PureDWTS18 Week 5 Post Media And Interviews, Some Dances Revealed For Party Anthem Week
Wow, what a show last night from the graphics, the songs, the stories, the characters, and the dancing. We really have to commend the whole cast, the costume designers, the make up crew, and producers for everything put into this show. My Dad called right after the show and was going wild about it. *sigh an unforgettable evening for sure!!
So, for media starters and interviews after the show today, be sure to see ABC7. George Pennacchio has a great recap and some interviews. You can also view him interviewing the couples at On The Red Carpet as they uploaded some of their interviews in the night and they are excellent as always. Don’t miss them at this link and keep checking back for more. Below are a few of them. From these interviews so far, we learned that Maks & Meryl have a Tango next for Party Anthem Week. Val & Danica, Sharna & Charlie, Mark & Candace have a Cha Cha (more revealed as you scroll down).
You can also see some beautiful photos of the cast dancing at On The Red Carpet and the Daily Mail.
Also, JC Rubio (love him! He’s just as good as George!) interviewed the couples last night for Afterbuzz TV. Below is Amy & Derek and Maks & Meryl. Note how Derek & Amy have a Jive next. Keep checking this link for more.
Also, be sure to see Pure Derek Hough with more media and interviews with Amy and Derek!! There was a beautiful interview with Amy on Nightline too last night. A must see!
Lastly, E Online has a recap with the couples scores listed. They also have some video coverage.
Ok, more coming up! Stay tuned!! 😉 xx
ETA: Below is Cody and Witney on GMA today thanks to IdolXfactor (be sure you are following this channel). I’m still shocked these two were eliminated….
Cody Simpson & Witney Carson – Exit Interview… by IdolxMuzic
And here is good ol Henry of PopTVDotCom with some of the cast going to a party afterwards. Gleb is interviewed too! 🙂
ETA2: The Access Hollywood interviews are starting to come out. You can watch them here. Below is James and Peta….
Also, Today interviewed Tony. He told them he doesn’t hate Derek like the package showed last night. Below is more…
“It was a tough night,” Dovolani told TODAY after the show.
And one of the things that made it tough for him was the fact that the editing on the show framed the fracas in a way that made him look like a bad guy — at least that’s how he saw it.
“That package made me out to be the villain,” he insisted. “It made it seem like I hate Derek. I don’t hate Derek. He’s an incredible choreographer.”
Dovolani added that the spat he had with Leakes about it all was short compared to the entire week of rehearsals they shared.
“That dance we did (this week) didn’t come from nowhere,” he said. “Did we have a tiff at one point? Yes. But they never showed us making up. We walked in the day after and said, ‘Sorry, sorry; love you, love you,’ and we moved on.”
ETA3: Tony also writes about it in a new blog at Closer Weekly.
Did we have a tiff? Yes we did. But they never showed us making up. The next day we both apologized to each other, shared a big hug, said I love you and moved on.
It was hard being made the villain out of two minutes of a rehearsal day. But NeNe and I are all good. Our altercation happened a week ago and we’ve been fine ever since. We’ve gotten along from day one and that two-minute tiff was completely exploited.
Still, last night was very emotional for NeNe. I think it was a combination of everything that happened last week. She cares about me and didn’t want people thinking I was the villain. In fact, she told me, “You’re the nice guy on Dancing With The Stars, but they’re making you look bad.”
The show also made it seem like I hate Derek. I don’t hate Derek; he’s an incredible choreographer, a great dancer and more power to him. They even showed me cheering them on last week!
And below is Extra with some interviews….
Having watched Maks and Meryl’s On The Red Carpet interview, I really wish Maks would stop staying it’s easy with Meryl. It shouldn’t be easy, IMO. When Val was dancing with her, you could see how he was pushing her and pushing himself to give her good choreography. There are a lot more expectations you have to live up to with a ringer like Meryl.
A tango for party anthem week? Seems odd. Guess it’ll depend on what the song is.
Katie, I wish Maks would stop with the “Meryl is easy” and “she is everything, blah blah blah” comments too. Every time he does that, he disses his other partners. I agree too that the level in difficulty in his choreography can’t even compare to Val’s this season. He needs to seriously step it up if he wants to make it to the finals with her.
Courtney or Heidi, Do the pros have some say in what dance style they have on any given week? We haven’t seen Charlie do any of the hard-core ballroom dances (waltz/vwaltz, foxtrot, quickstep). I wonder if that’s a deliberate strategy on someone’s part.
Maks is such a turn-off. Yuck!
I hate to say it, Vogue, but I don’t think Maks can step it up choreographically and still maintain his easy-breezy, it’s all good, I’m having fun attitude. If he goes into competitive mode, I fear we’ll see his aggressive, impatient side; and I’d rather not go there. Sure Meryl deserves more challenging choreography, and she’d knock our socks off. However, I think she’d rather continue having a fun, happy, relaxed experience. She has an Olympic gold medal; I can’t imagine winning this silly dance show is all that important to her.
@Cidra – I don’t think they really get any say in what dance styles they do. They can request songs (but there are no guarantees that they’ll actually get them) and sometimes the songs themselves will dictate the dance style, but I don’t have any historical evidence to show that they actually get to say “I want to do samba this week!” or “I don’t want to do any ballroom dances until week 6!” That’s not to say that there isn’t some sort of agenda on the part of the Muppets upstairs when picking who does what dances in a given week – seems like Meryl, Charlie, Amy, & NeNe have all managed to avoid a slew of the ballroom dances, while Drew seems to be getting saddled with them about every other week. I’m guessing in Amy & NeNe’s cases, it was to accommodate some special needs (obviously, Amy’s prostheses, and to a lesser degree, NeNe’s height), but I’m a tad puzzled as to how Meryl & Charlie have avoided them so far.
True too Cids!!
Charlie and Sharna doing the Cha-Cha… Such fun.
Jive for Amy! Eek. How will the judges score and critique this dance fairly? One of the biggest issues with the Jive are the kicks and flicks. I’m curious to see if any other couple will have the same dance, as to avoid any comparison.
In days of yore I believe the couples used to do a Latin dance one week and then a Standard dance the next and then continue on in that fashion. I liked that better than what they do now.
Of course back then they didn’t have so many goofy theme weeks in addition to not having Jazz or Contemporary.
“Party Anthem”…what an odd choice. Well, obviously it makes sense considering the guest judge, but the music is going to be weird. And what kind of party anthem goes with a tango? Huh, next week will be interesting.
I’ll have a “Party Anthem Week” song prediction post coming up later 😉
Susan2, yeah that’s the way it used to be, and it made a ton of sense; but since all-stars very little about the way this show runs makes much sense.
Court, I wonder if TPTB aren’t giving Meryl and Charlie the ballroom dances because those are the styles more often used in ice dance. The height difference between Meryl and Maks might make ballroom a bit more challenging for them, but I think Charlie and Sharna would look sublime.
Loved Charlie’s dance with penguins also. 🙂
Yay Court! Bring it!! woo hooo
Oh boy! Courtney, I am looking forward to your song prediction post. Like the posters before, I am wondering what “party anthem” song goes with Tango.
I can think of one off the top of my head that I don’t think TPTB will be able to resist the urge to use, nobleze 😉 It’ll all make sense later…
Now, you’ve really whet up my appetite for these song predictions! Maybe it’ll help me enjoy, or at least tolerate, next week’s guest judge whose name I cannot remember but I think sounds like “pooh”.
Maks, put a shirt on. I can’t believe some on other boards thinks Maks is shy about his body. Fooled me. Most pros keep covered after and before dances. Also Maks needs to step it up. Did he not learn from just even his brother? Or Derek who he back hand complimented ( but that’s okay bc we can only say Julianne is wrong bc she correctly judged Maks and he and his ego are priority this season) did amazing work even with non dancer Brooke and Kellie. I mean, step it up Maks. I also find it not surprising Meryl gets tango just a few weeks after AT and yet to do jazz or contemporary. Tptb smart enough to realize Maks will hurt their chances of her winning or even getting into the top 3 if he does horrible choreo.
@Melissa – FWIW, apparently Maks was NOT HAPPY about having to doff his shirt & play Mowgli – and from the impression I got from Deep Throat, it was a similar situation to last season when Derek was “strongly encouraged” to doff his shirt for Amber’s “If I Could Turn Back Time” rumba. I guess Maks was spotted arguing with one of the producers in the parking lot last week – can’t be positive what it was about, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it was the whole “Maks, you play Mowgli!” thing.
“Redfoo” or Stefan Gordy is a pretty talented guy (or producer at least) and , I think, the youngest sone of Berry Gordy Jr, foundr of Motown.
*slaps forehead* I had no idea that Redfoo & Skyblu were part of the Gordy dynasty. That explains a lot…thanks Raine! 😛
You’re welc Courtney !! Wonder who’s doin “Sexy and I know It” ?? lol
Maks, if it’s “easy” with Meryl…YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG. THIS is what I’m talking about. When Derek had Nicole, did he see it as “easy”?? Hell no, she was one of his hardest partners because he felt he had to push her to her very limits. Same with Shawn. I think Mark was the same with Kristi and Aly. Jesus, dude, get with the program!
@Court, I think Maks didn’t want to play Mowgli because it meant he had to shave 😉 (just kidding).
In any case, I’m going to give Maks some slack this week because I agree with him that Mowgli was a dumb choice of character to give him. As for being shirtless, I think TPTB need to stop dictating costume choices to the pros. Maks could have done Mowgli with the bottoms he had on and a simple, distressed, open vest on top and still get the point across.
It’s these times that I wish I could just sit down with Maks and have a heart-to-heart with him, really tell him from a point of support and love that he is being a friggen idiot and needs to re-examine his strategy if he wants to do himself and his partner justice. Sigh, but that will never be, instead he’ll just take the road he’s always traveled. It certainly does seem like a wasted opportunity, but maybe Maks needs to consider his “real” priorities as having a fun, drama-free time with Meryl, mirrorball or no. But if he wants to win, he’ll need to rise to the challenge and I just don’t see it coming from him thus far.
I’m wondering if kicks and flicks won’t be “easier” for Amy than the pivoting required in the waltz. The action might be easier, but I can only imagine how much it might HURT.
Susan2, if they go back to alternating Latin and Standard, they wouldn’t be able to manipulate the results like they do. 🙂
I was doing a search for “Top 100 Party Hits” the other day looking at some songs they could POSSIBLY use. Some that I saw looked fitting for certain dances so (I.e: A Jive to “Hey Ya!” the #1 party song on the list). My guess is they’ll probably use some more current party hits because of the whole “attracting the younger demo” thing.
Cody’s rooting for Amy & Charlie? …he just went up a notch in my eyes 🙂
Thanks, Courtney, makes sense. Still think the real Maks is underneath all the it is so easy with Meryl talk. He is hoping to walk to that mbt and I hope ?Charlie or James take it instead. Love Amy and I find it insensitive people who are saying it should be easy for her bc she is an athlete. Do they say the same for say all footballers? I think jive might be easier for her but I worry about it hurting her more. I think people forget that and I remember Heather struggling to get the bounce. I wonder if Derek thought of talking to Jonathan just to see what he learned. Though there situation is not the same.
Hey!! Amy should use her running “feet” for jive. Doesn’t she use “blade runner” type contraptions??
A tango to party music actually doesn’t sound too strange to me. I could see a more dance electronic type song like “Lights” by Ellie Golding and a more fast paced tango. Of course, Cha cha and jive are more suited to party songs though imo.
Cidra, I agree that Meryl and Charlie are probably not getting as many traditional ballroom dances because of their background. Waltz and other styles like that are staple ice dance patterns and those are the dances that they probably have the most advantage in. As we saw with Charlie’s rumba and Meryl’s samba, hip action is still a problem for them.
She should! Someone should tweet her and Derek that suggestion!
I’ve thought of a party song for a Tango. Rock & Roll Part 2 by Gary Glitter. The one where the word “HEY!” is the only song lyric.
It’s played a lot at sporting events to get the crowd riled up.
I like the fact that Meryl and Maks have a great friendship, but if Maks wants to win, he better step up his game! I mean, it’s okay to have fun; I’m just extremely worried that he’s going to get lazy. Maks has to remember that this is a competition. I hope he pushes Meryl to her best, like Val did. 🙂
Interesting exert from Tony’s blog @ Closer Weekly
“Now we are on to our salsa! It’s a party dance, so we want to make sure everybody in the audience feels like they are in the club. It’ll be traditional, but we’ll bend the rules the whole time. Hey, they make exceptions for everyone else so they have to make exceptions for us as well!”
Hmmm.
Salsa is already pretty loosey-goosey in terms of rules on DWTS, though – what’s Tony gonna do, make NeNe do the Dougie the whole time? I doubt it’s nearly as “rule-breaking” as Tony probably thinks. Lol
LOL. So true, Courtney!
I just didn’t understand the shade with “they make exceptions for everyone else – w/ breaking the rules.”
I’m might be in the minority in which Tony doesn’t bother me as much, I’m indifferent to him, but that comment leaves me feeling like he’s one bitter Nancy.
Jeez Tony, they gave you and Leah a pass last season. When you broke hold in qs and they praised it and never called it out. Always a martyr.
The problem with Tony’s theory is that it doesn’t always work out that way, re bending the rules. Having been on the receiving end of judges bending rules for him and NOT for Derek, he should realize that. But then he probably thinks that only Derek gets ringers. LOL.
The show also made it seem like I hate Derek. I don’t hate Derek; he’s an incredible choreographer, a great dancer and more power to him. They even showed me cheering them on last week!….Notice how he NEVER said friend:)
Maks might have wanted to be mogwli, but still put on a shirt for the interviews. Also since they gave him Meryl, he shouldn’t complain and just do it.
Good detail you caught there, Kristin. I find it interesting nene said last week during an interview how pros are competitive. Derek was like what? She is like not him. But some are…guessing the familia. There is like begrudging respect bc he is a fool not to acknowledge his talent. But yeah, funny not friend, not that I saw them friends.
OMG. I’m so sick of this delusional FAMILIA and their fans are not only brainless but heartless, too.
“More power to Derek”, yeah Tony, Derek has creative oversight for the Macy’s stars of dance and for next season Conrad Green’s job is vacant. So watch out, LOL.
Wondering why there is an Afterbuzz Amazing Race video in this post. LOL I haven’t had a chance to watch all the videos–as I’m using a public access computer. But, I can’t wait for a chance to do so. Especially, how Tony backpedals…defends his reactions in the DWTS package with Nene. So not cool, Tony. I’m wondering if he reacted badly about Derek because so many people on this site and others think that DWTS/fans gifted Tony and Melissa with the All
Star win.
JMO. U know Tony doesn’t like Derek, look at some of the faces he makes after Derek dances, eg., when Kellie n Derek won. He really gave himself away this time, nothing can change what he said. One could feel the venom. U think his older that he could have word things a little more differently.
@terryn There is a difference between dislike and insecurity. I’m not saying Tony is right or he has the best attitude (All-Star Tony I’m looking at you) but I think he has a genuine respect for Derek. When Tony opens his mouth and says those things or makes those looks, that is his insecurity showing. Tony, like Val, needs to learn to keep his mouth shut and put his money in his dancing.
Are you sure Heck didn’t freeze over and nobody told me? I’m actually defending Tony again. Court, you may need to smack me around.
Watched Afterbuzz last night. The most boring episode ever. Henry was supposed to be on and couldn’t make it, Kristyn was not there and the other three had really nothing much to say. Anna had an interesting take on Tony though and how in the ballroom world it is definitely not kosher to compare coaches. She thought that was why he was so upset. Other than that little bit, super boring.
I love DWTS~I look forward 2 the
show every week~I just look 4 the
positive in every situation & every
dance~& it makes my heart happy~
A standing O for the pros~the stars~
The judges~& especially 4 Tom B!!
^^ Rah-Rah-Sis-Boom-Bah!
Sorry, annoying day at work so I just couldn’t resist.