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Originally Posted by redsox girl
What you initally wrote was: " I think it's great you won't compromise or change or give into the hatred and the negative comments based not on your talent but how you are perceived. I loved what you brought to the dance floor and appreciate your willingness to push the boundaries--art forms cannot stay static or they will die." Since C/M certainly were not criticized for pushing the boundaries during their freestyle and since they were, after all, dancing, not painting portraits or composing concertos or writing sonnets, and were criticized for breaking the rules during dances like the VW and the jive (and by the judges--I'm not talking about the posters on this board), then to what art form did you expect people to think you were referring if not the traditional forms of ballroom dance? As for people complaining about breaking the rules of freestyle in 300 years, since freestyle, as defined by DWTS, doesn't have any rules at all, I hardly think that's likely. And yes, DWTS isn't a professional ballroom dance competition, but the dancers are expected to dance traditional ballroom dances--and not just Mark, but plenty of other dancers, have been criticized and had their scores dinged by the judges for not following the rules of that particular dance. Not everyone is universally entertained when he/she expects to see a waltz or a VW or a jive or whatever and sees something that doesn't fit that form. He/she might be fine with it in a freestyle round but not in a round that's supposed to be devoted to a particular traditional dance. It's like ordering one thing in a restaurant and being served another. The alternative may be perfectly fine in its own right, but if you're expecting a dessert and you're served a salad, it's not going to be what you expected to see on your plate, and you're likely to complain--and rightfully so.
Following the rules of a particular dance does not mean dance in general cannot grow or change. The development of new dances, as opposed to pretending that something that isn't a waltz is just a different version of a waltz, is how that typically happens. If Mark wants to try and popularize an entirely new dance, fine. They can even name it after him for all I care. But he ought not to try and pass it off as another form of ballroom dance that it isn't. There's nothing wrong with Mark (or anyone) fusing forms of dance or creating a new dance in a freestyle round or for the stage or for film or anywhere else where the rules of ballroom dance don't apply. But that's not what he should be doing if he and his partner are supposed to be doing a jive or a VW. As for your comparison with realistic art, it's not that I, or anyone else, is saying there should only be one form of dance but that if something isn't a particular type of dance, it shouldn't be called that type of dance or scored as if it is. There are many, many types of artistic styles, some much older and some much newer than the realistic style, but if someone painted a landscape and called it realistic when it was clearly impressionistic, the artistic world would question that categorization of that particular artwork. It wouldn't question the right of the artist to create it, but it might justifiably question the appropriateness of its inclusion in an exhibit devoted to realistic art.
As for my comments about Mark's freestyle, I specifically asked how many times have we seen Mark do a hip hop freestyle? Kym's freestyle with Hines was nothing like her freestyle with Donny. Maks' freestyle with Kirstie was certainly very different from his freestyle with Erin. Freestyle is all about creativity and trying something different. If Mark wanted to push his own boundaries, or the boundaries of dance, that would be the time and the place to do it. But he doesn't. Riding in on a bike or wearing flashing lights doesn't constitute a new spin on hip hop. It's just the same thing with different props. I've watched this show long enough that I automatically assumed Mark would do a hip hop freestyle, and sure enough, he did. But I had no definite idea of what Kym or Maks would do, because their freestyles vary by season and by partner.
I also think plenty of people, including myself, have directed complaints about the rules towards the judges and the producers of the show. People may have been irritated about M/C possibly being pulled into the finals via the WTA cha-cha, for instance, but many posts here pointed out that the show, not M/C, should never have done that. Posters may not have liked that M/C were the beneficiaries of that move, but they recognized who had the power to put it in place. And finally, if it's a show ultimately about entertainment, then why should anyone complain that people voted for the dancer they enjoyed most, regardless of whether he/she was technically the most skilled, as opposed to someone another poster felt was the superior, more "creative" dancer? If those who voted for Hines because they thought he was more entertaining, what makes him a totally undeserving winner, as you have claimed he is?
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In your face TYRA! 
That's too true. What I didn't like tonight is they didn't seem to mingle as much with the ousted celebrities. Some got more attention than others. The show didn't seem to have enough filler for once to drag out for 2 hours, even though they managed. It just felt odd tonight. Almost like they were trying to rush the show along. I could have done without Sara Evans performance, and given more time to the finalists. I did love DAD and seeing Maks and Chelsie win it for the first time. That was a good performance. Are the Go Gos reuniting or was this just an anniversary of their album appearance?
So we could potentially be out Maks, Karina, and (hopefully) Mark next season. Derek, too, if he doesn't return, though I have a feeling he will. I really hope we get to see a pro win next time that never has. Seeing the same faces always advance to the winners circle gets old, even though I do adore Kym and think she's earned all her wins. She's amazing.
