PureDWTS Season 21, Week 6 – Who’s Dancing What…and When?
So we’ve moved onto “Famous Dances” week, where the couples are supposedly going to be recreating “famous” dances from movies, musicals, music videos, etc. I’m predicting we see some repeats of songs we’ve already heard before on the show, and apparently Court is working on a post predicting some of them.
ETA: Judging from DancingABC’s latest Instagram post it looks like they’re STRONGLY hinting that Bindi got Dirty Dancing as her iconic dance. In the past, it’s been used as a mambo (and it’s a mambo in the movie) – but then again, maybe it will get retooled as a jazz or something. So mambo is just a guess on my part… -Court-
ETA2: Ugh. Judging from Carlos’ latest Instagram video it looks like he has *wretch* Magic Mike as his iconic dance. Why do I feel like I would think this was lot less icky if it was someone other than Carlos doing it? Just one problem: as I recall, that song was Channing Tatum dancing solo for a room full of women, and ended up stripping down to a thong. And kneepads. Where exactly does Witney fit into this? -Court-
ETA3: And then DancingABC continues with the painfully unsubtle, punny clues and pretty much confirms that Alek has Jailhouse Rock. Ok, I can be down with that – especially if they darken his hair up. -Court-
ETA4: According to Glamour, Nick has “You Should Be Dancing”, which is one of the songs I predicted might get reused in my prediction post. So that’s (3) songs so far that have gotten repeated, and two of them (possibly 3) that could be wonky dance styles. I am beginning to think we might be seeing some disco, hip-hop, and mambo this week…-Court-
ETA5: It would just about figure that the minute I get done updating, they release all the songs…anywho, a few thoughts: I’m thinking the bulk of these HAVE to be weird dance styles, i.e. hip-hop, jazz, disco, etc., and I’m hoping they give the couples a bit of a free pass…cause if everyone else has the freedom of doing jazz/hip-hop and couples like Alek & Lindsay and Hayes & Emma are stuck doing ballroom styles, I’m calling foul. -Court-
ETA6: According to Derek’s blog, Bindi has a rumba. Hate to say this, but I’m getting I’m getting the same feeling I was for his “If I Could Turn Back Time” rumba with Amber – this song is wayyy too fast and energetic to be an effective rumba. -Court-
ETA7: So, our source has some of the dances and Derek/Bindi weren’t the only ones to get hosed. Get this – “Pony” is a rumba. WTF?? We confirmed Alexa’s Cha Cha and Alek’s Jive – he should be lucky they didn’t decide that was a rumba as well. Maybe only because he’s already done rumba. Ha. Someone has a Samba and all the rest are apparently Jazz. Bah humbug. Jazz on DWTS is code for “we’re going to let them do whatever they want and not call it contemporary.” If I left the question mark after the dance style, that means I guessed. ~Heidi
ETA8: Back right away to update a bit more since Court tells me the only one who has already done Jazz is Nick, so he must be the samba. ~Heidi
ETA9: Okay, so apparently Carlos shirt comes off nearly immediately and his dance is exactly what you’d expect – bump and grind. ~Heidi
ETA10: Our source says that Derek and Bindi’s “Rumba” is a rumba in name only and it uses a LOT of the choreo from the movie. It’s thought that it will be a crowd pleaser at any rate, as it is a true homage. A montage of memorable moments from the movie. During rehearsal it was mentioned by Derek that it’s unusual that he can use so much of the choreo, that they had gotten the rights to use it. In the course of this conversation he confirmed that he was almost in the Dirty Dancing remake. This is what I’ve been telling people for YEARS. I knew from watching video of Derek’s interviews around the time that movie was shelved – it was obvious. Now it’s confirmed. 🙂 It’s pretty obvious to me that Kenny Ortega loves Derek and that’s why they can use so much of the choreo. They will probably get hosed (my opinion only), but our source thinks the crowd will love it. 🙂 Expect me to pitch a fit if and when they get hosed, since according to Derek’s blog they were directed to stick close to the original choreography. Getting to be a typical thing with this show – tell Derek what to do and then penalize him for it.
ETA11: Vogue here. According to Emma’s twitter, she and Hayes are dancing 1st tonight. Also, according to DancingABC (instagram below), there is an opening number tonight! Let’s hope it’s longer than 30 seconds.
ETA12: Full running order updated. -Court-
Hayes and Emma – Jazz? (Song: “You’re the One That I Want” from Grease)
Dancing 1st
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Andy and Allison – Jazz? (Song: “Good Morning” from Singin’ in the Rain)
Dancing 2nd
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Alexa and Mark – Cha Cha (Song: “I’m a Slave 4 U” By Britney Spears)
Dancing 3rd
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Bindi and Derek – Rumba (Song: “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes, from Dirty Dancing)
Dancing 4th
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Paula and Louis – Jazz? (Song: “Vogue” by Madonna)
Dancing 5th
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Carlos and Witney – Rumba (Song: “Pony” by Ginuwine, from Magic Mike)
Dancing 6th
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Nick and Sharna – Samba? (Song: “You Should Be Dancing” by the Bee Gees, from Saturday Night Fever)
Dancing 7th
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Alek and Lindsay – Jive (Song: “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis, from Jailhouse Rock)
Dancing 8th
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Tamar and Val – Jazz? (Song: “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson)
Dancing 9th
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Next week is going to be EPIC!!! #sneakpeak can you guess what famous dance scene we will be recreating 😉 @witneycarson @dancingabc #dwts #teambrownsugar A video posted by Carlos PenaVega (@therealcarlospena) on
my job today included watching alek skarlatos film a scene for #DancingWithTheStars // brb seeing how many shows i can be a part of in 2015. #datasstho A photo posted by ZACK?MARTIN (@ohzackattack) on
You’ll be dancing to this number tomorrow night! ? #DWTS #TeamSharNick #FamousDances A photo posted by Dancing with the Stars (@dancingabc) on
Ahh Mambo. Yeah, you’d think I’d know that seeing as how I’ve seen this movie like 100 times…lol NEVER get tired of it though. If that’s true, I’m EXCITED!
Trying to remember…did Derek and Jennifer Grey dance this? I kind of remember her getting teary eyed remembering Patrick Swayze or am I way off base?
Eh, I’m guessing I’m one of the few women in my age group that both never cared for Dirty Dancing and won’t be excited at all by this song. Still, trust that Derek will have a fresh take on it.
@Phyllis – She got teary-eyed over Patrick when they did the Viennese waltz to “These Arms of Mine” from the movie, but they never did “Time of My Life”. Her freestyle was “Do You Love Me?” from DD. However, “Time of My Life” has been done twice as a pro dance (both times with Tony as Johnny and Cheryl as Baby) and it was also Kelly’s freestyle in season 15.
@Phyllis: Derek and Jennifer Grey never danced to this. She felt that it was a special dance for her and Patrick Swayze so she didn’t want to dance to it and Derek respected that. They danced a Viennese Waltz to “These Arms of Mine” (which is what prompted the crying) and their Freestyle was to “Do You Love Me?”.
@Fig – I figured they wouldn’t be able to resist resurrecting Dirty Dancing again 😛 But I’m thankful that, if anyone had to get it, that it was Derek – he & (maybe) Mark are the only two pros that I think could put a fresh spin on it and not just copy the dance from the movie, step-by-step. I think they were also probably limited by the female celebs left – I’m guessing they’re going to push for them to do the famous lift, and really, the only two female celebs that might be able to pull it off are Alexa or Bindi. Tamar’s too tall (it’s extraordinarily hard to do with a tall female, just due to center of gravity) and Paula’s just too old. Petite little Bindi is ideal for that lift.
I think it might be Salsa not mambo
I’m ridiculously happy seeing them together again.
Bindi and Derek and Dirty Dancing? That’s going to be epic!! Excited for this one for sure!
I saw a post on IG saying that Mark and Alexa are dancing to ‘Thriller’.
Me too Suzy. I can’t stop smiling at that picture!
Need a source, fictiongirl…
This week should be fun! wonder if they are going to include one of the Rogers and Hammerstein songs like the one from the king and I or the sound of music.
Agree that it’s great Derek got this dance. He will make it unique and exciting. I wasn’t too keen on iconic dance week because you never how it will be handled but now I’m so excited for Monday!!
Man, I’m so excited. I have a feeling this will be my favorite week. Adding: I hope we see huge productions!
Vin–I too am hoping for something from a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.
Yes, this makes me happy!!! 🙂
Derek & Bindi are perfect for this number “Johnny & Baby”
I hope this is true.
If so, it could be EPIC!!
Yeah Vin, Rogers and Hammerstein music is made for dancing.
Bindi is perfect casting for Baby.
If the lift is included that is a lot of pressure. I remember Derek talking about dancing to this before and he said it would be very difficult b/c everyone would be expecting the lift and if you missed it that it would be just awful for the ending.
Love the song though. I wonder if Bindi has even seen this movie as she is so young. I think Shawn Johnson did a great Mambo with Derek or have I totally lost it?
The Mark and Alexa dancing to Thriller was actually just a fanpage campaigning for them to get that song.
I’ve seen the Dirty Dancing song used as a Salsa a few times on Strictly so that could be a possibility, like Nathan said. However, I hope they do a Jazz instead as it would give them more freedom to do just an epic dance. A Mambo would be nice but I’ve never really been able to tell the difference between Mambo and Salsa. May you please enlighten me, Court? 😛 I’m sure you may have been asked that before so I do apologize if that is the case.
I’m guessing since Olivia Newton-John is going to be a guest judge, they’re going to have one of the songs from Grease. I think maybe because Carlos is going to be in the live musical version next year (with Julianne), he might get this one?
I’m also guessing that the dance scene from Pulp Fiction is going to be used (at least I hope). They’ve used that song twice before so I don’t think the show would have legal troubles getting it. (And sidenote: I hope TPTB sort through all that legal stuff NOW instead of later in the week). Also, I hope whichever girl is Mia (Uma Thurman’s character) wears a BLACK wig and not a blonde wig (like Julianne and Erin did) – my only gripe about those dances.
I’ve never seen Dirty Dancing (I must be one of, like, 3 people here who’s never seen it, lol) but I’m familiar with the songs, that lift, and the famous line, “nobody puts Baby (or in this case, Bindi) in the corner”. I think this one is a bit tough because it’s such a super iconic dance film, but I’m confident Derek will choreograph a great routine.
A bit of a longshot, but I would love to see a dance to Fatboy Slim’s “Praise You” (I love that music video) and “Stuck in the Middle with You” from Reservoir Dogs.
@CC NY – the basic difference is that salsa is generally danced on the 1-beat, and mambo on the 2 beat. So you would count salsa “1-2-3-hold”, and mambo “hold-2-3-4”. Other differences? In salsa, the hold and steps are generally less “structured” and allow for a looser frame and more freedom, while mambo is more structured and tends to have a tighter frame. But both are good in their own way – I personally prefer mambo, because it’s a bit more challenging and can look stunning when done properly. Shawn & Derek’s in season 15 comes to mind as a good example.
If it’s a Mambo and Derek does the lift?? Yeah, big break of the rules unless they lift that one for the night. I can kinda see him thumbing his nose at actually doing the lift, in a way. We’ll see.
@jane: I totally forgot that Julianne is going to be playing sandy. You should totally watch dirty dancing. It’s one of those movies that is perfect for a rainy day. Plus the soundtrack is killer.
I actually had trepidations about this theme week when I heard it. But actually, I don’t know why since it applies far, far better than Disney or prom night! (And yay, no Tony/partner to contend with!)
I’m sooooooooo excited about Derek and Bindi probably Dirty Dancing! Mambo please! And the iconic lift is a must.
@Vin – I’ll be crushed if no one does Shall We Dance from The King and I now! Gee thanks! I’d also like I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady although I’d have liked it to be Emma and Alek after all of that delicious blushing last week…… I don’t think I’ll ever get over that package.
@colleen: Fingers crossed that they use either of those. I could just imagine what mark could do with one of those.
I kinda figured they’d do that Dirty Dancing song and while I’m a still a bit apprehensive about this I’m glad if someone had to do it it’s Derek, mainly because I’d feel weird watching any pro do it other than the one who danced with the original “Baby” herself! And I really hope it is a mambo to stay true to the movie they’re paying homage to.
I highly doubt Thriller will happen this week because if they’re gonna do it they’ll probably save it for Halloween Night, maybe even as a group dance. I imagine we will see Carlos do a Grease number this week, though.
If they’re going to do a Grease song, I hope it’s Born To Hand Jive. That song sounds more suitable as a QS than a jive to me though.
Fred Astaire and Cyd Charise’s Dancing In The Dark from the movie Band Wagon is iconic and one of the most romantic dances ever on film. I’d love to see it used on the show. Sigh…..a girl can dream.
I bet we get a Saturday Night Fever dance.
Susan2 Have you ever seen Steve Martin and Gilda Radner do that on SNL?
@ Vin – after some thinking, I’m going to try watching it before Monday’s show. I’ve always felt apprehensive about watching the film because it seems like some people love it while others don’t (and that I’ll end up in the latter). But even if I don’t end up liking it, at least I’ll finally understand what that whole watermelon thing in Jennifer and Derek’s Freestyle is all about! 🙂
@ Susan2 – I also think we’re going to get Saturday Night Fever. I’m kind of hoping Alek gets this one because I think he’ll be cute dancing to disco.
Suzy, yes I have and it’s both funny and sweet. Steve Martin introduced it when they played it again on SNL right after Gilda passed away. A poignant tribute.
From Carlos’ Instagram it seems like they’re doing Magic Mike. I don’t know why but I’m picturing a disaster.
Oh! How about Arnold’s tango from True Lies? Or better still, the Daphne/Niles tango scene from Frasier?
Thanks for the little dance lesson Court 😀 Much appreciated! I’m gonna watch some Mambos from the past and see what I’ve been missing. Shawn and Derek’s really was fantastic.
Oh dear.. Carlos doing Magic Mike? I’m not sure I’m gonna like it. Trying to figure out what dance they might do. It would fit a Jazz but given that they already did that I’m gonna guess Rumba. Oh I can’t wait to see Alexa watching Carlos do a sexy dance with Witney….. :X
Omg yes we need a Saturday Night Fever dance! YOU HEAR THAT, TPTB?
And Magic Mike for Carlos, huh? I mean I guess he’ll enjoy that since he seems to like running around shirtless a lot.
I think carlos’s dance is going to be a male version of Janel and Artem’s burlesque dance , a miss fit of the pro and taste less. I hope it’s not going to be the case .
Well, according to dwts insta, Alek is doing Jailhouse rock. I think they’ll get the jive. I’ve so much faith in Lindsay to turn in something great.
and according to DWTS instagram Alek have a jive to Jailhouse I guess ???
DANCING WITH THE SMUTTY YAY *Trajectile Vomit everywhere like Family Guy*
This is like Janel’s “Burlesque” where Artem was a spare part. This is only there to titilate and cause controversy. Exotic dancing is an art that has to be honed and properly choreographed. Not any man can put on a uniform and bondage gear and just simply bump and grind and Bobs your uncle. It took people like Dita Von Teese and male equivalents years for people to understand only for Dancing with the Smuts to come in and bulldoze it and sex it up to the eyeballs. I can safely say my notes will firmly be in my wallet and not in Carlos’ trousers, thong, g-string arse crack *HAHA*. However demeaning they plan on being. Quite appalling really *Gets of my high horse/soapbox*
Ok so I am going to say this the only way I can: I hate the song Carlos has with a burning passion. It literally is one of those songs that drives me up a wall. Kinda funny he got it though after his religion story back in memorable year week lol.
Carlos & Witney:
My thoughts exactly, Courtney ~ Where will Witney come in at in that dance? 🙂 She’s creative though, I guess she’ll work It out.
I do believe, however that would work better as a male pro number!! 🙂
@ Fig. I too did not like Dirty Dancing (or Footloose and Ghost) and thought I was the only one. Now there are two…
I threw up in my mouth a little thinking of Carlos dancing to a MM song. Uh no – wrong and gross. Anyone but him. Ack!
Would love to see a SNF song too. Nick dancing to Night Fever, but I know zip about dances to go with.
Really? Magic Mike is a “famous movie dance”?? I don’t think so. There are so many better ways they could have gone with “famous movie dance” than a strip tease – we get that from the female pros courtesy of Mandy Moore at least twice a season. I guess when I heard “famous” I was hoping for “iconic”. Boo.
Wouldn’t be surprised if Carlos has paso. I hope not, I’ve had enough of Witney’s awful hip hop paso choreography for one season.
I like Carlos/Witney’s song, Carlos has a nice physique(can’t seem to miss it since he is shirtless outside of DWTS is pretty regular and gives Val a run for his money) yet I just can’t see this being good. I might have to pop my MM video in afterwards just to get the dance out of my head. Ironic that he has this song/dance with all his wifey comments of men touching her this ENTIRE season.
Dee agree all Male Pro routine I would be up for for this song but not Carlos. He’s no Channing Tatum.
I too am having flashbacks of the burlesque dance. uughhh
@M8 – Paso would be HARD with “Pony” – wayyyy too slow. They would either have to speed it up quite a bit (thereby kinda negating the point of having “Iconic Dances”, since the song would be different) or slow the paso down to little more than a gangsta swagger across the floor.
Carlos is a little tiny man, though. He’s smaller than Derek (and maybe Mark) by a good bit. He’s also probably 3 or 4 inches shorter than Derek.
Magic Mike he is not.
How hilarious would it be if someone got Single Ladies and busted it out Justin Timberlake from SNL style, lolol. And why was the first person I pictured doing it Mark? 😀 Buuttt that would probably never happen.
I’m sure Derek will do great, though I kind of wish he got something that would really allow him to go all out with production. Maybe his genius will strike again and come up with something for that dance none of us have thought of.
Carlos as Magic Mike, blecch. I agree, PH, seems icky. Haha.
I’m trying to think of what other dances may be possibilities… Risky Business? Napolean Dynamite? Hahaha! Rocky Horror Picture Show, West Side Story, Singing in the Rain, Footloose, all have already been done, but also all iconic enough to repeat. I think a Scent of a Woman tango with Sharna and Nick would be awesome but since she is coming off of an AT tango not sure if they’d do that. Maybe they will give him something lighthearted after the intensity of last week.
I’m concerned for Andy going back to Allison and super intrigued to see what they end up with!!
I’m sure Alek will dance to Jailhouse Rock better than Tommy Chong did, but I’m having a hard time thinking it’ll entertain me more.
My single favourite would be the Cell Block Tango from Chicago. It’s been used a couple of times, so clearly there’s no copyright issue. I work in musicals, and because of the estrogen overload in Chicago I’ve never had the chance to do it, despite the fact it’s my favourite to watch by a long shot. If I were on the show I would be banging on their doors demanding an Argentine Tango to this. The dance in the show is much closer to Argentine than Ballroom Tango, and I love it that way.
Magic Mike I get, it’s a recent and popular film and let’s face it it’s somewhat surprising Carlos has remained fully clothed for this long. It does seem very…. déclassé though, to do this on what was once a ballroom show. How much creative freedom does Whitney have to interpret it in a way that isn’t just stripping, because while that’s a skill in itself I wouldn’t call it dancing in the same way the show celebrates?
So far I have seen none of the films being featured, hoping that changes.
@ Mermaid – Mark actually did dance to Single Ladies in Season 8’s Team Mambo (with Shawn, Chuck and Julianne, and Lacey – who was filling in for Melissa – and Tony). And yes, he and the rest of the men did strip down into black leotards a la Justin Timberlake at the end of dance (and I’m pretty sure that was his idea). 🙂 I loved that dance, one of my favorites from the show.
Song prediction post is up: https://www.puredwts.com/2015/10/14/puredwts-season-21-week-6-iconic-dance-week-predictions/
Lol @Jane maybe that’s why I thought of it! I have watched the show from the beginning but some older seasons get a little fuzzy… 🙂 I will have to look it up on youtube.
Mr A I LOVE LOVE LOVE Cell Block Tango. One of my all time favorite songs from a musical. That would be such an awesome choice. I forgot it’s already been used on the show… man, I really have forgotten some of the previous seasons’ dances! I’m guessing the answer to this is yes, but I have to ask – have you seen Toddrick Hall’s Disney Villains parody? It’s like a giant DWTS theme dance and its awesome.
Apparently I have Olivia Newton John on the brain because I suddenly want someone to dance disco to Xanadu just to amuse me.
Listen, a hot man grinding to Pony has it’s place, but it’s not on this show. I…..err enjoy seeing attractive men ride the beat as much as the next heterosexual woman, but it just seems too over the top and gratuitous for DWTS.
https://instagram.com/p/81QELarBsX/
There were more but got a lot of scrolling to do. Mark and Alexa and DancingABC are tagged.
Bruno Mars does Pony in his live show with another song. He is fully clothed and not tall. Carlos doesn’t stand a chance.
That’s just someone wishful thinking, fictiongirl.
Nothing wrong with a short guy, nothing at all. Says the girl with the 6’2″ boyfriend, but still.
@Mermaid28 YES! With the fabulous Amber Riley as Ursula (showing Rumer Willis how it’s done :p ) Strictly has done Cell Block Tango at least twice, once by Artem with Aussie actress and singer Holly Valance which was awesome, and I think Bristol and Mark’s freestyle was to it.
I’m sorry to keep on Strictly, but someone mentioned the John Travolta and Uma Thurman dance scene from Pulp Fiction. It’s a great scene and could have been very good, especially for Alexa and Mark I think, but assuming it stays a Jive, only Tamar and Alek have Jive left to do. Besides, Strictly used the song just last week, and the dance was a showstopper, breaking multiple records and getting the first 10 of the season from Bruno. It would be very hard for another couple to have to do the same 9 days later. If that was ever planned, I imagine it was quickly scrapped.
I rally wanted an argentine tango for alek and Lindsay ? man I’m really bad at this iconic dances thing,I can’t think of any ?
I don’t mind a short guy myself, but a guy Calos’ size is not one I would think of for Magic Mike. Then again, tWitch didn’t look much bigger than Derek backstage the other night, so there you go.
I’ve not listened to the song tbf Court, I just took an educated guess that if Carlos plans to do a Magic Mike related dance then paso would probably be the most appropriate. At least he could take his shirt off and not look like a complete div.
Is there any way they would assign dances that are outside the norm (like hip hop or bollywood)? If not, I can’t think of any dance that would fit.
I failed to mention I was talking about the magic Mike dance. I don’t have high hopes for Carlos on this one. Too bad he didn’t get Grease.
Court, thanks for the explanation on the Mambo.
Though now, all hear is Patrick Swayze from the movie.
Don’t step on the one.
DON’T STEP ON THE ONE!!!
Wanted the male pros to dance to Pony! But I’ll take Carlos. Haha. Just want him out of his shell for this one. So glad to have th original teams back together though. Some from switch up week left me in a blah mood. Can’t wait to see what Derek comes up with. Be awesome to see Jennifer grey at the rehearsal studio. Or in the ballroom. I’d love to see Hayes get Saturday Night Fever. He’d be so cute.
I’m not looking forward to watching Carlo’s dance to Pony, however I’m trying to look on the bright side of things, at least that song didn’t go to a certain male pro. ?
@Susan2 – Somewhere, that pro is probably weeping. “But I’M the sexy one…not him!!!” 😉
Oh yeah, forgot Twitch was in Magic Mike 2. I saw the first and had no desire to see the second – I just didn’t think it was a good movie, and totally underwhelming for a Soderbergh film (a director I normally love). Channing Tatum does zip for me, although now recalling that Twitch is in the sequel if it’s on I may check it out for curiosity’s sake. 😉
Thank god that unnamed pro didn’t get this song. I think Carlos looks plenty good enough for the dance (even though I dislike him), but both of them and really any other guy that walks around shirtless all the time just loses me. I heart Mark and Tristan and their insistence on remaining clothed.
Well if anyone was gonna get Magic Mike, I’m glad it was Carlos. I’m not really his biggest fan so…
Tom mentioned Britney Spears during the last show didn’t he? Wonder who’s gonna get it. Blonde? Emma and Hayes?
I hope someone will do Singing in the Rain! Maybe Andy or Nick?
Jessica Radloff @JRadloff
.@nickcarter & @SharnaBurgess will get their groove on to “You Should Be Dancing” from #SaturdayNightFever on #DWTS Monday. Perfect!
YES to Nick and Sharna doing Saturday Night Fever! Sharna is Disco trained so this should be good. It would be nice to see Nick have FUN as he has not done an uplifting dance since the Week 1 Cha-Cha-Cha (dont speak of the Jive *shudders*)
All I want it to be is camp, sparkly and bright.
Jessica Radloff from Glamour also tweeted (@JRadloff) that Paula and Louis have Vogue from Madonna…. oh my!
Loves all the songs. This night has the possibility of being epic. I can’t wait!!
She was copying from Just Jared.
Well I never would have thought of I’m A Slave 4 U or Rythmn Nation. I do like those songs, but I don’t think of them as iconic dances.
Madonna’s Vogue, heck yeah, an iconic dance AND song. Love that video.
Ah! Thanks for clarifying and updating. Didn’t realize Just Jared posted so much about DWTS. Since I usually head straight to Pure 😉
Excited about Janet and Britney, hope they are done justice. Trying not to build up my expectations too much, but this could be an awesome night!! I’m hoping, like PH said, for some freedom in the dancing this week. And big productions, lots of glitter, lots of camp. Hahaha! And then next week we probably get team halloween dances! Woohoo!!
Rhythm Nation has a pretty iconic video/dance, but all I recall from Slave 4 U is Britney writhing around with a snake around her neck.
“Rhythm Nation” is also considered one of the most difficult dance routines ever choreographed – so if the mission of this week is to copy these routines exactly, I think Tamar’s got a real challenge ahead of her. My guess is that the couples are going to be encouraged to pay homage to the routines, and include some original steps, but also put their own spin on it – guess we’ll see if Tamar and her partner are up to the challenge.
“I’m A Slave 4 U” was actually choreographed by a pre-SYTYCD Brian Friedman (he’s also one of the dancers in the video). Lots of bellydancing elements.
Very interested to find out these dance styles! Anyone want to try and guess?
Slave 4 U – First thought was jazz – the video was very low, hippy, lots of shoulders – but the Breaking Bad dance was jazz. Maybe samba?
You’re The One That I Want – Swing or Charleston? He already had quickstep.
Rhythm Nation – I could see them trying to squeeze this into a Paso. Courtney #80, I agree with everything you said about it.
Good Morning – My immediate thought was Foxtrot but he had that week one, so I really have no idea.
Vogue – !?!? lol.
Pony – No idea/God help us all
Those are some interesting choices. Rhythm Nation is a pretty tough one but I like it. Interested to see how Val handles it, but I think Tamar is very well-suited to it. Vogue feels like an odd choice for a girl like Paula. Very very excited about Alexa doing Britney. Can you tell I’m far more into music videos than movies?
wow… some really left of field choices there, how funny that the married couple get the ‘sexy’ songs, gotta wonder sometimes. like you said Courtney I really hope they give the couples a tad more free reign, i’m sure with ONJ sitting in she will be very generous with her paddles as well.
actually really excited for Monday! …
Ok I love the songs and dances but they better not have some of them doing Hip-Hop or any weird styles like that because I just do not like it.
I’m gonna guess some of these just for the fun of it..
Alexa – Samba? I would say Jazz but they already did that. Samba seems appropriate.
Andy – Jazz. Charleston could work but Jazz makes more sense since they already did a Quickstep.
Hayes – Also Jazz (same reasons as Andy).
Tamar – All I could think of for this is Jazz.
Paula – Salsa? Or… again, Jazz. Lol
Nick – I’ve seen a Salsa to this before so it would make sense for them to do that dance. At least I hope so.. I just don’t want Disco. As cool as Disco is, like I said, I’d rather them not use any weird dance styles and just stick to the ones we have now.
So let me get this straight, they have all these iconic movies and music videos (I do think slave 4 u are iconic just based on when she performed at the vmas) and then you have… Magic Mike… Ok?
Judging From Louis’s Instagram pic I think Paula is paying homage to the Famous VMA’s performance ( she was wearing a skirt ) and that would allow the appropriate use of the troupe , and it seems more fit than the music video . I can see Paula in a big periodic dress .
@CC NY – Here’s the thing, though: if the idea is to pay homage to these “iconic” dances, then what good is it going to do to force them to take a very obviously jazz/pop song like “Vogue” and force it to fit a totally different style? It just seems to defeat the purpose of “iconic dances” week to me. “Oh hey, yeah we’re aware that ‘Vogue’ has it’s own very distinct and recognizable dance…but why don’t you salsa to it instead? I mean, you’ve still got to pay homage to it – you just have to use these dance steps that are totally NOT what people think of when they think of ‘Vogue’!” Not saying they won’t pull some ridiculous sh*t like that, but I just don’t think it’s very feasible to expect the couples to make every one of these songs fit a dance style we’ve already had on the show this season.
And to expand on what I mentioned above – I’m hoping they let everyone do a jazz/hip-hop/contemporary/Broadway-type dance to the song their were assigned, as it gives them a lot more freedom to really pay homage. Plus I always kinda shake my head when one couple gets saddled with a dance like foxtrot while everyone else is doing Argentine tangos, jazzes, contemporaries, etc. There are definitely dances that leave more of a lasting impact than others. I’m actually thinking of Hayes & Alek in particular with this week’s selections – it’s gonna suck if everyone else gets to do jazz/hip hop/whatever and they saddle Alek with jive and Hayes with quickstep.
So basically, a freestyle week! That would be awesome. Total creative freedom. Here’s hoping!
You’re right Court.
I guess it does make more sense if they just pretty much give them more freedom to pay homage to the dances at hand. I guess I’m just more old school and rather them doing ballroom dances (or jazz.. blah) as opposed to whatever they might be doing for this week. I’ll say this: as long as we see some good dances, I guess I’m ok with that. But like you said, if one couple gets saddled with a ballroom dance with a specific set of rules (Jive, Quickstep, Foxtrot) while another pretty much gets a freestyle, that’s just all kinds of messed up and I shall be upset.
Slave 4 U seems far less iconic than these others – I wonder if they tried to get another Britney song like Toxic or Hit Me Baby and weren’t able to clear it?
there is a picture on twitter shows Whitney’s old assistant on DWTS studios , apparently he is claiming that he is helping Emma and Lindsey with the choreo , he helped with Alfonso’s jazz and freestyle , so maybe Alek and Hayes are having Jazz this week or at least Hayes .
I think next week is probably going to be the alien dances night.
I did see that, Kirami. I have to wonder if he’s “on contract” for the choreography he does for the couples now, because if he were ghosting, he probably wouldn’t be as vocal about it. Wonder if they whole Witney Nominationgate drama over the summer made him reconsider his terms.
@Fig – I did find it odd that the only two celebs that got very overtly “sexy” songs (that also happened to be of dubious “iconicness”) were the PenaVegas. I can’t decide if that was intentional or not, but it would seem to me like they’re trying to remind us how young & hot the married couple is. To bolster votes? I don’t know. But I’m thinking it might backfire, especially where Carlos is concerned, because so far the only reactions I’ve seen to him getting Magic Mike range from “ugh” to “pass the barf bucket”.
@ courtney well he is in the official studios ( judging from the picture ), I believe Spencer liff said at AB that when you do ghost choreo you do it outside the studios and nobody knows about it so I think he have a contract this time.
I thought it was dances from Iconic Movie dances, not so much Iconic dances.
To the question about Rhythm Nation, it was the song that pretty much put Janet Jackson on the map. Iconic indeed just didn’t get the movie connection. I must have misunderstood Tom’s announcement Monday night.
They also showed a picture from ghost but apparently no one is performing to a number from that film.
Agreed, Court – that overly sexy thing often turns off the demo rather than on. I find it odd that TPTB insist on making that happen – whether it be with wardrobe, song choices, or opening numbers.
I do think in some cases, like in Janel’s – had she done a proper “fun” burlesque it would have been a great, show-stopping number. But so often when they just throw the celebs out there to look sexy it just comes across as awkward. William Levy and Antonio Banderas, I’m talking to you, too.
Count me as one of those who finds it very fishy that the PenaVegas got the most overtly “sexy” songs. And aren’t both of those kind of a stretch since both iconic “dances” are not only not remotely ballroom like but they are also basically solos? I do expect that this IS an attempt by the often clueless producers to bolster their votes and also the shows ratings, especially with the coveted younger demo.
I, for one, am both somewhat surprised by what they chose overall as “iconic” dances from musicals, films and videos. And disappointed. But what I’m sensing here is possibly even an instruction from somewhere higher up than DWTS’s producers to the network. I remember Ryan Murphy being very vocal about being told by Kevin Reilly to use much more current top 40’s songs on Glee after the first season and to have Britney Spears guest star.
And like others, I cannot see any of DWTS regular rotation of ballroom/Latin dances working as a homage to these “iconic dances.” So this could be quite unfair to Alek, Bindi and possibly Andy and Hayes if they have well known dances with easily quantifiable elements to older music while the others get free reign to create flashy possibly trashy productions to newer videos and music idols.
I’ll try my best to keep an open mind for Monday night because it could turn out alright, but when DWTS has done “iconic” in the past, most of the dances have been trite.
Right now the only one I’m really looking forward to is Bindi & Derek’s, and *not* because I’m in love with the movie. Like Fig, I’m in the tiny minority of my cohort who didn’t connect with Dirty Dancing. So normally I’d be doing a massive eye roll. However, Derek will make it into something worth watching.
I think Hayes and Emma doing “You’re the One that I Want” from Grease has the potential to be good too.
I thought it was strange to how they got the “sexy” songs but, like I said before, I get how Britney can be iconic (not compared to Janet or Madonna imo) but I guess Alexa (and even my) generation, it is deemed “iconic”
Magic Mike.. nah. I think it’ll just make me roll my eyes at Carlos more than I already do. Not that it will necessarily be his fault because they have to go with the theme but.. it is what it is.
oh, should we all try and guess CA’s reaction to Carlos? or is it going to be too obvious
Ah, I thought I’m A Slave 4 U was choreographed by a young Wade Robson. Thanks for the clarification that it was Friedman.
After reading that Paula had a skirt on for practice, I just had an image of Paula Deen in Madonna’s VMA Like A Virgin dress. I think I need to lie down now.
@Susan2 – I wanna say it may have been a collaborative effort – Robson was her main choreographer, but I think Friedman contributed as he was one of her backup dancers. Also vaguely recall the former Mrs. Artist-Formerly-Known-As-Prince, Mayte Garcia, somehow being involved in the choreography. Random.
Rhythm Nation never crossed my mind. That’s a good one. I look forward to seeing it. I think that will suit Tamar…
I’m also looking forward to some Bee Gees ala Sharna/ Nick. Lastly, I’m anxious to see Alek with Jailhouse Rock but I think if Alek just read the phone book instead I would still be mesmerized by him!
@Susan2
There are two elements of Madonna’s “iconic” Vogue VMA performance I totally expect to see in Paula & Louis’ routine on Monday. The boobs worshipping/cupping his head to her chest and the underwear flashing from Paula. I just pray Louis wears pants and not shorts like most of the male dancers.
Between that and Carlos mimicking Magic Mike to the tune of Pony and I’ll join you in having a lie down. I do think I might need to watch the performances next week though. It’ll be like trying to look away from an accident about to happen. And I do hope to get something about his feelings from Val whom I’m sure thinks he’s the “Magic Hunk” of the show.
Like all of the choices except for the magic mike and Janet Jackson one. Oddly intrigued by the Britney Spears song choice. I think they might expect a lot from her this week considering how big a vma moment that was.
Bindi have the rumba according to derek’s blog , I didn’t expect that.
Hmm…I don’t know how I feel about all the choices. Magic Mike? Really? Just wondering what kind of style they can do with that. Definitely not Paso because it is too slow for that.
I can only picture Jazz with Andy’s song choice. Also, not too crazy about Nick getting Disco if he really does have it, but I’m sure Sharna can come up with something fun and entertaining.
As far as Jailhouse Rock, I feel like I hear this song being used every couple of seasons. They should’ve picked something else.
Eager to see what kind of dance style they’ll use for Slave 4 U. To be honest, by the looks of it, I think you’re right, mods. I think we might see some of those weird dance styles come back. Well, I wouldn’t call them weird…just…rarely used in DWTS, lol.
Lindy Hop, Mambo, Hip Hop…we’ll see. The song choices really just leave me wondering how and which dance style they’ll use for it.
@106 Kirami – Yup, I had a feeling it would be rumba. I was just thinking about how that song might fit for a rumba. They could make it work!
But Derek said they’re doing the lift cause the show wants them to. I’m guessing CAI woN’t play the lift police this week.
@Ananya – Exactly as I predicted – the show is probably encouraging the couples to include certain aspects of the original dance. But I wouldn’t be so sure that Carrie Ann won’t play the lift police next week – in fact, a part of me wonders if they’re trying to ensure that Carrie Ann gets to play the role of the lift police, by making sure he includes the lift.
A rumba to that song? I’m not seeing it. And they’re telling him he has to include a lift, which isn’t allowed in a rumba…smh. Setting them up for a lower score or what? Is Bindi too popular with scores AND in the voting that they need to knock her down a few pegs…smh. I smell a rat.
I wasn’t expecting a Rumba either. I hope they can make it work. Knowing Derek he’ll make it work somehow. I can’t wait to see the lift.
I pray CA doesn’t call a lift. That will be so wrong especially if the show is encouraging it.
I’d been wondering if TPTB would dare to try something to try something more obvious to derail Bindi and Derek’s from getting a 6th Mirror Ball Trophy. ‘Cause she’s both more talented and probably much more popular than they anticipated pre-season. They cannot seem to make her actually dance poorly. And on top of it, she’s a continual joy. Very winning ways. Nick the BSB and I expect chosen one isn’t all that. Andy, another new pop star isn’t doing all that well. Certainly no Riker. They are struggling to keep both of the Hispanic married duo on longer but they’d have to be blind to not see Derek/Bindi as strong contenders for the MBT already.
I think I may just put CAI on blast with a blog about lifts. She’s literally missed at least four or five since she called one on Derek. And the one on Derek was the only one she deducted a point for. If she calls a lift on Monday AFTER the producers told him to stick close to the original choreo (which was NOT a rumba, by the way – WTF??)…well, are people STILL going to pooh pooh the idea that they’re manipulating Derek out of the competition again?
I fully expect Derek to put CAI on blast with another blog if it happens.
I think Derek got ahead of the game by announcing the show want them to do the lift. I hope the rehearsal package explains it as well, otherwise some ignorant people will be whining on FB. I want to see them practicing in the bog, and also Jennifer Grey giving Bindi some tips.
I just don’t understand why a Rumba when it could have very well been a Salsa… Like, who thought: “Ok. Dirty Dancing song. A Rumba right? I mean, they danced a Mambo in the movie and the closest thing to that is a Rumba not a Salsa, right?”
Anyways, Carrie Ann (or any other judge) would look like THE BIGGEST IDIOT EVER if she deducts a point because of the lift. They can’t seriously expect them not to do the lift given the dance and the overall theme of the night.
So since they have a Rumba, my guess is everyone else might have standard ballroom dances (with the ocassional Jazz). Hooe if that’s the case, they still are able to pay homage to the dances they have.
Yeah why eve bother having iconic dance as a theme if a) your going to make them do it in a ballroom style that doesn’t fit the song & b) in Bindi’s case part of the dance is a famous lift that is not allowed in the ballroom style.
Plus I would think that having untrained celebs doing lifts like this would be something the show would not push.
I smell a rat. A big fat manipulating rat. Looking at u Rob Wade.
I’m really excited about Hayes and Emma. I love Grease (and I’m so excited to see Julianne next year as Sandy) – it was the first movie musical I watched as a kid and I get so nostalgic whenever I hear that song. Since they already did Quickstep, I’m hoping they’ll get Swing or Lindy Hop.
I think Nick and Sharna’s dance to Saturday Night Fever has potential. But I’m keeping my expectations low because I don’t want to end up disappointed… again.
Carlos and Magic Mike – uh, no thanks.
I think Tamar and Rhythm Nation is a good match but I think the problem lies with Val. I can’t help but predict another “Bootylicous” mess from last season.
I don’t know what to think about Alexa and Mark getting “I’m a Slave 4 U”. It is a very sexy song but I don’t think Mark excels at choreographing “sexy” – I just don’t think that’s his schtick. I just hope he doesn’t dress up like a snake since he loves dressing up like animals. lol
Overall, I’m a little unsure how Monday’s show is going to go. I’m not terribly excited about most of the songs, and the fact that Bindi and Derek got a Rumba to that Dirty Dancing song makes me think that we’re going to see some weird song and dance combinations.
@CC NY
If they have decided to morph Time of My Life to a rumba, I can still see them managing a regular syllabus dance for Jailhouse Rock, Good Morning, You’re the One That I Want and maybe even Rhythm Nation (with alterations.) But what in the holy hell are they going to do with Carlos (Witney) the “song” Pony and Magic Mike that has anything to do with the DWTS syllabus?!!
I smell a whole lot of BTS machinations and viewer manipulation attempts coming up!
Well in S15 When Shawn & Derek had the Mambo, the lift was allowed because it was a special week. I think it was the week the contestants chose each others dance.
Honestly, I really don’t believe the lift Police will make an appearance this week. Plus Derek said it they “had” to be true the to dance but they had some freedom too.
Hopefully rehearsals are going great for everyone
@Colleen The only thing that I could see them turning “Pony” into is a Rumba… a very raunchy almost barf-inducing Rumba. Carrie Ann would probably eat that up (and Bruno as well probably).
I just went and rewatched both the Rythmn Nation and Slave 4 U videos, since it’s been awhile.
Rythmn Nation would seem to be easier to get the look of. Costumes with a slight military theme and an industrial looking set would work. The dancing however is full of very controlled, sharp and fast movement. I think that will be the hardest thing to get right.
I have no idea what direction Mark is going to go in with Slave 4 U. The video is gorgeous, young, sweaty bodies dancing and writhing on each other, then Brittany makes it rain with the power of her mojo.
Maybe Mark will use the belly dancing aspect of some of the choreography to build an exotic overall theme.
A rumba to that song? Wtf? Okay, I’m already not liking “famous dances night” or whatever the heck it’s called lol. And yeah, if the producers told them they HAD to do a lift, they better not get called out for it.
I wonder if Derek will slow the song down a bit like he did for his rumba with Maria to “Material Girl.” If he does that then I think it could be really good.
I just posted the following comment at CAI Parade blog:
Dear Carrie Ann,
Derek Hough has written in his blog that he and Bindi have been assigned a rumba to “Dirty Dancing’s Time of Our Lives.” They’ve also been instructed to reflect the original as much as possible. The most “iconic” move in this “iconic dance” is the lift, which is otherwise not allowed in a rumba. That would seem to put Bindi and Derek in an untenable situation, stuck between the production staff and the lift police. I think it would be extremely unfair to deduct a point from their dance for this lift. Their assignment is to reflect this iconic dance, not to do a rumba that meets World Dance Council standards. It would be quite ridiculous to penalize them for doing what they were asked to do.
Derek will make it work as he always does but a Rumba to this is strange.
Ya’ll “Iconic” was MY word. I believe DWTS was using “famous” NOT iconic. Picking nits, but they can be two different things. I was really hoping for iconic, but that’s clearly not the route they are going.
I would not count on the lift police not happening just because the producers told Derek he had to stick close to the original. MOST people watching the show aren’t going to know that little fact and if CAI needs to knock Derek and Bindi down a few pegs she will, with no regard to what the producers said. It won’t be the first time.
It’s entirely probable that I’m crazy, but part of me is wondering if one of the reasons TPTB chose to do this theme week was so they could give Derek “Dirty Dancing” and bring in one of his past winners to remind the audience again of how many times he’s won. I’m well aware that TPTB are not exactly known for having much (or any) forethought, but I can’t help but wonder.
@Sonic I highly doubt they would create a whole entire new theme week JUST to bring back one past winner to be in their package for a couple seconds/minutes. They might be kind of stupid sometimes, but not that stupid lol.
Yeah, I don’t think that’s the reasoning behind this theme week. But if they call him for a lift after telling him to stick to the original choreo…
Fair enough. It was a crazy random theory that I figured wouldn’t hold much water 😛
I’m with you on the lift thing though, PH.
PH, thanks for the correction about iconic vs famous. I agree, the meaning can be very different hence we’re getting Magic Mike and to probably the trashiest, most misogynistic song from the film…..
Oh well. I hope to enjoy the others.
All that I really would love is for derek to do Patrick’s legendary dance down the Isle and back again to catch her for the lift
Since they turned “Time of my life” into a Rumba, are they going to try to sell Magic Mike and I’m a Slave 4 U as Contemporary, since Alexa and Carlos both already had Jazz???
Just a question re lifts: I was watching Karina and Slavikk’s rumba from 2003/2004 (so beautiful) and in there she has lifts? Are the rules different on DWTS from competitions or what constitutes as a lift?
Mark and Alexa said in Alexa’s newest Instagram Video that they are doing the 2001 VMA Performance version of I’m a Slave 4 U including the snake…I guess Bindi should thank her lucky stars that she’s underaged so TPTB didn’t dare throwing that at her.
Sara, that Karina and Slavik rumba is a showdance. It wasn’t performed in competition but as a special performance. Doing these sorts of performances is one way professionals make some money.
I’ve watched that rumba along with their Bamboleo paso/sambo showdance so many times.
@Susan2 ok, thank you for clearing that up!
We know “Time of My Life” is going to be a rumba but here’s what I think the others will be classified as:
Jailhouse Rock – Jive
Rhythm Nation – Jazz
Pony – Rumba or some sort of other Latin dance
Grease – My first thought was a jive but they already did that, so maybe a jazz?
SNF – Salsa or Samba? Yeah idk
Vogue – Podsibly a jazz?
Slave 4 U – First thought was jazz but they already did that. Salsa and rumba also came to mind but they already did those too. I can’t see this as a contemporary so maybe a samba? But again idk
Oh I forgot about Good Morning. I’m sure there’s one that fits for that but I just can’t think of it right now.
I would have guessed Quickstep for “You’re the One That I Want” but they already did that style. Wish they would’ve picked something other than “Jailhouse Rock” a feel like they pull that song out a lot. Rhythm Nation could either go really well or be really messy. Those steps are so sharp and precise. Pony is going to be a mess, I can’t even imagine what they’re going to do with that. I feel like the producers could have done better with the song choices.
Judging by Monday night’s theme, do I smell a cheesecake awards post baking in the noggin?
Oooh…if there’s cheesecake sign me up!
I’m curios what style Hayes might get. His song is traditionally a quickstep but he has already done that so…maybe swing or charleston?
Alexa and Mark are going to do Cha Cha.
Source: Mark’s Wikipedia profile.
Just fyi in the same season of Strictly, we saw a Cha-Cha to Vogue and a Salsa to You Should be Dancing. Since Paula and Louis have done Cha-Cha it won’t be that, but Nick and Sharna could have Salsa to SNF, which was very successful in the past.
Hmmmm….Moksh, I thought you were leaving?
Wikipedia isn’t a good source in this case because anyone can update it to say whatever they want.
You’re blog is addictive. I can just assure small and neutral posts. Hope, you will allow me to do so. 🙂
As long as you stay within the rules, Moksh. We don’t usually care for people to pull a “goodbye cruel world” and then continue to pop back in when it suits them.
Samba to You Should be Dancing?! What the actual F**k. The song is not even in correct 2/4 time. The producers are CLUELESS
Well, Nathan, when Bindi and Carlos are doing RUMBAS to their songs, you can expect a clusterfuck of a night. Famous dances ruined by the producers…unless the pro is a genius. The only one I feel confident about is Derek. Well, those that actually got dance styles to fit their songs (which is most of them) should be fine. But Carlos, Nick and Bindi got screwed. More so Carlos and Bindi.
They just wanna ruin all the fun I got from the switch up week , Carlos is having a kick on the groin with that dance , I can swallow Bindi’s rumba but carlos’s is just going to make every ballroom dancer out there puke in their mouths a lil bit …. well if any thing I guess Whitney is having her bachllorette party on national TV , and a samba to that song is just plain stupid at least Alek had the right dance , some of the pros are having their work cut out for them this week .
I hope Monday night is not a let down as it appears to be *fingers crossed*
Has Sharna ever had a good Samba song to choreograph to? I think this is her 3rd Samba. She and Charlie Samba’d to Mo Money, Mo Problems, and she and Noah Samba’d to Homegrown Honey.
Oh well, it is what it is, right?
@CM She had good Samba songs with Andy Dick and KeyshawnIForgotHisLastName, however, the problem there were her partners not being good dancers.
Much like Bindi, in what world did the producers decide to give Nick a Samba to that song instead of a Salsa which would make a bit more sense. Ugh..
Bunch of Jazzes (which are basically Freestyles) accompanied by some Latin dances… Doesn’t seem fair to me but whatever.
I’m no longer sure if I’m excited for Monday night…
@CC NY, Shows how good my memory is. I have zero recollection of her Samba-ing with either of them. LOL. Oh, wait! Andy’s was Signed, Sealed, Delivered. I remember thinking it was cute.
I do wish there was more dance variety this week, but I feel like there’s been style liberties taken by the pros all season with the lack of Len coupled with odd songs/themes. It’s probably been happening, and I just notice it more this time.
So how is Sharna gonna keep as close to the original as possible.. doing a samba?? This theme week is stupid. Bring back disney/latin night.
I’m no clear on the task at hand please advise?
The Pros are tasked with re-creating famous dances? Wasn’t “You should be dancing” a solo? For some reason I remember Tony dumping the girl and taking over the dance floor?
I don’t remember, Kim. Everything is all screwed up. We heard that Bindi’s rumba is a rumba in name only and basically has every move from the original dance. As Derek was directed. But the question is, will he and Bindi get totally hosed by the judges and is that the plan?? It is so not in Derek’s playbook to use someone else’s choreo – this confuses me. Then you have Carlos doing a rumba-strip-tease and Sharna doing a samba to a Bee Gees song that was a solo in the movie and totally not a samba.
Basically, everyone who got Jazz gets a free pass. And who are those people?? Andy, Hayes, Paula and Tamar – interesting. If the judges are very critical of Nick, Bindi and Carlos, their pros should pitch a fit. I mean really.
PH Assuming this is the type of cluster you mentioned, what’s the goal? Is anyone being “favored” or is it just a mess?
Right now I’m leaning toward “just a mess”. Everything hinges on how the judges behave.
Seriously, WTF!?!? Why are the producers messing this up so badly? This could have been so good if they just let the pros do their jobs (and given them all dance styles that actually work)!!
Funny, weren’t the four couples with jazz the same four a lot of members on here seemed to think were the most likely to be in danger of elimination on Monday? Obviously the scores they get that night won’t affect the elimination, but it might give them a bit of an advantage for the next one. But we’ll have to see how the dances actually go, since Rhythm Nation is supposed to be very difficult and if Allison continues her “kitchen sink” choreography that could mean bad news for Andy looming ahead.
Besides the people with Jazz numbers Alek is the only one who seems to have a dance style that is appropriate to the song. As for the others idk what to think. If Carlos hadn’t already done a jazz I feel like they might have made Pony one. Same for Nick’s dance and MAYBE Alexa’s (though I don’t think Cha Cha seems TOO unfitting for Slave 4 U).
Well at least i Carlos gets to show off his abs once lol. Saying that he might be in trouble since I remember the reception from the voters after Janel and artem online and a good chunk of it was not good.
Come to think of it Pony is predominately a solo as well yet Carlos and Artem’s IG and Twitter pic there are many chairs and troupe of men. NONE of which are part of the “famous dance”. Yet Derek is being held to the original moves which don’t fit the dance style…Let the guys creative juices flow I’m sure it would have been an awesome interpretation of Dirty Dancing with some originality–that would actually fit the dance style.
Poor dance choice or not Pony was going to end up being a striptease regardless and I fear not a pleasurable one.
Well I think Bindi got pretty lucky. They got one of the most iconic movies out there, perfectly in the demo of the DWTS viewers, and apparent rights to use a lot of the choreography. People who love Dirty Dancing should love the routine, and Derek wouldn’t pass up the chance to put everyone’s favorite moves into their dance.
Didn’t Alexa do a Jazz too for TV week with that Breaking Bad routine? What dance is she doing then?
Also what in the actual fuck with Nick having to do a Samaba to You Should Be Dancing. At least if everyone else gets to do Jazz, let him do Disco.
**Samba
Forgot to spell check. Also I have a hunch Carlos’ dance is gonna be incredibly cringe worthy.
Wow, this is turning into a mess. I wonder if TPTB pulled this theme out of their butts at the last minute, which is why we’re getting a bunch of dance styles that don’t fit the songs. I feel bad for Nick/Sharna, Bindi/Derek, and Carlos/Witney. I feel like they got the worst song/dance pairings out of all the couples.
I believe I have Cha Cha clearly written in the post, Rose.
Sure, but the judges scores are half the battle. If they get three 7s, it does them no good to have the crowd behind them. This week they are likely safe, but much of the audience are sheeple. If the judges hose them, a portion of the audience will be all “Derek’s a big rule breaker”. It could also cost them votes.
All I can say is, thank goodness Len isn’t judging this mess.
Yeah if CAI spits out, that was nice, but a rumba doesn’t allow for this, this and this I might have to shot my TV. lol
I do remember during all-star season (when they were re-doing dances from prior seasons) Shawn & Derek were “jokingly” called out for “breaking the QS rules”, but were not penalized points.
I would like to know why Alek is dressed as “fat Elvis” for this dance instead of the sexy Elvis of 1968 in Jailhouse Rock? I’m worried for this dance being a mess too.
Yes, they were penalized, PJ – Len gave them an 8 on a dance that should have been all 10s and for which Derek won an Emmy.
ETA: Actually, I just rewatched the dance because I thought I was mis-remembering it. Derek was thoroughly slammed by Len for the dance and docked him. CAI also docked them a point for the lift and Bruno said it was the best dance in the history of DWTS but mentioned the rule breaking and only gave them a 9.5. Saying they weren’t penalized is revisionist history, big time.
There could be another scenario where CAI says something like, “I know there aren’t supposed to be lifts in a Rumba, but who cares?!… 10!” I know she’s done this before (IIRC Jason and Edyta’s Waltz, I think?), but just doesn’t do them very often. But even if she does go this route and not penalize Bindi and Derek for a lift – but STILL mentions their rule-breaking – I’d still be annoyed. Because it’d be another way for anti-Derek fans to “complain” about how “the golden boy” always gets it easy from the judges. And they could potentially lose some votes too – just like Shawn and Derek in All-Stars. The way they kept getting portrayed as the rule-breaking couple by the judges is probably the main reason why they lost in the end (IMO).
I think Derek is a fantastic choreographer and can come up with amazing routines out of nowhere, but I do feel like he and Bindi (as well as some other couples) are in a no-win situation this week.
I guess we’ll see what happens. I’m curious to see if the producers told the judges that this week the styles are more of a suggestion and that they shouldn’t stick to strict rules. It seems like the point of the week is much more to pay homage to the movies/videos than it is to stick to a straight ballroom style. So I hope that the producers passed that onto the judges as well.
@PH I honestly thought they got better scores than that. I guess what stuck in my mind was Bruno’s remark. I do remember how they got screwed during the finals due to that dance being forced upon them.
I see Carlos has called in the heavy artillery for his Magic Mike bump and grind. He’s got Christina Agullera’s backup dancers in there. To be fair, Witney was always going to need help choreographing for a dance like this, sounds like DWTS are going all out to try and make it work for him.
Not a big fan of so many jazz routines this week, honestly.
As much as I enjoy contemporary routines, I feel like the addition of jazz and contemporary were just so unnecessary, which I’m sure people have said time and time again on this website.
Because all the styles that the jazz numbers could be are styles that those that got jazz have already done before. So they’re like “Oh… Andy/Hayes has already done the quickstep, but we gave him a quickstep song…. JAZZ IT IS, I GUESS.” Like… for why?
I’m sure the dances will be great, but I’m kind of over this theme already.
Heidi do you by chance have any preview footage of jennifer grey at rehearsals?
Buttercup, I hope so. This night could be epic if the judges don’t ruin it.
Believe me, Margaret. If we did, it would have been posted.
PH, is there any info on how Bindi is handling the dance? Is she doing well?
I think Andy and Hayes could do really well considering it’s jazz. I really like the two, so fingers crossed.
If anyone is getting Magic Mike…. I wish it was Alek. Carlos has creeper face.
Jazz as an option just pisses me off. As someone else said – it’s just a license to freestyle. Derek is the only pro (off the top of my head) who has actually come close to an actual jazz routine. And probably only then because the music was appropriate for it.
margaret, don’t you think I would post that if I had it?
Seriously, people, I post everything I am allowed to post. If it’s not posted it’s because I don’t know or I’m not allowed to say.
Oh my I hope there isn’t that much jazz this week. I can already tell this week is going to be a mess. I agree @PH I don’t like jazz because it takes away from the freestyle. I feel for Sharna, Derek, and Witney who are all having to create dances that don’t fit the music they were given and on top of that have to basically just do the dance from the movie? What were TPTB thinking?!
@Sharnai – I, too, hope that Alek is not going to be wearing the “over-the-hill, fat Elvis” costume for his jive and that his donning of the costume was just for a moment of levity in the rehearsal package for the viewers. However, the pessimistic side of me thinks that it is his wardrobe for the dance. The song has already been used for the jive twice on DWTS (Tommy and Peta; and Derek and L’il Kim) and both Derek and Tommy copied Elvis’s outfit in the movie. This may be Alek’s and Lindsay’s way of partially distinguishing themselves from the prior two performances. Another way would be for Lindsay to dress up in a convict outfit like Alek instead of a “sexy” prison guard costume like Peta and L’il Kim did. That I think would be a much better approach and could be quite cute.
I’m also kind of worried about Alek’s comment on an Instagram post that it was a “tough” week. Was he indicating that he had a tough time learning the jive? I could see the dance being a problem for him since it’s a dance (at least to me) that requires a lot of musicality to be truly effective. Moreover, it’s a dance that felled all the other male contestants except Carlos this season.
I’m not so sure that the samba for Nick and Sharna is that bad. Chelsie and Roshon did a pretty decent samba with a disco/Michael Jackson theme. Len may have complained about needing more samba steps, but I think Carrie Ann and Bruno really liked the performance.
I feel like Carlos has the good will of the producers, so he’ll be fine.
Derek and Bindi have the crowd pleaser dance, so they’ll be fine.
Nick is going to get hosed again, cause it’s too tough to make it work.
I agree with others here regarding the inclusion of Jazz. There have only been 3 that I can remember that truly had elements that didn’t make it look like a freestyle.
Derek/Amy
Mark/Candace
Allison/Riker
The rest of the Jazz numbers, although entertaining, just seem like a free pass to do whatever.
So if they have to stick to the original choreography as was mentioned then we can expect nick will dance like john travolta in snf?
My point is it derek who has to follow original choreography only?
I got the impression from reading Derek’s blog that everybody had to keep it “close” to the original performance. And I feel like everybody with a jazz routine have got a pass this week, and everybody else is kind of screwed except for maybe Alek, because that song has been used for a jive multiple times. Even Alexa and Mark seem like are kind of screwed to me. How do you choreograph a cha cha and keep it like the vma 2001 performance. Sounds like a mess of a week to me, depends on the judges I guess.
PH, I immediately had the same thought as you when I came back and read this updated post – it is especially suspicious to me that some got saddled with full out ballroom when you look at who was essentially given a free pass with jazz. I think Alek and Nick really got hosed, getting two dances that can be very difficult to pull off well – though at least Alek’s style goes with the song. I am scratching my head that cha cha was assigned to Slave 4 U and Samba was assigned to SNF – seems those two would be much better off switched, but Nick did already have the cha cha. Why not give him salsa?? Again, makes me question motives. Can’t shake the feeling Nick is going to go the route of Charlie, but I do think if any female pro (besides the absent Peta) could make it work this week, it’s Sharna. Someone mentioned she is actually trained in disco?
I think Bindi and Derek will probably do OK. Honestly, they were given arguably the most well loved song/dance moment, which makes me wonder if they are setting her up for her first perfect 40 (unless they are actually setting her up to be knocked down for the lift).
I’m just so skeptical of TBPB at this point that I go into every week with just as much trepidation as excitement.
I am waiting for CAI to so magnanimously offer that she ‘should have’ taken a point away but decided not to on the lift in Derek and Bindi’s dance tomorrow. No mention of all the other lifts she just decided to overlook in previous weeks, but just how ‘nice’ she is being this week. #uggggg
I don’t know how two couples who were assigned *rumba* and yet are doing dances which are supposed to use the original choreo – which are NOT rumbas – can be dismissed as being “fine”. Have you not watched this show for the past several seasons?? They will only be “fine” if the judges haven’t decided to ignore the production’s angle.
Like it or not, the judges count for half the total score and factor equally into the outcome – I would say it’s even money (at best) that neither Carlos nor Bindi get called out for their dances. Those are the two most aggregious that I can see. Yeah, Alek got ballroom – but it’s ballroom appropriate for his song. Samba is rough, but it’s not quite as bad as mambo music being assigned a rumba. And yes, the Jazz people have it made.
How is that even a point, margaret? Have you read all the comments and all the posts? I don’t think we can be sure, but it sounds like Derek was saying that all the pros were instructed to stick close to the original. Doesn’t matter in the case of those who have Jazz as a style – they can do whatever they want. But being assigned “rumba” for a song (and original choreo) that isn’t even close to a rumba is a different thing.
I believe the “missed lift” count is up to FIVE now. CAI thinks we’re stupid.
Kinda makes you wonder, doesn’t it NA?? I mean, Derek is also right when he says it’s unusual that they’re allowed to use choreo from the movies – what would the producers have done if the choreo couldn’t clear?? And is that part of the reason Derek got Dirty Dancing? Because they knew Kenny would clear it for him?
But why, when you have all these professionals – at least half of whom are excellent choreographers – do you ask them to stick to the original?? Dirty Dancing and Saturday Night Fever – okay, I kinda get that. But Vogue? Slave 4U? Magic Mike?? The vast majority of the DWTS demo isn’t going to recognize THAT choreo. Well, Magic Mike isn’t going to be all that tough. 🙂 Honestly, I don’t get this week at all.
PH, I think you were responding to comment #191 in your #197 post, but I am just curious – do you agree that, while Alek at least got a ballroom style suited to his dance, jive could be a bit of a struggle for him? That’s what I meant by him maybe being hosed – getting a pretty difficult style on a week when so many others could have a cake walk. Am I underestimating him?
I hope Bindi and Derek aren’t being set up for a slap on the hand. She is too sweet for that and Derek may walk off set and never come back lol.
I’m leaning towards Carlos not being called out, even if we are all puking in our mouths a little. I just have a feeling Bruno and CAI will rave over it.
For what it’s worth, I just watched the clip from SNF again and I can actually understand why they gave it to Nick. You definitely have to have some swagger to recreate that moment, and it should allow him to have some fun after the intensity of last week (samba ridiculousness aside).
Taking all that into consideration, and remembering we are going to see Paula jazz to Vogue, we are in for one hell of a week. lol.
If the couples are supposed to stick closely to the choreography in the original, then Alek and Lindsay really did get hosed, despite the fact that a jive fits their song. Elvis didn’t do any jive steps in Jailhouse Rock, at least the ones I’m familiar with from watching DWTS for 18 seasons. All he did was walk around and swivel his hips. Derek borrowed a bit from Elvis when he did the jive with L’il Kim to this song, and Len complained that there wasn’t enough jive content (although Bruno and Carrieann gave them tens).
Well, people often get easier styles than other couples in a given week. So, I don’t think Alek got hosed in that respect. At least he’s doing a ballroom style that everyone usually has to do (even Paula) and his music goes with his style. So, I guess I don’t really think he got hosed. He was going to have to do Jive sooner or later – perhaps it’s much better that he gets it out of the way now.
If all he did was walk around and swivel his hips, then Alek has it made. If the judges are on board, he will have the easiest Jive in a long time. All Lindsay has to do is put in a couple kicks and flicks – which go with his music – and he’s done.
Conversely, Bindi might have to open with a rumba move of some kind because that’s the only time that music comes close to the right tempo. And even then….it’s not really right.
Eh, they dressed Alek up as older, scarf and jumpsuit clad Elvis instead of hot, younger tight panted Jailhouse Rock Elvis. Get your Elvis eras straight producers!
I’ve decided to view the Magic Mike rumba ( I can’t believe I just typed those three words together)
as a MM parody dance. That way I can just shake my head and laugh when I view it.
Looking at the DWTS IG, Nick looks like he’s doing some Travolta moves so maybe they are allowing for leeway with the dances. I love SNF and hope the judges didn’t screw this up..
No way has Alek been hosed. Jive is probably the best dance for that song. Didn’t Emma and Sasha do a jive to that song on tour?
@m8 I don’t think he got hosed bc jive doesnt fit the song – it makes perfect sense in terms of that – rather, I think it’s bc jive is going to challenge him on a week where a lot of other contestants have more flexibility/free pass with jazz. Jailhouse rock does have enough breaks in the music though that it will allow downtime in the choreo, which will make it easier to keep up. It could be a crowd favorite for sure, I just think it may be one of the more challenging dances he’s had to tackle so far. Heidi does make a good point about getting it out of the way now, though!
This will be Lindsay’s second Elvis song in a row.
I am in complete agreement to what all other people have said. I expect judges to critique more on the dance moves and play spoil sport. Sharing table with Olivia would just make them more conscious of their critiques. Though, I expect Olivia to praise the creativity of couples and mark performances on a holistic measure.
I just have a feeling that we are for a treat tonight. Such themes are rare on DWTS. Fingers crossed!
So I’m guessing Alexa will have some kind of belly-dancing solo with the snake at the beginning (like Tamar had a solo in her Cha Cha) then hand the snake off to someone from the troupe and move on to a Cha Cha with Mark… (The belly-dancing and snake theme alway makes me think of Katherine and Mark’s Salsa)
I must say that I don’t particularly like the inclusion of pro dancers like Artem (Magic Mike), Anna and Karina(Vogue) in a number because that really distracts from the contestant and their partner who should be the “main event”. The Troupe are more used to being background and it’s still distracting at times.
I dearly hope the opening pro number is not another Mandy Moore bump and grind.
…..A rumba to “Pony”? Oy! I think it’s going to be an epic fail.
I’m predicting that Alek, Andy, and Paula will join Hayes as performers in the first hour of the show, and everyone else will perform in the second hour. There’s a chance that Paula could show up in the second hour if they copy any of the more ribald parts of Madonna’s performance, but I don’t think Paula’s bravado extends beyond the comments she makes. My guess is that Bindi and Derek will be the last to perform and Magic Mike will be the top of the 9:00 hour.
One possible upside to Bindi and Derek having a rumba this week — at least they don’t have to do it later in the season, where, invariably, the lack of steaminess required by her age, would have been an excuse to knock them down.
Sharna said on Instagram that they were able to get all the original choreography cleared, so I wonder if it’s another “in name only” dance.
I know this sounds petty but I wish they’d mix up the order more this season. This will be Hayes/Emma’s second time going first and Nick and Bindi/Derek have gone last twice now. I have a feeling it’ll be either Tamar/Val or Bindi/Derek going last tonight and it’s annoying but I just can’t see who else it’d be unless they’re gonna have Magic Mike going last which I don’t really want either.
@Julia. I guess I’m petty too since because I’m sick of the lack of real changeup in the dance order this season.
Julia, I think Hayes/Emma are going first tonight because they have “Grease” and Olivia Newton-John is guest judging so they are like the introductory number.
I agree, I’m thinking Bindi and Derek will close the show again and I hope they nail it!
My take on all this cluster-fock mess is:
No matter what the judges do or don’t do, I refuse to let my blood boil like last season. I have picked my favorite celeb from the beginning and will support that person no matter what the judges or TPTB are trying to do for or against certain couples.
I’m going to enjoy tonight, and then vote my head off afterwards. Sometimes things can backfire with malicious behavior.
So…let the fun begin in 5 hours!!!!!
You put your heavy hitters at the end of the show, the beginning of the show and the top of the second hour. That’s for ratings. If they DON’T put an obvious favorite in one of those spots, then something is wrong.
I don’t know how the powers that be didn’t think of this (or maybe they have?) but it would be awesome to see travolta there as a surprise for nick and Olivia and Hayes.
Did anyone see on intagram a little bit ago Sharna posted a note that, in addition to getting original choreography cleared (I think we already knew that), they worked very hard to make sure Nick was doing moves exactly like Travolta did them? I really hope they aren’t building people up just to bring them down with the judges paddles! I think if we hear “there wasn’t enough samba content” or “you put in a LIFT!?” the entire pure audience will end up with broken TVs! 🙂 T minus 3ish hours!
I would be very surprised if John Travolta was there with Leah Remini co-hosting.
” I guess when I heard “famous” I was hoping for “iconic”. Boo.”
@ Princess Heidi, I couldn’t agree more (didn’t see MM, but a strip tease? ugh). Nearly anything by Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly or R & H and Lerner & Lowe are infinitely more iconic than a strip which is a solo type of dance. I do like the Dirty Dancing number but only if it’s done properly and can understand that others may not like it.
I’d just like some proper ballroom with proper ballroom music. Just found this site http://www.ballroomguide.com/resources/music.html#vien for at least more musically appropriate numbers for the different dances. This theme crap using totally inappropriate music is for the birds. This show has become a plug for the current music industry and very little else.
Scientology is whack, y’all.
LOL!! Courtney…I.T.A.
I think the producers have gone to extra hard efforts to create a great deal of drama to benefit their ratings??? (along with the judges)
Scientology is indeed, quite whack. Unless John Travolta and the Scientology police use this all as a ruse to capture Leah for reprogramming, I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t go near her with a thousand foot space probe.
If TPTB want Derek to stay as close to the original as possible, why did they make it a rumba instead of a mambo?
I was looking through you tube for Sat Night Fever dances and thinking that it would be awesome if Travolta was on. In addition to the scientology thing I guess he’s just too big of a star. I’m really looking forward to Nick and Sharna’s dance, I loved that 70s jazz she did with Noah last season.
John Travolta made an appearance in Kirstie Alley’s package during her first season on DWTS, and heck this is a dance he’s known for – but I just think the Scientology thing takes precedence over all (as it always tends to with its devotees). However, I’d love to be pleasantly surprised by him, and sit back with some popcorn to see how Leah/John handles it.
Well, gee, Suzy, I bet you could answer your own question if you thought about it. 😀 How likely is he to get penalized for not enough rumba content? Plus a lift?? I put it at even money earlier.
And they’re dancing in the first hour, according to George, while Nick is 7th or so and Tamar is last. I smell a manipulated leaderboard shake up. Tamar back on top. Right about when they announce the tour they want Val to headline.
Hope I’m wrong.
Gonna go ahead and guess scores just for fun (and the pimp spot)
(Carrie Ann, Olivia, Julianne, Bruno)
Hayes & Emma: 36 (9,9,9,9)
Alek & Lindsay : 33 (8,9,8,8)
Paula & Louis : 30 (7,8,8,7)
Andy & Allison : 36 (9,9,9,9)
Bindi & Derek : 37 (9,10,9,9)
Nick & Sharna : 39 (10,10,9,10)
Alexa & Mark : 36 (9,9,9,9)
Carlos & Witney : 36 (9,9,9,9)
Tamar & Val : 39 (10,10,9,10)
I’m just guessing either Tamar or Nick will get the highest score. This is a dance that suits Tamar very well and since it’s Jazz, it most likely will be out of hold and that’s when I think she’s at her best. Then Nick was just me making a wild guess that the judges are gonna go goo-goo for his Disco dance… Because why not. I think both of these are gonna be fun.
I’m still skeptic about tonight’s show but I’m keeping an open mind..
You guys are so polite. 🙂 Scientology is a CULT.
Oh I did my little “guess” about Tamar being last before reding your post, PH. Hehe.. I’m smelling some manipulation here and a leaderboard shakeup as well. Wow DWTS has gotten WAAYYYY predictable.
I’m actually already smelling a perfect score for Tamar and Val. Guess we’ll see if she deserves it or not. I like her but her partner is still a big ol’ *insert bad word here*.
PH I was hoping against hope that there was some — ANY — other explanation. I guess I should be used to it by now, but I still find it so disheartening.
I cannot imagine that Tamar will go on tour, so I guess they just want Val to be reigning champ. I wish it made me angry, but it just makes me sad.
I really don’t think Tamar will win the competition unless there is some MASSIVE manipulation from TPTB. Finalist? Maybe. But Bindi, Alek, and based on buzz, Nick, seem to be the most adored by the fans.
Totally forgot he was a part of that “religion”. I’ve seen the HBO documentary so I have to agree with you guys on the cult thing. Sad part is that it’s built on such a flimsy premise too. It did pretty much explain why some of its members are super out there though.