Scandal on the Dance Floor: Did Jane Catch Air?

Oct. 16, 2007 — -- From the middle school gym to center stage, are dances really complete without scandal?

Though a tiny lift off the ground may not be the same as gyrating hips, it can cause controversy on the hardwood of "Dancing With the Stars."

The star: actress Jane Seymour. The dance: the Viennese waltz. The performance: It depends on which judge you ask. Some say it was flawless, while others quickly pointed out an egregious violation of the rules.

Seymour and her partner, dancer Tony Dovolani, floated across the hardwood, dancing the Viennese waltz to the tune, "Piano Man," delivering, to the untrained eye, a seemingly seamless performance.

But one judge thought otherwise.

As the couple finished their performance and waltzed over to hear the verdict, judge Carrie Ann Inaba said she was "bummed" after catching a lift in the performance — a clear violation of the show's rules.

"I have to say right off the bat, of course it was gorgeous and when you dance it's like watching a masterpiece, you hit the most elegant lines, I won't take that away from you. We have a rule about lifts and you pushed it. I felt did you a lift. I felt your feet were [not] on the ground," Inaba said.

The contestants immediately denied the accusations.

"I was very adamant that the foot was on the ground," Dovolani said emphatically.

Former USA Dance president and professional dancer Peter Povor said a lift is defined as "any movement during which the dancer has both feet off the ground at the same time."

And from what he could tell, a lift, albeit minor, was evident.

"Several couples pulled the girls off the floor — I thought Jane Seymour was the least egregious of these offenders from the angle I was watching through my tube," Prover said.

Earlier in the evening, contestant Sabrina Bryan was briefly accused of including a lift in her performance, though the issue was quickly dismissed.

The no-lift rule in ballroom dancing was created with safety in mind, as it is traditionally performed with more than one couple on the floor.

And stilettos are dangerous, for those wearing them, as well as innocent bystanders.

"She's kicking her legs — it can get dangerous," Povor said.

He added that for "Dancing With the Stars" it is also an issue of advantage — ensuring that one physically able couple doesn't have an advantage over another.

"Lifts in the waltz, while allowed in performances that are simply performed for entertainment, are not allowed in competition," said Melanie LaPatin, a choreographer and co-owner of Dance Times Square in New York, and a four-time Latin dance champion.

LaPatin added that in competition, a dancer could potentially be disqualified if a lift is caught. On "Dancing With the Stars," the penalty is points being deducted and sometimes a firing squad of judges.

Even though the judges were unable to see the lift in question in an instant replay, Inaba did not back down.

"I saw the feet come off the ground," Inaba said.

And as the heated debate ensued, everyone got involved.

"I don't want to get on about lifts. I think Mark did a lift and somebody a couple of weeks ago," judge Len Goodman said. "For me this week is lift-free zone."

And then the judges quarreled among themselves, critiquing each other's calls.

The usually by-the-book Goodman seemed to overlook the lift.

"It's a rule, Len. Since when does the head judge go so soft?" Inaba said.

Despite Inaba's badgering, Goodman persisted with his compliments.

"Beautiful interchange between steps and holding apart, beautiful arms. One or two heel leads missed but great job," he said.

Judge Bruno Tonioli had no complaints. "To me looked like serene highness, queen of the fairies — it was just delicious. I loved the turning attitude, balance that was exquisite."

The end result?

With a score of 26, an eight from Carrie Ann, a nine from Goodman and a nine from Tonioli, the couple landed in third place for the evening — falling behind Bryan in first and Jennie Garth, Cameron Mathison and Helio Castroneves who all tied for second.