Dancing with the Stars Season 9 – Michael Flatley in for Len??
I really, really, really hope this isn’t true. As cranky as Len can be (and he is particularly hard on my favorites, it seems π ), I really don’t want him to be replaced, even temporarily.Β I do understand the possible health reasons, but I’m going to hope and pray that Len is all better and back in the center seat on DWTS in the fall.Β Anyway, here are some excerpts fromΒ the article from “Irish Central” that popped up for me this morning:
Multiple sources confirmed to IrishCentral what has been a flurry of Internet buzz β that Flatley is being considered as a replacement for judge Len Goodman, who recently announced that he was recovering from treatment for prostate cancer.
Flatley has already appeared as a guest judge on the show, and was a huge hit with viewers. An industry source told IrishCentral that “Len would be almost impossible to replace, and we don’t want to replace him. But his health comes first. If he decides he needs the rest and wants to step down, how could we do better that Michael Flatley?”
Len has never been hard on Derek. Derek should have choreographed a jive instead of a mish-mosh he choreographed.
I must admit that I think that Len is one of the most authentic reality TV show judges that exists. Michael Flatley isn’t bad, but Len is much better.
I think another alternative that would be really interesting is Corky Ballas. Although, I guess that probably wouldn’t work if Mark Ballas and even Derek Hough for that matter were still dancing. Although is there anyone in the dance world that doesn’t have connections with all of the professional dancers? Of course, family is a little different.
As much of a curmudgeon as Len can be he keeps the competition as honest as it can be. When Flatley replaced Len last season it was a disaster. Let’s hope Len recovers enough to come back. DWTS wouldn’t be the same without him!
Well, all judges have their preferences and their biases, just like the viewing audience does – I think Lee is correct that Flatley is a bit of a disaster, mainly because if you were beautiful, female and had long legs you would get a great score from him. And I say this as a Derek/Brooke fan – I have no problem admitting that he over scored their rumba. But Len has admitted that he thinks short people don’t look right doing ballroom – even so, I agree with John on him being the most authentic judge. But I do think he underscored Kim and Shawn because he doesn’t think short people can do ballroom adequately – even leaving the “controversial” Jive out of the equation. If Melissa had danced Kim’s Paso or A Tango, she would have gotten a perfect score – I’m sure the same can be said for at least one or two of Shawn’s dances. It’s for that reason that I also appreciate Carrie Ann and Bruno – all the biases seem to balance each other out. π Then again, I think that the scoring should be more relative to what other couples are doing. It’s clearly not, now.
All that being said, I love Len and hope that this is just Ireland getting overly excited over one of their favorite sons. And just say no to Corky Ballas. I like him just fine as a dancer, but as a judge? No, not with Mark and, to a lesser extent, Derek competing. He’s too good at being a supportive father to be able to turn it off at will.
“If he decides he needs the rest and wants to step down, how could we do better that Michael Flatley?β
Is that a rhetorical question? For their sake, I hope so. Flatley would be an awful replacement.
They should use Nick or Charlotta as the judge. Since they actually judge ballroom. Flatley is flat as a judge and doesn’t know dancing.
I really hope Len is doing well and returns to DWTS! I really enjoy the 3 judges they have. When Michael Flatley filled in, I was less than impressed w/him. Not a good choice as a replacement if it comes down to that. i may have to find something else to watch. π
I am a HUGE fan of Michael Flatley’s. I own a couple of his concerts on DVD and think he is a marvelous dancer. So, believe me when I tell you it hurts me say that I really hope he DOESN’T judge again.
I’ve been taking ballroom dance classes fo several years and, by all means, I do not consider myself an expert or even remotely qualified to second guess Len, Bruno or Carrie Ann. However, I recognize 80% of the steps in all the latin dances and 70% in the 5 ballroom dances.
When Michael guest-judged, it seemed to me that he didn’t know all that much about ballroom dancing. I found myself constantly going O_O (say what?) to his comments. And, like I said, although I’m no expert, I know a little bit about what it’s supposed to look like and Mr. Flatley and I were seldom in accord!
I hope Len is better and want to see him back, but if he can’t for personal reasons, I would rather see Nigel Lithgoe or Mary Murphy or Adam Shankman or even one of the professional dancers who aren’t performing this year! I think that would make a lot of sense!
Lisa,
Nice description of Michael Flatley. Not a real fan myself of him as a judge. However, don’t even mention the name Mary in this regard. She’d be horrible next to Carrie Ann Inaba. Although, maybe it would reveal how bad she is;-)
Don’t get worried for nothing, dude. There is no way one of those judges is going to cross networks to help on DWTS when SYTYCD is airing their performance show on the same night as DWTS results show. Even if that weren’t happening, I don’t think we’d see it.
It would be scary though, wouldn’t it? π