<p>I’m a big DWTS fan but this season opener seemed kind of sloppy and rushed to me. I like the show being only one night, and I love that there is less of bland Brooke Burke asking even blander questions to the celebs. I like the judges scoring the celebs while they’re standing right in front of them, no more running up the steps (not even sure how the heck so many did that after their dance routines and in high heels to boot!) But everyone seemed off on their game, like it was very disorganized. </p>
<p>Also, too many new professionals.</p>
<p>They could have paired up professionals better with celebs. Give Cheryl the football player. He won’t go far with a new professional. Mark Ballas should have been paired with Snooki. I never watched Jersey Shore but I know he could have taught her a lot and made her shine and it would have been much more interesting.</p>
<p>I’m a Gleek, and I did love Amber; she lucked out with Derek as partner. Valerie Harper…I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Love.</p>
<p>I agree it felt a little sloppy, but I’m sure they will get used to the new format soon. I loved Valerie Harper, but thought she talked too much! I miss Max.</p>
<p>I thought Leah Remini was over-praised and over-scored. Jack Osborne was a surprise! Lots of ringers, especially Karina’s partner. Val is a very good choreographer for his partners, as we see again. I really didn’t like the whole bent knee/foot thing in Mark Ballas’s piece. It reminded me of Balanchine’s Prodigal Son, but not in a good way. (The almost inhuman bad guys in that ballet use it. )The football player was lousy. I think Bill Nye was faulted for having too much comedy in his routine. One hopes they will correct that next week.</p>
<p>Agree that Leah was over scored. I was surprised at how many new dancing pros there were. I did not connect with them. Does anyone know how the stars and pros are matched? I know height is a factor, but it does seem like some stars get potential winners time after time.</p>
<p>^Contemporary is a form of “freestyle” dance but not considered one of the “traditional” ballroom dances. I personally think it is a nice addition to DWTS.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t it be nice if the same pros didn’t always get the ringers? I love Tristan, and I have always liked Valerie Harper - but when is he going to get a good dancer? When will Derek get a Kate Gosselin?</p>
<p>Pairing is all done for ratings. Derek is a fan favorite, so they’re going to pair him up with someone who has reasonable talent. That’s going to keep him on the show for more weeks and keep the fans tuning in. With partners like Ricki Lake and the girl from Dirty Dancing, I grew weary of him, because those two women were whiny. But when he danced with Kelli Pickler, I thought he was great; for me the difference was she never created ridiculous drama like the other two. He made Kelli shine. I was rooting for the Disney girl the whole season, but I had to admit in the finale, Derek and Kelli’s dance was flawless and spectacular and she deserved the mirror ball.</p>
<p>A bit harder to predict which of the three I could tell aren’t as good as the others will go first due to fan votes. Among the others it is too soon to tell who will zoom up the learning curve and surpass the current best dancers. Last season I missed the first shows, it was interesting to catch a season opener. It would be fun to see the very first show- when no one knew the format or how it would be accepted.</p>
<p>eyemamom and cartera45, He was paired with Joanna Krupa in season 9… probably his worst partner, along with Jennie Garth (season 5)and Shannon Elizabeth (season 6).</p>
<p>He didn’t start as a pro on DWTS until season 5. He made an appearance the year before for sis Julianne’s practice session, when she was paired with Olympic speed skater Apolo. </p>
<p>He is the only 4-time winner on the show having won with Brooke Burke (season 7), Nicole Scherzinger (season 10), Jennifer Grey (season 11), and Kellie Pickler (season 16).</p>
<p>Yes, he has had some great partners including Shawn Johnson and Jennifer Grey, but he has done some great things with others who were not “ringers” such as Ricki Lake.</p>
<p>I don’t think either of those approached the whining of Nicole Scherzinger. Every week with the tears and “I’m under so much pressure” nonsense. It was clear from the first day that she was going to win. She didn’t come onto the show as a ballroom dancer, but she is/was recognized as a “dancer/musician.”</p>
<p>A couple more points, in support of Derek Hough: He wasn’t on the show until season 5 AND he didn’t compete during season 12 due to another commitment. Getting “ringers” does not necessarily guarantee victory since there are winners who are NOT the best dancer of any given season and women, even ringers who are women having Derek as their partner, don’t always win. Sometimes men win. Remember Emmitt Smith? Remember Donny Osmond? They were not the best dancers the season that each of them won.</p>
<p>Having won 4 times is an incredible achievement and probably no surprise that he has also been nominated for Creative Arts Emmy Awards 5 times for his work on DWTS.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, Nicole the Pussycat Doll. Forgot about her. Yep, you pretty much knew she had the trophy right from the start and yes, more whining. And I forgot the worst one in my opinion was Maria Menounos. I hated her and her laugh was like the sound effect music to the Psycho shower scene to me…chilling. lol</p>
<p>However, jshain, you’re right to point out Derek’s Emmy nominations for creative stuff, he’s amazing. There’ve been a number of times when his dances have simply taken my breath away.</p>
<p>I started watching the year Emmitt won. He deserved it. I was thrilled with the results when Donald Driver won with Peta. They had c.h.e.m.i.s.t.r.y.!!! Also thrilled when Tony FINALLY won a trophy with Melissa…they really deserved it that season, too. Melissa wasn’t all whiny that time, she was out to kick butt, and she did.</p>
<p>How will it look when Julianne Hough is a judge and Derek is a contestant’s partner? Will she be like the soccer coach who is harder and somewhat unfair to his own kid trying not to show favoritism or like the coach who’s kid can do no wrong, and of course is the star, justified or not. Should be interesting to watch.</p>
<p>A lot of people are complaining this season that there are two “professional” dancers as celebrities, but I feel like they always kind of push that envelope every season.</p>
<p>I’m not overly happy with the experience Corbin and Elizabeth bring. For me, one thing I love best is someone who has no dance background come out and become an amazing dancer. To me, that’s what the show’s about. It happened with Kelli Pickler, even boring old Brooke Burke who I liked when she won, Donald Driver and a few others. That surprise factor makes you root for them even more. Now the deck is stacked against the others and I’m not a fan of the uneven playing field.</p>
<p>Why was Steven Tyler in the audience last night? Did they even acknowledge his presence? Seems there’s recorded music this year to dance to. Did they ever do that before? They introduce Harold Wheeler the orchestra director but not his singers.</p>
<p>I still am not liking the new format. It seems like we went from plush shopping mall budget to an outlet store budget…too many cuts.</p>
<p>Why WAS Steven Tyler in the house? Was he supporting Leah Remini, similar to JLo doing so the week before (and this week as well?), or was he scouting it out for a future stint as a dancer?</p>
)The football player was lousy. I think Bill Nye was faulted for having too much comedy in his routine. One hopes they will correct that next week.</p>