Once it was revealed that Tristan MacManus was paired with Valerie, the tweets began. Many of the tweets were people who were angry that he was matched with a 74-year-old woman battling terminal brain cancer. Really? Doctors told her she would be dead by June and miraculously, she's still with us and is tackling DWTS. I don't know about you, but that's kind of awesome...and inspirational.
Re: Tristan--The gift of working with someone bravely fighting a terminal illness is greater than a mirrored ball trophy. #DWTS
— Kristyn Burtt (@KristynBurtt) August 28, 2013
Look, I get it: We all love Tristan and we want to see him win. It was disappointing to see him have to drop out in Season 16 when Dorothy Hamill was injured. Then it was a bummer to see him injured during the finale and he couldn't have one last dance with her. (Bravo to Henry Byalikov for stepping in!)
I'm just not going to get my panties in a bunch over this. I'm going to look at it from the Sharna Burgess School of Opportunity. I love what she did with Andy Dick last season, it was fun and moving to watch his journey. I'm going to take that same approach with Tristan and Valerie. I have a lot of faith in his talent, don't you?
So let's kick off this season on a positive note. I know you guys won't always agree with me, but I love to hear your opinions as long as it's handled with mutual respect. I love a good dance debate!
Here's to a great Season 17. I'm excited by the cast so far and we've already booked our first guest for DWTS on AfterBuzz TV. Hooray!
I would love to hear from you....hit me up with your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
The female celeb rumors are looking good so far! I like the list (even Snookie who as greatly improved her life since having a child) and can't wait to see what more male celebs we get. And I'm counting down to the announcement in a week to see who everyone is paired with.
ReplyDeleteAlways love your of goal it positive. It's okay to pick at things in a technical dancing way or mention something if we don't think they're giving it their all. We'll all end up having our favorites of the season and will root for them. But there is no reason to put others down for their hard work, dedication and talent...they're all on the show because they're clearly good at something to get them to this point!
Thanks, Kaitlyn. I don't know why some people automatically jump to the negative. We all love dance, right? We don't all have to agree, but we can debate nicely and respectfully.
DeleteSeason 17 is going to be killer. I'm thrilled!
I for one am looking forward to seeing Elizabeth Berkley if for no other reason than to hear everyone complaining about how she has previous dance experience from Showgirls. Also, I assume at some point she will get mad and pull a switchblade on someone.
ReplyDeleteAlso, and I hate to mention it because it seems crash, alas it is an occupational hazard to always see the worst possible outcome, but how will ABC react if she drops dead during a live show? I can guarantee they've had a meeting about it already and I can guarantee ABC's attorneys have made her sign releases up the ying yang. I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't taken an insurance policy out on her.
I know that ABC had to clear her medically for insurance purposes. Her doctors gave her the okay. Is there a possibility she will have to drop out for medical reasons? Yep. However, you can bet there is a doctor on hand for rehearsals and the show just for her.
DeletePS. Elizabeth is a great dancer!
Delete*crass
ReplyDeleteKristyn I love AfterBuzz & I LOVE YOUR COMMENT re Valerie Harper! I remember watching Valerie on the MTM show when I was a kid. She had a special pizazz & I admire her even more now knowing she is taking on the tough, taxing journey that it is to be a cast member on DWTS.. ESPECIALLY under the circumstances. I don't know her motivation...the thing is that doesn't matter: she is stepping up and will be an amazing example of perseverance and positivity. Completely agree w/you re Tristan or whoever gets the HONOR of dancing w/her!!!
ReplyDeleteYes! We should all live our lives with such grace. Time is precious and if she wants to do DWTS, darn it...she should!! Tristan will be awesome with her.
DeleteI love it because I know this disease is horrible to have lived in very close .... bravo tristan xxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteby kristyn xxx
Yes, cancer is awful. :(
DeleteGreat blog Kristyn! I'm in the UK and listened to the DWTS After-Buzzes every morning on my train journey to work, really enjoyed them! Anyway, I love these new rumours, and TMZ are usually pretty good with the casting rumours so all good. I agree with Valerie - at first I was a bit nervous for her but now looking at it, I can tell that she's living what could very well be the last months of her life doing something she's probably been nervous to do before, and I think it's really inspiring. I'm sure Tristan would like a mirrorball one day but I just know he'll be really happy to work with Valerie this year and I think she could be a bit of a wildcard!
ReplyDeleteGood point, Valerie! All of the pros are very competitive.It's just in the nature and of course, he does want to win a mirror ball trophy. I just hate it when people get all up in arms before we've even seen one dance from them. Tristan will do a great job with her. Can't wait of Season 17.
DeleteThanks for joining us from the U.K.!
I agree that watching Valerie will be an inspirational experience, but I still can't help but notice that Tristan is almost always paired with the older contestants and the younger, more experienced ones are saved for Derek, Mark and Val. No doubt Elizabeth Berkley will be with Derek. Doesn't seem fair...
ReplyDeleteIt happens to Tony a lot, too. There are a few reasons why certain dancers get paired with the Tony and Tristan...patience. To deal with someone with less skill doesn't always jive with Derek's work ethic....we even saw him get impatient with a very talented Kellie Pickler last season. It may not always be fair, especially when you are a Tristan or Tony fan, but the producers look for someone with a more soothing personality in the rehearsal room.
DeleteWell, I for one would love to see Valerie with Derek and I am one of Derek's biggest fans. I think he would be great with her and for her. He has the same caring personality as Tristan. Just think what an inspirational experience it will be for Valerie's dance partner! I'm wishing Valerie and her partner the best.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for DWTS After Buzz to start again, Kristyn! I've been popping in every now and then to read the Red Carpet Closet too! :)
Hi Meggie! Thanks for stopping by. :) I can't wait for DWTS either. With the cast rumors, it looks to be a great season. It would be a real DWTS shake up if they paired Derek and Valerie. Looks like we are getting Derek with Amber Riley though. Lots of celebs with dance training, too this year.....Amber, Elizabeth, Corbin....and Valerie. Her first job was as a Broadway chorus girl.
Deletehi the new pro will be able to show what they can do it too! can be the new will do a lot more competitions xxx I can not wait to see her! Tristan is very soft it is true xxxx
Deleteby the girls
Amber and Derek will be fun to watch, I think! I would rather see several celebs with dance training on per season instead of just one. At least it makes it a "horse race".
ReplyDeleteAnd hopefully less controversy!!!
DeleteHey, Kristyn: Can't wait until DWTS Afterbuzz starts. I think the whole Valerie Harper thing is really inspirational. The show is all about having fun and finding new challenges and maybe Valerie Harper wants to live her final years doing just that. Tristan is perfect for her because even though a lot of people want to see him win, I always get the impression that his idea of the show is to have fun and not worry so much about the competition. Finally, please, please, please let's try to have a better view of the show. Last season was a media war over Kellie and Zendeya and that's not what the show is about.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for DWTS and Afterbuzz to start!!!
I can't wait either! Our first show is Tuesday, Sept. 17!!
DeleteI'm hoping with several celebs with dance training on the show this year, there will be less fighting. Amber, Elizabeth, Corbin and Valerie have all had training.
Good to hear from you, Ana! :)