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S18.E10: Week 10: Last Week of Performances!

radishcake

By radishcake
in Dancing With The Stars

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Glaadrial

Glaadrial

Link from the Finale thread re: Monday show.

On MONDAY, MAY 19 (8:00-9:30 p.m., ET), the four remaining couples will compete in two rounds of dance. In the first round, each couple will take on the "Judges Pick" and repeat the same dance style they did the week of the "Switch-Up." In the second round, one of the biggest competitive dances of the season, the couples take on a supersized Freestyle featuring special effects, additional dancers and unexpected surprises. At the end of night, one couple will be eliminated based on the previous weeks' viewer votes, combined with the judges' scores from the previous Monday night.

Also from the blurb about Tuesday lineup.

In the last element of competition, the couples will perform a new routine as part of a "24 Hour Fusion Challenge." The remaining couples will Fuse two contrasting dance styles that they've performed this season and they'll have less than 24 hours to prepare that dance for judges' points.

It'll be interesting to see how they decide which two dances to fuse together; also what they mean by "contrasting."  There's Ballroom, Latin and each of the special dances. Meryl is the only one who hasn't done Contemporary or Jazz. Interestingly, she also hasn't done Standard Waltz or Quickstep. Those are probably the dances with the most WOW factor as far as Meryl's strengths go. That leaves Salsa, Swing and Argentine Tango as the only possible dances that would allow lifts.

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Glaadrial

Glaadrial

The show has done the Fusion before.

This is true, but unless Amy doesn't make into the final three, the show runners will have to make adjustments to how the dances are assigned. It's been my understanding that certain dances require a specific prosthetic in order for Amy to perform the required movement for the dance.

 

Possibly, it will be restricted to the classic Ballroom/Latin dances, but then, because Amy has done all the "lifts allowed" dances, she's left with a very narrow choice of dances because she's only done Waltz and Quickstep from the Standard Ballroom list. Since Quickstep is the only dance where they utilized the running blades, that, presumably, eliminates Quickstep as a possibility for Fusion. If they include the "special" dances that allow lifts, how will they determine what other dance is sufficiently in contrast? Contemporary/AT? Jazz/Salsa?

 

There is the possibility that all three finalists will have to do the exact same mash-up, but that leaves out all the Standard Ballroom because only Amy has done Waltz and Meryl hasn't done Quickstep (Really!? Have we ever had a Finalist who has not done a Quickstep all season?).

 

In this scenario:

M/A/J  could only do Salsa + (Rumba/Cha-cha/Jive)

M/A/C could only do AT + (Rumba/Cha-cha/Jive)

A/J/C  could only do Contemporary + (Rumba/Cha-cha/Jive)

M/J/C  could do any combination of Rumba/Cha-cha/Jive/Foxtrot/VW  (there's no overlap with any of the dances that allow lifts)

 

It's gonna be a hot mess, regardless of how they deal with this particular problem. So far it seems like the judges' scores haven't been too big of a factor for determining who goes forward. However, it is possible that Facebook voting may be a better indicator of who is going home, rather than who is getting the votes to stay and win the trophy. I do vote, but I don't tweet, so perhaps the contest to tweet for Freestyle encore will not affect the outcome too much but I doubt it (e.g., James has notoriously good skills for making the most of his presence on Twitter but maybe not sufficiently enough to overcome the main demographic who may not be such avid Tweeters but do vote).

 

The contest may be very much closer than what is currently being predicted. If it is, then the final judges' scores will matter and fusion dance assignment could make the difference. I wish that this situation had been avoided by asking the pros to choreograph the Fusion routine as part of their preparation for the Finals, especially since the producers knew that they were going to ask Meryl/Charlie to prepare a routine. It's a two night event, let these people rest between shows! I see no real value in watching a dance that has been slapped together overnight, or their other favorite piece of nonsense, the Instant Dance, blech!

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smiley13

smiley13

 

This is true, but unless Amy doesn't make into the final three, the show runners will have to make adjustments to how the dances are assigned. It's been my understanding that certain dances require a specific prosthetic in order for Amy to perform the required movement for the dance.

Adjustments for Amy??  That would never happen........ <sarcasm>

 

They have given her the easiest road of any contestant and it reeks.

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Hybiscus

Hybiscus

I'm still nursing my broken heart from last week, so to watch tonight's episode 10, here is how I plan to get through it.  You may join me if you wish.  If you are alcohol-free, you can use a non-alcoholic drink or food.

 

The DWTS Drinking Game!

 

Take a sip every time:

  1. Meryl scores a 10
  2. Amy cries in the pre-dance package
  3. A male dancer appears shirtless
  4. Candace gets "into her head" in a dance
  5. Bruno jumps out of his seat

 

Take a drink every time:

  1. Contemporary shows up in the freestyle
  2. Derek is praised for his choreography
  3. A former contestant is spotted in the crowd (except for Charlie, see below)
  4. Carrie Ann giggles

 

Take a gulp when

  1. There's a Charlie sighting.  (If you're not a fan, you can put him with all the other celebs above)
  2. Candace says she's "dancing for One"
  3. Len criticizes someone

 

Feel free to add your own. ^_^

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TeeM

TeeM

Yikes, they are dropping like flies. Maybe Meryl caught whatever bug James had last week. Maybe THEY are actually the behind the scenes romance and Maks and Peta are just decoys! LOL 

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Hybiscus

Hybiscus

If you have to drink every time Carrie Ann giggles like a dolphin, you're going to be sloshed half-way through the show.  There may even be a danger of alcohol poisoning.

Actually, she didn't giggle at all, at least in the sections I didn't fast-forward through or have on mute.  What did me in was the shots of Charlie... and Danice and NeNe. (Chug fr one, drink for the other 2.)

 

Wow, James is out.  Did not call that at all.  Candace is a lovely person, but it's a travesty she's in the final finals.  Maybe God really does want her to win.

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Shades of Red

Shades of Red

I really liked both of Meryl and Maks' performances.  Well done to Maks for the choreography.

 

After not being impressed by some of Peta's costumes I have to admit I did like her first one of the evening.  Wasn't thrilled about the second one but it did fit into the dance.  I think I didn't like it because it looked like her stockings were camouflage and seemed to not go with the rest of her outfit.  Maybe it was my tv but I think a solid colour would have suited better.

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Glaadrial

Glaadrial

I'm bringing this over from the Finale thread because, well, this all happened during the show Monday, so...

Maks and Meryl were exquisite tonight.  Both dances were art in motion.   Meryl has actually matured as a dancer.    She came in as a ringer, but she improved in her expressive ways and really let loose as a sensual person.   I think Maks has been a good match for her -- the ice princess and the hot-headed Ukrainian.   I know there are those who don't like Maks much, but I've always liked watching his sexy self, flaws and all.    

 

Even though it should be Charlie in the final 3 and I feel cheated out of seeing that delightful man dance a freestyle, I'm not unhappy that Candace has made it this far.   She represents the best of DWTS -- taking someone who is not from a dancing or athletic background and making a dancer of her.   She isn't the best dancer -- not even as good as James, IMO -- but she's done well in throwing herself into the competition and improving.   I thought the 8's were probably an accurate rating of her dances tonight, but given the over-scoring of certain others, the 8's seemed like a slap. 

 

Can Derek do ANYthing without gimmicks?  Amy in  fringy pants.  And smoke.  And a rope.   More of the same -- much of her dance time is spent being pitched around like a prop by Derek or scooting along a flat surface, which a disservice to her, because Amy has proved that she CAN dance. 

 

The contrast to Derek's contrived devices is one of the reasons Maks and Meryl's freestyle was so passionate -- no gimmicks, no rope tricks, props, or fake fog -- just emotion and fluid dance.   I'm not a fan of contemporary, but that was gorgeous.  Loved it. 

 

I have no idea who's going to win.   

Seeing the rehearsal package before the AT gave us a glimpse into the process that Maks used to help Meryl achieve what they portrayed in the AT. By cutting her off as he did, he put her in the exact place where she needed to be emotionally for that dance. To me, it looked like she danced as his muse,

 

It was a take on the character of the AT that I have not seen before. I think it may have been as big a risk as dancing Rumba in bare feet; albeit less so because it was Finale Night. "I don't need you to be better; I need you to be you, and I'll be better." Just wow. He cast her in a position, not as his inferior or even his equal like I've seen before in these challenge-type dances, but as his superior--his ideal. Throughout the dance, he is tormented by her smile and her ease. Rather than using overt sexual passion to create the dramatic tension, the struggle comes from his trying to reach her level of surety. I didn't want the dance to end. The freestyle was breathtaking and a brilliant culmination of the journey that, I think, began with the Foxtrot.

 

Mark should have known better than to choose Disco for Candace's Freestyle. Stacy Keibler tried it and failed back in Season 2. Even when it's done well, it always seems "not special" to me. Disco, for me, is more fun to dance than it is to watch. I've always dreaded it whenever a personal favorite on SYTYCD has had it assigned to them. 8's does seem harsh but only because it's the finals. I can't really say I disagree with the score based on what the other couples did, though.

 

Derek and Amy. All I can say is that if Tristan was announced to be in the line up for the season and then replaced with Derek (as has been reported elsewhere on the forum) as the partner for Amy, then I think the producers truly did Amy a disservice. She has been most excellent at executing the choreography that was given to her, I wish, however, that she had been partnered with someone who shows more confidence in the entertainment value of pure ballroom dancing. Tristan would have been most excellent in this regard, but perhaps he had to bow out for his own reasons and Derek came in to save the day. /shrug

 

Nevertheless, I suspect that the other male pros would have done better with trying to approximate ballroom dance. Amy might not have found herself in the position of winning like she is now, but I think that she'd have probably ended up doing more than just Waltz and Quickstep from the traditional ballroom list and I think that this would have sent a clearer message about overcoming limitations. This message, I think, tended to get muddied by assigning all the dances that allowed lifts at the expense of doing dances that had more rigid requirements.

 

I also think that the competition would have been more honest if we had more situations like what we saw when Derek/Amy put together their Waltz and, more impressively, Quickstep. I don't mean the drama, I mean the process. I hope it goes without saying that this is in no way a criticism of Amy because dance assignments were not hers to make. That she was assigned the Waltz based on her own request, indeed, is admirable. Likewise, her decision to do the show at all which facilitated establishing a dialog so that ignorance can become informed. I did feel a bit voyeuristic watching her switching her prosthetic as a bumper into commercial, but that's just me.

 

Anyway, I'm so looking forward to the Meryl Davis show tomorrow night (win or lose, she'll be dancing quite a bit).  Hopefully, Maks will give her a chance to rest up while he works out the choreography with one of the pros. If not, maybe he can create a routine where she plays a walking zombie.

 

 

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Bitsy

Bitsy

Seeing the rehearsal package before the AT gave us a glimpse into the process that Maks used to help Meryl achieve what they portrayed in the AT. By cutting her off as he did, he put her in the exact place where she needed to be emotionally for that dance.

Maks is always telling his students that you can't dance while trying to talk and analyze at the same time.  I still think it's unfair that Maks got such a hard time for trying to get Danica to stop doing it, as if he was just brushing her off by trying to get her to stop talking.

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Buggin

Buggin

Derek and Amy. All I can say is that if Tristan was announced to be in the line up for the season and then replaced with Derek (as has been reported elsewhere on the forum) as the partner for Amy, then I think the producers truly did Amy a disservice. She has been most excellent at executing the choreography that was given to her, I wish, however, that she had been partnered with someone who shows more confidence in the entertainment value of pure ballroom dancing. Tristan would have been most excellent in this regard, but perhaps he had to bow out for his own reasons and Derek came in to save the day. /shrug

 

 

Tristan, in his own very diplomatic way, pretty much confirmed he was blindsided about not being back this season. I would have loved to see Amy with Tristan, or with just about any other pro except Maks. She may not have made the finals without Derek, but I think she would have been given more. Tristan, I think above any other pro, cares first and foremost about his partner's journey on the show. He just loves to teach and I have no doubts he would have taught Amy the dances well, not just used "creative choreography" to hide limitations or not allow her to dance full out.

 

I think I will actually feel really bad for Maks if he doesn't win, as turned off by his utter desperation as I am. I'm hoping he'll get the MBT and have some closure so that he can leave the show. I don't even dislike him, I just don't love him as a pro teacher and I think Meryl was probably the best he will ever get because she's so good AND can handle him. I think he'll forever compare any future partners to her and get frustrated much more easily, which is a shame because he's a great dancer. But I think of the two brothers, Val is the superior teacher.

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Runningwild

Runningwild

Can't believe I'm rooting for Maks/Meryl or Mark/Candace to win. Just tired of all of Derek's gimmicks. The rope looked fun and amazing, but the show is called DANCING With The Stars, not Spinning.

It was nice to see Bob Saget and Lori Loughlin supporting Candace, but where are Dave Coulier and John Stamos?

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Quickbeam

Quickbeam

My enjoyment was marred by my ongoing annoyance that Charlie was eliminated. I can't let go. All my household votes went to Meryl who was superior in every way last night. My husband is a big Amy fan but even he was all "gee, put her down dude". 

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ari333

ari333

(edited)

Oh Dear God. I read "butt bongo" before I saw Derek and Amy's salsa and I thought it was that move where the person has their feet together on the floor and bends at the waist to make a sort of 90 degree angle with the tushy sticking out and the partner bongos the butt. THIS WAS SO NOT THAT. That was an HMV bongo and I 've never seen that done on this show. I've seen bongo. I've seen HMV; But not at the same time. Well, clutch my pearls and call me June.  

 

I thought Mark shoved Candace's head a little too hard for my comfort, but I wasn't there so what do I know.

 

I thought harem pants were sort of blousy and loose in the thighs, on the sides of the hips. However, the diaper pants are just .... IDK what to say, except, "GO away!"

 

So what does Peta say to wardrobe? "Um... ok give me sheer, transparent gauze from neck to ankle, then sprinkle a few sequins around. ThanxK?"

 

On a sidenote: How do these women keep their extensions on during al the head flinging? Also, let us please retire the, "Go big or go home."

Edited by ari333
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Bitsy

Bitsy

So what does Peta say to wardrobe? "Um... ok give me sheer, transparent gauze from neck to ankle, then sprinkle a few sequins around. ThanxK?"

I don't even notice what Peta is wearing, all I see is her extremely aggressive facial expressions and extremely aggressive movements.  She's just got it dialed up all the time.  It does have the feel of triple-x porno acting even when she's not actually doing anything suggestive.  She stole a lot of my attention from James this season.

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crocosmia

crocosmia

 

Seeing the rehearsal package before the AT gave us a glimpse into the process that Maks used to help Meryl achieve what they portrayed in the AT. By cutting her off as he did, he put her in the exact place where she needed to be emotionally for that dance. To me, it looked like she danced as his muse,

 

It was a take on the character of the AT that I have not seen before. I think it may have been as big a risk as dancing Rumba in bare feet; albeit less so because it was Finale Night. "I don't need you to be better; I need you to be you, and I'll be better." Just wow. He cast her in a position, not as his inferior or even his equal like I've seen before in these challenge-type dances, but as his superior--his ideal. Throughout the dance, he is tormented by her smile and her ease. Rather than using overt sexual passion to create the dramatic tension, the struggle comes from his trying to reach her level of surety. I didn't want the dance to end. The freestyle was breathtaking and a brilliant culmination of the journey that, I think, began with the Foxtrot.

 

 

 

You nailed it.   Beautiful analysis and description.  Thanks for this.

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truthaboutluv

truthaboutluv

(edited)

I'll be honest, I've never gotten the intense fuss over Tristan. Nice guy, great attitude and after watching him on the Afterbuzz pretty funny with a great snarky wit. But as a dancer and choreographer I've never been particularly impressed or wowed by him. Yes I know he's gotten plenty of duds and I am very interested in seeing what he can do with someone who is not a member of the AARP and has some natural rhythm. But still, I really don't think Amy lost something so much not being paired with him versus Derek and I'm sure she feels that way. 

 

Part of the show and this whole "journey" is the experience the celebrity has as a whole. That's why if the producers mis-match as they've done in the past and the pro and celebrity just don't get along, it can be a mess and incredibly uncomfortable for them and the viewers. Going by Amy's own words, she has loved every minute of her experience on the show and her time with Derek and is more than appreciative. In my book, that's a win. Hell, this is the first season in a long time Derek didn't pull his patented passive aggressive attitude (or at least it wasn't shown) with his celeb. I've always said while Maks gets angry and throws tantrums, Derek is passive aggressive. It's why Jennifer Grey got pissed at him one time, Brooke Burke, Amber got annoyed once last season and he even did it to Shannon who he was sleeping with. But he was positive and supportive all season to Amy.

 

And finally I guess my opinion comes from the fact that I don't agree that Amy hasn't been dancing this season, that she wasn't actually learning the dances and that she wasn't challenged. To my eyes there was a lot of content in many of her dances and she did them all fairly well. I also don't agree that staying in one part of the dance floor meant she wasn't dancing. I thought her frame in the QS was gorgeous, the flicks and kicks in her jive were great, her core strength and leg play with Derek was great in the AT, etc. So unpopular opinion perhaps but I don't think Derek cheated Amy out of anything. I thought he was a great pro for her and they had one of the nicer partnerships in the show's history imo.

Edited by truthaboutluv
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ari333

ari333

(edited)

truthaboutluv

 

I'll be honest, I've never gotten the intense fuss over Tristan. Nice guy, great attitude and after watching him on the Afterbuzz pretty funny with a great snarky wit. But as a dancer and choreographer I've never been particularly impressed or wowed by him. Yes I know he's gotten plenty of duds and I am very interested in seeing what he can do with someone who is not a member of the AARP and has some natural rhythm. But still, I really don't think Amy lost something so much not being paired with him versus Derek and I'm sure she feels that way.

 

Is Tristan on this show or in the troupe? If so, I must have blinked and missed him. IIRC, Jennifer Grey and Donny Osmond won as, "AARP" people.  Anyway, back to this show and the topic, -- was Mark singing the lyrics to "Umbrella" or telling Candace what steps to do? And wow, Candace has an unusually lovely face. That top knot hair thing only works with beautiful people with great bone structure, imo.

 

If Maks can't win with Meryl and what they did on this finale then I don't know how he can hope to win ever.

 

I don't know if Erin is super tall or wearing super heels or both; but anyway, she's grown on me.

Edited by ari333
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truthaboutluv

truthaboutluv

Is Tristan on this show or in the troupe?

 

 

He started on the troupe and has been a pro with Nancy Grace, Pamela Anderson (for the All-Stars season), Gladys Knight, Dorothy Hamill and Valerie Harper last season. And I'm well aware that older people have won the show and can. I only made the reference because one of the complaints from those who like Tristan is that he only gets older contestants who aren't the greatest dancers and it's true. Which is why I noted that I am curious to see him with someone younger, just to see what he is capable of coming up with.

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ari333

ari333

He started on the troupe and has been a pro with Nancy Grace, Pamela Anderson (for the All-Stars season), Gladys Knight, Dorothy Hamill and Valerie Harper last season. And I'm well aware that older people have won the show and can. I only made the reference because one of the complaints from those who like Tristan is that he only gets older contestants who aren't the greatest dancers and it's true. Which is why I noted that I am curious to see him with someone younger, just to see what he is capable of coming up with.

 

I know who Tristan is. I meant was he on this show, this week, ...yesterday? I ff through some of the show and thought I must have missed something. Some troupe members appear in bumpers and as extras in the couples' dances and I don't always know who they are like the dancers covered in gold even on their faces in Candace's disco free style. I'm aware of his work on other seasons.

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truthaboutluv

truthaboutluv

Well honestly I wasn't sure if the comment was sarcasm or genuine so I chose to assume the latter. As far as I know, no, Tristan wasn't part of the show at all this season but I was responding to the comments above about how Amy would have fared with him versus Derek as rumor is that he would have likely been her pro but Derek requested to dance with her. 

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