Serendi

I wouldn't mind a reminder either. Maybe post it here as well? Thanks.

Lolo did appear briefly in the opening number.

Many of the bigger celebs who do the show are major fans and know exactly what they're getting into. And given that a lot of celebs end up shooting themselves in the foot (Jaleel White, anyone?), it's not without risk. There was a clip a couple of years or so ago of Snooki on Wendy Williams' talk show saying she wouldn't do the show because it seemed to her you do it when your career is on the decline (this is from memory, not sure of exact words). She suddenly remembered Wendy had been on the show... it was hilarious. Snooki greatly improved her image by doing it; Wendy didn't. Ya never know. Plus it's a HUGE amount of hard physical and mental work. I can see why a lot of people wouldn't do it. It's decent money, but if you don't need the money, the exposure, and don't have three months to set aside, why do it? And the producers can screw you over. I've never understood why they were so negative with Gladys Freaking Knight of all people!

There's a theory (and I'm pretty sure it was confirmed at least once) that the producers let the #2 person know ahead of time that they haven't won.

Johnny Weir underimpressed me when he was one of the judges on Skating With the Stars. He had several hissy fits at the contestants that showed he didn't have a clue about this stuff. Bethenny mouthed off about how she wasn't going to listen to the judges, so he announced he wasn't going to waste his time giving her feedback - which yeah, it's tempting, but really? He didn't do it in a charming way, either. Then the Disney guy was throwing up and left the competition and Johnny gave him hell for not dancing despite being barely able to stand. Excuse me, but the male contestants were being expected to lift their partners while on skates. The skier had already skated over his partner's hand and she was clearly in fear for her life; the Disney guy had expressed terror of hurting his partner or worse even before he got sick. And he's supposed to SKATE? I will say, though, Johnny probably got unnerved by Dick Button being unable to keep his hands off him. (What was ABC *thinking*?)

I actually liked James's freestyle a *lot* so I tweeted it last season, so it's not necessarily just the social media obsessives (I have a Twitter account reserved just for DWTS voting, haven't otherwise posted on Twitter for over a year). Anywho. Alfonso won, so I'm happy. And to my surprise, I got myself a ticket to the DWTS tour - I rarely go to shows. Wheeee!!!

I think they're given 24 hours to create a mashup of two assigned dances they've done this season.

I'm thinking Mark's "never been done before" is the tube that shot them up to the tops of the cubes. I do think it's new..

Personally, I expect to throw all my votes to Alfonso even if he's too stiff or otherwise impaired, as long as he dances. IMO, he's earned a lot of credit throughout the season by being awesome. Plus, when I thought he might have to withdraw last week, and I realized that if he did I wanted to throw all my votes to Tommy Chong, I realized I'm a LOT less invested in the other three remaining contestants than I'd consciously realized. There are things I like about each of them, but there's just no spark for me. And as majormama observes, I get to pick my own standard. I also get to completely go back on what I'm saying here if I feel like it after the freestyles. Works for me! (Example: I burned for Zendaya to win, but after the freestyles, I was willing to accept Kellie Pickler as winner. Not that I could have done anything about it if I hadn't been, but it made it easier.)

This has been followed in Alfonso's thread. Last I saw, it looks good for him performing.

He sorta reminds me of Jack Osbourne. Do you suppose he has a new career? ;-)

Seriously, when I found out Alfonso might have to bow out, my thought was I just might throw all my votes to Tommy. I surprised myself.

Crap. Double crap.

Yes, he is. I was wondering whether the "dating Carrie Ann" question predates his getting married? I think that would predate the show as well. If he messes around, I'd really rather not hear about it...

I like the troupe's behind-the-scenes stories, wouldn't want to lose that. Wish they'd schedule an hour and a half in the studio, but until they do, Kristyn's stuck, since another show is right behind them. Shirley sure doesn't pull any punches!

Mark is well aware it's better to have a male pro with a female contestant in the trios. Apparently, the pros talk ahead about who they want, and it's usually respected. Then they pick, starting with the lowest-scoring couple. Someone stole Mark's preferred male pro, and he is PEEVED; it came up in several press interviews. The next available choices were too short or too tall, and no one was juuust right. So he picked Emma.

From the Afterbuzz TV Aftershow: Per Henry: They didn't plan the dance-off dances. Emma started with a fringy skirt and ended up with a different one after she found out what she was dancing. Also, the Royal Couple was Henry and Sharna dancing the royal wedding of William and Kate, which I totally didn't recognize. Other stuff, too, that's just what stuck in my head.

Oh yeah, speaking of Alfonso's zipline incident, major props to him for leaving it in the routine!

At the end, Tom or Erin said Janel and Val were at the top of the leaderboard with 43 points. So they did get the extra points. I do think, as someone else said, they could well lose by people being confused about the immunity; I kept listening for how it worked, but most probably didn't. I like Tommy, but I was mostly voting for him to keep him on longer than Michael. Now that that's done, I wouldn't be surprised if his voting totals drop precipitously.

Just checked in Google, and Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash are considered one of country music's Royal Couples. So I'm guessing it's that.

A few stray thoughts: Whaddya bet Alfonso was wearing a protective cup? ;-) Loved when Cheryl asked Tommy if he'd ever whipped someone. Most people it would seem waaaay off, but Tommy just has this air of been there, done all of it. Under other circumstances I'd be sorry to see Cheryl go, but I'm betting she's off to her father in Thailand just as soon as she can get there. Hope she's back from time to time anyway....

As contestants, anyway. Don't know if they're all practicing, but Derek and Julianne Hough, Lacey Schwimmer, and Chelsie Hightower are all from Mormon families; I think Lindsay Arnold and Allison Holker are as well. I wouldn't be surprised if there are others. Ballroom seems to be a big thing in Utah.

Don't know about the contestants, but I believe Tony is Muslim.

Anna Trebunskaya, on Afterbuzz TV, said she thought the number with the walkers is based on The Producers (the musical); Kristyn Burtt agreed with her. Don't know anything about that part, but both my parents are on walkers, which they have quite a time getting past each other (they DO take up space) and I've had a knee replacement and will someday have the other replaced, so I've been there. I thought the walker number was terrific! I think it's the image of *playing* on the things. Jenna thought it was the most fun dance she's ever done on the show. I *do* like the advice not to try this at home...

Almost certainly producer voices in her earpiece.