Afterbuzz And Gleb Savchenko Review DWTS Season 18 Week 1 (Video)
Below is Kristyn Burtt and the Afterbuzz team with their first critique of the new season of Dancing With The Stars. Gleb Savchenko joins them to review the night (aww, it’s so good to see him again!!) as well. I was in agreement with most everything until Suri commented on how she could have done without Drew’s performance. Really, Suri? Wow, he made me totally smile. Anna gets a little critical of Charlie’s steps too. Anyway, listen through and see if you agree with them. Also note that Gleb talks all about his new underwear line at the end as well as an upcoming party. *Can’t wait for some coverage of that. š Ok, here you go…
Thanks for always posting these, Vogue! Love listening/watching to the Afterbuzz team!
Wow I really enjoyed Drew’s dance. Did I miss something?
Exactly PJ!!
YW Tony! x
Totally disagree about with them about Erin. I thought she was harsh, too in your face and totally grated on my nerves!
Disagree with Suri’s enthusiasm for Erin. Highlight for me was their discussion of Maks and what he should be doing to highlight her and give her the best training etc. I got the impression they thought he could do better for her.
Love listening to Afterbuzz even if I don’t always agree with them š
So Courtney, it looks like some others have also misunderstood the point of your Danica ‘secret ringer’ post. Focused on the ‘ringer’ part instead of ‘secret’ part. No surprise though, Kristyn often doesn’t like to fuel too much controversy.
I actually was ready to believe Maks didn’t know he would be getting someone good (all of his “what did I do to deserve Meryl?” comments before the show started) but it definitely seems like he was indeed promised someone good to come back. He may not have known it would be Meryl exactly but still someone contender-worthy. I feel bad for other pros, like say Tristan, who not only didn’t get asked to come back, but he could never ask for a good person in order to come back on the show. It would probably be more like, ‘ok Tristan you can come backā¦.but to work with another 70 year old partner because that is your role’ā¦.ugh
Loved that they talked about what Maks should be doing for Meryl though. I do agree, I WOULD rather see a great classic cha cha than covering up non-ability by doing hip hop and such to mask it. But, she is capable and so I want to see challenging stuff AND flashy stuff that will be memorable. That is Maks’ job as a pro (and all the pros not just singling him out)- do what it takes to give your partner the best chance to stand out and garner votes. Even if you believe in classic stuff over other stuff, it’s not the point, because it’s not about you, it’s about helping the celeb to succeed. That’s what you are getting paid for. And now back to Maks, it is what unfortunately he doesn’t seem good at; whether it is due to not feeling like making the extra efforts to push himself in choreography and in pi\ushing his partner to really perfect the technique or actually just not being a very gifted choreographer. I haven’t completely made up my mind which it is with him, sometimes a little of both I think. But now, having someone like Meryl, I hope he will step it up in both areas. What Gleb or Jules said, about cleaning up her turns for example, that would have been an easy fix, why not just do it? And I will go hereā¦..this is WHY Derek has won 5 trophies and pushed most of his partners to at least the semi-finalsā¦because he always finds a way to best showcase his celeb and push them. I really hope Maks doesn’t let down Meryl. I really am rooting for him for he first time ever because I want to see great things from her!
Glad Suri at least was willing to say she didn’t care for the opening number.
I agree contemporary dance has a lot more subjectivity and can be an advantage to the celeb, especially on a ballroom show where the pros and audience don’t know as much about itā¦.but I believe to excel at most contemporary you DO need incredible technique. It still shouldn’t be on week 1 on a ballroom show though.
Anna is always willing to offer hard critiques. I do find her takes interesting as a former pro and she is often funny too, if sometimes harsh. After being off the show for so long, having a new baby, and from the things she is willing to say in the negative about the show and the people, I have a feeling she won’t be back as a pro on DWTS.
First, did you see the look on Anna’s face when Suri said the behind the scenes talk was giving Maks a contender. That was incredible. Anna has had maybe one or two ringers, but she has always worked hard to make her partners great dancers. Secondly, I didn’t like what Suri said about Drew Carey either. She bugged me tonight for some reason. I thought Krysten’s comment about no ringer talk was more about how sick she is of the back and forth of it. Gleb, I thought had such an insightful comment about Val and Danika holding back as part of a strategy to “make a journey.” He went on to say maybe we won’t see her real experience until the semi finals. I am so in agreement with that. I thought Gleb did a really good job. I thought it was interesting but pretty PC.
I listened to the podcast, so I couldn’t really tell the difference between Gleb and Julz’s voices. I did think that the podcast was pretty PC, but as we said on another thread, KB has to stay pretty neutral because otherwise she could possibly lose a source.
Overall, it was a pretty good podcast, but it bothered me that they mentioned the word “troupe” twice – at least they could have talked about the members, even though they didn’t really do much at all last night. I think that Maks has caused the most chatter all around, so we’ll have to see how that goes.
I was hoping that someone would mention the placement of the singers. They were front and center when Charlie and Sharna were dancing and I found it horribly distracting, completely sliced the mood. And what I realized from their conversation is that I think Maks is going to bump up against his own limitations. When he and Meryl danced I felt like she was kind of running to try to keep up with him. When you see that his hip joints are about at her neck it makes a lot of sense. Maks takes huge, huge strides, and since she can’t possibly keep up with him he’s going to have to modulate himself to her. My guess is that modulating is not one of Maks’s favorite activities. Plus, Meryl is someone who can handle expert and comples choreography, and honestly, I don’t think Maks is up to it. As wonderful as she is — and she is — I think their dances are going to be disappointments. I don’t think Maks knows how to highlight her considerable gifts.
I was also disappointed that they were unaware of prosthetic developments by MIT which were inspired by the injuries sustained by a dancer in the Boston bombing. http://www.wcvb.com/news/dancer-injured-in-marathon-bombing-to-perform-for-first-time-since-attack/24986582
Finally had a chance to watch from start to finish…guess I’ll just tick off random thoughts:
*Agree that the opening number was kind of odd. My best guess is that somebody upstairs said something like “Ok gang, listen here: we managed to book Jason Derulo, but he’s only available for the premiere and he wants to do ‘Talk Dirty to Me’ and he says he wants some of his dancers in it. We’ve got Mandy Moore set to choreograph. Has to include all of the pros and troupe and be under a minute and a half. Make something happen!” Seems like they might have been working with a lot of predetermined variables and did the best they could to make them work in a short amount of time. One highlight: Emma got to take center stage, which I don’t think has happened yet in a big pro dance. š
*I think Erin isn’t going to be as warm and approachable to the couples as Brooke was, and that could be a problem – especially since I think she blindsided some of them this past week. I think they may be a bit guarded with her from now on. I think she especially needs to be careful when needling female pros or celebs – what may come across as “just joking” to a guy can come across as catty to women. I think that’s why I was really put off by how she was talking to Cody & Witney – it was as if she was trying to set Witney up as this swivel-hipped blonde harlot that was playing homewrecker to Cody’s relationship with his girlfriend. I thought Witney (despite many claims in the past that she’s “immature” or “selfish”) handled it beautifully by mentioning that she is good friends with Cody’s girlfriend…I notice Erin moved on pretty quickly after that, but not before throwing in one last little jab: “Well, I think you’re a distraction!” ::roll::
*Funny that Anna mentioned Peta as being the resident “showmancer” once again this season – I’m honestly beginning to think they’re really starting to pigeonhole her into the “sexy starlet with a lot of suitors” role on the show. The “Marilyn Monroe of DWTS”, if you will. I started to notice it last season, when Peta was front-and-center in almost EVERY pro dance, and seemed to always have the skimpiest costumes and tried to play up the showmance angle with Brandt whenever she could. This season with James seems to be the same thing – except the funny part is that I find them to be totally awkward together. I actually thought she had a better chemistry with Brant, who she wasn’t actually dating. š
*Anna’s claim that “you can’t take dance lessons for at least a year after having a baby”? FALSE. BF has TWO students that were back on the dancefloor with him as soon as their OBGYN’s gave the all-clear – both were eager to lose the baby weight, and also just needed a break from being full-time mommies to newborns. Sparing 1 hour per week for a dance lesson is pretty doable – and healthy, IMO. Plus, it’s made for some adorable pix of the bf holding the little ones…but it sucks that it makes me want some of my own! š
*Funny they should mention the RHOBH connection between Lisa Vanderpump and Yolanda Foster’s daughter, Gigi (Cody’s gf). I highly doubt we’ll see Lisa showing up in the audience to cheer on Cody, as she and Yolanda had a pretty vicious falling out this season on RHOBH. Seems like all the ladies on that show turned against Lisa after she did DWTS – jealousy, maybe? Wonder if the same thing will happen to NeNe and the rest of the Atlanta housewives…
Overall, a good first edition of Afterbuzz for the season. Seems like this group meshes pretty well – will be interesting to see if that continues as the season wears on. Seems like a few of them started to butt heads towards the end of last season… šÆ
While I enjoyed having Julz on, I really miss Jake. He’s not perhaps as criical as some of the others, but he’s very sweet and positive.
I also think Kristyn missed the point when she starting talking about Danica and how people are saying she’s a ringer, blah blah blah. She’s a ringer who’s hiding it while the more obvious ringers take the heat. I don’t know how many more times this has to be said.
I don’t get Suri’s dismissal of Drew and Cheryl either. I just feel like Suri gets a bee in her bonnet about a certain couple and that’s it for her for the rest of the season.
Glad some did mention that NeNe and Tony’s ChaCha was sort of a not Cha Cha. I felt like it took forever to really get started, and then it almost immediately went into some hip hop type moves.
Actually, Susan2, it wasn’t a cha cha at all but since Tony’s Tony and not Derek no one will say anything other than Courtney and our discerning readers. š
Suri likes to gossip about the Chmerkovskiy’s. She is critical of them and sways the audience to get rid of them.
Suri probably gets her gossip from Derek. Derek has all sisters and knows how to manipulate people. Since the Chmerkovskiy’s grew up without sisters they did not learn to whisper, whisper. I did not like Anna’s negative comments on Zendaya during her season she swayed people to get rid of Zendaya. Lost my respect for Anna.
Oh yeah, Andi, I’m sure Suri is determined to get rid of the C-bros, being that Tony the adopted C Bro is one of her good friends. :::rolls eyes::: And yeah, that sounds JUST LIKE Derek, gossiping and manipulating. Not to mention that you weren’t AT ALL sexist, implying that having all sisters (aka women) makes it more likely that you know how to manipulate. I’m also sure that Anna has NO IDEA how powerful and mighty she is, to sway the entire Zendaya rabid fandom to stop voting. Yup, yup.
-end sarcasm-
Jesus. You only get one more chance before the scarlet T goes on the forehead and you hit the road.
Wait a second – I distinctly remember blocking someone named “Andi” about 3.5 years ago for claiming DWTS was “racist” because Rick Fox got voted off and Kyle didn’t win…I think she also told all of us to “kiss her @$$”. I think back then she was going by “andiethewestie”…Heidi, this ringing any bells for you? Surely this Andi isn’t that same, antagonistic individual… š
Just watched and always love After Buzz – thanks as always Vogue. š
I just have to say I did miss Jake and sorry he won’t be with us this season.
@EPMusic #6 ITA with your post.
@Courtney #10 always enjoy reading what your thoughts are and agree with all you had to say as well. Glad you shared the story about your BF having two students who returned to dancing after getting the clear from their OBY-GN. When Anna said that I was shaking my head wondering what made her think that. Especially a whole year??? People have major surgery and return to dancing rather quickly.
@ Susan2 – I agree about your point on how Suri can be dismissive towards certain couples. Everyone’s entitled to their opinions and Suri is certainly entitled to hers, but sometimes I feel she comes across as being rude when she has to talk about celebrities/couples she clearly does not like. For example, a couple seasons ago, she did not like Aly Raisman AT ALL & it seemed to almost kill her to say something positive about her. At least the others on the panel can say something nice about all the couples, even if they are not their favorites.
Also, it’s not just Danica & Val that are hiding her previous ballroom dance experience. The judges are also “acting” like she’s never had ballroom dancing training, or any kind of dance training for that matter.
It’s weird because in the past, the judges have had no trouble calling out certain celebrities who have had ballet training in the past (ie, Melissa R & Stacy K), therefore raising their expectations of them. But having ballroom dance training is way more valuable to competing on the show compared to having ballet training.
Here’s what I wonder about Danica, perhaps she really isn’t very good despite all the lessons. Like she got some parts of it but her body just doesn’t really get the whole of it. I’m not saying this excuses her from disclosing, not at all. But perhaps everyone who sees her dance has a really hard time believing it because she’s so spazzo. And maybe Val isn’t using strategy, maybe he’s thinking Oh Lord, I’ve got another spaz on my hands who will never ever shut up and will never not look like they are trying so d. hard.
First of all let me say I love Gleb. His comments are insightful and refreshingly honest. And he was spot on, especially about Ne Ne, Danica and Merylās performance.
Sorry to say this because I enjoy AB but some of Kristyn’s comments really annoyed me. She clearly understood the point of the Danica āsecret ringerā post. Rather than address the cover-up and deception, she merely brushes it off as oh just another ringer been done to death issue.
Another comment she made was that they couldnāt match Meryl with Derek because that would be unfair. I donāt understanding her reasoning. Why in the world would she think it would be unfair to partner Meryl with Derek but itās okay with Maks. Meryl would have been a perfect match with Derek. Their talent and creativity would have been dynamic. Instead they give her to Maks, whoās choreography is often woefully lacking and their height difference is visually off putting.
Perhaps Maks was right when he said it was his show. Maks wanted a strong contender and they gave it to him. Val has had one ringer after another. Tony was given a MBT (given not won). And what about that new dance style called the Ne Ne cha-less cha cha. The judges should have slammed Tony for not performing the dance they were assigned. Seems like the āC famā get whatever they want.
Jara #20, I completely agree with you. It does seem to be Maks show this season and I do not like it. I am enjoying the cast with all their differences, but I do not like favoritism. How can the celebrities have a fair chance?
Somebody’s been drinking the koolaide if they think that putting Derek with Meryl would have been “unfair”. The woman is a massive ringer, no matter who she dances with. Derek choreographed her (just like others have choreographed her before him), he didn’t TRAIN her to dance. A ringer is a ringer is a ringer, no matter who they dance with.
@Jara – Kristyn understood the point of my post; it’s just the whole ringer conversation has been DONE TO DEATH on AB, to the point where Anna kinda rolls her eyes and shuts down whenever anyone brings it up. I think at this point, Kristyn’s dismissal of it was more an attempt to just keep the conversation lively and engaging – I didn’t really take it as her “missing the point”. And when they only have about 50 minutes to talk about the whole show (and the ringer debate can quite literally go on for HOURS), I can’t blame her for not wanting to get into it.
@Gail – I interpreted Anna’s claim that you can’t take dance lessons “for at least a year” after having a baby more as an opinion that newborns require so much of one’s time that you simply don’t have time to dance. I really think of it as a matter of “How bad do you want to dance?” Because really, one hour per week is pretty manageable – you can usually find someone to watch the little one for an hour, and some studios will even allow you to bring them with you and have them nearby while you’re taking your lesson. I personally think it’s healthy for new moms to have a bit of a break from baby every now and then – infants can be draining, and when all you’re doing all day, everyday is tending to their needs, you can lose sight of your own needs. I think Anna’s opinion may be a bit colored by the fact that she doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to get back into dancing herself – she had said in an interview that she thought she’d want to be back out on the floor ASAP after having Amalya, but now that she’s here, she’s really not in any hurry. And that’s fine – some moms love being around baby 24/7, others like to maintain some outside interests. Everybody’s different – I guess I just took a bit of offense to her claim that dancing was out of the question for new moms, PERIOD. It’s completely doable if you’re willing to make the effort.
@Courtney thank you – I thought she meant from a health stand point and obviously couldn’t understand that. Guess I have had so many health issues my mind went there. I agree with you again on all the points you have mentioned that the benefits of dancing are wonderful for so many reasons. When I danced years ago I always called it my stress buster. I would think even an hour a week would be doable for a new mom if they want to. To make a blanket statement as she did was something that was her choice, but doesn’t mean it’s everyone’s choice.
@Court … I did not expect her to get into a long discussion about it. However, she brought it up and stated that everyone was real upset because people are calling Danica this seasonās ringer. Thatās an inaccurate assessment and leaves the wrong impression!!! Instead of saying that, she should have said people are upset not because they think Danicaās a ringer but because she hiding the extent of her professional ballroom training. Thatās all that had to be said, no long discussion needed. I would have preferred she didnāt bring it up at all rather than leave the wrong impression.
Gleb is now public enemy #1 on the C Bros fan club list. How dare he criticize his choreography with Meryl. Maksim is perfect in everything he does. AfterbBuzz TV hates the C Bros… blah blah blah. Reminder:the ratings are still stagnant despite all of Maksim’s fans tuning in just to see him. So there.
Good job Afterbuzz TV, good job!!!!