Dance

(Newser) - Kanye West was just a toddler when Roland launched the TR-808 in 1980, but the drum machine has proven so influential that it figures in the title of the music titan's latest album, 808s and Heartbreak . "Today the 808 stands as hip-hop's answer to rock's Stratocaster—an iconic instrument that's changed the way we hear music," writes Chris Richards for Slate. More »

(Newser) - Brooke Burke and her partner Derek Hough have been crowned the champions of this year's Dancing With the Stars , People reports. The pair scored a perfect 30 for their final dance and came out first in the viewers' votes. Burke, who beat Warren Sapp and Lance Bass to the mirror-ball trophy, is the third female contestant to be Dancing champ. More »

(Newser) - Justin Timberlake donned a leotard and heels for a surprise guest appearance on Saturday Night Live this weekend, People reports. The singer played one of three incompetent backup dancers, reuniting with real-life duet partner Beyoncé—who ultimately fired the trio. JT rubbed up against Beyoncé and repeatedly intoned a breathy, "We're the dancers." More »

(Newser) - Here’s an issue that’s gone largely unaddressed on the campaign trail: Which candidate can bust a move for America? A number of videos floating around the Internet attest to Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s ability to groove, the Chicago Tribune reports. Ellen DeGeneres held a Barack-Michelle dance-off, and some tricky filmmakers superimposed Obama and McCain heads on break-dancing bodies. See clips at left. More »

(Newser) - At 82, actress Cloris Leachman is a surprise hit on the current season of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars , the New York Times notes, having outlasted sex-tape ingénue Kim Kardashian and others. The Oscar winner, who has a Tarantino film and more waiting in the wings, did the reality show as a lark—but says she had to beg to get on. More »

(Newser) - Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor confirmed last night that she is leaving ABC’s Dancing With the Stars after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon. “I'm out,” the beach volleyball champ announced during yesterday’s show, OK! reports. She said she “heard a pop doing the lindy hop” in rehearsal Friday, landing her in a Los Angeles hospital. More »

(Newser) - Olympic beach volleyball gold-medalist Misty May-Treanor suffered an injury that may knock her out of competition this season—of ABC's Dancing With the Stars, reports People . The athlete, who has cited wearing heels as one of her biggest ballroom challenges, did not break her ankle, but no further details about her injury have been made available. More »

(Newser) - Kim Kardashian was inconsolable after being the surprise elimination on Dancing with the Stars last night, People reports. Off camera, Kardashian ran to her family and broke down into tears. "