(S04E15) I thought that Mandee made a great comment on the post for last week's results show. She said, "You know, the Results show has been morphing into a terrific '60s style variety show, with comedy segments, guest musical performers, and, of course, lots of dancing. A slice of retro-cool, for the whole family, from grandma to pre-tweens." I completely agree with that. The results show has always had to fight the problem that they only have about two minutes of actual results for their 60 minute show. Right now, it's as good as it has ever been. It's always going to be behind the performance show, because the star's performances are what it's all about, but the producers deserve credit for how much work is going into the results show. Enough about that though, we have results to get to.
Of course, the big question coming into the show was whether or not the Billy Ray fans could get him through for one more week. Second to that, who would join Billy Ray in the bottom two was also of some interest. With a limited amount of results to give though, we had to wait until after the encore.
As expected the judges chose Apolo & Julianne for their paso doble. It was even better the second time around. Julianne got the big slide in the opening right this time, and the rest of the performance went off without a hitch. They were followed up by the musical guest of the week. For me, the show has really been on a roll with the musical guests these past few weeks. Joss Stone, Meatloaf, and now Nelly Furtado. She sang "I'm Like A Bird" while Tony and Elena danced.
Samantha interviewed some of the stars backstage next. The highlight of that was a calmed Billy Ray who seemed to have put the events from performance night behind him. That took us to the fan reaction segment which found Chris Kirkpatrick on NSYNC duty this week. He was joined by Marilu Henner, who I think would be perfect for Dancing With The Stars. And I'm just guessing, but was that Melanie Brown from the Spice Girls in the fan segment? That was followed up by the first of the results. Surprising nobody, Billy Ray & Karina were in the bottom two.
The first big pro number of the night was next. Maksim was joined by his brother for a dance off. They shared the floor with Karina and Valeria. That was a crazy performance. The difference in speed when they put the pros together is sometimes shocking. As Tom said, "How 'bout that?" Very well done.
Nelly came back out to perform her song "All Good Things." Another pro exhibition went along with it as Cheryl and Louis danced. I like that they keep all of the pros involved even if they are not competing. Hopefully we'll get to see Edyta again before the season is out. It was another good song, and another good dance number.
Jimmy and Guillermo were up next. They were tasked with teaching the waltz this week. Unfortunately neither of them knew how to do the waltz, so Guillermo called on the dance fairy to help them out. In an odd bit of casting, Master P returned as the fairy, having a laugh at just how bad he was when he was on the show. It all ended with Guillermo squashing the fairy Master P. It was probably my favorite of the Jimmy segments so far.
Tom took us back to the results after that. In what was something of a surprise, they announced that Ian & Cheryl would be moving through to the next round. I was leaning toward them being in the bottom two with Billy Ray & Karina, so that started to make things a little murky.
And then the show kind of lost me. They went to another of the behind the scenes packages about the pressure of eliminations. I couldn't help but feel that I had seen that segment before. At this point, we get it. With the uncertainty of the fan vote, the red light is a scary thing. It's time to put that one to rest for the season.
With that out of the way though, we got down to the nitty gritty of the results. Laila & Maksim were safe, as were Apolo & Julianne. That meant that Joey & Kym were in the bottom two. I think Apolo was as shocked by that as Joey was. And so was I. I hadn't even considered the idea that Joey would be in the bottom two.
In the end, Billy Ray & Karina are heading home. I think it's for the best. It's become clear that Billy Ray isn't going to get to the level that the other teams are performing at. He had a nice long run on the show, but it's time for this thing to get serious. 
Where does that leave us? I have no idea. The fact that both Ian & Laila finished ahead of Joey, despite being behind after the judges scores tells me that they have serious fan followings, so this is now anyone's ballgame. Any of the four teams could win it all, which should make for an exciting run to the finish. Overall, a solid results show with just a couple speed bumps along the way. I'm giving it a 5, out of 7.
Erin will be back for the semi-finals next week. Until then, you can always vote for your favorite celebrity dancers in AOL's Dancing With The Stars poll!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-09-2007 @ 5:53AM
MarKeane said...
That was a big shocker - Joey & Kym in the red light circle. This makes the current show the best in terms of performances and popularity. Everyone has upped the ante including the critiques of the judges who I feel are far too harsh in their comments. It does make for good TV watching, though. With Joey in the red Apolo is in a good position to win and I think his votes are based more on performance and less on personality like Joey's. Who knew he'd be so good?
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5-09-2007 @ 7:08AM
Roto4 said...
I knew Joey would be good his career has always been part dance he would have to be good!!! Every time they performed a number they were dancing he's a natural!!!
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5-09-2007 @ 6:53AM
shelana said...
very, very shocking joey was in the bottom 2. ian is so stiff and his movements are very awkward he shouldve definetely been in the bottom 2 tonight. where are the n'sync fans when you need them :(
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5-09-2007 @ 7:15AM
Michelle said...
It's "fairy" not "ferry." A "ferry" is a big boat that ferries cars and people across a river. A "fairy" has wings and sparkles. My vote is with Ian.
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5-09-2007 @ 6:55AM
Nago said...
I was surprised that Ian was not in the bottom 2. He deserves to be there.
I like Apolo best and Julianne is the best professional, especially her choreography!
Now Joey, he has been a dancer in the past--I mean, boy bands danced all the time as they were singing--so he has an advantage. And Laila is the only star who has to dance in 5 inch heels--definitely a disadvantage--yet she moves as well as any of the guys. She should get extra points for that. So I put Laila ahead of Joey. Or put Joey in 5 inch heels to take away his advantage. That would be fair.
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5-09-2007 @ 7:37AM
Frank said...
It's unfortunate that Joey was in the bottom two, but it's coming down to the wire now and people will be losing that haven't been in that position before. I was surprised to find Ian NOT in the bottom two. It just goes to show that this is not a show about talent, but rather a popularity contest. If it were about talent and dancing, Billy Ray would have been gone the first week, and Ian would have been standing the red light this week. He's good, but just not as good as Joey I think. My money is on Apolo to win the whole shebang.
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5-09-2007 @ 7:45AM
Dina said...
I was surprised that Joey was in the bottom two. I really think that Ian should have been there. Billy Ray was there for 8 weeks; not bad. As I said before Laila is the one to beat. I think it is going to be between Apolo and Laila; stay tune!
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5-09-2007 @ 7:53PM
Gil said...
Last nights show went as I suspected except for one thing and that was Joey being in the bottom two. Billy Ray went as far as he could but he really worked at learning the dance. The judges have been unfair to cruel in some of their critiques. They should critique the dance and not the personality. Carrie Anne has had favorites from the get-go and it shows. The judging has not been consistant. They criticize for not being flamboyant (Joey) then they tell Ian and Cheryl not to be flamboyant. Their have been some unfair judging all along. With the TV audience voting, it's any one's ball game from here on out. They could cut the results show to a half hour or let the Professional dancers demonstrate how a dance should be performed. That would make it very interesting. Gil.
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5-09-2007 @ 8:14AM
DELI said...
I think that Joey was in the bottom two because everyone thought "let me vote for Leila, or Apollo, or Ian, cause I'm sure Joey is getting plenty of votes" And a lot of people just figured that Joey didn't need their vote to continue...I am pretty sure he won't be in the bottom two next week, all the Joey fans are not going to let that happen twice....
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5-09-2007 @ 7:59AM
Cindy said...
I think that this may be a wake-up call for Joey. His statement about him having confidence and not cockyness was far from convincing. His "playful" comments about his competetors and his big speeches have rung of arrogance to me for a couple weeks now.
Maybe he will realize he will have to up his game and find some humility. It will make him better, I think.
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5-09-2007 @ 8:21AM
SonnieGH said...
I love the show - even my husband watches it and that says something. He only watches sports otherwise. I think Apolo is amazing - and the choreography is great. They have good chemistry together on the floor. Joey is enjoyable to watch because he likes doing what he is doing - and it shows. Laila also is a surprising talent to me, and I think Ian works very hard to do his best out there. Cheryl is an amazing partner and it shows for both of them. I also think , however, that the judges need to be a little more less crude with their critiques of the dancers. There are nicer ways to let the dancer know they need more work. They should not be there to be so harsh with their comments as these people are working hard to do a good job, and it is not their profession normally to have to learn 1 and 2 dances a week. This is supposed to be a fun show, and I would like to see it kept that way. The reason I don't watch American Idol is because I can't stand the way Simon treats the performers. It is not necessary. If you have such diversity in ability, then you have to deal with it when you are scoring them. However, I do want to see this show finish out with the best dancer being the winner; otherwise I will not be watching it for very long. Sometimes, I think the fans should not have 50% of the vote because they make it a popularity contest, and that is not what I thought it was to be. The producers need to make sure the best and most improved dancer is the winner. That is what makes it a good show.
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5-09-2007 @ 8:36AM
pdawson said...
I think you meant "fairy," not "ferry."
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5-09-2007 @ 8:54AM
MissK8 said...
My heart dropped to my stomach when Ian & Cheryl were declared safe. I just knew that Joey & Kym would be in the bottom two. I agree with shelana & Deli--where are all the 'nsync fans?? All I know is that last night's bottom 2 results were a little too close for comfort for Joey fans like myself, and it reminds me of the Chris Daughtry shocker from last year's American Idol. Oh, and I think that it was Downtown Julie Brown in the audience feedback segment-not Mel B. from the Spice Girls.
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5-09-2007 @ 9:02AM
brad said...
Ian is in because of his 90210 fan base
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5-09-2007 @ 9:03AM
drobinson102 said...
Ferry???? You are paid to write this and you don't know the difference between ferry and fairy?? Pretty sad....
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5-09-2007 @ 11:02AM
fran said...
This has been a great Family experience..however, I am very dismayed about the the way the judges conduct their idea of critique..rude, more than harsh, crude, and I really think Bruno should clean up his choice of vocabulary..PIMP?????...not exactly a term used with the so called eleganceof dance..perhaps Bruno should host WWW segmants I am feeling more than embarrassed for these Stars having to stand by and suck up that "CRAP" from Len and Company..by the way ..who thinks we should see how the judges fare trying to execute the "moves" of a guitar musician, songwriter, actor, singer, boxer, ..love to see them dance themselves ..or play NBA basketball.. Guys lighten up we are here to see and enjoy the efforts of Ian, Joey, Apollo, and Laila NOT the often unbelievable rantings of the SIMON Wannabees.. Thoughts anyone??
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5-09-2007 @ 9:06AM
terre said...
I think Cheryl Burke has had a great run as champion on Dancing... but the truth is, it's time for her to go and take Ian with her. Her partner this year doesn't measure up. The judges have consistently told Ian what his problems are and I don't think he takes them seriously because he figures he'll ride Cheryl's coattails into the finals. Truth is the choreography of the other couples is just BETTER.
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5-09-2007 @ 9:18AM
Tammy said...
I have to say I was upset when Ashley wasn't doing DWTS this season but Julianne has been a wonderful replacement. The professionals are getting their own following and I bet that is part of the reason Ian and Cheryl were safe this week.
I think we have the right final four. Who's going to win is beyond me. My favorites are Joey and Anton because of the energy they bring to their dances.
My prediction is the judges scores from now on are going to be so close that it will come down to popular vote. They really start taking themselves out of it once the field becomes rather level.
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5-09-2007 @ 9:56AM
Pat said...
Look at the similarities between Joey and Mario--the previous dance training & the cockiness. Last season the public responded by awarding Emmitt the winner when Mario was by far the better dancer. Mario's conceit lost it for him.
If Joey was smart he would have observed what happened to Mario last season and would have taken a different approach, not fallen into the same trap. I, for one, think Joey is a great dancer and just can't wait to see him get booted off. Hopefully he will be the next to go.
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5-09-2007 @ 9:27AM
Renate said...
The fan vote should not be 50% -- it is becoming unfair. Ian should have been in the bottom two. Popularity is edging out talent. I agree that the best four contenders have reached the semis though.
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