Thank you. I was starting to feel like I was wearing a tinfoil hat on this.
Ga-a-ah! :eek: I just came back from looking at ABC’s Dancing With the Stars message board. It’s nice to be back in civilization.
I forgot to tape Monday night’s show, but I caught the recap starting a few minutes before Heather’s fall. I don’t know about Clyde, but John Ratzenberger looked a bit clumsy to me. Billy Ray was worse, but how much of that was due to Edyta’s choreography? She seemed to be trying to make herself look good and him look bad. It was like he was a prop she was using. Despite what some were saying over at the other message board, it sounds like he’s ready to go home. Even his comments after the dance sounded like a good-bye speech.
Hentor, I can see why you might be wearing a hole in the disk watching Apollo and Julianne. Her costume was interesting to say the least. The gentleman I was watching it with, though, wants to know what the deal is with Apollo’s beard. It doesn’t look like much of one (I didn’t notice it at first) and he had a point when he said it looked like it was drawn on. Those two can definitely dance, though.
I’m a bit worried about Heather next week. I like swing, but it’s hard on the knees and involves a lot of bouncing. It may not be the easiest for her. On the other hand, it could be even worse for John and Billy Ray.
She can wear her jive leg. Her jive was more like a swing anyway.
Did you see the look on BRC’s face when he wasn’t in the bottom two? His dismay was palpable.
I applaud him for apparently being the hardest working guy of the bunch–and I’m not surprised, at all, because he has that reputation, and is also just a hell of a nice guy on a personal level–but he just can’t dance and he knows it and everyone else knows it.
Usually don’t watch recap shows out of principle (the principle being “Don’t want to sit in front of the TV for a flamin’ hour to get 4 seconds worth of information.”), so this is the first I’ve heard of Billy Ray Cyrus not only wanting to get out, but actively disliking the show.
I have to ask (and I apologize if ABC has already addressed this): Why not let him go and add two rounds’ worth of results for the next boot? Didn’t they start the season with that? Now, if the elimination system were a bit more complicated (say, a ranking/cuts system I’ve talked about on this website at least six times despite there being a snowballs chance in hell of it ever being used anywhere 
), there might be a slight problem with this. If five people wanted out, there’d be a problem. This is going from 1-1 to 0-2. It’s a piece of cake.
I’ve said it before, it’s a goofy contest with a big hunk of glass at stake. Not only should it be fun for everyone involved, that’s the only damn point. Not having any provision for giving Master P an out was dumb. Not having any provision for giving Billy Ray Cyrus an out after Master P’s example was ridiculous. Keeping BRC on against his will is, to me, revolting.
Shame. It’s actually been a pretty entertaining contest overall, and the last thing it needs is THIS overshadowing it.
(And just 'cause I still don’t understand this…how the hell did an obscure rapper get so popular? I mean, if it was Ludacris, that’d be understandable…)
You have a point there.
The judges were big meanies to him and said not so nice things so everyone had to vote for him to make him feel better and get back at those big meanie judges. What poopy heads they were! Poor little rapper.
I don’t know how much BRC legitimately wants out vs. how much that’s the angle he’s playing for the cameras. After all, Sara Evans dropped out when her divorce got ugly, so it’s not like there’s no precedent for people packing it in. Presumably if the whole thing was a ridiculous amount of agony for him and he really couldn’t take it anymore, he could quit.
I think BRC is really trying but realizes that he can’t compete against the other men with the exception of John (who actually can dance but is handicapped by his age and weight).
I think he was really disheartened by the judge’s criticism and realizes that it’s only going to get worse having to learn 2 dances, while working on “Hannah Montana” and working on his next album. Having your ass handed to you on national t.v. is no fun for anyone. Clyde was ready to leave, too, when he realized that the judges weren’t giving him any points for being a nice guy.
I wondered where John’s popularity base was coming from, since he hasn’t done a TV series since Cheers, he’s the weakest of the remaining dancers, and, and probably even weaker than the first two eliminated. Then it occurred to me; he does MANY voice-overs in animated features. That would bring out the kids and Moms.
He has done well, considering his age, weight, and presumed physical condition. But it’s time for him to go now; all the remaining dancers are better than he, I’m afraid.
I hope that Apollo won’t win, and the judges continue to be very hard on Ian; a shame, because I think he’s as good a dancer as the two really good guys (Joey and Apollo). A lot of times they criticize him for being stiff, and yet I sure as hell didn’t see that at all on last week’s Samba, nor had I noticed it in the other dances. But I recognize that Apollo’s popularity with young girls and women, and his seriously flexible athleticism may take him all the way.
Still, for my money, it’s an even call between Leila and Joey, with Joey a slight front runner. He’s technically very good, and far more of an entertainer than Leila, I think. God, a boy band member, for pity’s sake! But (I never heard any N’Sync, but given that I understand they did mostly a capella Doo-Wop, I’m not going to say they weren’t quite talented - that stuff ain’t easy!), presumably he was a decent musician and the “funny one” as opposed to the other teeny-bopper dream-fodder members. And his Rumba last week was about as effeminate as Mike Tyson, although far more graceful. I thought it was the best Rumba I’d ever seen; the perfect combination between sexuality and sheer romance. If that’s effeminate, I’d best turn into a Lesbian now, since apparently my idea of romantically sexy is effeminate!
BRC, with the exception of last week and the very first dance he ever did, is still VASTLY improved. But he should probably go next, after John. So, if I were doing the deciding, it would be (worst to best): John, BRC, Heather, Apollo, Ian, Leila, and Joey taking home the prize.
**Dancing with the Stars ** Spoiler
Leila really did well! I like that fact that, although she’s a large woman (although not fat, just tall, muscular, etc) she’s not afraid to really use her body. Clyde Drexler could’ve learned a lot from her. Apolo is my guy. I didn’t expect to like him, but I do - I like him and I like the way he dances. I 'm not so enamored of Joey, although I don’t dislike him. Ian just doesn’t have what it takes to make me want to watch him - I flip back to my Freecell game, or the pets, or anything. He’s just not interesting. It’s almost like he can count time, but doesn’t connect it to the music and the emotion and his partner. 1-2-3 step 2-3 spin but no soul. John and Billy Ray have to go, but at least they try (although I think Ian tries, he just misses in a different way) Heather’s sort of the same way. I’m just not drawn to watch her and I’m callous enough not to care about the brave amputee girl.
StG
I agree that the judges are very harsh on Ian, but I think I know why. If you watched last season, Mario Lopez was a better technical dancer than Emmett Smith, IMO. But the latter won because he brought a joie de vivre to the dance floor that was infectious. Mario didn’t bring that. I think Carrie Ann was trying to tell Ian that he needs to quit being so earnest and start enjoying himself.
Apollo once again looked fabulous and I think he’s the one to beat.
Laila came roaring out of the starting gate, but lately she’s kind of leveled off. Didn’t like the part she choreographed. Yikes. But I appreciate that Maks actually let her take control.
John dances better than Billy Ray, IMO, so I wonder why the judges are always so much more generous with Billy Ray. I’m thinking that perhaps BRC puts much more time in at the gym.
Joey did great, but his big body makes him look a bit like a dancing bear. Still it’s a pleasure to watch him dance.
**Heather ** is predictably good. Not great. Good.
Loved the Swing.
My prediction:
Heather will go home tonight because she doesn’t have a core fan base and the women seem to be at such a disadvantage in this competition.
More observations:
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I might be a wee bit more concerned about the fact that there are only two female contestants remaining if every single contestant wasn’t paired with a partner of the opposite sex.
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I think I’ve hit on the winning formula for this. It’s a lot like a horse race, actually. Have a strong start; stand out and give the audience a reason to vote for you. You don’t have to be spectacular, just good enough to stand out from the inevitable one or two stragglers in the back. Once you’re out of the gate, settle into the pack and maintain a consistent pace. Don’t fall behind, but don’t wear yourself out either. Then in the final stages, go all out and sprint to the line.
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Okay, misleading promos are one thing, but what’s the deal with flashing a clip of an angry confrontation in the beginning, then not showing it at all in the show? I mean, I wasn’t expecting a violent brawl or anything, but couldja at least let us know what the heck that was all about?
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Damn, am I ever glad I’m recording this now. I got through it in about 20 minutes. And that includes all the replay and bathroom break time!
Joey Fatone: He’s on cruise control at this point. One of the very few DWTS contestants who’s every bit as energetic, fluid, and composed as his pro partner instead of strugling mightily to keep up. Very well-deserved 27. At this point I’m just praying for no disasters until the final (which is the only thing that can keep him out now).
Heather Mills: Starting to see signs of desperation. IIRC, Mark Hamill went all-out Broadway just before being knocked out. Have to give her credit for effort, though; it was a difficult routine for her and she did the best she could with it.
John Ratzenberger: The book on him hasn’t changed. You can really tell that he just doesn’t have the body for this. He’s making a fight of it, though, and he going to leave this contest kicking and screaming.
Leila Ali: Ladies, take note, that’s how you do it. Sexy. Sultry. Feminine. I don’t care if you have muscles, dammit. This is an art form, so utilize those assets and give us something worth looking at. 28 might have been a tiny bit inflated, but we’re not at the point were that matters yet. Great performance!
Billy Ray Cyrus: For whatever reason, the judges seem fiercely determined to make sure he outlasts someone. Not sure who or why. I noticed all the weaselling and obfuscating they did; that’s what judges do to make thier decisions at least remotely plausible. Very little improvement from last week. It’s like shifting into second gear on the 198th lap; it’s not going to make a difference at this point. I’m still not seeing the love for him, and I just hope that the next week is his last (it will not be this week).
Apolo Ohno: Another fine effort from him. I actually think this was the perfect time to employ the Questionable Tactic (a chair in this case) just to see whether or not the judges let that sort of thing slide. Especially impressed that Julianne Huff had a cold and you couldn’t even tell. A solid second favorite at this point, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon.
Ian Zeiring: It’s becoming an uphill climb for him. Not struggling as much as Ratzenberger or Cyrus, but nowhere near the skill of Ohno or Fatone. He’s in a fight with Mills and Cyrus for 4th place at this point.
Very good night overall, and the contest really seems to be picking up. Can’t wait to see what tonight brings.
Mark Hamill? 
Missed the show this week, but saw the headline announcing this week’s buh-bye – seriously? BRC is still there? Yikes.
twickster - I’m almost certain it was him. Season 2, the one with Jerry Rice, Stacy Kiebler, and that boy bander whose name I can never remember. His last dance had a whole lot of play acting in it. He finished 5th.
Yes, BRC is still around. We’re not far enough that a 21 is fatal. Yes, that’s what the judges gave him this week.
I just wanted to say I also loved the group swing, including Laila’s carrying Apollo off and Joey carrying a couple of people off at the end. It simply looked like fun.
I thought it was a bit unfair for the judges to criticize Ian for not looking like he was having fun. The paso doble is supposed to be intense. On the other hand, it would be nice if he loosened up and looked like he was enjoying himself. When he’s not dancing, he strikes me as a sort of class clown or a bit like Cosmo in Singing In the Rain. Maybe we’ll see a bit of that next week.
I’ve also finally found a favorite. Apollo’s good, but Joey’s more fun to watch. Anyone else with me?
I think you mean George Hamilton.
Humph, I’ve missed the last two weeks because my company, apparently not caring the slightest about my DWtS jones, insisted I had to go to Europe for one thing or another. I’ll try and join back in the fun next week.
Hey! I’m in Haarlem! Where are you?
And Honey, thanks, I think you’re right.[grumble grumble grumble]Young whippersnappers who can’t tell George Hamilton and Mark Hamill apart![/grumble grumble grumble]
You can watch former episodes on abc.com. They usually are posted a day or two after the show airs. You can also see just the dances on http://dwts.info or (usually) http://myoxisbroken.com.