Afterbuzz TV Reviews DWTS18 Week 6 With Henry Byalikov, Dance Teasers For Next Week
Kristyn Burtt is back this week (yay! I missed her last week!)! She, Suri Serano, Anna Trebunskaya, and Henry Byalikov down the dances for Dancing With The Stars Season 18 Week 6. As well as the dances, they review Redfoo as a judge….the panel didn’t like him, but, Henry liked him (as I did!). They also talked of the Macy’s Stars Of Dance. This part was fascinating as Henry explains how long rehearsals took, the technicalities, and gives Derek Hough and Allison huge props for how they put the routine together! He describes Derek as “phenomenal” and Allison as a “beast”. Note also that Kristyn mentions Charlie has a Paso Doble and Meryl has a Salsa next week. Henry also gives some hints of the new opening number and what it will be like. Another great show!
Anna was hilarious! Loved it when she started singing Let It Go! lol
Charlie with the Paso could be killer! So we know Charlie has the Paso, James has Samba, Meryl has Salsa…I wonder if they won’t have any Rumbas to keep the energy left up the entire time.
Meant to say “energy level” obviously…
There’s one rumba next week.
I loved the look on Anna’s face when it was mentioned that Abby Lee is going to be a judge. Even though Kristyn says she is nice in person, her public persona is being a bully to little girls learning to dance. I can’t believe DWTS and ABC can condone that show and put her on as a judge. They are promoting negativity and being abusive. Nice message and all to get ratings. I’ve said it before; TPTB doesn’t care what type of publicity they get. But, they always seem to be leaning towards the controversial side rather than the positive. It really doesn’t matter to them if we complain about it. They love the buzz and they think even a train wreck like ALM is going to get them ratings. Anything for ratings. Can’t wait for Conrad to exit the building! I hope this is the last of his bonehead ideas.
It’s interesting to me how Henry brought up the fact that the feet Amy used for her Jive were in a locked toe point. Almost like he was, very kindly, trying to say that, yes, her kicks and flicks looked amazing BUT, she wasn’t having to worry about that extension through the toes to give it such great crispness. In effect, saying that this might be one time when the prosthetic limbs had a small, side benefit (not to take anything away from how wonderful it is to see what she’s capable of doing.) It’s just an observation most of us probably wouldn’t have even considered.
I’d like to hear Courtney’s point of view regarding Henry’s comments about Amy’s prosthetic.
You have to remember that she had to balance on those high demi-point prosthetic feet for the entire time. Yikes. I would think that being able to feel the floor and use it to get the Jive bounce and speed would be important. Is that right?
I love Anna! She’s very open, and we know exactly what she’s thinking, even if she doesn’t say it! I don’t always agree with everything she says/thinks, but I love how expressive she is!
I CRINGED when Henry mentioned the oops that Amy and Derek had! Yikes!
And Krystin, if you’re reading, HI!!! WE LOVE YOU!!! Quite often, you say what I’m thinking. I like that you’re able to express your thoughts and still toe the line, it can’t be easy.
@Susan2 – Hehe…my main point of view is that Henry needs to stop being such a boy scout and just come out and say what he’s thinking rather than skirting around it and trying to soften the blow. It’s not a good look 😛 But that aside, yeah, maybe Amy had a slight advantage in having feet that were already pointed – but I think the downside is that she was on her tiptoes the WHOLE TIME and seemed to lose a bit of balance as a result. The thing about jive technique is that it alternates between the ball of the foot and a flat foot – the basic step is ball, flat, ball-flat; ball, flat, ball-flat; ball, ball-flat. All of the steps have that technique in mind – so if you’re having to do it on your tiptoes the whole time, you’re going to struggle. On top of that, Amy really can’t pivot – so certain steps like simple spins and swivels were already out of the question for her. Henry may see it as “well Amy didn’t have to work to point her toes!”, whereas I see it as “She may not have had to consciously point her toes, but it’s not like she was able to do everything that a person with real feet could do!” Again, it seems to come down to “Is it really worth arguing that Amy has an unfair advantage in ONE aspect of a dance, when she’s automatically unable to do 20 other things that an able-bodied person can do?”
#Angie … I know you’re just reporting what Henry said so this is not “directed” at you, but that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. First of all, if you look at the photos where Amy is reclined and kicking you can see that the feet are not in a locked toe point. It may well be that they looked that way when she was dancing because when she was kicking gravity may have had its way with any “give” on the feet. I’ve always liked Henry, and maybe when I listen it will be different in context, but to say that the prosthetics give Amy any kind of advantage (except for what Amy said, which is if she breaks a leg she can just put another one on) is beyond bizarre. If they were, in fact, in a locked toe point, that would mean that on every one of the jumps between the kicks and flicks she would have to land balancing on a toe point, without benefit of toe shoes, instead of on the ball of the foot which the natural-footed have to land on. Again Angie, hugs to you, but Henry should take another look.
@Courtney – that has always been my issue with having Henry on the show. He’s very articulate and well-spoken and is good at giving BTS information but I never feel like he gives a full critique. I always feel like there is something missing that he wants to say. Obviously all the current pros/troupe members have to censor themselves somewhat, it’s a fine line for sure, but I think Sharna is a good example of someone who won’t bash a celeb or the pro but at the same time is honest about their faults and what they need to work on.
Great having Kristyn back though and Anna always cracks me up! I really think she would make a great guest judge.
Angie, I’m glad you brought up the topic. I always like learning about the mechanics of dance. I’m a nerd. I dig that stuff.
Thank you Courtney!
@DLT – For reasons I can’t and won’t get into, let’s just say I’m unsure of how I feel about Henry overall – seems like a nice guy, but there’s certain things that he says and does that kinda scream “undercover douchebag!” to me. The insinuation that Amy’s prostheses somehow give her an unfair advantage kinda falls into that category. He always seems to struggle with the line between Mr. PC and really speaking his mind, and in some ways I find that more off-putting than if he were up-front from the get-go. And yes, Sharna is a good example of being diplomatic while still being honest – wish some of the other pros would take a page out of her book.
@Susan2 – You’re welcome 🙂
A small side benefit to prosthetic limbs?? Anyone who would even IMPLY such a thing is probably smoking crack. Did her plastic feet look good? Sure. But could she FEEL THE FLOOR?? NO. Did she have to balance on very squares and use muscles that most of us don’t have?? YES.
I think perhaps Henry needs to give a bit more thought to this particular topic.
Personally, I think Amy brings out a lot of the dumb ass side to a lot of people. 😀 Think it through, people, think it through. You CANNOT relate, so quit trying so hard.
Just to play devil’s advocate for Henry, I THINK that comment was during the discussion of Carrie Ann’s frankly asinine comment about Amy having the best kicks and flicks of anyone she’s ever seen on the show. I’d have to go back and watch it, but I think that’s when he made the comment about her being in the “3 inch heel” feet (from the looks of it) and that being slightly helpful in the aesthetic. And I feel like it was the aesthetic he was commenting on. No one is denying that the mechanics of dancing like she does on prosthetic limbs is mind-blowing, but giving her a pass on not being able to mechanically do some of the moves is a bit patronizing to Amy, not on this week’s performance, but a past performance (and this is just my opinion, of course). One would assume that she has NO desire to be given special consideration because of her special challenges. Most of the handi-capable people I’ve known have just wanted to be treated like everyone else.
And this has gone of tangent and is likely to start a huge nasty discussion, so I’ll stop. I will say however, that I don’t think there’s another pro on the show who could have handled Amy’s specific challenges AT ALL, let alone, come up with so many amazing performances for her.
The thing is, even if the feet DID give her an advantage, I can rattle of 10-12 DISADVANTAGES that come with being a woman in a dance competition with prosthetic limbs while everyone else still has their real legs. To me it’s like saying “Yeah, your house got leveled by an F5 tornado and you almost died…but you did get to stay in a fancy hotel for a few days!!!” Are you really gonna hone in on ONE small positive when there’s a laundry list of negatives that come with having prosthetic legs??? Just seems…petty.
Too late, Angie.
I don’t think they are giving her special consideration in the way you think they are. I think they are judging her on what she CAN do, instead of focusing on what she can’t do. Fact is – she has no feet. Should they give her all 7’s because she’s physically unable to pivot the way Meryl (who has both feet) can? Or should they judge her on her accomplishments?? I think it’s idiotic to judge her on something that is a physical impossibility instead of on what she can accomplish, which is more mindblowing than anything Meryl can do.
Not sure if this question is better off in a different thread but since they are discussing dances for next week…Courtney – do you know if there are any Argentine Tango’s next week? I know it isn’t a “latin” dance but I’ve seen a few people suggest it’s a possible option. I’m bored at work and trying to see if I can guess who has what hahaha. Clearly I’m a DWTS nerd.
@DLT – Because it’s hump day and I’m in a good mood, I’ll give you this: we will see the Argentine tango next week. 🙂
Ahhh that totally changes my predictions, damn them! 🙂
Thanks Courtney!
I’m sorry Princess Heidi #18, I’m not sure what the “Too late” comment is in reference to.
But here’s my thinking, and you can disagree with it absolutely, but I feel like NOT judging her on things she can’t do can make the praise for what she CAN do feel a bit disingenuous at times. Amy’s an amazing athlete and knows her body so well. I would assume she came into this competition knowing that there might bee some things she just wasn’t going to physically be able to do and was ok with being judged on that. Telling someone on this show that, “we’re not going to judge you on the technique of that dance” is almost like telling someone on American Idol, you didn’t sing that song well, but that’s ok cuz you look so beautiful in your outfit.”
Amy deserves huge props and kudos for what she’s done and is doing. I’d just like to see her (and frankly, most everyone else) get some truly constructive criticisms from the judges (but that would be me living in my little fantasy world, right?)
This is, after all, a TV show and while it’s fabulous that we’re all so invested in the stories, at the end of the day, IT’S A TV SHOW. There’s absolutely no reason for us not to acknowledge a difference of opinions and just agree to disagree about some things.
I don’t like what Henry said about Amy, nor how he said it. I also think that you’re wrong, Angie, about no other pro being able to “handle Amy’s specific challenges”. Amy is talented in her own right and would have done well with Mark or Louis. Would she have done as well as she’s done with Derek? Probably not, but I don’t think ANYONE is in Derek’s league as a teacher. He knows how to bring out the best in Amy, as he does all his partners. Still, don’t sell Amy short and act like she’s a liability. She brings freshness, athleticism, and joy to the dance floor.
Gee, Angie – I had forgotten it was just a TV show. And yes, I disagree with you absolutely. They never said they weren’t going to judge her on technique – you are pulling that out of your ass and exaggerating what I said. I said they are judging her on the technique that she can do and not focusing on what she can’t. NO ONE said they weren’t going to judge her on technique except YOU. And really – people leave certain steps and moves out of every dance ALL THE TIME and don’t get criticized for it. Some do it a lot more than Amy – look at Meryl’s so-called Foxtrot. She got a high score and little to no constructive criticism. Look at NeNe’s non-salsa for which she got a high score. So why are you focusing on Amy when it happens several times each night?? I think it’s because YOU think she should actually be scored down for a disability because you are projecting that she can’t do it. Look at how many people were claiming that Amy wouldn’t be able to do kicks and flicks before her Jive – projecting. Yet she did them extremely well. If not for a slip in the middle, that dance deserved a 40. I think her detractors have a WAY bigger problem with Amy’s disability that she does and can’t wrap their brains around how she’s doing it. Since it seems impossible and she and Derek are making it look easy, surely she should be penalized in some way. Right?
Do not lecture me or anyone else on this being just a TV show after you write four paragraphs about it. Talk about disingenuous.
Again, back to basics on this whole issue. Look at the photo of Amy in a reclining position doing kicks. The feet are **not** in a locked toe point.
As for constructive criticism, the judges might give some on her arms or upper body if needed. Beyond that, it would be the height of ridiculousness for anyone to give any criticism, constructive or otherwise, about her “feet.” That actually sounds like something ALM might do, and probably need security to get out of the ballroom alive.
Thank you Courtney & PH for your comments re: Amy’s Feet. I can’t believe people get so caught up in what her prosthetic legs, feet etc are doing every week. Let it go people and enjoy her accomplishments. She is doing some phenomenal things and should be praised for that. Derek is doing an awesome job choreographing for her and he also should be commended for that-but don’t count on the judges to do that.
I have to say I’m also surprised in the way Henry came across with these comments.
I think Charlie can really kill it next week with a Paso! Let’s see Charlie summon up some rage haha 😀 Meryl will need to work a little more on hip action, but especially since salsa has lots of lift possibilities, it can be a good dance for her too (please, Maks, keep the choreography standard up).
Can’t wait to see what songs & dances everyone has!
I totally missed that part where Henry commented on Amy’s toes (that’s what I get for posting this half awake this morning). Anyway, whether Amy doesn’t have to work to point her toes or not, she has to learn to dance in completely other ways as a whole than the normal person does. Sad as let’s see him (or anyone saying this is easy for her in any way) dance with only two half legs and prosthetics and then we’ll talk.
I just don’t understand why people can’t focus on what Amy can do instead of what she can’t do. What she can do is absolutely amazing.
Really what Amy and Derek have accomplished has transcended a mere “TV show”. They’re giving hope to the hopeless and inspiration to those with lesser physical obstacles(me), to get up and reach for the stars.
As for the judges not giving her constructive criticism, that whole thing is a crapshoot. Some contestants get picked on for silly things every week and some contestants sail by with nary a negative word from them. I really don’t take them seriously. They amuse me sometimes and other times make me roll my eyes so far back in my head with disdain thtat they get lost
The important thing is that Derek is there to give Amy any constructive criticism as her teacher and partner. That’s good enough for me.
May I just say Thank you Heidi for telling people off for the things they say about Amy… **edited** And heidi makes a good point look at Meryl and others who dont get called out on a lot of things each week theres always something but no one ever cares to point that out right? Heidi and Courtney you rock! Thank you.
DWTS1, I appreciate the sentiment but you went a tiny bit too far, so I took that part out. ~Heidi
@Leeann – I agree about Charlie. I think this will be his “breakout” week (even though I think he’s been great everywhere, I digress). I could see him bringing the character in, I think he’ll feel more comfortable in Paso hold, I just hope they get a decent song. I would love to see Charlie go last, really take the spotlight that night (hopefully I’m not setting my hopes too high though). I think they may drop Meryl a bit in her score but she’ll still do great.
I agree DLT. Since Paso is “the man’s dance”, this is Charlie’s chance to break the judges and force all of them to acknowledge his talent with the 10s they’ve been withholding.
However, to make that happen he must find a well of aggression within himself and tap into. Whenever celebrity guys try to use the steps to create the male dominance in this dance, it looks like a veneer, and all that stomping, strutting, and posing looks foolish. To help Charlie drive the dance from within, Sharna needs to give him a character to play and a story to tell that is *more than* the traditional, overused matador. Most American guys can’t relate to being a matador and end up playing a caricature instead of a character. I always felt Anna’s use of the True Blood/Twilight theme for Evan’s paso is what enabled Evan to connect with the character and give a truly visceral performance.
You’re right Cidra about previous male celebs doing the Paso.
You need confidence and dominance, not just aggression, otherwise you make the mistake that a lot of the male celebs make where they look like they’re constipated or suffering from a migraine.
Charlie needs to make it look like he’s the one steering the Paso ship. I’m excited to see what Sharna and he comes up with.
Boy, I would really like to know what couple(s) is doing the Argentine Tango. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink!
Patience, Susan2 😛 I just hope it’s *not* NeNe and Tony. That would be a total waste — give her Samba and let her shake her booty one more time before (hopefully) getting eliminated. Also, I’m not fan of Tony, but lifting a woman of NeNe’s stature in ATango is likely to give the old guy a hernia.
From your mouth to God’s ear Cidra.
Maybe Amy should whine more–that seems to work for certain people. Because apparently there are a lot of people Henry included, who seem to be blind to the fact that she is competing on a dance show with NO feet and without the ability of feeling anything past her knees! EVER ! And since Henry came up, I’ve never been sold, didn’t like that he became a pro–pretty much everything Courtney said in #13.
Amy has NO advantages SHE HAS NO FEET !! (well, except maybe Derek !) But seriously, advantages with no feet? I don’t even believe some of the comments here and elsewhere and like PH said this whole topic makes alot of people look like dumb asses even if they don’t on a regular basis.
I would love to know who that makes these comments have ever danced a jive, who has the stamina. And if they have the stamina, who can even get half of the steps executed properly to fast music?
Amy is having to execute these moves with a well-developed and extraordinarily strong core, gluteus and thigh muscles and that is what Derek has to work with and around.
If the judges truly do what has been stated by them and others in the past and that’s to judge each star on their own abilities and improvement and NOT comparing them to others-I don’t see what people have to gripe about. And actually “in comparison” to others she holds up well also!
I must be odd man out here as I didn’t take what Henry said as being an insult to Amy at all. They were all talking about what CA said about her kicks and flicks as being the best ever on this show and the panel disagreed with CA completely and Anna even said no CA not the best kicks and flicks ever – there were others. Suri mentioned Shawn Johnson and another one that I couldn’t make out as others were talking at the same time. Before Anna brought this part up she said that she didn’t mean to be a Debbie Downer because she loved Amy and this was a fully packed, full of content jive routine – absolutely amazing and great, but CA tends to get carried away sometimes and does this. That was when Henry brought up on the flip side the feet she used were in a locked toe point and maybe that was what CA was talking about. Krysten then said how Jenna said during rehearsals they were constantly changing feet to see which to use and how hard that must be. Henry was part of that number as well and he agreed. They all agreed how great this routine was. Suri said Amy’s dress was her favorite of the night. Henry brought up the accident that happened when Amy did her cart wheel and other things as well. All agreed on the scores except Anna made mention about the two 10’s were maybe for the performance or as she said performancing part of the dance and not the technical part. Again, I don’t see where Henry said anything negative. At least that is my opinion on what I heard. Just to add I have never thought that Amy has had any advantage of any kind. My comments only reflect how I felt about what Henry said.
I was really waiting to hear what they thought of Max and Meryl and agreed with all they had to say because it was exactly how I felt. I have to add I have never been a fan of Max until this season. They loved the package and how Max let his guard down with the camera in the room. Suri called it refreshing and how they have the perfect balance and perfect chemistry. Anna agreed with Suri about it being refreshing and how Max showed he is freaked out, it is a lot of pressure and how after 13 seasons Max showed he is like everyone else and does have blood and does bleed and how we as viewers want to see that. She said she has known Max a real long time and as a friend of his she is very proud of him. Henry said how happy he was to be on the show with Max and how over the years how much Max has done to add to the show. He also talked about the amazing chemistry that Max and Meryl have and there is no faking that chemistry. He mentioned how sweet Meryl is and that Max is also sweet, but she is able to bring it out of him and let us see it.
What I found really interesting was when they went into what has been discussed here on this site, and also by them on their previous shows about waiting for Max to give Meryl more because she is capable of it. Anna said that she started thinking about that and how Max hasn’t been on the show for a full year and neither has she. She started to think about what if they called her to be on the show and was given someone like a Meryl for a partner. She said she would be feaking out and how she would be running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off . She said she would be like “holy cow” I have not done this same type of work for a while. Yes, she choreographs, but you take your time and if something is wrong you have time to fix it. Here this is like a pressure cooker with coming up with choreograph every single week and then there is the expectation of it all. She said that it takes time to gain your momentum back and that she felt she could relate on a professional level. This was what everyone wanted from the get go, but that “Ha” this is the week that he’s back! She remembered when he was with Mel B and that dude was on fire with her. Suri even added and the rest agreed that when you get a better partner it is almost harder to choreograph for them. Krysten said that with Meryl because she makes everything look so effortless and easy that as a viewer you just want more, more, more. She said it was hot, it was tense, it was suspenseful and every single moment was beautiful. All agreed the 4 10’s were definitely deserved.
I also agree with what they said about Charlie – he has been underscored previously because I don’t care that he dropped the cane either and I think he and Sharna will be having their break through dance.
When they talked about next week and the team dances they mentioned how stacked Team Meryl is and will be hard to beat Henry said don’t ever count anyone out and we don’t know if that list is 100% right. Krysten said okay so he’s not confirming it. Does that mean there is a possibility that the list is incorrect?
I am not looking forward to Abby Miller and have said the same thing Derek and Mark did about her. I can’t imagine any mom putting their child in her class.
Can’t wait for next week and Ricky Martin. Sounds like it will be great.
@Gail – Deep Throat swears on a stack of Bibles that the teams are set – they’ve already rehearsed together for several hours, they’re having their final rehearsal today (before Meryl & Charlie leave for the weekend to do Stars on Ice), nobody is injured, there are no plans to add/subtract anyone from the teams…my guess is Henry wanted to play the part of the ABC boy scout and not confirm anything. To which I say “Hmph.”
@Courtney Thanks for getting back to me with the info. I didn’t see the other thread until just now with all the information on the Team Dances. I’m not really sure why, but I don’t receive emails on all the threads so I end up checking on the side to see what everyone is commenting on. I just saw it and wouldn’t have asked the question again, but do appreciate you getting back to me.
On Gail’s note in terms of comments, I use your comment subscription service by email. It generally works well for me, but for some odd reason, I was subscribed to comments automatically on a Member’s Area thread – I am not a Private Member. When I tried to comment there, I was unable to, which means it is working as it should on the site. This has never happened to me before, so I just thougt I’d let you know.
Regarding Henry’s comment about Amy’s feet, I must be alone in my understanding of the comment. Anna didn’t agree with CAI’s comment that Amy’s kicks were the best she’d seen on the show so Henry pointed out that perhaps Amy’s feet being in permanent point position is what prompted CAI to feel that way since there was never a moment of her toes flopping. I didn’t take it that he thought it was either an advantage or a disadvantage but rather a possible explanation for the comment in the same way Suri thought perhaps CAI was just caught up in the moment.
Gail, I just saw your comment re Henry’s comment. I guess I’m not completely alone in my understanding of what he said after all.
Some of you need to choose your words better, so they reflect what you’re actually responding to – and this is the second time today that I’ve commented on this. Now I’m addressing it to Gail – no one here used the word “insult”. People here were saying that what Henry say was perhaps not the smartest thing to say. I think there’s an important distinction there, since I doubt Henry ever intended to actually insult Amy. That does NOT mean that he couldn’t have said something that was not well informed.
As for the rest of the commentary regarding how it is often harder to choreograph for someone who is very talented – where the fuck were they when Derek was in this position?? Hello? Seems to me we didn’t get similar commentary to this, but got more along the lines of “Oh he gets great partners”. Uh huh. I guess Afterbuzz didn’t exist when Derek had Nicole, but geez – seems Maks gets a lot of slack that other people may not get. Perhaps because those other people (Derek) don’t usually have a problem raising up their choreography to match their partner – or they do, but it just looks easier for him. I do wish that the level of effort was recognized – I doubt it’s actually easy. Not sure I agree with the year off thing. Derek came back from a season off better than he ever was.
Heidi, I’m glad you’re bothered by the same thing I am. The Afterbuzz crew fawns all over Val about what an incredible teacher he is and how he can transform an average dancer into such a beautiful performer, using Kelly Monaco as the example. I just don’t understand how Val is the brilliant teacher, while the guy who has won 5 times with 5 completely different personalities, body types and needs is just lucky? It doesn’t make any sense to me.
I’m not saying Val isn’t good, but I just don’t understand how Val, and now Maks, are getting all the credit and sympathy while Derek is just lucky for ALWAYS getting ringers. The hypocrisy of it all just bothers me.
I guess his 5 mirrorballs and what will hopefully be the first in a long line of Emmys and other national awards will just have to speak for themselves.
ITA with Debbie and Gail about what Henry’s intent was with the comment. He was a very interesting guest IMO.
ITA with Gail about Meryl/Maks too, it is great to have their insight on the pressure Maks is under and the challenge of jumping back into the show with a ringer.
And as for Charlie… well I still thought he should have had a least one ten from Redfoo but I guess I can see their point.
I am surprised they think Candace is going home. IMO she is not going anywhere. I bet she outlasts Danica even.
Oh meant to say it was interesting that Henry said Danica is open about her previous ballroom experience on set!
If Danica is so open about it, maybe the afterbuzz people should stop going on about Val and the amazing transformation he does every season including Danica. I like the show but the excuses for Maks and Val yet only say Derek is a good choreographing while going on about how amazing Amber or Kellie are makes no sense. I just feel they for flack from a certain fanbase that they are bias to Derek and they are trying hard to work themother side, not sure.
Yeah, I cringed when I heard Henry’s comments and Courtney, I also get that undercover douche vibe from him. Just something which is why I never got the love for him to be a pro, etc. Something a bit desperate about him. For the talk on other boards that Derek is thirsty for another Emmy win or only pro obsessed with winning Emmys, ha! Proof besides their only dislike and reading everything he does as a negative? And not going to look down on a dancer who wants to be creative and has ambitions. Maybe if Maks stopped choreographing all that filler, he might have some choreo recognition or some sort. Instead of a pity party to make sure people see this is the nice Maks who deserves to win, not the guy who went off on Len and told him to retire.
Thank you PH for commenting on the “difficulty of choreographing for the talented.” That whole discussion really annoyed me. So if they’re talented that’s hard, and if they’re not talented, that’s hard, so all contestants should be screened to make sure they fall in that teensy weensy area so that it won’t be hard for the pros. Puh-leeze. Part of what I gleaned about Maks’s issue is that he was staying away from putting too much of himself into it because he didn’t want to start feeling the desire to win, I guess because he doesn’t like how he starts behaving or feeling. The answer is not to dumb down the choreo. The answer is to challenge yourself and get to the bottom of why that happens and do whatever you need to change it. Same with what Anna said. The answer is not to have talented partners so you’ll avoid running around like a chicken with its head cut off. The answer is to challenge those parts of you that make you behave like that and change them. To do otherwise is to give those aspects which are undesirable primacy in constructing your life or your reality, which just gives them greater power over you. When Derek was told about Amy he didn’t think about that it might be hard. He knew it would be different than anything else he’d done and welcomed the challenge, knowing he would have to think and learn and grow. Having it be difficult is where all that begins. And in fact, all Maks had to do was get out of his own way, and he created a brilliant tango. Enough with the apologists. Like the Godfather said, “You can be a man!!!”
The difference between Max & Derek: Derek gets a talented partner(Shawn) and produces EMMY winning dances. Max starts whining about how much pressure he is under and how hard it is to choreograph for her.
I just wonder if Maks would ever apologize, Erin too for those passive aggressive or at times direct remarks it is easy when he had Nicole.
Every partner Val has had (that wasn’t eliminated EARLY) has been a ringer. Since the Afterbuzz crew refuses to discuss ringers, Val must be a great teacher. Unless it’s Derek. LOL
I haven’t watched this yet, but I’m a bit confused by the “I’ve never connected to Henry as a pro” comments. Wasn’t this his first season as a pro?
The words you’re looking for, Melissa, are over compensating. 🙂
Maks is likely in denial that he ever said anything, Melissa.
Not sure Kristyn is reading this but if she is, I still love the show. Always been a fan back season 15. But I do wish they would not feed some of the false ideas out there and overcompensate.
Funny how Val gets credit with honing Kelly Monaco’s dance skills. She’s been taking lessons ever since her season one pairing with Alec. She said she found it kept her in great shape, so she decided to continue once the show ended.
I have found Afterbuzz quite politically correct this season. The guests have more often than not been employed by the show so they aren’t going to be controversial or critical- everything is “great”. Also the guests have pro friends working on the show so they are very p.c. discussing choreography etc. I was really surprised how they all believed Maks angsty package without batting an eye as well as Danica’s dance experience and her “breakthrough”. I keep hoping for the aftershow to have more substance but it is kind of lame right now. I get more insight here actually!!
@Judy, Amen sister! You said exactly what I’ve been feeling about this season of AfterBuzz. Previously, I couldn’t *wait* to watch the show. This season, it’s more like “frankly, my dear, I don’t give a …” I tuned in to the first few episodes, but since then I’ve given it a pass. From the episodes I saw and the comments I’ve read here, there definitely seems to be a woeful lack of substance this season. Again, from the comments I’ve read here, Anna might be the exception, but I can’t say that definitively. If she is the only one being “real”, then it must be because she believes she’s never going to be on the DWTS dance floor again.
I like Kristyn and the show too – especially Anna – but I like Derek too, and don’t feel the need to drink his koolaide.
PH, I don’t think Derek’s serving up any koolaid. It’s really not his style, is it?
Since I opted to have Articles and replies to them sent to my email, I noticed this Afterbuzz article and checked it out. First time I have ever watched it. While I found some discussions interesting and informative I got the same vibes that others received from it. It usually doesn’t take me long to read between the lines. What really gets my goat is that while no one can muster up any appraisal for the fine job Derek is doing with Amy and the tremendous challenge he has dared to accept or the fact the his partner is absolutely amazing in what she is achieving. Instead, it gets brushed under the rug and because there was more interesting things to say about Maks and the rehearsal package and no one seems to be wondering why all this bleeding heart stuff all of a sudden after only being gone 2 seasons. Maks may have realized that he has to ditch the “bad boy” image this season and mellow out since he has a promising partner who might just get him that 1st time win. Maks is in no way stupid and he knows exactly what he needs to do and if it works this season, I do hope he learns from his past and learns a few things from the one who has 5 wins and an Emmy; that you don’t win by being Mr. Drama. A gentle spirit will go a lot further with people than a roaring lion. The reason Derek has so many fans is because he’s a man’s man; besides the fact that he is a genius in his own time. It will take the viewers a long time to believe in the new Maks after others seasons past. I hope this new one stays because he is a good dancer and I do enjoy his Latin dances especially.
I did agree with the Afterbuzz on Charlie not even getting ONE 10 this week 6. I thought he did great for someone who according to Henry is so tired. And, Candace & Mark’s dance was a cha cha cha but NeNe & Tony’s was everything but a Salsa. She also should have been given one or two 9’s.
@ PH …I can tell you where everyone was when Derek had a great partner to work with; they were all foaming at the mouth and wooing all over the C. boys just like this season.
Is it okay to talk about the individual dances for next week in this thread? I know it’s supposed to be about Afterbuzz but there was talk of dances earlier in the discussion and I wasn’t sure where else to put this…
Danica tweeted she has Salsa next week which surprises me. I really had her pegged for Rumba or Argentine Tango. I thought she would even have Paso before Salsa. Not sure how much that dance will help her stand out considering Meryl has Salsa also. She does better when she’s anchored by Val so I wonder how much side by side dancing he’ll put in there. Guess that means Amy has Rumba? Getting excited for Latin week!
In some ways, I feel like they really can’t win. There are 12 pros, 12 celebs,and probably nearly a limitless amount of different ways people enjoy dwts and I think afterbuzz strives to appeal to a general audience. Over the course of any given season lots of different pros get a lot of love including Derek. Do each necessarily get constant love during every episode, of course not. I know how highly both Kristyn and Suri both think of Derek. They’ve said it explicitly many times. I don’t think they have to say each time they say something positive about another, have to add, but Derek is better, or Derek is good at that too…
I often don’t agree with everything said on their show but I really enjoy listening to it, perhaps because I don’t agree with it all.
And I’m in the camp of feeling strongly that any participating dancer on the show better be pc when talking about their colleagues, so what if it’s more boring for me to consume, it’s the respectful way to treat a colleague.
I’m a little confused. I have heard Suri say a couple of good things about Amy and Derek recently but when did she have a change of heart? Because either last season or the one before she was FIRMLY in the C-bros camp, including Tony so much you wudda thought she was part of the family. Or is it she is just trying not to look biased, kinda like Maks not quite believeable re-vamped personality? I still don’t hear much from any of them about Derek’s, and I think by now and after so much of it and so many wins, accolades etc. really Amazing work? Yes, it would mean that for a few minutes on their show they would actually have to say Derek’s name. But I find the percentage of time he is even mentioned compared to all of his great work, is very small.
I agree that a participating dancer should respect their colleagues. Totally agree but I like the afterbuzz show best when there are outside guests not directly linked to the show or the pros. The discussion tends to be objective re choreography etc. and imo more informative.
Suri is friends with Tony but she will often critique his performances or his partners negatively, like this week she was pretty clear that she thought NeNe should go, despite being good friends with him. I think she doesn’t like Maks and I’ve heard her say many negative (and realistic in my opinion but I’m sure his fans strenuously disagree) things, although this week she didn’t make such clear negative remarks to my memory. She has said many many times that she thinks Derek can do no wrong. They get a LOT of hate comments from people who think they are pro Derek and only pro Derek.
Kristyn had said many many positive things about him as well. She thinks he’s done so much for the dancing world, and I think she thinks of him as being in some ways in a league of his own as many of his die hard fans, and as do those of us who really really like him but also like some other pros too. Do they perhaps try to overcompensate and try to give props to everyone and try to really identify strengths of different pros to praise? Maybe. But I just don’t see how that can be construed as putting down Derek or not acknowledging his greatness.
I get why it’s easy to be very sensitive to negativity about Derek as it’s so pervasive and sickening in many places. But I don’t think afterbuzz is one of those places. Eg I love Tristan but it’s very hard for me to read so many hate comments about Derek at his main fan site. Sometimes to me it feels like they spend as much time hating (and I mean hating, not using it in the current overused way) Derek and others as they do celebrating him. Contrast that to PureDerek and you see all this promotion of Derek without having to be negative about the others.
I was offended by Henry’s delivery of what he said about Amy. It was as if he was undermining what she had done. Now one thing that has not been addressed here is his comments earlier when he talked about Maks. He very clearly stated he thought Maks was great and that he was a very good friend of his and spent a great deal of time with him. So that tells ME whose camp Henry is in. I thought it was interesting that he said at the end of the show that he has now moved to LA and is unsure what he is going to be doing this summer. So note to Henry. You are a great dancer and I think you may be a good choreographer. I don’t know because we haven’t had enough time to see you on the show. However, I seem to remember you choreographed for The Great Gatsby. I could be wrong. Maks is a dancer. In the year he was off, I don’t remember him doing anything great. Derek however is going places. It might behoove you to remember that. It is easy to pass over the incredible ability of Derek because it is expected. If your are so concerned about being PC and the future of your career, dumb move. That is just my opinion.
A participating dancer who is still in the competition shouldn’t be on Afterbuzz AT ALL.
No, they can’t really win – but they also box themselves into their own corner by not acknowledging some things (such as ringers) when discussing how good a teacher the various pros are. Talking about how good a teacher Val is while completely ignoring the fact that every person he’s danced with that has stayed well into the competition was a ringer of some sort is just…well, a bit disingenuous. I can’t even think of a good analogy, but it’s kinda like saying that Farm “A” has the largest crop of vegetables in town while completely ignoring the fact that they own all the land and a fertilizer company as well. 🙂
Jess, I think “most” Derek fans are confident enough in Derek’s abilities and talent that we don’t need to spend time (at least not on my site) hating on other people. We don’t spend any time on other people, really.
I don’t get why Tristan fans are hating on Derek though – is this just a plain old jealousy thing?? I think most Derek fans love Tristan.
I am not in the camp that thinks Afterbuzz disses Derek in any way or is negative to him either. I do agree that they overcompensate – but that’s a different topic.
Ah, but lynne – Derek would never hold anything against Henry. He doesn’t hold anything against Maks who has said far worse. And part of me thinks that some of these guys know that and take advantage of it. But it is dumb: Derek has a scary number of irons in the fire that could give dancers work (including a tour that is selling out left and right) – why would you risk that?
PH don’t you think that many times, they ignore (maybe not the right word) or seem to, what he does for his partners, the large amount of content, enjoyability that it adds to viewers watching? And I have heard on that show in particular, his name will come up, and it’s almost like someone is about to say something, but then one of them will say “err” or hesitate and another will say, OK guess we’ll move on. It’s almost like they WANT to say something, but then change their mind.
PH, I don’t get why ANY one would have such venomous feelings about Derek. If he isn’t your cup of tea, so what. But there sure does seem to be a lot of strong ugly out there, so I do understand why some of his fans get defensive for him. And I like how you run his fan site, it’s all about him.
Besides that Derek doesn’t seem to have time to give negative comments any energy and doesn’t hold things against people who maybe deserve to have things held against them, I have this idea that Henry wasn’t slamming Derek and that he in fact has a huge amount of respect for him as a creative genius.
didn’t Afterbuzz get slammed last season for loving Kellie and Derek, and then they had to post a disclaimer/apology? I’m pretty sure I remember something along those lines… or was it two seasons ago?
Well, I don’t remember – but that would have been a mistake. I think if you’re going to be in that business, you kind of have to OWN your opinions.
Jess (#66) & PH (#69), I used to visit the main Tristan fan site, but even though I still consider myself a Tristan supporter, I rarely go there. If I do, it’s just to read their latest interview with them. I I haven’t been in their forum since Dorothy had to withdraw. The nastiness toward Derek is totally out of control there.
I can only ascribe it to the same pea-green bitterness and jealousy that drives the Maks/Val fanatics to think and act irrationally. What boggles my mind, though, is that while Maks/Val(and Tony) actively fan the flames of their fans’ Derek hate, and I can’t imagine Tristan would ever do that. It’s not in his nature and doesn’t fit his moral code.
Umm, I think you probably figured it out but I meant, “their latest interview with him.”
I could be wrong, but I think the Tristan fans may have jumped to the conclusion at the beginning of this season that Tristan was fired so that Derek could come back – which I’m told from people in-the-know is NOT the case AT ALL. I think it was because it was initially announced by Kristyn that Tristan was back and Derek was out, and then a day or two later it was reported that no, Tristan is out and Derek is back. Seemed like some Tristan fans jumped to the conclusion that it was because Derek wanted to come back that they kicked Tristan to the curb, just because of how it was reported. I can’t go into detail (alas, I’ve gotta protect sources), but I can assure any Tristan fans that still ascribe to that notion that Derek really had nothing to do with it – the whole thing with Amy was just kept very hush-hush (notice there weren’t any rumors about her in the pre-season) and only a handful of people even knew that Derek was even in Russia rehearsing with Amy in the days leading up to the cast announcement. Because of that, some people automatically assumed he was out – and it got reported as such. Because nobody heard definitively that Tristan was in or out initially (and we knew there would be 12 couples), some automatically assumed that he was IN – and that also got reported. When the truth came out, the impression it gave was that one happened because of the other…when in reality, it was just the result of some jumping to conclusions. I know Kristyn got bombarded with a lot of angry tweets from Tristan fans demanding to know “the truth” – but really, “the truth” was just that there was miscommunication. But it does really disappoint me that some Tristan fans (who we found to be some of the tamer, more polite fans) have made Derek the object of their rage – it does seem contrary to Tristan’s general attitude towards life. He is probably the most non-confrontational, easygoing pro that has ever been on the show. Sucks that he got ousted – but if I were his fans, I’d focus more on keeping up with what he’s up to now than worry about what’s going on back at DWTS.
Unfortunately, there are some people out there who think if you say even one positive thing about Derek that you shouldn’t even be breathing the same air as them.
I always thought to myself that it was Maks inclusion in this season’s cast that might have pushed Tristan out.
@Susan2 – Oh believe you me, I’ve gotten lumped into that category. Apparently I missed the memo that I’m a huge Derek lover, considering that I haven’t thrown a single vote to anyone since Billy Dee left in week 3. But whatever – people are gonna jump to their own conclusions, and claim that they hate us and refuse to visit here. Our hits (and the fact that the stuff we say seems to show up verbatim on other sites mere minutes after we post it) say otherwise 🙂
@Judy – Thanks for the kind words 🙂 Glad you are enjoying it! The bit about Val came from our source – says he had some really sweet, optimistic things to say about working with everyone in the group dance.
Even knowing all the facts regarding Tristan’s exit, it’s still COMPLETELY illogical to blame Derek for Tristan not being on this season. And a tad moronic, if I’m being my usual blunt self. 🙂 I mean really…Derek has been on this show FAR longer than Tristan (since Season 5) and only took ONE season off – 12, which, if your math is any damn good, was 6 seasons ago. Or THREE YEARS. Now, who was NEW this season? HENRY (who also, incidentally, had Tristan’s normal partner). Who came back after being gone for a year? Maks. So HOW IN THE HELL do you get “it’s Derek’s fault” from this set of circumstances unless you’re a bleeding idiot??
Very disappointing that those fans succumbed to the EASY person to blame for everything. I thought they were smarter. Ah well, that’s another pro to never vote for if Derek’s not around. Silly bitches should be making friends to get votes, as opposed to vice versa.
I think the misinformation leading to the dumba$$ notion that Derek’s return to the ballroom was responsible for Tristan’s absence from it, was just the fuse that set off the explosion. The jealousy and bitterness started, I believe, as it does for so many other pros’ fans by drinking the koolaid that “Derek always gets the good partners” and has “won too many times”. Add that to the reality that Tristan got the more mature and/or less able partners, stir in the bitter disappointment of Dorothy having to withdraw in Week 2, and you have a device ready to be lit off and a bunch of people who’re no longer able to think rationally. If it didn’t make me so mad, I’d feel sorry for them.
Finally, I think a lot of the Tristaholics felt that given the chance by TPTB, Tristan could be like Derek. As much as I like Tristan and respect him as a fine person and talented dancer, I don’t believe he had the drive, ambition, interest, or choreographic skills to be anything like Derek. He isn’t Derek, he’s Tristan, and as he would say “it is, what it is.”
TRISTAN himself has said he’s not big on choreography. And there’s nothing wrong with that!
Not sure if you can ever share, but I believe Courtney. Her info on season 13 and all the last minute shuffling was great. Who knows if we will ever know the truth about this season.
I am more meh on Henry, his friendship with Maks aside, because I do get undercover douche vibes. Feel he almost tries to be good with Derek because he does know he has opportunities he can give him job wise. This guy tried out for sytycd USA too so he clearly wants some exposure.
I see the overcompensating thing especially as some felt they were too pro Kellie. Jake defended it and said only well Derek is doing amazing work with Kellie so guess what, we can’t say he didn’t.
Yeah, the strong dislike precluded this season as Cidra says, talk of him being the favored one who takes all opportunities away from everyone else. And I agree that it seems contrary to how Tristan feels about life. I liked that site for some of it’s content, especially the interviews with Tristan. He’s said a few times that angry people make him laugh, that he’ll make fun of them, but the irony doesn’t seem to be caught.
As far as some of his fans being relatively polite here, I think like all the pros, there are a lot of really nice, sane, reasoned fans and a few who are loudly not so easy to listen to.
PH (#82) There you go being all logical and rational again.
Delusional individuals see/hear only what they want and turn a blind eye/deaf ear to anything that doesn’t fit the world view they’ve built for themselves.
I think Afterbuzz and other shows tend not to mention how good Derek’s choreography is because frankly, his choreography has been this top notch for years and seasons of DWTS. It’s easy to take something for granted when it’s been that way for so long, which is probably why now that since Maks is producing some better-than-before choreography, he’s getting really praised for it.
I personally think that all the pros do a pretty fantastic job (I mean, choreographing for a non-professional and making them look good is not easy, especially for certain celeb partners lol), so kudos to all of them really.
@PHeidi…#68
My first impression while watching Afterbuzz (for the 1st time) was that why would any pro who is ever wanting to come back on board DWTS or any pro who is on this season, would even be on Afterbuzz. Isn’t that a little on the controversial side of things. That pro would have to guard what they say fear of discriminating themselves.
And, about Val and the appraisal, I agree, he has had the so called “ringers” in the past. In season 16 he had a trained dancer, Zendaya, and he blew many dances by not putting more choreography into the dances; and, letting a young teenager have her way with choice of footwear that was actually inappropriate for 3-4 dances. Someone in that good of physical health should have been doing a lot more lifts, splits, etc. He didn’t “wow” me with his choreography, while Derek was doing all kinds of maneuvers with Kellie. Derek takes advantage of any potential partner and gets the maximum he can out of the celebrate. To me, Derek is just full of life, loves to teach dance & choreograph, knows how to keep his cool, doesn’t let trivial things get to him, has fun at what he does, and doesn’t have a short fuse, has a humble spirit, a great personality and a gentlemen.
What not to love about him? Simply nothing.
#80…PHeidi….
I can vouch for the fact that the Tristan fans were very dismantled when they didn’t see Tristan on Season 18 cast list and did see Derek. Before I came here recently from another site, I remember the weeks following after cast list was revealed. Oh…. the hate on Derek was in full throttle!! And, it’s been in that gear all season. Got so sick of it, that when a thread got going about this site and some names of monitors where being thrown around, I let loose and told posters what I thought of them talking about another site and being haters, etc, etc, and the posters where doing the very same thing they were accusing Pure and I said my goodbye’s because personal attacks on other fans let alone their favorite pro dancer was SO NOT cool. Then, I came here and looked things over and liked this set up better and the limitations to any type of cruel behavior towards fans. I enjoyed all the pro dancers and give a lot of credit to the celebrates for coming on this TV show and put themselves out on the dance floor so that we can be entertained.
One thing I have noticed about Pure DWTS is….there are many highly educated members on here and I learn more about this show.
Pure – the home for dance fans!
And mostly intelligent, reasonable, capable of civil discourse dance fans at that <3