Private Members Area – DWTS Season 21 Week 8 Discussion
It’s time for Dancing with the Stars Season 21 week 8 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 Icons night and Dance-offs. What did you think of tonight’s themes? A discussion was started in last week’s thread about there being too many theme weeks. Do you agree? Do you wish that there were less themes and more flexibility for the pros?
What did you think of tonight’s elimination? Are you happy or sad? Do you think someone else should have gone home first? It’s getting pretty close. Who do you predict will be the top 3?
Good show, thought the judges were watching another show, but what is new?
Julianne sounded really inept when giving her opinion of Bindi’s dance. “I had to look really hard to find something wrong, because I can’t just keep giving u 10’s”. Really Julianne, I think you took a page from the CAI handbook of stoopid things to say at the judges table.
PJ,
I call that a result of the overscoring the judges do early on: https://www.puredwts.com/2013/09/18/the-dwts-overscore-express/ Basically, because they score them so high so early, at the end it leaves them no where to go with the scores. Then, they end up saying stupid things like that.
I think have to disagree. To me tonight it felt like the pimping began. That Foxtrot was beautiful. They looked for something to grade it down. However, I think America will revolt. I have spoken to many of my friends now who have watched this show for a long time but just vote. They have a pretty high percentage of calling the winner. They were so angry tonight. They viewed what the judges did to Bindi, Derek’s name wasn’t even mentioned as petty and ugly. They described the judges as picking on her. They were a bit easier on Julianne at some points indicating she may have felt in a difficult position but for the first time ever I heard a couple of them say “it was like a conspiracy.” These are not people who are overly invested in any couple. It was very interesting to hear their perspective. They also saw right through the Tamar stuff tonight. They didn’t really buy into her attempt to explain away her arrogance. In addition, they thought she looked pouty and sullen at the dance-off. I just found it all interesting.
I feel that now the competition is very telling. Down to six couple’s and you can really see the good dancers vs the non rhythm person. I like Alek and his pleasant demeanour but he definitely has a lack of rhythm. Carlos and Nick are good but not consistent. I did not care for the contemporary dance for him and Alek and then everyone else has a ballroom being it was an immunity night. Don’t care for all the theme weeks. Did not appreciate the criticism of Bindi and Derek. They just can’t let her shine too much or can’t continue to compliment Derek’s choreography cause it would show favoritism God forbid!! Lynne I hope you are right and us average long time viewers get mad and revolt and vote for Bindi even more.
I’m so over Tamar and Val and the constant attitudes. Can’t he or any of his partners ever be fun and positive and just dance. Also over Alexa’s over thinking the dance and trying to be a people pleaser, she should just dance for herself. Remember what Derek and Mark told you….you got this, be confident. Guess I’m being a drama queen sorry but the judging and manipulation got to me tonight. But I’m gonna be positive like Bindi is and think it will be better next week!! I loved the costumes and opening number and Tom B always has some good quips. Bindi`s dress was so elegant and All Access had some interesting guests and opinions.
Thanks to all the mods for keeping us going, you’re the best.
I don’t know that it’s pimping so much as giving Nick a helping hand to the finals – I think they’re two different things (sometimes). I don’t get an overall feel from the show like TPTB NEED for him to win the show, like I have from other contestants (Meryl, Rumer, Janel). I do think they totally hosed Bindi (and Derek with all the questioning of his motives) in the name of keeping Nick out of the dance off. The question is, why? That little deal they had showing who was getting the twitter vote was REALLY visible – I think Bindi went as high at 80% at one point. So, do they need to help him? Or do they not want us to see how well (or how badly) he would do at the vote??
If this sort of thing keeps up next week (ie. Underscore Bindi, crappy comments), then we’ll talk. I do think that Julianne pays WAY too much attention to a few loudmouths – and she may regret that, because I don’t think she is going to hear less this week.
It’s kinda funny, speaking of Alexa – there is a fairly long look of a shirtless Derek in the red room giving Alexa a big pep talk before her dance. Mark was up with All Access with Shirley while Derek and Alexa are having a long conversation. It looked like he was getting her to do her “I AM…!” exercise. 🙂
This is the guy that was basically questioned about his motivations. As opposed to Witney who was looking to screw him and Bindi over (aka giving the producers what they want).
I agree PH. I don’t think they necessarily are pimping Nick to win, but they do want him in the finals and he might have needed more help than we think with his uneven season. This week was all roses for him and I am sure he got more votes than he had before from last night’s package, baby reveal and dance.
The judges just sounded like idiots last night. Even Bruno this whole season hasn’t been quite himself. They need to get better at hiding it when they have predetermined opinions….well, or not so we are well-aware of the shenanigans:)
I have said in other posts I think much of last night’s show was predetermined. But I am still not convinced they want a certain couple to win it all. I do think they would PREFER Derek not to win but won’t stop it if Bindi is killing it in the votes. I wonder which celebs might go on part of the tour. Hayes even said he might.
Does anyone know if they are doing a 3 or 4 person finale? I really am curious how well Alexa and Carlos are doing in the votes vs Alek. If Alek does leave next week, it will be interesting to see who leaves next after that.
I rewatched the dance off and it was BS – Bindi was dancing Jive the whole time, after Derek’s opening clapping, and Carlos took longer to get started than Bindi, hence CAI sounding like a moron….anyway, it makes me wonder if they got notes from the dress rehearsal from people who were in the room on how it went and her comments reflected THAT, instead of reality. Because man, that agenda was PLAIN. Bindi and Derek didn’t get ONE judge? That’s ridiculous. They pre-planned that because they knew she was going to get the audience, meaning she would get the two points.
Apologies in advance for being a wet blanket. I’ll try to keep it brief.
Yes, I’m sick and tired of theme weeks, but more than that I’m completely disgusted that almost every theme is getting turned into personal story week.
I realize viewers want to get to know the celeb so they can relate to them, but some of the pros/celebs are cleverly twisting each theme into personal story night to milk as many sympathy votes as possible (and of course TPTB encourage it). There’s nothing wrong with using personal experiences to infuse the dance with genuine emotion, but those experiences shouldn’t BECOME the story of the dance. The reason I watch–namely the dancing (and by extension, how well the celeb executes the dance and captures the style of the dance), is being completely pushed into the background.
Nah, I’m with ya Cidra. Personal stories, themes, stupid gimicks, their competing agendas (tour versus show) dictating that some NEED to do well, while others shouldn’t – then toss on top of that a couple celebs that clearly know what will work on this show in getting votes. It’s all wearing me out and turning me off. In the middle of all this crap are two women taking the criticism and owning it MUCH more than they should (Bindi and Alexa) – which could also have a negative impact on their audience.
I gotta give props to Carlos at least – he resisted the temptation to screw Bindi over. Of course, I also think that he’s much smarter than his partner and knows what screwing Bindi over would cost him with the audience – and probably realized he had a better than even chance to beat her at Jive because the producers WANTED him to screw her over, so he was likely to win at that.
I found the deck stacked pretty high last night to not only give Nick immunity but an overall boost. And all I could think was maybe he isn’t killing it in the votes as much as we’ve thought. Nick had pretty low scores from Halloween and a couple of other mediocre weeks while Bindi has been getting better and better.
So now with immunity in the game, the judges start out pretty generous. With Carlos. Surprises me but all I could think was, will Bindi score 30 then or just 29? I think marriage proposals and sonograms are too much, too manipulative. Also, the amount of time they showed Alek in uniform being honored in one package. But arranging with Nick and his wife to reveal the gender of their baby on DWTS was WAY, WAY too manipulative and also shows that Nick is very in on their efforts to get him to the finals if not the trophy.
Then we had the Bindi/ Derek effect. Now they had to search for a reason to mark her down?!! Not a word about one of the most outstanding and original dances this season and the mastermind who came up with it?!! That really, really stunk. Like of the producers saying something to the judges about scoring Team Crikey. Again another thing to stack the deck and make sure that Nick appeared a “winner” again. I doubt he was actually in danger of being eliminated in Week 8 but I think the storyboard was Nick “beat” Bindi and they didn’t want to risk that with the dance off.
I agree, I’m no fan of Carlos, but I give him credit for having some brains and using them. He spent the first half of the season figuring out how the DWTS game is played, and now he’s playing it–and playing it very well.
I agree that I don’t think Nick was in danger of getting eliminated last night – but I believe because all of the dancers they wanted to keep were safe, instead TPTB took the opportunity last night to prop him up when he’s had a few bad weeks to make sure the audience hasn’t forgotten who is “the prime talent” and also to make him more relatable and likable than he has been. I somewhat wonder if the original thought was to have him reveal that his wife was pregnant, but too many media outlets had already picked on that so they went with the gender reveal instead – and it was very awkward.
Also I’m going to go out and say that I think Noah makes the finals last year even without the proposal because his story was just too strong and Nastia had just enough of a disconnect with the audience/poor portrayal that she was the odd man out. But in Nick’s case I think he needed some kind of “happy feels” because his packages and his performances haven’t been full of joy or growth. I’d even go so far as to say that he’s probably picked up far fewer general audience votes than the rest of the remaining celebs (except for probably Tamar) and has been coasting off his BSB fanbase – but that alone will not get him a win.
I’d even say that I am glad I wasn’t a fan of Nick’s before the season started, because even though I had high expectations I didn’t have any for his personality, and if I was a fan I think I’d be greatly disappointed with either how he is presenting himself or how he is being portrayed (I think it’s the former).
I swear, Carlos knows this show well. I think even his subtle “my wife Alexa always wants to take me salsa dancing and I’ve ever done it” was a pointed, HEY SHE HAS DONE THAT mention. I don’t think it was accidental. Conniving.
I’m usually not so “zen” when presented with this kind of PTB crap, but I keep remembering last season when Nastia won immunity, and we all know how well that turned out. So Nick can have his immunity, but he’s going to have to go back into hold at some point. I just don’t think he’s a very good (ballroom) dancer, and that will come back to bite him.
What I am not so “zen” about was that baby announcement and baby gender reveal. Just gross. I can sort of understand Noah’s proposal, because guys are always looking for a way to make it unique/special. But to already have given this yet unborn soul the job of making Nick relatable/sympathetic/a finalist is repulsive. And since Noah and Jamie have called off their engagement, others might want to think twice about following in their Red Room footsteps.
If all last night’s “shenanigans” (trying to keep it “Disney”) were the price for Derek and Mark being together for next week, I’ll take it!!! I am quite stunned that TPTB are allowing this: I had already begun gnashing my teeth thinking about Bindi with Alek. This should be really great, and it gives me hope for my secret wish for a Bindi/Alexa final two.
I read the article at Glamour. It was already arranged with DWTS to reveal the pregnancy on air but there was a leak and the news got out before DWTS could have the big reveal. So Nick (and his wife) told the producers that they could have the gender reveal. Yuck! So manipulative and also revealing that Nick Carter is TOTALLY in on it.
Not quite true, Colleen – not according to what I just read. The producers knew the gender and Nick claims he told them they could handle it however they liked. The producers chose that way with the box on live TV and Nick and his wife didn’t know ahead of time. This kinda sounds like Nick talking out of both sides of his mouth, trying to have it both ways. You tell them they can handle it how they like, but you were surprised they did it that way? Come on.
Sounds like a lot of backpedaling to me…
I don’t understand how making these couples travel(esp accross the US) and do two dances next week will help the quality of the dances. Come on just stop with the gimmicks. I like the idea of dancing with the other couple, but having to travel for “inspiration” why.
Princess Heidi, my issue isn’t about the huge box reveal. What I got was that Nick and his wife had previously agreed that the public reveal of the pregnancy could be theirs. But after that leaked earlier than planned and DWTS lost the impact of the announcement, he said that the producers knew the gender of the upcoming Carter child and they could reveal it however they liked. Either way, Nick was planning (conspiring) with the producers in this particular manipulation.
Last season, the producers started the ball rolling when they got Jamie leave early and flew her in to surprise Noah on TV. I can kind of see why Noah decided to propose on the show. He might have come up with that on his own. (Although TPTB might have planted an idea.) I remember Noah saying he discussed it ahead of time with the producers and asked permission. He also spoke with Riker, whom he totally upstaged. Unlike, I’m guessing, the producers when they continuously cut Riker’s packages and comments short. Unlike Rumor’s.
I’m over the themes too….and I really hope they never do the dance off again especially. I thought it was such a mess and the judges with their manipulated scoring made it even worse.
Like the rest of you, I’m so over Carlos. I hope he’s the next one to go.
Amen, Vogue — Let’s bring back the dance marathon – as long as all the couples get to dance for at least half the allotted time before they start tapping them out. The marathon is a totally manipulated result too, but compared to this dance-off it was fun and entertaining!
Couldn’t agree more, Cids. Atleast the marathon is fun and entertaining. I love seeing them all out there on one stage dancing.
I don’t mind theme weeks when they are well-executed. If they go well, have ’em as much as you want. But the half-assed ones like icon night just seem like a waste. The icons were totally all over the place or mostly forgotten. Bizarre. And as much as I love Bindi and the results of that Grace Kelly dance, it seemed so out of left field and odd – wonder if that one was fed to her by the producers or gently nudged in that direction or something. Still, ended up totally working so nothing lost there.
I wasn’t thrilled with last night’s theme. Half the time I felt like I was watching Most Memorable Year Part 3 (part 1 being Hometown Glory and part 2 the actual Most Memorable Year). If there was one theme I wish TPTB would get rid of it’s this one. But that will probably never happen. Sigh.
Before the season started, I was so excited that Nick was going to be on. I always wanted a BSB on the show (I was a huge fan back in the day) and Nick being the one was like the cherry on top to me. However, my interest/excitement for him has been waning the last few weeks. IMO, his dancing has been all over the place (as well as Sharna’s choreo), and he comes across as way too intense (but I don’t know if he’s really like that or if it’s editing or just a combination of both). I still would like him to make the finals because I want to see what kind of Freestyle Sharna will come up with, but I don’t care if he wins or loses.
And I would much rather have the marathon back over the dance-offs. Only because I always enjoyed Tom’s “golf commentary”. 🙂
I could do without so many theme nights. I came from the Grace Kelly era so I knew who she was and was excited to see Derek’s choreography to the Foxtrot with that song. AC/DC just didn’t ring or scream Ballroom dance to me. But, his creation was iconic what an amazing performance by Bindi. She is such an amazing and talented young lady. She captivates the audience including me. I love her costume and it was perfect for her. Even if she would have been Val or Mark’s partner, I would feel the same about her. The Switch Up proved that to me.
I also saw all the set ups and manipulations by the producers and even the judges. And, shame on you Julianne & Bruno for having to rack your brains to find something to nick pick Bindi about, even though it didn’t exist anyway.
Wow!!! As usual the judges scores went the way they did to push TPTB’s agenda.
I also thought the baby gender reveal was really out-of-place. It’s plain to see that the producers/judges are pushing for Nick to win. Desperate people do drastic stuff. The whole night was more Nick’s night.
Alexa put everything she could muster up in that dance and I felt so bad for her with her booth slip. I enjoyed her & Mark’s dance. She should of had one more nine.
Alec’s contemporary was really good and he definitely a lifter; but I don’t really feel a close connection with Lindsay. I loved the Rumba dance Alec and Emma did in Switch Up week. I have felt ever since then that he should have gotten Emma for a Pro partner. I think we would see a totally different Alec.
I was noticing Alek up in the Skybox with All Access and his 2 friends and also “Emma” was sitting beside Alek. They definitely belonged together as partners. Oh, well, enough about our hero.
Carlos did do better this week, but I thought he needed just a little more hip action in their salsa. And, Bindi out jived him.
I am not connecting to Tamar and I don’t see any chemistry between her and Val as partners. And, their is something about her face expressions like a blank stare, non-expressive especially when in hold with Val. I just don’t get it.
As for Andy, I just don’t think he had the right partner either. Riker was more Allison’s speed (energy). She has some distance to go yet in Ballroom dancing. I like her and think she is a very nice person, and give her credit for even daring to do this task of this season while expecting a baby. If I was a guy, I would be on my guard that I be very careful with her and that would hold me back from letting go and getting into the dancing. JMO
Hi y’all! So, I just noticed that Carlos posted a new picture w/ the “cruising team” and hash tagged Anthem of the Seas. Which, yes, is arriving in in NYC in a very grand fashion today as it’s the newest and largest Royal Carribean ship. I’m sure they are drawing “inspiration” from one of the Vegas style shows on board but I can’t speculate how that translates to a particular dance style…I’ll leave that to you experts! This is some crazy cross promotion though and I bet this entire “theme” is based on the cruise and they figured out a way to make the other teams trips “work”. I hope this isn’t the end for Team Takedown but if it is at least they are going to have an amazing week! I am curious though how this group got picked for this trip/inspiration…I imagine getting to be on this ship for its inaugural US sailing is a big deal I guess I’m just surprised they didn’t send one of the “stronger” teams? If that makes sense? Or am I over thinking this?! Either way I’m jealous! I Almost had my hubby convinced to be on this sailing when they started booking and then I found out work obligations would prevent it anyways.
So sorry for double posting! But, I just saw that Karina is also on the ship. Random coincidence? Or hopefully she can help [Alek and Lindsay] during rehearsals!
@Figamentation: What does it mean, “coasting off his fanbase”? I don’t understand this phrase and was not able to find it in the dictionary. It would be very nice if you could explain it to me so I can understand the meaning better. 🙂
As a fan, I can say I’m indeed disappointed for how he is being portrayed. Yes, he is a hard worker and a perfectionist, but in fact he’s not as intense as it comes across on the show. Which is quite sad, I think, but I’m enjoying anyway because I know him better and concentrate on that.
Kaoticat, I just mean that Nick has been carried by his Backstreet Boys fans through the rough weeks because I don’t think he’s gained as many “new” fans as the others have. He does have by far the biggest original fanbase though so it will be interesting to see if his homegrown fans continue to vote for him when it matters and if it will be enough, and if it’s not it’s because he never captured the general audience.
I forgot to mention this the other day about themes: as much as I dislike the too many themes every season, I’ve really been enjoying the prediction/wish list posts this season here on Pure. Thanks guys for doing them! It was so much fun to read and participate in! 🙂
I normally like theme nights but this one was just ok…I would much rather have seen a dynamic duo night or just plain latin. I don’t usually like foxtrots but Derek and Bindi were so fun and creative, I think I’ve watched it at least 5 times. The top 3 in terms of dancing should be Bindi, Nick and Carlos in that order but I would like to see Bindi, Nick and Alek or Alexa in the finale. Carlos and Tamar can go home anytime…I am not feeling either one of them.
Random thought: what if in a new season they were to have a pro (one that has been voted out or from previous seasons) choreograph a complete routine for the competing celebrity and pro? Maybe even with just the celeb helping with concept/outfits? Might be an interesting switch-up. But only if the pro, who wouldn’t have any input, could handle the lack of control. Which I’m guessing is probably most of them. They’ve 9 (producers) fubared everything else. So why not? :-/
@Figamentation: That was an excellent explanation! Thank you very much for helping me to understand, I really appreciate it!
I just watched the ad for Monday posted on Twitter. I gotta say it looks like TPTB want Tamar gone — why else would they replay her self-identification as the best dancer in the competition? I’m expecting quite a bit of bad-mouthing coming from her once she’s gone.
Yeah, you wanna talk about “Nastia Treatment” Tamar is getting it – although I don’t think she was ever a real threat to a “pimped one” like Nastia might have been.
Yes, PHeidi, I agree that Tamar is getting what Nastia got last season, only like you said, Nastia was a bigger threat to the “pimped one.” than Tamar is to whoever TPTB are trying to manipulate into the final week.
I feel that, looking back, they used Noel with the surprise showing up of his girlfriend and his proposal to insure the reaction from the viewers would kick Nastia out; but given Bindi’s personality TPTB’s pimping would have had a harder time with manipulation. This season may be more of a challenge when it comes to the infectious Bindi and her amazing natural talents.