DWTS: Lift Clarification????
By speedy1279
@speedy1279 (2665)
United States
April 8, 2008 6:55pm CST
Okay is it just me or does Dancing with the Stars need to have a segment on the show to clarify what they consider a lift and what they don't. In past season's they have said a lift is anything were both feet leave the ground and you need the assistance of your partner to perform the move. Okay, well then how come some of them aren't getting called out for lifts and others are. A couple of weeks ago I saw a move that Penn and Kym did that clearly looked like a lift to me. Yet no one said a thing about it. Then last night Priscilla and Louie did a move where he is suppose to drap her around him and her feet came off the group and they said that was a lift. Okay, I understand that because she didn't keep her feet on the ground when Louie dragged her around him. But then later in the show Karina and Mario did the same exact move that Penn and Kym did a few weeks ago and again it was not considered a lift. I even went back and watched Karina and Mario dance just to make sure that both her feet did in fact come off the ground and they do. Now don't get me wrong I am in no way trying to stick up for Priscilla because she was knocked for a lift. I am not! If it's a lift than it's a lift and they should be penalized for it. I just wish if they are going to be so strick on lifts then they need to point out the lifts for everyone or clarifiy better what is considered a lift. They could easily do a segment on the result show, showing what is a lift and what isn't.
What are your thoughts???
4 responses
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
9 Apr 08
And didn't someone else do a somersaulty thing over their partner's shoulder too? He kind of grabbed her and pulled her over.
And I think I have seen several of them do a cartwheel scissor kick type thing where both feet definitely leave the floor.
They need to do a segment that clarifies and demonstrates why something is or isn't a lift. We need to know what is permissible and not.
1 person likes this
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
9 Apr 08
If the person could do the stunt with say a chair then its not considered a lift. Now the somersault one I beleive was questionable because as you stated he actually looked to be pulling her over.
1 person likes this
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
9 Apr 08
Oh yes, there have many moves were they could be classified as lifts. Yet, only a certain few ever get caught. Of course like my mom says it really doesn't matter how the judges judge them, because it really comes down to who has the bigger fan base and gets the most votes.
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
9 Apr 08
It depends on the dance. The Viennese Waltz has a no lifting rule for obvious reasons. There also is one dance, not sure which one, where the couple are not supposed to separate themselves from each other. I think it was in the first season they described what the rules were for all the dances. The Viennese Waltz in almost all cases has that lift where the man twirls the woman around, but she must have at least a toe touching the floor. Obviously you can do lifts for the latin dances and the jive. It is just that particular dance. The professional women know not to let their toe leave the floor, but the celebrity women don't. If they are told during teaching it would not be on the top of their mind when they are out on the floor.
The real problem is the judges aren't being clear enough when they say that. I am sure the celebrity goes backstage and says, "What does he mean no lifts?" and her pro partner will tell her... but we don't see that on the air. It's been a long time since all the dances were described to us in detail (the first season). It is probably time they describe the rules for each again, or at least point out that the no lift rule, for example, is for that particular dance.
1 person likes this
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
9 Apr 08
Actually the no lift rule for Dancing with the Stars is for all the dances. They do it for the safety of the stars. Since they aren't professionals and most have no dance experience. Plus the lifts are a lot more challenging, so they try to make if fair to all the couples because you always have weaker couples that may not have the strength to do the lifts. I remember last season there were a lot of times that couples were penalized for lifts and they were dances that weren't the waltz. The only dance they are allowed to do lifts is the freestyle at the end of the season. The first season they did show us the dances and that season there was no "no lift" rule. The no lift rule was added in either the second or third season.
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
9 Apr 08
Its funny how they make a big deal of the lifts on some and not others. I agree they need to be better at catching all of the errors but I suppose from their spots you cant always see everything. We get the close ups from the many cameras they dont have that option.
1 person likes this
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
9 Apr 08
I can see how they don't have the same view as us to catch everything. I just wish they could clarify what a lift is a little better. At least that way I ain't at home screaming at the tv "that was a lift" and no one else sees it. LOL! Yes, I really get into this show, if you couldn't tell.
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
9 Apr 08
I actually didn't really understand it either....what they do consider a lift! I would say if both feet leave the ground I would understand it but like you say others do things like that and aren't called on it..by the way how about those little kids tonight! Wow~!
1 person likes this
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
9 Apr 08
Yes thoses little kids were so adorable. I liked seeing them dance.
