Dancing with the Stars Season 23, Week 4 – Who’s Dancing What…and When?
I’m a little bummed out after this past Monday’s show and Tuesday’s result show, if I’m being honest. I’m not sure where that feeling is coming from. It just felt so freakin’ manipulated and REALITY Show-y if that makes any sense. From the stealth cameras recording every move of every contestant, to the attempts to elevate some couples at other couples’ expense – it’s all just tiring. Let these people dance and have a good time (and let us have a good time) and judge the actual dancing for god’s sake.
And now, this week, we have a brand new theme week tailor made for their designated winner of the season. Cirque week. Maybe it’ll turn into Shark week yet again. Joy. Anyway, according to Maks’ blog, they are tangoing to Zumanity and he doesn’t seem entirely pleased about it. I kinda feel his pain. Yer kinda screwed no matter which way you go.
ETA: Just Jared Jr has posted the Cirque du Soleil shows for each couple. They’ve also given dance information for the Results Show on Tuesday. More below…
On the results show on Tuesday (October 4), DNCE will perform their new single, “Body Moves,” and there will be an all-male dance number in which the male pros of “Dancing with the Stars” perform to the song “Ain’t No Sunshine.” In addition, Derek will choreograph and dance to a special number.
At the end of the night, the third elimination of the season, based on combined viewer and judges’ scores from October 3, will take place.
ETA2: Gee…some people ALWAYS go in the last quarter of the show. But she’s not pimped….
Calvin and Lindsay – Charleston (Song: ____ – KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities)
1-800-868-3403
Dancing 1st
Maureen and Artem – Argentine Tango (Song: ____ – Mystère)
1-800-868-3409
Dancing 2nd
Jana and Gleb – Foxtrot (Song: “Here Comes The Sun” – The Beatles LOVE)
1-800-868-3406
Dancing 3rd
Marilu and Derek – Paso Doble (Song: “Battlefield” – KÀ)
1-800-868-3408
Dancing 4th
Amber and Maks – Tango (Song: ____ – Zumanity)
1-800-868-3401
Dancing 5th
Ryan and Cheryl – Waltz (“O”)
1-800-868-3411
Dancing 6th
Babyface and Allison – (Song: ____ – The Beatles LOVE)
1-800-868-3402
Dancing 7th
Terra and Sasha – Samba (“O”)
1-800-868-3412
Dancing 8th
Laurie and Val – (Song: “The Way You Make Me Feel” – Michael Jackson ONE)
1-800-868-3407
Dancing 9th
Vanilla Ice and Witney – (La Nouba)
1-800-868-3413
Dancing 10th
James and Sharna -Quickstep (Song: ___ – PARAMOUR)
1-800-868-3405
Dancing Last
Damn – this is so unfair, Laurie is in a league of her own anyway and now there is this theme which really seems tailor made for her!
Sadly I see no way how the older celebs like Maureen and Marilu can pull off some cool tricks…of course I would love to be proven wrong
The only celeb that can touch a cirque du soleil vibe is Laurie. I think a theme week that is actually in the wheelhouse of only one celeb is ridiculous. Sure other celebs can produce a good effort and I am sure they will but cirque is a gymnast based troupe. This is not just any old theme week. The producers are pimping up Laurie’s skill set and no one will be able to touch that. i wonder what style see has been given to compliment her gymnast ability this week! So obvious imo.
I was sad to see Rick and EMMA go! I love Emma and her smile! She is so sweet to and patient with her ‘challenged’ partners. Bill E, etc.
I wish Derek wouldn’t slick his hair back. I love the center part and flowing locks. He is so gorgeous with that look.
Kym Johnson (LOL) has always been my favorite pro. Love her. Sasha close second. what a cutie!
Also, get over Ryan’s stupidity in Rio. How much does he have to apologize? I’m over it.
Also, love this site because people are pretty nice! I know nothing about dance but really enjoy everybodys comments!
They should just call this season, Dancing with Laurie H. instead of DWTS.
I’ve never even heard of Zumanity until now. I thought this was a family show?
look I’m all for having a “ringer” on the show, but usaualy the show try to somewhat hide their faves for TMB by giving them somewhat bad scores or nitpick them or creating some competition for them to make the season watchable , this season however, they’re not even trying to hide it, I mean come on : a lot of circus members are former gymnasts.
I have nothing against Laurie, I love her but the show this season is just so predictable and boring, the personalities are there but the dancing quality is not that great in general IMO, compare to Laurie who is flexing her muscles week after week, while the rest are playing catch up.
I hope things are changing in the next few weeks.
Totally agree with you PH! I had a bad feeling about the shows this week. I didn’t enjoy either show. And the BS today with HRP and it has really been crap-tastic. (Although your takedown of HRP was classic!) Throw in the tailored made for only one contestant show next week and I don’t see things getting any better.
What happened to my beautiful show? I always looked forward to it and now I dread it (except I get to see Derek dance). But knowing TPTB are scheming to keep their agenda, all the enjoyment is gone. TPTB don’t care if the buzz about the show is positive or negative. How pathetic are they?
@Audrey: I thought the same thing as well, but if they use different Cirque shows, then it could benefit others also possibly (but I can’t see Laurie getting anything less than all 10’s or 9’s unless she doesn’t capture the essesnce of the character (which I doubt)).
The name escapes my mind, but there is a Cirque show I believe with water works. I belive it is called “O” but not 100% on that. So I’m hoping they could play to Ryan’s aquatic strenghts with that. How they’ll logistically pull it off in the ballroom… not so sure?? But, maybe Cheryl could just dance on top of a huge cauldron of water while Ryan swim dances? lol
There is also a Michael Jackson Cirque show…so maybe James and Sharna could get that one or Vanilla Ice and WItney?
I’m sure that Derek can do a great and creative routine for Marilu but i agree with you that it’s unfair for the others contestant that this theme seems made for Laurie where she will likely do trick and acrobatics
EmnEm, I saw the MJ Cirque show in Vegas last year at this time and LOVED it! I hope James and Sharna (or someone else) do a dance to it too.
OK so when I first heard this theme announced last night I was a little surprised, because next week was supposed to be MMY and instead they scrapped it and replaced it with something one of our contestants excels in…
Second, how is this going to work? They’re going to get the standard ballroom/latin dances and they have to mix in some Cirque routines?
So with you on Derek’s hair, Diane.
#Tina I think MMY is week 5 and not week 4. I heard it somewhere but I don’t remember it I don’t know how it’s going to work either.
Tina, I doubt they are scrapping MMY. Maybe they moved it so they could get songs cleared or something. Who knows? But, I don’t think they are doing everything so it fits Laurie.
@Tina I think they’re just doing routines inspired by certain Cirque shows. Kinda like Nick & Sharna and Tamar & Val’s Let It Be-inspired duet rumba.
I’m already upset because the dances are so short. Now we’re going to have a bunch of tricks,and gymnastic moves. I think they are becoming unfair to the celebs who signed on to learn to dance but are now at the mercy of whatever gimmick the producers come up with.
I think they are scraping switch up week, like season 20, and they delayed MMY because the packages usually are longer and they need longer dances to make an impact, there are still too many celebs left.
#Sima Next week is definitely made for Laurie because it’s a sure thing that she will do acrobatic and have a great score no matter what her dance style is. The pimping is so obvious this season with her
The devil in me is making me do this;
Dancing with the Stars is a misnomer, it will from now on be ‘Dancing with Val Chmerkovskiy and His Partner’. All other ‘contestants’ will be renamed ‘opening acts’. And spoiler alert, this is no longer considered a family entertainment program. Exact classification is yet to be determined, but I think some x’s will be involved.
I’m really embarrassed that this show has not only lowered it’s standards, but affected my personal behavior as well. I need to apologize for all my comments and lashing out, particularly at Julianne. I can no longer watch the deterioration in quality that the producers are driving and I have played right into all the manipulation. I’ve enjoyed this site and the commentary, so thank you very much. The only way I have to protest is to stop watching and to boycott the commercial sponsors- so I will..immediately. Love you Derek (and a few other Pros)and look forward to seeing you perform in the future. I will be there, watching Hairspray and buying a ticket to SITR, but I will not condone this anymore. Thank you.
Joanne B. I should apologize too. I have tried to turn my dislike for what is happening into a joke, but that is, per your comments, not a good thing either. I admire your statement.
Isn’t there an Elvis and Beatles themed one too? I’m shocked Jana didn’t get the Zumanity one.
So, Zumanity, Beatles, Elvis, the water themed one…
It was in a Derek and Marilu interview where they said it was supposed to be this coming week, and they even said what song they were going to have. It probably got moved for some mysterious reason.
Laurie is a relief to me in the sense that she’s at least got some real skill. Last season they kept trying to make Ginger happen SO HARD and she was just the blandest, most mediocre thing. Of course, that isn’t much of a comfort when they’re pushing her SO HARD at the expense of other dancers/partnerships I prefer–particularly when the theme itself gives her the advantage. Is it too early to fear one of my faves getting pushed out of the finale in favor of TPTB’s golden child again (a la Wanya getting sacrified at the altar)?
I love Cirque de Soleil though so I’m going to attempt pushing aside my annoyance/cynicism in the hopes I can enjoy what some of the other pros dream up for such a theme. I’ve been really impressed with Lindsey’s choreo the past couple of seasons, so I’m excited to see what she and Calvin do (and Derek coming up with a dazzler is a given).
I’ll be curious to see how the “rules” are enforced this week. Amber has tango- which should be in hold and no lifts- but clearly that would put them at a disadvantage during an acrobatic week. But having another “lets call this a rumba/samba/etc but basically do whatever you want” famous dances week would annoy me.
I’m so bummed that Amber and Maks got this Zumanity thing. We’ve only really seen her do some strange, non-traditional ballroom dances so far. I was hoping they’d give Maks a dance style and song that screamed traditional so that he’d have to give Amber a more normal dance. I feel like it’s kind of unfair to your celebrity to give them exclusively odd/non-traditional/oozing sexy dances. The whole point is for them to learn traditional ballroom dancing.
As far as the whole theme situation and Laurie, I’m probably being ridiculously optimistic, but I’m willing to withhold judgment on that being a crazy, unfair advantage until we see what dance style she has. I’m hoping they give her something like Viennese waltz or rumba where she can’t being doing a bunch of crazy lifts and tumbling.
Princess Heidi, Derek no matter what he does with his hair, he is totally gorgeous, because I see what a sweet kind strong brave soul he is but I declare I do love those flowing locks!! I’m glad you agree with me on the hair! Derek is the total package, so handsome and yet so humble and kind, and I’m so glad he came back to DWTS this year — whenever I think of DWTS I think of Derek –and Tom Bergeron, who is also such a sweetheart! thank mods for all you do, I love this site!
Lucky! The MJ show is on my bucket list.
I saw Val heading off to NYC after the show on Tuesday night on his IG story with one of the package creators (the one he scolded last season) so maybe he’s going to meet with either Kurious or Paramour as a Cirque Show?? Not sure at all though.
I would LOVE to see Marilu and Derek get Paramour as a Cirque show and do a great Charleston since its a broadway themed show! But, they might give this to Laurie and Val knowing TPTB. This is all speculation though and my hopes.
I am actually excited to see some ingenious creativity…but not at the cost of Marilu and Derek or Ryan and Cheryl.
Or they can do like they did on Rumer’s season – let Laurie and Val pick what they want and give the one they don’t like to Derek and Marilu. That’s always just lovely. :::sarcasm:::
I’m with you on that Joanne B #20. I was excited at the beginning of this season but I can just see where this is heading: a repeat of Rumer’s season. I have nothing against Laurie but TPTB is making it harder to watch. They are pushing Val again at the expense of other pros. 1 season is ok but it has gotten worse since ssn 20. This isn’t about Derek anymore because to be honest I’m rooting for other celebs. It’s very disappointing where this show is heading. So, like Joanne, I won’t watch the rest of this season because I won’t condone this behavior from the producers. Thanks mods for your hard work. I always enjoy coming in here. Looking forward to watch Hairspray.
@ m
If Laurie gets anything other than Contemporary, Jazz, Charleston or Salsa (all allowing tricks) I’d be very surprised. I doubt she’ll get Rumba at all since no contestant under 17 (Zendaya, Hayes, Willow) has ever done Rumba on the show.
I’m being lazy. I don’t rewatch this year. So help me guys…after the Cirque announcement their were a few comments by pros and celebs. Did I hear a celeb say something like…gymnadtics, she’ll get all 10s. Or am I just mean thinking? If you take Laurie out, this season would be fun to watch. Enjoying all of the non dancing celebs. Next time, just have an all Olympian season and let them compete head to head.
I think James and Sharna have quickstep according to Dharnas instgram story
@Dancewithme
Yes you’re right, in the promo they were talking about what the first thing is that you think of when you hear Cirques du Soleil and James sais: “acrobatics, like flying through the air”, Sasha sais “gymnastics” then Gleb sais to Jana “I know a person who can flip” and Jana sais “So they’re gonna get a 10”. And they actually show Laurie doing a simmilar flip to someone in a Cirques Du Soleil show. It’s totally tailor made for Laurie.
Does anyone know if Laurie will be performing in all the Kellogg’s shows? If so that might get interesting since they are scheduled for 4 and 5 days a week, including Sunday which is DWTS camera blocking. I know Laurie is young and talented but there are only so many hours in a day to learn new dances. Not that she is alone on trying to balance other activities but that is a lot of pressure for anyone let alone a 16 year old without a lot of life experience. Let’s just say Val may not be the best pro to help her learn how to balance the two. There WILL be a meltdown the question is how long will it take and how much damage will it do physically and emotionally?
Per Sharna Instagram story they have a Quickstep.
I’ve decided not to watch the Laurie’s Cirque Show on Monday as well! It’s just my way of protesting the manipulation and favouritism given to Val and the little gymnast. I will be “tuning in” here, but will NOT turn on my TV to ABC.
According to Hinch’s Instagram story, he and Sharna are in NYC, so maybe their show is Kurios or Paramour. Paramour would be the perfect fit for a Quickstep theme, IMO, so they probably don’t have it. LOL.
Thanks for the feedback. We do have a little bit of power to drive change- our power of the “vote”, so to speak….tune out and explore other options for using time. Like many of you, for me this is not just about Derek anymore. So many are hurt by all this, both Pros and Celebrities. Many of us can not allow younger ones to watch the show because of some of the raunchy stuff. I wanted them to see elegant, smooth dancing and beautiful formal costumes, but one can’t count on being able to see that. I’m not a prude, either, but pretty open-minded.
@Geri Agreed, the odds are not good that they’ll give her something that keeps her feet on the ground, but I’m choosing the optimism route and waiting to withhold judgment on how unfair this will be until we hear what style she has. And here’s some totally crazy optimism, but maybe even if she does get Charleston or salsa or something like that Val will be dumb and decide to make the whole dance a trick show. If the judges are going to be consistent (I know, that pretty much never happens) they’d call him out for that like they did for Shawn and Mark’s Lindy hop.
@Narice No, not all of them. I think she has been skipping some of the Sunday shows in order to attend camera blocking (or whichever rehearsal they do on Sundays).
Since they’re determined to have a theme that shows off Laurie’s abilities, I’m happy that it’s happening relatively early on in the schedule when people are already voting for her, and not later in the season, when she might need the votes more (if that makes any sense).
I think it’s totally unfair to do that theme while they still have 3 contestants over 57 in the competition and another one with a back injury (Jana). And then they give Amber and James traditional Ballroom dancestyles like Tango and Quickstep that don’t really allow for tricks…
I am so very tired of the blatant manipulation going on with this show. I have been watching since season 3 and back then, like a lot of you know, it was a dance competition. No theme weeks, no troupe in the dances, no manipulating the scores to make sure the right one wins. Sometime since then TPTB decided they were going to mess with everything.
When they did the face offs this week my first thought was well we can all pick the 6 couples that are going to be safe. I can’t tell you how happy I was when Maureen won hers. I’m sure it was the plan that TPTB said let’s let one couple win so it won’t be obvious, but I still enjoyed seeing. She deserved it. Her dance was a salsa, not the one Amber and Maks did. Like Julianne said, it made me uncomfortable to watch.
So once again, this year, Val is the chosen one to win. I won’t say Laurie, because it isn’t about her, it’s about him. Look at his past partners for the last several seasons. He’s always given someone young and athletic. He doesn’t get the older women like Tony always seems to. He doesn’t get someone disabled like Derek and Sharna have. Nope, for Val, he has to have the one with the greatest potential. I don’t understand how he’s still on the show with all the derogatory comments he makes on twitter. I like Laurie, she will probably be in the finals, but I can’t support her to win.
I’m hoping Hinch, Marilu or Calvin give him a shock and push him out of the finals. I’m hoping they (or anyone couple in the competition) do so well that even TPTB couldn’t be stupid enough to manipulate them into getting bad scores to keep him safe. That would probably make him explode.
Joanne B, well said. This season is the last chance I’m giving it. I mute my tv when Val is on. I’m going to hold out hope someone else can knock him out. If Val wins, I too will walk away from the show and boycott the sponsors. I watch the show for entertainment and to relax at the end of the day, not to be yelling at me tv at the unfairness that gets worse every week. And #m, maybe Val will be dumb enough to make it a trick show with very little dance in it, something he should be called out for, but we all know he won’t be. They’ll probably be given a perfect score.
I apologize for this rant, but I know I can come here and people will listen and more and more will agree with what me and others are saying. All of you mods do such a great job with the postings every week while going about your day to day business and I thank you for that. I can read your postings and others and get a laugh sometimes. You are what makes the show worth watching right now and if I stop watching, I will still come to this site to read what all of you are saying.
I actually think Laurie would be fun to watch this season as well, if not for her partner. Imagine her with Sasha…nothing against Terra, because I like her too. Val just always manages to ruin things, partly because of his personality and partly because the producers have to work so hard to make sure he succeeds. How about we try something new – Val succeeds or fails on his own merit, just like his brother had to do pre-Meryl, just like Derek and Mark had to do. Just like they’re making Sasha do. I can’t think of a single pro that’s gotten the assistance that Val has. I think they were planning on pushing Sharna one season, but that fell through.
Well, if Laurie gets contemporary this week…of all weeks…then you know the fix is really in. Or Jazz for that matter.
It could be actually telling though…why would you NEED to change from Most Memorable Year to a brand new Cirque theme this early in the season? Is Laurie not making a big enough splash? Or are people talking more about James, Terra, Jana, Marilu, Calvin and Ryan – for various reasons? Let’s face it – this season is pretty tight. Val can’t shut up and let Laurie make her own impression, and there are other great contestants.
Oh how fantastic is that James getting a dance you have to spend in hold the whole dance in a cirque week. What the actual f**k?! By the way what was “Shark Week” you refer to Heidi? Oh this is going to turn out like that rubbish “Famous Dance Week” we had.
Some of the Cirque shows they could draw on:
O- This is the water based show at The Bellagio.
Ka- A show that has a more martial arts feel. A lot of aerial work in the show.
The Beatles Love
Zumanity- A more burlesque, adult only type show.
Mystery- A traditional Cirque type show.
There are other touring productions of Cirque shows that I don’t know that much about.
Giving Zumanity to Maks&Amber is rather expected and boring.
Of course we’re going to see tumbling and tricks in Laurie’s routine. Of course Val is going to rely on that to make the routine exciting, instead of actually challenging Laurie with intricate and exciting choreography.
I’m probably wrong, but I had a whole other take on this from what is mentioned above. Since there are so many different Cirque shows, each with its own music and theme, I thought the couples would choose one song from one of the themes and dance the same as usual, but with the circus performers up and around them providing a backdrop (and selling their own shows in the process).
I was thinking something more along the lines of how Melissa and Tony incorporated the aerial gymnasts in their freestyle; I didn’t imagine much if any actual interaction with the cirque performers.
My guess is that they’re doing MMY Week 5 (it’s been done that week before) with 10 celebs, and wait til they have 9 to do Switch-Up like in the past, or not do it at all. I’m really hoping Cirque du Soleil Week is the replacement for Famous Dances which is possibly my least favorite theme ever. I do wish they’d saved this for team dances though because I think that could have been FANTASTIC. At this rate it’ll probably be Week 8 with the double elimination that will have to occur at some point happening that night.
On another note I’m very surprised that after all the effort they made to get Sharna a MBT they’ve seemingly now switched to getting Val another one. I know they want him as the face of the show but getting her a trophy really seemed to be a big thing. I’m not saying they SHOULD be manipulating things in favor of certain pros, but this shift in focus is especially strange to me since I think James is her best shot at winning in quite awhile.
Julia, maybe getting Val another mirror ball is how they got Maks back dancing! Nothing would surprise me!
Being assigned music for Paramour would provide Derek and Marilu a super chance to do their tap dancing.
This season is turning out to be worse than S20! Making a cirque week? I mean I know what cirque is but that’s only because I pay attention I have never seen a cirque Show in person.. But REALLY Rob Wade? why don’t you just cancel the rest of the season now & just hand Laurie and Val the freaking mirror ball trophy… just like you did in season 20 with rumor and Val. Quit trying to make Val happen he is not going to happen !
Kim Johnson said on the morning show that Ryan has the waltz.
Julia, I think it’s that Sharna doesn’t really need “help” this season because she’s not carrying the load in this partnership. James is impressing on his own merit.
I have never been a fan of Maks, but I am rooting for he and Amber this year. They seem to have kind of been in the background so far this season. Amber is probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but she is a very strong and powerful woman. The cause she is promoting this weekend http://amberroseslutwalk.com/ is a significant event for women’s causes in our country. I hope tptb give her the positive introduction this deserves. I don’t expect her to win the mirror ball, but it would be great for her to be able to stay around a few weeks to get her message out. I hope Maks can create a beautiful dance and she will continue to improve as a dancer. Hopefully a Zumanity Tango won’t be the end for them.
Consider this ultimate manipulation…..getting the Derek versus Val fans stirred up so that someone like Sharna or Lindsey can sneak in quietly and win…while TPTB can sit back and smile…
Um…I think I have figured out why Maks was not happy about the Zumanity Tango and that is because it is performed by two men and not a man and a woman *innocent whistles*!
Just a joke Nathan. We have something called shark week here in the US…and that’s the extent of my knowledge on the subject.
I wonder if tumbling and tricks are actually in Val’s vocabulary, now that I think about it.
Er, maybe CM – but Laurie should have been able to do that as well, along with many of Val’s partners. So why does Sharna get the hands off approach while it’s all hands on deck with Val? Because they know Sharna’s a good choreographer??
You give them far too much credit, Joanne B.
@PH, I don’t know if this is necessarily true, but sometimes I find myself in the hellish cesspool that is the official DWTS FB comments (because to me they kind of represent how the general audience responds to the show) and it seems like the male pros can get away with things that people (mostly other women) bash the female pros for, so watching the show from that perspective, I can kind of see how TPTB would find it useless to push the female pros at the expense of the males.
Does that make sense?
The Circ. theme certainly seems to grossly advantage a certain contestant, but of more serious consequence, it seems that it would be a ripe setup for widespread injury. I certainly hope the waivers in some contracts are iron-clad.
That said, I could see the most innovative pros really rising to the occassion here and am quite looking forward to what Derek et al come up with (gotta say might particularly be missing Mark this week).
On Sharna’s IG story, she and James are definitely on the Paramour set.
While I agree that the Cirque week favors Laurie –
don’t forget that Maks choreographed Le Reve in Vegas. That is a huge benefit for him. For those who don’t know what it is – it is similar to the Cirque “O”. Done in water – absolutely amazing. But I will say that the Cirque shows are more precise in movement, while Le Reve is more chaotic. It has probably 8x the performers as “O”, and each one isn’t as precise, but the overall effect is jaw-dropping.
I expect lots of extras in Maks’ dance this week – but his choreo should be some of his best. if it isn’t – that will be my confirmation that he is just collecting his check this season.
To be completely honest, I am not looking forward to this week. I know most of the people here are excited for Cirque week, but as someone who knows absolutely nothing about Cirque du Soleil other than they tumble to music and is a circus act that doesn’t use animals, I don’t feel like I can get excited about it. It seems like they are going to be expected to put on a huge over the top spectacle circus act that has a few seconds of actual dance. There is way too much that can go wrong, why would they want to do something like this? (Don’t answer that)
Will they be marked down for just dancing because it didn’t fit the theme? Do they expect the couples to somersault aND flip as they are dancing? Can they simply dance around guest performers flipping and somersault ingredients and will it actually count? What’s the required ballance between dance and Cirque and will it be enforced fairly? (Again, don’t answer that) How many celebrities and pros will be hurt trying to put together their circus act/dance?
Marilu is dancing a paso per derek instagram
Lori, I think it is good that this is the week for Len not to be at the judge’s table!
Sooooo basically, all but (3) couples get songs from shows that most people won’t recognize, and of the (3) couples that got songs from shows most people will have heard of, the gymnast who already has an advantage in actually being able to perform Cirque-style acrobatics gets a song from possibly the most popular Cirque show of the last 5 years. *slow clap*
Oh, no CM – the DWTS FB page is most certainly NOT representative of the general audience. That’s where the dregs of so-called humanity fled to when DWTS shut down their message boards for being so vile.
The “general viewer” is NOT obsessing over this show on twitter, facebook or instagram. And FB sure as hell ain’t representative of the online viewers – they’re the idiots that got tossed out of every other place. The general viewer is not a nasty, vile person or mean girl. The DWTS FB page is an extremely amplified microcosm of the worst of humanity. 😀
#Courtney, I’ve been listening to some of the soundtracks and the music for those other shows is quite beautiful and dramatic. The show that Derek was assigned, for example, is full of thundering percussion and you know how he likes those drum sounds. And the show that James was assigned is super-fantastic Broadway-esque. It could be a real showstopper for him. In contrast, the Beatles and MJ music may wind up seeming boring and ordinary. So it may turn out that they did not succeed in doing Laurie any favors here.
For me getting a Michael Jackson song is a disadvantage. I would rather see and hear something new. MJ comes with expectations. When Karina and Corbin did MJ in their finale I thought it was well danced, but had a feeling of been there done that. I’m not holding out high hopes for Lauries number. The rest, I am looking forward to seeing what the pros come up with and if this theme is a hit or miss.
That’s not to say Laurie doesn’t have other advantages in this theme. For me, her Cirque show is not exciting. Hopefully I’m wrong.
Derek and Marilu Paso? I’m freaking thrilled about that. I love pretty much all of Derek’s dances, but he his Paso Doble routines are incredible- esp. when he really gets creative with them- I’m really looking forward to that.
Also super excited for Tuesday performance by Derek- with the exception of the Mandy Moore hand clap routine I haven’t been super impressed with the pro numbers- and I really miss Derek’s Macy’s routines.
So far it looks like normal dances- we’ll see where everyone else shakes out but no Contemporary or Jazz in week 4? I’m totally cool with that. Its also interesting that there are 3 couples right now (Ryan, James, and Amber) that have burned through over half of their ballroom dances.
Did Maks truly choreograph he entire show, or just the ballroom style parts? I think there were likely numerous directors and choreographers involved in that show.
@Heidi- I actually saw that show. From what I remember from the program- he’s choreographed a few specific pieces (not sure if he had assistants or anything)- at least two were ballroom. There were a ton of choreographers listed. His pieces were excellent IMO- huge step up from DWTS.
I wanted Allison and Babyface t get MJ One, I dont trust Val with that show, but Laurie is amazing and this is the time to use her gymnastics, Hopefully we’ll see some dancing and not a floor routine and a bunch of freestyles (and 0 injuries)
Btw I haven’t see Val do flips and tricks, can he do them? I’ve seen Sasha, Mark, Derek and Allison flip, jump etc…
Looking forward to see what the couples do, and how the judges score
@Princess Heidi, Maks choreographed only a sequence or few dance sequences in that La Reve; there were numerous directors and choreographers.
Trying to put on positive spin on the Monday’s show, I’ve seen many Cirque shows in Las Vegas. I think most of them have quite beautiful music.
How is it that only two couples have the same show?
I’ve seen all these shows except for Paramour and KURIOS. I agree that the MJ and The Beatles songs will be the least exciting because people know them and they aren’t as dramatic in the context of Cirque. They were my least favourite Cirque shows. My all time favourite is O, although I’m not sure how that translates to DWTS. I also agree that KA will be a perfect fit for Derek and Marilu with the drumming.
Can’t wait for Tuesday’s show to watch Derek! (Yes, I will be watching Tuesday!)
Sorry but the only thing I paid any attention to was the “Derek will choreograph and dance to a special number.”
Everything else became a non issue. Let Little Miss and her pro tumble all over the place. I just need to see Derek and a special number.
LOL, So true #Molly well said!!
Thanks Beth. I always had the feeling that his participation was being vastly overstated, but couldn’t find actual credits on the show.
Thing is, Maks IS capable of doing some good choreo – more so than Val, I wager. I went to the DWTS tour he choreographed years ago and it was quite good.
Thanks, Chayse. That’s what I was getting at in my response to Beth – he IS capable of producing good choreo. I think the problem is that he’s not good at producing it for a non-dancer.
Forgetting all the show crap for a minute, I think about what this experience will be for all the celebs. I don’t usually have such good feelings about so many contestants and it makes me very happy to think that Terra, and Maureen, and James, and Calvin, et al., will have the experience of several lifetimes working on this, To be working on something that is also (at least in some ways) new to the pro will make it unlike all their other performances. I’m glad it’s this group that is getting to do this.
A Derek Paso to the theme of KA` is going to be A-m-a-z-i-ng! This is what I’m gonna call redemption week for those two. It’s gonna be incredible I can already see it. I googled the show and music and I agree with Pyschee that this is gonna be an exciting dance. Woohoo!
@Sheri – I agree! I can’t wait to see this. We haven’t had a Derek Paso since SSN 20 so I’m SO glad they got one this one with an appropriate theme too – I think this will be Marilu’s breakthrough week.
it looks like Terra has Samba per DWTS instagram.
@Tina.. I agree this will be her breakthrough week. He’ll have her looking stunning too. Can’t wait!
I don’t know why TPTB have to trump up these new themes when there are plenty that have been done to pick from. Some of us just want to see good Ballroom Dancing without all these bells and whistles to boot!!
I don’t know how Monday night is going to work; but I have to say that if it wasn’t for Derek Hough (and I love Marilu) I wouldn’t enjoy this show this season at all because of the obvious pimping. I just am hoping that some of the other couples surprise us as the weeks go by and give Val some good competition. I hate seasons where there is one perfect dancing couple because Val has a ringer, and no competition.
Whatever happened to Val’s remark about a couple being “PERFECTION” IS BORING? LOL! It fits him and his partner this season perfectly!
Are they trying to cram so much into one week for Derek so he doesn’t have time to prepare for Marilu? I sure hope he got advanced notice about his special performance so he could’ve prepared for it weeks ago! I’m sure he can do it all amazingly well but I’m so skeptical of the producers nowadays that I can only think of sabotage.
@Heart, normally pros rehearse their pro dance numbers during the week as well as rehearse with their partner as well, it seems to be a normal occurrence. Don’t forget that in a few weeks Derek will be juggling Hairspray Live rehearsal as well as rehearsing with Marilu.
#Heart, Derek probably pitched the idea to the producers first. That’s usually how his special dances happen on the show. I expect we might see one of his many “passion projects” that he has been working on over the past many months.
Tina: “We haven’t had a Derek Paso since SSN 20”
That is entirely too long of a drought! And Derek must be stoked about their assigned piece. While Marilu is lovely in Ballroom, I’ve most looked forward to her Tangos, Rumba and Paso.
I think anyone who has a theatrical dance this week should do well since the dynamics of cirque music is great for dance. A Paso should be excellent. From MH and Derek I think. QS should be excellent because of James timing, I hope his rounded shoulders will improve, but I see this having the potential to be great because the music is classic Quickstep. These are the two I’m most excited about
Lotus: “I wanted Allison and Babyface t get MJ One”
I would’ve loved to have seem Allison choreograph to that and it would’ve added some ‘oomph’ to Babyface.
About time TPTB wished up and gave Derek creative control of a pro number. One for the Emmy nomination board no doubt.
*wised up I should say
The producers don’t dictate “special performance” by pros, the pros pitch ideas to the producers and then get a yes or a no. I think it was Maks that confirmed that in his blog the other day, and Derek has said the same in his past blogs.
I hope Maureen’s confidence grew with her Salsa, which wasn’t bad. I am looking forward to see the Argentine Tango with Artem. I have high hopes, since I’ve loved Artem ever since he partnered Kara Toiton on Strictly. For me, still one of the best AT’s VWaltz, and Rumbas, in the class of Nicole and Jennifer.
Don’t know what D will be allowed or able to do but I have also seen most of the shows. KA was very dramatic. Walls were moving and fight scenes on the walls as they moved. It was actually the show,where the performer fell and died a couple years ago during the show in Vegas. I think DMAN will have a great concept for this theme.
@ Tina
And the Derek Paso we had in S20 wasn’t even danced by Derek because he was injured by then. So the last Paso we’ve actually seen Derek dance was Bethany’s Halloween Paso to Run Boy Run in S19. I was sad that Bindi and Derek didn’t get the Paso assigned. I’m really excited for a new Derek Paso.
Thx Gering for the research way upstream. I love the thematic comments rolling out today. 1. Yeah, Derek doing his own thing will be awesome. Of course he does it on Cirque night. It’s a new idea and I bet it brings in a few first time viewers. Smart bit that Derek. 2. Who knew Val could varnish Olympic gold? Poor Laurie should have said yes to Mark’s tweet…Need a dance partner? 3. Break out week for Marilu…from our fingers to the dancing god’s ears.
Hmm..I wonder if the general public can see the producer manipulation of DWTS too and are annoyed, because since the premiere, the viewers are down from 13 million to 10 million & the 18-49 demo is down to around 1.7. The latest Tues. show only had 7.5 million with a 1.3 18-49 demo. I know Tues. has always been the weakest day of ratings for DWTS but still, I think it is kinda low. But then I don’t know if The Big Bang Theory & The Voice are stiffer competition for DWTS, so that is why they dropped in viewers. Maybe a combination of tougher competition & annoyance at how DWTS is shaping out to be.
I like the Cirque theme. It’s different and exciting and the creativity will be off the charts. But have time agree that it plays to Laurie’s skills. And I do wish that Amber and Maks had a different show. I’d like to see a more classic style for her.
#104 Darlene, now that’s really interesting! Maybe TPTB will just self-destruct.
Maks originally choreographed three dances. Last year or so, the show removed one of them and had him choreograph a new piece. It is considered by many to be the show-stopper.
I have seen the show 3 times, and “o” twice, as well as several other cirque shows. Le Reve is the most awe-inspiring of all of them IMO. And out of curiosity –
Chayse – have you ever seen Le Reve from the “secret” viewing seats? I have – and it makes the show that much more incredible. Truly a technical masterpiece from all involved.
And while Maks clearly didn’t choreo every minute of the show – it’s enough to show what he is really capable of. And it – thankfully – isn’t what we see each week on the show.
#Darlene (104). I don’t know about week 2 or second night shows, but the later numbers available for week 2 Monday indicate that THE VOICE and TBBT had more “live” viewers than DWTS, but the “Live plus 3 Day” numbers indicate that the seemingly lost viewers for DWTS on this night (as compared to the Premiere) watched the show over the next few days from their DVRs, and this counts in the ratings as well. So I don’t think viewer annoyance is evident from this. I think it is just a problem of three networks putting on their best shows all at the same time.
Regardless, DWTS still brings in more viewers for ABC than any other regular show on their network. I don’t think it is going anywhere.
13 million is HIGH, Darlene, whereas 10 million is closer to on target for week 3. Tuesday results shows have ALWAYS been serious under performers – that’s why they were eliminated several seasons ago. No news there. The ratings will come back as the voice gets out of the audition period (it’s well below DWTS in viewers when that part of the show is over) and the season progresses.
My point in the question, sarina, was to rein in the “Maks choreographed Le Reve” train of thought down to a realistic level. He choreographed three dances…not the whole show.
I don’t think DWTS is going anywhere either, but I do think their Tuesday night schedule is a bust. TV by the Numbers had last Tuesday night at just over 7 million viewers and extremely low in the desired demo. If the numbers are significantly higher later on, why are they doing the Tuesday night shows now? Did they think having Olympians fresh off the events would give them a boost?
@Rose1, They just needed something to fill the slot before their Tuesday comedy block came back. They know DWTS result show ratings are crap.
It’s funny in general that ABC’s two highest rated shows are old stalwarts. DWTS and Grey’s Anatomy which is in S13.
And those are my two fave shows! DWTS & Greys which I’ve watched since day 1.
Are there going to be two shows every week this season? Did I miss bringing back the Tuesday results show on a permanent basis?
#Rose1. People always ask for the results show when there are so many couples with no time for pro numbers. How else would we ever get to see a special dance by Derek in the first few weeks? And seven million people is not such a small number compared to other shows they could be putting in its place. The only problem is that they don’t yet have the content mix bit right for the second night… two hours has WAY too much filler in it. It will be interesting to see how well the one hour show next week works out. I think it could be a winner.
#Juliana. No, this next week will be the last one until the finals.
@Juliana, According to ABC’s schedule, their comedy block comes back on the 11th, so I think this Tuesday is the last results show.
#Juliana. Or at least insofar as what they have scheduled. The debate schedule might cause them to have to have another one, though.
I saw Le Reve, while excellent there is no way Maks choreographed the whole show. Ballroom pieces were very good though.
The performances show’s ratings are better later on, the results show ratings are always pretty much crap.
TBBT is only airing in the Monday 8pm slot for 3 more weeks so it’ll be interesting to see if that plus the Voice audition portion ending results in a rise at all for DWTS.
I agree with the wish for Babyface to have gotten MJ and am excited for Maureen and Artem’s Argentine Tango and James and Sharna’s Paramour number.
PH – I got the point. That’s why I clarified in my post what he choreographed. We are just coming from diff viewpoints is all. Having seen the show, his choreo on dwts compared to his choreo in le reve is like comparing a kindergarteners finger painting with a michelangelo.
So while he certainly doesn’t get or deserve credit for choreographing the whole thing, his work there is certainly enough to give him an edge this week, and to show people what he is truly capable of.
That was my only point – is that if we don’t see an extreme improvement in his choreo this week – it just confirms he isn’t really into his role as pro this season. Unlike his brother – he does have creative talent, he just hasn’t chosen to use it. And I guess with Laurie having the clear physical advantage this week, IMO – Maks has the choreo advantage.
Now whether either of those is enough to outshine Derek? IDK – kind of doubt it. Derek has a way of taking these types of challenges and turning them to his advantage. So I never count him out even tho IMO both c-bros have clear advantages.
Those are pretty good ratings for a show on for this long other shows would kill for that. I couldn’t get through the Big Bang theory’s fist eps this season and I’m probably going to drop that show to be honest and haven’t watched the voice yet but I know a lot of people aren’t watching because of Miley (which to me is completely ludicrous since odds are she won’t be a perm any judge anyways since there always seems to be a new judge that lasts a couple of seasons and then gets replaced…..reason one million and one why I stopped watching the fall seasons of the show…only watch when three of the judges are Christina, Blake, and Adam and whoever gets the last spot).
Anyways, after reading who got what show, I’m really wishing Rick was still around becuase something tells me Emma would have loved this.
Sarina, I think the real problem here is not that he’s phoning it in, or that he’s not a good choreographer – it’s that he’s HORRIBLE at choreographing for a celebrity with no training. There are plenty of great choreographers who couldn’t do what a few of these pros can do – and that is getting an amateur to dance a decent ballroom routine. I don’t think either Val or Maks are good at it.
Ciara…I see you and you’re a troll. Pick ONE name and stick with it. And I’m deleting your very obvious attempt to start something.
Why are the trolls always so stupid?
@Sarina- I only saw the show last min when I was with some friends. We had good seats but not anything special. Honestly as amazing as the show was, I don’t think I’m really into the Cirque stuff. It was cool to see once, but its not the type of thing I would want to see again (I know they all are different.) It also makes me not thrilled for this week, because I’m worried we are going to see a lot of set, troupe, etc covering up some so-so dancing.
I’m actually excited to see Terra and Sasha’s Samba. No idea how they’ll incorporate Cirque into it. Maybe the pros dance around and do a trick or two while Cirque performers do their thang in the background like how troupeRS do.
If every perofrmances is full on and inundated with flips and tricks, I hope Ryan and Cheryl’s is on the opposite end of the spectrum of full on prod. so that maybe it can be more memorable and get those votes.
Also, random…but do you think Derek’s statement “a lot of things going wrong” had to do with TPTB and his results show performance or the order of the theme weeks this season.
Conspiracy theorist in me ?: I think the face off challenge exposed A lot more than anyone thought it would. Laurie and Val’s performance seemed like a finale tango and song, James and Sharnas seemed like a finale cha cha and song (she was just smart enough not to let James spike too early and kept it simple) and Marilu and Dereks song and style seemed like a great finale to be number. All the other perofrmancers had fluffier last minute songs…at least to me (conveying that TPTB wouldnt have anticipated having those couples making it to the finale for face off time (ex. Amber and Ryan)).
Maybe the face off exposed TPTB agenda of having Laurie and Val, James and Sharna, Marilu and Derek, and Calvin and Lindsay (not sure about this last spot) as finale couples.
PH – I agree completely. While the c-bros are alike in some ways, I think in creativity they are very different. Maks actually seems to have the ability to visualize a dance and create. Val seems to throw together the mandatory steps and fill in the rest. Like its a competition like ice skating or gymnastics where you get a technical difficulty score. And believe me – I have zero creativity, so I totally understand how working with an untrained dancer would be even more challenging Val seems to try to make them a professional dancer, whereas Maks seems to make them performers, and get away with performances rather than dances. If that makes sense – it’s kind of hard to explain. Unfortunately Amber doesn’t seem like much of a performer. Even Danica gave a better sexy salsa. Who knew Winnie could dance better??!!
Chayse- believe it or not I’m not that big into Cirque either. Just used to be in Vegas a lot and its a safe family show. And I was amazed at the technical aspect of Le Reve, so I saw it through the underwater cameras. It actually makes the show even more incredible.
For those who haven’t seen it – just imagine watching a person walking across a stage in maybe 4-6 inches of water and then maybe 3-4 seconds later a person dives from 30-40 feet into the same spot someone just walked on. And then add that swimmers/dancers aren’t seen for long periods of time – yet they never exited the pool. I won’t spill the secrets of how it is done, but it is prob the most technically difficult thing I have ever seen. Technical underneath, beautiful above the water.
Watching the FB Live video that Derek and Marilu did earlier today, wow, their Paso looks really good.. and their song is so appropriate. I can see Derek pulling out all the stops with the choreography on this one, especially with the accents of the song. This WILL be Marilu’s breakthrough week.
Laurie mentions on her blog that they will be dancing to MJ’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” . That’s a good song for a cha-cha, but they have done a cha-cha already. She doesn’t say what type of dance they will be doing. At the time she wrote the blog she was learning it remotely via video so she might not actually know.
Vin, have to wonder if some people are opting out of the Voice before or after watching the show this season? I ask because I heard Miley was doing a good job so I watched it live last week, and taped DWTS, and I enjoyed it. She’s very outgoing and sweet, and plays well with the other three. I thought she fit in much better with Adam and Blake than Alicia did, for what it’s worth 🙂
I’m really excited about Derek’s special performance, and I also hope Cheryl is given the same opportunity. Would love to see something from her Love on the Floor show. The clips I caught on the Internet was fantastic.
EmnEm, after watching the show again, I’m more inclined (although not fully convinced) to believe that he was talking about the dance. The weird thing is that watching the show a second time makes if very hard to see where people were saying Derek was frustrated or disappointed – he’s just honest with Marilu. There was nothing mean about it, he was smiling when he was talking. I think the way it was cut together is what gave it the negative tone and the inclusion of Marilu saying “Derek’s upset”. And that’s Marilu’s vision of events, not Derek’s. But what really took the cake was the questioning of Derek by Kym.
Don’t know what you’re talking about with the conspiracy theory – what does the finale have to do with last week and who got what songs?
Got a feeling this will be redemption week for Marilu & Derek!! Their Paso looks to be coming together beautifully!
🙂 Just knowing that Derek will be performing with Lindsey Sterling – Drumming & tap dancing-it’s all good.
Princess Heidi on dwts latest post on Instagram of amber and maks the caption says it takes two to (argentine) tango so I think they’re doing an Argentine tango
Per the DWTS Instagram, apparently Amber and Maks’ Tango is the Argentine one.
Hmmm could Sharna and James’s song be The Hollywood Wiz? Sharna talks about James transforming into that character for the dance.
I believe we got the “tango” from Maks’ blog…or from Amber herself. I’ll check it out though.
Dee, I don’t think Lindsey is actually going to be there. Someone mentioned she has a concert that night.
@PH: I just felt like the Val, Sharna, Derek’s songs and dances would be well suited for a finale or semi final performance or at least week 8. IDK to be honest. Last week just felt quite odd to me. Maybe all the manipulation and influence TPTB were conducting got to me, but the theme and songs just felt out of place for me for week 3 of DWTS.
Last week Marilu and Derek danced the Tango to “Battle Cry” and this week they are doing the Paso to “Battlefield” – I see a theme there…
Jana has foxtrot? Her dances seem to be quite one-note – VW, Tango and now Foxtrot. Hope Gleb doesn’t go the sexy route or it’ll just be the 3rd version of the 1st dance. I want to see her do a cha cha or salsa to see if she can handle the latin dances. Other than that I see James, Marilu and -surprisingly- Ryan doing well in their dances this week.
It will be interesting to see whether the judges will nitpick on rules (ie. no breaking hold) when it is a very specific theme week… they are very unpredictable in that matter.
Question for anyone – Derek said he was going to have 4 troupe members. Is that the dwts troupe or members from Ka as background entertainment to the paso?
Aww Jana has a nice, elegant ballroom dance. Going to be nice to see that side of her and they have a nice song. Plus it’ll give her ribs a chance to kind of take it easy this week too. Looking forward to their dance and of course Marilu’s Paso.
@Lurra, from the interview Gleb and Jana did it sounds like they’re going the bubbly Foxtrot route since they have a happy song, which will be nice to see. I want her in the finals along with Marilu and James, so that way they can give Laurie a run for her money.
I haven’t liked any of the songs given to Hennergy so far. I’m not a big Cirque fan so I’m having to google some of them and I hope Derek didn’t get what my search turned up. Im looking forward to seeing them use the whole floor this time. I hope they make their dance bigger.
I love Here Comes the Sun song even though I don’t think Beatles when I hear it. Jana has been traveling non-stop for her concerts all week and said she was just learning her dance yesterday. Poor Gleb because those two have potential to go far this season.
Im guessing Val will do an anything goes, jazz type dance. I’m probably most interested to see what they come up with for Ryan’s water-themed performance.
So far, Jana doesn’t seem to be the one that will give Laurie a run for her money. I’m thinking James, Calvin…maybe Marilu if she can break through. But Jana has been a bit of a let down since week 1. Maybe she and Gleb will get it together. I would like them to, because I think Gleb is a real challenge to Val’s status on the show. 🙂
I kinda love that gleb and Jana have one of the ones gorge Harrison is known for (if anyone is interested he sang it solo pretty often and I’m guessing there is a video on YouTube somewhere
I’m starting to wonder if they’re even going to do switch up this season because it seems like quite a few stars are on tour this season. Jana, Ice, and Laurie. So that will be a little tough to juggle if you’re dancing with another partner but I guess it’s doable..
@PH, I agree. I really want them to go far because Gleb seems so humble compared to Val. And he’s not bad on the eyes either. I think Jana, like Marilu, needs to have her breakthrough week. Marilu’s will be this week from what I can tell with their dance.
@Tina
I think Switch-up might also be a problem because of Terra, Maks and Gleb would be way too tall for her.
#Geri. I would imagine that in a switch-up week, Terra would be given to the gentle genius Derek.
According to Lindsay’s Instagram, her and Calvin have charleston
Charleston huh. I honestly think a Charleston is a perfect dance choice for them. To me a Charleston equals fun and different, two qualities that I love on the show.
Oh, and just adding my two cents. As much as I was looking forward to the return of Gleb, his partnership with Jana just seems kind of bland and boring. Go figure, they are arguably the most gorgeous couple on the show and yet I barely notice them.
Thanks Zoe.
Charleston will suit Calvin and Lindsay to a tee, and a bubbly foxtrot from Jana and Gleb will be a refreshing change.
Ugh…Calvin is sooo cute. Just saYin’. ❤
Calvin’s Charleston is actually the first dance style we’ve seen assigned for this week that includes and allows tricks.
This theme week is gonna be absolutely wonderful for some of the couples and a complete train wreck for others. I see Marilu having her big breakthrough this week. Laurie will likely kill it since they basically tailor-made it for her unique skill set. I could potentially see Terra and Amber and maybe even Vanilla Ice having issues.
I’m so stoked for MArilu dance. Looks that Derek will be using flags like he did in season 20 with Nastia but he was injured and he couldn’t do it. I’m excited for James dance too
Maybe Amber and Maks are dancing to Tickle Tango…just a guess though. Interested to see how VanIce will do with Witney. They have been pretty quiet on social media. I think they are overwhelmed by traveling for VanIce’s construction/tour.
Can’t wait to see who’s performance will stand out if every performance is inundated with acrobatics/performers/troupe/props and full on.
A week like this makes me really miss mark 🙁
I am interested in tomorrow’s show. I think Derek, Lindsay and Sharna will choreography incredible routines. I agree with Aud; this week would be perfect for Mark.
I love Lindsay’s upbeat attitude; she is always so positive and I think she and Calvin are a great team. The Charleston should be fun to watch.
Calvin will be great because Charleston does not have to adhere to the technique of other dances. His lack of technique won’t harm him this week-but then again his lack of technique had been ignored last week. I think the show is grooming another Donald Driver. The show wants to keep the NFL fans watching. Don’t look at his feet and frame, but he’s fun. As the herd thins out, I predict the dancers with poor fan bases to get slammed this week, regardless of how they dance.
Laurie has Jazz. She revealed that in her video diary.
I just knew Val would get jazz, called it a couple of days ago. Gives him free rein to do pretty much anything he wants, although the song seems a bit slow for that style.
I’m looking forward to Calvin as well. His infectious personality should go over really well with that dance.
Of course Laurie has Freesty…oh sorry I mean “Jazz”. It shouldn’t even be a dance style. Yes Charleston does have technique (steps, swivel feet etc). The fix is in after 3 weeks of mediocrity from her (frantic cha-cha-cha, flex footed jive and a poor footwork terrible top line tango) so expect the childish flashing 10 paddles to come out while all the others actually have to fix the hold and technique into their stupid cirque style routines. Absurd utterly ridiculous.
I really love Laurie! Since the Olympics and now on the show I think she is doing a great job. But all the “unfairness” in the show bothers me! I want to keep liking her but why does she get jazz when other people have to learn Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot etc. IMO THAT is the challenge, using the concept but maintaining the rules and structure of a dance style. I imagine it was Val’s request to do Jazz..
“Laurie has Jazz. She revealed that in her video diary.”
Of course, she does! Did we expect anything else? It was either that or contemporary!
So James, probably Laurie’s biggest competition, has to do Quickstep while Laurie of course gets Jazz (which is Freestyle on DWTS) on her tailor-made theme night. And all of the other younger celebs, except for Calvin, have to do technical Ballroom and try to fit it into a cirque theme. Lovely.
@nathanUK but we have Ballroom dancers as teachers, not social dance teachers, so technique on Charleston has never been marked up or down on this show, it’s all about presentation. Where the dancers get dinged are on the prescriptive Ballroom dances, Quickstep being one of the most technical in terms of how this show marks the dancers.
I rather expect that Laurie’s “Jazz” is going to be MJ-style hip-hop, considering the song they chose.
I’m bummed that James is strapped with a Quickstep this week. It’s one of my least favorite dances.
Looking forward to Calvin and Lindsay’s routine. Hopefully they will kill it.
Unless they throw out rules this week for the theme, James is gonna get docked because Sharna flat out admitted she’s breaking hold in the middle.
@CM
I’m pretty sure they are throwing out the no tricks rule in Ballroom for the theme, because it looks like Jana/Gleb and Terra/Sasha are including tricks in their Foxtrot/Samba. And breaking hold in the middle of the Quickstep will likely be allowed too, like it was on Disney Week last season. But technique, content and frame will still be judged in the Ballroom dances while they don’t play a role in Jazz at all.
Val had a Janet Jackson Jazz in the last 2 seasons (with Tamar and with Ginger) and now he has a Michael Jackson Jazz…
Does this mean that Val envisions himself as the next Michael Jackson? 🙂
It is Laurie’s season and we probably can’t do anything about it. I am trying to enjoy what the other celebrities and pros have to offer. I hope TPTB know what they are doing to this show.
In your desire to establish yourself as some sort of expert, Cassanova, you completely miss the point. We’re talking about everyone having dances with actual rules (yes, even the Charleston, regardless of if they mark it right or not in your opinion) except Laurie who has the true dance with no rules on a week that is tailor made for her. THAT is the point. Now, do you think you can quit trying so hard and respond to what is actually being said?
They might have told them the rules were relaxed this week, CM – they’ve done that before on big theme weeks.
And really, James getting docked while Laurie (ie. Val) can do anything she wants would really be the nail in the coffin of this season, IMO.
Jazz is a style of dance and has rules, but they are not followed on this show. Neither are the rules followed for Charleston. That is my point. If the show decides to throw out the rules all together for every dance then there’s no quibble. In fact, they’ve already thrown out the rules for Calvin on the Viennese Waltz. It’s not what is being danced necessarily, it’s who is dancing it. Unfortunately the arbitrary enforcement of rules only applies to the ones without fanbases, or so it seems.
Why didn’t you say that the first time? And what makes you so sure that Calvin had the rules thrown out for his V.Waltz?? Unless you’ve seen the whole dance, I don’t think you’re in a position to say that.
Laurie being possibly the only one with Jazz doesn’t shock me but… Its cirque week, this week was tailor made for her regardless, and its only week 4 so its not like this dance is the make or break dance- meanwhile Calvin and James are building a nice story arc.
Is it ridiculous? Yep- but I hate Val’s jazz routines so with them doing jazz now at least I can enjoy Laurie’s tumbling skills.
Look at this, I swear people actually think were JEALOUS of Laurie and that she’s better then the other pro’s.
“imagine being so pressed that Laurie is better than ur favs that u actually have to be mad she’s doing a jazz (a main style on the show)”.
On the elimination front I think it’s safe to say TPTB have nailed their colours to the mast as to who they want gone this week. Maureen and Artem have the death slot of 5.18pm according to a photo on social media from a Cirque dancer (so 2nd or 3rd in the running order). I’ll be very surprised if they aren’t the couple headed home come Tuesday night. Calvin and Lindsay dance at 5.07pm (so opening the show) and Amber and Maks dance at 5.51pm. No idea yet on who closes the show. Odds on Laurie again anyone?
I’m tired of Laurie, I’m tired of the Val pimpage, and I’m tired of TPTB trying to blatently shove their agenda down my throat. Val ain’t all that and a bag of chips.
I hope their strategy backfires and Laurie and Val are runner-ups and get to stand there and watch James and Sharna or Calvin and Lindsay hoist their well deserved mirror ball over their heads.
Oh look, a troll named Megan. Everyone say Hi to Megan. No, she doesn’t have great grammar but she sure knows all about this site and the show. Way more than us probably.
Now say bye to Megan as I put her on moderation…
Tonight’s order per George Pennachio
Calvin, Maureen, Jana, Marilu, Amber
Ryan, Babyface, Terra, Laurie, V. Ice, James
I don’t Laurie will ever go during the 1st hour and Jana will ever get to go in the 2nd hour.. SMH
Re: Calvin –The rules for the Viennese Waltz, he had no rise and fall his footwork was pretty sloppy, the natural turns weren’t and his dance position was terrible. So he got 8’s for fun.