Dancing With the Stars - Fall 2017

[Imzadi]

Well, the impression I got was more of a Holiday Inn Express type place, so probably no doorman. And it may have been getting out in the snow more than fear. It didn't look like she had much of a jacket, typical Californian. Still, it was very late and it didn't seem like anyone was around.

This really bugs me. Was she outing Drew for not helping her. Or that ABC/DWTS is too cheap (or unknowing) to pay for her to stay at a decent, safe hotel that would have someone at the door for her, and she'd be given money to tip a guy to help her to the door?

I'm thinking now, it might be more the latter. I stay at a fairly decent hotel when we go down to Atlantic City. (By decent, I mean no bedbugs.) And when they are full the only place to park is out back behind the hotel. I've never gotten in very late, but, no way am I parking back there, especially alone. (I've seen several people "make" a parking space out of the lawns next to the front & sides of the hotel so they don't have to park back there.) And there is no door guy to help. I might be able to persuade the desk guy. But, I'd have to call and wake him from snoozing at the desk at 1am AND I'd have to tip him $10 or more each time, to make it worth his while to come around the back of the hotel - and if nothing else, just watch me from the corner of the building and run and call 911 if something happens to me, because I know he isn't going to do anything else to help. If that is the case, then yes, ABC/DWTS cough up some money to help Emma be safe.

If she has a problem with Drew, then she needs to speak to him about it, not post it on social media, where he finds out from someone else that he's been thoughtless about her safety.

 

[bjscheel]

Here's another thing last night had me thinking about, wanted to see what others think. DWTS has a history of steamy dances, often with spouses, fiancees etc, sitting right in the first or second row. I'm thinking about Gilles with Cheryl, or any of Karina's partners.

Seems that lately it's all very PG, like the pros are being conservative. I mean, a
"friendly" Argentine Tango, to a song about brothers? Big disconnect there, to me. I can see being careful with minors, like many of Val's partners, but when it's part of the dance there should be steam.

Any thoughts?

I think Lindsay and Jordan were in a hard spot if they were given Argentine Tango as a dance but the option to pick a song that related to Jordan. If they made the Tango steamy, they would have had to pick a song with that feel and maybe that doesn't relate to Jordan. It pigeonholes their options, kwim? But then you can't do steamy with a brother song, so what do you do?

 

[Imzadi]

Seems that lately it's all very PG, like the pros are being conservative. I mean, a
"friendly" Argentine Tango, to a song about brothers? Big disconnect there, to me. I can see being careful with minors, like many of Val's partners, but when it's part of the dance there should be steam.

Any thoughts?

I'm thinking it's more a combo of the Pros that are there and the stars cast. In the past, Karina did pull a steamy dance out of Mormon, Donny Osmond. I think it was the paso. He put his hand on her upper thigh and it was so HOT! Donny joked afterward that that move made him sleep on the couch afterward.

Len did mention last nite that a regular tango is a [PG] one you do with your spouse and the Argentine tango is the steamy one you do with your mistress. The song does play a big part in it too. Many songs seem to be mis-paired with the dances that are done with them. I think that is more the producers assigning songs than the Pros being able to pick a song. As in the producers saying, "We got the rights to this song, so you are going to do it with the Argentine Tango."

For Mark & Lindsey's tango, Mark is just too good of a friend with Lindsey to have gotten into that vibe with her. And he usually gets the young ones, so he's never had to pull steaminess out of a partner before.

Cheryl had Terrell. No steam was going to be coming from him.

Peta could have pulled it off, but she didn't even have a star who could MOVE, let alone get steam from him.

Val did broach the subject with Victoria, but she was too embarrassed, and instead winked at the audience to show them she wasn't really serious about going there. And after the way she cried last night about leaving, I have to wonder if her emotional mentality overall, isn't stunted at a young age. Like it stopped when she was in a coma.

Witney is very sweet. I'm not sure she can pull steaminess out of someone? Just telling someone he has to be sexy isn't enough. Frankie tried, even with opening his shirt and getting some sparkle and some contouring. But, I don't think it's in Frankie, as much as he throws himself into whatever is assigned to him. I'm not sure if even Derek could have coached it out of him. Frankie tried to play intense, but that's not the same thing.

Drew is a bit too awkward in his body. Like he still can't believe he is so large and fully fits into his body. I saw an old Hallmark movie he was in the other day. His acting was bad. I think he really thought him being so tall dark & handsome was enough to become an actor. And it obviously wasn't. I think it would hard to get a lot of steaminess out of him.
Just my random thoughts. I'd like to hear what others think too.

Maybe the producers really are gearing the show to a more PG rating, to gear up to the DWTS Junior next spring?

 

[robinb]

Ok, here's something that bothered me more than the dangerous trick. Emma has been going going somewhere snowy with Drew so he can film his show. Canada maybe. They practice until like 1 am, then Emma drives herself to the hotel, alone in the snow. She did an Instagram story where she was sitting in the car, didn't want to get out into the snow to walk into the hotel. I know they are just partners, but Drew should make sure she gets back to the hotel ok! (Emma would probably be offended if she read this.)

I'm an Instagram newbie. I found Emma and I followed her but I just see her photos. How do I find her stories? Do they disappear after a while?

 

[Rockette]

I'm an Instagram newbie. I found Emma and I followed her but I just see her photos. How do I find her stories? Do they disappear after a while?

Yea, they go away after about 24 hours. Just click on her icon picture... if it has a red circle around it, a story will be available. If it's gray, it means you've already watched it.

Edit: Keep in mind that the stories feature is not available on a PC, just mobile applications.

 

[Dancind]

This really bugs me. Was she outing Drew for not helping her. Or that ABC/DWTS is too cheap (or unknowing) to pay for her to stay at a decent, safe hotel that would have someone at the door for her, and she'd be given money to tip a guy to help her to the door?

If she has a problem with Drew, then she needs to speak to him about it, not post it on social media, where he finds out from someone else that he's been thoughtless about her safety.

I didn't get the feeling she was complaining, just the usual social media posting that these young women do 24/7 (although Derek posts the most). She was complaining a little about being cold! I just got a lonely, scary vibe from the video. And yes, DWTS should spring for a nicer place with indoor parking! And yes, I have a daughter around Emma's age.

RobinB, you have to put the Instagram App on your phone to see the stories.

 

[AustinTink]

They should have gotten her gloves and a spotter who could tell Drew to lift her 2 inches higher or whatever.

 

[AustinTink]

Here's another thing last night had me thinking about, wanted to see what others think. DWTS has a history of steamy dances, often with spouses, fiancees etc, sitting right in the first or second row. I'm thinking about Gilles with Cheryl, or any of Karina's partners.

Seems that lately it's all very PG, like the pros are being conservative. I mean, a
"friendly" Argentine Tango, to a song about brothers? Big disconnect there, to me. I can see being careful with minors, like many of Val's partners, but when it's part of the dance there should be steam.

Any thoughts?

A lot of the pros are partnered up or married now, too. Wonder if that effects the steaminess factor of their choreography.

 

[AustinTink]

So, I'm partially deaf and I read lips. I just rewatched the elimination and when they cut to Victoria's parents the dad said "that's bull****". He seemed so angry. Hopefully he put on a more positive demeanor for his daughter later that night. That kind of negativity doesn't help matters.

 

[robinb]

I think that

So, I'm partially deaf and I read lips. I just rewatched the elimination and when they cut to Victoria's parents the dad said "that's bull****". He seemed so angry. Hopefully he put on a more positive demeanor for his daughter later that night. That kind of negativity doesn't help matters.

Knowing competitive swim parents as I do, I can't say it surprises me.

 

[Imzadi]

She is totally awesome. But I still can’t get past the fact that she and her dad were fighting tooth and nail after she was banned from para swimming in late 2012. Five years later she’s on DWTS. I just think maybe the IPC was on to something when they banned her.

You mentioned this last nite about Victoria. You want to give us the Cliff Notes version of what this is about?

 

[Imzadi]

So, I'm partially deaf and I read lips. I just rewatched the elimination and when they cut to Victoria's parents the dad said "that's bull ****". He seemed so angry. Hopefully he put on a more positive demeanor for his daughter later that night. That kind of negativity doesn't help matters.

I have to wonder if going for all the sympathy votes actually didn't get her out of the race? I remember last week, they showed a clip of Val & Victoria in rehearsal, where they had to sit her down because her side cramped up or got paralyzed. And Val yelled to someone to call her mother.

I was thinking, "Why don't they have an EMT person on call for her already, in case something like that happened?" And maybe it was time for her to go home and watch the rest of the show on the couch. I know I'd hate to feel responsible for voting her to stay and then she severely injures herself again and doesn't even feel it as it's happening. Emma, Lindsay, Lindsey & Witney all have injured themselves, and those gals are strong & healthy and can feel their injuries. Others may have thought it's time for Victoria to go too.

 

[Arielle22]

I think that

Knowing competitive swim parents as I do, I can't say it surprises me.

I have seen that type of parent in other competitive events as well. However what surprised me was that Victoria was so emotional. Usually people who compete are much tougher and hide their feelings. She looked like she was going to collapse crying. My daughter and I noticed it immediately.

I am glad she is gone as I was tired of her talking about her disability. I remember when Carrie Ann would say she had to judge everyone the same despite disabilities or age. That seems to have fallen by the wayside along with her no lifts rule.

 

[AustinTink]

I have to wonder if going for all the sympathy votes actually didn't get her out of the race? I remember last week, they showed a clip of al & Victoria in rehearsal, where they had to sit her down because her side cramped up or got paralyzed. And Val yelled to someone to call her mother.

I was thinking, "Why don't they have an EMT person on call for her already, in case something like that happened?" And maybe it was time for her to go home and watch the rest of the show on the couch. I know I'd hate to feel responsible for voting her to stay and then she severely injures herself again and doesn't even feel it as it's happening. Emma, Lindsay, Lindsey & Witney all have injured themselves, and those gals are strong & healthy and can feel their injuries. Others may have thought it's time for Victoria to go too.

That's possible. People didn't want her to injure herself and end up back in a bad situation. The sympathy route may have backfired since she really comes across as fragile.

 

[robinb]

You mentioned this last nite about Victoria. You want to give us the Cliff Notes version of what this is about?

Cliff Notes:

* Paralympic swimming is divided up into divisions depending on the disability. This makes it fairer for people of one type of disability to compete against each other. For instance, blind athletes do not compete against athletes who are missing a limb.
* Victoria Arlen was a Paralympic swimmer. She was classified as s6: "This sport class includes swimmers with short stature or amputations of both arms, or moderate co-ordination problems on one side of their body, for example." She swam for the US in the 2012 London Olympics and broke the S6 100 Meter Freestyle World Record and the S6 400 M Freestyle record at the US' Paralympic Trials and the S6 200 M Freestyle record a month later. This was less than 3 years after she woke up from her coma.
* After her Paralympic classification for the London Games, the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) requested that Victoria provide doctors reports that prove her disability with 12 months. It isn't enough that someone be disabled, they are have to be permanently disabled. The family handed over the medical records in late July 2013.
* Victoria was in Montreal ready to swim in the 2013 IPC World Championships in August 2013 when she was given the news that she was barred from swimming.
* The press release:

IPC Swimming can confirm that Victoria Arlen of the USA will not participate at the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships and future IPC Swimming competitions having failed to provide conclusive evidence of a permanent eligible impairment.

Following her classification at the London 2012 Paralympic Games last August, IPC Swimming requested a more detailed medical report into her impairment to be provided within 12 months. This was duly provided by the USOC on 24 July 2013 despite several requests for it to provided earlier.

The medical report had the name of the athlete removed and was then sent to five independent medical experts who did not know which athlete they were assessing.

All, independently of each other, were in agreement that the report, its assessment and its diagnosis fail to provide sufficient evidence of an eligible impairment leading to permanent or verifiable activity limitation - which is required under the IPC Swimming Classification Rules and Regulations.

Therefore the athlete has been found non-eligible to compete in IPC swimming competitions.

Following a USOC appeal, the Board of Appeal of Classification (BAC) upheld the decision on Friday (9 August).

* Here is a link to both Victoria and her father's statements: https://swimswam.com/victoria-arlen-releases-statement-father-writes-letter/

TL;DR: Victoria was banned from swimming by the IPC because multiple doctors made an assessment that her disability was not permanent.

 

[rodeo65]

Ok, here's something that bothered me more than the dangerous trick. Emma has been going going somewhere snowy with Drew so he can film his show. Canada maybe. They practice until like 1 am, then Emma drives herself to the hotel, alone in the snow. She did an Instagram story where she was sitting in the car, didn't want to get out into the snow to walk into the hotel. I know they are just partners, but Drew should make sure she gets back to the hotel ok! (Emma would probably be offended if she read this.)

So, disclaimer - I didn't see the IG post. My child does train at the studio where they were rehearsing up here in "snowy" Canada, though. There were two days last week that were extremely cold for this time of year and we did get a small amount of snow on one of those days. I wish I could have seen the post - the studio is further north than where we live, but we got what I would call a dusting.

I do agree that she should have an escort that late at night.

 

[MataHari22]

There is always a large portion of people who vote for the best dancer, as this is a dance competition. Doesn't matter if the contestant came in already knowing how to dance really well. That's Jordan.

Mark has a HUGE fan base. And Lindsey is likable. So she will get the musicians votes and the boho/artsy votes.

Drew has all the HGTV votes. The twin votes. And even though the judges panned him last week, he had more votes than Victoria.

As you said, Frankie has the most improved and and sheer joy of the journey.

This Final could go in any direction. I don't think we've ever had one like this before.

So true. I agree with everything you wrote. I would like to see Frankie win, or Drew would be my second choice. Frankie has given 1000% and he's just so humble, hard working and joyful. I hardly ever vote, in all the seasons I've voted only a handful of times. I made sure to vote for him last night.

 

[lisaviolet]

Dance of the night so dang far. Jordan's reaction is priceless

Jordan & Linday

WOW

Jordan's version was better than the original

Far & above! This was probably the best jive I've seen on the show... even adding in the pros dancing together.

Unbelievable dance. Fantastic.

I posted it to a group WhatsApp with "Don't you wish you could dance like that?".

Must be utterly exhilarating. The feeling while dancing, and afterwards. Bitterly jealous.

His reactions seem fake to me. I can't warm to him.

I can't warm to him either AustinTink.

___________________________________

But boy am I loving his talent.

 

[lisaviolet]

No snow here in this part of Canada! I'm curious where Drew is at with his show.

I could not watch that spin. Didn't really understand why one would take such a chance. Carrie Ann and Bruno were all over it when the pair was ushered away. The rehearsal was horrific to watch, he was so incredibly off. I couldn't have trusted Drew with it.

I just adore Frankie and Witney. What a joy it has been to watch those two!

 

[Imzadi]

Cliff Notes:

"The medical report had the name of the athlete removed and was then sent to five independent medical experts who did not know which athlete they were assessing.

All, independently of each other, were in agreement that the report, its assessment and its diagnosis fail to provide sufficient evidence of an eligible impairment leading to permanent or verifiable activity limitation - which is required under the IPC Swimming Classification Rules and Regulations.

Therefore the athlete has been found non-eligible to compete in IPC swimming competitions."​

​

Wow! So it wasn't just our imagination or the way the show packaged her, that she really uses and wears her disability like a sash, the way a beauty pageant contestant wears a sash, to enter & try to win competitions.

And it would also explain why there was no EMT nearby, on call, just for her condition - if she does not really have a condition that would necessitate needing one nearby.