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March 24, 2007
Japanese-American paper interviews Apolo
Thanks to Tiggie for the link!
The Rafu Shimpo | Dancing With Apolo
RAFU: Aside from being an Olympic athlete and appearing on “Dancing With the Stars,” aren’t you also a college student? How do you manage so many commitments?OHNO: I’m a part-time student at the University of Colorado. I try to fit in as many classes as can. It’s very hard with training for my sport. That in itself is a full-time job. Plus I’m juggling six hours a day with “Dancing With the Stars.” I’m very scheduled. It takes discipline to not waste time. Unfortunately, there’s no time for YouTube surfing for me. But I have seen that there are actually a few MySpace sites of people pretending to be me. There’s this one guy who’s been doing it for a while. He has like 11,000 friends!
RAFU: How do you feel about that?
OHNO: I think it’s hilarious!
Posted by noelle at 1:47 PM | Comments (29)
March 23, 2007
Apolo TV appearances
Hey everyone - Apolo will be on Entertainment Tonight and E! News live on Monday, March 26th!
Posted by noelle at 3:48 PM | Comments (11)
March 21, 2007
Okay, this makes no sense...
Heather Mills falls during dance with stars practice
"Wife of Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney has fallen over during dance practice with her dancing partner Apolo Anton Ohno, injuring her right leg."
So I know the part about Apolo is a lie, but I have no idea if the part about Heather Mills is true.
WTF? Geez, I guess this is how rumors get started.
Posted by noelle at 11:09 PM | Comments (61)
Some more DWTS press
New York Times | In the Arms of Scandal, and Ready to Cha-Cha
Carol Kaelson/ABC
Coeur d'Alene Press |
Dancing is a Hough family affair
And many thanks to Bri for video of Apolo and Julianne's performances on Monday's premiere of Dancing With the Stars!
Posted by noelle at 12:52 PM | Comments (42)
March 20, 2007
DWTS post-mortem
Colorado Springs Gazette | Twinkle toes
A piece on how Apolo's fellow athletes at the OTC are rooting for him on DWTS:
More than 50 residents at the Olympic Training Center wore bandannas and fake soul patches — Ohno’s choice of fashion statements — while watching Ohno shake his hips, flail his arms and smile for the camera.Olympian Allison Baver had returned from an international speedskating competition, weary from days of travel and months of training. She dropped her luggage in her room at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, then rushed to the facility’s dining hall in search of a TV.
TV Squad | Dancing with the Stars: Week 1 (season premiere)
Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough (Cha Cha Cha) - Shandi and Brian may not be the cutest couple after all. Apolo's energy and athleticism were infectious during his cha cha, and his partner Julianne is totally adorable. The pair gave an entertaining, playful performance, but the crowd seemed a little quiet at first. The judges gave them some technical advice, and seemed to love their energy. Score: 21 (7, 7, 7).
North Idaho woman watching sister's turn with the 'Stars' (Julieanne's sister gives her impressions - including a funny story about Apolo's massive legs)
ABC4.com | Utahn competes on "Dancing with the Stars"; paired with Olympic speed skater
(video clip is on the page with footage from Apolianne's number last night as well as childhood clips of Julianne dancing)
Julianne's parents left for L.A. Monday morning to cheer on their daughter in person. They say, "We're proud to be her parents and see her excel in this activity." The Hough's say Julianne is thrilled to be dancing with Apolo. "She likes him, he's fun to work with and she's excited and has a really good chance to do well on the show."The biggest challenge for Julianne has been finding time to rehearse. Her parents say Apolo is real disciplined as an athlete and is in real good physical condition. "It's just a matter of getting him to train as a dancer rather than a skater because the skills are pretty different."
[update]
EW | B-listers on Their Feet
Apolo Anton Ohno performed well (let's hear it for him!) — he got all the steps right, at least, and I thought it was hilarious how the judges kept telling him to correct his stooped-over posture. Of course! He spends most of his time speed skating at a 45-degree angle toward the ground. It just didn't occur to me that something that obvious would be the problem. Color me amused! I wonder how long before Tom and Bruno start making ''Oh yes!'' jokes. Thirty seconds?
MSNBC | No clear favorite on ‘Dancing with the Stars’
Apolo Anton Ohno proudly announced that he was continuing to compete as a speed skater while preparing his routine. While theoretically admirable, this approach seems awfully risky in a field that does, in fact, require considerable practice. Paired with 18-year-old Julianne Hough, Apolo made it through his cha-cha (to “Let’s Hear It For The Boy”), but he moved his feet surprisingly little, and while the performance had speed, it lacked technique, as the judges noted.
Posted by noelle at 9:27 AM | Comments (30)
March 19, 2007
Live-blogging Dancing With the Stars season premiere
VOTE FOR APOLIANNE! 1-800-868-3411 and/or VOTE ONLINE You can vote up to 11 times per phone line or screen name so get busy!!
From Heather: For anyone that missed last night's show... Go to www.abc.com and click on "WATCH ABC SHOWS ONLINE NOW" in the middle of the main page. They have the ENTIRE episode from last night online for us to watch in all it's glory!!
Second hour
9:54 - Apolo looks great! What a fun number. He really did a great job. Love his expressions too. 'Let's hear it for the boy, let's give the boy a hand!!!' - the best song lyric of any couple out there, so very fitting! And a huge hug at the end for one another - did other pairs do that?? They are a TEAM, yo! GO OHNO! 'It's like watching Happy Feet' all over again. Highest potential of all the people I've seen tonight.' Nice Bruno, you are my hero!! I LOVE YOU! Lady judge says Apolo's 'hip action is amazing' - I don't even know where to go with that comment.
And they get 7's across the board for a total score of 21 - solid! I think that means they're tied for 2nd. Is that right?
9:52 - YES, I can't wait for this profile. Some short track on Dancing With the Stars! he and julieanne are so damn cute together. Holy f*ck, look at him on the ice, in a tux. Dayum. Was that in Cleveland, where they first met? HI TRAVIS JAYNER! Hi OZers in the stands in Cleveland! Is that one you who is so jealous of Julieanne? Man, look at him get his groove on... nice! He's concentrating sooo hard. Work it, Ohno!
9:51 - APOLIANNE is up next - finally!! I'm nervous. can't wait!!
9:41 - Heather Mills and partner are going to be, um, interesting. Heather comes with a ton of controversy and baggage, and her partner starts things off by introducing himself with 'I'm one of the best ballroom instructors in America.' So modest. Aw, she looks a bit nervous, I think! 'Dancing cheek to cheek'... I dig these old-school songs. I wonder if the judges will go easier on her or not. 'Of course we wouldn't', Lynn says.
9:34 - Man, that height disparity between Clyde Drexler and his partner is something else. I'm curious how that's going to work. He could tuck her under his arm like a book and walk off. I think they're cute! One thing about athletes - they're used to feedback from coaches, so hopefully this is motivating for Apolianne, even when or if it's critical.
9:23 - Man, Shandi gets to squeeze her partner's bum. That looks fun! The way she and Brian dance reminds me of that Japanese ballroom movie.. Shall We Dance? I think that's what it was called.
9;18 - Teasing the remaining stars yet to dance before a break, Apolo and Shandi Finnessy were goofing around doing I know not what. As a former horsewoman it looked like nothing so much as her trying to give him a leg up... Apolo is having fun!
9:12 - I never watched Cheers so I have no particular attachment to John Ratzenberger, but watching him he just has some kind of sweetness that makes me want to root for him! Plus he's stepping in with less training time, like Apolo, and I'm sure he could use it. Love how he's not stressed out about it... and he plays air guitar on Edyta's belly. Yikes, I thought he almost let her fall there at one point.
9:01 - Gosh, Laila Ali really does look beautiful, more than any of the photos I'd seen of her. I hope her dad is able to come and Apolo gets to meet one of his heroes, if he hasn't already. She's doing a real nice job, seems like. Go athletes!
8:59 - Joey and Kim get the highest scores yet - definitely deserved.
First hour live-blogging is below the jump
First hour
8:55 - a little glimpse of Apolo backstage with Clyde, Laila and others. I do think he's nervous. In a good way - like, anxious to get out there on the floor. Wonder if he'll do a pre-dance yawn just like he always does before his short track races?
8:46 - How long ago was Joey Fatone in a boy band? He's really showing signs of middle-age creep. Joey says he needs a bra, so I guess I'm not imagining things. :-P Ah, he has Jerry Springer's ex-partner - an Aussie. Jeez, they introduce them for the dance and i'd swear they said 'Joey Fatone, and his partner, Kim Dong-sung.' I have to agree with girl judge, that Joey did a great job. I think that style of dance played to his N*SYNC strengths.
8:42 - Leeza Gibbons & partner do a foxtrot. This is a nice, gentle looking dance, though I don't know what a foxtrot is, exactly. This looks like something they'd have done on the Titanic or something. HA! Bruno thinks it's 'like a Hitchcock movie.' Decidedly mixed reviews for Leeza. And yet they award unanimous 5's!
Observation: Maybe I'm not used to them yet, but these hosts don't do anything for me so far.
8:28 - Not to be catty, but in the GMA preview clip, Billy Ray Cyrus (separated at birth from Keith Urban!) really looked to be doing a full-body dry heave (with apologies to Jerry Seinfeld). I see his lips moving... is he counting or lip-synching? Oops... I have no idea. Was that a wardrobe malfunction at the end? He's got her scalp in his hand.
You know, I did watch 'Skating with the stars' or whatever it was called, and I was convinced the female stars paired with male skaters had a huge advantage over the opposite combination. I wonder if that applies to ballroom? Taking ice and razor-sharp blades out of the equation, I'm thinking not so much.
8:19 - Paulina Porizkova is amazing beautiful. Love her look tonight with that marcel wave in her hair (or whatever you called it -- I pulled that term out thin air). How come she has no accent?
Observation: the set looks like a bordello. I'm sure Olivier Jean would agree.
8:13 'Get more down with your hips' is Bruno's advice to Ian. Somehow I don't see Apolo needing to hear that. All judges give them 7 points out of 10 for a total of 21 out of 30. Is that high? I have no context...
8:07 - Man, Ian Ziering does not age! What's his secret? I know all the DWTS handicappers are picking him to win b/c he's paired with Cheryl Burke... Wow, they're first to dance. Go Ian! This looks fun! Steve Sanders never did anything for me on 90210 but Ian's kinda sexy, even with the white man's overbite.
8:04 - The stars are being presented... yes! They look nervous. Laila Ali is gorgeous! Apolo comes out rockin' the bandana! Cool customer... OOH - there's Kimo in the audience! Damn, AAO and Julieanne are adorable together. He waves his hand as if to say 'it's hot in here!' It's just you, baby.
8:03 - I have nothing to say. Apolo isn't on the floor. The pro couples all look the same to me.
8pm HERE WE GO! Sweet - the intro has footage of Apolo skating. Less tme than ever to train... lots of training outtakes... this is so fun. I want the behind the scenes DVD. Apolo looks HOT, yo.
I've never seen DWTS so I am looking forward to the analysis of contestants and dancers from those of you are who are familiar with the show. I have no idea what's going on! Don't know the hosts or judges, even. Is there a Simon Cowell figure?
The moment has arrived, here we go! I'd feel a lot more in my element sitting in an ice rink right about now... I wonder how Apolo feels?!
Posted by noelle at 7:25 PM | Comments (160)
'My hips are good to go'
Are you ready people? Tonight's the night, and I encourage west coasters to stay off OZ if they want to avoid spoilers because I'm going to try to live-blog this thing when it comes on at 8pm ET. Which should be interesting, since I know nothing about dance and have never seen DWTS.
Here are some links to whip you up into a pre-DWTS frenzy!
Apolo and Julieanne seem very Danny-and-Sandy-in-Grease to me, in this tantalizing preview that aired on Good Morning America today (click image to watch):
Based on this clip, I think John Ratzenberger is my sleeper pick for the show - after Apolo, that is!
Seattle Times | Will skater be swift in dance shoes?
Q: How do you feel about the dance outfits. They can be revealing.
A: I'm used to wearing tights, but that was for sport purposes. You won't see me walking in the mall in a speedsuit.Q: Will you wear a bandanna?
A: Uh, maybe sometimes. We'll see.Q: Will you still wear the soul patch?
A: Are you kidding me? Absolutely.Viewers might also want to know that Ohno's mane, at least for the show's premiere, is to be coiffed by hairdresser dad Yuki, who's flying in from Seattle.
Also:
USA Today | Heather Mills adds a spark to 'Stars'
ABC News | 'Dancing With the Stars' Premieres Tonight
Grand Rapids Press | Who doesn't love dancing athletes?
Newsday | 'Dancing' tries new steps
Posted by noelle at 1:26 PM | Comments (22)
March 18, 2007
Results from Hungary - World Team Championships day 2
Ladies Team Championship
1. Korea 56 pts
2. China 28 pts
3. Canada 23 pts
4. USA 13 pts
from the 'B' finals: 5.Japan, 6. Hungary, 7. Russia
(the Italian Ladies team did not skate)
Mens Team Championship
1. Canada 43 pts
2. Korea 33 pts
3. Italy 26 pts
4. USA 18 pts
from the 'B' finals: 5. Hungary, 6. Germany, 7. Australia, 8. Ukraine
There was drama in the Mens 3000m race. Ahn Hyun-Soo and Song Kyung-Taek did not finish the race. Cyberscoreboard split times show them leading at lap 20, then in 7th and 8th positions with long lap times until the last lap with no time and DNF recorded. Song did skate in the 5000m relay.
Posted by noelle at 8:48 PM | Comments (14)