AfterBuzz TV DWTS: Tyne Stecklein

I will totally admit that I was really excited to have Tyne Stecklein in the studio. She has such an incredible résumé as a performer and I'd be lying if I didn't admit that the fact that she was a part of the Michael Jackson This Is It tour was a huge part of the reason I was excited to meet her.

I loved having the opportunity to get to know her on AfterBuzz TV. She provided some great insight and she was the perfect person to have on for Cher week. It certainly wasn't planned, it just worked out that way.

We talked a bit more about Elizabeth this week and the struggles we have had with her. I really like her, but I feel like she's working too hard. However, I understand her mindset and I know she loves being on the show and she really wants to do well. As a fellow Type A person, I get it. It can be hard to let go and let that freedom take over. She's done it a few weeks, but then she starts holding on again. I think it's very important to her to make it to the finale. I don't want to see her face if she's eliminated because Snooki already made me sad…I think Liz would have the same reaction.

Next week, Suri will be leading the way with Jake in studio. I will be joining the crew from Orlando while Anna will be on vacation. Our guest will be announced soon….

If you missed the show, you can watch below:

DWTS Season 17: Week 8 Preview

We've had such a great season filled with amazing guests so far, but this particular pro was one I really wanted to book on our show.  Even though Tyne Stecklein had a Week 3 exit with Bill Nye, I don't think anyone had a bigger splash in Week 1 than this pair. Their Cha-cha-cha was watched by millions on YouTube. 

Besides DWTS, Tyne has been seen in Burlesque with Cher (Good week to have her on!), Rock of Ages and High School Musical 2. Just this week, Virgin America launched their new safety video, #VXsafetydance. Can you spot Tyne in the video?

 Before you submit all of your questions in the comments below, be sure to read this awesome Dance magazine article about Tyne and her career. What a talent!

And for your final homework, watch this segment from Michael Jackson's This Is It called "Meet the Dancers". It's about a 30-minute piece. Tyne comes in at the 12:54 mark, but it's so good you will want to watch the entire clip. (The embedding was disabled on YT, so click the link above.)

I know I left you all with a lot of work to do, but it's fun and her story is fascinating.

See you all on Tuesday at 8 p.m. on AfterBuzz TV!

A Look Back at the 53rd Annual Academy Awards

This gem was just posted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences yesterday. It shows the opening of the 53rd Annual Academy Awards and the red carpet looks downright quaint. The ceremony was delayed by a day due to the assassination attempt the day before on President Ronald Reagan, so the stars showed up the next day on March 31, 1981. (I wish the show was still in late March, that red carpet would be a lot warmer for ladies in evening gowns.)

Robert De Niro, Best Actor, Raging Bull

Watch the eight-minute video because it really showcases an era of entertainment and red carpet that we will never see again. With an announcer describing celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore as "popular" and a healthy and vibrant-looking Michael Jackson escorting Diana Ross to the show, you might get a bit wistful.

Take a look back at 1981 Academy Awards.

Robert Redford, Best Director, Ordinary People

Bet you didn't know Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters were an item back in the day.

Johnny Carson hosted the show in his tux and tails, elegant, reverent and classy. I doubt we will ever see the ceremony helmed the way Carson and Bob Hope did the show, but then again, I actually was entertained by Seth MacFarlane's "We Saw Your Boobs" this year. 

If you've missed my other posts on the Oscars, take a look back at 1989, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Timothy Hutton, Best Supporting Actor, Ordinary People

Endings and Beginnings......

Post-show and I am a bit puffy-eyed and weepy for our final Toyota Live photo.

If you told me in 2007 that I would still be doing the same show, Toyota Live, in 2012, I would laugh in your face.  Here I am, some 4000 shows later, and finally on the precipice of retirement.  It was a hard decision, but one that was pretty much sealed after this post.  I accomplished everything I wanted with a  show that was basically built around me and my co-host, Matt Troyer. I was having trouble balancing my work and personal obligations in LA with life on the road.  It's hard to give up a job that I really enjoyed and a job that I was incredibly grateful for, but it was time.

An old 2008 team photo with Emily and Amy.

Now Matt and I went through it all from trying to do shows with laryngitis to on-set pranks (usually involving unattended iPhones and new wallpaper.), it was never a dull moment.  We weathered through a rough economy, a massive recall and the subsequent media onslaught, and an earthquake/tsunami in Japan.  Toyota stood behind our show through each and every event.  I am not sure many people can say that about a corporation in this day and age.  I started the show with a Corolla and I end it with a Prius.  Yes, I drive a Toyota and it was a true pleasure to represent the brand on and off the stage.

This was a hard moment, our last sentence of the show:  "This is Toyota Live!"

Yesterday, we said our final farewells to the show as a team.  Matt is off to another city for another job while I still have three more days in New York to finish out the show.  I didn't expect our last show to be so emotional.  I walked onstage not expecting anything but a regular show, then reality set in. The crowd was huge, our supervisor, Simms, started the show with a moving speech, and we kicked it off with a final surprise rendition of Michael Jackson's "Beat It". (A dance I often bust out on command.)  The show was electric, but the final moment had come......"I'm Kristyn"....."I'm Matt"......and I heard the crack in the voices.  I know our last line of "This is Toyota Live" came through a flood of tears.  Even when you are ready, it's sometimes hard to say goodbye.

Backstage, the countdown continues....

I leave with a huge sense of gratitude to Toyota, Productions Plus, Mindfield Pictures, and GPJ. Thank you for an incredible opportunity, it's been such a wonderful journey with all of you. (I will be thanking you individually offline since there are so many of you!)

If you ever wanted to know what a Cobra is.....this is a Cobra. 

To all of the kids who came year after year to see our shows, play our games, and win prizes:  You have no idea how much fun it was to see you each year after growing a few inches, losing a few baby teeth, and still coming up with hugs even though twelve months had passed since we last saw you.  I won't forget you.

To our TDs, Cobra and Larry: Thanks for feeding me lots of candy, teasing me unmercifully, and playing ridiculous sound effects for us.....my Justin Bieber joke will always be my favorite because secretly, I am a Belieber, not Matt.

The team last weekend with NASCAR/Joe Gibbs driver, Joey Logano.

To our Toyota Racing expert, Trackside Tina:  You are a true inspiration and you bring so much joy and enthusiasm to the team.

To my co-host, Matt Troyer:  You are the best co-host in the world, but you are an even better friend.  Thank you for the laughs, the tears, the support, and your friendship.  I will always try to break into your phone and change your wallpaper.

Thank you, Toyota Live, Goodnight!

New York Auto Show, 2010.

Dancing on the Red Carpet

For all of the fans of So You Think You Can Dance and America's Best Dance Crew, this video is for you.  I had the opportunity along with Dance Channel TV to cover collidEdance's blink/drEam last week at the Music Box Theatre in Hollywood.  It was a hot night on the red carpet with many alumni from the FOX and MTV dance shows.  Some dancers were there to dance while others were there to support choreographer, Erica Michelle Sobol, in her whimsical and lively evening of dance.  Erica was a pleasure to interview because she was easy to interview.  Why does that make a difference?  Some dancers are not media savvy, their art is created and performed with their bodies, not their voices.  So sometimes, red carpet interviews are awkward.  However, Erica gave great sound bites, she was friendly, and she has a great on-camera presence.  Another superstar on the red carpet was Lauren Gottlieb from SYTYCD.  Her mentor is Tyce Diorio and it shows.  She navigated her way through the press line like the star that she is.  Tyce is a genius at this too (See the documentary Every Little Step to see what I mean.) and he is passing this great quality on to Lauren.  Another great dance mentorship hard at work-genius!

To see the real stars on the red carpet, head over to WireImage for photos of the evening.

This was one of my most unusual nights on the red carpet.  I poked choreographer, Sohey Sugihara, in the eye to show that the frames to his glasses were just that frames, no glasses (Stay until the end of the piece, you will see what I mean.), I stumped many dancers with the easy question, "Who is the one major dance influence in your life/career?", and I made Janet Jackson's choreographer, Gil Duldulao, cry.  Yes, I said cry.  He is such a sweet man and I wish more of his interview made the final edit.  Here's the scoop:  I asked him how his working relationship with Janet has changed since Michael was such a huge influence on her work.  Well, Gil is a very close friend of the family and the emotions of the loss of the pop icon are still raw.  His eyes welled up with tears and he explained that his influence is so great, it is almost like Michael is still here.  It was such an emotional moment on the red carpet.  One I have never experienced before and one that I will never forget.  I sent Gil off with a big hug after our interview.

We were also able to capture some of the rehearsal footage with the dancers and grab what happens behind the scenes on the night before a big performance. And I know, I know, it's "bad rehearsal, good show.", I think I screwed that phrase up in the piece.  So, sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the hot action from the red carpet:  

2009 in Review: June

Okay, we are officially at the halfway point and this is where my year started charging full speed ahead and it doesn't slow down until we hit the Christmas holidays.

Hanging at E3 with the 2010 Toyota Prius and The Sims 3:

This still remains one of my favorite locations from The Web Files, The Hollywood Wax Museum. I adore the cast from The Crew and I am so happy for their success. Check out our episode with them here: The Crew

Covering the Whatever Works premiere at the Pacific Design Center for Focus Hollywood. I interviewed some fantastic actors at this premiere, Ed Begley, Jr, Patricia Clarkson, Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Peter Fonda, and John Lithgow. See the footage here:
Whatever Works Premiere

My coverage for this panel will stand out in my mind forever. I attended Dance Camera West's Choreography Media Honors Panel to cover the events for Dance Channel TV. One of the dancers, Chuck Klapow, was currently rehearsing the "This Is It" tour with Michael Jackson. Read the article: Choreography Panel. Sadly, we all know the outcome.

On set with The Web Files for Episode 4 featuring Space Hospital. They are currently airing Season 2, so be sure to check them out. This is also the first shoot we came across our current makeup artist, Melissa Anchondo. A fortuitous day! Here's episode 4: Space Hospital.
Things only get busier as the second half of the year brings a lot of growth to The Web Files. Remember, we didn't even launch until July 8th! Come back for more tomorrow.

Dance Channel TV Can't Miss List: Episode 8

This is it! No, really This Is It! Yes, the movie has opened to big box office and of course, we spoof MJ a bit in Episode 8. I cannot wait to see the movie, but it looks like I have a little more time since SONY extended the run through Thanksgiving. (Like we didn't see that coming even before it opened.)

So, if you like what you see below, head on over to Dance Channel TV for more fantastic dance videos!

Dance Channel TV's "Can't Miss List"

Dance Channel TV Network

Good morning, Everyone!

Check out Dance Channel TV's 2nd Episode of the "Can't Miss List". Pass the word on, dancers, this is a fantastic community just for you! This week's episode features SYTYCD gossip with Katie Holmes, Nigel Lythgoe, and Tyce Diorio. Other tidbits include Maguerite Derricks thoughts on LA vs. NY dancers, Daniel Ezralow's upcoming project, and a word on the biggest news of the week, Michael Jackson.

Comment away, we would love to hear your thoughts and what else you want to hear about on the "Can't Miss List".

Reporting Live from Los Angeles,

kb

Media Surrounds Jackson Family Compound in Encino

Hey Everyone,

As an LA resident, I am accustomed to living around Hollyweird situations.....where Robert Blake shot his wife or jogging past the house where Phil Hartman met his untimely death, or even living near the Jackson Family estate. I hate to be a part of the problem with tabloid journalism, but I was curious as to what was happening on the outside the gates of their estate. Their entire street is blocked off by LAPD, the only cars they were letting through were residents or press with official media passes. Now, you must understand that this street (which I am not going to name for the sake of the residents who live there and who must be ready for the media circus to go away. Google it, if you must.) is a major shortcut to the 405. It is heavily trafficked on morning and evening rush hour commutes. Even with all of the closures on the street, there are throngs of media and fans who walked over from their parked vehicles on the other side of the boulevard to stand outside of the family gates.....waiting and waiting and waiting for something to happen. It can take forever for a vehicle to pass through the gates while the fans scream for recognition and the paparazzi pray for the money shot. Sick? Yes, kind of. Sweet? Well, sort of. Many fans came armed with flowers, photos, t-shirts, and posters proclaiming their love for the King of Pop, a man they had forgotten in the past decade.

Here's my insider's perspective of the scene outside of the Jackson family gates:

Reporting Live from Encino,

KB (proud owner of one silver glove in the 80's)

Special Edition: Dance Camera West's Choreography Media Honors Panel

**Update: June 25, 2009**

This article was written on Monday, June 22, 2009. Michael Jackson suddenly passed away from cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009. He was a part of many dancers' childhood dreams of performing on the stage. May his music live on and may his soul continue to dance.

R.I.P., Michael

On Friday night, I had the opportunity to attend Dance Camera West's Choreography Media Honors. What a treat for choreographers, dancers, and dance aficionados! The panel consisted of the top creative teams from "So You Think You Can Dance", "The 81st Annual Academy Awards", and "High School Musical". The night was moderated by Daniel Ezralow, choreographer for the upcoming Broadway show, "Spiderman".

Highlights from each of the shows/choreographers:

SYTYCD: The spotlight was really on this show during the panel. Matthew Diamond, director, Tabitha and Napoleon, choreographers, and Tyce Diorio, choreographer. It was fascinating to hear that choreographers only get 4 and 1/2 hours of rehearsal time with the dancers before the show. Tabitha mentioned that they are literally calling out reminders and instructions as they are walking out of the studio. SYTYCD is a game show, so it is regulated by the FCC and all contestants must have the same amount of rehearsal time to make it fair to everyone. A few audience members wanted to know why the dancers didn't have the same type of launching pad as the "American Idol" contestants. It does seem that the SYTYCD winners seem to fade into obscurity while America still knows the names of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jordin Sparks. Napoleon felt that the dancers do the show because they love to dance, they don't care about being a star. Tyce mentioned that the show is only a springboard or a beginning then the reality of the dance world sets in. I think it has to do with the bottom line......$$$$. The producers make a ton of money off of these kids, put them on tour, and then throw them to the wolves when they are done. No preparation for what is about to happen or not happen to them. The producers don't look back because they have another season around the corner. Harsh, no? I even had a chat with a true insider, but I promised that our entire conversation would be off the record. And so it remains, off the record, but wow......it makes you think twice about reality/competition shows.

The 81st Academy Awards: This panel was fascinating since it consisted of Marguerite Derricks, choreographer of Hugh Jackman's opening number at the Oscars and John Palermo, producer and partner to Jackman's Seed Productions. This was probably the most interesting to me due to my work at the Kodak and the years I have worked the Meet the Oscars exhibit. I love this show and it fascinates me to see how all of this work comes together for one night only. Maguerite expects a lot from her dancers by not tailoring her movement to them. She expects them to be able to do her movement from the first audition. While John works in a producing capacity, he really has an eye for what works in terms of choreographing for the camera. Movement created for the stage is one element, but movement for the TV cameras adds an entire new dimension. Maguerite has a lot on her plate with the new Broadway show, "Wonderland", and the remake of "Fame" coming out in September. (Look for a 2 1/2 minute pas de deux in the Graduation scene of the movie. Woo hoo!) And, dancers, if you are looking to work with Maguerite, she is now finding Los Angeles dancers more versatile than New York dancers whom she thinks sometimes get stuck in a rut with one style after performing in long running shows.

High School Musical: Representing the HSM trilogy were Charles "Chucky" Klapow, Co-Choreographer, Mark Hofeling, Production Designer, Barry Rosenbush, Executive Producer. Well, I feel like the tide has finally turned on the HSM trilogy. The heat of this series has peaked and there were fewer questions for this group, although it was interesting to hear how Mark Hofeling put together an amazing set that was both utilitarian and safe for the dancers. Surprisingly, HSM 4 is coming our way. Sigh. I expect it will be a new crop of faces as most of the core cast has gone on to bigger and better projects. Keep your eye on Chucky Klapow, everyone. He is a rising superstar who is assisting Kenny Ortega with Michael Jackson's big comeback tour in London. If Jackson delivers, I think we should all expect a US comeback for the King of Pop. While we may be exhausted from his tabloid antics over the past decade, remember many of you ran home to see "Thriller" on MTV each afternoon. The King of Pop sure knows how to dance.

The one final tidbit I want to leave with you......SYTYCD fans, the Katie Holmes rumor is true. She will be performing a number from "Summer Stock" that was choreographed by Tyce Diorio. Don't let the tabloids fool you into thinking Nigel Lythgoe had anything to do with it. Let's give credit where credit is due.....go, Tyce!

Thanks for joining me for this special edition of Red Carpet Closet. Who cares what I wore? It was all about dance!

Reporting Live from Los Angeles,

Kristyn

PS If you enjoyed this special report, please follow me for the Can't Miss List on Dance Channel TV.