(S04E11) ABC brought George Lopez back out of mothballs this week, so there was no 8:00 recap show. Instead, Tom and Samantha ran through the performances quickly at the beginning of the show. The best part of that was seeing Ian's reaction to the judge's comments last night. Much like many of the readers here, Ian didn't really understand where they were coming from. It's a good point, and something that seems to happen every season. For whatever reason, the judges get a burr under their saddle and just go after one of the better contestants, while soft-pedaling some of the lesser routines. His best course of action is to move along and know that he's in good company.
After the recap, it was time for the encore. I was actually expecting Laila and Maksim to get it. The choice of the group swing for the encore was a good one though. It's a fun number and it was good to see everyone get to participate.
The musical guest this week was Joss Stone. I was sold on this results show as soon as I heard that she would be performing. She's one of my favorites, and didn't disappoint. Her voice was great, as usual, and the dance put on by Tony, Elena, Julianne, and Eric was very good. Tony and Elena are always fun to watch, but I think Julianne and her brother stole the show. I don't think there are any spots opening for the male pros any time soon, but should there be, Eric would seem to be up to the challenge.
The audience comments, featuring J.C. from NSYNC, George Lopez, George Wendt, and Gabrielle Carteris (who is 46 now!) from 90210 was next. As expected, there was a lot of questioning of the judges comments regarding Ian & Cheryl. That led to the first results of the night. Surprising nobody, Apolo & Julianne will be joining Laila & Maksim next week.
Just in time for the release of the DVD, the cast of Dreamgirls stopped by to perform "Steppin' to the bad side." That was quite a production. Lots of great dancing and a really good song. It was the best advertisement they could have done for the DVD, and a nice treat for viewers tuning in to catch the results show.
I haven't been a big fan of the Jimmy Kimmel segments this season, but he was back again this week to talk about the fox trot, the Rolls-Royce of dance. The setup was much like all the other segments, but I did like the payoff this week with the shoddy editing inserting Jonathan and a partner as stand-ins for Jimmy and Guillermo.
Joss Stone came back to perform her new single, "Tell me about it." No dancers this time, just Joss and three backup singers on the stage. It was another very good performance, but then I could listen to her sing all day, so I'm a little biased on that one. She is my favorite musical guest of the season.
Her number was followed by what was probably the weakest part of this episode, the pre-recorded package about how the dancers are going crazy this far into the competition. We see so much of this behind the scenes stuff that it is all starting to run together. Much of the segment felt like I had seen it before. Not horrible, but it really pales when compared to the big performances.
Tom and Samantha came back to announce that Joey & Kym will be back next week, but John & Edyta were in the bottom two. After one last package about the pre-show preparations of the contestants, it was finally time to get down to serious business. With Billy Ray & Karina and Ian & Cheryl safe, Heather and Jonathan were the other team in the bottom two.
In the end, Heather & Jonathan were sent home. I don't think that was much of a surprise, and I fully expect John & Edyta to be eliminated next week. And that's where things will really get interesting. Is the Billy Ray fan base big enough to push him into the top four? It should be interesting to watch.
Joss Stone and the Dreamgirls cast were excellent, but the show did drag a little with the package heavy second half. Still a pretty good hour. I'm giving it a 5, out of 7. Erin will be back next week. Don't forget to vote for your favorite celebrity dancer in AOL's poll!















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-25-2007 @ 7:20AM
AngELL-Love said...
The judges were way harsh with Heather....
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4-25-2007 @ 7:28AM
AngELL-Love said...
No woman has ever won...why would women want to compete on this show? All but Layla have already been voted off, and Layla is FAR from your average woman....a big part of the love affair with her is her link to Ali greatness...
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4-25-2007 @ 7:41AM
connie said...
the winner of the first danceing was a woman
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4-25-2007 @ 7:41AM
ellen said...
I could not stand to look at Heather MIlls for one more week and am glad she is gone. But that is not why I am writing...I am writing this one time to say that Joss Stone was the HIT of the show! She is far above any entertainer I have heard in YEARS--EXCEPTIONAL...What a treat it was to listen to and watch her!
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4-25-2007 @ 7:55AM
J Hobson said...
glad Heather is gone
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4-25-2007 @ 7:57AM
grumpyoldman said...
What the heck is a Joss Stone and why was that on my TV last night? That was as bad as that Macy Gray crap last week.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:30AM
Tom said...
I agree, Joss Stone was a waste; Although not a Heather fan, she's certainly a better dancer than Billy Ray (who isn't?); someone has to block those hillbilly supporters of his from voting;
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4-25-2007 @ 7:02PM
Frank said...
It's a shame that someone who truly cares about the concept of the show and gives everything to the dance can be voted off the show. Heather showed more courage and grace on one leg than most of us with two can ever muster. Instead we're left with that numbskull, no talent, backwoods lamebrain who can't sing, can't act, and sure as hell can't dance. At the very least, we didn't have to spend the time this week staring at his nipples in a purple shirt...scary stuff that!!!
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4-25-2007 @ 8:31AM
Diane said...
I think all the dancers are doing a great job. They are really trying hard. I think Heather has the best spirit and is the most supportive competitor. She was in the bottom 2 and she knew she was going to go. She never ever claimed to be the best. She only wanted to raise money for her charity. She also showed alot of kids and adults with disabilities that life is not over because a traumatic accident or birth defect happens in your life. What Heather has shown is that if you believe in yourself anything is possible if you only try. I don't believe her fall was a fake or scheme for votes. I was a dancer and the first thing they teach you even when your little is never let the audience now you made a mistake. Keep on dancing and smiling. Well Heather did just that. She has the best attitude. She never claimed to be the best. She was there for her charity. She gave respect to everyone who did anything for the show which no one has ever done. That in my book shows she is a team player and a winner.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:38AM
tanya said...
It will be interesting to see who the country fans will vote for when and if Billy Ray is eliminated. They have a lot of power if they vote together. We know they are loyal to him and vote every week. Similar to Sanjaya, there is another huge bloc of voters who may be divided up. Good luck Billy Ray, not a great dancer with a great fans.
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4-25-2007 @ 8:59AM
Kathy said...
Thank God, Heather is gone! I feel bad for Jonathan though, they always stick him with some no talent dancer because one of his strengths is making the female partner look good.BOO! Give Jonathan better partners,he is a fabulous dancer and easy on the eyes too! I was surprised when they said that the dresses are designed for the competitors...Heather's dresses were horribly ugly and I guess the costumers didn't like her any better than the rest of us or maybe it was just British bad taste.Now if we could just get rid of Billy Ray... and his self promotion ....I hate to speak badly of John Ratzenberger,he's trying his best and had the good taste to ask permission to mention his new book...a class act! We are looking forward to next week!
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4-25-2007 @ 8:47AM
Dina said...
I am glad that Heather finally is off the show. I think John will be next and then Billy Ray. Sorry Cheryl didn't get to do a three peat but she needed a better dance partner; not to say Ian isn't good but he is not Drew or Emmitt. I'm wondering how they are going to do the finale because they have Laila, Joey and Apolo. I still think Laila is the one to beat.
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4-25-2007 @ 1:49PM
Regina said...
Billy Ray is a good sport to try and he gives it his all...by the way it isn't 'hillbilly' it's 'Country Western' and it's COOL. Comment
#7 could you do any better??? Regina
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4-25-2007 @ 9:23AM
Lori said...
I agree with all of you when it comes to "Heather Mills" she showed such devotion, and class and most of all courage, she let the whole world know that nothing could keep her down. Look at the traveling she did, and still tried so hard to make it.
I knew she would not win the competetion but I admire her and will always have respect, she inspired me. And to conclude, this competition is all about popularity, I think Apollo is great but it is just as last years the football fans that voted, you have to understand that people are going to stay loyal to their favorite person whether they can dance or not. so at this point you have country fans, you have sports fans and you have fans of Tv shows, and of course Joey, heck look at last year with Drew lachey? he could dance but think his big brother had anything to do with it??
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4-25-2007 @ 8:56AM
DENISE said...
I am disappointed with the results show because they knocked off someone that was trying their hardest to win and they leave someone that does not show any interest in dancing at all i am talking about Billy Ray he should have been knocked off he doesnt attempt the dance it is like all he does is stand there and let his partner do the work he should have been knocked off and not Heather at least she gave her all.
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4-25-2007 @ 9:06AM
Sophie said...
I'm not sorry to see Heather go, although I do think Billy Ray should have gone first. I was sick of Heather getting away with things the other dancers never would have. Those backflips were against the rules in both dances, yet she received praise for them when others got slammed for breaking the rules (Laila/Max Tango anyone?). After a while, all the gushing from the judges was simply ridiculous. None of them wanted to be the one to give her a bad score, so it was left to the audience to vote her off. In this case, it worked. John deserved to stay far more than Heather.
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4-25-2007 @ 9:10AM
Monique said...
Finally shes gone. SHe was so borign to watch and monday nights show she looked like a Man.
I also think the fall was staged.
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4-25-2007 @ 9:09AM
Anne R said...
Now that the "FAVE" with the judges is gone, we can get down to business. Between John and Billy Ray, John is the better dancer. At least he just doesn't stand there. I'm wondering what shallow, undefinable criticism of Ian Carrie Ann and Len will come up with next week. I'm going to vote my buns off for Ian and Cheryl (after John is gone) in hope that they will go to the final 3.
Laila is getting too hip-hop. It's ballroom, not the streets, lady.
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4-25-2007 @ 9:22AM
Susie said...
I'm just glad to see a recap. Bad weather in my area prevented us from seeing most of the end of the show.
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4-25-2007 @ 10:09AM
It is a Shame said...
She is gone. Thanks to all those who voted for John and Billy Ray to stay another week. Now the competition can start. Everyone knows the judges are the ones who kept her on so long. Her very first score was way too high and then they kept her high so she would stay. Carrie got it right when she called her a "drama queen" on Monday night. Then she said she felt bad because her partner no longer gets paid since they were voted off. Well what about the partners of the people who went before her that the judges didn't save? They got paid less. I think the show will be much better without her and the real competition starts now.
I think the Jimmy Kimmel parts of the show are stupid and that they should have another dance number with the professionals in its place.
Also, wouldn't it make more sense to have latin music for the latin dances. I think it would be easier for the dancers to interpret and get into the mood for the dances.
I look forward to the next few weeks now that Heather is gone. Her drama ruined the show this season.
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