DCCFan197605

I just finished the show and was so happy to revisit the DCC. I really enjoyed the 7 hours of television and seeing the differences from CMT. My Thoughts: 1. Kelcey is as milquetoast as I thought she was. In year’s past, the PTB elevated personalities. Kelcey seems a departure. I do find her and her fiancé interesting. I look forward to seeing where they’re headed next. 2. Kelli is striking in a black turtleneck sweater dress with her hair up — white fuzz be damned. 3. The weatherman persists. Me: I wonder if Scott is judging this season. Mom: Who? Me: You know, the guy who criticized Victoria to Kristy and Marshall’s surprise. [seeing Scott criticize her again] He did it again! Man, he really doesn’t like her. 4. Shelly Bramhall is still gorgeous. I like her so much. 5. I like Victoria more after this series. She brings a lot of the vitriol in herself, but I have been on the same end of the cold shoulder and it’s not fun—even when you kind of deserve it. 6. Caroline and Tina’s conversation at the alumni mixer was cringey. 7. Caroline’s suggested Thanksgiving comments for AK was clever AF. 8. Caroline breaking down how to succeed in Training Camp was shockingly honest. This and #7 helped to understand there is more to her than I thought. 9. Where is Marshall? 10. Got the feels seeing Denise Dicharry’s initials on a sticker. I missed seeing her teach. 11. I wonder what kind of deal out of area TCCs get at the Gaylord. Didn’t Jinelle stay at the Days Inn or something equally low rent? 12. Kelli discussing Suzanne Mitchell made me happy.

I find it interesting that it took so long for Caroline to take point. When KaShara came back as a guest choreographer in 2019, she was asked who should succeed her. She chose Caroline. And she finally made it after Amy/Maddie, Maddie/Rachel and Gina/Rachel. I imagine it is a great honor to be the first sole point after KaShara.

I hated that her screen time was cut to make the show meet network leadership’s niceness objectives.

Lord, they made Zoey look insufferable this season. A low-drama Simon/Mo/Max throuple was preferable.

Good interview with Austin Winsberg. About Max hearing Zoey’s heart song: DEADLINE: How did you decide that flipping the script on Zoey, and reuniting her with Max, was the way to go with for end of the season? AUSTIN WINSBERG: You know, we had been talking about giving Max the powers for a long time. It was something that had been discussed since midway through season one, and we had dropped a lot of hints throughout the season, in these conversations, and fights between Zoey and Max, about the inequality in the relationship. About the fact that it is unfair for him, that she gets to hear what’s going on in his head, and he doesn’t get to hear what’s going on in hers. So we’ve really planted that a lot, and then, with her dad coming to her, in the finale, and talking to her about being part of the universe. Maybe, the universe does everything for a reason. To have that happen at the end is just an interesting way to finally give them that equality, because I think that, in any relationship in life, there needs to be equality. And I feel like they were never going to be able to fully make it, unless he could at least empathize, or understand what she’s going through.

A👏men👏to👏that👏!

Well, finally a reason to download Peacock. Moreover, I never watch on broadcast days anyway. Joy is having “Once More with Feeling” referenced!

Want to issue a mea culpa on Rachel W. I posted a few years back that she was likely insincere in her commitment to the team and would be on her way to a broadcasting spot after a year or two. I am so pleased she’s still here performing. Sometimes, it’s really nice to be wrong.

Last year still pisses me off. You got the strongest rookie class ever? Congratulations, you make the process the most accessible, low-sacrifice it has ever been; attract dancers who never would before and never will again make the normal sacrifices; and then, you’re surprised by how terrific they are? What do you do to the ladies who have paid the price and put up with your BS? Jettison them. Time will tell if this class’ average tenure matches those before. My bet is it won’t.

This episode was one huge fast forward for me. Save for “Shut Up and Drive,” it felt like a waste of an hour.

Four of eight ladies retiring share “a-n-a” in the middle. Their positioning in the list gave the post a poetic quality.

Let’s take judges’ ranking off the table* for a moment. I reject the idea that once you’ve scaled a mountain that you cannot be willing to climb down it. What I mean is that Maddie should be able to forgo point or group leadership in the organization if she wishes to stay in it and give others the chance to shine. I don’t know if that works culturally within DCC, but it makes no sense to me you have to be a reliable blender if you meet top 36 standards and want to do a Durso run. It becomes a disincentive to achieve #1 if you trade more years on the team for it. *Maddie is a shockingly low scoring vet to be point. I am thinking of KaShara. If she was inclined to stay, acknowledging she would move back on the triangle as a condition should be her choice.

Good analysis here. I just wonder how anyone beats Sydney Durso’s 7-year modern era record, especially if you’re point at year 3 or 4. Lacey would have clearly been able to spend ten years on the squad if she had wanted. She would’ve been the logical point at year 6. Maybe she could’ve kept it a couple years (6, 7). What happens in year 8? Put another way, what guidance do K & J give? We know they blindside the ladies with Show Group selection and demotion (Jalyn). From the commentary here, it seems like during year-end evaluations K&J indicate what a veteran’s next year prospects look like. I guess this issue hasn’t come up. Most ladies check all of the boxes (SG, GL, PBC, VOTY, 5-year ring, Point) and go on their way. The Amy/Maddie years were just an indication of how limited the 3 year plus pool was. And to your point, triangle section 1 is tiny . It makes little sense to put a lady up there for a few seconds and act like she’s point. So, what happens to Maddie next year? The year after? Especially, being a fan favorite. I have to assume it would be time to move Maddie back.

So, here’s a question. If a point girl achieves that status as a young person, and wants to have a long tenure with DCC, how is she politely demoted? Certainly, point should be neither forced retirement or permanent. Have we seen a demotion for fairness (not infraction) before? What is that conversation like?

I respect Lisa’s commitment, tenacity, Latinx identity, bilingualism, and dancing; but, the issues identified upthread and the fact that not one group leader gave her a sticker last season make me question the selection. If being a locker room favorite can help you on the squad, being a locker room tyrant should keep you off it.