Dancing with the Stars: Macy Gray September 24, 2009
Jonathan Roberts and Macy Gray in ABC's "Dancing with the Stars"
Come on, ABC producers, throw Jonathan Roberts a bone.
I haven’t watched it of late, but Jonathan Roberts first caught my eye during the first season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. It was his elegant carriage and a classy presence that probably did it, although his tall, dark and handsome looks didn’t hurt either. I know to the ballroom world he isn’t ranked the best in the world, yet I’ve always liked watching him. And he continues to get kicked off early in the show. Isn’t it time for him to get paired with a young hottie, just once? I recommend Taylor Swift, or wouldn’t Britney Spears be cool?
With Macy Gray, I couldn’t think of a pair that was more mismatched or more opposite. Yet they still made an admirable effort that was refreshing to watch, capitalizing on her strengths and sassiness that have long made her popular through her songs. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said astutely, “It was beautiful in it’s own bizarre way.” Not classic ballroom, mind you, but with her proportions (towering above Roberts in her low heels) and personality, it was impossible to be. It was a great message that anyone can dance. And now, she’s gone.
This was the first time I’d seen the show in a long time, probably since the second season or so, and I was a bit appalled at the number of promotional ads that run DURING the show. A rapper singing a song whose album is dropping the next day, and pulling in stars from ABC sitcoms to sit in the audience? I wonder how many teeth they had to pull to get them to sit there.
I probably won’t continue to watch. Is anyone still watching it? Any thoughts on how the show has evolved over the past few seasons?
You know some of my thoughts via twitter but I feel soooo bad for Jon. He deserves a better partner. I mean he’s never finished higher than 5th (save Marie, though she shouldn’t have been allowed to go that far) and the last three seasons has been kicked off in the first week. He doesn’t deserve it. I wouldn’t blame him for not coming back. There were rumors that she didn’t show to some rehearsals and that she walked out of others.
I hate how the show’s evolved. 16 celebs is absolutely to many. I hate the adding of social dances (except for them adding Bolero this season) and I extremely wish they’d get rid of Carrie Ann and Bruno and bring in actual Ballroom people. If they don’t do that then they need to change the voting practices. Give the judges’ vote more weight or even then give Len’s score more weight. This show was original about growth and dancing and now it’s just about popularity.
And no to Taylor Swift! Or Britney Spears! I’d love to see Catherine Bell dance with him, or Lauren Benanti, Laurie Laughlin (Becky from Full House), or like that.
Yeah, I watch! I missed Tuesday, though, since I was at Il Trovatore,and I haven’t had a chance to watch any on YouTube. But there were rumors that Macy Gray really wanted to be gone, and poor Jonathan looked as if he was about to mouth “help me” at the camera on Wednesday. He seems like a really nice guy and deserves to last past the first week.
I like the judges, mostly because they give specific, useful advice (keep your shoulders back, that sort of thing). My ballroom experience is limited to one class in college (I was truly awful) so I’ve learned things — though I have reached the point of muting Bruno everytime he jumps out of his seat. It’s too bad he plays that act, since he can say sensible things when he wants to.
I agree about the “synergy” thing — Lion King is terrific, but it was not a shock to see it on an ABC show. And I can guarantee we’re going to get thrilling previews of the forthcoming Disney cartoon (Princess and the Frog, I think).
The changes I’ve seen over the past few seasons: mostly that the professional dancers are now, in some cases, better known than the “celebrities.” (I heard someone call it “dancing with the vaguely familiar”.) I’m sure people vote more for Max (I’m forgetting his last name) or the Houghs (though the sister is off this season) than for their partners.
I knew the show was a huge hit when I heard people sneering at it. A lot of them don’t seem to get that the show celebrate the tackiness and has a good time with it. It’s not a self-important show, like American Idol.
I’m glad that Jonathan has a bigger following than I thought. I know he’s not fiery and flashy, but I liked his understated elegant style.
K – I agree that 16 is too many. I can’t keep track of them all. And I knew that Jonathan kept on getting kicked off early, but I had no idea that he was first for the last 3 seasons. Ouch. I do think he needs better partners, and you’re right, I think now it’s more about popularity than ability/effort/inspiration.
Patrick – I love “dancing with the vaguely familiar”, haha. You shame me into feeling jaded for not appreciating the camp of it all.
But ah well, I haven’t stayed that emotionally connected to it for some reason (time to watch TV being the biggest issue). I still can’t help but to find it all a bit appalling the way they pushed that rapper (“whose record drops tomorrow!!!!!!!”) and the shots of various ABC TV show stars smiling uncomfortably in the camera. I do hope it avoids the doom of the self-important American Idol. And you’re right about the dancing partners becoming celebrities themselves. It’s interesting how that became an unexpected result of the show’s evolution, and adds a different twist to the title, “Dancing with the Stars”.
Patrick, voting for the pros’ is more popular than you think. Its done all the time. I know lots of fans who vote for Derek, Mark, Maks, or Tony just because of who they are.
Jolene, can you tell I’m a little obsessed with this show
Frankly I’d wish they’d get rid of Lacey and Chelise and bring back real pros like Elena (Tony’s old competitive partner), Andrea Hale (competed season one), or Nick Kosvoich.