Superstars of Dance (NBC-TV) Argentine Tango-WE HAVE A CONTENDER!

[Ampster]

OK, AT peeps, the new premier of NBC's "Superstars of Dance," has an Argentine Tango couple competeing. And their a REAL AT couple, NOT some Ballroom Tango, doing AT.

It's (my friend,) Miriam Larici! (http://www.nbc.com/superstars-of-dance/photos/gallery#item=56259)The first headliner for Forever Tango.

I don't know how this is all going to work. But, here's hoping she wins! :banana:

[Angel HI]

Yeah, I noticed that, too. Will be watching if for no other reason than to watch her. Still fabulous!!!!

[larrynla]

The idea of all these different dance styles competing is totally ridiculous. It's like comparing apples and oranges - and grapes, dates, grapefruit ...

But the performances themselves will be fun. Each person/couple/group are among the best in the world in their particular dance.


Larry de Los Angeles
http://ShapechangerTales.com - website of Immortal Shapechangers series

[tangoguy]

Yes, it is so exciting. Miriam and Leonardo will be doing a show at the Jericho Jewish Center in Jericho, Long Island (25 minutes from New York City) on Sunday, January 11. There will be a milonga afterward, and they will dance at the milonga, too! See Richard Lipkin's tango page (newyorktango) for an update.

Miriam and Leonardo are amazing. They have some great videos on youtube. The best.

[Angel HI]

Last night's airing was ludicrous. This show will probably not last. Having said that, Miriam and partner were INCROYABLE!!! as usual.

[Zoopsia59]

Last night's airing was ludicrous. This show will probably not last. Having said that, Miriam and partner were INCROYABLE!!! as usual.

Ludicrous is a good word for it. What a bizzare show. Do the judges even have to lock in a vote prior to hearing the votes of others? And why don't they just judge using 1,2 and 3, since all the results are usually 7,8, and 9 with an occasional 10. And couldn't they at least occasionally start with a different judge? The Argentine judge seems to be getting annoyed that she always has to go first. (and the South African judge is really bugging me for some reason)

And I won't even get into the actual judging. Baffling sometimes. They sometimes seem to be judging the actual style (whether or not it should count as a "dance") rather than the execution of the performance being given. China is at a distinct disadvantage since their "dance" forms are somewhat subdued, and the more flamboyant emotional and physically difficult styles fall into the catagory of acrobatics and martial arts. Are they judging performances or judging cultures?! Sometimes it seems they are doing one and sometimes it seems they are doing the other.

I missed the beginning last night... was the Argentine group number something with those guys who use the rocks on ropes? I saw some of that in BA and it brought down the house. Best part of the tango show! And you can't say it isn't dance, because it is all about rhythm. Unless they were just bad last night, I can't understand how they could have gotten such a low score.

This show also does NO recap since there is no viewer voting. So if you miss it, you have NO clue what you missed. It also seems to be rather biased in who they "interview" and who they don't, both with the coaches and the judges. And I'm not just talking about the fact that the Chinese judge probably can't speak English (seriously.. they couldn't find one who does?)

Frankly, except for the chance to see some of the actual performances, I can't think of anything about this show that works for me!

[Angel HI]

Ludicrous is a good word for it.
Frankly, except for the chance to see some of the actual performances, I can't think of anything about this show that works for me!
AFAIS, there is no real qualification for the judging, as it is apparent that the judges no nothing of the other cultures that they are adjudicating. This is unfortunate b/c it results in absurd scoring (i.e. the So African judge's completely ignorant comment to the absolutely jaw-dropping talent of the soloist from India ["...good, but you must grow..."], or the unfounded low scores of the tapper from Savion's group).

What is dance seriously needs to be addressed on this show. I concur...the show has no merit as a legitimate competition, but is great for watching some amazing performances.

Oh yeah, as a side note, the *chuckle* "...rocks on ropes..." are called bolederos (originally used as a hunting instrument). :)

[Zoopsia59]

Oh yeah, as a side note, the *chuckle* "...rocks on ropes..." are called bolederos (originally used as a hunting instrument). :)

Yes, I knew there was a correct word for it, I just didn't know what word. And if I used the wrong one, no one would have a clue what I meant. I figured they were originally weapons and I wanted to call them bolos (the instrument, not the person), but I didn't think that was right because I believe a bolo has a weight on each end.

So is that what they did for the group number? How was it? The 2 guys I saw doing it at a show in BA were phenomenal. At first one guy seemed to be mainly support for the guy doing all the work. Then when you were fooled into thinking guy A was the better one and the other was the "backup" and they were wrapping it up, they switched roles and guy B turned out to be even better than guy A!

Like I said, it was the most enthusiastically received portion of that tango dinner show (which shall remain un-named) I was totally floored by it (far more than the tango dancing)

[singndance]

Miriam and Leonardo are amazing. They have some great videos on youtube. The best.


I absolutely loved them! I dvr'd this and have watched it several times. Sorry to ask a stupid question, I am a beginner to AT, but is this a choreographed routine?

[Ampster]

I absolutely loved them! I dvr'd this and have watched it several times. Sorry to ask a stupid question, I am a beginner to AT, but is this a choreographed routine?

Yes it is. Half of it is Miriam's current routine, and the ending is the finale for "Forever Tango." It is after all, a "Show Tango" number.

[singndance]

Yes it is. Half of it is Miriam's current routine, and the ending is the finale for "Forever Tango." It is after all, a "Show Tango" number.

Thanks, Ampster. It was just beautiful.

[Angel HI]

Yes, I knew there was a correct word for it, I just didn't know what word.
No worries. I was just picking at ya'. ;)
So is that what they did for the group number? How was it?
Exactly as you described the BsAs performance. Great fun...very entertaining...not necessarily suited for a "dance" competition (by definition).

[RickRS]

You can catch up with the show at nbc.com. They have the full episodes of Sunday and Monday available at their site.

Unfortunately for their fans. the Argentine group is one of the first two to be dropped, if I remember the "judging" results correctly. My recollection of the results is fuzzy, sorry, but I think the Argentine duo is still there so you can see another of their dances next Monday.

[Joe]

I read a review in The Washington Post yesterday that pretty much panned the show, but praised this couple for their performance.

[tj]

I loved some of the performances, but overall, I don't like the show. Sooo many problems with it.

[emeralddancer]

I loved some of the performances, but overall, I don't like the show. Sooo many problems with it.

Totally agree!

[Captain Jep]

Anyway for us Brits to see it? Is it on YT?

[Angel HI]

Anyway for us Brits to see it? Is it on YT?
Yes......
You can catch up with the show at nbc.com. They have the full episodes of Sunday and Monday available at their site.

[tj]

Yes......
It's possible that NBC might block non-US IP addresses from being able to view it. I know a few friends who have had issues with other shows because they weren't in the US. If so, then probably the typical places like online TV websites or YouTube (which likely will take it down quickly) or even bit torrents will probably have it.

[Captain Jep]

Yes......
Thought I'd have a go but as feared NBC content cant be viewed outside the States

[Captain Jep]

It's possible that NBC might block non-US IP addresses from being able to view it. I know a few friends who have had issues with other shows because they weren't in the US. If so, then probably the typical places like online TV websites or YouTube (which likely will take it down quickly) or even bit torrents will probably have it.
he.. no found it ...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EAt9VR0hy5s

Looks like they did everything short of ripping her dress off ... :eyebrow:

[tj]

Glad you found it. (My guess is that Youtube will remove it in the next few weeks if not sooner.)

Also found the article/review that Joe mentions:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/05/AR2009010501199.html

[bafonso]

And then some wonder why people get into tango thinking it's all about sexual tension...

[Angel HI]

Thought I'd have a go but as feared NBC content cant be viewed outside the States
Hmm...odd. One of my friends in manchester said she watched it. I'll have to find out how.

[Captain Jep]

(yes only cos it was ripped onto YT)

On which subject :
do you know, I still havent been able to watch Osama Bolt win the 100m at the Olympics? That's been lifted off YT and cant view it on ABC (or BBC) websites either - seems crazy...

[Heather2007]

(yes only cos it was ripped onto YT)

On which subject :
do you know, I still havent been able to watch Osama Bolt win the 100m at the Olympics? That's been lifted off YT and cant view it on ABC (or BBC) websites either - seems crazy...

Er..hum! My Jamaican mother would strike you down referring to her hero as Osama. His name's Usain NOT Osama. (and for future ref. It's Barack Obama not Barack Osama..ha, ha, ha).

[Captain Jep]

Ooopss sorry! ... :oops:

:)

[Me]

I realize I am coming in late on this discussion, but wanted to have my say nonetheless.

I think we can all agree that the concept sounds fantastic and fabulous, but to actually make this show work is extremely difficult, if not impossible. The dances are different. The cultures are different. The talent is, in theory, different... or is it? Here is my major problem with this show:

This show is called Superstars of Dance. This is not Dancing With the Stars or American Idol. These dancers are modern day legends in their fields of dance and in their countries. They have proven their worth time and time again. The judges are, in my opinion, treating these dancers like amateurs. Comments like "there is room to grow" are absurd. There is no excuse for this disrespect. Likewise, the reluctance to give tens is absurd. Again, this is not Dancing With the Stars. What is the plan? To hold the tens until the last show? Gee, that sounds familiar.

I can understand comments like, "I am giving you an 8 because in the middle of your routine, your fingerwork was unclear" or "You get a 7 because you botched your landing from that piruette," but it is my estimation that most of the performances on this show have been flawless. Why in God's name give these talented people 7's and 8's? I have trained in many of these styles (including Indian dancing) and have an inkling of the talent required and what to look for - Several of the judges appear clueless (as evidenced by both their comments and their scoring) and this disappoints me. The Don Quixote solo alone was of IBC (International Ballet Competition) medalist quality. (I believe this because I was there! Obviously I was not deemed medal quality, ha ha.) She received 9's. Some of the better scores of the evening, admittedly, but regardless, it would amuse me to hear one of the judges explain why a 10 was not awarded.

I have decided to continue watching the show because the performances truly are superstar quality. This is the only reason. I am not interested in what the judges think, or interested in who wins. Every dancer on that stage is a winner in my book, and deserve praise and attention.