EvergreenLove

Just when I thought I couldn't dislike Kalyssa anymore....nothing but fake boobs and resting bitch face. Ugh.

Interesting angle that I've never thought about. It's a no-brainer that her tin man solo was staged for some unknown reason - I just assumed it was for manufactured show drama.

I was going to say the same thing. I would think the ladies are either accustomed to the attention or are in the process of normalizing it. This job demands being able to perform under intense scrutiny. For performers, they may actually enjoy the attention.

You know they will. They'll never pass up an opportunity to show her past interview blunders.

I love her too! I remember voting for her on the fan vote during her first year of tryouts - she has always impressed me with her dancing. I'm glad they finally got her look right and she matured a bit from that first year so she could finally be a part of the team. Preach!

I would LOVE to get my hands on the first 2-hour special from 2005! I've never seen it. HELP!!! :)

YES! This has been at the heart of my anti-Kalyssa attitude all along. She seems to care mostly about self-promotion and making sure everybody knows how fabulous she is in all aspects, to her own detriment. And of course the never-ending ta-ta shaking. I think it was back in season 3 prelims where Kelli was mocking the <ahem> large number of ta-ta shakers that showed up.

I highly doubt this will happen, especially when those 18-21 year-old ladies are most likely in their prime dance years.

I lived abroad in Europe for three years and completely agree with your point regarding alcohol consumption by those under 21, but the laws in the U.S. are different. Until the laws change, they have to hold these girls accountable for lawbreaking behaviors. Holly broke the law and Jenna didn't - it's pretty black and white. It seems like Jenna's alleged suspension reflects a punishment for not being a "leader" in this situation, but they can't keep someone on the team who has broken the law and risk the inevitable public relations fallout.

Absolutely! Everything about her mannerisms was fake, fake, fake. And her dancing was atrocious.

???For real! I would love to see some segments that show some past footage of the ladies dancing in a competition, an interview with a former dance instructor, literally anything that doesn't involve some contrived story while crying over a mother that is packing your suitcase. Even for those few stories that are a bit believable, they dim in comparison to the other garbage stories. Chelsea's sob stories were the WORST.

Ugh...those segments are my least favorite part of the show. I tell Hubby to grab my violin as I wait for the sob story of how they overcame some completely unremarkable circumstance (anyone raised by a single mom recently?) while dancing in some beautiful home/pricey studio in an outfit that costs upward of $300. #crymeariver

Absolutely. And they really have to be able to handle themselves under that type of scrutiny. I think the political questions reflect that - I doubt they are looking for the girls to spill their guts on why they do/don't support Trump's wall or whatever, but how they would handle themselves if they were asked that question. The political climate is such a huge part of our culture now that I can't imagine that they wouldn't be exposed to that a least a few times while in uniform.

Kelsey has never been the strongest candidate out there, but she's always had the beauty to help her coast onto the team (similar to Emily from season 7). But she didn't have her beauty during this episode. At all.

It totally could have been. Kelsey's blue eyes are usually mesmerizing. I understand the idea of heavy makeup for the cameras, but it doesn't do these gorgeous ladies any favors. And can you imagine what their faces look like after hours of heavy, aggressive dancing? Blech.

Good point. I'd look like crud if I'd been dancing all night as well! I'm surprised K&J don't make them do a fluff and puff for the cameras before getting called into the office. ? I don't think they did the fan vote.

She definitely looked disheveled during her meeting in K&J's office. I'm used to her looking absolutely gorgeous all the time, so it took me by surprise. I think she's feeling the pressure and is probably just as afraid as we are for her future on the team.

Yes. Jenna is 100% replaceable, just like every other dancer on the team. Hell, just like anything in life. I thought Jenna was a doll in her rookie season, but I've liked her less and less with each passing year. Her meeting with K&J this year sealed my disdain for her forever. She seriously can't go away fast enough. #byefelicia

I'm with the previous comment of can we PLEASE move past Kelsey's interview flubs? I have to hand it to Kelsey for sticking with it because I would hang it up if they kept bringing up my past flaws mercilessly. Jenna's visit in the office seemed overly contrived. Yuko's English is improving by leaps and bounds (as expected when exposed to the language 24/7) and KaShara's accent is just adorable. Cersten is going to be great in medical school! I loved seeing the tidbits on some of the veterans....more, please! I already hate Anthony Ramos. Do we really need a fashion analysis on a show where everyone wears the same uniform in the end? And BIG surprise that Neil just LOVED Kalyssa. I'm surprised Kalyssa didn't shake her ta-tas as she was running up the aisle after her number was called for finals (as you can tell, I'm NOT a Kalyssa fan). I knew Cary (from the mother/daughter duo) would be sent packing this round. And a big BYE to Whitney! "Even though I messed up, I'm still awesome and deserve a spot!" Get over yourself. Being there 5 years doesn't show how hard you worked...it shows how desperate you really are. Alexandria, Katelynn, and Lauren look great! Lacey does also, and she resembles Ashley (season 7, the counselor) so much. Barely saw Christina this episode. Dayton is just overall unimpressive. And how in the heck did Briana get to finals with those awful kicks? LOVE PHIL!!!

Agreed. Can't wait to see if they address it! I would love to see it on the show.

Holly does seem like she's in it more for self-promotion. She's an incredible performer, which can get you far in the organization, but it's still a team. And K&J most likely go with the betterment of the team over the individual. There's plenty of good talent knocking on DCC's door, so no one is irreplaceable at this point.

This. They want a few standouts/fan favs that they can capitalize on, but at the end of the day, K&J want a team - a team that consists of "yes ma'am's" that will not make waves or tarnish their pristine image. And I completely understand why. The whole DCC brand depends on them successfully playing jump-rope on that proverbial line of good, wholesome girl-next-door that displays nothing but raw sex appeal.

I can see the daughter getting enough "maybe" votes to make it past prelims, but in reality the storyline probably saved her from the chopping block on this round. She has the same issue as Ballroom - great body and decent dancing, but doesn't have the "HD-ready face." I'll be surprised if Daughter makes it through semis.

Long time lurker here that finally decided to join the snark! I've loved this show since I first saw it back in 2006 (and I would LOVE to get my hands on the 2005 special - I've never seen it). Thoughts on the first episode: LOVE Brianna. Like Judy said, she's unpolished, but definitely has potential. But in next week's preview, her kicks look to be a "deal breaker." ;) Kalyssa is already annoying me. Her attitude of "I started dance later because I was sitting on my couch doing nothing and it only took me two years to start winning competitions!" just screams entitled. Especially when she mentioned how smart she was but gave up college to dance in the NBA. I'm hoping for an epic Kitty Carter takedown because her dance ability is now defined by ta-ta shaking and "nasty, but in a good way." I'm on the fence about Madisyn. I like her story and her dance was OK, but I'm not disappointed that she didn't advance. The comeback girls: Celinda is just boring to me. I think Brennan has the best chance of making the team, but I'll still be surprised if she actually does make it. Whitney comes across as an entitled snot - please cut her sooner rather than later. I was never a Christina fan, but I have to admit that she's starting to grow on me this season. Her hair is awesome! Dayton is beautiful and seems like a lovely, well-spoken young woman with a great legacy, but her dancing was lackluster. She needs WAY more power for DCC. I'll be curious to see how far she advances. "4x Ballroom Dance Champion" Kate - just NO. Go back to the ballroom and get off my screen. Mother/Daughter duo - The daughter had average looks and maybe slightly above average dance, but Mom totally took one for the team so her daughter could advance. I'm not sure anyone would have truly noticed the daughter without the storyline. Katelynn's dance was great, but a makeover is in need. Her look is horrible. Totally excited for the rest of the season! And I'm SO glad we have a new intro!