Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Mr. T, Charo, Nancy Kerrigan and the rest of the "Stars" America"s "Dancing With" this year


The Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan Saga, Part 1
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"Dancing With The Stars" is back for its 24th season, and we"re excited to bring you highlights from the show moving forward.

Until then, heres a sneak peek at the dancers making their debut in the ABC ballroom this season-- and the roles they"ll be filling. Because as every fan of the show knows, the kinds of stars you can dance with are of a select and limited range, covering a set span of archetypes and fulfilling particular needs for the show.

The Athletes

Theres nothing the producers of DWTS love more than an athlete translating their impressive physicality into daring ballroom moves: Football players, ice skaters and gymnasts have all performed well, and brought in viewers. Its no wonder theyve got one of each this season (plus a professional baseball player, for good measure).

Rashad Jennings was drafted into the NFL in 2009, but unlike a lot of rookies he continued to build on his promise and had a breakout year in 2015. Hes a free agent so "DWTS" could help raise his profile if he wants to stay in the NFL -- or get him poised for a post-NFL broadcasting or hosting career. There have been plenty of football players on "Dancing" over the years, but fellow running back Emmitt Smith is the one Jennings will want to emulate: He won his season, and our hearts, way back in Season 3.

David Ross knows aboutovercoming the odds: He was a part of the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs team, and also won a ring with the Boston Red Sox a few seasons prior. Newly retired from baseball, he keeps himself busy as an analyst and has a memoir coming out soon. Ross is actually the first MLB player to appear on the show -- and while we doubt his skills as a catcher will translate as easily to ballroom as, say, being a running back or ice skater, we always love an underdog.

nancy kerrigan was unquestionably one of the most beloved ice skaters in the 1990s, even before the brutal attack that made her tabloid fodder for years to come. Shes still a dedicated athlete and choreographer, and will undoubtedly bring some fierce intensity -- like former contestant Kristi Yamaguchi, who won Season 6. Kerrigan will dance with longtime troupe member and relatively recent pro partner Artem Chigvintsev.

At age 19, Simone Biles is already considered one of the all-time great gymnasts. Her unparalleled power is combined with a sense of whimsy and creativity that will make her one to watch throughout the season. Her teammate Laurie Hernandez took home the Mirrorball trophy last season-- and were calling it right now, Biles and partner Sasha Farber are the top contenders to take it home this season.

The Saucy Mature Lady

If youre under 30, you probably know Charo as the tiny lady in tinier dresses who says Cuchi, cuchi! a lot and often appears on RuPauls Drag Race -- but she has been in the entertainment business for most of her life, and is a renowned classically-trained Flamenco guitar player. She has tons of energy and pizzazz, and she"ll be right at home in super short ballroom dresses with lots of fringe and sequins: This season"s Betsey Johnson, or Miss Patti LaBelle. Lots of sass, lots of personality, and a style all her own. Shell be dancing with Keo Motsepe -- who had a string of early exits over the seasons, until being partnered with Jodie Sweetin.

The Funny Man With Feelings

Chris Kattan, known best for his lengthy stint on Saturday Night Live, will possibly follow in the footsteps of past male comedians with emotional turmoil, like David Arquette and Andy d**k. He will undoubtedly hit the stage at some point this season to What Is Love by Haddaway, the theme song of his "Roxbury" sketches with Will Ferrell. h**l be dancing with Witney Carson-- probably the only pro who wont tower over him.

The Overcomer of Adversity

At age 29, Bonner Bolton had a meteoric rise as the worlds #1 ranked professional bull rider... Until a fall, a little over a year ago, resulted in a broken neck and temporary paralysis. Doctors said his chances to walk again were one percent, but 14 months later hes walking down fashion runways, and preparing to move across the dance floor. Hes partnered with Sharna Burgess -- who also teamed up with past inspirational overcomer-of-odds Noah Galloway, and also performed an incredible switchup dance with Deaf fashion model Nyle DiMarco a few seasons back.

The Ingenues with Skills

Heather Morris is best known for Glee where-- like castmate and past "DWTS" winner Amber Riley-- she showed off her dancing chops and vocal talents. Its true that other dance experience doesnt always translate well to ballroom, but since shes paired with Maks Chmerkovskiy were going to go ahead and guess shes great -- after all, her dancing was easily the best thing about "Glee."

Normani Kordei from Fifth Harmony joins the ranks of other girl-group performers, like Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, who have performed on "DWTS" -- in fact, Scherzinger won her season. Normani will dance with Maks brother Val Chmerkovskiy -- so we won"t be surprised to see her next to Heather in the eventual Top 4.

The Real Housewife

If you are not a current "Real Housewives" fan, you probably assume that Erika Jayne will fumble a bit, like past Housewives Lisa Vanderpump and Kim Zolciak-Biermann. But were calling it right now: Shes going to blow you away. Erika Jayne is a consummate professional, with several #1 songs on the Billboard Dance Chart, and she knows how to use her body like no ones business. Shes paired with formerVanderpump partner Gleb Savchenko, and we cant wait to see her destroy it. Housewives dont usually have the fanbase of other contestants-- but she could be a dark horse if the show lets her demonstrate her winning personality.

The Pop Culture Icon from Days of Yore

Mr. T will be bringing his iconic mohawk, gold chains, and that curious, charming combination of effervescence and gruffness to the dance floor this season with partner Kym Herjavec (nee Johnson; she married her dance partner of a few seasons ago, Robert Herjavec from Shark Tank, last year). Herjavec has also partnered with another nostalgia icon from decades past -- Jaleel White of Family Matters fame. Unless Mr. T is fleeter of foot than we think, he likely faces an early exit, a la Suzanne Somers.

The Obligatory Bachelor Bachelor

Nick Viall has apparently run out of Bachelor properties to appear on, so he has finally landed on "DWTS" for his final lap around ABC. h**l join other uncommitted Bachelors, like Sean Lowe and Chris Soules, who made it to the middle of their seasons thanks to uninspired but competent-ish dancing. We suspect Nick will be no different, based on everything about his personality and work ethic thus far -- which is a bummer, because hes paired with the always-excellent Peta Murgatroyd, who is notably named "Peta Murgatroyd."

Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays from 8-10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Category: TelevisionTV Shows: Dancing With the StarsCelebrities: Erika Jayne Heather Morris Maksim Chmerkovskiy Nick Viall Peta Murgatroyd Val ChmerkovskiyTV Network: ABC

Source: http://screenertv.com/television/dancing-with-the-stars-breakdown-2017-premiere/

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What David Rockefeller Taught Me about Life and Leadership


David Rockefeller Dead at 101: Haha!

Shortly after graduate school I landed a job at Chase Manhattan Banks corporate headquarters in New York City. I was part of a management program that developed young employees who were viewed as potential future company leaders. It was then that I first met the legendary David rockefeller, scion of perhaps americas greatest family, and one of the greatest corporate leaders our country has ever known. Over the years, I have been blessed to know him and consider him a role model.

This week, David passed away at the age of 101. His life was not just long, but incredibly full. He understood better than anyone the vast power of the CEO to not only lead a company, but also strive to change the world. Astonishingly kind and humble, he was the leader and the visionary that every CEO should aspire to be.

From the first time we met in the executive offices at Chase to our last time together in his home, every moment in his presence was a learning experience for me. As a small way to honor his memory, I thought I would share a bit of his wisdom:

Understand the opportunities and obligations of power

David was highly conscious of the power of his famous name. But while he fully embraced every aspect of his familys lineage, he was deeply invested in remaining humble and respectful in every interaction. He embodied the saying that the true test of a mans character is what he does when no one is looking. Whether he was dining with a head of state or chatting with a junior employee, he never relied on his name or the trappings of his vast power. As he once put it, When you have a lot of resources, the most important thing is to have had good parents and to have been brought up by people who gave one the proper values.

At the same time, he had a remarkable and visionary understanding of how to leverage his power for good. I have talked and written about the Age of the CEO Statesman, an emerging era in corporate leadership in which geopolitical dynamics are creating new opportunities for private sector leaders to exert moral power. David was the quintessential CEO Statesman; as The New York Times wrote, His stature was greater than any corporate title might conveyHis influence was felt in Washington and foreign capitals, in the corridors of New York City government, art museums, great universities and public schools.

Focus on relationships, not networking

David may have had the most extensive personal rolodex system. It contained hundreds of thousands of contacts, all of which included comprehensive personal information, mostly hand-written by David himself. If you were so fortunate to be a fly on the wall for any of his countless meetings and interactions, you would hear him inquire about the smallest details of his guests life, from a childs ballet recital to a parents recent health concern. This was not done for show or effect, though it never failed to delight and disarm his visitors. To be in the company of David was to have an audience with greatness, but his interactions were always transformational, never transactional.

Give the world more than you take from it

For all his accomplishments in business, David was most passionate and animated when he discussed philanthropy. He never simply wrote a check; he took an active interest in every organization and cause he founded and supported. His philosophy toward charitable giving was ahead of its time; he once described the goal of philanthropy as supporting innovations that transform society, not simply maintaining the status quo or filling basic social needs The manifestation of this philosophy can be seen in the extraordinary legacy initiatives he founded and supported, such as the Council on Foreign Relations and the Americas Society. He also famously almost singlehandedly saved New York Citys treasure, the Museum of Modern Art, from financial ruin in the 1970s, in keeping with his life-long love of art. His dedication to philanthropy lives on in his children, including his daughter Peggy Dulany, who started the Global Philanthropists Circle with her father.

There will never be another man like David. A genuine American legend, he left the world a better place than he found it in endless ways. He never sought credit or attention, always seeking instead to shine his light on others.

When asked about his legacy back in 2003, David simply replied, I can only say that I have had a wonderful life. His greatest gift was that he shared his life with so many.

His legacy will burn brightly and eternally through the continued good work of his children, his extended family, and all those who see him as role model.

Alan H. Fleischmann is Founder, President & CEO of Laurel Strategies, a global business advisory and strategic communications firm for leaders, CEOs and their C-suite.

Source: http://fortune.com/2017/03/21/david-rockefeller-died-heart/

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Guy Gets Busted Trying To Grab Sharna Burgess" Crotch On "Dancing With The Stars"


"Dancing With The Stars": Bonner Bolton & Sharna Burgess On Their Red-Hot Chemistry!
Photo:Eric McCandless/ABC (Getty)

Listen folks, I dont watchDancing with the Stars,and I still am baffled as to how a terrible show featuring a bunch of has-beens making fools of themselves on a dance floor is still on. All I know is that one contestant was busted trying to grab his partners crotch.

A bull rider youve never heard about until right now, Bonner Bolton, was sitting backstage, watching an interview when his partner, dancer Sharna Burgess got near him. And thats when Bolton, trying to be slick, put his hand extremely close to Burgess crotch, making burgess instantly move it away.

burgess was clearly not too happy with the situation based on her reaction. Take a look at the super awkward video below.

Guy Gets Busted Trying To Grab Sharna Burgess Crotch On Dancing With The Stars

Well then, that was a tad uncomfortable for everyone involved.

Of course everyone on the internet noticed, as the internet tried to figure out just what in the h**l Bolton was trying to do.

Bolton took it toEntertainment Tonight to try and explain the situation.

I was just stargazed by Nick and Petas performance and I was looking at the TV screen. I felt her bump into me yet I wasnt really looking at what was bumping into me. There was some hand placement that went south, so to speak, adding the was totally unintentional.

I dont buy it. Who the h**l is stargazed by some crummy dance performance on this show? You have to do better than that, bull rider I just heard of.

Also, couldnt ABC get anyone better other than a bull rider?

h/t NY Daily News

Source: http://www.craveonline.com/mandatory/1234499-guy-gets-busted-trying-grab-sharna-burgess-crotch-dancing-stars

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Who is Neil Gorsuch?


Neil Gorsuch Confirmation Hearings | The New York Times

Judge Neil Gorsuch enters his Supreme Court confirming hearings Monday with legal credentials lauded by conservatives, but open to attack by liberals eager to undermine President Trumps pick for the high court. However, his personal and academic histories are widely admired across the political spectrum.

Trump has described Gorsuch as "perfect in almost every way" for the high court.

Gorsuch, who goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, is roundly described by colleagues and friends as a combination of wicked smarts, down-to-earth modesty, disarming warmth and careful deliberation.

Critics largely agree. But they don"t think he belongs on the court, saying he"s too quick to side with conservative and business interests at the expense of working Americans and the poor.

The 49-year-old Gorsuch has already served more than 10 years as an appellate judge in Colorado, styling himself in the mold of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, the conservative powerhouse whom he would replace.

Gorsuch is known for his plainly written opinions and his approach as a "textualist" who sticks within the boundaries of established law and precedent.

But some of his rulings and outside writings have led critics to say he tends to favor powerful interests over ordinary Americans.

They cite the case of a truck driver fired for leaving his trailer of meat on the side of an Illinois road after breaking down on a frigid night in 2009, fearing he"d freeze to death.

Among their other concerns is Gorsuchs view on assisted suicide and euthanasia. He made clear in his 2006 book and other writings that he"s not a fan.

Doctors, insurance companies and the healthiest in society, he argues, might wind up looking for ways to shorten the lives of the frail and the elderly to preserve resources for those with more promising futures.

His views on other controversial subjects, such as how widely the Second Amendment applies or whether abortion should be legal, are less known.

Gorsuch has not had a lot to say about abortion, either in his book or as a federal appeals court judge. However, he noted in the book that in the seminal Supreme Court abortion decision, Roe v. Wade, "a fetus does not qualify as a person."

Still, Gorsuch has academic credentials nearly beyond reproach, having attended Columbia University, Harvard Law School and Oxford University.

In his writings and lectures, Gorsuch presents himself as a "workaday judge," one wearing "honest, unadorned black polyester" robes from a uniform supply store.

He is described as the dad whose standing birthday present from his family is an agreement to watch a Western with him.

He"s the sports nut who jogs with his law clerks, teaches them the Zen of fly fishing and waits at the top of the ski slopes to see which of them he"ll need to help up after a fall.

"He"s someone who knows the names of the security guards at the courthouse and gets to know who their families are," says former law clerk Theresa Wardon.

Luis Reyes, a former Gorsuch colleague at the Justice Department, says he a glass-half-full kind of guy."

From his boyhood in Colorado, Gorsuch was a dutiful student, "always on the brainy side," says younger brother J.J. Gorsuch.

Theirs was a typical Western childhood, filled with family outings to go hiking, skiing and fishing.

He attended Georgetown Prep, an all-boys school in suburban Washington, after President Ronald Reagan chose his mother, Anne Gorsuch, a state legislator, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

She brought her three children east while her husband stayed in Colorado, as their marriage dissolved.

gorsuch"s friends at the jesuit high school included Bill Hughes, whose father was a Democratic congressman from New Jersey.

Both felt pressure to protect his family name.

"We were all very cognizant of the responsibility we had to our parents not to screw up," Hughes remembers.

Gorsuch led schoolmates to the Capitol to attend a rally for insurgents opposing the Soviet Army in Afghanistan. His yearbook entry includes a joking reference to founding the "Fascism Forever" club, a dig at left-leaning teachers.

Most significant, he watched his mother"s stormy 22-month tenure at EPA end with her forced resignation after being cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over subpoenaed documents.

After high school, Gorsuch was in and out of Columbia in three years, though still found time to co-found a conservative newspaper and magazine.

He then went to Harvard Law without a break, before going off to Oxford to study legal philosophy, ducking out in the middle for a clerkship with Supreme Court Justices Byron White and Anthony Kennedy.

In 1995, Gorsuch passed up job offers from big firms to work for a start-up, diving into "the muck and mess of real-life litigation," representing both plaintiffs and defendants, recalls former partner Mark Hansen.

He credits Gorsuch with a dogged work ethic -- billing an average 2,400-3,000 hours a year as partner -- but also an easygoing temperament.

After a decade in private practice, Gorsuch in 2005 joined the Justice Department, where he was deeply involved in lawsuits and legislative proposals supporting the George W. Bush administration"s warrantless wiretapping program and its treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere.

From Justice, Gorsuch made a quick leap to the judiciary when Bush nominated him in 2006 for the 10th Circuit, a lifetime appointment and chance to get back to Colorado.

Fox News Bill Mears and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/20/explore-neil-gorsuchs-life-and-career.html

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Tomi Lahren of "The Blaze" suspended on abortion views


Glenn Beck: Tomi Lahren not suspended over abortion stance

Conservative talk-show host Tomi Lahren has been temporarily banned from Glenn Becks The Blaze network after airing pro-choice abortion views last week.

The 24-year-old Lahren known for tirades against so-called feminism and calling refugees rape-u-gees told ABCs The View on Friday she thinks pro-life politics are an example of governmental overreach.

Im someone that is for limited government, so I cant sit here and be a hypocrite and say Im for limited government, but I think that the government should decide what women do with their bodies, Lahren said on the show.

Stay out of my guns, and you can stay out of my body as well.

The backlash from Lahrens fan base was immediate, and Blaze founder Glenn Beck condemned Lahrens comments while trying to come to her defense noting, for example, that she had once referred to abortion doctors as baby killers.

I would disagree that youre a hypocrite if you want limited government and yet you want the government to protect life of the unborn, Beck said on his radio show Monday morning.

Still, Beck insisted that the comments by Lahren, who has arguably become the most visible personality on The Blaze, wouldnt endanger her job.

I dont hire people who are sycophants or who have my opinion, Beck said. I try to hire people who have a different opinion because I believe in being intellectually rigorous.

Lahren, who reportedly has been suspended for a week, signaled Monday night on Twitter that she was taking some time off.

A staunch Donald Trump supporter, Lahren clarified her abortion comments after her appearance on The View, telling one outlet: Listen, I am not glorifying abortion. I dont personally advocate for it. I just dont think its the governments place to dictate.

She also tweeted, I speak my truth. If you dont like it, tough. I will always be honest and stand in my truth.

That appeared to draw a reaction from one of her co-workers, Blaze reporter Kate Scanlon, who, captioning a Bible verse, tweeted, There is no my truth. There is only the truth.

Source: http://nypost.com/2017/03/21/tomi-lahren-of-the-blaze-suspended-on-abortion-views/

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Muscles His Way


"Trump’s kind of bad for comedy," says Dave Chappelle
3/21/2017 6:56 AM PDT

Dave Chappelleflexed his biceps in front of some huge stars at his Monday night concert.

Kanye, Kendall Jenner, Don Cheadle and Stevie Wonder were all front and center to watch Dave perform at the peppermint club.

on his way out dave used his muscles to help a pap who ate it hard on the sidewalk.

BTW ... Dave"s 2 new stand-up specials dropped on Netflix Tuesday. Soooo ... go peep that.

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2017/03/21/dave-chappelle-ripped-lifts-paparazzo-off-ground/

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Russell Westbrook, Thunder keep streak alive in win over Kings


Stephen Curry vs Russell Westbrook PG Duel Highlights (2017.03.20) Thunder vs Warriors - SICK!

AP Published 5:34 p.m. ET March 18, 2017 | Updated 7:14 p.m. ET March 18, 2017

USA TODAY Sports" Sam Amick breaks down what has become a thrilling MVP race in the NBA. USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) posts up against Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena.(Photo: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Russell Westbrook had 28 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists to help the Oklahoma City Thunder roll past the Sacramento Kings 110-94 on Saturday.

The Thunder won their fifth straight the longest current streak in the NBA and moved into a tie for fifth place in the Western Conference, pending the result of the Los Angeles Clippers" game against Cleveland later Saturday.

Westbrook had a triple-double in each of the first four games of the streak to raise his season total to 34. He needs seven more in Oklahoma City"s final 13 games to tie Oscar Robertson for the NBA single-season record, set in the 1961-62 season.

Latest NBA news:

Georgios Papagiannis had 14 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento, which had a two-game winning streak snapped.

A 7-0 run, capped by a basket by Buddy Hield, gave Sacramento its only lead at 10-9 less than six minutes into the game. Steven Adams" dunk started an 11-0 spurt by the Thunder and the Kings came no closer than eight points the rest of the game.

The Thunder pushed its lead to 22 points in the second quarter and led 63-41 at halftime after last-minute 3-pointers by Victor Oladipo and Westbrook.

Sacramento came no closer than 14 points in the second half, on a put-back dunk by Skal Labissiere that made it 87-73 with 9:18 left. westbrook re-entered the game, converted a three-point play, then assisted on a basket by Oladipo and a 3-pointer by Doug McDermott, pushing the Thunder"s lead to 95-75.

TIP-INS:

Kings: Tyreke Evans didn"t suit up due to what the team called a sore left ankle and Aaron Afflalo and Ben McLemore also skipped the game for personal reasons, leaving the Kings with only 11 players. ... Labissiere celebrated his 21st birthday by picking up three fouls in his first four minutes and scoring 13 points. His 32-point, 11-rebound outing on Wednesday in a win at Phoenix made him the first Kings rookie with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a game since Lionel Simmons on April 9, 1991, against Dallas. ... Hield, who led Oklahoma to last year"s Final Four, received a loud ovation during pregame introductions.

Thunder: Westbrook has 71 career triple-doubles and needs seven more to tie Wilt Chamberlain for fourth on the NBA all-time list. ... The Thunder are the sixth Western Conference team to win 40 games this season. ... Adams recorded his 13th double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds. ... McDermott went 8 for 9 from the field, including 4 for 5 from 3-point range, and scored 21 points

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Kings: Finish a difficult road back-to-back at San Antonio on Sunday.

Thunder: Host Golden State missing the injured Kevin Durant on Monday.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2017/03/18/westbrook-leads-thunder-past-kings-without-triple-double/99357802/

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