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Anya’s Audition

My Favorite Dance

But last season, Lacey Schwimmer was widely thought to be the stronger dancer in her initial pairing. While the judges really liked to beat down on her partner, Kameron, I thought she brought up his game. Consequently, they were never in the bottom 3 as a couple, but the first week they broke up and we voted on individuals, he was gone.

That’s the exact example I would have used. Lacey kept Kameron in the game much longer than he would have been with anyone else.

I usually can’t tell what Nigel’s agenda is until much later in the season. I don’t typically think the judges are on crack in the beginning, and I mostly agree with them. So, for the first few episodes at least, I think they let the dancers sort of speak for themselves.

If I put on my tinfoil hat, I would say that last year, Nigel was very concerned about finally getting a female winner. And, if you read between the lines, it sure seemed like he pushed that agenda once in a while. However, in the beginning, I think the female horse that he backed was Lauren. Until of course he realized that America did not like her so much and that the viewing audience was beginning to really get behind Sabra (the underdog). The last few episodes (although I think the manipulations are subtle) I believe the permanent judges may have been laying the praise on for her a little thick.

Of course, I’m still bitter that Danny didn’t win, so I’m not sure that I’m objective.

I think the inclusion of different guest judges helps temper some of the manipulation.

Totally agree with this. And, because they give that third judge a pretty much equal say. It always makes me wish AI would use the same format.

KrazeeK, how can the two eliminees be from different pairs if we vote for pairs rather than individuals the first 5 weeks? This is my first year watching and already Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m confused!

I’m not KK, but I’ll answer.

In the first 5 weeks, our votes determine a bottom 3 couples, then each individual has to “dance for your life” solo in their own style on the results show. Then the 3 judges decides the two dancers who will go home. So then, if the two they pick are from different pairs, the two remaining dancers will pair up. It becomes evident as the weeks go by that they keep certain people for different demographic draws for their tour which runs in the fall. Only the top 10 tour, with a few alternates (I believe until last year, it was only 1 guy/1 girl. Last year, they were called “special guests,” and 2 guys/2 girls came along with the top 10 and had spotlight routines. Probably because one guy who didn’t make the top 10 – Hok – had one of the routines of the season, and his initial partner DID make top 10.).

ETA: Last year’s winner, Sabra, was in the bottom 3 the first week out last year. She danced for her life and blew the judges, and the audience, away. She was never in the bottom 3 again.

In past years, did better dancers sometimes get dragged down/kicked off because they were with a not-so-good partner?

Well, I’ve only watched one season all the way through. But last season, Lacey Schwimmer was widely thought to be the stronger dancer in her initial pairing. While the judges really liked to beat down on her partner, Kameron, I thought she brought up his game. Consequently, they were never in the bottom 3 as a couple, but the first week they broke up and we voted on individuals, he was gone.

One more question: what does the winner win?

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it’s a cash prize of $250K.

ETAA:

Or even if your partner is good, if the two of you really donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mesh, how miserable would that be?

Last year, the “cute” couple, Lauren and Neil, on paper should have been the ideal pairing. But they had absolutely no chemistry in their dancing. And there were rumors that they didn’t like each other. They were in the bottom 3 a couple times before the top 10, I think, but the judges always kept them. They both danced much better with other partners and Neil ended up in 3rd place (Lauren was in the top 6). So I guess, it depends on how much the judges and producers like you whether or not you’ll keep making it through if you end up in the bottom 3, despite not being a good pair.

And no, I don’t think the dancers have any say.

Oh well, as they say, this is not “America’s best dancer”, it is “America’s favorite dancer.”

Sticking contestants with the same partner for half the show seems very unfair. In past years, did better dancers sometimes get dragged down/kicked off because they were with a not-so-good partner? Or even if your partner is good, if the two of you really don’t mesh, how miserable would that be? Do they get any say at all in who their partner is?

it’s weird that the auditions were almost all solos but the actual competition is almost all in pairs.

One more question: what does the winner win? The dance world doesn’t have something comparable to a recording contract (like AI winners get), does it?

They stay with the same parter for the first 5 weeks. The only exception is if the two eliminees are from different pairs, in which case, the remaining contestants become a new couple.

Once there are 10 dancers left, partners and dance styles are drawn at random every week. Last year, on top 10 night, each couple did one dance and then each individual performed the same solo. It got a tad boring seeing the same dance over and over, so I doubt they’ll do that again. For top 8 and top 6, each couple performed 2 dances and also a solo, if I remember correctly.

For the finale (top 4), each person performs one dance with each of the other 3 (this includes a girl-girl dance and a guy-guy dance), and a solo.

For the first 5 weeks, you vote for the pairs, top 10 and after, you vote for individuals.

Wow, I’ve watched way too much of this show…

Someone with a better memory than me will answer this question soon enough, but I thought I’d give you the general idea

I’m concerned for Joshua. He’s paired with one of the weakest dancers in the group, but at least he got his own style.

I’m hoping Courtney & Gev doing some disco will be super fun to watch. Chelsea H. & Mark K. are a strong pair. I think they might sail through the next few weeks.

From rewatching some episodes, I think both William & Marquis have some serious magic to deliver. I believe they’ve kept them hidden from us. Poor Marquis having to dance with that spray-tanned South Beach teacher, who dresses like a hoochie. And the Waltz no less. He’s screwed.

Hmm, the pairings have definitely affected what I was planning to do with my picks. Now I’m perplexed.