Stee

I completely agree about this - the girls know what they are signing up for, and there are no exceptions. But they also don’t stage fake weddings or missed birthday parties. (I’m still appalled at the idea of not allowing someone to attend a funeral, that’s just heartless) The whole point of staging this graduation was to highlight the accomplishments of the girls.. but without actually supporting them in their journey. And yes - they did allow Yuko and Jinelle to travel for their visas although I suppose you could argue those were work related. It would be illegal if they didn’t allow them to renew their visas.

Maybe they can recreate the funeral next time too.. That would be touching, and show that the DCC powers-that-be really "get it!" Not sure of the name of that Law school but pretty sure it's in Guadalajara. ????

This is possible too, but then that makes the fake graduation Boot ceremony even more dubious. If they don't care (and likely I imagine Daphne and family did not mind missing), then why all the pomp and circumstance - pun intended - except that they wanted to create a moment for the reality tv show? To me, it was another half baked inauthentic moment of the show on par with Alexis and Lexie going to Cowboys Fit. Nothing more than an act for the show, but lacking integrity. And for me, second hand embarrassment.

100% agree!! They are lucky to have girls like Daphne (and even Malena) who sacrifice or put aside their lives so they can learn the choreo to a sideline routine. I really admire and respect these girls but I can’t say I would do the same!

What makes a graduation meaningful is not the cap and gown and a roll of paper, but also seeing the classmates you’ve bonded with over 4 years as well as your professors as you walk across the stage and accept your diploma. I actually found that fake graduation cringey/embarrassing. It was self congratulatory for the DCC but I’m sure less meaningful for Daphne, which is likely why she didn’t look surprised or particularly touched. Imagine the opposite: Daphne drops out of training camp to focus on school and her teachers give her a pair of pompoms and boots, and let her “cheer” her fellow classmates during an exam. The DCC always talk about the bond of the girls and how it goes beyond just cheering, but Kelli and Charlotte were unable to recognize the same for a college graduation. If they really wanted to recognize and appreciate Daphne, they should have called her into the office and have Charlotte personally thank her for skipping graduation to attend training camp. That would have been a lot more meaningful, definitely more surprising and far less awkward. Nobody needs to don a gown and walk through a football Pompom tunnel to end with a fake diploma pulled from out of a boot - it diminishes the accomplishment of four years (and thousands of dollars) of hard work. A university degree is not an Abbey Bear! But hey - atleast she looks good in the uniform, right?! ??☺️

Maybe I'm late to the game, but I think they missed a huge opportunity casting Geoffrey Owens, the actor from the Cosby Show who went viral this week when someone took a picture of him working at Trader Joes. A real heartwarming story, and would have been a perfect blast from the past. But seems like he got a great role on a Tyler Perry show, so I'm happy this potentially embarrassing story has turned around to positivity. http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/405538-cosby-show-actor-accepts-tv-offer-extended-in-a-tweet

Are there any videos or instagram posts of the routine that Michelle Keys taught on this episode? Would love to see this choreo with the actual music, and not a medley of other random songs!

The first ten seasons of DCC:MTT were so raw and real. And they said some ruthless (but honest!) things about the girls Now it seems like Kelli and Charlotte are using it as a PR strategy. Last year was about the new Star building and Jerry Jones. This year it’s all about how accomplished the girls are, and also really pushing Cowboys Fit. It feels much more heavy handed in its narratives and way less authentic. The lack of authenticity is glaringly apparent this year which is sad, because that was the charm of the show. It doesn’t feel sweet and familiar - it feels forced and commercial. Edited to add: don’t get me wrong, I love this show!! And love the former DCC features. But I feel like the show has become a bit too self conscious now. Bring back Kitty screaming!!!

I agree... after 13 seasons, I'm tired of the same narratives: the "comeback" girl, the girl who has a 40 hour job, the girl who isn't technical, the girl who can't kick, yada yada... and ALL of the girls providing really boring, rehearsed, canned responses ("I'm just glad tonight wasn't a cut night and I'm going to come back tomorrow and prove to Kelli and Judy I can do it!"). Victoria appears on screen like a wild 18 year old, naive, youthful and cheery; immature sure, but also not afraid to say what she's thinking. Maybe it's the confidence she has from "being guaranteed she makes the team" but there's something refreshing about seeing her confessionals. As a person, maybe I'd grow tired of her, but as a TV Show talking head, she's definitely a breath of fresh air after 13 seasons of similar tropes and character types. And isn't that what this board is all about? Reality TV!

Love Malena so much. So so so much! It is heartbreaking that she quit a dream job for training camp on tonight’s episode and I’m already dreading the final episode where she ultimately gets cut. This is one time I wish I didn’t read spoilers because it made this scene especially difficult knowing what ultimately happens. I’m going to be in tears watching that last episode... even more than for Auto Amy

I’m not going to get into the VK vs Dayton fair editing debate, but one observation: When Kelli brought VK into the office for feedback, Kelli was very careful with her words. Instead of saying VK might be cut, she said something along the lines of “maybe auditioning again and making it the following year.” I don’t know the exact quote but that particular choice of language stood out to me. She doesn’t say the word “cut.”

Scott is the TRUE star of Season 13!

I read this thread before watching the episode and I’m about to say something super controversial right now: I actually really liked Kelli’s dress and boot look! I thought she looked great!

Maybe I'm in the minority but I feel the same - she's definitely outdancing people but I find her extra hairflips and "sass" distracting. Sometimes it feels like she is OVER dancing. The term "blender" is also funny to me, because I feel like with a team of 36 girls, it would be a GOOD thing to blend.. but that's not how they use that term. Obviously boring is bad but so is being over the top! Gina stands out to me (distractingly) whereas Lacey looks great but still feels part of the team + choreo.

This is definitely one of my favorite rookie years: there is true diversity (not just hair color), some really strong dancers, four new show group members, beautiful new faces and a bunch of overall standouts. Even from just the first couple of weeks, some girls look like they could already make the cover of the swimsuit calendar or the MTT ITunes logo (Rachel, Briana, Hannah, Taylor, Gabby, Madeline M). I’m excited for the rest of this season!!

I just listened to the Melissa Rycroft podcast on Afterbuzz TV and she mentions health being an issue in the show. Specifically she says one girl gains 15 pounds in the first week of training camp! Could this be Victoria or Tara?!

Is this possibly why training camp lasted longer than expected and more girls were kept until the end - Kelli was pushing for a larger squad but in the end, TPTB kept it at 36? That seems very possible knowing how things played out. Also @JohnGalt I don’t know what we did before you came along - you provide such insight and insider information that REALLY helps inform why decisions were made. I get excited when I see you have posted!!!

Nutrition? ???

I wanna know the lies!! I need the details!! TELL ME EVERYTHING!!!! - me, reading this board for the last hour and shaking like I’ve had 10 Red Bull’s.

Did anyone think it was weird that they called Daphne’s name last? They usually do that to key girls that they will showcase over the season. I figured it would be VK or Brennan so we could see the tears. Daphne seems like a shoe-in so that was definitely odd to me. No suspense or drama with the name calling like in previous years.

If this is hinting what I think this is hinting, I am excited for this season. Not everything is what it seems!! or as they say on Big Brother, expect the unexpected!

I wouldn’t want to be in VKs group because she would probably dance her way into my personal space!

How crazy would it be if they deactivated Tara’s twitter page at the beginning of practice, in preparation for her cut at the end of the night?!

I heard they are going to let VK sit on Judys stool during office visits and give her feedback too!!m Edited to add: don’t you wish there was a “Pom” ceremony at the end of each episode? “Unfortunately we do not have a Pom for you. This will be your last night. Please pack your bags and drive home”

Back to the topic (even though I love ChikFila), it’s really Kelli, Judy and Charlotte’s decision about who they chose: we don’t have to agree with them, or maybe we don’t see other positive qualities that aren’t shown on MTT (like kids camps or hospital visits). So if Kelli is okay to have a jiggly 18 year old spastic dancer who constantly breaks formation because she loves attention and/or lacks control and spatial awareness, well then good luck to the girls of season 13! Maybe her friendship with Tina Kalina will blind Kelli to the fact that Victoria missed her yardline, and the triangle is looking a bit hexagonal!! Like the other poster who said she wanted to see Brennan cut, I’m here for the drama! 36 perfectly talented, sweet girls would make a lovely sisterhood but an incredibly boring tv show. And would also make for an equally boring message board!