DWTS All Stars, Week 9 – Who’s Dancing What…and When??
This seems destined to be a weird week all the way around. 🙂
Only thing I’m going to say right now about the songs is that some people are going to be happy and some are not. How’s that for vague?? 🙂 I will say that Kelly got EXTREMELY lucky – let’s just see which way they go with the choreo and if the judges subsequently call them out like Courtney and I suspect they SHOULD (but probably won’t).
I think the only one of these dances likely to be a surprise – because it hasn’t been spoiled by the couple – is Shawn and Derek doing the Argentine Tango. I also don’t think that Kelly and Val have mentioned Rumba, but we’re fairly sure that’s what they have.
ETA: Yes, Kelly may as well be doing another Paso, going by her music (and since Warren and Kym used it as a Paso on the show before). Courtney and I predict that Val takes the easy out, goes mostly Paso and doesn’t get called on it. And they get a 30. 🙂 Any takers???
ETA2: So, Emmitt’s song seems rather obvious, doesn’t it? 🙂 It’s a shame he’s apparently struggling with the choreography in what is otherwise a “cute” dance. 😉 And YES, we know his Lindy song was Donny’s Jive song. Also struggling, from what I hear, is Kelly – who’s dance, as suspected, doesn’t look very “surfer” at all. She’s apparently having trouble with the timing and looks “frantic”. In other news, Melissa is doing great with the AT – as we also suspected that she would. 🙂
ETA3: I’m having trouble seeing a Jazz dance for Apolo’s song – it will require a lot of creativity from Karina. It does sound circus-y. I included a youtube link because I had trouble with the iTunes link at first…and then when I saw the video I decided to leave it. 🙂 From where I”m sitting, Melissa got EXTREMELY lucky. If they hadn’t picked the second dances live I would suspect foul play. Now, can Tony capitalize on that extraordinary luck?? Sounds like he’s done well with the AT, but there are TWO dances.
Melissa/Tony
MJ Dance: Argentine Tango (Song: “Dirty Diana” by Michael Jackson)
Caveman Hustle (Song: “Walk the Dinosaur” by Was (Not Was))
Dancing 1st and 6th
Voting #: 1-800-868-3406
Shawn/Derek
MJ Dance: Argentine Tango (see PDH)
Knight Rider Bhangra
Voting #: 1-800-868-3402
Kelly/Val
MJ Dance: Rumba (Song: “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” by Michael Jackson)
Surfer Flamenco (Song: “Malagueña” by Brian Setzer Orchestra)
Voting #: 1-800-868-3411
Emmett/Cheryl
MJ Dance: Tango (Song: “Leave Me Alone” by Michael Jackson)
Espionage Lindy Hop (Song: “Secret Agent Man” by Johnny Rivers)
Dancing 4th and 9th
Voting #: 1-800-868-3413
Apolo/Karina
MJ Dance: Rumba (Song: “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson)
Big Top Jazz (Song: “What You Waiting For” by Gwen Stefani) Youtube link
Voting #: 1-800-868-3407
So happy that Shawn and Derek got the A.tango, Derek is master in that dance, and Shawn did a amazing one back in her season, I just hope Len don’t ruin again. Hoping for smooth criminal for this two.
Melissa is so getting another 30, probably another 60 at this point, and I think rumba is probably Kelly’s best change for a 30 this season.
I think I heard Derek mention that MJ’s song is Bad. Did anyone else get that?
Not sure if he was talking about the song, Heather, or if he was referencing the fact that ALL the songs are coming from the Bad tribute album.
Heather – maybe he was just making a joke, but who know. The only song that it is confirm is Apolo’s man in the mirror.
If Derek can pull off another Nicole/Jennifer A.tango, this will be incredible. He did his best for Maria and Ricki, but with someone as capable was Shawn the possibilities are endless/
I am glad that each of them only have 2 songs, I was worried it was going to be to tight with 3
I am assuming Kelly got “I just can’t stop loving you”…? As for AT music for Shawn or Melissa hmmmm…the only thing that semi sounds like it could work is maybe Dirty Diana?! I think Derek was referring to the album when he said “Bad” not the song…
Oh so glad that Derek/Shawn got the A.Tango. Should be awesome.
I Felt he was referencing the tribute album bad but who knows with Derek he can be very cryptic.
Should be some good scores on Monday. Hopefully Team Shawnough prevail.
Joye – I agree that Dirty Diana could work really week for a A,tango. I think smooth criminal could work for a tango or a A.tango too, there is this version online by “2CELLOS (Sulic & Hauser) – Smooth Criminal” that is amazing (glee dis a version of this version once), it would work perfectly for a A,tango or a tango too.
But I don;t see tree songs in BAD for two a,tangos and one tango, so at least one couple is probably not very happy with their song, I could be wrong.
Melissa and Tony´s Argentine Tango is gonna be amazing.
Can´t wait to see there Caveman Hustle dance.
I can’t imagine TPTB passing up the chance to have Kelly and Val dance the rumba so I’m sure you’re right.
So happy Shawn and Derek got the argentine tango. It’s probably my favourite dance.
Oh my… Derek the king of choreo and Shawn the queen of gymnastics doing the Argentine Tango… I can’t wait to see all the lifts he may come up with to spice up the dance. This sould be a showstopper.
Liberian girl sounds like it could have some tango flavor…I actually think smooth criminal might be a bit fast..but what the heck do I know….can’t wait to see who is dancing to what song!
If it doesn’t have to come from the Bad album I think Stranger in Moscow would be a good MJ song for a Rumba for Apolo\Karina. Pretty slim pickings on Bad other than Can’t Stop Loving You…
avakaran – they are dancing to man in the mirror, it was confirm by the dwts official instagran yesterday.
Joye – Liberian girl is a little slow for a tango, sounds more rumba to me.
I believe the point is that all the songs are off the Bad album to celebrate its anniversary.
Boy, I gotta say after seeing this list I am even more nervous for Apolo. I don’t like the song choice, and knowing that Kelly got really lucky with hers – and knowing the ridiculousness of shippers and how they will play it up – I hope that he can still edge her and Emmitt out.
What hapenned to the 3rd dance? Was it scrapped or is it going to be an instant dance or something similar?
bummer – there is nothing romantic about that and the tempo is all wrong. gah.
I’m glad the there won’t be a third dance. I didn’t like the rushed feeling of last week.
“Bad” sounds more like a regular tango to me so maybe Emmitt and Cheryl have that one and “Smooth Criminal” for either Melissa or Shawn.
I’m guessing “I Just Cant Stop Loving You” for Kelly and Val since Apolo and Karina have “Man in the Mirror”
Yeah Apollo is def man in the mirror- karina was blasting it in her truck from the pap video the other day…emmitt has a tango too- I really don’t know where they are going to find 3 tango songs from the Bad album but they will! Lol
With Stranger in Moscow at least the tempo was better and sultry and they could have gone for a James Bond\Bond Girl Russian hook up type of theme. Oh well. Another awesome dance we’ll never get to see.
Seems the producers are really stacking the deck against them this season with all the faux bottom 2’s and underscoring and now this Rumba song choice before finals on a double elimination week.
The pros did a rhumba to man in the mirror before when they did the tribute to MJ…
I kind of freaked out when I read about the man in the mirror, but Karina hasn’t let us down yet in spite of some bad song choices they threw at her. I think they can do this. They’re so much better than Val and Kelly.
@Figamentation: My thoughts exactly! I think a lot of people will go crazy when they get to live vicariously through Val & Kelly’s rumba… Derek & Shawn and Melissa & Tony will do great with the Argentine Tango and even Emmmitt can be quite presentable with a tango. Poor Apolo & Karina – I want them in the finals so badly!
After reading this I think I have finally figured out what about this season’s Emmit has been so “off” for me personally. It’s definitely the music.
I can remember almost all of the songs from his first season because they were so cool and smooth and really represented Emmit. “Son a Preacher Man,” “Sir Duke,” “Can’t Touch This.” They were fun, flirty and made me want to dance with Emmit. Thought it was a great playlist.
This year, I remember (and not too fondly) “Islands in the Stream.”
I am interested to see what Val will come up with – with a good song he and Kelly can do a very good rumba.
As for Karina and Apolo – off to create more accounts, LOL. That is the only way to help them. This is turning out to be a great season for Karina in terms of choreo – hopefully she will nail it just like she did all the other ones.
One thing to remember about Karina, is that she’s a GREAT! choreographer!
After Derek, I think Karina is the BEST at taking bad music or a difficult challenge, and creating a miracle of dance…. Anyone remember her Foxtrot to “Boom Boom Pow?”
And again, after Derek, I think Karina is the best at taking her partners strengths, and choreographing around the weaknesses.
And, the judges are as tough, or tougher, on her and her partners, as they are on Derek and his partners. Is it fair? No. Does it result in absolutely fabulous work? Yes. Good for the fans of the show, because they are seeing some absolutely FABULOUS dancing from two of the couples still in the show!
This coming Monday night, Apolo and Karina have to be flawless to dance their way to the top.
Is “Man in the Mirror” really that bad a song for the rumba?
I remember the pro number a few seasons ago and liked it very much.
I agree with Lori. Never underestimate the power of Karina Smirnoff, whom I also agree is one of the best choreographers on the show.
If Apolo is to make the finals, he will need the support of his fans.
Oh yeah, I totally agree that Karina is the female version of Derek – innovative, creative, and rises to a challenge. I honestly am astounded at some of the dancing that Apolo has been doing. I think he is the most improved of all the celebs this year (Kelly is also much better, but she started at a lower level). Shawn has also improved her performance skills and added to her technique. Even though I like Melissa, she seems to be the same dancer she was in season 8, and Emmitt hasn’t improved at all. Anyway, I think Karina and Apolo will do great. I also think that giving Kelly such great songs may make it “easier” for them to slip into that third spot.
I would absolutely love Shawn and Derek to do an Argentine Tango to Smooth Criminal. I can see Derek incorporating “the lean” into the dance somewhere. Only Shawn would have the leg and core strength to do that move. Remember when the Jackson family came on and the cast did a MJ tribute and Jermaine and the family commented on Derek. He has the MJ moves that he can slip in, here and there like the 50’s Paso. I’m so excited for this!! The will do a fabulous Bhangra. D is the master at theme dance challenges.
The really sad part is that there are only 2 more weeks of dancing, and with all the drama and crazy judging this is a great season of dancing, really great.
Derek, Karina, Tony – all do a fabulous job, and try to challenge themselves as well as their partners.
One thing I know is this next week I am voting solely for who I want to win. I’m not spreading any votes around for the 3 I want in the final because I’m getting a bad vibe about it. I’m afraid many will assume that this one or that one is safe and throw their votes elsewhere, just so we can have our top 3 in the final. I’m worried it may backfire. This is all stars and competition may be much closer than we think it is. I am not ruling out elimination for anyone. All my votes from now on go to only who I want to win.
First Thought:
Hey look, Emmitt’s going to have to do something other than shake his ass this week.
Kelly with Rumba and shipper fans…..oh please don’t tell me that will push her into the top 3. Kelly knocking out Apolo, Melissa or Emmitt (because Emmitt is a nice guy) would really be a shame. I wouldn’t mind seeing Val in the final, maybe not particularly in this season over Tony, Derek or Karina but not with Kelly. I’m still inclined to think the soap vote isn’t that great because they’re all dying out and then I see she’s made it this far so who knows. So did Gilles and he was a favorite until his horrendous personality threw him out. Maybe TPTB could show that footage of Kelly talking smack about Karina like the miserable child she is but I know that won’t happen.
Tuesday will be a real nail-biter.
C’mon Apolo and Melissa!
Kelly and Val got “lucky” — why do I feel luck had nothing to do with it?
Apolo and Karina *sigh* No matter how amazing Karina’s choreography is to “Man in the Mirror” (bleah), the 3 Stooges will be picking nits and low-balling them into last place on the leaderboard.
Shawn and Derek — ATango! (hip-hip-hooray) So thrilled. Can’t wait to see it and their Bhangra too.
Melissa and Tony should do a good AT as well; a little worried about the hustle.
Off to make more accounts to help Apolo and Karina. They’re gonna need it.
When I said Kelly got “lucky” I meant in terms of Kelly’s flamenco song – BUT, unless the judges only score Shawn and Apolo hard, Kelly could get knocked down IF she and Val do what I suspect they might do. We’re SPECULATING though – we’ll have to wait and see how it goes. Things often change dramatically in Week 9. If Kelly and Emmitt were being overscored so that they stuck around longer than Kirstie, that should stop. It may also stop for Melissa. We’ll see. The lowballing of Apolo and Shawn may also be at an end.
This is the week that will reveal who the judges think might win. They might make it so close that it’s all in the votes. Who knows?
Kelly has been overscored? She has been underscored if you ask me. The judges never let her skate on anything, they are certainly much more excitable when judging the other dancers. Kelly being in the semi’s is simply because the scores she did receive plus her fan vote put her there.
And Shawn has abolutely NOT been lowballed by the judges. She has been overscored on a few things! And Len was abolutely right in giving her that 7. Emmit didn’t deserve that 30…but the male dancers always have it easier anyway.
Well Lisa pardon me but I totally disagree with you. Shawn has been lowballed by Len almost every week except the week she danced with Mark. Good Lord.
Am I the only one having a little trouble as to what MJ song would let itself to an Argentine Tango?? I can see “Smooth Criminal” be a regular Tango…but I’d have to go look up if that song was on his Bad album…I
Lisa, an “in my opinion” or “I think” thrown in every now & then would go a long way in making you not look like a Kelly troll just looking for a fight.
Oh, so I didn’t even have to look it up. I would definitely say Smooth Criminal is being used for one of the three Tangos then.
absolutely right to get a 7? so you are saying that Kirstie was a better dancer than shawn and deserved her 8? let me guess…there wasn’t enough samba for you? again…so tired of that comment, true “dancers” all said there was plenty of samba content in there….give it a rest people.
Lisa – really, so Shawn deserved the 6.5 on week 1 (lowest score of the night after Pam, same as Kirtie), 8 on Rumba, 8.5 on Cha cha, and a 7 when Kirstie got a 8 in one of the worst dances of the season. Shawn is by far the most polish dancer this season, never put a foot in wrong place, of course she is getting lowballed, this is not even a opinion, its a fact.
Kelly is good, but she is never fully polish, she looks unsure of her movements most of the dances. Her dance is better than Emmit for sure, but she can be really sloppy sometimes, and that is why she never got a 10.
This is my opinion and I apologize to be a little bit negative. Like I said for me Rumba is one of the most boring dances to performer in the semifinal for the casual viewers, especially for a male celebrity. The female can get away with rumba especially of the public already have the false idea that is something going on with the couple.
The song is important, and I agree man in the mirror is not a good song, not in term of a romantic way anyway to sell the dance.
I don’t have a good feeling about this. I got the feeling that the producers really wants Kelly in the final.
I got the feeling that the judges are going to be very hard with Apolo on Monday. Hope I’m wrong.
Given that they were assigned a samba..one would expect an abundance of Samba.
Learn to freakin’ read and comprehend, Lisa. I said “IF” Kelly was being overscored. If you actually read the sentence, a thinking person (as opposed to say, a hypersensitive Kelly fangirl) would realize that I was discussing the scoring from the judges perspective. They have been known to score couples in such a way to create a story arch OR (possibly in Kelly’s case) overscore them because they want them to stick around longer than another couple, such as Kirstie.
Kelly has NOT been lowballed in the slightest, IN MY OPINION. I don’t think she’s all that and a bag of chips. Especially not in comparison to Shawn and Apolo and Melissa. Perhaps the judges are more excited over the other dancers because the other dancers are clearly more exciting. Just a thought.
Lisa, get the fuck out if you don’t like it. No one’s holding a gun to your head. And really, the Derek come back is so tired and silly. “Wha wah wah…all you mean Derek fans.” Grow UP. If you want to be a fan of someone other than Derek and play here, you have to behave yourself, not act like an idiot. We have lots of people here who are fans of other people and they post all the time. What they DON’T do is act like assholes.
I think I’ll take actual experts words over yours, Lisa.
And Shawn is still the much better dancer than Kelly.
Guys, this is one of those times where I would advise you not to feed the trolls – if someone comes in here and seems like they’re commenting with the sole purpose of trying to start a fight, they probably are. And if they seem like they’ve never posted here before (and I can tell from the comments history that Lisa hasn’t), the odds of them being a troll go up exponentially. And just judging from what I’ve seen in the past few weeks, if they’re complaining about Shawn, Melissa, and/or Apolo while at the same time praising Kelly and/or Emmitt, the odds of them being a troll also increase. Trolls can’t handle when people don’t share their opinions 😉
Carol, while they might want Kelly to stick around to week 9 since she works for ABC, I don’t think they’re going to purposely lowball Apolo this week. I think the Apolo fans need to relax and VOTE.
Darn, Heidi got to play whack-a-mole with the trolls while I was making my PSA 😛
Courtney, they just don’t understand how much fun I have playing whack-a-troll, otherwise they would stop. 😀
I hope Apolo gets a chance to dance the AT in the finale. It’s such a powerful dance.
This site entertain me so much. I just keep laughing.
I miss Gilles all the sudden.
Thank you PH for putting these out, they really are helpful. All the spoilery goodness and your hard work is appreciated.
This site is so much fun and not just for the info part of it either…LMAO
Don’t forget my cohort in spoiler crime, Courtney. 🙂
And Vogue, our resident media buster.
Priness Heidi and Courtney, When am I going to learn not to have liquids anywhere near me when you play Whack-A-Troll! Hysterical! I going to spread a tarp over the laptop next time I read this site! As much as the trolls annoy you, it makes fun reading for us! Well done, Ladies!
The thing I don’t like about Man in the Mirror for Apolo\Karina is it just isn’t a good Rumba song. It’s an uplifting song & Karina is a master at choreography and yes, the pros have danced a fast Rumba to it on the MJ tribute. But it is not Romantic or slow, the hip action is going to look ridiculous done pro-am. There is no potential for a sexy swoon worthy moment like Kelly\Val’s song. Cue the critiques for lack of chemistry. I hope they can pull it off and they stop scoring on a curve.
Emmitt does what I call wedding dancing, where he dances in place and acts like the life of the party and just shakes his butt and gets 30’s. Apolo works his ass off and looks almost like a pro and they nitpick him. Still hoping for a Shawn\Melissa\Apolo final because Apolo deserves some place on the podium.
I really like this site, can’t believe it took me so long to find it. I hope Derek can make something out of the Knight Rider Bhangra. From the picture they just tweeted, looks like its a bit of work. Any idea who the other people are in the pic? http://instagram.com/p/SGsM5vA3hE/
I agree Heidi with you that we need to relax and vote, but I can’t help it, cause I don’t like that song at all, like I didn’t like that Holding out a Hero but that one turn out to came OK, still didn’t like it.
Probably their field producer, sound guy and who knows who else, Heather.
Is this the Derek version of Planking??
Carol, that was my polite way of saying that the hand wringing is getting to me. There is nothing you can do other than vote.
Maybe that’s part of Derek’s neck therapy lol, stair traction
The show never saved Apolo for last and that says a lot that he maybe in danger with the votes and don’t have the popularity votes. One disadvantage of dancing with Karina is: A lot of people voting were old viewers from the very start dwts was born. They have already formed opinions of Karina and majority of these voters are not huge fans of hers and have disliked her so much in previous seasons.
I bet this week flustered Derek is back, the closest thing that we had this season so far was during the team rehearsal, but that was quite small compare to other season. This Knight Rider Bhangra is definitely giving him some stress plus being the semi finals, he is probably having one of his little meltdowns that happens every season at some point, but they always end up in something amazing.
Shawn says he needs a hug. I am sure there is a long line of ladies that would be happy to help out.
I think that it is going to be very interesting to see how close the judges are going to score derek and shawn’s second dance. For some reason I thnk that next week is going to be the week where she gets 2 perfect scores.
Saying that, Emmit and Cheryl dancing a lindy hop…….this is going to be very fun to watch. perfect dance for him in terms of personality.
Well, based on the instagram posted by DWTSofficial I’m guessing Shawn and Derek have “Bad” for their AT.
http://instagram.com/p/SGzq71D0Vm/
Ok..so dwts instagram is implying that Derek and Shawn are dancing to Bad…how does one do the AT to that????? LOL.
Joye – I’m like What?? Bad for a argentine tango, Derek will make work somehow but hopefully is like a different version, I don’t know, I’m confused right now.
Aww, thanks. I love this! xxx
Curious, have rumbas ever been assigned in the semi-finals or finals before? I don’t remember anyone ever getting stuck having to do a rumba this late in the game, but I admittedly have a very bad memory, so I may be totally off-base.
The rumba is my least favorite dance for a non-pro to do, I never understand the judging. I’ll watch a rumba I thought was decent, and it gets ripped apart by the judges. I’ll watch a mediocre rumba with the male celeb doing very little get raves and 9s. I don’t get it.
More importantly, I don’t think it’s the type of dance people pick up the phone for, even if it’s done well. Admittedly Kelly/Val having it doesn’t hurt them as much as it might Apolo/Karina because it can fit into their showmance storyline. But I still think it kinda sucks for any team to have now.
Could be “Beat It” too?
Oh, I can NOT wait for the MJ dances!! yayyy
After Derek and Rickie’s Psycho Tango, I believe he can do anything.
Chelsea and Mark had the rumba in week 9 and Nicole and Derek had a second rumba in the finale
Nancy – Chelsea Kane, I think Kelly O. got rumba at the semifinal, and they made the finale, so hopefully Apolo will do the same.
“Beat It” isn’t on the “Bad” album though…
The Instagram “Man in the Mirror” picture DWTS posted of Apolo and Karina at least looked interesting. If they can’t do a romantic rumba, I hope they can at least do an emotional one.
In regards to “Bad” as an AT first you have to ask are they using the MJ version or the DWTS singers version?
I all the sudden have a vision pop into my head of an opera choir singing “Your Butt Is Mine.” The opening to Bad.
And NO they are not doing opera MJ.
I think Derek’s got it covered. The worse thing that could happen is Len will give them a 7. Oh, wait. He’s already done that.
I’d be more concerned with hoping Kelly and Val don’t try dancing the “Surfer” Flamenco in a thong and a speedo.
And I could NEVER forget Court and “V”…the other musketeers. You all are very much appreciated. 🙂
I wish it were “Beat It” instead of “Bad” because I like “Beat It” better, but “Beat It” was from the “Thriller” album.
And I totally agree, Vogue, after the Psycho Tango, Derek can do pretty much everything. 🙂
Everybody needs to calm down and think positively.
Think Karina’s been here before she knows what to do and at what level.
Think Apolo’s been here before, and has already said he wants to keep getting better each week.
Think maybe they were in the the beginning of the show because they weren’t in danger, and another couple was and needed help.
Think Apolo only has to compete with Emmitt to prove he’s the best male. While Kelly is/should look inadequate next to Shawn and Melissa.
And lastly think VOTE, VOTE, VOTE. Then close your eyes and cross your fingers and hope to die.
The ideal tempos (in beats per minute – BPM) for the assigned dances in the MJ Round are –
Tango (124-132 BPM);
Argentine Tango (120-128 BPM); and
Rumba (100-108 BPM).
After listening to all of the songs on the “Bad” album, my speculation on the assigned songs is –
Shawn/Derek (AT) – “Bad” (114 BPM);
Apolo/Karina (Rumba) – “Man in the Mirror” (100 BPM);
Melissa/Tony (AT) – “Smooth Criminal” (118 BPM);
Kelly/Val (Rumba) – “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (100 BPM); and
Emmitt/Cheryl (Tango) – “Leave Me Alone” (124 BPM).
BTW, I have listed these guesses in order of my personal assessment of the celebrities’ dance ability.
It looks like Emmitt is screwed. I can’t see him doing well at either of these dances. He might be able to get by with Cheryl dancing around him for the first dance, but he is so screwed for dance number two.
I still like Kelly, but I would love it if the judges said the two didnt have enough chemistry in their Rhumba. I imagine their responses to that would be hilarious. 🙂
If Melissa/Tony were actually assigned “Smooth Criminal”, I think that Tony should copy the costuming of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in “Girl Hunt Ballet” from the movie, “Band Wagon”. Astaire’s fedora, white suit, blue shirt and white tie were clearly the inspiration for MJ’s costume in the official music video for “Smooth Criminal”, although MJ also added spats and suspenders.
Cher! Why oh why would you put the image in my head?! *Groan*
On a semi related note, I searched “bad” on YouTube and found 8 yr old twins who paso’d to it. A. Maze. Ing. I think Derek can handle the AT with Olympian Shawn to it. 😀
Psyched for this week, actually. It has the potential to be awesome.
A lot of Rumbas are much slower than 100 BPM even 80 BPM and not so percussive and have more of a flowing\romantic feel. MJ’s voice is very staccato when he is singing\doing his signature hiccup-y thing at the end of phrases. Good grief, I hope Harold Wheeler and cohorts don’t go crazy with the cowbell in the chorus. Still, if anyone could make this song work, I have faith in Apolo\Karina.
I hope Shawn and Derek got smooth criminal. I would rather see Derek dance to that song.
One of the band singers used to be MJ back singer, every time they have a MJ song he is the one that is singing. He did a great with PYT, and some other mj’s songs, but BAD, when Mario and Karina danced was just not good at all, hopefully he will do better this time.
Melissa: As others have noted above, the photos posted on Instagram by dwtsofficial and by Shawn on her Twitter account make it pretty clear that they have “Bad”, not “Smooth Criminal.”
Laila, I just watched Mario & Karina’s to see what you’re talking about and geesh, I didn’t like that rendition of it either. Though maybe 12 seasons of singing has given him time to better his Mj chops 😉
I never thought a rumba could be done to Material Girl and look what happened!! I’m not a bit worried about Derek & Shawn’s AT, it will be amazing I imagine! However I have visions of Derek coming out in the outfit from the Knight Rider pic he tweeted the other day!!
Breckinridge, I saw the pic. I see that it most likely is depicting bad but for now, I will hope it is not. If it is, I am sure their argentine tango will be great. He can make it work.
Breck, I saw the pic. I see that it most likely is depicting bad but for now, I will hope it is not. If it is, I am sure their argentine tango will be great. He can make it work.
Well, Melissa is going to get another 60. We all know that. Especially if she truly does have “Smooth Criminal” for her Argentine Tango. So, let’s just mark that down right now.
But I am so glad that there will be an Argentine Tango from Shawn and Derek. My favorite dance. I know those two are going to tear it up and probably will be another dance from them that I will watch multiple times. Len is probably going to lowball them with the scores, but I won’t let that ruin my buzz.
Fancy – agree, It is clear that they want her in the finale, last week even before the show everybody already knew she was getting that 60, and she will get it again this week.
I think this is the week that Len will finally end this annoying thing with Shawn and Derek, they are not his favorite, but at this point is getting really lame, especially after the 7. Shawn got her first perfect score with Mark at the semi final with AT, maybe it will happen again (second 30 of the season, but the first with derek dancing, so somehow first 30). But I don’t think they will get the 60,they know she is a shoe in for the finale, so they will probably let melissa have it all by herself.
Good point. Maybe Len finally has to give a ten especially since he knows nothing about Bhangra.
I also see Melissa with a 60 even without her dancing. It seems like are trying to get Melissa to the finals. Now will they score Emmitt down now or are his scores a reflection of his fan base so judges.
laila – totally agree. Last week, as soon as I saw what dances and songs that Melissa had, I knew she was getting a 60. Same thing for this week. They want her in the finale. They might actually want her to win.
I hope this is the week that Len will finally end whatever problem he has with Shawn and Derek. Everyone keeps saying that; I hope it will happen, but I’m not going to believe it until I see it. I want to see her get that 30 with Derek. That one will feel more real than the one she got with Mark. But totally agree that Shawn will not get a 60. She probably should, but she won’t. They want Melissa to have that all to herself.
This is only my opinion – not saying I a right or wrong….
Shawn and Derek – from the pics that Shawn has been posting to Twitter with Derek pulling her hair and being put in a corner (saying guess what our song is this week)my guess their MJ song is BAD!
as far as who is going to win – it’s up to the voters at this point the judges give out a LOT of near perfect or perfect scores from now on leaving it up to the viewers to vote in the winner.
Who should win based on the season so far: SHAWN AND DEREK. Shawn has been almost flawless in her execution of Derek’s choreography. And Derek’s choreography while not always following the rules has been OFF THE CHART entertaining. Derek is choreography for the voting and viewing audience NOT the judges. And I for one is so grateful. After watching all the seasons I have seen one to many look alike dances. That Samba/Tribal dance was Amazing!
But Shawn and Derek are not a shoe in they still have to perform as good or better to win the mirror ball!
Melissa and Tony – should be in the final two – While they are not the most exciting pairing – they are consistent in their execution. She is an amazing dances and she should be she is the only “star” left that has had professional training in Dsnce, Sabrina being the other professionally trained in dance. Melissa and Tony could win this thing if they get the votes.
Apolo and Karina – I think should be in the finals with Shawn and Melissa. Even though I think this pairing has not lived up to their potential I think they deserve a spot in the final.
Emmitt and Cheryl – I don’t know what happened to these two but they are just so so. Nothing special. Emmitt was so much better in his winning season. They lack Passion or something. He may have a huge fanbase but he has not performed as well as the other three.
Kelly and Val – Like Emmitt and Cheryl this pair is lacking. Val covers for her so much. Her foot work is horrible. But she has a lot of soap fans and now that Maks and Kirstie are gone I can see her getting their voters. She could also get Gilles and Peda’s voters too.
Derek and Jennifer also had an instant rhumba to “A girl like you” either in the semis, I think.they kicked it.
Rhea, you have absolutely nothing other than random internet chatter just like yours on which to base this opinion of Karina and most people recognize that the internet chatter does not represent the average viewer.
How does one do a 50’s Paso. Or a Psycho Tango??
I’m hoping he will work it out. Of course, there’s a first time for everything…
You guys are actually talking like they score based on the quality of the dance…..Bwahahahahahaha. Okay, no. 🙂
I can see AT to bad, not easy, but I think Derek can make it work. Really interested in second dance. I think Len may ease up on Shawn and Derek this week, hopefully. He pulled some of this with Nicole and eased up at end if I remember right. They need to score the others like they should be. I think Shawn will get at least one 30 on Monday. Melissa dances ok but if they don’t do a solid routine with some creative choreography, they may not get a 60. It still is going to come down to fan votes. No one is safe. I’ll be voting all I can for team Shawn.
PH, I hope it is not a first for that! Derek is probably exhausted. He is also performing this results show as well. I the press release, he choreographed a number with him, Allison, Kathyn McCormick, Melanie and another dancer. Forgot her name.
They bring out Argentine Tango the week after Gilles gets eliminated. I bet he’s fuming.
I can see an AT to “Bad”. It’ll be different for sure. This week is Derek’s chance to really surprise us with how he can pull off things we don’t expect him to.
Aagh! Cher, how could you (#84)? Just thinking about the speedo and thong is making me queasy.
Cidra, would it help if I gave you another mental image? Think about Len in the speedo, and CAI in the thong…. 😀 Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!
I totally agree, Val will do a paso and put some flamenco here and there, hopefully the judges won’t buy it (who I’m kidding here)
Nah, Melissa – he’s been working on the number with Allison for months. He didn’t just come up with it this week. He’ll be fine. He does better when highly challenged anyway.
I just heard Kelly song, I don’t know much about Flamenco, but that sounds perfect for surfer flamenco thing, the guitar riffs are very surfer and the beat is totally flamenco.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Malaguena the song Chelsie and Derek did that fantastic paso to? If it is…hm. I’m not sure how I feel about it being used for a “surfer” flamenco.
So excited about this number Derek is doing with these dancers.
PH, I hope those dances are going well! I am hoping to read good news from you guys here if you have any to share 🙂
Well, I am DEFINITELY looking forward to Melissa’s and Kelly’s dances after seeing what some of their song choices will be. Great music and possibility for great scores if they nail it. Smooth Criminal for AT. Ugh, so awesome. Still one of my favorite videos to this day.
Not sure about Man in The Mirror for a Rumba, but I have faith in Karina. Still concerned about the Jazz number. Do we know if she has any jazz experience?
Shawn and Derek will be perfection, they always are. Can’t wait to see that either.
Emmitt, meh. I just hope he is required to do more than shake his butt this week to get his 30s.
Maybe Kelly and Val will take the easier way but I can’t blame them. Some other pros took the easier way most of the time and didn’t get called on it, so why bother trying to learn the style you got. Of course I’d like to see a proper flamenco. That’s why I think Tony is a better pro than most of them because he always choreographs for the style he’s assigned.
So glad that Melissa and Tony’s dancing A.T., I hope their song is Smooth Criminal but I think it will be Emmitt’s song. Tony’s A.T.’s are amazing, the one he did with Melissa was one of the best A.T.’s one the show. With A.T. and the hustle, they’ll do the best lifts of the night I guess.
Derek does seem stressedcover the Bhangra with a knight rider theme. I know they are dancing a lot but Derek seems to be really losing weight now. I know they will do a great job. He seems much more stressed than Shawn this week. Can’t wait and hoping for Shawn, Melissa and Apolo final. Love Emmitt but he has not really changed any. I thought Kelly’s arm movements were bad and choppy last week. Her feet always seem a little off. At first I thought she was good but as the not so good dancers have gone IMO her flaws stand out more. Hope the scoring is sane this week.
Derek does seem stressedcover the Bhangra with a knight rider theme. I know they are dancing a lot but Derek seems to be really losing weight now. I know they will do a great job. He seems much more stressed than Shawn this week. Can’t wait and hoping for Shawn, Melissa and Apolo final. Love Emmitt but he has not really changed any. I thought Kelly’s arm movements were bad and choppy last week. Her feet always seem a little off. At first I thought she was good but as the not so good dancers have gone IMO her flaws stand out more. Hope the scoring is sane this week. Who knows what to expect this season.
I know the celebs get paid alot of money but I start to feel really bad in the last 2 weeks of the show for them and I think the pros should def. get a raise for all that they do.I would love for Melissa,Shawn and Kelly to be in the finals with Melissa winning.
Illiana, someone has posted that Karina asked someone who is a jazz dance teacher to help while she is sick. This Tiff girl said that Karina put a comment on face book that she still was in the rehearsal studio and asked for fans to once again send prayers for her to feel better and that they have a lot of work to still do and she really can’t afford to take a break. Fans assuming the female is either Karina’s friend or the male (they might be a married couple) knows her. Either way, I agree. Shirley has been brought in by Mark many times. Mark brought in Corky for Bristol’s Chicago themed freestyle (Corky & Bristol talked about it, but the show didn’t air Corky in their rehearsal). Val and Teddy have been there to step in for Maks with either Hope and Melissa Gilbert. Anna and Jonathan had helped each other in the past.
If I remember correctly, didn’t JR’s quickstep have a fosse/jazz style to parts of it?
Let’s just hope she isn’t that under the weather and that Apolo doesn’t catch it either.
Healthy vibes for everyone lol.
I hadn’t heard that Karina was sick! Poor thing. She’s having a tough go of it. Injuries, cortisone shots and now this. I’m glad she is bringing in someone to help. Apolo appears to be in such good shape mentally and physically that I bet he has a really good immune system. I think athletes have a tendency to gut out their best performances when they are sick. It’s like it forces them to remove all the BS and focus on the goal all the more. I’m thinking Michael Jordan’s epic Game 5 in the late 90s where he somehow managed to score nearly 40 points despite having a severe stomach virus. Gutting out the winning point in the final seconds of the game. So epic.
In reading people’s suggestion that Val may go more paso with this flamenco dance, I wonder how closely they need to adhere to their theme. If it was a true flamenco, they would never even touch each other would they? Don’t pair flamenco dances usually involve dancing side by side and around one another but never in hold? I don’t know much about flamenco, but that’s all I’ve ever observed. If that’s the case, I hope it IS more of a fusion w/ paso or tango or something.
IIRC, Karina said in interviews after the samba/Team Call me maybe show that Apolo was suffering from a stomach bug on that night? So, he is still human after all…LOL. Though, in the week after, they attributed Apolo’s Samba performance due to a fight they had before their dance. There was no mention of any illlness at all. Then again, maybe they just didn’t want to focus on that. maybe the show just wanted to spotlight the fight for added drama.
Thanks for all the info/photos as always. I love the one stop shopping of all the sparkly goodness. And of course, all the entertaining comments and troll knockdowns.
Love the pictures – they all seem to be having a great time. I’m not a big Melissa/Tony fan (sorta blah, middle of the road, not standout or stand down for me), but man they are cute. So happy. all the time. I want those cupcakes.
“ETA: Yes, Kelly may as well be doing another Paso, going by her music (and since Warren and Kym used it as a Paso on the show before). Courtney and I predict that Val takes the easy out, goes mostly Paso and doesn’t get called on it. And they get a 30. Any takers???”
Nooooooooo! Although I think the judges, CAI anyway, like Val no matter who he’s partnered with and want him to stick around, IMO.
I thought this was the week where they call every couple on the stuff they’ve been getting away with the whole season. Isn’t this where Shawn and Apolo get better scores and/or reviews from the judges and those who’ve been over-scored and praised for choppy performances finally get called out. Oh please tell me this will come true.
I can’t wait to see if Kelly and Emmitt get 30’s for dances that are obviously over-scored, if they still lose out in the votes against the other three. I just remember WIlliam Levy getting bizarre praise for literally, only shaking his behind and sliding across the floor and then at the end he gets told it had gotten old. Same for Emmitt’s booty shaking and for Kelly’s, well whatever it is she does.
Like all the other Hougheteers I think Derek will pull this AT off. BUT I wish it was to SMOOTH CRIMINAL. I could have imagined great choreo with exciting storyline and lots of fast AT steps done precisely by Shawn. It would have been criticized by Len for not being sensual enough though. I don’t see an exciting AT choreography by Tony to that song if they got it. Well, at least not as perfect as Derek would have done it.
I’m pretty sure that Karina wasn’t the only one who had someone in the studio (if so).
We shouldn’t forget that there are more “new dances” this week: Dereks Bhangra or Tonis Hustle for example.
Reminds me of week 4: Besides Karina, there were also Peta and Cheryl who asked for help, right?
It seems to be okay, when they get unknown dances.
And it’s true: We’ll never know how much “inofficial” help/advice some of the dancers constantly get!?
However, I’m curious about Monday.
The one thing I hope is that Val gets a little more humbled after this experience. I personally think Val is a great ballroom dancer but lacks other genres and he is just learning how to choreograph for others with dancing limits. Maks spoke to people.con and said Val is freaking out and said he can’t believe he has done this for 13 seasons. Val was always so quick to be judgemental on other pros, celebs, and dances…I think he finally sees that this isn’t as easy as he once thought it to be….so let’s see how creative you can be now Val when the lights are the brightest…..
Oh wow … I think this week’s theme Michael Jackson’s Bad album may be a mixed blessing. I’m sure they will all try to implement some famous MJ moves and it may appear for the stars at least and perhaps even for some of the pro’s as bad MJ Karaoke moves.
Well, I dunno – being on the show for 13 seasons hasn’t stopped Maks from being judgmental on other pros, celebs, dancers, etc. Yes, let’s see if Val rises to the challenge or cops out and does a Paso like we expect him to.
Sure, others have taken the easy way this season and not gotten called on it – but it’s the semi-final. Time to hang with the big boys/girls.
Well, Derek was thrilled with his AT music so I’m not worried about that. The Knight Rider thing does seem to be giving him trouble though. Not the Bhangra part – it seemed like he had a good handle on that part, it’s actually incorporating the theme that it sounded like he was having trouble with. I imagine he’ll figure it out. I hope.
PH, I can see where he would like the AT music. I think that is going to be one awesome dance. The KR theme is a little off the wall, but I think he will come up with something. I think all the themes have the potential for diaster. One thing to do the dance, another to tie it into a theme, especially ones as way out as these. As someone said earlier, no one is safe and people have to vote for their favorites, not which ones they want in the final.
Happy to see Val and Kelly dance again. Good luck guys……
I’m so looking forward to seeing what Derek offers up for our consummate entertainment this week. Another poster mentioned that we’ve seen from other pros many similar-looking dances. I took a you-tube trip down memory lane and watched Derek’s dances and performances from several of the previous seasons. What stands out over and over again is not only his exquisitely beautiful and exceptional dancing but also that his choreography is uniquely tailored to the celebrity’s strengths so that many of the elements are different from person to person although there is a basic adherence to the core elements of the dance. When he really gets creative, he takes a dance to another planet of amazing-ness. That’s why I am not worried about the AT this week or the Bhangra. I am just going to sit back and be prepared to be blown away, as usual.
I think Derek will come up with another amazing dance 🙂 he usually does! The man has a gift! No doubt about that!
I had a thought and wanted to get some opinions. First, let me just clarify that I love all of the dances that Derek choreographs, and since I am not trained in ballroom I don’t notice when he deviates from rules. Then Len starts saying how much he disliked the lack of content or rule breaking and gives Derek and Shawn a low score. Even though I can’t remember Len ever saying it, does he maybe feel like Derek is cheating by not adhering to the traditional ballroom rules and is that maybe why he feels he needs to dock so many points each time? Since it is my first time commenting, I would like to say thank you to PH, Courtney, and Vogue for all of the entertaining writing and opinions. You are all awesome!
Well, at least the song they have for the Bhangra has the bass line from the Knight Rider theme song – but I still have a hard time trying to imagine the two together. I’m sure Derek has come up with something great though.
I don’t see the connection between Malagueña and the surfer theme either.
The scores they get from the judges are not important, it’s all about the votes from us! That’s decisive. So if you have a favorite and want them to be in the final, you have to vote! Not thinking: I don’t vote/ or vote for someone else because I’m sure she/he reach the final. NOBODY is safe! Everybody can leave the show tuesday: Shawn, Melissa, Apolo, Kelly or Emmit.
I’m hoping for a Melissa, Apollo and Shawn final, but I really want Shawn to reach the final.
The judges will help Melissa monday, I’m sure about that. Don’t get me wrong, Melissa is a great dancer and I hope she reach the final. But the 2 perfect scores she got monday weren’t right in my opinion. It was good, but not perfect. But I’m sure she gets 2 perfect scores again monday. They want her to be in the final. That is clearly.
Cheating? No. In order for it to be cheating there would have to be a DWTS rule that states you must have X amount of samba in a Samba. There’s no such rule. Does Len get annoyed that Derek doesn’t put in as much content as he would like?? Nope, I don’t even believe that. I think he calls it out for two reasons. 1 – He feels like he has to stick to ballroom content rules because the other two might not. 2 – He’s creating a story arch aided and abetted by the producers. You see it every season – there’s always a couple who gets picked on by Len, only to be “redeemed” in the end. It’s pretty false. I think that this season it’s Shawn, while Apolo is also nitpicked by them as well.
Buttercup has said that Len LOVES Derek and holds him to a higher standard because of it – I think that’s also fairly obvious. Derek said that Len came up to him after the show and raved about the Samba. So, there you go. It’s a TV SHOW.
I wonder how the band will do with Shawn and Derek Bhangra song, maybe they are using just the instrumental parts or they are using the track like they did with the team dances. I don’t know why but after watching their samba for the one hundred time, I’m not sure if the band was actually playing that live.
I wouldn’t be so sure that Melissa gets a perfect score on Monday. Things tend to change in the 9th and 10th weeks. Maybe she will, maybe she won’t.
PH I think you are right on target about Len. I think the producers have a lot to do with the scoring (and everything else). I get really mad at Len but now since I have calmed down and went back and watched the video of Shawn, Derek and Mark I can see on the one where it shows Len right before he delivers his verdict that he looks like he is having trouble getting ready to say what he does say. He is nervously scratching his check and just looks uncomfortable like he is thinking “Damn, I just saw a perfect dance and now I have to rip it”. Of course that could be wishful thinking on my part as I really hate to think such bad things about Len…But, this should be the week it all comes together. Hopefully..:)
I live in the UK and I can confirm that Len and in fact all the judges in the UK speak highly about Derek. They wanted to steel him from DWTS. But because SCD is strict with the ballroom dances rules, I don’t think Derek want it to do it.
I Mean Is very Difficult for the professionals get creative when they are restrict to do ballroom rules.
I haven’t read through the whole thread, so forgive me if this has been asked/answered ….. are Melissa & Tony dancing last again?
OMG, love the pic of Karina and Apolo! 🙂
I agree with princess Heidi. I am not so sure about Melissa geting perfect scores. I think Shawn and Derek will get at least one 30 if not 2. I think some of this is scripted to create drama, but people still have to vote for who they want in the final. I feel both dances are going to awesome but I think the AT to Bad will be over the top.
Gee thanks, Sally (#112), that fixed me right up
The semis are gonna be very interesting. I validated some more accounts so I’m ready to do battle with the Stooges over who gets into the final.
LOL, just listened to the Bhangra music over at PDH. I kinda like it and am confident Derek will come up with something amazing, but no way will the singers be able to pull it off! They better put on the CD and sit this one out! 😀
jimmbboe, you lucky dog, you get to enjoy the beautiful Karina from two angles in one pic.
I agree, it’s a lovely picture.
Derek didn’t sound very happy in his last tweet. I’m sure the dancing will be great, but theme thing is just stuped, they just don;t go together, and is not like he can just wear the costume to the theme and dance to the dance and people will just get it. Like the cavemen Hustle , they can wear some caveman costume’s , do the Hustle and still people will get it, the same can be said about the flamenco surfer and the jazz.
Knight rider is about a freaking car, so if you can;t have a car and there is no identifiable costume, how you use the theme on that, specially doing a indian folk dance.
Derek still isn’t happy with the theme:
On twitter: We cant use the car from knight rider. Not sure why they gave us the theme if we couldn’t use anything from the show . Blah
Lol, you can read my mind laila 😉
I just wish they did not emphasize the theme. The Bhangra song has nothing to do with knight rider except part of the theme song. Without pushing the theme, think Derek could choreo a great dance.
In the end, no offense, but how can Len, Carrie Ann or Bruno judge it. I mean they are not experts. What could they say and after giving Giles tens for Bollywood, Len’s agenda will be more obvious if he underscores Shawn and Derek again.
#Kellyfan, we don’t know the order yet, and won’t until after they do camera blocking, and people tweet out the order they dance. Right now, the order is just where PH typed them in, and as she finds the order, she’ll move them around.
#Lori – Thank you! 🙂
Maybe Derek should see if “The Hoff” is available…
Hoff should stay far away from this. I think just doing a subtle nod to the show itself is enough.
I agree 100% Melissa. Just a silly, random thought. I do suspect he may be the only thing available from the show.
It’s much more likely that they can’t afford him…or any of the dwts pros, for that matter. From what I’ve heard the dwts pros make a lot more money. And no offense, but why would anyone go from a full time job on tv in America where the better market (not to mention Hollywood) is to the UK. That’s going backwards. The UK pros would kill to be on the us version.
I think Derek’s point was, Melissa, that he can’t use *anything* from the show. That’s his word choice anyway. If true, someone better tell the judges. Especially since those with an easier theme (KELLY) appear to be bailing on it as suspected.
If that is the case, I agree the judges and Derek should know. He got the toughest assignment and he is intense. He gives it all his all to meet the high expectations.
I still think the judges better not be stingy. They gave Gilles Bollywood tens.
I think val and derek got the toughest themes to actually match to the dance. personally its just hard for me to see how to match surfing-flamenco and knight rider- bhangra
i think cave man hustle and espionage lindy hop are sort of in the middle
and big top jazz seemingly the easiest to imagine meshing
What I don’t get is why they chose a TV show for a theme. Maybe it’s because I never watched the show, but the phrase “Knight Rider” didn’t really lend itself to an image to me, at least not before I googled it. Cave man, espionage, surfer, big top, etc.–anybody can picture those and imagine a theme. Knight rider? Not so much.
Sara – totally agree, that was actually my point, even if they don’t put any theme in the choreo, just the costume and the set will be easy to recognize the theme, but Knight Rider, if they don’t use the car, what they have left. They only choose the theme for the bhangra because of the Knight Rider theme song, I don’t think they actually thought about it.
for derek its not so much the theme in of itself thats bad, but the fact that they cant use the car or anything from the show…makes the theme pretty almost pointless
Knight Rider was very popular (and recently had a spin-off show) so it’s fairly reasonable for TPTB to think Knight Rider is known in my opinion(especially to the main DWTS demographic).
I agree that Derek and Val probably have the most difficult assignments.
But as we don’t know the songs the others have yet it’s hard to say how easy/difficult Tony, Karina and Cheryl might find the combinations.
Laila–wait really? Sorry if this has been asked, but did Knight Rider have an Indian music theme song?
Have you guys heard if lifts are being allowed in all the weird dances?
Sara – yes, the Knight Rider theme is a Bhangra song (and part of it is in the song Shawn and Derek are dancing to)
The Knight Rider theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbnCQnDnfjs
Sara – I THINK that the theme song was like a remix of a indian song.
Jen – I think so, half of the Hustle and the Lind hoop are lifts, so they will probably allowed everyone to make it far like they did in week 4.
Jen – I’m sure lifts are allowed. You can’t really do a Lindy Hop without lifts
on a positive note, I actually think derek got a great song! My university had a pretty bad ass bhangra group, and they would dance to that song a lot. I actually think bhangra is more easily crowd pleasing than bollywood.
Laila–wow. Hm. I guess that kind of makes sense? Still, the whole thing is completely out of left field. Thanks for the info.
I’m wondering how much from that show is copyrighted. Couldn’t they have a red laser light with a voice over telling them their next assignment in in India?? Derek could wear leather (uhhhhh) and Shawn could wear the traditional dress. Close enough.
Yeah, Derek can do great things with that song. The question is, are the judges going to use the lack of Knight Rider stuff to low ball them again?? Having just watched the results show from last week, I’m rather pissed at the scoring games they’re playing.
Yo – the song is pretty awesome, I played the other day in the JUST DANCE 4, the choreo is actually really fun too in the game. I have no doubt the dance will be amazing, and like everybody said I don;t think Derek is worried about the dance, is the all Knight Rider that worries him. He know how annoying and pick the judges are sometimes, no matter how good the dance will be, they can easily be like “where was the Knight Rider on that”(but I;m not even sure that they all know Knight Rider anyway).
PH – that is actually a great idea, try to tweet him (who knows). I thought about the leather for Derek, and the traditional for Shawn too, it seems like the obvious choice. She could wear a tradicional costume in black and gold, or silver.
The results show with the video of the judges during the dance just annoyed me so much, Len is joke right now, he lost the little credibility that he once had, or never had.
Odds are good that if I’ve thought of it, Derek has too. He just sounds SO annoyed with the whole thing, but I still think he’ll manage.
So Melissa got the best song out of the five, surprising. Dirty Diane sounds more like a A.tango than Bad for sure.
melissa & tony got my absolute favorite song off of bad, and one of my all time fav MJ songs…i know im going to love this a. tango
#116 Sara – yes, Malaguena is the Derek/Chelsie paso, HOWEVER, they basically only used one or two chords? Phrases? from the entire song (also used some that I think actually aren’t in the song at all) and just repeated them over and over, changing the keys or the tempo, which was, if you ask me, brilliant in itself – so simple but SO powerful.
If anyone feels like hearing something amazing, listen to a Jose Feliciano version of Malaguena. I say “a version” because he never played it the same way twice – and it was absolutely beautiful every time – ESPECIALLY the chord or musical phrase (so sorry, I’m not sure of the term!) that was so predominantly used in Derek and Chelsie’s dance.
I went back and watched the couples picking dances for each other and I have a few comments.
1.) Gilles dance would have been a blinding train wreck. I’m so glad we won’t have to witness it.
2.) After Kelly received her dance she… SMILED *gasp* lol. I’m not sure why so many people said she did not smile once during the result show.
2.) Melissa should not have the highest score. She is good, but Shawn is better. Shawn should have been first.
4.) Tom is funny. 🙂
Lindsey- She is only one point above Shawn, her 60 and Shawn 7 was pretty much the reason why she is the highest score right now. Shawn was first before that, her rightful place I agree.
Are we that surprised to hear Melissa is doing well with the AT and got the best song? Lol. Yawn. Bet she gets a 60 too and praised that she is the best and what all stars is all about blah blah. I wish they did not push the theme because by songs alone, these could be all great dances. The Bhangra song by itself could be an amazing dance,
I have confidence Derek can get it together but he does seem annoyed. Do not blame him.
Wish the show would be more subtle in their love for Melissa though I have no idea why. She is nice and she is drama free but still not memorable for me.
Dang it! Was hoping to hear some news on Apolo and Karina. Oh well, Is it Monday night yet?
Well I for one am thrilled with the blatant Melissa love from the show! LOL. I love her too so I can certainly understand why the show does! Gilles got all the love on season 8 and Melissa got nitpicked by Carrie Ann so now it’s her turn to get some lovin’. I am also very happy to hear her AT is going well.
Now the lack of love for Apolo pisses me off on the other hand. So I hope he gets loved up this week to make up for it.
I’m delighted to hear Melissa is doing well with the ATango and got a good song.
Since the judges score mostly on who’s dancing, not how well they dance, I’d just as soon see everyone dance well. That way I can at least enjoy the performances.
Melissa _ I totally agree with you, I can already see Len saying “you are the best and what all stars is all , you deserve a place in the finale “, he pretty much said that last week, and gave that standing o for her waltz.
She does deserve a place in the finale, but come on , lets get more subtle people.
The show always shows love to those they think should be in the finale but who might not get the votes. Look at it logically. From where I’m sitting, it seems clear that the three best dancers are Apolo, Shawn and Melissa – by a freakin’ mile. Apolo and Shawn MIGHT be getting an ass ton of votes, while Melissa might not – it seems logical. They are much beloved Olympians, and Melissa, while totally charming and cute to the point that *I* love her, just isn’t as well known, and is a long way out from her original story of the “woman scorned”. She’s actually much closer to an Audrina or a Kristin now – beautiful, good dancer who runs the risk of being forgotten among the power house fanbases and flashier dancers. So, in order to get the finale they think they want AND still keep some drama and story arc going on, they underscore Apolo and Shawn and overscore Melissa.
Really, Melissa was way out in front when she technically shouldn’t have been. But she needed to be in order to survive. The rest were all in a tight pack except Kirstie who everyone knew was the next to go. I don’t think Apolo and Shawn need an excessive score in order to stick around. I could be wrong. This week will be interesting – if they score Emmitt and Kelly substantially lower, then I think we’ll know I’m right. I would also expect the shitting on Apolo and Shawn to stop, but we’ll see.
The problem is, when you continually shit on someone like Apolo, people might start to believe it and not vote for him. Shawn is a different story, I think, because the shit on her was SO much more obvious and more mean spirited on Len’s part that it served as a motivating factor on her fans. I could be wrong all the way around. It would not surprise me if Apolo was eliminated. It would not surprise me if Shawn was eliminated. Even after Sabrina and Gilles were supposedly shockingly (NOT) eliminated, people still make bad assumptions. That’s my concern with Shawn.
I don’t think Melissa is ever overscored. She was clearly the best dancer on last Monday’s show. Of course everyone has different opinions.
I wish Melissa & Tony got the Smooth Criminal but Dirty Diana fits the A.T. so, no problem. I’m glad that Tony’s getting some normal music that fits the dance style. He had a lot of weird songs before. He always managed to choreograph something amazing though… Now, I wonder what their hustle music is?
With regards to Len’s standing ovation for Melissa’s waltz, Tony mentioned in an interview afterwards that it was due to Melissa’s technique. He said he really drilled using heel leads throughout, and Melissa *did* them (which according to Tony, very few celebs do), and that’s why Len stood for her. That makes sense to me – it would be something that Len would appreciate and see, even if the average viewer wouldn’t notice.
Heidi you could be right and they want Melissa in the finals but she might not be getting the votes. But, I can think of an alternate theory too… they could be showing her love right now because she *is* getting enough votes to make the finals but maybe still not enough to beat Shawn, but they want to set her up as a potential contender to beat her. They may have in the beginning have thought Gilles would be that rival so he was getting their love at first, but once they saw he was not getting the votes he got knocked down in scores and got the boot because they knew he’d never make it that far. Shawn started out strong early (and has stayed strong) but Melissa started to break out more from the pack with her Viennese Waltz and so now maybe they are reflecting that in the scoring, that what is happening with Shawn and Melissa this year is sort of the reverse of season 8. Melissa and Gilles were considered theearly frontrunners to win in that season, and Shawn came on strong the last several weeks to take the win. So this year the storyline can be… Shawn was the early frontrunner, but here is Melissa coming on strong at the end, can she beat her? She probably won’t, but, it makes a good storyline for the show I think.
It just seems like the more I read around boards, Melissa and Tony have been gaining in popularity over the course of the season, so I think it’s possible they have been getting enough votes to actually reach the finals. Maybe I am being deluded by my biased love for her, but it just seems she is even more well liked than she was in her original season with even some people that did not like her then, rooting for her now.
I’m not sure what they are doing with Apolo unless they want to have him as an underdog but of a different kind than Melissa. Melissa is an underdog in the sense that she’s the only non-winner, and they need to make it look like Apolo is vulnerable and can be beaten while he probably is getting the most votes after Shawn.
I’m sorry if my rambling post doesn’t make sense. It makes sense in my head at least. LOL
Anon – standing o because of a heel lead, that is a first for sure. I pretty sure a lot of people over the seasons have danced with the right technique and never get a standing o from Len because of that. And I’dont know much about the right technique and I’m sure Melissa did right in that dance, but lets not forget she danced that waltz in flats, not heels, witch make things a lot easy for sure, especially if you are doing a heel lead.
I also hope they DO score Kelly and Emmitt substantially lower, and for the reasons that they should… because they just aren’t as good as the rest!
No, Melissa was NOT the best dancer on last Mondays show. Not even close. Look at her first dance again and the distance between her and Tony’s bodies. Shawn did a much better job on body contact in her quickstep. Her paso was still too soft, but compared to Gilles, Kelly and emmitt, she was better. But the best? No.
Season 15 surpassed my expectations. Look at the final 5. When I watch their original season dances, it’s hard to tell they’re the same people. Kelly wasn’t as passionate as she is now during season 1, Emmitt’s footwork wasn’t as clean as it is now, Apolo’s lines are getting smoother every week. I didn’t include Melissa and Shawn, because I don’t know what to say, they’re dancing like a professional dancer now. Melissa and Shawn were not dancing like this when they first started, but now their hard work and dedication pay off. All in all, I guess this semi-final will be judges and the audience’s favorite semi-final.
#187 “Dang it! Was hoping to hear some news on Apolo and Karina. Oh well, Is it Monday night yet?”
Maybe no news is good news in this case. Especially with the word that Emmitt and Kelly are struggling with choreography.
I agree with PH, Melissa is one of the best, but not the best for sure.
Like someone mention once, her dancing is great, but pretty much the same from season 8.
No question that Shawn is the best (favoritism apart) , even the judges know that, just the fact that this entire season she never ever got one critique on her dancing, only complements (apart from Carrie ann mentioning her solo, that shawn forgot ), even Len who always has something to say about feet, posture, never said one thing, not even once, even his favorite Gilles got marks on his posture, arms, feet all the time, Melissa got too, everybody but Shawn, that says something to me.
Like Shawn said in a interview once, Derek make sure that she know all the right technique first. Every time that Shawn and Derek got a bad score was based on something “not proper / or illegal” in the choreo, most of the time just pure BS.
I would say Apolo is the second best, because not only he is a better dancer now but Karina is pushing him with the choreo, still not In the level of Shawn, but IMO above the others for sure. Melissa is a close third for sure.
Karina said they have been practicing from 10am until 10-11pm for the past 2-3days. At least they are putting the effort. Hopefully, it pays off. 🙂
I rolled my eyes when I saw that Melissa and Tony got “Dirty Diana” for their Argentine tango. Yeah, she’s getting that 60 for sure on Monday. She’ll probably get another standing ovation from not just Len, but all three of the judges this time and yes, that whole speech of “This is what all stars is all about!” Then, they’re going to prop her throughout the final to a win.
This next elimination is going to be nerve-wracking.
Just read another negative Apolo prognosis .. somewhere .. about still missing fun factor and so on – umm, really?!
I think those people definitively haven’t watched his interviews .. made me think .. the MAJORITY of people probably haven’t watched his interviews!?
The show itself didn’t showcase him in the best way (packages, underscoring) and I’m concerned that a lot of people are starting to believe that nonsense.
Unfortunately, I think he’s in huge danger on Monday.
I think that the producers really want him out at this point (and if not at this point, then definitively at the next possible one) and that there’s too much constant negativity from the very beginning to be just a created drama for the viewers.
However, I will vote for Apolo/Karina – ’cause they’re my favourite couple this season!!
And – I like their rumba song, it’s powerful and I think their dance will be too. Hopefully they’ll create a great mystic scenery with mirrors etc. .. would be soo beautiful!!
I agree with PH #191. I am concerned that alot of people think Shawn is a shoe in for the final and split their votes. I don’t think anyone is safe and people need to vote for the 1 team they absolutely want in the final(I’m biased for Team Shawn).
Like mentioned above, can they use the idea of the voice from the car or is that copywrited too? They could use Suri’s voice off iphone, that idea anyways. Just a thought.
We have 3 couples who are dancing the Tango. So I hope the order will be:
1. Melissa with Argentine Tango
3. Emmit with Tango
5. Shawn with Argentine Tango
I agree Melissa. I would like to see Shawn last of the three. Referencing what I said above, would it be a violation if he for instance started by asking Suri what he was doin today and he was time warped back to India(just throwing ideas out). The car in KR was always talking. Would get the idea across and if Derek is in leather and shawn in tradional indian dress, something like that might work. This theme is really wacky. Oh well off to create more shawn accounts to vote.
And ofcourse PH we don’t know if Melissa gets the 2 perfect scores again, but I just have a weird feeling about it 🙂 She is good, but the judges are too positive in my opinion. It’s not always perfect. And when other couples are making (little) mistakes, they don’t get a 10..
After listing to Bad a couple of times more, I’m finally getting excited about the song on a a.tango, not your tradicional a/tango song for sure, and Derek normally getts really tradicional songs for his a.tangos, but now I can actually see a A.tango with the song. Still don;t know why they didn’t give them or anyone Smooth Criminal, just seems like the most obvious choice for tangos in general.
Laila, I so agree with you. I think it actually is an awesome AT song especially for derek and shawn. With her abilities, they can do alot of great footwork, and lifts in it. It’s not traditional, but I have a feeling it might be pretty steamy when they get done. I am sure it is one I am going to want to watch again. Off to creat more accounts to vote for team shawnough.
I really hope that Apolo and Shawn dances fourth and fifth tomorrow! You are surely right about that in don´t affect the voting (which order you dance) but I think that for Apolo and Shawn confidence it matters,at least he said so in interviews, let him have the pimp spot!
You’d think the show would want a dynamic finals and I believe we all pretty much know the two couples who need to be there to make that happen. Let’s hope tptb take their meds Monday.
Here’s my prediction (based on what was happening so far): I think the judges definitely want Melissa in the finals, so she will get the perfect 60, and they know that Shawn ought to be in the finals even though they might not want it, but at this point it would be too obvious to underscore her, so she will get the perfect 60 as well. Now, for the other three, we’ll see 9.5s because they want the most popular of the three to be in the finals, so they will score them close and let the viewers decide who gets in.
I want to see Apolo, Shawn and Melissa in the finals, but I definitely don’t think Melissa is the best of them. She is too balletic, lacks proper hip action and the “earthiness” of latin dances, but she’s pretty good in standard. Shawn I think is the best overall package. Apolo is the close second, but I too worry that the viewers are starting to believe the crap the judges have to say and I think Apolo is in real danger. Plus, he has rumba, which is very hard to do well and with impact on the audience – it’s not like AT. Kelly and Emmitt are definitely the weakest dancers left, and for me Kelly is just not graceful, and Emmitt is not doing enough even though he’s naturally more talented. But, due to the large fanbase, I see him in the finals with Shawn and Melissa… Hope I’m wrong, off to make more accounts to vote for Apolo.
I also hope that Susanne 🙂
Last show Shawn danced first, Apolo second, Kelly fourth, Emmett sixth and Melissa seventh.
I know the dance order doesn’t matter, but I like this for monday 🙂
1. Melissa (AT)
2. Kelly (Rumba?)
3. Emmitt (Tango)
4. Apolo (Rumba)
5. Shawn (AT)
I like your order Naomi. I would like to see shawn last and Melissa go first. I also agree with Tina. I think Shawn will get at least one 30. I am not sure Melissa will get 60. It is going to be interesting to say the least. It is going to come down to fan votes. Off to make more accounts for Shawn/Derek. I have to write down at this point user names and passwords to keep track.
Apolo has a crap card to play with rumba this week. As Tina says, above, it’s hard to really wow the audience with the rumba – particularly for a male celeb. It’s a tricky dance for the pro to choreograph because CAI and Bruno want raunch and Len doesn’t. They all nitpick on the hip action. So the chances of getting a perfect score are pretty nil. Add to this the fact that Kelly/Val have rumba as well, and I get the feeling TPTB are setting it up to make Kelly appear to be a better dancer than Apolo which is laughable, in my opinion.
Sounds like Apolo/Karina are rehearsing insane hours. I hope Karina is getting enough rest so she doesn’t come to Monday physically and emotionally exhausted. She gets a bit overwrought when she’s overtired. Apolo seems totally unflappable. So I don’t worry about him.
I think they’ll do a beautiful rumba, and a fun and flashy “Big Top” Jazz number. I’ll be thinking positively and doing my part — voting hard to get them into the finals where they belong (alongside Shawn and Melissa). Go Team CMM! 😛
Apologies for writing a novel.
I agree that generally the Rumba doesn’t have audience impact like the Tango. But do we know which set of dances are being done first? If it’s like last week and the Trio’s finished the show, we’re talking a whole new ballgame for the casually voting TV audience.
I think the two theme dances that have the most potential for blowing the show out of the water are Apolo/Karina’s Jazz and Derek/Shawn’s Bhangra. If these two couples have come up with something memorable, I think you’ll see them finish the show in the last two spots. At that point, all the Tangos, and even the Rumbas may seem to fade together and those two theme dances could leave the TV audience buzzing.
Colleen- I may or may no i uset have an organized excel spreadsheet for all the emails, Internet browsers, and computers.
I have a serious problem 😉
Oh gosh. Emmitt’s song makes so much sense now… Haha! I’ll definitely have to look up Melissa’s AT song. Dang! I’m surprised NEITHER one of the tangos got Smooth Criminal!
Um, that previous post should read:
Colleen- I may or may not have an organized excel spreadsheet for all the emails, Internet browsers, and computers I use.
I have a serious problem 😉 and apparently one of them is typing a post on my iPad. Sigh.
Sounds like Apolo and Karina need some positive vibes sent their way…. 🙂
Knowing the talent of Miss Karina Smirnoff… No worries coming from me. I feel confident they can pull it off. Positive! Positive!
They might prop her to the final, Fancy, but I don’t think they care who wins. I expect, if Melissa, Shawn and Apolo make it to the final, that the scores will be so close as to be irrelevant.
Rachel, Just put everything in spreadsheet. Much easier to keep track of for everything I use.
Colleen, welcome to the crazy club 😉
I can’t even imagine why the judges would not want Apolo in the final? Unless they just don’t want two Olympic Gold medalists in there which makes no sense to me. But I am feeling that he may be in trouble and I feel pretty sure that Emmitt will go home this week and I am worried about Melissa with fan votes. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a final of Shawn, Melissa and Kelly…. or Shawn, Kelly and Apolo…I feel an upset coming this week that either Melissa or Apolo will be eliminated and that Kelly’s fans will put her through. But whatever happens I know I am voting this coming week for the win. I do have a favorite 3 but no splitting votes for me this week. I’m all in for my favorites. The one who has out danced every person there all season is getting my votes.
Apolo jazz song Stink , really, I don’t see jazz on that. Melissa got lucky plus the usual help that 60 is hers. So tony did well on the AT, any news on Shawn’s AT or bangra?
I agree – if they hadn’t picked the songs live I would be VERY suspecious.
Melissa and Tony/Emmitt and Cheryl have dances where all three parts go together: dancestyle, song and theme.
Shawn and Derek/Kelly and Val have songs that go with their dancestyles but where the themes doesn’t fit at all
And Apolo and Karina have a dance that go well with the theme but I’m not sure their song does
I also find the Jazz song strange. Plus, Karina’s been given that song before. Albeit, it was about 5 years ago… Makes me wonder what she can do with it…
Also, I hope Emmitt goes first tomorrow night…
I agree Shawn and Kelly really have themes which don’t go with the dance styles. But at least for Kelly’s wardrobe I could see a long Hawaiian hula dress which would not look weird doing the flamenco. Val would be the shirtless surfer. Picture perfect! 🙂
Derek in black leather and permed hair … ?!?? :-/ Sorry, but as much as I love Derek, this look would oust Gilles’ chacha look from the top of the leaderboard.
Tony, when did Karina dance to that…with who? Thanks.
Just when I though I’d have free time to bake….off to make voting accounts. Sigh.
Definitely voting for APOLO! Throwing my positive vibes! Im definitely creating more accounts for them as they deserve to be on the finals just like what everyone said! Im pretty sure Karina can pull off a great choreography for both songs/dances!
I know a lot of people were not happy with Apolo rumba song, but I much prefer man in the mirror than “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” . I’m more worried about the jazz song for sure.
One huge difference between Derek and Mark is that Derek WON’T wear anything over the top ridiculous. At least, he never has before. 🙂
If Karina and Apolo go for something like Mark/Chelsie jive piece, it could actually work with that song. I LOVED that dance , and that jive was very jazzy, very circus with this kinda pop/rock type of song, it was one of the dances that got mark his emmy nomination.
#231 @laila I’m glad I’m not the only one who prefers ‘Man in the Mirror’! I was starting to think I was crazy for being happy that Apolo got that one and not ‘I Just Can’t Stop Loving You’. Man in the Mirror I just think is a better song, and more popular. So what if it isn’t as romantic, I sure don’t care! Rumbas usually bore me, but if the song is great then it is more likely to keep my attention. I’m already bored thinking of a boring Rumba to I Just Can’t Stop Loving You, but I’m interested in seeing one to Man in the Mirror.
Laila, I am also,wondering how Shawn’s At is going. I think Melissa will do fine and the judges propped her enough to get her to the finals.
I think Kelly and Shawn for screwed on the themes, the songs by themselves are fine but the themes? Hope the judges are aware of that but doubt it.
I,too, prefer “Man in the Mirror” .. it’s a powerful song, Apolo is a powerful man and it will be a powerful dance.
I’m sure it will be a very passionate rumba (and not boring at all)!!
Melissa, Shawn and Derek really never seem to say how their dances are going. They seem to always hold everything close to their chest. Hopefully, they are going well.
I hope so too, Colleen. Finals without Shawn and Derek would be a bore IMO. They have delivered the best dances and Shawn has been a revelation improvim from season 8 and I feel she is the most complete dancer despite Len’s comments.
I think some people are drastically underestimating Melissa’s popularity and votes. I think her fanbase has grown by leaps and bounds the past couple of weeks and she could easily beat Shawn/Apolo/Emmitt. I would not be surprised at all to see Melissa win the whole thing. To assume she’s getting propped because she’s not getting the votes is a big mistake. I also don’t think Shawn and Apolo have these huge fanbases way ahead of the others either. I see loads of support for Melissa online and it’s only growing. People love the underdog and she has a very likeable personality. People are happy for Tony too.
Take the TV guide poll for instance. This whole season Shawn has been leading every week with like 50% of the vote, and the second closest competitor had 15%. Melissa was always near the bottom with only 5%. But with all her perfect scores the last few weeks, she is now tied with Shawn on the poll with both of them at 35%. So Shawn has gone down 15% while Melissa has gotten a huge increase of 30%. I don’t think Melissa is struggling for votes at all. She probably was at the beginning of the season, but not now. Those perfect scores Melissa gets influence a lot of voters who let the judges tell them who the best dancer is, instead of actually watching the dances and seeing her flaws and forming their own opinions.
The people online are the minority of viewers for the show, not the majority.
The majority of people still know Apolo and Shawn more than Melissa. Melissa isn’t an Olympic hero like those two are, so I think it’s a bit of stretch to say that Melissa has a bigger fanbase than either Shawn or Apollo.
While I agree Apolo, Melissa and Shawn would be the best final 3, I would be fine if Emmit orKelly got in over Melissa for an all champ finals. I actually think that would be fun.
As I may have stated before, I think Melissa is much more popular than people give her credit for. Sure, she doesn’t have a built-in fanbase, but she is BUTTLOADS more likable than Audrina and Kristen, so I don’t think you can lump her into the “pretty but forgettable” category. I also don’t think the “woman scorned” story has anything to do with her likability any longer. She is beautiful and humble and excited. She feels like what a “real” person would be like on the show. She’s not my favorite, but I think she has a lot more pulling for her than Bachelor fans or holdovers from season 8. I do think she came in with the smallest fanbase of the final five, but I also think she’s likely picked up many fans along the way. I do think she deserves to be in the finale, although I don’t think she has a chance in hell with Tony choreographing her freestyle versus Shawn and Derek and perhaps Apolo and Karina. No way does Melissa win without something catastrophic happening to either of them – they are just too strong of dancers with stronger pros and bigger built-in fans.
I can’t help but think – the average viewer of DWTS is a middle aged woman. Who will those average viewers know the best – probably Shawn, Emmitt and of course Kelly. But who will they like – that’s the question. I think Melissa’s attitude can give her the votes she needs – she is just so likeable. But then again Shawn and Emmitt are very likeable as well. Kelly – only for her long time fans. Apolo? I don’t know – the producer’s packages give a totally different vibe from what we’re seeing in interviews. In the studio Apolo and Karina seem very focused on task, but in the interviews they’re goofing around, touching and showing real chemistry. But I think for the average viewer it’s more about who they like than who dances the best…
I agree that Melissa have a lot more fans now than she did in the beginning. There’s also the fact that she is the only one left that isn’t already a champion and I see many comments about wanting “someone new” to win.
BUT I still think it’s stretching it by saying her fanbase is as big as Shawns. You also have to add the fanbases of the pros and Derek definitely has a bigger fanbase than Tony.
DJ, I do think melissa is getting a lot of votes, but I doubt she could easily beat Shawn, The tv guide poll means nothing really, if you want to talk number, go to youtube and see how many people watch Shawn’s dances compare to Melissa’s, is not even a competition there, Every single dance that Shawn was the most watched dance, more than 10X the views than anyone else in the show. Take this week for exemple, Melissa got a 60, but the two most watched dances was Shawn v. waltz and her samba, Melissa’s dances didn’t come even close. Poll for poll wou could check he poll that Vogue did this week, Melissa has a lot of support here and still came behind Shawn, Apolo and eve Kelly. my point is, number, poll or whatever don;t mean much, but if did Shawn would still be the winner.
Melissa can win but it would take something catastrophic for that to happen.
@sheery 229: Season 3, Week 3 Tango with Mario Lopez.
Well DJ, I think you might be drastically OVERESTIMATING Melissa’s popularity – and I think you’re going to feel a bit foolish when you really think about some of the points you’re citing to back up your claim. “I think her fanbase has grown by leaps and bounds the past couple of weeks” – ok, why? Because you see more people online talking about her? As someone above very smartly mentioned, the online community is the MINORITY, and not the majority of the voters – and you also have to take into account that she’s been pretty well insulated from elimination the past few weeks as well, thanks to some rather kind scoring from the judges, IMO. They’ve done a far better job of insulating her than they did Sabrina, and I don’t think she’s really been in clear & present danger of elimination the past few weeks. Does she have a bigger fanbase than Sabrina? I would say yes. But is it huge? We don’t really know, since it hasn’t really been tested. And you have to take into account that support for each couple will likely grow as the season goes on – simply because there are fewer couples left to fight for attention, and some viewers whose favorites have already been eliminated will likely latch onto one of the remaining couples. That’s just simple math, really – Melissa may have only gotten 5% of the vote when there were 13 couples, because there were more couples to share votes with, but with only 5 couples left? Of course her support is going to go up.
You’re seriously going to cite the TV Guide poll??? Which is FAR from being scientific or accurate, because the same bozos can spam it with votes all day long? And you’re going to claim that judges “influence a lot of voters”? Why, because that supports your claim, while admitting that you don’t really know how much the judges influence the average voter doesn’t? I think you’re making a big mistake by believe a lot of this stuff, DJ, because you’re likely tricking yourself into thinking that Melissa is a lot safer than she likely is.
*sigh* Laila, you’re not really helping your argument by citing YouTube views as an indicator of popularity – those are no more accurate than some random, spammable poll on TV Guide.
You guys are killing me, rehashing some of this shit that Heidi & have been debunking for years…
Courtney – I was just comparing the poll with the youtube views between Melissa and Shawn on the “she could easily beat Shawn”comment, like i said my point is, number, poll or whatever don’t mean much BUT IF , again IF. English is far from being my first language, so sometimes my point can come across differente from what I was thinking, so the point was if you wanna talk number (witch like I said, means nothing) Shawn is still ahead of Melissa.
they missed smooth criminal… what a shame…
Don’t be citing spammable polls as evidence of anything. All that indicates is people have too much time on their hands.
As for Melissa, her first time around she was EXTREMELY popular and fresh off the whole woman scorned thing on the Bachelor. While I”m sure she has a great fanbase, I wouldn’t say that it’s bigger than anyone elses on the show. There is just no way of knowing that – Especially not stupid polls that allow you to vote an unlimited amount of time.
Courtney, you are soo right. Those polls don’t take into account how many times the same person votes for their favorite. You can reset your browser and keep voting. I think Melissa may have picked up fans, but I’m in the middle level age wise and had never heard of her. Shawn, Apollo and Emmit I have heard of. Shawn and Derek have had all my votes since day one. I also wonder if Shawn will pick up some of Kirstie’s votes as those two have seemed to develop a neat relationship.
Maybe they’re using Smooth Criminal for one of the pro numbers?
From the impression I got, they were not able to clear “Smooth Criminal”, for whatever reason. To be honest, I was surprised they were able to clear ANY Michael Jackson songs – the vultures that call themselves his family swiftly put his catalog on lockdown almost immediately after his death, likely waiting for the best time & place to capitalize upon their brother’s death. For the year or so after his death, it was nary impossible to clear ANY MJ songs for commercial use – it’s a bit easier now, but apparently still costs an arm and a leg.
Has anyone heard who is dancing first, etc.
The funny thing about “Smooth Criminal”, even when they did MJ week at Idol twice (the first time he was still alive), that song was not used (not 100% sure, but I think), I find that weird, because “Smooth Criminal” is better and more well know song that some of the songs that they did during those weeks. But again Glee got to do “Smooth Criminal”, so who knows.
I remember that Nygel tried to do a Mj week on sytycd after he died, but he could not get the songs clear.
Courtney–dang, that song had a lot of potential. Although, wouldn’t it be kind of strange if they couldn’t clear the song? Considering the show already did an MJ tribute and ABC is releasing the Bad25 documentary thing.
They probably got a decent deal for the songs from “Bad”, since they’re basically giving them free advertising. And I believe they had to shell out quite a bit of money for the songs for the MJ tribute.
It does come down to fan base at this point, the judges’ scores will probably be too close to make much difference. So a suggestion – the time you guys are spending worrying or arguing about fan bases could be much better spent creating more voting accounts.
Amen, Buttercup. 🙂 That’s what we’ve been saying for weeks, yet everyone seems like they think arguing and whining will somehow propel their favorites to the finale…
I agree, YouTube views don’t show us a contestant’s popularity. DWTS has around 12-14 million viewers while the videos usually get 3,000-80,000 views. A few examples, that’s why I don’t think YouTube views are important:
Pamela Anderson’s first week dance is the most watched dance of first week: +175,000. It is also the most watched individual dance from season 15, it’s week 8 and no individual dance could beat Pamela Anderson. She is eliminated first week.
Week by week, generally, Sabrina’s videos have more viewers than Melissa and Apolo. Sabrina is eliminated, while the other two is still in the competition.
Sabrina’s week 5 and week 6 videos have X4 times more viewers than Emmitt and Kirstie, X2 more viewers than Gilles and Kelly. Sabrina left the competition because of combination of week 5 and week 6.
On YouTube, the most watched DWTS dance of all time is, Gangnam Style group dance: almost 2.000.000(million) views. Kirstie and Gilles from team Gangnam have left the competition.
Pulling for an Apolo or Melissa win…they just better last longer than friggin Emmitt, that guy is way overscored…
@Heidi – Thanks for the YouTube Link. I hate that song.
@Courtney & Buttercup – I agree 100%. 🙂
Nice to see Apolo presenting at the AMA tonight, some ABC love. Just like Shawn presenting at the CMA a couples weeks ago.
Bookworm,
Actually, Gangman style is not the most viewed video in DWTS history. I will agree that its moving quite quickly though-IMO due to the popularity of the song-LOL. However, Nicole/Derek Jennifer/Derek, even Apolo/Julianne have all had several performances that have received over 2,000,000 views. Nicole/Derek’s Argentine Tango performance alone has over 1,870,000 views and this in one video alone, not collectively.
Like many others have said, we have to vote for our favorites if we want to see them in the finals and possibly win.
Holy crap, now Tony is injured. Melissa, Shawn, Derek, Karina. So many injures in just one season.
@PH&C:
It may not be the proper venue (or time) to ask such a question, but… any idea of when we’ll get our cheesecake?
We’re hard at work on it right now, EL. I think we’re almost there.
“Walk the Dinosaur”? Yeah, she’s getting that 60.
Any behind the scenes info on Shawn and Derek?
Henry just said on twitter that he may be dancing for Tony tomorrow. I don’t know what happened to Tony? Anyone got more info?
Tony tweaked his back and couldn’t get through stage rehearsal, and is getting an MRI tomorrow. I don’t see Henry’s tweet though?
Henry’s tweet was in response to someone asking him, if Tony couldn’t dance would he be filling in for him and his answer was “You got it”
oh ok, thanks!
A 60….plus sympathy votes.
PH, you are soo right. Better make more accounts to vote for shawn
Has there been any word on who is dancing in what order yet
No word on dance order. Everyone is being very suspiciously silent on that matter
ETA: and just after I hit submit Cheryl pops up.
Unreal, Emmitt is almost last again.
So Emmit never goes first, I think Kelly is probably going first or maybe Melissa.
From what I have gathered on here, Dance order really doesn’t seem to matter that much, especially this season.
Is Henry filling in because he worked with them in their trio last week? (Because usually another pro fills in. I was fully expecting Maks to dance with Melissa.)
Poor Tony. And he was so happy last week too. I’m not switching my votes, but I do wish him the best.
Sandy -for sure, but everyone should go first at least once, just to mix up things.
Dang… I was hoping Emmitt would be first, considering he’s the only one that hasn’t opened the show out of the 5 left… Oh well. It’ll probably be Melissa or Apolo opening if I had to guess.
Has Melissa ever gone first? Kelly has only gone first when it was the two performance night. So who goes first?
Kendra, Melissa went first in Week 2.
Can’t wait to watch my -current- favorite couple, Melissa & Tony. I hope he’s ok and will be able to dance with Melissa.
I think Melissa’s getting enough votes to make it to the final. Well, I hope I’m not wrong.
so sorry that Tony is injured 🙁 . i hope he’ll get better till the live show. did anyone see the picture of him on the dancingabc twitter? it must be hurting real bad. wishing him a quick recovery, i hope it’s not a permanent damage…
I’m guessing, perhaps for the drama…will he dance or won’t he, Melissa goes last….sigh.
Probably Henry over Maks since she’s familiar with him from the trio.
And…one of my first thoughts exactly, Heidi….sympathy votes.
I’ll be disappointed if Tony can’t dance tomorrow after working so hard on coming up with creative routines. Hope he’s okay.
You’d think if Kym danced after her injury, Jen G. danced in pain, and Karina gets cortisone shots in the neck, that a “tweak” won’t stop him. Well wishes for him feeling better.
Hello! Just read from examiner.com that Shawn and Derek will dance the Knight Rider Bhangra to the Panjabi MC song “Beware of the boys” (Mundian To Bach Ke). If this is old news, or maybe wrong info, my apologies! good luck to all the contestants!
I’m most excited for Kelly, Melissa and Emmitt. Because I’m really curious about how the cavemen hustle, surfer flamenco and espionage lindy will look like. Argentine tango is one of my favorite dances, so I hope we’re gonna see two amazing argentine tangos this week.
@sheery, you’re right but he may not be able to do lifts properly. Perhaps that’s why they’re thinking about bringing Henry. As far as I know, they’re gonna do lifts in both dances. Perhaps it will be better for him to not dance.
Okay Apolo fans,
Please don not read certain posts on his thread on the voting site! There is one or two pot stirrers who say something each week to freak fans out. The person is now saying that Man In The Mirror is not Apolo’s but Kelly’s and her song is his. Why? Because they read it on Wikipedia……SMH!!!! They also claim that he’s dancing 3rd, when someone had posted a long question to Karina and asked when she was dancing and she said she didn’t know yet. However I now see Karina removed the post completely, but I’m sure it was because of the nature of another question the poster asked about a piece of jewelry she’s wearing that’s supposedly Apolo’s…yada yada getting to personal. Someone had asked about the jazz song and that post is gone too.
Anyway, the person’s abc post has already revved people up and I know some come here, so before you pester the gals here about the songs…….why would Karina and Apolo be standing in front of a mirror posing like that and why would Karina tell Derek that he should sing the song for them Monday night (the song in her car playing loudly was Man In The Mirror). Take Courtney & Buttercup’s advice and set up accounts to vote and stop figuring out wikipedia.
Sorry for the rant. Good night!
I think Tony should take Derek’s route, take a week off to see if it gets better. I’m pretty sure Henry will be pro next season, so why not let him take over for a week.
I have been watching DWTS since season 3 and I love it, but i didn’t discover your site until this season. thanks so much for all the info, it’s great to read other, well-informed opinions instead of the vicious ranting that is the norm on the ABC boards.
keep up the good work and I’ll keep voting for Shawn and Derek!
Oh no, poor Tony. That’s probably the worst time to be injured. Fatna, next week is already finale week. That would be a real shame if he would take a week off. Tony has worked so hard this season it would be a big disappointment not to dance in the finale, if they’d make it. But I’ll be positive and assume he’ll dance.
melissa and tony went last with their two dances last week so i don’t think they’ll go last again.
I know the dance order doesn’t matter, but I don’t want Melissa dancing last again. So I hope you’re not right sheery 😉
But I’m even more sure Melissa will get 2 perfect scores again, and a lot of sympathy votes ofcourse….
So we really have to vote a lot for Shawn and Derek if we want them in the final!
Go team Shawnough! 🙂
Sheery, please.
Yeah Amy, it’s old news – considering if you had clicked the link next to Shawn & Derek’s name, you’d see it was already posted on our sister site. And for future reference, Examiner usually copies & pastes all the spoilers we have here to their own site – so you can pretty much bet that if you see it there, we’ve already looooong since posted it.
And sheery, what have we said about the ABC boards??? Just don’t even talk about them here. I don’t give a rat’s ass what some lunatic there is saying about the music or running order. Have we ever led you guys astray?! Our track record with music is too damn good for some of you to suddenly be taking the word of some cracked-out troll and the virtual flop house that is the ABC boards over a site that has brought you accurate intel for the past 8 weeks.
I swear, I cannot wait for this season to be over…too many people just flipping out for the hell of it..
@Courtney – “Our track record with music is too damn good for some of you to suddenly be taking the word of some cracked-out troll and the virtual flop house that is the ABC boards over a site that has brought you accurate intel for the past 8 weeks.”
AMEN to THAT!!! Why would anyone that is a True DWTS Lover go anywhere else. It’s a no brainer if you ask me! And Thank you mods for all of your hard work, We Love You!
Hoping Derek and Shawn have good routines. Poor Derek seemed “perklempt” with the KR task. I have faith in him….but it is hard to always be so creative all season. He has been OUTSTANDING!
Ready to vote, vote tonight.
i was just thinking…maybe the troupe is dancing to Smooth Criminal…other than Bad it is probably the most liked song on the album and they are dancing a number tonight to 2 of MJ’s songs…it makes sense.
Don’t count on it Joey, Court said upthread (#254) that she was getting the impression they weren’t able to clear “Smooth Criminal”.
Mods, I’m sorry the season has been so brutal for you. You’re all doing a fantastic job, as always; just remember — we love ya! Thanks for making this such a great place to spend time. 🙂
I know…I read it…but they are doing a big opening number and I am not sure what other songs they could possibly dance too….i wouldn’t be surprised if it was cleared for that- I did not make this season brutal for the mods…thanks Cidra!
joey…cool it a bit, please. Generally a paragraph break means the beginning of a new subject – I don’t think Cidra was referring to you in her second sentence.
#301…I know 🙂 They were saying they were coming here to rant about how info “has been wrong”, so I figured I advise them not to since info is not wrong. Thanks for everything.
Thanks for the updates! 🙂 So Melissa is dancing first. With Emmitt in fouth place, I don’t think Shawn is dancing in last place. Otherwise they have two Rumba behind eachother (Kelly and Apolo in second en third place).
Naomo…my gut is saying Melissa, Kelly, Shawn, Emmitt, and then Apolo….we shall see:) I don’t know why but I am nervous for Derek and Shawn…he was interviewed last night at the AMA red carpet and said again how this week was super hard….i am hoping he is just being hard on himself and created a masterpiece:)
From the looks of it on Twitter, Tony’s dancing tonight. I wonder which dance they’ll dance first. I’m guessing they start with the ballroom round and save the crazy routines for later.
I also have a sneaking suspition that Kelly will be last.
Just thought I’d add: I’m a little less inclined to think that Melissa will be geting a 60 this week… A semi-injured pro and going first? But that’s just me…
Joey, I’m also nervous for Shawn and Derek! I really hope it’s going well. They deserve to be in the final. The only thing we can do is to vote a lot for this couple 🙂
Tony _ I actually think is quite the opposite, a injured partner might made the judges oversee possible mistakes, and say they were so great having to deal with a injured and all of that. I’m actually more sure than ever that they will get a 60, might be wrong.
First and foremost, I’m glad Tony is okay to dance, but I hope he isn’t pushing himself too hard.
I really want them to get past this week and into the final. I would LOVE to see them win, and I’ll be voting my fingers off for them, though I’m certainly not holding my breath. I know they have an uphill climb. I do think that any of Melissa and Tony, Apolo and Karina, or Shawn and Derek equally deserve to win. They’ve all worked hard and executed wonderful routines.
I have nothing personal against either Kelly or Emmitt, but I don’t think they deserve it over the other three, simply because of dance skill, and in Kelly’s case, attitude. And to think she was one of my favorites only a short while ago. Shows how people’s actions and demeanor can change opinions of them, I guess.
@Tony, I agree with you, I don’t think Melissa will get a perfect score on at least her first dance tonight, since she’s going first. But, stranger things have happened. I just hope the under and over scoring isn’t too bad tonight.
*This is the same Violet, my Gravatar didn’t show up because I had a typo in my e-mail address. Oops. 🙂
I agree with you laila. That’s also what I think.
But the scores doesn’t matter. It’s all about the votes from us. That is decisive. So we have to vote a lot 🙂
My gut is saying Shawn and Derek will get the last spot because they have the title song of the Bad album, and also so the show can start and end with an Argentine Tango (well at least the first hour, assuming they do the MJ dances first)
I know running order doesn’t matter this season….
@Jen – That very well could be, but I believe every couple left has gone last once if not twice already, and Apolo and Karina have never been last. Maybe finally this week they will get their chance as well.
Can’t wait for tonight’s show to start! Loving this season–especially Shawn and Derek! I’ve been following the board–but since I only have public internet available it is almost impossible to comment in a timely manner. But LOVE when I get a chance to read and catch up on the articles and comments on this blog.
Big thanks to all involved for making this such a great site to visit and share our thoughts about DWTS.
Thanks PH (#307). You’re absolutely right, as usual 😉 . My comment regarding the brutal season for you Mods was in response to Court’s post #301 and had nothing to do with what Joey said. Maybe I need to do consecutive posts instead of lumping, but that could be mistaken for spamming. *shrug*
No worries Cidra…sometimes things come across differently in just plain text ya know? So anywhos…i might be jumping the gun but i am following dwts instagram and i think they are doing dress rehearsal right now….the running order i think is Melissa, Kelly, Apolo, Emmitt, and Shawn…Shawn is the only one who hasn’t had a pic of her “staging yet”….i could be wrong….but i think i might be close:)
Jen, my gut is telling me that Shawn and Derek are going 3rd, and my reasoning is that Melissa is going 1st and she is also doing the Argentine Tango. And Kelly and Apolo are both doing the rumba, so with Emmitt going 4th, and Melissa 1st, it limits the order, without having 2 A-Tangos together, or 2 Rumbas together. I know they occasionally do that, but honestly, I prefer when they try to alternate. My PERFECT lineup would have A-Tango, Rumba, Tango, Rumba, A-Tango…. But TPTB already messed that up. So my guess now is A-Tango, Rumba, A-Tango, Tango, Rumba. Still 2 Tangos, but what can we do….. Just watch and enjoy!
Joye – funny that you mention Shawn stage, when I saw Melissa dinosaur and I remember Emmit big bird for his samba. I started question why they could not get Derek the car for this week, I know a car is big but come on, they can get it. like Derek mention on twitter why give a theme if you can use stuff from the actual show.
Glad we’re OK, Joey. 😛 I don’t like getting crosswise with other Pure fans.
Well everyone else looks like their stage has no problem with props! they just uploaded shawn and derek’s pic and i have no clue what i am even looking at…LOL. why do i feel like they always make things more difficult for him??? everyone else has dinosaurs, surfboards, circus mirrors, etc….i give up.
I’m sure Len love all the props 😉 except those from Shawn and Derek ofcourse… 🙂
I think it’s a jacket with the red lights, like Kitt, Joey. But I’m not sure either. Yeah, for the so-called “golden boy” he certainly hasn’t had it easy this season.
Maybe, Derek decided less is more. Since TPTB couldn’t get permission to use any real KR stuff, he probably didn’t want to go with “close but not really” knock-offs. Of course, Len (the old hypocrite) will knock off a point or two from their score for not incorporating the theme. 🙄
It’s probably all copyrighted, laila. It figures very prominently in anther TV show and, regardless of how old that show is, you can’t just use it willy nilly any more than you can use any song you want. I took from what Derek said that they couldn’t clear anything from the show.
ph- makes sense, they got Kistie a car for a cha cha, so maybe they were just not allowed this time.
So Shawn dancing last, I was hoping she would get third, because I wanted her to go last in the finale (means nothing ,I know, she won going first in season 8).
Sorry, not sure if she is really dancing last, I saw on twitter but no real confirmation.
and…..thank you Maks for your snide dig at Derek!!! anyone catch his twitter comment? he is such an a$$.
Of course Cidra, Len always find something to give Shawn and Derek a lower score..
I also saw it on twitter laila, but not sure if it’s right.
According to DWTSgossip on twitter this is the dance order:
Melissa
Kelly
Apolo
Emmitt
Shawn
I know Tony, that comment was really unnecessary.
Joey, YES I caught what Maks said and I called him out on it too!
I’m ok with that order. If Shawn\Derek get the pimp spot tonight and Apolo\Karina make it into the finals (fingers crossed) I hope they finally get to dance last!!! Surprised they would have two Rumbas back to back though. Hope they bring it!
I don’t think it is a bad order(#334) if that is what it is. My gut instinct tells me (I’m a dance teacher and shawn biased) that they will bring the house down with their AT. I have listened to it and if Derek did half of what I can visualize(and he is wayyyy better), it is going to rock. That is one awesome AT song. Reading about props above. Props don’t make the dance and props can include lighting, sound etc. I think Derek has more in store and I think it will rock. These two keep a lot close to their chest, which I like. It makes for a nice surprise to see it. I am really looking forward to them tonight as I feel they will get one 30 together tonight. They are my favorites because I enjoy his choreography and the way she just executes and finishes everything. Vote team shawnough.
Okay, are they saving the *Best* for Last… Meaning Apolo will be dancing last in the finale. Just like they saved Donald’s 10’s for the finale. 🙂 Wishful thinking on my part.
Enjoy the show everyone.
They also never gave the pimp spot to Katherine last season either. I wouldn’t say this means 100% he’ll get it next week (if he’s around), because I thought the same of Katherine but she somehow finished the whole season never getting to dance last.
Donald got it 3 times and so did William last season.
Glad Tony feels well enough to dance. He’s been so excited this season it would be awful if he couldn’t dance with Melissa. I wish him and all the dancers the best of luck tonight. Should be some spectacular dancing.
@Princess Heidi(#197) How can you tell me what to think and not to think? I have my opinions, just like you do. You think Melissa was not the best? Fine. I still think Melissa was the best. They lost the body contact in the quickstep for a moment. Shawn’s quickstep wasn’t that hard. And Melissa’s paso was the best paso of the season. It wasn’t soft at all. This is my opinion. Ok, let’s say that Melissa’s quickstep was overscored. And she should get 9.5s. Still, she won the trio round for me. Which dance do you think was better than the paso trio, Shawn’s samba trio?
@Laila(#200) it doesn’t mean anything for me. Just like Melissa, Shawn has flaws too, but they don’t point her flaws out. Melissa is not perfect in all dances. Like her jive, I think it was really good, but perfect? No. Her kicks weren’t that good. But watch Shawn’s jive. She didn’t do much kicks. Her choreo was pretty easier than Melissa’s. And I don’t know why bruno didn’t say anything about her lacking hip action in rumba. Derek said he teaches the technique first? It shouldn’t be that hard when you don’t choreograph a hard routine. Sorry but for me, this is not called hiding weaknesses or something, I’d like to watch the couples “dance” not fill the choreo with some random moves, even if Shawn can’t do proper kicks for the jive, I’d like to see her challenge herself. Shawn is constantly overscored. Sorry if I offended you but this is what I think.
Please point me to where I told you what to think and not think, Eagle. That’s a red herring. If only I had that power. I think Shawn is the better all around dancer than Melissa – I don’t think that’s even in question. And Tony has a long way to go in terms of choreography, despite a vast improvement this season. As for the quickstep, they lost body content for the entire first half of the song. Rewatch Gilles dance – he actually had body contact nearly the entire dance. As much as I dislike Gilles, that part of his dance was actually much better than Melissa’s. Derek did a similar dance to Melissa’s in quality – might have been Jennifer, can’t remember at the moment – but didn’t have body contact and got called on it. Melissa didn’t. No great shock, but it IS a flaw and since she wasn’t called on it she WAS overscored. They don’t call out Shawn’s flaws – but she’s only gotten one perfect score, so what would you call that if not calling her out??
This is why Tony hasn’t won before – he choreographs straight syllabus dances, no risk, no excitement, all boundaries. What you AND he forget is that DWTS is a TV SHOW, with an audience that has to be impressed and excited just as much (or more) than the judges do. He’s doing MUCH better this season, but to claim that Tony’s choreo is harder (which I don’t agree with in the slightest – Shawn just makes it look easy which is why she’s the better dancer), is not only wrong, but it completely misses the point. IT’S A TV SHOW. Melissa’s success on this show is just as much a credit (or more) to Melissa’s personality than it is Tony’s choreo. She’s LIKABLE and fun and cute. She’s also a good dancer, but your claims just don’t hold water.
Seriously, it sounds to me like you’re so hyper defensive of Melissa that you’re reaching on Shawn. She had a section of Jive kicks better than I’ve seen any contestant do since Nicole – she kept up with Derek totally. And a smart watcher would recognize that the absence or relative lack of one certain kind of move doesn’t not mean that the routine is “easier” or lacking in content.
Eagle, your a Melissa fan, so your comment don’t surprise me at all 😉 I think it makes no sense to argue about it. We will not agree. But I think the fact that a lot of professionals see Shawn as a great dancer and the winner of the show says enough.
Any word on which dances they are doing first?
But Melissa is a good dancer and I like her, so I do hope she reach the final 🙂 but my votes go to Shawn! 😉
I’m not hyper defensive of Melissa and actually it was you mentioned Shawn first. That’s why I talked about Shawn. I feel like whenever I praise Melissa you write like “no, you’re wrong”, it feels like you’re trying to correct me. That’s why I said don’t tell me what to think.
Shawn only got one perfect score but she got a 10 for cha cha, a 10 for rumba and a 10 for samba. Those dances didn’t deserved any more than 9 for me.
So Tony never won because of his choreography? Not because he was paired with Martina, Susan, Wendy, Jane? You think if he was paired with Nicole Scherzinger, he wouldn’t win? It makes no sense, at all. Tony only had 2 chances to win, with Stacy and Melissa. I didn’t watch Stacy but Melissa finished 3rd. I think that is a pretty good result. And you know she was competing against Gilles and Shawn. Who can blame Tony if they got more votes than Melissa? Tony is a great teacher, just look where he took Marissa, 4th place. Please don’t tell me Marissa had a chance to win but eliminated because of Tony’s choreo. I don’t agree that his choreography is “not for TV”. I find his choreos much more attracting than a lot of pros, including Derek, Maks and Cheryl. The only harder parts in Shawn’s choreo is her tricks and flips, not the dancing. And that shouldn’t be hard for Shawn to do, because she’s a gymnast. It is like Tony putting all the ballet moves in Melissa’s dances in order to “hide weaknesses”. But I’m glad he’s not going that easy route…
@Naomi, I never said Shawn is a bad dancer, did I? I don’t find Melissa a great dancer just because I’m a fan, but I’m a fan of Melissa because she’s a great dancer 😉 .
Of course we have different opinions. At the end, -as someone said here- it’s just a sparkly dance show.
Troupe dancers that appeared on after buzz said how much jive content there was in Shawn’s dance and thy were amazed at how much was in it and difficult.
It seems like when someone dances also depends on set up for stage.
PH, seriously, Derek is not golden. Sounds like he had a tough time getting aspects for the theme approved and had to be tough to see nothing was getting approved yet judging depends on it. Hope judges are aware of it.
I doubt having Nicole would be win. If that was the cas, Mya would have won.
Yeah, yeah, yeah – you’re not changing my mind, Eagle, and now you’re bringing out the old, silly arguments to make some point. Tony also had Audrina, Chynna, Melissa the first time, in addition to Stacey. And he didn’t win. No, I don’t think Tony would win with Nicole – not at all. Evan would have won. The only guarantee win that Derek MIGHT have had was Jen Grey, but with Tony even that wasn’t a sure thing. He would choreo her to “safe” because of her age and her neck much like he did Chynna – who I think Derek would have done a better job with.
Now move on to another subject – you’re not changing any minds and you’ve got nothing new to add to the discussion.
I have to agree with Melissa, Eagle. Just because a pro gets a ringer, doesn’t guarantee a win. Mya was a prime example of that. She was every bit as talented (and perhaps even more suited to ballroom as) Nicole, but she didn’t win because of the choreography. There have also been plenty of other people who had an advantage due to their profession, but haven’t won.
You also have to note that this season is the first season Derek’s gotten a younger partner. It’s also the first season he’s gotten an athlete. And yet, he’s managed well in seasons where he didn’t get the advantageous partner. I wouldn’t say that’s entirely due to his choreography, but obviously, he’s doing something right.
Derek has done some very difficult choreo with Shawn and she has handled it like a pro. I look at the samba last week and she kept up with them step for step. She is a great dancer. She executes and finishes like a pro. I love that she has come out of her shell.
@ Joey #333
“and…..thank you Maks for your snide dig at Derek!!! anyone catch his twitter comment? he is such an a$$”
Poor, poor Maksim. Will he ever learn? Yes, one could say he was only thinking of Tony when he made that comment and that could be entirely true. I just can’t grasp how after all of these years in the public eye and all the crap he’s brought on himself by his comments, he doesn’t have some internal, commons sense, compass and PR savvy to know how other people could interpret his comments to be a negative against someone else. Of course if you’re bottom-feeding in the PR department with Lizzie Grubman, who has the professionalism and wisdom of a 13 year-old girl with behavioral problems, you might want to think long-term in your career and move up. Not that Lizzie causes Maks’ behavior but she certainly joins in instead of acting like a grown-up.
Are you kidding me , they gave smooth criminal for the troupe.
Guess they did clear Smooth Criminal…loved it!
Well, apparently DWTS Gossip got the running order entirely wrong, and neither Shawn nor Apolo get the pimp spot; Kelly does. Really???? Why?? There is nothing in either of her dances that says they will be spectacular; her MJ song is the most low key… Argh!
If that’s true, I don’t know that going last is good for Kelly. If the other couples are great or better than her and here comes Kelly at the end looking like she’s struggling or not up to par with the routines everyone just saw, then that could just shine a spotlight on why she shouldn’t make the final. I guess we’ll see very soon.
Scoring is very interesting tonight. So different from last week.
I guess the fact that they are dancing the Rumba means that the producers can play the romance angle a little more. Yay…?
At least I can go to bed earlier.
Not quite, Anon – our source says they changed the running order a few times. Which is probably why only two of the couples told their running order.
And I have to say….Len had the NERVE to call Derek self indulgent when Val strips down to a speedo?? And don’t give me shit about speedos actually being worn. They aren’t for surfing.
Damn, Melissa – so freakin’ soft and delicate. Overscored again. Geez. Emmitt overscored as well.
Well glad that first half is over. Don’t need to relieve most of that ever again. Ugh!
Melissa was awesome! I did think that her and Tony were spaced quite far apart, (and they never get called out on it), but all in all, a great performance.
She was just dancing it so carefully. Her movements were fine – they just weren’t sharp enough.
“And don’t give me shit about speedos actually being worn. They aren’t for surfing.”
LOL, I almost spit Coca Cola out at my computer screen. 🙂
I just watched Derek & Shawn’s Bhangra on You Tube. Loved it.
Melissa was overscored on her AT. There were definite slips in those lifts. Not sure why CA gave Shawn a 9. It was sooo technically correct. Must be not enough lift tonight.
Melissa’s AT was actually a good example of why the show doesn’t allow lifts. CAI couldn’t see past them to see how softly Melissa was dancing and half the lifts were sloppy. Shawn’s was better but got a point lower for “passion”? CAI on crack. But, since I want Melissa in the finale with Shawn and Apolo, she needed the 30.
colleen – agree, melissa dance was 80% lifts (and a few were not that great) I liked but overscored as usual.
Shawn a 9, Carrie ann was in drugs for sure
Did you guys see Karina hug Kelly? I don’t know what you guys are smoking on this site, but I don’t think they hate each other.
Carrie Ann said something about how Shawn and Derek’s dance lacked intimacy, but I think they went with the theme of the song (“Bad”), which isn’t really about intimacy. Like Bruno said, we got two different types of Argentine Tango. But maybe I’m just annoyed because I think they should’ve gotten a 30 for that dance.
Chelsie, you get one warning. We don’t drink the koolaide and engage in group think. Tone down your crap or else.
Melissa’s argentine tango, well, yeah, maybe not perfect, but hey, I like her, so I’m not going to complain. I am, however, going to say that their ‘caveman’ hustle was pretty terrible. I mean, feel free to disagree, but I had to look away half-way through that dance. It was just…ugh. Flailing.
i am so sick of the C brothers promoting the “family”…um, not for anything…Derek could have Julianne, Ryan Seacrest, and a ton of other people who have a ton of people pull push and promote them but he never does…i am so over Maks, Peta, and the rest of them pulling for their Russian family…give it a rest folks…sorry Melissa and Kelly were ok at best tonight. so sick of them!!!!
Yeah, Maks is the very definition of immature, spoiled jealous brat. Mention everyone as being great except Shawn, complain about the judges scoring of Kelly, blame that on the last name. Grow the fuck up already. You’d think he’d never been on the show, let alone seen it on TV for silly he’s acting. This is what happens when he’s out of Kirstie’s orbit on a regular basis – he reverts to type.
Argh, the dilemma of where to put my votes. Apolo, Shawn or Melissa???? So scared (well nervous) of one of them not making the finals.
Well, I think we can guess who the judges would like in the finals – three of the couples tonight got one perfect score each, and two didn’t. I’m happy, since the judges picks (based on that) are mine as well. I’ve somewhat let go of the idea that a dance has to be flawless to get a perfect score; there have been a number of dances across the seasons that haven’t been flawless that have gotten one, and some of those I think deserved it (others not so much – like Emmitt’s salsa last week). And then there are the flawless dances that *don’t* get a perfect score (like Shawn’s AT tonight), which is far more frustrating. The scores over all are pretty close, though there is a gap between the top three and the bottom two. We just need to vote!
I find it funny that Kirstie tweeted Shawn before the show that she would be watching and she loved her. maybe Shawn will pick up a few votes from her fans. maks is such an a!!. He is immature and he has had his chances but he doesn’t work with his partners strengths. I still can’t believe CA and her passion. that song isn’t for a passionate AT. Footwork, etc, was amazing. I can’t take Melissa’s tears any more either.
Colleen what I seen Kirstie tweet not once or even twice but atleast three times was asking for votes for Tony and Val. Even said her votes were all going to them cause they were all fam. I did find it interesting that she just tweeted she would be on Kimmel again tomorrow late night and to not ask her why.
“I knew that Nicole was a great dancer and from the start, for me, it was obvious that she was gonna win her season.”
See, that’s where I disagree. I think Evan Lysacek had a damn good chance of winning. Not only did he have the Olympian vote going for him, but he was also the most classically experienced. I was fully expecting a Kristi Yamaguchi repeat, as I know a lot of people were. But as much respect as I have for Anna as a dancer, her choreography was slightly lacking.
Pertaining to Donny Osmond, it should be noted that fanbase also doesn’t guarantee a win. J.R. Martinez was relatively unknown and won because he was a fantastic dancer. Same with Brooke Burke (let’s just ignore her hosting abilities for a moment). There were contestants with far larger fanbases in season 7, but hey, Brooke ended up winning.
In the end, it is about being memorable. Technique, fanbase–these definitely play a role, but if you’re boring, don’t expect people to vote.
Guess what Eagle – I DO get to tell you what to do. You are not only beating a dead horse, you are bringing up old myths to try to support a case you don’t have. Now MOVE on or I’ll put you on moderation.
Val literally made me sick tonight. I thought that entire first dance was just horrible and when he undressed it was just disgusting. I was happy with their 25.5 for that dance and I would have given even lower than that. Shawn and Derek’s Bhangra(sp) was unbelievable. It is the dance I will remember forever. I thought they deserved a 60 for the night but 59 was good too.
It kinda makes me laugh that Val dances in a speedo, yet a few hip thrusts from Derek and mark were bordering on obscene. :::rolls eyes::: Where ARE those people right now??
I’m not bringing up anything. I’m not trying to change anyone’s opinion. But it was you who started talking about Tony’s choreography skills and Tony’s chances of winning, right? So, you can say anything you want about Tony but I’m not allowed to write my opinion?
I just wrote what I thought, I don’t know why you took it that seriously but if you think I’m a Derek hater, I’m not. And if you think that I’m the only one who likes Tony’s choreography or thinks that Tony didn’t had a chance to win, you’re wrong.
Again, Eagle, you are no longer on topic and you’re not saying anything new. MOVE ON.
You had your say SEVERAL times – don’t cry and complain and say otherwise.
Really disgusted by the Chmerkovskiy family/entourage. Turned me off to even the thought of voting for them. I think it’s so unprofessional to specifically say who you are voting for or supporting (I can understand Maks supporting Val, but everything else just seems rude to me).
Then there is Mark who grew up with Derek and complimenting Val and Kelly. That’s what a true professional is all about.
Exactly! I don’t understand how Derek and Mark were self-indulgent last week, but nothing was wrong with Val this week? After the 7 Len dished out last week, I am really surprised Kelly and Val managed to get an 8 from him. A 7 for the flawless tribal samba, but an 8 for the Paso Doble that was supposed to be a Flamenco (and not nearly as perfect as Shawn’s performance and technique) Really??
Maybe Len didn’t want to anger her fan base too much – or not so much her fan base, as the general public. If he had given it an appropriate score, it’s possible that there would be backlash in the voting. At least, that’s what I hope he was doing – giving a low enough score to create a gap, but a high enough score to not energize the average voter to vote for her. It’s the only explanation I’ve got for why (given Shawn’s samba score) he would give Kelly a nine. Other than he’s just totally biased.
And I love vals comment back to mark on twitter “thanks so much- esp coming from you?!”….WTF does that mean???? See the reason why Mark, Derek, etc have won and people like them is they are humble, don’t complain after every score, etc. Val and Maks would NEVER compliment Shawn and her routine…even though they know know she was the best of the night…Val didn’t even realize it but after Shawn’s first dance he was clapping and was in awe of that number too…but do you think he would say it? never. And not for anything…i thought the troupe’s number was rather boring for a number where they can dance to smooth criminal…did not enjoy sonny’s choreo…and im over sharna as well.