Evolution of Dance

Louis van Amstel on Dancing with the Stars 2008 Season Six

The hit TV show Dancing with the Stars on ABC, announced its contestant pairings for its two night, season six premiere extravaganza which will air on Monday, March 17, 2008, from 8pm to 9:30pm ET, and Tuesday, March 18, 2008, from 9pm to 10:30pm ET.Among the stars in the lineup is Louis van Amstel who is returning for his fourth season on the show. Louis was last paired with Monique Coleman.

Here are the contestant pairings for season six of Dancing with the Stars 2008:

Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez – Marlee is an Academy Award winning actress for the motion picture Children of a Lesser God. Fabian is the 2006 World Mambo Champion and the 1999 American Rhythm Champion. He is also the Fred Astaire National Champion and the United States Rising Star. This is Fabian’s first appearance on the show.

Priscilla Presley and Louis van Amstel – Priscilla is an actress best known for her roles in Dallas and Naked Gun. She is also a successful businesswoman. Louis has appeared on Dancing with the Stars in three previous seasons. He also has completed and just released his ballroom dance instruction video course, Learn to Dance Like the Stars with Louis van Amstel: Beginner to Ballroom.

The video set

teaches students how to dance the Salsa, Cha Cha, Tango, FoxTrot, Jive, Samba, Rhumba and Waltz in the comfort of their own homes.

Monica Seles and Jonathan Roberts - Monica is a Grand Slam tennis champion and is paired with Jonathan who is returning for his fifth season. He finished third last season with Marie Osmond.

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska - Jason is the NFL’s Man of the Year and is partnered with Edyta who has competed in all six seasons of the show.

Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani - Tony is returning for his fifth season and is teamed with award winning Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur best known for her portrayal of the character Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray.

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas - Kristi is an Olympic figure skater champion.

This is Mark’s second season on the show.

Adam Carolla and Julianne Hough – Adam is a comedian and talk radio show host. Julianne is the defending Dancing with the Stars champion.

Cristian de la Fuent

e and Cheryl Burke - Cristian has starred in Family Law and CSI: Miami, and has

been paired with two-time show champion Cheryl.

Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough - Shannon is a star on both the small and big screens. Here work includes American Pie, Scary Movie and That 70’s Show. Derek is Julianne Hough’s older brother and is returning for his second season on the show.

Steve Guttenberg and Anna Trubunskaya – Steve is an actor whose credits include Police Academy, Cocoon, Three Men and A Baby and Short Circuit. This is Anna’s third season o

n the show, she is a professional dancer.

Penn Jillette and Kym Johnson - Penn is a magician and illusionist who is paired with Kym who is returning for her fourth season.

Mario and Karina Smirnoff - Mario is an R & B star. This will be Karina’s foruth season.

Dancing with the Stars 2008 Season Six will be hosted by Tom Bergeron of America’s Funniest Home Videos and E! Entertainment’s Samantha Harris. The judges are Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

The first elimination show is Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 9pm ET.

Source: ABC

DWTS Grand Finale

The show was over, champion crowned. Once again America didn’t vote for the best technical dancer (last time that happened was when Mario Lopez lost to Emmitt Smith). This time however I’m not even sure Helio was the most improved, but that doesn’t matter any more. It was a great season with lots of quality dances, tons of drama, and tremendous fun.

About Mel B. After watching tonight’s Mambo I was very convinced that she is the best technical dancer, female or male, this show has ever seen. In some sense I even feel she’s better than Sabrina Bryan. The latter is the better dancer, but the former is the better ballroom dancer.

I’m a bit sad that she didn’t win, partly because I really thought a woman was going to win this time, with such a strong cast. I guess American voters like underdogs. And more important, they like likable personalities. Which is really not surprising when you think of it. This, after all, is a reality TV show, not a dance competition.

Want to Learn to Dance like the stars? Check this out!