Dancing With The Stars Season 12 – Mark Ballas Defends The Jive
Mark has penned again for USA Today and this time in defense of he and Chelsea’s Jive this past week. Here is a take. I still think he was pushing it too much, but, I can understand his side of it better after hearing it….especially if he didn’t pick the “Panic At The Disco” song.
A lot of people have been asking me if the choices I made were worth the risk. The answer? I struggle over the position it put Chelsea in and the stress it caused her; however, I don’t regret utilizing everything Chelsea has to give. Chelsea has unbelievable skills and to not maximize those skills would be unfair to her and our audience. Besides, what our audience has yet to have the chance to see in Chelsea but, watched in Bristol last season, is that unbelievable work ethic and desire to be the best they can be.
As a pro, having that quality in your partner not only makes it easier for you to take risks, you jump at the opportunity to go for it. Last season, I would tell people that if I could take Bristol’s heart, passion and dedication, and put them into someone who has the physical ability to be a professional dancer, you would witness the most amazing experience. This season, I got just what I asked for in Chelsea. I can’t wait for you all to enjoy watching her talent unfold each week.
Since DWTS and my personal life go hand in hand, I can’t reflect upon one without the other. I’ve been thinking about our Jive a lot since last night and I keep going back to the process of making my album. The album has a little bit of everything in it and we pushed boundaries the same way I did in the Jive.
But it confuses people in the music business when you do that, because they like to put things into categories. For example, what radio format does it fit? It’s a lot like how the judges wished our Jive was more textbook for their evaluation process. For my record, I was fortunate to be in the hands of a great producer, Rob Chiarelli, something that I never had the opportunity to do before.
I was able to trust him in getting my vision down without ending up with a record that was all over the map. He took that vision, helped pushed the boundaries I was pushing, and yet stayed within the framework. Rob has the experience, wisdom and creativity to do that. The celebs on DWTS need us to be that person for them and I actually thought I did that with the Jive.
From the audience and fan response to our performance, our mission was accomplished. Not to mention my mom’s critique! She is the best in the world at instructing dancers and when we watched the performance again after the show, she saw 75% Jive, 25% entertainment and lots of details. It takes a lot to impress my mom and we blew her away with our creativity. That meant a lot to me.
Heidi’s Note: Dude, she’s your MOM. 
lol Heidi, I so snickered at your note.
It all comes down to: did you like what you saw while watching the Jive or not. Putting aside Mark’s explanations, his Mom, his desire to profile Chelsea as a bit different from the pack…, I still liked the Jive. I think it should be as simple as that and Mark should learn to accept it more when some people don’t like what they see.
I think the judges were a bit unfair saying there wasn’t enough Jive in there when there was probably more then in Petra’s whole routine but that’s just the judges opinion and luckily not always crucial. Mark knows it also, he wouldn’t be risking it if he didn’t.
I think the show needs new judges; the rants are getting old. Len, the show has never been strictly a ball room dancing show except maybe Season 1?. These untrained see lots of Broadway Show style dancing and Las Vegas Show style dancing in the performances and pro demonstrations/set pieces for years back. If anything, I would expand the dance styles and types in the show. I really would like to see some national folk dances. Derek did the Foxtrot and Sailor Suit dances with Nicole S that weren’t strictly ball room, but are among the best we’ve seen on the program. In a way, I think that’s why Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were so captivating. I couldn’t really put a name to the style; it was an amalgam of lots of different dance moves and skills.
Or some guest judges from different dance worlds so we can hear for example what a well respected contemporary choreographer’s thoughts would be on Mark’s Jive. Maybe he/she would hate it, I really don’t know. I would like them to widen the scope a little with what is judge-able (is that a word?), now they just dismiss the excess.
I think what has Mark most perturbed about the judges’ reactions to the jive is that they said there wasn’t enough jive in it, which, you know, I’ve been hearing all over from people with more experience than I, is erroneous. There was definitely enough jive in it. Personally, I just think Len and Carrie Ann couldn’t get past the ‘uniqueness’ of the presentation. I can’t really blame Len, he’s very much old-school and a stickler for ‘right and proper’, which is okay, the show does need that. Bruno (BTW, I love to see him standing up and checking out the footwork) seemed to see it, IMHO. It’s almost like a hit on Mark’s ability as a teacher, choreographer and pro – hits him in the breadbasket, so to speak. I don’t blame him for being annoyed.
And you know, when Mom = Shirley Ballas, a ballroom doyen, I think her opinion is filled with a little more than Mom pride.
Evaine, I agree. Mark was probably counting on Len to hate it because of the unconventional presentation, but I don’t think he predicted Carrie Ann would go along with Len. Her role on the show is much different then Len’s and she should have been more open minded.
Is he protesting so much because he wants an Emmy for it? Seriously, it was just “okay” for me, but I found it lacked the ‘spirit’ of Jive, if not the steps. For me, the attack was strange, I didn’t get that “happy to be alive” feeling you get when you see a traditional Jive, it was so stylized and thematic of a contemporary piece, that I found it was bogged down in it and didn’t really showcase Chelsea’s dance ability. I do think think the audience wants to see the shimmy shakes and the exhuberance of a Jennifer Grey or Kirsti Yamaguchi type of attack.
I think Mark got exactly what he wanted. He’s created controversy that has made people talk about their performance long after it was over and remember it. Just like the monkey dance. They admitted themselves that they were taking risks and they had to know that the judges were not necessarily going to love it. Derek did the same thing with Lil Kim’s Jive and Len said that there wasn’t enough Jive content for him… but people still remember that dance. One and a half judges ended up liking Mark and Chelsea’s jive. That’s usually the case when couples step outside the box. But Kanenball didn’t just step out of the box, they were like in the other box. Anyways, OF COURSE, his mom is going to love it… it was a good performance and Shirley adores her son.
You know, I have been thinking about this, and I still think that in my own opinion, he chose the wrong way to set Chelsea apart. She has the ability, she’s eager to learn, give us a showstopper Len pleaser. It is possible to have fun, to please the judges, AND the audience. That’s what I’d like to see. But when you choreograph something you know won’t go over well with the judges, I prefer one accepts the responsibility and moves on. Louis is one who doesn’t do that, and right now, again my own opinion, Mark is toeing a line where he could begin to sound a bit bitter about the whole thing.
And as for his blog, he obviously will talk about it, because it’s his blog! And yes, it does make things a bit easier to understand his mindset, but still…. Sometimes, I think it’s better to have the student shine through the choreography, instead of having the choreography shine through the student. Does that even make sense?
Do you think it’s sheer coincidence that Mark seems to be using this controversy to talk about his album, too, not just the dancing?
@Annie – that did not escape me at all. LOL. Mark does know how to multi-task. Upon further review, it was a fun dance and, yes, he did keep the public talking about it.
Yeah I am so sick of Mark talking about his music. I actually haven’t listened to much of it but he pimps it so much that I am not sure that I’d give it a fair shot if I did. I understand someone wanting to explore their passions and whatever – but he just hits you over the head with it. Over and over and over and over. Then he shoves your face in it. We get it, Mark. Geez.
Go back and listen to the judges’ critique of Mark and Sabrina’s Black Chacha. Very Deja vu.
Mark got exactly what he wanted. He’s created controversy point right Elmari He’s getting with this plus the video he did with Chelsea. That’s all they both want and are thriving for it. Which in the end like I ‘ve seen could backfire in the end for these two. That’s why in one way I wish they would get the axe. It’s too much for me to see as a pair. I think Chelsea Kane said on the DWTS they these two together are obnixious together and they are. I don’t find this pairing cute at all anymore they are trying to hard to be fake and cute…but Mark must have it planned for this week to do great and the judges with bath them with great comments. If I had to pick which young couple to save and go to finals,..now I would want Romeo and Chelsie rather than Mark and Chelsea K .
Honestly, I had to go back and watch it…on mute this time. What’s a bit off-putting to me is there’s no joy. She has serious fish-pout-mouth going on the whole time. No smiles from her (some from Mark) and very jerky, almost angry movements. Coupled with his clockwork orange make-up and it’s a dark dance. Where’s the joy?
They are supposed to be mimes. Mimes are not really about smiles, they are about sad, surprised, curious- a whole other range of emotions then regular Jivey ones. With that in mind I think it was plenty lively and bouncy to be a Jive. He did play with the boundaries but I think it was done well.
Fig, don’t listen to his music if you are fond of your ears.
Well, that’s what some of us are sorta saying lizzbeth – this is NOT a new critique. Mark has gotten it before, Derek’s gotten it before, and so on. That’s why you can’t really complain about it too much – you gotta know it’s coming. Like using a feather duster or any other prop for too long – Len is not going to like it. Unless your name is Bristol, of course.
sasa – thanks for filling in some blanks. Obviously Mark put a lot of thought into this particular dance. I must admit, however, that I chuckled a bit of a mime chuckle while reading your post and googling mime. I mean, WTH? Why pick something that’s not jivey to incorporate into your jive? What if he put them in those Martha Graham black stretchy coverings for a rumba? (Though his would need at least one polka dot.) That’d be pretty unique but it doesn’t make it right.
“Why pick something that’s not jivey to incorporate into your jive?”
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Well that’s why it’s challenging the boundaries. Because it’s not naturally suited but you try to make it suitable with creativity. I think he wanted to make that same out-of-the-box statement with monkey suits. Some people like it, some don’t. I do. Especially when the thing you are trying to incorporate is something not just different but opposite of the norm.
The problem with it for me wasn’t the dance itself, it was the creepy mime makeup that Mark had on that was too over the top for week two (or any other week, lol) It reminded me of the equally creepy doll makeup Maria Osmond wore when she danced with Jonathan. ugh.
What he didn’t touch on as much, which is I think the main reason he did the dance, is because nobody except tweens know who Chelsie Kane is – the women who are DWTS demographic certainly don’t, so by doing a “controversial” dance it put her on the map and probably helped saved her from any chance of going home. Mission accomplished.
Theme week came too early this season. I don’t fault Mark for experimenting on theme week. I just wish his choreography didn’t compromise the quality of Chelsea’s bounce and retraction that one expects in a good jive.
Personally, I loved the dance. I was to busy watching Chelsea to see what she could do, so Mark’s makeup didn’t bother me at all. I do agree with Mark about the music. If you wanted traditional, why give him that song. Here’s another thought and if true, Mark is pretty smart. If they get to do a redemption dance, guess which dance they will probably do. He can redo parts of this dance and it should be what the fuddy duddys want. Probably a brilliant strategy move.
You are assuming they will get to the final – I don’t think that’s a forgone conclusion at this point.
My question is – our insider says Mark requested that song. Mark now says that it was given to him. So, which is it? I’m more inclined to believe buttercup at this point, but I dunno.
I never said they would. I said “IF.” Do you not comprehend what you read? Hummm, “one insider”, I would think more people would have challenged it by now if it were not true.
Why would they, UNO? I’m not saying our insider is correct – can’t you comprehend what you read? I’m saying I’m more inclined to believe her – especially when marky is in excuse making mode.