Want an Explanation for Surprise Dancing with the Stars Ejection? Look at the Judges

I couldn't stop laughing.

Watching the judges from Dancing With the Stars take umbrage at last night's result -- how dare America reject Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan! -- was better comedy than half the sitcoms on ABC's schedule.

Head Judge Len Goodman was in particular form: "This takes the biscuit...this girl should be in the finals!" he bellowed when it was obvious that Bryan or soap actor Cameron Mathison were on the chopping block. "They are absolutely fantastic dancers." Judge Bruno Tonioli looked as if his head was ready to explode, intoning over and over "Ees madness! Ees madness!"

Which was funny, because less than an hour before, Goodman was shown criticizing Bryan's foxtrot during Monday's show, saying, "For me, it was all too hard. It was too aggressive...It was too powerful." And the show's narration noted "the former front-runner faltered" in part because her hectic, c-level celebrity schedule made rehearsing difficult. While I haven't been watching the show much, this seemed a consistent theme; Bryan comes out with youthful vigor and Disney Channel-bred dancing chops, and Goodman slaps her down like a crotchety uncle.

On Tuesday, even Goodman seemed surprised that America finally listened to him.

Until now, Dancing has garnered attention mostly for its non-dancing drama: Marie Osmond's bizarre fainting spell; judge Carrie Ann Inaba reportedly flipping off one professional dancer after he gave her a rule book describing how to judge a lift; Jane Seymour, widely considered the worst dancer Monday and a strong candidate for ejection, skipping last night's show due to "suspected food poisoning."

But now we're getting to brass tacks. The comic relief contestants are gone -- buh-bye Wayne Newton and Mark Cuban -- and, except for Seymour and Osmond, we're down to the celebs who can actually cut a rug. I may actually start watching this show, now that there's actual dancing going on.

Still, if Goodman wants to know why a good dancer got bumped Tuesday, he should look in the mirror. And the remaining dancers should take note: a lackluster performance -- particularly if you're not an actual celebrity -- can get you a ticket to Ejectionville, no matter how well you did in previous weeks.   

Comments

[Evelyn Darr]

The voting off of Sabrina and Mark was truly a mistake. Since I follow it faithfully, I also vote every week even though I may have to call back or go on-line to get my votes counted, it's the viewers who have to carry them through week to week. Shame on those of you who say you enjoy the show so much, but don't take the time to vote.

[charlie brown]

get a freaking life . this is entertainment.

[Karpo]

The judges are much too hard on the good dancers and too soft on the others.

[Jackie]

Is it a coincedence that Donnie mention in an interview the night before that Sabrina should not be in the competition? He "mentioned" that she was a choreographer and a proffesional dancer. Anything to keep Marie in. It's the Osmond way.