Too Much Fun for YouTube!

DWTS Fiends, UNITE!
If you've landed on this page, you're crazy about Dancing with the Stars! I know I am...maybe a bit too much. I can't help myself, I just love this show! I love to talk about it, I love to write about it, and I've just found out that two people bantering back and forth about this show is so much fun we had to start a team blog! We want YOU to be part of the fun, so please add your comments and we will pull you into the conversation!

The Meeting of Two Like-Minds

Since I don't get network television I have to wait for people to upload videos to YouTube or DailyMotion, but once I get to watch each dance, I can't keep my trap shut! I end up spending a lot of time writing up my impressions on every dance I watch, and sometimes I get some really cool comments. I also enjoy reading what other people have to say.

Michael Waltrip really needs to go home. Really.

That Guy is a HORRIBLE Dancer!!!

So it's Season 19, Week 6 and I winced my way through a particularly gruesome performance by the oh-so-untalented Michael Waltrip and his poor sacrificial lamb, Emma Slater, and left the following review:

Janet's review: Well, it was a nice performance, but unfortunately, poor Michael always looks like he ran into the door on the way out onto the dance floor and he can't remember what he's doing. He wants so BADLY to do well. He's been practicing so hard but he cannot get his routines to look smooth and flowing because from my vantage point, he's not confident nor comfortable with all of the steps. A shame. He has no rhythm at all. :(


I little while later I got an alert that someone had left a comment. It was from a user I'd never noticed before, Rick Barbera:

Rick: This was so over scored. He deserved 6s and that's only because Emma is so good. What a farce. How he overcame the 20s from last week to be safe is just beyond belief. He should have gone in week 2. I still can't believe that many NASCAR fans watch this show. Please vote him off next week and end this travesty.

That comment had me chortling in mirthful glee and I immediately fired back with another in return:

Janet: Couldn't agree more! :)

I rarely get follow-up comments other than a customary +1, so I was surprised to find a YouTube Bell telling me that he'd said something else. 

Tony & Betsey were a great team!

Rick: If he had any class, he would have bowed out when Betsey was voted off. She wasn't going to win, but man did she show improvement. This guy is a joke and just plain creepy. Thanks for your comment Janet.

Laughing in glee, I was delighted to read Rick's response and off we went on a merry discussion which followed over the course of several days... 

Janet: I think dancers have TRIED to bow out in the past but from what I know, they aren't allowed because of contracts they sign. He is a joke, he is creepy, and Betsey WAS so much better in all regards. She had pizzazz, charisma, ability, and she was such fun to watch. And, by the way, I watched Jonathan's routine after this one, and though I thought Jonathan had been just a bit better in previous weeks (really, that would equate to "horrible"), he blew the roof off the joint tonight with his great routine. It's incredible that Jonathan went home and this loser is STILL here. Unbelievable.

Dorothy Hamill got the boot way too early in Season 16!!

Rick: What about Billy Dee in season 18 and Dorothy Hamill in season 16? They left due to injuries and Sara Evans left due to a divorce a few seasons back. Anyway, I guess I was being facetious when I said that regarding bowing out. Plus, it probably wouldn't be fair to Emma at any rate. When you allow voting to be 50% of the score, you grudgingly have to accept that the people have spoken. That's assuming you believe DWTS results. That said, you can't tell me that Janel and Val were actually in jeopardy last night. They have great scores, he's wildly popular and Janel has a million twitter followers dying to get her the Mirror Ball Trophy. I am a Lea Thompson fan (not in small part due to the fact that she is in my age group ;)) but I am impressed with Janel (great presence and dance skills) and Sadie (beyond belief natural talent) also. Yep, I agree, Jonathan deserved another week after all that improvement. I suspect Michael will go next week and Tommy Chong the next. 

Rick has his list of Top 5 dancers

Rick: These are my Top 5—Alfonso, Lea, Janel, Sadie and Bethany. Lea will probably go after Tommy. Not because she can't dance, but I don't think she will get the voting support that the others will garner. Too bad, technically she is the best one out there IMO, and her legs should get 9's all by themselves!

Janet: LOL, we certainly think much the same! I had to laugh...sort of...when I saw that Janel and Val were in jeopardy. The thing is, you just never know with this show--remember Joey Fatone getting the boot 2nd in Season 15? AHHHHHH!!! That's just one example of "LOL, in jeopardy, RIGHT....and then "NO WAY. THEY GOT 86'd!!" I too, am a Lea fan, she's just so awesome, AND in my age group too! I agree with your order, though, lol, you missed poor Antonio in your line-up. I think he's going to go either before or after Tommy. Tommy is such a crowd favorite and ever-so-tasty-but-talentless-Antonio can't dance his way out of a bag, so it's possible Tommy will outlast him...I kind of think Alfonso will win the show, but Bethany has Derek and she's great, Sadie is a natural and a firecracker and has a perfect pro with Mark, and Janel and Val are incredible together. Really a toss-up, isn't it? Lea, I agree, is likely going to fall by the wayside once things start getting serious. Boo, because she rocks and I agree with your assessment! :)

Lea is as lovely as she is talented!

Rick: Ooops, I did miss poor Antonio didn't I? Well, all I can say for him is he is...well...forgettable and tasty is not a word I would use to describe him. Lea, is tasty. I agree, he will probably go before Waltrip and that's a shame. I think Tommy will be almost happy to go, He's got to be tired at this point. Great run though and I can't help but be impressed with his style and sense of humor. I hope Alfonso doesn't win, his dances all look alike to me with the exception of the flamenco. How long can you go with different variations of the Carlton. My money is on Janel to take it but it would make me smile if Sadie pulled it off. I'd be overjoyed if Lea made it to the final three though. It's really nice Janet, to meet another great mind!! LOL

At one point, some guy couldn't restrain himself from a text-bomb (similar to a photo-bomb but without the creepy image) :D:

Thomas: Haha Go waltrip!!!! #NASCARnation

Rick: If Waltrip is the best you got to offer as a dancer, you guys need to stick to left turns!

Janet: LOL, well I don't blame you for not seeing anything delectable in Antonio...personally, his ego is getting in the way of everything, ugh! I don't think he likes being out of his element, which is standing on a pedestal with adoring fan girls swooning around him. That's just so sad. And you are right, Lea IS tasty! She's got it goin' on and she can make fun of herself too. What an awesome, hawt and saucy chickadee! Yes on Tommy likely looking forward to the end of this competition, I'm actually pretty surprised he's still on the show, so grats to him for the long run! Alfonso...he's too smug, in my opinion. I'd prefer someone to win who deserves it and isn't expecting it. I'll push my money into your pile, rooting for Janel to win. She's classy, talented, fun, and I'd love to see her get that trophy. I feel the same for either Bethany or Sadie winning. As the weeks go by, I'll have a stronger opinion as to my final order! *tries to boot Michael out the door* And I totally agree, Rick, it's great fun chatting with a like-mind! *high five*

OK, Janet, Who are your top four picks for this season?

Rick: High Five back at ya! Come on now, you need to make your picks now. It would be to easy if you wait two weeks. Who are your top 4?

Janet: Urgh...well...Alfonso has a groin injury...that could be a game killer for him. If he heals up, he'll win I think. Don't forget that his partner is the "living Barbie Doll", Witney, who is so beautiful and an awesome dancer, I am sure that lots of people will vote for them just because they're KooKoo for Koko Puffs over her! LOL :D 2nd Bethany because she's got Derek in her corner and she's very good. Janel 3rd because she's so polished. Sadie 4th. You know, I have to disagree with you on Alfonso's dances all looking the same. Witney has great choreography and he's doing all kinds of different, super moves. Oh, and btw, I have never watched the show he was in and really didn't even know anything about him--so my opinions are based fairly on his talent, or what I see, anyway. When it comes to Lea, though, she's my fan favorite (OUR fan favorite), and she's also quite the marvelous dancer! :D

Witney is a real-life, dancing Barbie Doll!

Rick: As one of those kookoo for KoKo puffs over Witney, I see what you are saying. She is absolutely drop dead gorgeous and crazy talented. She seems like a sweetheart to, but I am not enamored with his dancing, although I was really impressed with his flamenco. He just looks kind of dumpy to me, so there isn't a graceful appeal that I like to see. I never watched his show either, I am just not a sitcom guy. Don't see Bethany 2nd, I see Janel 2nd and Sadie 3rd. Sadie is quite the natural talent, her performance level is way beyond her years and she's got all that Bible belt vote. Remember Candace Cameron Bure from last season? Bethany will be 4th, even though I think she has been underrated, has a confident presence along with a great body ;). Although, she is the wild card as you pointed out, she has Derek and lots of people just vote for him no matter who his partner is (i.e Amber Riley season 17). And most importantly, Bethany has the twitter votes with over 2 million followers. Your picks are well thought out and more than likely will be spot on. However, still feeling it for my (our) Lea and yes, I did watch her sitcom, Caroline in the City. I'll bet you an hour of watching Witney videos!!

Alfonso is a fine dancer but pales in Witney's dazzle!

Janet: :D :D You know, you DO have a point about Alfonso being kind of "dumpy". You nailed it. There is a slight "shambling mound" quality to that guy. Maybe that's why I'm so impressed by his excellent hoofing! :D I agree with the missing polish though. Hmm. Well, we'll have to see. You have another excellent point with Sadie being natural and having a huge bible belt contingent behind her. It makes a difference, as you well-stated with Candace, who really drove me crazy with her conservative EVERYTHING and inserting religion every time she could. We got it, let's move on! I'm glad that Sadie can display her feelings about religion without forcing it down everyone's throats like Candace did.

(QUE: Janet stumbles off the road into the convoluted land of tangents...)

As for Derek, I'm a hopeless fan and admire him SO MUCH. How can you NOT? He's unbelievably talented, and yet extremely humble and not arrogant. No ego. He even admits going the wrong way for a while before finding himself. I will always give utmost respect to people like Derek. There is no excuse for arrogance and posturing. So yeah, I adore Derek, but to be honest, can you think of anyone on DWTS who IS arrogant? I mean, Maksim used to be but someone bashed a 2x4 upside his head and now he's just so awesome. Cocky, yes, but he recognizes that too much arrogance will get you into trouble, and there really is no BEST at anything. (Oh, and finally, Caroline in the City? Never saw it...hmmm, I may have to check it out!)

Danica was the bomb!!

Rick: I am not saying Alfonso doesn't have skills, I just don't think he should necessarily be the front runner. That voting block for Candace really robbed two deserving contestants from season 18. Danica and Charlie. IMO Danica was the 2nd best female dancer (who can compete with Meryl, the queen, and maybe the best ever of DWTS). Charlie was terrific and really handled difficult routines. Sharna did such a great job with him and should have been rewarded with the finals. They had to almost dumb-down Cameron's dances and even then she didn't get it right. It should have been Meryl, Charlie, Danica and Amy in that order for season 18.

Janet: Oh please don't get me started with last season! * screams bloody murder * Danica WAS AMAZING! Charlie WAS AMAZING...their routines were so incredible...the fact that Candace got to move forward while they were axed...totally MIND BLOWING and so WRONG. Charlie's "Happy" routines is one of my all-time favorites of DWTS. Danica, well, she's as talented a dancer as she is beautiful And again, so talented, so BRILLIANT, and yet, so humble. I bow to her, and you know, Charlie was so cool about getting unfairly booted from the competition. I really thought it would be Meryl and Charlie for first and second, with a Danica or Amy getting 3rd and 4th. James 5th. Amy is like an impossible wonder woman, I'm so happy that she got 2nd, though I would have loved to have seen her win, she was GREAT. Oh, and NeNe should have been kicked right after Candace. She didn't come close to Danica or Charlie. As well, James was an excellent dancer and his routines were usually very good and one of them was just THROUGH THE ROOF!

Rick, who are your favorite pros?
Janet: Hey, you asked me a question, so now I get to ask you one: who are your favorite pros? (they can be previously on the show too) I love Derek, Julianne, Tony, and Karina Smirnoff. Witney is awesome but gosh, I just sit and drool at her because she's so distracting! :D (Who doesn't love eye candy?!)

Derek is not only an exceptional dancer, he's a great man.

Rick: Eye candy is right regarding Witney. Sheesh, I could watch her sleep. Let's face it though, the female pros are all gorgeous. One of the many things I like about dance is it creates in the dancer such a confident air that you are drawn to them. So,yes I love Witney but the Aussie's are pretty damn awesome to, Peta, Sharna and Emma. Jenna Johnson is great. I like Derek for all the reasons you stated (that was confirmed to me last season with Amy Purdy. No one else could have done what they did considering the obstacles) and he is the best, that can't be argued in my opinion. It irritates me when people rag about him for getting partners that can dance as most of their comments are just plain BS.His contestants do well because of him. Mark is really good (loved what he was able to accomplish with Katherine Jenkins in Season 14, my 2nd favorite contestant of all time), along with Val. Have to say, I am really impressed with Artem and what he is doing for Lea (admittedly, he has an awful lot to work with), particularly when you consider this is his first year. The one I'd really like to see back on the show is Tristyn, the Irish guy. He was so patient with his partners (who were not very good) and he seems to have this great sense of humor that has to be invaluable throughout the rigors of this show. Maks I never cared for, always thought he was a bit of a thug until my girl Meryl wrapped him around her little finger and never bought into his immature rantings. She made him into a teddy bear and got him his mirror ball. He did really well with her, but truth be told, she could have won with me as her partner. She was just that good. Never have I seen a contestant with such an ability to emote the theme of the dance. That AT she did in week 4 with Val has got to be the sexiest dance I've ever seen. That double split thing she did was almost orgasmic. Remarkable, out of this world talent and skill. I think she is the best ever. Who's your favorite of all seasons?

Julianne's Samba outfit was MEOWTASTIC!

Janet: I agree with your feelings about dance. It's a wonderful thing to watch. And I simply LOVE watching people blossom through a season, it's a joy to behold, esp when you see the look of disbelief and happiness when they have nailed a routine. To me, it is wonderful to see these famous people in a more vulnerable state. I love to know who they really are. DWTS really gives a nice glimpse this way.

The female pros are like dancing flowers, that's for sure. I think one of my very favorite performance has got to be Julienne and Apollo's Saucy Samba. Their routine was outstanding and her costume just OMG WOWZERS! I LOVED their Paso Doble too, it was sensational. I think they were an incredible pair, very raw and full of passion.

Yes on all the things you said about Derek. I think there are some very fine pros on that show, but Derek is the modern Fred Astaire + Gene Kelly, combined together and then again some. He's got it all. Hilarious when people say he's no good, what a bunch of morons. I expect you are like me, I've watched every season, and he was REALLY GOOD when the show started, and he just got better and better.

What a fabulous pair Maks & Meryl made!

LOVED what you said about Meryl wrapping Maks around her little finger. Completely true, and it was obvious to all including Maks, who couldn't be happier to discover that the way to the mirror ball trophy would be to have a woman who was stronger than he was to keep him going in the right direction. It was an awesome thing to see.

And yes on Meryl NAILING the mood of the dances. She was the best dancer ever on the show, no question there. 

Rick: Charlie's Mary Poppins routine should be a DWTS classic. Absolutely perfect. Amy Purdy's aren't born every day. She is a once in a generation human being. Just maybe the strongest most inspiring person I've ever seen. I thought she'd be around for a couple of weeks and the novelty would wear off and she'd go home. Nope, shows you how wrong I can be. That girl, with no lower legs could dance. She had musicality, technique and an incredible performance quotient. Just one of the most remarkable things I have ever seen. Derek deserves a lot of the credit to be sure and no one and I mean no one else could have pulled it off but him. Big time respect to DH.

What a show Charlie & Sharna put on!

Janet: Oh yes, the Mary Poppins dance! Sad to say, though I loved the dance and I agree it was perfect, I detested the music, I just hated it so much it made my ears bleed! I also hated the animation, it was so hokey in my opinion. :D A total shame because the performance was incredible. Truly, that doesn't mean I wouldn't have given their performance an 11 if I could have! :D Charlie and Sharna were so awesome together. Ooooo, it still pisses me off that he was made the sacrificial lamb!! * GLARE *

LOL, we are two peas in a pod when it comes to Amy Purdy and also in regards to Derek being the only one who had the chops to direct the super-human entity of Amy to the heights that she achieved. Who could have known? I remember being completely STUNNED from the moment I saw her and from that day forward, my jaw would drop in amazement to see the miraculous transformation that happened with each passing week. I can't even wrap my head around it. I cried many times throughout the season when I watched her dance, it just blew me away, and puts a tear in my eye thinking about her now. There's only one Amy Purdy, and how lucky she was to be paired with the almost unbeatable Derek Hough. How wonderful it was to see her being so gentle and encouraging to her. How they worked together and together they truly achieved greatness.

Amy is a real-life Wonder Woman!

Rick: When Amy came out in week 1 and did that cha cha, I just stared in disbelief. What a watershed moment. I knew at that moment we had something special going on here. Her contemporary to her father was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Derek's choreography went to another universe that night and then the hug with her Dad brought tears, happy tears, to my eyes. Just a beautiful experience to see. In just about any other year, Amy would have won. She was just that special. Have you ever noticed how attractive Amy's family is. Her mother looks like Shelley Frabres and her sister his not quite Witney, but close. Amy is HOTT as well. Probably the best looking contestant family ever.

Janet: Yes, it was a joy to watch Amy, she stole the show and showed us all what IMPOSSIBLE looks like when it becomes reality. I'm glad you were just as touched as I was with her performances, and that tribute to her dad was a guaranteed waterworks show for sure. You know, I didn't actually look at her family, I was always so focused on her. But I'm not surprised they are are attractive. She's got a natural beauty that will stay with her for a lifetime.

Rick: Amy didn't win the Mirror Ball Trophy, but she was doing something much more important, she changed how we look at disability. Now that's a legacy.

Wearing "Cheetah legs", Amy danced like an angel.

Janet: Yes, Amy did something far more important than merely dancing. Her impact on how people think about disability is profound. I used to believe that there were a few people out there with disabilities who could soar, but within the parameters of their disability. Amy proved that if given the will and the talent, a disabled person can be better than most able-bodied people will ever be, including those who have spent their lives in the profession. Staggering. She is, like you said, a legacy.

Rick: And make no mistake, Derek is a huge part of that legacy. He could die today and he would have accomplished more in his short 28 years than most people ever do. And he's done it with grace, humility and class. I think we quite often give to much credit to a performer but in Mr Hough's case, it is deserved. 

Janet, who was your all-time favorite dancer/contestant?
Rick: Now, you never did answer my question regarding who was your favorite/best contestant of all time on DWTS? Come on, I won't laugh at you.....;)

Donald Driver & Peta Murgatroyd were a favorite pair!
What a combo of hawt chemistry, choreography & class! 

Janet: *huge, enthusiastic agreement in regards to your comments on Derek* I couldn't have said it better.

Oh yeah...favorite/best contestant. Hmmm, well I dabbled with my links to Julienne and Apolo. You are a BRAT, I must say...you won't LAUGH AT ME? RUDE! :D :D *gasp* Ok, to be honest, it's really impossible for me to answer that question. I love so many of the contestants for so many reasons, and the finest of them are very difficult to compare, because one will be stronger in one regard or another. I mean, as an overall through-the-roof dancer, is there really anyone to compare to Meryl? But in my opinion, that's not fair, either. She's a pro. She's been dancing all her life. You can't compare her with any other dancer because her level of skill and practice exceeds anyone that I can think of. If you take a look at the winners, runner ups and 3rd place finishers of every single season, you are going to have to agree with me: how can you possibly say that Amazingly Awesome dancer A is better than Amazingly Awesome dancer B? They are both incredible but different. Am I copping out? LOL, no, I think it's just impossible to say one is better than another, and I feel that way about my favorite dancers. I'm looking down the list right now and I just can't do it. There are so many who I loved so very much!

Rick, do YOU have a favorite dancer?
Janet: What do you think about that? Do you have a favorite? I promise I won't laugh at you for picking just one! :D :D

Rick: Yes you are copping out in regards to favorite of all time but I see what you are saying, particularly when considering 19 seasons. Maybe we can narrow it down to to 10 or 5 because there will always be valid arguments for each. It's like arguing who he greatest QB of all time is...just too many variables.

Katherine Jenkins was a joy to watch

I'll give you my top 5 in no particular order. I am basing it on their particular dance ability. Also, I don't totally agree with your regarding your statement about Meryl and being a pro. Yes, she is an ice dancer with tons of experience but I think it's a ballroom/latin dance is a whole new ballgame and dancing in on wood vs ice are completely different disciplines. While, the ice dancing is probably what gave her that incredible ability to emote, the technique, grace, movement and sensuality all had to be learned. Just my observation. 

My top 5 are: Meryl Davis, Katherine Jenkins, Nicole Scherzinger, Shawn Johnson and Kristi Yamaguchi. Yes, they are all women because women have a harder journey due to most dances being about the female. I mean, lets face it, a male is usually nothing more than a prop when it comes to the rumba, waltzes and the tangoes. Plus, it is my nature to like women more than men.....;)

Janet: Excellent choices! They all make my list too, but I'll add many more of my own: Apolo Ohno, Hélio Castroneves, Donald Driver, Emmett Smith, J.R. Martinez, Erin Grey, Amber Riley, Kellie Pickler, James Maslow, Zendaya, Melissa Rycroft, and Joey Fatone.

Gotta disagree with you on your kidding remark about men merely being props! :D There are countless examples out there of male contestants being equal in the rumba, waltzes and tangoes. A powerful, talented man is so wonderful to watch in these dances! :)