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May 8, 2007: Happy Trails
Billy Ray said he was getting ready to appear on Jimmy Kimmel later tonight, and time preparing for that was not time wasted. Yes, it seemed like he had wanted to go for a few weeks now, yet I don’t think he ever gave up in this competition. He gave each performance his all; it’s just that ultimately that wasn’t good enough. But his effort was impressive, as was his charm. I’ll admit I was no Billy Ray Cyrus fan when this season of Dancing with the Stars started — I used to mock his popular "Achy Breaky" song and his mullet back in the day. But then, around week two in this competition, he won me over with his dedication and spirited performance: He was crowned “most improved” and danced a pretty decent dance (and was looking cuter than he did back in his breakout heyday of the early ‘90s). I didn’t see that initial turnaround coming, and so for a while there I was rooting him on. It would have been nice if he continued to improve each week, but unfortunately that was not to be. The guy’s not a horrible dancer: He’s as good as your average wedding guest who has a few of his own signature moves. He’s just no ballroom dancer who can execute highly stylized, precise steps. Thanks to a zealous fan base, he may have overstayed his welcome by a week or two, but I’m glad he did this show. Admit it — this season wouldn’t have been the same without him. He brought some heart, delivered some amusement and carried on a fight with a judge. Oh, and he drove pouty Karina to take a crying break in the bathroom.
Luckily there was really no fallout from Monday night’s fight with Bruno. Angry, hurt Billy Ray went back to being just-thankful-to-be-here, self-deprecating Billy Ray. It’s a good thing, because Tuesday’s results show had enough tense moments of its own. It started when Ian and Cheryl were announced as being the first safe couple of the night. The two of them looked both thrilled and shocked. That of course meant that one of the three couples often predicted to make it to the end would be facing possible elimination. After Laila was declared safe, Apolo started looking really nervous. But then he too was saved, which left Joey in the bottom two for the first time. With the judges’ scores, Joey placed second overall. That means his fan turnout had to be pretty low to drop him to fourth place. Perhaps his confidence-versus-cockiness distinction is not translating well to fans. Maybe he gave too much razzle dazzle in his second performance this week, or not enough in his first. Whatever the reason, he has one week to work on things and try to rebound in the semifinals. One thing is certain: This competition just got a lot less predictable.
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May 9, 2007 12:56 AM
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OK First of all don't get me wrong because I think Joey is a great dancer, but I was a little sick of his goofiness and cockiness. Maybe this will bring him down a notch or two. Billy Ray Cyrus----yes, probably most improved, but he should have gone LAST week. He got lots of audience participation in applause, but he didn't lack for cockiness and that "look at me attitude" either. He tried to ACT humble, but I feel like it was mostly a put on, so I'm VERY glad he's gone. I'm for (in this order) Laila, Apolo, Ian, and then Joey. Actually with this final 4 I really don't dislike any of them as I did in previous seasons.
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May 9, 2007 1:11 AM
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WHAT. THE. HECK! I cannot believe Joey was in the bottom two. To say that sucks is mild. This is my frustration about shows where viewers "vote". People invariably vote for those they "like" instead of those who are deserving. Jennifer, your blog highlights this ideal. Yes, Joey is cocky---but not anymore so than Laila. Did you not hear her talking about wanting to say goodbye to person after person until she is last standing? Is this not cockiness or arrogance? Some would say no, Laila is being competitive, but perhaps Joey's confidence is his competitive nature coming out. Not to mention the fact that Joey and Kym are far more endearing and approachable than many on this show.
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May 9, 2007 1:54 AM
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I think Laila has an air of cockiness about her too and when Joey was talking about cockiness, Laila was in the background agreeing that she was cocky instead. I do think she does great at the dancing, but I really don't want to see her win it. Joey is a great dancer, but let's not forget he did have experience some before the show. Not ballroom dancing, but he did perform dancing in front of a big audience and had some moves choreographed for shows obviously - he was with NSYNC. I would love to actually see Apolo and Ian in the finals and I wouldn't care who won it from those 2. I think they are both genuine and I think they get the most heat from the judges, especially Len, when actually I have been impressed with them every week! I think they're both down to earth and really deserve it. Plus I've had a major crush on Ian ever since 90210 and he looks the same as he does then!! Will he ever age???? LOL
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May 9, 2007 6:13 AM
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I love this show. I know it is a reality show. I know viewers have different tastes, however sometimes I get a little irritated reading justifications for people's dancing skills. It is becoming clear that Apollo is the best dancer. This show is about dancing, not who we love. I love Ian too. I have voted for him week to week because there were others who danced worse then him. But as previously mentioned, IT IS A DANCING CONTEST. please vote accordingly. To end on a nice note, this is the first time in this shows history where the final four dancers are the best dancers of the competition. yeah voters!!!
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May 9, 2007 7:45 AM
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Thank God Billy Ray is gone. He should have left way before Ratenburger.
Now it's down to 4 great dancers.
Some poster think Laila is too cocky. "Sorry, I don't think so. She kids around just the rest of the dancers. So don't even go there.
The final four are all great dancers... Won't be disappointed who wins now. Take that back, I want Apolo.
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May 9, 2007 7:54 AM
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I gotta say this and I don't care who catches an attitude.
#1. I loved both of Apolo and Julianes dances's Monday night but I don't think the Paso deserved a 30. She fell, they both did. While trying to catch her in that slide they both sort of fell over and caught the floor. As much as the judges are grinding on about this being the semi finals I am totally pissed none of them caught that. You could really tell b/c when the did the encore last night they executed it perfectly.
#2. To make a fuss about Laila's theatrics on her waltz was just spiteful. It was obvious that she was telling a story and it was totally for her dad that they choreographed that dance. Everyone, including other bloggers need to just lay off. Len needs an enema or something, he is just grumpy for no reason.
That all said (the blogs were too big by the time I got on yesterday), this was the most intense elimination round I have ever seen. When Ian and Cheryl got called safe I was stunned. I am glad they are staying but I was soo nervous for the other 3. Did you see the other dancers faces when Joey and Kym were called ? Cheryl looked so confused she didn't know where to put herself. But I think it is a good thing. Joey does tend to joke just a little too much and this may snap into the reality that if he wants it he has to shape up and really bring it, not that he hasn't. But the fans have spoken.
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May 9, 2007 8:29 AM
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Laila and Maks seem to match each other well as far as cockiness and egos go. They are good dancers but not the best.
Ian is lucky to have Cheryl because he's too stiff (dance-wise and personality-wise), and after winning the past 2 seasons Cheryl's fan base is probably as big or bigger than any of the "stars."
Joey is cocky, and too goofy for me. He's probably the second-best dancer though.
My vote: Apolo--earnest effort, hard working, low-key attitude, and a GREAT dancer. Also, his partner is adorable!
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May 9, 2007 8:31 AM
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Never doubt the power of 90210 fans. 
I agree, I think the final four are the best four in the competition. That makes me very happy, and should make for a great show next week!
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May 9, 2007 8:34 AM
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Now that I have had time to read the other blogs I have to agree with jlittlejohn a little (no pun intended  ). I think it should be up to Laila, Apolo and Ian only b/c Joey has an advantage. Yes ballroom is very different from the type of dancing he did w/NSYNC, but to my knowledge all of the others have no performing dance background. Ian (God bless him) obviously has no natural rhythm at all.
So far as cockiness, LET IT GO PEOPLE. These people, especially Laila have had to fight to be the best at what they do. Can you imagine being a woman boxer? Fighting to be taken seriously as the men? Especially w/who yo' daddy is?! Because no matter how great you are there will always be people who attribute your success to your father. I imagine it is just as hard for any child who follows in their father's or mother's foot steps if that parent were the very definition of success/legend.
They all want that ugly disco ball, They have spent 8 weeks thus far, putting their bodies and minds through the type of 'training' most of us can't imagine and still maintaining their other jobs. I think they are all entitled to a little cockiness.
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May 9, 2007 8:37 AM
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jerri36,
I saw the falls too and thought for sure they would be docked a point by each of the judges for three 9's instead of all 10's. Remember early in the season when Len would have given Ian a 10 but cited his footwork error at the end of the dance and gave him a 9 instead. As soon as Apolo and Julianne stumbled, I said, "There goes their would-be 10!" Wow, I was as surprised as you!
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May 9, 2007 8:37 AM
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teeveeguider, YES. I said the same thing to a co-worker, the judges made a big fuss about Ian miniscule foot work, which most viewers didn't even notice but that obvious fall w/Apolo & Juliane and they got a perfect 30?! So wrong.
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May 9, 2007 8:41 AM
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Season 1 had Joey McIntrye(sp) from NKOTB and he was very vocal about how his boy band days was very little help to him in the competition because they are so different. I'm not sure if it's that big of a help to Joey Fatone either. It's not like he was the star dancer of 'NSYNC either
You could also say that Laila and Apolo have big advantages since as athletes they were in the best shape and are used to the training required.
I was completely shocked when they said Ian and Cheryl were safe. I was so *sure* that it was going to be them and BR in the final two. When it was announced that they were safe, I suddenly panicked thinking they were going to send someone other than BR home. Thankfully they didn't.
To me it's a 3-way tie between Apolo, Joey and Laila, but Laila is faltering a little. If she doesn't step it up next week, put a bit more content and less gimmicks, I could see her going home.
Frankly, at this point, I would be happy to see any of them win. They have all done well, worked really hard, and are certainly giving their all.
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May 9, 2007 9:04 AM
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I'm so glad I was wrong. I was really afraid the "crap" remark would incite fans and BR would end up in for another week or so. Thankfully that didn't happen. I think the best four dancers have made it to the final four. That's good.
I was a little bit surprised about Joey. I've been thinking the finals would be Laila and Apolo but I expected Ian to leave before Joey. Now I'm not so sure.
About Apolo and Julianne and the "10". The did have a brief almost unnoticeable gaff which becomes more noticeable everytime you hit rewind. Technically they didn't deserve tens. BUT their dance was so superior to the dances done by both Joey and Laila that they totally did deserve the highest scores of the night(even with the mistake) and the judges had already given J & L nines and tens. In my opinion, Laila did a lovely job but her dance was very simple. She should have been given sevens or eights. I think the judges were overwhelmed with the sentiment of her dad being there and graded her too easy. That set the whole thing in motion because Joey deserved a higher score than Laila and Apolo deserved a higher score than Joey and by the time it trickled down to Apolo TENS were all that was left.
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May 9, 2007 9:05 AM
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I think the perfect 30 was because they were given an 8 by Len on the first dance which was totally wrong. How could Laila get a 9 for her dance and he was given an 8? I think even ogre Len knew he blew it with his score he gave them for the first dance and they made up for it by rewarding them with a 30.
I love Apolo, and hope he wins. He and Julianne are an adorable couple, and very talented. The choreography and execution have been top notch.
I think Joey is the second best dancer. I don't understand why people don't like that he jokes around. Out on the dance floor, there is no joking. He has worked as hard if not harder than anyone else. I do not agree about him having an advantage because of dancing experience. Ballroom is totally different.
Those are my top two picks, and my vote goes to Apolo to win.
Laila is a good dancer, but not a great dancer. She shuffles around a bit at times, and her arm movements are bad. Her turns are bad. I really think she's received a lot of unearned high marks, as the routines haven't been as difficult as Apolo and Joey.
I am all for a female winning - but not if it's fixed that she wins just because she's a woman. She hasn't earned the win.
Ian is trying too hard, and is definitely the weakest dancer of the bunch. I don't care what show he was on, this is not 90210; it is a dance contest. He just doesn't have any rhythm.
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May 9, 2007 9:08 AM
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