tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post3197944389258098736..comments2024-03-15T09:03:33.742-07:00Comments on Jessica Dube Loves Scott Moir: Maks is catching on.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-16792842352053105102014-04-03T12:15:02.065-07:002014-04-03T12:15:02.065-07:00And yeah, the connection with Sharna was gone, whi...And yeah, the connection with Sharna was gone, which was suprisingly one of his strengths the last two weeks. That makes sense that it was partly her choreo concept.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-79459282496961531262014-04-03T12:08:24.631-07:002014-04-03T12:08:24.631-07:00"Here, he projected an almost a childlike nar..."Here, he projected an almost a childlike narcissim that, for me, personally, wasn't half as charming as it thought it was"<br /><br />I really have to agree with this. <br /><br />"Mostly though, when it comes to DW, it's just tiring to constantly be told something IS when it isn't, and for lack of support for something being as good as claimed considered not important. I know these things play themselves out and eventually, are seen for what they are, but as we're right in the middle of it with DW, it's exhausting."<br /><br />It really is. On the one hand, this is so fun to observe D/W doing this. On the other, in many ways, it's a continuation of the gaslighting surrounding D/W's skating. I could kiss Anna for saying *something* about Meryl this week. Here's hoping she gets harder on them as they continue not to show "all they can do."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-12777807207678900132014-04-03T11:32:32.482-07:002014-04-03T11:32:32.482-07:00Yep, seriously. And, me too. Even if you're no...Yep, seriously. And, me too. Even if you're not up to speed on technique, you can see it doesn't look the way actual dancers dance jive, or the way the better celebs have danced jive. But even on afterbuzz nobody, including Anna, could find fault. They thought it was the greatest. <br /><br />I thought it was a dud. The first two weeks I definitely enjoyed Charlie more than Meryl, although I paid attention to the comments here that took note of re-setting, flat feet and huge steps. I think it was that compared to how he is skating with Meryl, he appeared much more in the moment and to be actually connecting with his partner, and to have acquired more of a natural relationship to the music. But to me, this thing was a mess. Sloppy, not enough content, rushed, with the jive itself lacking bounce, snap and speed. IMO his partner miscalculated. She wanted this to be a Charlie-basking-in-the-sunshine-of-his-gold-medal sort of solo celebration where she was there on the floor with him, but not his focus. Bad move, because Charlie has already spent a lifetime not focusing on a partner. Here, he projected an almost a childlike narcissim that, for me, personally, wasn't half as charming as it thought it was. Not that that is meant to be a judged component. BUT, if you're going to sacrifice technique and connection for it, it better be charming and this was not. Plus he didn't have his butt under him.<br /><br />Carrie Ann Inaba went on and on about Maks and Meryl's foxtrot without once referencing the actual technique, so I think right out of the gate this season is just about how something made you feel - or how you pretend something made you feel. Just like ice dance, nobody's bothering to remember they're supposed to be judged on how they execute the dance. It's inconsistent, depending on where they want the placements.<br /><br />Mostly though, when it comes to DW, it's just tiring to constantly be told something IS when it isn't, and for lack of support for something being as good as claimed considered not important. I know these things play themselves out and eventually, are seen for what they are, but as we're right in the middle of it with DW, it's exhausting.<br /><br />ocAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-28715517976643746942014-04-03T11:04:25.179-07:002014-04-03T11:04:25.179-07:00" One fan on one of the forums said this was ..." One fan on one of the forums said this was the best male jive in the entire history of DWTs. Professional quality."<br /><br />seriously? i've seen jives performed better on SYTYCD from dancers who know nothing about ballroomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-58572422070296349402014-04-03T10:56:28.756-07:002014-04-03T10:56:28.756-07:00Where did you hear there'd be new rules for da...Where did you hear there'd be new rules for dance holds? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-55818252443719370242014-04-03T10:15:56.526-07:002014-04-03T10:15:56.526-07:00So now the ISU really got rid of one lift and leav...So now the ISU really got rid of one lift and leaves the option open for either a choreo lift ir spin instead.<br />Imo this will benefit weaker teams and take away from the appeal ice dancing had on casual viewers. <br />Maybe they just want to eliminate all elements that the audience can judge by themselves. God knows, the ISU doesn't want the crowd to think about elements or results ...<br />Apparently there will be new rules regarding dance holds as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-16737286248476593242014-04-02T20:19:10.328-07:002014-04-02T20:19:10.328-07:00Of course "it's just physics" - actu...Of course "it's just physics" - actual physics - disproves everything they say.oycanadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056686007756844095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-50830601270135297752014-04-02T19:46:44.327-07:002014-04-02T19:46:44.327-07:004:40, ha ha, but there's more than fake techni...4:40, ha ha, but there's more than fake technique going on. There's fake impact. When DW were skating, the narrative said they had the audience pleasing, knock-out, big impact programs, but they didn't. The programs were flat. VM were the ones who got the reaction, particularly during the Olympics from those tuning in every four years. It's the same with Meryl and Maks. The DW fans are hoping Maks will inspire Charlie to follow his example, while Maks is doing what Maks does every season with every single partner, married or not, try to get his partner's fans excited because they think she gives him a boner. His fans and her fans kerplotz all over the web while the general public is meh. I think her fans, his fans, and the entertainment media who goes with his bad boy, player image play this up as steamy, but that's because the routine reached out and grabbed the write-up outlets by the throat and said "THIS IS A STEAMY ROUTINE!"<br /><br />Not authentic. I never feel any of its real, not from Lease and Kirk, not from (non-fans) spazzing over this. I don't think Lease and Kirk believe their own bullshit, I don't think those writing up DWTs believe theirs.oycanadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056686007756844095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-24810829149792122312014-04-02T19:40:10.702-07:002014-04-02T19:40:10.702-07:00What the audience wants, or DW fans? How much over...What the audience wants, or DW fans? How much overlap is there?<br /><br />Maks hasn't won in 18 seasons for a reason, though. Plenty of pros who came after him have won, and it certainly isn't for want of him doing this stuff. He's done it time and time again, having his partner walk half the number, dragging a bed out on the floor, kissing his partner mid-dance, after the dance, and after the show, and hinting he's into his partner and something's going on. And at the end of the season - nada.<br /><br />This is his mo converging with Meryl's limited skill set. Two limitations in a marriage of convenience - his limited imagination/her limited abilities.oycanadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056686007756844095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-9058688782389370252014-04-02T16:56:11.781-07:002014-04-02T16:56:11.781-07:00All this analysis is giving me the LOLs. DWTS isn...All this analysis is giving me the LOLs. DWTS isn't a dance show -- it's an entertainment show. Meryl and Maks are giving the audience exactly what it wants -- steamy faux make out sessions in a pretty flowy dress. I say she should get 30s for the rest of the season just based memories of last week's dance alone! This will happen anyway because she'll use the same moves in every dance, just like she did on the ice. Meryl knows what sells and how to sell it. You go, girl!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-22880311552123659522014-04-02T16:48:16.102-07:002014-04-02T16:48:16.102-07:00Is Doris really supposed to be a scientist? I. can...Is Doris really supposed to be a scientist? I. can't.<br /><br />I hate how DW fans have picked up the "it's just physics" thing now and just say that all the time to support their incorrect arguments for such hypotheses as "Tessa is too fat to lift. Sorry, it's just physics. Newton's law can't be undone."<br /><br />How infuriating. It reminds me of how both political parties have now picked up "it's just math."<br /><br />I rarely tread to goldenskate but wow, Doris is so much worse there! She really rules the roost.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-3346807919521670462014-04-02T16:40:48.361-07:002014-04-02T16:40:48.361-07:00"These guys weren't judges - I think they..."These guys weren't judges - I think they were dancers, although Anna is the only one I know. She was the only one getting specific. The others were all about "it gave me the feels" and they liked all the non-dance details, so why be a stickler about the dancing? "<br /><br />So afterbuzz has hired Dave Lease and Jenny Kirk?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-88858994851496832082014-04-02T14:19:29.672-07:002014-04-02T14:19:29.672-07:00I guess I meant they'll pull it off with the j...I guess I meant they'll pull it off with the judges overlooking lack of hip action. I'm also a little dubious about Meryl walking unassisted, but she'll point her toe and walk slowly and that will cut it. When that happens I'm going to link the Derek Hough/Shannon Elizabeth rumba that used every trick in the book, except no rhythm or hip action, and Shannon Elizabeth had a meltdown when called out. <br /><br />The slows WILL be made through pauses and upper body movement, or Maks moving her and placing her. The judges will rave on and on whle somehow avoiding discussion of the actual technique or anything specific to that dance. It will all be impact. This seems so familiar.oycanadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056686007756844095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-23335868632546820212014-04-02T14:05:23.597-07:002014-04-02T14:05:23.597-07:00I actually think her rumba will be even worse, tho...I actually think her rumba will be even worse, though Maks will do all the things you said. Rumba needs hip movement and rhythm, neither of which are a forte for Meryl. I think every movement will be quick and the slows will again be made through pauses and movement that doesn't involve the hips and legs.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-59138139000998522702014-04-02T13:54:30.351-07:002014-04-02T13:54:30.351-07:00I think it's just the Emporer's New Clothe...I think it's just the Emporer's New Clothes with Meryl. When it's that fake NO criticism can be tolerated. If there's a there, there, criticism is okay because the subject can tolerate it without losing reputation, status, or whatever it is they're invested in being, and others are invested in believing they have. Once you start noticing what's lacking in either Meryl or Charlie, it's like pulling a thread. The whole thing unravels. So don't pull the thread!<br /><br />When the blog started looking at Davis and White, it was to ask how come they were still doing what they did in 2009, and their opponents - who were ahead of them - were advancing, and yet somehow Davis and White's scores advanced and passed those of their opponents without them upping the difficulty in anything they did? They somehow got to the top of the podium with the same content that kept them off the top of the podium in 2008 and 2009 (or off the podium completely).<br /><br />It was in the blog looking at their programs and scrutinizing that it started to unravel, and it became clear that there were more issues than just score inflation for stale content that wasn't keeping pace with the technique and level of difficulty done by other teams.<br /><br /> It became clear that there was no content. (Speaking broadly. They do have a dance spin, and they do have very choppy, tight step sequences.)oycanadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056686007756844095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-21262533092816602352014-04-02T13:47:53.782-07:002014-04-02T13:47:53.782-07:00When was the last time either one was criticized f...When was the last time either one was criticized for anything they did on the ice, even when something was visible to the viewer? Was it the stumble in the fd (I think) in tango some time during 2010-2011? Was it not tracking each other smoothly in the short during the same season? <br /><br />I know when the wheels were coming off at the end of Die Fleudermaus in one performance Tanith Belbin and Andrea Joyce commenced telling us we didn't see what we just saw (flagging energy, getting sloppy, gasping for breath).oycanadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056686007756844095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-84742307644882796612014-04-02T13:34:27.083-07:002014-04-02T13:34:27.083-07:00I am so glad Anna mentioned Meryl does not drive t...I am so glad Anna mentioned Meryl does not drive through her foot. This was one of my main issues with the dance, what I meant when I said the force is the same for all the steps. The slow step is where you should see the drive, and the quicks follow from that momentum. Meryl did not show that. In general, she has weak feet on the floor. She doesn't apply strength from the feet to the floor. And she needs to engage the muscles in her core, hips and lower back in controlling the leg extensions and kicks. Her kicks were too sharp. A dancer with more control can slow down the kick and vary the force of each one.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-53636130640250453252014-04-02T13:21:51.086-07:002014-04-02T13:21:51.086-07:00These guys weren't judges - I think they were ...These guys weren't judges - I think they were dancers, although Anna is the only one I know. She was the only one getting specific. The others were all about "it gave me the feels" and they liked all the non-dance details, so why be a stickler about the dancing? <br /><br />I haven't heard a DWTs judge ever saying "We know you can do it so there's no need for you to do it" - that was what two of the guys on afterbuzz were saying. Their point was she's ALREADY amazing, like, so amazing, it's just pointless to have her actually show us. DWTs judges are usually - we know you can do more, and that wasn't enough. That's what they said about Zendaya - she was obviously a talented (if somewhat newborn deer-like) mover who could also connect while dancing, so in her foxtrot, although it had loads of content, Carrie Anne thought the first few seconds (seriously, first few seconds) were too simple for HER. After that she thought it was great, but she gave her a nine because of the first few seconds.<br /><br />Here's the thing - I don't think Meryl CAN do it. I don't think she's holding back at all. Maks is basically taking what she brought to the table and working around what she can't do. Anna nailed it. Everybody at that table was working on the assumption that Meryl is way better than what she's doing, can do way more, and she and Maks are holding her fire on purpose, so since we know she's great, just score her for what you know her to be until the right time to show it.<br /><br />I think that assumption is baseless. I think her footwork is always going to be not there, just like her bladework wasn't there on the ice. Maks is going to do arms and emoting and hair, just like at Arctic Edge. There's never going to be that moment of OMG, she really can do it! She'll do a good rumba, that's it, because this dance basically WAS a rumba. Meryl will walk and get dipped and stick her leg up (while Maks holds it in space) and that will be her next "good" dance.<br /><br />Knowing what DWTs judges usually do (which is demand more from people with ability), it was amazing they not only didn't do it for that geriatric non-foxtrot, but they tenned it.<br /><br />I know DW fans are all about it, but Maks is working it. Maks is playing them. He competed for years, taught for years. He may not be a ballroom dancer but he knows what foxtrot is. If that's the foxtrot he gave Meryl then he already knows he's got somebody who can kick hard and spin and do arms and that's it for dancing ballroom.<br /><br />ocAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-66088289773718205022014-04-02T11:41:41.492-07:002014-04-02T11:41:41.492-07:00Bribery is happening on both DWs behalf...Bribery is happening on both DWs behalf...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-53028038472452021172014-04-02T11:34:36.781-07:002014-04-02T11:34:36.781-07:00"Basically they think there's strategy he..."Basically they think there's strategy here and that by week six they'll serve up technique. Right now, Meryl's just pacing herself and doesn't need to do it, since we know she can do it, so let's just give her tens for doing it even though she didn't."<br /><br />That's ridiculous.<br /><br />I don't watch this show - has anyone else ever been judged on the principle that they're already great so it doesn't actually have to be demonstrated during the dancing on the show?<br /><br />How is it Meryl convinces judges everywhere to view her through this lens of "already perfect", so who cares what really happened right now in this performance? What other ice dancer / dancer in the world gets that kind of consideration and justification for bad dancing (and bad skating)?<br /><br />It looks like bribery somewhere on Meryl's behalf. Since 2008 at least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-4307337406370566602014-04-02T11:08:46.060-07:002014-04-02T11:08:46.060-07:00I just listened to afterbuzz. Anna Trebunskaya was...I just listened to afterbuzz. Anna Trebunskaya was very dubious about Meryl and Maks. She didn't like the choreography. She said it was a lyrical, waltzy foxtrot, more like contemporary or rumba. She thought the emotion and intimacy was great. She didn't know why you have a piece that's a minute twenty seconds and twenty seconds of it is standing still almost making out. She enjoyed the hold and frame and didn't like her footwork. She said you drive through your foot and Meryl didn't.<br /><br />The other three were all technique, schmecknique, loved it as a piece. And ONE guy said it was smooth! (not standard) - so it seems to me as if everyone wants to have it both ways - it's smooth so it's okay to break hold, but it's standard when it's okay to lose the rise and fall (which isn't okay in standard).<br /><br />sounds like how Meryl and Charlie are judged on the ice.<br /><br />Anna, still carrying the flag for technique, said that Meryl already knows how to use her arms - she did it in the Olympics. She already does the acting stuff on ice with Charlie. Basically, where's the technique,.<br /><br />My FAVORITE guy should be an ice dance judge. His basic point was we know Meryl is already amazing and can already do it, so why does she have to actually do it? We already KNOW she can.<br /><br />Alrighty. IOW, just give her the points whether she did foxtrot or not, because we know she can? That was the gist.<br /><br />Basically they think there's strategy here and that by week six they'll serve up technique. Right now, Meryl's just pacing herself and doesn't need to do it, since we know she can do it, so let's just give her tens for doing it even though she didn't. oycanadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056686007756844095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-78302890202001856932014-04-02T09:36:03.727-07:002014-04-02T09:36:03.727-07:00I just think DW's relationship is unusual, but...I just think DW's relationship is unusual, but exactly how I don't know. A lot of skating teams are driven to the rink together. <br /><br />For DW, I just remember the article where the moms talked about their own close, harmonious friendship, and the many ways they worked together to facilitate Meryl and Charlie continuing as a team. They didn't sound overbearing about it, but they were quite vigilent trying to head any potential obstacles off at the pass. One of the strategies was separate ways to the rink.<br /><br />Some teams are sort of toxic, but even if you wouldn't normally be friends, some sort of friendship develops, even if it's dysfunctional. Some are harmonious with real friendship that overlaps a bit with your off-ice life, but maybe isn't your primary or closest friend in your off-ice life. And everything in between, including romance and including really actively disliking the other person. All of this can create an emotional roller coaster, even if it's just friendship.<br /><br />These two seem held together by the moms. The moms are the ones with the tight friendship. If they're "family" it's because their moms are family to each other, not because that's something the partnership has created that's particular to them.<br /><br />DW's relationship seems harmonious but uncolored by much off-ice interest, even a friendship interest or rapport. Everything seems built on going forward with the athletic goals, and the social/affection part is the connection between the moms. I guess I find it unusual because there's this seeming benign indifference to each other socially and personally, or in any way that doesn't relate to working together towards some on ice goal. There has to be some sort of family familiarity because the two families are close, but there isn't that connection between Meryl and Charlie themselves. <br /><br />Fans who want them together seem to blame Charlie for them not being together. Of course in their spin on it, Charlie is in love but denies it (I like how so many fans think the rules of fiction apply to real life people as long as those people are famous).<br /><br />I honestly don't know what these fans are thinking if they believe Meryl is interested in him. My only guess is he always seems happy, personable, upbeat, and she's harder to read. The fact that her smile is her "public face" and no more is way more obvious in her. In him it seems part of his natural personality. So I guess the spin becomes he's happy-go-lucky and oblivious to her feels. The idea that she HAS feels seems to come from her being hard to read. And, this is just me, also from the fact that she is "on" all the time, never lets that persona drop, which translates to "she must feel something for him." <br /><br />For me, the emotional neutrality of their dynamic sets them apart, and creates a disconnect for sure on the ice. But at the same time, it could be a factor in their longevity.<br /><br />oc<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-35633622036870533392014-04-02T09:27:41.491-07:002014-04-02T09:27:41.491-07:00I really like the poster Matt K, he knows his stuf...I really like the poster Matt K, he knows his stuff, and he always links to relevant video to make his point; here he puts Doris P's stupid assertions to rest:<br /><br />http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?50064-2014-Worlds-Free-Dance&p=905349&viewfull=1#post905349Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-65762670295496719192014-04-02T08:45:01.506-07:002014-04-02T08:45:01.506-07:00gee, D/W don't seem too fond of eachother if a...gee, D/W don't seem too fond of eachother if arriving to the rink separately is what kept them together. i wonder how tessa and scott did itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583966972735299482.post-11010763668795408872014-04-02T08:24:53.602-07:002014-04-02T08:24:53.602-07:00I'm reading a bunch of commentary from DW fans...I'm reading a bunch of commentary from DW fans about Meryl's foxtrot and they seem to want it both ways - it's standard foxtrot, but it's okay that it's not in closed hold the entire way through and M&M broke hold left and right. As long as it lets her off the hook for the rise and fall, except that rise and fall is part of Standard Foxtrot. Saying it doesn't use rise and fall 'as much' mischaracterizes it. The rise and fall has a different character. Then there's the quick and slows. I didn't see that in the steps at all. It was quick quick stop and kick. Quick quick dip.oycanadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056686007756844095noreply@blogger.com