DWTS Week 8 Blog Post For Carrie Ann Inaba And Julianne Hough
I missed last week, sorry about that. It ended up being One of Those weeks. Anyway, we’re back this week! I almost waited another day for this, just in case Julianne had another Glamor Blog for Tuesday, but then I read Carrie Ann’s blog and decided that it really should be posted.
First up, Julianne’s glamor blog at People magazine. I LOVED the whole look this week, everything just went together, and was probably one of my most FAVORITE looks she’s ever had! Go check out People Magazine here to read all about her Monday look! I do like her as a judge, she’s settled in well, and she mostly does try to find some things that each couple can work on. It’s not easy trying to do what you feel you need to do, while toeing the line that was given to her by TPTB. I do think she tip toes well on it, and seems to have found a balance. As for Derek, especially her comment about him “looking ridiculous,” it didn’t bother me. She’s his little sister, and one of the people who really knows him the best. And being his sister, I think it’s her job to give him jabs in jest, just as I’m sure he teases her when he can. Julianne and Derek are completely normal siblings, it’s going to happen from time to time, and they both knew it meant no harm. Both of them get enough things hurled at them by so called “fans,” that her ribbing him about his costume is small in comparison, and doubtful it hurt their relationship.
Carrie Ann’s People Blog was very insightful! She mentions having a Live Tweet after the show, and answering questions after Monday’s show, and went to her twitter to see some of the questions and answers, but I found nothing. If anyone has seen anything from her live tweet, let me know. (Vogue here: You can read Carrie Ann’s Live Chat here.)
Meanwhile, she takes the time and reviews the six couples left, highlighting what she felt was their postive parts, and what she feels they need to work on. If you want to read in full, go to her blog to read the whole thing, I’ll highlight just Robert and Chris, since we lost them tonight.
Chris Soules and Witney Carson — He has improved the most of all the competitors, and even though he lacks consistency, he’s really found an emotional component to his performances that has taken his game way up. He’s extremely likable, and he’s got some momentum at this moment. He’s peaking at the right moment, and that’s a good thing for him. He’s found himself in this competition and defined his place and his worth out there. He’s come from behind so many times. He’s the comeback kid! Needs to work on: Remaining consistent in his performances, being sure he knows his choreography backward and forward.
Robert Herjavec and Kym Johnson — The most delightful couple this season. He never seems to get upset or flustered. He just keeps on keeping on. His uplifting demeanor makes us all smile and remember that life should be happy. When he dances it feels like the world is a very happy place. Every one of their routines has been filled with joy and a happiness that is really something quite special. His twinkly eyes and his twinkle toes make for some really enjoyable performances. Needs to work on: Staying present with the music. Sometimes he gets ahead of the music by not listening and staying relaxed.
She talks about her friend who founded Drea’s Dream, which sounds like a FABULOUS cause! And some info about week 9. Not much, but enough that we can figure out some details for one of their dances.
I’m also really excited to see who will remain because I will be going into the studio tonight to work with one couple on creative direction for one of the performances. This has never been done before in the history of Dancing with the Stars, and I’m looking forward to getting a chance to work with these incredible couples. The big questions are: Who will make it to the next round, and who will be paired with me? Tune in tonight!
Which pair would you like to see with which judge? My choices would be…
Nastia and Derek with Len because until recently, Derek’s always seemed to respect Len, and while I think he would listen to the others, I think Len would be best suited to Derek and his Vision. Usually, Derek and Julianne work well together, but from things I’ve read/heard from them, he usually comes up with ideas and she works them out, and that’s not the idea of this challenge. So, I’ll stick with Len.
Riker and Allison with Julianne, because she’s been that pro still trying to learn the ropes, and figure out how the show works, and could be a good mentor to them, and find a concept/choreography that suits Riker and Allison best, bringing out their best side while minimizing some of their flaws.
Noah and Sharna with Bruno, because of the two remaining judges, he seems to be the one more grounded in reality, and when you listen through some of his schtick, he’s really a nice man, with some great ideas to help people improve.
Rumer and Val with Carrie Ann, because she’s the one that’s left. I sat here and tried to decide which of the 4 judges I thought would be best for them, and I simply just don’t have a good reason for choosing Carrie Ann, but I’m more positive about who I would prefer for the other couples.
So, what do you guys think?
Excellent, Lori. Well done. And I think I agree with you about which judges should go with each couple!!
Adding: and I thought Carrie Ann and Julianne were both stunning this week!!
These were my picks for judges / couples, too, and for nearly the exact same reasons!
I like Julieanne with Riker and Allison as I perceive J to be young and fresh and open to Allison and her less than traditional ballroom dance background but also able to give Allison good advice to strengthen these very difficult ballroom techniques.
I like CA with Rumor and Val, cause I think CA with her hip hop dance training will be able to help this couple loosen up and try a bit more carefree style and show a bit more fun and to help Val with what I see is his weakness in anything but Latin dances.
I like Len with Nastia and Derek (Sasha ?) as I think Len is so well trained and so respected that his advice will boost Nastia’s confidence in her already very strong technique, maybe provide her some additional advice on elegance and flow. I think Nastia needs to hear this from the “grand master”…. Like hearing how great you are from your parents isn’t the same as hearing it from your coach. I think Len will help Nastia in her confidence. Derek is awesome so this pick is all about Nastia, but if Sasha dances, then I think Lens knowledge and experience will provide Sasha this same confidence boost.
I always liked Bruno with Noah and Sharna as I think Bruno looks for creative (ie, non traditional) ways to show expressions on the dance floor without loosing the traditional technique. Out of all the judges, I think Bruno may be the most versatile dancer / choreographer who will really rise to his best working with Noah and will help an already very capable Sharna find news ways for Noah to move and dance.
I like your choices, and agree with them, but I also would kind of like to see Len with them as well.
Len has been the one judge they’ve struggled to get to the next level (a 10) with all season, so it would be interesting to have him with them and do something that he would definitely want to see.
I do like the idea of Julianne though too because I think she could really help Allison.
I agree with the choices mentioned. It wouldn’t surprise me though if they put Julianne with Noah. Is this something the show tries to keep secret until the Monday night show, or will we know ahead of time?
This twist happened on DwtS AU.
The judge didn’t score the couple he/she helped.
@ Lori, “Rumer and Val with Carrie Ann, because she’s the one that’s left.” LOL
I’m actually hoping that CAI doesn’t get paired w/ them because I’ve always had the impression that Val (and Maks & Tony) don’t have much respect for her & so, I’m predicting their package will be a bit uncomfortable/awkward for me to watch. Even if I don’t like the couple or CAI, I still don’t like to see that.
I think CAI should “mentor” Nastia & Derek. I do agree w/ CAI’s blog that Nastia needs to work on her performance & since performance/emotions is what CAI is always about, I think they would be a good match.
I think Len should “mentor” Rumer & Val only b/c they said that they were going to keep things “classical” & since Len’s the most traditional judge of the four, he seems like a good fit for them.
I agree that Julianne should be paired w/ Riker & Allison. She seems to have the same spunky attitude that those two have, their energies would mesh well. I also think Allison could learn a lot from Julianne on how to balance dancing w/ attack & elegance (something I feel Allison lacks a great deal in).
I also agree that Bruno should be paired w/ Noah & Sharna. I think it would be good for Noah to have a male judge help him out not only on technique but performance & I think Bruno’s judging is a good blend of both.
@Jane I’d have agreed on Nastia’s performance until that Paso Doble. Her performance in that was excellent, I couldn’t have asked for much more in anything but shaping. Do you think whoever gets Len has a score advantage because he’s pretty likely to end up being the 9 in a 39 a lot of the time?
I hope nastia and Derek get Bruno, rumor and Val get Len, Noah and sharna get Carrie Ann, and Julianne to riker and Allison. Mostly I really want Bruno to get nastia…..just think of the entertainment value there alone lol.
Val has said he would like Julianne. Should be interesting to see if they do. Last year Janel had Julianne so it would seem likely that they would not get her again. But if he and Rumer do get Julianne, it is what he wants apparently.
I’d love to see Carrie Ann with Nastia & Derek. It would be great to see Nastia’s emotional side brought out this week.
Rumer and Val seem to be good fit for Len since they’re focused on keeping this traditional and classic.
For the other two couples, I think Julianne and Bruno work well for either.
@ Mr A I agree, I thought Nastia’s performance in the Paso Doble was great.
When I was writing about Nastia’s need to improve on her performance I had her Jive Trio in mind instead. I thought she performed that routine great also but there was one moment when she & Derek had their heads really close together & I noticed she had a weird (maybe uncomfortable?) look on her face, like she had broken out of character. Just thinking about that moment in their dance, I feel that Nastia could improve her performance a bit more (even though it’s already pretty good right now) – in the sense of staying in character throughout.
@Jane This is true, and I think for someone with Nastia’s personality, as far as I can read it, the character of the paso will be far easier than the jive. I know when I did 10-dance, I could turn “fierce” on and off like a faucet, but the character of, say, the Jive or the Samba took a long long time to adapt to. Admittedly with Samba especially there was a major body issue and I doubt Nastia has to worry about looking like a fatter Danny DeVito, but letting loose and having fun isn’t necessarily in her nature or her training.
I agree with Lori about which judge should be with which pro. But so far whatever Val wants, he’ll get it so I think they’ll get Julianne. No matter how many are still complaining about Julianne being a judge (being bias toward Derek), she will stick to TPTB program. Remember “there’s not enough samba content but iiii looveeee ittt” last season?
I think the harsh package really threw Nastia for a loop – but despite that her jive performance was pretty great.