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« Dancing With the Stars
April 23, 2007: All the World's a Stage
Let’s jump right to the highlight of the night: the group swing was 100 percent fun, perhaps the best group dance that involved the celebrities in the past four seasons of Dancing with the Stars. Everyone was so into the performance that the energy was contagious. Even more impressive was how well they gelled as a group (even Heather and Jonathan, who missed the group practice). The couples all played to their strengths (e.g., Ian and Cheryl did back-to-back lifts, while Laila tossed Max aside and carried Apolo), and no one upstaged the others. Plus they all got into character and pulled off the cute little theatrical moments, such as Joey and Ian’s mock fight and the ladies all fawning over Billy Ray.
Theatrics wound up playing a big part in many of the dances last night, a night in which the judges really emphasized the importance of performance. No one learned this lesson harder than Ian, who said that he was going to try to focus more on performance than technique this week in his paso doble. Cheryl explained to him that this was a love/hate dance, so he channeled his inner Shannen Doherty and assumed a kind of pissed-off look to get into the bullfighter character. Unfortunately, this didn’t work for him (nor did having Andrea Zuckerman in the audience for support), as his bullfighter lacked fire. The judges gave him some harsh feedback, telling him basically the same thing for weeks now: You have a lot of promise that you’re not fulfilling; you overemphasize technique and don’t come alive on the dance floor. I have to agree with them. He’s got some good hip and foot action, but I’ve been waiting for him to really shine for awhile and it hasn’t happened yet. Carrie Ann gave him the oddest yet best advice: Watch Billy Ray — not for his technique, but for the joy and truth that comes out of his dancing.
Speaking of Billy Ray, the cowboy was back in top form (top form for him, that is). After last week’s sleepy performance, his feet were moving fast and furious in his jive. Karina finally realized that he’s not the next Mario and she won’t be getting any 10s this season, so she choreographed a performance that played down technique and played up fun. It worked, and their dance was cute and lively. Bruno pointed out that they had some of the correct jive steps, while Carrie Ann noted they made up some of their own moves. Karina was hoping to appeal to the audience, but for the most part, it impressed the judges as well. (Bruno happily rhymed, “You’re going the right way, Billy Ray.”) Nevertheless, a desired score of 8 still eludes him.
Like Billy Ray, John also pulled off a cute performance. True, he got some animal comparisons, such as Len’s “ruptured duck” comment. I can’t quite picture what Len was talking about, but Carrie was right on the money when she described John as a “little dancing teddy bear.” He has this one signature move that he does a lot, and with his round shape, he looks sort of like Winnie the Pooh dancing. It’s not fancy, and it’s not proper ballroom technique, but it makes for enjoyable television. (Oh, and that other teddy bear Norm was in the house to support his bar buddy.)
Not to be outdone by the others’ theatrics, Joey, the master of ham, was back adding some silly moves to his playful samba, and it worked. He was mouthing the words to his song (actually, several of the celebrities were doing that this week) in an energized performance Len described as “swashbuckling.” Carrie Ann again captured the essence of the performer when she said, “you’re insane, and that reads well” into the performance. However, unlike most of those above, Joey also received praise for technique and improved posture.
While Joey went for comedy, Heather went for drama. She got into character for her paso doble and mouthed some of the words to “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.” She received praise (once again) for attempting more tricks than anyone else, and criticism (once again) for not polishing the upper half of her body. She is consistent. I fear she’s starting to follow Ian’s example of showing that she’s overthinking her moves. But to be fair, Heather and Ian both were assigned one of the more serious dances of the night, while most others had peppier numbers.
Meanwhile, Laila and Apolo did some of the sultriest moves of the night. Glitzy Laila, decked out in gold, got comparisons to Tina Turner with her sexy cha-cha. She convinced Max to add some of her own funky choreography to their dance which gave it a distinctive flair, but Len didn’t like her input. Still, she continued her climb back up the scoreboard, while Apolo held steady at the top. He was worried that he and Julianne wouldn’t be able to transform their brother-sister vibe into something sexier on the dance floor, but Julianne’s real brother (also a dancer), said he’d been in the same situation (with his actual sister!) and convinced Apolo that it could be done. Their rumba sizzled, and they got praise for their creative moves: Julianne continues to impress — there have been a lot of splits done on this show, but she did one last night that then went immediately into shifting her one leg up into the air... you just had to see it. Len did feel they were a bit too theatrical, yet earlier he praised Heather for being dramatic. He’s a hard one to please.
As we come full circle with the theatrics, let’s not forget Samatha’s impressive performance as a clairvoyant, revealing Laila’s score before the judges held up their paddles. (I'm at a loss for words with this....) Yet the real drama will occur when two stars go under the dreaded red light Tuesday night. It will be hard to see one of these celebrities go, as the ones left are all really trying. Sure, there are some dancing really well and a few relying heavily on selling fun performances, but all of them at this point are pretty enjoyable to watch. John and Billy Ray have the lowest scores, while Ian and Heather aren’t following the judges’ advice enough and are therefore slipping. My guess: Heather and John will find themselves in the bottom two.
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Apr 24, 2007 12:29 AM
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That Samantha, what a dingbat! Luckily she explained how she knew the scores before viewers could call in and accuse the show of rigging the results.
Len does get a little schizo with his critiques, but I think he doesn't like to hurt Heather's feelings.
I beginning to think that it's Apolo's contest to lose.
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Apr 24, 2007 3:31 AM
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Glad you noticed both George Wendt and Gabrielle Carteris (who I almost missed because of her dyed blond hair). The judges seemed all over the place in their criticisms with Len especially in his Simon Cowell-grumpy mood. Nice to see Carrie Ann contrast nicely with her Paula Abdul-cheeriness (though she often makes more sense than Paula). Unlike many posters, I like Samantha though I can't help think her pregnancy is making her a little more absent-minded than before with that almost revealing of Laila and Maxim's results before the scores were posted! Way looking forward to Joss Stone tommorow night. Oh, and I hope John stays through next week.
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Apr 24, 2007 4:28 AM
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I think Ian Ziering is enjoyable to watch. I have a theory, abc/judges are attempting three-peat prevention. I agree with other posters that at this point I do not want to see anyone go, but I think we as layman should not undercut the value of technicalities. Billy Ray and John are making up steps. One of them should go.
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Apr 24, 2007 6:44 AM
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Funniest bit of the night:
when the swing teacher asked who was the strongest guy and Laila raised her hand.
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Apr 24, 2007 8:13 AM
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I was torn between DWTS and Heroes so I will have to watch the rest of DWTS on the abc website. I loved Laila and Maksim's rehearsal time. Maksim promised to bring it if Laila did and I am sorry but I LOVED her butterfly!! She looked so happy doing her dance this week, it was the first time I have seen her really enjoy herself.
Poor Ian, he has GOT to relax ! He would be just awesome if he could only relax in his face.
Everyone seemed to really be having fun this week doing their dances. I really liked Joey and Kym.
Time to go vote. 
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Apr 24, 2007 9:04 AM
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I did not get to watch the whole show tonight but I enjoyed what I saw. I really enjoy watch Apolo dance. He and his partner are such a good match. I think Ian has good moves but it always looks like he is counting in his head and he is a little stiff but I really like him. I hope either Heather or John leave tonight even though I like John someone has to go..I am really enjoying the dancing this year.
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Apr 24, 2007 9:13 AM
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Man, I absoultly enjoyed last night's performance. That Julianne and Appolo are just off the chain. Man that split followed by raising of the leg, don't try that at home folks. I also loved Laila and Max's performance. I laughed when she added the extra dance steps. That old judge just didn't get it. I wish he lighten up and see that these people are not professional dancers, just Stars having fun with what they learned. Ian and Cheryl were great. Man, that Cheryl can teach anybody to dance. She is one tough cookie.
I just love watching John dance. He reminds me of my father dancing around the house with his daughters. I never get what the judges are talking about with his performance.
Billy Ray. Is it just me or has anyone notice that he never moves his feet? I think it's time for Hanna Montanna's dad to call it quicks.
Man, Samatha blew it with saying the scores before hand. Would love to be a fly on the wall at that staff meeting.
Man I hate I am going to miss the results show and I love Joss Stone.
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Apr 24, 2007 9:13 AM
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Here is the thing about her saying the score, She said they got a 30 but the only got a 28. For one minute I got really happy and then I realized we hadn't actually seen the judges give the scores. And did you see Bruno's face. He was so disbelieving that the others did not give Laila and Mak 10's too.
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Apr 24, 2007 9:40 AM
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So much fun last night. Really loved the group dance. I think it's going to be between Laila and Apolo. I can't decide who should win.
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Apr 24, 2007 9:52 AM
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as far as samatha's comment about the score
she said they had a 28...they must tell her in her ear so she doesnt have to add it up in her head.....when the judges reveal their scores.
as for the dancing,
apolo is awesome
joey is so appealing
laila tries so hard and is great but when speaking personally she is starting to come across as condescending and stuck on her self, thats getting old......
billy ray, please what can we expect, he doesnt look like he is trying as hard as they give him credit for, while i like him as a singer and my kids love hannah montanna, he really doesnt want tobe there, his comment last night he wants an 8 for his girls so he can go home, or something to that effect...
john ! he is adorable! nuff said
heather is ok, she tries very hard
ian, sorry he is too stressed and intense for me, i wish he would chill, listen to the judges he might do better.
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Apr 24, 2007 10:13 AM
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I thought this was a great show overall last night. My favorites are Laila and Max along with Apolo and Julianne. Joey is fun to watch but is a bit to hokey for me to want to see him in the finals.
I think John and Heather will be the bottom two. Honestly, I hope Heather goes because she bores me. John at least looks like he is having fun out there and is much more entertaining then Heather.
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Apr 24, 2007 10:28 AM
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The show was so much better without Clyde.
Karina had to dumb down the jive for BR. He should have gotten much lower scores. He didn't do the necessary footwork. This isn't freestyle. He was supposed to do certain elements and didn't so he should have been penalized more than someone who tried to do the elements and didn't execute them well.
Maybe Cheryl should dumb down Ian's routines as well. 
John is not doing well. And he doesn't look like he is losing weight, which he should.
Laila was good. She is very competitive and has high standards for herself.
Heather did a good job.
I wish Ian had done better. I really felt bad for him when he got the judges' comments. I think he really tried. I don't think Cheryl will 3-peat.
I really enjoyed the swing dance and tape of the group practice. Laila throwing Apolo was so funny. She is so much taller than him anyway. I think Heather and Jonathan did a great job even though they weren't at the group practice.
John or BR should go home tonight, but I think BR has a lot of people voting for him, unfortunately. I wouldn't be surprised if Ian is in the bottom 2.
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Apr 24, 2007 10:29 AM
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And Carrie Ann, I am in no way "addicted" to BR. Please...give me a break.
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Apr 24, 2007 11:05 AM
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I have to disagree with the judges and the fans. Apolo is not that good and certainly did NOT deserve 3 10's last week, that was absurd. He and Julieanne are an adorable couple strictly because they are both young and the same size. She is a magnificent dancer but he just is not cutting it with me. Laila and Joey are the best dancers of the competition, to me, Apolo is on the same page as Ian. He tries very hard but he is no Joey Fatone.
If people would stop voting for Billy Ray just because he's on a famous kid show, we could give him what he wants, a ticket home! The guy doesn't want to be there anymore and he said it last night. It just ticks me off that John and Heather who want to be there and try their darndest every week will go home before him, wish the judges scores made more of an impact!
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Apr 24, 2007 11:09 AM
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