All Past Seasons of the Late Lamented Show

[Meleighsa]

Y'all, I'm watching season 14 on cmt.com and I forgot how much I enjoyed Charm's judging and commentary! Episode 6 when she tells Kelli and Judy that Kat better pull the F--- up has me cracking up all over again! 😂

[PepperM]

17 hours ago, BluegrassDCCFan said:

I figured it was Brittany C (I have NO idea who the girl is actually) right after I posted that here.  And as far as the CMT issue I think they run up to at LEAST season 12 on Pluto.

(I’m not sure who you mean that you have no idea about so I’m just going to talk about all of them lmao) Yup that’s her! Brittany is super sweet, I’m kinda bummed she’s not on DWTS anymore. The guy, Paul, was on SYTYCD too and the two of them have done lots of appearances and some choreo together since then. I was a ballroom dancer for a long time so they’re in my niche, that’s why I know so much 😂 the other girl is Nika Kljun, who is also a fantastic dancer and choreographer, though jazz funk is really her thing, she’s not classically trained ballroom, though her technique is really good!

And yeah I’ve been watching Pluto, but I was specifically looking for S13 - I thought I remembered someone saying that it had been added but I watched the end of S12 the other day and then it went back to S1. I was mostly looking for the bit where Kelli talked about attrition - I read what happened re Alexandria and Kalyssa, but then two other 1st year vets got cut too? I wanted to go back and see why and whether or not I agreed with the decision. 

[Jess14]

I’m someone who can be tough on Kelli, but I appreciated that she took up for Ann when Charlotte was really gunning for her (for no apparent reason). Everyone isn’t loud or the life of the party. That doesn’t mean that they don’t care. If there were actual dance/performance issues, that’s one thing, but it just seemed like a “she’s not spunky!” type of thing. I am glad that Ann didn’t try out again though. She dodged a cut at auditions once and may not have done so twice. 

On another note, I hadn’t seen the finals episode in Season 6 in ages, but my goodness, the finals dance looked atrocious. Who choreographed that? 

I had also forgotten how terrible Angela’s solo was lol. What on earth was that! 

[JarlenaFan2024]

3 hours ago, PepperM said:

(I’m not sure who you mean that you have no idea about so I’m just going to talk about all of them lmao)

I've never heard of Brittany Cherry before this board

[Jessied84]

I've been binge watching on Pluto for over a month now and have noticed something weird. Why do they now skip over some of the previously shown performances - like the show group performance with Big and Rich and the Komen halftime show from season 7? Has anyone else noticed that? They show all the prep/practice (like for the Komen show) and also show everything leading up to walking out. Even with the Big and Rich performance, going into the commercial break they show them introducing the cheerleaders...then boom - cut - now we're back in the locker room and it's all over. Is this a copyright thing - like the cheesy "music overs" when the use of music limit expired? Or just a time saver? I know for a fact a lot of those performances were previously shown so it's just weird they're missing now.

[ByTor]

7 minutes ago, Jessied84 said:

Why do they now skip over some of the previously shown performances - like the show group performance with Big and Rich and the Komen halftime show from season 7?

They're skipping over that now?  Oh good, I found that segment SOOO annoying.

[Jessied84]

3 minutes ago, ByTor said:

They're skipping over that now?  Oh good, I found that segment SOOO annoying.

Ha! Yes just watched it this morning (for the 3rd time in the last month!) They showed all the rehearsals, the locker room prep with dressing in the pink outfits, then cut - back in the locker room. I liked the Big and Rich performance (when it was actually shown) and it's just strange now they show the interview with both guys talking about performing with the girls, they show him saying "Ladies and gentlemen the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" going into the break then cut...not shown. 

I will note the Komen practice (and some episodes before it) were all the "Cassie and my injured knee and will it hold up". 🙄

[ByTor]

1 minute ago, Jessied84 said:

I will note the Komen practice (and some episodes before it) were all the "Cassie and my injured knee and will it hold up". 🙄

And *gasp* they only have a few days to rehearse, will they or won't they be able to perform???  Ummm, spoiler alert, if they couldn't perform it they'd never televise it 🤣

[Jessied84]

Just now, ByTor said:

And *gasp* they only have a few days to rehearse, will they or won't they be able to perform???  Ummm, spoiler alert, if they couldn't perform it they'd never televise it 🤣

So true! Like if they'd actually dropped someone they would show it! 

Now watching season 8 which was Tessa's first time trying out. I was shocked when I came across her  interview after her stroke! That really affected her in a major way. 

This was also the year Hannah West made it. Comparing that year to when she came back for year two and got cut for weight is eye opening. She was a stick in season 8!

[ByTor]

4 minutes ago, Jessied84 said:

This was also the year Hannah West made it. Comparing that year to when she came back for year two and got cut for weight is eye opening. She was a stick in season 8!

She is now as well.  I know it was speculated that she gained because she was concentrating more on school, but I never bought it, I wonder what really happened.

[Jessied84]

2 minutes ago, ByTor said:

She is now as well.  I know it was speculated that she gained because she was concentrating more on school, but I never bought it, I wonder what really happened.

Wow that is surprising. I haven't seen any pictures of her or anything about her since she got cut. I know when they first called her in she said she "needed to make a lifestyle change" and "make working out a priority" but she was also falling out of her turns and stumbling during rehearsals. Also her face that 2nd year had a "hard" look compared to how fresh and cute she looked the previous year. I'm with you - something else was going on. How does someone regress that much in dancing (and weight) when they're a top performer and show group member only one year ago? Kaitlyn LeGrand also comes to mind. Her first year vs. her second year were night and day. 

[Nelliephant]

I'm watching season 12 on Pluto. I find it quite weird that the story is that there is so much pressure on Dayton as her mum was a DCC, not that her mum works for DCC. Surely working there is a lot more pressure than if your a legacy. There have been quite a few legacies, but Dayton was the second daughter of a member of staff.

[PepperM]

On 4/30/2020 at 9:59 PM, BluegrassDCCFan said:

I've never heard of Brittany Cherry before this board

Ahh okay, gotcha. Here are some of my faves of her:

I do see what you were saying though, she does kinda look like she and Dayton could be related? Maybe not sisters but cousins?

[UnicornKicksBack]

On 5/1/2020 at 9:31 AM, Jessied84 said:

Wow that is surprising. I haven't seen any pictures of her or anything about her since she got cut. I know when they first called her in she said she "needed to make a lifestyle change" and "make working out a priority" but she was also falling out of her turns and stumbling during rehearsals. Also her face that 2nd year had a "hard" look compared to how fresh and cute she looked the previous year. I'm with you - something else was going on. How does someone regress that much in dancing (and weight) when they're a top performer and show group member only one year ago? Kaitlyn LeGrand also comes to mind. Her first year vs. her second year were night and day. 

Hannah and Kaitlyn did NOT have the same lifestyle issues. 

[Jessied84]

2 minutes ago, UnicornKicksBack said:

Hannah and Kaitlyn did NOT have the same lifestyle issues. 

Never said that they did. Just noting both were great their first year then fell off the top tier so quickly. 

[UnicornKicksBack]

2 hours ago, Jessied84 said:

Never said that they did. Just noting both were great their first year then fell off the top tier so quickly. 

No you didn’t. Just clarifying before that rumor gets set it stone. 

[Jessied84]

15 minutes ago, UnicornKicksBack said:

No you didn’t. Just clarifying before that rumor gets set it stone. 

There was no "rumor". Not sure how that was taken that way. All I did was point out the similarities. Regardless I liked both girls and hated to see what happened in either case. Two totally different situations and unfortunate circumstances. I missed both girls when they were cut. End of story.

[KnyghtRyder]

23 minutes ago, UnicornKicksBack said:

No you didn’t. Just clarifying before that rumor gets set it stone. 

 

4 minutes ago, Jessied84 said:

There was no "rumor". Not sure how that was taken that way. All I did was point out the similarities. Regardless I liked both girls and hated to see what happened in either case. Two totally different situations and unfortunate circumstances. I missed both girls when they were cut. End of story.

I think @UnicornKicksBack’s was more geared towards another poster coming on here 2 days from now and reading through these comments quickly (and/or having reading comprehension issues) and mistaking it for DCC canon. Sometimes the comment is speculative, sometimes the comment is just in jest and then 5 pages later we are all in a time out because everyone is arguing whether or not something may or may not have happened. It’s crazy how quickly it happens. Lightening moves slower than misinterpreted posts. 

Semi-related side note (and probably unpopular opinion): I just didn’t see Hannah West’s appeal her first year. Even rewatching on Pluto, I still don’t see it. Other than she’s tall and blonde. Which is KellFine’s kryptonite. But someone posted her IG here in the last couple months, and I think she looks amazing now. 

[Nelliephant]

I'm watching season 2 now. I know I made a similar comment about a later season a while ago but what is up with the body fat percentage? 

They use the bodpod in this episode to measure their body fat percentage, they seem to expect women to have a body fat percentage of less that 11%. I'm calling bull on this, I don't know if they are converting to a make equivalent, which would be lower. However if you look at examples of body fat percentage I would guess they have about 15-18%.

 

Edited May 3, 2020 by Nelliephant

[ByTor]

3 hours ago, Nelliephant said:

what is up with the body fat percentage? 

I think they told someone who was 15% that she needed to watch herself.  Are they kidding?

[EricaShadows]

9 hours ago, ByTor said:

I think they told someone who was 15% that she needed to watch herself.  Are they kidding?

Sad to say, they probably aren't.  Most of the women have a healthy body weight FOR THEM and are also naturally slim.  They are also young and their body will change as they head into their 20's.  The ones who need to watch themselves are the ones who mandate that these young women need to maintain the same weight or stay within 5 pounds of when they joined the team instead of adjusting it for age.  These are also the same people who harp on customizing the uniform for each individual body (because they're all so different), but then ignore those individual bodies and say that people of the same height MUST weigh approximately the same amount despite science and sports medicine saying differently.  Will TPTB learn? Nah, probably not.  That's why we hear of young women putting themselves into the hospital trying to starve themselves to fit the uniform, the rumors of seizures, taking "diet" aides and other unhealthy habits to maintain weight that are likely known about by TPTB but are ignored because if it's not acknowledged or even commonly known, then it won't blow apart their carefully crafted image.

Edited May 3, 2020 by EricaShadows

[mizzhyer]

On 4/30/2020 at 2:46 PM, Meleighsa said:

I think you're talking about Miranda and yeah. They chuck the rest of those opinions out the window when one of them likes a girl.

Don't get me wrong...I think Kalli seemed to be a super sweet young lady, she was adorable ( just wore her eye makeup way too heavy) and would have been an awesome ambassador. She was just not DCC material dance-wise...but she was one of Kelli's pet projects and we know that counts for WAY more than the votes from judges 🙂 

Edited May 4, 2020 by mizzhyer

[mizzhyer]

On 4/30/2020 at 7:37 PM, Jess14 said:

I’m someone who can be tough on Kelli, but I appreciated that she took up for Ann when Charlotte was really gunning for her (for no apparent reason). Everyone isn’t loud or the life of the party. That doesn’t mean that they don’t care. If there were actual dance/performance issues, that’s one thing, but it just seemed like a “she’s not spunky!” type of thing. I am glad that Ann didn’t try out again though. She dodged a cut at auditions once and may not have done so twice. 

On another note, I hadn’t seen the finals episode in Season 6 in ages, but my goodness, the finals dance looked atrocious. Who choreographed that? 

I had also forgotten how terrible Angela’s solo was lol. What on earth was that! 

I know...kicks were low...solo and outfit were both awful.  I've never been a fan of hers, so it wouldn't have bothered me if they had shipped her back to Down Under.  Instead, we got her for 5 seasons 😛

[ByTor]

1 minute ago, mizzhyer said:

I've never been a fan of hers, so it wouldn't have bothered me if they had shipped her back to Down Under.  Instead, we got her for 5 seasons 😛

Oh, same!  She annoyed the hell out of me...I have no good reason why, she just did.

[go4luca]

Hate me if you will, but Vivian and Colby are exactly why I hope they don't bring the fan vote back.

[Nene]

On 4/30/2020 at 4:58 PM, Meleighsa said:

Y'all, I'm watching season 14 on cmt.com and I forgot how much I enjoyed Charm's judging and commentary! Episode 6 when she tells Kelli and Judy that Kat better pull the F--- up has me cracking up all over again! 😂

I LOVE Charm! She is definitely a breath of fresh air and some of what's needed to rev up the show!

[MrsEVH]

5 hours ago, go4luca said:

Hate me if you will, but Vivian and Colby are exactly why I hope they don't bring the fan vote back.

I don't ever see it coming back. Only ONE winner actually made the team which probably made the whole DCC organization look bad.

[mizzhyer]

17 hours ago, Nene said:

I LOVE Charm! She is definitely a breath of fresh air and some of what's needed to rev up the show!

I want to see more of Charm involved with the audition process!!! 🙂 

[TennInTexas]

Watching Episode 1203....

 

Is that Shaina (S14 TCC who's friends died in the helicopter crash, not sure I have her name right?) sitting next to (I think) little heather when they're announcing TC invites? Man it sure looks like her! 

 

also, K&J all but recused themselves from Dayton conversations. Interesting. 

[scorpio1031]

2 hours ago, TennInTexas said:

also, K&J all but recused themselves from Dayton conversations. Interesting. 

https://making-the-team.fandom.com/wiki/Dayton

Reading thru Kelli's comments about Dayton, she is already putting distance between them.  She says she grew up side by side with her daughter, and that she needs to look at her thru her director's lens - treating her as fairly and as professional as she can.  Yeah, right!

Can't wait until they get the season 13 stuff up on this page.  I find myself having more "clarity" about some of the situations🤣

[H3705]

Did anyone see this extra clip of squad photo season 11  ..... Simone crying over missing her best friends wedding ... my thinking is .. if this girl is your BFF why would she schedule her wedding knowing you are in training camp and could possibly miss it 🙄 Sorry for those that like her but seriously thought she should have been a one and done girl .. K&J must really like her and I guess the judges too .... but again K&J chose Kalli Fulteron over Miranda who had more votes so .....

[H3705]

15 hours ago, scorpio1031 said:

https://making-the-team.fandom.com/wiki/Dayton

Reading thru Kelli's comments about Dayton, she is already putting distance between them.  She says she grew up side by side with her daughter, and that she needs to look at her thru her director's lens - treating her as fairly and as professional as she can.  Yeah, right!

Can't wait until they get the season 13 stuff up on this page.  I find myself having more "clarity" about some of the situations🤣

I watched 13 and Kelli called out Victoria on her immaturity / weight / whining about show group  ... I see she gave her chances to turn it around but no denying it at the end and cut her ... again she kept Kalli Fulterton to almost the end and she was awful ... sorry to say she was worse in season 6 ... Dayton seemed to fall apart under pressure ....maybe the cameras ....maybe dancing in a group .. I do hope she tries again down the road

[mizzhyer]

36 minutes ago, H3705 said:

Did anyone see this extra clip of squad photo season 11  ..... Simone crying over missing her best friends wedding ... my thinking is .. if this girl is your BFF why would she schedule her wedding knowing you are in training camp and could possibly miss it 🙄 Sorry for those that like her but seriously thought she should have been a one and done girl .. K&J must really like her and I guess the judges too .... but again K&J chose Kalli Fulteron over Miranda who had more votes so .....

Yeh sorry...a BFF? That was a little ridiculous.  Also...Judy's hair...is GOALS!!!!

[go4luca]

37 minutes ago, H3705 said:

I watched 13 and Kelli called out Victoria on her immaturity / weight / whining about show group  ... I see she gave her chances to turn it around but no denying it at the end and cut her ... again she kept Kalli Fulterton to almost the end and she was awful ... sorry to say she was worse in season 6 ... Dayton seemed to fall apart under pressure ....maybe the cameras ....maybe dancing in a group .. I do hope she tries again down the road

Kelli also went "awww" along with Charlotte and other judges when Vic fell out of her turns during Finals.  Any other candidate would have been cut on the spot.  Or Kelli dismissed Vic's immaturity as being that of a wild horse.  Vic was obviously given much more time in TC her first time around than most any other girl would have been.  The 11 odd lb jiggle in Vic's middle was so obvious.

Dayton already said she wouldn't re-audition as long as the show was still going.  I don't blame her.  I also don't think Dayton deep down really wanted it.  Good for her.  I hope she finds something that truly makes her happy.

[H3705]

5 minutes ago, go4luca said:

Kelli also went "awww" along with Charlotte and other judges when Vic fell out of her turns during Finals.  Any other candidate would have been cut on the spot.  Or Kelli dismissed Vic's immaturity as being that of a wild horse.  Vic was obviously given much more time in TC her first time around than most any other girl would have been.  The 11 odd lb jiggle in Vic's middle was so obvious.

Dayton already said she wouldn't re-audition as long as the show was still going.  I don't blame her.  I also don't think Dayton deep down really wanted it.  Good for her.  I hope she finds something that truly makes her happy.

Again Kelli kept Kalli Fullerton she was one of the last to go it was her then Natalie then Candace ... she was awful and then they kept her to the end  and again in season 6 waited and and cut her with Karissa .... that was favoritism to the highest level for me. 

[go4luca]

24 minutes ago, H3705 said:

Again Kelli kept Kalli Fullerton she was one of the last to go it was her then Natalie then Candace ... she was awful and then they kept her to the end  and again in season 6 waited and and cut her with Karissa .... that was favoritism to the highest level for me. 

I'm just commenting on Vic and the nepotism shown to her.  Both seasons.

[H3705]

12 minutes ago, go4luca said:

I'm just commenting on Vic and the nepotism shown to her.  Both seasons.

Fair enough ... and I was calling out the obvious favoritism for Kalli Fulterton and while were at it Kathryn who cant dance to save her soul ...at least Victoria came back better prepared for the second time maybe wised up that she cant just slide on to the team.

[go4luca]

4 minutes ago, H3705 said:

Fair enough ... and I was calling out the obvious favoritism for Kalli Fulterton and while were at it Kathryn who cant dance to save her soul ...at least Victoria came back better prepared for the second time maybe wised up that she cant just slide on to the team.

I agree about Kalli.  I'm just sick to death of the nepotism regarding Vic and how much she's been pushed down our throats.  When TPTB put rookie Vic in Gina's Thunder spot ahead of more deserving veterans who can dance, and Vic popped up ahead of everyone on the wrong count, it was abysmal.  It's the main reason I haven't been here as much.  My interest in the show has greatly waned because of it.  If I could figure out a way to cover Vic with a digital emoji while watching them perform, I'd do it.

[ByTor]

1 hour ago, H3705 said:

Simone crying over missing her best friends wedding ... my thinking is .. if this girl is your BFF why would she schedule her wedding knowing you are in training camp and could possibly miss it

Most people I know schedule their weddings at least a year and a half out, there's no way any of them would have known Simone would be in TC...Simone may not have even known at that time that she was going to audition.  That being said, I wasn't a fan, I don't get how she made it, and the whining over the missed wedding annoyed me 🙂 

[H3705]

30 minutes ago, go4luca said:

I agree about Kalli.  I'm just sick to death of the nepotism regarding Vic and how much she's been pushed down our throats.  When TPTB put rookie Vic in Gina's Thunder spot ahead of more deserving veterans who can dance, and Vic popped up ahead of everyone on the wrong count, it was abysmal.  It's the main reason I haven't been here as much.  My interest in the show has greatly waned because of it.  If I could figure out a way to cover Vic with a digital emoji while watching them perform, I'd do it.

But that was not her doing ... how about we talk of favoritism and consistent camera footage of Morgan crying and making the team because of it.  Favoritism is JUST as bad as the nepotism being talked about ..  I actually see more favoritism going on ...Brooke's BFF ... 19 year old Brianna staying WAY longer than she should have... Kathyrn getting a second shot and actually being just as bad as her first try. Kaitlyn getting on because of her looks not dance .. I'm not picking a fight just saying there is WAY more favoritism going on than supposed nepotism.  I cant stand to watch season 8 because of the Morgan show and their obvious dislike for Ashley from Kansas City 

[ByTor]

3 minutes ago, H3705 said:

I cant stand to watch season 8 because of the Morgan show and their obvious dislike for Ashley from Kansas City 

Ashley TOTALLY should have made the team as far as I'm concerned!

[H3705]

4 minutes ago, ByTor said:

Ashley TOTALLY should have made the team as far as I'm concerned!

THANK YOU!! When that episode on Pluto come on when she is called into the office I cringed and then click on something else ... they were really mean to her  😞

[ByTor]

1 minute ago, H3705 said:

THANK YOU!! When that episode on Pluto come on when she is called into the office I cringed and then click on something else ... they were really mean to her  😞

Yeah, right, she "waddled" like a duck doing the entrance 🙄

[go4luca]

37 minutes ago, H3705 said:

But that was not her doing ... how about we talk of favoritism and consistent camera footage of Morgan crying and making the team because of it.  Favoritism is JUST as bad as the nepotism being talked about ..  I actually see more favoritism going on ...Brooke's BFF ... 19 year old Brianna staying WAY longer than she should have... Kathyrn getting a second shot and actually being just as bad as her first try. Kaitlyn getting on because of her looks not dance .. I'm not picking a fight just saying there is WAY more favoritism going on than supposed nepotism.  I cant stand to watch season 8 because of the Morgan show and their obvious dislike for Ashley from Kansas City 

You have no argument from me re: Morgan.  I never was a fan.  Found her mediocre at best.

But this board well knows my feelings on Vic.  I have never been, nor ever will be, a fan.  It's fine if you like her.  I'm not here to argue or sway anyone's likes/dislikes on the team.  🤷‍♀️

[mizzhyer]

49 minutes ago, ByTor said:

Ashley TOTALLY should have made the team as far as I'm concerned!

She could have corrected her "waddle" as Judy called it, she was a good dancer, was absolutely gorgeous and she would have been a fine ambassador.  I think she would have been at least a 3 year person if she had been given the chance.  I don't think they would have regretted it.

[DCC-UK]

1 hour ago, ByTor said:

Ashley TOTALLY should have made the team as far as I'm concerned!

I agree. Another one who I think would've relaxed and enjoyed performing more after making the team. I was sad she never got a second chance. 

She had plenty of cheer experience so had the ambassador side and the field presence sorted. TC can make even the most experienced dancers nervous!

[Nelliephant]

My main problem is that they try and sell the DCC as an amazing dance team, anyone remember Kelli saying that their kicks are more impressive than the Rockettes? (Well I'm paraphrasing, she commented that Rockettes only have to kick to eye level). 

They can't claim it's an amazing dance thing when they let go of great dancers because they don't think they're pretty enough, or equally, let in mediocre dancers, including those that have only danced for a year, just because they're pretty. In Kelli's yes/no/maybe two of the categories are to do with looks and one to do with dance.

If they embraced that this was an entertainment group, where one of the top aims is to be good eye candy to the fans, then I don't think we would care so much. However as long as they get rid of good dancers who they don't like for one reason or another, to keep on girls who aren't very good just because they are pretty or have connections, we will complain about things.

Sorry for my very long rant, this is what drinking and forum reading does (don't worry I'm in the UK, it's evening here!)

Edited May 6, 2020 by Nelliephant

[go4luca]

7 minutes ago, Nelliephant said:

Sorry for my very long rant, this is what drinking and forum reading does (don't worry I'm in the UK, it's evening here!)

Thanks for the chuckle.  No judgement from this end.  Quarantine does things to people. 

[DCC-UK]

38 minutes ago, Nelliephant said:

My main problem is that they try and sell the DCC as an amazing dance team, anyone remember Kelli saying that their kicks are more impressive than the Rockettes? (Well I'm paraphrasing, she commented that Rockettes only have to kick to eye level). 

They can't claim it's an amazing dance thing when they let go of great dancers because they don't think they're pretty enough, or equally, let in mediocre dancers, including those that have only danced for a year, just because they're pretty. In Kelli's yes/no/maybe two of the categories are to do with looks and one to do with dance.

If they embraced that this was an entertainment group, where one of the top aims is to be good eye candy to the fans, then I don't think we would care so much. However as long as they get rid of good dancers who they don't like for one reason or another, to keep on girls who aren't very good just because they are pretty or have connections, we will complain about things.

Sorry for my very long rant, this is what drinking and forum reading does (don't worry I'm in the UK, it's evening here!)

More UK friends, yay! Hope the lockdown is treating you okay!

[Jess14]

1 hour ago, Nelliephant said:

My main problem is that they try and sell the DCC as an amazing dance team, anyone remember Kelli saying that their kicks are more impressive than the Rockettes? (Well I'm paraphrasing, she commented that Rockettes only have to kick to eye level). 

They can't claim it's an amazing dance thing when they let go of great dancers because they don't think they're pretty enough, or equally, let in mediocre dancers, including those that have only danced for a year, just because they're pretty. In Kelli's yes/no/maybe two of the categories are to do with looks and one to do with dance.

If they embraced that this was an entertainment group, where one of the top aims is to be good eye candy to the fans, then I don't think we would care so much. However as long as they get rid of good dancers who they don't like for one reason or another, to keep on girls who aren't very good just because they are pretty or have connections, we will complain about things.

Sorry for my very long rant, this is what drinking and forum reading does (don't worry I'm in the UK, it's evening here!)

This is very true. Unfortunately, I don’t think the DCCs are unusual in that regard, even among other so-called elite groups and institutions. I think there’s a reason why most workplaces/colleges/etc. would never let cameras in when hiring/admission decisions are being made.

I definitely think the DCCs take it to an extreme in taking people like Morgan, who was still making glaring mistakes on the last day. However, even if you take the Rockettes, Broadway, or the top ballet companies in the world, I definitely think looks and connections are a factor. I don’t follow the major ballet companies as closely as some of my friends, but I know there are always grumbles about dancers being cast in roles for reasons other than merit. 

However, Kelli, in particular, seems to have double standards within double standards, if that makes sense. Even accounting for the fact that looks, connection, weight, etc are overriding factors beyond dance, her decisions often make no sense. Some girls are allowed to gain weight year after year, break rules, have bad kicks, embarrass the organization, have terrible auditions, etc, while others get cut. And half the time, you can’t even say, “well, she’s a great dancer, so I get why they gave her a break.” It’s usually just whether someone is a favorite or not.