S20.E13: Road to the Finals

[crowceilidh]

Sorry - can't find a thread on this.

 

Watching this tonight, the editors caused Sharna to really blow the commentary on their contemporary.  That was really crass in the circs.

 

Am I just getting an SYTYCD effect on Alan Bersten or is he really as super noticeable in the troupe dances as I'm finding him?  He looks headed for a quick pro experience to me.  Dunno what I think of that.

[LadyMustang65]

He does seem to be very noticeable in the troupe dances, although I had no idea what his name was. 

 

I'm not sure what to think about this special.  Take out the packages from last Monday that they repeated, and there wasn't a whole lot of new stuff.  I had hoped to see more "behind-the-scenes" stuff.  That was what I was most interested in, but it was kind of thin in that department.  Mostly just re-hashes of stuff we'd already seen.  I had hoped for some out-takes or more of them talking before or after dances and stuff.  Thankfully we didn't have to see Noah's proposal yet again, though.  So that was good.  :)

 

My favorite part was when Val and Rumer said they don't kiss and tell.  Or kiss.  Or tell.  It was cute. 

[sinkwriter]

Posted this over in the semi-finals thread, but then the lovely LadyMustang65 alerted me to this newly-created thread where it belongs. Thanks, Lady!

 

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?

[crowceilidh]

I'm not sure that they were pushing Noah over Rumer -- Riker doesn't have enough story because they're not admitting some of the interesting stuff about him.  If they were pushing Noah, would they really let Sharna's last bit of commentary on their beautiful contemporary to be "oh nice crotch shot I did there"?

[realdancemom]

Sorry - can't find a thread on this.

 

Watching this tonight, the editors caused Sharna to really blow the commentary on their contemporary.  That was really crass in the circs.

 

Am I just getting an SYTYCD effect on Alan Bersten or is he really as super noticeable in the troupe dances as I'm finding him?  He looks headed for a quick pro experience to me.  Dunno what I think of that.

Alan was on SyTYCD.  But he's not cross-trained.  He is a ballroom dancer.  His older brother also tried out for several years.  But it seems like both DWTS and SYTYCD are going for younger dancers.

[Andiethewestie]

Noah could well be the winner, but I really think the show wants to have someone win who is at least top three in terms of scoring. The judging can't be that far away from the mirrorball imho. I hope they keep the notion that it is actually a dancing show.  Noah is 5th place in the scores even with the gifts he got in Week 9.  Certainly the War Hero plays well with the demographic, but the last War Hero who won, JR Martinez, could actually dance pretty well and was definitely in the top 2 of his season.  

[sinkwriter]

Maybe it was just because they talked about him first, I don't know... but the whole package with him being a hero and a superman, and how he got engaged on air, and how it seemed they never really showed all the dances where he didn't do much, instead they seemed to talk about him like he was doing all this AMAZING dancing and it was SO amazing given his physical losses, and how he's "redefining dance" and everyone should stand up and applaud him. Obviously we've heard them say all these things over the course of weeks, but put all together it felt like they were really laying it on thick for him to be the winner. Like his story was the biggest and most powerful. To me, at least, watching it in the moment.

 

I think it's cool that JR Martinez won, but that's because he had the dance skills to back it up. It feels like they're trying to make Noah this phenomenally awesome performer, really sell it as if he is, but he's not. I think that's why I found myself getting irritated, watching the package, because I felt like they were talking up someone who didn't really have the skills and shouldn't have even gotten as far as he did. Even when they touted Jack Osbourne, who wasn't as strong as his two competitors in the final, they had the footage to prove how much he had developed and grown as a performer from week to week, and it was true.

Edited May 17, 2015 by sinkwriter

[RetailTherapy]

While yes, Noah is an inspiration, he's just not a dancer.  This show is not called "Inspired by the Stars", it's called "Dancing with the Stars".  Critical difference.  JR had the chops and personality to warrant his win.  Easily.  Amy, while not a war hero, also had enough dancing skill to master all of the dances and to do well.  Noah, through no fault of his own, cannot physically master the dances.  Quickstep?  No.  Jive?  No.  The rise and fall of the V Waltz?  No. The intricate footwork of the A. Tango?  No. He's great at posing and lifting Sharna.  With what she's managed to do with him and even with the obnoxious Andy Dick, she's more than yanked away the crown of most creative choreographer during her time on the show.  And quite honestly, if Noah's abs had their own spinoff show, I'd totally watch.

 

I think we can expect a frantic, frenetic freestyle from Allison.  She only has one speed - turbo.  Maybe Twitch will help her out a bit. The wild card is whether Val will create something memorable for Rumer or if he'll fall flat.  I almost wish they'd saved the Black Swan thing for this week.

[Andiethewestie]

Looking at the re-dances, on first blush Riker with the Paso should be good, but he only can gain 2 points since the first dance was a 38, and we've seen the  Captn Jack impersonation, so it maybe a little predictable in terms of impact.  Noah and Sharna could gain the most - they started with a 30 on the Argentine tango, will it go to a 40?  I don't think there is enough dance content to get there, but we'll see. Rumer  re-doing the Foxtrot, I think is a great strategy. She came out looking incredible that first week, and she can certainly demonstrate improvement, the dance for extra points in week 7 shows she really stepped up her game.  I can see the judges giving her a 40 for a dance that she got 32 the first time. Should both Riker and Rumer get those 40s  then Rumer will be one point ahead of Riker going into the Freestyle.  

Not that this makes a whole hill of beans difference to the fans, but the show likes to be on point in terms of scoring. Right now Rumer is 5 points behind Riker, so I think the re-dances can make up the difference.   That would mean Rumer would get 40 for a Ballroom dance,  a 40 for a Contemporary (Swan Lake)  and two 40's for the latin dances, Rumba and Paso.  It would also show that she's the most versatile in terms of dance genres. 

 

I guess I'm more excited for Rumer's freestyle than some others.  I think Argentine Tango can be the most impactful of all the dances if there is a strong connection in the partnership. Rumer and Val have the chemistry department on lock down, and it's a solid dance chemistry, not a showmance one. The dances I watch over and over on ytube are Gillles and Chery'ls AT and Derek and Nicole's AT. They set the standard and I do think Rumer and Val can meet that standard.  Also, Val's contribution to the song on violin is on the recording, it won't be live, which takes the pressure off the musicianship and on to the dance.  I do like Toxic as a slowed down sultry version, and I think it will lend itself nicely to AT. 

Edited May 17, 2015 by Andiethewestie

[smiley13]

When did this "Road to the Finals" air?  This is the first that I have heard about it.

[realdancemom]

While yes, Noah is an inspiration, he's just not a dancer.  This show is not called "Inspired by the Stars", it's called "Dancing with the Stars".  Critical difference.  JR had the chops and personality to warrant his win.  Easily.  Amy, while not a war hero, also had enough dancing skill to master all of the dances and to do well.  Noah, through no fault of his own, cannot physically master the dances.  Quickstep?  No.  Jive?  No.  The rise and fall of the V Waltz?  No. The intricate footwork of the A. Tango?  No. He's great at posing and lifting Sharna.  With what she's managed to do with him and even with the obnoxious Andy Dick, she's more than yanked away the crown of most creative choreographer during her time on the show.  And quite honestly, if Noah's abs had their own spinoff show, I'd totally watch.

 

I think we can expect a frantic, frenetic freestyle from Allison.  She only has one speed - turbo.  Maybe Twitch will help her out a bit. The wild card is whether Val will create something memorable for Rumer or if he'll fall flat.  I almost wish they'd saved the Black Swan thing for this week.

I agree with your post.  I voted for JR during his season.  To me, he was the best and it was a bonus that Karina was able to get her first mirrorball.  I also agree with what you said about Noah and Sharna.  Noah is incredibly strong.  He must have an amazing core since he has to balance and do really nice lifts.  Sharna had to push herself this season and unlearn things that were habits from years of ballroom training.  However, I still can't vote for them because Noah can't do certain things which isn't his fault.

 

I haven't watched the show yet so I don't know what Allison and Riker will do.  They've already done jazz and contemporary.  Those two dances are really in both Allison and Riker's wheelhouse.  I think Rumer and Val will do a fantastic AT.  If they are doing Toxic, I remember the really great Toxic number with Mark, Lacey, Val, and Tanisha.   

[jennifer6973]

When did this "Road to the Finals" air?  This is the first that I have heard about it.

 

 

It aired last night.  I think Tom mentioned it once.

[crowceilidh]

IIRC, they often re-run the "Road to the Finals" show right before the live show on Monday.

[NikSac]

When did this "Road to the Finals" air?  This is the first that I have heard about it.

 

It aired last night, at least for me. It's re-airing right now, so I have a feeling they're going to run it a lot leading up to the finals.

[BoogieBurns]

This show is not called "Inspired by the Stars",

 

I think it would have to be called "Inspired by non famous people" to really reflect what Noah is doing here. I'm not trying to say he isn't a big enough star, I'm saying he isn't even a small star. He is just a normal person. I'm not sure if anyone less famous or less involved in fame-eligible opportunities has even been on this show. 

[legaleagle53]

I think it would have to be called "Inspired by non famous people" to really reflect what Noah is doing here. I'm not trying to say he isn't a big enough star, I'm saying he isn't even a small star. He is just a normal person. I'm not sure if anyone less famous or less involved in fame-eligible opportunities has even been on this show. 

 

I think that's part of his appeal.  He's the closest this show has come to casting "one of us" as a competitor, and I think a lot of viewers see him as a proxy for themselves (be honest, who among us hasn't secretly fantasized about dancing with his/her favorite pro on the show?).

 

I think that's why the British parent show did a spin-off just before our Season 20 began called The People's Strictly with exactly that premise:  six ordinary viewers who had been chosen out of thousands who had been entered by their friends and family for their work in the community.  The spin-off was, as I recall, quite popular, and you know who won the competition?  A young Iraqi war veteran who, like Noah, had lost a leg in the service of his country.  I'd say that it's more than a coincidence that Noah was cast following that.

Edited May 18, 2015 by legaleagle53

[BoogieBurns]

I think that's why the British parent show did a spin-off a just before our Season 20 began called The People's Strictly with exactly that premise:  six ordinary viewers who had been chosen out of thousands who had been entered by their friends and family for their work in the community.

 

I would audition for that every season if we had one here! 

[RomanKat]

FWIW, the season 20 DWTS cast was annouced Feb 24, so Noah likely was cast by mid-February.  (I suspect he was cast earlier, because according to her tweets, Sharna knew for sure that she would be a pro by mid-late-January.)  The People's Strictly started airing Feb 25 (per Wikipedia), so there's probably not a direct influence between the two.

 

I remember someone posted something about the producers seeking an upper body amputee in one of the threads, so they may have had the idea before they found the candidate.

[Saylii]

I had also heard a rumor that TBTP wanted Bethany Hamilton, but she was pregnant. They may have had the idea to feature someone without an arm and Noah was the closest "celebrity" they could get.