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« Ian's Dancing with the Stars Blog
The Paso Doble
Before I write this week’s Dancing with the Stars blog, I wish to extend my most sincere and heartfelt wishes to the entire Virginia Tech family. Words simply cannot convey my overwhelming sense of sorrow. My prayers and thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy, now and forever.
This week, we saw Clyde Drexler get voted off. Clyde is the epitome of what it means to be a class act. All I can say is that if the DWTS producers put basketball hoops at both ends of the dance floor, every dance for Clyde would have been a slam-dunk.
You know the expression, “Every pot has a cover?” Well, I’ve discovered — the hard way — that every dance has a pain. The cha-cha wreaks havoc on the feet; the quickstep and jive do a number on your legs; the samba destroyed my lower back from all the hip action. I felt the judges scored last week’s samba performance fairly, and with each future dance, I hope to continually improve for the sake of the judges, the fans and Cheryl. (As my own harshest critic, unless the score is 10-10-10, I’m never satisfied.)
Speaking of Cheryl, our next dance is the paso doble. Of all the dances so far, I think the paso doble will really bring out the best in me. The paso doble, from the male dancer’s perspective, is based on a matador’s movements in a bullfight; the female dancer plays the role of a cape or the bull. The dance is all about "the chase": passion, drama and the matador’s abundance of confidence and/or arrogance, depending on how you view his role. (Sounds like I’ll have to mentally channel my old buddy Steve Sanders.) Now, this is a dance I plan to take complete ownership of, and be the showman the judges and Cheryl want me to be. To paraphrase Dr. Evil in Austin Powers, "I didn’t spend six weeks in Evil Dance School to be called, 'McStiffy,' thank you very much."
After spending a few months with me in L.A., my 86-year-old dad flew back to the East Coast to spend time with my two brothers and their families, and my Uncle Jerry who was just diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. It's always great to have my dad in L.A. with me, and he will fly back for certain if Cheryl and I dance in the finals. If you’ve been watching DWTS, you know that my dad sat in the front row of every show, proudly beaming. But you don’t know the story behind his smile… until now.
For the last 10 years, my dad has had upper dentures, which had worn down from wear and tear. Over the years I fought him tooth (no pun intended) and nail to get a new upper plate. Well, I finally “won,” and he did agree to get new teeth. Why am I writing about my dad’s chompers? Because whenever I danced, I would see my dad with the biggest smile on his face, and it’s the smile I used to see as a kid when I did a “first time” anything; it made me so happy to see his face light up. Sure, I’ll miss kissing my dad on the cheek after the show’s first commercial break, so now I’ll just have to call him after the first break instead, although we speak every day. In the meantime, I have the memory of my dad’s smile with me — and his love and support, as always. That’s what’s so great about DWTS, it’s brought so many new dimensions into my life.
Check out www.ianziering.com or www.myspace.com/officializ to see some fun videos I've been making along the way, and please don’t forget to tune in on Monday to see Cheryl and I perform the paso doble. We’re hoping we have our own slam-dunk. Olé!
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Apr 20, 2007 3:27 PM
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Wow, my head totally went to a different place with that "McStiffy" comment.
Oh, and that story about your dad's teeth? Didn't make me misty-eyed at all. Nope, not me. Think I'll go watch some wrestling and drink beer...
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Apr 23, 2007 7:12 AM
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I really enjoy your dancing. You have a great smile and you appear to enjoy your dancing. I enjoy reading your blogs. Cheryl has not update her's in a while. Keep up the good work and continue to smile.
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Apr 23, 2007 9:01 AM
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Hey there, Ian! You are the bees knees! I am only 35, but the expression still fits : ) I thought your Paso was excellent for a lot of reasons, but where I thought you were truly awesome was in the group Swing dance. You were technically proficient in both, imho, but you seemed to so come alive in the group dance and I'm sorry they didn't comment positively on that. Everyone did well in that and looked to be having a blast, but you really stood out. I think you care so much, think about the steps so much, have very difficult choreography (not criticisms, btw) and feel you have such big shoes to fill that it likely makes it pretty hard for you to go out there and also be yourself. I know I couldn't do it. Also couldn't act or dance my way out of a paper bag, and I am not nearly as attractive as you as far as female standards go (am female). I do have a propensity for plays on words and can bake and do for senior citizens. In any case, you have so much more going for you than just being handsome - great sense of humor, fabulous work ethic, can get down complicated moves, really care, and you even did the male stripper thing which had to be tough. I think you guys are often given something of an unfair shake, especially during your jive which made me smile and want to get up and dance. And your smile reaches your eyes too - that is something genuine. Hold your head up and don't just bring it to the dance floor - be sure to FEEL GOOD and BRING IAN TO THE FLOOR WITH YOU even more. He is worth routing for. For his dancing as well as for his physique and personality! And Cheryl rocks too! Take care, Jessica in Atl., GA.
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Apr 23, 2007 10:28 PM
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One last thing, yes I know this is a dance contest, and I do vote based on dancing ability and that wins you plenty of my votes, but I also have to say that from the clips they show, and especially from your blogs, you, Ian, seem like a very real and genuine man with a lot of compassion and charisma and one who takes the time to notice things and to care about other people. That is rare in show business and rare in people these days. These things about you are much appreciated as well. And ok, yes, you do look awfully good in a uniform. Many of my friends are in their 70's, 80's, and 90's and are also veterans, so aside from just enjoying watching all of you rock the swing number and have fun, appreciated the nod to the men and women in the service too. Did not agree with all of the comments on the Paso of the judges and felt that it would be very hard to try to keep the commanding male presence and stance/character of the dance and be dominant and still loosen up at the same time. It seems to me is the one where you would least be yourself (same would be true for anyone) in less that is just who you are. Maybe if you just go for it wholeheartedly, but don't actually think about the numbers, you will score the 10's you guys so want and deserve. Just a thought . As one who thinks entirely too much myself and also wants to do nothing less than perfect, I get it. Know that you, your dancing, and efforts are bringing a lot of joy to a lot of people every week for many reasons. All the best to your to you and your family. Wishing the best possible outcome for your Uncle Jerry and thinking of you and your family. Neat story about your father as well. I know he is very proud of you as is your mother looking up (yes, said that on purpose) from up above. Good Luck in the coming weeks and do take care, Jessica in Atl., GA Ok, so wasn't one more thing after all ... : )
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Apr 23, 2007 10:39 PM
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Last one, I promise! Apologies for my spelling error. That should have been "unless", not in less. Sometimes edit and brain sees what I think I typed instead of what I did. Go Ian and Cheryl!
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Apr 23, 2007 11:09 PM
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I have no idea whether you celebrities actually read these things. However, just wanted to say I think you are doing a great job. You seem to be putting in a lot of effort and every week the judges criticize even the smallest bit. So keep enjoying yourself because viewers at home are too.
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Apr 24, 2007 6:06 AM
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Hi, Ian. The story about your dad's choppers was a great one! He does have a lovely smile! You are doing a great job! I hope you win it all! Thanks for taking the time to blog!
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Apr 27, 2007 3:38 PM
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