AfterBuzz TV DWTS: Witney Carson & Lindsay Arnold

It has been four weeks since the entire AfterBuzz TV crew was in studio together. It was a rowdy night in the studio! From Witney's mom calling in to Anna giving some on point critiques, it was anything but boring. A few of you have asked if Suri was implying that the producers manipulated the exit of Snooki. None of us have any concrete evidence, but it sure feels that way.

As for Bill Engvall, he has proven to be the most loved man this season. Witney and Lindsay talked about how sweet he is and the fact that he was willing to sacrifice his own journey to save Snooki says a lot about his character.

The article I referred to from E! News is here.
After you read that, read Val's Today Show blog for follow-up information here.

Thanks to Witney Carson and Lindsay Arnold for joining us. I love that their friendship has taken them on such an incredible adventure. Fingers crossed that their schedule will work out for a visit to AfterBuzz for a Season 11 SYTYCD appearance.

Next week's guest is Tyne Stecklein.

DWTS Season 17: Week 7 Preview

I am excited for this week's guests because I tried to make this pairing happen all season long during So You Think You Can Dance on AfterBuzz TV this summer. Their crazy schedules didn't align, but I'm thrilled we could do it for DWTS Season 17. Bring on the questions for Witney Carson and Lindsay Arnold!

I believe the entire AfterBuzz team is in studio this week. I need to double check on Anna, but I am back from working in Detroit/Toronto. I can't wait to join the gang again. I am always happy to join via phone, but it's more fun to be there in person.  

It's also Suri's birthday this week, so don't forget to tweet her birthday wishes on Halloween!

See you all on Tuesday at 8pm PT on AfterBuzz TV!

Just a couple of things to remember:
1. Fan questions are a supplemental part of our show. We will get to as many as possible if there is time. AfterBuzz TVshows were reduced to 50 minutes this season because our studios are so busy and there is a show in our studio immediately following our DWTS show.

2. If you are having trouble posting in the comments section, please clear your cache or the cookies on your computer. That usually does the trick!

Dance Chat: DWTS Judging

Let's chat about Dancing With the Stars voting. I'm frustrated and I know I'm not the only one. For some reason, Len has decided to take his TV antics to another level. We talked about it on last week's AfterBuzz show, but some of you think we are only bringing it up because it involves Derek Hough. That's actually not the case. It's not fair when it's done to any pro whether it was Maks or Val or Anna, who talked about her own experience in our Week 6 episode. In fact, I personally think Karina was the pro most battered in scoring by the inconsistent judging last week.

I don't even want to single out Len on this because Carrie Ann is also guilty of inconsistent scoring when it comes to lifts. It's all or nothing...you have to judge all pros the same. With the direction these two are going, the dance is becoming solely about the pro and not about the celeb.

I have no problem with the pros being judged on their choreography since I believe their creativity and talent can bring out the best in their celeb. If the pro has an off-week in the studio, the celeb usually does. Look at the difference with someone like Leah in Week 5 versus Week 6. A better choreographed routine makes a world of difference no matter how strong the celeb is as a dancer. With that said, the celeb also needs constructive feedback each week to know how they can improve. The judges need to find a balance somehow. Right now, Bruno is looking like the only rational one on the panel. How is that even possible?

Since I'm not the only one who has been frustrated by the judging panel this season, I was brainstorming about how to fix this mess outside of the obvious thought of getting new judges for the show.

1. If you want to stick to ballroom rules, then require the pro to follow certain guidelines with each dance. The list of elements would also be disclosed to the judges and the viewers. This would cut down on the inconsistent scoring since the judges and the pros would know what to follow.  I also think this is a boring choice.

2. Have DWTS finally admit that the dances are a freestyle version of ballroom and other forms of dance. Allow the pros to imagine a dance to its full potential instead of worrying about Carrie Ann calling out a lift or Len arguing over repetitive movement. This idea makes me more excited about what all of the pros could come up with. You want to get nominated for an Emmy? This is a direction that has limitless potential.

While neither of these options will ever be executed, a girl can dream.

As for this week's surprise announcement, I'm going for a guest judge. Maks would probably be a good guess. (And he is in LA right now...hmmm, wonder why?)  It would also balance out the Julianne/Mark/Derek factor with the Dance With Me Studio crew.

Let me know your thoughts on the judging issues on DWTS...how would you fix the show?

See you all on Tuesday on AfterBuzz TV!

TRAILER: Mr. Peabody & Sherman

Oh, this is such a throwback to my childhood and watching reruns of Mr. Peabody & Sherman from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. Is the cartoon running anywhere on TV these days? I'm not sure this generation even knows who these adorable characters are, but Dreamworks Animation is bringing these adored characters to the big screen.

Vintage Mr. Peabody & Sherman

The star-studded cast voicing the characters includes Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter, Allison Janney, Stephen Colbert, Leslie Mann, Stanley Tucci, Patrick Warburton, Lake Bell, Zach Callison and Dennis Haysbert. For 3D fans, this might be a fun movie to catch on the big screen.

Mark March 7, 2014 on your calendar for the release of this family film. For more information on the flick, visit the website or their Facebook page.

What do you think of the trailer?

AfterBuzz TV DWTS: Toni Basil & Sonny Pederson

Another week and more controversy. Could this season get any crazier? I'm not sure we all successfully answered the true reason behind Len's personal vendetta against Derek, but it's glaring at this point. It's no longer a cute TV story that creates controversy once a season. If you want to be consistent on your judging, you have to do it for every pro even if they have a dancer with less talent. The only thing I'm hearing now as a viewer is Len's criticism of Derek. I rarely hear him offer constructive comments on how Amber is doing. How do you solve this before the end of the season? Tell me what you think in the comments below.

I loved having Anna and Toni Basil in studio. Two amazing women with strong opinions, does it get any better? Toni is always someone who tells it like it is. That's exactly what I want to hear on the judging panel on DWTS. Sonny Pedersen had some great insight on the show as well. 

I missed being in studio, but work in Detroit kept me from being there in person. I will be back in studio next week with our guest Witney Carson.

INTERVIEW: Pretty Little Liars star Keegan Allen

Keegan Allen and Sasha Pieterse at the Insidious: Chapter 2 premiere 

This interview was conducted in early September at the premiere of Insidious: Chapter 2. I didn't wind up using it for my red carpet article, but I thought a few of you Pretty Little Liars fans might enjoy hearing more from Keegan Allen.

We talked briefly about what life is like in the spotlight on a hit show and his upcoming Off-Broadway show, Small Engine Repair, which begins previews on Oct. 30. I love that he's using his acting chops in the theatre. It's one of the best training grounds for a young actor. It's what I call a smart career move.

Enjoy my short interview with Keegan Allen:

AfterBuzz TV DWTS: Gleb Savchenko

It was happy to be back in studio just in time for Gleb Savchenko's visit. We tried really hard to get him on with us last season, but it just didn't work out. He offered some surprisingly honest critiques during the show. I love it when we have an unfiltered guest because it makes for a waaaay more juicy show.

With some many hot topic from Monday's show like Christina's exit, Len's "7", ringer conversation from ABC and weak choreography (I was probably the harshest on this particular dance.), we didn't even get to talk about the East Coast voting issue. I am interested to see how ABC handles it for Monday's show. Will it affect the final outcome for elimination?

Next week, Toni Basil is back with us on the show. If you didn't see her with us in Season 15, oh boy...it's going to be fun. Toni is a no-nonsense kind of gal. You are in for a treat! I will be joining the crew by phone, but Anna will be back in studio. Anna and I seem to be rotating with out-of-town gigs, but everyone will be back together for our Oct. 29 show.

If you missed the show, watch it below. Thanks for making us AfterBuzz TV's No. 3 show of the week!

And thanks for making us #3 this week! Top 10 @afterbuzztv After Shows: #DWTS pic.twitter.com/Qy1oVHlb3P
— Kristyn Burtt (@KristynBurtt) October 16, 2013

DWTS Season 17: Week 5 Preview

We have a first-time guest in studio this week, Gleb Savchenko. We worked hard to get him on AfterBuzz TV last season, but the schedule didn't work out. This season, we are able to make it happen!

It should be an interesting week with the stars dancing to the theme "The Most Memorable Year Of Their Life." While most of us on AfterBuzz predicted this would be the week that Brant would go home, I heard from a few of you that were ready for Christina or Leah to exit. That's what makes this season pretty exciting. It's unpredictable in way that keeps me riveted to each episode.

I'm back in the studio this week after working in Toronto. I believe Anna is out of town though (I will double check), but hopefully, she will join us on the phone.

You know what to do with the questions, put them in the comments below. I will see you all Tuesday at 8 p.m. PT on AfterBuzz TV.


Just a couple of things to remember:
1. Fan questions are a supplemental part of our show. We will get to as many as possible if there is time. AfterBuzz TV shows were reduced to 50 minutes this season because our studios are so busy and there is a show in our studio immediately following our DWTS show.

2. If you are having trouble posting in the comments section, please clear your cache or the cookies on your computer. That usually does the trick!

AfterBuzz TV DWTS: Henry Byalikov

Suri did a great job of leading the way last night, but I missed being in studio with the crew. I know Anna and I have a tough schedule this month and we are going to keep missing each other. However, I am glad AfterBuzz TV is allowing us to join by phone. Even if it was all the way from Canada, it was worth it to join the discussion. A big thanks to Henry Byalikov for stepping in again as our guest!

I will be back in studio next week and our guest is Gleb Savchenko. This will be his first appearance on DWTS on AfterBuzz TV, so I think it should be a great night in the studio.

We didn't get a chance to discuss it, but what did you think of the opening number this week? I am a fan of Ray Leeper's work, but this didn't hit the mark. The contestants were introduced in a lackluster way and the number didn't use the stage well. I did like the judges coming out from behind the desk to join the fun though.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

AfterBuzz TV DWTS: Sharna Burgess

Sharna Burgess was back with us and it's always great to have her insight. She gave us the inside scoop on Keyshawn Johnson and his disinterest in the show during Week 1. I think we all felt it, but Sharna vocalized it. It's too bad he caught on for Week 2, but it was already too late. Happily, she will be back dancing in most of the opening numbers for the rest of the season and in a few pro dances once more contestants have been eliminated.

We've been focusing a lot on content this season which I think is the right thing to do with so many qualified dance contestants. Are the pros choreographing enough content? How should this be judged? This week we talked about the Charleston and the Quick Step. I know a lot of you had questions about what we saw on Monday night. I think Anna and Sharna did an excellent job breaking down those five performances for us.

Sorry for the technical difficulties with the live broadcast, but the show was captured without any issues. So enjoy the show and let me know who you think is going home this week.

This might be the greatest screen capture ever....what is happening between Sharna and me at this very moment?