crossover

So true. But oftentimes they are used in a different way with a different flare. For instance, people talk about the difference between current ballplayers and previous ones. They are doing the samething but "differently".

I think that's what everyone is really saying. This is exactly the way Benji (Schwimmers) use to use the move. I was a STYTCD viewer so I wasn't surprised by the move itself. I was surprised that Mark used it. Then I remembered that Lacey was on the show for awhile. She was close to Derek and Mark.

Isn't the double elimination based on this past Monday's scores and votes? If so, what would Keo have to do with Kim? She was with Sasha. It seems like Jodie would be the one at risk. But I agree that Kim and probably Von will be the two eliminated.

If Wanya had performed like Nyle, Len would've given him a 6. But contestants with some kind of physical challenge, get major breaks on this show. I GUESS because TPTB see how many votes and support they are receiving. They just tailor their critiques and score accordingly.

I don't think it will tank. TPTB are probably hoping for a disney-like affect. Afterall, the preteens have been supporting the tours, with their parents. They're the ones doing most of the mass voting. Or maybe I'm just fooling myself but I'd like to think that a person in their late teens or older would appreciate the more mature dancers, especially in ballroom. Anyway, you could see how they kept lessening the importance of ballroom. So now if the little ones fail in partner dances, it won't be a big deal and it won't be a major part of the show. It will just be "precious". And no one wants to see them performing romantic themes anyway. You won't have outside dancers/companies coming out of the woodwork to criticize the performances. They're little kids. But TPTB are really just reshaping the show to their audience. We "old" people will just have to hope someone will create a mature SYTYCD show for us and realize that it will not be a ratings grabber. In that way, maybe we can have it for another decade.

After Bindi and her dad references, I'd say "no" :)

I wish they would eliminate contemporary from dwts as well. Not because it all looks the same but because there is a certain artistry and athleticism that cannot be achieved within a few weeks. Even the pros can't feel/show the contemporary movements properly which is probably why they have trouble choreographing it. They just throw in a lot of lifts and poses. Jazz, or more specific broadway, is a different story. They've used this style in a cute way. There are certain elements that make a routine a contemporary routine. So you will see some of these requirements in each contemporary routine. Just like ballroom. You can say the jives look the same, waltzes look the same, etc. But there are certain requirements that should be there. It relies on the choreography and performance to make it special. And we know performance is subjective. For instance, I didn't care for Nyle's posture/butt in the tango. Nor did I care for Peta's non-tango feel. But most viewers/judges loved it. But I love this season more than I have any season in a long time. After a couple of more weeks, each elimination will be hard.

I can see the "old" statement. You could tell by how they voted. The contestant was usually one of the shortest and look like they could be 12-14 years old. I believe that's why we lost the mature looking ballroom dancers too early. They didn't look like the studio kid.

Looking at week 1, I should've gone with Mischa for the bottom instead of Marla or Kim. I didn't think she would be that bad. Marla and Kim have good performance skills. If either of them had Derek as a partner, I would bet they'd make the finals because they have good attitudes to go with the performance. But they don't. So I still think they'd be toward the bottom--just not within the first 3 out. The big question for me is "Will Wanya and Nyle be able to maintain throughout the competition with 1 week practice?" They were really impressive. If they do, they SHOULD be in the finals--knocking out the football players.

I think it will be very competitive this season. No Derek. So that's one you use to could count on for the finals. They keep giving Sharna celebs she should win with. This season is no different. Because there are so many football players, you can't just pencil them in either. But you have to go with someone, so Sharna/Antonio with the terrible towels should make the finals. They keep giving Val celebs who should go far (competent and known). Also with GMA Ginger should at least make the finals. I don't think UFC is that popular, especially with the DWTS audience. But Mark is popular and creative. Paige is an athlete with dancing skills. So I put her in the finals. I think the first three out will be Marla, Geraldo, and Kim. I would've said Mischa but people on the boards remember her fondly.

Just to let you know, crowceilidh provided this information in the media thread. So you may not get too many responses because we've been discussing in the other thread. For me, this is not a good option because I enjoy the artistic side just as much as the athletic side. I can't enjoy an 8 year old with an all star no matter the choreography theme.

I really watched the show for the artistic expression as well as great execution. It was more of a show for me than a reality competition. That's why I hated when Nigel and company started promoting their favorites from auditions and throughout the season. You could tell who would get the good choreography and the good reviews. But I hung in because the dancers were so talented. I'm sure the 9 year old will be flexible, athletic etc. but I don't want to see them portray mature themes and I have no desire to watch the disney version week after week. On the bright side, the tweens should be happy. Instead of voting for the smallest and youngest-looking dancer that look like them, they will be them.

They've been giving her people she should've won with. She just hasn't.

I thought Meryl and Charlie were pushed hard from the start but Meryl caught on--maybe because of Maks? Olympians are normally favorites from the beginning. They have the name recognition, work ethic, athleticism and in most cases rhythm. But, people were ready for Alfonso. The judges didn't have to pimp. Zendaya should've won but when has a Disney actor won? Then, with Kelly's surprising flexibility during the freestyle, her win was not an upset. Bindi, OTH, needed the judges constant exaggeration and Dad-mentioning to get her the win.

I don't see the overlap between the jive and the Charleston? They are both high energy but that's it. But I agree that part of our disagreement stems from appreciating Janette or not. Also, I don't expect the celebs technique to be that good after a few weeks unless they have prior studio training like ballet. Sometimes they have other projects which take away from the show requirement as well. But I do expect them to be entertaining and engaging which is why I put more emphasis on the performance aspect. I even support nondancers/entertainers who show weekly improvement because it has to be awful hard for them. It may take Peter a long time to learn a routine but imagine if you're not an entertainer. I do enjoy watching accomplished dancers perform but I don't vote for them because they should be good. BTW: I loved Jake as well. I felt he should've made the finals. But usually the other people who vote don't agree with me. People start early dropping little hints about technique, chemistry, peaking early, etc. They gloss over their favorite deficiencies or prior training but that's how reality shows go. Or, that's how it is in the US.

Why would you think he should've been well suited for a jive? Is it because he's short? He had problems with the fast portion of his QS. He has energy but I don't always see the musicality. So I'm not surprised about his jive ability. But I enjoy this partnership. Some contestants will be voted off no matter how well they perform. Most times, people vote for who they like; not the best ballroom technique. It's nice to think a contestant would do better with a different pro, but we really don't know.

Dots and Stripes: "Peter & Janette: Goodness, but he sucked canal water. I was trying to decide whether the lack of content was because of Janette being a mediocre choreographer, but I've decided that he wasn't getting the dance, so she bailed and made it as flashy as possible - and added lots of extra flash and wore a ridiculous fringed costume (and this is from someone who loves fringe) to distract from the fact that Peter cannot jive to save his life (and after that, he might have to)." I love most of Janette's choreography. She's most definitely one of my favorite TV reality dancers. Her routines are very entertaining and SCD is a TV show (entertainment). Now, if she were in a true ballroom competition, her routines would be lacking. I also enjoy her partnership with Peter. I hope they receive the votes to stay. Besides, not even all the pros are outstanding in both sides of ballroom.

One of the dance magazines (dance spirit, i think?) seem to always have a picture of Derek/Bindi when they do the dwts review. I know that's not the show but I think they have some input. I don't think the show cares who wins AFTER they decide who should remain. For instance, they didn't want Gary to last but if people warmed up to him, they would've changed their tone to keep the voters engaged. Bindi is just getting the votes and she has Derek. Someone said she's also getting support from Australia. They want her for the finals because she'd bring her supporters which means the ratings would be better. The question, for me, is would she had been so popular if she didn't have Derek and hadn't received the tongue-bath from day 1? What if they had decided to focus on her immature dancing, one-note performance, missing steps, etc.? I don't think she would be this popular. So the show made a decision to give her the best possible light. Thus, they pushed her down the viewers' throats. Most of the board people are not influenced but the casual at home viewers are. But in the end, they don't care if she wins. They just care if she makes the finals.

I think Allison is all about dance. She'd ask and receive any constructive criticism. I just pointed out Derek and Mark because I can see them talking dance over dinner or whatever. She's close to a lot of ballroom choreographers. She's mainly a contemporary dancer but she's out of one of the Utah studios that specialize in ballroom as well. So she should have a lot of ballroom mentors.

She may get in trouble with the judges. But if the viewers like the routine and the celeb, they will care less. I think Allison is close to Derek?? So maybe he is discussing the routine with her.

I think Allison meant to have some "jerky" movements in the piece. I think she does these things hoping the viewers will appreciate the change and vote for them. I don't think the avg viewer is so wrapped up in ballroom, especially smooth. They watch for the contestants (celebs). The moves may not be choreo'd the same, but they're the same movements. That's why they add nonballroom moves. They try to make the piece "fresh" and memorable. I like Allison but I don't think she should've been added before a ballroom dancer. Winning the MBT really has more emphasis on the celeb and their chemistry with their pro than dancing. They have to be good at the dances but they don't have to be the best. For instance, Amber was entertaining but she wasn't the best. I don't even think Rumer was the best during her season. She just had the family connection.

Tamar is my favorite. She had the hardest dance and performed so well. I don't have a problem with her personality. Plus, I'm glad Val won last year. He is so relaxed this season. Whenever he talks about Tamar, he has this really big grin. I'm sure he wants to win but he's not obsessed with the MBT. I hope they stay a while. I don't expect them to win because people are trying to turn others against her personality already. I know how that works. For instance, I don't care for Bindi's personality. But, she did a great dance.

Apolo was an olympian.

This usually means they have a fanbase or captured one.

I liked Riker's freestyle the best. It was different from anything he'd done through the season. Rumer had a nice dance and I know she didn't get AT but it looked like the dances we'd seen this season. But I knew Rumer would win with her family connection and after they ensured Nastia was out. This left the 2 men splitting votes. And with Noah being so far behind, his fanbase had to double down. Taking out Shawn (olympian), has there ever been anyone under 25 to win?