Official Dancing with the Stars - All Stars

[Imzadi]

....while I'm estatic that Kelly didn't win and although I'm glad that Tony FINALLY won, in my heart, I truly believe that Shawn should have won and that Derek ruined it for her with that one dance that they were penalized....

I think if everyone broke the rules and threw in things that didn't belong, like Derek and the tribal samba (which had way more tribal than samba), they wouldn't have seemed any different. I think it was the breaking of the rules that made people think they were better dancers, when actually they were just better cheaters. You need to be able to compare apples to apples. That's why there are the rules and restrictions. Normal dance competitions wouldn't allow Derek to be putting in those elements and neither should this one.

I would have respected Shawn and Derek a lot more if they had repeated the Quickstep but modified it to follow the rules. Derek is talented enough to still make the dance exciting and it would have shown just how great they really were. Instead a lot of people were left with the impression that they felt like they were above the rules that everyone else was adhering to.

I totally agree. I felt like Derek thumbed his nose at the judges in an attempt to show how great he is. He *is* great so he certainly could have adjusted the dance to follow the rules and still be equally amazing.

While I am glad that Tony & Melissa won, I DO agree that it was Derek thumbing his nose at the rules that may have cost him votes. Whether they would have won if they have, we'll never know. Being the pro, it was HIS responsibility to decide whether they should have broken the rules or abided to them.

I agree with those that say that Shawn was technically great. Derek choreographed a lot of moves to showcase how well she could move. He SHOULD have also concentrated some on her emotional expression. Melissa far out-shined in that area.

Just goes to show how differently people can view the same performances. I thought the correct couple won, based strictly on the dance ability. Shawn did a lot of tricks, but that isn't dancing. That's gymnastics. Everyone of her dances had the gymnastics element to it. Melissa danced. Did not rely on tricks. And, I am so over Derek that it isn't funny. Tony is every bit as good as Derek, but has been stuck with a hideous string of non-dancing partners. Derek has NEVER had a Kate Gosselin. When he gets one, if ever, I might believe his hype.

Glad he finally got a great dancer and was able to prove it.

Someone here said a while ago that the pros are told that some pros will get a real "contender," while some will just get a star who is a "participant." Tony was always stuck with the "participants." Meanwhile Derek was always given a "contender."

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

So, you're saying that it was all Shawn's decision to break the rules again? She is (a) young and (b) used to following a coach's advise. He advised her to break the rules and she went along with it.

I felt like he gave her the option, yes. She's also nearly 21.

 

[kimmar067]

Someone here said a while ago that the pros are told that some pros will get a real "contender," while some will just get a star who is a "participant." Tony was always stuck with the "participants." Meanwhile Derek was always given a "contender."

"You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody,...."

 

[robinb]

She's also nearly 21.

Nearly 21 ... not young at all .

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

Nearly 21 ... not young at all .

After I wrote that, I thought hmm, 21 IS young!

Still though, I think she's been in the competitive arena enough to understand the concept of following the rules.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I believe that Derek is the best just because during group dances, he always ends up catching my eye. I also think he does a good job of choreographing around his partner so as to highlight strengths and mask weaknesses. Many of the pros do this, as well, though. Also, saying a pro is better than another is a lot like saying one color is better than another. Sure, more people might like blue more than yellow, but to yellow lovers, it doesn't matter. Yellow is their favorite. That's how the pros are. One might have won more competitions, but people enjoy different styles and if that pro isn't dancing that specific fan's preferred style, he won't be that fan's favorite. I like most of the pros, but Derek and Tristan are two of my favorites.

If I were to ever become famous and go on the show, I do think that Derek would be my first choice with Tristan, Tony, and Jonathan (if he ever came back) close behind. Also wouldn't mind Louis. I think all of these pros have a wonderfully calm teaching style and exhibit a lot of patience with their partner. I do not think I could ever be partnered with someone like Maks who has shown himself to teach with more of a tough love strategy - that just isn't a style that would work well with me.

 

[Imzadi]

I actually like Derek, always have because his choreography is superior and he showcases his partner well. From watching the segment with his and Shawn's rehearsal for the quick step, he specifically asked her if she wanted to keep the routine even though it didn't follow the rules. I think he was giving her the decision of what to do and she is the one who said she wants to entertain so basically who cares if it breaks the rules.

I felt like he gave her the option, yes. She's also nearly 21.

Laywers are supposed to ultimately follow what their clients want, however, they are supposed to advice & counsel them to the best of their ability and really let the clients know the consequences of each decision. I think Derek's ego influenced Shawn into breaking the rules and that it would be okay. They broke rules throughout the competition and Derek has a habit of breaking rules all the seasons he's been on DWTS. I'm surprised he wasn't beating his chest like Mark at the end of their quickstep.

 

[damo]

After I wrote that, I thought hmm, 21 IS young!

Still though, I think she's been in the competitive arena enough to understand the concept of following the rules.

They were both willing to take the risk that the judges' scores would be low but decided to take the chance that the voters would come out big time. I don't think that they factored in how many people would be bothered that they chose to ignore the rules after they were chastised for it before on that very dance.

I think the fact that Len warned Shawn once about leaving the competition because "of those two" during the tribal samba, but yet they were still able to fly through, did not do them any favours. It really just reinforced their belief that what they were doing was the way to win.

I believe that Derek is the best just because during group dances, he always ends up catching my eye. I also think he does a good job of choreographing around his partner so as to highlight strengths and mask weaknesses. Many of the pros do this, as well, though. Also, saying a pro is better than another is a lot like saying one color is better than another. Sure, more people might like blue more than yellow, but to yellow lovers, it doesn't matter. Yellow is their favorite. That's how the pros are. One might have won more competitions, but people enjoy different styles and if that pro isn't dancing that specific fan's preferred style, he won't be that fan's favorite. I like most of the pros, but Derek and Tristan are two of my favorites.

If I were to ever become famous and go on the show, I do think that Derek would be my first choice with Tristan, Tony, and Jonathan (if he ever came back) close behind. Also wouldn't mind Louis. I think all of these pros have a wonderfully calm teaching style and exhibit a lot of patience with their partner. I do not think I could ever be partnered with someone like Maks who has shown himself to teach with more of a tough love strategy - that just isn't a style that would work well with me.

I believe that it is all editing. The directors show what they want and shape each pro and contestant how they want. We've heard many contestants say that what they show with Maks is really not at all what he is like.

 

[Imzadi]

So, you're saying that it was all Shawn's decision to break the rules again? She is (a) young and (b) used to following a coach's advise. He advised her to break the rules and she went along with it.

Nearly 21 ... not young at all .

After I wrote that, I thought hmm, 21 IS young!

Still though, I think she's been in the competitive arena enough to understand the concept of following the rules.

I think Robin (bolded) is right. Shawn may chronologically be 21. But, emotionally she is still a lot younger. It kind of shows with her Smurf voice and her demeanor. ALL she knows is the world of competition and being coached. She had the wrong coach for DWTS. If she had one who worked with her on her emotions & expressiveness during the dances AND they followed the rules, she may have won.

 

[izzy]

For me, trying to compare Melissa and Shawn was like trying to say who was the better dancer - Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly. Both were excellent, but they had difference strengths that they brought to the table. Fred Astaire was known for his smoothness, grace and fluidity (much like Melissa), whereas Gene Kelly was much more athletic in his dance (much like Shawn). It simply comes down to a matter of personal preference.

 

[Wishing on a star]

One thing occurred to me last night ... can Melissa please EAT SOMETHING now! She became absolutely skeletal over the season. I cringed every time I saw her bony hips jutting out over her low cut bottoms.

OMG!!!!
I assume that this is Melissa's natural body physique...
It would have to be...

But what I kept saying, about the skeletal hips jutting out over her way-too-super-low, have to have laser hair removal, bottoms was "Somebody PLEASE clothe that girl!!!!" It was NOT attractive. No class.

PS: I am happy with the final standings...
I am NOT boo-hooing because my favorite wasn't the one with the trophy.
I said several times that all is well that ends well, and all considered, I am glad that Melissa and Tony won.

But, IMHO, I truly do believe that, in the end, Shawn and Derek were far better. I really do. Melissa's abnormal barbie-esque legs, and that huge toothy grin do NOT amount to passion and emotion. It was CheerLeader/Samba, all the way, no matter what... There was never any real passion or beauty or substance... I saw no real passion, or substance or beauty at all. Tony pitching Melissa around in her cheerleader tricks was NO better than than the so called gymnastic abilities that Shawn brought to the table.

Not whining... at all.
It is clear that these two women were the top two.. No question.

Just callin' it like I observed it.

 

[Wishing on a star]

She had the wrong coach for DWTS. If she had one who worked with her on her emotions & expressiveness during the dances AND they followed the rules, she may have won.

I thought so too, especially during the first weeks of the competition.
I did see improvement! For somebody as emotionally and psychologically young as Shawn... I think they did begin to work together, and she came a LONG way!!!
And, I think that her and Derek, in a way, were a well-matched couple.

I just couldn't see her with the older, larger/taller, dancers.

 

[AustinTink]

One thing occurred to me last night ... can Melissa please EAT SOMETHING now! She became absolutely skeletal over the season. I cringed every time I saw her bony hips jutting out over her low cut bottoms.

I agree. It's a bit worrisome and off-putting.

 

[honeydiane1953]

I never once voted all season till the nite before the title. Although I DID want Melissa and Tony to win I only got to vote twice. The lines were soooo jammed I knew most folks were voting for them. Like I said it was near impossible to get a line. ANY woman would have a run for their money competing with Melissa!! She has that "it" hard to define. Of course her body, face, coloring etc but their is that "it" factor one cannot put their finger on.

 

[cats mom]

I think Robin (bolded) is right. Shawn may chronologically be 21. But, emotionally she is still a lot younger. It kind of shows with her Smurf voice and her demeanor. ALL she knows is the world of competition and being coached. She had the wrong coach for DWTS. If she had one who worked with her on her emotions & expressiveness during the dances AND they followed the rules, she may have won.

As much as I admire Derek's talent when it comes to choreography, I do think he's awfully full of himself and seems to think he's above the rules, so he may not have been the best partner for Shawn in that sense.

But while breaking the rules hurt a bit in the judges scores, I have a feeling it may actually have helped in the popular vote, which is exactly what he was counting on. Of course I guess we'll never know for sure.

But if you look at the numbers on Dial Idol, which tends to measure a younger demographic, this is how the votes came out after Monday's show:

Shawn 77.90
Melissa 62.37
Kelly 59.73

So breaking the rules certainly didn't hurt with that crowd.

I also think Derek did try to bring out more expressiveness in Shawn, but he wasn't very successful, so he went back to choreographing to her strengths. If Shawn had been paired with a partner who had tried to mold her into a more traditional dancer she may not have gotten as far as she did. JMO

Some of us have had the does Derek always get better partners, or is it his ability to highlight the strengths of whoever he's working with that gets him so far in the competition conversation before. I'm pretty sure I convinced a few people to at least acknowledge that I had a point last time we really got into it, but I'm too lazy to dig up all the stats and make my arguments again. LOL

I'll just say that if I were ever on DWTS, without a doubt Derek would be my first choice partner.

 

[honeydiane1953]

I never once voted all season till the nite before the title. Although I DID want Melissa and Tony to win I only got to vote twice. The lines were soooo jammed I knew most folks were voting for them. Like I said it was near impossible to get a line. ANY woman would have a run for their money competing with Melissa!! She has that "it" hard to define. Of course her body, face, coloring etc but their is that "it" factor one cannot put their finger on.

 

[Cat0727]

So, so glad Melissa & Tony won. I don't know if it's already been mentioned, but I do think Shawn & Derek were told beforehand they came in 2nd place. They didn't even blink when Tom said, ''now they have won too." haha but regardless that was a nice fakeout. Melissa's reaction was too funny.

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

I still believe Derek is one of the most talented on the show. Followed closely by Tristan and Tony. He is excellent at highlighting what his partner's strengths are. For someone like Shawn, obviously the flips, splits and stuff is what she knows. I do recall him trying to get her to "feel" the dances more but she just couldn't seem to get into it. Every dance her face looked the same, like a super duper cute chipmunk smiling like crazy. But again, Derek has to work with what he has which is why I'm guessing he broke the rules to some extent. I don't agree with it at all but I think like others have already said here, they were hoping the fans would pull through and enjoy the entertainment vs. the technicality of the dance. Having said all that, I want Derek as my pro on the show, he'd be my first choice! My last choice would be Mark and his spastic facial expressions.

 

[Imzadi]

So, so glad Melissa & Tony won. I don't know if it's already been mentioned, but I do think Shawn & Derek were told beforehand they came in 2nd place. They didn't even blink when Tom said, ''now they have won too." haha but regardless that was a nice fakeout. Melissa's reaction was too funny.

I thought that, too. Shawn & Derek didn't look expectant & hopeful. Derek actually looked impatient & bored a couple times, like he couldn't wait to get it over with. Shawn looked sad. I wonder if, like Clay Aiken, on AI, whether Derek accidentally got a chance to see the envelope with the results.

 

[damo]

I thought that, too. Shawn & Derek didn't look expectant & hopeful. Derek actually looked impatient & bored a couple times, like he couldn't wait to get it over with. Shawn looked sad. I wonder if, like Clay Aiken, on AI, whether Derek accidentally got a chance to see the envelope with the results.

Maybe when you've already won it once already, it just isn't the same.

However, looking at Shawn's face in 2009, it was pretty much the same reaction. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTGaopgp_WE

Derek doesn't look much different in 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIPSsoCSjtU