On D&W's choice of Phantom, I can see that the music suits their style, but the question remains why they would pick it. Here's why: the majority of the crowd at Olympics will never, never in their lives have seen a Junior Worlds/Nationals program. It is only obsessed skatefans and judges who will have seen C&Z's Phantom. The North American crowds always get into the Phantom music: it's familiar and pleasant, most of it. And the lyrics are only allowed in dance, so even its popularity in singles will not keep a dance program from having a 'different' feel from other Phantoms. Olympics is in Vancouver. So it'll be great for the every-four-years set. As to the casual seniors only skatefan, the last time a top 6 at worlds dance team did Phantom, I think it was Drobiazko/Vanagas? In any case, not in the last 4 years, so while Phantom is very popular, it has not been overused in dance seniors lately. I quite understand why they announced Phantom early: It is a preemptive stake of ownership on the music. They were on the other side of this problem when they first became seniors.
I'm not crazy about the choice, but I see the logic.
DomShabs were secretive about Polovetsian dances, a warhorse of ice dance. D&W picked the old warhorse Polovetsian dances, too, not knowing of DomShabs choice. Suddenly there were 2 top ten dance teams with the same music. OH NO. I think DomShabs might have placed higher that year if D&W weren't skating to the same thing, and prompting unflattering comparisons, like is this really 5 places better than D&W? So D&W have now claimed Phantom. I doubt any other dance team will pick it in the top ten or 12.
V&M, the case is reversed. They have what they feel is an unusual idea and they want to keep it secret to maintain the surprise and delight of the uniqueness. This doesn't always work, and backfired for V&M and DelSchoes on Great Gig in the Sky--but not big time, since they were never at the same competition last year.
