Was Tonight Billy Ray's Last Dance?

So was tonight Billy Ray’s swan song?

I sincerely believe that it was--unless his fans rally against Bruno calling his dance "crap"...

He gave it a lot more of an effort tonight, but there’s no question that he needs to go. If he does not, and Ian and Cheryl are eliminated first, Billy Ray will officially become the Sanjaya of “Dancing With the Stars”…

I just wish he could have gotten that 8 he so desperately wanted…

UPDATE: Remember the person in my office who was going to stop voting for Billy Ray? That was her plan, until Bruno dared say Billy Ray was "crap." So she once again voted the maximum 24 times. I have a feeling she wasn't alone, although she said she had less trouble getting through than on previous weeks...

It's possible that Billy Ray's comeback ("the pot calling the kettle black") could end up hurting him. Or it's possible that his fans will rally and two-time champ Cheryl could find herself out of the competition Tuesday. She'll definitely find herself in the bottom two...

But it won't be her fault. Did they actually make her do a Latin dance to "Imagine"?

Billy Ray Survives--Whether He Wanted To Or Not...

I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a reality competitor be so disappointed about staying in the competition. Maybe he was faking it, but I really think Billy Ray Cyrus was disappointed that he didn’t get sent home…

Don’t worry, Billy Ray. Your time is coming soon. Unless a certain person in my office votes for you another 24 times next week…

Your thoughts?...

"Dancing With the Stars": Has Billy Ray Given Up?

Did anyone else feel like Billy Ray Cyrus was giving up last night?

Granted, I only saw his first dance, but I found his “I wanted to showcase this beautiful woman” argument a little unconvincing. I’m wondering if with everything he has to do these days, he’s finally had enough…

If that is his wish, I’d say he’ll get it very soon. And then I can stop watching this show…

But since I am still watching, what was up with all of the 10s flying around last night?

Thoughts?

"Dancing With the Stars": Billy Ray Jives On...

As I predicted, Heather and Jonathan and John and Edyta made up the bottom two. And to no one’s surprise, Heather went home. In fact, Heather even had her goodbye speech all prepared…

So that means Billy Ray survives to dance another day as next week he and Karina will have to perform two dances.

I’ve said I’m only going to watch this show until Billy Ray is voted off. I may be watching a lot longer than I had planned…

By the way, if you’re wondering what Billy Ray’s strange move was at the end of the jive, he was checking to see how badly he ripped his pants. Fortunately, he didn’t expose anything…

"Dancing With the Stars": Karina Gives Up...

So this week on "Dancing With the Stars," Karina pretty much gave up and decided to let Billy Ray Cyrus do whatever he wanted to do in the jive.

You could see the dejection on her face when she told the camera that she just had to realize that they wouldn't get good technical scores...

I thought the dance was pretty much a mess, but they still got a 21.

I also didn't like Heather's either, but the judges raved about her again...

And what was up with that band last night? Their arrangements were totally off and a few of those notes I've actually heard Sanjaya sing better...

I missed the group dance, so you guys will just have to fill me in on that part...

So since Billy Ray is once again in the bottom two, will he go home? Not this week, I don't think. I'm feeling John Ratzenberger or Heather Mills...

"Dancing With the Stars": Controversy Averted

If you missed last night’s “Dancing With the Stars” results show, we almost got our first bit of controversy…

After falling during her routine, Heather Mills ended up in the bottom two along with Clyde Drexler.

Heather had been getting extremely high scores from the judges, which I think had helped her stave off elimination since she’s not all that popular with the public (There’s that whole gold digger reputation she’s got.). But when they were forced to dock her points for the fall, that made her vulnerable.

But going home after a fall caused solely by her prosthetic leg? Controversy with a capital C, my friends…

But instead, it was Clyde who finally went home. And it was fairly obvious that Clyde wanted to go. When Heather reached over to hold his hand as they waited for the announcement, he seemed to almost blow her off like he didn’t care what happened. I think the announcement was a relief for him.

Someone who was not relieved was Billy Ray Cyrus. He almost seemed upset when it was announced that they were safe. I wonder, though, if that may have been because he thought he deserved to be in the bottom two more than Heather.

Either way, Billy Ray lives to dance again and next week he’ll have to learn two dances as the stars will perform with their partners and with the other stars in a swing dance. It should be interesting.

However, because of the return of Manic Monday, I will only be able to watch until 8:58, so I’ll need to rely on all of you to fill me in on that last half hour…

"Dancing With the Stars": Now We Have Ourselves a Competition...

I didn’t watch all of “Dancing With the Stars” last night, but I watched enough of it to know that now we have ourselves a competition.

I’m just not sure whether Billy Ray Cyrus will get to stick around long enough to see it…

Billy Ray took the criticism of the judges pretty hard last night after they scored his and Karina’s rumba with a 17. After plugging his album (which I’m sure Disney appreciated), Billy Ray said the judges’ reaction was depressing and he shouldn’t say anymore.

So what went wrong? It was clear from the tape of them rehearsing, that Billy Ray was a little afraid to get as up close and personal with Karina as he needed to. Plus, it was clear that he didn’t have a whole lot of time to rehearse as Karina even had to go to the “Hannah Montana” set to rehearse with him—although I’m sure Disney appreciated that too.

Clyde and Elena actually got the lowest score last night with a 13, but since Clyde seems to have a Sanjaya-sized fan club, Billy Ray could be a little vulnerable tonight…

Someone else who was a little vulnerable were the favorites, Joey and Kym, who appeared to be dancing away with the whole thing. I thought they were pretty good, but Len and Carrie took off points for Joey “overperforming” and coming off a little “feminine,” so they only received a 25—which on most nights would have been the best.

But the early favorites, Laila and Maks, made a huge comeback by scoring a 28, and Apolo and Julianne scored the first perfect 30 of the season with a scintillating samba.

The unending stallfest—I mean, the results show—airs tonight at 9 on ABC…

Billy Ray learns to juggle...

Since I didn’t watch all of “Dancing With the Stars” last night, I missed the big controversy. But it got full play again tonight…

Len Goodman did some investigation into how much practice the stars were doing and discovered that for some, it wasn’t very much. In fact, one couple had only practiced six hours. Len chastised all of the couples at the beginning of the show and told them they needed to step it up, which didn’t go over very well with everyone—especially Clyde.

But it brings up a good point. In order for the show to be successful, it needs to have well-known names. But well-known names have other things on their plate and can’t devote as much time to their dancing. For example, Billy Ray has to return to the set of “Hannah Montana” this week and Monday, he has a photo shoot for his album which will be out in September.

Meanwhile Ian Ziering and Joey Fatone are…well, you get my point.

Billy Ray will have to find a way to make it work, though, as he’s through to next week.

To the surprise of no one—including Leeza—Leeza and Tony were eliminated.

And after getting the judges’ encore dance for the second week in a row, Joey and Kym are definitely the favorites.

Plus, after seeing that package about the professional dancers, I feel sorry for Ian. I thought Karina needed to chill out. Cheryl takes this WAY too seriously…

Billy Ray Makes Karina Cry...

I've said in the past that the best part of watching Billy Ray dance on "Dancing With the Stars" is the video before the dance.

But last night's video was no fun and games as Karina's frustration with Billy Ray not being able to learn the steps caused her to go in another room where her microphone picked up the sound of her crying.

However, the tears must have worked because Billy Ray gave a pretty good performance of the paso doble (whatever that is) dressed as a bullfighter, with Karina as a flamenco dancer. They scored a 21 from the judges as Billy Ray once again earned praise for his effort. Carrie Ann Inaba said it was awkward and sexy and hot and strange all at the same time.

I'm not usually impressed with Karina's choreography, but last night's was pretty good--which is maybe why she got so frustrated.

But Karina, if by some wild chance you're reading this, CHILL OUT!

The score put Billy Ray and Karina in the middle of the pack. In the lead were Joey and Kym (who have to be the favorites), Apolo and Julianne, and Ian and Cheryl. In the bottom were Leeza and Tony, Clyde and Elena, and John and Edyta.

No worries, though, Billy Ray fans. Karina is just going to have to learn to deal with her frustration because they're not going anywhere. After her lack of fan support with her best dance last week, I think there's no doubt that Leeza is going home.

"Dancing With the Stars: The Results" airs tonight (Tuesday) at 9 p.m. on ABC. You can see a special recap at 8 p.m...

Billy Ray dances on...

And I thought “American Idol” knew how to stall. Holy cow…

First, there was that somewhat inappropriate performance (for a family show) by Ciara and then there was that study of the contestants’ numbers and auras. What?!

But when they finally got around to it, Shandi and Brian were the second pair eliminated from “Dancing With the Stars.” So yes, Billy Ray dances on with his “achy breaky butt.”

The interesting story that emerged from last night’s results show, though, was Leeza Gibbons. Leeza and Tony were tied for first place after the judges’ scores, but they ended up in the bottom two after the votes were figured in. Translation: Leeza has no fans. She was not happy.

Speaking of people who were not happy, Laila Ali was still fuming over her partner, Max, coming up with illegal choreography. I don’t understand all the technicalities, but Max should have. And I’m thinking that an undefeated boxing champ is not someone you want to mess with.

Since I didn’t watch any of the dances other than Billy Ray’s Monday night, I missed Joey and Kym’s “Star Wars” tango. They got to do the encore dance last night, and it was really cool.

I’ve decided the reason I can’t get into this show is because I just don’t understand it. I can listen to a person sing and know whether it was good or not, but with dancing, I don’t have a clue. I didn’t see the big misstep Ian made and I don’t get how the other couples could break their “hold” but Laila and Max couldn’t. And Max’s point about theatrics was a good one. Everyone else was using props and costumes. They were just using their moves for theatrics instead. Of course, the judges didn’t agree.

And by the way, if you weren’t impressed with Survivor’s performance last night, you weren’t the only one. I did some snooping on the web and if their Wikipedia entry is correct, they do have a completely new lead singer…

Billy Ray "Rocks the Casbah"

Billy Ray and Karina danced the mambo to "Rock the Casbah" on last night's "Dancing With the Stars."

And after A LOT of coaching from Karina, the duo received a 21 and several compliments from the judges. You have to admit that Billy Ray's slide between Karina's legs was pretty cool...

The show ended with a four-way tie at the top between Ian and Cheryl, Joey and Kym, Heather and Jonathan and Leeza and Tony. John and Edyta and Clyde and Elena make up the bottom.

I think Billy Ray's going to have to learn another dance next week--whether he wants to or not. I'd look for John and Edyta to go home since Clyde seems to have a fan base.

And yes, you heard correctly. Survivor will perform "Eye of the Tiger" on tonight's results show.

The "Dancing With the Stars" results show airs tonight (Tuesday) at 9 p.m. on ABC...

Billy Ray Keeps "Dancing"...

We almost saw an “Achy Breaky” heart attack on tonight’s “Dancing With the Stars” as Billy Ray Cyrus was stunned that he and Karina were not in the bottom two.

I told you his charm would get him through, although I was a little concerned when Clyde was declared safe.

Instead we said goodbye to Paulina and Alec who were joined in the bottom two by Shandi and Brian…

And how about the trick ABC pulled tonight by not starting the show until “Idol” was over. The competition between FOX and ABC is better than the dancing…

Next week, half of the couples will do the jive and half of them will do the tango…

"DWTS": "Don't break your frame. Your achy breaky frame..."

It’s too bad for Billy Ray Cyrus that the eliminations on "Dancing With the Stars" are not decided by audience votes alone, because in that case I think he’d go pretty far…

It’s the videos before the performances that make you want to watch him. His mocking of Karina was spot on and his “Achy Breaky Frame” song was also funny (although the audience didn’t laugh much. I hope that doesn’t mean they didn’t know the song!). He’s just so charming, it’s hard not to like him.

But even the judges liked his quick step tonight giving it a score of 21, but combined with last week’s score, he and Karina are still in last place. However, I think that the audience votes will put Billy Ray over Clyde Drexler and allow him to stay.

Speaking of tonight’s show, was anyone else stunned when Heather Mills did that flip? It’s a good thing for her that the eliminations are not decided by audience votes alone because she’s not really popular right now—especially with Beatles fans.

The first elimination show airs tomorrow (Tuesday) night at 9 on ABC. Tom Bergeron told us tonight that the elimination process will begin at the very beginning of the show which, of course, is an attempt to combat the extended “American Idol” on FOX…

“Don’t break your frame. Your achy breaky frame. I just don’t think they’d understand…”

Thanks, Billy Ray. I’m going to be singing that all day tomorrow…

Your thoughts?

Billy Ray Fails to Wow-Wow-Wow the Judges With the Cha-Cha-Cha

Poor Billy Ray. The judges didn't like him, he nearly scalped his partner while trying to remove her wig, and he's now in last place...

Because I'm otherwise tied up on Monday nights, I only saw three dancers: Leeza Gibbons, Ian Ziering and Billy Ray and I've got to say I wasn't all that impressed with any of them.

Thoughts?

A "Dancing With the Stars" Preview

I’ve never been a fan of “Dancing With the Stars,” and I’m definitely not thrilled about it moving to Mondays. But how could I not root for Billy Ray Cyrus?

Billy Ray is dancing with Mario Lopez’s partner, Karina Smirnoff. As he says, “Last year, Karina had Mario. Now, she’s got a left-footed hillbilly.”

In his defense, Karina says “he has so much talent and personality. I have to bring it out on the dance floor.” You may recall how hard Karina was on Mario last season and apparently she hasn’t changed. Billy Ray says he’s changed his name to Rotator because she’s always telling him to rotate.

As for his dance experience, he says he has none. He doesn’t even know the “Achy Breaky” and he skipped most of his dances in high school.

Speaking of his famous song, Billy Ray says he won’t use it unless they ask him to sing it. Let me put in that request right now. Don’t you think that would be a cool closing song for the results show one week?...

Billy Ray cites family as the reason why he’s doing the show. His father, who passed away last year, was a huge fan. And when his daughter, Noah, told her first-grade teacher her dad was “scared” to do the show, the teacher told her to go home and tell him “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”

When “DWTS” is over, Billy Ray will go back to “Hannah Montana” AND recording an album for Disney (Woo-hoo!)…

So who’s the competition?

Heather Mills, the ex-Mrs. Paul McCartney, will get a lot of attention because of her artificial leg. She’s paired with Jonathan Roberts, who last danced with Rachel Hunter.

Apolo Anton Ohno, the 2006 Olympic Gold Medal Winner for short-track speedskating, didn’t start his dance training in earnest until March 13th after the World Championships. He’s paired with first-timer Julianne Hough.

Joey Fatone, the ‘N Sync-er, is paired with Kym Johnson, who last danced with Jerry Springer.

Ian Ziering of “Beverly Hills 90210” is paired with two-time champ Cheryl Burke.

Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA 2004, is paired with first-timer Brian Fortuna.

Paulina Porizkova, the supermodel, is paired with Alec Mazo, who last danced with Season One champ Kelly Monaco.

Laila Ali, the undefeated super middleweight women’s boxing champ, is paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who last danced with Willa Ford.

John Ratzenberger, best known for playing Cliff on “Cheers” only had 17 days to practice because he was a last-minute substitution for Vincent Pastore. He’s paired with Edyta Sluvinkska, who last danced with Joey Lawrence.

Leeza Gibbons, best known for her time on “Entertainment Tonight,” is paired with Tony Dovolani, who last danced with Sara Evans.

Clyde Drexler, the former NBA star, will be the tallest contestant ever (at 6’7”). He’s paired with Elesa Grinemko, who last danced while Tucker Carlson sat and watched.

“Dancing With the Stars” premieres with a two-hour performance show Monday, March 19th at 8 p.m. The results show will premiere Tuesday, March 27th at 9 p.m. on ABC...

Photo of Billy Ray Cyrus dancing with Thea Andrews of "Entertainment Tonight," courtesy of ET Online. Photo of Ian Ziering and Cheryl Burke courtesy of Gannett News Service.

Some "Achy" Breaking News...

If you've been on the "Herald-Dispatch" home page, you've already heard the big news...

Billy Ray Cyrus is competing on "Dancing With the Stars." Cyrus told "People" that he can barely do the "Achy Breaky dance" let alone a whole routine, but I think it will be fun to watch.

Obviously there's some Disney synergy going on here since Billy Ray is on the smash Disney Channel show "Hannah Montana." But whatever the case, it's great exposure for him and I wish him the best.

And in case you're wondering, Billy Ray's partner will be Karina Smirnoff, who partnered with runner-up Mario Lopez last season. As you may recall, she didn't take much crap, so he'd better watch out...

Unfortunately, because "Stars" is moving to Monday to avoid "American Idol," I won't be able to watch much. After all, my Mondays are manic enough...

To see who Billy Ray will be competing against, go to http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/NEWS01/70221014/-1/NEWS13.

My money's on Ian Ziering since he's partnered with two-time champ Cheryl Burke...

"Dancing With the Stars" returns March 19th at 8 p.m. on ABC...