The Predictable and Unpredictable

Season 18 of Dancing With the Stars had lots of predictable things going on but it was a touch of the unpredictable since the season ended that has us all fired up.  Here are just a few little things that caught our attention.

Predictable
There were plenty of ringers passed around during Season 18 with Maks ending up with one of the biggest ringers ever. It was a very predictable ending to a very predictable season. I’m going out on a limb here and saying Meryl would have won regardless of the name of her pro partner. So yeah it was a predictable season from the day the cast was announced.

Unpredictable
We had no idea as to the extent of the “Tristan Effect.”  We were very surprised by how much we missed Tristan during Season 18, how much DWTS fans in general missed Tristan, and how much we didn’t like DWTS without Tristan.

Unpredictable
We never expected to love the name "MacLunatics", which wasgiven to us by the one and only Tristan MacManus. Gotta love his sense of humor.

Predictable
We already knew how much we vehemently disliked gimmicks, theme weeks, and taking so many artistic liberties with dance that the dance looks more like wasting time (as in what I do when I sit on the sofa, eating ice cream instead of getting off my butt and moving). My sitting around hasn't changed much, but the craziness on DWTS has gotten worse.

Unpredictable
Henry’s pro debut was kind of a non-event – but we loved Diana, and we loved Henry’s interaction with her. Still we had hoped to see more.

Predictable
How the troupe just kind of faded away.  We talked about it last season, and it was particularly evident this season.

Unpredictable
We could not have predicted how much we liked Charlie White.  We always liked the guy as an ice dancer and Olympian but we saw a side of him that was just adorable.  We vote for Charlie to return as a personality coach for some of the pros.  Just sayin'….  We also would love to see him dance every week, taking each female pro for a turn around the dance floor,and then starting all over again.

Predictable
It was no surprise how fast we assembled our respective pro wish lists for Season 19 of DWTS, and number one on that list was Tristan MacManus.  A season without Tristan is like an ice cream sundae without the hot fudge, a hamburger without the trimmings, or a Samba without some serious hip action. We started planning Season 19 the day the Season 18 cast was confirmed. [more on that later, since Season 19 is now a non-issue]

Unpredictable
Nobody could have predicted how much the MacManiac/MacLunatic fan base would increase during Season 18 because Tristan was not seen once on DWTS.  It didn’t matter because the fans came out in huge numbers, and fans of other pros showed support by jumping on the Tristan Train. Every photograph from outside events or performances, every performance in BWAT or elsewhere, and every interview generated tremendous interest and  support – more than ever before.  One thing became clear; the fans were starving for a glimpse of Tristan MacManus.  We still are.  This website has increased members in record numbers and the views of each page are off the charts.  The number of Facebook Fan Page “likes” has increased by more than 500 in the last few days alone. Considering the page has been around since 2011, that is an impressive feat.

Unpredictable
How ardent Tristan’s supporters really are.  We’re not talking about being pissed off that Tristan wasn’t a Season 18 pro; we’re talking about non-stop conversation, planning, thinking, and making every possible effort to see Tristan at every possible venue, regardless of expense.  We knew Tristan’s fans are serious, but this response was as unpredictable as making your margarita with Jameson instead of Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia.  Nobody does that.

Predictable with an unpredictable twist
We had all hoped to see Tristan back on DWTS as pro in Season 19 but for whatever skewered reasons ABC & DWTS had for keeping him of of Season 18, things weren't going to change. We wanted him back, yes, but did we expect it? No, however, it’s all good, because SCD is a great fit for Tristan and we’re behind him 100%.  Whether Tristan dances on SCD or anywhere else, we can’t wait to see it.  We watched DWTS because of Tristan. He was the big draw.  We are kind of over DWTS until Tristan makes a return.  SCD is our new favorite show, and you can bet that we'll find a way to watch it.