(S05E13) Holy crap! Halfway through the fifth season of Dancing With The Stars, I really shouldn't be surprised by things like this. It's something that we have seen before. Still, the results show tonight caught me totally off guard. In my post yesterday about the performance show I said that I didn't agree with Tom's opening line that anyone could go home. I'll take it back now. Anyone can go home, any week. And apparently, anyone left in the competition could win the whole damn thing.
Things started out normally enough. Samantha got us into a recap of performance night. Mel called her three tens bloody amazing. Jennie said she wasn't really dirty dancing. It was more like frisky and fun. Helio and Julianne revealed that his smile is their secret weapon. Cameron said he was happy about their dance, despite the less than stellar comments from the judges. Sabrina said she didn't know what to make of Len's comments. Marie thought her performance had tons of passion, clearly a little taken aback by Carrie Ann's comments.
Tom announced that Jane wasn't on the stage because of a suspected case of food poisoning. Then it was off to Len to call the encore. He chose the group number from performance night. That was the perfect choice. The sheer volume of dancing going on there makes it very re-watchable. Jane's absence left Tony dancing solo for most of the number, but Julianne stepped in to cover Jane's solo spot rather seamlessly. It was just as much fun the second time around and got the show off to a great start.
Tom paused to give a hand to the L.A. County firefighters. Then Barry Manilow came out to perform while Louis and Cheryl danced. I could have gone for a little more dancing on the screen, and a little less Barry. He still sounds great, but there isn't a lot of excitement in his stage performance. For their part, Louis and Cheryl did just what you would expect. It was a fast and polished performance, proving once again just how valuable the pros are to the results shows.
The fans got their say next. Everyone seemed pretty impressed with the group number, although they disagreed over what Mel's score should have been. As with most fans here and around the internet, Jane and Marie seemed to be the consensus for the bottom two. With that, it was time for some results. Mel & Maks were the first couple put through to next week. That wasn't much of a surprise, given the perfect score. Far more surprising, Jane & Tony were the next pair that were safe. And that is the point where things started to get a little crazy.
Tom announced that January is going to bring the premiere of Dance Wars: Bruno vs Carrie Ann, and then we got a look at the audition process. They are looking for singer/dancers for the show. Carrie Ann said they are putting friendships aside and creating two rival teams to go into battle to become America's premiere singing and dancing group. That was followed up by an example of the choreography we'll be seeing on the show. It was a fun, high energy performance with a whole host of styles thrown in. I don't think Dance Wars is going to be able to maintain the DWTS numbers, because the celebrities are a huge draw, but based on that performance, it does look interesting. Bruno promised that the talent on the show will be incredible.
With that out of the way, Barry came back to sing a new version of "Mandy" from his latest album while Jonathan and Anna danced. They slowed things down for the second go round, which was a nice change. While the tempo was lessened, it was a very similar performance in that there was a little too much focus on Barry when we could have been watching Jonathan and Anna in what was a wonderful performance. It's still a great song, and I really enjoy hearing Barry sing it, but I really don't get anything out of watching him.
Tom tossed it to the backstage confessional segment, but this week, the judges were answering questions from the dancers. Len told Marie that he didn't think she could do the show because of her age, but he has taken it back. Bruno answered Sabrina's question about who the competition was harder for, the men or the women, by saying it depends on the dance. Carrie Ann got another question about lifts, and caused eyes to roll everywhere as she went over it all again. Helio asked what he needs to do to get the lead back. Len made a racing analogy and reminded him that it is only important who gets to the finish line first. Cameron asked if the judges take into consideration the training time when they score. Possibly a dig at Mel & Maks? He said no, but added that higher scores come with the polish that practice provides. Carrie Ann told Jennie that with more passion she could earn more tens.
Next came a taped package on how the stars have bonded. It wasn't amazing, but still one of the better taped pieces they have had this season. You really do get a sense watching the cast interact this year that they get along very well. Jennie asked who would think she would become friends with a spice girl and a race car driver. Sabrina was very sweet talking about Jennie. Mel said she loves Helio, but she has trouble with his thick accent. Sabrina let on about a running gag where the other cast members joke about her going home. Jennie said that she feels like she's the most nervous one, and she's probably right.
Back to the results, Helio & Julianne and Marie & Jonathan were put on the spot. Helio & Julianne were safe, as expected. And then Marie was left hanging as we had to wait through a commercial break to get the rest of the results. Cameron & Edyta were in the bottom two. Jennie & Derek were safe. And in a shocking turn of events, Marie & Jonathan were safe, leaving Sabrina & Mark in the bottom two. What the hell?
The judges were shocked. Carrie Ann said that Cameron has had incredible momentum the last few weeks and she would be disappointed to see either of them leave. Len said that there have been some bizarre twists, but this takes the biscuit. He added that Sabrina should be in the finals. Bruno called it madness, adding that Sabrina is the most consistent performer and Cameron is the most improved.
In the end, Sabrina & Mark are going home. I have no idea how that happened. The crowd showered boos throughout the studio. Tom dropped his guard for a moment and told Sabrina that he had her pegged for the finale. You could tell that Sabrina was caught completely off guard, but she handled it well. She said it was an amazing opportunity and that she has grown as a performer on the stage.
Good heavens, I just don't get it. I know, the fan vote is part of the game, but I think this goes down as the most ridiculous elimination in the history of the show. The only positive I can take from this wacky results show is that it was a second week with no Jimmy and Guillermo. Here's hoping that's a trend that continues.
Erin will be back next week for whatever craziness comes next. Until then, check out AOL's extensive Dancing With The Stars coverage, which includes photo galleries, a live chat (Mondays & Tuesdays, 7:30pm ET), and the chance to support your favorite couple by voting in AOL's poll!
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 8)
10-31-2007 @ 6:51AM
MR said...
I have read all the comments above about people not watching the show again due to Sabrina being kicked off....each week they say vote vote vote...this decision came from the fans that voted NOT the show....next time Vote for who you want not say oh they are good and let it go!! The fans did this NOT the show!!
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10-31-2007 @ 6:59AM
Sue said...
I agree - she shouldn't have been voted off. They should change it where the judges scores count more than the fan vote. It would give this show more credibility.
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10-31-2007 @ 7:05AM
sheila said...
the only reason i can think Sabrina was eliminated is--she's too good--a professional dancer in her own right.
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10-31-2007 @ 7:04AM
thebigbabboo said...
in 5 years of watching this show, who was better than sabrina? this girl was a definate winner in my eyes. this proves the people who voted were either on drugs,,,or just plain stupid! dancing withe stars. i,m finished watching.
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10-31-2007 @ 7:03AM
Melissa said...
In the first 2-3 weeks of the show, all the dancers were improving and it seemed it would be a phenomenal season of dancing. For me, however, the past two weeks have been a big disappointment. It seems like there's no real progress on anyone's part and the show seems stagnant. No one really stands out now except for Mel and because so many people seem to be turned off by her personality, I don't see her going all the way.
I realize that a lot of people out there think Sabrina should not have been on the show and had an unfair advantage. Despite all of that, I did enjoy watching her dance and was disappointed to see her go.
I think she was not prepared to go home. I saw apprehension and fear in her face when she found out she was in the bottom two. From what the other competitors said during the taped interviews, Sabrina is the most competitive and was there to win. Her "final dance" at the end of the show reflected a certain heartbreak. She was planning to go all the way.
It's definitely a free-for-all now but I will be pulling for Mel and Helio in the finals.
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10-31-2007 @ 7:03AM
Cassie said...
I wonder how many of you who are complaining about Sabrina being voted off called in to vote for her? Clearly there is a huge shock, but obviously all the complainers didn't call in to give her the votes. While I thought she was one of the top dancers, it seemed to me that all of her dances had the same hard approach. I wouldn't have thought she would go home this early, but I'm glad she won't be in the finale.
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10-31-2007 @ 7:05AM
robert said...
If in fact the show is not rigged, the "outing" of Sabrina is indicative of the incomprehensible ignorance of the voting public as to the finer elements of dancing. I am in total agreement with those of you who feel that the judges should have more influence on the weekly outcome.
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10-31-2007 @ 7:18AM
Cindi said...
I am one of those seniors who are compassionate to see how long Marie and Jane would last. Love them! However I am smart enough and "dance savoy" enough to see that a real mistake was made here. I thought for sure Jane or Marie would go this week. I also believe that the judges results should determine the most per centage of the outcome as stated by other's. So many just watch and do not vote. I must say I was guilty this time for not casting my votes...
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10-31-2007 @ 7:22AM
LMK said...
This report --like the judging has been is a little biased.
I am sorry she is hurt -but she was not the "best" dancer everyone keeps reporting. It doesn't bother me she was eliminated. She may have been earlier in my opinion if the judges had not been so biased in their scoring.
What does is all the Sabrina supporters that keep screaming the show was fixed to eliminate her. Plus all the biased comments from the host, the judge and even this reporter. Where was the outrage when all the other's were eliminated? Where will it be when the next is eliminated?
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10-31-2007 @ 7:22AM
Elena said...
Naturally, my family and I have heard of "DWTS" but we've never been interested enough to watch the show -- until this season. Our nine-year old daughter loves "The Cheetah Girls" so we watched the show to root for Sabrina. Imagine our shock when the best dancer on the show got the boot. There are at least two other celebrities that I'm truly surprised are still there and they beat Sabrina? I wonder if this happens every season. Anyway, our reason for watching is over.
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11-01-2007 @ 6:09PM
chilerodriguez said...
That was total BS. I am tired of hearing that Sabrina is a professional dancer. She is a teeny bopper dancer. A few hip hop moves and that is it. Hip hop and ball room are two different things. And if she should have gotten kicked off so should Jane since she studied ballet growing up! I am tired of both Jane and Marie. Now they are going around saying the judges are being harder on them because they are older. OH Please, ...... Marie sucks period! Jane is graceful but her jive sucked! She comes off as very arrogant! They both needed to go WAY before Sabrina. I actually thought the last 3 standing would have been the Cheeta Girl, the Spice Girl and the Race car driver. I am now pulling for the Spice Girl!
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10-31-2007 @ 7:26AM
Jenny said...
I am done watching the show. There are alot of dancers who should have gone home first.
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10-31-2007 @ 7:27AM
Amanda said...
I completely agree that Jane and Marie should have been in the bottom two this week. Both of them have done fairly well and have tried amazingly hard to keep up but I don't think either of them have what it takes to go to the end. I do admit that I did not want Sabrina to win in the end because she already has had dance training and I don't believe that is what the show is really about. I would rather see the most improved dancer take the trophy. However, I was VERY disappointed to see her go home this week as I do enjoy watching her dance, she obviously has the most talent and she and Mark make and adorable couple. I would have loved to see her in the finale. My best guess is that pretty much everyone in the nation assumed that everyone else would vote for her and voted for someone else.... who knows?
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10-31-2007 @ 7:32AM
Sunshine44 said...
I agree with the comments from No. 14 & No. 15. Sabrina is young and a very good dancer. I think it was her attitude that the fans didn't like. She always came out like "look at me I am the best dancer" Her dances were always terrific but her performance was always over the top. Maybe alot of fans didn't like the attitude. She seemed to me like she was the biggest show-off of the show because she was younger then the rest. She will still be popular with the Disney Channel.
As for the people who hate Marie Osmond. She has alot of fans out there. QVC, Ebay, her huge family. An older based fan group. She does make beautiful dolls too!!
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10-31-2007 @ 3:07PM
Gmann22 said...
It's my fault, too, that Sabrina got kicked off. I didn't vote because I felt she was too good to be kicked off.
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11-01-2007 @ 5:53PM
Jackie said...
I could not have been more shocked by Sabrina's elimination. The first night of the competition my words were, "Everyone else should go home, there is your winner." This is a big injustice!! This just proves that this is just a big popularity contest, and is not just about the dancing. I love dance, so I will always watch for the shear entertainment value of the show, but I am sure the outcome will not always be about the best dancer.
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10-31-2007 @ 7:41AM
Bernie said...
I am finished watching it. Sabrina was one of the best, if not the best, at times. All had their bad days. I feel, maybe, she was too good and had to go. I am done.
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10-31-2007 @ 7:42AM
linda loussia said...
I never vote because I record the show. And I'm sure they loose vote because of that also. It's a great show, but what a dissappointment. I would be nice if they let the judges do there job.
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10-31-2007 @ 7:44AM
tsandman said...
Here's my take on how this happened. 1. Sabrina's fan base - teen girls - is probably not the biggest demographic watching - and voting - on this show. 2. I think Sabrina may have been hurt by the piece about her rehearsing for a Cheetah Girls show. It showed her practicing dancing - dancing is part of her work. Perhaps some viewers felt she really isn't the amateur that the other stars are. 3. No one else has commented on how "affectionate" Mark was with Sabrina after their performance Monday night. He kept kissing her,pulling her in closer. It was a bit much. I was taken aback and a little turned off -- maybe others were, too.
That being said - I would have liked to see her continue because she was really fun to watch! Sorry to see her go.
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10-31-2007 @ 7:45AM
Brewskis mom said...
My husband and I were more than shocked. DWTS has lost two more followers. It is totally ridiculous when something like this can happen. She was without a doubt the best dancer there. We have no desire to even finish the season.
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