KR Vermont

^ This season is going to have a lot of corn, smothered in cheese. And I'm sure I'll watch at least some of the trainwreck in spite of my dislike of (what was shown of) Chris on The Bachelorette and the fact the show casts too many cookie-cutter insufferable 'women'. Ugh. Thanks for the RS updates!

Whenever I'm not feeling a dance and think it's a bit crap, the judges rave about it. ha I didn't particularly enjoy Val and Janel's dance, "sloppy" is what I was thinking except for a fabulous burst in the middle (but it's contemporary, so anything goes). I was surprised it got a 40, and likewise surprised that Witney and Alfonso's dance fell short of a perfect score despite high praise. I really like Witney and Alfonso's pairing. She used to be chided for mugging to the camera as a troupe member, but maybe that works better or comes across differently when you're a pro dancing with your celeb partner. Even Peta isn't annoying me this season. I wonder if Tommy thinks "sh*t!" when he's declared safe for another week--dude appears to need some rest, but he maintains an even keel and keeps plugging away. Sadie's modesty seems a bit selective or inconsistent, or something. Discomfort with Mark touching her bum during a lift, yet during the routine she had her legs around him with her lady bits not that far from his face...would think that would rate worse and not be ok. Wearing revealing dance costumes isn't ok, yet wearing short shorts during a filmed rehearsal is fine (of which the aforementioned lift was done right into the camera--lots of leg showing, which isn't unusual for this show, but when you have these parameters I tend to notice it more, if that makes sense). I just find it curious, not a slam at all.

DWTS got lots of mentions on Nashville due to the Rayna character setting up an appearance on the show, plus Derek's character was on again, as was former DWTS contestant Sara Evans. I know at least one Nashville watcher who'd never heard of Derek Hough before now, I wonder if she'll feel compelled to check out this fluff of a show now. Just like I need to google DWTS contestants I'm not familiar with, which seem to be more as each season passes (alas, I'm not in the most coveted demo).

This episode was pregnant with DWTS references, including appearances by DWTS pro Derek Hough and former DWTS contestant Sara Evans. Look forward to seeing how Rayna's appearance on that show pans out and am bummed we have to wait TWO weeks for the next episode. I'm not sold yet that Gunnar is the father. Wow, how quick did the ex-gf say yes to Gunnar's invite to stick around! Can't see Zoe being cool with that arrangement. Eh, this show has me suspending belief several times an episode, so who knows what unbelievable stuff lies ahead.

I'm guessing Juliette didn't inform Avery that she'd be announcing his fatherhood to the media right then...more drama will ensue. That plot device was brought up here last week and was reported, I assume because that person didn't know it was an actual thing, although the original poster put it in quotes. That same link you gave was then posted after that to explain it.

Witney and Alfonso performing a tap freestyle sounds interesting, not to mention different, for this show. It would likely be more entertaining than some of the fusion dances of past seasons. Even if none of the judges has experience with tap, it seems a moot point considering how "serious" the judging is overall anyway. ha I wouldn't want Len and Bruno's schedule of flying back and forth between L.A. and England, but also the fact that the show is getting far afield from ballroom etc ("proper" or otherwise) could be a big reason I'd want to exit if I was Len.

speaking of mucking about...I might not mind having four judges if they were more consistent in providing constructive critiques and less of falling off their chairs and endless nonsense...and it's silly that Tom has to hurry out on the floor to herd dance partners over to the judges' table for their "critiques"--though it's understandable to want to stay out on the floor to soak up the audience love a few extra moments

Witney's response to a doubled-over Alfonso after a knee to the groin, What do you need? Do you need a snack?, had me in stitches. I liked the entertainment of Team Creepy better, with the characters and costuming, and think they should have scored all 9's like Team Itsy Bitsy. I'm pretty sure I saw Michael miss spinning Emma on the floor and instead they both careened off the side of the stage into the crowd...? I audibly gasped, but I'm unmotivated to find a clip to rewatch it to confirm what I think I saw. :/ Michael's fans could sweep him into the finals...scary! (in keeping with the Halloween theme and all). Lea's doing a good job and I think she's having a great time but the show perhaps plays up the angst of rehearsals?

Wonder how the ratings for this season will compare to prior ones. I sense that the luxury and exotic elements of TB haven't been quite the consistent level of OTT these past seasons, what do you think? Visiting your farm or a school football game is fine I suppose, it's a bit more "reality" than most of what they do on these shows (though it could be boring for those who expect or want fantastic adventures and sweeping romance, ha). Ghosts in the graveyard, anyone?

I thought it was originally mentioned that Len would be gone for two weeks...? High hopes for a great Val and Lea performance were dashed, sigh. Must've been distracted by all the walkers and fakey gray hair. The Kiss was barely noticeable, more like a peck. Bethany seemed to exude personality in her routine with Mark. The played-up jealousies of some were a bit much. Wasn't impressed with Jessie J expressing (more than once) her unfamiliarity with the dancers/their performances prior to this...as if she was invited to guest judge at the last minute, since she was going to be there anyway to sing a few songs.

Lolo needs to realize that haters will hate on you no matter what you do, so don't expend energy to those people and rather, hone that Olympic athlete FOCUS we hear so much about. "I didn't hear the plops" [of the texts] makes for an unfortunate exit, though as others have said, if she had made light of it perhaps it could've made a difference. Or maybe not, she was pretty stiff out on the floor.

I'm not familiar with Janel, and so far I'm not digging her I love you's and kissy face with Val. Julianne's dress seemed a wee...matronly? Witney's dress for her dance with Mark during Smokey's duet was fresh and pretty.

Lolo was the right one to go this week. This shiny, happy cheese puff of a show is no place for poor attitudes. I'm impressed there are so many production gaffes for such an established show.

A bitch-face excuse-maker will never win the Mirror Ball, even if they are the most technically proficient dancer to ever grace the DWTS floor. She's out soon. Keo seems to have a great spirit, apparently none rubbed off on Lolo.

Maybe Robert was still bummed that he had started Paradise passionately making out with Lacy (in the ocean...!) before Marcus lured her away with that "sexy chest hair" and all. I doubt I'd want to give Sarah another go after her saying weird things like I don't know if Robert even has a penis. They seemed like an odd match to me, yet he did proclaim to his buddy Brooks to keep his hands off her. Sometimes the BiP script veered away from continuity and made little sense to me.

I may be giving Lacy too much credit, but surely she knew there was a proposal coming when Marcus led her to a random platform with the requisite assorted urns and potted plants that hadn't been there during their entire stay. For her to even entertain the notion that he was NOT going to give her his final rose is utterly ludicrous. I thought Marcus and Cody were buddies on Andi's season, and I agree it would've been nice for them to be included in the proposal celebration either way. I want more bloopers/outtakes included in all TB incarnations, those are golden!

Maybe she was preoccupied running through scenarios of how she should look and act on camera in the moment. It has been made known that she plays to the cameras. She has come across as a bit sedate at times (like not reacting when Graham exited a ceremony as she was about to call him up for her rose), picking at her hangnails and such. I was reading this thread during the show and didn't catch who Michelle was on the phone with...sounded like an older woman and I wasn't really tuned in to what advice the person was giving...and then I read it was her 9-year-old daughter! ha. Consider the mothers of Brielle and Nick's sister--no wonder one seems mature beyond her years and the other an age-appropriate child. Nick's mom isn't out bragging about how much sex she's having, to have 11 kids, whereas MM is broadcasting the blow by blow account of her night of rapture with Cody.

Either Marcus is about to propose, or he ate some bad food...where's that ambulance? haha Look at the franchise record of finding mates for the humans, though... ;)

Geez, Sarah. She was fine with her night with Robert until she heard about everyone else's amaaaazing night of intimacy. Let a growing relationship breathe (even though the show is pressuring otherwise). Comparing yourself to others and what they have usually doesn't work out well. Self-doubt is a b*tch.

Sounds like maybe AshLee needs a narcissist to dote on, since she seems to think a relationship is about giving the man your all at the expense of what you may want...? Lacy looks so much better without a ton of makeup glopped on like a circus troupe member. When she wears some weird, busy fashion choices with that makeup and gaudy jewelry, she reminds me of an elderly aunt or grandma type. At other times, a cheap street walker.

It was Dylan who was with Elise pre-Chris B.

Arkay, Zack did indeed say "romantical"...he's a man of few words, so why not combine romantic and magical to describe a first date with a woman who keeps professing she doesn't kiss on a first date and yet there they both are--hotly making out in a shallow pool in a cave adorned with many large, festive star-shaped white lights. Romantical! Poor Lacy couldn't mimic repeated stalactite and stalagmite pronunciations from the behind-the-camera guy, but no worries for she has Marcus who is reveling his role of protector, so she'll likely be just fine. Now if she would tone down the odd makeup and garment choices that make her skin color look funky.

I agree. And yammering on isn't likely going to enlighten a guy--he doesn't want to sit through an interrogation of how bad a jerk he is, he just wants to nip this drama in the bud and get away. Better to be less emotional and more concise in such a "confrontation". Same with Clare waking up Zack to give him an earful (though he typically has that vacant, dazed or angsty look no matter the time of day). Would Brooks have challenged Sarah to that game of foosball had she been on the date instead of Jackie? Hollow victory if you beat a one-handed woman at foosball. This after Sarah said something like "I have one bad arm" earlier in the episode when a bunch of them were playing something else at the huts.

I wish Michelle hadn't played along with AshLee's fakey love fest towards her as if they're besties.

...side effects may vary, but my eyes roll so far back when Lacy and Marcus are together on screen, cooing away like lovebirds Jesse's mention of festival invites got my attention too. I could see he and Kalon invited to a wet t-shirt contest, maybe...