StellaCL

I don't see them hiring someone outside of the DCC circle. Denise has grown on me, but she seems like she might be a bit polarizing, like a Kitty lite. I would love Charm to do it, she had that comment one season where she believes in building candidates up, not down. But she is also outside the DCC circle, and lacks any cheerleader type experience. I totally see Judy retiring first, and Kelli going for a more passive coreographer so she can still reign supreme without anyone stepping on her toes. I am not pushing for their retirements either, but it probably will happen within a few years.

I don't have Marissa hate either, but I don't pay much attention to social media.

Do they get that plaque when they retire? Briana as well?

Totally agree Jennifer Amburn is a likely Kelli replacement. She is a good speaker, has the poise, knows what she is doing. I didn't like her as point so much, but she would be good in this role.

Wow, I am surprised, especially with her fiance moving to another state. Kinda makes me love her more. Hopefully K&J had enough backlash on social media that the target will be removed from her back. I love Maddie. She's at a crossroads, though. She reminds me of Jenna - is there adult life after DCC? I wouldn't mind if she stayed another year, I am still a fan. I am neutral on Tess. We never get to see her dance, or much less on the show! Lexi- YES. Seriously, yes. Her look is the same, it's this painted on smile with the same heavy hair hanging down around her face. I never saw why she was one of K&J's favorites until I saw some youtube clips recently - she gives really solid performances, K&J can always count on her. Now I guess I am more neutral. I would like to add Taylor. I thought she would be cut way back in her rookie season. She's an okayish dancer, but she is outshone by many others around her. I am not sure why her spot is so guaranteed, yet they were so hard on Hannah, Kristin, Brennan, Tara, even Dayton. I would be the least sad to see her retire. I think Kat is a knock out, and hope she returns. She checks a lot of marks and season 15 screamed of we need more diversity on the team! Charlotte getting in her comment in the last espisode about loving Syndey's more curly hair, which came right after an article where Jacie was quoted about not being allowed to have natural hair as a DCC. It's all PR. I agree btw, they do need more diversity on the team. I don't think Kat is necessarily safe, but if she brings it, Kelli and Charlotte will keep her. Maybe the producers will have her sort of disappear into the background like many DCC we never get to see for the sake of avoiding repetiveness. That is probably my least favorite part of the show, excessively highlighting one person (Vivian, Morgan, Meredith) and you never get to see at least half the team and what makes them so good that they earn a spot.

I wish we had a thread on (but not a poll) on Who do you want to retire and why? Also, Who do you want to return and why? I am new here (longtime reader - finally made an account), but I notice I have been replying to comments that don't have much to do with the topic thread. Even this one ...

I hope CMT renews for at least a couple more seasons beyond covid (or they get picked up by a different outlet), what a horrible way it would be to end on season 15. It was AWFUL. I feel like Kelli and Judy are in if for at least a couple more seasons, but their retirement seems hovering in the not so far distance. I could see them slowly transitioning to a guest roll like Kitty does. A LOT of former DCC would want their jobs, I bet.

I read that like she is retiring? A "short time" doesn't seem like an entire year, which would be her commitment to DCC. As a veteran and having her solo cut a certain way and trashed by Charlotte and Kelli - she took the high road, and finished her season on top. That took courage and grace. I would like to see her back for one more year, but at this point, there is nothing left to prove> TPTB won't stop picking on certain veterans for their TV show. I will be pleasantly surprised if she gives it one more go.

I love Madeline. But I love them all! Do you think she will be back next season? I feel like I have liked all the DCC since they moved past season 12 (Yes, I even like VK, Maddie, Alora-Rose, love 'em). I only feel a touch indifferent to the rookies, since season 15 was so different. My take on Jenna is that she was really young when she made the team and wasn't ready for adult life after DCC. She called Holly "really young" when she was in hot water, but she was also talking about herself. When professional athletes retire young, they find themselves lost after working their entire life for one goal. That was Jenna - quitting during her 6th year would have been the harder path. She would have been a great point too, at least for a season or two. Jennifer was a beautiful dancer, but something didn't quite fit right with her as point. I would have taken Jenna any day over Jennifer.

The more I see Kat's interview and cut I feel like it was a set-up ahead of time. Someone wanted to cut her prior to tryouts and it got spun for that TV suspense and flair. Unfortunately, she is no exception. Seems like every season they single out a veteran and are completely contradictory in their judgements (Keyra, Tara, Hannah, Kristen - I feel like all 4 of them were set up and "spun" in a certain way for TV). Kat's interview wasn't even that bad which was then followed by the mess of Jessika in Season 13 with and embarrassing and miserable interview, but in that special DCC way it was never mentioned again and Jessika sailed right into her third year on the team.