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week 10

EPISODE 10:  oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, oi,
                       See me ride out of the sunset
                       on your colour TV screen . . . . . . .


Todd summed it up in one word - "FANTASTIC!" It's been claimed as the highlight of the series, and the best dance they've ever had on DWTS. Chris and Trenno's freestyle, their last dance of the series, scored them another perfect 40.

Their passionate and sensual rumba last week showed the emotional intensity and expressive development the judges had been looking for, hence the perfect score. This one was the other end of the spectrum. An outrageous and bombastic rock 'n' roll celebration of dance. A perfect end to the fabulous run of routines Chris and Trenno (who gets spunkier by the minute) have presented over the series.

It started out with Chris reading a short news intro, then, as the band revved up AC/DC's immortal "TNT",  Trenno rode onto the dance floor on the biggest, loudest and ugliest Harley they could find.  With the band and audience screaming "Oi!  Oi!  Oi!" and to lyrics that metaphorically mirrored Chris's DWTS experience, the dance that followed segued from a fiery and aggressive Paso Doble to a dramatic Tango, which ended with Trenno lifting and spinning Chris back onto the news desk. During some gratuitous air guitar, the pyros exploded, the newsreader jacket came off and the music then changed to Tom Jones's "Sex Bomb" (continuing the explosively ironic theme) and they danced the Cha-Cha-Cha to end all Cha-Cha-Cha's.  Chrissy said she wanted to go out with a "BANG" and they sure did!!!

Now from all here at Bathie Army HQ, congratulations to Ada and Aric for taking out the title!!  Chris and Trenton won by the judges scores, but the Home and Away star edged them out in the viewer votes. The tie was broken by extra weighting being given to the viewer votes.

There was no disappointment at Bathie Army Headquarters, however. Ada was terrific throughout the series. A great dancer, a wonderful lady, and a great sport and a great sort. Any of the last few couples could have won, and would have deserved to if they had. It has been a terrific ride, and some fabulous entertainment.

Paul Mercurio summed up the series for Chris and Trenton by saying: "You have done dancing, this show and yourselves really proud - congratulations."

The big question is - HOW DO WE KEEP THE NEWS READER DANCING NOW ? ?

Now a few final words of thanks.

Thanks to all the people who have helped with the campaign, with phone calls and sms's. None of the votes were wasted, as part of the money goes to the CMRI - (the Children's Medical Research Institute), which deserves all the money it can get. Look up their website, see what they do, and feel free to donate more!

Thanks to all the people who helped with this website, especially The Bathie Army Animation Division, Newcastle. A tremendous amount of assistance and encouragement above and beyond the animations came from there.

Thanks to the people who sent in graphic elements and pictures for the website, and to Seven and Granada publicity for their images and permissions.

And thanks to all the people who wrote emails of support for Chrissy. They have been a wonderful source of encouragement to her.

Thank-you!

 
week 9

EPISODE 9:  "It's got to beee-eee-eee-eee-eee-eee-eee, PERFECT!"

Nothing to say. The judges have said it all without uttering a word. Chris and Trenno (or should that be TENno) got four 10's from the judges after tonight's rumba - the dance she feared the most at the start of the series. So I guess that means she's stepped up, and jumped over the plateau they all talked about after her jive last week.

The entire Bathie Army is screaming with joy and delight. Yes she did the basics well. Yes she did the splits. Yes Trenno leap frogged her. Yes they did a spectacular lift.  Ho-Hum.

The show stopper, was the slow lowering after the lift. That was "Superstars of Dance" stuff. That took poise, control, and masses of strength to make it look so smooth and easy. Helen had said earlier, that the hardest parts to do are the slow bits.

So Chrissy and Trenno have made it to the final!!!! After coming in the bottom two last week, it's been a fairy tale to get back on track. What a perfect time to get back to the top of the leader board after 3 weeks of being second. This means she's won 6 out of the 9 episodes with the judges. Yep - we're in a boastin' frame of mind again! Leave the grace and charm to Chris and Trenton (oooh his real name for only the second time!). Get  up on the roof of your house, or open the window of your apartment and start shouting:

BATHIE ARMY!!!!
BATHIE ARMY!!!!
BATHIE ARMY!!!!
BATHIE ARMY!!!!
BATHIE ARMY!!!!
BATHIE ARMY!!!!
BATHIE ARMY!!!!
BATHIE ARMY!!!!

Don't stop voting. She's got a shot at the title. It's up to you to get her the trophy.
week 8

EPISODE 8:  "YOU'VE GOT TO RO-O-OLL WITH THE PUNCHES,
                        TO GET TO WHAT'S REAL."

And didn't she take some hits tonight! It was "rope-a-dope" all over again. Toddy was saying she's plateaued, and needs to get the vivacious woman he sees in her packages out. Helen said she needs to lift. Paul said she needs to explode onto the floor, but isn't. Mark admitted they're judging her harder because she's a better dancer.

What did Bathie do? Did she argue with them? Did she sulk? Did she complain? No, no and no. Three times no. She wore it. She took it on the chin, looked up and said "is that all you've got?" It was like watching Steve Waugh at Sabina Park in '95. She took all they could give, all their worst. And did she falter - not on your Nellie. She answered their criticism with a blistering Viennese Waltz, fighting a prohibitively slow tempo. Helen, Paul and Mark admitted she was their favourite in the waltz, and all gave her 8's. Todd showed that while spelling may be a favourite hobby, numbers aren't his thing, so he gave her a 5.

After soaking all that up, and bouncing back, she had to stand before the firing squad. She did it with dignity, poise and defiance. Edward Woodward did no better in "Breaker Morant". But she survived. She was genuinely sad to see Brodie go, but she would have been sad to see either of the other two leave also.

And the legs. Already, emails are clogging up the internet and slowing hotmail servers around the globe. Yes. She's got legs. She knows how to use them. The hot pant suit would have made even Kylie blush. And Alexander Downer has dreamed for years of having legs like that fill his fishnets.

It really is crunch time now. Whoever wins next week, will probably take the title. No more gags. No more one liners. It's time. Time to vote with all you've got. Unleash the SMS's. Let your fingers do the talking. You know what to do.
week 7

EPISODE 7:  "FOX ON THE RUN. . ."

And then there were four.  Dancing the Foxtrot, the most technically difficult ballroom dance, Bathie has pulled in a very respectable second to Ada and Aric's powerful Paso Doble.  This means they're in the top four and have to learn two dances this week - the Jive, and the Viennese waltz.

Showing no signs of the injury that hampered her last week, Chrissy and Trenno: "made the most difficult ballroom dance look easy and smooth" according to Paul Mercurio. Trenno was paid a big complement by Paul for his choreography for Chris throughout the series, reflecting what Chris said about him in her testimonial on Trenno's website:

"Trenton Shipley is a truly amazing teacher.  In just a few short weeks, he’s singlehandedly stopped me making a complete fool of myself in front of two million Australians on the Seven Network’s hit show “Dancing With The Stars”.  He’s transformed a desk-bound newsreader with all manner of anti-dancing issues, into a prancing ballroom pony!  No mean feat!

"It comes down the fact that Trenton is a great communicator.  Somehow he works out how you learn and tailors his teaching accordingly.  He’s patient and kind but keeps a deceptively close eye on your technique (or lack thereof and then fixes it)!  Best of all, he makes the whole process fun.  I entered his studio a sceptic and emerged a dancing butterfly, convinced that ballroom is good for the soul."

Good to see that the Bathy Army Medical Division were deployed to Seven's Melbourne studio tonight. Thankfully they weren't needed. It was also good to see some new members of the Bathie Army, who'd printed off their own masks, and taken them along to the show! Obviously a lot of viewers were doing the same thing at home, intimidating Mark Wilson into giving them a 9.

Chrissy has been desperately looking forward to doing the jive, as she feels it's the most natural and fun dance for her. Let's hope she makes it through into the following week. You know what's coming, this is the bit where we implore you to RING AND SMS THE NUMBERS BELOW AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN ! ! ! !


After treating viewers to an astounding piece of Rock history, by singing on telly with his Dad, David Campbell bowed out tonight. Previously he'd been an  unshakable rock in the bottom two. Three times he'd stared down the barrel, three times he'd made it through, but the fourth proved too much. thankfully he left the show on a huge high after his performance, and his fabulous cha cha to his Dad and sister singing. Another great loss to the show.
week 6

EPISODE 6:  "WOAH-OH, LIVIN' ON A PRAYER"

That's right, Chris Bath won't be running in the 2005 Melbourne Cup. Last week, Lee Freedman talked about having her ride "Makybe Diva". This week, Bart Cummings was contemplating having her run the full course herself. She's clearly a dour stayer, but the injury to her ankle has put that, and her contract with the Bolshoi Ballet in doubt.

Maximum stress tonight. There was a lot of medical attention (Thankyou Dr Warwick), motivational speeches (thanks Brodie, Alana, Dicko, BamBam, Dawn, Gordon, Ada, Aric, Dave and Luda!) and a lot of courage involved in the performance. The ironic thing is, the marks probably wouldn't have been much different with the judges, had the injury not occurred.

Last week, the judges criticism of Chrissy revolved around connection with the audience, and light and shade. Her and Trenno (what a spunk!) clearly answered those criticisms tonight, but Dicko's waltz was just too sensational. Dicko was expected to have problems with the romantic dances, but he invoked the spirit of his Grandmother, and deservedly came up trumps. As for Ada and Aric's tango  -  crikey, what a cracker! Chris and Trenno (he's just sex on legs) were beaten fair and square by better dances on the night, and are finally relieved of the mantle of repeated winner.  Game on!

A good, solid, honest, Sydney Western Suburbs girl needs a chip on her shoulder to work against, and it seems that the soft tissue injury to her ankle provided that. For those who don't know her, Chris has a preposterously high pain tolerance. Her first National News broadcast (on Seven's Late News, several years ago) was performed with a broken jaw, broken collarbone, 3 cracked ribs, 8 shattered teeth, and a nasty 10 stitch gash under her chin, after a bicycle accident.

In her heaviest period of contractions during labour with her little boy Darcy, she beat the paediatrician, four midwives (it was a quiet night on the ward), and Darcy's Dad at Trivial Pursuit. She ran with the Olympic Torch down Hunter Street, Newcastle, 8 months pregnant. She danced the waltz in Week One of DWTS, including the big spinning lift at the end, with two dislocated ribs. If Chris says she's hurt - it's bad.

At this stage, there doesn't appear to be any long term damage. Pat Richards played a decisive role in the Tigers NRL Grand Final victory with an injury, let's hope Chrissy can do the same in Dancing with the Stars, Series 3.


It was sad to see Our Dawn leave tonight. She is an inspiration. So full of fire, spirit and passion, but also grace and class. How she ever won silver medals, and not just golds, is a sporting conundrum. She is a champion through and through. A little over a week ago, she was standing on Victoria Road, outside the Tigers Leagues Club yelling at cars "Go you Tigers" after the Wests Tigers won the NRL Grand Final. That's all class.

As for her partner Gordon Gilkes, he is a true gentleman, and a wonderful ambassador for humanity. The entire Bathie Army salute them both. All viewers will miss them.
week 5

EPISODE 5:  "WOAH-OH, WE'RE HALF WAY THERE . . ."

And in the immortal words of a 21st century diva - "Whoops, I did it again!"

That's right - Bathie and Trenno have done it again. For the fifth straight week, they've topped the Cadbury Schweppes Leaderboard. This means that if the unthinkable happens, and they're kicked off the show next week, they will still have won half the episodes of Series 3, according to the judges.

Now, speaking of divas, word has leaked to (or should that be from...) the Bathie Army bunker, that our own Dancing Diva has been asked to ride Makybe Diva in the Melbourne Cup!  According to the rumour, Lee Freedman has been taking more than a passing interest in Bathie's shortening odds on Sportsbet. In an off the record interview, our fictitious source claims Freedman said: "She's my favourite newsreader.  She's a demon on the dance floor, who knows what she's capable of on a big strong horse..."

Once again The Bathie Army had a strong presence in the audience, with plenty of "Chris Bath News Heads" getting air time, and a lot of people, including The Human Bongo Luda Kroitor (the fabulous David Campbell's dance partner) "shaking their thangs" for Bathie - their "thangs" being the brand new "Vote For Bathie and Trenno Mini Maracas". 

It's been a big week for the Bathie army, with our DIY "Chris Bath News Head" freezing computers around the country (see amendment to instructions), Trenton (ooooh, his real name!) launching the website for his "Broadway Ballroom" dance studio and our humble weekly email missive gracing the hallowed virtual halls of Terry Television's cyber home.

There has however, been some concern about discipline and loyalty in the ranks, as Brodie's "Tight Tiger Trousered Tarzan" routine sent hormones racing, particularly among some of our boys from Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.

And while we're talking flesh, we can confirm that despite her threats to Paul Mercurio (and several requests sent in to the website) Chris is unlikely to dance in her birthday suit.  Besides, it still wouldn't make our Eastern Suburbs mates stand firm anyway!! 
So boys, get over it.  While we're all for tiger conservation, by all means get warm and fuzzy about Brodes, but while you do, RING UP AND SMS INCESSANTLY FOR CHRISSY! !


week 4

BATHIE ARMY PUTS IN ANOTHER BIG PERFORMANCE.

Another high standard night of suprises in this topsy turvey series, but the big story was the growth in the Bathie Army! The "Chris Bath News Head" masks were seemingly all around the studio last night, with a number of new members holding them up proudly. Earlier this week, we received our first unsolicited email of encouragement for Chris, and they are now starting to flow in. We'll endeavour to put a "do it yourself Chris Bath News Head mask" on this site soon, so all the new members can print one off and wave it around as they watch the show.

Once again, Chris and Trenton got top marks from the judges, but also recieved some very constructive criticism regarding their performance and involvement in the dance. Todd McKenney threw down the gauntlet to Chris, saying he wanted to: "see the real Chris. I've seen her a couple of times after the show and she's great fun - get her out!"

Episode four also saw Chris reveal her secret weapon, which has been eluded to on the Pics and Messages pages. She has dabled with yoga for a few years, but this year has been practicing several times a week, and the resulting strength, fitness balance and flexibility have been a real bonus in her dancing campaign.

On to the stats. And again, the average has far exceeded that of the same round last series. Only one contestant seemed to suffer from the "fourth round blues" - and that was due to recovering from footy finals fever, rather than being exhausted after 10 weeks of intensive ballroom training.



Average Mark
Highest Mark 
Lowest Mark
Marks <25
 Series 2 ep 4
 
22.87
30
13
4
 Series 3 ep 4

25.375
31
17
2



week 3

BATH LIFTS THE BAR  -  AGAIN ! ! ! !

Eat your heart out Meatloaf - how about three out of three!

That's right, for the third week in a row, the Wonderful Westies have won "Dancing With The Stars", with a "static and dramatic" (thanks Mark Wilson) tango, which left the judges floundering for criticism.

While her biggest supporter wasn't there tonight, he was strongly represented, with a couple of courageous members of the "Bathie Army" getting plenty of air time with their Chris and Darcy masks.

The weekly wins are probably becoming an albatross around Chris and Trenno's necks at the moment. Seems all the competitors have seen the standard and raised theirs to match. Tonight's was unbelievably high, from Ada's bright, bubbly jive, to Brodie Holland looking smooth, fluid. And kicking with his left foot?- where did that come from?!? He got a well deserved 30 - bet he wishes he could notch up five straight kicks in a match for a neat 30 points!!!

The average score last night was a staggering 27.4!

This is approaching the scores the dancers were receiving in rounds 9 & 10 in the last series:

Episode #
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
Average score
 21.70
 23.50
 26.55
 22.87
 25.00
 24.00
 24.20
 24.25
 31.5
 33.85

Will we see a drop-off in scores next week as we did in the last series? Keep watching to find out. Regardless of all this, we must not become complacent, let's GET ON THE PHONE AND START VOTING!!

Remember, The Canberra Raiders were on top of the table in the sixth round this year, and they've got splinters in their hands from their late grab at the wooden spoon.

How do we save Chris and Trenno from the same fate?? WE RING UP AND SMS INCESSANTLY - THAT'S HOW ! ! !
week 2

CHRIS AND TRENTON - BACK TO BACK WINS! ! !

For the second week running, Chris and Trenno got top marks from the judges.  It was 2 points lower than last week, but the judges have responded to the high standard of the competition, and lifted the bar a little, being a lot more liberal with the 4s and 5s tonight.

The Dancing Newsreader fairly sizzled on the floor with her partner Trenton, in a shimmering purple frock (isn't purple the colour of sexual frustration??),  and made it very clear to anyone watching that there definitely are legs under that news desk.

It was however unneccesarily cruel to read her name out last on the list of people definitely staying for next week. The producers claim it was in no particular order. Was it a cruel prank? Was it simply because she's used to working under pressure, so they thought she'd be fine? Was it because she got the top marks from the judges, so she should have known she was safe?

***WARNING statistical analysis follows - some surfers may find this next bit somewhat tedious***

It is a fascinating anomaly in the way the show is marked, that it's quite possible to come first with the judges, (10 points) but last with the phone poll (1 point) and actually get kicked off.  Usually there are a few tied scores in the judges marks, so they get equal points, meaning that the bottom ranked dancers get 2, 3 or even 4, depending on how many ties there are.With the enormous numbers of public votes, a tie is highly unlikely, meaning the bottom ranker in the popular vote gets only 1.

In the first two episodes, the bottom score from the judges received 4 points. If they were 4th in the popular vote, they would have 11, but the popular vote in such an instance outranks the fabulous judges mark, hence the winner with the judges can get kicked off.

The lesson to learn from this analysis?? VOTE EARLY AND VOTE OFTEN!
week 1

CHRIS AND TRENTON WIN EPISODE 1 ! ! !

What a night! With a score of 30, Chris and Trenton (or "Trenno" as he's now being called) have won the opening episode of the Seven Network's hit show "Dancing With The Stars"! Tragic though, that it was a "dead rubber" where the judges' scores don't count - all the more reason to VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN!!!!

Yes, there was a wardrobe malfunction. Yes, the hostess with the mostest, Sonia Kruger, mocked the world of TV journalism. Yes, the waltz is supposed to be romantic, and they giggled through it like naughty school children. But the dislocated ribs held on for the final lift and spin, and they survived their first encounter with Todd "Just A Gigolo" McKenny.

It's clear that Series 3 of Dancing With The Stars is going to be even more hotly contested than Series 2.  All the stars have obviously studied the two previous series at length, and the standard of all the contestants has lifted.  Here's how the stats stack up:



Average Mark
Highest Mark 
Lowest Mark
Marks <20
Marks >23
 Series 2 ep 1
 
21.7
28
17
4
3
 Series 3 ep 1

24.4
30
20
0
6

The lower end especially has lifted significantly, so it's going to be close.
See the Pics page for shots from the night.

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