1109 replies to this topic

[loveisthedrug]

Any ideas for a thread title?

Of all the celebs this season, I'm most excited for Shawn. I wonder if there are any special guidelines for her since she's a minor.

[Shelabell101]

I'm so excited for Shawn, she will def need to work on grace and I think that will be really fun to watch. I'd be devastated if she's not paired with Mark.

[harvestbasket]

loveisthedrug, You beat me at starting a Shawn Johnson thread :) No idea on thread title and I wonder if she also is under some restrictions in terms of number of hours, etc. due to her age.

I love her attitude and loved this girl during the Beijing Olympics. I do hope she is either paired with a new male pro (let's give a newbie a frontrunner) or not with Mark. I do not care for Mark, but he just won a couple seasons ago with another Olympic gold medalist. Let's see a newbie or another pro have a chance. But I am pretty sure on height alone, those two will probably be paired together. I just hope in this case, he stops making the dance about himself and really showcases Shawn. This girl has tons of charisma and I think can really do well. I want to be able to focus on her and I fear the costume choices on this poor girl.

Edited by harvestbasket, Feb 8, 2009 @ 11:51 PM.

[spanana]

I love her being on the show, but I wish there was a pairing for her outside of Mark. Whether she can dance or not, she seems a clear frontrunner and even though I know Mark got his dud last season, I'm not ready for him to have another automatic frontrunner. Probably just because I don't enjoy Mark all that much.

[Elsa]

Hi harvest! I didn't know you didn't care for Mark. He's my favorite (other than Alec.) Sorry, but I'm so thrilled he may have the little gymnast. I confess to still worrying about his shoulder that he damaged so badly a year ago, and I imagine she's pretty light. I was worried last season that he'd get to the lifting stage with Kim -- not that she was heavy, but with torn labrums and such, well, the lighter the better, and Kristi and this girl seem perfect on that front. And I love some of his dances -- I still watch him and Kristi do that waltz in the rain, ah, that was great. And a couple dances with Sabrina, actually the first two. The rest I could take or leave and nothing else sticks out.

Anyway, I bet this girl can do a fabulous split and God only knows what else. She may have trouble on the elegant numbers being so teeny - hell, she may have trouble with the Latins if she isn't musical. Silly me thought Monica Seles was bound to be very coordinated and elegant since she's great at tennis. Wrong!

And they had a former gymnast on Strictly (who also did a fabulous split :) and she was voted out Week 4! (not an Olympic gymnast but still.) It's hard to prejudge this thing, at least all the time. We did pretty good sizing up Kristi though.

And who knows - Mark may get Lil Kim and Alec could get Shawn - he did awfully well with tiny Kelly Monaco. But she wasn't 17. Nope - I think being 22 and small himself gives him a lock on this girl. Hey, maybe Derek will get Jewel? She's the crown jewel in this group, so to speak, isn't she?

Edited by Elsa, Feb 8, 2009 @ 11:24 PM.

[fallen8envy]

I am so excited for Shawn!!! I am a dancer and gymnast so two of my favorite sports are finally linked together! So happy! I think her Olympic medal collection would look better with a mirror ball trophy! Mark and Shawn is a must!!!!!!! Second choice will be derek but I don't want shawn with anyone else, unless they have a new guy thats awesome

[DancingFriends]

I think Derek or a new pro will get Shawn. Mark's already had an Olympian and two young partners. Derek's never even had an athlete and always gets the least popular woman predicted to leave Week 1. I know he just won but he shouldn't be punished for making the most of the partner he's given every year. I honestly don't think anyone else would have won with Brooke and the producers did not expect her to win.

[sab85]

She's one of my early favorites for this season. I follow some gymnastics boards and there had been some questions as to why Shawn was not back in the gym yet when most of the other 2008 Olympians are at least working out with a few already competing again. Guess we know why now!

I do think she will be paired with Mark, she is very young and very small. I would kind of not like for her to be, as I think they would have a good shot and even though I like the Houghs/Ballases I would really like for someone else to win this year, but I do understand why it would happen, if only for her sake. She's one of the cutie-pie tiny dynamo gymnasts and while I would actually not rather think of her rumbaing with anybody, much better Mark than the others, which would just make me feel awkward. I'm a couple of years older than her and Johnathan, Tony, Louis are old enough to be my father (albeit, they would have been very, very young).

Honestly, I think I would like it best if she was paired with a new dancer (assuming we're getting a new male dancer).

[ciaobellame]

TPTB, please don't give Shawn to Derek. I can't deal with another season of his stupid mugging. Mark will probably get her but there is a chance that the new pro is a younger guy. Or they may pair her with Tony since he's had a really short celeb before. That would be really squicky though.

[harvestbasket]

Elsa, I am not caring for Mark mostly because I am tired of seeing him making every dance about himself. Shawn and Alec would be better for me.

ciaobellame-I feel the same way about Mark's mugging which to me happens on and off the dance floor. I find it annoying. While I like Derek, I do not want him with Shawn either. Give Shawn to a newbie.

Whether she can dance or not, she seems a clear frontrunner and even though I know Mark got his dud last season, I'm not ready for him to have another automatic frontrunner. Probably just because I don't enjoy Mark all that much.

This sums it up best for me. I really hope they give Shawn a newbie.

I wonder though how she will handle dances like samba, rumba or tango. I think she'll go far on her fan base alone. If she can pull off a foxtrot or tango, just hand her the trophy.

Edited by harvestbasket, Feb 8, 2009 @ 11:54 PM.

[EJpants]

ITA, give Shawn a newbie - maybe the youngest male pro ever? But honestly, if they don't, Mark is the only option IMO. Alec is just too old for her - it would just look weird to the public having anyone over 25 dancing with a 17 year old, somehow inappropriate. Plus if they have to go with Mark I do think he did a good job of making the sexier dances with Kristi seem not too raunchy, which will definitely be key with a minor, IMO. Their rumba is a perfect example....

[spanana]

I hope for Shawn with a newbie as well. Give someone without the name Hough or Ballas a chance.

[harvestbasket]

If they brought on Corky for Cloris for being older, maybe they could bring a younger male pro for Shawn. If only to spare Shawn from wearing some costumes designed by Mark. I can see Shawn with Derek as well because he looks pretty young himself, and I always thought a gymnast would a good pairing for Derek, but doubt it because he just won. I think both Derek and Mark had two rumbas that were romantic (Kristi, Jennie) but again, I want a non-Ballas/Hough pairing for her.

Edited by harvestbasket, Feb 9, 2009 @ 12:07 AM.

[ciaobellame]

Plus if they have to go with Mark I do think he did a good job of making the sexier dances with Kristi seem not too raunchy, which will definitely be key with a minor, IMO. Their rumba is a perfect example....

That's a good point. Mark did an excellent job choreographing that piece and I really enjoyed it. Personally, I don't mind seeing Shawn with Mark because I think they will work well together. Sure they'll probably win, but the show is already unfair for making Julianne and mute boyfriend dance together.

[While A Coyote]

They'll give her to Derek, just because the audience will perceive it as kind of creepy if she's with someone older. Yeah, its a double standard since Derek has been with 30 something women, but it exists.

They'll give her to Derek, just because the audience will perceive it as kind of creepy if she's with someone older. Yeah, its a double standard since Derek has been with 30 something women, but it exists.

[PassTheSalt]

I hope for Shawn with a newbie as well. Give someone without the name Hough or Ballas a chance.

Agree. I honestly have nothing against Mark or Derek, I like them both... I would just like to see some new blood on top (assuming that Shawn is good, which with her fanbase & athleticism she should be).

Kinda sucks that Fabian is too old/too tall... I think they would be fun together. Fabian is great and deserves a great partner after Marlee.

[EJpants]

I don't know it's a double standard....Derek was 23 and Brooke 30-something. He was well into adult-hood, IMO. I just keep thinking that she's a MINOR, and to have a much older guy manhandling her on live tv, it's just wrong to me.

But yes, Derek or Mark definitely, unless there's a new young pro.

[Elsa]

While a Coyote, why do you think they'll give Shawn to Derek instead of Mark? Derek's a couple inches taller than Mark.

In fact, I think there are only two choices for Mark - Shawn or Lil Kim. I'm pretty sure Mark is about 5'8", barefoot anyway, and Derek's an inch or two taller, I'd guess 5'10".

The other girls at 5'6"+ would be too tall for Mark, wouldn't they? And we know he's on this season. And since he's 22, he solves their age dilemma (Derek does too but why not use him with one of the several 5'6" girls?)

Edited by Elsa, Feb 9, 2009 @ 1:12 AM.

[While A Coyote]

I guess. I forgot Mark was that young.

[Elsa]

I'll be stunned if Mark doesn't get paired with Shawn. I guess they could bring on another very young pro, and put Mark with Lil Kim -- but another short very young guy seems a bit redundant, since they've already got two in that demo. I doubt any season would have more than two girls in their teens or early 20s - and they seem reluctant to put the 20-something MALE pro's with women over 40 (I don't think it's happened has it? I know Cheryl got Wayne - but I think they look at men differently - more's the pity) They probably think society is fine with an old man/young woman - but would cringe if it's the other way around - ergo, they hired Corky for Cloris.

Oh well, they put Julianne with Chuck, apparently, and that's stunned me, so who knows what cockamamie thing they'll do with the pairings. Maybe they'll put Maks and Shawn together - wouldn't they be funny dancing a waltz or tango or something, with a 16 inch height difference?

[Coconut]

With Shawn's age she'll either get Mark or Derek. Appearently she's an inch taller then Lil Kim, so she might get Derek leaving Mark with Lil Kim. It's hard for me to choose which I'd rather she be paired with. Derek just won but he's never had an athlete. Mark won with an athlete but was stuck with dud last season.

I have a feeling she'll be another Sabrina, she'll have the balance, flexabiity and coordination (because anyone that could a work a balance beam like it's a floor has too) but not the grace. She'll probably do really well with the Jive. Imagine the flips and stunts they can do with that. I'll be rooting for her as a fellow shorty!

[EJpants]

Shawn is 4'10" and Lil Kim is 4'11", allegedly.

I'm quite certain Shawn is 4'10", bc they brought it up frequently during the olympics. Can't confirm Lil Kim's height but that what it says if you google it......maybe she'll get a new pro? I just can't see Shawn with anyone else besides Mark? Except for a new pro...

[Coconut]

I've seen Lil Kim's height between 4'9 to 4'11, I guess we'll see when they stand next to each other.

[peaches222]

Marissa is 4'11 and she ended up with Tony. Who knows.

[EJpants]

I just hope TPTB pair Shawn and everyone well - the worst is to see some crazy awkward pairings. I hope they bring in outside pros for one season if necessary to pair people well.

Go Shawn and Mark!!! (I'll put money on this pairing being true).

[Coconut]

I think her age will be a factor for her partner too. I think it will be awkward for people to see a 30 year old doing a Rumba with a 17 year old rather then a 22/23 year old and 17 year old.

[harvestbasket]

I can see Shawn and Derek more than Mark and Shawn. Maybe because we always see Derek tumbling on the show and to me, Derek looks younger than Mark. I know Mark can tumble as well but he is the pro associated with hip hop, etc. I also find aethestically the Derek and Lil' Kim pairing bad. He is this thin guy, it would look as weird as Derek and Marissa. Who knows. As others pointed out upthread, one dud that is Kim does not make up for two of the biggest "ringers" of the show (Sabrina and especially Kristi), IMO.

That said, I am sure Shawn is with Mark though he just had an Olympic athlete so spread the wealth, TPTB. I will be rooting for Shawn in that scenario. Ideally, I want Fabian and Shawn. His personality and charisma would compliment her well. ITA age will be a factor so I hope the show did bring in a new younger pro.

Edited by harvestbasket, Feb 9, 2009 @ 11:12 AM.

[sab85]

Ideally, I want Fabian and Shawn. His personality and charisma would compliment her well.

Aww, that would be awesome. It totally goes against my not wanting her with someone 10+ years older or a foot+ taller, but still it would be sweet.

ETA: I'm a couch potato. That...has to be new.

Edited by sab85, Feb 9, 2009 @ 11:14 AM.

[Augurey]

Fabian and Shawn would be awesome!

I just realized that if Shawn is paired with Derek or Mark, I'm sure her pro will try to convince her throw a back handspring or something in their routine somewhere before the freestyle. Mark and Derek both like to show off, and I can already picture Len getting all huffy about it.

I also find aesthetically the Derek and Lil' Kim pairing bad. He is this thin guy

I am in no way calling Shawn fat, but she's quite stocky.

Edited by Augurey, Feb 9, 2009 @ 11:18 AM.

[tip and fall]

Fabian and Shawn would indeed be awesome, personality-wise. But Fabian just looks so much older than her...so the idea also gives me the heebie-jeebies.

I just realized that if Shawn is paired with Derek or Mark, I'm sure her pro will try to convince her throw a back handspring or something in their routine somewhere before the freestyle. Mark and Derek both like to show off, and I can already picture Len getting all huffy about it.

Ack, don't even joke about that!

I really hope she doesn't get Derek, because that boy bugged the crap out of me last season. I wasn't a crazy gymnastics fan during the Olympics, but Shawn seems nice and personable. So I want to root for her. Aside from Derek and Mark then, who's the next youngest-looking pro? I know that the producers don't necessarily pair based on height, as evidenced by Tony and Marissa. But Marissa looked older and more mature than Shawn (NOTE: I am only talking physically speaking, lol). Tony and Shawn might be kinda skeevy too.

Edited by tip and fall, Feb 9, 2009 @ 11:48 AM.