GPdF 2025 PBP - Rhythm Dance: “Rock Around The Cock”

[NinjaTurtles]

Do we think American Judge No. 8 is maybe keeping the nation’s best interests mind with FB/C’s PCS?

 

[Lilia A]

Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely is such a sad song, and pretty deep lyrics for a boy band song. To speed up the tempo and sandwich it between such an upbeat happy dance song seems like an odd choice. If they wanted a second Backstreet Boys song there were plenty they could've chosen. Yeah yeah, I was a BSB fan back in the day but don't hold it against me. I was like 8 or 9 when "Everybody" was released.
ETA: 3 judges gave G/F a music violation. I wonder what it's about. Both songs were definitely released in the 90's so it can't be the decade thing.

 

[Marta24]

Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely is such a sad song, and pretty deep lyrics for a boy band song. To speed up the tempo and sandwich it between such an upbeat happy dance song seems like an odd choice. If they wanted a second Backstreet Boys song there were plenty they could've chosen. Yeah yeah, I was a BSB fan back in the day but don't hold it against me. I was like 8 or 9 when "Everybody" was released.

I was also a Backstreet Boys fan back in the day
This is a very odd choice for G/F. I agree that they need to change the RD, but considering how they didn’t change their Roboter FD after it was clear the judges didn’t like it, I'm not very hopeful.

 

[Braulio]

So F-B & Cizeron 78.00 with a fall during a choreo element that could have been marked as high as 4 points plus some level 2 & 3

Of course considering is a home event for them, but if not the mistake the score could have been like 82-83

Don't know what to think, will wait until the big guns skate at home and see what they get for a clean rhythm dance, and I am counting on you Piper & Paul with your Ru Paul program, YOU BETTA WORK!

 

[npavel]

wrong

 

[zigzig]

Fear and Gibs get a cuteness/vibe/energy point boost cuz I always find their technical skating lacks finesse of other teams.

Thrilled Reed/Amb came in second - love this program and their skating and proud of the judges/panel for placing them where they deserved.

FB/Ciz - lacked some crispness and sharpness but still thought they did really well.

Davis/Smolkin - loved the concept although they really should have leaned more into the music video look for his costume. Very refreshing take on the genre, feels unique and well done. Happy they scored well here.

Gui/Fab - major dumpage here and frankly well deserved. Horrendous program and packaging. Weird uncle dancing at your bar mitzvah energy. They need a new RD.

Also loved Lag/Caf. And the baby French team is super cute though still very juniorish in tech and presentation.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Wow, Mr. Cizeron has got a lot more muscular.

 

[Braulio]

and yes, that Guignard/Fabbri was terrible choice, that program needs to sashay away

Though they are not completely out from a posible bronze medal here, the problem is that Georgians have improved, have a good free dance and have skated the challenger series so have more under their skates than G/F that will make their debut here but after what we saw with the low PCS add the moral damage it could take to them who could perform nervous and tentative

It's sad to see this happening to them just at the Home Olympics season

And Barbara, girl, you need to put more attention to your top and only couple than what you do with your hand clock! really! right now getting time violation for a lift is the least of your problems

 

[her grace]

When the Lithuanians do better in skating skills, it’s crisis response time.

It shows that the judging is a farce.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely is such a sad song, and pretty deep lyrics for a boy band song. To speed up the tempo and sandwich it between such an upbeat happy dance song seems like an odd choice. If they wanted a second Backstreet Boys song there were plenty they could've chosen. Yeah yeah, I was a BSB fan back in the day but don't hold it against me. I was like 8 or 9 when "Everybody" was released.
ETA: 3 judges gave G/F a music violation. I wonder what it's about. Both songs were definitely released in the 90's so it can't be the decade thing.

Possibly not making the beats per minute requirement.

 

[manhn]

For me, Fear and Gibson look better because the sound and camerawork of a Grand Prix is superior. The actual performance is meh. The French, when clean, are better. Those twizzles.

I actually think the Italian RD is pretty well constructed, the theme just doesn’t suit this specific team. If Babs and Fabrizio performed this exact program in their prime, it’d hit better.

I hate any and all remixes.

 

[Lilia A]

Possibly not making the beats per minute requirement.

Possibly. I'm no teknik in that area so whatever it is hopefully they'll figure it out. Better yet, get a new RD.

 

[Kateri]

Only just caught up on the actual skating, I read the drama dance thread first!

And... I'm mostly fine with the judging, here? Lithuanians overmarked, but what else is new?

I love Davis/Smolkin's RD, one of the best this year, and people were absolutely dressing like that in the '90s rock clubs I went to. Combat pants and a top made out of ripped fishnets was basically the uniform.

FB/C aren't voguing as well as the top US juniors, which should be a lil' embarrassing, but it's new programme, and it was still good, minus his slip.

I wish, wish wish that L/LG could use more Cream in that Prince dance, I would uber them forever. But they'd have to edit so many lyrics, there'd be nothing left!

G/F, oh dear, oh dear. But enough about backstreet's back - CUNNILIFTUS is back!

F/G: did they change the mixes they used? First time I saw this, I hated the beat-heavy club remixes it sounded like they had, but maybe it was just terrible quality sound? This was much better, the quintessential Spice Girls programme. I don't LIKE the Spice Girls, but I have to hand it to them: that is about as much Spice as you can Girl.

 

[tony]

I love Davis/Smolkin's RD, one of the best this year, and people were absolutely dressing like that in the '90s rock clubs I went to.

I've been vindicated!

 

[Kateri]

I've been vindicated!

God, I probably have pictures of myself wearing something similar from like, '98/'99, but it was just before the digital camera advent, and I don't know where my physical photos are, so we're all spared.

 

[NinjaTurtles]

One only needs to Google Tripp NYC for evidence of 90s rave wear pants.

 

[Kateri]

Anyway, how can anyone say D/S didn't understand the assignment? "If you don't rate, then overcompensate!" is THE MANTRA of ice dance.

 

[skatingguy]

Unpopular opinion, but Bills Bills Bills is Destiny’s Child’s best song.

Not 'Say My Name'?

 

[skatingguy]

Unfortunately, the ISU decided that there was a minimum beats per minute and anything slower is a music violation.

Just another example of how terrible the rhythm dance rules are this season.

 

[skatingguy]

I was born in 86. Pretty sure I (became and) was a teen in the 90s.

1999 - that's basically the 2000's - technically it counts, but culturally the '90's were over by 1999.

 

[skateboy]

I fear I'm going to have to read about a bunch of trivial non-blade related stuff with this team all season but I think they are fabulously matched.

I actually like him with Laurence better than with Papadakis.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I actually like Papadakis better with Madison Hubbell. At least Hubbell acknowledges that she is there, not a minor planet in her orbit.

 

[skatingguy]

Rhythm Dance Protocols

 

[Matryeshka]

Group One:
Les Americains:
So for those of you who don't know, American high schools for Homecoming week often have a spirit week theme and each day is some aspect of that theme. Bratti/Somerville and Pate/Bye both look like they're participating in this ritual, only B/S are clearly only dressing up because they're on student council and they have to and they're not really comfortable with it while P/B look like they are just having the best time and don't care that they've never heard Enter Sandman before--she knows she looks great in those shorts and she's going to WORK IT. P/B don't understand the music or heavy metal or the 90s, but it's fun and they look fab and that's all that matters really.

Les Frenadians: It looks like what it is. Two really good skaters who have a new program and who haven't skated together very long. If they had paired up last year, I think they'd be in medal contention for sure this year.

Other Frenchies: Caffa continues to be

Group Two:
LesGacs gonna LesGacs. There's something about a team that knows who they are and what they can do and sell it to the rafters. Definitely not the worst interpretation of Prince we've seen on the ice.

Davis/Smolkin. If I was a person capable of objectivity, this would be my favorite RD of the season. I feel like they understood the assignment--if someone made a movie about the 90s, this is EXACTLY how the character who worked at Blockbuster and was obsessed with Winona Ryder would dress, and Smolkin would totally be her loser skater boyfriend.

Reed/Ambrulevicius. I need her in something sluttier and tackier. Other than that, I liked it. I never pretended to have good taste.

Guignard/Fabbri. Her outfit is giving more early 80s roller rink than 90s. I get that fashion in the 90s in Europe didn't necessarily reflect 90s fashion, but if you're going to skate something so quintessentially American...your costumes need to at least be a nod to the USA. There is nothing about this program that works and I don't think they like it either.

Fear/Gibson: First and IMO rightfully so. It was a program. It made sense, it was fun, and I was here for it.

 

[genevieve]

Just getting caught up with the highlights.

I though FB/C were pretty good, mistake aside. He's always great; she was fine. More personality than usual, anyway, but she just doesn't have much presence. I haaaaate the booty shorts teddy costume. I see what they're going for with the '90s Madonna lewks, but it looks like a (very) cheap knockoff.

Davis/Smolkin - did not expect a program to the Offsping! I like the program, and the costumes are right on, but they clearly have NO clue what these songs are about. All the biting sarcasm is completely lost on them and it made it hard to get into the program.

Reed/Amb-dude - now, they could have worked an Offspring program! But it would be too similar to last season. I like the cheekiness of Right Said Fred, and I luuurve Trip Fantasia, but this program doesn't quite gel for me. And what does her dress have to do with anything? Maybe it will grow on me over the season.

Guinard/Fabbri - I clearly have no taste because I like the program. It drags in the 2nd song, but the Backstreet's Back was fun. I don't know, their mom and dad busting a move vibe just seems right for BSB

Fear/Gibson - Lilah's dress and hair are so perfect for this program! Wish Lewis' outfit matched better. Really wish there were fewer cuts, but love the concept of their Spice Girls program. Well done!

 

[Bunny Hop]

Guignard/Fabbri - and Whyyyyy? They have no excuse for getting a Level 1 on the faux-pattern element. They are more than capable of completing difficult turns and they didn't do it. Agree with everyone saying they need to re-work the program completely (I say that knowing that's not as easy as some people think). And yes, those socks are late '80s not '90s.

Fear/Gibson - Didn't enjoy it as much as I thought and I love watching them (well, more him, but there's two in a dance team), but rightly led here given Cizeron's error. Would have liked to have seen their feet in the pretend-pattern but the camera mostly only showed their upper halves.

Fournier-Beaudry/Cizeron - seemed slow on TV, but otherwise met all the requirements. I expect they may pull up a spot in the Free Dance.

ETA: Oh, and I miss having an actually pattern, even a nominal one.

 

[MsZem]

I get that fashion in the 90s in Europe didn't necessarily reflect 90s fashion.

I am amused by this observation. The 90s did occur in places outside the US, too! If only the RDs had more of the MTV Europe soundtrack of my teenage years... (is anyone doing Ace of Base?)

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I am amused by this observation. The 90s did occur in places outside the US, too! If only the RDs had more of the MTV Europe soundtrack of my teenage years... (is anyone doing Ace of Base?)

I think you missed the point of what matry was saying by only quoting half of her sentence.

 

[MsZem]

I think you missed the point of what matry was saying by only quoting half of her sentence.

No, I understood the point. But the first half of the sentence is still amusing, plus it's not like people weren't listening and dancing to BSB in other countries

(No comment as to whether I was one of them)

 

[LilJen]

G/F are too mature to have this tacky “we’re trying to be hip-hop cheerleaders” program. And too well seasoned to have level 1 and 2. Come on, guys!

I guess I am okay with “Lawrence” and “Gillem” doing well, despite the icky vibe surrounding their pairing.

Love the baggy pants on the “Georgians.”