Oct 28 2008
Cloris Cha-Cha-Chas Her Way Out of the Competition
The spotlight on irreverent behavior is over on Dancing With the Stars- hosts Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris take to the floor with the ejected Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas. (picture courtesy of ABC-TV/Associated Press)
Cloris Leachman may have received the expected heave-ho from ABC’s Dancing With the Stars this week, but that doesn’t mean we’ve heard the last of the award-winning, zany entertainer.
After this week’s elimination, Leachman insisted she wouldn’t be leaving. Rather than break into a rendition of “And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going,” she announced plans to be present as a spectator next week. So for those looking for their Crazy Cloris fix, it could be a blink-and-miss-it moment amidst the proceedings.
Leachman’s long-delayed ax from the competition probably left partner Corky Ballas with a much-needed sigh of relief. During the course of seven competitions over the last six weeks, the twosome landed at the bottom of the judges’ scoring on all but one occasion. While Ballas has shown remarkable patience and understanding with Leachman (somewhat parodying his frustration in a segment preceding their final routine), he’s no doubt hoping his next partner has a few less years under her belt.
Nonetheless, no other partner likely will match Leachman’s entertainment value. Whether flanking the judges’ table and showing off random body parts, speaking like someone’s horny grandma or looking plain ridiculous out on the dance floor, Leachman goes unrivaled as the goofiest Dancing contestant yet.
Relying on humor, outrageous, off-the-wall behavior rather than style and technique, Leachman managed to finish seventh out of 13 celebrities. Some contestants who actually showed dancing promise couldn’t even compete with her crazy antics- just ask Toni Braxton.
Rehearsals are a thing of the past for Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas. (picture courtesy of ABC-TV)
The series now will carry on without its resident clown, but remaining contenders may want to channel some of Cloris’ silliness if their dancing doesn’t carry them through. Hanna Montana star Cody Linley faces next week without usual partner Julianne Hough (who this week had her appendix removed following an endometriosis diagnosis). Will Linley have the same kind of chemistry with fill-in partner Edyta Śliwińska? And the Brooke Burke/Derek Hough duo best step things up after relinquishing their score-topping ways to Bass and Lacey Schwimmer
On the elimination horizon, All My Children’s Susan Lucci looks like she could be the next one out- to avoid getting zapped by judges and viewers, she may want to dip more into Erica Kane’s bag of mischief and bring it to the dance floor. She needs to stop thinking about her movements so intensely when she’s out there, and carry herself like a confident, non-hesitant contender. Maybe Lance Bass can help her get in sync with her steps?
