Official Dancing With the Stars: Season 18

[marybet]

Did I miss something? New judges?

No, I should have been clearer, I told them I'd like new judges for next season. I used to think that Len was the impartial judge but he is falling all over Amy too. I think the main reason James is still there is so that Carrie Ann will have someone to ogle. I yell at the TV everytime she calls a toe coming off the floor a lift.

 

[rndmr2]

I missed Charlies dance, is there anywhere I can watch it? The ABC site said it would be available in 7 or 8 days but would like to see it sooner.

The full episode should be available in the morning. You have to have a certain cable/satellite provider, though, there is a list on the site.

You can always try You tube, sometimes there are clips on there.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I really don't think that the fix is in. We have seen multiple couples overscored this season. We have seen couples clearly mess up and receive perfect scores (Charlie and the cane incident comes to mind). My theory is that the judges are trying to keep it as close as possible because they really are wanting to just leave it up to the viewers to decide who stays and who goes. Happy viewers equals return viewers which leads to higher ratings. I think that there's a reason that we have seen different stars at the top of the leader board and why there really isn't a big gap between any of them. They don't want the judges scores determining who wins - they want it all on the viewers.


I really didn't care for Maks and Meryl's first dance. The domestic violence at the beginning really rubbed me the wrong way. I could definitely tell what the theme of the dance was, which was good, but I hated seeing her hit Maks. They never would have done a dance where he smacked her, so I was bothered by her hitting him. I don't know.


I liked Danica and was sad to see her go. I was hoping it was James and Peta. I like James. He seems like a genuine guy who is very down-to-earth. I just can't stand Peta. She seems so full of herself. What James is doing with her I'll never know.

 

[Jessica14]

I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion. Amy is an inspiration, she came back from an injury last week, and blah, blah, blah... but I'm sorry, she got a perfect score for sitting on a stool and getting swung around by Derek. Really? She is an elite Paralympic athlete. I am willing to bet she wishes she would get real, honest critique based on her dance technique vs tongue baths based on how "brave, inspirational, and amazing" she is. The overscoring by the judges is getting really tiresome.

I'm a lurker here but I had to pipe in and say I totally agree with you! Maks and Meryl get marked down because it's not enough Rumba, but you can sit on a chair and it's a ten? I feel like I'm resenting Amy and Derek instead of the judges.

I pretty much think that Amy is going to win on the basis of inspiration. I want Meryl and Maks because they are the best, but I don't see that happening. Zendaya, Giles Marini, and Mya can testify that the best always doesn't win.

 

[izzy]

I agree with everyone saying that Amy is being overscored. I say that we start a drinking game next week:

a comment about how "inspirational" it is to watch Amy dance = 1 shot

Amy crying = 2 shots

Amy being overscored = 3 shots


We'll all be drunk after her first dance.

 

[Jessica14]

My husband has been referred to as "inspirational" because he has cerebral palsy and walks with crutches. He's so embarrassed by it and just wants to "be." I guess I'm tired of the weeping and sob story every week.

 

[Chuckers]

Unpopular opinion time.. I think Charlie got Pity 10's. I definitely don't think his dance was a 40. Nor Amy's.

Yes, I am impressed with Amy for doing what she's doing, but enough is enough.

I've watch Dance Mom's twice and can't stand anyone on it.. they're all butt heads and Abby is a horrendous person. If a high school football coach acted the way she does, he'd be fired.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I really don't think that the fix is in. We have seen multiple couples overscored this season. We have seen couples clearly mess up and receive perfect scores (Charlie and the cane incident comes to mind). My theory is that the judges are trying to keep it as close as possible because they really are wanting to just leave it up to the viewers to decide who stays and who goes. Happy viewers equals return viewers which leads to higher ratings. I think that there's a reason that we have seen different stars at the top of the leader board and why there really isn't a big gap between any of them. They don't want the judges scores determining who wins - they want it all on the viewers.


I really didn't care for Maks and Meryl's first dance. The domestic violence at the beginning really rubbed me the wrong way. I could definitely tell what the theme of the dance was, which was good, but I hated seeing her hit Maks. They never would have done a dance where he smacked her, so I was bothered by her hitting him. I don't know.


I liked Danica and was sad to see her go. I was hoping it was James and Peta. I like James. He seems like a genuine guy who is very down-to-earth. I just can't stand Peta. She seems so full of herself. What James is doing with her I'll never know.

I thought I was the only one that picked up on that. I'm glad you mentioned it too. I guess anything goes, if it's expressed in an artistic manner.

I was sad to see Danica go, too.

TC

 

[rodeo65]

Unpopular opinion time.. I think Charlie got Pity 10's. I definitely don't think his dance was a 40. Nor Amy's.

Yes, I am impressed with Amy for doing what she's doing, but enough is enough.

I've watch Dance Mom's twice and can't stand anyone on it.. they're all butt heads and Abby is a horrendous person. If a high school football coach acted the way she does, he'd be fired.

I agree completely. I thought Charlie was really good, not perfect. Amy was also really good (considering the stool thing) but also not perfect.

Never watched Dance Moms, nor will I but really couldn't stand Abby at all.

I was sad to see Danica go. I much preferred her over Candace or James. James seems very nice, but I agree with Jenna, can't stand Peta. She ranks close to Anna in my book.

 

[Dancind]

Felt really bad for Danica, because she looked so very sad. I know she loved doing this, and she was really good most of the time.

Candace is growing on me, good job with Charlie. And James impressed me mightily dancing with Amy, wow! Most of the celeb men get back lead by their partners, he was leading another novice dancer who needed extra support, and doing a good job of it. He deserved to stay just for that.

Peta has always looked that way during eliminations. I think last night she was more in close up.

I became a Charlie and Meryl fan during the last Olympics, when they were always there for the team skates with a banner, being smiley and super supportive. And now Charlie is doing the same thing with the other celeb dancers, though no banner. Meryl is amazing, and I know it's "Mak's turn to win", but Charlie is just too adorable. I have to vote for him.

 

[Wendy31]

My random thoughts:

* I've watched DWTS since season 1. I am very rarely motivated to vote, however. I've voted in 3 seasons: for Maks & Erin, for Tony & Melissa (in the all stars season), & for Maks & Meryl.

* I cannot believe that Meryl is at the bottom of the leaderboard, &, if she goes home next week, I probably won't watch the rest of this season in protest.

* The bias & insanity of the judges (especially Carrie Ann Inaba) are ridiculous this season!

At first, I thought they were being really hard on Charlie to "prove" that he wasn't going to get to the top just because he's a gold medalist in ice dancing. But, now, for whatever reason, they just judge him way too harshly - except for last night, when from out of nowhere, he gets undeserved 10s across the board.

Also, how can they critique Sharna for slipping on her dress but say NOTHING to Derek for almost kicking over the stool? Or, going back, Carrie Ann remembers judging Charlie for something so she says she has to judge Meryl for the same thing as well "to be fair"? However, no one marks Derek down for almost kicking over the stool even though they marked Charlie down for not catching the cane?!

But, seriously, WHY are judging Charlie so unfairly & so inconsistently?

* Having ALM as a guest judge was an insult to the pro dancers. Hate her show & cannot stand her! I will watch Honey Boo Boo before I watch Abby Lee Miller.

And the things she said to Charlie were just crazy - I was like, "You are talking to an Olympic gold medalist. And it's not like he got the gold medal in skiing or something unrelated. He medaled in ice-DANCING. I think he knows a little..."

Loved what Maks said! And, you know it's the truth, when Maks & Derek (who are normally polar opposites on everything) are agreeing. Derek's slow clap behind Maks was awesome. And, after Derek & Amy's dance, when they were standing before the judge, you could tell by Derek's face that he really dislikes ALM & didn't care at all about anything she had to say.

If Maks & Meryl are voted off next week due to their low scores - thanks, in large part to ALM - it will be a disgrace. I usually don't the mind the judges & their scores so much, but I really do think ALM judged unfairly & didn't have the professional credentials or expertise to back up anything she was saying.

As a star or pro, while I would hate to leave the show, it would be one thing to be voted off due to a combination of the judges' fair & reasonable scores & viewers' votes, but I would hate to leave due to some idiot's ramblings, you know?

Also, her "suggestive" comments like "what's a one-night stand?" & "Look at me!" to James just made her look silly.

* I am also getting tired of the Amy drama. Yes, she's an inspiration. I cried like a baby when they showed videos of her dancing w/ her dad. And Derek is an excellent & talented choreographer. We get it. Sitting on a stool is not dancing, though, and anyone else would have been judged for the lack of dancing/content - especially by Len.

As an aside, I would think dancing w/ a broken rib would be at least as painful as dancing w/ a sore back. But not much was made of Danica while there was a big-to-do for Amy.

* The dancing duels should have been to the same style of dance. A samba is more difficult than contemporary. Also, while I'm not a dancer, I would think a samba side-by-side out of a hold & w/o a partner (like Danica & Meryl) would be harder than a contemporary & jive w/ partners (like Candace & Charlie/Amy & James).

That said, as much as I hate to admit it, I wasn't that impressed w/ the samba - something was "off". And I don't think Meryl much liked sharing the stage/spotlight. I think Danica's & Meryl's personal style & interpretation of the dance & music are different & don't mix well - which became more apparent because they were dancing side-by-side & not really "partnered" like Candace & Charlie & Amy & James.

* Also, I love Maks & Meryl! Adore them. However, their rumba was not my favorite, & I was so excited to see them do a rumba too! I love passion & drama as much as the next person. But I didn't like the borderline "abusive" tone at the beginning. I paused it mid-dance & remarked to DH, "I love passion & drama, but you don't have to have borderline abuse to have fiery passion."

* I was sad to see Danica go. I would have liked to have seen James, Candace (as much I like her personally) or even Amy go next. I was hoping to see either Danica or James in the finals w/ Meryl & Charlie.

 

[bjscheel]

I became a Charlie and Meryl fan during the last Olympics, when they were always there for the team skates with a banner, being smiley and super supportive. And now Charlie is doing the same thing with the other celeb dancers, though no banner. Meryl is amazing, and I know it's "Mak's turn to win", but Charlie is just too adorable. I have to vote for him.

We had a good laugh last night noticing that for 2 or 3 of the talks with Erin, Charlie was the only other person up there, smiling and nodding along in the background. I told DD it was like everybody else left and he didn't know where they went so he thought he'd hang out there, alone. It was just cute.

Abby told Charlie to slick back his hair- ugh, he did that for one dance and he should never again. It's not right!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Also, how can they critique Sharna for slipping on her dress but say NOTHING to Derek for almost kicking over the stool? Or, going back, Carrie Ann remembers judging Charlie for something so she says she has to judge Meryl for the same thing as well "to be fair"? However, no one marks Derek down for almost kicking over the stool even though they marked Charlie down for not catching the cane?!

To be fair, Len gave Charlie a 10 for his dance where he dropped the cane. The judging is just weird this season. I really think that they are trying to keep everyone within a point or two of each other so that the viewers still say who stays and who goes. I'm guessing we will learn a lot this season regarding who the more popular pros/partnerships are because that's who is going to win it all.

 

[emmabelle]

Ah, the recap of last's week's injury which we already saw. The ambulance. The doctor's visit. The stool. The fog machine ( I suspect Derek actually owns that fog machine himself considering how often he uses it

I laughed out loud at this, my daughter was like "what's so funny?"


Now my thoughts...


I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who can't bare Amy's water works, although I do think she did well, it's just getting wayyyyy too old.

I'm going to miss Danica's dancing, but not her "deer in the headlights" look.

I'm ready for Candace to go home, she just bugs me.

I didn't like James' waltz, but thought he did well in the jive.

Still love Meryl and Maks, but their rumba was just meh.

I thought Charlie was adorable, as usual.

 

[cats mom]

I'm sure my opinion will be the really unpopular one. No worries though, I'm used to that, especially when it comes to Derek / Maks discussions.

I don't feel the perfect score for Amy & Derek was warranted, even if just because of the obvious goof with the stool. But I really liked their tango, and I think all the comments about her sitting the whole time are quite an exaggeration.

I took a quick look at the dvr timer, and while this isn't exact, Amy sat on the stool for maybe 25 seconds of a dance that lasted approx 1 min 40 seconds. That's counting the begining where they were being announced and no dancing had started yet.... ala Danica staring at a crown, Meryl sitting at a table, and Candace playing around with a remote. Perhaps Amy & Derek are being judged a bit harshly because so many people don't particularly care for them?

I'm a Derek fan because I think he's the most talented pro on the show when it comes to choreography and bringing out the best in whoever he happens to be partnered with. I doubt Amy would have made it this far without him as a partner.

That said, I don't think there's any kind of fix for he and Amy to win, although I'm sure the powers that be want them to make it to the finals.

Honestly if there's any fix for a win this season I would think it's for Meryl & Maks. Maybe the lower scores at this point are a nudge to get people voting for them.


BTW, just curious what everyone thinks of Erin as a host? I was sooo glad to see Brooke go, but I'm not loving Erin either. What is it with the really stupid questions and not paying any attention whatsoever to what people say when interviewing them?

Now for the non controversial stuff: I thought ALM was awful as a judge, but I expected that.

 

[Arielle22]

I really like Erin as a cohost. I know she annoys some people but I find her fun to watch.

What turned me off on Derek and Amy's dance was sitting on the chair was in the middle of the dance. The other contestants did their sitting at the beginning of the dance. It seemed very obvious that Amy couldn't do some of the dancing so Derek added the chair. Derek did most of the moves and Amy sat there and moved her arms.

I do think Derek is a great choreographer and if that routine was one done by the pros I would have liked it better (or if it was a male celebrity with a female pro).

 

[trip]

I really like Erin as a cohost. I know she annoys some people but I find her fun to watch.

What turned me off on Derek and Amy's dance was sitting on the chair was in the middle of the dance. The other contestants did their sitting at the beginning of the dance. It seemed very obvious that Amy couldn't do some of the dancing so Derek added the chair. Derek did most of the moves and Amy sat there and moved her arms.

I do think Derek is a great choreographer and if that routine was one done by the pros I would have liked it better (or if it was a male celebrity with a female pro).

Agree will all of your statements.

 

[robinb]

I took a quick look at the dvr timer, and while this isn't exact, Amy sat on the stool for maybe 25 seconds of a dance that lasted approx 1 min 40 seconds. That's counting the begining where they were being announced and no dancing had started yet.... ala Danica staring at a crown, Meryl sitting at a table, and Candace playing around with a remote. Perhaps Amy & Derek are being judged a bit harshly because so many people don't particularly care for them?

I just timed the dance myself. From the time the music started to when it ended it was 1:24 seconds and 21 of those seconds Amy was on the stool in the middle of the dance ... I didn't even count the time she was on the stool at the start of the dance against her. So, she was seated for 1/4 of her whole dance. That is no exaggeration. The other thing that bothered me about it was (1) the dance was very compact, I don't think Derek used any more than 10" square feet and (2) the steps seemed to just be set ups for the many lifts. Now, the lifts themselves were beautiful! But with so many lifts and poses and stool sitting there seemed to be very little real dancing.

I was on the fence about Erin at the start of the season but I really like her now. Her pantsuit last night, however, was horrible .

 

[Chuckers]

I like Erin, she's trying to be good. I felt bad for her last night when she had to interview the brain-dead zombie dance mom twits. They basically just stared at her until she fed them something to say.

 

[rodeo65]

I really like Erin also. I was prepared to like her just because she was replacing Brooke and her bleat back to Tom every segment. Taaaaaahhhhhhm.

I think she handles herself well and does a much better job of fill in questions than Brooke did.