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« Dancing With the Stars
March 26, 2007: Second Chances
Last night our stars had a sort of second chance to make a first impression. Initially, I was against not having an elimination last week, but the judges commented that they were grateful for the chance to see everyone do both Latin and ballroom dances, and that is a good point — some people are simply better at one style than the other. OK, so they won me over with this new wait-a-week system.
So who benefited from this extra week? First and foremost, Billy Ray Cyrus. Wow, did he step it up. The judges crowned him “most improved” performer and it was a well deserved title. I enjoyed watching his performance; he was actually doing the quick step, and moving at a fast pace. Taking into account this turnaround and adding in his huge Hannah fanbase, I don’t think this cowboy will be exiting the dance floor just yet.
In addition to Billy Ray, Heather Mills also gained a lot from this part-two performance. Love her or hate her (she seems to inspire impassioned responses like no one else this season), I don’t think you can deny she gave a hell of a performance last night. That wasn’t simply a good dance for someone with an artificial leg, that was a good dance, period. First, there was the “back walkover” move where she did a sort of backward cartwheel over her partner — you really had to see it to get the full picture. But her routine wasn’t simply stunts — she had a lot of energetic hip movements throughout, and really let loose and got into the spirit of the mambo. And the flowing pants ensemble was kind of fun (it was an improvement over last’s week outfit).
As good as Heather’s mambo was, it was no match for Laila Ali’s. She truly seems like a natural out on that dance floor. She had the technique down and she brought out her sultry side. Simply put, Laila was great last week and she was great this week. With her consistent performances and top judges’ score, she seems to have emerged as the front-runner of this competition.
Nevertheless, this won’t be an easy knockout for Laila. http://www.tvguide.com/detail/celebrity.aspx?tvobjectid=221219">Apolo Anton Ohno and Joey Fatone are close on her tail. Apolo took the constructive criticism the judges gave him from last week’s good performance and managed to deliver a great performance last night. With smooth moves, he glided across the dance floor and held his frame. Joey also proved to be dependable in delivering a strong performance. Bruno did advise him to eliminate the “George Michael moves" as he calls them, and I do think it would be wise for Joey to play with his clownish side but not overindulge in it, as he risks becoming too much of a ham.
Meanwhile, Ian Ziering is at risk for becoming too much like a rabbit. The judges liked his performance for the most part, but found it a bit too “hoppy” and “skippy.” I agree with Carrie Ann’s assessment that Ian seems to have a lot of untapped potential that we have yet to see. I think the same is true of Clyde Drexler. He made the most of the judges’ advice to expand his moves and use all of the dance floor. Perhaps now that he's more comfortable dancing with his tall frame, he’ll be able to give an even looser performance next week.
Also slowly breaking out of her shell is Paulina Porizkova. She was working her hips in the mambo and had a playful sexiness out on the dance floor. If she gains more confidence perhaps she will be able to heed the judges’ advice to “let it go even more.” She had the confidence to attempt the death drop after all.
More cautious than Paulina were Leeza Gibbons and Shandi Finnessey (but unlike the male celebrities, these women have to dance in heels, so the caution is understandable). Birthday girl Leeza did seem to be having more fun out on the floor than she did last week, but something about the hesitation in her performance reminds me a lot of Tony’s partner from last season, Sara Evans. While she improved from last week, Shandi regressed a little in a difficult routine. The judges used phrases like “out of sorts” and “uncertainty” to describe her dancing. The best compliment she got was that she “looks great” — earning a top compliment for something other than dancing is not a good thing on this show. Similarly, John Ratzenberger was praised most for “selling” the performance. They seem to be pigeonholing him into the Jerry Springer category where style is valued over substance. I think he danced better last week, but I wouldn’t count him out just yet. That said, when you compute the highly difficult mathematical Dancing with the Stars formula of so-so dancing plus smaller fanbase, it appears you come up with the result of either Leeza or Shandi going home first. But who knows, I’ve been wrong with my calculations before.
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Mar 26, 2007 11:41 PM
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I wish Samantha Harris would just shut up! She's ruining this show for me with her blabbering on and on! I think from now on I'll just hit the mute button anytime she's on screen.
I thought doing a cartwheel or stunts like that was not aloud in the competition. Didn't they scold Mario and Joey last year for doing something like that? Unless the "back walkover" is a legitimate move in Mambo dancing.
But I have to agree, Heather did give a hell of a performance!
I was really impressed with Billy Ray Cyrus. He also gave a great performance! It looked like he was talking to Karina while he was dancing, or maybe he was singing the words to the song.
My favorites so far are Apolo Anton Ohno, Laila Ali and Joey Fatone. I also agree Joey needs to start getting serious and not act like the class clown all the time.
I really hope Clyde and his partner don't get eliminated. I want to see more of their dancing. He has that smile that reminds me of Emmit Smith.
I aslo think that either Leeza or Shandi will be going home. And if I look like Leeza when I'm fifty I'll be one happy camper.
BTW, is it just my T.V. or did everyone look like they spent a little too much time in the tanning bed. I'm talking about the Dancers, Samantha, the Judges. Talk about Oompah-loompa's.
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Mar 27, 2007 1:47 AM
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I was shocked with Heather Mills. My mouth dropped to the floor when I saw her do that "back walkover". Im still in shocked over it.
Im loving Laila. She was defianlty one of the best the night. Another of my favs was Apollo and Joey. And I agree that he needs to cut out that class clown routine. And what was with the coat tails.
And as for Billy Ray was he singing along while he was dancing?
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Mar 27, 2007 5:12 AM
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I'm agreeing with the posters so far.
Samantha Harris gets on my last nerve. Her dresses are pretty though. LOL
I loved Laila last week and more so this week. What a gorgeous, feisty woman.
I think Billy Ray was singing along, but it looked more like he was talking to his partner than anything else. I've noticed other dancers sing also.
I, too, was shocked at both Billy Ray and Heather. My husband didn't watch last week, but did this week, and when Billy Ray came on I told him to watch and see how bad he was....and then he wasn't so bad. As for Heather, her outfits are so icky, but this one was definitely better than last week. I think I remember them saying last season that their teacher/instructors have a lot of input on their outfits, so it may have nothing to do with her. What an improvement for both these dancers.....for everyone really.
I'm guess I'm most surprised at Shandi and have a feeling she might be going home.
I didn't bother to vote this week because I had such a heck of a time getting through last week, and not just because of busy signals. 30 minutes is not long enough after the show, plus they need to work on their phone system.
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Mar 27, 2007 5:44 AM
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I agree, either Leeza or Shandi leaves this week. DWTS fans are not keen on beauty queens or "I am woman - hear me roar" types of a certain age. Good call, Jennifer, on comparing Leeza to Sara Evans.
The extra week gave us time to fall a little in like with Billy Ray. He is sweet and funny, but still probably the worst dancer out there. However, his personality will buy him a week or two.
I admire Heather, and she has plenty of guts, but really, those costumes. That dress last week was the ugliest I have ever seen, and last night was not much of an improvement.
I am such a fan of Apolo. He is cute as a button and well-matched with his partner both in terms of personality and size. I thought their quickstep was extraordinary.
I also love Clyde, but he doesn't have the same kind of fire as Emmitt Smith or Jerry Rice. We know he is a competitor, but he needs to show it in his dancing.
I enjoy Joey. He is one of the most talented dancers, no question, but a little class clown goes a long way.
John Ratzenberger is in the same category as Billy Ray - not the best dancer but an appealing personality.
Ian - a little manic for my taste. Cheryl needs to sit him down for a rather serious talk.
Paulina Porizkova is a revelation in terms of her personality. I would expect her to present herself well. She should be around for a while.
Finally Laila. I agree she is emerging as the frontrunner. She is a serious athlete who knows how to have fun. I thoroughly enjoy her interaction with Max - about time he had a partner to take him down a notch. I do think that Laila needs to keep reminding us that she is a girly-girl, as she put it when she appeared on Ellen. She is so big and strong, and her voice so deep. What a great role model in this age of anorexic party girls with no particular job.
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Mar 27, 2007 8:05 AM
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I think Apolo and Laila each have a new career after their retirements.
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Mar 27, 2007 8:36 AM
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Looking over everyone's blogs so far I agree, Laila, Antone, Joey and Ian so far as the top 4. I just wish Ian would relax. I think his tension may be in part due that he is dancing w/Cheryl and she is a 2 time winner and the fact that even he himself says he has no natural ability.
http://community.tvguide.com/forum.jspa?forumID=%20800044336
Check out his blog. You can also see Tony and Cheryl's blogs under Celebrity Blogs.
Shandi really annoyed me. In the rehearsal and on the dance floor. I can understand being uncomfortable to be that sexy w/some one who is younger and shorter than you but he is the professional and I think she should have straightened up and tried harder.
Funny that no one thought Paulina would be one of the ones to go home. I like her and her quirky personality but I think of her, Leeza and maybe Clyde and Shandi as the bottom 4.
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Mar 27, 2007 8:57 AM
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Ocean, I was surprised to see Heather do a cartwheel, I thought the judges would ream her for it. I wonder if they are giving her a little slack b/c of her disability?
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Mar 27, 2007 9:06 AM
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Everyone is my house is an interactive viewer - meaning, we blabber on and on to each other about performances, etc. but never have we clapped because someone did so well - until last night and Billy Ray got the applause!
We were so surprised - he was good. Not so-so, not well, that was better. He was good.
Our faves to make the finale are Laila, Joey and Apolo ... but I'd like to see a woman take it this year so I'm picking Laila!
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Mar 27, 2007 9:14 AM
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For the poster upstream, the phone lines open right at the beginning of the show, they keep them open an extra half-hour. I believe the phone numbers for each contestant will be the same throughout the competition -- this way you can vote throughout the show. Also, you can only vote 11 times per phone line and you can also vote online. I did not have a problem at all getting through for my votes.
As for last night's show, Apolo and Joey are my favorite guys and Laila Ali is just SO AWESOME. I think this year we may see a woman take the prize. Go Laila -- float like a butterfly, dance like a swan!!
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Mar 27, 2007 9:51 AM
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Joey is good, though I expected him to be. Apolo...I already liked him before the competition so I am a little biased in my opinion of him, I love him of course BUT Laila Ali, wow. She is so beautiful and she rocked the dance floor and you can tell she is having fun doing it. LOVEher! I hope she goes all the way...
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Mar 27, 2007 10:09 AM
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ocean...they spray the tans on. On one of the elimination shows last season, they had a segment about that. If they had less chitchat, we could probably get more info about things like that.
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Mar 27, 2007 10:26 AM
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loving laila, joey, even heather..and clyde just makes me smile!
but i actually feel bad for shandi..did you notice how the judges kept saying their routing was very tough? i'm getting the feeling that her partner is more interested in showing HIMSELF off than making her look good. aah-noy-ing
oh, and the female host? what's her name? i never pay attention, because i'm always distracted by the amount of body-shimmer-bronzer stuff they've got on her shoulders..lol! her face is normal, & her body GLOWS..lol!
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Mar 27, 2007 10:32 AM
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I think Apollo's dance was the best dance EVER performed on DWTS. And, I'm talking all four seasons. They were just incredible. In my mind he became the one to beat last night. He and his partner are young, gorgeous, very charismatic and if they keep up that level of performance I think they'll end up with that ugly trophy and I'll end up losing my perfect record for naming the winner after the first show. I said last week Ian or Joey. Those two are in my final four, along with Laila, but none of them came close, in my opinion, to Apollo and his partner.
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Mar 27, 2007 10:34 AM
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What a difference a week makes! Billy Ray was awesome! He must have quite a competitive streak and couldn't stand the negative commentary from his first try.
Missed Apolo's dance  [long winded grocery store clerk yammering on about his dogs and cats just because I had to venture into his domain in the petfood aisle  ]but from the judges reaction it appears he did very well again this week.
I agree that Paulina, Leeza, Shandi and John are on about the same level and will be leaving early on. Shandi probably tonight. Too bad, her professional is new this season so it will suck if he has to leave right off the bat.
OK, I'm a Paul fan through and through and really wanted Heather gone the first week, but I have to be fair. This girl can dance and is obviously working very hard so regardless of our personal biases we should all judge her on her dancing and keep her around awhile. But eventually, I may have to help toss her on the basis of the outfits
Ian was OK this week, but he just appears so nervous, Joey Fatone is quite good and I didn't have a problem with the little weird dancing. it looked like it was part of the dance, he was supposed to be the dork and she wanted a suave dancer.
Laila is by far my favorite this season and I've never seen Max behave this way with any partner he's had in seasons past. He is practically giddy. Methinks he has a slight crush on big, powerful Laila. Whatever it is, it is nice to see him cheerful as he had a tendency toward scowling in the past.
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Mar 27, 2007 10:40 AM
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