Did You See The New Reality Show - Dancing With The Research Stars!
I do enjoy some of the realty shows because it gives me the opportunity to give some thought as to whether I could do what these people are doing. All over the place in Dallas we are hearing about the always outgoing Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner who recently competed in Dancing with the Stars. It gave me a little time to pause and think about a new realty show that should come out very soon.
What I did was give some thought to some of the folks who might compete in this show. I broke down the show into a few different categories:
Young:
Lance Hoffman — Opinion Access
Sarah Kotvah — Fieldwork
Jason Miller — Performance Plus
Jacki Spear — Online Survey Solutions
Other: ______________
This was a very hard category for me. Although I think Lance "Twinkle toes" Hoffman would be great and Sarah and Jacki would be stars there is nothing like watching a fellow Bostonian cut up the dance floor. For that reason Jason Miller gets my vote.
A Little Older:
Michelle Elster — Rabin Research
Steve Schlesinger — Schlesinger Associates
Lynn Stallone — IHR Research Group
Ed Sugar — On-line Communication
Other: ______________
This was an easy choice for me. Is there anything better than seeing a guy dancing with his pony tail flying all over the place? No disrespect to Michelle, Lynn and Ed but Steve gets my vote.
More Experienced:
Betty Anne Champion — GFK Strategic Marketing
Jeffrey Lorber — Myers Research Group
Joe Ottaviani — Burke
Merrill Shugoll — Shugoll Research
Other: ______________
This was another hard choice for me. Over the years I have probably seen all of these candidates dance. These people have class, grace, and experience but only one of them shares my name so my choice would go to Merrill "I Love the Name" Shugoll.
End User:
Jill Donahue — Nestle Purina
Jon Last — Golf Digest
Bob Graham — Energizer
Regina Lewis — Intercontinental Hotel
Other: ______________
I am not 100% sure but Jon probably dances like I do which would mean I couldn’t possibly give him my vote. Bob Graham loves the Red Sox and is a UMASS graduate and that alone probably would do it but I am going to have to go in another direction. That leaves Jill and Regina — a tough choice for sure. Since this is my show I will say that both of them get my vote and make the show.
I hope everyone who reads this enjoys my Friday humor and takes my commentary in the spirit I meant it.
- What are your choices?
- There is an "other" category so feel free to write in candidates.
I look forward to your choices.
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:55 am
For those of you who recently attended the chapter event in Atlanta, it is safe to say that Mike Holmes from EMI Surveys and Tara Miller from Accurate Research hands down would be the team to beat in any dance competition…
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:59 am
No offense taken Merrill. I’m sure Steve’s a better dancer — and since I don’t have a pony-tail….well…there you go!
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:03 am
I think the highlight of the series could be a dance-off between me and Yankee fan Jennie Lovejoy doing a Papelbon-style stepdance to “Shippin’ Off to Boston”!
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:13 am
I would say I am speechless, but we all know that would be a lie. I appreciate the candidacy, and while I can’t say for sure that I would win (unless there was a break-dancing episode), I am sure I could dance circles around Miller, simply judging by the way he walks!
Gotta go with Joe for the more experienced - he’s just got too much energy to possibly make a bad showing. While I think Steve would bring a ton of style to the competition, for some reason I have to think that Ed Sugar would represent quite well.
Lastly, I have to go with Jon. Judging from what I know he shoots on the golf course, I gotta think “here’s a guy that will stay calm, cool and collected under the pressure.”
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:16 am
….Well, at least I got to the dance! It’s been a long time since I put on the “Capezios”!
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:41 am
Thanks for the nomination - Since I won the “fast dance” contest in 8th grade, jitterbugging with Cathy Duchensky past a pair of erstwhile 9th graders who dared present that new dance “The Twist” - it was a slam-dunk and I feel OK resting on my laurels!
P.S. I’m comfortable with “More Experienced” although “Old Fart” may have worked equally as well.
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:16 am
Bob,
I think that we should set that up right away! I am sure Jennie is up for that!
In fact I may even pay to watch that!
Merrill
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:23 am
If I get your vote, how come you never volunteered to be my partner on the dance floor. Could it be that your real name is Merrill, the Chicken, I love the name Dubrow?
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Hilarious. Given the fact that I am such a klutz that I can’t walk without falling down or into a wall, I can only imagine the amount of abuse that would be foisted upon me if I even tried to dance. I have to agree with most of your choices - especially Steve with the pony-tail. Definitely extra points there!
Best regards,
Lynn
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:15 pm
I am completely taken a back and not happy with how you are using my good name.
Jason
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:25 pm
First I will say …I did not pay Merrill to put me in the “Young” category, but I sure am thankful! It is some stiff competition in my category, but I would do my best. As long as you don’t put me on American Idol! I can’t sing to save my life!
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Thanks for the vote Stephenie! I don’t know about future competitions but I had a lot of fun in Atlanta, and it was almost worth the uncontrollable laughing that occurred in my office after viewing the pictures. I am having a hard time convincing them I actually went for educational purposes.
Hope to see you in NY!
Tara
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:19 pm
As many of you know, I just hate sharing my thoughts and opinions with people. I am such a shy sort. However, I must address the category into which I was placed. Merrill, just say it like it is: The “Waltzing with walkers” group. Regardless of what we are called, Joe and I can out shimmy and shake the less “experienced” group any day…. as a matter of fact I think I have an old pair of go-go boots in my closet.
Good work
B
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:37 pm
I think with all this banter, we’re going to need to have an actual “dance-off” at an upcoming conference!
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Oh boy… It can be a 2-day Chapter Event. Day 1 is lessons for a couple hours after the President’s Reception and Day 2 are the performances.
I can just see it now… what a hilarious idea.
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Not sure everyone has seen Zoolander but I refuse to try the underwear scene in that dance off - that could hurt, let’s not go there
Bring it on - salsa, meringue, hustle, electric slide, polka, break dancing - I am game
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:42 pm
We need three days: Day 3, intensive physical therapy and pain management (special track for “Experienced Group” by invitation only)
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:54 pm
I love the fact that Steve referenced Zoolander - I might have to switch to the “pony” over the “sugar.”
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Lance,
I think I am making a mistake by asking but what is that?
Merrill
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Merrill, thank you for including me. Only problem I strive to have “two left” feet.
Not to sound like a “kiss ***” employee, but I have to say Tom and Peggy O’Connor have to be added to “More Experienced” team. At our holiday party, they are the first ones on and the last ones off the dance floor.
November 3rd, 2007 at 9:45 am
A quick thanks to Jason Miller and Lance Hoffman who supplied pictures of their dancing style that we posted on this blog.
Merrill
November 4th, 2007 at 8:32 am
Merrill,
May I have this dance?
http://www.dancesisterdance.com/myvid/index.php?v=d8078df7135f36
(Copy and paste this into your browser)
Colleen
November 5th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Colleen,
I am speechless. That video is hysterical.
Thanks for sharing and putting a smile on my face!
Merrill
November 5th, 2007 at 11:17 am
It’s ironic that Colleen sent the funniest video I’ve seen in a long time because I was going to post my opinion that she was unforgivably left on the nomination list. I am, in fact, more offended that she was left off than the fact I was!
November 5th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Amy/Colleen,
Thanks for your email. The screening process for this NEW reality show was very challenging to say the least. At the beginning I had more categories but paired it back because I really didn’t want to offend anyone. You both were considered but unfortunately didn’t make the final cut. I would love to blame it on “secret” judges but since I write all of these crazy topics - that would be me.
Perhaps you will make it it another contest.
Merrill
November 5th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Let’s go for the real “Dancing with Researchers”. Here’s a clip of Warren Pino and his fiancee Yenni, Warren is with Q&A Research, this clip is an actual competition, they took 2nd Place. They did not know what music would be played, so there was not a pre-practiced dance routine. Sorry to the rest of you, but Warren and Yenni get my vote!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTE-sQOQuJQ
November 5th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Colleen, I laughed so hard I had two people ask me what was so funny!!! Merrill you look great in a boa! Thanks for making my day! Naomi
November 5th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Lucy,
They get my vote - WOW! They are amazing - how good was the team that finished first?
Thanks for sharing.
Merrill
November 5th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Amy,
I couldn’t agree with you more…why didn’t we make the cut? I can shake my grove thing and I know you can too!!!!
Naomi,
I am glad that I was able to make your day.
Colleen