Zoeey

ABC actually approached Mario Andretti initially. He declined citing commitments with Firestone (who turned round and said they'll release him to do the show) before James stepped up. http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/136606-indycar-mario-andretti-on-dwts I heard rumours that Mario's grandson, Marco (who would of been hilarious because he looks so awkward round any woman that isn't his fiancee) and this year's Indy 500 champion Alex Rossi (who attended several episodes) were also approached. Regarding the Brazilian vote, you have to remember that back in 2007 when Helio was on there was no need for VPNs because there was no geolocking when creating accounts. I was going to my school library in the UK to vote for him (and Mel and Cameron) from an account I made claiming I lived at IMS. IndyCar also had an official fan forum at the time and Helio was usually on it once a week thanking and encouraging the series' fans to vote. I don't remember Jane Seymore or Mel getting much attention from the British media for being on the show that year until the day after the finals then it was just to say that Mel lost to Helio. I don't think Katherine Jenkins got much attention beside column inches on the Daily Mail website either. To be honest, with it being an Olympic year, if the athlete can dance (like Laurie and Louis Smith in the British version), they're more than likely going to win unless they have two left feet (like Ryan and, to a lesser extent, Greg Rutherford) then they'll finish higher than they probably deserved. This could explain the ratings, why watch (or vote) when there's this Olympian can dance?

The Instagram story from the official show account, Sharna looks like she's in costume for the dress rehersal...has there been any official word yet?

If you google ABC livestream, you will get sites that you can use, just make sure you have ad block and antivirus and you should be fine. It's coming from somewhere in Florida so I don't know if it's affected by your sport clash and it's usually half a minute to a minute behind the TV. That's how I watch it live from the UK...

Regarding Laurie v James, I think they're the classic technical v performer. Laurie has one of the best postures and footwork I've seen of any contestants, her hands and lines bother me sometimes but not as much now. She has a feel good story with her success at the Olympics and is just a lovely, bubbly girl. It's just, most of her dances are lovely and bubbly too and when they're not it's just serious face. We had a gymnast win a few years back, Louis Smith. Situation nearly identical, had success in the London Olympics and was one of the best technical dancers we ever had. The only difference was that he was stuck on serious face for pretty much everything. James is the performer. Technical wise he's still way behind Laurie (and I've already mentioned that I've hated the hyperbole from the judges) but give him the story of the dance and he'll be the character you need. He's got an unusual feel good story, nearly dying and all, and he's a naturally charismatic person. What we need now is something that puts them in the opposite side of the balance and outside their comfort zones. For James, that's easy: give him an Argentine Tango, no props, no troupe and proper music or something at least with the right beat. For Laurie, it's more down to the music. See that Viennese Waltz? I wished they used a more somber version of Pure Imagination and, instantly, instead of Charlie she was the one of the children that failed. Val's still Willy Wonka and Laurie's character is now trying to redeem herself, much like the dance was going to be in her story arch. She's not being bubbly but she can't just be serious face. As for Jana being overlooked, honestly, if Laurie and James weren't there, it'd probably be a straight fight between her and Calvin. Both of them a lot more central of the technical v performer scale . I would of loved to of seen Jana with Artem because she's very similar to Kara Tointon that he won Strictly with so I think he could of done a lot more with her than Gleb has done.

I will say that, for both Viennese Waltz there was too much out of hold but I've grown up on Strictly where, unless base of an American Smooth, should be pretty much all in hold (too much faffing about as Len would say). Speaking of Strictly, on Saturday they had a couple do the charleston that happened to be dressed as Joker and Harley. That Viennese Waltz was done as the Joker and Harley. It's all in the details like James' grip at Jenna's neck so I very much bow to Sharna for her choreography skills. I am, however, rolling my eyes at all the hyperbole regarding his dancing, as good as he is, he isn't a pro, stop trying to hype him as such. He is a million times better than Helio though. Can I just say that I'm disappointed with the version of Pure Imagination they chose for Laurie and Val? Fiona Apple's version is far more haunting, like a dark reprise. The moment he wasn't bottom of the leaderboard, I was expecting Ryan to go and sure enough. That Tango was definetly his best dance even if he had gone a bit hunchback. Marilu should be going next week as she's definetly the weakest now (I'd say Ryan had caught and overtaken her at this point) but that probably depends on two things: 1: Whether or not Terra gets a bottom two bump 2: If Derek's fan base is prepared to 'free' them from this torment.

Going to be honest here, British IndyCar fan and I'm only watching for James like I did for Helio all them years ago. What I will say, however, is that I do follow Strictly and this is not the first time that Len has came to blows with Gleb. He was putting all the focus on himself rather than his celeb in his first few dances if I recall correctly (I think there might of been something about content too).