Dancing with the Stars Recap
Welcome back, Dance fans! We're down to the final four and all of the couples have something to prove on their way to the finals. Doesn't it seem like so long ago when Leeza Gibbons was trying to let out her tramp? Then again, maybe some things are best left in the past. With Billy Ray now out of the picture, all four couples are pretty solid contenders -- but who is going to go all the way? And who is going to get the boot this week? Take our weekly poll:
And now ... on to the dancing!
1) Apolo and Julianne start the night off with a bang, taking the dance floor with a sharp and dazzling quickstep. Julianne's dress was beautiful and this couple seems to continue to amaze the judges and crowd alike. Nothing to find fault with here and the judges were extremely happy to see the first dance set the bar high for the rest of the night. Apolo and Julianne receive perfect tens from all three judges, setting the stage for a great night ahead. In the Latin round, Apolo and Julianne come back with a cha cha cha routine to "Push It' -- which seems a little odd, but their youth and energy could carry it. Still, it is a bit much for the ballroom and Julianne's royal blue stripper-esque outfit probably doesn't help matters much. The crowd goes wild, but I'm sort of unimpressed. Carrie Ann and Bruno are blown away by the sexiness, with Bruno shouting over the crowd "You are like a shot of adrenaline!" Len thought the footwork was improved, but ... was turned off by the "raunch". Len's distaste cost them a point, leaving them with a slightly less than perfect score of 29 out of 30.
2) Up next were Ian and Cheryl, who were spared the shame of the dreaded "bottom two" last week, apparently due to their fanbase, because it sure wasn't because of their scores. Ian has struggled a bit, but seems a bit more on target tonight, connecting with the dance and complimenting Cheryl's super swiveling hip action in the tango. The judges are a bit more reserved, with Carrie Ann and Bruno enjoying the dance but feeling like something was missing. Len, on the other hand, thought it was superb and their best dance yet. He hands out a 10 to upstage the 9s from Carrie Ann and Bruno. The couple returns for their second dance a little more animated ... and with a wig. Ian dons an Elvis 'do for a King-inspired jive to "All Shook Up". It's a cute routine but feels a bit hokey to me. Sort of like Ian is concentrating more on the Elvis impersonator part than the dancing. Still, the energy and style is on target, earning them a perfect score from the judges. Ian is so happy about this that backstage he jumps into Joey's arms.
(At this point, it may seem like it's the night of 10s and you're right ... so much so that it starts to feel like they're just casually handing them out at the door. But maybe that's just me.)
3) Before there was Ian as Elvis, there was Laila as Cleopatra. She and partner Maksim strutted their stuff in a quickstep to "Walk Like an Egyptian". Although I think this song is fairly annoying, the performance was anything but. Carrie Ann starts off the comments by telling Laila she brings something all her own to the competition, Len loved the movement and Bruno shouts out that Laila is "totally fascinating". They score a perfect 30 out of 30 for the ballroom round. In the Latin dance, they keep the energy going and wow the judges with their cha cha cha to "She's a Lady". It seems sort of slow for me at this point in the show, but again, Laila is giving it her all. Bruno claims it's a knockout and they once again earn a perfect score giving them 60 out of 60 possible points from the judges for the evening.
4) Who doesn't love Joey and Kym? Last week they were shocked to be in the bottom two, but someone's gotta do it. I think this only made them work harder, as they came out with a dazzling foxtrot in all white. The performance was light and bubbly, but solid. Bruno calls it a "foxtrot with perfect Hollywood credentials" and Carrie Ann flat out tells them that they "won the ballroom round, hands down". Almost predictably, the pair scores a perfect 30 for their first dance. Taking the floor for the final dance of the night, it's hard to imagine another sizzling performance, but Joey and Kym deliver with their jive that sent the studio audience into near hysterics. It was a fun routine, complete with kicks, jumps and Joey doing the splits. Not to mention his yellow pimp suit. Bruno gushes "You have more flash than Vegas and more tricks than Houdini!" which in Bruno-land, translates to "I am in love with you Joey Fatone!" Len takes it a step further and tells Joey "You've got something than everyone's got -- but yours is bigger -- your personality!" Easy there, Len! Of course they earn another perfect score for their Latin dance, ending the night on a high note.
What do you think? Whose dancing wowed you the most? Who's going on and who's going home? Share your picks with other Dancing fans here.
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I agreed with most of your comments EXCEPT for the one about Apolo and Julianne and their second dance of the evening. I think their youthful spin and dancing talents reaches a larger audience and entices younger adults to pursue the art of ballroom dancing. Julianne doesn't design her costume..the wardrobers do that...I thought BOTH of their dances were awesome and they continue to impress me week after week after week. It should be a showdown between Apolo and Joey for the disco ball trophy...Bruno and Len, enough with your sexual fascination with Laila..You call Ono raunchy but you are encouraging Laila to use the nothing-feminine-about it "Butterfly" to her dance.Could you be more of a hypocrit??? It only makes me dial in for Ono that much more. Also...PLEASE...Ian..it is your time to go...90210 fans, stick to voting for Emmys and look at his robotic dancing and see it for what it is...Hopefully, America will get smart and Ono will win it all and Jordin will prevail as the new American Idol!!!!!!!!!!!!
Len seems to have it in for Apolo. He always comes out of left field with those comments. Apolo is starting to look like a pro dancer, while Laila seems to be slowing down. I'm not understanding her perfect scores tonight. Credit to Joey for being very entertaining. Hope it's Joey and Apolo in the finals.
Go Apolo and Julianne!!!
I know it's that time in the competition that the dances are becoming really good, but that should make the judges score more harshly. Ian and Laila stuck out as not being fantastic tonight, and I think they should be in the final two. Joey and Apolo are the only ones that are continuously bringing their all each night. If Joey gets voted off tonight I will be very discouraged with the voters, and I think the show will have to reevaluate the weight of the public votes.
The problem with this show is that the voting starts before anyone has even danced so it is more of a popularity contest than how the couples dance. The show should change it next season. Don't like Apolo but love Julianne. Think the judges have been way too hard on Ian and way too soft on Laila. Would like to see Joey win. Agree with pinkie on wanting Jordin to win American Idol.
Love the Sanjaya reference from Bruno in one of his comments.
Isnt it amazing how Sanjaya is a household name now?
Anyway, love Joey the best.
All can dance, but Joey can dance and act out a character at the same time and it just seems so natural for him.
He and Kym are the most fun to watch.
I like Apollo too, but not as much as Joey. Though its amazing, he does look as good as the male pro dancers.
Leila, I dont get her 10s either.
I dont see what everyone sees in her.
She is good, but not as good as the other 3 left.
Last night I thought she was stiff and boring.
She is my least fave to watch, though Maks is amazing.
I like Ian and Cheryl.
I think he is not getting enough props.
I think he will prob be going home tonight but I hope not.
I threw 3 out of my 4 votes for him to help him out.
My other vote went to Joey.
Hate to see either of the 4 stars go, but I think it will be Ian.
It was so much fun last night; they had sizzling dances and great to watch.
You can say what you want about Laila but the girl just has it going on and that's why Len and Bruno are fascinated with her being so sexy! She oozes it and is a lady and very gracious. But her dances are not just sexy, I thought the quick step was light and airy as that particular dance needs to be.
Go Laila and Maks!
I know whoever is in the finals will have to bring it to win it! It was a fierce competition last night.
i'm also not seeing the perfect 10s in laila's dances? don't get it. if it comes down to it, i would prefer to see her and max go vs. ian and cheryl. i don't find laila and max very warm or friendly and max has a bit too big of an ego to fit in the room. at least ian and cheryl are very modest and likeable. i know it's not a personality contest but why do you think mario lost last year...karina the sourpuss!!!!
I don't agree with Len I think Apolo and Julianne were AWESOME
they deserved to have a perfect score along with Joey & Laila.All my votes are for Apolo.
I had a hard time choosing between Apolo, Joey and Laila. Ian was entertaining but not of the same caliber.
laila is terrible i don't know why she is still in only that she is ali's daughter, she is clumsey, and should have gone instead of billy ray. joey should win the whole thing but i think they got the ones they want already picked....joey is an out of sight dancer.....
i just dont know who should leave tonight. none of the dances stuck out as good, but not THAT good...and tamara, yeah i caught the sanjaya reference and thought that was GREAT myself-lol. i thought ian and cheryl did great on the jive, but joey and kym blew that dance out of the water. apolo and julianne were exceleent both times and laila still brought it(even though i found her 2nd dance a lil dry). so i just dont know-i think maybe joey and apolo...but then again laila isnt that bad-and ian brought it with his jive so again i just dont know...AND I AGREE WITH SEVERAL OF YOU GUYS WHEN I SAY JORDIN WILL BE THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL!! (at least she SHOULD be!!)
Come on now.... I know we have a right to our opinions, but BILLY RAY better than Laila???? As Len would say, "Poppycock!" Billy Ray was certainly charming, but not a dancer!
SOME people like to hate on Laila, but clumsy does not describe her dancing. She and Maks look great on the dance floor! Well, we see who is in the finals tonight.
Apolo and Julianne: young, exciting, fluid and fresh! look great together and great dancers!
Joey and Kym: beautiful classic ballroom last night; great Jive last night and always fun! looks like they really be enjoying themselves.
cont'dLaila and Max: Sensuous, sexy, more classic with their dances but do need some hot fun razzle dazzle if they get into the finals!
Ian and Cheryl: Ian really showed how good he can be last night, but not up to the other 3. Love Cheryl!
Can't wait for the finals!
Go Joey and Kym!
There allways are good dances.
I agree w/the comments by iloveapolo and pinkie I can't understand y the keep giving Liala a perfect score when her dancing was the same old boring dance as b4 coming on Judges apolo and julianne dance rings around laila and her dance partner i want 2 see the right dancers win Apolo r Joey they r the better dancers.