DWTS Season 13, Week 9 – Who’s Dancing What…and When?
Advantage goes to Hope and Rob this week as both are doing at least one dance (two for Hope) that they’ve already done. Advantage also to Hope in that Len may still have something to prove with his early proclamation that Hope had what it takes to go all the way – he was looking bad there, for a while. 
JR and Ricki, on the other hand, are doing three new dances. I sure do hope their fans vote their butts off. Ricki is the one in the most danger – three new dances and an injury….although I hear JR also twisted his ankle yesterday and was icing it. Not good. Between 3 new dances, injuries, Len’s love for Hope and CAI’s love for Rob, one of the two favorites could be in jeopardy.
Rob/Cheryl – Dancing 3rd
Samba (Song: Jump in the Line (Shake Señora)” by Harry Belafonte (???*))
Argentine Tango
Cha Cha Relay (Song: I Like the Way It Feels by Enrique Iglesias)
Phone: 1-800-868-3402
Hope/Maks – Dancing 1st
Paso Doble (Song: Can’t be Tamed by Miley Cyrus)
Argentine Tango (Song: Whatever Lola Wants by Gotan Project)
Cha Cha Relay (Song: I Like the Way It Feels by Enrique Iglesias)
Phone: 1-800-868-3408
JR/Karina
Paso Doble (Song: Spanish Tango by James Horner)
Argentine Tango (Song: Bust Your Windows by Jazmine Sullivan)
Cha Cha Relay (Song: I Like the Way It Feels by Enrique Iglesias)
Phone: 1-800-868-3410
Ricki/Derek
Samba (Song: I Go to Rio by Peter Allen (???*))
Argentine Tango
Cha Cha Relay (Song: I Like the Way It Feels by Enrique Iglesias)
Phone: 1-800-868-3411
Note: Courtney tells me that JR’s AT song was also Evan and Anna’s. Also that Hope’s AT song was also used by Joanna and Maks, when he filled in for Derek.
*ETA: Like the waltzes last week, we know these are the two samba songs – we just aren’t positive which is Ricki’s and which is Rob’s. This is our best guess. And yeah – they’re both kinda lame 
Sometimes I think you let your bias get in the way. But you are right. J.R. twisting his ankle and Ricki being injured, and both of them dancing 3 dances they’ve not done before, it could cause trouble. But as you saw with Ricki’s quickstep, it’s not going to be a problem at all. As for J.R., I don’t think he’s going to let his ankle get in the way. I personally want Hope in the finals. The Argentine Tango I think is going to be a good dance for her. Hope’s paso song makes me want to shoot myself. Thanks for taking the time to find out the music and make the blogs. =)
i think you did a mistake. Younsaid Hope will repeat two previously performed dances, however ahe has never done the paso nor the ar.tango. Only the cha cha.
Sweetheart, anyone who claims to not be biased in some way (including our readers) is a liar.
This ain’t the New York Times, it’s a blog about a sparkly dancing show. Your bias wants Hope in the finals – my actual observation of Maks’ behavior this season doesn’t want HIM anywhere near the final. For that reason, I feel sorry for Hope. If she doesn’t get there, it will largely be on him.
She was on Team Paso, rick. It counts.
Oh my, I apologize for my horrible spelling in my previous comment, typing from a black berry, lol.
Karina seemed upbeat on twitter this morning so hopefully everything is ok Or maybe it my bias talking? LOL Good luck to everyone(yes even Ricki/Derek
Thank you Heidi for researching and always giving us great information. Its so helpful to know who is dancing what and to which music before the show airs. I’m ready to vote my brains out for Ricki and Derek because, yes, I’m biased that he is the top pro and I have faith in Ricki to be wonderful dancing his creative choreo. I would just love to see him with a 4th MBT!!! Them’s mah words and ahm stickin’ to em!!!
I really like JR’s paso song, i trust karina to create some kick-ass choreography to it.
Rick, I figured out immediately that you were not using a regular keyboard, because I’ve done the same thing on my iPod touch…. So, errors using your blackberry were easily figured out and understood.
didn’t Ricki and Derek do a samba? I’m pretty sure they did
I can’t tell you how excited I am on the Cha Cha Relay song! YaYY
I really love J.R.’s Paso song, can’t wait to see his 3 dances tomorrow night. Going to vote like crazy tomorrow night for him and hope his ankle isn’t too bad.
Thanks PureDWTS as always for all you do <3
ok, i was wrong. She didn’t dance the samba yet. For some reason I thought that gold fringed dress was her samba. At this point, I really think this week will separate the contenders from the contenders. I’m looking forward to seeing who will bring it. I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised as I’m enjoying all of the couples.
@Ashley I’m totally with you on this. I’ll be very busy voting and posting JR/Karina’s performances on YT
is ricki gonna be able to hold up by the time it gets to her third dance?
hey vogue, im hinting some enrique iglesias fan girl in ya
are you kidding Rikki can,t hold up thur one dance without stopping 3 times.lol
You’re welcome, Ashley
I think JR really got lucky with his paso song and I don’t think I’ve been this excited to see what a couple can do with a song in quite some time. For those of you unfamiliar with it, JR’s song is the one from the dance scene in Mask of Zorro:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5WFUStHKXY&w=560&h=315
I’m honestly surprised that they were even able to clear this one – it was actually omitted from the Mask of Zorro soundtrack because of copyright problems. Apparently the song is based on an old Mexican folk song called “El Sombrero Blanco”, and that kept it off the soundtrack. Great song, though!
My knee jerk reaction to any Miley Cyrus song is going to be a facepalm, but Hope could do ok with this one – it’s got the right beat and the right aggressive feel. I just worry that the extra-strong marching beat is going to make her more likely to stomp her way through the song.
God love you Vogue, you’re always so positive
Enrique’s newest stuff just sounds terrible to me, and this song is unfortunately no exception. Oh well – at least it’s not a song where Enrique tells us he plans on having relations with us this evening. 
Yeah, kinda sucks for JR & Ricki to have to learn 3 new dances, but I’m not really counting the cha-cha relay as a regular, full-length dance – they’re only dancing for about 30 seconds apiece (half the length of a regular dance) and 10 points is the maximum they can hope for. I guess in my eyes, since it’s not such a big deal, they shouldn’t have to devote quite as much practice time to it.
I, too, am keeping my fingers crossed that J.R.’s ankle is okay. I haven’t seen any more recent information since his tweet late last night to indicate otherwise.
Although I am not a Ricki and Derek fan (which is obvious from this and my prior posts), I do expect them to have the best Argentine tango of the night. While I don’t rank Derek as the best choreographer in DWTS history (my vote would first go to Julianne and then Mark), Derek is unparalleled when it comes to choreographing the Argentine tango. IMO, his Argentine tangos with L’il Kim, Nicole and Jennifer were the best on the show. The only question is whether Ricki will be up to his challenging choreography, given that it will be the second dance of the night, she is dancing the samba before that, and she looked kind of exhausted dancing her jive last week.
Is it bad that im really excited to see the Paso to can’t be tamed?
At this point i’m worried for Rob it just seems like the powers that be really want Hope in the final…and then im also worried for Ricki too for the same reasons Heidi said and that if she doesn’t dance amazingly tommorrow in both dances we could be in for a Brandy style upset.
Yep Aahna, you guessed RIGHT!
LOL Courtney! Yes, I love Enrique’s new material,…and old. He and Madonna are my two favorite music artists.
Does anyone know if this is Ricki’s same injury to her rib or another? J.R has to be very careful when your ankle is twisted, believe me I know, hurts like hell! The argentine tango is tough, especially with the in and outs of foot movement!
I didn’t see any scary tweets from Derek, did anyone else see anything?
We have another recycled song. JR/Karina’s AT music was also Evan and Anna’s AT music. Should be interesting!
JR got great songs for the paso and a.t. I cannot wait to see his paso. Deserved or not, I fully expect a perfect night for him again. Ricki, not sure on the samba but think her a.t. Will be good. Rob is still the dark horse but going third? Must be decent enough.
@Babs Yep Evan and Anna from Season 10 Week 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC-ila-nOt4
It will be interesting to see if Maks can come up with something new for that song.
I know they recycle songs all the time – but has it happened before that the same pro has to choreograph to the same song twice?
I hate all the songs this week w exception of cha cha relay song but it should be good night for most of them.
Rob: I can see hi mdoing good on the last two dances but not the samba.
Hope: Those dances shoudl be good for her.
Ricki: The injuties worry me but I think she should do excellent.
JR: Idk about anyone else but I’m worried bout his Argentine tango. I just don’t see him doing good w that dance.
I think JR has great songs. I jnow Maks was not assigned the song but ad it with Joanna when he stepped in for Derek. Is this the first time a pro ot the same song? They recycle a lot but do not know when a pro got the same song twice. That song also makes me think of Sara and Danny a.t, on sytycd.
maks just filled in for derek the dance was already started when he stepped in to help.
IrisandLilies: The AT is their first dance of the night according to the ABC press release:
http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=111111_03
Maks re-did the choreo, though rae – so it will be interesting to see if he changes it at all.
It will also be interesting to see how much he just carries Hope through the AT – he said straight up for their quickstep that he would do all the work. Which actually explains a lot of their dance quality this season.
And once again – if you come here to post simply to bitch about me and defend poor widdle maks, prepare to be deleted. You get only one warning before you are deleted. Fran – you’ve been warned.
Wow.. JR lucked out. He actually has a song that seems to be perfectly made for a Paso Doble to be danced to. Didn’t Karina choreograph a desperado/el mariachi- like paso doble for Mario Lopez? That was an amazing paso also.
I hope Heidi is just talking about Ricki’s rib injury because I’ve not heard about any other injuries and Derek’s tweets today have been very upbeat and positive…. so far.
I wonder why TPTB would give a couple a song that is suitable for the dance while another couple a song that they have to make the dance fit into. Acoustic week during season 11 springs to mind when most of the couples that had AT that week had decent songs to work with and Tony/Audrina had a horrible AT song from what I remember.
I’m talking about the rib injury – the doctor did say it would only get worse until she rests. Not to mention she’s the oldest person in the competition. We’ll just have to hope for the best.
Here is my take on the DWTS semi-finals:
JR- yes everyone likes JR because he’s a war hero and has had a serious traumatic injury. They feel sorry for him and that influences the voting. He is a good dancer but sometimes he gets overscored. His main strength is his attitude and that his partner is Karina who looks great in pretty much every dance. Even so, when I watch JR I am not inspired by his dancing.
Ricki- Her footwork is always a bit sloppy. Derek makes her look good, but Derek Hough ALWAYS outdances and overdances his partners. He hides his partners in the choreography to a ridiculous level.
Rob – I think Rob has benefitted from the fact that Carrie Ann has a major crush on him. His latin is not anything to write home about at all. His cha cha was dull in fact with poor hip action. When he did that jump in the team paso he might as well have been going for a free throw shot in basketball. His arms lack any musicality.
Hope – I don’t think Hope was putting in enough time in the beginning with all the soccer training. That caused a lot of tension between her and Maks when he was trying to squeeze what other people are doing in 8 hours into 4 hours. Everyone said she did better with Teddy. Meh, not really. She was a bit more relaxed, but still had sloppy legs, poor frame and couldn’t do a lock step to save her life even after Teddy’s visit. Sure her and Maks bonded more now because Maks has taken a softer (and less efficient approach) but I think what’s really making a difference is simply that she is staying in Los Angeles now and working more hours.
rae: Yes, he filled in for Derek that week, but Maks changed the choreo for the dance 2 days before performance night.
Fran, I think you have Derek confused with Mark. I hear more often than not that Derek makes his partners shine in their dances. But if you are not a Derek fan, you probably just have selective memory.
Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s partners speak for his excellence as a teacher. He has a TRANSFORMATIVE effect on them which goes far beyond learning dance steps. Kirstie was transformed both emotionally and physically by her time with him. They remain good friends and she continues to dance. Erin got her “smile back” at a very difficult time in her life. Brandy felt like she was “back” after a long period of stagnation. Most of his partners are in the category of good friend now. If Hope doesn’t make the final it’s primarily on Hope. I don’t think she was putting in enough time in the beginning and her attitude has been poor from nearly the start. Now that she is putting in more time her dancing has improved.
Elmari, no actually I don’t have Derek confused with Mark Ballas. I like Derek Hough’s dancing. No selective memory here. He is very talented but he does overdance his partners almost every dance. He buries them in his choreography and always does tricks to distract people into looking at him and not the partner.
Well, we all have our biases, don’t we.
We’ll see if Hope actually manages to finally pull off a good dance this week. She hasn’t really managed it yet, she’s just getting pimped by Len. This past week was close, but she was heavily over scored. Now that Nancy has been gotten rid of, we’ll see if that continues. I suspect it will.
Rob has been dancing better than hope for weeks now – JR and Ricki have always been leagues ahead of her. If she makes it to the final that would be a travesty.
Ahhh, Fran.. u are a Maks fan. It all makes sense to me now. Well, you have your opinion and I have mine and I do not agree with your opinion about Derek.
LOL!!! Elmari, just ignore her. Don’t fall for obvious baiting tactics.
Koolaide. It’s bad for you.
Whoa Fran, Really people feel sorry for J.R.?
He is an amazing dancer and person. Am I biased? Yeah but in my opinion the dancers weren’t too great this season. Season 12 pre-season I was rooting for Hines but once I saw Chelsea Kane dance I was rooting for her since I thought she was better. J.R. is so fun to watch.
Heidi…. I have been enlightened.. Thank you! LOL!
Again, Fran – you don’t like the blog, don’t visit. I’ve deleted you once again. I’ll give you one more chance.
P.S. An influx of Maks fans all at about the same time. All start by talking about how “mean” and “biased” we are. All coinciding with Twitter harassment towards all of us. I was born at night, but it wasn’t last night, Fran. Get real.
Ashley I think JR is a good dancer but I really do think he benefits from the empathy factor in the scoring and voting. If JR wasn’t a war hero and injured I think he would not be scored so highly most weeks. JR is going to win this season almost certainly and, out of everyone left, he does deserve that mirrorball.
Fran, Maks is a bully! if you see that as having a transformative effect on his partners, then “bully to you”! Kirstie, Erin and Brandy all came to DWTS in a low emotional state. With a more patient and less aggressive teacher, they may have gone further in the competition. Erin and Kirstie certainly wouldn’t take any s**t from Maks, I can assure you. That’s what bullies do. They only continue to bully those who don’t fight back. Maybe THAT’S how he transformed them!
Hope has not been “pimped” by Len at all this season. Len actually started her downward dip with his comments about Hope not putting in enough time. That was really uncalled for by him in my opinion. Now, he finally says something positive about her last week and it’s referred to as “pimping.” Nope, don’t think there’s enough evidence for that at all. Carrie Ann on the other had has definitely been pimping Rob since the first week.
I don’t see Maks as a bully at all but I understand why you might say that because of how they edit those clips. Maks pushes his partners in areas where they have weaknesses and he toughens them. Kirstie most certainly fought back. I think Kirstie with a less strong partner wouldn’t have gone very far at all and would have gotten eliminated around week three. She needed that approach or she would have mowed down most of the pros on the show. She has actually said that herself.
You’re entitled to your opinion, Fran, but it’s very clear to me that Hope has been continually overscored, despite what Len has said. I think he’s doing it because he said she had what it took to go all the way back when she was really dancing badly – he doesn’t want to look bad either.
Of course, maybe now that Nancy is gone she’ll get the scores she deserves. Then again, maybe not. It all depends on who they really want in the finale. One has to wonder at the number of times that Disney kids and now ESPN sports people make it to the finals. At least most of them usually deserve it.
Fran, that was your last chance. How many times do I have to tell you to keep it on the show. We are not taking shit from people any more.
Heidi
How quickly they forget. Fran, they didn’t edit IN when he actually, physically pushed Hope. It’s really disturbing how quickly some are to forgive what is incredibly bad behavior.
JR is a good dancer who is also a veteran. I think his dancing holds up on it’s own and Karina finally has a nice partner who has talent. Mario Lopez for me was arrogant. That paso should e great. As for Ricki, her footwork is not perfect but she deserves more credit. Watch the quickstep. It is good. As for Derek, if he covers up weaknesses, good. That is part of his job and within the rules of the show. One any pro can do. Alec Mazo said Derek can make anyone look good. He is that good according to Alec.
JR will knock his dances out of the park. Once a soldier always a soldier. With everything he has been dealt in his life, I don’t see a little sprained ankle keeping him down..
Ricki however I am quite concerned about. She seemed like she was getting fatigued, and I thought she complained that she couldn’t do it. I remember Kirstie making a comment about she was glad it was finally going to be over. I get the same vibe from Ricki.
Rob should be in the finals. He has improved without drama and has earned his spot.
Hope on the other hand does not belong there, most of her dances were overscored and mediocre and her partnership with Maks is almost unbearable to watch. Please put me out of my Maks and Hopeless misery and send them home.
Do you know what’s sad? I wipe the slate clean for tomorrow night and then I see hateful Maks fans tweeting and going on again and now I’m seeing the worst again. Thanks Maks fans for ruining it for me and MAKS/HOPE again.
I’m worried about Ricki too, Sandy. We’ll see if she’s got her second wind this week. Derek seems awfully happy on Twitter – but that could mean any number of things.
I agree it’s most likely that JR will knock them out of the park.
After being voted through to the next round on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, Hope Solo will not attend the Women’s National Team training camp in Arizona.
Val Henderson, Philadelphia Independence and former U.S. Under-23 goalkeeper, will replace Solo in Phoenix.
Hope Solo will not attend the U.S. Women’s National Team camp prior to the match against Sweden due to her participation on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. Val Henderson, Philadelphia Independence and former U.S. Under-23 goalkeeper, will replace Solo in Phoenix, Ariz.
Solo will return to training with the USA for the team’s extended camp in December as the squad gets ready for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Vancouver, B.C. in January.
fran. pick a side. and learn your facts please
even though bust your windows seemed to work well for evan and anna, i much prefer that dance done to traditional tango music, i think it makes the dance more effective.
Does anyone think that the fact there is sort of a “declared winner” almost since wk 1, have an impact on voting/viewing? Like people may be thinking “why bother with voting when JR has such a big lead in most surveys, polls and just declarative remarks. And who do you think that impacts the most?
It just seems in most things I see that people have kinda lost interest in this season since there is less suspense about the outcome. I think it’s saddest for Ricki, cause with an injury, getting scored the same as Hope who can barely walk, must be kinda hard to get motivated to half kill yourself for 2nd.
I have voted for JR since week #1 and I didn’t know who he was. I’m thankful for his sacrifices, however I ONLY VOTE FOR HIM BECAUSE HE CAN DANCE…..and he dances FABULOUSLY !!! I was a huge fan of Maks, but not this season. His attitude, partnership with Hope, and Hope’s attitude leaves little to be desired. Also, I enjoyed Hines last season, and felt he was WAY BETTER than Kirstie, so I voted for Hines & Kym. I enjoy watching good dancing, so I vote for the dancer(s) who entertain me. To me, it has been painful & disappointing to watch Hope & Maks, just as it was to watch Elisabetta & Val, Chaz & Lacey, and Nancy (cha cha cha & jives).
Mimi, all I’ve heard was that Ricki was the favorite too win, but buzz increased for JR after his samba. (Rightfully so IMHO)
There was a clear winner in other seasons too but they still won.
Did Karina and Mario Lopez do a regular tango to “Whatever Lola Wants”? I feel like it’s a re-recycle song from before Season 9. Also, it seems like a bit of a break for a pro to get a song he/she already choreographed once, although I guess the argument could be made that the celeb still has to learn and execute it. Would be interested to hear what others think.
@Vogue – How many weeks should we wipe our slate clean with Maks? Almost at the end and he is still getting chances. I do feel sorry for Maks, its unfortunate, Maks himself is his own worst enemy in life. Nothing will ever change and thats sad.
Remember what Val tweeted early in the season something about Maks doesn’t care and I care even less…. Must be in the gene pool. Makes me not excited for Val as a new pro either.
I actually think Maks is one of the better pros on the DWTS show. His partners almost always go very far in the competition unless they have an injury like Misty May.
As a person who has come out of an abusive domestic relationship, I can tell you that what I saw on that snippet of Mak’s with Hope was not even close to what an abusive man is actually like. He did tap her shoulder back but it wasn’t like he was yelling or screaming at her. He was trying to get her to hold her shoulder properly. There was no violence in it at all. Then she started mouthing off and cursing telling him to “stop being him” in front of a room full of people. Hell, I’d walk out too if someone said that to me.
Reasons why Rob Kardashian doesn’t deserve to be in the final:
1. He is stiff as a board as a dancer.
2. He has been scored too high by a gushing and girly Carrie Ann Inaba from the start of the show.
3. Carrie Ann’s waxing eloquently on Rob has influenced the voters toward him.
4. Frankly I’m just sick of the Kardashian clan. If they were a press they would be a vanity press.
Marie, I think what you are saying actually supports the point that was being made earlier about Hope Solo. She is now working much harder and staying put in Hollywood.
Wow. So it’s Hope’s fault now? Wow.
And guess what, I can make a pretty long list of why Hope shouldn’t be in the final. Longer than Rob’s and none of it has a thing to do with Maks. Everyone can make those lists.
At first, I didn’t think Rob would make it very far, between his lack of musicality and his attitude. Something changed for him about the third week in, and he began to embrace the experience. Since then, he’s made steady improvement. He is still not a great dancer, but he is sure better than he was.
Hope really hasn’t embraced the experience, and it does show. Regardless of the controversy between her and Maks, (and while it may not have been full out abusive, it was abusive, and extremely disrespectful), she really can’t dance, and doing three songs this week, might just showcase that.
It really comes down to who TPTB want to be in the finals, Hope or Rob. Or I suppose Rikki or JR could have a really bad week due to respective injuries. That would be sad.
Marlene, if it was disrespectful, it was mutually disrespectful. I know what abuse and bullying are firsthand and I can tell you that wasn’t it. I think the show was just looking for some drama that week for the packages. The way they cut that package was really transparently stacked against the pro, Maks.
Hope versus Rob for the final? Well I think Rob will probably get in because he is more likeable than Hope is, but her quickstep and jive were excellent this week. Rob has plateaued in my opinion. He is so stiff.
janice, we’ll just have to disagree. I counsel abuse victims, and I hear stuff that a lot of people wouldn’t take as abuse but it adds up. He’s the pro. He should know better and she only yelled at him after he shoved her. In front of everyone. I said it before, you don’t put your hands on a woman like that, ever. Because it becomes a very slippery slope, once it’s allowed the first time.
In any event, even if that incident hadn’t happened, Hope just isn’t doing it for me this season, and as I’ve also said before, I really wanted her to, because I really liked Maks and Kirstie last season and was set to vote for them.
Janice, as someone who was also in an abusive marriage, I can tell that watching that “snippet” of Hope and Maks during Week 7 made me uncomfortable to the point of shaking. And lest we forget, abuse is always physical. Maks has been emotionally un-supportive of Hope all season to the point of telling her that everyone had given up on her and he nearly had. Physically man-handling her in a room full of people and belittling her in front of others is uncalled for an unnecessary. He walked out because she called him out on his bad behavior. I also love how you conveniently forget all the times that Maks has cursed at her, so much so that Len finally said something. And frankly, I’m appalled that a “victim” of domestic abuse is so quick to put the blame on Hope. It’s disgusting.
Love all the information you give us. I’m hoping JR and Ricki can keep on racing to the finish. They seem like they really having fun, although Ricki’s age is getting to her. JR and Ricki have such nice things to say about Karina & Derek. How refreshing! Rob is coming along as well. Hope these positive vibes continue. I’m ready to vote my little fingers off tomorrow.
Try to ignore the haters…don’t let them get you too down. They’re not worth it. You guys are great!
Ok, yes, we will. He didn’t really lay hands on her in my opinion. He repositioned her shoulder with the palm of his hand and then tried to do the dance move which involved twirling her around in a circle by lifting under her arms. That’s not the same as hitting or slapping someone in an abusive manner. Also, he took full responsibility for the issue to Hope’s satisfaction and rearranged his whole teaching process for her. I think he’s owned up to the incident.
Sorry, my post above should say, “abuse is NOT always physical.” Janice got me so riled up I couldn’t type.
I think Ricki just wanted to stay in until her new movie was launched to get some publicity. Right after the movie came out she really started saying things that made me believe she wanted to go. It wasn’t the neuritis that did that I don’t think. By the way that condition isn’t any big deal. Any pain doc would just inject some steroids under the rib and boom the inflammation and pain die down without a problem. I think she should have seen an MD rather than a chiropractic doctor.
I never knew all of this information in other seasons before finding this site. And DANG my feathers are ruffled at all the unfairness that has been identified here. Some people repeating dances and others not? WTH? I agree with others (and also find it ironically hilarious) that this season it IS actually PAINFUL to watch some of these people. Not just irritating. But PAINFUL.
Hope is one of them. Maks is vile to me now on the show and in pap interviews. I also agree with Elton John “who the F*** are the Kardashians?” Make these people go away. What an embarrassment that these people are so exalted for…uh…NOTHING. No talent, no heroism, no accomplishments. Bleh. Get ‘em off. I watch because of Derek so I’m biased, but unfortunately it looks like JR will win so I’ve accepted it. Ok so, can’t wait till tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!:)
Magnolia, I didn’t put the blame on Hope but what you have to realize is that footage was very creatively edited. That’s obvious at least to me. I think I would take a beat too after that whole thing. It was the right thing to do: leaving.
Janice, please listen to the radio interview Hope did with Ryan Seacrest and you’ll understand that Hope most definitely consaidered what Maks did to be abuse.
Magnolia, also too if you have ever been coached in a sport, coaches often say things like that: “you have to give me something to hold onto, I’m giving up, etc.” It’s suppose to be motivating, not shattering.
He dragged her around until she yelped in pain! I’m so friggin’ sick of all the Maks’ fans revisionist take on things! I realize those packages are edited, but when it’s bad enough that OTHER PROS have to comment on it, it’s too damned far! That being said, I’m not going to comment on a board where someone claiming to be an abuse victim is essentially defending the potential abuser.
Vogue, Courtney, Heidi, John – thanks for all you do and for the friendship and encouragement to me personally. I’ll be back when the season’s over. Love you all!
I haven’t ever been as annoyed with the song recycling until this season. They recycled 3 songs that were used by my favorite couple ever. Two were the songs used for what were probaly their most memorable dances. Oh well.
Yes, I actually did listen to that interview with Seacreast but I also listened to what she said about him on the show as having a “gentle soul”…and…there was another exit type interview I believe with Access Hollywood or ABC7 where she talked out the video packages and how they always appear that they are “physical” and “cursing” etc…and they both forget their are cameras in the room and that other people don’t understand their relationship.
Basically, Hope Solo is a big girl who could probably kick Mak’s azz if she wanted to do so. I don’t think she is the least bit frightened of him and their relationship does NOT read at all like an abusive relationship. She is rather hard on him in many ways not at all mousy or deferential to him.
Puredwts is great site that offers insight on DWTS that other sites do not, I enjoy reading it. It is a shame that a handful of irrational people cannot handle what is being said here. These are the same type of people who made season 11 a joke during the quarter finals. I hope the right couples get into the finals based on merit his time, not put there by fanatics with way too much time on their hands. But then again…..
Magnolia, I’ll ignore your personal attack on me and my background and just stick to the point: Hope didn’t “yelp” in pain. Pain from what exactly? That’s the move itself to be twirled around under the arms. She didn’t like that he did it without explaining it more and went on a cursing bint. I didn’t hear any “yelp”…if she had yelped the editors would have fit that into the clip for sure. Unfortunately I guess some people can’t hack it when other people don’t share their opinion.
@Heidi Fair enough. I realize that my own personal bias wants Hope in the finals. But that wasn’t the gist of my post. lol I do believe I was talking about your actual blog and the songs and injuries.
However, I don’t want to start a fight. I was just pointing that out. =)
By the way, other pros commented on it after the package was played and they were asked to comment on it by interviews. There were no comments before the package was played. If there had been anything resembling abuse I’m sure Derek and Rob would not have just stood there and let it happen. Cheryl Burke too, as an abuse victim herself, would have jumped right in to stop things. That package was edited against the pro, Maks, but he has wisened up and now the story editors will have a harder time doing that kind of a hatchet job in future.
By the way, other pros commented on it after the package was played and they were asked to comment on it by interviews. There were no comments before the package was played. If there had been anything resembling abuse I’m sure Derek and Rob would not have just stood there and let it happen. Cheryl Burke too, as an abuse victim herself, would have jumped right in to stop things.
Imo regardless of JR’s ankle and Ricki’s pain, these two will make it into the finals. their the best of whats left of this season. As for the 3rd spot, it’s a toss up, but I do hope Rob makes it into the finals, enjoyed R
Enough, Janice. We don’t like spamming either. You’ve had your say – and I find it appalling – now move on.
Sorry, tony. We’ve been inundated with some rather vile people today and I took it out on you.
Geez, can’t we all just hug and get along? I’ve been busy with work and every time I check in there’s some sort of trash talking going on by posters. I suppose it’s natural but, hey, I’m going to watch tomorrow and try to enjoy. And I can’t get this type of coverage of this show anywhere else so…knock it off you guys! Don’t wreck a great site.
Janice, please stop.
Take a breath, step back from the computer, and relax. Count to ten, turn off the computer for the night…. Find peace….
*goes to sit with Jay and throw glitter*
Well, I’ve enjoyed the discussion immensely. It’s good to exchange viewpoints on issues. There was no trash talking, just a difference of opinion. I accidentally double posted above #92 or #93 can be deleted but that was not intentional. The site was slow. I think it’s important to remember that someone with a different opinion from the majority is not necessarily irrational or in need of a warning.
Well that isn’t up to you Janice. You come in here and spam, that’s not looked upon favorably either. Now move on to a new subject or can it altogether.
Heidi: Oh no worries! =) I’ve done that before. Stuff happens. I realized if I had said anything else about my opinion on the Maks/Hope abuse subject would just make matters worse. Keeping my mouth shut, and my opinion to myself.
Janice, the problem is when one is posting repeatedly. Yes, disagreements are good, and most of the time, everyone who posts here respectfully disagrees. Today, this thread was turning in another direction, and unfortunately, from where I sat, it looked like your posts were starting to get slightly away from the respectfully disagreeing. In my eyes. Not counting the accidental double post, you had 15 posts in a pretty short amount of time, and that does start to become alarming.
The incident between Maks and Hope happened, and NO ONE can change the fact that something happened. How it is perceived can be debated, and is the reason things are seemingly wonky today. It wouldn’t be debated if they hadn’t had the incident. Unfortunately, over the seasons, there have been times when I think he has hovered over the line…. Again, what I’ve seen.
Maks is not perfect, he’s a human being, just like everyone on the show. As a human being, he, like everyone on the show, makes mistakes. I do think he realized that he’s made a mistake, and did try to rectify it last week, and that is a good thing. However, I think I need to see if he learns from his mistake.
Evaine’s glitter is not working for me. Think I need to find a vampire to “glamour me” into forgetting the last few weeks as I remind myself “it is just a reality show, just a reality show, focus on the dancing only”.
LOL But I am really looking forward to the final and seeing all the celebs back dancing.
I am so sick of Hope. I am crossing everything that she does not make the finals. I am not a Rob fan either, but he is much more enjoyable to watch than Hope. I don’t think anyone can come close to JR. I think he’ll win it all with Ricki being second.
LOL Nobody spammed. I guess spam is defined as an opinion differing from yours, Heidi? You’ve been dying to block me all evening and baiting. So go ahead.
I still think Rob has made it this far partly because of who he is. Sure, he can dance, but he’s still stiff and he still has a bit of a frat boy attitude, if you ask me. I’m not saying that Hope is leaps and bounds better of a dancer (and I’m saying that as a Maks fan. Yes, still a fan even after all this drama and mess this season), but I do believe that the 3rd spot in the finale will be a massive fight between the fanbases. Like as not, the judges will score them close enough together that it will ultimately come down to whose fans stay up the longest and vote. Let the games begin, I say.
Anyway, it’s a no-brainer that J.R. will be there. I admit, going into this season, I had massive doubts that he’d be any good and that people would vote for him based on sympathy because of what happened to him during the war. Thank you J.R. for proving me wrong! He’s a fabulous dancer, and if he wins, then he will have deserved it 100%..not because of him being a war veteran but because the man can simply DANCE.
Ricki…Ricki…Ricki…I’ve always been on the fence with her. It has nothing to do with Derek, really. There’s just something about her that irritates me. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but she leaves a bad taste in my mouth (kinda like how some people feel that way on Hope). Considering her rib injury and that the doctor said that it would only get worse until she rests, I have a feeling that she MAY be in a bit of trouble this week with 3 dances. We’ll see, I guess.
Ah the truth….been looking to be a martyr for the cause all evening?
LOL
MaryM
Actually, things haven’t been unfair in terms of what dances the couples have to learn. If you look back at Week 7, you’ll find that both JR and Ricki were at a big advantage. They only had to learn one dance whereas Rob and Hope had to learn two dances. I’m sure ABC takes all of that into account when they assign dances.
We know it’s going to be between Hope and Rob for 3rd. Even if Ricki doesn’t do great tonight I think Derek’s fanbase will carry her through.
LOL – Janice thinks I blocked her and she was clever enough to get around it. Sorry sweetie. But keep it up and I certainly will!!
ETA: Okay, I did. And guess what? Lori isn’t in charge.
I also wished producers wouldn’t recycle songs for AT. Evan and Anna’s AT to Bust the Windows was one of my favorite dances and should not be touched.
Thank the lord for small mercies! (I guess that’s you in this case, Heidi! lol)
Oh, she’ll keep trying. She doesn’t realize what a motivating factor she and others of her ilk are.
Question: Do haters, trolls, and trouble makers really think this is way to convince others to like or vote for their favorite dancers? It only creates the opposite. This only makes YOU look bad and it’s something you may have to answer to one day if you aren’t already in a sad and lonely life. Also, if you don’t think others don’t who you are under an alias here or eslewhere, you couldn’t be more wrong. Seriously, it WILL all catch up with a person. This isn’t the way to go. This isn’t what the show is about and what your favorite dancers would want. Think about it.
Sarah, I know what you mean about Ricki. There’s something about her that has irritated me all season and I can’t quite put my finger on it.
I am concerned for both her and JR though if they are both fighting injuries. JR was pretty silent on twitter all day yesterday so no clue if his ankle is better or not.
The one nice thing about moving to Calgary is that the show is on at 6 pm here, since we are two hours behind EST. Means I don’t have to wait as long to find out!
Good morning, Vogue! Let me be the first to bring a little glitter to your day!
I love the positive attitude that you bring to PDWTS! So on that note (your note, actually) I offer this:
“Birds flying high. You know how I feel. Sun in the sky. You know how I feel. Reeds driftin’ on by. You know how I feel. It’s a new dawn. IT’S A NEW DAY. It’s a new life … and I’m feeling good!”
Must have been the glitter dust that Evaine’s sprinkling about! Here’s to some great dancing tonight. I can hardly wait!
Looking so forward to tonight! I love when “Who’s dancing what and when” comes around because that means it’s time to start getting really excited again for another week.
Here’s the thing that makes ME really mad. When someone posts that WE *KNOW* who’s going to win, who’s coming in second…I do NOT know who’s going to win.
If the winner was set up this season, have they been set up every season? I don’t think so. Maybe it’s true, but let me keep believing in my santa claus if you’re a poster who happens to have some kind of inside for sure 100% truth scoop from the highest power.
To me, it demeans the person who wins be it Nicole, Jennifer, Kristy Y,… or RIcki or JR or Hope or Rob. It diminishes what they and their pro accomplish.
OK, now time for me to go find my glitter and not get worked up anymore over it.
Heh. Examiner is posting our song spoilers with no credit.
You make a good point, Jess.
Heidi, that’s sad.
((((Meggie, thanks))))) We needed that!!! Yes….here’s to a new day and to some good dancing tonight!! Thanks again.xxx
And I was so happy to see Evaine back and spreading her glitter too!!!xx
I think rushing to judgement on Ricki is ridiculous. I hear she had help with her neck movements on the weekend, I believe with Allison Holker’s partner or someone like that. I know she is the oldest, but let’s give her a chance she might blow it out of the park especially with Derek as her partner and choreographer. I know she is the oldest, but Jennifer was the oldest too!
J.R will have to be careful as well, a twisted ankle is no joke especially with the A.Tango! Very tricky tango.
I think the big question is whether the muppets will be the judges or not tonight.
After CAI’s get up last week, I picture her as Miss Piggy.
Well you know, the Muppets will be on the result show tomorrow night. Maybe CAI was auditioning for a cameo with them.
Amen to some good dancing, Meggie…that’s why we’re all here isn’t it? And I agree with you that Vogue always has an uplifting attitude. Today starts a new round of planet Mirrorballus, and we get to witness it. Good luck to all the couples dancing. We all have our favorites and need to send positive vibes their way. I think the glitter dust is working.
Vogue: Heidi:
If they are doing the relay this week.
What will be different for finale week. Are they doing the redemption dance and judges choice as well?
Amen^^ loving this glitter today and thank you, Guys! <3 you all!xxxx
@Margaret – Well I’m not Vogue or Heidi, so I hope it’s okay that I’m answering, but we don’t know what’s going on with finale week yet. When we know, we will share.
And I think my phrase of the day today shall be “Go eat glitter!” to anyone that waltzes in here and tries to be a party pooper
C’mon guys, please stop arguing. I’m a huge Maks fan <3 and I always stay behind him, whatever he does, but this time he shouldn't be in the finals. And as much as I loved hope's instant jive last week she isn't the best dancer out there.
Sorry for mistakes. English is my second language.
Okay Courtney, sorry I left your name out. Answer me anytime!
Oh Court, how I love your glitter phrase for the day!
Hi, Julia. I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with you regarding Hope and Maks. If anyone doesn’t deserve to be in the finals it is Rob Kardashian. The guy has benefitted from Carrie Ann’s cougar crush. He also had Len and Bruno on his side. Bruno’s lechery is disgusting. I have not seen much improvement in Rob that would coincide with his ever rising scores and he was finally scored properly last week when he dipped. His dancing has no expression at all. Hope on the other hand has been improving steadily. She was dissed early on by Len about not working hard. ABC played that up in both the performance and results show which was ridiculous. Carrie Ann also typically underscores young, attractive womene- case in point Brandy. Hope has had to overcome that kind of bs from the judges all season whereas the judges have bent over backwards to compliment Rob for his mediocre performances.
Margaret, where did you hear that about Ricki getting help with her neck movements?? That’s news to me. Good for her, if true. I know Derek spent a bunch of time with Allison and Travis Wall this weekend, so…
I forgot to add that Hope’s jive was lightyears better than Rob Kardashian’s jive and that shows who is really the better spontaneous dancer. Rob’s jive was lackluster and without energy. He looked like a school boy trailing behind Cheryl Burke. Hope went for it and it paid off. She had energy, expressive movement and joy. Hope and Maks are the couple that deserves to be in the final along with Ricki and JR.
Yes Heidi:
Ricki mentioned on her twitter that Allison was helping her with what they called T-neck. So she thanked her and her mother (for the help) and she responded by saying “hope it shows in my dances on Monday with the Arg. Tango and Samba!
That’s cool. Somehow I missed that one. I hope it shows in her dances too!! Although I never notice the neck thing anyway, what with the glaring issues other dancers have.
Kevin, make sure you’re using phrases like “I think” or “I believe” when making comments – none of us are expert enough to make the assertion that Hope was indeed better than Rob. While I agree that Hope’s jive last week was better than Rob’s, I disagree that it was “light years” better, and I don’t think Hope has progressed enough in 9 weeks to deserve a spot in the finale. I think Rob has been more consistent all season and is the more natural mover.
Margaret, I saw Ricki mention the extra help she got too. Fingers crossed. I’m worried for JR and his ankle injury.
And Kevin, I couldn’t disagree with you more so I’ll quietly back away so as not to rain on the glitter parade.
Jess you are so right! It just means everyone needs to keep voting for their favorites- in my case JR and Karina! Would love love love to see another pro first time winner this season- will make JR’s win if it actually happens even sweeter!
Hi, Courtney, Actually the “I think” and “I believe” is implied by the fact that I’m posting under my opinion on this blog.. I do believe Maks and Hope deserve to be in the final because they are (in my opinion) far and away better than Rob and Cheryl whose performances have always been very lackluster.
katarina, if you want to respectfully disagree, go right ahead. ALL people who post here have to learn that not everyone agrees with them. They also need to use more “I think” and “I believe” – if they don’t, they should not be surprised at any vehement disagreement they run into.
I have a question. What is this T neck that Ricki’s talking about? Is it as obvious as her keeping her neck straight and not tilting it?
Kevin I have to agree with you on Rob not deserving to be in the final. I BELIEVE Hope and Maks definitely proved themselves worthy of the final last week. I THINK Rob’s dancing has not been up to the scores he has been given because he has been giving his sob stories every week to get people on his side. His true character was shown in the early weeks when he tried that rumor mongering about married couples.
Evaine:
I think it has to do with limited ability in her neck movements? If you do notice they’ve been a little critical to her about her neck movements. Derek probably stepped in to help her with this. Also hope she watches her foot placement, as well!
I think Hope and Maks should be in the final. The final will be dull without them! Maks is an excellent instructor and he and Hope have overcome their difficulties. I belive Hope and Maks hit it out of the park last week whereas Rob didn’t progress with his robot-like posture and movement. He has received high scores from the judges all season for crappy or “ok” dances whereas Hope has been put through the ringer by the judges. Hope and Maks finally deserve what they’ve worked for which is to be in that final. Go Hope and Maks!
I don’t mind the samba songs, but I think Ricki and Derek have the Harry Belafonte song and J.R. and Karina have the Peter Allen one.
Just a guess of course.
@DWTSDerekGroupie
What sob story? I don’t recall Rob giving any sob story except in story week when he was talking about his father.
Jump in the line? I like that song, lol. But I’ll be thinking of the last part of Beetlejuice when that routine comes up tonight.
Mo, I would just ignore DWTSDerekGroupie – clearly someone trying to bait us in a desperate ploy for attention. In fact, I would advise everyone to take any suspicious-looking comments today with a grain of salt – don’t take the bait, because that’s what they want. Things are fairly benign right now, but if it escalates to the level of hostility & trolling that we saw last night, then we’re considering either closing down the comments on all the posts altogether or at least making all the comments await moderation before being posted. I don’t want it to come to that, and I’m sure all of the readers (regulars and trolls alike) don’t want that either. So let’s not give these instigators what they want – odds are they’ll eventually get bored and move onto more impressionable venues for their rage.
Interesting factoid: both of tonight’s samba songs have been used by Karina in the past. “I Go to Rio” was her samba with Rocco; “Jump in the Line” was her ill-fated samba with The Woz.
Sarah, that’s EXACTLY what I was telling Courtney about that song!! Beetlejuice!! Beetlejuice!! Beetlejuice!!
Mo, The passing of Rob’s father was a life-changing event for him. To hear it reduced to a sob story makes me sad.
We ain’t closin’ nuthing unless it’s for me to sleep.
We’re not giving trolls what they want. And you can be sure that off under the little bridge where they live there is a big discussion going on about how to post on PureDWTS. 
Now, the comment moderation thing might happen. We’ll let you know if it does.
I think that Shake señora is going to be Ricki’s… because Shake señora means “shake lady”.
I love the Muppets version to “I go to Rio”!!!! ahahahah
=]
To lose a father at any age is a devastating event in one’s life. I would know, and I was older than Rob was when I lost mine. To characterize it as a sob story is pretty low.
carlos: that was what I was thinking too about the samba songs
Woz’s samba: Is that when he did The Worm?!? Who could forget that!
Lol, my thoughts exactly, Meggie
And he was a male celebrity that got that song – so I wouldn’t necessarily bank on Ricki & Derek getting it, Gitte & Carlos. Lord know stranger things have happened on this show 
Curious to see who performs last tonight
JR got lucky (again) with the songs!! i love all of them!!! and of course i really like the song for the Cha cha relay
you know what…i think that Ricki and JR are both entitled to be in the final ..they are the best dancers and performers this season..a final without any of them would be ..poor and without salt and pepper. and i have a feeling that Ricki will amaze all of us…i know she is a fighter and a perfectionist and she will not stand to let anyone down! the third place…i think it is up to the voter…i personally think that Rob deserves to be in the final more then Hope.
I don’t think it matters from a voting perspective, anymore, sheery. Pretty sure most people’s minds are made up on who they’re voting for.
I agree. Don’t give trolls what they want or change anything. Let’s “keep on keeping on” in every way like we’ve been doing because they only rule the day if we let them.
As for Rob and his telling about the loss of his Dad, I thought he handled it really positively and strong at the time. I didn’t see it as a “sob story”.
Evaine, Keep throwing your glitter! Hope you’ve got a huge stock pile ’cause I think it’s gonna be needed.
I’m worn out from all the ugliness that’s exploded since Maks-gate. Depending on how things fall out on Tuesday, I might skip the comments and just stick to the informative articles from our wonderful PDWTS team for the rest of the season.
Heidi, Vogue, Courtney and everyone else who pitches in, you’re all doing a fab-u-lous job keeping order and muzzling the trolls who slip through the gates. Keep Calm, and Carry On!
Good luck to all tonight! Hope we see everyone at their best.
I dunno. I think there must be a full moon or something. The natives are also restless on another chat board I belong to, today!
It’s unfortunate, that the mod’s have had to resort to moderating all comments, but as someone who runs a discussion board of her own, I fully understand and support that.
Now, back to the semi finals. Is anyone else finding it strange that JR hasn’t tweeted since he mentioned his twisted ankle? We have heard from Karina, and and she seems upbeat about everything, so I guess we’ll see.
What a strange season this has been.
# Marlene – JR tweeted this: Thankful for everyone’s well wishes about my ankle. It’s better than yesterday~still sore & a little painful to apply pressure. #toughitout – that was all he said about that…i agree with you..strange season…anything BUT normal…it is the 13 season…so it has at least one excuse
hope and maks go first tonight!
Thanks Elara. I had missed that! He’s been quieter than usual though! I saw Maks post about them going first. interesting.
Then I’m guessing Ricki & Derek will dance last, since J.R. & Karina did last week.
This is a wonderful site for everything dwts related but I’m troubled by the view accepted of Maks that he is “abusive”. This is an extremely dangerous thing to label on someone when it is not true and if it is true, it should not be tolerated. Maks did go too far and was not as gentle and patient with Hope as he could have been but I do not believe he abused her and I hope that we don’t make someone out to be a monster abuser when they are not.
So now Rob and Hope have each gone first 3 times this season and JR never has? (I can’t remember if Ricki ever went first. Maybe once?)
I would think that going first would actuallly have been beneficial to either Ricki or JR this week since they are both injured and it would give them more time to recover before the Cha Cha relay. Now one of them is going to dance last (I’m guessing JR) and then turn around and do the relay? (If I’m correct and the relay is the final dance?)
JCL–just skip posts like I do. I don’t like people saying JR “milks” his injury or “story” and that’s why he gets votes, so I skip them now
Even though Ricki should dance last, because she’s only gone last once before in 80′s week, JR has danced last 4 times of out the 8 weeks, so it’d be kind of unfair for him to not only dance last for the 5th time, but also twice in a row.
JR is a great dancer and seems like a genuinely nice guy. I’m okay with him winning. Actually, I would be happy to see any of them win it except for Rob. I haven’t felt it from him since day 1. And I really wish the Karadashians would go away for good. They annoy me to no end.
While I really, really like Maks, I have to say that the way he twirled Hope around when he had his hands under her armpits, it looked like he was going to whip her against the wall! The shove on the shoulder didn’t bother me as much as the way he was flinging her around. And she did let out a bit of “yelp.”
SO EXCITED FOR TONIGHT!! Woohoo!!! *starts crazy dance of excitement*
Rob’s not the only one who lost their father. Hope hasn’t really talked about it on the show, but she lost her dad just this past year. Sure, Rob’s dad died when he was a teenager (I believe? Don’t quote me on that) and Hope was a grown woman in her early 30s but it’s still so sad.
On a side note, I find it interesting that not only were both of Hope’s Jives songs by Avril Lavigne (Girlfriend and Best Damn Thing), both of her Cha Chas were Enrique Iglesias songs (Tonight and I Like The Way It Feels).
Here’s hoping for good dancing, reasonable judging, and fun tonight!
I’m in Cheesehead territory, so I’ll be waiting (im)patiently for videos to get posted.
**Glitter glitter glitter**
That is interesting Matt. I had forgotten that!!
Whatever Lola wants was the song Mario Lopez and KARINA danced as 2nd tango… I mean, MAKSIM dancing to a song Karina already danced to.
What will he do? he can’t post a child drawing on the song… I think… LOL
I’m such a sucker for that Lola song.
Katarina, I didn’t mean anything negative by calling it a sob story. I was just referring to a story that could be perceived as sad. I know losing a parent is hard for people.
I do not know if it was mentioned but Denise Wall helped Ricki. She is Travis from sytycd mother and great dance teacher.
I hope JR has a *huge* fanbase cause hes gonna need it. Maks and Hope better not take his spot in the finals.
I’m not worried about JR – I’m sure he’ll come roaring back in round two. It kinda worries me when they score like this. Len went way low on JR and high on Rob and a point high Ricki. Of course, both were way better than Hope, IMO, since she didn’t dance half the time, but it’s still slightly out of wack. I would have scored Hope 21, JR 24 or 25, Rob 26 or 27 and Ricki 28 or 29.
Hope said that they wanted her off since the beginning! I didn’t know that! They certainly gave her good scores early on if that was the case.
She’s been brainwashed.
Sorry to those hope fans out there. I wanted hope off from the beginning to. I luv DWTS but… i think scores should a little more. LOL Carlos he will try
Maks and that stupid pinching Toms butt thing he does. Seriously, what grown man does that to another grown man all the time.
The audience goes crazy for Rob, Is there anyway he could take out either Ricki or JR? Gawd, I hope not.
Can I just say that Ricki’s yellow costume was Tweety Bird? She looked like a cartoon feather burst Sylvester would cough out.
I think I heard Derek say he felt like an egg she laid??
It must be the cold meds. 
Hope hit it right on the head tonight – “they”, being the judges, have wanted her and Maks off – ever since Maks dared to speak up. Shame on all 3 judges – they showed their true colors tonight with the ridiculously low marks they gave them for very good performances!!
I thought Hope’s scores were right on target – and were the scores she should have been getting all along.
Rob’s Samba and Ricki’s AT were the highlights of the evening for me. From individual dances.
Sorry, Heidi – All things Kardashian are not necessarily good. The final 3 should be R.J., Ricki, and Hope. Once Hope started putting in the time she needed to, she improved remarkably. That must have really frosted Carrie Ann.
Well everyone sees what they want to see, I guess. I thought the judges scored Hope right on the money tonight.
Sorry, I don’t agree. Rob totally deserves final three with Ricki and JR. He’s been growing and improving all season. Hope was too flimsy in her Paso, she had no control and she spent too much time standing while Maks danced. Look at her legs at that lift with the split legs where she’s spinning – her knees are just too, too bent. Go back and watch either Jennifer, Erin or Nicole in a similar move and look how sharp their legs are.
Rob is not a perfect dancer, but he knocked it out of the park tonight, as did Ricki. JR had issues, but you could tell the man was in serious pain – his fans should carry him through easily.
The scores the judges gave Rob were, IMO, totally wacked!!! From what I saw, he just walked across the floor and Cheryl did all the work.
Agree with Barbara H, Kardashian should not be in the finals. I cannot believe he lasted this long. Ugh.
This will be the last season for me. I only watched it last season because of Kirsty. I wanted to see Chaz this season. I can do without this show as I did all of the previous seasons. If I could quit American Idol after Season 5, I can quit this stupid show too.
Bravo Ricki and Derek, Cheryl and Rob!
I also think Hope was scored fairly…. Unfortunately, I do think that it feels like they underscored her, because they overscored Rob. I think they underscored JR, and yes, they did overscore Ricki…..
It was pretty obvious to me that they were scoring to assure that they had the finale that they want….. Stinks that it feels like they were giving Hope the shaft….
I honestly like it better when they give all 4 very close scores, and we don’t see who the judges are favoring for the finals.
I do think I would love to see Chynna, Ricki and JR in the finals…..
Well, that’s how it should work. Judges get their say, then we get ours. Much better than them scoring everyone just for a faux closeness.
Loathe his family but Rob has improved a lot. He is still not at JR level but I proved. I was okay with Hope until her recent comments. Her saying”they”? The same judges who overscored her when I thought David A. Was better or at least charming. They are not fun to watch. I think Hope and Maks are buying into the everyone is against tweets or something.
I hope JR is ok. He looked stressed. I still think he will win and tonight will rally his fans.
Rob was great wasn’t he. I thought he danced better than Ricki tonight. Rob could quite possibly be an upset for the top 2 spot. JR the poor thing was in pain, hopefully by next week he will be in great shape. I am sure JR has tons of fans. Bye Hope, see ya Maks.
Well I’m not 100% sure they did such a top notch job on the scoring this week…. It was just like every week, overscore some and underscore some. It made the fair scoring they did just seem to stick out like a sore thumb, and that’s the only thing I object to. Unfortunately, I think that it wasn’t a surprise, because they’ve done that the last several weeks…. There was shocking eliminations, and then they set out to get the weaker dancers out of the running. Even when I agreed with who went home, I didn’t like how they went about doing it.
That said, I do think that JR, Ricki and Rob would be the best choice for the finale next week.
And I think THIS WEEK was the BEST of Ricki’s costumes! They were all SO INCREDIBLY GREAT! and she was simply gorgeous!!! But I thought of Sesame Street for her samba costume.
Tom had a couple of fabulous lines, of course, and I was actually surprised that BROOKE even had a couple of good ones! Can’t give them back to you right now off the top of my head, but it definitely surprised me.
I loved Tom’s, “That was the Stepford Maks!” Priceless and right on the money!
Have to give props to Cheryl for bringing Rob along so well. She doesn’t try to out-think the “system;” just work hard and persevere.