Dancing With The Stars - Season 18

[Melanie]

New band, new co-host, Maks is back (but....no Tristan ) and big twist that everyone will switch partners at some point in the season, and America will decide who dances together.

Contestants and their Pros:

Danica McKellar & Val Chmerkovskiy
Cody Simpson & Whitney Carson
Billy Dee Williams & Emma Slater
Diana Nyad & Henry Byalikov
NeNe Leakes & Tony Dovolani
James Maslow & Peta Murgatroyd
Sean Avery & Karina Smirnoff
Drew Carey & Cheryl Burke
Candice Cameron Bure & Mark Ballas
Charlie White & Sharna Burgess
Meryl Davis & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Amy Purdy & Derek Hough

[TheDuckRocks]

The one pairing I find very odd is Nene and Tony. I would have thought Maks would have been better.

[Scar]

Cody Simpson
NeNe Leakes
James Maslow
Sean Avery
Charlie White
Meryl Davis
Amy Purdy

Are these people really stars? I've never heard of any of them.

And the only reason I recognize Danica McKellar is... well... never mind.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

I guess its a good thing I've never watched the show, because I don't think I've ever looked so hard at a so-called celebrity list and said "huh-who?"

The two names I did recognize

[Melanie]

When they grab folks from many different walks of life, inevitably someone that's a 'star' to one person won't be a 'star' to another. But usually these folks are 'stars' within their specialty.

I had no idea who James Maslow was, but I've heard of Big Time Rush. I remember the lady who had multiple attempts of swimming from Cuba to Miami, but didn't know her name.

Charlie and Meryl are very hot off their Olympic ice dancing win, and it will be very interesting to see these partners go against each other for once.

But I've never heard of Cody Simpson or Amy Purty.

[Donald Duck]

Cody Simpson
NeNe Leakes
James Maslow
Sean Avery
Charlie White
Meryl Davis
Amy Purdy

Are these people really stars? I've never heard of any of them.

And the only reason I recognize Danica McKellar is... well... never mind.

Ha ha.
They hardly ever have real "Stars" on this show.
I know Sean Avery (former NHL hockey player) from being a NY Ranger fan.
I know Cody Simpson from my teenage daughter being a fan of his. He is an Austrailian pop singer.

[TheDuckRocks]

Oh, I didn't realize who Cody Simpson is. Silly me. My granddaughter once went to a concert of his and he never showed. Even though money was refunded we still had a very sad 14 year old.

[Melanie]

According to Peta's blog on People.com, this week is Disney week!

So how is everyone liking the season so far? Meryl and Maks for the win!!

[WLGirl]

Yes...definitely want Maks and Meryl to win!! He deserves to win after all of these seasons....I also thought that Julienne Hough's remark to him was rude and uncalled for last week. Any respect that I had for her is now gone.....

[Niecyboo]

I was unhappy with several things in last week's episode. I generally side with the judges, but I felt they were way too harsh on Maks, and gave more credit to Derik than he deserved for his dance. I also noticed they were trying to force Mak's "drama" down our throat about him "slamming the computer closed" when talking to Val when it was obviously him just being silly. I've always though Mak's was too tempermental but felt that last week's drama was all made up and he was just having fun. It makes you wonder how many other times his drama was more editing and talk than him.

I was also unimpressed with the band that made at least 2 major mistakes during the night. I'm not sure why they had to replace the old one. Maybe they should just go with pre-recorded music.

[Melanie]

Meryl + Maks = Magic! Loving them, and have watched their tango from last night over and over. I'm so glad I'm getting to know Meryl away from ice dancing. She's so good for Maks!

I was disappointed to hear that Danica has a boyfriend. lol I was kind of rooting for her and Val to date.

And anyone who may be reading (not sure too many are watching anymore), what do you feel about Amy? Over the years, we've heard the judges say over and over that a contestant has to be judged the same as others, no matter the circumstances. When CA told Amy a few weeks ago that she SHOULD take off for the lifts, but wouldn't because of what Amy has had to overcome (paraphrasing), I was dumbfounded. Is it because she's Derek's partner? I'm over the Hough's.

[WLGirl]

Not sure anyone else is still watching.....but I am. Meryl and Maks have to win!!! Their dances last night were amazing. I think we are seeing a different side of Maks and I love it! Of course I have always liked him. I was really hoping that Derek and Amy would have been eliminated last night. I am so over those two....a lot of her dances this season have been with Derek just dancing around her...I really hope that they do not win!

[Melanie]

If Meryl and Maks do not win, I'm done with this show. Well, I say that. If Derek were to move on, I'd watch again. The favoritism is nauseating. You are so right WLGirl, it's amazing how Amy has gotten those high scores for her NON dances. I will give it to Derek...he's the king of using props to hide his dancer's shortcomings, and the judges fall for it every time.

I honestly don't really care for Amy. She's boring. I didn't love her on Amazing Race either.

And Candace shouldn't be there anymore either. In fact, she should have gone weeks ago.

I'm looking forward to seeing Meryl and Charlie dance together tonight.

[Melanie]

Happy ending!