Minicap: DWTS All-Stars

14 Comments

1. 1
   chooch850
   Posted November 13, 2012 at 2:03 am

   And don’t forget, Carrie Anne continues to be a bitch to the couples she doesn’t like, calling them out on every little detail.

2. 2
   Enrique's Mole
   Posted November 13, 2012 at 5:45 am

   TRISTAN!!!!!!!!!!

   ‘Nuff said

3. 3
   PopePhilly
   Posted November 13, 2012 at 7:11 am

   @chooch: One thing I will say for Len, when he lowballs someone, it’s usually for a good reason. Was the Derek/Mark/Shawn “samba” fun to watch? Absolutely! Was it the assignment? Not by a long shot. Carrie Ann just lowballs people so she can pretend that she has some sort of insight on ballroom dancing.

   @Enrique’s Mole: As much as I think it’s (sadly) Kirstie’s time to go, I’d be OK with her staying this week. She brought back Tristan (my sexy little lucky charm!). That alone should guarantee anyone a spot in the semi-finals.

4. 4
   vallegirl
   Posted November 13, 2012 at 7:36 am

   I don’t normally talk back to my TV when something happens because that’s just crazy but when Shawn, Derek and Mark came out on tricycles I reflexively blurted out “Oh, god. These assholes.”

   I was glad Len called Derek and Mark out on their self-indulgence at the expense of their partners, because that whole dance was nothing but a way to enjoy the power and glory that is their hack talents. No matter how many 90 second routines they choreograph for aging models, gymnasts and Disney princesses, they’re never going to be Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire. Hell, they’re never going to be George Chakiris. Shawn’s likeable enough but I couldn’t even watch that stupid routine because the “IROC-Z, Axe Body Spray wearing level of douchery” (TM Hennessy Youngman) was too much.

5. 5
   PopePhilly
   Posted November 13, 2012 at 7:45 am

   @vallegirl: What frustrates me is that Shawn tried to call them out on their shenanigans during rehearsal. I would be pissed off if I were her. It’s definitely OK to take risks (like throwing in some difficult moves), but at least do the correct dance.

   I was completely put off when Mark and Derek did the “suck it” motion that I’ve not actually see anyone do seriously since the 90s after Len criticized them. Just once I want Len to look at Derek and say, “I’ve won Blackpool. Enjoy your mirrorball trophies.”

6. 6
   Boogie wiggles
   Posted November 13, 2012 at 9:19 am

   I’m a veteran (and a military spouse and a military child, only thing I haven’t been is a military parent). Things like this being a tribute to veterans always come out seeming hollow and false to me. If you want to honor veteran’s make a donation to a charity or spend some time at a veteran’s home or hospital. I haven’t watched the episode from last night yet, but I would guess that they are all going to try to capture the emotion from Jr Martinez’s rhumba (my spouse was deployed during that season, I still can’t watch that dance without balling).

   Anyway, I’m glad that Len is calling out Derek on not choreographing the assigned dance. Derek annoys me to no end. He comes across as a smarmy, self-obsessed jerk.

7. 7
   PopePhilly
   Posted November 13, 2012 at 9:39 am

   @Boogie wiggles: Thanks for your insight. I kind of thought the whole thing seemed rather shallow to me. I live in DC and my daily has me getting on the train at the Pentagon. As a result, I see lots of military personnel on a daily basis. It always seemed to mean more to them when someone just said, “Hey, thanks!” or stood up and offered a seat on a crowded train than when some giant display was made. I agree with your thoughts on J.R.’s rumba. I cried during that as well. However, that was deeply personal for him and the emotions flowed naturally. This week, a lot of it seemed forced.

   I do check out other recaps on the show to see what other people have to say about it. A lot of comments keep calling Len “old fashioned” and say that he hasn’t evovled and dance does. It’s one thing to be creative and actually do the samba. It’s another to just ignore the assignment and do what you want.

   I’ve made this argument countless times when I judge at speech tournaments – especially in persuasive and informative speeches. It’s great to be creative and that always wins points with me. However, if someone comes in and doesn’t deliver a speech that actually attempts to persuade, then the competitor has not completed the event and I have to score them low. Simply, it’s as if Derek was a student told to write a research paper on The Battle of Gettsyburg and instead wrote about Antietam. They’re loosely related, but he didn’t do the assignment.

8. 8
   wcsdancer
   Posted November 13, 2012 at 10:54 am

   ITA with everyone here in thinking that Derek and Mark really need to get over themselves. I can’t stand either one of them. There are required elements in each dance and Len was right in calling them on the lack of it. Self indulgent indeed.

   The judges overscored Emmitt AGAIN.

9. 9
   SaraKate
   Posted November 13, 2012 at 1:43 pm

   I don’t disagree that there are required elements for each dance – but Derek and Mark aren’t the only ones who don’t do them! And if they want the actual dances, then they have to stop giving them crap music to try and choreograph them to!

   And since the star only has so much say-so in the choreography, I continue to think it’s somewhat unfair to make them pay for something they have no control over!

10. 10
    jarthon
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    I kinda have to disagree with the Derek comment. Yes, it was a lot about them but I think he also accomplished his bigger goal: get people talking about it and it being memorable (if not being the dance itself). Derek knows its more about the votes with the scores this close. IMHO it was smart of them to do something completely different, especially since the first round all of the dances were very similar and none really stood out.

11. 11
    vallegirl
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 2:15 pm

    But just because the audience rewards Derek for being a self-serving jerk doesn’t mean the judges should. Hell, even Bruno thought he’d taken his “I’m Derek and I don’t have to follow the rules,” BS a step too far. Probably when he and Mark left poor Shawn hanging to take their “ARE YOU ENTERTAINED!!!” tour of the floor.

    And whenever Mark and Derek don’t choreograph to the dance, it’s never in service to any weaknesses their partners may have or to highlight something special or unique about their partners. It’s always in service to the power and glory that are Derek and Mark. That’s more of what Len was calling out than Derek’s penchant for flipping off the show and saying “Well, the audience liked it?” The audience also liked “According to Jim.” That doesn’t make it a good show.

12. 12
    PopePhilly
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    @wcsdancer: I felt the same way about Emmitt’s dance. It was fine, but definitely not worth of a perfect score.

    @SaraKate: Derek is really the only one who throws out the dance constantly. Yeah, he got music that isn’t typically “samba.” However, I would have been more impressed had he done an actual samba to that same music. It is a shame the stars have to be punished for what the pros may do. Derek has said again and again that this is his last season, so he’s doing whatever the hell he wants to do.

    @jarthon: I think Derek really does know what he’s doing. He does have a big fan base and they’ll vote like crazy because of Len’s comments. At this point, it’s just become expected for Derek to do whatever he wants. I find it annoying – just my opinion on it.

    @vallegirl: I remember Maks’ “this is my show” comment from a few seasons ago. Apparently, Derek and Mark and thinking that this year too.

    I really wish that the stars had the option to choose a new partner if they felt it wasn’t working out. When Mark and Shawn did their paso doble/tango fusion, I could deal with Mark – because he wasn’t working with Derek. If I were Shawn, I’d be begging for Mark back. I don’t really care for Mark, but, at least by himself, he thinks about his partner.

13. 13
    considerthis
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    This just in…
    Apollo is HOT – Gilles step aside. Too bad he is so short

14. 14
    Patty
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    I like Derek better than Mark, but yeah, they should be doing the right dance. I agree about the tricycles. Before the show went to commercial and we saw the trikes my daughter and I looked at each other as if to say \WTF!\ Ooooookay. I am glad Len calls out what are not proper dances, but there was one point during the show where I wondered if Len was watching the same dance competition as I was. And then they are surprised when certain people get voted off? Whatever. It’s all for fun right?