(S04E18) As Tom said, "Ten weeks, and it all comes down to this." We could argue about the order of the eliminations, who should have stayed longer (Shandi), and who hung around way too long (Billy Ray). But I think in the end, the right teams made it to the finals. There has been a lot of dancing over the previous nine weeks, and after all of it, these are the three teams that stood out above the rest. With only three teams left, and the big disco ball on the line, each team has three performances to do this week. One is held off for the results show, but tonight we got to see each of them in the Judge's Choice round, and the much anticipated Freestyle. Let's get to it.
Judges Choice
Laila Ali and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Pasa Doble) - This was one of the few dances that gave them trouble earlier in the season, so it was interesting to see them get another shot. It was an improvement, and Laila had much more difficult choreography to do. I thought the added difficulty worked against them. Laila was impressive, but there were a couple moments where she seemed to lose the rhythm. The theatrics of the performance were top notch though. Len thought it was fantastic. Bruno called it a tidal wave of passion and drama. Carrie Ann agreed with them and loved it as well. Score: 29 (10, 9, 10) I thought that was a little high.
Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough (Rumba) - The rumba was an interesting choice. It wouldn't have been mine. It was what we have come to expect from these two. Very intricate choreography, performed very well. They looked great together and I thought they had great chemistry. The dance lacked some of the flash we have seen in other numbers, but the more subdued steps were beautiful. Apolo continues to impress week after week, and I'm now firmly convinced that Julianne is the Pro of the year, or whatever you want to call it. This has been a fantastic debut on the show for her. Bruno compared it to American Gigolo somehow, and that was a good thing. Carrie Ann said it was over-performed. Len agreed with Carrie Ann, saying that the performance lacked romance. I have no idea what he was talking about. Score: 28 (9, 9, 10)
Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson (Cha Cha) - Now, if you have been playing along at home for the past ten weeks, you had to cringe at that marionette opening. Not that there was anything wrong with it, but there was no way that was going to play with Len. It's too late in the competition, with too much on the line, to not take those things into consideration. They got past that and went on to have a very fun performance. Unfortunately, it was a little too fun, and not really enough cha cha. Carrie Ann thought it lacked content. Len called it too theatrical, with too many tricks. Bruno said it was just not quite there. Score: 26 (9, 8, 9) They had a good point about the content of the dance.
Freestyle
Laila Ali and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Freestyle) - The announcer threw me off for a second when he announced that Laila and Maks would be doing the pasa doble. Again? That was a mistake, of course, as this was their big freestyle routine. In retrospect, they may have been better served doing something more traditional with the freestyle spot. It's just not Laila's strong suit. She was good, but the time for good was three or four weeks ago. With Joey and Apolo waiting in the wings they needed something special, and this performance just didn't measure up. The judges all agreed that this just wasn't the right dance for her. All of them said that they would have preferred something more sophisticated and sensual. Score: (9, 8, 9)
Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough (Freestyle) - This one was more what I was expecting from the freestyle portion of the competition. Julianne once again outdid herself with some great choreography. Apolo held up his end by managing some very intricate steps and pulling off some pretty impressive tricks. Bringing the break dancing into it was a gamble, to be sure, but it paid off in the end. Len said it was everything he wants to see in a freestyle. Bruno added that the Apolo Syndrome was taking over. Carrie Ann was so excited she didn't even comment on it. Score: 30 (10, 10, 10).
Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson (Freestyle) - Of all of the teams, this was the freestyle I was most looking forward to. Apolo and Laila are solid dancers, but neither of them can entertain like Joey, and the freestyle is right in his wheelhouse. They didn't disappoint. From the moment he ripped off his black suit to reveal his disco duds, everything was amazing. The huge leap from the stage was great. His first spin of Kym was incredible, and they carried that right on through the performance with trick after trick. The way he tossed her around was very impressive, and the dancing between the tricks was pretty good too. The performance of the night. Bruno called Joey Mr. Entertainment. Carrie Ann liked that they incorporated so many of the things they have learned in the competition. Len compared Joey to Harry Potter on the Nimbus 2000. Proving that he has been sitting next to Bruno for too long now. Score: 30 (10, 10, 10)
So, with one dance to go, it's a close race. Laila & Maksim have 55, Joey & Kym have 56, and Apolo & Julianne have 58. Depending on how things shake out in the third performance, any of the teams can still win it. I'm picking Apolo & Julianne. Another great night of dancing gets this one a 6, out of 7.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-22-2007 @ 4:38AM
D Colin said...
Liked this episode, but why do the freestyle dances have to be so far from the dances we've watched over 10weeks.
I thought Joey's lifts were great- but the overall dance didn't thrill me. Apolo's dance reminded me of Mario's freestyle last season (and that didn't thrill me).
I guess maybe I'm looking to see a tango done freestyle. You know what I mean? Overall I liked the first round of dances better. Laila and Maks and Apolo and Julianne had great first rounds, but hated Joey's.
and it's not even that I disliked Apolo's freestyle it's just I want to see dancing we've seen but heightened with lifts or what have you, not breakdancing- doesn't seem DWTS to me. Now Joey attempted more of a bridge but besides his lifts I really didn't like it (or his costume)
I'm a laila/apolo fan- either one can win and I'd be happy.
and these are my own issues cause I'm sure most people liked the freestyles but just thoughts i wanted to share
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5-22-2007 @ 6:19AM
Chrissie said...
I voted for Apolo & Juliane..He is the most most improved and gives it his all evey time..She is great,what a little firecracker! Laila is 2nd for me..She worked hard and was also very improved..Joey,3rd as far as I'm concerned..Very cocky,always name dropping(we KNOW you were in NSYNC with Justin Timberlake)and yes he is a good dancer,and you know what? He SHOULD be! All those years dancing onstage night after night..And he is very annoying..IMO
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5-22-2007 @ 6:22AM
MarKeane said...
I too felt slightly let down last night. I felt the dancing wasn't up to their usual excitment. Both Joey and Apolo did not follow the steps of their required dances although both were great. Leila looked a little off and her jive was not grabbing me. Which dance do they perform tonight? And does it count?
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5-22-2007 @ 8:14AM
Dina said...
Laila 1st dance was great and Len should have given her a 10. As far as the freestyle dance I think Laila did the best she could do with her weight and height. I agree Apolo's freestyle dance was no big deal because it was just like Mario. Joey dance was okay but again he is a entertainer. I'm still think Laila should win.
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5-22-2007 @ 8:21AM
Dave said...
Can we please stop the ridiculous spam posts already? Is there some way to ban searchjerk crap from here?
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5-22-2007 @ 8:25AM
Dave said...
I want to see a freestyle dance-off between Mario Lopez and Apolo Ohno.
I think Joey shot himself in the foot last night by making his first dance too much of a freestyle. He was a crowd pleaser, but Apolo stayed true to the style of his first dance more than Joey did to his.
Laila isn't even in the picture anymore as far as I'm concerned. She did very well all season, but she's no better than third in this competition.
The title should go the the dancer who improved the most (Apolo) and the pro who got the most from her partner (Julianne). They are the cream of the crop.
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5-22-2007 @ 8:31AM
Sheila said...
I agree with most of you so far. I felt the first round of dances were so flat. Laila STILL has issues with her arms and upper body - and the faces she was making - not flattering or dance-like at all. Apolo and Julianne looked great as always - but the dance was more act than dance. While I had Joey and Kym as top of that round - I DID have to agree with the judges that there was entirely too much theatrics and too little cha cha in it to be a regular dance.
Now the free-style was the tell-all for me. I think everyone had costume choice issues - they certainly would not have been my choices for final - stick in your mind outfits. Again, Laila was so flat. They could have blown the roof off things had they chosen to go a more classical route and still had fun. Apolo and Julianne - are still adorable - but the more street dance was so far removed from anything they have learned. Fun? Yes - appropriate in a competition like this - I don't think so. Again, for me - Joey and Kym ruled this round. So much incorporation of what has been learned over the past nine weeks - and still keeping it unique and especially fun. Bruno was right on calling him "Mr. Entertainment".
My picks - Joey, then Apolo and Laila at number 3.
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5-22-2007 @ 9:50AM
jennifer said...
I am so in love with Apolo and Julianne. I LOVEd their first dance. Every single week my daughter and I say to each other "he is just so good!". His body lines and posture are the closest to the professionals of any contestant we have ever seen. Their second dance was cute and fit in great with their personalities but I will not remember it in a few weeks.
I felt that Laila's paso was off on the rhythm a few places and I totally agree with previous poster about her facial expressions. I often think she looks like she is in pain and have agreed with Carrie Ann that she needs to look UP when dancing, not down at the floor or with eyes all squinty.
I do appreciate what Laila said about being a bigger girl though and honestly did not view her as all THAT big until she said something. I am sure it was very intimidating for her at first.
Joey and Kym are great - lots of fun. Loved her first costume for the cha cha but felt that his made him look like he had butt issues again and the ruffles on the shirt made him look tubby. I thought their cha cha was cute but not enough cha cha elements. I DID NOT like the puppet element because I did not find it fair or interesting. Not fair to add an element he has done for years. I did love their freestyle but I am hoping Apolo wins it!
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5-22-2007 @ 9:40AM
Glenn said...
Why are they changing up the competition from years past? Last year it was Mario and Emmitt, this year we have 3 people in the finals? Does somebody have a scheduling conflict? What's up with that? Shouldn't the finals technically be next week?
Maybe I missed Tom saying something about the change, but I didn't think I did.
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5-22-2007 @ 9:45AM
Stormy said...
Well, I gotta tell you that there is an inequity in the scoring and it has been going on since the beginning with Fatone and Mills. Both of these people were scored high by the judges in the beginning to keep them on the show. I feel that this was a mistake that allowed Mills to stay too long and Fatone to make it to the finals.
I didn't think Fatone's first dance was all that great and for once the judges seemed to agree. But I also don't believe that his second dance deserved a perfect score. It was not a dance, it was just one lift after another and the judges should have recognized that and should not have given the perfect score.
They seemed to recognize that Max could not lift Laila so they were on the right track, but then scored Fatone high because all he did was lifts. Do they think that Apollo could not have done all those lifts. I think he could have done that, but chose the dance number with a couple of lifts instead and deserved the perfect score.
Now we hear that after the audience has completed voting that the judges will vote again to choose a winner. Well it seems, with their scoring, that they wanted Fatone to win from the beginning so I would not be surprised if he wins tonight.
Laila's performance left something to be desired last night and I couldn't put my finger on it. I think she and her partner could have done better. I know they could not do lifts, but they could have thought of something. I was hoping she would some way pull ahead as a female has not won since the first show, but I guess it was not to be.
Good luck to Apollo and Laila, I hope one of you can beat out Fatone.
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5-22-2007 @ 10:01AM
Maria said...
I am sooooo in love with Apollo. How can anyone vote for anyone else?? He is AMAZING! His posture, work ethic, level of skill...off the hook. What I don't get is Laila. What is the attraction? She is good, but no where near the moves that the other two have. Yeah yeah yeah...Joey was in INSYNC. Big deal! He wasnt doing those types of dances on stage. So get over it. We also have athletes that have an upper hand too. But Laila...is just too bulky, and SO not gracefull! What was with her second outfit? Her attitude is so over the top and ungrateful, where is her humility??? Or appreciation from the fans?? I am sick of the judges fawning over her too! Plus everyone makes a comment on how Mills used her leg as a sympathy vote, but no one is mentioning how Laila threw out the "this is for the big girl" card??? Come on! Give me a break!
Apollo ALLLLLLLLLL the way!!!!!
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5-22-2007 @ 10:07AM
BobbyBuz said...
Just wondering if the judges will know the standings of the fan vote before they cast their final ballots.
The premise of the show has always been the fan votes, now it boils down to one final vote fron the judges to determine the outcome of the competition.
Too much power for three people against millions of votes.
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5-22-2007 @ 10:13AM
Patti said...
The judges picked the Rumba for Apolo. They would not have made that slow dance their choice, but they handled it fantastic. Contrary to what Len said, it was so romantic I felt like I was watching a scene from a movie!
Laila Paso was the most she has ever moved her feet and she did good. Joey's Cha Cha was not a Cha Cha. He got busted last night and he deserved to.
Feestyle Laila just didn't work. Maks crotch grab and shirt strip were desperate moves. Joey's Freestyle was great, but that was what I expected from him. He has done several of these routines so it was more of the same only this time they added lifts. Apolo & Julianne's Hip Hop was really good because it was creative by adding dance elements that we have come to expect from them as professionals. The blindfolded foot work in unison was a stoke of genius!
APOLO WON LAST NIGHT'S ROUND!
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5-22-2007 @ 10:40AM
Cat said...
I missed last night's round, but I'm rooting for Apolo and Julianne all the way. Which, of course, probably means Joey will win.
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5-22-2007 @ 10:50AM
debbie said...
i have to agree with maria above- i don't get the love for laila at all. she seems to be moving in slow motion compared to the opther dancers- i've felt her scores were way to high all along. what a ghastly freestyle routine i kind of felt bad for them both.
apolo was amazing...for someone who has never danced before- it really shows his athletic training and passion.
joey is really good too but i think apolo stands out because of their originality, speed and difficulty of their dances.
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5-22-2007 @ 11:22AM
Jasmine said...
I Love Laila and Maks and rooting for them. However, I'm also a big Apollo fan (from Olympics) and love him as well. I thought Laila's 1st dance was the best of the three; however, I wasn't really thrilled with it. Although Maks IS thrilling (WOW!!! Best season for him), there seemed to be something missing.
I didn't like Apollo's 1st or 2nd dance. It seemed he just walked around and did kicks while his partner (the professional) did MOST of the work on the first dance and found the 2nd dance boring. I hated both Joey's performances.
The FreeStyle was not very good. Of the three, I thought Laila and Maks did the best and they weren't that good. All three couples looked tired and worned to me. I'm sure after 10 grueling weeks they are ready for a break.
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5-22-2007 @ 11:52AM
Emma said...
I was disappointment in all three couples' performance. I agree all of them just did not seem to performance at the level expected for the final round. Getting 8's.
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5-22-2007 @ 12:28PM
La-di-dah said...
About the freestyle: I haven't watched any dwts seasons, but for this one, so I can't compare Mario's freestyle to Apollo's, but what I appreciated most about Apollo and Julianne was their youthful exuberance. If they had performed anything that made them seem older, I would have been displeased. And they did well with what they could work with - all 3 dancing pairs did. The only pair that could do proper, no holds barred lifts was Joey and Kym due to their size ... dismorphism. The way Apollo and Julianne choreographed it so that Apollo would propel Julianne through the flips was a creative way since Apollo has no size on Julianne or upper arm strength. Same with Laila and Maks - they did the best pseudolifts they could.
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5-22-2007 @ 5:06PM
patricia christner said...
HI EVERYONE , I'N APOLLO ALLTHE WAY ''' BUTHEARD SOME DISTURBING NEWS LAST NITE SAID 90% OF APOLLO'S VOTES GONE , DID ANYONE BESIDES ME HAVE TROUBLE VOTING FOR APOLLO ,ALL I CAN SAY IS GOOD LUCK APOLLO &JULIEANN GOD BLESS BRING THE TROPHY HOME U DESERVE IT
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5-22-2007 @ 1:45PM
Rae said...
I used all my votes for Joey & Kim. I just don't get what other people are looking at or for in these dances. My second choice would be Apollo & Julianne. They are so cute together and they dance very well. Laila & Maks have not been favorites of mine because although I am glad that they have a woman in the finals, she is just not up to par with the guys. I think that this competition is harder to begin with for the men. They have to appear to be 'leading' their professional partners, while the women have to learn the dances and 'follow' their partners. I am disappointed that this year they chose to have 3 couples in the finals and I don't believe they ever told us why they were going to make that change. Anyway, they've all done a fantastic job, but you could see right from the start who was going to be in the finals. Congrats to all the dancers--they've done very well!
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