A multi-part series in which we look at the remaining Dancing with the Stars finalists as the season finale approaches.
Highlights:
Week six’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise” Tango:
Week nine’s insane sugar-fueled Willy Wonka Trio Salsa:
Week 10’s surprisingly competent Argentine Tango:
Lowlight: Many to choose from, but Week 10’s disaster of a Cha-Cha, where Bill couldn’t properly do even the most basic steps.
Bill has had a remarkably consistent season of mediocre but fun dances. It’s only the response to them that has changed, which is due to his competition. The first turning point came in week three, when Bill Nye was eliminated. Bill Nye had pretty much cornered the market on hilarious but bad routines, and with him out of the picture, Bill Engvall took up that mantle.
The second turning point came in week seven, with Snooki’s elimination. Up until week seven, no one particularly resented Bill for overstaying his welcome because no one worthwhile was getting eliminated in his stead. But starting in week seven with Snooki’s elimination, it became clear Bill was staying instead of much worthier candidates. Even Emma seemed to feel so, as evidenced by her bursting into tears during the last few eliminations. Things got especially bad after the untimely demise of Elizabeth Berkley in week nine – people were out for Bill’s blood after that.
And yet, Bill keeps getting through despite being at the bottom of the leaderboard for the last five weeks. So clearly Bill has a large fanbase that keeps voting for him, and the real question is just how big this fanbase is. The judges keep inflating his scores, but it’s hard to say whether that has any affect on the outcome.
The pro: Emma is the first pro to make the finals in ten seasons, with Lacey Schwimmer being the last to do so in season 7. No professional dancer has won the show (or even been runner up) since Julianne Hough in Season 4. Back then, things were different – the pros have their own fans now that might affect the outcome. In short, Emma’s presence does not do Bill any favors. She is also untested at choreographing freestyles, so it’ll be interesting to see what she does with Bill.
Biggest advantage: Obviously his devoted fanbase. Bill doesn’t really have anything else going for him.
Notable precedents: Funny guys that can’t dance generally don’t make it to the finals. They usually end up like Andy Dick (seventh place last season). Kirstie Alley made it to second place in season 12 based more on her personality than her dancing, but there is no question that her dance ability far surpassed Bill’s. The last time anyone with so little dance ability made the finals was Bristol Palin (third place in season 11), and she’s in a class all on her own.
Odds of winning: Honestly, they should be zero, since Bill can’t dance and this is a dance competition. I fully expect him to be eliminated in fourth place. But his fanbase has done wondrous things before, and there is still a minuscule chance they vote enough for Bill to claim the trophy. Let’s say there’s a 5% chance of him winning.
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