DWTS Season 22, Week 7 – Dancing by the Numbers
I must say, week 7 of Season 22 was exceptionally dull until about the halfway point of the night. Super dullsville until we got to (surprise, surprise) Wanya and Lindsay. Major props to Lindsay for bringing the whimsical style foxtrot to the show – I could totally see Derek choreographing that dance. I can’t give a bigger compliment. Was it perfectly executed? No – but I loved it more than one of the so-called perfect dances.
Which brings me to Val and Ginger. I LOVED that dance. I thought it was beautiful. Would I have given it a 30? Based on what I had seen up to that point on Monday night, no – probably a 28 or 29. When comparing it to Nyle, Wanya and Paige’s dances earlier in the season, it wasn’t even close to a 30. When stacked up side by side with Paige’s dance on the same night – not even close. Paige’s dance was jam packed with content, was extremely fast, harder, and better performed. Were both dances perfect? No. Paige had a couple sync issues while Ginger’s arms got thrown away more than once. I find it a disservice to both women to give those dances the same perfect score when Paige is dancing at a much higher level. Not only that, but (as has happened in the past to Val and Maks’ partners) she will now expect high scores for less than perfect dancing and will be upset if and when it doesn’t happen. She will be blindsided. And Val will not help her temper her expectations – we saw that with Maks many times. They buy into their own PR instead of attempting to be pragmatic or realistic.
Speaking of faults – was tremendously excited to hear Shirley Ballas echo what I’ve said MANY times about the pros on this show. TRAIN IN THE OFF SEASON!! She specifically mentioned Derek by name as one who’s training even now, in his off season. He is constantly on a mission to learn something new and perfect things – this is why he’s the best choreographer this show has ever seen and will likely ever see. Shirley was making these comments while talking about Jodie and Keo…but it certainly applies to every pro on the show. Val in particular could try expanding his horizons and learning something new to perhaps inspire him to get some creativity back in his choreography. There is no question he’s a great dancer – it’s his choreography and teaching ability in question. For that matter, other than Derek and Cheryl, do ANY of the pros train in the off season?? Do any of them take classes?? I saw on twitter where Gleb was taking hip hop classes. Anyone else? I think this is a huge mistake. All the dancers from SYTYCD that have been on tour with MOVE, Justin Beiber, and other world class artists are always taking dance classes. Why do the DWTS pros not do the same, ESPECIALLY since the show is expanding beyond ballroom? I would rather see just ballroom on DWTS, but if they’re going to add contemporary and jazz, I would like to see GOOD contemporary and jazz. Hell, keep learning BALLROOM as well. The SYTYCD dancers get together and DANCE all the time, learning from each other. Do you think it’s a coincidence that Derek has multiple Emmy nominations and two statues AND he’s the only pro who crosses genres and regularly works with Nappytabs, Travis Wall and many others? He’s been dancing with Allison since before Season 13. Not a coincidence.
I digress. Sort of. I think part of my overall dissatisfaction with the show, and finding more than half of it dull, is due to things like pros who aren’t living up to the standards set by Derek, Cheryl (and her ghost) and Julianne. Mark is – but he can’t do it alone. I think if all the pros took Shirley’s advice, this season wouldn’t be such a letdown. Jodie and Ginger both have experience – both should be performing at Paige’s level. Shirley kindly implied as much. But they have pros who are letting them down.
Anyway…Peta is working miracles with Nyle, but it’s time to fix some of his issues. Sharna is doing what she can with Antonio and apparently has Julz helping her – do what it takes, girl. Lindsay – we already covered her, but again – she’s doing a great job. Love them both. Wanya and Paige are my clear favorites, and Nyle is interesting to me. I would be okay if any of those three won. Not so sure that Nyle has it in the bag – he has to step it up (or Peta does) and start polishing some of his issues.
The only thing better about the numbers this week is that we’re only losing one contestant. That’s right, they are still dreadful, with very small margins.
Only 6 contestants left and a three way tie for second place? Oy veh. Jodie’s at the bottom, Nyle at the top. That’s a shame, really, but it can’t be helped due to the Team Dances. The men had the clearly more cohesive, more entertaining, better executed dance. If not for that, Ginger and Jodie would be solidly in first place. Oh well. I think the only two not in serious danger are, again, Nyle and Wanya. I *think* Paige’s stock is going up – I just hope it’s going up fast enough to not get forced out by the Ginger pimping and Jodie’s fanbase.
But Jodie is the one on the bottom – check it out.
The margin between Jodie and Antonio is TINY and unfortunately I don’t think she can cover it which sadly makes Antonio safe. In order for Jodie to be safe, she needs ONE of the following things:
- She needs to get about 2,400 more votes per million votes cast than Antonio, OR;
- She needs to get about 9,400 more votes per million votes cast than ONE of Ginger, Paige or Wanya, OR;
- She needs to get about 11,700 more votes per million votes cast than Nyle.
I doubt very much she is getting the votes she needs to get past Antonio, Wanya or Nyle. Ginger and Paige? Who knows. Jodie went first and her dance was…weird. In contrast, Ginger and Paige both had very good to great dances and perfect scores.
You would think, by now, that a perfect score would NOT lull fans into complacency, but it does still happen. I go back again, also, to the pros – Ginger and Paige have two longer running, more popular pros. That won’t win you the show, but it can allow you to squeak past another contestant.
What about Ginger and Paige – what do they need to do in order to be safe? Paige needs ONE of the following things (Ginger needs the same, just change Paige’s name to Ginger’s):
- Paige needs for Jodie to NOT get the 9,400 more votes per million votes cast, OR;
- Paige needs for Antonio to NOT get the roughly 7k more votes per million votes cast than her, OR;
- Paige needs for Ginger OR Wanya to not get the ONE more vote per million votes cast than her, OR;
- Paige needs to get 2,400 more votes per million votes cast than Nyle.
Once again, Wanya is almost certainly getting the votes and neither woman is likely getting the votes to get past Nyle. I think it’s likely that Antonio is also getting the votes to get past Paige and Ginger.
At the end of the day, I think the men are safe and the women are in jeopardy. Which of the three women will end up being eliminated? I tend to think it’s the end of the road for Jodie, but the only “shocking” elimination would be male.
So, I’m going to say that Jodie will be eliminated. My second choice would be Ginger, I think. But Paige would not surprise me.
What say you?
Completely agree with your thoughts. I think Jodie will be leaving which makes me sad because she’s grown on me and I can think of 2 others I’d rather see leave. Also, I agree, Ginger or Paige wouldn’t be a shock. But I’d be completely sad to see Paige AND Mark go. IMO the show NEEDS Mark now more than ever.
I tend to agree that Jodie will probably be eliminated. I would LOVE for her to make it past Ginger but I don’t see that happening after Monday’s show — unless I’m really underestimating Jodie’s voting base. I just don’t think she and Keo have fully clicked with the audience and they’ve had some forgettable weeks and I think this is another one. In contrast, Ginger had one of her more memorable weeks and has the benefit of Val’s rabid fans to sneak past Jodie. I wouldn’t be shocked if Ginger was eliminated but I would be surprised.
As long as Paige, Wanya, and Nyle are safe, then I’ll be happy.
Do we know yet if there are 3 or 4 celebs in the finals? I think the finale is only an hour, which tends to suggest it’s only 3 celebs, but if that’s the case there would need to be another double elimination — unless I did my math wrong.
While I definitely think that a few pros could deliver better choreography on a more consistent basis, I do disagree on two points. One, while I know that Jodie and Ginger have experience, I still think that Paige would be a better dancer than both of them even if either of them had Derek or if Val was doing choreography on the level of his paso for Jodie every week- I just think Paige is younger, more in shape, no kids distracting her, better able to memorize complicated steps, etc. – in short I just think shes better (I may be a little biased ;)) However, this is not to take away from Mark’s AMAZING choreography and work that he has done. That is my second point i have slightly disagree with – I understand that Mark’s true love is music and that is what he prefers to do on his off-season but I still think he does a tremendous job each season- maybe that’s just his natural talent but he must be up for collaborating as well and maybe we just don’t know about it. I’m definitely one of the ones who is slightly confused by the fact that Mark only has one emmy nomination. Honestly, I think he has been producing some of the most interesting dances on the show (sadies hunter samba, willows hunger games contemporary, alexas contemporary, paiges paso to me was so interesting and different and i loved their toy story quickstep) and I am just hoping and praying that they make the finals!
Excellent, Heidi!!! And I agree. I think it will be Jodie eliminated.
And +1 for what you wrote on Shirley and the pros! It’s good to train in one’s time off. That’s when you can get the most inspired. Here’s to Derek and everything he’s up too. Same with Gleb and his hip hop lessons (I love that you mentioned him).
Here’s the problem as I see it with regards to Mark and Emmy nominations – actually, it’s several problems. Mark relies VERY heavily on production at times – and while it’s often brilliant, it can either overshadow the dance or the dance is minimal to SERVE the production. The Emmy voters are NOT laymen – they aren’t distracted by production. You’ll note that Derek’s nominations mostly have limited production. His wins have production aspects, but they SERVE the choreo instead of overshadowing it. Another problem is…choreography with a celebrity partner is FAR less likely to get a nomination than those with professional partners because, like it or not, execution matters. Derek’s first win was the box and Shawn Johnson – all spectacular dances performed at a professional level – and the celeb was on DWTS for the second time. His second win was with a professional partner. His previous nominations were either with professional partners OR Nicole Scherzinger. OR, the futuristic paso with Joanna.
Mark’s dances are often very interesting – but don’t mistake production value for choreography. And you know what?? He’s doing the RIGHT thing most of the time. The production gets the attention and notice of the audience and makes his celebrity stand out, and can possibly get him votes – that’s his JOB. Emmy nominations are nice, but the choreography has to trump the production and for several of the dances you mention, it doesn’t. Certainly not for some of Willow’s dances. As for Alexa and Paige – those are eligible this coming Emmy season and I think he has a better shot than he has in the past. Firstly, I think it very possible that his trio dance with Bindi and Derek will get a nomination. Secondly, SYTYCD could very well be out of the running, depending on how they run this current season of Juniors. But who wants to win an Emmy unless you’re up against the very best? If you name doesn’t start with C…. 🙂
I think it’s a good thing that there is no DWTS tour – that would give them time to study more. I’ve always wondered if they took masters classes or just even basic technique work to keep their sills buffed. Karnia did mention that she’s now inspired to learn Bollywood- me too for that matter. I think many are just reaching burn-out. Unrelated – I would love to learn from SHirley.
Lindsay reminds me of an evolved Kym (Kym started the show when it was less produced set wise) in relating to and teaching their partners to shine.
Speaking of Kym,the season she won with Donny, Mya was getting 30’s all around and Donny took the MBT becuase of fans. I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens again.
Not really comparable, Michelle. Mya was not very likable at all. And she was kinda boring.
If it is a female going, I would prefer Ginger, but it will most probably be Jodie. Maybe Ginger or Antonio the following week. I’ll cross my fingers and hope for either one.
Great post PH! It sure seems most of the DWTS pros are lazy in the off-season and prefer to spend their time doing things that raise their “celebrity” quotient than expanding their dance credentials. It’s a short-sighted strategy in my opinion, but hey, it’s their life.
It would be a “surprise” if one of the men got the boot on Monday, but I agree it’s pretty unlikely. So here’s how I feel about the women:
* I think Jodie will be the one who goes.
* I would rather Ginger gets the pink slip.
* If Paige is eliminated, I’ll be really disgusted with the viewers.
The only final that interests me is Paige, Wanya and Nyle. Once Paige and Mark are out, I’ll most likely quit actively watching this season.
I’ve been trying real hard to keep Jodie in the competition but I think her time is up. I also think that Keo needs to digest this season and try to improve upon his choreo skills and teaching abilities in the off season. I’d like to see him get better (I think he’s on the right track).
I guess Ginger’s dance didn’t wow me and the whole partnership in general doesn’t wow me. I hope she goes before Jodie but I don;t think that’ll happen.
I am another person who would love a Paige/ Wanya/ Nyle finale. That gal Paige was on fire the other night!! She’s awesome!! In the end, I hope Wanya is holding that trophy – I just adore him and Linds too. But if Nyle wins or Paige wins I’d be OK with it 🙂
I agree with your predictions. I’m also pretty sure it will be Jodie to go Monday. Sadly, as much as I love Sharna, I am so ready for Antonio to go. I did think Ginger’s waltz was her best of the season, but there is something there I don’t like. I just can’t put my finger on it. I am still hoping for a Paige, Nyle and Wanya final.
Hi. I was just wondering if you have the link to the Shirley Ballas interview? I was interested to read it.
Thank you for the numbers. Very interesting.
I believe Shirley said last year that Allison was training in ballroom in her off time. I hope she’s continuing to do so bc I would love to see her back next season.
Cidra, I always enjoy reading your thoughts, this comment is meant to respectfully disagree and discuss. While I don’t disagree that any time the pros can find to take master classes, work with various choreographers, take classes in different genres, would help them be even better pros, I wouldn’t call them lazy for what they do during the off season. Most of the current ones have been doing the tour off season. I would guess that most if not all of the ones on last couple tours don’t really have a choice, either they absolutely have to according to contract or they see the writing on the wall from tptb that sort of force them into it. I can’t imagine how exhausted they must get, how worn down their bodies must get, and how much they miss important people in their lives.
Also, I would argue that doing other activities that tap into creativity also help them be more creative on the show. Mark with his music…And also things like performing at advanced levels like Karina does with Slavic, must keep her technique sharp. I think Derek is indeed a great example with his dance training, but also with his photography, his acting, singing, writing music, traveling, and just hanging out with interesting people (that some could characterize as just trying to up his celebrity status, the hanging out part)
I don’t even really have a problem with a couple of my least favorite who have dabbled into a bit of acting. As dancers, and as part of a show that’s more than 10 years old, I think they are right to try to position themselves towards life beyond the show.
I guess I mostly just don’t think the pros are lazy on or off season. Some are imo better at getting great things out of their partners, but I think the ones who aren’t as good at it are also working very hard.
@PH – thanks for another great post. I also agree that Jodie will go this week. Her dance was a bit strange and she seemed run down in her package.
While I wouldn’t be shocked if Paige or Ginger were called. I would be sad. I think both have something more to show us. While I think we saw the fruition of the Keo and Jodie partnership.
Thanks, Cidra. And I agree. I will be not surprised, but very disgusted, if it’s Paige. That girl is the best dancer this season. Most entertaining likely goes to Wanya. If those two go before the finale – snoozeville.
It’s the afterbuzz video, Kelly, a few posts down the page.
And I’ll jump into the discussion with Jess and Cidra and point out that the tour is a relatively new thing. It hasn’t been going for years and year – Less than two, correct? Most of the SYTYCD (or former MOVE) dancers I mention in this post are CONSTANTLY on tour, and as soon as they are off, they are in classes again. Val doesn’t HAVE to go on tour this summer, he is choosing to. The others are going to be off. So, I’ll be interested to see which of them choose to up their game.
I think the only shocking elimination will be Wanya and maybe Nyle. I admire Nyle and amaze by his ability to dance but those people who kept on saying “pity votes” in regards to Amy, where are they? I don’t have a problem with Nyle winning I’m just curious to where those people hiding. PH, when your name starts with C of course you don’t care if you get an Emmy nom without competing against the best. All of them won with producers hands on their MBT. They showcase their trophy like a shrine in their dance studios while Julianne had hers in the kitchen and Derek lost 2 MBT and never heard about it until recently. 🙂
It just to show winning something doesn’t mean you’re all that. It’s like getting a doctoral degree by honoris causa. 🙂
I agree that taking classes is a very good thing, I just don’t agree about them being lazy. But I can see a point I think you’ve been trying to make, if you don’t find ways to up your game, don’t whine about not getting the “praise”/rewards/results that some others get. And I think it’s extremely valid that if you don’t have deep deep deep ballroom technique training and you want to be a pro on this show that is still mainly ballroom you better be putting in the time to get better.
I think the show and pros would also be better off if they had a variety of choreographers for group numbers. The show is missing an opportunity to have their pros work with a variety of talent, which could spark creative ideas.
I really hope you are right with the prediction that Jodie and Keo are going. Their time is up and I actually think Jodie would have dealt better going home last week than Kim, who honestly wanted to keep going as did Von. I hope like hell that someone managed to direct Keo to Shirley Ballas’ comments on Afterbuzz. She was more diplomatic and even than the DWTS judges, guest or otherwise and SB had a couple of excellent suggestions for all of this show’s pros.
As much as I don’t much like Val and I’m soooooo through with the Ginger over-scoring and pimping, I can live with the going forward. I’d boot Antonio but agree that’s not happening. And I’m actually scared for Paige!
Quick question – Do you think the reason TPTB haven’t hinted as to whether it’s a 3 or 4 couple finals is so that they can see which couples first? Like if they need to make it 4 couples in order to get Princess Ginger of ABC in there, they’ll make it work.
I definitely wish Witney would up her game. It doesn’t even feel like she *loves* dance the way some of the other pros, like Derek, do. I mean, i don’t know her or her life but it sure isn’t showing.
Also, I’m all here for the Nyle/Wanya/Paige finale, the only thriving and believable partnerships left.
I’d love for Antonio to go, but with the team dance helping boost his score and the fan base, unfortunately I don’t see it happening (but boy would I break into my happy dance if it did). My guess is Jodie, but I am worried about fan bases; that is why all my votes went to Paige!
I’m with you Cidra; if Paige and Mark don’t make the finals, I don’t know if I’ll bother watching. If there is any chance of an inventive freestyle, IMO, it lies with Lindsay and Mark! Anybody else, I’m not expecting much unfortunately.
That’s what they used to do, Jess. The pros used to do ALL the choreography on the show except for big outside musical acts (and they even did some of those). That’s why you saw more diversity. Not all the pro numbers seem to look pretty much the same.
I haven’t looked to check, but I’m almost sure that the spring season has always been three couples and the fall season is four (with an extra week) – for the last couple years anyway. And they usually don’t say anything about it until close to the end.
And the psychos have found this post as shown by a rant so long and so filled with idiocy that I’m not even sharing it with you guys. :::rolls eyes::: I’ll just tell you a couple things:
Derek (the latin dancer) has never trained in latin.
Derek uses outside choreographers “all the time”.
Shirley is “totally bias”.
Mark has never done anything.
The list of crazy goes on and on. And it’s so poorly written that I *think* she thinks I’m Shirley – but it’s hard to tell. 😀
Yeah PH, I liked when the pros choreographed so we got variety, but even if they don’t want that anymore, bringing in different people besides just MM would give them a chance to work under different people. I also miss Macy dances and feel like the pros miss out on that opportunity as well. But didn’t we just get that Macy season a couple seasons back because Derek offered to do the work for it? If that’s true, there is yet another example of how his harder work added something to the show.
I truly hope that the numbers post and predictions are correct – sadly I did not get to vote for Paige this week as the Facebook voting page kept turning into an error page for me, and as an international viewer that is my only option.
+1 Heidi! LOL to her thinking you are Shirley!
P.H., thanks for the laugh! Honestly where do these nut jobs come up with this crap? And she thinks you’re Shirley…sounds like she must be one of the really young ones or just a “famatic”!
Thanks for the post once again Heidi!! Always love these.
The next three weeks are when it’s going to start getting scary. Like others have said, I’ll probably be done with this season if Paige/Mark get eliminated before the finals. I’m hoping after their off the wall Jive last week they gained A LOT more votes and viewers because they deserve a spot in the finals no doubt.
I think Jodie will be leaving as well. Her quickstep was ok, but I was surprised it got the score that it did, IMO. I thought she was going home when I saw them give her 9s for it.
@DLT & PH, The finale is 3 couples this season because the Bachelorette airs on May 23rd at 9 PM, so only 1 hour.
DWTS refers to the first night of the last two shows as the Finals. The second night is referred to as the Finale. I do believe that the Finale is never more than 3 couples, but the Finals can have 4.
Since the Finale is on Tuesday night, the Bachelorette doesn’t figure into it.
Yes, the finals on Monday night the 23rd is when the Bachelorette starts so the show is one hour. In one hour shows they normally have 3 couples because each couple has 2 dances to perform that night and then 1 more on Tuesday night, so they don’t have time for 4 couples and 2 dances if it’s an hour show.
We’re not talking about what the show says. I believe we’re talking about the last week – either 10 or 11. And that’s had both over the years – 3 couples and four couples. And the actual “finale” has had 2, 3 and 4 couples.
Heidi, IIRC, most of the time the spring season has 3 couples during the last “Monday” and 10 weeks, and in the fall, 4 couples and 11 weeks, right?
You guys are picking nits, a bit. The final night has often been an hour, it’s been an hour and a half, and it’s been two hours. The couples have varied from three to four. On finale night the couples have performed two dances or one dance, variously. On finals night they’ve danced either 2 or THREE dances.
They can do whatever they want. Since they manage to squeeze anywhere from 11 to 14 couples into a two hour show, they can do two dances if they cut the crap, particularly if one is only a relay.
Did you miss the part where I said you all were picking nits and the producers can do whatever they want? Here are the last five spring seasons, but I would say only those under the new exec producer really count.
Season 12 – three couples
Season 14 – three couples
Season 16 – Four couples
Season 18 – four couples
Season 20 – three couples
I’ve got another numbers related question. Do you think the audience “score” for the couples next week will help to point out who’s pulling in a good amount of votes? Or is the audience vote for the gerrymandered foursomes?
Not necessarily. If it’s twitter related – lots of people tweet who don’t vote.That’s what likely happened to Hayes – his fans were huge tweeters, but not much on voting.
Awesome numbers post as always, Heidi! I agree that it will most likely be Jodie, and if not her, then one of the other girls (hopefully Ginger). I would be completely shocked if Nyle or Wanya went home.
Re: the pros training in the off-season, I wonder if the tours have had an impact on that, especially in the newer pros like Keo. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Keo has been on tour every off-season since he joined the show, which doesn’t leave as much time for time off/extra training as the pros used to have. I know the touring pros could and should take classes in the bit of time they have between tour and the season. I just wonder if Keo (and others) would be able to be better pros if the tours didn’t exist.
If I may return to the Emmy discussion from upthread, the 2016 Emmy’s will still include SYTYCD because it will be based on their 2015 season. I’m really curious to see what will happen with the nominations this year (partly because for the first time ever I will likely have already seen everything that’s being nominated). I’ll be interested to see how many nominations SYTYCD gets, because in my opinion, there were only two “choreographic entities” on SYTYCD last season that produced at least three dances worthy of Emmy consideration (Phoenix and Pharside (a hiphop duo) and Travis Wall), and another handful that had only one or two standout dances (either because they didn’t choreograph more, and/or because their other dances were pretty mediocre).
I think that DWTS will likely get a nomination from Derek and Mark for Bindi’s trio, and I’m curious to see who else (if anyone) gets a nomination. I think Derek built a decently strong case for a solo Nomination based on his other dances with Bindi (and also possibly his switch-up dance with Alexa), and I also think that Mark is building a stronger solo case than he has in a while for all of the reasons you said, Heidi. I also wouldn’t be shocked if Lindsay manages to squeak in there for a nomination. Anyway, sorry for going so off-topic, but I’m interested to see how it will all play out.
Jess(The Old Lady One), I enjoy reading your comments as well. I probably could have found a better term than “lazy” — it wasn’t the best choice of words on my part. My excuse is I was at work on my lunch break and didn’t have a lot of time to consider my options. However, I do think a couple of the pros *are* lazy.
PH, has pretty much said what I would have in reply to your comments (in #18) and you pretty much covered the rest (in #20) so I won’t bore you and everyone else by saying it all again.
I will add that the pros you mentioned (Mark and Karina–in addition to Derek of course) are the “older” pros. I think some of the newer pros have been using their off-season productively (Allison and Lindsay come to mind), but I haven’t seen any great changes in Val, Keo, Witney. Bottom line, after the pros take a couple of weeks off to completely forget about their day job, just kick back, unwind, and recharge their batteries, they need to use the rest of the off-season to pick up a new skill (acting or music counts) or broaden ones they already have (teaching, choreography, different dance styles).
As PH said, with no tour this Summer, let’s see who does what in the off-season.
PH, (#26) Oh lordy, how funny! The executive summary made for a good laugh, but thank you for sparing us the complete ramblings of that particular psycho! I’m sorry you and the other Mods have to filter out those nuts to spare the rest of us from having to wade through all their nonsense.
Thanks for the answer PH! I figured they’d have something up their sleeves. A we know how reliable they are at twitter counts like last season’s switch up partners……………..
I will be shocked and horrified if Paige is eliminated. I gave her most of my votes this week (though I also voted for Wanya). I think Jodie will likely be eliminated, and if not Jodie, then Ginger.
You’re right, Sonic, I’ve got my mental calendar all messed up. Mainly because the DWTS spring season is so close to the awards and it makes me think SYTYCD is as well.
I do agree that SYTYCD was not really up to par last summer and I would expect to see Travis and Phoenix/Pharside as nominees along with (as I’ve mentioned several times) Derek/Mark/Bindi Trio. There are several other dances that Derek and Bindi did that were AMAZING, but I don’t know if they will score a nomination. Their first contemporary might – which would be a separate Derek nomination. But dang, there were some great, memorable dances from that pair last season. Mark by himself, I’m not so sure about – Emmys don’t much care for Ballroom, as we’ve discussed many times here, but Derek (along with Nappytabs) has been working hard to make sure the rules are more “fair” to choreographers, by trying to get them a peer group.
Two things to also remember about the Choreography Emmys – it’s pretty clearly spelled out in their rules that they don’t have to give out an award if they don’t find anyone worthy. So, anyone waiting for the competition to die off so their favorite can get it – tough luck. Another thing – we always wondered (fretted, angsted) about the DWTS spring season final weeks (weeks 9 and 10, usually) because of all the Emmy deadlines. Those two weeks usually miss several key deadlines and since it’s a live show they can’t submit something partially completed. But Derek and Julianne’s Sia performance that won last year’s Emmy was on May 19th – AFTER several of the key deadlines. So clearly, there is a process for a live show to get those dances submitted if they are worthy. I think they must either know the dance is going to happen and submit it assuming it will be good (because you can withdraw if you change your mind) or the Academy makes an allowance for Live broadcasts. Either way, if someone creates something amazing at the very end of the spring season, it can get nominated and win if it’s deemed worthy.
Just thought of something. The little bit Erin did with Antonio and the Steelers themselves not voting for him.
Since Antonio tends to be big on Social Media (Twitter Snap/Chat) I wonder if he is really NOT getting enough votes for the same reason Hayes didn’t That is people assuming Tweets are equivalent to votes and therefore he’s OK. Wishful thinking but I think maybe Jodie can pull this off and Antonio will be the “shocking” elimination despite TPTB promoting him.
I think some of the more recent pros (Val, Keo, Witney and others) have this sense of entitlement. “Look what Derek got…I should get that too.” And it gets stoked by people who should KNOW better (looking at you, Corky Ballas). They don’t realize that people like Derek, Mark, Cheryl, Karina, etc. paved the way for them to be celebrities. It certainly didn’t happen that way automatically. Derek, Mark and Julianne (and Cheryl and Karina) joined the show and upped the level of the competition and the celebrity of the professional dancers – mainly by busting their asses and being creative as hell. Back when they joined there WAS NO PIMPING of professional dancers, or pressing for one to get a win over another – hell, they didn’t really pimp any of the celebs either. They reached celebrity status because they have IT. What ever IT is. It was more organic. They have “it” and they constantly worked. Sure, touring is hard, but you don’t have to take classes for 8 hours a day. When the tour is over, as little as five hours a WEEK would probably be very helpful. Get a HOBBY, kids. Do something! Cuz ya’ll are boring.
“Organic” is over on this show. Now it’s all producers and publicists trying to recreate Derek, Julianne and Cheryl. And some pros just sitting back and expecting it to happen. And in Val’s case, hoping some of Maks’ “it” rubs off on him. 🙂 Good luck bud. I can see why people find Maks attractive. You? Not so much.
I agree it will be Jodie but I’m not so secretly hoping that it will be Antonio. I do not enjoy his being on the show this season. Which I hate because I usually enjoy the football players when they are on.
# PH, it is funny how you’re talking about the good old days when Mark, Derek and Julianne joined the show. No pimping, producing or pressing. The pros worked their butts off. I was looking back at the winners and Mark, D and Julianne have 5 back to back wins, so they must have brought something to the show that wasn´t there before. These days the pros can´t get “I have been on for 3 seasons it´s my turn to win” out of their head. I am so sick of that argument, it gets on my nerves every single time. Not once has any of the old pros used that argument, at least as far as I can recall. Mark hasn´t won in 13 seasons, Karina hasn´t won in 8 seasons and the list goes on.
#NA Your comment reminded me of what Mark has said about when the three of them were competing. They’d ‘breeze’ into town for whatever competition and win everything. Mark (with a glint in his eye) said, “They hated us.”
#Suzy hahhahahah Yeah, Damn right. I would hate them too if I was competing against them, on the other hand nothing has changed. “They still hate them”.
PH, “organic is over on this show” – sadly, truer words were never spoken.
Val would stand a better chance of being attractive if he concentrated on being “Val” instead of trying to be Maks. Use what ya got, dude. Play to *your* strengths. You’re a better artist, dancer and choreographer than your big bro. Run with that instead of trying to be the “bad boy” and dancing half-naked like a Chippendales wannabe.
Oh Cidra – I so agree. Val is an excellent dancer. If only he would up his choreography and keep his shirt on.
Exactly Cidra I actually like Val when he is being himself instead of what he thinks people want him to be.
I think sometimes he imitates Maks too much in his choreo, thinking that is the way to success. Er…
I’d love to see a Paige/Nyle/Wanya finale. Sorry AB, it’s time for you ta go! Same with Ginger and Jodie! Jodie would’ve done better with Val, I think.
I think final 2 will be Paige and Wanya. But if any of those 3 take it, that’s fine by me!
Hoping to see a Jodie, Antonio, and Nyle finale! We’ll have to wait and see, anything can happen
I feel that everyone did there best this season but the person to win the MBT is Nyle. Giving all he’s got not by looks but by looking up to the pros to be better in dance. With no dance experience he’s working hard to dance to music thru the eyes. For someone like him you feel inspired to want to dance because you can try your best to do things you thought you can’t do. That’s why I got inspired to watch DWTS. You have my vote.
Just watched Antonios snapchat and he’s practicing lifts with Paige. Excited to see how the dance turns out
I love the conversation that started happening in this post even though it’s just supposed to be about voting scenarios. I understand Emmys are good for the show and all, but, the opening number is the best opportunity for that and they’re blowing it. It’s the opportunity to showcase the pros and it’s been far from that. I hope they let Mandy Moore just help on the pro/celeb numbers and get somebody else for the opener and bumpers. I think Derek is an excellent candidate for this, but, even if they can’t get him, somebody like Louis would work just as well. He used to do a majority of the pro group dances before and quality of ballroom/latin is insanely better. I’m still hopeful we can get a good pro number for the finale!
@Kelly I’m liking your prediction!! Although it wouldn’t surprise if somehow TPTB try to “protect” Ginger and get her to the finale.. Grr.
I like the predictions too, but have to say I will be pleasantly surprised if they let Wanya make it to the finale over Ginger. They are pimping her to the high heavens and are clearly sending signals to the audience that Wanya is good, but not quite good enough. Carrie Ann’s comments last week spelled out that strategy gor me. I rewatched his foxtrot and don’t disagree with the scores, just the way Carrie Ann planded the seeds of doubt. I’m ready for them to start critiquing Nyle for his flaws too. He is basically at the same point at which he started and it isn’t a 10.
Rose1, they’ve tried this strategy before and the man’s name was Donald Driver. We know what happened there. If Wanya is getting the votes, he’ll be there. They’ve also pimped someone just long enough to get them to the semi’s and then let the chips fall. I’ll be curious to see what their game is tomorrow.
Question: How much, if at all, have TPTB tied the fortunes of the selected pairs together? For example, regardless of my opinion of Antonio, I was thinking that there are probably worse things for Paige than to be (somewhat) tied to the fortunes of the putative “favorite son” of season 22.
Hard to say. What seems to happen a lot is that they stop with the pimping once we get into the last three weeks or so. Maybe they wanted him (and Ginger) to make it past Kim and Von and they’ll take their hands off this week. Or next week. And let the chips fall where they may. At some point, there is no bonus to manipulation – the audience likely has it’s favorites and if those favorites don’t include Antonio, then they are shooting themselves in the foot. Unfortunately on this show, we often have to rely on hindsight to see what they’re doing.
My gut says Antonio but my brain says Jodie and honestly I’m just praying it’s not anyone else but one of these two. Don’t get me wrong, I like Jodie I really do but if it’s not Antonio I’d rather see her go.
Missed last week’s episode, just watched all the dances this morning. It is kind of refreshing to watch the performances back-to-back without the judges’ comments getting in the way.
-Not disappointed that I was wrong about the double elimination, Paige is clearly the best female celeb and showed it again with her jive. I liked Ginger’s waltz a lot also, good for her.
-Very underwhelmed by the team dances, probably the poorest in recent memory for me.
-Tonight’s elimination has got to be Jodie, the low hanging fruit is already gone and as the mods are discovering, Steelers nation can be quite vocal. It would be nice if it were Antonio going home though.