Fan Fare, What's New, Pussycat?
Here’s where you’ll find TJ photos and stories that don’t fit into any other categories. It is, as its name says, just for fans — and, hopefully, for fun.
Tom On “Dancing With the Stars”
Thursday, September 14th, 2006
What can we say? (Well, you know we’ll say something.) Tom was great but, otherwise, Dancing With the Stars is, well, indescribable…..execrable. But, then, there’s Sir Tom.
He looked amazing……we got calls from friends across the country who said they watched because they know we “like” him and now want to see more of him.
Like many others who commented on the post below, we could have done with some new material. It’s Not Unusual is his best known song (Well, maybe Green Green Grass is, but who would dance to it?) But, She’s A Lady? It’s as if whomever planned the show doesn’t give the audience any credit; doesn’t think the audience can accept anything new or slightly different so they’ve got to give the audience the same old stuff. And that’s too bad, because Tom is so much more than just the guy who was popular in the early 70s. But you’d never know it from this show. He was treated like a legacy act who hasn’t had a hit in years. Pity.
(Note: We hate to seem like we always nitpick but we all know how much more Tom has to offer and we just wish the producers and critics would see it, too.)
On the up side — it was great seeing Darelle, Sharon and Tony there with him. Great, too, that Tom acknowledged them. It was so nice to see them applaud Tom at the end of She’s A Lady. And we like Tony’s new stage look. On the subject of new looks, we hope the stylist used for the show stays on Tom’s staff. This is someone who knows how to dress the guy. And, that wink (pictured above) that captured so many hearts was difficult to capture as a stand-alone moment, but we hope you’ll get the idea.
But, whatever our quibbles, it was so tremendous seeing Tom on TV here in North America. His appearances are waaay too few and far between and we’re happy to report that 17 million people tuned in to see him last night..
For more photos, go check out our Screen Shots flickr set. There are 12 photos from the show. Hope you enjoy ‘em.
For what it’s worth (and it’s not worth much) someone posted a clip from the show on youtube.com titled by the poster “Tom Jones Looking Nervous On Dancing With The Stars.” For the record, he doesn’t look nervous so much as if he’s saying, “Wait a minute! They didn’t give me this camera cuel I didn’t know I’d have a live camera pointed at my face.” In the photo above, also just before a commercial break, they obviously told him. But, this sure makes the quality of the show evident. If you find more, better clips, let us know. Thanks
September 14th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Ellen, Ursula, thanks for your review. I couldn’t agree more. Tom was just awesome! Thanks for posting those pics. I really appreciate all you do for Tom’s fans.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:22 am
I think I can say Tom is looking his best in those pictures. Thanks so much to Ellen and Ursula for all their work in bringing us the best in up-to-date news, and on top of that the great pictures. Love the ones with the dancer. When I saw her run almost the entire length of the stage and up to the steps to throw her arms around Tom’s neck, it was so reminiscent of his old TV show when he had all those dancers literally falling at his feet. I could see his face as he looked then…yummmmmmmmmm…..and he is still looking mighty fine!!!!
September 15th, 2006 at 10:28 am
ET last night mentioned Dancing and said how good it was to see Tom Jones back on TV. I couldn’t agree more. We should be able to see more to Tom and enjoy this tremendous talent for many years to come. I hope he takes good care of himself!
September 15th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
17 million viewers, 17 million possible buyers..Stoned In Love, Sexbomb, Mr. Jones, Tom & Jools…17 million reasons to sing something new. Missed chance. Seventeen million people will think he’s still in the 70’s. TV made him huge in the 60’s. How do we get him on tv again? Any suggestions?
September 15th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Andre, I agree with you completely.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
He’s got an agent at The William Morris Agency in Beverly Hills, CA. Perhaps we all can innundate him with suggestions, as well as give a few choice words regarding the song selection the other night, choice of TV venue and LACK of national TV exposure, etc. since the UK management team doesn’t seem very responsive. I mean, hell, what’s the 15% for? All right, mind you, TJ’s songs are on many TV commercials and tv shows. I was watching Crossing Jordan the other day (rerun) and they had one of his songs from the Red, White and Blues album — I think that’s where it was from. The agent is listed in the Official web-site, either in the contact or media contact section.
Hmm, I’ve gotta stop writing in here. You all are going to think I’m not a very nice person from all my griping.
September 15th, 2006 at 7:42 pm
Dana:
That’s what this site is for. Critiques and ideas — real discussion about Tom’s career — is why we launched tji.com. So, don’t feel bad. The thoughtfulness of the people who post; the thought they give to Tom’s career, is very impressive. Thanks to you and everyone who adds so much to the site.
Tom rules and his fans do, too.
September 17th, 2006 at 8:43 am
Dana, I don’t think you’re griping at all…you, like the rest of us, only want everyone to know, understand, appreciate, and love Sir Tom the way we do! Those who think he’s still stuck in the 70s are missing out on so much!!! Hopefully, Tom being on “Dancing with the Stars” will lead to more such appearances. And, maybe, the more people who find out about this wonderful site that keeps us all informed on upcoming events, the latest news, and everything else “TJ” (thanks to Ellen and Ursula), more people will come to realize that Tom Jones is a living and still performing legend!!! Cheers to all!
September 18th, 2006 at 11:21 am
Nervous? Nah. D’OH! Someone should have told him the camera began rolling!
September 18th, 2006 at 9:41 pm
it is nice to see tom jones on tv.does anyone know if tom has a email so you can send tom a email and does he send you a email back if you send hem one.let me know about this.than you.fan of tom.
September 20th, 2006 at 5:44 am
Fay (#9), I agree. They should have cued him that the camera was rolling! Oh well, our Tom looked gorgeous anyway!
September 20th, 2006 at 6:01 pm
OK, as cornball as the show is, I must admit watching for Tom last week did get me hooked to see the rest of the competition. I must say, that this weeks musical entertainment was quite a let down (no surprise coming from a TJ fan). Wholio? They should invite Tom back for the final show, and let him choose his own material to sing. I’m assuming it was the networks idea to have him do old standards. If anyone knows for sure please share. However frustrated we may have been with the way Tom was presented, a national live TV appearence does get attention. My Avon lady (to whom I’ve never mentioned I am a TJ fan) called me the following day on business, and the subject came up in the form of a positive review on her part. Made my day.
September 21st, 2006 at 3:28 pm
Thanks guys (”Mod” and Deb). I was just starting to feel I was being negative and I know lots of people don’t want that; don’t want to hear it. I have a tendency to call ‘em as I see ‘em. Since you have pics from the Dancing with the Stars show, I assume you taped the show. And I assume you have replayed it several times (lucky you!), do you agree or disagree that his voice cracked during It’s Unusual? And oh by the way, I got a chance to see Tower of Power this past week. Oh! They are good. Re: Fay #9 and Chris #11: Oh yeah, that was kinda funny. “Hmmm, I wonder when they’re going to cue me. They pulled me out of the dressing room and told me to stand here. I’ve been waiting awhile. So what am I going to do after the show, I should… OH! The camera light is on… “
September 23rd, 2006 at 9:47 am
Dana:
An honest, well-thought out critique is not being “negative.” It’s a reflection of your concern and curiosity, nothing more. And it’s most welcome from everyone who posts here.
Though we haven’t “replayed it several times” (because the show is so loathesome), we agree. Tom didn’t hit every note spot on. But that happens to many performers, even the best one extant and ever.
As for his “deer in the headlights” moment, it was, likely, just as you said. Sloppy direction of an awful show. Just another indication of how bad it truly is. Tom was definitely the shining moment in an otherwise forgettable series.
September 23rd, 2006 at 8:57 pm
What a man, what a man, what a MIGHTY GOOD MAN!!! Tom Looks Fan-Freekin’-Tastic!!! Sounded GREAT as usual, and looked oh so sexy!! The picture above captures him perfectly with that impish little wink! A saucy sly devil he is, but always knows PERFECTLY well exactly what to do to keep us all coming back for MORE, MORE, MORE!!! Thank you again, Tom, for another fun night!
NOTE TO NETWORKS… I will watch any show you can book TOM JONES on to… Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, WHATEVER!!! Just want to see more of him on American TV !!!!
September 29th, 2006 at 8:38 pm
it is nice to see to jones on tv.thank you again;tom for another fun night!