Access all your favorite blogs from myajc! Home > Channel Serf > Archives > 2007 > May > 22 > Entry
All Hail Apolo
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
And the coveted (?) mirrored disco ball trophy goes to … Apolo Anton Ohno.
Along with his partner, Julianne Hough, the Olympic short track speed skating champ added to his trophy room Tuesday night when he was declared the winner of the fourth season of “Dancing with the Stars.” They beat out former NSyncer Joey Fatone and his partner Kym Johnson.
The Serf was very pleased with this result, and not just because Fatone insisted on repeating his bee-zarre Star Wars-themed tango in his last competitive dance number in the show’s first hour. Anything that brings the word “Chewbacca” to mind automatically gets dancing demerits in my book.
Meanhile, Week One in this space I’d predicted the prestigious title (well, more prestigious than the “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here” Season 2 crown) would go to either Ohno or female world middleweight boxing champ Laila Ali. This totally wipes out my “Dukakis by a landslide” call back in 1988.
The announcement came at the end of a two-hour show that at times felt as unnaturally streeeetched as Billy Ray Cyrus’s hamstrings during a gawky mambo. But a couple of lighter moments more than made up for it: An old Master P clip from Season 2 (let’s just say, he made Billy Ray look like Baryshnikov). Another hilarious “Dance at Home” segment featuring ABC late night host (except in Atlanta, sigh) Jimmy Kimmel, his partner/parking lot security guard Guillermo. Even a Clay Aiken sighting (albeit on tape, and in a fake moustache, as part of Kimmel’s segment!) Meanwhile, over “on another network,” as they say, “American Idol” was going on, presumably Aiken-less.
As for the losers, well, there were no losers according to Laila Ali. Sort of. Snicker. The last woman celeb standing was the first to be eliminated Tuesday, a mere one hour and 10 minutes into the show. Personally, I think the world boxing champ was robbed to finish third. It’s arguably harder for the female celebs to win (the dances naturally focus on the ladies), and her final mambo Tuesday was brilliant. Mostly, though, she knew how to leave on the proper sappy, sassy note. After being relegated to third place, she said all the right things about loving her fellow contestants, the fans, even the folks who did her hair on the show. Then came the knockout punch. Turning towards Fatone and Ohno, she reassured them they were both winners, no matter the final result.
It’s all about the fans,” Ali said. “It doesn’t mean anything, no matter who wins. Especially because I didn’t!”
You gotta love her honesty. And even if you don’t agree with the final result, you gotta love this show that’s not only put the sexy and elegant back into ballroom dancing. With Ohno following in the cleat-steps of Season 3 winner Emmitt Smith, I think we can pretty much lay to rest the idea that dancing is for geeks and sissies.
That can only mean one thing: Get working on your waltzing, Shaq…
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Tina
May 22, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
I was rooting for Ali just to have a woman win for a change. But I loved Apollo also. He was good and cute to look at. Joey began to annoy me at the end. Started to look too like a N’Sync concert. I was waiting for J. Timberlake to pop out at any moment.
By Tammye
May 23, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
Great Job Apollo. I was voting for him. His technically ability was on point and he delivered week after week. Before this show, I did not know who he was.
By Flo
May 23, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this
I am so glad that Apolo won. He is a wonderful dancer and his partner is so pretty and an awesome dancer.
I also enjoyed the Kimmel Skit, especially Clay Aiken and his crooked mustache. What a comedian, it was hilarious. Can’t wait for next season.
By JustAskin'
May 23, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this
Ali’s cockiness is what sank her battleship. I agree with the first poster Tina, Joey’s dances were starting to resemble moves that I saw one time in a N’Sync video. Apollo was the ladies favorie. Julianne picked the correct dance to do over again. Joey should have did the dance he did the first show (disco) and trashed that Star Wars tango. (YUCK!)
By who cares
May 23, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this
What? A Black person did not win? Here comes the NAACP with the racism cries. Springer called it-they wanted Apollo and his gfriend-Joey should have won-Kym is cute!
By RLU
May 23, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
Ali is her daddy’s daughter, her cockiness is part of her genes. I loved her. Joey was good…but….Apollo was spectacular!! I have been a fan since the Olympics and am thrilled that he won. What a great show! Can’t wait to see who will be in the next one!
By Atlanta girl
May 23, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
Apollo is a national treasure. He has talent, ability, humility, looks …and he can dance! Let’s face it, he has it all!
By RLU
May 23, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
Hey Who Cares, can we PLEASE leave race out of this!!! It is TIME TO STOP!!!! Almost every blog I read on AJC seems to always go to the race thing and I am SICK of it!! We ALL need TO GET OVER IT! SO SHUT UP!!!
By Hotlanta
May 23, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
Naw you idiot, we ain’t calling the NAACP, we gonna dig Macolm X from his grave about Apollo winning last night. If a black person had won last night white folks will be ready to sue talking about reverse racism or they will stop watching the show all together.
By Atlanta's Finest
May 23, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this
You mean to tell me Billy Ray didn’t win? Talk about a conspiracy! LOL! I didn’t watch long enough to ever see Apolo dance, but good for him. I was actually pulling for Joey and Kym.
By pinkdreams_22
May 23, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this
Who cares-I’m Black and think Apollo deserved to win. Its not racism, but it was indeed a fair competition. I predicted the right person going home every week, and knew it was Laila’s turn…
By lovelyliz
May 23, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
I am glad Apolo and Julianne won, but this episode dragged on for so long that I went to bed after Laila was eliminated.
By By BWA
May 23, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
I love Ali, I was rooting for her not because she’s a woman because the sister was wonderful and the last woman standing great Ali. But Apollo, won let’s move on and give Ali, the thum’s up she was great, She look like a pro ballroom dancer, Joey’s great I love this guy, congratulations to them all I just wish I could dance like that I believe I could have took them with the freestyle.
By Kathy
May 23, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
Stop with the race thing. This was a dance contest and nothing more. Apolo was one step above in his dancing. I was pulling for Laila but… Joey was great too.
The entertainment this show gives for families is incredible. I’m sure more people will be ballroom dancing because of it. Excellent overall. Thanks ABC.
By Ashley
May 23, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
My mom and I are big Dancing with the Stars fans and we were rooting for either of the top 3 to win!! I am glad that Apollo ended up being the one to win though!!!
By Ashley
May 23, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
My mom and I are big Dancing with the Stars fans and we were rooting for either of the top 3 to win!! I am glad that Apollo ended up being the one to win though!!!
By Jason
May 23, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
Love Apolo! Great personality, genuinely nice and great technical ability. How can you not like him? I loved Laila too, but I think the cockiness of her partner, Maxsim, did her in. The dance on Monday night was ALL about HIM and not about HER, which is not the way it should have been. The marks they received showed it. I am happy I will not have to watch Maxsim’s smug “look at me” look any longer.
Joey was wonderful too. You could tell he had lots of fun and he’s really good too.
At the end of the day, I am happy Apolo won, but all three of the finalists were great sports and were good ambassadors for the show.
By Dsmooth
May 23, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
I think Joey was robbed! He was great! He has such personality and he really could dance. I think that what they need to do now is take the champions from each season and the runners up and create a new competition with just them in it! And Ms. Channel Serf… (I loved, I’m a celebrity, get me outta here. That was one of my most favorite reality shows of all time!)
By Janet
May 23, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
So glad Apolo won - he continued to step up to the plate and challenge his competitors. Joey was great as well, but his NSYNC background started to show. Leila was great also. But her attitude caused her to stumble. She doesn’t have the ballroom body frame but this didn’t stop her from giving her all. The competitivness that lives within Apolo is what purpelled him to win the mirror ball trophy. Kudos to all!
By Dancing Queen
May 23, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this
Dancing is not only for geeks and sissies. As you can see (or are u blind)athletes, singers, actresses, etc. can dance as well. If you haven’t tried Ballroom dancing, maybe you should and let me know how you do. I bet you would get hooked, after you learn the Chachacha!!!
By yah-u
May 23, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
1) I’m glad Apolo won; I thought he was the best dancer 1a) racism? cuz an asian-american won? 2) I still kinda hoped Laila Ali would win, just to see her hold up the trophy & say “I am the greatest!”. 2a) how about sexism? I’m tired of women on that show being put down for being too powerful (on & off the dance floor).
By gale
May 23, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
I think that Lali was the winner. She showed that you never give up. She was good.
By gale
May 23, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
I think that Lelia was the winner. She showed that you never give up. She was good.
By LS
May 23, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Laila, Joey, and Appolo were all my faves. It was hard to say who was going to win. But Appolo and Julianne were the cutest couple and they were good. All three couples are winners in my book.
By Johnnie
May 23, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Ian was the best!!!!!!!!!!!
By Corde
May 23, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
Why does an IDIOT always have to mention race? This is for fun so live a little and stop being a donkey…Good Grief!!
By Johnnie
May 23, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Seriously. The last 4 couples were spectacular. I really would have liked to see Laila win, but am very pleased with Apollo. I’m just a big 90210 fan and of course Ian was on that show from beginning to end.
By Theresa
May 23, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
It should have been a tie between the lovely Laila and Joey!! That appolo should have been disqualified when he did the trash dance. He is too arrogant. Laila has self assurance (there is a huge difference between self assurance & arrogance), & she is classy. I was very proud of her when she showed the world that she is “Daddy’s little girl”, her respect & pride for her parents is heart-warming. And, Joey is delightfully unpredictable. Last night was a huge disappointment.
By tresa
May 23, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
Laila was the better dancer..Her movement was NATURAL..
By Mark
May 23, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
Hey I i wanted to see Laila win, but what did her in was her low scores from Monday night. Everyone who was in the competition were winners. I thought Joey was good and deserved to win as well. But, what can you say about Apollo? When he needed to show he could dance he proved it. Now let’s wait for next season.
By Sam
May 23, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
Some say Joey was “good”, Laila was “good”, Joey was “funny”, Laila is “female”. These are not reasons to want someone to win a contest of skill. Apollo was the best all around. He won. That’s the way it should be.