RemoteControl88

I wasn't feeling it either. The entire show felt disconnected. I thought it was because Darvina was skyping in...she kept interrupting...and she's rather long winded...and drags out things...and tends to repeat herself. I couldn't really tell if the lady in studio was the moderator or if it was Darvina? They basically loved everyone's performance and were very hesitant to make any critiques. Whoever the moderator was couldn't get control of the show because they nearly ran out of time and had to get through a bunch of dances in 10 min. I might check back to see if the show improves but at the moment I can't imagine tuning every week. I 100% agree that there was no energy for me.

When does he chose to invoke the accent? I never know when it is going to appear...and what causes it to show up....or not show up.

Was it just me or did Marks outfit match Lindsay's...because neither pro matched their celeb...AT ALL. Wardrobe fail. Wanya will go over very well with the DWTS audience. His personality reminds me of Alfonso but less annoying. I hope Lindsay doesn't rely too much on infusing hip hop moves into the dance. Len will not be having it. She'll get a pass for week 1...especially given the song they were dancing to. My fav of the night was Nyle. I just loved everything about him, Peta, the package, the dance. They will be fun to watch all season. Von vs. Antonio is sooo expected from TPTB. I enjoy Von more though. I like his quirky personality. Antonio seems to be all flash and I didn't find myself caring one way or the other if he makes it far or not. Just being a football player will not get you into the final. Factoring in personality (Emmett Smith/Hines Ward/Donald Driver) and their adorable relationship with their partners....I think that is what got them their wins. I don't really see Antonio/Sharna or Von/Witney developing that type of relationship. If that does happen then I think they have a shot at winning. Right now I don't see it. I don't know about Jodie. I was never a huge fan of Keo's choreography. But then again I never really saw what he could do. She was good...but not great. She must be feeling the pre-season hype to do very well. I'm worried because I'm sure Keo feels a lot of pressure to not blow this (his spot as a pro might be on the line). That makes for super tense packages and not a lot of "fun." How is Keo going to help her relax when he'll probably be freaking out right along side her? Ginger was good also but I was expecting more. The theme of the performance and the song...has been done before so it was nothing new to me. It was clean dance...she had fun and it was straight up jive so I was happy about that. As for best performances of the night I understand why Ginger, Wanya and Nyle were in a 3 way tie for the lead...but I would have put Paige there also. BTW if Ginger is getting pimped...it has nothing to do with Val because he was most certainly NOT pimped with Tamar last season. I pray the TPTB let things play out with everyone. They seem to have a fun partnership...I enjoy it. Paige was great as well. She really nailed the technique of the dance. I was expecting her to be really good though...so that might be why Marla stood out more to me...because her elegance and grace and dance ability was unexpected. Those performances stood out to me. The REAL test will be next week when they have 1 week to learn a dance. Next week is Latin night....I always fear for the men. And the women have a lot of pressure to get technique and really sell the performance. It will be really hard for anyone to win the whole show if they don't have a basic ability in latin & ballroom dances.

I agree with the overall point of what you are trying to say (though it's harsher than I would phrase it). Last season, IMO the uproar/outrage was that the "negative" package involved a package with Derek. Folks were freaking out that he & Nastia were being "treated" this way and subjected to producer drama. I couldn't help but feel that all these outraged fans (Kristyn included) would simply shrug their shoulders if it happened to another team. Kristyn certainly mentioned it...but I would not say she was as outraged as she was last year. To be really honest...if it is not affecting your fav pro...people tend to care a lot less. So simply put...I don't think she cared as much since it seems she was rooting for Bindi. I also agree with your point about the pimping. If Kristyn wants to imply that Val & Rumer were pimped last season (I don't disagree with this assessment either)...then for the love of God I wish she'd acknowledge that Bindi & Derek were pimped this season as well.

It seems like everyone in Hollywood has been asked to do DWTS at least once. She may not be interested. I think she'd be a good fit for the show though...so I hope they ask her...and I hope she says yes. As for Mark. It will be REALLY interesting to see who his next partner will be. I wonder if Mark & JoJo were paired....would they end up like Mark & Christina Milian or Mark & Alexa...good dancers but left early. In the most recent seasons, Mark has gone deep into the competition when his partner was well known in the Christian/conservative community (Bristol Palin, Candace Cameron Bure & Sadie Robertson). JoJo might fair better with someone else given Mark's history. Thanks for that. I did a little youtube search and there was not much footage of Monica dancing on the show. I also forgot about Martina Navratilova. But I think she was a early exit her season so I forgot she was even on the show. A male tennis star would be a change of pace though.

It's been awhile since we've had a figure skater (not ice dancer like Meryl & Charlie) but I'd like to see Michelle Kwan, Todd Eldridge, or Katia Gordeeva. A gymnast would be cool....Nadia Comaneci and/or her husband Bart Conner. I'm not as familiar with the newer gymnasts as many of them are still competing and wouldn't be available for DWTS. Jojo - the singer, was on Jimmy Fallon last night. It's been awhile since she's done anything. DWTS could re-introduce her to America. She has a great voice too. I don't know if they've ever tapped into the tennis world but I would rather see a tennis rivalry rather than a husband& wife one. John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg would be epic. Oh...and I'll add....I want to see Tony & Iman (the model).

-The opening number was good. -Val & Jenna number was awesome. I really love seeing 2 pros out there doing pure dance. They killed it. -Carlos: besides the rope serving no purpose in the contemporary...the routine was just sloppy. He is actually slightly pigeon toed or something and he has not corrected that all season. I'm not loving Witney's choreo this season....but then again she's getting some crappy songs...last week it was Justin Bieber...this week 1 Direction. The song alone will make me hate the dance. -Alek's trio was his best dance IMO. He will never be super expressive on the dance floor...but for his ability I really enjoyed his routine...and the lifts were great. -I was prepared to roll my eyes at more props from Derek...but that jazz was very cool. Bindi is 1000% more interesting to me when we see a different side of her that isn't perky/bubbly. It was a great contrast to her individual dance. Her samba & salsa were fine...but they kinda felt like the same dance (energy wise) and it was more of what we've seen from her before. Same vibe as her cha cha earlier in the season. -Nick he is also pigeon toed? Or maybe he just doesn't have clean footwork. He got better as the night went on...but not his best night of dancing. The dance off...was a complete waste of time. It serves no purpose but to advance some producer agenda. Case and point...CAI scoring Alek over Carlos? WTF??? I would have rather have seen more pro dancing or pro group number than that. Also the show has completely played out the "theme night." The theme/packages were all a re-hash of "most memorable year" and 2 other random theme nights we already had this season.

In my view...anyway you slice it Alexa didn't have the votes. If Tamar withdrew on Monday...Alexa could have been going home the following week anyway. The fact that Alexa was in jeopardy multiple times tells me she didn't have the votes all season long....to get to the end anyway. Tamar probably saved Carlos or Alek an extra week.

I thought it was a good night of dancing overall. This deep into the season I suspect people have settled on their favorites and will likely not change their opinion no matter what. But it's always interesting to hear other people's perspective/opinion of the same dances I've watched. That's probably why I think this is the best DWTS forum for the show. Anywho...enough gushing. I was happy to see for the last couple of weeks that everyone has been doing the standard/latin dances. I do recall one season (don't ask me which one) where there were too non-traditional dances for my taste. Now if the producers would just ditch the idea of yet ANOTHER theme night...I'd be so happy.

Silly rabbit. You are trying to apply logic to a "new" and "fun" idea created by the show runners of DWTS. Let us all not forget how wonderfully executed the cast announcement was this year. Seriously though...I firmly believe that the "rules" will be "explained" anyway they want to NOW...because they were not clear BEFORE the actual voting. It wouldn't matter anyway I think. TPTB were looking for a goal tonight with scores/placing/outcome. I think that was the purpose of the danceoff. Not the actual dancing. I PRAY there is no theme next week. "Icon" week was kinda lame and all over the place. Can we just have 1 week of regular dancing with appropriate music. Please. I'm begging at this point.

For the record...in the future...I'd rather the couples NOT have to learn 3 dances on top of their main dance. I think everyone's dance suffers. I am #team good dancing and all the random stuff TPTB throw into the show that take away from that annoys me. That said: As I suspected the dance off was random, not clear and added nothing to the show. Here's hoping they NEVER do that again. I don't think anyone deserved a 10 tonight. Nick came the closes but I didn't love the dance. But it was good. TBH Sharna's choreo looked similar to Lindsay's only in that some of the lifts/moves were similar. Also that hopping thing they did reminded me of Derek's choreo with Bindi. Oh and she threw in that flexed foot thing which I can't stand. I wasn't blown away...but it was nice. Same with Bindi. I wish there was less floor-ography? But it was a cute dance and she did well. Right up her alley- personality wise. Refreshing to see her open up a bit in her packages. I felt like I got a glimpse into another side of her. Same with Tamar. Her dance was good as well. It was clean. Glad TPTB got back to showing folks in rehearsal...rehearsing. Less drama...more dancing/practice is what I enjoy. I want to see the team interact on a human level. I enjoyed all 3 of their packages this week and thought Nick, Bindi & Tamar had the strongest dances of the night. Carlos was kind of messy and the missed lift was obvious to me. Tonight he was overscored on that salsa. It was sloppy. I didn't see what the judges saw. I just wasn't a clean performance. Same with Alek...the missed lift was glaring. Alek has stagnated for me. All his dances are starting to look the same. I'm not seeing growth. Alexa - was doing good..but then she messed up a few times and it was obvious because she froze and it was written all over her face. Andy - was fun. I couldn't miss Bruno's comment basically calling out Allison. Maybe because he was going home the judges felt they could be honest.

But now they are factoring fan participation via www.abc.com in real time to included with the judges scores. They made sure that it's not twitter so I can't be tracked by fans. As always I think they threw this new idea together at the last minute so I'm expecting a cluster. per usual.

I understand the comment about lack of chemistry is some of her prior dances...but I agreed with Kristyn and Jake that, that was the most connected I've seen Tamar & Val. I felt the chemistry had really improved in that dance. But I guess whether you are feeling the chemistry or not is completely subjective to the viewer. Chemistry or not I thought that dance deserved at least 9's based on execution & technique. Also agreed with Louis about Julianne. I guess I was expecting her to offer more about actual technique in her critiques. Without Len, the judging panel is really lacking in that regard. Overall a good episode. While I didn't agree with everything Louis said... it was nice to hear open talk about producer shenanigans. To avid fans of DWTS this isn't new information...but I don't think the average viewer understands how much TPTB have a hand in what is portrayed.

Hopefully this will be the last theme weeks we have for awhile. I'm ready for just regular dances. -The highlight of the night was the team dances and Team Nightmare killed it. -I noticed that Alek (more than Bindi or Alexa) was more out of sync in the team dance. His mistakes stood out to me. So I didn't understand why he got complimented on his contributions to the team. -I re-watched Tamar's dance....did not see all the mistakes they were talking about. It was weird...like if all the judges agree they can convince the viewer that it's true. It was one of the better dances of the night so I'm not buying what they are selling. -Nick was so good last week with the samba...I think the travel hurt his prep time. He just needs the time to hone the dance each week. -Oh and Julianne was annoying to give a 10 to Team WYGTC when it didn't seem deserved since they were not as tight (on more than 1 occasion). Too many back to back themes...I really want just regular dances next week. I hope. -

I don't know if he did it for votes...but I remember it certainly felt that way. I didn't want to be that poster that was just "hating" on him either...but my cold cynical heart has watched this show enough...that I did doubt it. My first thought was...."that's nice...he just edged out Nastia and will advance because he'll get the votes."

I agree. America already likes Bindi. TBTB don't need to "try to make us like her." It feels like they are REALLY pushing her on us. That may end up back firing on her too.

-Alexa & Mark - What were Alexa's scores really about? Because it wasn't her dancing. Should have been at least all 8's. Is this TPTB creating a story/arc? Or is she not pulling in the votes? I call BS on the scores, the package and being in jeopardy. -Hayes & Emma - Hayes has stalled a bit in his dancing. Good but not great...still not finishing his moves. -Bindi - It was not her best dance so I was confused by the perfect score. She seemed shaky in a few spots...but I think she got the 40 more because it was time for her to get that score...vs. it being a 40 worthy performance TBH. -Alek & Lindsey - also seemed like he has stalled in his dancing. Good but not great. -Andy & Allison - Andy is not the best dancer but that was his best dance. Actual ballroom is a different story but he really nailed this performance. His best so far. -Nick & Sharna & Tamar & Val - straight killed it. Sharp and they didn't miss a beat. I loved both for different reasons. I was really into watching both those routines. -Carlos & Witney - He did good...but was paying WAY too much attention to Artem...I need to go back and actually watch the routine. Glad to be rid of dead weight. Bye Paula. It was time.

So happy to see Anna back. I agreed with her on several points: -Maks wasn't overly harsh as a judge IMO. The real issue is that everyone has gone all season with these fluffy non-critiques. The most technical info this season has come from Bruno...sandwiched between a nonsensical one liner.......and Alfonso. Maks was trying to keep it real but not in a mean way. -She wasn't blinded by the showmance (or actual real romance) of Alek & Emma and called out that Rumba on lack of actual technique in the dance. -Was able to save face for Allison by making it clear that V. Waltz with Hayes was frantic BUT she blamed the music so no dig to Allison while addressing how sloppy that dance looked. There was a weird energy in the room though. Like Suri had no energy as the moderator...it was strange. This does not mean that I am eager for super high energy Suri who laughs loudly and can't focus..but this was extreme in the opposite direction. *shrugs shoulders*

producers and an ear piece.

Thoughts on the night..... -Judging with an agenda for some couples this week. I hate when they do that bc it is fairly obvious to the viewer. -I have no idea what is going on with Emma's roots but I am not a fan of the look. -I am not enjoying Nick as much as I thought I would. Other than his Downtown Abbey routine....I haven't re-watched any of his routines. His package with Witney this week didn't help. -Carlos is generally annoying. He dances well so he'll be around for awhile. I'm usually not excited about his dances though. -There was a spark in Alexa this week...but the "story" the producers were pushing was annoying. Alexa & Mark got a bad edit this week. I'm not buying all the drama..but it will likely hurt them for some viewers...and being kinda awkward when Mark & Alexa reunite. -If these low scores for Tamar don't light a fire under her ass to kill it next week.......then there is no hope. She needs to practice making faces in the mirror or something. Hoping for a break through next week with her.

At this point I just hope he makes it through the rest of his time on DWTS unharmed/unhurt and no more sadness for him or those close to him. sheesh!

The positive of Anna being eliminated is that I pray she comes back to discuss actual technique. I miss Len on the judging panel too...because honestly he would have called out Allison & Andy for that complete non cha cha. Suri & Jake are completely blinded by their friendship/love for Allison to actually address the issues in that routine. I appreciate Darvina who had no problem calling out Keo and is also critical of Mark when need be. I wish Suri & Jake would do the same.

Alexa & Mark - (foxtrot) - They might have got a better score if they went later in the night. It wasn't that bad and the mistake wasn't that obvious (until they replayed it). She still seems more invested in her husband's success on the show though...*shrugs shoulders* Gary & Anna - (jazz) He forgot alot of it. His time was up anyway so again *shrugs shoulders* Tamar & Val (rumba) good routine. That outfit was my fav of the night. She did a much better job of showing emotion on her face and connecting with Val and being vulnerable. She just needs to keep doing that in the slower dances. Her performance quality in the upbeat numbers is really good. Great content. Hayes & Emma (contemporary) He did a nice job. I didn't love the actual choreography though. But he partnered really well. Alek & Lindsay (paso) - He seemed disconnected mentally (obviously with everything going on). Not his best dance but he executed it well. Nick & Sharna (jazz) - I was underwhelmed as some of you have said up thread. I thought he would actually blow me away in the upbeat/fast numbers...but my fav dance from him so far was his waltz last week. Carlos & Witney (waltz) - It was a really beautiful dance (even though it was heavy on the contemporary feel). His scores must mean he isn't getting the votes?? It was one of the stronger dances of the night I thought. Paula & Louis (cha cha) - meh Andy & Allison (cha cha) - she totally danced around him and threw in a bunch of non-cha cha side by side moves. Bindi & Derek - (contemporary) she was really vulnerable tonight and it made her easier to connect with for me. The bubbly personality I think prevents people from really seeing her. Beautiful dance. She did a really good job. I liked the choreography but didn't love it. Mainly because my fav contemporary from Derek was with Kellie Pickler (freestyle) so I recognize it's not really fair to Bindi to compare.

My guess is Bindi's story will be more inspirational rather than straight sorrow. For the reasons you said. She is such a positive person. And to be clear I don't fault the celebs for choosing to tell whatever story they want to. I get irritated with the the show/TPTB and how they choose to edit/produce the show. They effectively stomp out any feel of authenticity with CAI fake crying through the whole show and this just over produced feel they throw at the whole show.

CAI crying under any circumstance annoys me. Coming from her it feels so contrived. I suspect she will "cry" at least 3 times tonight.