Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Meryl Davis, Sharna Burgess, Charlie White Rehearsal Interviews For DWTS18 Semi-Finals
Team.org interviewed Maks Chmerkovskiy & Meryl Davis and Sharna Burgess & Charlie White in rehearsals this week. Lot’s of dancing this time and a few hints for what’s to come. Check them out. Thanks to AC for the heads up! And just a reminder all: if you find news that we haven’t posted yet, please write to us our Contact Us link instead of posting it in comments. However, gives us some time first as we may already have the news, but, we like to leave some time between posts.
Wow! Thanks so much for posting this. I love Charlie and Meryl and I only discovered them at the Olympics. I can not get enough of watching them dance or skate. (My favorite skating video is the “Davis & White World 2013 FD” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkLwFvvu6fE -delete the link if you don’t want it here)and I am actually going to the Stars on Ice show in San Jose, Calif. just to see them do their thing in person. I have been reading PURE for the last couple years and love all the info and comments here. I am hopeful for an all-Olympian finale of Amy/Charlie/Meryl even though I will be sad when/if Candace and James leave. I am voting for Charlie but it would be great if Amy won and I think Meryl and Charlie will be happy to make it to the finale regardless. This has been a great season of dance despite all the usual drama. I have seen real growth in choreography in Val and have been happy to see him front and center in the cool opening dances with Derek and Mark. I think he is having fun growing & appreciating the creativity of all dance styles the non-ballroom where Maks seems content to stick with what he knows already (and that is ok – not everyone is the same). I sure hope there is not a “shocking elim” this week (meaning my top 3).
I liked this rehearsal clip of Charlie and Sharna. Unfortunately, I don’t remember any of his rehearsal packages (except the one with his MOM.) I don’t know if this is due to TPTB manipulation or if Charlie’s rehearsals are simply boring.
Thanks Vogue!
I don’t feel Charlie’s packages are boring, just not dramatic like everyone else with injuries and other obstacles. Charlie’s just a sweet, drama free, injury-free guy with a mature, no drama mama for a partner.
I would love to have gotten to know Meryl in her packages but they were all focused on Maks.
I’m hoping for an all-Olympic finale as well. But I love Candace too so I’m happy all the way around on the celebs.
The package for Charlie that I liked the best is the most recent one where we could actually see how he plans the lifts and I loved it when he said that since Candace was good with being lifted that it was easy for him.
I don’t think Charlie and Sharna are boring at all, but their packages are extremely short. They’ve decided to focus on drama/fauxmance for everyone who is willing to demonstrate those characteristics instead of how they are practicing or what the concept was behind the dance. There are a million things they could’ve done but chose not to. As for Meryl and Maks, those always feel like a voyeuristic therapy session with Maks being the center of attention all the time.
As always, I enjoy Charlie and Sharna. So well-spoken and positive. It was a nice treat to get a look into their semi-final rehearsals. Charlie doing the backstroke across the floor was so cute. That’s the kind of stuff we *should* have been seeing in their DWTS rehearsal packages. Going back to study the rehearsal bits again to see how I think Charlie’s coping with Samba.
AshleyL, “No-Drama Mama” is a great way to describe Sharna. She’s so passionate about dance and when she dances, yet she’s so calm, cool, collected and fun the rest of the time. Sad, isn’t it, that it’s considered boring (and not worthy of air-time) if a couple just works well together without fighting, crying, or flirting.
I am loving Charlie and Sharna….they are making the show fun, mainly no drama, just positive hard work. Meryl is a sweetheart and she seems to get more attention, however Maks is not my favorite. The finals will be very interesting. I only hope the producers will let the viewers decide who wins, there always seems to be a voting issue when it is close.
To Whoever Posted This For Us—-Thank you so much!!!
I so enjoyed this little skit of Sharna & Charlie’s rehearsal. Charlie reminds me a little bit of Derek with that “Upbeat” positive personality. I don’t know why Charlie’s rehearsal packages seem to be so short. He and Sharna always are enjoyable. I think this had been a good experience for both Charlie & Meryl: one they will always remember.
Good to see Meryl & Maks actually dancing with NO DRAMA!
Now, if we could just see a bit of Amy & Derek rehearsing, would be great and even Candace & Mark; James & Peta. Oh well, 3 days away…can’t wait. This has been such a good season of a large number of good dancers, I’m just going to be lost when it’s over.
Charlie is so positive and he is an incredible performer. Nice interview with he & Sharna,..
Hopefully Team USA will interview Amy/Derek as well.
Looking forward to this weeks performances. I think it will be a great show!!!
Thanks to the mods for these great rehearsal videos and thanks to #nl #1 for the exquisite performance video of Meryl & Charlie. That is one of my favorite performances as well. I simply just love watching them skate, not only because of their talent and beauty on the ice, but also because their routines are innovative, emotional and breathtaking, thanks in large part to Marina Zueva, the best skating choreographer in the world, imo. She created the stunning programs for Gordeeva and Grinkov (my favorite and arguably the best of the best figure skating pair team of all time)during their luminous career which included winning 2 gold medals. Sergei Grinkov’s unexpected death at 28 yrs. old, and the end of the G&G partnership, was a terrible blow to the skating world and millions of fans. But for me, the G&G legacy continues, through Marina Zueva, to M&C, enhanced by their own unique, flawless skating style, beauty and charisma. It makes me truly happy.
Wanted to add: These rehearsal videos were fun to watch but Maks, to me, is a drain, a strain, a pain, and a stain on sportsmanship and professionalism. Its always about him and I am truly sick of it. Meryl’s comments are all politically correct, but I would give anything to know what she is really thinking: about Maks, about the show; about whether she is enjoying herself. I just get the feeling that she might not be having all that much fun. As for Charlie and Sharna, I just love this team, both together and individually. All the Aussie pros seem to be consistently lovely, and Sharna is no exception. Charlie is like a huge breath of fresh air; I love his determination, work ethic, personality and desire to do a good job. I’d enjoy it if he won, although a sweeter win would be Amy. But if Maks wins (and of course it would be his win, not Meryl’s) I think it will be a waste of a mirror-ball like when Tony got his “pity-MBT”.
@DW – “Maks, to me, is a drain, a strain, a pain, and a stain on sportsmanship and professionalism.”
You are spot on!! 🙂
Ditto for me Guys! I thought it was degrading to his other partners when he said Meryl was his favorite partner again. I wish he’d stop saying that.
#13 Vogue I think at this point he’s doing it on purpose to feed the shippers and his psycho fans. Which of his old partners at this point even knows or cares what Maks is saying? Erin and Kirstie. He has his “written permission” from Erin and I’m sure he has it from Kirstie too. But ITA with you, it’s degrading and insulting and I can’t imagine any other pro saying these things.
Maks is such a POOR spokesperson for DWTS. I have to conclude that he just isn’t that bright.
Maksim must have some serious resentment or anger issues when it comes to some (obviously not Kirstie or Erin) of his old partners. Must he not-so “backhandedly” insult them over and over again by saying Meryl is his best partner ever. And that if the competition would go on for weeks and weeks he would love that??? What is his problem. maybe he is looking for some response out of one of them???Even when he advertises his old seasons through DWM Studios he only shows Kirstie, Erin and sometimes Mel, but Mel hasn’t supported him at all, at least publicly this season. No other Pro is doing this crap, this man has issues.
#16 Sherry, I think it was worse when he talked about having to drag some of them around the dance floor and what a burden it was having to go to work and teach them. I haven’t seen Mel support him on the show in years. Even Erin had stopped the last few seasons he was on. And I haven’t seen a peep out of Kirstie this season, even when people were tweeting her this week saying they were at the bottom of the leader board and needed votes.
#17 Donna, Kirstie did tweet her support at least once this season, everyone else…silent. Erin, being co-host will naturally bring up her season when she can. I almost forgot about the dragging quote,he could have been talking about half his partners there, but it was so unnecessary. He’s burned so many bridges with these women and possibly their fans.
Just for jollies …
Several people have indicated their desire for “anyone but Maks” to win. I totally agree. Thinking about the initials ABM, I realized that it’s more famously known as the acronym for Anti Ballistic Missile. Now, that might mean something different in military parlance, but considering Maks’s inclination to ballistic-ness, I thought it could be that we are collectively an ABM with the goal of an ABM win.
Kirsty sent her support at the beginning of the season. Either she has been too busy since, or has read the precious things her ex partner said in the press.
#18 Sherry & $20 Rose I wasn’t aware Kirstie had tweeted her support. I did see Maks tweet her once but couldn’t find anything she had tweeted to him. But I imagine that much like Maks has “written permission” from Erin to say this stuff he must also have it from Kirstie. I don’t think he cares about any of the others.
Maks’ emotional immaturity and lack of social awareness of right and wrong in some of his behavior always struck me as that of a young, ill-mannered, teenage boy trapped in the body of a grown man.
I feel bad for his family and friends who love him but don’t support his egregious behavior. It’s not that Maks as a whole doesn’t have good qualities but the bad are so bad, unacceptable and inexcusable that it’s not worth the price of admission anymore.
Well said, Ashley L. I think that’s a very good description.
I agree there is a good side to Maks and he has a certain charisma. So his family and the few close friends who get to see the positive side of him on a regular basis generally *are* willing to make excuses for his bad behavior and defend him to the rest of the world. He’s lucky that this inner circle won’t desert him because I think he’s getting very close to his expiration date with almost everyone else.
This season has been my first experience with Maks in DWTS. However, I did get to know him a bit last summer during Forever Tango, as I was following most news involving Karina. And I must say that they had a great run together, really good media interactions, and both exposed a professional, relaxed and joyful relation. No poor attitude or derogatory comments.
I wonder how much Maks “transforms” when in the competitive environment of DWTS. And how aware is he of his persona on the TV, how he comes across to the general public? Unfortunately, his PR person is not at all in the capacity to improve his media skills. And his close nit of friends probably are too biased to perceive his appearances on TV the way we see them.
Anyways, my first impression of him on Broadway was a very good one, and since I only saw him on DWTS this season I still have hope that the good in him prevails. I just wish somebody would help him open his eyes when and where he goes wrong.
Anna, it could well be true that Maks doesn’t react well to the pressure of competition. However, he’s been a pro on DWTS for so many seasons that he’s had plenty of time to learn how to control himself if he really wanted to (or get off the show if he wasn’t able to change). Also, there’s no excuse for him not knowing how he comes across on TV. All he has to do is watch and listen to himself on the show. If I saw myself behaving that badly, I’d be so embarrassed. However, he doesn’t give a damn how he comes across on TV. He believes everything he says and does is fine — calls it “plain speaking” and “being real”.
Great interviews, thanks so much for putting them!
I really really hope Charlie and Meryl are going to the finale. I so want to see a freestyle from Sharna. I wanted Danica and Amy in the finale with them but Danica is eliminated. Don’t care if it’s James or Candace. Though if Amy makes it to finale, I hope she won’t win because for me, it will the real pity MBT for her. I hope she’ll get the third(or fourth, depending on her dancing) place.
I agree Cidra that there is no excuse for his behavior. I guess I haven’t seen enough of his ugly side yet to give up hope. But I can understand that those of you who have watched him on the show for many seasons have no more understanding for his behavior.
However, I still think that he needs someone to help him overcome his flaws. Doing it by himself, while possible, it certainly is much harder. This is because I think that during DWTS all pros are so busy and so exhausted by the end of each day that they do not spend much time re-watching themselves on TV or re-watching their own interviews. In fact, they may purposefully avoid any media reports related to the show to not get side-tracked. They need to be in a creative state of mind for 10 consecutive weeks.
Anyways, I am not trying to find excuses for Maks. I just wanted to put out some of my reasons for not giving up hope.
Amy winning the MBT out of pity ~~~big eye rolls~~~~ That’s nothing but a heartless attitude. I and many others have voted for her all season and NOT because I feel sorry or pity her, but quite the opposite. It’s out of admiration for the tremendous courage and determination she possesses. Anyone who says she is pitied, needs to give their two feet to her, because she deserves them more. She is doing more for others without her feet than some who have two feet would even think of doing for others. She’s encouraging those less fortunate. She is admired for this and nothing more.
Sorry if I offended you. It wasn’t my intention. I just wrote my opinion. It’s not like I hate her or something, I think she is inspirational and I want her in the finls. How is that heartless attitude? Perhaps pity is a harsh word, I don’t know(although I saw many people using the same word for Tony’s MBT)… If so, I’m changing it to “sympathy mbt”. I hope that’s not a heartless thing to say because I’m just talking about the votes she’s getting. I think there is no way she’s getting more votes than two olympians(who recently won gold medals). If she is getting enough votes to win the MBT, that’s a sympathy vote/MBT for me.
Tweety – I don’t really get the “pity” or “sympathy” thing. When I watch her dance, all I see is a great dancer and I give her votes because of that for the same reason that I give Charlie votes. I like the way they dance. I think anyone who thinks she is still there because of any “pity/sympathy” thing have not watched the many non-talented or trying-but-not-good-but-likeable former contestants. The “sympathy” or likeability factor doesn’t last more than a couple shows and if that is all it is the celeb is usually eliminated by the 3rd week. At this point, nothing about Amy is a pity/sympathy factor. She is inspiring but the fact is she is an amazing dancer so if she wins, that will be why.
@nl
I totally agree that Amy is an amazing dancer above anything! I love watching her each week, and you are correct in saying she wouldn’t have lasted this week otherwise.
After reading the comments in this thread… just wanted to say that, IMO, no one is voting for Amy Purdy out of pity or sympathy. They are voting for her because she is an AMAZING dancer…. and she has the best partner on the show. 😉
I think he/they will get a lot of support from the general viewing audience, those that don’t spend time on line thinking about dwts, just the main demographic middle aged middle America woman. He’ll get the good looking vote over James. And like Tom, and Shirley on afterbuzz, many will feel like it’s his turn. When I was home in IN at Christmas I mentioned dwts and my sis and mom both chimed in enthusiastically, “oh I love that show”. But before long I realized they meant that they’re happy to watch it when it comes on their tv screen then walk off and forget about it. We talked briefly about pros, my sis says she thinks they’re all good but especially loved that one with Kellie Pickler, my mom, oh Derek, I love Derek. Val’s name come up, Oh I love Val. Maks name comes up, oh I love Maks. Tony, Mark, Tristan, any of the women, they say “who?” and “oh, I like them fine but they aren’t one of my favorites. Not proud to say this, but I think if they bother to vote at all come finals, they’ll likely vote for Maks. On the other hand, if they’re watching and voting, they also really love Derek and they are sure to be very inspired by Amy and vote for her out of Respect for her dancing, and because they feel inspired. Of the 2, Maks, vs Amy, Maks would get the “pity” vote and Amy would get the vote because they are impressed. Yeah, I know I’m making it about Maks and not his celeb but isn’t that somehow, partly the real truth?
Couldn’t agree more Elmari…I know I am. I am not voting for Amy out of sympathy or PITY. I think she is a fantastic dancer.
Jess, I agree too and it is the real truth. If anyone is getting a pity vote, it’s Maks for the way people go on about he deserves to win since he’s never won before. *rolleyes
Tweety, you should probably STOP TALKING because you’re just making it worse. There’s nothing that readers like less than someone who completely disingenuous.
If you don’t understand why there is no comparison between Tony’s Pity trophy and Amy?? I have a hard time believing that you are that clueless. You know who has my sympathy right now?? You.
#27 Anna, in order to have someone help him overcome his flaws, he would have to acknowledge his flaws. He thinks he has none – except when he’s playing the martyr or looking for sympathy.
Two of his most dickhead seasons were with Brandy and Hope – the seasons right after he danced with Erin and Kirstie. And with both of them we heard how we were seeing the real Maks. Once they were gone, it sure didn’t take long for fake Maks to make his return. If he comes back next season, which I highly doubt he will, I can only imagine what we’re going to see out of him after the perfect partner.
One thing that puzzled me from last Monday’s show is TPTB made it appear as if C-bros and their celebs were having trouble getting along happily. Maks’ Evil twin showed up to rehearsal that day because the insults were flowing freely. Meryl’s sweet Teddy Bear Maks must’ve been out grocery shopping that afternoon. And then amid the commotion- BOOM out of nowhere Grandma C shows up to tame the C-bros. It looked completely staged. With her charm, everyone gets along and Teddy Bear Maks is back. So weird!!! It just makes me wonder if this thing is rigged.
#37 Donna, I think my point is that to acknowledge his flaws he needs support. And I only need to look at myself to say that. There are times when I say the wrong thing while having the best of my intentions. And I don’t always realize that unless people very close to me point it out. But at the same time, close friends that I trust wholeheartedly may not always “correct” me because they know me too well and know who I truly am. So they may simply let it go.
Anyways, maybe I am too naive. Or maybe I perceive things differently given my own experiences with how cultural differences impact casual conversations. But spending a lot of time with family and friends from your own culture, the way Maks has built his inner circle, can keep you very insulated.
#39 Anna, I do think Maks is very insulated. But at the same time he has plenty of support. He has a very close family and a tight circle of friends. He’s got a best friend on the show in Tony. He’s had at least two partners who have given him their full support and have stuck up for him plenty of times. He’s had long term relationships. That’s quite a variety of a support system and most of them have been around him for years.
The man is 34 years old. He shouldn’t need his hand held to be able to be a good person or “the real Maks.”
Donna, I do not want to play the role of defending Maks. I’m not that much of a fan to do that. Also, the reality is painted in nuances of grey, not black and white. What I may see is not what other people see, and that’s fine. I just wanted to speak my mind, as I believe that differences in opinions makes us more thoughtful and enriches us.
Anna, I think the more basic problem with Maks is that he simply doesn’t care about what anyone else thinks or feels. None of it has any value for him. All the comments he’s made this season about not shooting his mouth off were in the vein of not getting the criticism for it, not because he saw any other reason to not be obnoxious. I recently came across his comment of not wanting again to devote 3 months of his life for nothing, nothing meaning not winning the MBT. Can you imagine Derek saying that the three months he “devoted” to Shawn were for nothing because he didn’t win? Or Karina about Corbin? He is extremely immature. I’ve said before that I think his emotional development stopped dead in its tracks when Val was born and all the copious attention he had been getting moved on, irrevocably, to his little brother. I appreciate that you’re trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. But it’s horribly misplaced: there is no doubt where Maks is concerned. He’s made that clear.
Devoting 3 months of his life for nothing? Wow. Hasn’t he noticed that he gets paid quite well? That he gets months of free publicity for himself and his business ventures? Maks has a strange definition of ‘nothing.’
Not to mention the people he meets and the relationships he forms, which he’s claimed is the best part of doing the show.
Tony’s had some real duds as partners, but he also seems to have built some amazing relationships with some of his partners. Despite a Kate Gosselin or a Wendy Williams, he keeps coming back, making the best of whatever he’s given and building some real friendships. And you’ve never hear him say Melissa was his best partner or he had to push Gosselin around the floor or what a burden it was having to go to work and teach Wendy.
Karina, Cheryl, Mark, Peta, even Val – all have had bad partners but all of them keep coming back, doing their job with what they’re given, and maintaining some great relationships. This is what it seems Maks will never get. And why most of his partners have nothing to do with him anymore.
#44 Anna, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Love him or hate him, Maks garners discussion, interest and controversy. That’s why TPTB wanted him back this season, especially since they weren’t supposed to have Derek.
Unfortunately for Maks, it doesn’t appear this has done anything for him outside of DWTS if his year off was any indication. But a lot of that likely also has to do with his incompetent representation. But that’s another discussion for another day.
lol Anna, I was just looking back at your posts and you talk about Maks just as much as anyone else. Anyway, you aren’t a mod and it’s not your place to question anyone for what or what they can’t post about here.
Oh please, it’s not like without Maks there’s nothing to discuss. He’s being discussed because he’s on the show. When he’s not, other things are discussed. It’s just a lot more pleasant when he’s not involved.
The computer doubled by itself — I swear!!
Anna, you should have withdrawn from the conversation without that last comment.
That’s what happens when one is out numbered and has nothing left to say, Vogue. 🙂
Heidi, you said it. When all else fails, some people like to try and shut others up. Not cool imo.
Is there even any proof producers begged to bring Maks. It seemed more like tptb had a different partner planned for Maks and he demanded Meryl. Maybe I am confusing posts I read. Either way, show survived without him and there were tons of comments then,funny how ?Maks is always the victim. He hates being seen as the bad boy of dwts yet he just gives ammunition.
I don’t care whether the producers begged Maks to come back or whatever. The viewers has some say so and they also have eyes to see and ears to hear how he is doing this season.
As far as him hating to be seen as the bad boy, he verbally called him self the “bad boy” in an interview right before S18 started. I’m not sure exactly who was doing the interview, but I will do some searching on it.
Tweety: your comments about “sympathy” or “pity” MBT for Amy boggled my mind. Then I tried to understand your point of view. I could see how someone might think at first that a person dancing on prostheses could not possibly perform at the level of a celebrity with feet and should be given some slack. Yet we have seen celebrities with feet that have gone down in flames due to lack of coordination, lack of rhythm, lack of poise; lack of connection with the home viewers; lack of personality etc. Some of them, despite having feet, had “two left feet” LOL. Amy, despite lack of feet, has executed sometimes complicated steps with precise rhythm, poise, frame, finesse, posture, energy, excitement and emotion. She has thrilled the audience and connected with them not only as an inspirational force, but also as a wonderful dancer executing exciting routines from an Emmy-winning choreographer. I think for that reason, voters have kept her in the competition. Who knows if she will win or not, but to say “pity MBT” or “sympathy MBT” demeans her undeniable talent, imo.
When has a so called “sympathy vote” ever won the mirrorball trophy? Did Valeria Harper win? Jack Osbourne? Heather Mills? Marlee Matlin? I don’t believe in a sympathy vote.
To say that people are voting for Amy because of sympathy is insulting to her, her partner and the people who take time out of their lives to vote for and support them. They’re not mindless lemmings that go “aww, isn’t she precious! I’m going to vote for her because she’s handicapped, poor little thing.”
They vote for her because she’s become an amazing dancer who surprises and delights them week after week.
@DW & Susan2
Both of you just poured what’s in my heart right out on this message board.
Sometimes I cannot put my thoughts into words and this was one of those times. You expressed what I’ve been feeling for weeks. Thank you!
I’ll chime in on this amy debate because I’ve had a serious change in perspective. I will first state that I do not know anything about dance and I started watching only really because of the skaters.
Before I started coming on these boards, I always though that Amy was getting the sympathy votes. In part because I was a meryl and charlie fan, so i thought “duh. meryl and charlie are professional ice dancers, they have to be great and they are giving the handicapped girl a benefit of a doubt.” Add on to the fact that the judges keep going on about how inspiration amy is. She is inspirational and she does have a great story, but I almost think that if they stop mentioning that, and praised just her dancing it would make it seem more like amy is an actual good dancer, without a caveat. In addition to that, I read some of the facebook comments where people point out how she is not dancing, her stuff isn’t challenging and was easily swayed by that. I never agreed with any of the derogatory comment of course. Idk, I guess I’m trying to say that all of those factors added together, makes it easy for a layman viewer to pigeonhole her into a “sympathy vote” because she is inspirational, because of her legs. I’m not picking on Amy, nor am I defending those who do, I’m just trying to point a different perspective and how it is easy to come to the conclusion that Amy is not on the same level, because like DW said, its almost like common sense will tell you that she CANT be that good.
Then I read a lot of the comments about amy, some of the criticism about meryl’s pimping and I definitely see it. I loved Amy’s tango and the leaning of the chair had to be SO difficult. Even her lifts can’t be that easy because its not like she is passively and limply being lifted up. Anyways, I could go on, but the point is the more I actually went back and examined her dances, the more I appreciate the creativity that Derek had to put in and Amy’s own efforts and her dance skills. She is very coordinated as well. Will I say that she is a better dancer that Meryl or Charlie? Most of the time, probably not, BUT I do see now how Meryl has been pimped on some of her dances like her Foxtrot that had little foxtrot content. Because again, if you are like me and don’t know much about dancing, then sure looks like a foxtrot. no mistakes, she looks graceful enough. plus the judges said it was great, so conclusion? Meryl’s GREAT. How can the handicapped girl possibly be on that level?
*on a side note, I blame it completely on Maks who doesn’t seem to be giving Meryl all that she can handle and not pushing her to her limits.
Anyways, after this entire long thing, my point is that for the casual viewer it is very easy to assume that Amy is getting the sympathy vote. Even though I wasn’t intentionally trying to pick her apart or bring her down, its just the story that we are fed is that Amy is the inspirational, handicapped girl. She can’t also be a good dancer. But thats totally not the case. The fact that Amy is a good dancer is a surprise to everyone and some are just more reluctant to see it and see pass her token handicap girl status.
Great post, Minnie. Looks like you’re doing your own kind of growing this season. Good for you! More power to you that you actually went back to the dances and took another look. I’m very impressed.
Well, Minnie, I don’t think the average viewer is being “fed” anything of the sort in regards to Amy – I think the only things they’re being fed is that Charlie isn’t as good as Meryl and Meryl should win. I don’t actually believe the word “inspirational” has been used by the judges recently – not this past week anyway.
Really, viewers have to apply some critical thinking skills – some do and some don’t. Those that don’t simply regurgitate what they’re told on TV (or on the net). And that will be that Meryl has to win cuz she’s da best evah! 🙂
I will echo Susan, though, and say that it’s nice to see someone have some personal growth. 🙂
@Minnie
Did you also notice how Meryl’s Salsa was more Contemporary, also? No points deducted for the non-Foxtrot or the non-Salsa. But, last season Len docked Derek for not putting enough Foxtrot in Amber’s dance. I’m glad you realized that Amy is a talented dancer and if more people would look at her individually and her accomplishments from week one, they would see what others see.
@ KreativeKat I can see that about the salsa… to be honest, I wouldn’t be able to see that myself though during the show. All I saw was a ton of backup dancers that were unnecessary.
I think also thats whats hard for the average viewer because most of the time, unless you have followed the show for a long time or know about dance, there are many things about dance that you just don’t really know. And so you look to the judge for their “expert” comments and when the judges are inconsistent, its hard to know what to think. Its hard to think critically or formulate your own opinion until you yourself become more informed about dance and go to the right source to be informed… if you know what i mean.
@PH maybe the producers are not feeding anything about amy intentionally or as overtly as Charlie, but i think almost anyone would say that she is inspiration and thats how every cast member in every interview has described her, so in that way, its kinda her “thing” But anyways, the point was that she should not just be portrayed as an inspiration, but just a good dancer who always delivers.
I was watching tonights semifinals with a friend today who never watches the show and only saw this episode. She said that Amy was really good period and didn’t even notice that she was a double amputee until I pointed it out (she came in at the second half of the show after the running blades).
The problem with Amy and Derek is some to most people saw Derek doing most of the dancing than Amy. There were too many lifts and using props to really see how Amy dance. We only got to see that when she danced with Mark, when she did the quick step/jive. The judges were more lenient with her than with the other contestants. Not one show, did they give fair criticism to help improve her dancing. It’s as if they felt bad to give a minor mistake that she did, yet she made some mistakes similar to others, in which others the judges had no issue to nag loudly about.
#Ange … 1. Just because people say it doesn’t make it so.
2. Amy danced salsa with Mark, not quickstep/jive.
3. The judges couldn’t make any comments because she didn’t have any feet, so they couldn’t say anything about that. The rest of her dancing didn’t need any commentary. Nevertheless, she was marked down in many dances even tho no comments were given.
VOGUE here taking out last paragragh. We’ll moderate if it needs to be done. Thanks.
Hey Susan, when modding needs to done, we’ll do it. Also, no need to be rude to others if they have wrong info or if you disagree. Inform them nicely. Thanks.
With that said, I do agree with Susan, Ange. I don’t think the judges were more lenient with Amy. In fact, only the opposite. I also don’t agree that Derek danced more than Amy.
Ange, you have NO IDEA what “most people” thought of Amy – only most of the people who inhabit that dark ugly cave on the figure skating boards or the abc boards. They do not represent the general public at large and I would recommend that you do not come in here telling us what “most people” thought on ANY subject. Particularly when those people are hate filled little trolls who don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground. Now, you have a nice day. 🙂
#Vogue .. My apologies. I just read that comment and it all came pouring out. So sorry.
It’s ok, Susan and totally understandable under the circumstances. huggggs love you. xx