The DWTS Val / Carrie Ann controversy

I know I haven't been writing every week about this season of Dancing with the Stars, but I am absolutely loving it! 

The dancing has been great, and it warms my heart to see how close the cast has become. I've been watching a lot of behind-the-scenes footage as well as every live episode. Every season I think the cast roots for each other and commiserates when contestants are voted off, but this season seems to be more like a family than others. 

Unfortunately, that warm, fuzzy feeling has been interrupted by a family squabble that has resulted in a school-like suspension. 

During last week's show, Carrie Ann complained that Harry and Jenna had a lift during their routine. They were dancing a Samba, and lifts are not allowed in a Samba. She still gave the couple a score that aligned with the other judges. Many fans were outraged by her comments, and Val, in an attempt to stand up for his wife, made a post on TikTok that referenced Will Smith's Oscar slap. Val deleted the post, and sincerely apologized for his actions, but the damage was done. 

Here are my thoughts:

As a judge on DWTS, Carrie Ann's job is to critique the performances. If she loved everything and never gave any constructive criticism or adhered to the rules of a dance, she wouldn't be doing what she is paid to do. Too many fans love what they love and who they love, and they only want praise and adoration for the routines and the contestants. That's not what a dance competition should be. 

I don't think Carrie Ann was "mean" to Jenna at all. I don't think Carrie Ann deserves the outrage she is getting from the fans. Carrie Ann has said repeatedly that all of the judges want the dancers to improve and do their best, and one of the ways that happens is through constructive criticism and critique. 

I understand Val wanting to support his wife, but he definitely went about it the wrong way. He acted impulsively and with his heart rather than his head. In that moment, he needed to think as a professional dancer, not as a husband. Posting a loving comment to Jenna would have been wonderful. Instead, what he did was post something that looked like he was threatening Carrie Ann with bodily harm. Very bad decision. I appreciate his genuine apology, and I understand that people make mistakes. Unfortunately, his was a very public mistake, as was Will Smith's. 

Dancing with the Stars is all about the enjoyment factor, but the technique has to count too. Take Connor and Rylee for example. Connor's last two dances have been SO fun! I have loved them. I have watched them more than once. Sexy, cheeky, enjoyable dances. The ballroom has gone wild for them. But in both dances, the technique was lacking. And the judges have scored him accordingly. As they should. I mean, they could consider an artistic score and a technical score, like they do in figure skating, but that would be too complicated and time consuming. 

I hope the fans can move on, and Jenna, Val, and Carrie Ann can move on from this very unfortunate incident. Let's get back to the fun, dance fans!

librarianintx

Big Brother Season Finale: My Thoughts

 It was a satisfying ending to a very fun summer. 

These houseguests played hard, and I enjoyed the chaos. 

Congratulations to Devens!!

Devens and Yash were the two that I was rooting for. 

I was hoping Jason would be a good player and make it far, but that was not the case. 

I am very happy that it was Devens and Taylor as the final two. 

I did feel bad for Drew, but I did not want him to get second place. 

I giggled when I saw him playing with his hair as he sat on the jury, but then I felt bad, thinking maybe it's more of a nervous habit rather than an attention-seeking activity.

I am also happy that Devens won favorite houseguest, although I would have been more excited if it had been Yash. 

In the end, all the jurors rewarded Deven's game play except Lala. 

No surprise there - Lala was usually on the wrong side of the vote, bless her heart. 

Thanks houseguests, and thanks Big Brother. 

Love one another!

By the way, I would usually put SPOILER in the subject line, but people have been posting spoilers all evening, so...

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Week 2

 Yay! 

Another episode is tonight!

So I better talk about last week's episode!

The athletes ruled "Viral Hits" nite!

As a middle age (really?!) woman who prides herself on (somewhat) keeping up with today's music, I was disappointed that I didn't know any of the songs for the first half of the show. Luckily, I hit a better stride with the back half. 

The first song I knew was Flo Rida's "Low".

And boy howdy did Ezra & Daniella get low in their Cha Cha!

"Down and dirty" as Carrie Ann said. 

Like I said in my last post, viewers are not going to vote for Ezra Frech out of pity. 

They are going to vote because they will be witnessing greatness...inventiveness...creativity. 

They will see moves they've never seen on this dance floor. 

There was so much power in that dance, plus Cha Cha content, musicality, and the enjoyment factor was sky high!

That dance deserved better than a 7. Just sayin'.

So Ezra & Daniella danced, and then Amber Glenn & Daniella's husband Pasha performed a Tango that announced, "We see you, and we raise you!" 

Sure, there are plenty of DWTS viewers that have not seen Heated Rivalry. 

But they don't have to. 

That song is so hypnotic; it draws you in. 

And Amber & Pasha's dance was also powerful, lyrical, and creative. 

Amber's frame was gorgeous, and I loved her "armography". The move where she reached her arm up and laid it against Pasha's neck - chills!!

They also deserved a higher score. 

Another dance I loved was Tatyana & Jan's Foxtrot. The song, "What was I made for" by Billie Eilish is SO beautiful, and Tatyana put so much feeling and expression into the performance. The routine told a lovely story, and Tatyana looked like she was floating on air. It was very special. 

Tonight is "Yacht Rock" nite. 

This was a new term to me, so I googled it:

Yacht rock is a broad style of smooth, highly polished soft rock that dominated FM radio airwaves from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. 

Okay. I'm an 80's girl. I'm ready for it!

librarianintx

Big Brother The Penultimate Episode of the Season

I thought the episode was very entertaining...

With one big exception. 

Lala and Angela's bullying of Melody was so uncalled for.

Melody had the perfect retort, "I made it further than both of you did."

It really was Girls Behaving Badly.

Lala and Angela came across as petty and jealous.

What was the point of the conversation?

Lala won two challenges.

Melody won two challenges

Angela won one.

They all had alliances.

They all had people keeping them safe.

What did Melody do that was so different?

Taylor has flown under the radar the whole season.

She has only won one challenge.

Would Lala treat Taylor the way she treated Melody?

If Angela had been trying to improve her reputation, she blew it by going ballistic,  yelling at Melody and accusing her of a showmance with Drew.

I agree Melody - Angela's fixation on your alleged activity in the pool (and elsewhere in the house) was over the top. 

Get a life, Angela.

librarianintx 

Big Brother Top 3 - My Thoughts

It's been a crazy, and fun season of Big Brother!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

So, let's break down the final three.

My prediction: If Devens makes it to Final 2, he will win.

My reasoning: jury management. 

If the jury votes by friendship and alliances, Devens will win.

Here is my breakdown:

Lala: Taylor or Devens

Angela: Devens

Barrett: He's a conundrum. Maybe Taylor. Maybe Devens

Yash: Taylor

Melody: Drew

Dee: Devens

Bottom line: if its Drew and Devens as the final two, I think Devens will get everyone's vote except Melody. Taylor will NOT vote for Drew. Drew burned too many people.

I love Taylor, and I want her in the final two. But I think Devens deserves the win.

If it had been Dee and Drew in the final, THAT would have been interesting! Would the jury have voted for a previous reality show winner, or for a weasel?

My predictions for favorite houseguest:

Mallory

Yash

Devens

I hope Devens wins the show and Yash is voted favorite houseguest.

There's still a lot of game to play.

Thanks for a fun summer Big Brother!

librarianintx 

Big Brother Double Eviction Nite - SPOILERS!

YASH!!!!

Sad face. :(

Dude, you trusted Drew to keep you safe?!

What were you thinking?!

He's such a weasel!!

I was rooting for you, Bro. 

Congrats on Top 6.

I hope you win Favorite Houseguest.

librarianintx 

Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Week 1

 Hello again dance fans!

I am SO excited our show is back!!

I like this cast A LOT, and I see A LOT of potential. 

I have some thoughts on who went home and why, but first, my favorite performances of the week:

Harry Shum Jr and Jenna

I knew Harry would be good. He's got a dance background. 

What I didn't know was how AMAZING his chemistry would be with Jenna. 

Holy cow! Their routine was SMOKIN' HOT! 

More of that, please. 

Ezra Frech and Daniella 

I absolutely ADORE how inclusive DWTS is. 

Can an above the knee amputee who also has a hand difference do ballroom dancing? 

YES HE CAN!

Ezra "can do" attitude and Daniella's inspired choreography translated into a showstopping Tango. 

People will not be rooting for this team because they feel sorry for Ezra. 

They will be voting because they want to see what magic will happen next. 

Maura Higgins & Mark

Maura, no dance experience?!?! Seriously?!

She was a revelation. 

I was mesmerized by that routine. 

Mark is a brilliant teacher and choreographer, AND give credit to Maura for working hard, listening to the pro, and being a fast learner. 

Jenna Dewan and Val

Like Harry, I knew Jenna would do well because she has a dance background. 

Their Tango looked like a professional routine.

And damn, Jenna looks she is aging in reverse. She looked H-O-T!!

Now, as to who went home and why:

Conner Levitt and Adele

As I say repeatedly, DTWS is NOT a dance competition. 

It is a popularity contest. 

Some people don't like Conner's wife Whitney. 

Conner likely isn't well-known, except for those who watch the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

Some people are upset that Adele won The Next Pro. 

Some people may not have watched The Next Pro. 

Conner was not the worst male dancer this week. 

But he was eliminated. 

Many people would say that Sarah Jane Nader was cut because she was dancing with a woman. 

I disagree. 

Jo Jo Siwa and Jenna Johnson were a pair on Season 30 of DWTS; the first same-sex pair on the show. 

They were runners-up to the winners, Iman Shumpert and Daniella. 

Jo Jo is very popular with many young people, and DWTS fans know and adore Jenna.

So, what happened with Sarah Jane and her pro, Hailey? 

I don't think they were well-known enough to get the votes. 

The viewers know Sarah Jane as Brooke's sister, and Hailey as Jenna's niece. 

That's not enough to get votes. 

Maybe being a same sex pair didn't help, but I don't think that was the reason they were eliminated. 

Again, I applaud DWTS for their inclusive casting, and I wish Sarah Jane and Hailey had made it further. 

There were a lot of nerves week one, especially among the ladies. 

But like I said, I see potential...in almost everyone. 

librarianintx

Big Brother - Thursday's Eviction - My Thoughts - SPOILERS

 They voted out Angela?!?!?!?!?

Barrett put up all three icons - and Angela went home?

What a waste of an HOH!

Newbies - what are you doing?!

Why do you want Dee and Devens to continue to dominate? 

"They can protect us"

"They can do the dirty work"

DO YOUR OWN DIRTY WORK!!

Do you not understand how to play Big Brother? 

The object of the game is to take someone to Finale Night that YOU CAN WIN against.

Who is going to vote for Angela to win Big Brother?

The only scenario I see where Angela wins is if she is up against Dee. 

Not because Dee isn't worthy of winning. 

But because they won't want to hand a Survivor winner even more money. 

While I appreciate Devens loyalty to Dee, if that's what that was, I'm not sure that Dee would have done the same for him. Dee and Angela are very close. And Devens and Dee have been pissing each other off lately. 

I like Dee and Devens. I think they are both worthy of winning. This post is not about me not liking them or wanting them out. It's about the newbies fighting for themselves and becoming worthy winners. Taylor and Melody - what have either of you done to be worthy winners? 

Currently I'm rooting for Yash, but that bribe will continue to complicate his game, I think. 

librarianintx