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Sharinia
Member
09-07-2002
| Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 2:17 pm
<<Ian just lacks something...that extra oomph. He never acts like he enjoys what he's doing. When Cheryl danced with her two previous partners they were always smiling and enjoying. Ian lacks that, and I think his scores reflect that. I don't think it has anything to do with judging bias against Cheryl three-peating.>> I agree that it does seem that the judges don't care for Ian for some reason. He does look like he is taking things too seriously, and comes across a bit cocky. I still think he is a good dancer though and admittedly he looks great for 43.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 2:41 pm
I think that Ian is not a natural dancer. Which means he really has to WORK at getting the steps down, the hips and arms, the head and facial expressions. He still comes off as a bit stiff to me. I think his cockiness has more to do with the fact that his partner has been a winner for the past two seasons. Personally, I take offense at the "he looks great for 43" thing. He danged well should. 43 is NOT old, not by a long shot. And when you make your living, mostly, on your looks, you are gonna make sure you continue to look good.
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Sharinia
Member
09-07-2002
| Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 5:25 pm
Good grief, of course 43 is NOT old Someone could look great 'for' any age. I hope I look 'great for 35.'
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Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 5:50 pm
Cost, it's not that he looks so good for his age as it is that he just doesn't look 43. I was stunned when I heard how old he was. I would have guessed early 30s. I'd never even heard of him before. He has a million dollar smile IMHO.
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Penpoint
Member
03-27-2001
| Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 10:44 pm
I've noticed a number of folks here have a negative view of Heather Mills, stating that she is getting special treatment from the judges because of her prosthetic leg. Actually, although the judges have been very kind in their comments, they have for the most part only given her scores that usually put her in the middle of the pack -- exactly where she belongs. As one who also has a prosthetic leg, I can assure you she is doing a magnificent job. Of course she cannot move with the ideal smoothness that would put her at the top, but I'm amazed that she can navigate the stairs so well -- steps require a good bend of the knee, and the sleeve that joins the prosthesis to her stump goes over the knee, and that usually inhibits a free knee action. I've also noticed that Jonathan Roberts does more complex choreography for them than most of the other teams are doing. Naturally, he's going to tailor it to feature their strengths, but he's not making it easy to accommodate Heather's limitations. And unlike some of the other couples, the pro is not doing all the fancy work while the celeb is there for support. He has made Heather a full partner in their routines. As a contestant in this show, Heather Mills should not -- and does not -- get special treatment because she is an amputee. Actually, there is one area in which Heather Mills gets "special" treatment. Unlike the rest of us run-of-the-mill amputees, she is able to afford a wardrobe of legs to accommodate different shoes and various activities. The rest of us get along with only one prosthesis. She does, however, proudly represent and inspire other amputees.
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 10:52 pm
Well, Ian must work awfully hard then because he sure has those dance steps down. He sure is a whole lot better than Billy Ray or John or Clyde or Heather. He for sure doesn't look 43! And isn't that what almost every actor in existance shoots for? To look as good as possible?
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 8:26 am
Oh yeah, Twinks! He's definitely better than those three! I think he just needs to loosen up a bit. There are times when I think he and Joey are on a par. But then Apolo dances and just blows me away. He's really got some of the professional dance moves DOWN! (The way he moves his feet, for example.)
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Roxip
Member
01-29-2004
| Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 9:08 am
I wonder of Apolo's ability to be able to pick up the moves is a result of his being very "body conscious" (and I don't mean that in a bad way -- but then again I never noticed his "equipment" which was referenced in the article above...I'm gonna have to look closer this next week!). As an athlete, especially one in a sport that requires such specific body movements as I believe his type of speed skating does, he has to be accurately aware of his body position (or else he would tumble headfirst onto the ice). It also requires a great deal of balance. Does this give him the ability to translate that into dance moves?
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Jimmer
Moderator
08-30-2000
| Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 9:28 am
I wouldn't think speed skating would be much of an advantage in that regard (as opposed to figure skating). Having said that though, as a winning Olympic athlete he has exceptional physical ability. Also, he knows how to train and he has the characteristics of a champion.
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 11:07 am
Penpoint, I couldn't agree more. I was anti-Heather at the beginning of the season, but I admit it was simply because I was so pro-Paul McCartney! As a person who works in Physical Therapy, I totally concur with your points about the prosthetic. She is doing a fabulous job to maintain her balance and change positions the way she does. Pivoting on a leg with a prosthetic is extremely difficult and puts her in harm's way. I did notice when she fell to her knees and did the little shimmy leaning backwards, that her prostetic was completely off to the left of her body. I cringed when I saw that and hoped that it wouldn't be out of alignment when she returned to standing. She fell right after that, so I could only assume (regardless of whether she said her foot slipped or not) that it was an alignment issue. Thanks for posting, Penpoint!
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Rissa
Member
03-20-2006
| Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 11:43 am
What I heard Heather say was that she miscounted the last couple steps and ended up standing on the prostetic leg with her real one raised instead of the other way around as planned. Its sorta amazing to me that she is so comfortable moving on that leg that she *forgot* for a moment which one was real. My final three wish would be Laila winning, Joey second and Apolo third. I adore Apolo but there is something about the absolute joy that Joey seems to have when performing that edges him a bit ahead in my book. John is the same, he makes ya smile, he is just so dang gleefull. LOLOL
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Kookliebird
Member
08-04-2005
| Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 1:21 pm
I love Joey. He is so funny without even trying. The bit with Jimmy Kimmel's sidekick in the ladies bathroom (Yoey) was hilarious, especially after the 'feminine' comment from the judges this week. I see Joey getting a sitcom or, at the very least, doing more comedic acting in the future. I always forget that he was the brother in My big fat greek wedding.
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Sharinia
Member
09-07-2002
| Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 1:33 pm
Thanks for posting your thoughts Penpoint I have thought that the judges are 'handling' Heather's critiques well, too. I feel sorry for her being so defined in this competition by her leg.... it's almost like she is viewed more as disability than a person -- nobody's fault really, its just unfortunate, as I suppose everyone there has to endure a rather one dimensional image of some sort.
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Sharinia
Member
09-07-2002
| Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 1:37 pm
Joey is funny I give him kudos for putting up with some pretty embarrassing comments (eg, your butt sticks out, your movements are feminine, etc).. I bet he is cringing already wondering what's in store for next week, lol
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Texasdeb
Member
05-23-2003
| Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 12:30 pm
I'm finding myself liking Joey alot too. He has a great sence of humor. Lalah is probably my 2nd fav. I'm wanting to like Ian more (I think it's because I really like Cheryl). I never watched 90210 so b/4 this show I really had no idea who Ian was. I adore John & it's not just because of Cheers. He really seems to be having a great time. Apollo doesn't do it for me even though he's prob. the best dancer. Heather tries so hard & being on this show has been a positive for her reputation at least for me. Billy Ray just seems to be there to only promote the other things he has going on. Yep, he's nice to look at, but that's about all he has going for him. (Oh, did I mention that I do not like his partner, Karina.)
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Sharinia
Member
09-07-2002
| Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 2:18 pm
Karina is not someone I'd choose to be friends with but she is amusing to watch imo and an incredible dancer. I don't think she is quite as a good of a choreographer for her partners though as Cheryl, Kym and Julianne.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 9:00 pm
Penpoint, that is a thought I've had, that Heather can afford to bring in a new leg, or alternate ones, at will (which of course in her position, only makes sense) and that certainly isn't the typical scenario. I would imagine that even if they are covered by insurance, that would usually just mean one device, correct? I do think SOME of the time they, or the older judge, at least, are scoring a bit high on Heather, but there are others who seem to be getting the odd too high score as well. I don't care for her and yet I certainly admire her determination and the mobility she achieves and I have to imagine she is inspiring many people. I'd like to see Apolo or Laila as the winner. They really have me watching this season, so much more than last season. But I also realize that since the show has been on a couple of years some people are coming on and not really devoting themselves to the effort.. this seems to mean we get some more interesting people, like Apolo, since they are really continuing with their normal busy schedules at the same time, AND others who simply don't try all that hard and perhaps are there so they can hawk a book or a show .. Billy Ray comes to mind, but even more so, Paulina.. she was there for a couple of shows and oh yes, she can now tour the talk shows under the guise of DWTS while pushing her book.. hmmm. Lots of potential readers in that audience.
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Beth4freedom
Member
10-24-2003
| Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 11:12 pm
From what I've seen, Billy Ray DOES try really hard...I think he had most rehearsal hours of all dancers one recent week. And from what I understood he undertook this at his children's prompting. When he mentioned recording his music the other night, it was that he turned to his music to "heal" himself from what might have been a rocky rehearsal session. I DO think he tries very hard, and has had some really vibrant splashes for that reason, but it doesn't come naturally by a long shot.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 11:40 pm
It could be; I'm just not feeling it and not liking when he answers a dance question with an ad for his book or other job. And really I have to give props anyway for the effort all of them are making. Just seemed like the first season, everyone really was there for the show more.
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Roxip
Member
01-29-2004
| Monday, April 23, 2007 - 7:57 am
I would imagine in Heather's profession as a fundraiser and champion of people with prosthetics (remember, she has done a lot of work getting prosthetics to people in third world countries), she has contacts in the industry and has the ability to receive different prosthetics. I know several years ago she was on Oprah and had one of the first prosthetics that had an extraordinarly advanced ankle that allowed her to move more gracefully (this was one of the ones that looks like a robot - not the aesthetic ones that she wears on DWTS). The mechanical-looking ones tend to be a lot more functional while the "pretty" ones aren't nearly as good. I realize I'm not doing a good job of saying this, but my intention is that she probably does have the connections to get the very best prosthetics. Not to mention she is awesome advertising the abilities of people who wear prosthetics. But I'm not voting for her...LOL!
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Monday, April 23, 2007 - 6:15 pm
Jazzed up variation of Don't Cry For Me Argentina....blech.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Monday, April 23, 2007 - 6:19 pm
Not to mention that she has access to a whole lot of money these days.. And for sure, she's like an elite athlete and would be good advertising and thus get freebies.
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Beth4freedom
Member
10-24-2003
| Monday, April 23, 2007 - 6:39 pm
Was I seeing things, or did Billy Ray do a lift tonight in his dance? (For once I didn't record, so can't look back).
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Curlyq
Member
07-10-2002
| Monday, April 23, 2007 - 6:59 pm
I think that was the most entertaining group dance they've ever done on this show. Loved Laila and Apolo together. I'm surprised that they've abandoned the idea of sticking to two dances. It felt kind of soon to be seeing another samba and another paso doble. Have they just given up on the smooth dances?
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Penpoint
Member
03-27-2001
| Monday, April 23, 2007 - 7:53 pm
Roxip, the "mechanical-looking" prostheses can be made to look "pretty" with the addition of a cosmesis, which is an outer covering that has the shape of a natural leg and can also have the effect of natural tone and skin texture. In other words, all prostheses look fairly mechanical without a cosmesis. Many amputees, especially men, choose not to have a cosmesis because (1) there is additional cost, (2) you are unable to reach the mechanics to make adjustments, (3) your trousers cover it up, or (4) there's a kind of pride in wearing a "raw" prosthesis. (I don't know if any non-amputee will understand point 4.) Heather, however, has made it part of her image to appear totally competent and unhandicapped -- and she's doing a great job of it.
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