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TwitterA testosterone heavy 'Dancing with the Stars'
Let me begin by confessing that I really have no clue as to what's been going down on Dancing with the Stars this season. I mean, I really got into Season 2, I kept up with Season 3, but other than the premiere episode this time around I haven't seen any of Season 4. I keep taping it, but never get around to watching them.
So, really, I'm coming to the Final Six performances with a completely fresh eye. Whether that's a good or bad thing is yet to be determined. At least with each couple performing a duo of dances I get two chances to sample what they are offering.
Laila and Maksim: Remember that old quote about how Ginger Rogers did the same things as Fred Astaire, but backwards and in high heels? Exactly. From the word "go" ballroom dancing looks like it requires much more exertion and skill on the part of the woman. Yet men always seem to do better on this show. Maybe it's because they can master their part a lot easier. Either way, our lone female celebrity Laila delivers a light quickstep (29) and a ferocious samba (30).
John and Edyta: It's kind of cute that Edyta worries about her and John's rhumba seeming too sexy due to their age differences. Obviously her time in Los Angeles hasn't corrupted her. Having struggled in past weeks, the judges are pleased with John's progress in "dance rehab" and award him a 23 for his foxtrot and a 22 for the platonic rhumba.
Apolo and Julianne: Judge Len appears to have some sort of mental block when it comes to Apolo, stuck on hims being "good but not great." Thing is, I agree with him. He's very middle-of-the-road for me. I don't see anything wrong with his performance but I completely forget it before the judges finish talking. They score well with a 26 and a 28, but I swear I couldn't tell you what they did to earn either.
Ian and Cheryl: I'm naturally disposed to anyone from a teen soap, so, of course, I'm rooting for Ian, in the same way that I will automatically back whatever OC cast member shows up on Bowling with the B-Listers in 10 years time. Plus, they tango to one of my favorite '80s songs, Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for Hero." For those two things alone I would award him a 9 on the spot (and am tempted to give him a 10 for getting Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling all to show up together). The judges must agree, because they get a 27. Their chemistry-affirming rhumba merits a 27 as well.
Billy Ray and Karina: It must suck to be the professional partner of someone who just can't seem to get his act together. There's obvious discord between the partners and this isn't helped when Billy Ray decides he wants to showcase Karine at the beginning of the waltz. Apparently, that's just not done. Despite worries of being crucified, the judges appear to be charmed by him, if not his skills. They manage a 17 for the waltz and -- by comparison -- a stellar 21 for their samba.
Joey and Kym: Having seen three very different foxtrots, this one is obviously the best of the bunch. Truly, Joey's boy band days have served him well. I have to say this is definitely one of the most fun pairings of the group. Starting the night with a 29 for their foxtrot, they cap things off with a 30 for the jive.
For those keeping track at home, that ties Laila and Joey for the lead.
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
Brill, if you get a chance and feel like it, watch some of your vids from the previous weeks, or youtube vids if you dont have the stuff still on tape. It would give you a better overall feel for the couples.
Apolo & Julianne may have not stood out as much this week- but they have been great all season and have risen above 'mediocrity' many times-Week 5 Samba and Week 6 Rumba among others were especially good. They have consistently unique and difficult choreography. And they have a great relationship and it shows on and off the dance floor.
Laila & Maks are generally great as well, but they have had a couple of rather weak performances in there, and sometimes are quite repetitive in their latin choreography.
Joey & Kym are consistently good, very charismatic and powerful. They are another great partnership. They sometimes need to get away from being hokey and do more of the actual style of dancing though. But they are fun and consistently either the best or close to it.
Ian & Cheryl have had some nice moments but have also been pretty mediocre all season- esp. compared with Cheryl's past partners. This pairing just doesnt have the spark. But he did improve his performance last night which was nice. Without comparing it to his previous weeks, its hard to tell.
The John and Billy ray are not really factors- their dancing is much weaker than the others. They should be the bottom 2 but Billy Ray has a huge fanbase- so one of the frontrunners could be in the bottom 2 tonight- it will be interesting to see which one.
it would be a shock if one of the frontrunners end up in the bottom 2 tonight
Unfortunately John will probably be going even though Billy Ray should get the boot. He doesn't do anything. He stands there and lets his partner do everything. That's not dancing on his part. Kick Billy Ray out. Obviously, he wants to leave as he has no time to do the dances.
What are the judges for? They are inconsistentent and biased.
i.e.
- They mercilously nit-pick Apollo's feet but praise Ian for smiling.
- Laila's ballroom dance was stiff and frigid from the shoulders up and she wins 10's.
- Billy Ray barely dances and gets middle marks while John dances his heart out and gets consternation.
It's a vapid biased numbers game. The real winner is based on who's fan base is larger w/ the judge's personal pets getting an edge.
What are the judges for? They are inconsistentent and biased.
i.e.
- They mercilously nit-pick Apollo's feet but praise Ian for smiling.
- Laila's ballroom dance was stiff and frigid from the shoulders up and she wins 10's.
- Billy Ray barely dances and gets middle marks while John dances his heart out and gets consternation.
It's a vapid biased numbers game. The real winner is based on whose fan base is larger w/ the judge's personal pets getting an edge.
Had to clairfy. Ian and Cheryl's Latin dance was a Mambo, not a Rumba.
Brill, I have been watching since week 1, season 1. It seems like light years since we were arguing over John O'Hurley or Kelly Monaco.
I have to agree 100% with the post by OPINIONATED. The judging has always been inconsistent and biased. In season 1, the judges seemed far too harsh on Joey McIntyre. Then in season 2, they were trying to place Stacy Keibler in first place all the time because they seemed to want a finale with her and Drew, not Drew and Jerry Rice. Last season, they seemed determined to make Mario Lopez the champion, depsite more voters favoring Emmit Smith.
This season, I'm certain that the producers and judges fear that there won;t be any more female contestants left, so they have to overscore Laila Ali. Joey deserved the perfect 30 score for last night's jive, but Laila did NOT deserve 10s for either her quickstep or samba. If you want to see a 'sizzling' samba with excellent technique and difficult choreography, go watch Apolo and Julianne's performance from 2 weeks ago.
Sorry to make this post so long, but I really do think that the judges were too critical on Apolo and Julianne last night. Their choreography continues to be challenging and original every week, and apparently they have great chemistry together. I also have to give credit to Ian. He has improved a lot over the past 6 weeks and looks more relaxed.
I agree with OPINIONATED as well. The voting is so inconsistent. I know Billy Ray is not even close to being a good technical dancer, but I can't help but root for him a little.
John is so engaging and really seems to be trying, but I figure he will be in the bottom 3 and probably leave tonight.
I think the relationship with Apolo and Julianne is what really makes them good.
Ian has had some good dances, but they just won't score them as such.
Laila and Joey are the ones to beat in my opinion. I do think that Joey has a small edge because of his boy band experience.
Totally disagree with Paige and Opinionated. Laila was not stiff in her upper body during her quickstep - she had a proper hold and her footwork was far more challenging than Joey's. I actually think Joey keeps getting overscored - part of his jive was boring and part was interesting, but I still think Laila's Samba was superior. They were definitely overly harsh on Apolo this week.
But, going back to Stacy Keibler - It should have been her versus Drew - Jerry should never have surp***ed Stacy! And if it weren't for Save a Horse, Stacy was consistently better than Drew the entire season!
I'm tired of Billy Ray's Master P impression and Karina's constant snarling. He SHOULD be going home - he should be getting the lectures about not CARING what he does, but he'll end up staying, and John, who deserves to stay at LEAST another week for REALLY working hard, will probably go.
I'm also tired of the Judge's constant fault-finding with Apolo and Julianne - they have SUCH charisma; they're SO good together. If I could end it today, they'd be the winners.
I find Laila very charming, but STILL slightly awkward, but I enjoy watching her more than I do Joey.
I'd be really disappointed if Joey won - and I don't guess it's inevitable. We all thought Mario would win last year and he didn't.
Maybe there's still something to look forward to.