crossover

I'm surprised by this statement. Most people admit that Laurie is the best dancer. It's just that when there's a decent and attractive male celeb, people fall in love with him and the praises become OTT. He puts me in mind of Helio who also won. I guess it helps to be small if you're a race car driver? I know it helps to make the dance moves look better if you are small.

Agree. And it's not that there aren't competent celebs. I knew Laurie would be good and she is a cutie. But I really don't rewatch her routines. Maybe because I can't forget how young she is and I normally don't care for Val's choreo. I picked James as one of the finalists in the beginning. But I'm not as enamored as most viewers and I normally don't care for Sharna's choreo or dancing. So I don't rewatch his routines. Calvin has always been a dark horse. I didn't think he would make the finals--mainly because of the height difference between Lindsay and him. I've rewatched some of his routines because I'm amazed that he and Lindsay were able to perform as well as they did. I knew Jana was good after the first week but I never appreciated Gleb's overt sexual tone. So I don't rewatch her routines. I guess Laurie should win because she is the best. I like Calvin because I'm so surprised by his development. I know a lot of the women viewers like James so he's deserving. Jana really has no chance. I was surprised to read someone compared her to Paige--I guess they were saying they didn't connect with her like they didn't connect with Paige? I understand this because I feel the same about James.

Really didn't mean for a back and forth. I just expected to see more of a couple interaction rotating, turning, swinging out/in, etc. I guess I like the shadow move as well. Emphasis on the knee action in the beginning, foot placement, the steady fast pace reminded me more of jive. I know they went with mostly tricks which is smart because the audience like them best. I thought the beginning was cute and it put you in the mood. Really the middle part was more broadway. There's really not that much of a difference between the two. You and others got the jitterbug feel. I got the jive feel.

Relax Redfiat. I think TPTB will do all they can to get James in the finals. But I agree with Thadeeeyus and Len--it looked more like a jive. You don't have to throw Calvin, or anyone else for that matter, under the bus in order to elevate James. Besides, he's already captured the DWTS women viewers' hearts. You should be enjoying things because they've even maneuvered to bring Laurie back to the pack.

Before the show starts, I pick based on what I think the celeb dance ability or fanbase may be. After the first couple of weeks, you will know the abilities. Another couple of weeks and you'll know who the demo and TPTB favors. I really don't like most of Sharna's choreography and I seldom like the chemistry she has with her partners. However, in reading the boards, she seems to be a favorite and TPTB seem to like her as well. James was such an unknown to most of the US DWTS audience. So why would they pair him with Sharna (one of TPTB favorites who hasn't won yet)? There was no other male who look like a DWTS juggernaut. TBH, I'm surprised by Calvin. He's so tall (and large feet) that I figured he wouldn't be "pleasing" to the eye when he dances. Shorter men just look better on the dance floor especially with the shorter female pro. By process of elimination, I figured James must be the best male celeb this season. Chances are a male will be part of the F3--not a guarantee, just a good chance. I put w-a-y too much thought into this show. There's so much manipulation that this is one of the ways that I have fun with the show.

RedFiat/spanana--I guess James is your favorite??? There really isn't a couple that pulls me in on a weekly basis or any that repel me for that matter. So no horse in the race. Just making observations and conspiracy theories because it's fun. There will always be people who don't see things the same way you do. After seeing the partnerships (before the show started), I selected Laurie as the winner with Marilu and James following. So I'm not as surprised about him doing well as most. It just looks like they are trying to sure up his support. However it looks like Marilu won't make it eventhough I loved her last dance. Oh well. I still think she was a good bet.

Maybe this is why I've never liked the Val/Laurie partnership. She should have a strong enough fanbase to keep her in until their connection improves. I don't care how good you are. Chemistry between partners means a lot.

Agree because Paige had a lot of dance training. So they would've looked fine together. If she would've had as strong of a connection with him as she did with Mark is doubtful. Mark seems to have a way of making them feel safe, secure, respected and valued. But I'm glad they're giving the favorite teenager to someone else as well. I just wish it had been someone other than Val.

They're pushing James really hard. Phony jeopardy, inflated scores, prime order placement and now this. Well Bindi started this way as well. Anything to do with DWTS included pictures of Bindi/Derek during their season. Maybe it will work for James/Sharna as well--especially with his life changing story. Maybe if Sharna wins, they can start giving Emma some of the good celebs?

I agree. I didn't like the Val and Laurie pairing from the beginning. I knew it would be a while before I could see/feel their connection. They did fine with the fun routines. She has an infectious smile. I think they'll get back to those.

The opening number was ballroom!!! Mandy did a good job. I think this was the week to dock Laurie. PD is such a tricky style for a woman to shine. If they wanted her best this week, they would've saved the jazz. She's PROBABLY bringing in the most votes by far. So they can afford to criticize her. With putting James in jeopardy last week and the placement this week, I think TPTB are trying to strengthen his voting support. I think he's one they want in the finals or at least the semi's. I thought this was an entertaining night. No one was truly awful. On DWTS, I look to be entertained. The technique doesn't have to be great but it can't take me out of the mood of the dance. By this time, there should be a good partner connection. Then, if the pro has great choreography comparable to the music, it can be a nice escape. Having said all that, I have to say Lindsay/Calvin's routine gave me the most joy. With him being so tall and having large feet, he's never going to look polish in the length of time he has on DWTS. But, I smiled the entire time. Marilu/Derek's routine was so romantic/flowy. I was transported to a happy/peaceful place. She finally showed her training throughout the whole piece. Sharna/James' routine was the best technical performance. It didn't affect me emotionally. Really don't know why but something was amiss. Maybe because the tango looked generic, like the rest? He did really well. I love contemporary but on this show it is merely seviceable. Amber still looks so timid and Maks choreography didn't work for me. So she's at the bottom. The rest of the routines were nice. Just a step below. So, I can see why the scores were so close. However, I think it was more clear that Amber was the worst instead of James being the best.

Like you stated, that's your prerogative. BTW, I didn't mean that I knew of him. I was just playing the odds because of the Sharna connection. It's a shame that they cut off his Canadian fanbase. I guess they want to give Laurie every chance possible. She is a cutie though.

Pairing him with Sharna was enough for me to think he must have dance ability or a decent fanbase.

OK. I really don't remember the others counting during this kind of time? But I know the female pros would backlead and the male pros would drag their partners around until they caught up.

Most of the pros have problems relaying the art side for their celeb. It seems like in the earlier seasons, they would bring a female pro in to help the female celeb and vice versa? Maybe it was just an experiment. Of course if the female pro is not ballroom (Allison), she will have a harder time choreographing for a beginner and teaching him the nuances involved because she hadn't spent years in the ballroom environment. Experience in anything is always desired. The male celeb part could become boring and repetitive when the stabilizing parts are used for most of the dance, like Edyta use to do. And the female pro would still end up back leading. Allison can't do this. I think that's why the male celebs won more in the earlier seasons--the female pros could back lead and do the flourishing parts; the male pros could lead but they couldn't make the female celebs look beautiful if they weren't; and if they overdanced, it spotlighted the male instead of the female role. Then, TPTB really relaxed the requirements and the female ringers started winning the MBT. I wish TPTB would bring on more pro competition ballroom dancers as well. More dancers like Louis and Karina. But it looks like they've settled on entertaining and variety as the priority instead of the celeb's progression in ballroom technique. Afterall, Nyle won last season and he never corrected his posture/frame.

The bolded may be correct. But you can't be sure because there's been several celebs who had ballroom pros and we've said they would've done better if they had had so 'n so. We really don't know what Babyface learned. But we do know the last choreography was too much for him.

Unless you're just a favorite or have a decent fanbase causing you to last longer than you should, I think most celebs have more in them once they past three or four weeks. Considering this season's cast, I still don't see Babyface lasting longer with anyone else. Of Sharna, Peta, Anna, Karina, or Kym, Kym is the only one I can see who could've made a big difference. She creates entertaining routines and has good chemistry with her partners. Maybe Karina could've gotten him another week? She use to create intricate routines (for beginners) but she's loosened up. Sharna normally gets the dance savvy celeb or the ones with decent fanbases and they go far. Otherwise, they were quick exits. Peta gets the abled or better-knowned celeb as well Otherwise, they were quick exits. Can't remember Anna as being a difference maker? She couldn't win with Evan. After week one, no one is surprised by Laurie, Jana, James, Terra or Calvin. Maureen and Marilu should have decent fan support especially Marilu with Derek's fanbase as well; and the Marcia Marcia Marcia sentiment. TPTB received or created controversy for Ryan and Amber which usually means at least a short term support system. Plus they have two of the popular pros and their fanbases. So who would Babyface had replaced? Now if you just want to criticize Allison's last choreographed routine, I'm with you. It was too advanced for Babyface. People should take a page out of Maks/Val's book during the first weeks (unless you have a ringer)--simplistic, baby steps, arse around and shortened.

I know most people would rather have a ballroom pro who had been on the circuit instead of Allison but she's not the reason that Babyface finished where he did. Nor is she the reason why Riker didn't win. The danced-trained male celebs (Mario, Corbin, etc) haven't won. Babyface may have lasted another week with a different pro, but I don't think so. This is probably where he would've ended up considering his dance ability, fanbase and the dwts fans not being his demographic. That's why I wasn't surprised about Vanilla Ice--it's not his demographic either. Amber should be next for the same reasons unless her latest with Julianne and Maks partnership spark some support. That may give her another week.

I like her ballroom choreography better than her jazz/contemporary. Didn't like her SYTYCD routine at all. She's not as good at performing or teaching ballroom as the ballroom dancers. But her routines are usually entertaining. But, contemporary routines are hard to conceptualize, especially in the little time allotted on these reality shows. But for DWTS, she does ok at contemporary because the emphasis is on the music really.

I guess I've watched too much. James was one of my picks for the finals. So far so good. I knew nothing about him but I saw they had paired him with Sharna. TPTB have been trying to get her a win or at least to keep her in the game. I THINK everyone knows that Laurie is suppose to win. I don't like to see her dance with Val but she is a cutie and good (Kristi, Shawn, Meryl). Since TPTB became so obvious with their manipulations, it's fun to try to figure out one of their pets. But it looks like I whiffed on Marilu.

I think Maks is the sexier brother as well. And, Maks does have a sense of humor. I really loved it when he was partnered with Mel B. Derek's sense of humor isn't as prevalent but he's shown his as well, especially when he had Amber R.

I miss Mark as well. Derek is a good choreographer but I've always preferred Mark's routines (good or bad). Come to think of it, I prefer Mark's dancing as well. But Derek is better at choreographing, staging and dancing when it comes to making the celeb look good. Looking back, I never missed Derek last season. And I haven't missed Maks. I missed Cheryl a little because I prefer her (and Kym) choreography over the pro ladies that we had last season.

Hopefully this won't hurt him much. Afterall, it didn't hurt Nyle at all.

I agree but I also accepted a long time ago that most of the voters think otherwise.

1. Of course Laurie is the best. Just trying to see who will be the other finalists. Kinda like Meryl and Maks. Val has quite a few inches on her which may hurt the smoothness, tenderness, etc of ballroom. But jazz, broadway, and latin should be really good. Contemporary is whatever because they mostly do lifts and poses to emotional music and everyone freaks out. 2. Right now I have James as second. He was very graceful and had good posture. We'll see if he has rhythm for the latin dances. I think he will. 3. Marilu is third. I hope her OTT display about Derek doesn't hurt her. With her dance background, I don't think anyone is surprised. I don't care if she is in her sixties. She's in good shape and training kicks in. 4. Jana looks like she can be a contender. I don't think Gleb should've been so overt. What are they going to do with the latin numbers? Maybe they've already accepted the fact that Laurie will win because I don't think the voters would support a winner who put sexuality in the forefront. Maybe they are going for the memorable angle. 5. Maureen, Calvin, Ryan, Babyface, Terra, Vanilla Ice, Amber are in the thanks for playing category. 12. Rick and Jake should be voted off as quickly as possible. Besides, Jake doesn't act like he wants to be there?? And I think Rick needs more time than the show can give him for him to be somewhat good.