But it was the Artest's sketchy stage presence and raunchy, shirtless act that ultimately captured center stage and nearly turned off all the lights. Artest and his dancing partner Peta Murgatroyd placed dead last, with only 15 total points after the first round of competition.
Totally lacking charisma, Artest's performance and feigned panache paled in comparison to former dancing jocks Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Warren Sapp, Clyde Drexler, Apollo Ono, Louie Vito, Rick Fox, Chad Ochocinco and Hines Ward, who previously excelled on the DWTS stage.
Artest's boorish attempt at entertainment failed miserably. For a guy reaching for the dancing stars, what on earth was he trying to say when he got censored in his pre-dance video? What on earth was he hoping to accomplish doing a cheesy cha cha in a carnival barker's outfit? And why on earth would he allow his eyes to so obviously ogle host Brooke Burke in front of 20 million viewers as she attempted to interview him post-dance?
From my vantage point, this blond-haired, modern-day NBA bad boy, now known as Metta World Peace, was not making any new friends on Dancing with the Stars.
Artest will probably not last past Week 2 of DWTS Season 13, as his dancing dis-ability combines with a zero rating on what I call the Dancing with the Stars likeability factor. It’s the DWTS likeability factor that allows even dabbling dancers to stay afloat as their fumbling feet learn to catch up with their sparkling and entertaining personalities.
