S20.E06: Week 6: Spring Break

[BoogieBurns]

Who is the new girl on the troupe? Tom says it every time they dance and it's always a name I miss. Sidebar: I love Lindsay, she is the best troupe dancer

[Guest]

Who is the new girl on the troupe? Tom says it every time they dance and it's always a name I miss. Sidebar: I love Lindsay, she is the best troupe dancer

Brown, long hair?  Giant features?  Jenna.  Another SYTYCD alum.  

 

I feel like if Rumer didn't want to be in her parents' shadows she should've considered a career in accounting or something.  

[tarotx]

Brittany Cherry?

[vibeology]

Who is the new girl on the troupe? Tom says it every time they dance and it's always a name I miss. Sidebar: I love Lindsay, she is the best troupe dancer

 

Agreed you're talking about Brittany Cherry. This Brittany Cherry. I love that she's got a history with the show. And considering her recent work, she's kind of a get for the troupe.

[RemoteControl88]

I am officially tired of the "theme" nights.  Can we get back to a regular episode? It feels like every single week has had some theme to it.  

[Lonesome Rhodes]

I forgot to mention that TPTB did show a measure of class by withholding the results until after each dancer had performed with their pro.

 

Did anyone else notice how the director would instantly cut to a super wide shot anytime Mark was going to lift Willow so as to avoid showing her trunk area?  It was only after her position was established that he would go back to the more standard medium and close-up shots.  This was true in prior eps, but was done this ep much more than before.

 

While I agree that the jidges have been tougher on Nastia by picking on the feel of her dances and minimizing her relative technical excellence, I see it as their way of getting her to make a change that could get her the votes she needs from an audience who historically has voted for feel over actual dance.  It would be quite another thing if they were raising an issue that simply wasn't there.  This has been an issue for her every week, save last week's Disney ep.  If she wants the trophy, she's gonna have to adapt to what they have been saying.

[KLovestoShop]

Derek spent the night in hospital for injuries to both feet. Mark Ballas accompanied him to the ER, along with Derek's dad, Corky. No word if he'll be able to dance.

[Electruck]

I can't find the post to quote it, but yes, YOLO's sound was out of sync until the part with Nastia's walkover repeated. I'm glad to hear it wasn't my Tivo!

I'm really bummed for Derek about his injury. It appears the 10th anniversary dances were filmed yesterday, and it sounds like he won't be part of the special ep as a result, and who knows about the rest of the season and the remaing weeks of his Broadway role.

For him and Nastia to manage through the season so far then to have this happen. I hope it's not as bad as it sounds and he just needs a few days off his feet.

On the plus side: Henry!

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Although Patti was never going to make it to the finals, she did a lot more dancing than Chris and Noah did this week (again) and she did better than both of them this week. I would have preferred to have her stay and had either of the guys eliminated. Hopefully Noah and Chris will be the double elimination next week.

 

I didn't think Noah's rumba was different from/better than any of his previous dances. He literally stands still while Sharna dances around him and then he stands in the same spot while she jumps up and they do some lifts. If you only watch him, there is almost no movement at all in the entire dance. If you put paint on the bottom of his shoes, you would see that he barely moves during each routine. I was surprised that he got so snippy with Sharna. You'd think that after being in the military, he would be used to taking orders and following directions. I was totally on Sharna's side during their (very brief and very minor) squabble. She is the teacher and it's rude for him to interrupt when she is trying to teach him something.

 

Chris is still terrible but at least his partner is giving him some dance steps to do. Not a lot, but more than Sharna is giving Noah.

 

What annoyed me about Carrie Ann's critique of Nastia was that she twisted what Nastia said about going back to her gymnastics mentality. When she said that earlier, she was talking about how her body was sore. Gymnasts train and compete even when they are injured and that's what Nastia was referring to.

 

Robert, it's "for Kym and me" not "for Kym and I".

*whispers* That annoyed me too!

 

When Bruno made sure to tell Willow she was hot after the group dance, all I could think was damn it, Bruno, we all know that she is the youngest contestant on the show EVER (as we are reminded every week) so try to rein it in there, buddy. Then he tried to clarify by saying he meant it in a good way. Stop talking! You are making it worse! I laughed when Tom then told him he was creepy. Stop perving on the 14 year old, Bruno.

 

I don't like Derek. Like AT ALL. But I thought Team Yolo's group dance was better because it was choreographed and staged in a smart way. They had some synchronized group choreography in specific formations as well as the solos, which made the routine look organized, for lack of a better word. Team Trouble's routine, on the other hand, just looked messy because there were people running around for most of it. Patti was not included in all the group choreography because of her role as the teacher but it still made it seem like they were deliberately sidelining her.

 

Man, Mark's British accent was really coming through during group rehearsals!

 

Sorry, Val, I don't buy your excuse about not being able to choreograph a better routine because of the song. I have seen plenty of dances that used Bootylicious that were fun and consisted of more than posing and walking around.

 

ETA: Like I said, I have no love for Derek but I feel bad about his injuries. Hurting both feet is terrible, even for a non-dancer, but when your livelihood is dancing any kind of foot injury is really scary. Hope he recovers.

Edited April 22, 2015 by ElectricBoogaloo

[BoogieBurns]

along with Derek's dad, Corky.

 

Corky is Mark's dad

[KLovestoShop]

Thanks, Boogie. I wrote that post at 5am and still asleep. Of course Corky is Mark's dad. Idiot me lol.

[kitcloudkicker]

On the plus side: Henry!

 

Do we know yet if it's going to be Henry or Sasha working with Nastia this week? I'd imagine we'd find out soon, as one of them would have had to be heading to New York last night or this morning. Going by the last few weeks, it seems likely it will be Sasha. 

[superdeluxe]

Yes, they said it day one.  Have they said it since?  If so, I've missed it.  But if it's their intention to give the season to Val, they're going about it rather strangely.  Rumer was 4th out of 8 this week and just 1 point higher than Chris, for goodness' sake.  Nastia is tied for second.  Rumer has been first on the leader board twice; Nastia three times.  Nastia has outscored Rumer 4 weeks out of 6.  There simply does not seem to be any indication at this point that this is supposed to be "Val's season."  I'd like to see him win because Rumer has come to be my favorite of the group, but I'm just not seeing any indication that they're trying to push it.

 

They don't need to keep saying it.  Their actions show it.  The media keeps harping on it.  This is the point of the narrative where they keep the frontrunners low or try to humble them or whatever and they they have that huge comeback with declarations of "You're back!" and then they're on top until they win.  I know you've watched this show before.  You should know how things go.

 

He had a straight face and almost a scowl on the nights he was there to watch.  He looked like a tough guy and a lot was said about his expression in a teasing way.  I think that is the root of it.

 

Yeah, but isn't that just how Bruce Willis looks?

 

Do we know yet if it's going to be Henry or Sasha working with Nastia this week? I'd imagine we'd find out soon, as one of them would have had to be heading to New York last night or this morning. Going by the last few weeks, it seems likely it will be Sasha

 

It'll probably be Sasha since he has taken over for Henry.  Sad for Derek, though.  He basically came back so that he could participate in the anniversary festivities and he couldn't do it because he got injured.

Edited April 22, 2015 by superdeluxe

[tessaforever]

Well, I too disliked much of Allison's work last year with Jonathan, but color me surprised if Riker's dances aren't the ones I go back and watch again. Choreography is still frantic, but Riker pulls it off, and at this point, they're more exciting than Derek and Nastia (I don't think Derek has any more tricks up his sleeve) and Val and Rumer (Val has a strange way of not living up to the moment when it really counts). Since this show has moved away from ballroom, it is within the realm of possibility for Allison to do really well, when I don't think she could have say 7-8 seasons ago.

 

I used to like Erin, but she has really gone off-course somehow. Her follow-up questions used to be interesting, and now she simply repeats whatever the judges just said and then interrupts the pros/celebs when they try to respond. Or creates awkward moments (aka Robert & Kym). I'm sure it was hard for her to do the show this past week with what happened to her (ex?)boyfriend, but she seemed almost manic in an attempt to appear breezy. I alllllllmost miss Brooke, and I never thought I would say that!

 

Willow seems like a lovely young woman and I wish her all the success in the world. I thought by now that Mark would have helped her with her legs, but they are still bent in all sorts of ungainly ways, which makes it hard for me to watch her dance :(

 

If Noah and Chris go home this week (yes, please!), then there really will never have been a "shock boot", as the remaining contestants all deserve to be at the top.

[skittl3862]

They don't need to keep saying it.  Their actions show it.  The media keeps harping on it.  This is the point of the narrative where they keep the frontrunners low or try to humble them or whatever and they they have that huge comeback with declarations of "You're back!" and then they're on top until they win.  I know you've watched this show before.  You should know how things go.

 

 

Which actions show it? Other than Len in the first episode, can you provide examples that appeared on this show? Sure, the media harps about it, but not all of the DWTS audience follows all the media appearances for each couple. If people are hunting down interviews with Val for fodder and get annoyed every time the question comes up, that's not the same as it being a major plotline on this show ala Maks, which is what was originally claimed here. If the "It's Val's time" narrative bothers anyone, I would suggest just ignoring the media and just watching the show like I do, because it's only come up the one time on air.

 

And Derek is injured. Now was it worth coming back this season, Derek? He was so desperate do it all and now he can't do any of it. I can only imagine the clusterfck this is causing with Radio City; he's going to cost them tens of thousands of dollars every day he's out of that show. If he can't go back at all, he could be in real trouble contractually.

[tearbender]

Choreography is still frantic, but Riker pulls it off, and at this point, they're more exciting than Derek and Nastia (I don't think Derek has any more tricks up his sleeve) and Val and Rumer (Val has a strange way of not living up to the moment when it really counts).

 

Willow seems like a lovely young woman and I wish her all the success in the world. I thought by now that Mark would have helped her with her legs, but they are still bent in all sorts of ungainly ways, which makes it hard for me to watch her dance :(

I don't care to see Riker and Allison in the finals but I can see the finale going down the way that you say.  At this point I've given up on Derek helping Nastia achieve anything surprising, engaging or interesting IMO, and I agree Val's freestyles have lacked the necessary oomph needed against his competition. I am interested to see how the freestyles pan out this year as the show is experiencing a bit of overproduction fatigue right now.

 

I enjoy Willow's partnership with Mark but her legs really do need some work. She was also worryingly slow with her salsa this week.

I alllllllmost miss Brooke, and I never thought I would say that!

But how does that make you feel? *awkward pause* *Forced smile.* Tom?

[radishcake]

Guys let's cool it with the "show me where" etc...no one needs to prove their opinion but your opinion is also not fact so don't present it that way either.

Play nice!

[tessaforever]

But how does that make you feel? *awkward pause* *Forced smile.* Tom?

Hee! Thank goodness for Tom - the show wouldn't be half as good without him!

[Shannon L.]

I'm sorry to hear about Derek.  Hurting your feet or knees for a dancer must be really scary. 

 

Speaking of scary, my husband and I were holding our breath when Allison was dancing on top of those two tables in high heels.  She came dangerously close to slipping between them. 

 

I enjoyed both group dances, but felt they were both weaker than some in the past. Someone a couple of pages back (apologies for not being able to find the quote-it's taken me this long to get through all 4 pages) mentioned something about missing them doing actual ballroom dances for their group dances.  I think they needed to do freestyle this year because there was no way Noah was going to be able to keep up and in sync with any group ballroom routine. 

 

I was also thinking that so many people were complaining that Derek's all star group dance was one big cheer leading routine (I disagree with that, btw), but, imo, this one had a lot more cheer leading elements in it.  Between all the times a girl ended up on her partner's shoulders, Nastia's gymnastics, the cluster at the end with the towels....well, like I said, I enjoyed it, but it wasn't the strongest group dance Derek's ever been involved with.

[LadyMustang65]

They don't need to keep saying it.  Their actions show it.  The media keeps harping on it.  This is the point of the narrative where they keep the frontrunners low or try to humble them or whatever and they they have that huge comeback with declarations of "You're back!" and then they're on top they win.  I know you've watched this show before.  You should know how things go.

 

 

I've watched every episode since the first week of season one, so I do know how things go.  Which is why I think they're doing the narrative as much if not more for Nastia as they are for Rumer.  Nastia gets critiqued on the same kind of things each week, which sets her up to have a "breakthrough" in her connection (although Derek's injury may have thrown a monkey wrench into those plans) with Derek.  Rumer gets less specific and more generic critiques, so it doesn't seem like they're setting her up at all for much of an arc.  And if you think about it in PR terms, a 20th season win by a former Olympian makes a far more compelling story than a win by an actress/singer that most people couldn't tell you one thing about except that she is Bruce and Demi's daughter.  In the end it really won't matter that much what TPTP want.  They can only control the voters so much by trying to make one couple look better, funnier, more personable than another, but they also run the risk of turning off voters who feel like they're being manipulated.  I'm thinking they really didn't plan on folks like Bill Engvall and Tommy Chong making it as far as they did.  <lol>

[SnarkyTart]

"While rehearsing for the 10th Anniversary ‘Dancing with the Stars’ television special Monday night in Los Angeles, Derek Hough suffered injuries to his right foot and left ankle," his rep told FOX411. "He has been diagnosed with a broken toe on his right foot and sprains to his left ankle on both the inside and outside aspects and a bone bruise on the same ankle."

 

That doesn't sound good.  I hope Derek has a speedy and complete recovery.

 

As for this week's episode of DWTS...hated it.  The themes absolutely need to go; they're a big part of what's killing the show.  Other than Riker (who was waaay overscored), I thought all the contestants turned in their worst performances of the last several weeks.  Every single one of them.   

 

I would like to see Noah go home next week; he's overdue.  Whatever positive point he and/or the producers of DWTS were trying to make by having him as a contestant, it was made weeks ago, and now it's just embarrassing. 

 

I'd expect to see Robert go home next week too, which makes me a little sad 'cuz I like Robert.  Chris is wholly unlikable to me, but I have to admit he's shown a bit of improvement the last two weeks, whereas Robert appears to be regressing.  It really looked like the rythm exercises Allison had Chris doing all week were quite helpful.  I wish Kym would do that for Robert this week, because ouch.  I've rarely seen someone so far off the beat as Robert can be while remaining blissfully unaware of it.   

 

Mark needs to costume Willow in a long skirt every week, regardless of dance style.  When her legs are showing, her technical issues are so distracting I almost don't notice her dancing.  When her legs are covered I truly do enjoy her dancing.  Mark's choreography this season has been so refreshing and fitting for his partner.

 

Rumer seems a little stuck in her growth arc.  I don't know if it's that she's peaked in terms of her capabilities, or if Val's teaching is at fault.  In either case, it makes me a little sad because she's my favorite.

 

Nastia bores the everloving crap outta me.  There's little I can specifically fault about her dancing (other than her seeming complete lack of personality), but I never remember any of her performances by the end of the show.

 

I'm enjoying Riker more than I expected to even though his dancing continues to be so desperate and manic looking.  At least it looks like he's giving his best every week and bringing a SHOW, which is why I watch DWTS. 

 

Finally, show, get rid of the extra dancers during the contestant performances, get rid of the Big Productions, bring back more ballroom, and replace Erin Andrews.  The End.

[skyways]

As for this week's episode of DWTS...hated it.  The themes absolutely need to go; they're a big part of what's killing the show.  Other than Riker (who was waaay overscored), I thought all the contestants turned in their worst performances of the last several weeks.  Every single one of them

 

 

Agreed. Deleted the whole thing immediately. I too have watched since season 1, although the recent changes have made me not too much into it as I was before. They used to have an orderly combination of ballroom and latin and each couple danced interchangeably any dance they hadn't done before. Now we see in one night , jazz, tango, samba, waltz all disordered in the same night.  We now go whole seasons without couples attempting certain dances and others dancing the same style twice. The dance and music choices of this episode was a mess.

 

Agreed about Willow too. Her 'bad legs' were too distracting.

 

Rumer's dance reminded me how Val can easily sink his own chances - if a dance style is difficult GET OUTSIDE HELP!! Derek did it all the time with Knight rider Bhangra and the 50's Paso. And no I don't mean your fellow dancers - a real specialist.

 

Riker is good but his pro will sink him if there's no significant improvement in his refinement, if he lands in the bottom again.

 

Nastia - I love that she is definitely watchable as a budding ballroom dancer , great ballroom legs, pointed feet, good posture (although she lost it a number of times in that Tango) etcetc. But Derek should have sat out this season and allowed her to partner with someone else who can still be inspired by what she brings. Derek is jaded and it's showing in their performances. At this point she ought to shining even more brightly than Nicole S and Jennifer Grey.

 

As for the others - Sorry! I now only bother with contenders and fast forward all the others. My longevity with this show has taught me a few things.

Edited April 22, 2015 by skyways

[ElectricBoogaloo]

bring back more ballroom, and replace Erin Andrews.  The End.

These are the two major things. Having more ballroom would be such an obvious improvement. As for Erin, the longer I watch this show the worse she gets as a host. And to think that at one point I thought anyone would be better than Brooke Burke and her blank stares/awkward silences. I would take her back if I didn't have to watch Erin Andrews constantly interrupting the contestants. She is like that drunk chick at a party who won't let anyone get a word in and thinks she is sooooo funny. What makes her seem even worse in comparison is Cat Deeley's awesomeness.

Edited April 22, 2015 by ElectricBoogaloo

[RetailTherapy]

Maybe I've just been watching too long.  It all looks the same.

 

1.  Riker and Allison dancing at top speed, regardless of the dance style

2.  Robert and Kym, bravely making a go of it, with Robert always two beats behind

3.  Nastia and Derek, with Derek figuratively and now literally phoning it in

4.  Bachelor Chris lunking around the dance floor

5.  Rumer and Val doing basically the same cha-cha/samba/salsa

6.  Willow and Mark, trying to do theme night every night

7.  Noah and Sharna, with Sharna frantically dancing around him while he wobbles back and forth

 

Bring back real, authentic ballroom.  Lose the jazz, modern, Bollywood and all other non-traditional ballroom style dances.

[Guest]

I think in reality few viewers would sit through 1-2 hours of real Viennese waltz, cha cha, jive, etc., with no lifts, props, unique choreo, troupe, crazy costumes, silly stories, Houghs, Brunos, contemporary, freestyle, jazz, SYTYCD alumni or special effects.  Surely that show is already on some PBS or cable channel now, isn't it?  Actual ballroom competitions?  

[katha]

Yeah, we may not like it, but I do think  putting the focus on the entertainment aspect, production and so on has helped the show survive. It's creaking and struggling now, but that's because it's been 10 years and 20 seasons...it's bound to happen. Keeping it pure ballroom probably wouldn't have worked. People tune in to see stories and spectacle to some degree, not necessarily the best technical dancing.

 

The judging was wonky as usual. I thought Nastia was underscored, it was the best dance of the night IMO. Yeah, yeah, better connection and performance, agree with all of that in general, but I thought for the tango the coldness was appropriate and technique wise she looked the best of the lot, not perfect, but the best. 36, 37 IMO.

 

Riker was overscored again. Yes he's selling everything, but it was again manic and and sloppy. 35?

 

Willow was scored about right IMO. Which after the first week has become a bit of a theme with her, around her over/underscoring is going on...she gets mostly appropriate marks and comments. Perhaps they do have a conscience and don't want to play mindgames with the kid? Yep, legs were wonky, but it was much better than the cha-cha in execution and performance otherwise. 

 

Rumer was scored about right. She's a better dancer than Willow, but this was a massive choreo fail on Val's part and didn't show her in the best light at all. Also not much content, too much posing.

 

Chris was overscored. Are they trying to go soft on him to get him out the door? See also: Not putting him in jeopardy to lull the fanbase? Should have been 28, 29.

 

Noah was scored about right. They can't go harsher on him in the comments without riling people up, but he can't do much, so they can't give him more.

 

Robert was scored right. His limits are visible now that the crowd has thinned out.

Edited April 23, 2015 by katha

[Fliz]

Did anyone else think that Kym looked like Barbara Eden when her hair was in a high ponytail?

[LadyMustang65]

My husband said she would be perfect if they ever decide to remake "I Dream of Genie."  :)

[Guest]

My husband said she would be perfect if they ever decide to remake "I Dream of Genie."  :)

They did dress Kym as Jeannie back in Mark's season and she did nail it.

 

[tessaforever]

I re-watched the team dances and I really think Team Trouble should have finally (definitively) ended Derek's winning streak. Team YOLO was cute, but I've seen it all before - Derek's sections always include a tiny bit of footwork and then one stunning, long move (in this case, twirling Nastia around in the splits). The small stage made it seem crowded and nothing "popped" for me.

 

While Team Trouble was not perfect, it was fresher and more exciting, they moved around more and used more of the stage, and showed more of their personalities. It was too bad Derek's team went first, as they were overscored, and there was no way to have Team Trouble win unless they got all 10s, which was not going to happen. Reverse the order, and Derek would have his first true loss.

[truthaboutluv]

While Team Trouble was not perfect, it was fresher and more exciting, they moved around more and used more of the stage,

 

 

Actually, that's one of the things I found odd about Team Trouble, considering they were down on the main stage versus Team YOLO who did their entire dance on the small stage. Team Trouble really did not use much space. They were pretty much confined to the area where the blackboard and table/chairs were set up and being confined there with all the props succeeded in making them look just as cramped. It particularly stood out to me during the sequence when Patti is upfront doing her Patti shuffle and they're all dancing behind her - they looked packed in because it's taking place in the space between the tables. 

 

I get the opinion of some that Team Trouble was "more fun" and if the team dances were left up to fan voting then I would understand feeling Team Trouble was clearly the more deserving winner if more people simply enjoyed it more. However, I just don't think on dance ability and choreography, they were in any way "clearly the winner." I've seen comments that Team YOLO was almost too precise and polished but while I can understand not caring for that on a personal level, are the judges really supposed to score them down because they were too polished and precise? That doesn't make sense. 

 

I feel like I've seen the same comments in the last three seasons or so of the team dances. Derek's team is always uniformed, not just in the choreography but in their look and costuming and the other team is not. And then many people will feel that the other team was the one that looked like they were having more fun and should have won but when you look at the actual dancing, the other team was rarely as clean as Derek's team.

 

And here's the thing, I am positive that Derek's teams aren't always as in sync and precise as they look but it seems that way because they're so uniformed in their look versus the other team where the slightest off move is obvious because they're dressed differently which makes them stand out more. Case in point, right at the start of Team Trouble's dance, Riker/Allison and Rumer/Val were not in sync in their movements. Which is why for all the frustration I read season after season about Derek always winning the team dance, I just cannot understand why other teams keep making this obvious and basic mistake over and over. You are a team - look like a team. 

[sinkwriter]

 

However, I just don't think on dance ability and choreography, they were in any way "clearly the winner."

 

I think that was my view as well. I just didn't think Team Trouble did enough to put them clearly over the top as the winner. Some of their movements seemed cluttered or scattered, though there were some great dance moves going on I had trouble knowing what to watch because it felt all over the place to me, and I just thought the concept was better than the execution of it. I wanted them to win, I loved the idea of what they were going to do, but the only part that really felt cohesive was the end section with Patti leading them in dance. I just couldn't watch it and say with certainty that theirs was better. I felt the tie was legitimate. Both good but not great.

[realdancemom]

I thought both team dances were disappointing in comparison to other seasons.  Team Yolo did look cramped on a small stage.  However, they did look synchronized which Derek's teams usually are.  Team Trouble didn't seem organized to me but they did have a more interesting concept.

 

I liked Erin in previous seasons.  She has a quicker wit than Brooke.  But she put Kym and Robert in an awkward state with that kissing on the lip crap.  Last week, she interrupted Val while he was thanking the makeup and costume people just for an awkward moment with Minnie Mouse.    

[Andiethewestie]

I re-watched the team dances and I really think Team Trouble should have finally (definitively) ended Derek's winning streak. Team YOLO was cute, but I've seen it all before - Derek's sections always include a tiny bit of footwork and then one stunning, long move (in this case, twirling Nastia around in the splits). The small stage made it seem crowded and nothing "popped" for me.

 

While Team Trouble was not perfect, it was fresher and more exciting, they moved around more and used more of the stage, and showed more of their personalities. It was too bad Derek's team went first, as they were overscored, and there was no way to have Team Trouble win unless they got all 10s, which was not going to happen. Reverse the order, and Derek would have his first true loss.

I have to agree, watching it back I was entertained by Trouble.

I thought both team dances were disappointing in comparison to other seasons.  Team Yolo did look cramped on a small stage.  However, they did look synchronized which Derek's teams usually are.  Team Trouble didn't seem organized to me but they did have a more interesting concept.

 

I liked Erin in previous seasons.  She has a quicker wit than Brooke.  But she put Kym and Robert in an awkward state with that kissing on the lip crap.  Last week, she interrupted Val while he was thanking the makeup and costume people just for an awkward moment with Minnie Mouse.    

I hated that Itsy Bitsy crap Derek did last season.

[realdancemom]

I hated that Itsy Bitsy crap Derek did last season.

The previous two seasons and this one, I've been more entertained by the teams competing against Derek's.  However, Derek's teams have still been more synchronized than the competing teams.  Since they are team competitions, I agree with truthaboutluv that I would think the other pros would realize this by now.

[truthaboutluv]

Honestly, I didn't think Team Trouble's concept was that interesting or fresh. They were Team Trouble and played a school theme where they were all "bad students" I guess. It's hardly something we've never seen. Not that YOLO was particularly different or fresh either but what I did think was cool about their theme and dance is that it was the only one the entire night, in my opinion, that had anything to do with the stupid Spring Break theme. 

 

Since they are team competitions, I agree with truthaboutluv that I would think the other pros would realize this by now.

 

 

Honestly at this point it's almost frustrating to me because it just seems so basic and obvious and yet season after season, teams don't do it. I think maybe it's a strategy of "well Derek does the synchronized stuff so we'll do something very different to stand out". Yeah but it keeps not working, season after season. 

 

Like I said last season, maybe the judges need to start stating what they're looking for exactly in a team dance because at the end of the day, to me personally, repetitive or not, synchronicity and timing will always win out no matter how fun the other team looks like they were having. I would also like to point out that there were some impressive touches in YOLO's dance -  I thought the stuff with the balls was pretty good because it's always tricky working with props and to do it without going off beat. 

Edited April 23, 2015 by truthaboutluv

[sinkwriter]

 

Honestly, I didn't think Team Trouble's concept was that interesting or fresh.

 

I think for me it was the promise of what the concept could have been. I like the idea of Breakfast Club meets Grease. I just didn't think they executed it that well. So it was disappointing.

[Avidviewer]

I'm ready to see something else from Derek in the team dance besides synchronizing. Yeah, it's easier to watch. But when viewers know its part of your choreography calling card, maybe its time to deploy something else.

Edited April 23, 2015 by Avidviewer

[LadyMustang65]

Maybe my family is alone in feeling this way, but when the team dances were actual dances - tango, samba, whatever - then we liked and valued synchronicity in the team dances.  But now that the team dances are all freestyles, we're basically bored to tears with synchronicity.  It feels very flat and one-note.  So we appreciate the teams that don't go that route because who wants to be bored twice?  The freestyles with a story and some synchronized parts but mostly variety are way more fun and engaging.  And I'll be honest - I did not think Team YOLO was all that synchronized in their dance.  They went first and while we thought they were better than we expected based on the intro package, we thought their execution seemed kind of messy, and it was an extremely claustrophobic dance.  I hated that tiny stage and all those people around it.  Wipeout is one of the best summer beach songs ever written, so the dance was automatically guaranteed to make me smile, but I loved Team Trouble's routine so much more precisely because everyone wasn't doing the same thing at the same time in unison.  I liked that you didn't know where to look (as someone else said) because everywhere you looked there was something different going on as opposed to who cares where you look because the view's the same no matter which couple you're looking at.  I also didn't think Team YOLO's solo sections were that good.  Obviously everyone has their own opinion when it comes to these things, but for my money, Team Trouble was clearly definitively the better team, and I'm still annoyed that the judges just couldn't bring themselves to give another team an outright win over Team Derek. 

[truthaboutluv]

but I loved Team Trouble's routine so much more precisely because everyone wasn't doing the same thing at the same time in unison.  I liked that you didn't know where to look (as someone else said) because everywhere you looked there was something different going on as opposed to who cares where you look because the view's the same no matter which couple you're looking at.

 

 

And to someone else it just looks very messy and confusing. And that's why you're right, it is subjective and why in my opinion, I disagree that Trouble was definitively better. Clearly some enjoyed them much more and thought they were unquestionably the winner and others didn't. In my opinion, there was nothing glaringly awful about Team YOLO that I could say the judges were so wrong in scoring them how they did.  That's my disagreement - it's fine if some just thought Trouble was more fun and enjoyed it more, but to say the judges were somehow wrong in their scoring, I didn't see that.

 

Because again, I really didn't think Team Trouble was so much better. Riker and Allison's solo was manic as is the case with them, Rumer and Val was only okay, Chris and Witney were not in sync and barely did anything and the only really cool part was the synchronized dancing behind Patti while she did her Patti shuffle. And once again, this is not to say I thought YOLO was out of this world but I just didn't think Team Trouble was so much more superior. 

 

And as for the synchronicity discussion, this reminds me of something Mandy Moore said on Afterbuzz when talking about staging the Pro numbers. She said that at the start of her time with the show, it was frustrating because she realized the Pros like to put their own extra oomph on moves to stand out. The reason for that is because they're used to competing in these competitions where multiple couples are on the floor at the same time and so they have to do whatever to stand out. And Mandy said she had to say to them, "well you're not competing against each other in these performances and you have to remember you're playing to the cameras." And that's what I think is key, at least for me. Some may not agree and love the rag tag look and themes but for me, a bunch of people dressed differently running around doing their own thing just looks messy on screen, no matter how well danced it is. 

 

But when viewers know its part of your choreography calling card, maybe its time to deploy something else.

 

 

But as they say "if ain't broke, don't fix it." And clearly it keeps working for him.

Edited April 23, 2015 by truthaboutluv

[Fliz]

They did dress Kym as Jeannie back in Mark's season and she did nail it.

 

I've watched every season, but had completely forgotten about that, Winston9-DT3 - thanks for the great photo! (Maybe I just repressed all memories related to Mark Cuban...)

[realdancemom]

And as for the synchronicity discussion, this reminds me of something Mandy Moore said on Afterbuzz when talking about staging the Pro numbers. She said that at the start of her time with the show, it was frustrating because she realized the Pros like to put their own extra oomph on moves to stand out. The reason for that is because they're used to competing in these competitions where multiple couples are on the floor at the same time and so they have to do whatever to stand out. And Mandy said she had to say to them, "well you're not competing against each other in these performances and you have to remember you're playing to the cameras." And that's what I think is key, at least for me. Some may not agree and love the rag tag look and themes but for me, a bunch of people dressed differently running around doing their own thing just looks messy on screen, no matter how well danced it is. 

I can see what Mandy is saying because a couple does want to stand out among other couples.  However, in these competitions there are also team formation competitions.  In these cases, the teams do have to look synchronized and the formations are the most important thing.  The people should look so much alike that the teams usually spray their hair black, get spray tanned, etc.  Of course, their costumes are the same too.  So I would think the pros would know how team competitions work. 

[Andiethewestie]

The previous two seasons and this one, I've been more entertained by the teams competing against Derek's.  However, Derek's teams have still been more synchronized than the competing teams.  Since they are team competitions, I agree with truthaboutluv that I would think the other pros would realize this by now.

Syncro does not entertain me in the least. I think of those damn syncro swimming routines and I turn the channel.  I'll take personality any day over "syncro" reminds me too much of lock step cheerleading. Surely the show is better than that.

Edited April 23, 2015 by Andiethewestie

[Jewelz]

I'm not enjoying this season much at all.  Most of the dances look like mixed-up hot messes.

I hate how the show matches the pros up with the "stars".  What fun it would be if, for example, Derek got some old lady as a partner!

 

Noah can leave at any time- I feel sorry for the guy, but it's his time to go.

Chris is showing improvement, but his time is up, too. He seems kind of whiney and crabby, and I'm so sick of seeing his fiance in the audience. Does she get paid to be there?

Robert gives me the creeps- and he is struggling.  I don't want to know if he is dating Kym.  I don't care!

Rumer is okay- but I think it is kind of sad that she is on the show because of who her parents are.  I don't get why these children of actors, etc., so often try to break into show biz and modeling.  They could go to any college, get a good education and make the world a better place.

Willow is a darling and fun to watch.  I do think she is too young for the show.  As long as she is there, though, I hope she goes into the finals.

Riker is great- he is doing a nice job with a not so experienced pro.  I LIKE HIS HAIR!  It is cute and appropriate for a young person. 

Nastia is a beautiful dancer.  I don't see a lack of emotion in her- she is cool but not cold.  I'd like to see her with some better choreographed dances.

 

All this being said- I hate the unevenness of the stars' dancing abilities.  It would be exciting to watch a more standardized group of dancers compete. 

The judges are so so so annoying. The only one I can stand is Len.  Julianne should not be judging her brother and second cousin (or whatever relation Riker is).

Erin is over the top this season- and not in a good way. 

This show is headed for the trashcan unless TPTB get their act together and makes some positive changes.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Jewelz

[Forrealforreal]

After listening to Val and Rumor's interview on Howard Stern I'm really not feeling them. I think her aura of confidence is a front and I feel like she needs to work on that before serving up queen Bey. I thought she looked uncomfortable. To me that's where the juxtaposition comes in. As for Val, I hope he gets it together Monday.

 

Team Trouble was still my fav though. Sad about Derek. Hope Riker doesn't get eliminated cause I'm now for Rallison all the way. Doubt any of these are popular opinions..

 

Just wish this season was better. 

[superdeluxe]

While Team Trouble was not perfect, it was fresher and more exciting, they moved around more and used more of the stage, and showed more of their personalities.

 

Fresher?  Please.  The school theme has been done before.  There wasn't anything fresh about that entire dance.

 

but I loved Team Trouble's routine so much more precisely because everyone wasn't doing the same thing at the same time in unison.  I liked that you didn't know where to look (as someone else said) because everywhere you looked there was something different going on as opposed to who cares where you look because the view's the same no matter which couple you're looking at.

 

    

And to someone else it just looks very messy and confusing.

 

First of all, I really hated the names that the teams came up with.  They didn't really think hard about that.  Anyway.  Yeah, I like the synchronicity.  I say, you're a team.  Look like one; dance like one.  I didn't even have a problem with the small stage.  It looked like a performance that would happen in one of those old beach movies.  Team Trouble's dance was a mess.  I didn't know what was going on.  Plus, the song just took me right out of it.

[Andiethewestie]

Who the hell cares about team names? When the whole team concept started it was Team Paso against Team Cha Cha.  Nothing too taxing there.  Syncronicity is for robots and people with no rhythm, I'll take the crazy fun of  the Time Warp over the junk of Itsy Bitsy last season,  or even Gangnam over the damn cheerleading crap we saw in Season 15.  

Edited April 24, 2015 by Andiethewestie

[superdeluxe]

Some people care about team names.  I saw some complaints about the Team YOLO name throughout this thread.  And you want to talk about mess?  That Gangnam nonsense.  They just thought they were awesome and clever, too, when it was just awful.  I still cringe thinking back to that.

[skittl3862]

And I'll be honest - I did not think Team YOLO was all that synchronized in their dance.  They went first and while we thought they were better than we expected based on the intro package, we thought their execution seemed kind of messy, and it was an extremely claustrophobic dance.  I hated that tiny stage and all those people around it.

 

Agreed. For all the hailing of Derek's seasonal Team Dance success as being about synchronicity instead of "chaos"- they weren't even together at the synchronized parts. From the beginning- the beach balls aren't in unison, the guys jump "together"- at different heights and staggered times. The towel spins weren't in sync. And the big finish pose involved the female PROS being too slow and striking the wrong pose front and center.

 

I mean, Team Trouble wasn't perfectly in sync either, but that isn't really Val or Whitney's "thing". If people are going to compliment Derek for the synchronicity of his dance routines as being the reason why he deserved to win this time too, I don't agree that is the case for this dance. Of course it should be rewarded when executed correctly (like Itsy Bitsy), but this dance was not nearly as good as his past team routines.

 

I rewatched for the first time tonight and I think the thing that bugged me the most about Team YOLO's 39 and tie is that most of the solos consisted solely of lifts. There wasn't room for anything else with that tiny stage and catwalk, but it really minimized complexity of the routines. Even Chris and Whitney's solo had more dance content than Nastia and Derek's- and they ended with a similar lift. Shouldn't the highest scoring team captain and perennial winner have a much more complicated dance (yes, dance, not gymnastics) routine than the lowest scorer who has been in jeopardy every single week? I loved Willow's solo, it had a lift, but  it also a lot of dance content, was cute and fun and matched her personality. Nastia's routine looked obviously like they'd thrown it together in a day. It does a disservice to the whole team when the strongest link is half-assing it.

[anony mouse]

Who the hell cares about team names? When the whole team concept started it was Team Paso against Team Cha Cha.  Nothing too taxing there.  Syncronicity is for robots and people with no rhythm, I'll take the crazy fun of  the Time Warp over the junk of Itsy Bitsy last season,  or even Gangnam over the damn cheerleading crap we saw in Season 15.  

 

BBM. You actually can't have synchronization among dancers without rhythm. It would be near impossible to have a synchronized dance if the dancers lacked rhythm. Synchronized movement in dance is important for timing, dynamics, and to express certain ideas/themes. I can appreciate differences in preference for a dance which is more focused on each individual couple vs. a dance which focuses on all the couples as a whole, but synchronization is necessary at some level for either of those to be shown. It's not for "robots."