Corky and the Corker

Reflections on the results show a day later.

Kim Kardashian was sent packing, something she’s used to doing I’m sure. Packing, that is, after all she travels a lot doesn’t she? Or does she? I really don’t know but I’m out of the loop when it comes to being famous for being famous.

There is an old saying, “She’s a real corker!” It means she’s really something, quite fantastic, a real “stopper” perhaps. I always interpret that phrase as meaning someone quite funny as well. Cloris Leachman could easily be described as a real corker if you asked me. She is full of talent. Whether it is her wit, her comedic stunts, or her dramatic (or over-dramatic) flair. She has talent. She may not be as agile as the 18 year old Cody, but I’d guess Cody won’t be quite as agile in the year 2076 when he’s 82. She’s doing the steps isn’t she? She’s learning the dance isn’t she?

That brings me to Corky. Lets have a standing ovation for Corky Ballas. He’s in there competing in the dance competition with his son and two other kids he raised and taught to do this, Derek and Juliane Hough. I cannot find a birthate on him but he is listed as “retired” from competition after being a winner in Latin dance. He was raised in this business as well by his father George who also happened to invent the “weed eater”. Now there’s some trivia for ya.

But I want to go back to the choreographer Corky. One of the things that is important in this show is the choreography. If you do lifts when you should not, Carrie Ann will bring you back down to earth quickly. If you get too edgy or too modern or too hip hop or throw in the “funky chicken” like Billy Ray Cyrus, you will surely hear about it from Len and likely from the others as well. If you choreograph a dance your “star” can’t do then it will cost you both in scores. If the star is not having fun that too shows. And if they are having too much fun when they are supposed to be serious, their marks will usually reflect that as well. So Corky, I gotta hand it to ya, You’ve managed to play straight man to a real scene stealer, design a dance she can do, and hang on to her while she does what she does. Just dealing with Cloris has been a little more than Tom, Samantha, Bruno, Len and Carrie Ann could manage all together. You handle her and let her shine! Good Job!

I’d like to mention one more thing that is rarely mentioned. Yes, Cloris is at least 20 yrs older than the next oldest person competing. That means, Susan Lucci is doing her dance at the age of 61 and doing quite well. If Cloris wasn’t stealing the scenes we might be more aware that Ms Lucci is quite the trouper as well. After all she has been nominated for an Emmy almost every year since 1978. That’s more years than Cody has been breathing.

Let’s hear it for the not-so-new but still-as-talented as ever crowd dancing…. dancing with their hearts, because they ARE the stars.