PureDWTS Season 23, The FINALS – Who’s Dancing What…And When?
So, are we having two dances on Monday? An unlearned dance and the freestyle?? Or is there some other stupid gimmick that I’m not aware of yet? 🙂
Vogue: Yep, Miss Heidi. We are getting two dances….and a “24-Hour Fusion Challenge” on Tuesday night. Lots more info below courtesy of Disney Abc. Let us know what you think, Everyone! Here’s to the Finals!
Heidi: Apparently, the press release is WRONG is a couple spots. Jana is now doing a V. Waltz from week 1.
ETA: I’ve added in the 24-hour fusion dances. General observation: these seem a bit more ballroom-heavy than usual. -Court-
FOUR COUPLES REMAIN IN ONE OF THE TIGHTEST RACES EVER, BUT ONLY ONE CAN TAKE HOME THE COVETED MIRRORBALL TROPHY, ON THE TWO-PART SEASON FINALE OF ‘DANCING WITH THE STARS,’ NOVEMBER 21 & 22
Len Goodman Returns to the Ballroom as Head Judge
Musical Performers Include Train, Andy Grammer, Vanilla Ice and Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds
Each Celebrity Will Perform a Freestyle Dance
The Season 23 Champion Will Be Revealed at The Grove on Tuesday, November 22
“Episodes 2311 & 2312” – After weeks of stunning competitive dancing, the final four couples advance to the finals of “Dancing with the Stars,” live, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. Len Goodman returns to the ballroom as head judge for the two-part season finale. It’s one of the closest races ever on the show, with some of the most skilled dancing celebrity contestants have ever pulled off. At the end of the night, one couple will be eliminated. The remaining three couples will have one last night of competitive dancing as they perform a “24-Hour Fusion Challenge,” vying to score some extra judges’ points, and one couple will be crowned the “Dancing with the Stars” champion, culminating an incredible season, which will be announced live from The Grove on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EST).
On MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EST), the four finalists will each perform two dances – a Redemption Style dance (paso doblé, Viennese waltz or tango), and a freestyle dance – one of the biggest competitive dances of the season. In addition, Grammy Award-winning Train will perform its hit “Play That Song,” and there will also be a special performance from this winter’s most talked about movie, Lionsgate’s “La La Land” (in select cities December 9, expanding December 16), choreographed by Mandy Moore.
The couples will dance to the following songs (in alphabetical order):
Calvin and Lindsay
Redemption Style: Viennese Waltz – “I Am Your Man” by Ryan Shaw
Freestyle: “Please Mr. Postman”/”I Want You Back” medley by The Marvelettes/Jackson 5
1-800-868-3403
24-hour fusion dance: jive/quickstep
James and Sharna
Redemption Style: Fox Trot – “It Had to Be You” by Harry Connick Jr.
Freestyle: “Beethoven’s 5 Secrets” by The Piano Guys
1-800-868-3405
24-hour fusion dance: Viennese waltz/foxtrot
Jana and Gleb
Redemption Style: Viennese Waltz from Week 1
Freestyle: “Unstoppable” by Sia
1-800-868-3406
Laurie and Val
Redemption Style: Paso Doblé – “Wicked Ones” by Dorothy
Freestyle – “Brand New” by Ben Rector
1-800-868-3407
24-hour fusion dance: foxtrot/Argentine tango
At the end of the night, one couple will be eliminated, and the three remaining couples will go on to vie for the coveted Mirrorball.
In the two-hour season finale on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EST), the three finalists advance to the final stage of the competition. There will be live dancing and show-stopping performances at both The Grove and in the “Dancing with the Stars” ballroom. The night kicks off with a high-energy opening number, featuring a reunion of all 13 of this season’s couples, at The Grove, Caruso’s award-winning retail, dining and lifestyle destination. The season finale will be filled with performances from Vanilla Ice, who will perform “Ice Ice Baby,” featuring Rick Perry and Witney Carson; a special guest performance by Andy Grammer of his global smash hit single, “Fresh Eyes,” 11-time Grammy-winner Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds performing “Winter Wonderland” from his Christmas album, featuring pro dancers Artem Chigvintsev, Cheryl Burke and Allison Holker; and an all-male number to Bruno Mars’ “24K,” featuring the men from this season, including Ryan Lochte, Calvin Johnson, James Hinchcliffe, Maks Chmerkovskiy and Val Chmerkovskiy, among others. In addition, the season finale also features a special performance choreographed by Mandy Moore. This innovative and magical dance celebrates your favorite and heartwarming holiday traditions and stars some of your favorite “Dancing with the Stars” dancers, including Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Witney Carson, Artem Chignvinstev, and many more, and uses technology that will have to be seen to be believed! This is one performance that cannot be missed! There will also be a special performance from the upcoming “Dancing with the Stars: Live! We Came to Dance” tour, hitting the road this winter.
Couples from across the season will celebrate their time on the show by repeating one of their favorite dances, including Laurie & Val’s trio with Maks, Amber Rose & Maks dancing to “Woman Up” by Meghan Trainor, Maureen McCormick dancing to “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” with Artem, Jana & Gleb’s infamous dance to “Hands to Myself,” by Selena Gomez, and more.
In the last element of competition, the couples will perform a new routine as part of a “24-Hour Fusion Challenge.” The remaining couples will fuse two contrasting dance styles, and they’ll have less than 24 hours to prepare that dance for judges’ points. The votes from November 21 will be combined along with the judges’ points from the “24-Hour Fusion Challenge” to determine the winner. At the end of the night at The Grove, a champion will be named, and the winner will be presented with the coveted Mirrorball trophy.
Hosted by two-time Emmy-winning host Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews (sports host and ”Dancing with the Stars” season 10 finalist), “Dancing with the Stars” is the hit series in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts, including dancers/choreographers Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Julianne Hough.
For week 11, viewers may cast their votes for their favorite couples via phone on Monday night during and up to 60 minutes after the end of the “Dancing with the Stars” broadcast in each time zone. Online voting at www.ABC.com and on Facebook at https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ is open for 24 hours, beginning from the start of each episode on the East Coast at 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST and closing at 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST on Tuesday evenings.
Just wanted to let you know that the press release got James and Sharna’s style wrong. They said on Facebook Live that they have Foxtrot which makes a heck of a lot more sense with that song.
Tired of contemporary freestyles… =/
Notice there’s no mention at all of Derek or Marilu. Wonder what that means…. Lots of Maks, though.
i wish that calvin and lindsey would redo his charlston but i think they will do great with their waltz. Most excited to see james and sharna’s freestyle. thank goodness len goodman is back on monday. hopefully he bring back some sanity to the judges table
Well I’m glad to see they’re not having to learn a completely new dance style for Monday night along with their freestyle but I’m a little perplexed about Calvin & Lindsay VW. That was one of their better dances that they won head to head agains’t Sasha and Terra and also was the highest rated dance of that night. I would have thought they may have had him re-do his ChaCha or even Tango after the minor flub. Will be interested to see if any of the judges were working with the couples for this “redemption dance” as well.
Lastly, I can only hope that since the press release mentions that Jana & Gleb will be reproducing their ” infamous dace” , the AT on finale night then maybe that means the writing is on the wall for her with results for Monday night and Calvin may have edged her out…
I saw that too. Really hope he’s there. I dont see a reason why he wouldn’t be there except for Hairspray but i guess we have to wait untli tuesday. Looking foward to James freestyle.
James and Sharna’s Freestyle song is the song she wanted for the Freestyle that never happened with Charlie. Wonder if she’s adapting that general concept to fit James’ story and dance strengths.
@Jackie on Tuesday’s show they generally get most couples to do a dance they’ve done before – it’s just for filler and producers have less pressure in regards to clearing certain songs especially if theyve had them cleared before. Judging by how much they’ve pushed Jana (remember she’s also singing in the finale) it’s still up for speculation (cos in S21 Nick Carter was a finalist, sang his new single live and did his Downton abbey Viennese waltz all on Finale night 2)
Love everything I just read except for the fact I have to sit through the hands to myself dance again. The songs for the freestyles are great as are the ones for the other dances so this should be good….but Calvin has my fav freestyle song. That should be a blast. Oh and that sia song is everywhere lately which I love so for once I’m excited for a Jana dance
I’m hoping/praying that we get to see Marilu do her jazz routine or her samba and to see Terra do her bewitched dance 🙂
I’m also perplexed as to why Calvin has the Viennese Waltz, that was a great dance, and the highest scoring dance of that night. It would have made more sense for him to redo his cha-cha, jazz, or even the tango from this week that he messed up on. Ah well, I’m sure he will do great with the Viennese waltz anyway.
That “announcement” already looks hinky to me. No mention of Marilu/Derek, Terra/Sasha or Emma Slater. Derek might be too busy but where are the others? Kinda shows who they care about.
As for the “redemption” dances, these don’t look like what the teams would have/ should have picked for themselves. So my thoughts are, the judges picked the dances and will work with the couples like Season 16. Or, at the very least, TPTB strongly suggested certain dances.
Thoughts on the Freestyle songs:
-I love Calvin’s- the mashup reminds me of Hines/Kym. They are the fun couple of the season for me, and this song choice feels right
-I’m glad Val’s not going the straight contemporary route with Laurie. I think the song fits her, but I doesn’t feel like a freestyle song.
-I’m very interested to see what Sharna has planned for James’ freestyle. I actually was hoping for something upbeat with a big production, but Sharn’s choreo has been excellent this season so I have faith. This is the freestyle I’m looking forward to the most
-Shocker- Gleb and Jana are doing another angsty, contemporary style dance. The fact that they are doing a freestyle at all annoys me, and I just hope that despite the song this isn’t going to basically be a rehash of every other dance they’ve done.
Also Jana and Gleb’s “infamous dance”? No, just no.
Marilu said on her twitter: “I’m back in action for the finale” She didn’t mention Derek or Team Hennergy so I’m not sure he’ll be there with her. I hope he will be though so that people wouldn’t additionally hate on him for not being there for her.
I definitely think he would be there unless he has something for Hairspray
Am I the only one who really doesn’t care how this season plays out?
After giving Marilu 2 negative packages in a row..then TPTB blatant manipulations to assure Jana a spot in the finals, and even worse manipulation with Lauries grandmothers death to give her an edge heading into the finals???
As Courtney said in her Power Rankings this week, I’m not even sure why I watch this show anymore.
I’m not a fan of slow or Contemporary Freestyles, but I hope to be pleasantly surprised. Based on the songs, I’m more excited for Calvin and Laurie.
These are odd choices for Calvin and James’s redemption dances. They were at the top of the leaderboard with those dances. We all know James can nail a ballroom dance. I would’ve given the Foxtrot to Calvin, and the Cha Cha to James.
If the judges don’t screw around with the scores like they did in week 9, James and Sharna have a very good chance here. I think we will know very early after the first dance to see if they truly have a shot or just making James and Sharna window dressing for Laurie’s cornination.
Brand New is my JAM but if we’re talking Val’s choreo (unless he brings in outside help like Peta last year) i’m thinking its gonna be like Zendaya’s freestyle (which IMO, lost it for her) which wasn’t so great, & could open up a chance for any of the other 3 (mostly james) to get the mirrorball.
I am also really tired of the contemporary route being used in the finale, It was great when not many couples did it in the earlier seasons but now its like meh. (also kinda tired of the contemporary + picture of loved one on screen + cry combination)
They need Maks, Laurie R – Derek is pretty tied up with Hairspray. Marilu did tell me that she’s back at it rehearsing for the finale. Since I didn’t get to actually speak to her, I didn’t get to ask who she was dancing WITH. I assume Derek, but I doubt he’s spending much time on pro dances and such.
That’s Jackie’s point, Rach – the Final three DON’T usually do a dance from the season. Nick was an aberration. Perhaps Jana’s setting a new trend – but we can hope.
If Val cops out and does another ballroom dance in place of a freestyle, he doesn’t deserve the “top pro” spot on that show – he doesn’t deserve it anyway, IMO, and he won’t deserve a win. He will try to spin it as wanting to show “something different” which is total BS. And of course he won’t go contemporary, because he can’t choreograph that without serious help.
When are pros going to learn that the “angsty contemporary” route is ONLY a good way to go if you are a VERY GOOD contemporary choreographer? It seems so over done and redundant on this show – none of them, sans Derek, has the ability to craft something that seems different. And I include Sharna in this group. I hope she proves me wrong, if she’s going contemporary. If Jana and James both do a slower contemporary number – Laurie will win, I think, unless James is unbelievably amazing and mind blowing.
ETA: IF Sharna and Gleb both do contemporary and it’s not mind blowing, and Val doesn’t do contemporary…then I have to give him some props for perhaps recognizing his own weaknesses. If you ain’t great at it, don’t do it in your freestyle. Of course, he would never admit it, but, there you go.
PH, but Bindi also redid her Viennese Waltz with a live performance by Mark & BC outside of the competition.
People will hate on him no matter what, Geri – may as well get used to it.
I hadn’t remembered that, Geri. Seems to be a live musical performance thing.
I’m still hoping Jana leaves. 🙂
In their facebook live yesterday, Sharna said their freestyle is going to be a big mashup of a lot of styles of ballroom and latin…she said it’s never been done before on the show. It will have some contemporary but that’s just one of many elements to it.
It sounds like it is going to be pretty good.
Yeah #Jocelyn it good be pretty good, not that Freestyles haven’t been mashups before, and Calvin’s music lends itself to a very soulful swag vibe mashup, but it sounds like how it is being mapped out is going to be new to the show. So the staging might be quite innovative, at least that’s the vibe I’m getting. I far prefer mashups done well to only contemporary especially when the pro isn’t comfortable in contemporary dance.
@PH according to Sharna the re-dances are for no votes so it’s coming, night 2.
From the last few seasons, the only *really* unique freestyle I remember was Sadie and Marks. Lindsay did a great job with Alek, but those are the only ones that were unique. Not to say the other freestyles weren’t good. Contemporary wise, if the dance isnt emotional (Bindi) and, like Heidi said, if the pro isnt a contemporary choreographer (Allison), it shouldn’t be done, it’ll just fall into the pile of same ole contemp finale routines. I’ve seen the things Gleb has done on DWTS Russia and they are very good, but the whole emotional thing w/ Jana is way too overused.
I’ll believe the “never been done before” bullshit when I see it, Jocelyn. Pros say that all the time and MOST of the time it HAS been done before.
Cassanova, you’ll have to be more clear – what “re-dances” on Night 2?
That sounds like the standard finale dance to me, which gets a judges score.
I think James and Sharnas can easily win it for them. It’s an epic gorgeous piece of music and she’s not going the contemporary route so it easily has the chance to be highly impactful
@ Jocelyn
Shawn’s Freestyle with Derek (S15) was a big mashup of a lot of styles of Ballroom and Latin. So that’s definitely been done before…
For me the recent unique Freestyles were Amber’s (S17), James’ (S18) Bethany’s & Sadie’s (S19) & Alek’s (S21).
Very true Heidi, they do say that a lot and most of the time it has been done before.
I know Sharna isn’t on the same level as Derek but I think she is really good and that this might just be really beautiful. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens Monday.
CC I have been listening to their piece of music and agree that it is an epic gorgeous piece…it just gives me the feeling that she and James might have a shot over Laurie and Val.
I am also really hoping Calvin and Lindsey can take that third spot over Jana and Gleb!
I agree, Geri. I immediately thought of Shawn’s freestyle with Derek as well, when I heard what Sharna had said.
I have no problem with using ideas that worked before…but when you claim that it’s never been done before I start to question either your sanity or your honesty…or your memory, since it’s sharna and not Val. 🙂
PH, Sharna actually said the concept and the staging is different, not the dancing.
Looking forward to James and Sharna’s freestyle. Given they are redoing their week 1 dance a mashup of all the other styles they’ve done is a perfect strategy to show his growth. Really hope TPTB take their hands off the finals and just let this play out.
Also interested in seeing Calvin and Laurie’s dances. Hoping Val actually gives her some GOOD choreography.
Jana I honestly don’t care what they come up with. Musically I’m not a huge Sia fan and I lost interest in Jana and Gleb around week 3. If he’s back again next season please put him with someone a little less desperate and annoying.
#16 I dont care how it plays out either. It’s a meaningless award because the assignment of songs, styles, dance order, and scoring processes have been so corrupt. TPTB have been disrespectful to everyone as this has played out: pros, celebs, viewers, network, and show sponsors. Is it possible to impeach the producer??? Just wondering…
@PH – I think the “re-dances” that Cassanova is referring to are repeated dances that the Top 3 do on Night 2 as kind of “extended bumpers” that aren’t for points or votes. They’ve had them the last two seasons and they’re separate from the Fusions, which are for points. In S21 Bindi did VW with Mark/BC playing, Nick did VW, and Alek did his Jazz (the one on the porch); in S22 Paige did her UFC Paso, and I forget what Nyle and Ginger did. Whoever comes 4th also repeats a dance from earlier in the season on Night 2, just not as a bumper.
I only have one small request for Monday night – please give Jana 4th place! I NEED Calvin to stay!!!
Just initial thoughts about the songs & dances:
Predicting that Jana’s gonna give us what has become the “basic b*tch” freestyle – something vaguely contemporary-ish and angsty, to very “girl power-y” music and with an overall theme of overcoming adversity. Nothing wrong with it, per se – other than it’s become completely cliched on this show and is probably the least unique freestyle concept they could give us. She may as well wear Uggs and a “Live Laugh Love” shirt to do it in, and sip a pumpkin spice latte the whole time.
Laurie’s freestyle song is slightly better, but also struck me as a bit generic – just a general, upbeat song that happens to be popular right now. I’m guessing it turns out vaguely Zendaya-ish, with just a little bit of gymnastics thrown in. Guess now would be the time to do it, if they’re gonna do it at all.
Calvin’s has the potential to be cool – just hope it’s not too much of a retooling of his jazz, since the music is somewhat similar.
I think James & Sharna’s is probably the only one that has the potential to be artsy and unique – the song is definitely not what I would have expected, but I’m glad they don’t appear to be going the kitschy route like Helio & Julianne did. Where a fun, upbeat, simple freestyle with some lifts used to guarantee a good response back in the day, these days you seem to need a bit more emotional gravity and artistic expression.
Redemption styles? I think Calvin & James ought to do well, I think Jana & Laurie will probably do about the same thing they did the first time around – and nobody will really improve drastically. Anymore, they seldom do.
Interested to see who gets handed what for the 24-hour fusions – would not be at all shocked to see James or Calvin saddled with some sort of samba fusion, considering they never did it as a regular dance during the season. Would not be shocked if Laurie got some sort of Argentine tango fusion – they have a funny way of saddling the 3 finalists with dances the either rock at, or really struggle with…
Like CM mentioned way upthread, it sounds like Sharna is tweaking the freestyle she had in mind for Charlie. There is an afterbuzz post-show interview with her and Noah where she talks about the staging and concept. If that is what she goes with, it does sound like it could be pretty cool.
That doesn’t actually change my comment or my opinion, CM. We’ll just see about that.
Just hit me that Len and Bruno are going from blackpool week to the finale of our version all in the matter of a couple of days. Talk about a crazy week.
So Vin? They used to do that every single week of the fall season for years.
Ok so my initial predictions changed a bit after listening to all the songs. I have to 100% agree with Courtney…literally my exact thoughts on Jana. I just can’t…it’s just so basic. She reminds me of those characters on Scream Queens…and not in a good way. I swear if they have 1 amazing gimmick that makes their freestyle memorable and get enough votes to final 2…then it’ll just be a sad day.
On a brighter note, so happy they are using 24k Magic. Have been waiting for DWTS to do soemthing with it. But, I would have liked it if James and Sharna did a cha cha to it and won! ?
@princess Heidi: true I just meant that this go around in particular is extra exciting becuase there are so many good dancers.
I really don’t know why people dislike Jana & Gleb so much!! She hasn’t done anything to deserve this. People are not wanting to give them a chance. I want Jana & Gleb to win!
@Bevan
A lot of people find Jana one-note & whiny, it’s everyone’s prerogative to have their preferences. A lot of her dances have simmilar elements. And after already doing 2 sad Contemporaries about breaking free, one by herself & one with Laurie, it looks like she’s going to do a 3rd Contemporary of a simmilar kind for the Freestyle so people are not particularly excited about that.
Good for you, BEVAN. Learn to live with the fact that people don’t agree with you.
@PH sorry I wasn’t clear, its the re-dances of a favorite dance on the finale night are scored, and I am pretty sure they all get perfect so it cancels out any sort of change to the outcome. Regardless fans aren’t voting on them on finale night.
But the fusion dances have been scored differently in the past. Although I think the score will mirror the fan vote, there are those that think they could be used to skew the results of the vote in another direction, especially if the vote is close enough to make it happen, and if they want the DWTS Winner not an also ran to be the headliner on Tour.
From a tango to a VW? I wonder why they switched? Maybe it wouldn’t have let Laurie and her paso stand out as much? I wonder if this change just kinda proved she’ll might make final 2 with James and Laurie ?
I’m with you Bevan. I like Jana and have seen that a lot of others do too or she wouldn’t have made it to the final four. There is a difference between being emotional vs. clingy, at least in my book. She reminds me a lot of Erin in Season 10 who was also coming off a very difficult experience and I think Gleb did a great job just as Maks did with Erin. Really, it seems to me to be a matter of different strokes for different folks.
I wonder if they changed it from Tango to VW since the press release also states she & Gleb will be reproducing their ”infamous dace” on the 2nd night therefore a bit of Tango overload?
ETA: Whether it was changed or planned that way all along, I still don’t feel like either of Jana or Calvin’s dances are necessarily redemption worthy. If I remember correctly, Bruno threw out the 8 battle for Jana’s VW waltz week 1 he liked it so much. Also, I kind of wish that each couple would be doing a “redemption dance” unlike the other. Not really feeling 2 VW’s for this semi-finale night. Would have loved to see Calvin re-do his chacham or even his Tango. As far as Jana, I would have thought her Jive would have been more redemption worthy.
I don’t think you remember how this show works, Rose1. It’s a combination of judges scores and viewer votes. When one contestant gets a higher score than other (equally worthy) dancers, then it is MUCH easier for that dancer to stick around. It’s simple math. Do you realize that Jana could be getting the least number of votes every week but as long as she is at the top of the leader board she can still stay?? All it takes is that Terra (or whoever) doesn’t beat the margin.
I want to see if Gleb can make their VW non-raunchy this time…if it was the tango to Stay the Night, I’d almost expect that black bed to make a reappearance haha.
Every time Jana and Calvin have done the same dance on the same night, like AT and waltz, Calvin is underscored and they rave about Jana and she gets a perfect score. I hope that won’t be what happens again in the finals.
I wish the pros would stop talking up their freestyles – they use all that hyperbole and that’s hard to live up to. I think of Nick Carter’s BSB freestyle last year with Sharna saying how it was going to be something unexpected, except it really really wasn’t (at least imo).
Hello guys!!!
Just to clarify that regarding Jana & Gleb’s dances, their redemption dance is still Tango, for their favourite dance to perform on the finale on Tuesday night, they’re replacing their “Hands To Myself” Argentine Tango to their Week 01 Viennese Waltz
Kikki, OH no you just reminded me of their VW…forgot it was that raunchy week 1 performance. I tend to force my mind to forget Jana’s performances. Don’t mind Gleb though. I agree, hope they don’t produce the same thing to a different piece of music.
I’m hoping Sharna now fully understands how to play TPTB’s at their own game with timing and teaching James. It doesn’t hurt that her dances/songs seem like they may cater to the core audience who are a avid voters.
Based on last week’s scores and votes, I am praying Calvin and Lindsay beat out Jana and Gleb.
I swear I feel like the country’s politics have invaded the ballroom. Jana is like Trump to me and TPTB/judge’s scores are like the Electoral College (too harsh lol?). Well…James is my Bernie Sanders. 😛
Rose1, have to say that I agree with you. There is a difference between emotional and clingy. In my opinion, she’s the latter (towards raunchy performances at least). Also, I don’t really see the comparison with Erin. But, I hope she doesn’t make it to final 2 like Erin. I agree they both had horrible things happen to them. But, hey at I saw a lot of different sides to Erin during her season than Jana.
Jana & Gleb are no longer doing ther “infamous” shower Argentine Tango but doing their Week 1 Viennese Waltz as their Favourite dance on Night 2 instead. I guess there might have been issues with the shower prop since there seems to be a lot going on as pro numbers on Night 2.
Now that we know Gleb has the flu that’s probably why they aren’t redoing the shower dance for Night 2.
Er, Erin didn’t get second place, she got third. And is NOTHING like Jana. Erin was always rather caustic, whereas Jana is weepy.
I so don’t care what dances Jana and Gleb are now doing. Sorry. When a press release is wrong twice in the same week, there’s no point to updating and trying to keep it straight.
Especially when I so don’t care about Jana anyway.
Maybe someone knows the answer to this. I don’t think it matters but I could be wrong. Does anyone recall a contestant in the past never being in jeopardy and not winning DWTS? Laurie has never been in jeopardy and some people wonder what this means. I say it’s just drama when people are put in jeopardy and guessing someone who’s never in jeopardy is just really popular but not necessarily winning or getting tons of votes each week. So my real question is, if Laurie is never in jeopardy (not yet anyway, still got this coming week) does this mean anything as far as her winning or not winning? I can’t remember a time when someone was never in jeopardy through the whole season and whether they’ve won or not. I’m sure there must’ve been someone. I also know winners have been in jeopardy before. Thanks, guys! 🙂
…. Sorry just googled this now. What I found are just people who watch the show and I don’t know if they’re sure or not but looks Maria, Bristol, Corbin, Paige and maybe Ginger (just naming a few) were never in jeopardy. Is this accurate?
Again, I don’t think Laurie never being in jeopardy means a thing but I was having this conversation with someone about this and wanted to be sure.
EmmEmm that is your right, I have no problem with it. My point was, outside of this forum, I have seen significant support for Jana so we all clearly don’t see things through the same lens. To many of us she comes across as someone who is courageous and resilient. She took an incredibly difficult situation and turned it into a positive, just as Erin did. That was the point of comparison.
We’ve done multiple posts on this site about this topic, Sandy, and we’ve discussed it quite a bit this season. Search the site for “Jeopardy Theory”.
Thank you so much! You guys rock! 🙂
@Sandy – If you don’t find what you’re looking for in the archives here, wikipedia keeps a record of who was “last to be called safe” (and differentiates it from actual bottom two) each week. That doesn’t cover everyone who was in jeopardy because they often put three people in jeopardy and then call one of them safe before doing the final elimination, but it’s something. This season neither Laurie nor James has been “last to be called safe” yet, but James was in jeopardy one other time.
When I was going through and compiling my list of everyone who had had multiple “last to be called safe” appearances, I noticed a few people who were never there and didn’t win. Off the top of my head, I know both Nastia and Noah from Season 20 (4th and 3rd place respectively) were never “last safe”, ditto for Bethany in Season 19 (4th place) and Amy from Season 18 (2nd place, although I remember that she was the 3rd person in “jeopardy” the week that Charlie went home).
“Jeopardy” is a tool the producers use. That is all. It’s not magic. Looking at it from that perspective, of course there are going to be lots of people who are never in jeopardy, yet don’t win. Marilu was never in jeopardy, just this season. Why? Because Jeopardy often has the impact of making people vote harder.
@PH #70 – Yup. I’ve noticed that Derek’s partners in particular seem to avoid jeopardy, regardless of how they’re doing. Bindi was “last safe” in the Semi-Finals with Nick last year, but I suspect that had more to do with trying to get Nick the votes to get him to 2nd place (and that Bindi was going to win no matter what they did at that point). Other than that it’s been a while since one of Derek’s partners has been in jeopardy before they were eliminated.
I found what I was looking for so thanks for that. I agree with PH. Calling people in jeopardy seem to work because many times I see that, people freak out and start voting harder so that’s a smart tactic the TPTB use to warn people like, “hey! He’s not getting enough votes so get going on that!” It is interesting how Derek’s partners get less “you’re in jeopardy.” So I feel that it is his fans who are voting like crazy and I know that’s one of the reasons why he last so long on the show besides his amazing talent. Honestly, I hope a lot of Derek fans will power vote for James and if so, I feel James has a great shot at this. I do believe with or without Derek’s fans, James still has a great shot anyway but it can’t hurt to get more extra votes.
The show has avoided putting Derek and partner in jeopardy ever since Bethany’s season they were never in jeopardy same with Nastia and then there was that one instance where there no elimination and they put Bindi and Nick in jeopardy which was kind of fake and same with Marilu. They even called Marilu safe 1st in week 8 to make it look like she is getting the votes. I could be wrong but feels like this is the strategy they use against Derek and partners.Make it look like they are always safe.
It’s definitely a strategy they use…and not just against Derek.
@ mishti
The new producers took over in S19 which is likely the reason why Derek’s partners have not been in Jeopardy since Bethany. TPTB always pretend that they are safe until they are suddenly gone. (Yes the Bindi/Nick Jeopardy was fake Jeopardy because noone was eliminated that week due to Tamar pulling out)
Since Marilu/Derek were eliminated two weeks ago,I haven’t bothered voting for anybody. I guess that makes me a fairweather fan? But really more like disappointed since in the two weeks leading up to their elimination, they had negative packages from TPTB..as I’m sure they were killing the votes and had to be taken out so that the agenda would succeed. Hence the negative packages.
I will throw some phone votes to James. Although I like Laurie as a dancer, I think James has done even BETTER as he came into this as a non-dancer/gymnast unlike Ms Hernandez.
Awesome Court. I love that we will see more Ballroom heavy fusion dances!
Yay for Ballroom!
Out of the fusion dances James and Sharna have plenty of moves to chose from since he has done both styles twice. He did the Team Past and the Halloween number to V Waltz and his first and last dance was the Foxtrot!
I voted for Calvin. A total non dancer if you remember his sister. His fusion looks to play to his strength for a change. He could be the upset with Laurie 3rd. Would love that.
So Calvin’s a total non-dancer, Lea? What does that make James, then?
Looks like they guaranteed Calvin 3rd with the Fusion Dance.It’s really difficult going from a Jive to a QS and James and Laurie have the perfect dances with James looking like he has the advantage because he has fantastic lines…If Laurie doesn’t get the same score as him this could guarantee his win!
I’m particularly excited about the styles they gave Calvin. I love the energy he brings, so I’m glad they gave him styles that showcase that.
FWIW, I actually don’t think they screwed or pimped anyone on the fusion dances this season. I think every couple got something they could & likely would do well with. My main worry was that they were gonna try and saddle Calvin and/or James with a dance neither one had done before: samba.
Only thing I find odd is that it’s so ballroom-heavy. It’s usually either a ballroom/Latin fusion, or a Latin/Latin fusion. I mean, this is what they’ve done in previous seasons:
Season 22: Argentine tango/foxtrot, jive/salsa, cha-cha/tango
Season 21: salsa/tango, rumba/tango, Argentine tango/cha-cha
Season 20: Argentine tango/cha-cha, salsa/quickstep, foxtrot/paso doble
Season 19: samba/quickstep, foxtrot/paso doble, Argentine tango/cha-cha
Season 18: Argentine tango/cha-cha, samba/quickstep, foxtrot/cha-cha
Season 17: cha-cha/foxtrot, paso doble/salsa, samba/quickstep