5/16 Show Discussion Thread **Spoilers**

[Tilden]

Just read a short piece on, I think, E! on-line about what Bruno said and K/R's comments about it. Ralph called his behavior "unprofessional" and Karina said the comment was "rude" and "uncalled for." They also said they've been trying to give the judges what they appear to want and have been lowballed for what others get praised for doing (not those words exactly, but the sentiment is clearly the same). I'm thinking they figure they have nothing left to lose and are letting the show have it. I wouldn't be surprised to see Karina gone as a pro next year, either because the show doesn't like her confronting Bruno in the press or because she doesn't want to come back. The official statement from the show, by the way, was to the effect that Bruno was just doing his job and they don't criticize the judges. Well, they should if they're being offensive.

I was also amazed at how many articles about C/M came up when I simply googled DWTS. Those two must have press agents working overtime for them. I was particularly annoyed by one praising them that also criticized Kym for "outdancing" Hines and getting praised for it. I'll admit freely that there was at least one dance where that may have been true, but Mark consistently outdances or over dances all of his partners, so to criticize Kym for doing it in an article praising Mark is ridiculous.

Oh, and an awful lot of comments following the K/R article made mention of the fact that Karina had posed in Playboy, so she had no right to be offended by Bruno's remarks. Uh, excuse me, but even if she hadn't been offended, it was a very nasty sexist remark referring to a portion of a woman's anatomy. It could, and did, offend women viewers. There have already been a lot of boob jokes this season. Bruno didn't need to go any further. He needs to start offering constructive criticism instead of trying to make his every commentary an excuse for him to leap out of his chair and attempt to be funny. He's not, and it's annoying. If everyone else on the judging panel can remain seated, so can he.

[Tilden]

thanks... it does sound like a very icky night on bruno's part...he has been pushing it lately!

I just found the comment on-line: "You were being too rough with your pussy, darling."

I really wish Ralph would have told him that she was his partner and he would prefer her being referred to as such. The audience would have loved that. But I think he was just too shocked to know what to say (or was afraid if he reacted at all, he'd over-react and embarrass Karina further--and Karina really was embarrassed).

[anders332]

I am thankful for Kym that the outcome of her fall was not more serious. I have seen similar freak accidents leave a person paralyzed. Thank heavens she is ok.

Last nights show was disgusting. A blatant move by the judges to keep Mark and Chelsea in.......if they are going to do it I would be a lot happier to see them do it honestly by saying the judges get to select 1 pair that they want to see in the finals who would get an automatic placement in the final 3. Having the other couples have to waste time and energy on a dance that they have no chance of winning is shameful.

Bruno was way out of line with his comments and should apologize. None of the judges should be allowed to make offensive comments about the dancers. They should score and critique not insult and demean.

If Mark and Chelsea make it to the final two I hope everyone no matter who they have been rooting for all year will give all their votes to the opposing contestant. Everyone here deserves it more than Mark and Chelsea and maybe if there was a big enough gap between Mark and the winning party it would finally send a message to them that we don't want Mark Ballas shoved down our throats. (I have always wondered if the Ballas dance corporation has a stake in the production of this show?)

I agree - by 'disallowing' the viewer vote with the dance-off it only pisses the voters off. It pissed me off enough to throw all my votes to Ralphie, even though I know he's going home tonight. (and I'm not even watching or voted at all this season). What's even worse is that it's been discussed that this move was to secure Chelsea in the finals, how stupid do they think we are.

Call a spade a spade and be upfront about who they want in the finals - and do it every season, not just the season they want their other golden boy in the finals that can't get their on fanbase.

[Tilden]

I so much agree with this. In addition don't think it's quite fair to put Derek and Julianne in the same category with Mark. They aren't even there and it doesn't seem like they deserve criticism when the beef at least this season is with Mark. They (Derek and Julianne) are a joy to watch and are so much more humble and professional and the love of dance just radiates from them. I don't blame them for exiting for something else if the opportunity was there, dancing shelf life is short and they are trying to shore up their futures. Chelsie is just a kid and so it's not her fault and also it seems like she is struggling with Mark's behavior and moods a bit, too. Maybe the show sees how she is struggling with Mark's behavior and gave her the points for that reason? Word to Bruno, you are not funny, you are crass... He is coming across like his mind is permanently in the gutter. Seems they have had to bleep a lot of bad language this season from a lot of people even with Kirsty. I haven't seen them have to bleep Ralph. They should have definitely edited Kendra, that was awful . I hope Ralph pulls off an upset to at least get to the final. I would rather see him than Kirsty at this point because he really has consistently done better at least IMO. On GMA Donny O said he thinks Ralph is going tonight.

I would respectfully disagree about Derek, who has mugged excessively for the camera in the past and got very snippy, along with is partner Shannon, when he felt he was underscored. But the real knock against Derek is that he's been the recipient of way too many gifts as partners. He's never really had to deal with anyone on the level of a Kate or a Wendy or even someone like Kirstie, who has some ability but may have stamina issues. As a result, he's able to do more difficult routines consistently and gets praised for what a great choreographer he is. He may be, but it's a lot easier to be a great choreographer when you consistently have people who are at least basically coordinated as your partners. Even Mark has gotten stuck with some clunkers in the past, as has Julianne.

As for Julianne, I actually respect her the most, because while Mark has won with a figure skater and a gymnast, both of whom would have had some dance training, and Derek has won with some pretty obvious ringers, her wins have come with a speed skater and a race car driver. Helio may have had a decent fan base, but he had no dance experience. Neither did Apollo, and while he has quick reflexes and is in excellent shape, short track speedskaters don't have a huge fanbase and don't require dance training as part of their preparation. She simply had to work harder to get performances out of her partners and doesn't seem as afflicted with the cockiness gene as her brother or Mark.

BTW, I actually had no problems with Mark or Derek when they first joined the show, but the favoritism shown them, and their increasing sense of privilege, started to bother me.

[anders332]

Notice how they didn’t care last season when it was clear Brandy wasn’t getting the votes and should’ve been in the finals over Bristol – who ironically was paired with Mark.

[twinkletoes]

My two cents regarding last night. I hate the favoritism shown to Mark. Like many of you, I knew the second I heard the winner take all dance, it would go to Mark. Low ABC, really low.

Gave all my votes to Kirstie, because sad as it is, I think Ralph's a goner. Hope I'm wrong and Mark leaves.

I sent a complaint to ABC via the contact us form about the favoritism, and Bruno's comment. Threw in that I'm their target demographic. And that I filed an "obscene" complaint with the FCC regarding Bruno's comment. I'm on the east coast, that word wasn't bleeped for us. With live TV comes added responsibility. Bruno needs to be reigned in.

[Tilden]

I agree - by 'disallowing' the viewer vote with the dance-off it only pisses the voters off. It pissed me off enough to throw all my votes to Ralphie, even though I know he's going home tonight. (and I'm not even watching or voted at all this season). What's even worse is that it's been discussed that this move was to secure Chelsea in the finals, how stupid do they think we are.

Call a spade a spade and be upfront about who they want in the finals - and do it every season, not just the season they want their other golden boy in the finals that can't get their on fanbase.

The judges already have been given the advantage in determining the winner, at least in the last couple of seasons, by allowing them one dance in the final that only they score, which allows them to inflate the score of their preferred couple without any interference from those nasty viewers. They did not also need an additional advantage in getting their preferred dancers into the final.

If that's going to be the game plan, they should just let there be a judges' pick for the finals, with the other three semi-finalists competing for the final two spots--and then the judges should NOT get a dance where only their scores count in the finals. Either the audience vote matters or it doesn't. If it doesn't, then they should just start having only the judges' scores count.

Incidentally, they made a big deal out of complaints that talented dancers had left earlier than they should have. There certainly have been other complaints about ringers and who consistently gets them, the bad band/singers, polarizing celebrity choices, Brooke's ineptitude etc. How come that's the one complaint they are suddenly willing to address? Oh, yeah--because it protects a Disney princess and one of their golden boys, whom they think help their ratings. Or at least Disney's profile.

[Fanny Mare]

It was SO obvious to me that Chelsie was going to take the "winner takes all". She must not have a very big fan base like the others and they want her in the final. From the judges comments and the scores that were given last night, I would say they want Chelsie, Hines, and Kristie in the final.

The judges want Mark and Chelsea to win, I want Kym and Hines to win.I dont care to watch Kirstie dance anymore, what was on her head? she looked like wonder woman.I liked the black dress on her, but not the band around her head. It looked like Maks was pushing her at one point.Ugh! Poor Ralph, I really like him,. I suspect he will go before her

[Debb70]

I hope the show's producers are proud of themselves. They set up a teen against 50-60 year-olds and then reward her extra points because she still can't hold her own with votes. It is so pathetic. What nerve! I was embarrassed for them. They have no shame. They must be out of their minds to know realize how obvious they are padding the contest with extra credit for their Disney favorite.

They even admitted it by saying Brandi and Sabrina left too early. What? They should have left when they didn't get the votes. Accept it!

I'm looking for the link to log my complaint. I have to keep in mind that it's just a dance contest. LOL

[Fanny Mare]

For the first time this season, I voted.
Poor Ralph was really thrown under the bus by the judges.
Kirstie was very much overscored. Hines and Chelsea were overscored, though not as much as Kirstie. I like Kirstie, but her dancing is not very good and the choreography Maks has given her all season is pretty light.

I've never seen any "attitude" in Ralph; nor do I see any with Chelsea.
I'm not a big fan of Mark, but I don't see that Chelsea should be penalized for that. I think the girl's a terrific dancer and has an adorable personality.

I thought from week 2 that Hines would win this. With Kym's latest injury, I'm very certain that will garner them even more votes than they're probably already getting.

Well said. We all have our favourites I guess, even the judges( who really shouldn't) Kirstie has been overscored all season