DWTS10 Week 6 Power Rankings
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m suffering from a serious case of whiplash (or maybe it’s just hallucinations) after tonight’s scoring – seriously, WTF were the judges thinking?! Once again, the cliché 7 paddle waltzes in and makes itself comfortable in the judges’ hands, and the judges seem oh-so-cavalier about scoring gimmicky schlock (seriously, Erin & Maks, the whole stripping thing is kinda passé at this point) higher than strong technique (I actually thought Evan was on-point this week more than any other week). Oh, and while you’re at it, why don’t you praise Chad for standing there doing nothing while Cheryl dances around him, and dock Pam points despite her myriad of legwork and undeniable heat. To quote the brilliant Jonathan Roberts’ earlier tweet: “ok judges r fired again”. Here here!
On the whole, however, those with tango fared much better than those with samba, and the swing marathon wasn’t as disastrous as I thought it would be. But let’s get on with it, shall we?
1.) Nicole & Derek – This may sound funny, but I actually think Nicole was a little off her game this week, for the first time this season – the samba really seemed to get under her skin. She seemed to get a little behind and a little off-balance at a few points, but of course the performance value was there, and it was another high-energy routine from Derek (although I do agree with Len a bit – I could have done with a little less gyration if he could have thrown in a shadow roll or two – Nicole can handle it!). And Derek proves once more to be the master of stamina (Heidi, get your mind outta the gutter) as he wins yet another marathon – in all honesty, I think this one really came down to who looked less tired, rather than who was doing the flashiest choreo, which is why Nicole & Derek won over Maks & Erin. They’re the high-scorers once more, getting the highest individual score of the night and also winning the marathon, so I think they ought to be alright – even if Nicole did get a little whiney during the lead in 😉
2.) Evan & Anna – Ok, as I tweeted to Heidi earlier – something was seriously rotten in the state of California tonight if Evan & Anna scored the same as Jake & Chelsie and Niecy & Louis. It’s like eating filet mignon with Cheetos & Twinkies – they’re just not even in the same league. I actually thought Evan finally opened up tonight and looked like he was having a good time, and his technique, while not fabulous, wasn’t really all that bad, either. He stayed on time, he didn’t trip (ahem, JAKE), and he stretched those arms as far as they could go. I’m calling total foul with this scoring – shame on you and whoever is serving you hallucinogens, judges. However, these two did kinda blend into the background for me a bit during the swing marathon – they were moving well, but not moving as big as some of the other couples, which is why they probably didn’t last long (not that I can fault Evan at all – I can imagine all the bouncing doesn’t feel too hot when you’ve clocked your noggin that hard!) But these two are a voting juggernaut, so I’m not even breaking a sweat over these two going home.
3.) Erin & Maks – Fair warning: I’m gonna TRY to be as objective as I can about these two, but no promises. Maks was an arrogant fool tonight – tossing his shirt at the judges when they were not praising them, interrupting Len, talking back like a mouthy teenage girl – oooh, boy, you really steamed my broccoli, and NOT in the good way. And Erin, honey, you’re not immune either – I’d like you so much better if you would just shut up and dance rather than constantly whining at Maks during rehearsal. This samba was overscored – Erin still has chicken arms, and is somehow still getting a few beats ahead of Maks. I’m a little miffed that these two spent just as much time shaking their tookus as Nicole & Derek, as well as some silly futzing with tear-away clothing, and yet didn’t really get called out for it. Len, I’m with you on this one, buddy; Bruno & Carrie Ann, go sober up and watch that samba again – I think you’ll find it wasn’t as good as you initially thought. That said, I will give these two props in the swing – I definitely noticed them, because it seemed like these two were lifting the highest and with the most ease; however, I think in the end Nicole & Derek won out because Erin & Maks burnt out early and ran out of energy towards the end. Erin & Maks had the better tricks, but Nicole & Derek had the endurance – and since it was a marathon, I think endurance wins out. These two are a bit of a conundrum for me this week – I think people will either love what they did or think they’re two of the biggest whiners they’ve seen on the show to date. But I’m gonna call them safe, based on their scores and the many women Maks seems to still have foaming at the mouth…don’t ask me why…
4.) Pam & Damian – I definitely think Pam was back on her game this week, although maybe not as great as she was in the rumba. I thought this was the strongest tango of the night, because it had the most believable heat – Pam really does take her time and really FEEL the dance, and it shows. I thought her legwork was quite good, but at times a little wobbly; she did alright with the lifts, despite some struggles during the lead-in. DEFINITELY thought this was miles ahead of Chad & Cheryl’s tango, so I’m definitely miffed that they scored 2 points higher. Seeing her fear of lifts, I got a little worried about the swing marathon, since it seemed like the other couples were having a much easier time – however, I was pleasantly surprised, as Pam went for the lifts without apprehension (even if she did the same ones repeatedly – hey, stick with what works, girl! 😉 ) and I thought she & Damian were cute to watch. I have a feeling (positive thinking, people!) that team Viva La Pam is gonna rally this week after last week’s scare, these two are comfortably in 3rd place with points, and they got the money spot (although I’m not sure it carries the same weight this week, due to the swing marathon afterward) – I’m calling her safe this time. Slightly worried that they may get put in a faux bottom 2 (a la Niecy & Louis a few weeks back), but even if they do – I think they’ll be around next week 😉
5.) Chad & Cheryl – Apparently, now all the celeb guys on show have to do to get a good score is stand there and look masculine – cause that’s all Chad did this week. Complete CRAP that he scored 2 points higher than Pam – Cheryl was the one doing all the work! And before anyone rushes to say “well he was helping with the lifts, and it’s the man’s job to showcase the lady”, I beseech you to watch it again – there wasn’t really a lot of heavy-duty lifts (half the time Cheryl was really just leaning against him) and he didn’t “showcase” – he stood there, blank stare, as if he was busy thinking about his next publicity stunt rather than being in character. If this is the judges idea of “shaking things up” – it ain’t funny. As for the swing – not a whole lot of moving from Chad. He kinda looked dorky to me – if he sticks around long enough, I’m gonna laugh my ass off when he does jive. Bouncy definitely does not suit him! But if the crazy Bengals fan in the lead-in that was touting Chad as “the best dancer on the show” is any indicator – Chad’s got a legion of lunatics voting to keep him on the show. Slight feeling he could end up in the red this week, but if I actually put him there (wishful thinking), Murphy’s Law of DWTS will likely spite me and he’ll be safe. Gahhh, when are the sane people voting gonna outnumber all the Bengals fans?!
6.) Niecy & Louis – Pleasantly surprised by these two this week – I got a little scared when Niecy said they were doing a “humorous” Argentine tango, but they actually made it work! The humor worked with the choreography, rather than interrupting it – I was cracking up the whole time. And really, it wasn’t half-bad – pretty elementary compared to Pam’s or even Chad’s, but Niecy did have good feet and managed to stay in step. Swing marathon – not too surprised they were out 2nd, since stamina doesn’t seem to really be Niecy’s strong suit…but what they did worked for them, and I did enjoy watching them for the short time they were on the floor. However, I’m not sure the boon of The Insider can carry Niecy much further (it’s gotten pretty ridiculous – they will critique every couple EXCEPT Niecy & Louis on that dog & pony show). I’m calling these two in the red this week (interchangeable with Chad), but will likely squeak by to dance once more time.
7.) Jake & Chelsie – I’m still trying to figure this one out. Jake dances a sloppy, frantic samba, gets called out by the judges, but still gets the same score as Evan; he looked decent during practice for the swing marathon, and seemed to do ok (granted, I was trying to watch everyone – did he foul up early & I missed it?), yet is the first one tapped out. I can’t decide if the judges are trying to bait people to vote for Jake or are deliberately trying to force him out this week. I’m not even sure they totally dislike him – the good critiques do always seem to outweigh the bad when it comes to Jake. He’s got a lot stacked against him this week: crap spot, lowest total score, and he has been in the bottom two once before. He also doesn’t have the “boost” of a scare last week working for him like Pam, or the big fanbases of Chad & Evan, or Niecy’s Insider posse, or Nicole’s high scores, or Erin’s…whatever. While he was starting to grow on me, I think it’s time for him to go – he’s plateaued. Sorry Vienna.
So how will this week play out? We’ll have to wait and see – but in the meantime, we can certainly speculate! Will Pam dodge the red light this week? Will Jake be flying home? Who, if anyone, will get the encore (I have a sinking feeling it could be Chad & Cheryl)? HOLLER!!! 😀
What I want to know is – why was the camera ON Maks and Erin so much of the marathon? That’s why you thought they were lifting higher – we didn’t see Nicole OR Evan for the first full minute or so of the dance. Watch it again – I was getting pissed because all I was seeing was Erin and Chad. Very annoying.
Okay, I’m a freak, I timed it. You don’t see Nicole and Derek for the first 41 seconds except background shots. When you do see them, then they go away again for a while to focus on chad and Erin. Until the final two, it was almost like Derek and Nicole weren’t even on the floor. Which of course makes me think that they focused on those they knew were going out earlier – cept that doesn’t work because Erin got a LOT of camera time..
Wow You were right about one thing Courtney….you a re not objective. Your hatred for all things Erin/Maks is a little scary. I thought they had the best dance of the night…the only one i remembered and wow did Erin really finally let loose! I thought the samba was perfect for them…BTW the marathon was a b.s. to me for some reason. I did think Erin and Maks had the best swing…might be why you two claim they got more airtime. Sounds a little conspiracy theorist for me but i think the camera will pan to whatever couple had the best swing. Maks was twirling Erin around like a doll….I also liked Pams dance but i’m afraid she is in the bottom two again. Why doesn’t she just drop the sex bomb act? Nicole was her usual….very very good but just didn’t connect with me…plus i did think she was doing some pretty weird moves. I think Len is crazy…Erin deserved all 8’s and i actually think he is jealous of Maks for some crazy reason. BTW I totally saw Nicoles legs towards the end of her dance…very odd. As usual Pam got a point higher from Bruno for being Pam. So sick of the judges and gotta say i’m lovin Erin right now….I still like Niecy/Pam/Nicole/Evan its just i’m not connecting with them this week. Evan was good but something about his dance wasn’t working. I give him props for his schedule though! I’m getting kind of tired of Nicoles fake “im worried i’m not perfect routine”….is nobody seeing that? I think Erin and Maks are actually cute and they are obviously flirting. My lord did Erin look good in that “outfit”…Holy Shnikies…perfect color for her too! Thought Nicole looked great too…its just she always shows skin.
oops i re read my post i meant to say Erin deserved all 9’s….he he. I did think Evans scores were to low this week and Chad’s to high. I totally agree that he didn’t do anything but play the fiddle while Cheryl did all the work….kudos to her for keeping it that way, thus the high scores! Man Jake stumbles every go around….he needs to leave.
“It’s like eating filet mignon with Cheetos & Twinkies”
Best line of the entire post. Awesomeness!! and spot on!!
Although, I do disagree with you about Pam. I feel like she’s fake when she’s dancing. She’s trying to hard to make it sultry and sensual and she fails for me. Plus, I expected more leg work from her. I don’t know what their called, but she didn’t do one leg flick under his (like Niecy did). Damian did a nice series under hers, but she didn’t do any. That’s a hard move and the core of the argentine tango in my book. She was disappointing even in her lingerie with ruffles.
Their called “Guncho’s” John. I actually thought it was the best Argentine Tango of the night. Lots of control, stacato & passion. All in black, mmm, i would of like to have seen her in a firey red & black dress. All in all though, Pamela danced awesome for some one who’s learnt Argentine Tango in 3 days!!!! Isnt it all about people that havent danced before????
“It’s like eating filet mignon with Cheetos & Twinkies” oh my that was spot on!! Yes I actually yelled at my TV over Evan’s score. After Jake’s slop around steps. PLEEASE!! I really think the judges try to work the fans to vote. I mean I stopped everything and voted for Evan before watching the rest of the show. I am really wanting to like Nicole, but I am not there yet. I know it is not as much of a stretch for Evan to learn dancing as some others but I guess I am impressed that he is trying, while some of the others put more effort in their “drama” of the pre-show spots.
Rosie, let me put it to you this way: they’d make it a lot easier for me to like them if Erin would just LISTEN TO MAKS for once instead of whining, and if Maks would suppress his urge to throw childish tantrums in front of the judges when they tell him things he doesn’t want to hear. Last night was uncalled for – he made an ass of himself, and while I hope he would maybe feel guilty about it today, odds are he will only further complain about the judges’ scoring & critiques via Twitter, his TV Guide blog, and really whatever media outlet will listen to him. Even Erin looked embarassed as he was throwing his fit! Just like it drove me nuts when Kate was a nonstop complainer that had constant emotional outbursts – it drives me nuts when Maks & Erin do it as well. I’ve also called Jake & Chad out on it before, and now I’m even getting a bit irked by Nicole as well. The only ones that seem to be able to dance week after week without complaining or having emotional breakdowns are Evan & Pam – and props to them for it!
That said, I watched Erin & Maks’ samba again – and I still say it was overscored, and not as good as Nicole’s or Evan’s. Erin’s arms are still atrocious – it made her samba runs look incomplete, and her bota fogos look awkward since she flexes her wrists. She also tended to exaggerate the bending and flexing motion of the knees, which made her whisks look frantic & off-balance. The degree of difficulty of her routine was not as high as Evan or Nicole’s, and I feel like both of them also had better technique. Maks stripping was just silly & cliche. I feel justified in disliking it – and not just because of my perceived “hatred of all things Erin & Maks”. I don’t HATE Erin & Maks, Rosie – but I disapprove of Maks’ conduct, and I truly don’t think their samba deserved the scores it got.
And Heidi – I did watch the swing marathon again, and you are right: Nicole & Derek are suspiciously missing from it for the first minute or so. I also noticed that they really didn’t show much of Evan & Anna. They did, however, hone in on Erin & Maks (who I noticed were doing more lifts than regular swing steps – Nicole & Derek were doing lifts as well as spins, swivels, kicks, etc.) and Chad & Cheryl (and of course, Chad was just kinda standing there…again). Why? I really don’t know – last year they seemed to do a good job of watching all the couples. Were Erin & Maks and Chad & Cheryl this week’s “anointed” couples? I did catch Nicole doing the famous dipping move from Joanna & Derek’s mambo marathon last season and got a good chuckle out of it 😛
And John – glad you liked my metaphor 😉 I try to keep things interesting!
I laughed when Nicole did her whole, “I don’t want you on my left side,” thing during their rehearsal package. Because I figured there’d be some vitriol on here for her trying to play choreographer (see: Jake and Kate). I’m glad Derek told her that was stupid. I’m thinking her attitude is gonna cause her to lose some voters as the show goes on.
Poor Evan. I nearly got a headache just from seeing that head bonk (which they played over and over again, and I’m sure that’s not the last they’ll show of it). He was quite underscored this week. Don’t think he’s going home tonight though, thankfully.
I’m guessing either Jake or Niecy are out tonight.
Yay for Derek – loved when he just laughed at her and told her she was being a drama queen. 🙂 She’s getting way too serious again and she just needs him to slap her around (metaphorically) a bit. I’m glad he’s doing it. I don’t think last night will cost her any votes – those people who love her and derek will vote for her, those that don’t wouldn’t have any way. No biggie.
Evan – part of me feels bad that he got hurt, but the other part of me thinks they were stupid for trying that move. He’s got way too much height on Anna to be trying stunts like that.
Not quite sure why Nicole has gotten her panties in a twist in the past few weeks – she’s doing well, she looks great, and she’s got a great partner. The whining is getting a little annoying…and weird.
Bravo, ABC, for helping poor Evan relive his accident over…and over…and over again last night. It was making my head hurt watching him bonk it repeatedly last night too, ck410! Definitely too tall to try that move with a partner as short as Anna…it probably would have worked better with a couple who are closer in height, like Nicole & Derek.
What about the producers choosing to play all the whining/fighting between Erin/Maks and Nicole/Derek. I’m sure there’s plenty of other footage where they’re being friendly and supportive of each other and their dancing/teaching. It’s unfortunate that ABC is choosing to air the negative parts so much.
Sorry, Chelsie, more like! If she’s not going to be an All-Star on SYTYCD, I want her to stick around, because I love her!!
As much as it pains me to say it, I think that most of the Pros on the show should sit out for a while, and have a whole new crop of Professionals. Many of them have become bigger stars than the stars they’re teaching, and there is some “attitude” that’s flying around the dance floor. That said, I’m a HUGE Hough fan, and I can’t imagine a season with neither on the show.
About the swing marathon… I definitely think the camera operators failed, they did not show the couples fairly. There was ONE move in the practice package that I SO wanted to see, Nicole and Derek, and they were barely on camera, so I don’t know if they did it in the Swing Competition.
I don’t know if this move has a name, I think that Derek and Julianne invented it, the first time I remember seeing it was in “Great Balls Of Fire” jive, the Flippy Thing, and then Derek and Brooke did that D/J Flippy Thing in their freestyle. Then in the practice, we saw Nicole and Derek practicing it, followed by Nicole’s statement, something about “sweet mother of air?” But, if they did it during the swing competition, I didn’t see it.
Oh, and John, I hear you, about the whiny packages. The producers are in control of those, and it’s irritating that they get hours upon hours upon hours of practice footage every week, and they edit it down and use a couple minutes worth. Plus scripting what the pair is going to say in their package footage interviews. So they can go any angle they want. Why are Erin/Maks and Nicole/Derek being sacrificed?
And, I know that it seems that Pam/Damien and Evan/Anna are not without bickering and whining, why are we not seeing that footage?
I just don’t like them manipulating us to vote the way they want us to vote!
Yeah, there’s that, John – and I know it annoys Maks to the nth degree. Derek just knows it and tries to deal with it accordingly. But when one five minute issue is all they show, it really colors people’s perceptions of that couple. Most people aren’t inclined to engage their brain and realize that. On the other hand, if it weren’t for the fact that I see just about every bit of media out there, my impression of Erin wouldn’t be at all negative. Nicole on the other hand never says anything bad about anyone other than herself, whereas Erin snarks on lots of people. It’s jokey, but it’s getting old. Usually there is truth underlying those cracks.
bored with nicole and derek. derek seems to have moved on from the show already and nicole’s attitude is a complete turn off. Len was spot on about that so called Samba. not surprised to see Derek throw in an inappropriate move or two in the marathon as well. That is how he won it last year. I think Pam is a goner this week b/c for some reason she just cannot drum up the votes. It does not help that she is paired with a so-so pro.
Wow jeanmom…I’m having a strange sense of deja vu from last week when you complained about Nicole’s attitude and complained about Damian being “so-so” (although I think you used “underwhelming” to describe him last week). We know you are convinced that Nicole has got a crap attitude, but now I’m wondering why you’re on Derek’s case – what “inappropriate” move are you referring to in the marathon? I didn’t see anything that was out of the ordinary for a swing competition, or even particularly racy. And are you truly convinced that’s what won him the marathon last season? As I recall, the judges were touting his energy & creativity – not his PG-13 rating. And if that was a “so-called” samba – then the rest of the sambas last night were not sambas at all. Nicole, while I don’t feel like she “nailed” it, was the closest to actually mastering the characterstic samba bounce, and gyrated like she was at carnivale (which *gasp!* is how samba originated – in the carnivals of Brazil, with scantily-clad women shaking what their mama gave them for the viewing pleasure of the masses).
As for Damian…he must be simultaneously memorable and unmemorable for you – because you’ve mentioned twice now how unmemorable he is 🙂 I personally thought he had the the most authentic tango choreography last night, and I felt the most genuine heat between he & Pam. Chad & Cheryl’s feels fake, and Niecy & Louis – well, it’s hard to really imagine those two as more than playful brother & sister.
Why are some complaining about Nicole? It’s a crap load of pressure to stay on that top spot, you can’t do that great by just blowing it off, not worrying, and being cocky, she’s working her @ss off to be that great. About Maks taking the shirt off…it ain’t a big deal, it’s not like he was stripping in the middle of the beautiful waltz, he did it in the middle of a smoking sexy samba. On the other hand, if he did it just to show off and get praised….oh dear, I really just hope not. jeanmom, it’s obvious you are a Derek hater, and you were 100% a Joanna hater last year. GET OVER IT, Mya’s batting eyelashes and flat personality were a big turn off and that’s what could’ve cost her a win last year. courtney’s right, that Samba was great, choreo and all. She did the bounce right, and while not perfect, maybe a 27 or 28, it WAS a Samba. If you’re going to complain about choreo so much, look at Mya’s lambada, not much content of it at all. I didn’t hate Mya, I was fond of her, and Dmitry too, but I saw her flaws, which some failed to see.