"Dance Your Ass Off": Ruben wins! BOOOOO!

August 31, 2009 at 11:50pm

The finale! I may have some concerns about the scoring on this show, but ultimately the three best dancers made the finals. That would be Ruben, Pinky, and Shayla. The former contestants all came back in, and they looked AMAZING! I was so pleased for all of them. Seriously, almost every single one of them looked completely transformed - I barely even recognized Angela, who was kicked off in Week 1. Miles looked downright hot. The dancers were all reunited for a big finale number, and they all had to wear the costumes they were in the first episode to demonstrate how their bodies have changed. They lost 420 lbs. collectively!

The group number was set to "Please Don't Stop the Music" by Rihanna. Trice was a fucking rock star on that stage. Same with Mara. Alicia's confidence has clearly improved as a result of this show. Shayla could be in rap videos now; she moves that well and looks that sexy. The whole group was really incredible. So much energy and conviction!� It was just super fun to watch. Kudos to all of them.

The Final 3 had to perform twice. One was a routine to a style of their choice, the other was a routine to a style assigned by the judges. Shayla got the rhumba, Ruben got paso doble, and Pinky was given samba. All choices that played to the dancers' strengths, I think.

But first, Pinky fucked up her ankle during the group number practice, so she was ordered to stay off her foot by the doctor. She still got in exercise via the pool, and studied choreography on monitors, but...that ain't good. For her freestyle she did a hip-hop to "Kiss Kiss." She didn't look like her ankle was bothering her at all. She hit the routine hard, and gave loads of attitude. It was a sharp routine, and Pinky looked like a star. I could see the routine on "So You Think You Can Dance" (the early round, mind you, but still). The judges gave her an average dance score of a 9, which was fair.

Ruben's choice was country line-dance/two-step to "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)." Oh, Ruben. You're so predictable. It was fun, but I personally thought it was a little loose, and technically didn't hold a candle to anything Pinky did. And yet, he got the exact same score: a 9. Come on! How was that performance anywhere near Pinky's? Bullshit scoring...

Shayla's choice was lyrical jazz to "No Air." Another routine that I could totally see on "SYTYCD." It was passionate, had great musicality, solid extension, Shayla looked incredible, there were some really impressive trips - leaps, holds, etc. It really showed off what she can do. She got a 9.3 average - too low. I'm sorry, but you cannot argue to me that all of those performances were nearly equal.

Then the eliminated contestants found out that they were eligible for a $5,000 prize for the greatest weight-loss percentage since the competition began. Well, duh. Thy would have been idiots if they didn't see something like that coming, and I suspect that's why several of them worked so hard at home. But who cares why? They look great. Warren had lost a total of 29.1 pounds. Not to pooh-pooh that accomplishment, but Warren was the biggest guy on the show. There's no reason he shouldn't have lost more than that, even at home. I mean, Angela, eliminated Week 1, lost 22.3 pounds. That's really impressive. It came down to Alicia and Miles, both of whom looked really incredible.� Alicia lost 48.2 lbs., which is 18.71 percent of her body weight. WOW! Miles lost 45.3 lbs., which is 17.3 percent of his weight, and that gave the win to Alicia. And you know what? Well deserved. I might have found her irritating on the show, but she kicked ass on the weight loss component,� and I'm glad she got that positive reinforcement.

Ruben did his "Paso Doble" to "When I Grow Up." He gives such hammy faces, and the judges never mention it. I thought his passes in hold lacked passion and energy, but he got much better when he did his solo flamenco work. The judges once again fawned all over him, and gave him a perfect 10. SIGH. That gave him a final dance score of a 9.5.

Shayla's rumba was to "If I Were a Boy," and my land did she look incredible in a sheer sparkly gown. The dancing was so beautiful and sexy, she was utterly seductive. She said in her package that she was initially uncomfortable being a woman. I can't imagine that she feels uncomfortable anymore. Mayte said she wanted to see more. WHAT MORE DID YOU WANT TO SEE?! She gave her a 9. Lisa Anne said she felt let down, and gave her an 8. What the fuck? Danny gave her a 9, giving her an 8.7. You have to be fucking kidding me. Final dance score: 9. R-O-B-B-E-D. That is what that shit is right there. I seriously hate the judging on this show.

For her samba Pinky got "All Nite (Don't Stop)" and it was spicy! Her hips were shakin'! Ooh, I just loved it! She was having fun, she was so sexy, and she hit the living shit out of that routine. But she also seriously jacked up her leg, leaving the stage in actual tears. She got a perfect 10, and it's the first score of the second round I agree with. Final dance score of 9.5, which tied her with Ruben.

The final weigh-in: Shayla lost 4 lbs. this week, for 2.2 percent of her body weight. She ended up with an 11.29. Ruben lost 7.5 lbs., which gave him an overall score of 12.53, which meant Shayla was eliminated. No; actually it means Shayla got fucked over by the judges and their bullshit scoring. So angry. She was hands-down the best dancer on the show, and she didn't even make final two. Pinky - with a visible cast on her leg - lost 4.4 lbs., which meant that fucking Ruben won.

Here's the thing: not unexpected.� Ruben has been a force to be reckoned with on this show from the first episode. He was a solid dancer and had some great moments, but to my mind, he was the least talented of the final three. He was universally over-praised by the judges� -- did he EVER get a bad review? - and he had a natural advantage over either of the other two finalists since he's a man, and men tend to lose weight more easily than women.

So Ruben wins $100,000 and will appear in the "Dance Your Ass Off" DVD. There's one weight-loss tactic I won't be trying. I find Ruben extremely off-putting. There's something that's just insincere about the guy. I had trouble putting my finger on it until this episode, when he did his emotional plea right before the final weigh in. His voice got all hoarse and quavery, and his eyes got glassy, but - no tears. It all seemed so rehearsed, and I feel like that's the way Ruben's been throughout the entire competition. I can appreciate a reality show contestant playing to the genre's needs (everybody loves a sob story), but I never believed his shtick for a second. The whole "I'm going to put myself first for once" thing - please. Who really thinks Ruben, of all people, has been hiding his light under a bushel basket?

Ugh. A frustrating, though predictable, end to an otherwise decent new reality show. I'll certainly watch a second season, but I hope they significantly tighten up the scoring system. I never felt like the judges were ever truly grading the performances on their individual merits. It always felt to me like personality was coming into the equation way more often than it should. And that's how we got a Ruben victory, even though his personality is, to me, the least attractive of any of the finalists. BOOOOOO! � � � �

Comments for ""Dance Your Ass Off": Ruben wins! BOOOOO!" (20)

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Kim said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 12:24am

I SOOOO AGREE WITH YOU! They never gave Shayla a perfect 10 average and not one dancer can outdance her! I do wish she had mixed up her dances more (up tempo, then slow), but she danced them both flawlessly and beautifully and she was indeed ROBBED!

Joy said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 12:25am

The credits at the end indicated that the PRODUCERS impact the judging. I agree Ruben seemed insincere but perhaps they thought his story ' needing money to help with his partner's medical bills was more compelling. However Shayla was definitely ROBBED

Jaime said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 1:38am

I totally agree. Shayla was by far the best dancer. Ruben just always sold a sob story and it wasn't fair. If you notice at the end of the credits it says the judges took into consideration the producers opinion when scoring the contestants....or something like that. When I saw that I was like, wow so it's not fair and it's another one of those 'fake reality shows'.

Oh, well!

brandella said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 1:45am

I truly agree that Ruben had always gotten praises and I thought that the judging sucked. Shayla was the best dancer and I even pulled for Pinky. Just to think that I missed the finale of the T.O. show is beyond pisstivity - because I figured Ruben would have won anyway. Alicia also was very annoying and I kept staring at that mole which was a distraction. On a positive note, I am glad that they did it for a good reason and that they kept up with the weight loss.

Jaime said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 1:48am

Ok, this is what it says at the end of each show...."The judges considered input from the Producers and Oxygen in reaching their decision." Please tell me know that is fair?

Cassundra said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 11:37am

I have truly enjoyed the show I was happy for Ruben but I feel that Shayla was the better dancer. I wanted to comment about the winnings I really think that they should have awarded the second and third place winners, why would you bring back the cast that got eliminated back and give one of them $5000.00 dollars and not give the ones that made it to the finale nothing that was wrong they should have gotten at least 2nd place $20,000.00 and 3rd. place $10,000.00 I think that would have been the fairest thing to do maybe not those amounts but something for the hard work that they have done. I still congratulate the finalist for there tremendous dedication to their weight loss program and for hanging in there they have gave inspired me to commit and hold on because it can be done they proved that in 10 week...

Cassane said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 4:43pm

I thoroughly agree ... Shayla was ROBBED. How can you compare what Shayla has become, this fluid, sinewy dancer, how far she has come from, with Ruben's twists and twirls. Ruben was fixed firmly on the ground all the time whereas Shayla came from a girl with weight issues to an amazing dancer who took risks to delight us, flying and leaping to create content and beauty to her performance. I personally watched the show because I was anxious to see what she would bring for us this week. Pinky was good too but Shayla should have won, the scoring was obviously geared towards Ruben.

Candice Jackson said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 5:15pm

I agree that the judging was unfairly. Ruben sold his sad sob story on the last 4 shows. First, he say it wasn't for the money, but after finding out about his friends illness he was compelled to win for him! Yeah Right! Shayla was cheated out of her crown and money, and was the best dancer and look the best out of weight lost from ALL contestants. But, I was inspired by the weight loss from all contestants, and maybe I wll be on the show next season...OH, let me find an ill friend first!

Elaina said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 5:31pm

DOUBLE BOOOOOOO! I knew they were going to let Rueben win! I'm soooooooooo disappointed! I so badly wanted Shayla to win! She was the better dancer in my opinion. I got this news before I even saw the show. Now I'm not even sure I want to watch it. It might make me even more mad. :-(

Betty said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 6:49pm

I totally think Shayla was robbed. She was absolutely beautiful the whole night. I think Ruben played that sympathy card too much ! However i knew they would make Ruben the winner after he first said that about his "partners medical bill." Come on people , when are these reality shows going to get real for once. I definitely won't watch another season-It's "fixed"!!

Melba said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 7:50pm

Shayla was the best dancer. I feel that she should have won. Pinky exhibited more talent than Ruben. I feel that Shayla was cheated. I will never watch this show again!

Sue said on Sep. 01, 2009 at 8:05pm

You are all totally wrong. Rueben was absolutely the most talented of all, and his weight loss was the best. He deserved to win. Kudos to all of the contestants for their hard work, but the judges were right. May the best win! And he did! Go Rueben!

Jessica said on Sep. 02, 2009 at 6:18pm

Ruben was not the best dancer ... He had poise but as a dancer myself, that is not enough to constitute talent ... More is needed. He did not have the content of the other two, particularly Shayla who was by far the best and looked the best for her weightloss. He played the sympathy card waaaaaay too heavy. Shayla had a story too but chose not to mention it until after the contest. Her first jazz dance should have got perfect tens not only for execution but also for the fact that she was able to do it after the weight she used to carry. Ruben's first country style dance was just lookable without any real challenges. In fact in all of his dances HE was never really challenged with the need to take real risks himself, most of the beauty was the risks his dance partner took. Shayla should have won .

angel said on Sep. 02, 2009 at 10:44pm

I think your all insane... Shayala was and ignorant ass bitch. Pinky and Ruben were the best out of them all... If anyone deserved it it was Ruben. He was by far the best damn dancer on that show. I hope he makes it further in the future. Ruben and John deserve that money. If you paid attention to the first show it said that he quit his job to take a chance at the money. Go Rueben!!!!!!

Krystle said on Sep. 02, 2009 at 11:39pm

I think this is going a bit too far. we are not supposed to be disrespectful and everyone is entitled to their opinion. At the end of the day the show was not about who deserved it but who earns it. Ruben was not forced to quit his job or do anything he did not want to.

Kristyn Pippin said on Sep. 03, 2009 at 12:15am

GET OVER IT! HE WAS A WAY BETTER DANCER THAN HER AND YALL JUST NEED TO LEAVE IT ALONE. HE IS THE RIGHT WINNER.

Jameika said on Sep. 03, 2009 at 1:10pm

NO HE IS NOT !!! Shayla or Pinky should have won

Nickichu said on Sep. 13, 2009 at 10:40am

I liked Ruben from the start before his "sob story" came out. I thought he was a great dancer and he had the poise and executed the dances with confidence. But not just that but also his weight loss was consistent. He lost around 10 pounds every week which has alot to do with their scores also. He came there as one of the heavist and thats a great accomplishment to be the winner. But dont get me wrong.. i loved shayla too, She was so beautiful when she danced and her and her partner had soo much chemistry. I would have loved to see shayla win if ruben hadn't. I also agree that the judging wasnt fair and that on the finale Ruben didnt dance to his full potential and Shayla should have recieved a higher score than Rubem did. Pinky was okay and i liked her alot but i dont think she deserved second place by any means. That should have been Shayla or Ruben. I am happy for Ruben and i give the best wishes to his man, John :)

Shandy said on Sep. 13, 2009 at 3:10pm

Thank you Nickichu
This was an honest, smooth comment without the need for bad name calling. It is a fact that Reuben did not dance his best that final night, particularly the first dance. The scores were obviously off key, which was clearly visible. Shayla did deserve better scores and Ruben DID play on his story way too much as if he was the only one deserved. There was a time when Pinky said that if she won that week she would have given Ruben the phone call. As it happened Alicia won and kept the call for herself and so she should, Ruben's story was no more real than the others, everyone there is to be commended and should not have been put in that guilty position.

Taylor said on Dec. 19, 2009 at 4:31pm

Boo.Shayla or Pinky deserved to win. Ruben didn't try his hardest at the finale and he sticked to his story too much.Shayla should have come first,Pinky sencond and Ruben tird.The judging was unfairly,I agree

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