Dancing With The Stars Maksim Chmerkovskiy And Meryl Davis First Rehearsal Video
I’m loving these and here is another with Maks and Meryl! She is going to be so good. Let us know what you think!
I’m loving these and here is another with Maks and Meryl! She is going to be so good. Let us know what you think!
"Dance is the hidden language of the soul" ~ Martha Graham. That's what DWTS makes me think of every Monday night. To read more about me and my other interests, see Lisa Kay Photography. You can also follow me at Voguerista Twitter & Voguerista Soundcloud.
I just do not think Maks was the best pick for her…..she seems so quiet and sweet, he overpowers her. i have to do a wait and see with this couple. I like surprises so I hope that will be the case.
I think we have to wait and see how this goes, but I’m liking this video! It doesn’t look like Maks has to do much work, which isn’t good or bad…
Loving them so far! If Maks is going to be like this with her for the rest of the season and doesn’t let his “bad side” out then I’ll be very happy.
She does seem to be a little shy and kinda reserved around him, but I’m guessing she’s still getting used to him and getting used to dancing with a partner other than Charlie.
Either way they both look good and I can’t wait to see them dance on Monday. I think the might just surprise a lot of people…
Thanks, Vogue! *blowing kisses* I left the office craving more DWTS news (I get greedy like that this time of the season) and I arrive home to all these amazing goodies. π
OK, now that I’ve said thank you, like a good little girl, I can watch the vid. π
Back again. Cute video except for the cheesy intro π where TPTB made Maks ask her if she and Charlie were dating (lame since everyone knows they’re not).
I’d say it’s one of their earliest rehearsals because Maks is not at all sure what Meryl’s capable of. Loved the matter of fact way she asks him at the end of her spin “do you want two feet with that or one foot” and he’s trying hard to contain his surprise (and glee).
Please Maks, try to stay happy like this and don’t let your negative competitive side get the best of you.
YW and thank you!!!!xxxx
I agree with Julie in wondering if Maks was the best choice of a partner for sweet, quiet Meryl. I just hope he reins himself in better than he did with some of his other partners … Hope Solo comes to mind. I happened to watch the video of that season’s team dance just the other day … the one where he was so rough with Hope, then abruptly left the room. Derek stepped in to help Hope with the steps, but I was shocked by Maks’ behavior.
I dont think Maks deserves a partner like Meryl after the way hes treated his partners in the past, his swearing tantrums, shoving there shoulder, slapping there butt, lack of patience etc. No way he’ll be able to keep up this good behavior for 10 or ll weeks or however long this season runs for. Meryl deserves better like Henry, Mark, Gleb or even Sasha.
I hoping that Maks realizes what a diamond he has in Meryl and will adjust his training and choreography to match.
Look, one of my all time favorite couples ever on the show is Mel/Maks and one of my least favorite couples ever is Maks/Hope.
I hoping (no pun intended) that Meryl/Maks will be a good pairing. For Meryl’s sake and maybe for my own nostalgia’s sake, Maksim’s as well. I think I might just be a sentimental goof.
Susan2, The first M&M pairing was one of my all-time favorite couples, too. π
My guess is Maks does realize Meryl’s the best celeb he’s ever had and intends to do his best to be a good partner for her. I don’t know that he’ll be able to adjust his training style very much; it’s always going to be authoritarian rather than collaborative. He’s never going to bust out creatively like Derek, but we should see him giving his best efforts in the traditional style he knows because he believes Meryl’s worth the effort. (Hip-Hop and Contemporary could be stressful for them.)
I’m not expecting a repeat of his toxic partnership with Hope Solo. About the only thing Meryl and Hope have in common is that they’re both athletes. Meryl is a superior human being and is going to be a much better dancer. That will reduce Maks’s frustration level.
Also, I think we might be underestimating Meryl’s toughness. She’s reserved but I sense a core of strength in her. Unlike Melissa Gilbert (another quiet person) I don’t believe Meryl will be cowed.
Maks’s attitude could turn sour as the season wears on, everyone gets tired, and the judges’ scores and comments don’t meet Maks’s expectations, and he feels others (Derek, of course) are getting preferential treatment. π
Sorry, got carried away with the analysis there. Bottom line, I’m willing this to work out (for everyone’s sake).
This is the pairing that I’m the most bitter about. Maks doesn’t deserve her and you know this is how they lured him back, by promising him a ringer. It’s like they want either Maks or Val to win this season.
How are they going to surprise us? The only way they’ll surprise me is if they suck.
OMG I’m already plenty surprised seeing this tiny dancer with the tallest dancer in the cast. He’s the last person I expected to see matched up with her. He looks like the cat that ate the canary.
Being a sweet, decent and kind person does not automatically mean you’re a pushover or weak. In fact in today’s world I’d argue that it’s just the opposite. Maintaining your decency and kindness while getting bombarded with the snarky negativity that pervades today’s society requires a will of iron and constant work. I know because it’s Lent, I’m trying to be good. It’s hard sometimes!
Meryl can handle Maks. I think he needs a really strong partner that he can’t rollover like a steam train. That’s part of what made MelB such a good partner for him. Meryl might be less of a outgoing person than MelB but she’s seems just as strong willed and comfortable in her own skin.
They don’t look good together.
The height difference is a bit awkward, but FWIW, a former pro Latin couple (Andrei Gavriline & Elena Kryuchkova) also had a significant height difference and managed to win the national Latin championships multiple times. They may struggle a bit more with the ballroom dances, but I don’t think the height difference is as much of a deal-breaker as I initially thought.
Meryl’s another good turn spotter, and seems to be catching on to the Latin quickly. She seems a bit technical, so she may need to loosen up – but overall, they’re looking good. We may have gotten good Maks from season 12 π
This is the Maks I actually like quite a bit. Charming.
Of course, I may have just missed him after having his brother by himself for two seasons. π I’ve decided that I would rather have the elder Chmerkovskiy if we need to have one.
Amen, PH. I’ll take Maks over Val any day of the week. Maks is a bear (when he gets mad, he storms around breaking stuff). Val is a weasel (make him angry, and he’ll go off and pee in your favorite shoes).
I love Cidra’s analogy – and I’ll even take it a step further: Maks is kind of like a big dog (maybe a Saint Bernard) – prone to the occasional temper tantrum where he throws his weight around and then goes to pout in the corner, and is fine after an hour; Val is more like a Siamese cat – after being slighted, he’ll act like he wants you to pet him, and the minute your hand gets close, he bites it. And then he sneaks off to pee in your shoes…or takes a spite sh*t in them instead. Maybe both π I’ve always been the type that would rather someone be outwardly obnoxious when they’re upset, rather than the type that gives the impression of being ok but they’re secretly plotting & scheming on how they’re gonna get you back when you least expect it. Maks may not be my favorite pro, but I don’t really think he’s underhanded or deceptive. Val (and probably Tony, too)? Not sure I could say the same…
OMG, lol so true^ This must be why I go back and forth with Maks being he’s like a St. Bernard!!
Btw, I’d rather have Maks too!
I’ll add that Maks has genuine charm. Val has to work at being charming, and it always comes off as contrived.
@Vogue – Saint Bernards are an odd breed – they can be the most lovable, oafy, easygoing dogs one minute; and the next, they’re running around the house, knocking over furniture, barking up a storm, and totally freaking out. And then after the freakout, they’re fine. I find Maks to be much the same way – just prone to the occasional outburst.
lol I think you pegged it …as well as comparing Val to a Siamese Cat!
Absolutely fascinating analysis. Like the difference between being aggressive, and being passive-aggressive. I had a mother who was all about the latter. I, too, will take the former.
I used to own a Saint Bernard, has since passed but my dog was the most loveable, sweetest dog around humans. But she would attack my other dog(any dog for that matter), vicousley attack my other dog, who was a great dane, where if we didnt stop her or separated them she would of killed her. I guess thats common in females saint bernards too.
It’s kind of funny to think of what the pros might be if they were animals…I think Emma would probably be a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, since she’s so affable and likes to get along with everyone. Peta seems like she might be a poodle – very well-groomed, a little sassy, and with a strut. Derek’s probably either a German Shepherd or a collie – just a very smart, loyal dog that looks after the herd.
Maks will be on his best behaviour. He is trying to reboot his career and needs this to work. One thing I noticed besides the height difference that you all noted is he seems old. Like really a lot older than her. He is younger than Karina isn’t he? But he seems like the old man of the pros. I guess like Tony is.
Love the animal comparisons! OK, what about jimmbboe’s girls — Sharna and Karina?
Hmmmm…I’m leaning towards a beagle for Sharna: easygoing, but energetic and fun-loving, and a slight tomboy. Maybe a chihuahua for Karina – a little dog with a lot of energy and attitude.
Okay, now I’m picturing Maks with a little barrel around his neck like you see on some Saint Bernards!
As a crazy cat lady, I’m wondering if any of the pro’s are more like cats rather than dogs. I’m seeing Edyta as a lovely Turkish Van.
When I was growing up we had 4 beagles. They’re very sweet but highly curious about everything type of dogs.
I have always liked Maks, despite his faults. I think despite his occasional hypocrisy, he usually means well. He’s obviously intelligent and actually really funny, he just has some flaws that will surface. But he never comes across as disingenuous, which Val DEFINITELY does – yes he is arguably “better behaved” than Maks, however it never rings as the true Val. He seems more entitled, more passive aggressive, and in general a little more insidious than Maks. Just my gut feeling on the two – and yes, I have a similar reaction to Val that I’ve had to Tony (although even more so) since day one – although I at least appreciate Val’s talents, as he is a much better dancer and choreographer than Tony.
Err, I meant to say I’ve had those negative feelings even more for Tony than Val, although my instinctive reaction to them both is similar.
@Figamentation – If I had to cast Val, Tony, & Maks in movie roles that would suit them perfectly, I’d cast Val as Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale’s character in American Psycho) – he just seems like he’s got that cool, calculating arrogance to him. I’d cast Tony as the used car salesman in True Lies, because while his intentions may not be pure, I get more of a smarmy vibe from him, compared to the calculating one I get from Val. I would cast Maks as Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, because I generally sense that his heart is in the right place, but he maybe just doesn’t handle things the best way. Tends to get caught up in the moment and sometimes fumbles.
@Susan2 – I’ve always thought Tristan had the temperament of a Scottish fold cat – very easygoing and lovable, maybe a tad lazy, and a bit of a clown. π
You’re on a roll today, Court, with both the animals and the movies.
I don’t think I’d have picked beagle for Sharna because I was thinking more of her kind of fierce, sexy dance persona, but beagle does work for her off-stage personality. The thought of Karina as a chihuahua just makes me grin.
This just popped into my head, but I see Sasha as definitely some kind of terrier, maybe a Jack Russell.
I don’t know cats, but your description of a Scottish fold cat does seem to fit Tristan. I’d choose Laborador or Golden Retriever for his dog breed (kind, loyal, outgoing, trustworthy).
I love these animal analogies! What do you think for the Blondes? Or Cheryl? I don’t know dogs, because I don’t have one, unfortunately.
lol Court! I agree with Cids. You are on a total roll today!!!
LOL to Maks as Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever! I love it!
Not that I think she’s stupid, but I don’t think Peta is smart enough for a poodle (since they are really intelligent dogs, right up there with border collies), but I get the primped image, so maybe she’s more of a Pomeranian to me.
Does anyone know Meryl’s height compared to Karina’s? Cuz Maks/Karina dance beautifully together and yet there’s a large height diff. Remember, it doesn’t look like Meryl’s first practices were in high heels.
Much like other ice dancers, I would expect Meryl to have habits that need to be overcome to dance well . . . but with the discipline and athleticism to do so. I do wonder if she’s going to be short on emotion . . . always smiling same smile?
I differ in opinion of Mak’s choreography. His is much more beautifully sensual yet totally within the dance standards. Derek’s “creativity” often ignores ballroom, ala Broadway, which appeals to the largely unschooled DWTS audience very well.
@Figamentation – Maybe she’s more of a bichon frise? Another really “groomed” dog.
@Aviva – At the risk of sounding stereotypical, I’m gonna say chow-chow for Cheryl – simply because they’re very, very temperamental dogs, but when they find someone they like they’re incredibly loyal. I see Witney as another really girly dog – Yorkie, maybe? Or a pom?
@JoAnn – Meryl is 5’3″…2″ shorter than Karina.
JoAnn, Have you heard the phrase “know your audience?” This isn’t a traditional ballroom competition this is a Hollywood dance show.
Sure Derek’s creativity leads him outside the lines of approved dance standards. If he wanted to, Derek could create routines that were “totally within the dance standards” too, but he knows what’s going to appeal to the “largely unschooled DWTS audience”. Giving the audience what it wants is one of the many reasons he’s the most successful pro on DWTS. Another is that his creativity allows him to choreography consistently better freestyles than any of the other pros.
JoAnn – Have you seen this performance – Meryl’s not smiling in this one (Winning 2013 World’s): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkLwFvvu6fE
@Fancy, what’s wrong with Maks winning for a change? It’s better than Derek winning again (no offense to the Derek fans). Yes, he had tantrums in the past, and his way of teaching wasn’t that great. However, most of his partners he had before had been mouthy and argumentative. That’s what causes most of his hissy fits. With Meryl, it’s different. He’s less stressed, and his way of teaching will be different. As for Meryl being “delicate”, I think y’all are forgetting that although she has a reserved nature, she’s an Olympic athlete. Olympic athletes are trained to handle pressure, no matter how stressful, and criticisms, no matter how harsh they are. In other words, she CAN handle Maks. Also, I don’t think this pairing is a mismatch at all. I’m very excited to see these two dance together because:
1.) It’s like watching Beauty and the Beast
2.) In my opinion, based on what I’ve seen from watching the Olympics, Meryl would be too intense for any other pro besides Maks.
I would agree. Maks says and does stupid shit from time to time but he seems to lack that smug condescension thing that Val does that makes me want to hurl things at the screen. Like, after winning that twitter pro thing (when dancing with Zendaya, so it was real tough :-)), he says “Oh I don’t think it’s right to single out individual pros since we’re all great” or some such. I think Derek’s eyes rolled in his head. I wanted to vomit. How he makes a good sentiment sound so condescending and arrogant, I don’t know.
Er, people have a tendency to exaggerate how often Derek goes outside the ballroom rules as much or more than they exaggerate the talent of his partners. I don’t think he broke a single rule with Kellie, and choreographed technical ballroom dances for her that were lovely. For that matter…I don’t recall any rules he broke with Amber either.
Unfortunately, Derek is a magnet for massive hyperbole. If he’s done it once, it’s automatically magnified into he does it all the time. I guess it’s because he’s won the MTB not once but five times.
Those are good roles to compare Val, Tony, and Maks – although for Tony I was thinking Tony Montana from Scarface. To summarize his character: “Kills everyone who stands in his way. He starts the film as an ambitious refugee and the end heβs losing his mind to powder-fuelled paranoia”
Haha okay maybe that’s a bit too far π
When Val talks he always looks like he’s got a secret, one that he thinks makes him better than everyone else.
I like the Beauty and the Beast analogy! And as much as Maks has annoyed me in the past, I really am looking forward to see what this partnership turns out to be. I do actually think it could be a great thing, I just hope his choreography is good for her!
As some of you know, I am a huge skating fan, I’ve watched Meryl & Charlie through entire skating seasons since 2007. Ice dancers are the skaters who most have to convey characters and emotions on the ice. Very few stone-faced athletes in ice dance, you see that more in singles and pairs skating. And Meryl has always been a better actor on the ice than Charlie, much more dramatic than her real-life persona, I think her performance quality will be just fine. Let’s just see if her and Maks can gel together though.
And Charlie has gotten better each year at character portrayal and I think he will be great with Sharna. It probably will help him to be with someone other than Meryl. I think “being in love” or “sexy” on the ice wasn’t always the most natural for them as close friends for so long.
I’m not worried about Meryl’s “acting ability” and she seemed to be doing a good job releasing her hips in the little bit we’ve seen in this clip. Can’t wait to see Charlie and Sharna’s first rehearsal vid although since they’re doing contemporary, it will be kind of like comparing apples and oranges and we’ll have to wait a little longer to see his Latin hips.
EPmusic, You’re probably right that after a couple weeks of getting to know Maks and Sharna, both Meryl and Charlie will find it easier to act “sexy” or “in love” with their new dance partners than each other. It won’t feel quite as weird as “kissing your sister/brother”.
Such amazing and clever posts!! My thoughts about Meryl are that since she has trained for years with elite Russian coaches like Marina Zueva and earlier on, Igor Spielban (?sp), I would imagine she is more than capable of handling Max. I love the “Beauty and the Beast” analogy, and despite my initial disappointment with this pairing (was so hoping she’d get Derek), I’m now looking forward to what this pair can do! Maybe she’ll even inspire Max to up his game. He is so lucky to have her!
I agree that Maks is lucky to have Meryl as a partner. He realizes it and has publicly acknowledged it. She is a tough competitor and can handle him, since, in my opinion, he will be on his best behavior because he knows he has a gem. I am looking forward to seeing how this partnership works out especially since we seem to have gotten “Happy Maks” back for this season.
I love this honesty from Max…He has really flipped over Meryl. And he does have much chemistry and sex appeal…I believe Meryl already digs him and we will all be treated to some romantic sparks for the season…If this holds up, Max must learn to watch his matinee idol self adoration!
Oh god…shippers.
loll Heidi!!! Yep, they are alive and well again.
And Ellen Snow…just a FYI, Meryl has a boyfriend.
I am enjoying your comments π I always liked Max, I think he’s a good match with Meryl. They just glow and vibe on the dance.
Really? I don’t think Meryl has a bf, she has never mentioned it much, as well as when Max asked her if she was dating Charlie. That would have been a good time to bring up the bf?
It’s funny how the camera always goes to the skating partner when the other is dancing or finished dancing lol.
I am not liking the switching of the dancers, most likely though most will want to go back to their original dancer! I hope so!
OH, I googled, and supposedly she does have a bf but is keeping it quiet and private. But I have a feeling that she is saying that so media won’t quiz her so much with her romance. What bf wants to be on the download while she’s flirting with Max? And I also doubt she would flirt much with Max if she’s got a bf.
down low, not download lol