NFL running back, Adrian Peterson, to appear on the show as one of the celebrity contestants. DWTS pro, Shayna Burgess said she was shocked to find out Peterson was allowed to appear on the program. “The man has been charged with child abuse of his 4-year-old son, in the way that he punishes him. That is just devastating for me.”

Burgess is referencing a September 2014 case, where Peterson was indicted by a grand jury on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child, after he had used a wooden implement to discipline his 4-year-old son. He pleaded no contest and avoided jail time by agreeing to a plea deal. Then, in 2018, Peterson admitted he still disciplined his son with a belt.

Photo: ABC

Now, Burke weighed-in on the Peterson situation, expressing:  “We’ve had a lot of controversial characters on the show. I think I danced with Ray Lewis — that was a bit controversial. When it comes to abuse, I do agree with Sharna.  However, you sign up to be a part of the show. And honestly, as a pro dancer, whoever walks in through that door, you don’t turn around and walk out. You’re signing up for this. It’s not like you can request, but if you say certain things that you’re triggered by, you would hope that that wouldn’t happen.”

On the new season of Dancing with the Stars, Peterson will be paired with pro dancer, Britt Stewart.

So, are you looking forward to the new season of DWTS? Should they postpone their season premiere due to the strikes even though they are under the NetCode agreement which is different than the contract the writers and actors are doing battle with the AMPTP over? What do you think of the selection of Adrian Peterson to appear on the show? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Applause to Shayna who rightfully points out the facts on Peterson, which i commented on when his casting was first announced last week.

And yes, Ray Lewis should’ve not been cast either, but child endangerment is something not to be taken lightly.

Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)

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Ambyr Michelle

Soap opera fans are always clamoring for when Dancing with the Stars reveals their cast each season, that they would include a familiar face from daytime drama, but it rarely happens, if ever, anymore.

Over the last several years, the series has leaned heavily into casting celebrities with massive TikTok or Instagram followers, which in turn, have helped this season and last have their best ratings numbers in years.

But, how about for next season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars, that it could include newly-awarded Daytime Emmy winner, Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas) of Beyond the Gates?

Ambyr Michelle

Photo: CBS

LOVE OF DANCE TO LOVE OF ACTING

Michael Fairman TV spoke to Michelle about her dance background and if she would love a shot at lifting the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during Wednesday’s November 11, livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel.

Ambyr explained to fans (who joined in on the live chat), how she began her show business career. “I started off as a dancer, first and foremost. Acting wasn’t really something I wanted to go after. I did plays when I was younger, but it was just something we did in school, but I really wanted to be a dancer. I moved out to LA to dance, and I fell out of love with dance, which was so weird.”

This year’s Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series winner, added, “I was like, ‘What is going on?’ I moved all the way out here for dance. I found I was forcing myself to go to dance class, and I just didn’t have the passion for it. I was working at this restaurant at the time, and one of my coworker was like, ‘What about taking an acting class out here?'”

Next, Ambyr took the coworker up on the idea. “So, I took an acting class and I fell in love with it that day,” shared Michelle. “I was like, ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life.’ I thought, I would love to book a role, of course, as a dancer, but I think acting has a little bit more longevity.”

Photo: ABC

A SHOT AT THE LEN GOODMAN MIRRORBALL TROPHY

When the talked turned to if Ambyr would consider or be interested in appearing on the ballroom dance competition series, she piped up with, “I would love to do Dancing with the Stars! Pick me!”

As those in the live chat rallied around this idea, it made us think, Ambyr could be the first contestant from Beyond the Gates, and someone representing the soaps. It checks off so many boxes! To which Ambyr replied, “That would be beautiful.”

You can check out the full conversation with Ambyr below.

So, what do you think soap fans? Can we make sure Ambyr’s name gets in front of the producers and casting director for next season’s Dancing with the Stars? Would you like to see her in the competition? If so, who would be your dream pro professional dance partner for her? Let us know in the comment section.

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Dancing with the Stars

DANCING WITH THE STARS: A Shocking Elimination on Grammy Night Leaves Ballroom Silenced

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In what could only be the stunner of this season of Dancing with the Stars, the Tuesday night, November 1o episode saw one of the heavy favorites Jenna Dewan and pro partner Val Chmerkovskiy eliminated right before next week’s all-important semi-finals for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Week 9 was Grammy night, where the contestants performed routines related to the Grammy Awards with songs that have either won or been nominated for the music industry’s highest prize.

After each couple performed their usual routine, they had to dance a second time vs, another couple doing the same dance style. Only Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson earned immunity from having to participate in it.

Dancing with the Stars

Photo: ABC

THE RESULTS

When all was said and done during the results portion of the show; the following couples were deemed safe and will dance another day: Shum Jr. and Johnson, Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, and Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold.

That left former Y&R actress Tatyana Ali (ex-Roxanne) and Jan Ravnik and Dewan and Chmerkovskiy in the bottom two. It was then revealed that Jenna and Val would be going home. The ballroom fell silent and Dewan said her “thank you’s “in the most gracious way about her dance journey.

Dewan is a dancer, having worked professionally with the likes of Janet Jackson (who also popped up in a special message to her former back-up dancer in the episode) while currently being an actress, and appearing as a series regular on The Rookie. Chmerkovskiy has been controversial figure all season especially after being suspended one week after comments made towards judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

BREAKING THEIR SILENCE

This begs the question: did America want the couple gone, because they had an unfair advantage with Dewan’s dance prowess, or did the show want the couple booted off too?

Later, Jenna and Val broke their silence on the elimination to Extra. Chmerkovskiy shared “It’s’ definitely a sad result. I thought we had a great season.” Dewan admitted, “I know this was a particularly tough week for a lot of the online noise … but I know that we went out there and had the best time of our life.”

Val is married to pro dancer, Jenna Johnson, who remained in the top slot on the leaderboard during the competition with Harry Shum Jr. However, she also had a bad week breaking her nose in rehearsal!

Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and next day on Hulu.

So were you happy, or sad to see Jenna and Val voted off of Dancing with the Stars? Of the remaining couples who do you hope make it from the semi-finals to the finals and hoists the Mirrorball Trophy? Weigh-in via the comment section.

 

 

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Dancing with the Stars

DANCING WITH THE STARS: Guillermo Goes Home

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Guillermo

The Tuesday, October 13 episode of Dancing With the Stars brought with it the end of the line for a fan favorite, who for five weeks was able to hang in the competition for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, due to the at-home voting, and not for his exceptional dance prowess.

With 11 pairs remaining, the couples hit the ballroom dance floor to songs by previous Super Bowl Halftime Show performers for “Super Bowl Night” with special guest judge ESPN’s Joe Buck.

The sports commentator joined Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli at the judges table to offer up his thoughts on the dance routines and athleticism set before him throughout the night.

Guillermo Dancing with the Stars

Photo: ABC

THE RESULTS

When it time for the results following the final commercial break, DWTS hosts, Alfonso and Julianne, named Julia and Ezra, Maura and Mark, Jackson and Emma, Harry and Jenna, and Amber and Pasha safe. They were followed by: Ezra and Daniella, Jenna and Val, Tatyana and Jan, and Connor and Rylee.

That left the last two pairs on the stage, although not necessarily the bottom two in the voting between Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess and Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson. As the tension mounted, especially because Cameron had delivered his best dance of the season thus far, it was revealed that Guillermo and Witney were eliminated.

Speaking to the cameras following his elimination, the ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ sidekick, shared, “I want to say thank you to all the audience, thank you to everyone and Dancing with the Stars. I had a lot of fun, it was great. Witney, I love you for teaching me how to dance, thank you so much.”

Ezra and Daniella

Photo: ABC

LAST DANCE

Witney Carson. who has been pregnant while in the competition, said to Guillermo, “Thank you so much for making the season just so fun, so enjoyable.” She added, “He has taken care of me so much throughout this entire season, it’s felt like an empowering season.”

In their final routine, Guillermo and Witney Carson had performed a salsa to Bad Bunny’s “Tití Me Preguntó.” As the episode concluded, all of the celebrity contestants and pro dancers swarmed Guillermo and hoisted him in the air, celebrating his efforts throughout the competition.

As for who were the standouts on “Super Bowl Night” Paralympian Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach performed a salsa to “Hot in Herre” by Nelly to the top the leaderboard. along with The Rookie star Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy who peformed a paso doble to “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga. Each couple scored a 36/40 receiving straight 9’s from the judges, the highest scores thus far on season 35.

Now below, check out the top two routines of the night and Guillermo and Witney’s last dance.

Then let us know, are you glad that Guillermo was finally sent home, or were you hoping that somehow he would keep surviving in the competition week after week? Of the remaining couples, who did you think delivered the best routine on Super Bowl Night and who are you rooting for now to take home the Mirrorball Trophy? Let us know in the comment section.

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