Let's talk about tonight's dances in here! :)

So one more week and we are into the semi finals. I don't think there is any surprise about who will be going home tonight ... Billy Ray. Next week it will probably be Ian, though the order may be reversed depending on fan base, but it is pretty obvious neither are going to win.

I don't know how anyone else felt but I did think the judges were rude and mean spirited concerning Billy Ray. He was not good and there is no chance he will win, but all he has ever wanted was an 8. Couldn't one of them just given him the 8 for his effort (which was really obvious last night) and kept him and his fans happy? One 8 was not going to get him any further in the competition and one 8 would never put him in the winning position.

They were overly nice to Heather even when she made mistakes they would not tolerate from others. The actually praised her for her efforts when they were not supposed to treat her any different than the others. Even writers to the TV Guide were upset with the special treatment.

Said that only to say that Billy Ray did improve vastly from the beginning though he will never be a good dancer, but they talk about appreciating hard work and real dedication and he got that going. His last dance really wasn't terrible though far from good. Since he was in the bottom two last week, the person who has been there has almost always been voted out the following week, I just think this could have ended for him on a much more positive note.

Okay I vented now its' somebody elses turn to show me the error of my thinking LOL.

Normally, I agree with you chairo and I can't so I totally disagree with you on this, but they have been a little too charitable with Billy Ray all season because of his "effort". There are four really good couples out there and we could have ourselves a fabulous finale' this season so to keep somebody like Billy Ray in, who is likeable, but can't hold a candle to any of the remaining dancers, would be tragic at this point.

I think Billy Ray totally over-reacted and I think I know why. I think he was trying to turn off his fans by bitching about the judges and showing poor-sportsmanship. He knew last week he should have gone and he's not oblivious to the facts about his abilities, but he really needs to let his fans know.

That being said, this could backfire on him and folks who normally vote for one of the others could give him support because they disagreed with the judges. Enuogh about Billy Ray.

I have a confession to make: :oooo

Last week I wanted to beat up the judges for being so mean to Apolo. Then I got what they meant after watching last night. They certainly did bring something special with them last night and it was amazing!!!

We don't have to like what the judge's have to say and they don't even have to be nice. It's there job to call a chicken a chicken. I think the judges are a little frustrated as well that BR is still around. I know he's put forth an effort, but the man cannot, repeat cannot dance!

Did you guys notice how Karina was trying to get him to close his mouth last night? I have to agree with what you are saying FG about BR maybe trying to put his fans off a bit. They normally voice all of their negative comments in the backstage confessional. Honestly, I would rather have had J-Rat for another week than BR. Give me Edyta any day over Smarina.

Apo was awesome last night!!! It was his best ever.

Ok, am I the only sap who cried last night when Laila dedicated their dance to her Daddy??? I think Maks even got a little emotional. Love them too.

Oh no lpatrick, I was a blubbering fool for the rest of the night. :cry:

Trying to explain to my 9 year old what a living legend is and then telling my 18 year old what was wrong with him and why on top of the lovely sentiment by Laila to her daddy was exactly what this PMS laden woman needed to have herself a good blubber!

Me 3 .. about Mohamad Ali .. I have been a total Ali fan for years. Even when he was know by Clay (can't spell first name lol). It was sad to see he has deteriorated so much but I was moved not only by Laila's speech but also when Billy Ray went to shake hands with him. I was surprised having a living legends in your midst the others didn't acknowledge him also...but then there is that pesky thing called editing.

Final words on Billy Ray. I was in no means trying to say he should be there another week. I totally do NOT! What I was TRYING to say and I guess not very clearly is that I was SURE he would NOT be there another week and I believe he knew that too, which is why I thought maybe a mercy 8 would be nice.

However I do agree in a sense with you Funnygirl, NOT that he was trying to put off his fans, but that the way the judges treated him could backfire and he just may survive another week. To be honest I think he assumed he was gone last week ... this was just a stay of execution and I actually thought he made his desires known ... he wanted an 8 ... and would have then been happy to leave ... just as old what's his name wanted to stay till he learned the waltz for his daughters wedding last year. (Jerry Springer) He was happy to go after that accomplishment ...the rest was gravy.

So Lpatrick do not think I could even in my wildest imagination ever consider BR a fair dancer ... entertaining yes, a dancer NO!!!! I do think he'd do a pretty decent Texas 2 step though lol

It would be a travesty for BR to make the semi finals and I would be ther first to say it. JUST GIVE HIM HIS 8!!!

It's a live show...now editing. However, I bet the rest waited until after the show or already paid homage to him before the show. Billy Ray just couldn't contain himself. Sometimes it's cute, mostly it's annoying. Like the way he turns his back to the judges to acknowledge the folks in the balcony instead of listening to the judges. Leave it on the dance floor and show a little bit of professionalism dude!!

Sorry...I really do like Billy Ray, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to contain it all season. It's bugged me from the moment he first plugged his album. It was quite clear why he was here. That being said, at least he put forth some effort in learning the dances.

If you want respect in return, you need to give respect first. ;)

Oh chairo... I know you want to dance with him. :giggle: We like who we like. Should he still be there...no. Has he put forth an effort...yes. But sometimes just putting forth an effort isn't good enough. I don't know if he should have even gotten the "mercy 8." Most people don't want to be given something that they didn't earn. I'm not saying he didn't earn it in one of his past dances but he really didn't last night. It would be sad if someone besides him goes home tonight. What a great semi-final we could have with Ian (who really need to let loose), Joey, Apo, and Laila.

Love you guys and glad you come around to play along!!!