PureDWTS Season 18, Week 9 – What’s Left to Dance? UPDATE
So somebody requested that I do an update to my first “What’s Left to Dance?” post, just to see what remaining dances the celebs have to do this season…or rather, which dances they might not get to at all 🙁 I can’t recall another season where the celebs have had so many of the dances left to do with so little of the competition remaining – and I can’t say I’m enjoying it. But before I get too far into it, here’s my handy-dandy chart, updated with everyone’s week 9 dances EXCEPT Amy & Derek (as they haven’t revealed theirs yet):
So now to address some questions that are bound to pop up…
What dances are Amy & Derek doing next week??? I don’t know. Haven’t heard anything official. But there is a conspicuous gap in one section of the chart, so I would not be shocked to see Amy doing samba, since she’s the only person left that hasn’t already done it/will be doing it next week (in Charlie’s case). Then again, maybe they think she’ll struggle with samba, and so they’ll give her paso doble instead…IDK. No clue about the other dance – I would guess that it’s a ballroom dance, since she still has four she hasn’t done yet, but then again, it could also be jazz. Who knows. I guess my official “prediction” is samba and foxtrot…but that’s all it is, a prediction. What do you think?
How many dances are they doing during finale week? And what kind? Again, I know nothing official, but obviously there will be a freestyle, and if Len griping about Charlie’s rumba in week 4 was any indicator, there will probably also be a redemption dance (a dance that the celeb didn’t do so well on the first time around, and could improve upon). There’s probably also going to be a relay dance of some sort (probably something everyone has done – I’m guessing cha-cha or samba) and maybe some sort of instant dance/24 hour challenge (for the three that advance after the first night – I’m guessing someone will get eliminated after the freestyles on night 1. Again, just educated guesses.
What about the trio dance??? AND THE PASO DOBLE???!!! I’m guessing the trio dance is kaput for this season, and I would be shocked if we saw another paso doble (unless Amy is doing it next week) since the finalists typically don’t do an unlearned dance in finale week (besides the freestyle). Yes, it sucks. 🙁 I also doubt we’ll see another standard waltz or swing routine – seems like those were only brought in to fulfill specific purposes (Amy’s request to dance to a Cinderella song during Disney week, and Amy & Meryl saying they were most looking forward to doing swing in week 2). Basically, unless someone’s doing it next week – we probably won’t see it again this season. Sorry.
What do you think the couples will do as their redemption dance? I think it’s kind of a given that Charlie will get rumba, as Len made a point of saying it back in week 4. I would say that they’d saddle Amy with *cringe* waltz again, but I don’t see her being able to improve upon it that much – so I could see them letting her redo her cha-cha instead. Meryl will probably end up redoing rumba as well, which I’m sure will fit right into this Meryl vs. Charlie showdown they’ve been dancing towards all season. If Candace makes the finale – hehe, she’s got a lot of dances that she could improve upon, but I think for the sake of variety, they’ll pick quickstep for her…she’s got both potential and room to improve on that one. If James makes the finale (and I’m leaning towards it being either Candace OR James that join the other three in the finale), I could see them giving him quickstep as well. That way, they ensure they get at least one ballroom redemption dance.
Will the freestyles be supersized? Given that they’ve been “supersizing” some of the regular dances this season, I don’t think they’ll suddenly opt for austerity and simplicity in the freestyle round…hell, I think the freestyles this time could be super-dupersized. Let’s put it this way: it would not surprise me if the couples called in the entire cast of Game of Thrones, the entire roster of the Miami Heat (blech), and/or the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir to help with their freestyles at this point…it’s that out of control, kids.
Why are they leaving so many dances unlearned this season? 🙁 I don’t know, but it kind of gives me a sad. If I had to speculate, I’d say they just got too wrapped up in theme nights and trying to accommodate other random aspects of this season ( i.e. Meryl & Charlie’s travel schedule, Amy’s prostheses’, certain pros’ weaknesses as a choreographer, etc.) that they had to tinker with the dances a bit – why they decided to basically scrap the paso doble, I really don’t know, as that is one dance that it seems like almost anyone could do, regardless of their level of skill or physical abilities…it’s all about selling the performance. So yeah…it’s a head-scratcher for me, too.
So there’s my thoughts on the remaining dances headed into the semifinals and finals. What are yours? What unanswered questions do you have about this season?
Thanks Court. I seriously couldn’t remember how finals weeks went as far as dance assignments. I mean, I knew they’d all be doing a Freestyle and probably a judges’ pick (redemption dance). I couldn’t remember if the couples then got another “new” dance or not. I figured there would also be some kind of “challenge” dance.
I’m expecting big thing from Meryl and Charlie this week as far as content and execution go. All of their ice shows are in California, therefore the travel schedule should feel like a breeze compared to the coast to coast travel they were doing there for a few weeks.
Would be interesting to know the thought process behind assigning some of these dances to certain celebs.
Very interesting — I wonder if the lack of pasos is related to the relative scarcity of male celebrities on the show this far in — as it’s often called the man’s dance and has helped the agile but not always polished athlete type in the past. This season, unless you count Sean, they didn’t really cast that type.
I’d bet that the trios are gone because they didn’t want to have to pay more pros to appear for a week on the show — I feel like even the bumpers are relatively few and far between compared to last season. Or maybe the budget’s been allocated to the Macy’s dances. Between the switch-up and the duet, we’ve already seen what happens when the celebrities get to hang out with another pro, too.
Yay, thanks Court! This chart is so handy to see! I really love this post – and I’m sure that you will let us know when Amy and Derek know their dances. Please? *bats eyes and tries to look significantly cuter than humanly possible*
I almost wonder if something happened with Amy’s rib again. I’d hate to think so, but if they still don’t know their dances on Wednesday…
Also, when did the couples start doing 2 dances last season? And what would the effect of the elim of Bill Engvall that earlier week have been? Is it possible that it was the same week, but this season felt longer/shorter?
Best paragraph on this site I’ve seen in a long time.
Im bummed Charlie wont dance the Salsa or Argentine Tango. Two dances that require lifts. With his lifting abilty you know him and Sharna would have put some really cool, fun ones in there like with his contempary with Candace.
@Kelly I am very bummed too that he isn’t doing an Argentine Tango. I know he could have killed that one with awesome lifts and intensity. Even more bummed that James isn’t doing one either, since apparently he has ChaCha and Rumba next. Big sad face for me.
Also, seeing the pic that was posted on Instagram of Amy wearing those prosthetics that are used for running/sprinting (idk the actual name) I am willing to bet she will be doing the Quickstep. It seems fitting. But just a guess. I’d love to see her do a Jazz also but I think she’ll get Samba or Paso. I stopped doubting her abilities to do certain dances a long time ago so I know she’ll be great at anything she is given.
Also, for what it’s worth, kinda bummed Meryl won’t get a Quickstep. If there’s one dance I like to see Maks do is the Quickstep (the one with Brandy is still one of my favorites). Even the one he did with Hope Solo was a bit cute. I think he and Meryl could have danced a nice one.
from the instagram pic, I think one of Amy’s dance is the Quickstep. The other is probably either Paso or Samba, I hope it’s Paso.
It is so suspicious to see Meryl getting BOTH Tango and A. Tango, and NEITHER Contemporary nor Jazz.
I saw Amy’s picture too. I would agree it is for a quickstep.
I’m hoping that Amy and Derek have the Quickstep. From the way Amy liked Jive, I think she’ll like it as well, and she’ll be in hold the entire time. I’m also hoping there is a fusion dance. I love love love Derek’s fusion dances. They are always so ingenious.
I actually don’t want to see Maks/Meryl do contemporary or jazz. They’ve contemporized two dances already. I don’t think anyone doubts anymore their ability to dance choreo and dance contemporary or lyrical jazz.
I’d much rather see Paso and Quickstep from them, and I’m bummed for not seeing that. I also wish we could see the AT from Charlie and James.
Really, this season has so many repeat dances (if you factor in redemption dance). If there is one thing that I didn’t like about the duel dances is that we missed on new dance styles. I’m pretty sure the celebs could have handled a new dance style for the duel, so not sure why that was not an option.
Not surprising at all Meryl did not get contemporary or jazz. I think many predicted that weeks ago.
I would love to see Amy do foxtrot or jazz because I think she can do those dances well. As for Candance, jazz will be good for her. Ballroom didn’t seem to suit her. Think she like Bill has a journey fans like to see. Also if Amy does have quickstep, I am excited to see her dance with those feets. It is interesting and guessing she would wear a shorter dress. But watch the critics say Derek is just hiding her. Same ones who said Derek only put Ricki in long dresses to hide her feet. Yeah, like her jive, cha cha, rumba, samba dresses. Such long dresses,
Thank you for this update, Courtney! I would have wanted to see at least two Paso numbers next week, but it seemed not possible. Sigh! Since it’s the semi-finals, I hope to see dances as good as or better than last Monday’s.
Like others- my guess is Quickstep for one of Amy’s dances due to the fact that she was wearing the feet she wears for running. Other dance I’m going to guess as Paso. That is for no reason at all! I just secretly hope to see another Paso this season.
For the finale I feel like it will just be freestyle/redemption. Do they have time for a relay as part 1 of finale night is only 1.5 hours long? I hope they do cut it as it seems pretty pointless or just a time filler anyways. The Bachelorette is premiering at 9:30.
Thanks for doing this Court. It really shows that TPTB are a bunch of simpletons who have allowed themselves to get totally carried away by gimmicks to the detriment of the show. Talk about missed opportunities with this very talented group of celeb dancers! I would have loved to see an ATango and VWaltz from Charlie and Sharna.
Aviva, sweetie, I don’t think it’s possible for you to be any cuter than you already are. You’ve been a breath of fresh air for me here this season (so upbeat and positive — never lose that)! 😀
My guess is Derek’s doing his “Mr. Mysterioso” act (twirling his invisible mustachio like the villain in a silent film) to drive us crazy. Gotta love that man. 😉 Whatever they’re doing, I know they’ll have us in the palm of their hand.
Yeah, Derek and Amy didn’t know after the show monday night, but I’m sure they know now and are rehearsing. The pic posted of Any wearing her blade runner feet does suggest quickstep.
Maybe that will be enough to remind the assholes that she doesn’t have feet yet is dancing just as good as people who DO have feet. 🙂 Or better.
Ugh! The Paso is one of my favorite dances, so I really hate that we’re not seeing all the couples perform it this season. I agree, Cidra, I would have loved to see an ATango and a VWaltz from Charlie and Sharna too. What in the crap has happened to the producers of this show?! So many stupid decisions… thanks for the info Courtney.
Let me ask this, last week you said that anyone could be eliminated, same goes for this week. its hard to pick who gonna be in the finale. Meryl had a bad week and bad weeks you usually get the boot, she is in last place, but yet everyone has her pegged for the finale, how do you people know Meryl won’t be eliminated on Monday, anything can happen, we have seen our fair share of shocking eliminations. and whats with all the dissing on Candace she has a large fan base and usually popularity makes you win on this show so with her being popular she could win and I hope she does. Charlie wont be going head to head with Meryl, Charlie will get 3rd, Meryl will go head to head with Amy, with Amy Winning. Go Candace Go win it all
If she uses the running feet for a quickstep, I wonder if she will be able to change them for the second dance? I can’t think of another dance where she would use them, maybe paso?
Rose, I was wondering that too. I think if they space out Amy’s dances it probably can be done – especially since there are going to be 10 dances (2 per couple for 5 couples) + Macy’s Stars of Dance, she can probably have enough time to change I think. I’m not sure about the difference between her prosthetics and running blades though.
Leeann, just my reasoning, I know nothing of the prosthetic legs. The running blades can help amy take much bigger steps (we do notice that she can’t make big steps with her usual feet) and get more bounce. So I agree that a quickstep should be coming, and who knows, maybe a samba (more bounce) or a paso (bigger steps) is coming. Looking forward to anything they are creating though.
Yes, Matt, anyone can be eliminated – but it won’t be Meryl. We’ve watched this show for years and this is a classic set up. She’s been pimped to high heaven, she’s got rabid fans and Maks has rabid fans, and the sheeple at large now firmly believe that she’s the favorite to win. And she IS the favorite to win. When you combine all those factors and she ends up at the bottom of the leaderboard in week 9? Those people voted all night long. It’s actually the top of the leaderboard I’m more worried about because the same sheeple who might have also been voting for Amy and/or Charlie (yes, people do that – not everyone who watches this show is INSANE) probably threw all their votes to Meryl because they were stupidly worried about her.
TPTB would never have allowed her to be appropriately scored if they were worried about her. They will probably put her in jeopardy just to spur that fanbase even harder to make sure she wins!
I think there is probably time to change them, Rose – she’s an old hand at it now.
To throw my hat in the ring in terms of the prosthetics:
I would hope that TPTB would be smart enough to at least give her 3 dances to change them. I would guess that she is a master of changing them by now. What I would think would be more difficult is getting walking balance on the prosthetics. Making sure they are in properly, that she can walk, all that stuff, PLUS the costume change.
And usually, the order for the first round of dances is the same as the second round order, right? So she should have at least 4 dances, depending on where Macy’s Stars of Dance goes. (My guess would be between the two rounds.)
I believe Amy also changed her prosthetics this past week. She wore the swimmer feet for the Argentine Tango and then her feet that are still on toes but not quite so high for the jive. I’m sure shes quite the pro at it by now.
PH: We read what Tom Bergeron said in the Hollywwod Reporter interview. He said it plain as day he wants Maks to win because many of the others have already won, and that Maks has a celebrity that can help him do it. DWTS has not even tried to pretend that this season is not about Mirrorball with Maks. The agenda is self evident, although it has been from day one anyway.
I really believe we would have a different scenario if the judges scored fairly from the start, and if they did not pimp a showmance. They have used basically every angle they could think of, including the latest–shuffling the leaderboard.
First, thank you to all the bloggers/mods. for all these great posts. It seems like you’re doing more posts this season than in past seasons and I appreciated the extra work you all do.
If I had my way, which is only speculation as I hardly ever get my way in real life, I would have the remaining couples do the following dances:
Amy and Derek-Quickstep and Paso
Charlie and Sharna- Argentine Tango or Viennese Waltz and Swing
Meryl and Maks- Jazz and Paso
Candace and Mark- Viennese Waltz and Paso
James and Peta- Argentine Tango and Paso
Honestly, it seems to me like we’ve had an overabundance of Salsa, Samba, Latin Freestyle, yada yada yada, so except for Paso, I’m feeling all Latined out at the moment.
As far as AT and VW, you can never have enough of those dances, so bring them on!
It’s a shame that producer manipulation has contributed to such a schizophrenic feel to the season.
Thanks Courtney for updating the chart! It feels really weird to be almost at the finale with so many dances still undone, and I kinda wish the season was 11 weeks instead of 10, just so we’d have one more week of dancing!
I remember in Season 9 they did one unlearned dance in the finale, and I think I’d rather see that than an instant dance/24 hour challenge/fusion dance. Oh well.
I like your picks Susan2, except that I’d like to see Charlie and Sharna do both A Tango and V Waltz, and no swing. I think they’d be great at those dances, and it’s a shame we won’t get to see it!
I pretty much agree with Susan. I don’t really like Samba and Salsa as much as I do Argentine Tango and Paso, so I’m a little sad that we’ve had so much latin (or what seems like so much latin) this season. What I wanted to see from the couples:
Amy and Derek- Jazz and Paso
Charlie and Sharna- Argentine Tango and Viennese Waltz
Meryl and Maks- Contemporary and Paso
Candace and Mark- Viennese Waltz
James and Peta- Argentine Tango and Paso
Also, what are the rules for Viennese Waltz and what is the difference between V. Waltz and Waltz? I always get a bit confused about the rules for each dance.
It’s too bad that the season can’t be longer! This season seems to have passed by so quickly!
If Meryl gets to avoid Contemporary and Jazz, then Amy should be able to avoid the ballroom dances, so I’d prefer her to have Paso and Jazz, although I’m certain Derek will conjure up a show-stopping Quickstep for her.
With many others, I’m bummed that we’re missing out on so many dances. I really enjoy paso, so the fact that we may only be getting *one* this season is disappointing. Between the team dances being Latin freestyle (which, given the music, was appropriate) and no trios and the duel dances being repeats and (more than likely) having a redemption dance instead of a new style, I feel like we are missing out. Plus, the dance assignments have been stranger than normal – possibly, as some have speculated, due to the themes. I say, toss most of the themes, and let’s get back to it working out so that the final couples have danced *most* of the standard curriculum (I don’t mind if they choose either V. waltz or waltz instead of both) – and the A tango (since that’s one of my favorite styles 🙂 ).
I agree with your dance style picks also…Susan2
I wish TPTB would have put more A.Tango and Paso Doble in the dances as I like them better than Salsa or Samba or Rumba.
@Courtney:
Thank you for updating the dances chart for us.
TPTB must eliminate someone after freestyles since voting should not account for week 9 elimination. I wonder how many votes for Danica would have gone to Meryl if they had not voted before end of show
I personally think that the supersized freestyle should have been only something special for allstar season; they need to scrap it. I also think they need to go back to only having 3 qualifying for the finals.
I’m hoping 10s for Meryl. I think she won’t have any problems with v. waltz. Maks’ v. waltzes are usually good. I hope they can do a paso doble next week but I don’t think so. Maks’ paso dobles are always great and with Meryl, that would be epic.
Charlie’s foxtrot will be awesome I think. He has great posture, great frame. I think it’ll be one of the best foxtrots. I hope they won’t have a weird music. I’m not sure about samba.
I don’t think Candace can dance a great V. Waltz(though I hope she can). Her frame is not very good imo. Jazz is interesting.
I hope Amy will get two regular dances. She’s done almost all the extra dances. I want to see her doing other dances. But I’m kinda sure one of the dances will be jazz. Other one is paso doble I guess.
I think James will be at the bottom of the leaderboard this week.
I really hope the finalists don’t have to do a redemption dance in the finale. Rather, I hope they do a new dance style like they did in seasons 9 & 13. If either of them make it to the finale, I really want to see Charlie dance AT, Amy dance Paso (although not sure if she’s dancing one next week), Meryl dance Quickstep, James dance AT & Candace dance Swing.
I really think the producers screwed it up big time this season. I can’t believe there has only been 1 Paso done so far & none of the male celebs have danced AT. I always thought Paso & AT were one of the more popular dance styles. And please, enough with the theme weeks (w/ the execption of Disney Week) & guest judges!
And I agree with Rachel, I think they should go back to having only 3 contestants in the finale.
I agree 100% with Jane, no need for the redemption dance. We dont need to see these celebs once again do another style we already saw them do. Watching Charlie dance the contempary and rumba(assuming he gets it) twice uh no. It will be boring, there quite a few diffrent dances they all have yet to do lets give them a try.
Pretty sure Amy has Quickstep, Tweety, based on the photos and the ABC press release. And no, she hasn’t done “all the ‘extra’ dances” whatever that means. There is the usual ballroom dances that DWTS has, and then there is Contemporary and Jazz. Swing – it depends on your POV, I guess. This is far from the first time that a version of Swing has been on the show, counting Lindy. But Amy has done Contemporary and Swing. But she’s also done Jive, Cha Cha, Waltz, Salsa, rumba and Argentine Tango – all DWTS staples. You all need to get over this hard on you have for Amy – it’s making you illogical and prone to hyperbole. CHARLIE has done both contemporary and Jazz – that is a good thing, for him. Meryl has done neither (except for her rumba and foxtrot, really) – also good for her, since her pro is not known for his abilities in those areas.
Derek did a mean paso with Maria so that might be a good one to do with Amy.
I can only imagine the wheels turning in their heads this week choreographing a quickstep with Amy wearing the runners feet. They almost have to have start from scratch every week, just amazing, both of them.
Jane (#35), I agree with you too. Usually, I don’t mind the redemption dances and was kind of looking forward to the possibility of Charlie doing a proper Rumba with Sharna; but with the latin-inspired freestyle team dances and the repeat duets, it’s gotten king of “samey”. So *no* redemption dances, make them do a new “unlearned” dance instead.
I know it’s a vain hope, but I’d also like to see them get rid of the stupid gimmick stuff like the “24-hour dance challenge” and the “dance relay”. Unfortunately, I’m sure TPTB think those things are a lot more appealing to the younger demo and it also puts the couples more on edge which they also seem to think appeals to viewers.
Heck, these are all pretty talented dancers so I say, make them do Freestyle, and 2 unlearned dances (1 latin/1 ballroom). Tell them right up front what the 2 unlearned styles are and let them get to work.
I think I saw the words “extra dances” on here, puredwts, though I can’t remember exactly. Anyways, when I said regular dances I meant: Foxtort, Quickstep, Tango, Waltz, V. Waltz and Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive, Paso Doble. Salsa is not done every season. And sometimes, if a celebrity does an A.Tango they skip the regular tango, I guess. Same thing with waltzes.
I didn’t said she didn’t do any regular dances, I can see that she did. But also, she didn’t do foxtrot, quickstep, paso doble and samba. And there’s no way she’ll get to dance more than 2 of them, I guess. Though I didn’t checked, I don’t remember that anyone who made it to semi-finals left out more than 3 regular dances. I’m not saying it’s unfair, that’s ok for me, just like when Melissa and Zendaya didn’t do rumba, it was ok for me.
I don’t think it will be a problem for Maksim(or Meryl) to do jazz and/or contemporary. Foxtrot and rumba was perfect as freestyles in my eyes, I’m sure they he can choreograph a proper contemporary. I think most of the pros are good enough to put something together or learn it in a short time. Val didn’t had contemporary training but he’s one of the best when it comes to contemporary. And Tony’s dance with Melissa(although not exactly contemporary) was one of the best freestyles imo.
So, Amy is doing quickstep? Thanks.
I’m not sure what you’re trying to say, Tweety. You list dances she hasn’t done – well, not only is that not her fault, she’s not the only one who has list of dances she hasn’t done. They all do. And sorry, but Salsa is done often enough for it to be a “regular” dance. Most people don’t do both V. Waltz and Waltz..and sometimes they get either Tango or Argentine Tango – not both. So what are you trying to say? Why are you singling out Amy for critiques that can be applied to every dancer left on the show?? Why are you holding her to a higher standard? Charlie hasn’t done Foxtrot, Samba, AT, Waltz or V. Waltz. Meryl hasn’t done Paso, Waltz, V. Waltz, Jive or quickstep. Candace hasn’t done Paso, Tango, Waltz, Salsa or V. Waltz. So what is your point? You do realize that you’re looking at a table on this post that has ALL the couples upcoming dances filled in EXCEPT for Amy and Derek, right?
Maks is not Val, nor is he Tony. He actually has a record with contemporary and it’s not good – most non-maks fans believe that his contemporary with Erin was horrible. There is history that is stronger than your belief that he can do it. And sorry again, but Val can’t touch Derek or Mark (or Sharna, I suspect) when it comes to contemporary or Jazz, from where I sit. He certainly has potential and a willingness to expand. If you think that Tony’s contemporary with Melissa was one of the best, your standards are certainly LOW.
Maks didn’t seem to have any problem with contemporary this past week. I’d guess that the same routine, danced as a contemporary, would have gotten killer scores.
Amy’s quickness should really help with the quickstep. I wonder if Derek is having trouble not stepping on the blades during the segments that have to be in close hold?
I’m expecting Charlie to kill it on the V. Waltz; not so sure about samba.
I didn’t like Tony’s freestyle for Melissa at all. As much as I was rooting for Derek and Shawn, I also didn’t think it was a great freestyle – it was good, but in my opinion it wasn’t as impressive or cohesive as their other dances that season, and it was the weakest of all of his freestyles, although still better than Tony and Melissa, who I thought was pretty overscored for theirs.
Anyway, all of the celebs avoided some dances that might not be great considering their strengths and their pros weaknesses, and also all didn’t get ones that I believe may have been in their wheelhouse. I do think it’s weird that James – a male celebrity – didn’t get Paso, considering it’s the “man’s dance”. And of course would have LOVED a Charlie AT and an Amy Jazz, but oh well.
Re: Amy not getting jazz – the nice thing is, Derek can choreograph one as her freestyle if he wants, if they make it to the finals. I think Amy would do really well with jazz, and Derek is probably aware of both what types of movement suit her best, as well as what music they might be able to get, so I’m sure he has something up his sleeve already (not necessarily jazz, but you never know).
Jazz for Amy as a freestyle dance sounds amazing.
But really, anything that Derek puts his mind to turns out amazing. His involvement with Nappytabs and other non-ballroom choreographers has certainly developed his skills beyond any other pro currently in the show. So I totally expect his freestyle to be the best.
Being new to the show, I cannot quite understand why people say the freestyle dance can cost someone the win. Unless the race is really tight going into the finale, and a couple of swing voters make the difference towards the winner. But it is hard to know when a race is tight in terms of voting (not in terms of actual dancing), right?
I can imagine that many people only vote in the finale. But I suppose that these voters have watched the show all season long but did not bother to vote until the finale. They must have formed opinions about couples, chosen favorites, and made their mind of who to support in the finale. So then, a freestyle must be very bad (by large margins) to turn off people that have developed a liking for you over several weeks.
Anyways, I guess it would be great to know by how much a celebrity’s share of votes changes in the finale compared to the average share of votes 2-3 weeks prior to the finale. My intuition would say that not by much. I think the volume of votes changes in the finale, but not the distribution of votes.
Cidra (#39), I like your idea of having Freestyle plus two unlearned dances. At least if they knew up front what the dance styles were, they could really prepare properly, unlike the Instant dance/24 hour challenge.
Anna (#45), I can only speak for myself, but usually the freestyle does make a difference in my voting in the finals. Usually I have a favourite couple that I voted for all season, but in the finals I sort of “wipe the slate clean”, and vote for the couple whose freestyle impressed me the most. Or if there are several couples in the finals that I like, I look at the freestyle to decide who to give my votes to. So I don’t know if other people do this, but to me it makes sense that a freestyle can cost someone the win.
I think if the freestyles are appropriately good then many people just vote the way they have all season. A great freestyle won’t assure a win (but it will make it closer), however I think with great certainty that a BAD freestyle guarantees a loss, if that makes sense?
Amy has to do ALL the dances, start the very first second, not include any props and only contain straight ballroom, no fluff. She must never be picked up and she must never touch Derek unless she’s supposed to be pelvic locked with him for quickstep. Her foot work MUST be impeccable. She must always be a pleasant robot in her rehearsal packages. She must never say if something hurts because robots don’t hurt. It doesn’t matter that all the others do all those things regularly and for years. It only matters that that handicapped woman thinks she can be on this show and dance. And have the AUDACITY to be a very confident, sexy, strong, amazing woman. And further, who the hell does she think she is getting Derek for a partner.
For anyone who doesn’t know me, I’m being completely sarcastic and this is one of those times, when cumulativen from weeks of reading everywhere some pretty nasty things about this partnership and this woman, I’ve gotten my panties in a twist and I’m ranting.
Well said jess#48!! Derek could have a rock for a partner & his haters would STILL find something to complain about!! seriously! Amy has been absolutely AMAZING through all of this and even before I saw her dance, I KNEW she was gonna be something special! I will be working Monday night and won’t get to watch the show live 🙁 but I’ll be voting my ass off!!!! Then I’ll come home and stay up awhile and vote my ass off some more!!! I’m gonna create some more email accounts cuz ya KNOW the Maksyl shippers certainly are!
Fig, that has been my contention for a very long time. I would even go so far as to say that they only time a great freestyle gave someone a win who might not otherwise have won, was Kellie Pickler. The pros talk about the freestyle in the wrong way, IMO. I’ve always said that a great freestyle won’t give you the win over someone else, but a really bad one can cost you a win.
Of course we have no way of verifying this other than looking at the history and making some educated guesses.
Go Jess, go. 🙂
@Jess
LOL! For a minute there I thought I was in the other DWTS MB!! You just described what I put up with for 2 1/2 seasons. I’m glad I am here now, where slamming other posters is controlled as well as constantly slamming one certain pro dancer who in my book is the “total” package and a genius and a real human being.
Thanks for making my day! Monday is getting closer and closer 🙂
@Jess #48
I just remembered something. If Amy & Derek have the quickstep this Monday, Amy will, for sure, have to keep her “nibbly-bits” connected to Derek’s “nibbly-bits” (example: Kellie Pickler’s quickstep) Len will have his eyes wide open and tuned in to their dance. 🙂
PH (#50) Actually, the Zendaya vs. Kellie made me think about how much do we really know regarding the value of a freestyle.
People say that Kellie won due to her freestyle. But how do we know this? Is there any evidence to suggest Zendaya was killing it in votes up until the finale, and it was the final dance that sealed the deal for Kellie? It could be that Kellie had more votes all throughout the season. We just don’t know.
All we know is that both were good dancers, and that the judges praised Zendaya all along, but that does not mean she had votes all along.
Am I missing something? Thanks.
Regarding Kellie vs. Zendaya’s freestyles, my friends and I were of the same opinion – Derek and Kellie created ART on the dance floor. Everyone else did a freestyle.
I can see where a casual, uninvested viewer who maybe doesn’t vote until the finals went for the work of art… 🙂
@ Anna
Kellie Pickler had my attention from the “get go.” I voted for her all the way and no one else. In my book she was the total package, she improved week after week, and she had it all from personality to talent. Her freestyle with Derek just put the icing on the cake. Derek was the only pro who stripped everything down and made it “ALL ABOUT KELLIE.”
As far as Zendaya: She was an excellent dancer in her own style she was used to doing, but Val didn’t choreo a variety of moves. His typical “twirling & spinning” only goes so far. He needed to challenge her more with lifts and splits etc. etc. He failed in her freestyle because he brought in the young group of dancers which took away from Zendaya. Before the young dancers came on to the dance floor, he didn’t do anything spectacular with her either. Everyone knew she had a background in “hip hop,” so, maybe the viewers would have liked more Ball Room dances in her freestyle. And, the wearing high top sneakers for at least 5-6 dances at the end of the season was a BIG NEGATIVE effect. The Quickstep is always done in heels and past videos of seasons show this.
Derek knows all this and he uses good judgement from beginning to end of each season.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. Kellie’s freestyle was AMAZING! No doubt about that.
My question was more about how do we know it was the freestyle that sealed the deal? Is there any reason to believe that a weaker freestyle – and by weaker I don’t mean badly danced, just less exciting choreo – would have cost her the win? She may have won regardless.
So, all I’m saying is how do we know the freestyle is as important of a dance as the producers want to make us believe it is?
Someone mentioned earlier that they erase the plate for the finale and who has the better dance wins. Can this be a habit of a large fraction of people? It certainly is not my natural tendency.
If I’ve grown to like a couple based on their dancing and chemistry during 10 weeks of the show, unless they become complete jerks in the finale, I cannot see myself switching my votes. Even if their freestyle is not blowing my mind. This is because in the finale I want to reward the couple that entertained me for 10 weeks, not just for one night. Anyways, just my thought.
Any word yet on Amy’s dances for Monday? Have I missed the news or has it not been announced?
@SKnapik
Go to this post on Pure. The article inside the box talks about Kenny Ortega etc. In the paragraph it gives all of the dances that the couples are doing.
ABC Releases Official Details For The Dancing With The Stars Season 18 Semi-Finals
We already know that these couples are doing:
Candace & Mark – Jazz/V. Watz
Charlie & Sharna – Foxtrot/Samba
James & Pets – Cha cha cha/Rumba
Meryl & Maks – Jive/V.Waltz
Amy & Derek – Quickstep/??? (not sure about 2nd dance for Amy)
Not everyone is as regular a watcher/voter as we are, Anna. In fact, I would say that MOST people aren’t. Which is why twitter followers rarely coincide with who wins the show. There are LOTS of people who don’t vote until the finale and, since they are not as dedicated as most of us, vote week to week. From a logic standpoint, that’s why I say that a great freestyle won’t hand you a win you wouldn’t otherwise have gotten, but a bad one can cost you a win.
Of course we can’t know for sure, as I’ve already said, but after watching this show since season 5, you start to see patterns.
Hi guys, any word on which dances that Amy & Derek are doing? My guess is probably the quickstep since I saw a pic of her wearing her running feet prosthetic legs on twitter & instagram
Derek wrote in his TVGuide blog that he and Amy have Quickstep and Jazz this week! I was hoping they had Jazz so now I’m ecstatic for Monday!
Derek’s latest blog is out, they’re doing jazz and quickstep.
Thanks, KreativeKat, JB, and Nasim for the update.
I am very sad about how the paso doble has been basically eliminated this season. It’s one of my favorites. And I, like others, am “Latined-out.” They had Latin week…maybe one of their themes should be “non-Latin week and give us a break from all of the cha-chas and sambas!!
Also, Princess Heidi, you said “I’m more worried about because the same sheeple who might have also been voting for Amy and/or Charlie (yes, people do that – not everyone who watches this show is INSANE)”
I don’t think that people who are voting for Meryl, Candace, and James are INSANE. I think that all of the pros have good qualities and I also think it is understandable how they all have fans. I don’t feel that it is insane to be voting for any of them at this point. I have my favorite, of course, but they are all deserving of still being there, in my opinion.
You need to learn how to read, Katie. I never said that ALL the people voting for Meryl, Candace and James are insane. I’ve never said anything close to what you’re implying. Quit parsing my words or you can stop posting here.
Looks like I gotta distinguish my name a bit. Katie is pretty common. I don’t want to get confused for other posters.
By the way PH, #65 wasn’t me. Not sure why I’m on moderation? 🙁
Princess Heidi when are you posting “By the numbers? 😉
SO excited for this weeks dances and guest judge- FINALLY someone with the qualifications and unbiased opinion.
Watching back on last Monday’s episode and my favorite parts have to be watching the judges table. Len Len was obviously not please Miss Miller was there. He wouldn’t look at her and you could visibly see he was appalled by her comments and scoring. If Len doesn’t like someone you know shit just got real lol
Almost done, Rose. 🙂
Katie N – the very first time you post, your comment is on moderation automatically. I can’t remember if we have it set to 3 post or just one. As soon as you have three approved posts, you’re no longer on moderation. 🙂 It’s not just you – it’s how we have the site set up. It’s a troll filter. 🙂
The comments toward Amy are disgusting. It is one thing if immature kids who are typically Z’s fans do it but adults. Sadly the C bros see it but do nothing, also the strange obsession with D and Amy critics and travelling the floor. They act like she literally stand and Derek lifts her which is not true. They act like she should be dancing just like ?Meryl. She dances but she had real limitations and finds ways to still dance. I mean, that’s like saying all .meryl does are spins. Maks overdoes it but she does dance too. The strange obsession fans having about floor coverage as if that equals dancing especially for Latin which are spot dances are nuts,
@Melissa
Hi! I don’t use Twitter, and don’t see the remarks made on it, but I seen enough on another Dancing With The Stars site to last me a lifetime. Same things you read on Twitter, though. The C brother’s fans comment on all things they say Amy is not doing and compare her to Meryl and say it’s not fair, because the judges refuse to be critical with Amy and they should be judging her the same as the others. It’s just such “childish” thinking and if they are grown-ups, that’s really sad. Evidently, they are not listening carefully to the judges, because they judge her on what parts of her body she does have and is using them and getting the elements of the dance in and obviously things like pointing toes and having the flexibility in the ankles is out of the question. Amy is being judged on what she is able to do with what she has not what she doesn’t have and if she is doing those moves properly. Anyone (who isn’t in denial) can see the great dance potential Amy shows even with her handicap, let alone if she were like the other lady celebrates. As far as floor coverage, that’s just another ridiculous petty thought just like the others.
It is so sad and even sadder when they think
Derek so coddling her. Huh? They had an At when has any pro let their pro just running around separate. Also look at the jive, tons of movement. Also forget she was injured. Just think they can never be happily. Funny how the celeb with no legs is being seen as the ringer,
Holding her to a higher standart??? PH, I just wrote that she hasn’t done much regular dances and I don’t want to see a jazz from her, I prefer regular dances from her. How is that holding to a higher standart? So, you think doing the other dances she did were easier?
Yes, I know sometimes they do just tango and just waltz. That’s what I said actually. But I don’t remember anyone not doing samba/paso doble/foxtrot/quickstep in a season, if they’re in top 4. All the other couples did more regular dances than Amy. I’m not saying it’s not fair. I’m saying that I don’t like it, ok? I prefer regular dances, don’t care if she can handle it or not, I prefer old dwts.
“You do realize that you’re looking at a table on this post that has ALL the couples upcoming dances filled in EXCEPT for Amy and Derek, right?”
Yes. I realize that. Do you realize what I wrote in my first post? This: “I want to see her doing other dances. But I’m kinda sure one of the dances will be jazz.”
That was my guess and looks like I guessed right. And it means only one more regular dance from Amy(quickstep). And all the other couples doing regular dances this week. Except Candace but she’s done most of the regular dances and I’m not interesed in seeing a paso doble from her. So what I’m trying to say? I want Amy doing the regular dances. That’s all, ok?
I know you think his freestyle with Erin was horrible. I read it a lot here. I wrote my opinion. It doesn’t make my standarts low. You think Derek, Mark and Sharna are better than Val/Tony? Fine, if that’s how you see it, I can’t change it. I just see it differently.
No, actually, it’s NOT okay. Why aren’t you complaining about Charlie?? He’s also done both contemporary (twice) and jazz. Candace has done contemporary TWICE and is now doing Jazz. Meryl has done pretty much the same dances as Amy, except Amy got contemporary and Meryl got Foxtrot. So yes, you are holding Amy to a higher standard and are complaining about her dances when the other couples have had just as many “different dances” with the exception of James. *I* never said the other dances were easier, I want to know why you have a hard on for Amy. So, WHY?
Only ONE couple has done Paso and Amy is doing quickstep on Monday. As for no one else making it to the end not having done Samba/Paso/Foxtrot/Quickstep – I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the producers added Jazz and contemporary, which automatically cuts down on the number of traditional ballroom. The other couples are doing regular dances this week except Amy and Candace? Well, gee, that’s not even CLOSE to all the other couples – it’s two to three. Why exactly this week is special to you is a mystery to me.
Just another day and another set of double standards.
Charlie hasn’t done swing, argentine tango and salsa. Meryl hasn’t done contemporary and jazz. Amy done all of the different dances. Like I said, I’m not holding her to a higher standart, I just don’t like all the different dances, because if they do them all(as Amy) then they won’t get to dance the other styles. Of course it’s normal that one or two regular dances will be not danced(like Melissa not doing rumba and salsa or Shawn not doing salsa). But this season the different dances are too much and I do not like it. I don’t like it when a couple does both jazz and contemporary too(and I remember many people saying the same thing when Elizabeth did them both). It’s not “unfair” or something, I just don’t like it. I’m not complaining about Charlie because he has only two waltzes left. It’s not like I’m hating all the different dances(I wish he had done a.t. instead of tango) but sometimes it’s too much for me. What’s wrong with it? I saw many people complaining about Zendaya and Melissa not dancing rumba. And complaining about Meryl not wearing proper shoes and Meryl not getting contemporary or jazz… That’s not holding to a higher standart. But if you still think so, ok.
I kind of think the pair who hasn’t officially done contemporary nor jazz are at an advantage going into the finals and freestyle as they have more room for doing something “different”, that we haven’t “already seen from them this season”. Not fair I cry sounding like my kindergartener.
Same thought, Jess. While not Maks strong point, it is working out more for Meryl and ?Maks to win bc less chance to appear like we have seen this already, etc. It seems more and more Maks was promised a win. Just don’t want Maks to win. He is smug and he seems to be the one concerned with beating Derek while Derek already won in many ways with Amy.
There are tons already complaining Amy is getting special treatment and now I see people saying if she dances on her running blades for quickstep it isn’t a quickstep bc there are no heal leads. Okay, which is it folks? Don’t have Derek put her in the pointed toes feet but then she could get docked for not pointing her toes? Or she is babied but Derek should give her more complicated routines? The contradictions are much. I say, life isn’t fair. Amy has no legs or heels. So she uses running blades, can’t the judges judge other aspects too? Is it fair Meryl and ?Charlie already knew these dances before competition?
re#80 – Seriously?? There are people who are saying it won’t be a quickstep without heel leads? First, how *many* celebs (with feet) on this show have done a quickstep without any heel leads? Lots. Sometimes Len has called them out on it, sometimes not. And everyone still thinks that they danced a quickstep – which means, whether or not a dance is a quickstep is *not* defined by whether or not it has heel leads.
Second, re: Amy dancing on running blades – do these people realize that Amy doesn’t have feet (even if she’s wearing her prosthetics)?? I’m sure that those (like Courtney) with ballroom technique experience will correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that heel leads come from the ankle and placement of the foot – which Amy can’t do, because she doesn’t. have. feet. so it doesn’t *matter* if she wears running blades or not. *Think* a little, people!
Sorry for the rant. Sometimes the lack of people’s ability (or the refusal) to think through a situation logically gets to me.
You have lost this argument, Tweety – you should stop digging that hole deeper.