From the Cha Cha to the Viennese Waltz, season 10 is unstoppable!
Having the opportunity to intern with KABC7 entertainment guru, George Pennacchio, at Dancing With The Stars every Monday has been one of the most riveting experiences in my early career as a journalist. Here's a little break down of what happens on the average Monday night, before, during and after the show.
George Pennacchio and I posing with our notes.
I arrive at CBS Television Studios around 3:30 p.m. and assist George in preparing for his live shot for the 4:00 p.m. newscast. After, we head backstage to the media room where all the publicists, managers, DWTS employees and media journalists from Entertainment Tonight, Extra, AOL.com, etc. sit together on white, plastic chairs to watch the live show. Every week finger foods (mini hotdogs, burgers, quesadillas, etc.) and the best tortilla chips and salsa are prepared for the media room to indulge in. And speaking on behalf of most college students, free food is a pretty big deal. Needless to say - I grub!
Media Area
When the show is over, that's our cue to get up, get ready and enter the studio doors. We hit the dance floor to interview the couples.
Very large, heavy studio doors
George grabs the interviews, while I stand right next to him, listen and write down important sound bites that I know we'll want to use in our re-cap of the show. This is where the learning takes place, as I listen to how George crafts his questions as a professional entertainment journalist. There's a sense of urgency since there's only one hour to get interviews with each couple, so George has taught me the essence of organization and preparation. When that hour of media time is complete, we pack it up and head back to the station. At this point, we have roughly two hours to log the interviews, capture the best sound bites, write the script, track voice overs, put in mattes and send the full story to the editor to piece together. This is the story you see on the 11:00 p.m. newscast!
I must mention that without Jamie (coolest cameraman in Los Angeles!) we would never have the great interview shots. On top of that, he leads the way back to the station every week in the blue news van so we can get to work as quickly as possible - thanks Jamie!
Cameraman Jamie
and his van!
If there is one thing to point out while interning with George, it's his emphasis on detailed work. He has a reputation for being a concise reporter and the couples know that their interview with George is no joke. He doesn't ask surface questions, he asks questions with substance that require thoughtful answers. I have learned that this makes for better responses and a more candid conversation, something a reporter is always looking for.
This season of DWTS has been incredible, and the cast is a perfect combination of character and class, from having Pamela Anderson to Nicole Scherzinger on the line-up. Meeting Buzz Aldrin was a moment I will take with me forever, along with the convo I had with George Lopez (thanks to George Pennacchio!). Chelsie Hightower (Jake Pavelka's partner) and Tony Dovolani (Kate Gosselin's partner) are two of the nicest people around and seem to have the best job in show biz. Oh, and I can't forget Niecy Nash - in case you've missed her dance on the show every week, she's a riot and an absolute blast to be around. This show brings popular guests into the audience each week creating an unpredictable mixture of talent and fame, from Florence Henderson to Lisa Marie Presley - the energy is always vibrant.
Posing with the legendary, Buzz Aldrin
Tony Dovolani outside of CBS studios giving me some dance tips
Chelsie Hightower, only 20 years old!
One cool fact, George has been covering DWTS since season 1! Needless to say, he has the skills and experience to ask good questions on the spot while he knows how to have fun with the stars too. Having the opportunity to intern under a reporter who works extremely hard, even after he's been in the business for many years, inspires me beyond words. Often times I find that the passion is lost in this competitive industry and it seems easy to become jaded, but Geroge has shown me a different side and I couldn't be more appreciative for his guidance. Everyone who works behind the scenes at DWTS are great people as well and they truly seem to love what they're doing, which is hard to find in today's working world. If I could pinpoint the spirit on Monday nights at DWTS, it would be closely related to a family vibe. There is a camaraderie and hype that blends well between the media, the stars and the crew, creating an exciting experience for a college intern to be surrounded by. I've learned what a popular show like DWTS requires to create success, but what's even more astounding, is how much I have learned about entertainment journalism. Having been to the Oscars Red Carpet and DWTS in the same year, I take entertainment journalism very seriously; it's much more than celebrities, glitz and glamour. It's all of that, plus pressure, high energy, deadlines, and hard work...a feeling I absolutely thrive on.
Aspiring ♥
I hope you enjoyed your behind the scenes peek at season 10 of Dancing With The Stars! There is much more to come, and with only a few weeks left before the big finale, I'll have more details on the way.
HEADING INTO WEEK 8:
(Leader Board order after week 7's elimination night):
1. Evan Lysacek & Anna Trebunskaya
tied with
2. Nicole Scherzinger & Derek Hough
3. Chad Ochocinco & Cheryl Burke
4. Erin Andrews & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
5. Niecy Nash & Louis Van Amstel
Like George would say...
from the Fairfax District, I'm Megan Telles!
FIGHT ON.
