General Gabbery: DWTS

[gigi1701]

I just re-watched the semi-final,  M & M's waltz, and even in a fugly skirt and clunky boots, Meryl just kills it, just kills it on every level, the emotion, the story, the dance, the connection with her partner. I didn't get to see her and Charlie in the Olympics, I knew they won gold, but I have never watched them, so I don't have a pre-existing opinion of their talent. Charlie is so very good, but man, Meryl wow. Both of them are a joy. Really every one of the semi-finalists is so good for different reasons. Amy on the blades is amazing, Candance is stretching her comfort zone completely and she has made Mark watchable, that is worth some kind of trophy right there. And I know James isn't as skilled with dance, but he really brings a charisma that is beyond is good looks, he was my least favorite, but watching him again I see his appeal.

 

I would just stop right now and hand out four trophies, I really for the first time like them all. But of course my votes went to M & M. It doesn't get better than that in my book.

[CED9]

So, according to the Slacker Radio DWTS channel finale preview, the finalists do their switch up week dance style and their freestyle on Monday and one couple is eliminated, then Tuesday, the final 3 have to do a "mash-up challenge."

So, does that mean the 4 dances they said they're learning are freestyle, switch up week style, and then 2 for the mash up?

[Bitsy]

the final 3 have to do a "mash-up challenge."

I have no idea what that is, but it sounds like it's going to suck.

[CED9]

It just seems like pointless time filler since they'll already know the winner.

[tarotx]

Mash-up challenge?

Last season they did a fusion on Tuesday night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FXQM5KjI8M

 

Season 16 they has a instant dance on Tuesday night

 

Both of those seasons also had a relay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF2j2Gl8tCA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izdk8rMQAsc

Edited May 16, 2014 by tarotx

[CED9]

Aren't mash up and fusion basically the same thing?

[tarotx]

Aren't mash up and fusion basically the same thing?

From the Scoop in the other thread, I think it will be a mix of the instant and the fusion :)

[Glaadrial]

It just seems like pointless time filler since they'll already know the winner.

I used to be invested in the winner but after so many seasons where my favorite dancers didn't win and vowing never to watch again, I've decided that I like watching the dancing. Also, I miss the pro dances that were pointless filler in the results show, but then I'm inching my way into the demographic that is not preferred by advertisers.

[CED9]

From the Scoop in the other thread, I think it will be a mix of the instant and the fusion :)

That makes so much more sense. I was picturing a total mess. Not that I'm discounting that they could be a mess. Heh.

I used to be invested in the winner but after so many seasons where my favorite dancers didn't win and vowing never to watch again, I've decided that I like watching the dancing. Also, I miss the pro dances that were pointless filler in the results show, but then I'm inching my way into the demographic that is not preferred by advertisers.

I think whatever season Lance Bass was with Lacey and then Hines Ward and Kym in S12 was the only full season's I've watched before this season, so I don't have this attachment to the pros that others do. I have a horrible track record of my favorites not winning reality shows, and Hines was the exception to the rule. I think it's so strange that advertisers are obsessed with 18-49 demo. Inch it up to the 25-65 demo and the numbers are insane comparatively.

[Hybiscus]

I think it's so strange that advertisers are obsessed with 18-49 demo. Inch it up to the 25-65 demo and the numbers are insane comparatively.

 

Yeah!  We oldsters have a lot of buying power!  But then, who wants to watch commercials for prune juice and Depends?  (I'm joking, ok?)  :-D

[Glaadrial]

truthaboutluv wrote in another thread:

IMO, most of the people who think Amy's time on the show has been all about Derek are the people who make everything about Derek. The ones who every week talk about how the entire show from the producers down to the sound guys is manipulated and catered for him, how he's the Golden Boy, how the entire universe is up his ass, etc. It's the same with Maks. Some have complained about Maks' shenanigans overshadowing what Meryl is doing on the show and part of that is that Maks is polarizing and yes, for the last number of seasons he's been on the show, his personality and some of his antics have overshadowed his celebrity.

 

I don't know why but it took me to a very strange place of pondering the season with Meryl/Derek and Maks/Amy as partners. I think the internet might have exploded.

 

 

 

 

[fembotz]

I don't think the producers would ever pair someone of Maks' patience level (or lack thereof) with Amy, and I think they knew better than to pair Meryl with Derek, which would have been equivalent to handing Derek mirror ball numero six (and the third in a row) and made tons of fans irate, not only because Meryl is another ringer for Derek but because she had worked with him previously.

[superdeluxe]

It just seems like pointless time filler since they'll already know the winner.

 

Right?  Maks' name was already on the trophy before the season began.

 

I'll be watching The Voice.  Even though they're also going to have an obvious winner.

[JES004]

My personal belief is that Charlie would have done better with a better professional--i.e., giving him the 'coaching' he needed and choreographic to his strengths.  This is what Derek does so well (although I'm not a Derek fan, he is clearly outstanding at this).

 

 

Charlie White dancing with Derek would have made an awesome twist.

[Toonces464]

My personal belief is that Charlie would have done better with a better professional--i.e., giving him the 'coaching' he needed and choreographic to his strengths.

 

 

Plus he would have had a much bigger pro fan base if he had been paired with Karina or Cheryl. That's one huge advantage Meryl had from the start over him - Maks's fan base is much bigger (and much more devoted) than Sharna's.

[Glaadrial]

Plus he would have had a much bigger pro fan base if he had been paired with Karina or Cheryl. That's one huge advantage Meryl had from the start over him - Maks's fan base is much bigger (and much more devoted) than Sharna's.

I agree that Karina would have been able to get Charlie to the finals; possibly even more so than Cheryl. Karina can't always dance full out but when she's been able to work with partners who can keep up, it's been magical. The glimpses into her into her creative process that we've been given in the past, I remember to have been really impressive and more importantly interesting enough to include in packages. Plus, she's a Latin specialist and I think she would have been able to pick the right approach to make Charlie really shine.

 

Nevertheless, I'm rooting for Sharna to stick around and refine her strategy for playing the DWTS game since there was little to fault about her choreography. I definitely prefer her over Peta, but they do different things well so I doubt that they're competing with each other for a place on the show.

 

Speaking of places in the show, losing both Derek and Maks may leave a void among the male ranks (especially if Tony ages out of the line-up). Then again, we've heard the "he's not coming back" rumor before of both; yet here they still are. Mark and Val are both solid but less than in all departments to Derek and Maks respectively. That sounds worse than I intend because I'm not talking about anything really specific about their choreography, just the general buzz-worthiness of their contributions.

 

Tristan can easily slip into Tony's role. Perhaps Artem can fill the larger than life male pro. I'm not familiar with his work but he's played the Strictly Come Dancing game (and won?) and has been a standout in much of the work he's done for the bumpers.

[Toonces464]

I agree that Karina would have been able to get Charlie to the finals; possibly even more so than Cheryl. Karina can't always dance full out but when she's been able to work with partners who can keep up, it's been magical. The glimpses into her into her creative process that we've been given in the past, I remember to have been really impressive and more importantly interesting enough to include in packages. Plus, she's a Latin specialist and I think she would have been able to pick the right approach to make Charlie really shine.

 

 

Cheryl isn't my favorite pro but she's done fabulous work with Rob Kardashian and Jack Osbourne. I think either one of them would have gotten Charlie to the finals because they know how to play the DWTS game better than Sharna. And they have huge fan bases of their own that rival Maks's. Which is another reason I think Charlie was given to Sharna. It tipped the scales in Maks's favor as far as the fan votes.

 

Nevertheless, I'm rooting for Sharna to stick around and refine her strategy for playing the DWTS game since there was little to fault about her choreography. I definitely prefer her over Peta, but they do different things well so I doubt that they're competing with each other for a place on the show.

 

 

I've really grown to like Sharna and don't want to see her go anywhere. Peta can go at any time. 

 

Speaking of places in the show, losing both Derek and Maks may leave a void among the male ranks (especially if Tony ages out of the line-up). Then again, we've heard the "he's not coming back" rumor before of both; yet here they still are. Mark and Val are both solid but less than in all departments to Derek and Maks respectively. That sounds worse than I intend because I'm not talking about anything really specific about their choreography, just the general buzz-worthiness of their contributions.

 

 

I'll be surprised if either of them is back next season. I saw Derek and Amy on Access Hollywood last week and Derek said he wasn't supposed to be on this season until he found out about Amy. That matches up with the initial pro list DWTSGossip had posted on Twitter which had Tristan on instead of Derek. 

[Dots And Stripes]

 

I agree that Karina would have been able to get Charlie to the finals; possibly even more so than Cheryl.

Cheryl probably has the most solid track record for getting male stars with potential to the finals. She drives me crazy with how much she has partners just stand around, but she knows what she can get away with. She also knows how to play the personality game. Karina had a male ringer last season, so I don't think she was ever a real option for Charlie. Personally, I like Cheryl a lot more than Karina.

 

In general, I don't think pro fan bases matter all that much. Look at Tony, Peta, Kym, and Mark. They've all won and they've all been first out. In Mark's case, he was first out a few seasons after his wins and Shannen didn't even have the lowest score from the judges. Mark has a spotty track record, IMO. He has a ton of appearances in the final, but he also has quite a few early exits based on a lack of votes. He tends to get that shock exit where someone is doing well with the judges and is sent home anyway. 

 

Also, don't put too much faith in twitter followers. Several pros (Karina, Cheryl, Tony) have very likely bought followers. Others have done weird things where they follow thousands and then un-follow thousands trying to boost their numbers. 

 

I think the real voting advantage for pros like Derek and Maks is not their hardcore fans but their ability to garner attention. My theory is people won't vote for couples they can't remember. 

[Toonces464]

Also, don't put too much faith in twitter followers. Several pros (Karina, Cheryl, Tony) have very likely bought followers. Others have done weird things where they follow thousands and then un-follow thousands trying to boost their numbers.

 

 

This accusation drives me crazy. Cheryl has always had more Twitter followers than any pro except Derek. And if you're going to accuse these people of buying followers then let's accuse Maks too, who had the same kind of spike as they did a few years ago.

[Dots And Stripes]

This accusation drives me crazy. Cheryl has always had more Twitter followers than any pro except Derek. And if you're going to accuse these people of buying followers then let's accuse Maks too, who had the same kind of spike as they did a few years ago.

I'm accusing those 3 because those are the ones I saw. Maks has grown pretty steadily over time and had spikes at times when he was on the show and in the news. Those spikes were never 100k in a few days, like Karina, Tony and Cheryl. Karina nearly tippled her followers in the off season one year. At that point, she suddenly passed Cheryl after being very, very far behind her. Not long after Cheryl had a huge spike herself, just enough to pass Karina. The evidence is strongest for Karina and Tony who both had ridiculous spikes and Tony had a huge loss too which often happens when fake accounts get deleted. Cheryl had a strangely timed spike too, but it wasn't as high as Karina's. I think without buying followers, Cheryl would probably be second, but at this point it's a silly game. I'm not "accusing" these pros because they have a lot of followers, I'm passing along what I've observed.

 

It's not the worst accusation in the world. Lots of celebrities buy followers. Derek, Cheryl, and Maks used to be the top three pros in terms of followers. Karina always very far behind until she became the most followed female pro over night in between seasons. My point is really that twitter followers are not a good indication of popularity anymore. 

[CED9]

My point is really that twitter followers are not a good indication of popularity anymore.

Particularly when you take into account how the show itself is trying to use twitter this season. What demographic has the ability and/or desire to sit there and obsessively vote for what they expect to be voted on? Hint: Not the one that is the majority of this show's viewers.

[Toonces464]

I'm accusing those 3 because those are the ones I saw. Maks has grown pretty steadily over time and had spikes at times when he was on the show and in the news. Those spikes were never 100k in a few days, like Karina, Tony and Cheryl. Karina nearly tippled her followers in the off season one year. At that point, she suddenly passed Cheryl after being very, very far behind her. Not long after Cheryl had a huge spike herself, just enough to pass Karina. The evidence is strongest for Karina and Tony who both had ridiculous spikes and Tony had a huge loss too which often happens when fake accounts get deleted. Cheryl had a strangely timed spike too, but it wasn't as high as Karina's. I think without buying followers, Cheryl would probably be second, but at this point it's a silly game. I'm not "accusing" these pros because they have a lot of followers, I'm passing along what I've observed.

 

 

 

Once again, if you're going to accuse these pros of buying followers then you have to accuse Maks of it too, rather than justifying why his spikes in numbers are okay but other pros aren't. Maybe Lizzie didn't lay out as much money for as many followers so it wouldn't be as obvious when she took to Twitter with her veiled accusations.

[radishcake]

Let's agree that ANY celebrities (of all kinds) can and do buy followers and we have NO way of knowing who or when. So the point is made. Yay! Secret metrics are weird and arbitrary!

[Joystickenvy]

No celebrities have tried to buy my vote :(. I'm easily bought guys, so WTH? Try harder! My favorite color is black. Hat size 7 1/4. I like stickers.

[radishcake]

Lol I like stickers!!

[Flick]

No celebrities have tried to buy my vote :(. I'm easily bought guys, so WTH? Try harder! My favorite color is black. Hat size 7 1/4. I like stickers.

Autographed pictures of members of a fake boyband that became a real boyband and their blonde Australian partner don't do it for you?

[Joystickenvy]

Autographed pictures of members of a fake boyband that became a real boyband and their blonde Australian partner don't do it for you?

Haha sadly no. I didn't even like boy bands when I was of an appropriate age.

[bearcatfan]

 

Autographed pictures of members of a fake boyband that became a real boyband and their blonde Australian partner don't do it for you?

Haha sadly no. I didn't even like boy bands when I was of an appropriate age.

There were no boy bands when I was of an appropriate age unless you count Duran Duran.

[Bitsy]

There were no boy bands when I was of an appropriate age unless you count Duran Duran.

Shame on you for forgetting the greatest boy band of all time: Menudo!

[soapfaninnc]

There were no boy bands when I was of an appropriate age unless you count Duran Duran.

 

Yep, New Kids on the Block, Color Me Badd, New Edition and Boys II Men were the earliest I remember and I was in my twenties by the time they came along. I don't guess The Jackson Five and The Osmonds count as boy bands. 

 

One of my kids likes Big Time Rush but can't stand James dancing. And that kid can dance and likes James - just not dancing.  I asked him would he vote for James just because and he said no - but then he watches for the dancing and the music. (He's my musical child)

[Joystickenvy]

My sister & I are about 1.5 years apart in age and about the only thing musical more contentious between us than the merits of NKOTB was Tiffany vs Debbie Gibson.

[fembotz]

Aw, I used to be obsessed with that song Tiffany did for The Jetsons movie. 

And in my day it was all about the Backstreet Boys vs. N*SYNC. You couldn't like both!

[Joystickenvy]

Aw, I used to be obsessed with that song Tiffany did for The Jetsons movie. 

And in my day it was all about the Backstreet Boys vs. N*SYNC. You couldn't like both!

Team Tiffany ftw! Fortunately we aged out of the great boy band debate before they got popular.

[TeeM]

My sister & I are about 1.5 years apart in age and about the only thing musical more contentious between us than the merits of NKOTB was Tiffany vs Debbie Gibson.

I was team Debbie only because Tiffany dated my favorite New Kid which meant I automatically had to dislike her. LOL But in all honestly, I always liked Tiffany's music better. 

[bearcatfan]

 

And in my day it was all about the Backstreet Boys vs. N*SYNC. You couldn't like both!

My oldest daughter actually did and she thought the boy band wars were ridiculous. She went to a BB concert wearing a N*SYNC t-shirt, or it might have been the N*SYNC concert wearing a BB t-shirt. Either way, she thought the response was hilarious. I'm sure the guys weren't at war.

 

I forgot about Menudo but then, I wasn't a fan. I didn't realize Ricky Martin was a member until I googled them!

[tarotx]

New edition was also a boy band no matter what they like to pretend :p

[Hybiscus]

My boyband was the Beates  :-D

[smiley13]

I don't really care for Twitter, so I have never paid attention to who has more "followers" than anyone else.  

 

This season has really been a mixed bag.  You have highlights like Candace, James and Charlie and low lights like Golden Boy and Maks.  I would be happy if neither of them were on the show again.  If Meryl had been with someone good, like Mark, I would have voted for her all the way.  But due to Maks, I could not.  She is a good dancer, and if she wins, I will not be upset.  Perhaps if he finally gets his trophy, he will move on.  But if Golden Boy wins again, I will be livid.  Enough is enough with him.  They had to go and give him a partner that they knew would not be scored like everyone else, so the "genius" could be free to do whatever he wanted with each dance.

[fembotz]

I'm glad they didn't put Meryl with Mark. He's already won two MBTs with two gold-medal Olympians, including a figure skater. It's better for the show to mix it up who gets those kinds of partners, IMO.

[tarotx]

Val is who Meryl should have been with imo. He's who I wanted her to be with before it was announced she was with Maks. I wanted Charlie with Chelsie Hightower because I figured they would be uber cuties together :p Others wanted him with Peta. I'm not really a fan of hers though. She always appears sooooo needy to me. I pretty much have barely registered Sharna before this season. Probably because I usually don't watch the show live. I do a combination of DVR and Youtube. I like her personality though I think she didn't know how to manage Charlie's time and became a bit obsessed in the show allowing her do use creative openings/closings. 

[CCee123]

Yeah, I'm glad Meryl wasn't put with Mark as well.  He just bugs me, and since I was already a fan of Meryl's, I was dreading her being assigned to him.  Originally, I was hoping she would be put with Artem since I knew she wouldn't be with Derek, and there was a rumor he was going to join the teaching pros this season.  I loved Artem on SYTYCD, and he won his first season of SCD, so I knew he was a very capable pro.  I never even thought of Maks because I've never been a huge fan and I didn't think he was going to be on this season.  I'm surprised how well they've clicked for me and I hope they are able to pull off the win this week.

[Joystickenvy]

Artem & Pasha are my favorite SYTYCD ballroom guys. Meryl + Artem would have been sweet. Ballas has actually mostly not annoyed me this year, which is shocking. I wonder if he's not over trying because he assumed he wouldn't win this year.

[smiley13]

Mark is my favorite male pro, so I would have loved for him to have gotten a ringer like Meryl.  I don't care for either Maks or Val so I hate to see them get someone with potential to win.  Val grated on my nerves with both Kelly Monaco and that Zendaya girl. And there has never been anyone that I liked Maks with.

[Kromm]

The success of most athletes on DWTS (compared to other 'celebrities') is IMO due to the facts that that 1) they are used to using their bodies in specific ways and are physically strong. This makes it easier for them to perform.  Note the Meryl looks petite and almost fragile, but she's solid muscle, as I noticed in some of the shots during the Olympics;  2) they are used to taking instruction and following it in the use of their bodies.  All athletes are used to being 'coached' and told what to do--and expected to do it.  This makes it easier for them to learn the routines.

Yeah, I'd say there are four main advantages.

 

1.) Endurance

2.) Agility

3.) Already developed core strength (for athletes of many disciplines)

4.) pre-indoctrination into coaching/training processes.  This is a huge psychological advantage.

[msburg]

Just saw that Mark injured his shoulder pretty badly during camera blocking yesterday.  Apparently, he is being advised to sit out, but he feels he can do it.  While I don't expect Candace to be a true contender to win, I hope his ego doesn't hamper her chances further.  I hope she's at least rehearsing with a replacement pro.

[Dots And Stripes]

Let's not forget that someone is already eliminated based on last week. It's possible what Mark does now can't help or hurt Candace. I would really hope if she's eliminated someone takes Mark aside and lets him know its not worth the injury. 

[Lamb18]

I think the closest thing to a boy band when I was in Jr High was the Partridge Family, which also had girls!  There was the Monkees, but I'm pretty sure those guys were grown up.

[LilJen]

Let's not forget that someone is already eliminated based on last week. It's possible what Mark does now can't help or hurt Candace. I would really hope if she's eliminated someone takes Mark aside and lets him know its not worth the injury. 

Nor is it worth risking injury to her!!

[St. Claire]

If Derek and Maks leaving after this season means that I an see Tristan dance some more (and maybe bring Henry into the rotation), then I am all for it. And if Tristan is dancing next season, I'd like to see him with someone who has a chance to go the distance. He tried so hard with Valerie Harper, but everyone knew it would be an uphill battle.

[crowceilidh]

I don't know why and I hope I'm wrong, but I've got a strong feeling the show has ditched Tristan.