Stee

Favorite movie EVER! Also a great documentary to watch if you want context to Kelli’s statement that the DCC audition is the hardest in the entertainment world!

I thought Kat looked great during the split screen with Kelsey doing the “signature dance” in front of Kashara. More than blending, I thought she popped and made the choreo look vibrant!

1. I don’t think Kelli has any issues being cold, “mean,” distant or a “bitch” (though I hate word). She’s a boss and a manager. Not everyone’s management style has to be “sweet compassionate mom.” But this episode she seemed .. passive aggressive and emotionally driven - projecting her thoughts on to Jalyns reaction. Going to the lockeroom or bathroom is not always toxic. It can also be sad. Or disappointment. 2. There is definitely more to the story because there is nothing to explain why Jalyn didn’t make show group. The worst comment was that Kelli didn’t have any notes. The horror! They even show Jalyn doing a beautiful backflip into a layback position. Even weirder, Jalyn fell flat on her behind last year and still made show group. I wish @ShellyB would help enlighten us on this, but I suspect she will keep quiet. It would definitely help squash the rumors and speculation if they had even just said “she’s lacking a charming charismatic personality on visits” or “she wasn’t available for a couple of appearances.” Give us anything.. Help us understand! I want to give the team the benefit of the doubt but this episode certainly didn’t provide anything to disprove the gossip and whispers. And heck, tell JALYN while we’re at it. She has the right to know. 3. They use the term “blend” a couple times in this episode... as a positive! Being a blender used to be bad. Now they are complimenting Kat and Meredith when they are able to blend. VERY odd episode.

I have always loved Kelli and how she handles cutting the girls. I’ve always admired how articulate she is and specifically her choice of language - clear and concise. Not always good news, but honest news. Unfortunately this is the first episode in 14 years where something just felt “off.” She seemed particularly upset with the whole Jalyn situation - even defensive. The fact that Judy had to explain to Kelli that there is a difference between “losing” showgroup vs not making show group shows how illogical and irrational Kelli is being. If a girl wants to step into the locker room to cry or process her feelings, she should be allowed to do that. If Jalyn has remained in the room and teared up or started crying, would Kelli say that is unprofessional too? What would be the better option? Honestly, I think excusing yourself when the girls break is better than creating a scene in the dance studio. The show sets these girls up for such huge expectations - cuts every week, guest choreographers, fashion shows and photo shoots positioned as “tests”.. and then they are surprised when the girls react with emotion or disappointment. You’ve physically and mentally exhausted these girls and the critique them if they don’t happen to be smiling or perky for four hours straight. This episode was particularly unflattering for Kelli. I hope she watches this in retrospect and recognizes her strange defensiveness and accusatory behavior towards Jalyn. You’d think she just lied to her about a doctors appointment or something!

I thought Heather coming back was a sign she was going to be point. I thought it was a lock between her or Lexie. I thought everyone suggesting Gina as point was crazy, I’m mind blown that it is shared between Maddie and Amy. Heathers barely visible in the triangle whatsoever ... even Tess is more prominent than her. Didn’t see that coming.

Did anyone notice who Travis selected as his favorites? The show was edited as though Travis only noticed Victoria (and mentioned Lisa in passing) but there were quite a few girls selected: - Victoria - Amanda - Lisa - Amy - Maddie - Caroline - Amber ? - Cianna (far end!) - JALYN !!! anyone else?

Same reason Savannah and Jessika made the team (minus their sparking personalities) and the same reason Christina made the team (third year but still trying to find any redeeming qualities). Even Brennan wasn’t perfect in either category but y’all seem to love her! I hate when people point out a WOC makes the team “because of diversity” but isn’t the best dancer or expects them to be 10/10 in all categories when we’ve seen myriads of other (white) girls make the team with far less. People used to hate on Yuko for the same reasons, when there are lists of girls who weren’t great dancers like Breelan, Kat the rhythmic gymnastics girl or even Kelsey Lawrence (who actually reminds me of Kat too - gorgeous, great personality, maybe foot in mouth occasionally, but teachable). Diversity isn’t a reason to make the squad but neither is being mediocre but white - unfortunately it seems like many girls make it for that reason too. Edited to add: I’m not trying to make this about race, I’m just pointing out the double standard.

It seems a bit harsh or awkward to cut a girl mid-practice but I think it serves a number of reasons: - They don’t have to stay after practice to talk to Kelli and Judy and make the night even longer than it already is. - Other team members don’t have to wait after practice until the girl are told their fate, making their nights shorter as well. - They can do the cuts/critiques while the group leaders are teaching dances, which is better use of their time - It eliminates that weird hug circle the girls used do when everyone would gather after practice. I appreciate the idea of their friendship & sisterhood but HATE that weird hug circle. Especially for those who are like 4th ring from the center. At that point, who you even hugging?!

That would have been more exciting. It’s more like they got a prepackaged fruit salad at an airport terminal food counter and made it point. And I *like* Maddie and Amy! (and fruit salad)

The only thing more unexciting than Amy or Maddie being point... .. is Maddie and Amy SHARING point.

Also I am currently watching So You Think You Can Dance, and those auditions are ACTUALLY hard and comprehensive. And you get cut immediately. I love Kelli and the DCC but they live in their own oblivious bubble.

What is that "dance studio" room where Kat is dancing in her intro package? I feel like they show that room every season... I think Milan also danced in that room.

I'm surprised they didn't edit like last year and say that the floor danced into Victoria's space!

Split Point: Removes importance of one main point girl / makes point less important Lets a couple of girls share the spotlight Gives more girls opportunities to be upfront in pictures Compromised option when there is not one strong point girl to lead the team and look gorgeous in pictures.

This choreography is different (ish) but it is TERRIBLE!!!

Interesting if they are trying out a bunch of girls. Lexie and Caroline would be much more exciting as point to me than Amy or Maddie. Interesting we have not seen Gina or Heather front and center in any of these formations.. Rachel is definitely not one of my favorites but obviously seems to be one for K&J. Would not be surprised to see her in the front five (I just made up that term!)

Is Lexie front and center in this one? Where are Maddie and Amy and Heather?

Does anyone know why Khalyn and Kashara were sent to Pro Action Dance? Kashara isn’t even an All Star this year! You think they would have sent Lacey or someone else instead. I know @ShellyB mentioned not to read into the selection of All Stars but I feel like she may have been inferring to Kashara not being one of them - just curious how she would be chosen to represent the team over the others.

Alanna is one of my favorites but I am so surprised to see her in the middle of the new banner. I was expecting to see Rachel W, Caroline or Madeleine Malloy there if they were picking the rookies. Truly I was expecting Alexis, Lexi and Savannah as our bouquet of hair colors. They seem to love those girls in pictures. Much like their routines and choreography, they usually stick to their same olds!

I could really see Hannah in the "diamond" position... directly behind point. She's tall, a stunner, a red head ("diversity" lol), and such a great performer.

You're missing my favorite - Chandi!

Victoria also said this without any hesitation or an ounce of guilt. For someone who "had no words" when it came to media day, she sure was incredibly sharp and prepared when accused of lying in front of K/J.

I just looked and didn’t see his comment so maybe he took it down.. or was asked to take it down!

Whether or not a girl has signed away the rights to being embarrassed or teased on national TV, Marshall’s argument is wrong. The context in 2019 is different than 2009. If you watch the current iterations of American Idol, The Voice, So You Think You Can Dance or America’s Got Talent, these shows have stopped focusing on “bad” auditions or humiliating people who lack self awareness. Now they focus on unique individuals with heartwarming backstories or people who have defied the odds - in today’s world, we celebrate difference, we don’t mock it or make fun of it. Simon Cowell, the king of mean has softened. Nigel Lythgoe as well. Even former fans of “Tell it like it is” Kitty Carter have turned on her mean spiritedness. Gone are the days of laughing at William Hung for entertainment. Judges on competition shows offer positive feedback and empower contestants, they don’t humiliate them. What was fine on previous seasons doesn’t fly anymore, but the producers of DCC don’t seem to have gotten the memo or changed with the times. What’s worse - they are promoting negativity and meanspirtedness. Emphasizing it. Reveling in this form of privilege and entitlement. Its one thing for the doctor who auditions every year to be featured or teased - she’s in on the joke and in control of her own narrative - but it’s another to promote watching an 18 year old girl cry or laugh at a belly jiggle, for entertainment purposes. So Marshall can stick up for it all he wants, but they cannot be surprised by - or worse, criticize - the fans who ask them to act with compassion, professionalism or maturity. Also, isn’t DCC all about female empowerment? Conflicting messages if you ask me!