Fan Fare

No tears, no jeers; Cody Linley exits “Dancing with the Stars”

(Writing and reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis)

It could hardly come as a surprise to many viewers when Cody Linley was voted off “Dancing with the Stars” on Tuesday, after he finished at the bottom of the judges’ scoring tally for three straight weeks.

“DWTS” co-host Samantha Harris told Cody, 18, that he had grown up in his time on the show. Last week a small contingent of his young fans squealed in delight when Maurice Greene was eliminated instead of him. On Tuesday, the crowd gave Cody a warm send-off.   “Words can’t even explain the true amazing, growing, learning journey that I’ve had on this show,” Cody said. “I can’t show my appreciation any more to Julianne. I can’t say thank you. I love her so much. This opportunity has been so amazing.”

Then, Cody hugged his partner Julianne Hough for a long goodbye. But this time, he held back the tears that only last week streamed down his cheeks when talking about Julianne’s return to the show following her surgery. She obviously meant a lot to the young star.      Linley’s elimination means fans will no longer see the popular Julianne Hough bop around the dance floor. And, after her singing performance on Tuesday’s show, it’s clear she has more to offer in the future than just dancing. She can carry a tune.    With her brother, Derek, as one of the three dancers performing on stage, Hough sang “My Hallelujah Song” from her self-titled album released in May. The crowd cheered as Hough proved she is a star in her own right and not just a sidekick to Cody, a “Hannah Montana” actor who comes out of the Disney talent factory.   Also on Tuesday’s show, Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin sang as last season’s champion Kristi Yamaguchi, the Olympic skater, danced with her partner Mark Ballas and showed she would be a strong contender if she was in this season’s competition. Remaining contestants Brooke Burke, Warren Sapp and Lance Bass will face each other in next week’s final.

(Photos: copyright ABC Inc.; Kelsey McNeal)

On “Dancing With the Stars,” is it Cody Linley’s last dance?

(Writing and reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis)   “Hannah Montana” star Cody Linley has waited patiently until he could reunite with his favorite high-stepper, Julianne Hough, who was out on medical leave. On Tuesday they hit the floor together again on “Dancing With The Stars,” after Cody squeaked past last week’s elimination round. But how long will they last? 

Tuesday night, 18-year-old Cody fretted over whether he could pull off his paso doble, saying he worried his young age could keep him from looking manly enough for the dance style, which is meant to resemble a bull fight. As it turns out, Cody had other problems with the dance. The judges called his performance wooden and stiff, and judge Len Goodman remarked on Cody’s military outfit and marshal choreography as he gave Cody a dressing-down.

“I’m afraid you’re going to get your marching orders, because that was not good. I’m sorry,” Goodman said.        Cody and Julianne fell to the bottom of the scoring tally with a 46 out of 60 for their two dances. Cody has found himself in the basement for three weeks straight. But don’t blame Julianne. While Cody was struggling the past two weeks, Julianne was recovering from having her appendix removed and Cody had to dance with a replacement partner.      Elsewhere, the judges had nothing but praise for former ‘N Sync star Lance Bass and partner Lacey Schwimmer, who scored at the top of the four couples left on the show with a 57 out of 60. Retired football star Warren Sapp dazzled audiences with his big personality that goes with his oversized frame, tying model and TV host Brooke Burke with a score of 49. But the judges have been hard on Warren, faulting him for having flat feet, while they have had almost nothing but praise for Brooke. Are Brooke and Lance bound to square off in the finals? Or will Cody somehow sneak through the elimination round again?

(Photos: Copyright ABC Inc; Kelsey McNeal)

Julianne Hough twists again on “Dancing with the Stars”

(Reporting and Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis)

After having her appendix removed only two weeks ago, popular dancer Julianne Hough made her comeback on “Dancing with the Stars”  Tuesday, twisting the night away with her brother, Derek Hough, to the tune of Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire”. 

And Hough’s partner on the show, “Hannah Montana” star Cody Linley, was glad to have her back. In a segment with relationship expert Drew Pinsky, better known as Dr. Drew, the 18-year-old Cody opened up about his feelings for Julianne.      With tears streaming, Cody said he worried about Julianne during her hospitalization, which was related to complications from a condition called endometriosis. “She’s an amazing person who has let me grow as a person,” a tearful Cody said. Dr. Drew put a box of tissues between Cody and Julianne, who sat nearby also crying. All the couples got the Dr. Drew treatment on Tuesday, but the other contestants limited their concerns to overcoming rehearsal room sniping, while Julianne and Cody were the only ones to cry tears over their friendship.      The fans’ desire to see Cody and Julianne dance together again, after pro dancer Edyta Sliwinska stepped in as a replacement partner for Julianne, could have earned Cody some votes this week as he escaped elimination. Instead, Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene and his partner Cheryl Burke were voted off.      Burke told Greene that in her years on “Dancing with the Stars” she has never encountered a partner who worked harder. And playing off their catchphrase “winner, winner chicken dinner,” Burke told Greene, “You will always be the winner, winner chicken dinner of my heart.” And with that, four couples were left to compete next week.