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'Skating With the Stars' Week 5: Bethenny Frankel skates past Jonny Moseley to finale
Something surprising finally happened on "Skating With the Stars" -- and it wasn't just the fact that this apparently isn't the last episode.
That's right. The "SWTS" finale is a two-nighter, and one of the competition's early favorites won't be in attendance "Who?" you ask. Well, you can plainly see in the headline, but let's just run through the penultimate routines in the spirit of protocol.
The Group Dance:
Somehow amateurish figure skating is infinitely more digestible when it's set to Christmas music, but isn't everything? The three finalists spinning in circles to "All I Want For Christmas Is You" was sweet -- but it didn't rock the score boat. Rebecca distinguished herself from runner-up Jonny Moseley, who was just marginally better than Bethenny Frankel.
Rebecca Budig and Fred Palascak (66 out of 70)
Though we'd object that it was a tad too schmaltzy, Budig's free-skate was an appropriate culmination of her incredible 10-week progress. The lift near the end was possibly the most impressive move on the show yet. And the judges rewarded them accordingly.
Bethenny Frankel and Ethan Burgess (50 out of 70)
Her aptitude for performance will probably never change. But at least no one seems to care anymore. Johnny Weir was almost overly flattering to Frankel's routine. And though we'd normally suspect producer intervention, maybe the ice-skate-wearing Grinch finally appreciates that she's just here to have fun. That fun is infectious. And her tears, clearly a tad premature, were a nice punctuation mark to her best routine so far.
Jonny Moseley and Brooke Castile (60 out of 70)
After two cutesy routines, Jonny and Brooke knew what they had to do: get it on. And their free-skate to Al Green included the seasons' first ice gyrations - something we never even knew we were missing. But it doesn't work as well for Dick Button, who thought the overt sexuality detracted a bit from the overall performance. Still, a commendable job.
The Elimination
Never underestimate how much America loves its Bethenny. Despite topping the leader board for much of the competition, Jonny Moseley got a shocking boot just one day from the finale. We're simultaneously surprised and not surprised. Rebecca Budig was a lock for the finale, and Bethenny, regardless of talent, makes for good TV. Also: she hasn't tried to cut anyone's finger off.
There's still one more night of "SWTS," folks -- the holidays truly are a time for generosity -- so don't forget to come back tomorrow to see who gets the boot and who gets the ice trophy. Or whatever.
That's right. The "SWTS" finale is a two-nighter, and one of the competition's early favorites won't be in attendance "Who?" you ask. Well, you can plainly see in the headline, but let's just run through the penultimate routines in the spirit of protocol.
The Group Dance:
Somehow amateurish figure skating is infinitely more digestible when it's set to Christmas music, but isn't everything? The three finalists spinning in circles to "All I Want For Christmas Is You" was sweet -- but it didn't rock the score boat. Rebecca distinguished herself from runner-up Jonny Moseley, who was just marginally better than Bethenny Frankel.
Rebecca Budig and Fred Palascak (66 out of 70)
Though we'd object that it was a tad too schmaltzy, Budig's free-skate was an appropriate culmination of her incredible 10-week progress. The lift near the end was possibly the most impressive move on the show yet. And the judges rewarded them accordingly.
Bethenny Frankel and Ethan Burgess (50 out of 70)
Her aptitude for performance will probably never change. But at least no one seems to care anymore. Johnny Weir was almost overly flattering to Frankel's routine. And though we'd normally suspect producer intervention, maybe the ice-skate-wearing Grinch finally appreciates that she's just here to have fun. That fun is infectious. And her tears, clearly a tad premature, were a nice punctuation mark to her best routine so far.
Jonny Moseley and Brooke Castile (60 out of 70)
After two cutesy routines, Jonny and Brooke knew what they had to do: get it on. And their free-skate to Al Green included the seasons' first ice gyrations - something we never even knew we were missing. But it doesn't work as well for Dick Button, who thought the overt sexuality detracted a bit from the overall performance. Still, a commendable job.
The Elimination
Never underestimate how much America loves its Bethenny. Despite topping the leader board for much of the competition, Jonny Moseley got a shocking boot just one day from the finale. We're simultaneously surprised and not surprised. Rebecca Budig was a lock for the finale, and Bethenny, regardless of talent, makes for good TV. Also: she hasn't tried to cut anyone's finger off.
There's still one more night of "SWTS," folks -- the holidays truly are a time for generosity -- so don't forget to come back tomorrow to see who gets the boot and who gets the ice trophy. Or whatever.
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Photo/Video credit: ABC
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I am so sick of non talent on these shows I voted as many times as possible for Bethenny...just to diminish the show more.
Jesus Christ, vote this delusional Bethenny hag off the show already..
Yeah remember how much Bethenny insisted she didn't care and it was all idiotic? Let her show you how much she doesn't care with her tears! LOL
Seriously, if her nutty fanbase manages to get her to win this show, it will be even more of a joke. :) She even stumbled at her entrance in the beginning, when all she had to do was let her partner set her gently down on the ice. LOL I mean really, even Bethenny was shocked. She knows she has no business being in the final.
Still, it's figure skating. Laughable results that are only marginally based on skating ability are nothing new. This skating season has been a prime example of that.
you know this is a reality show.Anyone with brains can see
Bethenny does not belong in this
final.If she wins that will be the last for me to watch as it will all be a setup.
It's the Tea Party's fault...
As a proud member of her "nutty fanbase," I can tell you that we vote for Bethenny because she's such an entertaining person. She's funny and deeply genuine--honest for better or worse. She was crying tonight because, as she said, she hates being away from her husband and daughter, whom she adores. It's a reality show. The best singer usually doesn't win on American Idol. Personality matters most. This happens in every reality show. I don't know why people get so worked up. As Bethenny said, it's skating, it's supposed to be fun. Her fanbase is large for good reason.
Funny and deeply genuine, honest for better or worse. I could say the same for Johnny Weir. Pity that Bethenny's fans are projecting all over him and assuming that he can't be impartial merely because he's friendly with someone Bethenny doesn't like. He's been nothing but honest with Bethenny every week about what she's doing wrong and where she needs to improve. In return she shouts "F*** JOHNNY WEIR" and steadfastly refuses to take his or the other judges' comments to heart and try to get better. They spent the whole series telling her the same things over and over. And her fans harrass him all over twitter, call him names, hurl homophobic slurs at him (and she got into that act too with that little comment about the woman he wants to be)...nice crowd. It's kind of unsurprising to me that the worst offenders can't even actually spell Bethenny's name.
She left her daughter for four hours to go to WORK. I would hope she was crying because she was moved by her performance rather than because she actually had to go to work.
oh man i can't believe this show didn't get cancelled already. Anne is right about delusional trashy Bethenny....
Jonny and Brooke got ripped off! They are clearly the better skaters.Bethenny may be 'funny and genuine' but she is a horrible ice skater.I guess it's based on something other than talent.She is completely uncoordinated,almost as bad as Sean Young.Jonny is so much more athletic and graceful than she will ever be-- it was enjoyable to watch him skate.Like I said,it is obviously not about talent.