In this 5th season, with two models and Wayne Newton gone, who do you think will win?

My personal favorite is Cameron Mathison.

I'm not sure who'll win, but I'm wondering how long Mark Cuban will be on. Since he owns a local team, he has a lot of followers here in Dallas and Ft. Worth.

I wanted Wayne Newton to win because Cheryl is my favorite dancer, but now that he is gone, I want Jenny Garth to win. I have a feeling that Sabrina is going to win.

I think my hands-down favorite this time is Helio Castroneves. Is that because it seems odd that a race car driver can dance at all? And then manage to do it so well? Probably. He seems like a nice low-on-the-radar "ego" sort, too. He comes across as an affable fellow, just there to try hard and have fun. Jenny Garth is pretty good, too - she's taking this contest very seriously. Which is good, I guess, but too much ambition like that seems a little wasted on a show like "Dancing With The Stars" (she's not up for an Oscar here, or anything ). That Sabrina (who, I must confess, I'd never even heard of before this) is looking like the favorite but, if I recall right, the early-on favorites tend to get snuck up on by someone who improves week-after-week to finally win that (hideous) trophy. If that figures into it, that "dark horse/improve weekly" thing, I'd say Cameron Mathison is looking like he might reach the finals. But, as usual, this is all about who votes and not about who dances well at this point in the thing.

Let's hope poor Marie Osmond doesn't dance herself into a stroke, though, yes? Jeesh ... that was scary last night when she hit the floor like that .

Boy, she dropped like a rock, didn't she? That was indeed scary!
I agree with you, Gats, that Helio is very endearing. Just that fact that he had absolutely no background in dance, even recreationally, gives me a great deal of respect for how well he is doing. I'm not crazy about Cameron, and Mark Cuban has got to go! He has the drive and is working hard, but the talent just isn't there, I fear.
I love Sabrina and Mel B. - not a big fan of Jane Seymour, but that is just a personal dislike I've always had of her, no special reason. I've always loved Marie, but I'm sure she'll fall by the wayside fairly soon. You just never know.
This is the first year I've followed the show since the beginning. I really enjoy it!

I think Sabrina will win. Unfortunately, the show seems to now be - who can get away with the skimpiest costume. Editya seems to be pushing it each week - how do you remove the crazy glue?

I gotta say - those folks had me amazed and smiling last night. That group dance was pretty darned entertaining (whether or not it was "technically" great, I can't say ~ and I reckon it doesn't matter much if it was or wasn't since nobody scored it ). After ONE rehearsal those non-dancers managed that? Truly, it's kind of awesome. While I never danced with any proximity to learning that sort of choreography, the dancing I did do was tough to learn when it came to steps, balance/rhythm with a partner and just making it look like it wasn't a complete strain when doing it. It surely took more that one rehearsal, even on a tiny level. I really commend those people.

As for who will be heading home tonight? My best guess is it'll be Jane Seymour (she looked about as comfortable as a passenger on the perpindicular Titanic doing her solo dance last night, didn't she ?). Marie Osmond wasn't so hot, either, but I think she still is getting points for ending up unconscious last week . Ergo, too bad for Dr. Quinn for having the poor judgement NOT to hyperventilate THIS week *sigh*....

Well, last night was akin to the week Chris Daughtry got voted off American Idol! I really think it was a shame Sabrina and Mark got voted off. Lots of talent there. Everyone was pretty spectacular this week, though!

Ever notice that just when everyone thinks "Barbie's Mom" (Seymour) will be voted off, she is never there? Hmmm..does she know something and therefore, decides not to appear?

In fairness, the last time she wasn't there for the result show, was due to her mother's death. Okay fine.

But food poisioning? Come on! Get real! And amazingly she had enough votes to "save" her? This I find really hard to swallow!

Sabrina and Mark should have definitely not been voted off.

Marie, Jennie and Seymour need to go and go quickly!



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Agnes (JTJ)

I was shocked when Sabrina was kicked off the show. Also, with the fall that Marie did was scary as well. I don't know who is going to win it now, because I thought Sabrina would've taken it all, but she has just been eliminated. I hope Jenny and Derek win Dancing with the Stars.

Yuck! Not Jennie! No! Please!

She is "Miss Sucky Teeth"...yuck!



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Agnes (JTJ)

Whew again ! I must be going through some weird "phase" (or something) but - gotta say it - that Julianne and Helio, if they get the right "thing" going on that dance floor to the right song, are just too hot for their own good! Good Heavens, it's like watching foreplay (pardon my bluntness in saying so, too)! And what to do when the contest gets heated and all steps need to go up a notch or six? Do the smart thing, like Miss Osmond did last night. Put on a WWII costume, pull out every nostalgic punch and give (in my opinion) the most entertaining, overall, dance of the night. Julianne/Helio make your blood pressure reach dangerous levels. Marie Osmond? She makes you smile. Which is, really, what gets those votes rolling in, eh? I feel 100% sure she's safe tonight. Helio? Not so sure there, since (after last week, clearly) being very capable doesn't necessarily save anybody.

I will finalize my (uninvited ) summations by saying that, at this point, I enjoy ALL of the couples left. In distinctly different ways. And I truly applaud them all for their efforts and spirit and unadulterated moxie. However ... it is really time for Dr. Quinn/Jane Seymour to head home. She was typically elegant last night, but was about as exciting to watch as a tire deflating. And (while I'm really rooting for him) what was up with that Cameron dude? Yikes, he was like a kangaroo after one too many pots of strong coffee ! I thought he might lose control completely that first dance and *whoops* trample his partner! Second dance was better, though ... but I'm guessing he'll end up in the bottom two again tonight. But, given recent turns of events, who can sensibly predict these things? Fun show last night, though.

LOL, Gatsby, why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel!

I've got to say, though... it surprises me how much I've enjoyed this show, and I watch both weekly episodes as much as I can. I am not normally a "watcher" of celebrities and their antics, that is... but this has really been different. To see some of the sports figures get up and give it their best shot, and some surprisingly well... well, suffice to say I'm a big fan of the show.

I think you've nailed the whole show with your comments, though. Helio and Julieanne are definitely "hot", I think the Spice Girl and Maksim are incredibly good as well. Marie Osmand is not that great, but she is so refreshingly funny and "normal" that I root for her... And Jane Seymour is really pretty good, considering her age... but your comment about her not being very exciting... I absolutely agree with that.

So, my vote is that Seymour will probably be voted off tonight, with Cameron being very close as well. By all rights, it should be Marie Osmond, but I think her personality shining through is keeping her alive for the moment, but not for much longer.

As Marie Osmond said in the season premiere, when asked her chances of winning:

Quote:

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Twenty-five million people watch this show, but twenty-two million of them are Osmonds.

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Believe it or not, Marie has one of the largest fan bases (and I don't just mean family)of all the celebrities.


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Agnes (JTJ)

Well, holy Paso Doble ! I fell asleep right before the results last night ! I checked ABC.com (so I know Jane Seymour got voted off - and skipped on waiting for the video to load since, given my dial-up system, it'd likely be 2009 before it finished). I managed to stay conscious long enough to hear that Cameron (vivacity and all) was NOT in the bottom two. So, my question at the moment? Who was in the Bottom Two with Miss Jane? Not Marie, not Cameron? I'm quite curious!
It had better not have been Helio. I might have to remember how to throw a bona fide tantrum if it was ...

ABC just released the news that Marie Osmond's father passed away. It is possible that she will not be returning to the show.

Here is a link to the "Dancing" article:

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6498140.html?rssid=193

And one for the CNN coverage:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/06/obit.osmond.ap/index.html?eref=yahoo

According to reports this morning, Marie plans to return next week. I'm sure that depends on arrangements/developments and such, though.

Gats,

There was no bottom two last night, according to the host of "Dancing with the Stars".

However, given the fact that three couples remained:

Juliane and Helio
Tony and Jane
Derek and Jenny

I would say that when Juliane and Helio were told they were moving to the next round, we all knew tht Seymour and Garth were in the bottom two. I guess Jane had a strong dislike for the "red light" (as it was not used this week)...but anyway, the "bottom two" were Tony and Jane/Derek and Jenny.

Let's take it from the remaining couples left...who should make the exit next week?

Marie and Jonathan
Edyta and Cameron
Juliane and Helio
Max and Mel
Derek and Jenny

I honestly think that Marie and Jonathan will be the next to go...but you know with that show...nothing is a given anymore.


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Agnes (JTJ)

Yes, I agree with you... As far as dancing skill goes, it SHOULD be Marie and Jonathan. I find it difficult to see her being able to put in the time for practice for next week's show as well, due to family concerns. On the other hand, that is a "show-business family" and she may well be able to put aside personal feelings.

As a long term projection, I believe that Mel and Maksim will be the overall winners, as I believe they have the greatest skills... but Helio and Julianne would be a close second, and possibly even the winner due to their popularity, and his personality.

The irksome thing about these shows, though, is that for such a length into them it's not about dancing at all (at least in my opinion) in terms of who progresses. It's about popularity/familiarity which translates into number of phone calls made. Inevitably, the fashion models seem to always get ousted first! Not so much because they're such dreadful dancers (who gets a chance to notice?) but because most of the viewers don't know who they are. There are exceptions to the "familiarity clause", though - but it takes some real razzle dazzle aside from just dancing skills to keep them in the race. Helio would be a good example of that this year (so far). Mel B. should definitely make it to the end of this thing as she's way good enough to dance in the finals. Problem there is (unfortunately), will the viewers vote/not vote for her dancing or that they maybe don't or didn't like The Spice Girls? Which is wrong and frustrates the feathers out of me. But, if she gets THAT far as the end, the votes then seem to be more for the dancing and NOT so much the "celebrity" so her chances are really good. Last year highlights it in that Joey Fatone (from NSync, no less) was popular throughout, had terrific showmanship, exhibited an endlessly engaging personality, cruised through the whole season. Certainly he'd win it, right? Nope. More votes came for the Apolo dude, an Olympian with a much lower Q-factor BUT who had gotten better and better with each week and MADE himself familiar. I'm still not entirely sure anyone would call him a better dancer than Fatone but, ultimately, he became better "television". Marie Osmond is where she's at so far for two specific reasons, significantly. She is a recognizable Osmond AND she passed out! Neither of which has to do with dancing skills. So, I agree, the longer it goes the closer she will be to elimination since she can't be any MORE of an Osmond and (even if she manages it ), fainting again won't have nearly as much water cooler impact. Sometimes, in looking at this season without thinking of what it is or isn't, I'm thinking Jenny Garth might sneak in and rattle the rafters because no one is saying much about her at all. And she gets better each week (usually), too. And no one hated "Beverly Hills 90210" that much. And, unlike "All My Children"/Cameron, almost everyone on the planet, young or old, male or female, has seen it. I'd LOVE to see the finals be Mel B. and Helio. But, somehow or other, I have a gut feeling it won't happen that way .

Yikes, and aren't we all glad I just wrote a three million word essay on a TV show spotlighting "iffy" dancers ? I'll shut up now...

Lol! Lol! Gats, as always, you have just the right words for any occasion...including "Dancing with the Stars".

I honestly think that Marie will go next week, but after that Sabrina thing last week, well who really knows anything for sure with DWTS? Sure as heck not me!

Recall in the beginning of this season, when the host (cannot seem to remember his darn name!), said "I think this year it may be a female celebrity that wins...heck we haven't had one since season one..high time that we did!" (or something along those lines).

Now skip to where we are right now in this season...how many female celebrities are left? Hmmm...Three! Marie, Jenny and Mel...er um I think that it will be a woman; and something tells me it will not be Mel or Jenny!




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Agnes (JTJ)

LOL! That's an excellent assessment of the show, Gatsby! I'm going to hold onto my ideals, though... and still predict that Marie shall be the next loser! She is obviously the worst dancer of the lot that is left. I believe she has been very charming, and I actually believe that her real personality is showing through... But unless one of the others has a really bad week, and totally bombs... she's outa there!

As far as the popularity part goes, and the familiarity index... Other than Marie Osmond... I had no idea who ANY of these folks were! Never saw an episode of 90210, never saw an episode of All My Children, never saw the Spice Girls... I'm sadly uninformed on any of these people's "other lives..." But I really think that familiarity carries them only so far... Theoretically Wayne (wasn't he awful?) Newton has a huge fan base... but he got booted fairly quickly. Whereas Jerry Springer stayed on surprisingly long, even he was shocked every week.... because he was charming and funny, but in the end his skills... or lack of... got him booted as well. Emmet Smith actually won, but although unlikely, really did improve vastly over the season, while Jerry Rice... although sweet and popular was just an awful dancer! And Mohammed Ali's daughter (can't remember her name... Layla?) wasn't that well-known, but was incredibly good, and very nearly won it. She was just awesome, I thought! What a woman! LOL! When I grow up, I wanna be just like her! Heheheh... I'm old enough to be her mom, easily!

Although it is debatable in the end as to who is actually the best dancer... sometimes it has been very close... I think that the winners have been generally deserving of it. We can all have favorites, due to their personalities, but I still think the dance skills are the most important final factor.

Since my pre-teen years, I've hated dancing. OK, I've never been very good at it, not sure what to shake or thrust when and, yes, as a child I was emotionally scarred by my energetic tripping of the light fantastic. But more about that later.

I'm pretty easily pleased when it comes to TV; I'll even watch the same show over amd over again. I have no tolerance for reality TV (except for Project Runway which I LOVE): soap operas and cooking shows are verboten. Both of my sisters are hooked on DWTS. Typical girl stuff, I thought. Not for me. My sister Vivian made me promise to watch ("You'll love it," she assured me.) Since nothing else of interest was on competing channels, I tuned in.

My initial reaction was the proliferation of teeth and sequins. One good smile and you think you're looking into a Baldwin Baby Grand. You could play 'Moonlight Sonata' on the incisors. The combination of teeth and glitter could be dangerous. If the lighting hit the teeth and sequins straight on, serious injury could result.

I saw something whiz by on the TV screen and became concerned when it sped past again and I recognized Jane Seymour, her face locked in a frozen smile and her legs whipping back and forth but her feet did not seem to be touching the floor. It reminded me of a Christmas gift I got as a child. It was a kid-size stuffed person-like thing with wide elastic straps around the feet. The kid's feet were inserted in the elastic straps and VOILA, you were Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly. I remember doing high kicks, arabesques, an occasional squat-thrust followed by a strong demi-pliee; Cyd was right there with me, kicking and arabesquing. She was great and only had to have her elastic straps tightened from time to time. The dog would hide in terror, the parakeet would lay in the bottom of the cage and knick-knacs and ashtrays would fly off of tables until the day I was doing what I thought to be mean cha-cha and didn't hear the knock at the door and the accompanying giggles. Four of my buddies wanted to play soft ball and stopped by so I could join them. "What are you doing?" Scott asked, his voice tight with a mixture of confusion and delight. "Uh....hmm...well, I'm exercising," I answered unconvincingly as I inched my way to the cellar door. "Exercising?" Scott asked as I silently opened the cellar door and threw Cyd Charisse down the cellar steps. "Yeah," I replied, "that's my cousin. She has polio. I help her. To exercise," I stuttered as lie built upon lie. "She lives in the cellar," I continued as the guys looked on, concerned. As with most kids, the subject quickly changed to another topic. It was only resurrected once at the ten year reunion of our graduating class.. I almost choked on my drink when Scott asked, "Hey, how's your cousin?" "My cousin?" "Yeah, the one who had polio and lived in your cellar." I put my arm around Scott and smiled. "Fine," Scott, "she's fine."

But back to Jane. I got up to see her feet more clearly. No straps. But there had to be. Hmmmm. Oh, of course. The answer was obvious. It's the 90s. No elastic...she uses Velcro. Jane was still smiling, but it was a fearful, frozen smile. She's either wind-burned from her partner's furious and fast speeding around the dance floor or she's using industrial strength Botox. I’m still not sure; Jane never lost her smile, not even when she lost what clearly was a life altering experience for her.

Oh, and did I miss a memo? The one about male dancers wearing toreodore pants. These guys' pants give a whole new meaning to ‘support.’ Every nook and crannie (and we had some substantial crannies) was outlined and stretched and strained against seams that were ready to give way. It was like putting 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound bag. And it was obvious that a few of the guys added crannies where none existed. So much for their shortcomings.

Will I tune in again? Probably not. Unless, of course, people like Joan Collins or Raquel Welch are on. Or Kirk Douglas. They better dust off the iron lungs first.

Whew!, once again. The show seemed unusually tame last night ... until the end. *Turn the ceiling fans onto 'high', grab me some ice water* Helio/Julianne and Mel B./Maksim sure got "it" going but good. Those four just have to be in the finals (I hope, I hope) - honestly, they dance better than seems civilized to watch when they're good. And they attack those dances with what appears to be this uncomplicated enthusiasm and pleasure of it. I love that stuff. I really like, too, that Mel and Maks seem to have this exceptionally workable love/hate "thing" going. I keep waiting for them to either share a big hug together or to haul off and punch the other one in the head . That chemistry is very very "watch-worthy" on the dance floor (in my humble opinion...).

Considering this intensely enormous media visibility of all of the Osmonds en masse on US TV at this time, I suppose it would be downright un-American to imagine Marie getting the boot tonight. Good heavens, they were even on 'Oprah' last week, no less. America never votes against Oprah - except when she promotes fraudulent authors, of course. Or criticizes hamburgers. So my guess is that Marie will be back next week.

Which leaves Jenny and Cameron pretty much in the ditch, doesn't it? Whichever one doesn't exit stage left tonight will likely go next week, so it's just a matter of luck/numbers. Neither of them seemed all that much better or worse than the other, though. If I had to pick one to go for strictly personal reasons, it'd be Cameron. Why? Well, one could hardly help but notice (and I assure you, I tried to notice anything else, but the cut of those pants of his made it darned near impossible) that it looked as if someone had stuuffed 3 or 5 pairs of socks down his (form-fitting) trousers . Yikes. Being a male who well remembers the tight pants/Disco Duck/exaggerated endowment so-called "fixation" of the 70s and early 80s. I thought it was slightly absurd even then (which is not to say I didn't try that silly "look" once or twice myself, mind you ). Seeing it happen some thirty years later on national TV was, for me, slightly disconcerting. So, therefore, I think Mr. Mathison ought to pack up his socks and try again next year. Or something.

However, the women voters might have a different idea about it ?

Awwww, I wasn't able to watch last night... and don't know if I'll get to see any of it tonight, either! I'm traveling, and sitting in a motel at the moment, but have to go out later, and don't know if I'll get back in time! Thanks for the update, Gatsby, more than you could know! How did Marie do, anyway? I could handle the soap opera guy going tonight... but as you said, if he goes tonight, then Marie goes next... or vice-versa... Sure hope there are replays tonight... and hope I make it back in time to see 'em!