Private Members Area – DWTS Season 21 Week 7 Discussion
It’s time for Dancing with the Stars Season 21 week 7 and you know what that means. Time to enjoy some friendly, educated banter in the Pure DWTS Insider. If you’re not a Pure DWTS Insider yet, you can do so here. If you are, then I look forward to the discussion in the comments.
It’s Halloween night? What did you think of the various dances? How about the team dances? Did you like having the theme dances on Halloween night?
I’ve been getting some complaints in the comments about the elimination. What do you think?
For a fun private members area question, what are your plans for Halloween? Bonus points if you post a picture of you in your Halloween costume.
It’s fun to have a Halloween week. The smoke machine was out of control though. Nick’s AT was weak & scored fairly. Still don’t feel a connection between Tamar & Val. She’s better alone than in hold. I thought most of the routines were scored fairly. Team Dances were good. Now we can quit hearing about Derek being undefeated in Team Dances. Sad Hayes left..it was fair & what happens when you encourage your fans to tweet rather than vote.
I’m off this weekend. Will likely go trick-or-treating with my 11yr old son.
My kids, my wife and I are all going as various fast food restaurant characters. I have the creepy Burger King mask, my son is going as the Jack in the Box guy, my daughter’s going as Wendy, my son is going as the Jason Deli pickly, my son is going as the firehouse sub dog, and my wife is going as the Chick Fil-a cow. It’s hilarious.
What a fun and original idea for costumes! My husband and I don’t dress up but the girls do. We did the Haloween party at Disney World last week and the older two were Pocohontas and Vanellope Von Schweetz (wreck it ralph). The four year old was Snow White. I thought they were super cute but im biased. π
Tonight’s show was fun. I’ll probably rewatch Alexa, Bindi, Alek and Tamar tomorrow. Nick is coming across very intense, i’m not a huge fan. I didn’t like his AT either..the music seemed off.
I’m debating whether or not to dress up. I have an old bridesmaid’s dress I could use to make myself into a zombie. Heh…
My son is going as an Army guy…got the camo, gun and helmet…just gotta put camoflauge on his face, using my Bare Minerals makeup. π
Off Topic Question – Has the members area been re-formatted? Now when I click on the top tab to be brought to the members area, I see other posts besides the members only one. Example: Emma & Hayes on Good Morning America, post show media, etc.
Jackie,
Thanks for pointing it out. We just clicked the wrong check box on a few posts. It should be fixed now.
Thanks, John! I hope I didn’t come off as complaining – I just wasn’t sure if this was a new thing for the area.
Nope. We work so fast we often miss stuff. So, we welcome any people pointing out stuff like that. So, please continue. If you don’t want to share something with me in public, you can always use our contact us page too: https://www.puredwts.com/contact-us/ We’re happy to help wherever possible.
My granddaughter is going to be Tinkerbell, but what is funny is that she has convinced my son to go as Peter Pan and her mom to go as Captain Hook. The thought of my big, strong, fireman in tights just gives me the giggles…lol. Oh well. I missed last week’s show because my Directv went out. Now this week, coincidentally at the very moment my Directv got fixed my internet went out. What a nightmare…lol! I will be glad to be up to full speed next week…fingers crossed and knock on wood. So at my Aunt’s beauty shop appointments where they have called the winner for many seasons now…they are in the Bindi camp. It will be interesting to see if they are right. I hope they are…lol.
You all are awesome…Courtney,Heidi, Vogue,John and Lori!! I’ve learned SO much about this show and ballroom dance and TPTB manipulations. So thanks guys!
I found this page in 2012, when I was recovering from my kidney removal surgery that ended up being cancer….Not sure how exactly,maybe a Google search? I was Team Menough for S14 but when they failed to make the finals, I voted for Peta and Donald to win…because I didn’t want Katherine to win, as I felt she faked her back injury to gain sympathy votes after she mucked up her semi-final dance with Mark..I told her so on Twitter and she blocked me LOL!!!
I SO hope they don’t start pimping Nick and Sharna. Nick hasn’t lived up to expectations. I really DON’T like Tamar. She comes across as mean &rude & has no connection with Val, especially when dancing in hold. Honestly, I now think Bindi and Derek could truly win if TPTB don’t start with their manipulations. I haven’t seen too many people saying “Derek’s won too many times’…just a few Val-lovers π I’d be ok with Andy in the Finals over Alek….Andy is a nice guy and I like his music π
I posted a picture of us all dressed up for Halloween to my daddy blog if people want to check it out: http://www.crashdad.com/2015/10/29/our-restaurant-halloween-costumes/
LOL to your Fireman son going as Peter Pan, Lynne. So cute!!
Kelly, I’m so glad you found us when you did!! I hope they don’t start pimping too. *fingers crossed they won’t!
John, you and your family are so adorable. I love your mask. lollll
Thanks Vogue. Most people prefer me with a mask on.
lolllll
You’re not alone John! LOL!
I am almost afraid to ask this since it caused such a hoopla the last time but do we know anything from DT behind the scenes on what is going on this week? For example, how is Tamar behaving? How are the dances going? You know just the normal stuff. And Courtney, I just want to say how sorry I am that people were ugly to you on twitter. I, for one, miss your tweets and it pains me that people would do such a thing over a reality show. I hope things have calmed down for you. I do so appreciate everything you and all the mods do to keep us informed. I know it is a tough job but there are lots of us who love you all lots for all you do.
Missed a few weeks, and a bunch of drama. Kudos to the mods for not going off on some of the public contributors. Since I missed so much Im just gonna throw out a few comments.
1)Whats with the Allison hate? I doubted her last season a bit, but she has more than proven herself capable in all areas.
2) I agree the dance connection seems off btwn val and tamar. I only see it in hold, because otherwise their interaction seems pretty real.
3)Totally agree about Andy and Sharna. Sharna is so creative I think she would have shown some diff sides of Andy than we have seen. No slam there, I just am a big fan of Sharnas ability to think outside the box. Similar to, although not the same level, as Derek.
4) Carlos – blank (if you have nothing nice to say)
5) I thought Andy would be going by now, but I sure hope its Carlos instead. Starting to connect with Andy better
6) Alek – seems like the interest has waned for him. If thats gone, he will be gone. Neither he nor Linds have the fan base to compete against the more popular pros at his point. IMO
7) Val seems to be phoning it in like Maks did s18. Like his fate is pre-determined. And I dont know which way that fate is gonna go, but it does seem that he is a tour favorite and TPTB want to make sure they have popular pros on their tour. They cant get Derek, so they fill it with recent winners and hope the hype hasnt worn off.
sarina,
I don’t think any of us hate Allison. She’s a sweetheart and a great dancer. You’re probably referencing various critiques of her choreography not being as good as the other pros. It’s a reasonable complaint considering she’s more of a contemporary/jazz dancer than a ballroom dancer. I think given that background, she’s done extraordinarly well. However, when compared with the other multiple world and national champion pros, her choreography has felt lacking. Except when she choreographs contemporary and then it’s great.
That’s not hate. Just a critique. Others might disagree.
Sorry John. I should have clarified. I meant some of the comments in the public area regarding Allison and somehow relating it to Andy being a victim. The word victim seemed so harsh especially since he has made it to week 8, and is one of 5 that could go home tonight. If thats being a victim, Im sure theres plenty of past celebs that would love to be in his position. And I agree he ballroom choreo doesn’t compare to some of the others, so sorry for any confusion.
Well, ridiculous talk happens all the time in the public area. That’s why we have the private members area π Sorry for the confusion.
No one on DWTS is a victim. Getting paid way too much money to be on a show that gives you an amazing experience and a lot of exposure for your career. I’m sure Andy doesn’t feel like a victim. He seems like a great guy.
Sarina –
1.) One more time: NOBODY HERE HATES ALLISON. The only issue I have with her is her choreography – it’s rather chaotic and hard for her celeb to keep up with, and sometimes I don’t think it’s a good representation of the style it’s meant to be. I think she’s got a great personality, is amazing in her own style, and has a lot of potential – but her ballroom skills are lacking, and I think it’s sometimes quite a detriment to her partners. I think people need to make the distinction between constructive criticism and out-and-out hate.
6.) Your personal interest in Alek may have waned, but I don’t see it amongst the general viewing audience yet. If anything, I think the bad edit (combined with him being honored at the World Series) may have actually galvanized his fans to vote harder – seems like a lot of the folks that are putting a ton of stock in the “bad package” and are assuming it will send Alek home, are the ones that weren’t too keen on him to begin with…and probably weren’t even voting for him. It was one bad edit – Noah had the same problem last season, and it didn’t send him home. I would say Tamar, Nick, and Carlos have all three shown more consistent patterns of bad behavior from week to week this season, and if anyone is in danger of getting ousted because of it – I’d pick one of those three over Alek. And I would caution you not to underestimate the fanbase of a vet – they appeal quite a bit of the main demographic of the show: middle-aged, female, conservative-leaning housewives.
Totally agree John. He’s been growing on me. Seems very genuine as does Allison. And that was exactly my point, no one is a victim. They voluntarily participate, and for that comment to be made about someone who has made it to week 8 and stands a decent chance of making to wk 9, seemed so out of place. Especially since it implied he’s victimized by being partnered with Allison.
So out of curiosity, whats your wildest guess on who goes home tonight? I am stumped on this one. I could make arguments pro/con for all but Bindi/Nick. So unless its one of those two, I guess I wont be surprised by whatever happens.
wow. never said anyone here hated allison. And apologized. And clarified.
sarina,
I think that’s a fair assessment. So, hard to predict, but hold a gun to my head (please don’t) and I’d predict Alexa and Mark.
No guns here, John. just genuine interest.
Off Topic: Does anyone else watch The Last Man on Earth? That scene with him holding a gun to the other people is hilarious. Reminded me of it.
BTW, my wife took each of our kids dressed up in the Fast Food costumes to the various restaurants. Jack in the Box totally loved it and comped their meal and took pictures with my son. So cool!
Sarina, I know who you mean. I was giving them a piece of my mind on her. lol
Oh John, that is so cool Jack In The Box rewarded your wife and kids.
thanks vogue. last thing I wanted to do was cause drama here. I should have clarified, but yes you know exactly what I was referring to. And like I started out today:
Kudos to the mods for not going off on some of the public contributors.
Cool costumes John, I was just catching up on the Halloween stuff too. And I bet the kids loved it the most!
Well, you did actually say “Why all the Allison hate” Sarina. That’s what people are responding to.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I am sick to death of that word being used any time any constructive criticism or less than glowing word is said about someone. Hate has a rather specific definition and it’s been perverted into internet slang to mean anything less than 100% positive.
Princess Heidi,
Would it be fair to say that you hate when people use the word hate?
Read my words, John. I said I was sick to death of it. I also think it’s a stupid (and often hyperbolic) use of a perfectly good word. Not quite the same thing. The only thing I really hate is lima beans.
Yes I used the word hate – but I wasn’t the first to use it about Andy/Allison. the following are the posts I was referring to in the public forum –
50,51,59,60, and specifically 63 where vogue herself uses the word. It was clear the poster wasn’t going to stop and was blaming Allison for doing Andy a disservice and making him a victim.
So if we want to talk hyperbolic words, how about we add VICTIM when used to reference a dwts contestant.
John, I watch Last Man on Earth – I find it both excruciating and hysterical, which I think is the intent.
As far as eliminations tonight, I can’t really guess because of the immunity. I just know that Bindi and Nick are very likely safe, but any of the others is a possibility. My hope is Carlos, but I think it’s either Tamar or Andy. I think a lot of people have grown to like Alexa (as I have – she’s probably my favorite other than Bindi) so I’m hoping that she lasts for a few more weeks. So I guess I’d be fine with anyone other than Bindi/Alexa going, even Alek and Nick.
#Fig Agree 1000%. A final 2 of Bindi and Alexa would be epic on so many levels.
I think part of the reason Heidi & I have a problem with the use of the word “hate” to describe the way we feel about certain pros (besides it being ridiculous hyperbole) is because it’s often used as a tool by our detractors to pick apart a perfectly well-reasoned argument. We can take pains to explain in detail the issues we have with someone (all constructive criticism, mind you), and then someone just comes in and starts whining “Why are you hating on Allison??? U R SO MEAN WAHHHHHHHHH”. It completely derails any possibility of intelligent discussion, and it generally just brings the person being dramatic the attention they seek. It’s Heidi & I’s “I think” vs. the other person’s “I feel”, and we’re automatically the bad guys because we’re not all sunshine & rainbows about all the pros and we have the nerve to point out ways in which they’re not perfect. It’s maddening and useless.
And along the lines of things I legitimately hate: I think the only thing I would list is ISIS. Most other things in the world I’m just annoyed by – I try not to give to many things the power to elicit a strong emotional response in me. And I actually don’t mind lima beans, but fennel makes me wretch π
I noticed Andy was rather perturbed and hurt by Carrie Ann’s early criticisms about thinking as a singer/musician, he should be performing better. He seemed to have a break through on the switch up week. But I noted how gracefully Andy handled it saying that he wanted to bring that increase to his pairing with Allison and achieve good dances with her too. Which he has. Quite a lovely man and if Andy’s journey comes to an end tonight, he should have good memories to look back on as well as some exciting performances.
Oh, yeah, that word is used just as often as the word “hate”. Only not at all. It’s also not as far off base. The sentence “Andy is a victim of Allison’s inexperience in ballroom dancing and choreo” is not at all far off base. She’s not a ballroom dancer/choreographer. I’m one of her biggest fans – but the truth is, she’s not all that when it comes to ballroom. She’s improving – but compare her V. Waltz to the one that Lindsay just choreographed. Conversely, there is likely no one on the show who can choreograph a contemporary number better than Allison, except maybe Derek. I was one of her biggest defenders when she first started the show…but her choreo is all hard and fast, very little light and shade.
I am a HUGE fan of Allison on SYTYCD. But I would much prefer that DWTS go back to career ballroom dancers as pros and a ballroom format. Especially if the Jazz and contemporary that is presented on the show is just another excuse to do a freestyle. Not to mention that it is a rather large insult to the pros on DWTS to bring in contemporary pros and think they can just do ballroom as well as the rest. They can’t, any more than the DWTS pros can just start choreographing a decent contemporary.
Oh, yep. I hate ISIS too.
It was actually used just as much as hate – in the posts I referred to. And I guess two apologies for my lack of clarification wasn’t enough. My comments were directed at what a poster was saying in regards to allison, not any of the mods. And I clarified that immediately, after John noticed it.
Hence the kudos to the mods. And the agreement her ballroom choreo was not as good as the other pros. And repeating that I never had a problem with anything any mod said regarding Allison,
but that all gets overlooked because of one word. whatever.
I am so sorry for using the word “hate”. I myself have been annoyed when others have used it. I wish I wouldn’t have and I’m sorry, but, I’m standing by what I said about Allison. She was trained in ballroom like Mark, Derek, etc. as they went to the same schools. It may not be what she is the best at (like some of the other pros have their best and worst kind of dances), but, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t belong on the show like the poster was saying.
Can, can everyone cool it now on the hate hate thing? I’m going to cry. This is making me sad. π π π π And I hate lima beans and Isis too!!
Vogue – dont cry – even metaphorically. this is certainly not worth that. I guess we were just on a different wavelength than everyone else. I understood you, you understood me…thats all that matters in the end.
Every pro has a biggest strength and a weakness and while I do think some of the other pros have better ballroom experience, nothing from Allison has shown she shouldn’t be on the show and we should feel sorry for her victimized partner. I think thats the line that was crossed for you and I that led to the dreaded “H” word.
Have a great day – and I hate Isis, and liver and onions!
By the way…I do like lima beans; but everytime I eat beans of any kind, some alien from another world comes around and makes these weird noises trying to communicate with me. And, I don’t have a 2nd language; so have no idea what this alien is trying to say. π
Mmmm lima beans.
Personally, I love the additions of jazz and contemporary to the dance lineup – many of my favorite dances over the past few years have been those numbers, and I wouldn’t trade Andy Dick’s Jazz, or Amy Purdy’s contemporary, or Riker’s jazz, and I’m pretty sure Alfonso’s Jazz is high on many viewer’s all-time best.
Sure there’s a few stinkers in there (Rumer’s bootylicious) but overall I think it adds a nice variety to the show and for those that have risen to the occasion, we’re still getting great freestyles at the end.
And as far as Allison goes, I’m all for it. If there was going to be a hybrid of the ballroom/contemporary world, she’s got the work ethic and drive to make it work. No she’s definitely not perfect and occasionally her lines make my eyes twitch (no pun intended) but there’s a lot of positive about her and I like it. But I’m rarely a purist in anything, (as a baseball fan, I love the DH) so that’s just kind of my take on it.
That Twitch pun was great (intended or not). I still wish they’d have kept DWTS just ballroom and then rolled off a DWTS version that was contemporary, jazz, hip hop, etc. Would have been fun to see the different choreography across all the styles. I think it would have attracted a different set of stars as well.
Hmmmm…thought we were having an actual conversation. My mistake.
Allison did not do ballroom *in practice* – I would wager that she’s also not as trained at the same level as Mark and Derek. I would bet she got to a certain age and took the contemporary route, making her far less trained and experienced than Mark, Derek…and even Witney and Lindsay.
By the standards that Allison is “trained” in ballroom – Riker could be a pro on DWTS as well.
The problem with bringing the Jazz and contemporary on to DWTS is that DWTS started as Ballroom and, as a result, has a whole bunch of AMAZING ballroom pros – that really can’t do contemporary or jazz without serious help, in many/most cases. Or, god forbid, they don’t get help and try to do it on their own. I think Derek is the only pro on the show that’s choreographed something resembling an actual Jazz number. The rest of them use it as a freestyle, lifts and all…and when you put a freestyle up against someone who has a ballroom style on a given night, the odds are that the jazz is going to score higher. No rules, after all. Kinda like tonight – Nick versus Bindi, Contemporary versus Foxtrot. In a show where so MANY things are unfair, why add this sort of thing to the list??
Not to mention a bunch of judges who don’t know how to judge those styles either. I always had to laugh when Len tried to judge a contemporary. You could tell he didn’t want to do it and he could only comment as well as any of us on the dance.
So true, John…and that includes Julianne.
That’s true, Heidi. She’s definitely not as big and as experienced in Ballroom as Derek, Mark, etc.
And Fig, when I first heard they were going to do Contemporary and Jazz dances on DWTS, I cringed, but, like you, I wouldnβt trade Andy Dickβs Jazz, Amy Purdyβs contemporary, etc. and now Derek’s contemporary with Bindi for anything. I’ve really grown to love the Jazz and Contemporary styles on this show now.
Before this season, I didn’t have a problem with Jazz or Contemporary. I loved Andy’s Jazz, Amy’s Jazz, Corbin’s Jazz Trio, Willow’s Contemporary, etc. But I feel like this season, Jazz (more than Contemporary) has become almost like the backup choice for when TPTB really want a couple to dance to a certain song during a certain theme week. And when said couple has already done, say, a Quickstep or Jive or whatever ballroom dance that really suits that song, it’s like (to me) TPTB then say, “well, let’s just give them Jazz! Problem solved!”
Overall, I feel like Jazz this season has been a wasted opportunity. Some examples I could think of: Hayes’ Jazz to Grease (could have been a great Quickstep imo), Andy’s Jazz to Singing in the Rain (could have been a great Quickstep imo), Carlos’ Jazz to Golden Girls (could have been a great Foxtrot imo).
And I also think having a theme every week is part of the problem too but that’s another discussion.
And then when they have the chance to just give Bindi Mambo for Dirty Dancing,they go with rumba. It’s quite idiotic.
Yeah, assigning a Rumba to Dirty Dancing instead of Mambo was so weird. Same with Nick getting Samba to SNF when they could have just given him Disco. But I found most of the dance/song combinations for “Famous Dance” week really odd.
The more I think of it, I think too many theme weeks is the bigger problem than Contemporary and Jazz being one of the assigned dance styles.