Argh . I kinda watched last night (amongst other [poorly timed] distractions). Marissa looked to be stepping her game WAY up, it seemed. She's becoming a true dancer! I saw only enough of Mario to not stay interested (it's not his fault, really ... he does very well, but I just can't personally connect with what he's doing up there week after week ~ it's some hybrid form of ballroom, in my worthless opinion). I did catch the judges doing some very uncharacteristic whacking at Kristi --- whaddya think? Are they doing that on purpose completely to strip away all the "foregone conclusion - Kristi's the winner!" buzz. Gotta try and build suspense/keep the ratings up? Let's hope it doesn't backfire and reflect in NO votes coming in for her last night. Jason was good, from what I noticed. Again, though, that 'football ballrom' thing was slightly -um- *different*. Got him a decent score, though, as I recall it.

What happened to Christian? I just caught the last bit of that. He looked to be in pure agony in front of the judges ! I hear today that he pulled a muscle, or something? He didn't look so good last I noticed, on the show. I was waiting for a stretcher to show up....

Thank goodness I was not the only one that thought that Len and company were unduly hard on Kristi. I felt liked calling them personally and saying "What the hell are you doing?! Don't you know she is the best one there? What the heck are you guys seeing?!?! Enlighten us poor souls only watching it on the television!" That is what I feel like telling them!

Mario was not very good last night. I thought Mario was okay, but there is just something about him, that does not endear him to me. Marissa, well I have to say her first dance, the Tango, was good. I just did not and could not like her in her second dance...she looked too round!

Cristian, well he and Cheryl were on their second dance, the Mambo, and doing good, until he pulled a muscle in his arm. I think he is going to be okay, but I personally think it was all a ploy to garner the sympathy votes...that's my opinion anyway.

Shannon, well, I am beyond fed-up with her and her cry-baby ways...she needs to go and it had better be tonight!

I thought Jason was outstanding as always, he pulled out all the stops and the audience loved every bit of it!

I think the host will make us Kristi and Jason fans wait until near the end to see if they advance...they had better!

Also, I'll bet that Cristian moves on, as he will without a doubt get many, many sympathy votes....remember Jane Seymour and Marie Osmond from last season? When they should have went, something always happened, or so it seemed.

That's my paltry $ .02 on DWTS.

Another whacky night on *DWTS* last, yes? It was almost as if the judges (even though they were kinda right) felt some odd compulsion to balance matters out. Throw everybody onto a more "fairly fleckled" playing field, or something? Praise the spats off of Kristi and Jason on Dance #1, knock both down a (rather snippy, too, I thought) notch or three after Dance #2. Marissa? Well, let's gush ad nauseum for her because, poor kid, things look bad enough for her THIS week. Lord only knows she's bound to be off to Kokomo by next week, for sure . It would seem Len and company have flatly 'had it' with Mario (and his big feet/rather stylistic [ahem] gymnastics). Thing is, his feet are no different in terms of scale than they were a month ago. Nor is his "exhuberance" any more frisky/unusual (in fact, he's toned that aspect down a good bit over the past couple of weeks). But, still, it seemed clear that that the panel thought Mr. Mario's time was up this week, without question. And Christian with the wounded wing? He might just as well have shown up without feet at all last night, big or clumsy or otherwise. All they cared about was his valor, determination and skill at dancing without making it obvious that he should be having surgery at the moment instead of likening this show to the Super Bowl. Or worse, The Olympics ? Yikes. Was I the only one expecting to hear a few (maybe ten) resounding refrains from "Chariots of Fire" after he got finished 'bucking up' last evening? The (melo)drama was a bit on the "paddle-quickly-lest-you-get-stuck-in-it" side, it seemed to me. But, that mangled arm is almost a sure bet to get him into the Final Three. It almost seems a certainty, at this point.

But, in retrospect (and with those judges' panel acrobatics), the call-ins could be all kinds of mixed-up tonight. Could there be one of those surprise evictions? If it's ever going to happen, it'll likely come this evening. But, given the rather unapologetic trouncing he got last night, I'm thinking Mario (and his unceremonious big feet and hyperactive sweat glands?) will be on his way back to the recording studio come tomorrow. And if Marissa's smart, she'll pull some manageable muscle somewhere in her body in the next 5 days - but carry on bravely, be a trooper, hustle that on-the-ready sympathy vote. She did mention beating a cancer diagnosis on Tuesday, though. Maybe that'll do the trick? Not that cancer should ever be a device to sway votes. But, quite frankly, neither is a pulled muscle that is allegedly hemorrhaging (or some such ghastly thing) .

Methinks, though, given the whole ball of wax, that I'm ready to predict MY choice as the winner of this season. It'll be Jason. He's not "technical" enough to be criticized for being too much so. Not trained enough to be doing this well at all. Looks pretty darned good in a tux (and with a lovely young lady on his arm, or head, or back - wherever he happens to athletically flip her to). The "partnering", really, is his biggest 'plus'. Those two dance well together, even when the dance itself is faulty. But that's only my view of it. You watch ? Some bizarre something will happen and Jason will be sent packin' tonight....

Gats, wacky is definitely the word for last night's happenings!

Can you believe what Len and company said about Kristi and Jason! Yikes! You might think it is day one!

Oh, and I knew that they would praise Cheryl and Cristian. With all due respect, I think he seriously needs to get that surgery if, as the doctor says he needs it badly...okay, how badly is that if he said he could still dance?! I mean come on people, Cristian is pulling a freakin' scam on the audience and television viewers. The kicker of it all is, the one arm dancer took first spot...over Kristi and Jason! Like get real people! Hello!

I have a sinking feeling that it won't be Mario or Marissa, but either Jason or Kristi going home...and it will be set up for Cristian to win!

If that should happen, then most definitely this will be my last season watching DWTS. I am more than a bit fed up with Cheryl and those three blind judges.

Well...I haven't posted about this season yet because I've been, unusually so, disagreeing quite often with the other posters' opinions. And I didn't want to start any brawls here.
But I just gotta say...wow, I totally agreed with the judges last night! Although I must say Len was quite the Mr. Grumpy Pants. But I thought both Kristi and Jason looked rather clumsy and stiff on their second dances, and I also thought that Cristian danced better than he had all season. I think the scores were pretty fair.
I don't think there's a chance in heck that Cristian is 'scamming', the doctor would not say he is injured if he's not, and there are many such surgeries that are considered elective. Some surgeries of that sort can be put off for months--back surgeries spring to mind.
And I've known more than a few dancers and athletes in my life and have seen them do their thing with sprained ankles, broken ribs, concussions, you name it. I have no doubt that if Cristian has that kind of competitive spirit, that he would 'play through the pain'.
Just my opinion, as usual.

How can he play through the game when he needs two arms to dance, especially with the semi-finals and finals coming up?

His doctor said that the muscle and tendon are hemorraghing and there for he needs surgery, but it can be put off, but not for long. In all honesty, if it were that bad...with bleeding etc., it should have been done regardless of whether or not he wants to prove himself at dancing.

Health matters comes first, as he will not always be dancing...this is just a one time thing.

Oh, I'm not making a comment on what he should do--simply saying that competitive people do not generally do what they should, but what will get them the win. Or at least as far as they can go.
And actually, I think that over the seasons this contest has been won not necessarily by the best dancers but by the best competitors--how many athletes have we seen in the top positions? People who know how to find that extra push when they need it? Rather a disproportionate number, to me.
(But in my experience, dancers are darn near as competitive as jocks. )

Okay, the two-hour 100th episode result show was for the most part boring. The only good thing was to see the judges top 10 picks from season's past.

Now, I have to say I am very shocked and extremely upset. While I did not like Mario, I felt he should have stayed and Cristian or Marissa should have been the one to go.

Gats, mark my words, as much as Kristi should win, or even Jason ( I would not be the least bit upset if either of those two won), I can bet that it will be Cristian that will win, with his bleeding tendon (I say sympathy votes).

This show is getting me very frustrated and extremely ticked off, because I think that it is wrong, wrong, and triple wrong to have Cristian advance, when in the semi-finals he will, without a doubt, need both arms to dance and stay at the top with Kristi and Jason.

Yikes ! Well ~ considering the rather solid trouncing she got from Len and company, it'd seem impossible to think that Miss Marissa won't be heading homeward tonight. She really wasn't all that great, I reckon I'd have to agree. But (no matter how sugary they tried to get with the matters-at-hand in her direction) didn't it seem like they might as well have held up a few neon signs reading: "Pack up that Hairspray, girlfriend, and get on back to Baltimore now!" Luckily, she's a good sport / lit-up spirit. I'm thinking she'll come tonight ready to get her eviction - heck, she seems genuinely shocked that she made it this far.

I think I'm sticking with my (wobbly) prediction that Jason'll ultimately win ... but, I'll tell ya, I'd put less than NO money on such a bet. Really, it's just impossible to predict between 'em at this point. I, personally, can't picture Christian winning it (it seems more possible with each passing day, however ). But, nor can I (honestly) fathom Marissa still being in the mix and Marlee, Priscilla, Shannon or Mario being gone before her. The "bubbly personality / never-say-die" factor at work, I guess. But (while I can't say for sure), once she's *out*? I think they're running out of bubbles....

Hmmm. Well, what to make of that last night ? Clearly, a few things happened without question. Kristi definitely nailed Round 1 decisively. No deliberation there, she rocked it. The judges even sealed the deal with three *10*s. To add a wee aside, too ... I, personally, really liked that format . One team following the next at the same thing. Made it easier to compare the three - and to especially notice that they certainly picked a dance Jason stunk at . Christian was a mile better than Mr. Football was on the first dance. Now to the *free style*. The judges differed with my opinion completely (it's important to say, too that their snorts matter ... and mine do not). I thought Christian won that round hands down. But, again, just my opinion - what he offered looked more like "ballroom" to me, however, and I find that useful in a ballroom competition. Kristi and Jason looked more like contestants on Dance Fever. To me they did, anyway. To Len & Company? More *10*s for Kristi, a few almost *10*s for Jason and Christian got kicked in his good arm a time or three as they went.

So, if the Judges' spin has anything to really do with final results (and she's got good momentum already), Kristi gets the Mirror Ball. Which means, I reckon, that my prediction of Jason winning was premature. Not that he couldn't win, mind you. And Christian danced second best to Kristi last night, from my perch. So HE might sneak in there and surprise everybody? OK. Probably not ... but it's ultimately up to phone calls now, I guess. Given that, heck!? Carrie Ann Inaba might take home that crazy mirror ball contraption ! Bottom line, though. I think Kristi pretty much did the "best" last night. Whether it wins her anything or not, I dare not say ...

Anybody else watch?

I did watch, and I definitely think Kristi should take home the trophy. I've liked her all along, and I think the judges have been a little hard on her the last few weeks. Her dancing (IMHO) was head and shoulders above anyone else's last night.
My daughter and I were discussing last night - do you think a male usually wins because women are more likely to actually call in votes than men are?

I wanted Mario to win, but he didn't. Then when he got eliminated, I wanted Christian and Cheryl to win it all. But they didn't win it neither. It was Kristi. I had a gut feeling that she was going to win it all and she did.

Scotty.

I am happy that she won! She honestly deserved out of all of them! she had the best form and technique!

Yippety-Doo-Dah ! Here it is, folks ... the stellar [ahem] lineup for the forthcoming round of "Dancing With The Stars" (starts Monday, September 22) ....

- Lance Bass (formerly of *NSYNC and a trained cosmonaut) is paired with Lacey Schwimmer (a onetime So You Think You Can Dance finalist and the 2007 World Swing Dance champ)

- Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito is paired with Karina Smirnoff

- Team USA beach volleyball queen Misty May-Treanor is paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy (who was absent last cycle but is now returning for his fifth season)

- Track star/former "World's Fastest Man" Maurice Greene is paired with Cheryl Burke

- Grammy-winning recording artist Toni Braxton is paired with Alec Mazo

- Reality TV star Kim Kardashian is paired with Mark Ballas

- "Hannah Montana"'s Cody Linley, Dancing's youngest celeb, is paired with "older woman" Julianne Hough

- Oscar and Emmy winner Cloris Leachman, 82, is paired with Corky Ballas (Mark's father and a World Latin Champion)

- TV vet Ted McGinley is paired with new pro Inna Brayer, the current U.S. Amateur 10 Dance Champion

- Brooke Burke ("Wild On", "Rock Star") is paired with Derek Hough

- Comedian Jeff Ross, aka TV's "celebrity roastmaster general," is paired with Edyta Sliwinska

- Recently retired Super Bowl champion Warren Sapp is paired with Kym Johnson

- "All My Children" Emmy winner Susan Lucci is paired with Tony Dovolani

This should be an interesting lineup. I'm a little disappointed though for rumors around here had former vice president Dan Quayle dancing in the group. Did anyone else hear this, or were some folks just "pulling my leg"??

I'd actually heard that as a possibility, too, MadMartha (Donnie Osmond's name kept getting threatened as well). I'm almost thinking that not having Mr. Quayle up there likely making a fool of himself might have been a "partisan" decision, from the higher-ups ? This being an election year wherein the Republicans are going to have enough trouble, the very LAST thing they'll need is one of their alleged 'notables' on TV every week making them look worse ...

Or maybe not. Coulda been one of those crazy rumors from the start?

Well, at least I've heard of three of the people! I can't believe Cloris Leachman will be dancing. I know 82 year olds can do a lot of things, but this is just so strenuous, I believe the appearance must be for the "name factor." I absolutely feel sorry for her, and hope she doesn't have heart failure before she gets voted off . Of course, who has not heard of the long, long "no win" emmy winner Susan Lucci. And that other I've heard of is only because of the Olympics, the beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor. What a line-up -- from young to old.

Looks to be an interesting season though, and am looking forward to watching.

I can't wait until the new season starts.
This is the first time for 13 couples.
Now we have had 2 from 'N Sync on the show- Joey Fatone in Season 4 and now Lance Bass.

I noticed we also have a couple of people from this years Olympics on the show. I wonder if they picked them after they found out who all would be going to the Olympics or before.

The Olympians who are on "Dancing With The Stars" have already competed. They have come home and are now training for "Dancing".

Well, the new season starts on Monday. I just saw an advertisement for the show. Ms. Leachman, I must say, certainly looks her age. I hope she is in really good physical shape and consulted her doctor before deciding to do this. On the other hand, it has probably been in production for some time now and we have not heard of anything happening. Good luck Cloris!

I just realized today that we hadn't begun a discussion and we are already a week into this season! What does everyone think of the contestants? Do you agree with the eliminations?

Naturally, I've been watching . I've been incredibly busy/distracted as I do it, mind you, but I've been trying to pay attention to all of them hopping around so far. I never get too involved until the number of dancers dwindle down, though. Aside from the first one to go, I'm not understanding the eliminations too much, so far. It's all about fan base/audience type at this point, I reckon - but McGinley and Kardashian didn't seem that bad to me - in fact, I (personally) thought they both showed definite promise. I suppose, for me, it all boils down at the moment to one factor. I am a big fan (I really really am) of the woman and her acting skills ... but can not fathom why Cloris Leachman has escaped three eliminations so far. She's entertaining and hysterically funny, that's for sure, but she is no dancer (and by the looks of it, never was). I realize she's way up there in years, and the limitations are built in accordingly ~ but even the steps she presents that are not gymnastic and/or age/agility specific aren't even close to *spot*, in terms of "dancing". She's entertaining as the dickens, though ... I must say that . And Lance Bass is irritating me, too. Another one who is entertaining to watch (and in his case, agility seems a very prevalent skill). But he's not ballroom dancing, and it ain't the "NSync Reunion Show", after all. Fatone at least tried to stay in the guidelines when he was on. Bass isn't, and is being all "cocky" about it.
My *underdog* favorite this time? That chef. Rocco Somebody. But he's popularly unfamiliar to many who tune in, I'd suspect, so I don't hold much hope for him - but that second dance he did on premiere week was pretty awesome! Surprisingly so (I get jazzed by remarkable improvement in those dancers). And, um, where did this Brooke Burke learn to dance? She's incredibly good, right off the bat! If she keeps it up, I don't see how anyone can beat her . But the season is new. Pretty impossible to predict yet who will get better, put in amazing effort weekly, stay that way. Or fizzle out ...

I don't know if anyone else is familiar with the summer show "So You Think You Can Dance" but it is one of the tryout shows (similar to Idol) many contestants have been dancing for years and honestly, the level of dancing on that show starts out at what "Stars" ends with.

Anyway, this season I'm seeing a big crossover of the talent from that show in dancers (Lacy and her brother Benji were on SYTYCD), some of the Latin performers dancing during the singing performances are from SYTYCD. Choreographers are showing up on Stars and finally the new dance styles which aren't considered ballroom like salsa and swing are featured on the other show.

Just something I've found interesting. They must be trying to freshen the format a bit.