DWTS Season 10, Week 9 – Who’s Dancing What?
Ahhh…the semi-finals. When the judges throw away any paddle lower than 8 and, like a buncha chickens, throw it to the voters. 🙂 I kid – I don’t actually think they did that last season. I think they did score Kelly lower than everyone else which was actually appropriate at the time. Will they do that this week?? I guess we’ll see. I have a feeling they will rip Chad and give everyone else the same score, whether they deserve it or not.
Evan/Anna – Paso Doble and Fox Trot – Hmmm, Foxtrot ought to be great, but the Paso? I dunno. That has to be fierce and sharp and he did well on his tango. I imagine it will be fine. Plus they are apparently getting help. I wonder if this is a show gimmick and everyone is getting a guest choreographer? Or if this is just an Anna thing. Not sure how I feel about it. Does it give Evan an advantage to have fresh eyes on his dance?? I honestly don’t know.
Nicole/Derek – Argentine Tango and Cha Cha – Derek apparently had a bit of a breakdown where his brain exploded from too much choreography. 🙂 And after last week, he set his own bar awfully high. Hopefully, he’s pulled it all together. I’m not going to question it too much after the 50’s Paso.
Erin/Maks – Paso Doble and Viennese Waltz – Like Nicole and Derek, they got a great draw in terms of dances. I can see the Waltz being a bit more difficult, but Erin seems to be just about there. Hopefully Maks isn’t their own worst enemy – as much as I complain about him, he and Erin are more deserving of the finals than Chad is. Sorry Cheryl, I do love you. 🙂
Chad/Cheryl – Samba and Viennese Waltz – Oh boy. These dances should be the kiss of death for good old Chad. But he’s got Cheryl and she’s worked miracles before. Plus, he’s a football player with lots of fans – six of whom will be at the show on Monday, all expenses paid. 🙂 Nice, funny, strange guy, Chad. I hope he gets eliminated but I do like him.
Having a ballet dancer will help Evan. I don’t know if it gives him an unfair advantaged compared to Nicole but It will help him and be good for him. I’ve been telling Anna that since they first pointed it out that he needed to point his toes 🙂
As for Paso, he knows the character well. His 2005-2007 Free program was Carmen and is 2002-2007 short program was España Cañí is a Paso Doble song.
I just hope that this time Erin and Maks will do well enough to get high scores. They only got one 10 for their argentinian tango and it deserved 30. What’s wrong with these judges and why do they favor Nicole more than the others?? It’s not right. Go Erin and Maks. He has never won before. It’s his turn to shine.
Why is Anna allowed to get help from Travis wall??????? What the….?
That is really unfair. Either EVERYONE should be allowed a guest choreographer, not that Derek needs it though lol, or no one.
Someone else posted on the dwts forum that Evan is also getting help choreographing from Mark Ballas. WHAT is going on, and why did Travis delete the tweet? Got something to hide and posted too rash?
ah, found out mark is choreographing for evan’s skating routines. still not explaining travis though.
hmmmm….
I suppose it doesn’t really matter Katrina. I know that Mark has gotten help from his mom and dad before – they showed it on the show. I mean, Evan still has to perform it. Does it give him an edge over Nicole? I dunno, I think he already has the edge via fanbase – but maybe he doesn’t know that. I read where Tony was helping….I think it was Chad. I know that Derek was giving pointers to one of the other celeb guys season before last – they had it on camera. I guess they all help each other out. Kinda weird to get Travis though.
What I want to know now, though, is why he deleted the tweet if there is nothing wrong with them doing it.
Heidi, I agree with your summary of what’s likely to happen Monday.
Exactly, why did he delete the tweet? Is Travis helping with a freestyle perhaps? Wouldn’t that be a huge advantage to get his choreography?
Travis would not provide any good advice for Evan’s dances on Monday though. Travis is a contemporary dancer (I think). How is that going to help with foxtrot or paso. The only thing I can think is he maybe giving them pointers for their freestyle. That I think is unfair. The other pros helping celebs still seems within the DWTS family. Travis helping is like hiring outside help. I guess I wouldn’t be thinking it is strange if not for Travis deleting that tweet. If everything was square, why would he delete it?
Karla, if he is helping with their freestyle, why are they working on it now? I know with his fan base he should be confident but he gets a head start on the other celebs. Anna is disappointing me if that is happening. She choreographed a fun routine for Jerry. I am sure she would have done something fun for Evan too.
I don’t think they can be working on the freestyle – He’s still skating, I can’t imagine they have time to work on a freestyle when they have two dances for Monday. Plus, Evan doesn’t strike me as one so confident that he will make it past Monday, even though everyone else thinks he will.
And yes, John, the deleting of the tweet makes me REALLY curious. He should have just left it alone.
Lord, I have a massive headache. Anyway, it also occurred to me that even though Travis is contemporary, their dances can have contemporary or highly creative elements. Maybe Anna’s brain exploded at the same time that Derek’s did. 🙂 And Even needs a little help loosening up, so…. ??
But why not go to Tony, Alec, Louis, Jonathan? Or even to other skaters who helped Evan with that lift for the argentine tango. Evan said he was practicing that for weeks so obviously they were working on that dance weeks before the assigned week. If Evan is getting help, I hope all the other pros/celebs are too.
Going to Travis just seems odd because nothing says Anna and Travis are friends. Maybe they are. But I know Travis is friends with Julianne.
Out of curiousity, is Nicole also getting help?
None that I have heard of. Same for Erin. We know Chad got help from Tony. I know Evan’s gotten help from other skaters, Mark B. helped him out one week according to his People blog, and now Travis. Mark and Tony helping is nothing new. Helping other celebs with the dance technique is one thing but this is a first to have someone who might be helping out creatively and also with choreography.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Nicole also is getting help behind the cameras, if like Princess Heidi said that Derek’s and Anna’s heads exploded at the same time. But how do they know Travis?? I know he’s a choreographer from SO you think you can dance? Not fair at all. In that case, they both should be eliminated on Tuesday. That way, Chad and Erin will be in the finals.
They can get help for the choreo, but it’s still the stars that have to perform them. So I don’t really have something against it…
Who’s helping who doesn’t really bother me all that much, maybe because I’m DWTS newbie and not privy to what is and what isn’t allowed. But how much help could it really be if it’s later in the night, and he’s leaving for Hawaii in the next morning?
Why would Evan be learning a freestyle when he is skating and got two routines to learn. Why did Travis delete the tweet if their is nothing to hide. It doesn’t make sense.
Could this be somehow related to Tom’s Bergeron’s surprise that he’s going to reveal on Monday?
Somehow I don’t think so again, because Travis’ tweet was directed at anna and evan, not at everybody, just them.
Wow, Inna, I’ve never seen such a well written bit of extrapolation and fantasy!! So, because Anna is getting help, you extrapolate that Derek must also be getting help, so they should both be disqualified?? In what universe does that even make sense? And what are you smoking because I could use some. 🙂
I really think if Travis was helping, it would be for the freestyle. Evan would be doing contemporary or lyrical style freestyle
Evan is Not working on his freestyle. Travis probably deleted his tweet because they’re not actually supposed to get outside help although pretty much everyone does do it. Chad and Cheryl had a couple of swing experts come in to get ideas for some moves they could do in the swing competition. Etc. 🙂
Princess Heidi, I’m glad you like what I wrote. That was just my opinion, but who cares?? Right? Well, in any case, I prefer to vote for the underdogs, not who is the best, so I guess that’s my fantasy. Have a nice day!!
How do you know Evan is not working on his freestyle buttercup?
Ok, I was gonna save this little eye-opener for my “Dark Side of DWTS” post that I’ve been working on for awhile, but I feel like it would best be revealed in this context…you guys ready????
A LOT OF PROS ON THE SHOW GET OUTSIDE (AND OFTEN UNCREDITED) CHOREOGRAPHIC ASSISTANCE.
And it’s not against the rules in any way – however, it can get a little dicey when said dance is nominated for an Emmy and the lines are blurred as to who should really get the credit for the creativity. You want an example? A certain pro (whose name I’m not going to mention, so don’t ask) frequently enlists the help of Wendy Johnson, an extremely well-respected former ballroom competitor and current coach and choreographer from New Zealand. Said pro was nominated for an Emmy for a certain dance that Wendy assisted on, and while there wasn’t much talk in the mainstream about it, it raised a few eyebrows in the ballroom world as to who should get the credit.
I’m honestly a little surprised that everyone is so shocked at the notion that the pros get outside help – it’s quite a common occurence in the real ballroom world. Most competing pros enlist the expertise of outside coaches to choregraph their competition routines, and often have more than one coach “tweak” their routines in order to get a fresh eye – my bf and his partner’s rhythm routines were originally choreographed by Shirley Ballas, and have been switched up a bit by Ron Montez, Bruno Collins, Riccardo Cocchi, and Yulia Zagoryuchenko. It’s almost encouraged to get your routines from someone else, so as to get an objective opinion. Granted, we’ve said time & again that DWTS is NOT a real ballroom competition, but many of the conventions remain the same. With the crazy schedule of the show, and many of the pros not being “specialists” in every dance (i.e. Anna’s area of expertise is Latin – she has enlisted Jonathan’s help for the ballroom dances, as that is what he competes in), why wouldn’t they sometimes ask for outside assistance? If it were perceived as an unfair advantage by the producers, they’d do a helluva lot better job policing the couples so that it didn’t happen. For anyone still whining, bitching, and moaning about certain couples having “unfair advantages”, I suggest you ponder that last thought…maybe write a letter to the producers expressing your indignance that such inequalities exist on the show. I’m pretty sure they’d probably just laugh and then blow their noses with it, so we all may as well just get used to the fact that the show will never be 100% objective, fair, and equal. Kinda like life.
Inna, I hope to god you don’t get your way and we end up with a Chad & Erin final – that’s just plain wrong. I have absolutely no interest in watching Chad fake his way through yet another routine – especially a freestyle. If I remember correctly, didn’t you say you have danced ballroom before? I’m sure you would be aware that many pros get outside assistance with their routines – why should it be any different on the show? It doesn’t necessarily guarantee that someone will win or do exceedingly well.
Buttercup, that’s funny that Chad & Cheryl are bringing in swing experts to help them out – because Chad needs all the help he can get if he’s attempting to do some swing in his freestyle. Both his jive and his moves in the swing marathon were just downright laughable.
As for everyone’s bafflement over why Evan & Anna would go to Travis Wall for assistance – Travis has been known to do some really creative lifts, which we know are allowed in the freestyle. I would tend towards the theory that he’s more likely helping them come up with some more cool lifts, rather than helping to add a more contemporary feel to the dance.
The only things I know for sure, about outside help, is Derek went and taught Apolo the Rumba in season 4 because Julianne was sick that week. Then in season 7, Julianne was in the process of moving totally out of LA for Nashville, and mentioned she was staying in LA long enough to help Derek with some lifts for his freestyle with Brooke. And now, remember, Julianne came and helped Mark teach Kristi a lift she was having problems with, in season 6. And season 5? Corky came and helped teach Helio capework.
In earlier seasons, they definitely were more open about admitting that outside choreography help was allowed, they just said that all outside choreography had to be done without the celebrity.
THANK YOU, Courtney, for being the voice of reason here.
Karla – you seem quite intent on seeing some sort of conspiracy or unfair shenanigans. Perhaps the reason why Travis deleted the tweet is because he figured out that people like you would immediately scream conspiracy. Of course, his deleting the tweet ended up only fanning the flames, but still. You seem convinced that his deleting is evidence of some unsavory machinations behind the scenes. Maybe someone should clue you in to Occam’s Razor.
I don’t get all the preemptive griping that Evan and Anna are getting an unfair advantage because of Travis possibly helping out. What? I know this site is essentially run by Derek fangirls, but please. You really think that Derek hasn’t received outside help in the past? As Courtney said, ALL OF THE PROS have received help at some point or another. It’s just that most of them are smarter than Travis and don’t publicize it. Probably because then this same situation would be happening all over again.
I know who Courtney is talking about because I’ve heard it discussed before. 🙂
I do remember Jules helping Derek – not figuring out lifts so much as actually helping show them to Brooke, if I remember correctly. Because the lifts that he did with Brooke were some that he had done before with Julianne plus with Jules being a pro it’s safer to demonstrate with her than with Brooke. There were at least two in that dance that I’d seen him do with Julianne – one was from the Great Balls of Fire Jive. It’s one that I saw them do as early as Season 5.
But where I disagree with Lori is – that’s not really what I would call “outside help”. It’s all in the family. Corky and Shirley have both helped Mark. Derek has helped Julianne, Julianne has helped Derek. Cheryl has gotten help. When the pros who actually work on the show help each other, I don’t find it strange at all. In fact, much of it has actually been shown in the packages – Derek helping Jules, Shirley helping Mark, etc – are all in packages. But Travis? That just seems weird, and it’s weird that he deleted the tweet.
Well, Julie, I doubt very much Courtney would be thanking YOU for your support when you are so defensive and over the top about what strikes me as a very reasonable discussion. Who’s the fangirl again?? Could it be you? You’re awfully sensitive about this subject – what’s the problem?
I just love it when people point fingers about people on the site being Derek fangirls or biased – it exposes their own biases and they don’t realize it. 🙂
This has to be by far the best top 4 that Dancing with the Stars has ever had. Ok, maybe I should go and check before I make statements like that. So, I’ll qualify it and call it my favorite type 4 ever on DWTS. Usually I have people that I’d definitely rather go home. However, this time I’m happy with all 4 couples and I’d be just fine with any of the 4 couples being in the final 3. I agree with Heidi that Chad is probably going home, but Erin or Maks might lose just based on Chad’s fan base.
Interesting that Travis Wall is working with Evan. Seems like looking ahead to the freestyle to me. Probably a smart move, but not something they’d want publicized.
Check this article, ‘do experienced hoofers upset the ‘dancing’ balance: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37159939/ns/today-entertainment/
Just for the record – I’m not a fangirl. While I really like Derek’s choreography, I don’t fall all over myself in adoration for him…the only pro I’m a true fangirl of is my bf. Derek’s cool, but he doesn’t hold a candle to my honey in my eyes 😉
The reason I don’t think Chad should be in the finals (other than he’s boring) – the other pros all feel free to give their partners really hard moves because they know they’ll be able to do them. (Not always perfectly, but more often than not if they work on them they can get them). Cheryl doesn’t even try to give Chad difficult routines because she knows he has his limits. Letting your partner dance all around you should not be good enough to get you into the finals!
i don’t see the problem with travis helping , Julianne had a hip hop dancer helping her and Apolo for the freestyle, Maks and Mel b got help from the spice gilrs dancer for the freestyle too
as far as working ahead to the freestyle, this is the semi finals, the finals are next week ,i’m sure that every pro that knows that they can make to the finals already started thinking about the freestyle early ( last season Derek already had a idea for a freestyle for Joanna that Makr gave to him ), i think the reason why Travis came this week and not next week is because Travis went to hawai two days ago, and he problably wouldn’t have the time next week.
if i were maks i would get some help ,becauce after Laila and Mel B freestyle’s ,i don’t see him doing any good for Erin ,people like Maks and Tony are great dancer’s but they don’t have that fresh and innovative mind Like Derek, Mark, Julianne and Kym (cheryl had in some point but lost it), the freestyle is problably the hardest dance to choreograph because you don’t have basic steps or anything to start like in latin and balroom,it is just creativity.
I think John might be a fangirl – but pretty sure not for Derek. 🙂 Marianya? Don’t know. Me? Fangirl. Why people like to fling that word like it’s a pejorative is rather a mystery to me – people wouldn’t be here reading and commenting if they weren’t fans of someone or something about the show. I guess they have nothing else legit to say.
Yeah, Buttercup, I don’t think Chad should be in the finals either, but you never know what’s going to happen on this show. I’ll be very curious to see what Tom has to say tonight. Supposedly he’s going to pull back the curtain a bit. That could spell disaster for a couple.
Yeah, Jennifer, I don’t really see a problem with Travis – I just find the connection strange. He’s friends with Derek, Jules, Lacey – but as far as I know he’s not huge friends with Anna. Maybe he’s friends with Evan. That guy seems to get around. 🙂
Maks seems to be the pro least likely to ask for help and if he got it would never admit it. I just don’t see that happening – and you’re right, he could probably use it. I don’t know what happened to Cheryl – her last freestyle was just not good at all, and she had a great partner. I think that at this point of the season they are very, very tired and it has to be difficult to keep coming up with stuff – Derek straight up said that he didn’t know if he had that many more dances in him, and he’s probably the most musical and creative of the bunch. I do wonder if he’s going to use the idea from last season if they make it through – that would save him some brain power. And time.
“I think John might be a fangirl – but pretty sure not for Derek.”
I’m definitely a fan of girls. There’s no doubt about that. So, that pretty much rules me out as a fangirl of Derek.
I certainly AM NOT a fangirl of Derek. He’s full of himself. He thinks he’s got a mirrorball trophy already, because he believes since everybody rooting for Nicole that they’re going to win. Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. Like I said before, watch out for the underdogs.
Yah, Inna, you’ve made your disdain abundantly clear – but what I’m confused about is just where you’re drawing your confusions from that Derek “thinks he’s got a mirrorball trophy already” (and yes, he already does – from when he won w/Brooke in season 7) and “believes that everybody is rooting for Nicole” (when has he ever said that?) and that they’re “going to win” (again…where are you getting your info?). Either you’re privy to some insider info that the general public is not aware of (doubtful), or you’re just making crazy assumptions in order to justify your disdain for Derek. Disliking someone is perfectly fine, but don’t go making outrageous claims that have no logical basis.
And if you’re talking about underdogs, I can only assume you’re referring to Chad – because at this point, I think Erin has proved she isn’t really an underdog anymore, with her good scores and continued presence. And really, based on his performance in the competition thus far, I just don’t see Chad busting any extreme moves this week that would carry him through to the finals…so in this case, I really don’t think the underdog is going to pull through, Inna.
I’m also not sure where Inna gets that someone called her a fangirl or even thought she was a Derek fangirl. 🙂 We weren’t even talking to her.
And if Derek didn’t think he had a mirrorball trophy already, well I’d be questioning his memory at such a young age. Derek is also on record saying that every time there is an Olympian in the final, they win. Doesn’t sound like he’s expecting another trophy to me – but maybe you can read his mind?
I thought you were talking in general about fangirl, so I just replied. I’m sorry if you guys took this the wrong way. Didn’t mean anything by it. No more comments from me. Have a good day, all.
Courtney,
I have to disagree with you about Erin. She’s definitely the underdog next to the amazing dancer (Nicole) and the Olympian (Evan) who also happen to be pretty popular and pretty good dancers respectively too.
Erin on the other hand isn’t a very good dancer and isn’t very popular. If it weren’t for her peephole dancing incident, about 50 DWTS show watchers would have known her. Of course, I would have been one of those 50. What can I say? I love sports and blondes.
If Erin does pull off a win, that will be a big shock. However, I’m not worried. I’m quite sure she’ll get the coveted 3rd place. Unless of course, Chad’s fan base pulls through and gets him into the finals tonight.