Louis Van Amstel And Tristan MacManus Write On DWTS14 Week 6, ET Interview
In Part 2 of our media postings today, Louis Van Amstel reviews the night at ABC. He thought William ‘should have been out earlier and Donald should have stayed longer’ in the Marathon Dance. Louis would have given it to Katherine or Donald. Below are some of his thoughts on the individual dances. See if you don’t agree and be sure to read more at the link. I think Louis pretty much pegs it again and puts it all into words I couldn’t find. Don’t forget that Louis will be dancing again tonight in a Pro number.
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough’s Foxtrot. That’s a fast foxtrot. Maria did a great job. It’s a shame about the little mishap on the stairs. Great frame, very good posture and as a couple they moved nicely and smoothly across the floor. I do feel Maria is quite stiff and needs to loosen up if she wants to go to the finals. In the hold, Maria is solid, but when Derek lets her go she looks pretty tight and insecure. I agree with Len’s first part “In hold,” but “NOT in hold.” It wasn’t as great. As a matter of fact, that’s where Maria lost her footing. I agree with Carrie Ann’s score – three “8′s” in my book.
Roshon Fagan and Chelsie Hightower’s Rumba. This was a very solid performance by Roshon. He looked very comfortable in this routine, awesome arm lines. The momentum in one of the turns caused a very slight lift. Roshon attacked this Rumba a little hard sometimes which sacrificed some of the tenderness and sensuality that is so important for the Rumba. It was very age appropriate though. Carrie Ann, wow, now you’re going to be the lift police after so many other competitors did lifts before and you didn’t mention anything. Even though the judges had a weird way of criticizing Roshon, I do agree with them. The judges could have been a little less aggressive about it. The scores are low-ish. I’d say the scores should have been the same as Maria, three “8′s.” (In my opinion, Maria should have gotten three “8′s.”)
Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas’ Samba. This was another beautiful performance by Katherine. She just doesn’t have a bad movement in her body. There were a lot of great technical elements in that routine, with a good, solid bounce. I’m going to be a little more critical of Katherine right now (In my opinion, in comparison, she’s already better than anyone else). Katherine can finish her legs off better when closing her feet and when doing a Latin dance she should express it differently from her ballroom dances. Everything is always “pretty.” I sometimes want to see the differences — sultry, hot, rough, sweet, bitchy, sensitive. She can show more variety. I like what Carrie Ann said, although I would have liked to see a bit more ‘In your face’. A little over-scored. Three “9′s,” in my opinion, but since Maria got such high scores two “10s” are deserved in comparison.
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd’s Foxtrot. Is Donald really a football player? He’s not a dancer? Donald totally impressed me again tonight with his dance. It had great Foxtrot content. He had a great frame and let’s not even get started on Donald’s charisma. It was strong when it needed to be and soft when the time was right. Awesome job, especially knowing he’s not a performer, dancer, singer, actor at all — and yet he does it all with ease. And another great costume! I totally agree with Bruno. That was cute, Len! I agree with Len that Donald can do more. Get your freestyle music! Well deserved scores. If they would have given one “10,” I would have agreed.
ET interviewed the couples on their dances. Gladys is happy. Roshon is a little down (can’t say as I blame him!). Melissa wasn’t happy with her and Maks’ package. Lots more below. It’s so good to see Steve Jones of the X Factor again.
Lastly, Tristan has a great new blog up at Entertainment Weekly explaining he and Gladys’ dances. Here is a little excerpt. See if you don’t agree with some of the things he said too about the judges?
On the “My Girl” rumba: We were hoping for a faster dance but the rumba’s what we got. We got a great song, and we got to dance to the Temptations. I was annoyed by some of the comments the judges made. They put me in a fierce bad mood afterwards. What Bruno said about wanting a more steamy dance — I thought that was stupid. It wasn’t about being steamy and hot, and no one wants to see me steamy with Gladys.
I don’t think it was appropriate. They said, well maybe you’re not the best dancer, and things needed to be more steamy. Being steamy doesn’t make anyone a better dance either, does it? That’s just a gimmick. I think a lot of it is about performance. That’s what really annoyed me. It was a tribute to Motown and that’s what we did. So the way we took the rumba was that the passionate side and the love that you’re supposed to portray in rumba, that was directed towards Motown. It should have been marked on the dance and not marked on flamboyance.
Chelsie and Roshon were underscored immensely for what they’d done. I thought they were great, know what I mean? There just needs to be consistency somewhere and there definitely needs to be a bit of common sense in places as well. So as much as people are saying about Len, he’s this and he’s that — he knew that the appropriateness of what should have happened tonight, and Bruno and Carrie Ann should have known that as well.
On that purple suit: The funny thing was, I wanted to try to put Gladys in as many colors as possible, and she really liked purple. The Temps wore purple all the time. So that’s how I stole that costume. If you put in “The Temptations My Girl” it goes to the song on YouTube [embedded below] — you can see even from the movie that they have purple suits. The whole look itself was, again, part of the tribute. My look was David Ruffin’s, the lead singer on this song. That was the look that he had, they were his glasses and stuff.
Ok, that is all for now. Here’s to tonight’s results. I’m curious to see if two of the contestants will be eliminated? I hope not. Also, stay tuned to Heidi’s Numbers post coming up a little later with her predictions which are always fascinating and entertaining as well!! 😉
I find myself agreeing with nearly everything Louis says each week. I really enjoy his blogs and thoughts much more than I thought I would. He gives a good, professional, objective opinion without buying into what TPTB are trying to sell us. Well done, Louis.
As for Tristan’s blog, I give a lot of credit to him for speaking out and doing so in a mature and non-egotistical manner. He just gave his opinion without disparaging any other pros or celebs, and I think he’s just as frustrated as us fans for the judges’ whacked-out scoring all season. Judge the dance, not the gimmicks. Period.
Thanks for posting these, Vogue! I hadn’t seen Louis’ blog or the ET interview yet. <3 ya!!!
I Love Tristan more and more lol 🙂
Love you too!!! 😉 Thanks for your thoughts. I love Louis’ blogs too. I continue to think he’d make such a good judge. +1 about Tristan!
Sheery, I love him too. Such a class act!
It seems as if Louis has learned that if you want to get a little attention this season, talk about Maria, Maria, Maria. He’s a bit obsessed with her.
I always value Louis’ opinion on the dances more so than the DWTS “judges” I think he pretty much got it right. He’s always been one of my favorites, so I’ll be glad to see him dance tonight.
Tristan made some valid points, too. Bruno telling Gladys thier rumba needed to be more “steamy” is just too icky to contemplate. I do love Tristan, and can’t wait to see what he could do with a more age appropriate partner.
As always, Vogue, I thank you for posting their blogs here…I’d never find them on my own. 🙂
Louis was pretty bang-on this week. He articulated what bothered me about Katherine’s samba – too ‘pretty’. And I agree with his critique of Maria – it was definitely over-scored.
Tristan was also on the money. I actually think a more romantic rumba with him and Gladys would work, but this wasn’t the song or the week to do that. ‘Mark on the dance and not flamboyance’ – i.e., don’t give a grope-fest 10s (yes William and Cheryl, I’m looking at you).
Another A+ for Louis. Great blog, and guess what NO favoritism. And alot of wacky scoring going on.
Imagine that, Louis thought Willy should have gotten a 9 and two 8s. And even says Bruno should take some Rumba lessons, ummm isn’t Bruno suppose to the judge/expert? Clearly, Louis is calling him out, and affirming what we have all been saying, he is just seeing HOTNESS over dancing.
This is the second time that Louis has said Donald was underscored and should get his freestyle music ready… Clearly, he feels he should be in the finals, but the way this season is going I am not too sure about that.
Er, Louis is obsessed with DEREK. He’s always spoken about Derek and his partners with a large tinge of jealousy, since Nicole’s season.
I do always look forward to reading Louis blog, but I do think he has biases. My favorite to read is Courtney’s, I learn from them and she’s pretty clear about who she’s rooting for each week so you don’t have to wonder what lens she seeing things through;and then does, in my opinion, a pretty darn good job of being pretty objective overall. Like Heidi says, everyone has a bias. Far better to acknowledge so your readers know where you’re coming from.
So, if someone hadn’t heard Louis on Dance Junkies admit very clearly how disappointed he was that HE didn’t get to be partnered with Gladys one wouldn’t understand on past weeks when he shredded Tristan that he was extremely jealous. And if one hadn’t heard him over the years say petty jealous things about a couple other pros, one might not guess at those biases either and just think that he’s very knowledgeable, which of course he is, and impartial, which of course he isn’t. Still, I read it as soon as Vogue posts it or I find it somewhere else because I do think he says a lot of good things.
I really liked Tristan’s blog too, agree with Magnolia, he spoke his mind without sounding egotistical.
Amen Jess. Louis has been a petty, jealous beyotch way too many times for me to give him props now.
Thanks, Heidi. This is the third blog this year in which he has taken veiled shots at Derek, um, I mean Maria. Jealous much, Louis. And, funny how he always compares Maria and Melissa. Very odd in my opinion.
Louis can be a bitch but he can also judge fairly IMO. I don’t think he is always 100% right but no one can be 100% right.
I have personally agreed with him in everything he said for the past couple of week except on Donald. He seems to think much higher of him than I do. But he still makes much more sense in his scoring and comments then some of the *ahem* others do.
Princess Heidi, you are the best. You always say what I am thinking. I totally agree with you about Louis. He definitely has issues (jealousy) with Derek. I love how you are able to stay fair in your comments even though Derek is your favorite. Thank you for this website, and PureDerekHough. You, and everyone else on this site, are amazing and have made my DWTS experience so much more enjoyable.
LOUIS! YOU ARE GAINING SO MANY RESPECT POINTS! Every single word that man typed was exactly what I was thinking. Get this man on the judges panel please.
Louis would be way too biased on the judges panel and seek revenge, and he is so jealous PH. The world champion’s personality fails by comparison to all of the others, and Derek is going places, and with each passing season/year, good blogs or not, he’s becoming a bitter has been. Mr Ego probably has a little man’s complex as well and he’s more than likely jealous of taller sexy men with fans as well. Sure was great to see Dmitry again, speaking of tall sexy men!