S33.E10: Finale Night

[boyznkatz]

On 11/30/2024 at 7:03 PM, Andiethewestie said:

I gotta love Cheryl Burke. Her recap and scores accurately reflected what I  thought of the Finals 

Stephen (9…10)

Ilona (9…9)

Danny (8…7)

Joey (9…8)

Chandler (10…10)

 

if these scores were in the mix we may have had a very different outcome. Fanbase would not have been such an overwhelming factor because all the 10's effectively threw everything to the vote.

 

I really wish they would replace drunk ass Carrie Ann with Cheryl, or anyone for that matter. 

[Andiethewestie]

Somebody who watches Strictly on another board commented that they are now at semis and still handing out 5 if the dance wasn't good. Of course the people in the UK know far more about Standard and Latin so fans appreciate appropriate judging. Here it's everybody but the good Dancer gets a gold star or a pardon.
 

 

[Backwards999]

I don’t know why people hate ringers so much.  This show is called dancing with the stars not dancing with stars that can’t dance. I don’t know where the concept of having to learn and grow came from.  Some stars can dance.  Hell, they work in entertainment.  I personally would hate to watch a season with completely subpar dancing because everybody’s growing.

Edited December 4 by Backwards999

[boyznkatz]

I don't care if they are ringers or learn to dance, but by week 10 everyone should have improved. This season, the majority of the finalists hardly improved at all. I blame the pros for that.

[Ilovepie]

17 hours ago, Backwards999 said:

I don’t know why people hate ringers so much.  This show is called dancing with the stars not dancing with stars that can’t dance. I don’t know where the concept of having to learn and grow came from.  Some stars can dance.  Hell, they work in entertainment.  I personally would hate to watch a season with completely subpar dancing because everybody’s growing.

I hear what you are saying and it's a valid point, but for me, it feels like the people with an extensive dance background come into it with an advantage and that is what bugs me. Usually this is either a Disney Kid or a Bachelorette, both of which are ABC corporate shills. There is something more interesting when a star with zero dance training discovers a hidden aptitude for learning to dance than someone who comes in already knowing how to dance. That person this season (to me anyway) was Joey.

And sometimes it is also the kismet of the right pro and right star being matched that creates something that is more than the sum of their parts. This person this season (for me anyway) was Ilona.

[Andiethewestie]

15 hours ago, Ilovepie said:

There is something more interesting when a star with zero dance training discovers a hidden aptitude for learning to dance

This season none of the finalists except for Chandler had any special apptitude for dance whatsoever. All 4 failed on the instant dance and if they had an apptitude they would have at least learned to follow a lead. Chandler in contrast had no partner training prior to the show. Yes she had dance experience but she is not a regularly booked commercial dancer like Jordan Fisher or Heather Morris or a ballroom trained dancer like Riker Lynch. So Chandler looked great because the others were so poor. They would need at least a year of partnering to get anywhere near as entertaining. So sure, there's something great about Apolo Ohno or Gilles Marini but these people? It was cringe for the season and them adding an insulting result. Either this show removes scores all together or just don't call it Dancing with the Stars 

[boyznkatz]

1 hour ago, Andiethewestie said:

This season none of the finalists except for Chandler had any special apptitude for dance whatsoever. All 4 failed on the instant dance and if they had an apptitude they would have at least learned to follow a lead. Chandler in contrast had no partner training prior to the show. Yes she had dance experience but she is not a regularly booked commercial dancer like Jordan Fisher or Heather Morris or a ballroom trained dancer like Riker Lynch. So Chandler looked great because the others were so poor. They would need at least a year of partnering to get anywhere near as entertaining. So sure, there's something great about Apolo Ohno or Gilles Marini but these people? It was cringe for the season and them adding an insulting result. Either this show removes scores all together or just don't call it Dancing with the Stars 

I think they would have been far better with the OG pros. Surely Ilona would have been better with Derek or Mark, Stephen with Lindsay instead of Rylee, Danny with Peta or Cheryl. Even Joey would have been better with one of the old pros. I like Jenna as a choreographer usually, but she's not a good teacher, and her freestyles seem to suck. As for "stars" they haven't really had those for years.

[Andiethewestie]

Ilona would need a tall pro, neither Derek or Mark would look good with a contestant over 5' 7" so I think Tony would have been good for her.
 

Steven should have been put with Witney she's shorter and the topline looked off with Rylee.

 

I agree with Danny and Peta she did great with Donald Driver who has similar stiffness issues.
 

Joey would have corrected those feet with either Cheryl or Anna. Jenna  pulls focus always and agreed not a great teacher. 
 

Unfortunately it was a very disappointing season for anyone interested in dance. 

[Andiethewestie]

In contrast Brandon had a perfect partner in Chandler, a beautiful topline I can't get over that gorgeous overstay on the Foxtrot. Loved their intensity on that dance, The Paso and the AT. However I think this team will best be remembered for their joyous vibe together more fun than intense, more bro and sis.
 

For that reason they will be long remembered for their joyous Soul Train Cha cha and the new choreography and improvisation on the Instant Cha Cha, their amazing Redemption Jive it's best ever now going viral and their celebration Freestyle. 

[twilightzone]

The competition is over. And the viewers have spoken.  This was the highest rated season in 4 years.

My favorite didn't win, but I am not going to complain and whine like a sore loser. Congrats to everyone!  It is not easy for those who never had any dance experience, to get out there and do something completely out of their comfort zone.

DWTS is just a TV show.  IMO, it is way more impressive to compete in the Olympics, play in the Superbowl, be in the NBA.  And who cares if Reggie isn't the greatest dancer.  He is collecting those residual checks from having a hit TV show.  Ka-Ching!

Edited December 5 by twilightzone

[realdancemom]

 I read comments that it's supposed to be about celebrities with no dance experience and learning how to dance. Otherwise, it's unfair. That is false. If that was the case, the show wouldn't cast stars with dance experience. That would also be difficult to do especially for women.  It's also not about the best dancer. If that was the case, viewers wouldn't be able to vote.

People are going to vote for whoever they want. It could be Reggie if they were a big fan. It could be Danny if they love lifts or think he's really handsome. Some people purposely vote for the worst dancer. Votes are what makes the show interesting because you don't know who will win. At first, I thought it would be Stephen or Joey. Later on, I thought it would be Ilona because of social media.

I do watch for dancing. To me that was Chandler. However, I didn't expect her to win. I'm writing because some people think that non-dancers have it harder and dancers don't have to work as hard. I think it's a matter of what they're learning. Higher expectations are placed on dancers like Chandler. She has to learn proper ballroom steps but she also has needs more difficult choreography. You can't just give simple choreography or the judges will dock you. I believe that's why CAI said that Joey's freestyle was underwhelming. She expected more based on his abilities. 

[Andiethewestie]

2 hours ago, twilightzone said:

DWTS is just a TV show

Yes it is just a show. The professionals on the show have just as many years of focussed competitive training as an Olympic athlete or a Football star and that is why it's a big challenge for people to come on and try to emulate what they do. When somebody comes on and gives it a credible go I'm impressed because this style of dancing in particular is very technical and specific to partnering. It isn't easy even for people who know dance. Allison Holker who was cast as a pro struggled.

There was a time when Dancesport tried to become an Olympic Sport. Corky Ballas was one of the pros who spearheaded the petition. This is the biggest platform Ballroom Dancing has. So even if it's just a show, it's the one time Ballroom and Latin can capture a big audience, so as a Ballroom fan I  wished the judging was to a standard that dance fans can recognize. It's like watching the Super Bowl and nobody gets called for an off side.  The rules of the game are now unrecognizable.

[LennieBriscoe]

It's a television show. Entertainment. For a silly-arse "trophy," not even money for charity.

The producers can define "Stars" anyway they want. They can have dancers, the viewing audience, or whoever else they want to judge and vote. They can call the show "Dancing With the Kumquats," if they want. 

IMO, the "pro" judges are there to put the dances into some context of value and accomplishment both to encourage the participants and to somewhat educate the public. Can they misjudge? Of course. Dancing isn't a timed event, not an end-zone sport, not, that is, an objectively-scored endeavor. Can they comment to affect and influence the public? Can and have done. Ratings, not location, are top priority in television.  

But if the dancing were to be judged as seriously as some might prefer, we would have the judges or an announcer explain, describe, and/or point out in real time the "level of difficulty" and "points values" involved, as in Olympic diving or...gymnastics, where Team USA took Men's Gymnastics Bronze based on the above. 

Having said all this, I admit to still thinking the Voting Public was beyond unfair when they awarded the Glitter Ball Trophy to Emmett instead of Mario. THAT was a DWTS  travesty!

[Andiethewestie]

Mario Lopez was a god dam liar. That's why he lost, oh and his fucked up  toe leads in the Tango because he thought he knew more than his partner. Douche

[realdancemom]

I think the show tries to match pros by height, temperament, etc. I know some of the bigger stars ask for certain pros like Derek. Stephen would have done better with a seasoned pro technique wise. However, he and Riley were cute together. As Derek mentioned, they were like two anti-depressants. I think the show wants to invest in younger pros and give them time to grow. Lindsay wasn't a great pro right away. I think one problem is that Riley might have done what Allison used to do. They think of teaching choreography instead of teaching basic technique first. OTOH, they have to cram a lot in one week.

Ilona had a great experience since she was partnered with Alan. Their socials were fun. Yes, she would have listened to Tony just like she listens to coaches. I don't see them creating fun video clips though. I think her and Alan's social media is what got her to second place. Just my opinion which could be wrong.

[Ilovepie]

On 12/6/2024 at 5:45 PM, realdancemom said:

I think the show tries to match pros by height, temperament, etc. I know some of the bigger stars ask for certain pros like Derek. Stephen would have done better with a seasoned pro technique wise. However, he and Riley were cute together. As Derek mentioned, they were like two anti-depressants. I think the show wants to invest in younger pros and give them time to grow. Lindsay wasn't a great pro right away. I think one problem is that Riley might have done what Allison used to do. They think of teaching choreography instead of teaching basic technique first. OTOH, they have to cram a lot in one week.

Ilona had a great experience since she was partnered with Alan. Their socials were fun. Yes, she would have listened to Tony just like she listens to coaches. I don't see them creating fun video clips though. I think her and Alan's social media is what got her to second place. Just my opinion which could be wrong.

I think Ilona (and Stephen) came in riding a wave of goodwill from the Olympics and being two of the breakout American stars from Paris. Part of how Ilona became one of the faces of the Paris Olympics (besides her Rugby bronze!) was her social media posts from Paris after her Olympics concluded. And then the Sports Illustrated spread. Adding content with Alan just increased what she already had going. I wouldn't have wanted her paired with anyone else. Her account has brough me so much joy. Making to the finals? Heck yes! Winning? No, because she didn't deserve it based on her dancing. I was totally fine with her being second. I loved her freestyle. 

I definitely think Stephen would have improved even more than he did if he was paired with a stronger pro though. It was obvious he had more to give after seeing how much better he got just working with Mark a few times. Maybe the show needs to support newer pros so that they can improve as teachers - just because Riley is a great dancer doesn't make her a great teacher. Maybe she needs a season or two in the troupe....