'Dancing With the Stars': Cody Linley not saved by teenage girls

This has been a dramatic week for “Dancing With the Stars” celebrities past and present: Cloris Leachman reportedly came down with pneumonia (or at least a bad cough); the SEC charged Mark Cuban with some mavericky insider trading; Brooke Burke performed poorly for the first time; and, as of tonight, squealing teenage girls failed to save Cody Linley from elimination. I wonder: if Cody retains his celebrity over time, would he be allowed back in a future season to compete again? I bet he’d be a real contender in a few years. In any case, next week will bring not just Thanksgiving but also the “DWTS” finals, and the lineup will be Lance Bass, Brooke Burke and Warren Sapp. 

In tonight’s special two-hour results show, after watching 40 minutes of recaps, the Ballroom Kids finalists performed.  (As an aside, I should note that the recap showed me that only one shoe was lost in Lance and Lacey’s jitterbug last night: I guess I wasn’t kidding when I said the jitterbug was too fast for my mind to absorb. In addition, I discovered that during Brooke’s salsa, her underpants -- minimal though they may have been -- were showing.)  Anyway, first up among the kids were Kirill and Hanna, whose Staten Island school gave them a pep rally. Pro Tony was assigned to train them; Tony’s good cheer made him a nice fit for coaching kids. They danced the cha-cha, and Kirill’s hips were really liquid; Kim Kardashian could have used some pointers from him. Len admired their crisp footwork; Bruno cited the precision of their arm placement; and Carrie Ann applauded their confidence, leg action and hip action.    

Up next were Mitchell and Maria, who were cheered on by the firefighters, police and EMTs back in Philadelphia. You’d think that in a big city like Philadelphia such people would be too busy to cheer on some dancing adolescents, but “DWTS” has a special allure. Julianne was their assigned coach, causing Mitchell to swoon. Their samba exuded the Brazilian party spirit that was lacking in so many of the stars’ sambas this season. Bruno liked their sharp movements. Carrie Ann said the samba was “poetry in motion” and sophisticated. Len said that Mitchell and Maria were better than Julianne and Mark at their age. Whoa!

Craig and Samantha were the last couple to perform. They also received a pep rally, complete with cheerleaders. Maks was their assigned coach, and he did a better job with the young people than I might have expected. They danced the jive, which was a nice fit with their cuteness. The synchronization in their side-by-side dancing was excellent. Carrie Ann thought they were fantastic and animated. Len was knocked out by their performance. Bruno called it energetic, accurate and light (in a good way). It’s time for you to vote, fans. The winner of the Ballroom Kids competition will be revealed next week, but you can at least rest easy in the knowledge that all six kids get a trip to Disneyland. Or Walt Disney World. 

In the “real” results portion of the evening, co-host Samantha Harris’ hair was again appropriately styled, to my relief. The musical guests in tonight’s “most performance-packed results show ever!” were Julianne Hough, John Legend, Leona Lewis and Aretha Franklin, who was looking majestic in a silken muumuu or caftan or dishdasha. Basically, it was a big, forgiving piece of fabric. Last season’s champion Kristi Yamaguchi and partner Mark were back for a performance during Aretha Franklin’s second number, “Respect.” Kristi was still looking fit, elegant and sharp. Their synchronization -– so excellent all last season -– was perhaps slightly off, but that’s to be expected when you’re no longer practicing eight hours a day. In other filler, we heard from the semifinalists’ family members. In short, they’re supportive. And they vote. We also got the obligatory trash-talking sequence, this one staged in some smoke-machined industrial setting. 

So who will take home the mirror-ball trophy next week?  Lance is surging at exactly the right time.  Brooke brings her technical precision, consistency and I-can’t-believe-she-has-four-children hotness.  And Warren, of course, is a winsome crowd pleaser. I think it’ll be an interesting final –- more interesting than I might have suspected earlier in the season. Your comments, analysis and predictions are welcomed.

-- Sarah Rogers

Comments

[Rann]

In honesty, I cannot say I am a big fan of the show, even though in years past I have found myself glued to PBS and the various international ballroom competetions. But in the last few weeks I got SUCKED IN! CLORIS drew me to the program for the first time and I miss her bitterly - GET WELL DEAR! But Warren, you are fabulous!!!!! I have not had near so much fun watching BRD. So, for what it is worth, even though technically others may be better dancers, I hope the winner is the one who has yet to fail to entertain - GO WARREN! =)

[Michael]

I hope Lance wins! I do not think Warren deserves to win. People are impressed with him for some reason. I do like his partner though and think Kim deserves a win soon. And Brooke is good but a little over rated since she is so stiff. She lucked out gettin Derrick as her partner. He would make anybody look better. Anyways, Im not dead set against any of them winning as I have been in the past. I would least like to see Warren win. It looks like the show is setting it up to make him the winner. Considereing that he hardly ever has to dance first and the judges praise him so much.

[Nicole Bauer]

Cody you have a right to be mad.so am i.you to juleane.by the way love your sinnging.
i wish you could stay.you rock my dancing cerrer.i dance to.sence i was two years old.

love,another person that looooooves you
nicole

[DWZ]

Geez Louise that lil blondie is a hottie. Go Lacey, she freakin' rocks. Love her! Kid's pretty cool even if he is from INSYC. JTL makes a good impression for all ya all.

[Carolyn]

I think Lance should win but it is good to see a big man like Warren move the way he moves.

[Elaine]

I hate to say this but as I recently had my appendix removed and surgery for endometriosis via belly button method of surgery (no large scars), but I find it had to believe that Julianne went through both of these surgeries and was able to dance like she just did. Sorry, I am very fit (I teach dance class) and have as much body fat as she does and I was out for 2 months and even my doctor has warned me not to over extend myself for atleast another month. I would love to know the miracle surgery she had or what type of pain killers she was on to not feel anything dancing those moves.

[Carla in Ocala, Fl]

Go Warren! you are great. I love to watch you dance. I totally love the show!!

[Lorie]

Lance and Lacey are the better dancers and deserve to win. I loved Cody and when he grows up will be quite a man. This coming from a senior citizen with a young mind.

[Jaime Smith]

CODY IS SOO HOT

[Jeff S]

Am I the only one who cannot stand the Ballroom kids part of the show. If I want to see kids dance I can watch a local dance recital. Without Tivo I just wouldn't watch the show.

[Dan]

I agree with Jeff. I think that kids doing ballroom dancing is creepy. I just don't enjoy watching young children move like adults. And the praise seems so overblown at times - because of course, you can't be too harsh on them. Kids normally don't take rejection well at all. It's a waste of time.

[Jocelyn P.]

If the winner is the best dancer, then Brooke has it hands down. My 13 year old granddaughter of course goes for Lance. We have a friendly feud.

[Patty Dyhrberg]

Now somebody tell me how on earth Julianne can dance like that just a week or so out of the surgery she had.. A week ago they showed her home in bed looking really down and out and the next few days she is on the show dancing like nothing every happened and then this past week returned to the show. A week ago when she danced with her brother he was lifting her and several times had his hands on her stomach. So what is the deal? The real story? Maybe she never had surgery. Something just is not right here. Any doctors out there that can explain this miracle recovery? When I had my appendix and gall bladder out I couldn't move for weeks as every little move or cough hurt like the dickens til the cut muscle and tissue headed. Not even drive a car til the stitches came out and then for two weeks later had to drive with a pillow between me and the steering wheel. So what's the story here?????

[Lita]

I in with Jeff and Dan......I don't care to watch the kids dancing....it's not entertaining .... and I hope they don't continue to do that in future seasons!

[Anita L]

I have not been able to get into this season at all. Cloris was off putting. Len has never liked Lacy. I think one session of Samantha per year is about all I can take. Has Bruno's makeup been enhanced, or is it my new hi def tv? Creepy!

[AnthonyS]

I am not impresed with any of the finalist. They are all just okay compared to the finalist of previous seasons. I guess if there was a gun to my head I would have to say.....I'm dead. Okay it would have to be between Lance and Warren. Brooke has lost it.

[Stephanie]

In response to the surgery aspect of Juliane. I jjust had my gall bladder removed via laparoscopic cholcystectomy. I was up and walking the day after the surgery. I felt great and was back at work 5 days later. Yes the incisions hurt a little bit but that was 11/7. Today 12 days later I am perfectly fine,released by doctor.

I guess what I am saying is that everybody's recovery is different and it depends on how severe it was to begin with. I think she did great. When her and her brother danced it was amazing.

And I hope Lance wins. I think he is daring and puts his own personality in his dancing. I love Lacey. I think she is teetering on elegant/trashy (in a good way). :)

[Rachel]

I hope Lance and Lacey win. They are truely a joy to watch. They have been my favorite couple since week one. Lacey is an amazing dancer. They work so well together, I will miss them when the season is over. I bet they stay life long friends though. =]
I like Warren too. He seems like a bundle of joy.
Brooke is my least favorite. I think the judges are way to nice to her.

[Todd]

Does is bother anyone else when they bring in celebs that dance for a living.....whether it's ballroom or not....Lance has an advantage.......and Kristi Yamaguchi.....what is Figure Skating .....Dancing on Ice....I just feel that the celebs they bring in should learn all aspects of dance from the show and not come in alreading knowing.

[Kim]

How hot were Karina and Maxim dancing together? Man, that was really steamy. LOVED IT! And GO WARREN! you're my winner. I never liked you in football (wrong teams) but I love you Dancing!!!

[IMissKristi]

I was happy to see Kristi dancing again. She has such a better style than anyone this season. I'll miss Cody. Warren should be next to go. He is joyful, but his technique pulls him down. Also, I like seeing the kids. It wasn't that long ago that Derek, Mark, and Julianne were junior dance champions. These are the future dwts pros.

[Genevieve Fay]

I would like to submit my guess about who will win.....it will have to be Warren Sapp, considering this is the year for the African Americans. If Obama, with no experience whatsoever, can win the presidential election, (of course we know that over 1,000,000 votes for him were from dead people) then why can't fat Warren Sapp win Dancing with the Stars. We haven't had a black winner in a while, so why not? Let them get their 15 minutes of fame, and then we won't hear about Sapp again for the next 20 years, and who would care?

[Genevieve Fay]

Obviously, the people who approve the messages left are black, since my message was not printed. If I offended anyone, too bad, so sad. I am black, and I calls em as I sees em.

[Lea]

I will give my opinion's on the contestants:

~WARREN IS LIKE A BIG TEDDY BEAR!! he's my third choice, though.
~Lance is VERY entertaining and i LUUUVVV Lacyyy! i watched her on so you think you can dance. she was amazing!! they have to be my first choice winnerr <33
~i absolutlyy AHHH-DOREDD Brooke the first time i saw her dance. she was amazing. me and my sister had a rivalry between her and cody =)
2nd choice

SOOOO!! THERE YOU GO! and i love bruno and len and i hate carrie ann inaba. :P

[Carol]

Ditto on the Carrie Ann comment. She is rude and disrespectful. She ruins the show for me. If they do not replace her next season I will not watch. It is really stupid the way she flirts with some of the men...Does she even know how to dance?