DWTS Media Thread

[BritLit]

Dancing with the Stars Judge Diagnosed with Cancer

Dancing With the Stars judge Len Goodman was diagnosed with cancer in March but kept the news a secret until after the hit reality show finished filming, the U.K.'s Daily Mail reports.

See photos of other stars who beat cancer.

Goodman, who is also the head judge on the British version of the reality show called Strictly Come Dancing, had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his prostate gland three weeks ago without telling any of his colleagues.

"I have had the surgery now," the judge, 65, said. "Everything is gorgeously good. I will be back in September for sure."

See photos from this season of Dancing With the Stars.

The ballroom dancing instructor said he plans to return to the show this fall and credited his quick recovery to doctors spotting the disease early at his annual check-up.

The operation, which was done by urologist Peter Thompson at a London hospital, was kept secret from everyone except close family and friends because he felt it was "not necessary to blabber it out to everyone."

He also said that he feared the producers of the BBC show might not want a "cancer-riddled, bed-ridden old so-and-so" working for the network.

"I could have said 'sorry' and not done the show, but the doctors felt I wasn't riddled with it and it wasn't so far advanced that it was a life-or-death scenario," he said. "It takes a few weeks to get everything set up for the operation anyway, so I went ahead and did the show. I had the surgery done as soon as I got back from America."


Goodman said he feels better already.

"I feel good," he said. "I was obviously worried at the start. We all worry if we get something like this. You do feel a bit vulnerable, but as long as you come out the other side all right, why worry? You're a bit sore for a while and you can't play golf, which is the biggest blow at the moment. But I will be able to in a month's time or so, I can't wait."

News - Dancing With the Stars Judge Diagnosed With Cancer | Usmagazine.com

[n4692u]

Some more Maks/Karina news-not only are they getting their own reality series but along with it their wedding will be televised I love it and hope it all goes through! Of course I'm sure both went together.

And Maks came back from the Bahamas May 4th. Whether that means he won, or they sequestered the eliminated teams I don't know. I know Karina wasn't visiting him the whole time and was back in the states then, so if he had the option to come home, I'm sure he would have taken it.



I know the competitor in him probably wanted to last longer, but I wonder how happy he was to get away from Denise They certainly didn't seem to have a lot of love between them, and I don't think she would have improved. If they lasted to the next week, when they're were all new dances (the lindy hop and Argentine tango) I wonder which she would have gotten and if she still would have been as stiff and clumsy with her feet. I would love to see Maks take on both of those. I really did feel bad for Denise, though. She's not my favorite person in the world, but I almost would have liked for her to have done better. Maks has had a rough 2 seasons, first with Misty and then Denise. As I already said, nothing against the newbie pros or Cheryl/Derek/Mark but I really, really want a veteran of the show to finally win next year. I think pigs will fly before Jonathan ever wins. I doubt Tony is going to have as good of luck next season, even if Nancy is able to come back. I really don't think Misty will get Maks the trophy should she return. And Edyta hasn't been paired with anyone winnable except for Jason, and that was the Kristi and Mark show that they had to be on. Karina also hasn't been lucky with her partners, unless they're named Mario. Out of all the vets, Kym probably stands the best chance. When she gets a decent partner she can do very well, and assuming she's not up against a Hough again in the final 2 maybe she can finally win it. But I think TPTB are beyond caring about the ballroom aspect of the show.

If Denise and Maks had not been eliminated on week 3, they would have been in the group that had to dance the Argentine Tango. I don't know how she would have done, but I doubt it would have been pretty.

[n4692u]

Dancing with the Stars Judge Diagnosed with Cancer



News - Dancing With the Stars Judge Diagnosed With Cancer | Usmagazine.com

I'm glad to hear Len is doing ok. My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer almost 3 years ago and just the word cancer scares you, of course. However, it was caught early, like Len's, and the cancer had not spread outside the prostate, so he is doing just fine now. Len will do just fine and I'm glad to hear he'll be back on DWTS in September.

[n4692u]

I just read an article from the Dallas Morning News that someone posted on Melissa Rycroft's Facebook. It says Melissa and Tye Strickland got engaged. I don't know how to post articles on here, so if someone wants the article posted, they will have to go to Mel's Facebook or The Dallas Morning News (dallasnews dot com) Entertainment section and post it here.

Also, someone asked Mel on her twitter if it was true that she, Tony, Shawn & Mark were going to be in Chicago on July 11th. Mel answered that she didn't know anything about it, but she would let her know. I don't know what that was all about.

[athomeinfrisco]

I just read an article from the Dallas Morning News that someone posted on Melissa Rycroft's Facebook. It says Melissa and Tye Strickland got engaged.

Yep, here it is: (I'm not sure what's legal to post so I just cut & paste)

Melissa Rycroft of 'Dancing With the Stars' and 'Bachelor' may be engaged for real this time

12:00 AM CDT on Monday, June 29, 2009

apeppard@dallasnews.com

This time, the proposal sounds like the real thing for Dallas beauty Melissa Rycroft. She is the former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader famously proposed to on the season finale of ABC's The Bachelor before being brought back for a tawdry special episode called "After the Roses." The cad took it all back, claiming he was still in love with another contestant.

But Friday night, Melissa and boyfriend Tye Strickland were glowing when they showed up at Brio Tuscan Grille in Southlake with two older couples who looked suspiciously like parental units. There was a large vase of fresh flowers at the table. The whispers around the restaurant were that Melissa and Tye got engaged on Friday and she was presented with a ring in a box featuring its own internal lighting (to make that rock shine).

Last spring, Tye was an omnipresent figure in the Dancing With the Stars studio after Melissa was brought in as a replacement for Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell.

Friday night at Brio, Melissa lived up to her billing as one of People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People. Wearing shorts and high heels, she displayed her famous legs.

Last week, Melissa debuted as a special correspondent for Good Morning America interviewing radio host and comedian Steve Harvey.

[karalott]

If Denise and Maks had not been eliminated on week 3, they would have been in the group that had to dance the Argentine Tango. I don't know how she would have done, but I doubt it would have been pretty.

But I would have loved to have seen Maks do it So hopefully he gets the chance next season. I prefer the AT to the regular tango, so I hope they keep it.

How sad for Len I'm glad to know he's going to be okay.

[n4692u]

But I would have loved to have seen Maks do it So hopefully he gets the chance next season. I prefer the AT to the regular tango, so I hope they keep it.

How sad for Len I'm glad to know he's going to be okay.

I would have loved to have seen Maks dance it as well. I never liked Maks until this season and I just took a shine to him for some reason. It might have been because I found out that he and Tony are best friends and I thought "well, if he's Tony's best friend, he can't be all bad."

I also like the Argentine Tango better than the regular Tango. The dancers can be more creative and they can do lifts in the A.T. I think it is a beautiful dance and I thought Gilles and Cheryl and Melissa and Tony's AG was breath taking.

[karalott]

Michael Flatley may take judge's seat on 'Dancing with the Stars' | Entertainment in Ireland and Around the World | IrishCentral

Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley, the man who singlehandedly turned Irish dance into the phenomenon that it is, may be joining the judging panel of the TV hit "Dancing with the Stars."
Multiple sources confirmed to IrishCentral what has been a flurry of Internet buzz — that Flatley is being considered as a replacement for judge Len Goodman, who recently announced that he was recovering from treatment for prostate cancer.
Flatley has already appeared as a guest judge on the show, and was a huge hit with viewers. An industry source told IrishCentral that "Len would be almost impossible to replace, and we don't want to replace him. But his health comes first. If he decides he needs the rest and wants to step down, how could we do better that Michael Flatley?"
Goodman found out he had cancer back in March, but only announced that he was being treated after the eighth season had finished.
Critics have hailed Goodman as a trouper for going on with the show under those circumstances, and he is considered to be a seasoned pro by the dancing community.
"Goodman is a pivotal part of the judging panel for both shows ("Dancing with the Stars" and its British counterpart, "Strictly Come Dancing") because he represents the classic technique of ballroom and Latin dance. I don't think there are many dancers that have the combination of experience and willingness to say what was wrong with the celebrities," wrote one seasoned dancer and blogger.

I really hope this doesn't happen. For me, Len's the only one on this show who truly seems to know what he's talking about and actually takes the dancing into consideration, and isn't as obvious with playing favorites as the other two (or giving out 9's and 10's). I'd rather lose CA first. And I think I was one of few who didn't like Michael. As a guest judge I don't know if he was being overly nice or if he's really like that. I don't think Tom could have the same banter as he does with Len. Michael bored me as host of the other dance show. I heard SCD is sacking their female judge for a former winner that the show is hoping brings in younger viewers. Too bad DWTS doesn't pick her up, as she seems like a popular judge.

[n4692u]

Michael Flatley may take judge's seat on 'Dancing with the Stars' | Entertainment in Ireland and Around the World | IrishCentral



I really hope this doesn't happen. For me, Len's the only one on this show who truly seems to know what he's talking about and actually takes the dancing into consideration, and isn't as obvious with playing favorites as the other two (or giving out 9's and 10's). I'd rather lose CA first. And I think I was one of few who didn't like Michael. As a guest judge I don't know if he was being overly nice or if he's really like that. I don't think Tom could have the same banter as he does with Len. Michael bored me as host of the other dance show. I heard SCD is sacking their female judge for a former winner that the show is hoping brings in younger viewers. Too bad DWTS doesn't pick her up, as she seems like a popular judge.

I certainly don't want to lose Len, even though I think he is too picky sometimes and CA and Bruno pick favorites and are too lenient at times unless they don't like you.

I've seen a couple of seasons of Britain's Strictly Come Dancing and the two seasons I saw, they had 4 judges. If you can believe this, the other two judges were tougher than Len and Bruno. They were just brutal. I didn't think their dancers were the quality of DWTS. Ours are much better, pros and celebrities.

[karalott]

I certainly don't want to lose Len, even though I think he is too picky sometimes and CA and Bruno pick favorites and are too lenient at times unless they don't like you.

I've seen a couple of seasons of Britain's Strictly Come Dancing and the two seasons I saw, they had 4 judges. If you can believe this, the other two judges were tougher than Len and Bruno. They were just brutal. I didn't think their dancers were the quality of DWTS. Ours are much better, pros and celebrities.

I had heard that Len is basically the CA of the SCD panel (okay, maybe not that bad but he's the nice guy and another judge plays the bad, strict, uptight one). I definitely think Len has biases and can be too picky as well, though I much prefer his judgement to CA's (and at times Bruno's). CA is the one who I'd rather see go, as I think she's beyond judging the actual dancing, unless it's her style. I don't know if she has actual feuds with the pros but I know at times they've rubbed each other the wrong way, namely with Tony and Maks, and I can't help but think she feels superior and uses that against them and their partners. I've watched clips on Youtube of SCD though to be honest I usually skip the rehearsal footage and judging comments. Maybe I'll go back and listen to some of that. I'm really glad DWTS doesn't have 4 judges, and honestly hope they don't get any ideas from AI adding a fourth judge. Three judges works fine, and SCD had some controversy this year when ties were made and couldn't be broken. Apparently the guy who won shouldn't have even made the final 2! I really think they can find better than Flatley. I'm afraid he may be back as guest judge, because SCD will be airing at the same time as DWTS9 and they may want to give Len and/or Bruno a breather. I'm already not excited about the names I've been hearing for DWTS9, but this doesn't make me anymore excited about the season. I hope Len has a speedy recovery and that he's able to stay onboard.