DianeCourt

On "Afterbuzz", one of the participants insisted Maks and Meryl's foxtrot was a smooth foxtrot, in order to excuse the many hold breaks. Hold breaks are allowed in smooth but not in standard. So, if it was smooth, where was the rise and fall? Anna Trebunskaya said she didn't like Meryl's footwork, because she didn't use her feet, drive through her feet. Actually Anna thought this was much more of a waltz, contemporary, rumba kind of pastiche than a foxtrot. Elsewhere, people say it's a standard foxtrot. A standard foxtrot is in continuous hold. This wasn't. From what I've learned, there is a softer rise and fall, but definitely must be there, as any video will show. So it was a hybrid foxtrot that pretty much lets a foxtrot be whatever? Since there's some contradiction as to the type of foxtrot it was, did the show tell us during the rehearsal package so we know definitely? It's not just their dance that made me wonder about how scores, but since it got third week tens - three of them, it sort of stands for an overly high scoring season so far.

I'd like Val with Amy. I've bought into the show narrative; I believe Val is the only non-Derek pro astute enough to manage her pressure, stability, and balance issues, while capitalizing on her musicality, showmanship and hip action. I'd like Charlie with Meryl, because I like Charlie/Sharna, and believe Charlie/Cheryl would be the least disruptive. Would he even notice he's switched partners, the two of them so similar in personality, teaching style, and approach to choreography? As for Meryl Davis, I'm not a fan, but I think Mark Ballas is her best bet. Maks is traditional. Mark is more "creative" which is an approach I think MD needs if she's going to bust out from the pack.

Like him. Nice routine by Sharna.