(S04E07) They opened the show tonight by naming Apolo and Joey as the standouts. I think they have it right on that one. Ian and Laila have the stuff to get themselves back in contention, but as we sit now, Apolo and Joey are a step ahead of everyone else. Two steps in front of a few people. When it came time to pick the encore, Len credited Ian, Apolo, and Heather as having great performances the night before, but the encore went to Joey & Kym. It was a good choice. They were the best of the night, and their paso doble was just as good the second time around. They were followed up by the first musical performance of the night.
Big and Rich came out to perform "Save a horse, ride a cowboy." I don't count myself as a Big and Rich fan, but that is a great song. Tony, Cheryl, Edyta, and Alex joined in to put on a show. It was all shaping up to be a very good number. Then, about half way through the song, all of a sudden season two champion Drew Lachey joined in the fun. He teamed up with his former partner, Cheryl, to show off a bit of one of their championship winning dances. It was a very well done segment.
It wasn't a surprise that most of the audience reactions had to do with the judging. The fans were mixed on the harsher judging. Some thought they went too far, while others were happy to see them taking a more active role. That led to the announcement of the first two safe couples. Billy Ray & Karina will be back for another go. And they will be joined by Apolo & Julianne.
The cast from Notes From The Underbelly were in attendance. Their show premieres Thursday, but tonight they got to watch a pretty nice samba performed by Andre and Elena. I wasn't crazy about that mess of feathers hanging off the left side of her dress, but it was a fantastic dance. It should make for a fun time next week. I'm hoping Laila does the samba. That could be the dance that vaults her right back into the middle of this whole thing.
Samantha announced that she is going to have a baby and then they lost me with all the juggling balls talk. Honestly, I don't really care if Clyde needs to be in China tomorrow, or Billy Ray is getting ready to start shooting Hanna Montana next week. If their schedules are so jam packed, why did they agree to do the show? Probably because, "It's not hard" to ballroom dance. At least, that's how Clyde put it in his interview. Is Clyde rubbing anyone else the wrong way with his attitude?
Along with the samba, next week half of the couples will be doing the rumba. Jimmy Kimmel and Guillermo return to explain "the woman's dance." They had a couple funny moments, particularly Guillermo's Beavis and Butthead reaction to Jimmy saying "balls." At the end of the day though, isn't this the same bit every week?
Luckily, Brian and Julianne came out to show off their version of the rumba. Big and Rich joined in with their new song "Lost in this moment." The song wasn't as good as their earlier one, but the dance was very well done. The pro performances are what make the results show worth watching.
Before we could get to the goods, there were two pre-taped packages to watch. The judges explained what it is they are looking for in a dancer. It was an interesting look at some of the things they are watching for. After that, two more couples got the good news. Laila & Max are through to the next round. And in the first surprise of the night, Clyde & Elena are not in the bottom two. There must really be a lot of Clyde fans out there. This could get interesting.
That was followed up by a piece explaining a little more about what the pros have to do behind the scenes to prepare for each performance. It wasn't bad, but I think a more interesting angle would have been to look at how some of the pros are able to choreograph the dances to their partners strengths. I think Heather, in particular, is really benefiting from the fact that Jonathan really understands how to show her off while protecting her from mistakes.
And finally, down to business. Joey & Kym are moving on. They'll be joined by Ian & Cheryl. Heather & Jonathan are the last couple to get a pass, leaving Leeza & Tony standing in the red light with John & Edyta. I really thought Clyde should have been there, but it's understandable how these two teams ended up in the bottom. In the end, Leeza is going home. It's maybe a week or two early for her to exit, but it was clear that she wasn't going to challenge for the crown. She gave a nice exit speech and we can put another week of dancing in the books. 
Overall, this was a pretty good results show. It got a little slow with the pre-taped packages at moments, but the surprise appearance of Drew, combined with some great dance numbers from the pros made it a solid hour. I'm calling this one a 5, out of 7.
Erin will be back next week as the stars tackle the samba and the rumba. And, don't forget to vote for your favorite celebrity dancer in AOL's poll!
The Upfronts: FOX
Carter Bays of How I Met Your Mother: The TV Squad Interview
The Upfronts: CBS
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-11-2007 @ 6:31AM
Bobbie said...
I do not understand why Heather is still on the show, it's just because it is who she is and wow she is the ugliest one that has ever been on that show. Please please send her home
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 6:34AM
Robert L said...
What is Clyde still doing on the show?
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 7:14AM
neville said...
cause clyde is one of the rgeatest basketball players so he can move his feet
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 7:25AM
Windsor said...
I'm happy to see that Joey is doing so well. I was a fan back in the days on NYSNC and back then he wasn't the best dancer. He has certainly gotten alot better.
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 8:46AM
Wendi said...
The finale should come down to Joey and Apolo. They are in a league of their own.
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 8:57AM
vince said...
I cannot believe the music selections for some of the paso dobles!!!!!Only two got good spanish paso doble music. Shame on the music selectors! The music can make or breake the dancers.
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 10:15AM
vince said...
Shame on those who selected the music for the paso doble! Only two got real spanish music to dance to. How can you expect someone to dance paso doble to some that stuff they played? The music can make or break the dancers.
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 10:45AM
Fl Chick said...
I think it is harder to do well on DWTS if you are a woman. The women's role in the dances has much more to it than the man's. The males celebrities have an easier time learning their parts than the women do.
Proof in the pudding? The first three eliminations were women. Plus - I haven't followed the show much 'til this year - but I'm pretty sure men have won two years in a row.
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 10:50AM
Wanda said...
I stopped watching last week. I feel the same way about this show as I did about "Survivor." The first few seasons were good and then it was all downhill from there. The shine is off the apple.It's just like this idiotic American Idol season that keeps allowing that no-talent Sanjaya to stick around. The entertainment value in all these reality show/contests is questionable. I,for one have gone back to watching good, scripted drama.
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 10:51AM
Wanda said...
I stopped watching last week. I feel the same way about this show as I did about "Survivor." The first few seasons were good and then it was all downhill from there. The shine is off the apple.It's just like this idiotic American Idol season that keeps allowing that no-talent Sanjaya to stick around. The entertainment value in all these reality show/contests is questionable. I,for one have gone back to watching good, scripted drama.
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 10:53AM
Jeff said...
I'm not a Heather champion, but she's not the worst dancer on the show and so deserves to stay. Clyde may have been a basketball great, but he's not a great dancer. I don't recall which judge said it, but it looks like he's doing the same dance every week. All he's doing is moving his feet in different steps. After that hot mambo, I thought Laila was going to be the standout this season, but she seems to have run out of steam with the last two dull dances. Ian can't seem to catch a break after that Jive misstep. The judges seem to really be watching closely.
I'm another who would like to know how the music is chosen. Is it like American Idol, where they are given a list of songs and they pick from it? I didn't notice if the segment on what's involved with preparation included choosing the music. One would think that the professional dancer, who choreographs the routine, would be the one to choose the music, unless they are given the music and must choreograph from there and make the best of it.
We didn't recognize Drew at first (glad he took off his hat), but thouroughly enjoyed his part in the show. I think the judges appreciated what he said about listening to their critiques. The dancers who do that seem to be the ones who don't make the smart-aleck remarks and are really improving.
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 11:33AM
JoAnn said...
I love Clyde! Granted, he's not the best dancer, but there's something about him that makes you want him to stay! I think his and John's numbers will be up in the next two weeks, though. Leeza is nice and all, but her dancing is rather boring. I'm SO glad Billy Ray is staying! He seemed genuinely surprised at the judges praises. I really love how he is trying so hard, and how honest he is about his dancing ability. I think he really has improved. I agree with the person who talked about the music choices. Some of the choices are horrible, and I can see how it would be difficult to get in the feel of the dance when the music doesn't fit.
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 5:10PM
Alfonso the shoeman said...
Hey, Joanne (12), I agree with just about all you have to say, except perhaps your fondness for Clyde. Nice guy, maybe, but dancer, no darn way. Yep, he and our friend from Cheers should be the next two out.
You' re right, the music choices have been really, really bad this year -- too many efforts to go with songs people will recognize easily, rather than, heaven forbid, better selections that might stretch the audience's knowledge.
Drew's return last night helped highlight the mediocrity of this year's roster. In previous years, we had some REAL TOUGH competitions among truly excellent contestants: just think back to last year, the Emmitt/Mario match-up, with Joey and others nipping at their heels.
Part of the problem this year: the contestants really aren't putting in the time. Clyde's off to China, for gosh sakes!
Last night, aside from a couple of decent instances, was truly painful to watch... like something out of a Week Four program for beginners at Arthur Murray Studios. Have any of this year's crop come even close to Emmitt, or Mario, or Drew, or... well, you get the picture. No wonder the judges are starting to panic.
And, by the way, I couldn't get over how offended John and Clyde seemed by the judges' comments. I saw too much ego at work there; hey, guys, put aside the pride, and watch yourselves in the mirror. I've tried dance lessons, and I truly suck big time, but at least I admit it. I don't try to use my huge personal popularity (as an orthopedic shoe salesman) to try and pretend otherwise.
Final thing: kudos to Billy Rae and Heather. I think they are both busting their humps to get better. Time for Madame Ali, one of the best, to follow their example.
Reply
4-11-2007 @ 5:36PM
RR said...
WOW! That country music bit by the pros was hot, hot, hot. The women, yi,yi, yi, and the guys -- I'm gonna get me some cowboy boots and start struttin' around with my thumbs hooked in my belt.
The hillbilly singers were pretty darn good too.
Reply
4-12-2007 @ 1:04AM
Margo said...
Clyde is this show's Sanjaya. Totally.
Reply
4-12-2007 @ 9:39AM
Richard said...
I can’t believe it! Leeza leaves and “Klem Kaddidal Hopper”, sorry I mean “Clyde The Clomper”, "The Flat Footed Non Dancer", STAYS!!! A great basketball star, but a Dancer he’s NOT!!! The worst score the judges have ever given and he is still voted back. Something is wrong with the voting on this show, it is suposed to be for dancing not just if people like you. I'm done watching this show!!!
Reply
4-12-2007 @ 6:31PM
Tobe said...
Comparing Clyde to Sanjaya is a total insult -- to Sanjaya.
Reply
4-12-2007 @ 6:46PM
manny said...
all you Clyd fans. your making your guy a laffing stock.
Reply
4-12-2007 @ 6:51PM
Randyandy said...
Oooooh. Those cowpokes can lasso me anytime.
Reply
4-12-2007 @ 6:52PM
rbee said...
neville. u say clyde can move his feet. so look above the ankles dude, the rest of his act sucks.
and the cheers guy should jus go home.
Reply