Private Members Area – DWTS Season 21 Week 5 Discussion
It’s time for Dancing with the Stars Season 21 week 5 and you know what that means. Time to enjoy some friendly, educated banter in the Pure DWTS Insider. If you’re not a Pure DWTS Insider yet, you can do so here. If you are, then I look forward to the discussion in the comments.
My apologies for the delay on getting the Private Member area post up for this week. I’m traveling for the “day job” in Nashville. It’s been a little bit crazy.
Anyway, what’d you think of tonight’s switch up dances? Any stand outs? Anything you loved or hated? You know the drill. Have some fun and share your love for the show.
Also, since I’m working I didn’t catch the details, but I’ve seen the messages of condolence for Tom. So, I assume his father passed away. I hope Tom is blessed with comfort during this challenging moment in his life. If Tom’s dad is anything like him, he must have been one extraordinary man.
I liked the opening number. The door concept was cute. I was expecting them to open the last door and Maks be behind it.
I agree with Courtney who said on Twitter that Tamar must not have been feeling well last night. I think Louis provided her with excellent choreography for that Samba. She IS a good dancer but she was just off last night. 🙁 I DON”T agree with CAI that she’s the best female dancer remaining. I’d say Bindi is just as good. LOVE how Val said in the package to Louis, Good luck buddy cause your gonna need it! LOL
Mark gave Paula a really cute routine. Maks was correct in saying that it needed more Jive. Paula is a hoot and it looks like she and Mark hit it off very well. Julianne saying Mark brought the milk and you provided the cookies I thought was funny! Their routine made me smile and laugh.
Allison’s weakness in ballroom is very evident. Hayes did well with what she gave him but I don’t feel that there was enough in-hold in the routine. Hayes could also be a contender as well. The potential is there. I’m sure Emma will do more to polish him for next week.
Alek and Emma did a lovely rumba which I thought was underscored. Maks is right! He’s the dark horse of this competition. And yes Erin! We want them to go out on a date too.
I thought Bindi’s routine was cute and she nailed it! Her costume was great. Val gave her a great routine. Loved the look on his face when he saw the snake in the rehearsal studio. I would’ve turned around too. Sorry Bindi, I love ya girl but I do not love reptiles, especially snakes.
Carlos did very well with Lindsay. 3 tens though I thought was a bit generous. I LOVE that Elvis song. My husband is a huge Elvis fanatic so I’m very familiar with his music. lol I wonder if the overscoring was to keep him from being eliminated?
Alexa and Derek knocked it out of the park! Just again going to show that Derek is the MASTER! Was it worthy of a perfect score? Maybe at least two 10’s. Which made me wonder, are the Producers pushing to keep the married couple in the competition and told the Judges to overscore them both? Hmmm……
Andy and Sharna were terrific!! Sharna is the female version of Derek and is the strongest female choreographer but Lindsay is doing hella good and deserves to be Pro again next year. Replace Allison who’ll be out on maternity leave please! Allison isn’t helping Andy at all. Andy got gipped in being partnered with Allison. She did well last year because Riker was trained in ballroom. Not as good this year, I don’t think.
Nick and Witney’s pairing just seemed off. It was a good dance. I thought it was a point or 2 underscored. Which again makes me wonder if TPTB don’t have an agenda with him too.
Maks did a great job at the judges table. MUCH better than last time. He offered constructive criticism. Didn’t like how he said he was giving a 10 to Bindi just because he could. Or the backhanded compliment to Alek.
Julianne looked stunning. I really liked her gown. Thinking she had hair extensions in too last night.
Carrie-Ann didn’t piss me off either. Well except for not calling Nick out for that lift. LOVE how Andy called her out too in his package! LOL
BEST show of season 5 so far IMHO. Didn’t realize Tom’s dad just passed away yesterday. 🙁 RIP Ray Bergeron.
I didn’t want to post this in the regular area because I don’t want to start something if I misinterpreted Witney and Nick’s package – but I thought Witney came across WAY worse than Nick. She seemed disinterested with producing a precise, quality dance with him and was as Julianne said of Maks last year – phoning it in.
Could this be a result of her competitive attitude – not wanting Nick to have a great dance in order to eclipse her own boy band star (who was just placed in jeopardy?) or – and here’s where I put on my tinfoil hat – is there some tension there between Witney and Sharna over the whole Emmy thing? I wondered if that would be an issue at all or if they seemed to be over it – just thought her inability to “teach” Nick might have a lot of factors there.
Regardless, I didn’t care much for the dance at all, and Nick’s butt was sticking out so far that I thought he was going to take a dump on the dance floor.
Wow, what a week to miss! Courtney – I think you managed to get every single one of vals ships upset! lol
Lets start with the good – ALMA, ALMA, ALMA. I do agree Alek seemed to be holding back – but I actually thought it was because – HE HAD TO HOLD BACK! How cute are they?
I thought Maks did much better this time, except with Tamar. That looked like a week 1 dance as far as her performance. I wonder if she will continue to struggle with the longer dances as the weeks progress.
Thought the lie detector thing was funny, but Im the one who mentioned a few weeks back about feeling like I was having Vals love life shoved at me. The whole thing about finding him a wife, etc. Now this – so I ask the mods, is this a normal topic of discussion BTS? Is vals ego and sex life so much a part of BTS that its just natural for it to be a major topic of something like the lie detector or his packages with Tamar? Or did they ask the same things about other pros, and we just didn’t see it? Seems to me someone is mocking him pretty good BTS.
I was split on the Nick/Wit package. When Nick made the first comment about self-correcting, I thought maybe Wit was taking it too easy, but as it went on, it started feeling forced. Like maybe Nick was trying to make point that he is a perfectionist, that he demands more of himself or that he went into the week assuming Wit wouldn’t teach him as well as Sharna. Which is its the latter, maybe the Emmy thing does come in to play unless there is some other Wit/Sharna tension I am unaware of. And it shows the depth of the Nick/Sharna connection that Nick was indirectly defending and promoting Sharna.
Derek/Alexa – wow. By far her best ever. Im really glad for her as I agreed with Mark thinking she was soon to exit. Derek certainly found her hidden strengths, and Im sure Mark will be able to keep that momentum going. Speaking of which, Mark made the best of what could have been a terrible week. Kudos to him for just having fun and not being melodramatic like some others.
Prayers to Tom and his family.
Yeah, CAI is on crack if she thinks Tamar is the best female dancer remaining. But then, her tone when talking to Bindi was starting to resemble her tone when talking to previous Derek partners….just down, and subdued. Like she’s been given marching orders or something. But it’s notable. Combine that with “Tamar is the best remaining female dancer” and I see signs of an emerging agenda. IF such a thing is true, there is no need to actually say it, unless you want to start selling it to the audience. Kinda like telling Val it’s his year.
I will add that Sharna is good, but she is NOT the female version of Derek. Not yet. She’s much too intense and hasn’t figured out that her and Nick’s intensity isn’t translating well on screen. Derek figured this out years ago when dancing with Nicole. He still pulled out a win – largely because his choreo and Nicole’s dancing were AMAZING and Evan was as intense with Anna as Nick is with Sharna. I think Sharna needs to tone it down a bit and try for a bit more lighthearted approach.
ETA: I think the proof is in Sharna’s dance with Andy last night – THAT is more the approach she should be taking with Nick.
I agree, Heidi. I love Sharna, but, she’s not at the level of Derek yet. Her dances don’t blow me away in the same way every time. Derek’s choreography and dancing is at a level no one can match imo. Same with his teaching.
I guess I think that because she has potential and I prefer her choreography with her partners over other female pros. It’s obvious Sharna wants to win this season with her BSB. But please leave out the BSB choreo now.
I certainly hope that TPTB don’t have an agenda with Tamar/Val. I still don’t feel like she’s all that. Little connection with Val and I still didn’t see it in their rumba last week either.
Still don’t understand WHY they want the PenaVegas to stay in the competition. Neither one impress me. Yes they both danced great last night but were overscored.
Oh geez have you all seen the Afterbuzz interview – Bindi & Val yet. Val feels the need to bring up the twitter stuff from last week and of course skews the situation a bit. Why does he feel he needed to address it again…issues, man, issues.
As for the Nick package, I felt awkward watching it. Whether it really didn’t represent the whole week for them or not, it was unpleasant to me. I honestly think if he (and Sharna needs to help with this) doesn’t lighten up, he will likely finish no higher than 2nd despite the talent and strong fan-base. We have seen multiple times before the personality that people fall in love with over the course of the season can win over the (arguably) stronger dancer – Drew & Stacy, Helio and Mel, Shawn & Gilles, Kellie & Zendaya, Donny & Mya, etc. Nick has not made himself particularly loveable to people other than his pre-existing fans from what I have seen, unlike Bindi, Alek and Hayes, who have gained so many new fans from the way they come across on camera this season. I don’t feel as if he is a bad guy at all, I’m just saying he’s coming across too intense on camera and it won’t gain him votes over the other more loveable personalities that also are talented dancers.
I admit I cracked up multiple times in the ‘lie detector’ segments, even though I know how staged it all is!
My reasoning on the overscore is in the comments on Courtney’s Power Rankings. Too lazy to type it out again. 🙂
Gee….for a blog that means nothing, he sure acts like it’s…something. 😀
I am just not feeling Nick. I don’t like his personality, and I don’t think he’s the best dancer either. So if he doesn’t win, it’s not going to be “shocking” since he’s not even the technically best dancer.
Yeah I saw Bindi & Val’s Afterbuzz interview. Val just goes to show how insecure he is. He claims to have settled it on Twitter but HAD to bring it up again? SMH…whatever dude. Just goes to show how insecure you are.
He “settled” it by declaring it over and moving on while his fans acted like assholes at his previous instigation. Exactly what he wanted, although I think he would prefer everyone would just shut up. Too bad he’s not going to get that wish fulfilled anytime soon.
I agree, Buttercup – and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think Aaron was the superior dancer of the two Carter boys, and even for me more likable – he was too stressed, and seemed to care a bit too much, but I felt like he was more “present” in his partnership with Karina.
Fig (#2), Like you I didn’t want to say much in the public area because I see no point in stirring up more fan feuds over the pros, but I was thinking along the same lines.
Nick didn’t exactly shine in that rehearsal package–coming across as bossy and controlling, but Witney came off a lot worse. While I appreciate Witney’s dancing and her charisma on the dance floor, I’ve never been sold on her as a pro. I don’t think she’s a particularly strong teacher. That’s OK, not everyone is a natural teacher, but if you want to improve and you apply yourself, you’ll get better. I don’t know her, but I’ve always gotten the feeling that Witney doesn’t see the need for much self-improvement. To me, she’s always come across on TV as slightly spoiled and somewhat self-absorbed. I think she’s also used to people letting her have her way. So when she comes up against someone who either doesn’t listen (like Cody) or challenges her authority (like Nick), she doesn’t know how to handle the situation. Her response is to just go through the motions and let them do what they want.
I also preferred Aaron. He was definitely too stressed, but I think it’s because he was so young. He was more likeable to me though, and more fun to watch.
Exactly, Cidra – I don’t think Nick came across well either, but I guess I was just more caught off-guard at how Witney appeared – but like you, I’ve never really been sold on her as a pro, despite her stellar season with Alfonso, so I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. She and Chris Soules last season are very far down on my list of couples to ever dance the ballroom – some of that is on him, but plenty on her as well.
I’ve always far preferred Lindsay as a dancer and a presence on my television, and I thought she handled a very difficult celeb like Victor without enough due credit.
Cidra,
Is what you described Whitney being spoiled and self absorbed or that she’s insecure. I think she has a touch of the former, but a ton of the later. She was super young when she got on SYTYCD and then she got on DWTS and no doubt she feels what they call the imposter syndrome. So, I think it’s more that she’s insecure about things.
John,
Could be. I guess that’s why it’s a not a good thing to have too much success too soon. I do get some Val vibes from her. So insecurity is probably part of what I’m seeing. I certainly wish Witney continued success, but she’s got a lot of growing up to do before she makes my favorites’ list.
Fig, I’m with you in preferring Lindsay and think she didn’t do as badly with Victor as others felt she did. I hope she’s shown the producers what she’s capable of this season with Alek and in the switch-up with Carlos. I’d love it if Allison took off the Spring season and Lindsay got her spot.
Not sure what was up with Witney this week, but that was strange. She seemed out of it.
I do think some of the pros were more laid back this week and it actually was an advantage. Sharna is usually great but was wonderful with Andy, and Mark was like his old self…before he got bitter lol.
I’m gonna go into it in more detail in the postmortem, but this is basically my take on Wit:
She got hosed pretty badly by the judges in the last switch-up she did, and I think it humiliated her because she really had tried hard to make it work. As a consequence, she developed a rather apathetic attitude as a defense: “if I don’t care about the switch up, it can’t hurt my feelings if the judges don’t like it.” Or she just altogether gave up after the last switch and figures its not worth wasting time on.
For those who may have missed it, this is from George Pennacchio:
“We should try for a baby.” That’s what @TheCarlosPena told @alexavega after her perfect score w/ @derekhough. pic.twitter.com/r4ybivrV50
This is one disturbed guy.
I think you’ve pretty much nailed the psychology on Witney and the switch up. Makes total sense to me.
A comment on doing a Rumba to Time of My Life – ARE THEY INSANE? WTF indeed! Way to set up Bindi and Derek to fail – I can hear the judges now: too fast, no lift allowed (never mind that the producers are insisting the lift be done…), too frantic, no sensuality or rumba-appropriate connection. I’m already pissed for them…
Reminds me of when the producers made Derek and Shawn repeat their amazing, but rule breaking, Quickstep during All-Star season, then let the judges dock them (again) for breaking the rules to make damn sure Tony got his turn at the mirror ball. smh and give them (the producers) the middle finger at the same time.
I wonder if Derek remembers that, LurkerB5 – I had forgotten about it until you mentioned it, but it’s a very good point. This isn’t the first time that Derek’s been set up to fail by the producers.
I finally was able to watch this week’s DWTS so now I can comment. Reading here before I saw the show, I think you way overplayed what went down in Whitney’s package. I thought Nick was pretty disrespectful to her when he said he’d take over and lead her through the week. Uhh..whatever. There’s always more to the story since we only see like 2 minutes. I loved when she said, “It’s your score.” At some point when someone is usurping your authority, then that’s a natural reaction. No doubt she’d have reacted different if he were her partner the whole time.
Anyway, just had to share since I was late watching the show this week.
I also thought Paula was hilarious this week. I think Mark even enjoyed it.
PH. That’s exactly what I thought when you posted that the lift police is not likely to be dissuaded, that we’re back to the mandated rule- breaking quickstep.
Man, that will make me so sad and mad if they do that.
John that could be the case with Witney and Nick too.
SMH….I’m gonna be SOO pissed if CAI docks them for a lift that TPTB MANDATED they do to keep the dance as close to the original as possible…Hell, if that were the case then TPTB would’ve given them a Mambo instead of a Rumba or at least a Jazz :/
Let’s talk more about the concept of “keeping the dance as close to the original as possible.” Do they want the show to be boring? This isn’t a dance lip sync show (although that could be cool for the right show). How can they not trust their pros to do something in the spirit of the original, but not the original? If they did that, I’d fully support the concept. As described, I hope the pros ignore TPTB and do enough original stuff. I’m good with honoring the original, but recreating the original is lame for this show.
Well, at least as regards Bindi and Derek, “keeping the dance as close to the original as possible” is ridiculous on its face since it’s been assigned as a rumba.
LOL!!! Sorry….I just found a thread up in the list. Please just delete my post please.
John, (#31) That’s why I always groan when I hear “iconic (fill-in-the-blank) week”. TPTB have proven time and again they don’t trust their pros, they don’t trust their viewers. They think the way to satisfy viewers when you do iconic numbers is to copy them as exactly as possible. That kind of slavish imitation is always going to be less than the original (no matter how good the performers) So the end result is BORRRRR-ing!
Well, there’s no slavish imitation possible for Bindi and Derek since a mambo (salsa?) is to become a rumba. For me the question is will CAI get with the program or insist on being a scold. Nothing more BORRRRR-ing than a scold.
Carrie Ann has been so wishy-washy with her lift police thing for a while now, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t even mention it next week. Do we know if all rules are off for this week anyway?
Rumba for that song is weird but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Derek. I have no doubts…they’ll do great. 🙂
Carrie Ann has been wishy washy with everyone except for Derek. It is simply amazing that with lifts going on all around her, the only one she sees is Derek’s.
I agree Suzy. She’s blind to everyone’s lifts but, Derek’s. grrrr
So Tamar unfollowed Val on instagram and twitter…trouble in paradise? I do think they have a relationship that could go south very quickly. Tamar doesn’t put up with his shit and I’m sure he doesn’t take kindly to that.
Remember when Len was really hosing Derek, maybe it was during All Stars and we heard that even though Len said crazy things on the show he would be in the back after the show telling Derek how brilliant the dance was. I think that is the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. It showed exactly how disingenuous the show really is. I think we should put CAI on blast on twitter and tell her what the producer’s have said and warn her we will be watching closely and copy it to DWTS….it may not work but then again it might.
@DLT–Don’t worry, Val has already begun damage control on Twitter (again!)
Ha! I saw that, Maria. Poor Val – he pays way too much attention to silly blogs and social media. It’s got to harsh his entire days. LOL.
What did he do this time that he defending himself again??
You know I don’t dislike or like the guy he is just “Meh” to me.
Never liked any of his celebs particularly so never followed or paid much attention to him (although he makes that hard at times…lol)
But his attention to social media is unreal and honestly IMO PATHETIC!!!
That’s the funny thing, Lynne – he didn’t do anything, that I can tell. He’s simply defending himself because a few people were wondering why Tamar unfollowed him on twitter – twitter unfollows people all the time accidentally. I mean, really?? Dude is massively insecure. Responding to every single thing on twitter is just pathetic.
There’s also this–Tamar posted what many consider a rant against being stereotyped and put in an “angry” box, etc., etc. on Instagram. Quite a number of people believe that she was referring to her treatment/packages on DWTS. Whatever the reason, as PH said, Val makes it all about himself.
BTW, I don’t post much, but I became a Private Member to show my enthusiastic support for the site and all of the Mods.
Thanks, Maria, and welcome.
Awesome! Welcome, Maria!!xx
Hi Maria. It is all about the fun here in the “back room”…lol. Poor Val…he just never learns.
Welcome Maria2! *queue the dance music*
Just a couple Monday morning tidbits…
*Apparently the troupe is getting used heavily in almost everyone’s dances this week.
*Carlos’ rumba, like Bindi’s, is really a rumba only in name – and apparently, things get sleazy pretty quickly: as in “the shirt comes off almost immediately”. Funny thing is, though, that rather than female troupe members fawning over Carlos in this dance, there’s just a bunch of male troupe members hanging around – Magic Mike’s buddies, I guess?
*Tamar has been sick all week and has had to take a lot of breaks during rehearsal to catch her breath (apparently she has completely lost her voice). Will be interesting to see how that affects their performance.
I am probably/definitely not going to like the Magic Mike dance. Maybe if they’d gone the funny/sexy route, but doesn’t sound like it.
Sucks for Tamar – I really do like her and her dancing, but I’m wondering with all these things combined – sick, disappointing dance last week, weird dance face, and personality that is pretty divisive among fans, etc., if she’s not going to be an early exit (relative to her abilities).
My expectations for iconic dances night is so low that I’m almost guaranteed to be pleasantly surprised!
I’m no prude, but I’m not looking forward to Carlos’s dance at all. Sleazy just isn’t very interesting.
Although I’m not invested in Tamar in any way, I’m sorry to hear she’s been sick all week. If her performance is sub-par (and I’m not saying it will be), I wonder if The Stooges will make excuses for her in their comments and then overscore the dance, or will they go with what they saw and give it the score it deserves?
I suspect that once tonight’s show is over, people in general will be pleasantly surprised by Carlos (because expectations are so low) and disappointed in Bindi (because expectations are so high).
That’s just how these things generally work. 🙂
Based on the pictures posted of the dancers in Tamar’s number, there is at least one dancer who actually performed in Janet’s tour stop in LA last week in the Rhythm Nation number so looks like Val brought in extra help. He’s a kid dancer, Sean Lew, who was in Valdaya’s freestyle as well and is friends with Zendaya. Zendaya’s BFF is also in Janet’s tour so it’s possible there are further connections there if Val got outside help.
@PH – Actually, in talking with DT yesterday, we actually think that this performance could be the final nail in the coffin for dear ol’ Carlos – especially if there’s a double elim coming up. In looking around social media (Facebook, Twitter, instagram, plus our readers here), I’m not hearing much gushing about Carlos – and I think viewers are rapidly picking up on the fact that Carlos is a bit of a self-centered schmuck. This performance really does nothing to dispel that notion – it’s basically Carlos at his schmuckiest, and Witney likely being kinda checked-out again. I will be VERY surprised if this performance receives favorable reviews.
And Cidra, I highly doubt you’re alone in “sleazy” not being your cup of tea – I have a feeling a lot of the viewers are going to feel the same way.
DT thought Tamar might actually be kinda good at this dance – simply because she doesn’t really have to dance in-hold with Val and she can just do her own thing. 😉
DT also mentioned that Andy’s dance was “really cute”.
Thanks, Court. I hope the combination of sleaze and schmuck is enough to have viewers saying “adios, Carlos”.
Aw, I just love Andy so I’m glad DT says his dance is “really cute”.
Thanks for the warm welcome, and the new tidbits!
With my dislike of Carlos, and a disinterested Witney, I’m really hoping they are the next to go after Paula.
But once Carlos leaves (if he does) then I have a harder time choosing who I would prefer gone and the eliminations will be much tougher.
Count me as looking forward to a “really cute” number from Andy and Allison! I’d hate to see him go before Carlos. No matter what TPTB want!
This just in…
…teams for team dances getting picked immediately after show tonight. Bindi & Nick currently in the lead with 151 & 150 cumulative points each – will be interesting to see if there’s any funny business with the scores tonight, as Alexa & Carlos are currently tied with 146 points each for 3rd place.
Count me in with those in the Adios Carlos team!!
Court, Do you think TPTB will have their Stooges manipulate the scores to get *both* PenaVegas into the top two in order to create a Team Alexa vs. Team Carlos matchup? I don’t see any advantage to having just one of them as a team captain because their first pick will be their beloved spouse which flushes the marital rivalry storyboard down the commode. I could see TPTB trying something if one of the PenaVegas was in the Top Two and the other was sitting in 3rd.
Of course I might be missing something obvious because my mind just doesn’t work in the sneaky and underhanded realm inhabited by TPTB.
If I were TPTB I’d be fine with either outcome. In fact, I’d kind of like them on the same team. They’ve already done the rivalry story to death. Now they can do the love story of working together.
John, Good point. They’ve been having a bit of trouble getting the honeymooners (especially Alexa) to fully commit to the whole rivalry storyboard anyway.
It will be interesting to see what each couples’ score is as to who will be the team captains. As transparent as TPTB and Judges usually are, I certainly won’t be surprised at all.
However things turn out, I have to agree with you John. Both wife & husband would be better on same team.
I’ve had enough of Carlos jealous-like attitude and possessiveness of Alexa and his competing selfishly against her. I’d rather see them happy for each other. Maybe the Switch-Up last week gave them a different outlook about them being on this TV Entertainment Show.
Anyway…..Should be a quite entertaining night all around.
Actually, just so the teams are evenly matched is all I really care about. For that to happen, Paula has to be the one to leave tonight.
Also, I hope Mark and Derek are on the same team. I love to see those two work and create together.
@Cidra – In order for both the PenaVegas to become team captains, all of the following needs to happen: Bindi has to have score less than 36 (which is four 9’s – totally doable, considering she’s already gotten 10’s); Nick has to have a score less than 37 (maybe not quite as doable for him, as he’ll have to get at least one 10 – guess we’ll see); and both Alexa and Carlos would have to make up the difference – meaning they both have to get a perfect score if Bindi gets a 35 and Nick gets a 36. I just don’t see all four of those conditions being met in order to ensure that the PenaVegas get the captain’s positions, and I don’t really see the incentive to do so, either. The husband vs. wife narrative appears to be annoying just about everyone – so I don’t really see any reason to try this hard to keep it up.
Then again, stranger things have happened…
Thanks, Court. I’m relieved you think the PenaVega team captain smackdown is not what TPTB will be going for. I ran a quick numbers check myself before making my comment and it seemed like a stretch to get both PenaVegas into the Top Two, but I wasn’t sure I’d got my math right. When you mentioned funny business, getting the PVs into Team Captain roles was the first thing that came to mind.
I’m kind of dreading tonight’s show.
I suspect that, once Paula is gone… or maybe Paula and Andy both…that the honeymoon will be over for Alexa and Carlos. There is no obvious reason to keep the charade going at that point, especially if it is clear to them that the husband vs. wife thing isn’t working and neither is a front runner.
There is as much risk as there is reward to doing what it would take to get both Carlos and Alexa as team captains – the risk being that the Bindi and Carlos fans aren’t stupid and you’re likely to start seeing a backlash. Unless those two both bust out with the obvious best two dances of the night, I don’t see any benefit to manipulating them into team captains.