S20.E12: Week 9 Results

[Guest]

I see a lot of Facebook posts too on the DWTS page of people who can't stand Derek.    

It wouldn't surprise me if it's the same people that can't stand him here.  

[Lonesome Rhodes]

Total YMMV:

 

Val's remarks were not a diss of Nastia.  They were a defense of Nastia.  He was expressing his well-earned cynicism as to what Ameriker rewards with its votes.

 

Derek was not glomming on to Nastia and imposing himself in every possible shot with her after his injury because he is that big an egomaniac.  He did it because TPTB asked him to do it (Ameriker has no clue what or who a "Sasha" is) and because he would be reminding his fans that they needed to vote for Nastia for any hopes of seeing him dance again this season.  Any pro would have done the same.  Yes, Derek has a very, very, healthy ego and sense of self.  My take is he did it more for his partner.  

 

I knew Erin a little bit.  She is an absolute sweetheart.  She is prone to rampant sentimentalism, which I find charming.  Her "eye rolling" was totally about her knowing she was going to lose it for the umpteenth time and this would annoy the BBC America producers (TPTB).   She certainly has her faults, as most all on-camera types do.  However, she has kept her heart more than most who have attained similar status in TV-land.  

Edited May 14, 2015 by Lonesome Rhodes

[Uke]

If I recall correctly, back in S11 the judges did adjust the scores down for Bristol.  If she had won (on votes), it would probably have killed off the show - that someone who was, at best, a marginal dancer could wind up winning.  Between her fans, her mom's fans, the political groups who were trying to prove something, and the vote-for-the-worst group, she was probably running away with the votes so for the finale the judges scored the order they wanted.  Jennifer at the highest, Kyle a little lower and Bristol the lowest.  On the 2nd night of the finale, after the viewers' votes were in, they had 1 more chance to apply scores and again I'm pretty sure they reinforced their Jennifer, Kyle, Bristol ranking by scoring 10, 9s and 8s (?). 

 

So, it doesn't have to be a blitz of 10s for everyone. I'd assume this season there will be one last scored dance that the viewers won't be able to vote on. TPTB's 1st priority is to protect the series and the "believability" of the results.  If they're satisfied with how the sum of the scores+votes turned out, it will be 10s for all.  If not, they reserve one last scored dance to adjust the results.

Edited May 14, 2015 by Uke

[Padma]

I was not able to watch last night.  As someone who loathes Golden Boy, I would have rather seen Nastia get through than Rumer or Riker.  Both them grate on my nerves.  Rumer is smug and gives off a mean girl vibe to me.  All of her whining about people being mean to her buys her no sympathy from me.  And I find her dancing to be boring and one-note.  Riker is a liar and is related to the Hough's so he was done for me before he ever started.  Plus he is paired with the worst pro they have ever had, so that was another strike against him.

 

On the other hand, there is Noah, who I will support even though he is with trashy Sharna.  At least he seems like a nice guy and he has done something for our country, which is America by the way, not any of the other odd ways I have seen people attempt to say it.  

 

I'm not sure what the other ways are, and not to be pedantic, but the country is actually, "the United States OF America". Lots of people in our hemisphere think they're "Americans" too, because they also are "in America".  Just saying, because I know that bugs a lot of people that we kind of appropriate the continent for ourselves.

[Padma]

I just feel like the whole thing borders on exploitative inspiration porn. Reminds me of how uncomfortable I got at some of the judges' attitudes toward Marlee Matlin. She's a fucking Oscar winner, she doesn't need your condescension and platitudes, tyvm. And with war vets like Noah, you toss in OTT patriotism porn and it becomes doubly annoying.

 

I mean, I can't say that I think it's ~unfair should Noah win because this has never been solely a dancing contest. But goddamn I'm sick of inspiration/patriotism porn.

 

Don't you dare put that out into the universe.

 

And I thought my post was gutsy! Lol. Funny, because...where does it stop? But yes, cover your ears, universe--and producers.)

 

And the condescension mentioned above is important to think about too when they bring on contestants with disabilities. There's condescension even in giving Noah three unanimous 10s this week (and CAI's earlier, completely undeserved "10")  Speaking of Carrie Ann, she is so condescending to people with disabilities, imo, that it makes me uncomfortable every time she gives one of those "You make me cry, you're so brave!" commentaries--even. after, say, something happy they've danced, like  jive. I'm sure contestants don't want their disability mentioned every time--even in what a judge considers a "positive" way (and most of the time makes me just cringe with embarrassment)--they probably want judges to talk about the dancing.

 

They probably even don't want ridiculously inflated scores. For all I know, Noah might have been fine starting out with 5s and 6s (still pretty high considering all the elements that he won't be able to do) and moving up to 7s and 8s, letting the audience save him, if it's so inclined, but at least giving the sense that "judging", though not that rigorous, actually has -some- meaning.

 

I really dislike the feeling that TPTB are intentionally manipulating our emotions based on things completely unrelated to performance/personality on the show itself.  And for contestants, it just seems really unfair if you commit to a competition and find its been rigged for someone who won't really even be dancing.

[NextIteration]

On the 2nd night of the finale, after the viewers' votes were in, they had 1 more chance to apply scores and again I'm pretty sure they reinforced their Jennifer, Kyle, Bristol ranking by scoring 10, 9s and 8s (?). 

 

This is exactly when the show really jumped the shark for me and I took a very long time out away from it except to watch the results night Macy's dances and a few others on massive FF through my DVR.  Bristol never deserved an 8, maybe Mark did for creativity and coaching but not Bristol for her dancing.  I watched a bit of the season when Riki Lake was on - but I can't even say if that was the season that JR won?  I watched some of him and Karina and I remember watching Anna with Evan? a little bit?  See they all run together for me and until a week ago I had no idea who Chelsea Pane was or that Kellie Pickler won her season.  I have watched all of the last three seasons though - but I think I'll be back out if Noah takes it, it's not worth that level of investment.  You can watch the season dance wise now on YouTube so why waste the space on my DVR.

 

The dances I'd look for on YouTube would probably be Mark (if he has an able partner), Derek and Val's at this point because they have the most compelling choreography and creativity for me, probably Witney and Allison's as well, all contingent of course on whether their partners can actually dance.

 

I think it's time to quickly trademark Patriotism Porn™.

 

eta: whiffing freestyle choreography... see: Maks and Tony, generally speaking.

Edited May 14, 2015 by NextIteration

[radishcake]

Guys please watch the tone in here. I love a good snark as much as the next person but it's gotten pretty nasty in here. Posts primarily about Noah have been moved to his thread. If you are posting in this thread then make sure it's about the show as a whole.

[KLovestoShop]

Tom was on the Wendy Williams show this morning and it was an interesting interview.  Wendy feels that they need to change up the judges, kick off a couple who are maybe a bit stale.  Tom disagreed with that as he feels the judges are just great-----he wishes Len would stay on, but he just can't physically handle the British version and the US show.  They also talked about the change in the format of the show, going away from real ballroom dancing to more fluff and glitz.  Tom said something to the effect that the producers needed to keep the show fresh and bring in new viewers, so that's why they've gone to the group dances and have added supporting dancers to the couples.  Wendy said she wanted to see more pure ballroom and not all the other stuff.  

[Uke]

Tom was on the Wendy Williams show this morning and it was an interesting interview.  Wendy feels that they need to change up the judges, kick off a couple who are maybe a bit stale.  Tom disagreed with that as he feels the judges are just great-----he wishes Len would stay on, but he just can't physically handle the British version and the US show.  They also talked about the change in the format of the show, going away from real ballroom dancing to more fluff and glitz.  Tom said something to the effect that the producers needed to keep the show fresh and bring in new viewers, so that's why they've gone to the group dances and have added supporting dancers to the couples.  Wendy said she wanted to see more pure ballroom and not all the other stuff.  

 

Wendy cracks me up. She fashions herself an "expert" by giving advice since she was on S12 (2nd eliminated) though she spent her time sequestered in NJ since her show is daily in NYC and only flew in for the live shows. She admits she hated the experience and assumes everyone who gets eliminated is relieved to be out of there. She even admits she doesn't actually watch the show, her producers give her summaries and clips while she's getting prepped for her show just so she can talk about it. But she sure has opinions on how DWTS should be run.

[jhlipton]

Wendy cracks me up. But she sure has opinions on how DWTS should be run.

That might be so -- but she's right!

[just prin]

I agree w her here but thought her a complete pig on DWTS, and wouldn't touch her show w a 10 foot pole!

[RedheadZombie]

Two things really popped for me as I watched the elimination moment.  1)  There was none of the usual shock and disgust expressions from any of the jidges.  They ALL knew they allowed this to happen by not limiting Noah to 8s.  This was a true Hound of the Baskervilles moment!  (They didn't "bark.")  2)  Nastia was entirely DRY EYED the entire time.  It wasn't just a lack of tears, her eyes were dry and dulled.  This just confirms that she has a significantly low affect.  Doesn't make her bad.  However, this lack of displayed emotion did kill her on this show.

 

Nastia's look when she was eliminated is her game face, and it's a very rare gymnast who doesn't have one.  I've been watching gymnastics for years.  Those girls never show a sign of weakness.   The concept is drummed into them at a young age.  You can watch a sixteen year old's Olympic dreams ended, when she falls off the mount of her first apparatus.  Years of sacrifice down the drain.  Knowing your parents sacrificed their own needs, wants, and often financial responsibilities.  You're just not going to see it on Nastia's face.  In televised gym meets, there are always cameras shoved right in your face when you fail.  I can't remember the last time I saw a girl cry, or let show her sadness.  It's the culture of the sport.

[Snarklepuss]

As a disabled person, I just don't care for this show putting on a token physically challenged person every season. It's obvious it's a ratings ploy, and the person gets by on sympathy votes. While Noah is a war hero, there's no way he belongs in the finals. Every one of his dances were very short in duration, and it's obvious he was never really dancing---just doing steps and lifting his partner. I'm all for equal opportunity for the disabled, but I don't think it's fair for any of us to advance on the basis of sympathy or little tricks like proposing. I've been disabled since I was 2, and everything I've acvomplished has been due to hard work and not sympathy.

 

Thank you, it sounds much better coming from you than it would from me.  Truthfully they have completely lost sight of the level playing field on this show and it gets worse every season.  If it really were a competition the contestants would be more or less as capable of the same dance moves as each other.  That's why there's the Olympics and the Special Olympics.  I hate what this tokenism tells people - That it's who you are and all the sympathy you get grandstanding for votes rather than just simply being the best.  And that you deserve to win just on being you, not on what you have done in the competition.  The inflated scores remind me of stories I hear from parents about their kids getting awards even if they come in last.  Why bother calling it a competition if you're going to fix the scores?  I feel sorry for Nastia.  She is someone who has come very close to winning before and failed and now this, and it's not even her fault.  Who cares how cold or hot she was, to me that's the same logic that's getting Noah top scores when he shouldn't get them.  She was excellent and deserved to be in the finale.  And personally I don't care about the Pros and I refuse to make the star pay if I'm not a fan of the pro.

[sinkwriter]

I just watched that "Road to the Finals" tonight, which is basically a rehash of the "get to know the star" clips they already showed, plus a few bits where the judges talk up each star's strengths, blah blah, etc.

 

Noah's story was presented first, and watching it, I just got this huge sense of dread that he's going to win. Simply because his story seems too huge to conquer. They're selling it so hard. It's like the dancing doesn't matter at all. It doesn't matter how hard Riker or Rumer kill themselves rehearsing and dancing their asses off, because Noah's inspiration as an injured soldier trumps anyone else's hard work. It doesn't matter that Noah barely dances at all, it doesn't matter that he essentially walks around, does a couple of turns and spends the rest of the time lifting Sharna and playing support beam to her elegant moves. If he wins, it feels like it's all because people are moved by his injuries and his struggle.

 

That angers me, because that means it doesn't matter how hard you try. It doesn't matter how much effort you put in. 

 

I mean, if I were a star and asked to participate, a part of me would wonder, "Well, who am I competing against?" Because if it comes down to competing against others based solely on performance, dance ability and improvement from week to week, then I'd say yes. Because we're all going to try our best and it just depends on who improves, impresses and entertains the most.

 

But if I found out I was going up against someone with the massive tragic story that Noah has? I might say no. Because it feels like there's just no competing with that. The melodrama of the story and the "AMERICAN TRIUMPH" is nearly insurmountable. It feels so orchestrated.

 

Plus, I would find it really frustrating to work my butt off week to week, throwing my entire self into each dance, only to see someone who does the bare minimum end up winning it anyway. All because he's got the traumatic story to woo the audience. It's like, why try so hard then? Who cares about the dancing? Apparently, it doesn't matter.

 

If he wins, it's like the dancing doesn't matter at all.

 

And if that's the case, then I ask, what's the point? Why not just turn it into a competition for who has the saddest or most dramatic or most emotionally effective story event? Because if dancing doesn't really matter on a show called Dancing with the Stars, why bother?

Edited May 17, 2015 by sinkwriter

[LadyMustang65]

There is a separate thread now for the "Road to the Finals" show, but I just wanted to say I agree that it really felt like they were pushing Noah.  This isn't "Queen for a Day."  It's supposed to be Dancing With The Stars. I have so much respect for Noah and what he's accomplished, but if he wins this, it just won't feel right.  He is just so limited in what he can do.  That's not his fault and good on him for trying and putting himself out there.  But as you say, if the dancing doesn't matter, then what's the point?  Rumer for the win! 

[sinkwriter]

Thanks, LadyMustang65! It had been over a half hour after the show had already aired when I finished watching it, and I didn't see a thread for it, so I wasn't sure they were going to have one, since it's essentially just rehashing and reshowing old clips and promoting the upcoming week's finals. I'll post my comment over in the right thread.

 

Also... ditto to everything you said.  :)

Edited May 17, 2015 by sinkwriter