I thought it would be nice to have a place to discuss the choreography and choreographers on DWTS.

One thing that has stood out to me about the choreography this season, is that some of the dancers are trying to incorporate stories or overt romance into the routines this season. I think we have had shades of this in the past, but they really seem to be much more obvious this season.

I have to say, I'm probably more partial to the romancy/showmancy routines, over the tounge-in-cheek routines, but I was wondering who everyone's favorite choreographers were on the show and why that they love them.

I'll start. At this point, my favorite choreographer this season is Jullianne, with Cheryl as my second favorite. I like the fact that they both seem to understand that they have to entertain the viewers, not just get the technicallities down. I also really enjoy Jonathan's choreography because he always puts focus on the woman and showing her to her best advantage.

What do you think? Who's the best?

I am a big fan of Maks' choreogaphy. I also have enjoyed Julianne's dances that she's choreographed for herself and Apolo.

Does anyone know: Do the pros choreograph all of the pro demos or do other people, or is it a combo of both?

I believe that Maks and Karina choreographed the jive to Rebel Yell, which I love, and Louis choreographed my fav paso to the Rocky Theme. I wish they'd announce who choreographed more often.

I was thinking exactly this when they didn't announce who choreographed the Tony-Elena, Derek-Julianne pro demo this week. The one with a bit of hippity-hop. I loved the choreography, especially when Derek and Julianne did it.

My favorite choreographer so far is Julianne, although I think she has been lucky to have a partner who can handle pretty hard stuff. And I loved those shoulder shrugs beyond reason. Her choreography makes me completely irrational...something no other pro has ever achieved.

My second favorite might be Jonathan. I don't remember him from previous seasons, but I've been very impressed with what he did for Heather.

Along the same lines, I loved Karina's work last season. Mario, bless his heart, looked like a chore to work with, to me. I thought she did a fabulous job of making them both look good, even though it involved a lot of cheats.

I can't stand the schtick, so Edyta is my least favorite choreographer by a million bazillion miles. Times a thousand.

Having said that, I think Kym was really very good with Jerry Springer - so, go figure. There's no accounting for taste.

Last, I have to give honorable mention to Louis for being the best darn samba choreographer ever on the show. :) Come to think of it, I think the pros definitely have strengths within certain dances...but I'd have to think too hard to figure it all out.

Good topic, Micha! <Aren't you crossing your fingers and toes for a SYTYCD forum? I know I am!!!>

I've liked Jonathan and Louis choreography the best. I think the male pros have a much tougher time choreographing around women who aren't experienced dancers than the female pros and these two excell at it.

Cheryl and Kym are my favorite overall choreographers. I actually didn't care for Julianne's rumba, too many tricks (the chair, blah-if a male pro choreographed that for a woman that team would be crucified) and I thought the shoulder shrugs were pointless.

Maks is my all-time favorite choreographer! His dances are always sexy! Each his rumbas are hotter than hell! And then his ballroom dances (waltz, foxtrot) are dreamy!

I have seen Tony and Elena do a lot of the hippity-hop on America's Ballroom Challenge, so I would guess that he was behind the dance they did with Julianne & Derek.

When DWTS got their Emmy nomination for choreography, it was Cheryl, Tony, and Louis who were specifically named, I think. So I would also guess that the pros do choregraph their own bits.

Considering the show overall, I'd give the nod to Cheryl as best choreographer, in terms of really using the music (no matter how odd the song might seem), making her partner look as good as possible and seem like he's putting his personality into the dance, and incorporating the kind of moves that make a routine truly memorable in the viewer's mind (or at least my mind).

Just this season, though, I'd pick Julianne as consistently the best--her Quickstep and Samba routines were just terrific, I thought, not just being great dances but also perfect showcases for what's so much fun about her and Apolo's partnership; and regardless of what Len thinks, the things she incorporated into the Jive (the nod to Pulp Fiction) and the Rumba (the chair moves) are what make a routine really come to life on this show, for me.

Yes…Tony & Elena’s “Sexy Back” was very very similar to that dance. The James Bond’s dance was also quite similar to their Argentinean Tango.

Actually, Tony, Cheryl, and Cheryl & Nick were nominated

Does anyone have a link to Tony & Elena's dance to SexyBack?

That's a bit of a sore spot in the biz, as a major contributor was not named. Props to Wendy Johnson, y'all.

Sexy Back

Rumba

After all that talk about choreography...I did some research, and this it what i found.

First the Emmys for outstanding choreography.

Season 2
Cheryl
Cheryl and Nick.
Tony
Season 3
Louis





Season 3

W1

Luois & Karina – Samba .Louis and Karina choreographed.

Mambo – Pro-dancers. Tony choreographed.

W2
Maks & Cheryl – Rumba. Maks and Cheryl choreographed.

Jive - Pro dancers. Maks and Karina choreographed.

W3
Jesse &Cheryl – Rumba. Jesse and Cheryl choreographed.

Paso Doble – Pro dancers. Louis choreographed.

W4
Tony & Elena – Rumba/Bolero. T/E choreographed.

Delgrosso sisters – freestyle.

W5

No pro dancing

W6

M/K and T/E – Samba. Maks and Tony choreographed.

Nick and Lena – Foxtrot . N/L choreographed


W7
Alec and Edyta – country / jive. A/E choreographed. ( I guess we can thank Tony for the country jive trend. ) :P


W8
Pro dancers – freestyle. Maks and Tony choreographed.

W9
Pro dancers - Tango. Tony choreographed.

Season 4

Pro dancers - Opening number. Wendy Johnson choreographed

W2
Cheryl/Jonathan and Anna/Pasha – Cha Cha. Jonathan and Cheryl choreographed.

Pro dancers – Jive. Tony and Maks choreographed.

W3

Pro dancers – Paso Doble. ? choreographed.

Tony and Julianne – Contemporary/Theatrical. Tony and Julianne choreographed.

W4
Pro dancers and Drew – Freestyle. Cheryl choreographed.

Brian/Julianne- Rumba. Brian and Juliann choreographed.

W5
No pro dancing

W6
Tony/Elena and Derek/Julianne – HipHop/Cha Cha. Tony choreographed. (It was his “SEXY BACK” routine.)

W7
Alec/Elena, Louis/Cheryl, and Brian/Kym –various. Louis choreographed.

W8
Tony/Elena- Rumba. T/E choreographed.

Maks/Karina vs. Val/Val. ? choreographed.

Louis and Cheryl – Cha Cha . L/C choreographed.

W9

Louis/Cheryl and Alec/Edyta – Rumba. Louis choreographed.



Season 5
Pro dancers –opening number – Wendy Johnson choreographed.

W1
Cheryl/Mark and Julianne/Derek – Cha Cha. ? choreographed

W2
Tony/Anna – Rumba. T/A choreographed

W3
Maks/Karina – Rumba. M/K choreographed.

W4
Tony/Elena and Maks/Anna – Salsa. Maks and Tony choreographed.

W5
No pro dancing

W6
Jonathan/ Anna – foxtrot. J/A choreographed.

W7
Tony/Julianne – Contemporary/Theatrical/Bolero. T/J choreographed.

W8
Maks/Kym and Mark/Julianne – Salsa. ? choreographed

W10
Pro dancers- Rumba. Tony choreographed.


You can check their dances at Raphael P. blog.

Thanks for listing all of that TruBrit. I can see Tony's sexyback in the Joss Stone results dance from season 4. Though I see some Derek-influence in that routine as well, particularly the turns, flips, Julianne/Derek parts and of course the hats. Overall, that is one of my favorite pro dances. Seeing Tony's dances with Elena, more disappointed at the freestyle he choreographed with Stacey. Oh well.

I think I heard Mark choreographed that w8 salsa for season 5. I know that Wendy choreographed the season 5 intro, but parts are so similar to Team Bruno's Vegas dance it makes me wonder if other pros got to make input on the routines.

After this season, I agree with Len and Bruno that Derek had the best choreography. I loved Julianne's dances for Apolo last season, but Derek exceeded Julianne for me. He has amazing musicality and choreographed some great routines for Jennie. He adds tricks, but never used it to cover for Jennie. She had to dance as well. I think choreographing to the Moulin Rouge was one of the more difficult tasks and that paso is one of my favorite. Next to Derek, I thought Maks did a great job this season. Loved their quickstep and pasos (both). Edyta was better this year. Far less gimmicky, but still not that impressed by her choreography. Julianne still puts great routines together but this season had too many tricks that were distracting from Helio. Derek is the only pro whose choreography I looked forward to watching and voted for them every week partly to see his choreography.

Sad to see that there was a three way tie at the Emmy's this year and only Louis left empty-handed.

Stacy injured her ankle and didn’t have time to learn and rehearse the freestyle. With no time to teach her much…I think Tony thought the nostalgia and cuteness of the disco thing paired with an amazing lift at the end would have been enough to get 10s and the disco ball. It was good strategy that unfortunately didn’t work for them.

I did not know Stacy was injured. Adds more to my idea of giving celebs/pros two weeks to prepare for the finals.

Flame me all you want Cheryl lovers, but I think while she's an amazing teacher, she's highly overrated as a choreographer. The stuff she did for Drew was fantastic, but beyond that...blech.

Julianne and Derek are my fave choreographers. They put in difficulty, basic movements appropriate to the dance and it's always interesting.

The best choreographers are probably Louis and Karina.

Maks I feel is the worst. I'm sure I don't have to explain why. Just the stuff he does for his celeb partners though. He seems pretty competent otherwise.

Julianne and Derek are excellent choreographers. I also think that their training in other dance styles helps their choreography and adds that "pizzazz" that a lot of viewers seem to really love.

Of course you're entitled to your opinion, and if you don't enjoy Maks' choreography that's totally fine, but I have to respectfully disagree. I'm not really objective because I love Maks, but I definitely don't think he's the worst. That prize, for me, goes to Edyta (although, even she was improved this year!). I will admit that up until this season, Maks' choreography has been a bit lackluster. He had a few standouts though: Tia's Tango, Willa's Waltz and Rumba, Laila's Rumba and Mambo. But this season I thought his choreography for Mel was really excellent, especially their Quickstep, both Pasos, and their second VW. Maks doesn't use a lot of extra "flash" in his routines but focuses on the basics and often choreographs what I think are really interesting and entertaining dances. And this season, Len frequently complimented Maks on his choreography.

The thing I like best about Maks' choreography (and I've read other posters who say the same thing) is that I can always tell what dance Maks and his partner are doing. A samba looks like a samba, a rumba looks like a rumba, a waltz looks like a waltz, etc. I think this comes from Maks' focus on ballroom basics. I always feel that Maks is teaching his partners the dance, the style and the technique, not just the "steps" to his routine. I can't say the same for some of the other pros.

Given the context of the show, I think it's difficult to determine who is the best choreographer, unless TPTB lets us know who is choreographing the pro dances. Otherwise, the pro is constrained by the celebrity's limitations or what they are willing to do. For example George Hamilton's had a rib injury during the competition while Laila would not entertain doing lifts. Having said that ;o) -

I think Edyta is the weakest choreographer. I find her routines repetitive (2 1/2 splits anyone?). Yes, she had George Hamilton but she also had Joey Lawrence and Cameron Matheson and I didn't enjoy most of the dances for her five seasons. Of course, it could have been her outfits that distracted me from the dances .... ;o)

I also haven't liked much of Tony's dances since Stacey's samba but I don't know if it's his choreography, his celebrity's limitations (Leeza Gibbons, Sara Evans, Jane Seymour), or his instruction that results in lackluster performances.

So my favorites are Cheryl, Derek, and Kym. All three work to showcase their celebrity. These three work at giving their celebrity a great experience. I don't think winning is their primary objective.

Kym did wonders with both Jerry Springer and Mark Cuban and her choreography for them showcased them in the best light possible. Her freestyle for Joey Fatone is one of my favorites.

There aren't the words in my vocabulary to say how wonderful Derek was with Jennie and her nerves, bringing her back after the fall. He continued to choreograph challenging, well-balanced routines that showcased the partnership of ballroom dance.

As for Cheryl, she is the one pro on the show who got two Emmy nominations for choreography (season 2) so I think it says something about her choreographical credentials. "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" is my other favorite freestyle. I especially loved it when they performed it to Big & Rich's performance - get rid of those singers! ... uh wrong thread ;o). I loved every dance she did for Drew. Cheryl did some great routines for Emmitt - the rumba comes to mind. Now, my problem with Ian was Ian. I never did warm to his personality. His desperation was palpable and translated to very tense (and unenjoyable) dancing. And forget Wayne.

Maksim's tango for Tia and Mel's first paso ... muy caliente!

I also think Alec Mazo is probably a very good choreographer although I'd like to see his work now. Kelly was such a painful dancer to watch. The one routine when she had the wardrobe malfunction, she danced well and it was a great samba. I thought both Paulina and Josie had great routines as well.

Louis is definitely one of the best for choreographing the pro group routines.

Jonathan is the only other pro whose been on for many seasons (4). Most of the other pros haven't been on long enough (Andrea Hale, Brian Fortuna, Jesse DeSoto) to get a feel for their choreographic skills or had such poor celebrities, it's not fair to evaluate their choreography - Elena had Tucker Carlson and Clyde Drexler.

But different strokes for different folks ...

I too find it hard to say who is the best choreographer when they all have their strengths and weakness in different kinds of choreography.

I would put Louis at tops for choreographing pro dances and while I don't care for Tony as an amateur choreographer, I think he does decent pro choreography work.

In terms of amateur choreography, I put Tony and Edyta at the bottom. Edyta is a sweet person and I like her, but I really don't like her choreography. It's mostly a series of splits when a few steps mixed in between. I also have to agree that I don't think it's any excuse because she has sometimes had the old guy. Joey and Cameron were not old and if she had come up with some better routines for Joey he might have had a shot against Mario and Emmitt.

I also don't care for Tony's work on the amateur level.

Maks is hit or miss for me. He can do some great stuff, other times not so much.

Best all around on amateur level for me are Derek, Kym and Cheryl. Kym has done some awesome routines for the celebs she has been dealt. I loved almost all of Derek's routines this season. But what I appreciate about all three is they seem to have a good mix of flash versus substance in their routines.

The most overrated to me is Julianne. I just think she has a tendency to make her routines too much about her and they tend to be more flash than substance.

I think it has to do with his celebrities’ limitations.

I liked Tony and Sara. She couldn’t enjoy dancing, but considering what she was going through she did well.

Leeza much like Floyd didn’t have any intention to compete. She simply wanted to celebrate her birthday dancing on national tv.

Jane did very well. I loved her Fox-trot, VW, and Tango. The choreography suited her very well. She was too old for the show and had back injury and bad knees. She was almost ten years older than Marie and it started to show.




I also agree with the person that said Maks is the worst after Edyta.

After this season, Kym has gone to my top three list as a choreographer (after Derek and Cheryl). Watching her dance with Mark during the final results show, I was impressed by Mark. He was better than the eventual winner Helio. Cheryl is a great teacher and I loved her choreography with Drew.

Of the remaining pros, Derek has the same dazzling choreography like Julianne, but really showcased Jennie. He easily could have made simpler dances for her, but he seemed to treat her as an equal and put together amazing dances. There are many things I loved about Derek's choreography, but particularly loved his use of tricks. Unlike the other Ballas trained pros, he seems to use tricks but has his celeb also dance at the same time and never distracts from the celeb.

Of the female pros, I would say Edyta is the worst. She has done well with the celebs she has been dealt, but seems to lack basics. With George, it was props but with Cameron, it was a lot of jumps and splits.

I think that it is probably difficult to compare choreographers on this show. I think it is especially difficult to compare male and female choreographers with respect to the celebrity routines. Julianne, IMO, isn't great at teaching her partners good technique, and she doesn't seem to show them off all that well. She IS great at giving us exciting routines and showing herself off...which, I guess, can be considered a good thing because she is an awesome dancer, she is gorgeous, and fun to watch. I feel like the female pros, in general, have an easier time showing off and hiding their celebs flaws w/o getting reamed by fans and by the judges. I think Julianne is the master at this and Edyta is the worst...she is never subtle and I don't find her very creative. Kym and Cheryl have both impressed me with their creativity. The only male pros I am really impressed w/ are Maks and Derek. Maks has impressed me the most because I have seen him with 4 different partners w/ varying strengths and weaknesses, and all of them seem to leave the show with impressive technique. His partners always come out with a great sense of what each dance is about and, like someone said before, I never get confused about which dance it is I am watching. I felt similarly about Derek this season. Also, Maks is the choreographer of my favorite Tango, Rumba, Waltz, Paso, Mambo, and one of my favorite Foxtrots (Tia) ever done on the show. Obviously, that is just my opinion but it is another reason why I respect him so much as a choreographer.

It is difficult to compare the pros because of the different approaches needed for a female versus male celeb. Also because no one gets equally comparable celebs. I agree that Julianne and Derek do create overall entertaining, creative and crowd pleasing routines. I give the edge to Derek because I do see technique and for the amazing work he did with Jennie. Female pros can get away with more of those flashy moves and not be criticized for it. I noticed it more with Julianne this year because nothing can distract me from Helio's poor dancing. He peaked after that mambo (week 2) for me. When Mark B. did his tricks with a great celeb dancer, Sabrina, it was a distraction.

Maks is a good teacher and has created some of my favorite rumbas (Willa, Laila, Mel) and tango (Tia) but I dislike the moving around the dance floor that he tends to do a lot. He is telling a story and I appreciate it but sometimes eating up music measures with walking is no different than female pros dancing around their partners to me. Derek had Jennie dancing start to finish and similarly to Julianne, each routine is to full of content. I just prefer Derek's approach over Julianne dot to dot dance (big finish, some in betweens, then big middle, more filler and then a big finish). I have watched every season and Derek has made my favorite paso, v. waltz, cha cha, mambo and tango this season. That paso is only second to Cheryl's "Thriller" paso for me. Again, different strokes for different folks.

For me, I'd like to see her with one more partner before I make a decision on her teaching ability. She's batting .500 in my book right now since I thought she did a pretty good job with Apolo but had a more difficult student in Helio.

Someone mentioned in another thread that one of the reasons Jonathan is such a great teacher could be that he started dancing when he was older so he is better able to explain things to his partner, whereas someone like Julianne, who started dancing when she was 10, could have a more difficult time teaching technique because it might be more intinctive. Of course, that's not true of every pro, but I think it is a very good point.

I agree. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that IMO, if Helio hadn't been paired with Julianne, he would not have won. She is very good at creating crowd pleasing routines and she seems to really understand what this show is all about. And for casual viewers like myself who don't know very much about ballroom and latin dancing, it really draws you in and leaves you with a smile on your face. It also doesn't hurt that she's an amazing dancer and smokin' hot to boot.

I do think it is unfair that Julianne will get singled out and praised for being awesome out there (Carrie Ann) whereas if it were Maks, he would be slammed for showboating. But I guess in a sport where the focus is mainly on the woman, that's just how it is.

loveisthedrug-I have to agree with you in that Carrie Ann pointing our Julianne's dancing was annoying. Of course she dances well, all the pros do and to praise her is not fair. Then again, that is Carrie Ann. She did score Master P higher than Len or Bruno. Bruno and Len are good at focusing on praising pro choreography. I do agree Julianne knows what this show is about and it does help she is the cute, young blonde.

If you read between the lines, it seems as though Julianne did have a more difficult time with Helio. She seems to remind me a bit of Karina in that she is a bit tougher, maybe not as patient, in getting her pros to learn the dances. Apolo, who was used to strict coaching adapted to this better. Helio would have left sooner had he been paired with anyone other than Julianne or maybe Cheryl.

Jonathan is good at teaching technique but I question his choreography. Maybe it was being paired with Marie and Heather, but for the past two seasons, the dances seem a bit cartoonish for me.

Loveisthedrug...ITA that Julianne definitely knows what this show is about. She knows exactly how to appeal to the casual viewer. I can see your point about needing to see Julianne w/ one more partner to decide about her teaching. I think that the point about Jonathon and his teaching is a good one...I think it extends further than technique because I think his teaching style, and patience may come from starting dance later...along with it being just part of his personality.

This is the only forum I found where Tony isn’t liked much. I don't care so much about which celeb Tony is dancing with. I just love him and Elena together. I think Tony has a bad rep for choreography because he screwed up Stacy's free dance. But I thought most of his dances for Stacy were fine and his pro choreography work was more than fine.






I wonder how much Tony really teaches to beginners in his non-DWTS career, because it almost seems like he's approaching the challenge as a partnership, and expecting his celeb to be as dedicated to practice and rehearsal as he is. Which I think is fine, but I don't think his stars were up to the standards. This is why Jonathan is better suited for that type of celebrities. I don’t think Jonathan is a good teacher. He doesn’t teach technique because all his dances lack content. He’s not a good choreographer either because all his dances look cartoonish filled with facial expresions instead of foot work. However, he treats them as beginners, which they are.

Tony is great and love his dancing with Elena, but I do not think he excels at teaching amateurs. Jonathan is a good teacher who is patient, but I noticed this year how cartoonish his dances looked. I noticed it last year with Heather and even more with Marie. I do not remember his dances with Giselle (season 2).

Kym, Cheryl and Derek remain in my top 3 because they do seem to get what this show is about and treat their partners as equals. I look at Derek's foxtrot for Jennie. No matter how much Jennie found the heel turns difficult, he got her to do it well and kept it in the dance. Derek gave her tough choreography for that second tango rather than a simpler one that may have resulted in a better chance at a 30. Though given the difficulty, she deserved to be scored higher. Or rather, Helio and Marie scored lower. But that's a different thread.

I see basics with showmanship in Kym's dances and Cheryl reminds me of a lot of Derek in her approach to the show. Julianne gets what this show is about and I want to see her one more season before I figure out whether she is more flash than technique. I loved her with Apolo, meh on her pairing with Helio.

Season 5


Week 5 was the J. Lo "Let's Get Loud" pro dance. I am a Derek fan and was excited to hear he choreographed it. But, I wish ABC did post the original first run as the camera cuts away from the pro dancers, while they are dancing, to show more of J. Lo (per her request) in the version that aired.

I'm bringing this up due to the TMZ report.This was not news to me, but at least now everyone knows it.

Next time I hear "Like OMG, Derek is like OMG such great choreographer"... I'm gonna start laughing and tell them that his lying to them.

I don't think having choreographic help to some degree is lying. I think they all have help to some degree. Yes, even Maks and Tony and the like. I'm sure they ask people's opinions and or consult a friend if they want a second opinion. Obviously all the pros know how to string a series of steps together on their own and I'm sure many of the pros do consult outside sources. Big deal.

It also differs greatly what "help" means. Does it mean help on a few steps here or there or does it mean cribbing a whole routine from someone else? Because really, I'm supposed to be shocked when some of the pros are married to each other and others are brother and sister? We saw Anna's mom in the studio with Steve and I'm sure if something looked weird she offered a suggestion. We saw Helio's team last season and I'm sure Corky Ballas is the last person to keep quiet if he wants his input known.

The only way Derek is lying to people is if somebody directly asks him if he choregraphed an entire routine himself and he says yes without giving any credit to somebody that might have helped him--that is if someone did, not saying it's definitely true. If his fans assume he did the work on his own that certainly isn't lying since that is their own assumption.

As an aside, I actually think the ones who get help if needed are pretty smart.

The report is talking about other people doing the choreography, it's not about asking your friends for "help" ...

It's the same thing to me. What's the difference really between asking friends who are dancers or outside people? Also nowhere does that "news" item say that they are getting all their choreography from outside help. It's vague enough to try and make it sound shocking and like the pros are paying for said routines out of the trunk of someone's car in some back alley.

I realize that maybe for some it makes people like Tony and Maks more legit since they seem to be the pros who usually shun that type of stuff. But at the same time, maybe that's why some find their routines boring at times.

I'm not even a huge Hough supporter, or at least Julianne, but for all some pros whine about why women can't win or etc. I'll just say that I don't always think their choreography helps the cause. Even if they supposedly do it all themselves.

I don’t think it’s a big deal, but I do think it’s deceiving. It’s deceiving especially when you have Carrie Ann saying she’s a fan of Derek and Julianne’s choreography and the poor public buys into it.

Julianne and Cheryl are most praised for their choreography then Marky and Derek. But at the same time, I am familiar with their work outside DWTS to know it is their work. True, maybe getting help or feedback but nothing that says someone choreographed the entire routine. As a fan of them, I do not think they are lying. I also I think it is foolish to believe that one article to be true and laugh when Derek, Julianne, Marky, Kym et al are praised for their choreography because I found no viable evidence. Again, seen Julianne, Marky and Derek's pre-DWTS choreography to know this story is not true. I also think for those mentioned (Julianne, Cheryl, Marky, Derek) sell the routines and put the overall package well which makes their dances stand out IMO. It is not just about choreography. Also, if they are getting help, who cares. They put the whole package well, teach their celebs well and make the show entertaining for me.

It is not deceptive when the report itself is not proven as true and if the dance itself is still mostly their choreography. I put Marky in this group as well.

I could be wrong here, but I recall Len and Bruno also praising Derek's choreography last season, too. (I don't recall as much about the Judges' comments re: Julianne.) That leads me to believe that Derek does the work and comes up with the choreography for his dances. Given that all three judges have complimented Derek's choreography, either 1) he actually does the choreography; 2) he doesn't do the choreography and he's duping all three judges; or 3) he doesn't do the choreography, the judges know it, and they're all dissembling and hiding the ball from the public. The simplest and most logical of those three options seems to be the first: he actually does the choreography.

I guess I don't see how it matters even when the show people said it's allowed and within the rules. I know they went through a period, at least in S3, where it was claimed they weren't allowed any help. But if the show doesn't have a problem with it and calls it within the rules, then it seems to be a non issue.

I agree with msrayrudd it is a non-issue as well. I think there has been a consistency and distinction in the choreography that all the DWTS pros have shown that I do not believe the story and that it is a non-issue.

Like I said, it’s not a big deal, but it’s deceptive. The judges shouldn’t say “I have to praise the Derek’s choreography” because it’s not Derek’s choreography. Since someone mentioned Maks and Tony. I don’t think the reaction would have been the same if they were on the list instead of Julianne and Derek.

Exactly.

peaches222-To me there is no deception to the poor public. If anything, it is this tabloid "news" item that is trying deceive the public. I think the reaction would be the same regardless of the pros involved. The "news" mentioned four pros but seemed to imply they all do it. I do not think it is deceptive because first, there is no proof that they get someone to do the entire choreography. Also if they do get assistance, I am guessing it is still their choreography with which they are getting help. JMO. I also think when praising Julianne (she got tons of praise in seasons 4 and 5, also Marky) and other pros, I sense it is about the choreography along with the execution, styling, etc.

Regardless of the pros mentioned, my reaction would be the same because there is too much consistency in all these pros' work before DWTS and what they are doing on DWTS.

I think I bought a COach knockoff from that same trunk! Boxes and Boxes labelled "Mambo" and "Jive" and stuff. I just thought it was cool new lingo that the kids were using for drugs.

I saw this TMZ report about the choreography a couple of days ago and I have to say that I immediately didn't believe it. We're believing TMZ now? Aren't they among the same lines as "The Star" and their story about Cheryl and Drew? Anyway, I know from the Paleyfest last Friday they asked the pros if they do all the choreography and they said yes. So either they're blatantly lying to everyone or they're telling the truth. I'll believe the latter until I see some actual proof from somewhere other than TMZ or similar ilk.

Mark B. on TMZ, talking about the choreography:

This has been the rule since Season 2. As long as noone is teaching them choreography, it's OK. However, taking credit for someone else's choreography, it's not cool.

Wow, not a flattering picture of Marky on that site. He said what most knew, getting help and assistance at times but it is their choreography. I do not think any pro is getting credit for an entire routine done by another person, IMO. I think most already figured as much as I guessed the Houghs probably help each other out and Marky gets help from his parents (helicopter parents that they are) but it is their own stuff so still no issue with this "news".

There's a list back on page one from TruBrit showing who choreographed what through several seasons, but how exactly do we find out this information? Is it listed somewhere by ABC? Do they put it in the show credits that I don't pay any attention to?

I can understand if a pro gets a little outside help on occasion with their choreography for their celebrity and claims it as their own, and that really doesn't bother me. I would guess the pros are given guidelines by the show on just how much and what kind of outside help they can get. I remember reading somewhere on the boards that the Tango Tia and Maks did in Season Two was actually choreographed or partly choreographed by Nick Kosovic. I guess one question would be as I asked above how this information is determined, and also is it known outside the show what kind of guidelines they're given? What shared choreography something allowed in Season Two but not now?