I think that DWTS needs to have some sort of "safety net" such as what they did on the current American Idol, where the judges can have one opportunity to recall someone if they are voted off. I can think of one other notable time besides this time that they could have used it, and that is the season where Sabrina, who was arguably the best dancer, was voted off mid-way through the competition.
Last week's results show with Lil Kim going home was another time the judges could have used a "safety net". I don't think that anyone would argue that Ty is a much weaker dancer than Lil Kim. I was VERY disappointed to see her go, and maybe because I dance ballroom, it really bothers me that voters are not really voting for the best DANCERS all of the time, but they are voting for WHO THEY LIKE.
I know that the show is the way it is, and anyone can vote for anyone they want to. It is just very disapointing to see a really good dancer go who doesn't deserve to go, if the competition were truly just about dancing.
I guess that is one of my criticisms of DWTS...it's not really a dance competition but is a "dance + popularity" competition. I still watch because I love ballroom dancing and love to see the dancing, and the work and progress the stars make. I just wish it were a more fair sometimes...it hurts when something like last week's results happen.
I guess you could argue that the judges are not always 100% consistent, seem to play favorites, etc. For example, they raved about Melissa's samba, which I thought was not that great. But they do generally end up separating the top dancers whereas sometimes the viewers seem to just pick their favorite person rather than the best dancer.
Oh well...I remind myself..."it's only a dance show!"...
Lil Kim, I'll miss you! Thanks for giving us some beautiful and entertaining dances!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Dancing with the Stars: My top four predictions
Well, it's been an interesting few weeks but I am ready to predict who I think the top four will be (or at least I think who the top four SHOULD BE!). Here goes:
1. Gilles
2. Lil Kim
3. Shawn
4. Melissa
Gilles is my pick for the winner. He is consistent week after week and not only can he DANCE but he has the charisma, talent, and ability to emote that I think makes him the best. In addition, I think he is quickly building a very strong and devoted fan base, me included!!
Lil Kim is also really excellent; since she already has music, dance, and entertainment skills, that should come as no surprise but sometimes music/dance/entertainment background does not translate into good ballroom dancing. She's equal to Gilles in the dancing...actually better in technique I think... and also has her own fan base but I don't think it is as strong as Gille's fans are and also think that more women than men watch the show so Gilles may get more votes on that front.
Shawn shows her focus, talent, and experience in every dance. She is developing good technique, has good posture, etc. She is very young however, and her depth of performance is not as strong as Gilles and Lil Kim.
And Melissa is really an excellent dancer. Her ballet and cheerleading background are serving her well here and I do think she dances very well. I have to admit that I have a personal bias however. I don't like that her only claim to celebrity is being on "The Bachelor" so don't think of her as a "star". And there is something fake about her, in my opinion...for example, apparently although expressing her love for Jason, the bachelor, she has managed to quickly find love with a different guy. Perhaps I'm being unfair but that is how I feel about her and won't be calling in any votes for her.
That's my predictions for now as of March 31, 2009!
1. Gilles
2. Lil Kim
3. Shawn
4. Melissa
Gilles is my pick for the winner. He is consistent week after week and not only can he DANCE but he has the charisma, talent, and ability to emote that I think makes him the best. In addition, I think he is quickly building a very strong and devoted fan base, me included!!
Lil Kim is also really excellent; since she already has music, dance, and entertainment skills, that should come as no surprise but sometimes music/dance/entertainment background does not translate into good ballroom dancing. She's equal to Gilles in the dancing...actually better in technique I think... and also has her own fan base but I don't think it is as strong as Gille's fans are and also think that more women than men watch the show so Gilles may get more votes on that front.
Shawn shows her focus, talent, and experience in every dance. She is developing good technique, has good posture, etc. She is very young however, and her depth of performance is not as strong as Gilles and Lil Kim.
And Melissa is really an excellent dancer. Her ballet and cheerleading background are serving her well here and I do think she dances very well. I have to admit that I have a personal bias however. I don't like that her only claim to celebrity is being on "The Bachelor" so don't think of her as a "star". And there is something fake about her, in my opinion...for example, apparently although expressing her love for Jason, the bachelor, she has managed to quickly find love with a different guy. Perhaps I'm being unfair but that is how I feel about her and won't be calling in any votes for her.
That's my predictions for now as of March 31, 2009!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
First Night Out…
Well, I guess the rumors were true about Holly and Melissa! Oh well...
OK, here’s my first impression comments about everybody after watching the first show of season eight last night in order of performance:
Lil Kim: She has excellent foot technique and good leg technique. Seems like she might be a contender; needs upper body and posture work and not sure if she has a strong enough fan base that would vote for her to win the trophy.
Belinda: A lot more stiff and nervous than I expected from a Go-go! And surprisingly, not good rhythm. I was disappointed in her dancing.
Lawrence Taylor: Good rhythm and a crowd pleaser but needs much work on foot work (has flat feet!) and posture. Football players always seem to do well so I predict he’ll make it to the top six. Judges tough on him.
Steve-O: The opposite reaction I had to Belinda…he was much BETTER than I expected. Judges were tough on him.
Gilles M: Excellent; best of the night and also, not bad to look at!
Chuck: Very nice dance; sharp, strong, fast, and very good chemistry with partner! Probably will go far.
Holly M: Looks like she’s had some dance or routine experience; Was OK, no strong feelings about her dancing but still not sure she should be on the show.
Ty: Not impressed; needs work. Will probably be one of the first to go.
Shawn: Excellent; should be one of the finalists.
Steve W: Exuberant and enjoyed the dance…I was surprised by his joy. Not a good dancer but there may be some potential although I think he may be the first to go. Judges were too rough on him.
David G: Was OK; funny but maybe tried too hard to joke. He has potential; I predict he’ll land in the middle of the pack.
Denise: Inhibited and nervous; not fun, not a good dancer.
Meilssa: Probably the best current dancer but I was angry because I knew immediately that she had dance background; it is very apparent. I don’t think that this is fair to the others and also, as mentioned in my earlier post, I don’t think of her as a “star”.
Judges: Very mean to some of the contestants. It is possible to offer constructive criticism without being intentionally derogatory and nasty. Carrie Ann’s laugh was getting on my nerves also.
I like Tom B and the band but something about Samantha bugs me.
That’s it for night one!
OK, here’s my first impression comments about everybody after watching the first show of season eight last night in order of performance:
Lil Kim: She has excellent foot technique and good leg technique. Seems like she might be a contender; needs upper body and posture work and not sure if she has a strong enough fan base that would vote for her to win the trophy.
Belinda: A lot more stiff and nervous than I expected from a Go-go! And surprisingly, not good rhythm. I was disappointed in her dancing.
Lawrence Taylor: Good rhythm and a crowd pleaser but needs much work on foot work (has flat feet!) and posture. Football players always seem to do well so I predict he’ll make it to the top six. Judges tough on him.
Steve-O: The opposite reaction I had to Belinda…he was much BETTER than I expected. Judges were tough on him.
Gilles M: Excellent; best of the night and also, not bad to look at!
Chuck: Very nice dance; sharp, strong, fast, and very good chemistry with partner! Probably will go far.
Holly M: Looks like she’s had some dance or routine experience; Was OK, no strong feelings about her dancing but still not sure she should be on the show.
Ty: Not impressed; needs work. Will probably be one of the first to go.
Shawn: Excellent; should be one of the finalists.
Steve W: Exuberant and enjoyed the dance…I was surprised by his joy. Not a good dancer but there may be some potential although I think he may be the first to go. Judges were too rough on him.
David G: Was OK; funny but maybe tried too hard to joke. He has potential; I predict he’ll land in the middle of the pack.
Denise: Inhibited and nervous; not fun, not a good dancer.
Meilssa: Probably the best current dancer but I was angry because I knew immediately that she had dance background; it is very apparent. I don’t think that this is fair to the others and also, as mentioned in my earlier post, I don’t think of her as a “star”.
Judges: Very mean to some of the contestants. It is possible to offer constructive criticism without being intentionally derogatory and nasty. Carrie Ann’s laugh was getting on my nerves also.
I like Tom B and the band but something about Samantha bugs me.
That’s it for night one!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Dancing with the Stars Rumors or Reality?
I've been hearing on and off that two of the scheduled stars...Jewel and Nancy O'Dell... have withdrawn from the competition due to injury to be replaced by Melissa from the Bachelor and Holly Madison of Girls Next Door fame. Here's a link posted today: http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/03/08/source-bachelors-melissa-rycroft-to-join-dancing-with-the-stars/
Personally, when I think of a "star" in the entertainment business, I think of someone who has acting or singing...or some sort of real credentials. Simply appearing on a reality TV series, IMHO, does not make someone a star! Come on...Melissa from the Bachelor is a star???
And Holly Madison, who's claim to fame is sharing her grandfather/boyfriend with two other young women and posing in Playboy...a star?
I think that is stretching things quite a bit!!
I guess we'll learn if these are just rumors or true tomorrow night.
Personally, when I think of a "star" in the entertainment business, I think of someone who has acting or singing...or some sort of real credentials. Simply appearing on a reality TV series, IMHO, does not make someone a star! Come on...Melissa from the Bachelor is a star???
And Holly Madison, who's claim to fame is sharing her grandfather/boyfriend with two other young women and posing in Playboy...a star?
I think that is stretching things quite a bit!!
I guess we'll learn if these are just rumors or true tomorrow night.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
DWTS, the saga continues into an eighth show...
It’s hard to believe but the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars begins March 9th! I am still amazed that so many people who are not ballroom dancers love this show!I never would have predicted it would be such a hit, but I’m not complaining.In my opinion, the more dance shows, the better!
In case you don’t already know, here are the season eight “stars”:
BELINDA CARLISLE- Lead singer of the Go-Go's.
DAVID ALAN GRIER – TV and film actor
JEWEL – Country singer
SHAWN JOHNSON – Olympic gymnast and gold medalist
LIL' KIM -- Rapper, singer, actress, and fashion icon.
GILLES MARINI -- Actor
TY MURRAY – Rodeo athlete
STEVE-O – Comedian (I think…not really sure)
NANCY O'DELL - The co-Anchor of Access Hollywood
DENISE RICHARDS - Actress
LAWRENCE TAYLOR – Ex-New Your Giants defensive player
CHUCK WICKS – Songwriter and vocalist
STEVE WOZNIAK - A Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist
Hosted by Tom Bergeron (America's Funniest Home Videos) and Samantha Harris (E! Entertainment), with the same Ballroom judges: Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba
Fyi…
Dancing with the Stars is the US version of the international smash hit series, Strictly Come Dancing. This version is produced by BBC Worldwide Americas. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Rob Wade and Matilda Zoltowski are co-executive producers. Alex Rudzinski directs. Dancing with the Stars is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.
In case you don’t already know, here are the season eight “stars”:
BELINDA CARLISLE- Lead singer of the Go-Go's.
DAVID ALAN GRIER – TV and film actor
JEWEL – Country singer
SHAWN JOHNSON – Olympic gymnast and gold medalist
LIL' KIM -- Rapper, singer, actress, and fashion icon.
GILLES MARINI -- Actor
TY MURRAY – Rodeo athlete
STEVE-O – Comedian (I think…not really sure)
NANCY O'DELL - The co-Anchor of Access Hollywood
DENISE RICHARDS - Actress
LAWRENCE TAYLOR – Ex-New Your Giants defensive player
CHUCK WICKS – Songwriter and vocalist
STEVE WOZNIAK - A Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist
Hosted by Tom Bergeron (America's Funniest Home Videos) and Samantha Harris (E! Entertainment), with the same Ballroom judges: Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba
Fyi…
Dancing with the Stars is the US version of the international smash hit series, Strictly Come Dancing. This version is produced by BBC Worldwide Americas. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Rob Wade and Matilda Zoltowski are co-executive producers. Alex Rudzinski directs. Dancing with the Stars is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.
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