Helio Castronoves raced to the finish and took the checkered flag on tonite’s finale of Dancing with the Stars.  He celebrated with a jug of milk and lots of hugs and smiles.  I loved what he said about the mirrored ball trophy that it would look good between his two Indie trophies.  Yah, right no comparison.  Those trophies are beautiful!   I’m glad he won. He beat out all the ladies and he won the hearts of America with his performances.  You know for the last several weeks he really stepped up his performances.  And what can I say about his dance teacher, Julianne.  She is excellent and I know she will be up there again with another winner.

For the first time, Mel B’s dance tonite was finally filled with fun and excitement.  The last few weeks she looked too tense and mechanical.  But tonite she was relaxed and her dance showed it.  Too bad it was too late for her.  However, she is truly a great entertainer and a darn good dancer.

Marie Osmond wasn’t really all that surprised about coming in 3rd.  Glad she went out gracefully and for an “older” woman she did good.

So for now, we’ll just have to wait to see who the next stars are going to be next season.  I enjoyed this season’s show and I can predict that next season we’ll see more entertainment and stars who really want to show that they can dance.  Don’t you just love my predictions? 

I’m definitely going to watch “Dance War” in January.  I wonder if it will be filled with fun, excitement and entertainment like Dancing with the Stars.  Check back later with me and I’ll let you know what I think about it.  Love to hear your comments about it as well.

Until later,

Linda

The stars’ final dances tonite were nothing to rave about.  The Free Style dances for Marie and Mel B were weird.  Sure the judges complimented them on their entertainment value, on their hip styles but it left me flat and showed me nothing. 

Marie’s rag doll dance – what was that all about?  I know she designs doll clothes but there were no dance movements to it at all.  Yes the lifts were good but I think if she danced an ensemble of dances that would have been better. 

As for Mel B her free style dance was disjointed and didn’t do a thing for me.

Now for Helio I really loved his free style dance.  I agree with Len Goodman, it was the best of the nite.  He actually received the highest score tonite of 29 points. 

Marie’s Samba was entertaining but not impressive. Mel B’s Cha Cha Cha was clean, crisp, and technically clean. But no pizzaz for me. The only reason Bruno gave her a 10 was for her costume.  It was very revealing.  Helio’s Jive was fun and entertaining.  Yes, he did have some technical slip ups but once again I really believe Helio’s was the best of all the first dances.

My prediction – my vote is for Helio to win Dancing with the Stars. Why?  He came to the show with no formal training as a dancer, he’s a race car driver and he has come a long way.  Mel B is an entertainer and dancer with her Spice Girls and quite frankly the last two weeks I don’t think she gave it her all.  Marie is also an entertainer and that’s about all she did was entertain us with her dances.  I really think that both the ladies are not good enough  to win Dancing with the Stars coveted gold ball trophy.

So there you have it.  Helio should be the winner.  We’ll see tomorrow nite.

Until later,

Linda

I was totally surprised when they announced that Marie Osmond was safe from elimination.  I was hoping that Jennie wasn’t the one going.  After all she danced a perfect 30 with her Cha Cha Cha AND they were showcased tonite with that dance.  But then I realized that probably my gal, Jennie Garth, was probably the one leaving.  I was right.  I really think she did a fabulous job but I guess the fans didn’t give it their all to her.  All I have to say is “Good job Jennie, you should be very proud of yourself.”

So the final three are Marie Osmond, Helio, and Mel B.  Tough choices here and with Maria’s extended family I wouldn’t be surprised if Marie takes it all.  Honest!  Next week’s dancing should be awesome and lots of fun to watch.  Free dance for the stars. 

What’s my prediction for the winner?  I’m going to wait and see how they do and let you know next Monday nite.

Until later,

Linda 

Dancing with the Stars tonite’s semi-finals was a rocking good time.  From Tangos, Fox Trots to Cha Cha Chas.  The judges called all the semi-finalists stars so this week’s votes are very important to all the stars.

At the top is Mel B with her exciting dances and whip action with the Pacadobla.  Her waltz was flowing and exquiste and her dances earned her a total of 60.

Running nose to nose with her is Helio with his fun Fox Trot and energetic Cha Cha Cha.  I really enjoyed his dances tonite.

My gal, Jennie Garth, was faboulous with her Cha Cha Cha.  So hot, so exciting and so much fun she finally scored a perfect 30 – the first time.  I loved her Tango be she fell short by the judges score. 

What can I say about Marie Osmond?  She did a fabulous entertaining and fun dances.  Bruno was a real scrooge with her Quick Step only gave her a 9.  I really think she deserved all 10’s with that one.  Her Mambo was entertaining but not her best.  She’s on the bottom of the leader board with a 56.

So who will stay and who will go?  For sure Mel B and Helio need to be in the finals.  I love Marie Osmond and all she has accomplished despite her personal problems.  Her father passing and her son going to rehab.  She’s a real trooper but I really think between her and Jennie Garth, I would pick Jennie to go into the Finals.

That’s my prediction, Marie has danced her last dance and Jennie goes on.  I’m ready for the Finals – bring it on!

Until later,

Linda

What a shocker tonite!  When they announced that Marie Osmond was safe I was really surprised.  That left me with the thought that Cameron was going to be gone.

Sure enough, poor Cameron is not going on to the semi-finals next week.  What will he do?  With the writer strike his soap opera gig is grinding to a halt and now no Dancing with the Stars show to go to work everyday.  But like a true trooper he was gracious and said how much he enjoyed himself.  Gonna miss his unbuttoned shirts and sexy chest.  Bye Cameron, see you on the soaps whenever they start back up.

The final four competition is now really heating up.  Mel B, Marie Osmond, Jennie Garth and Helio are the last ones standing.  Next week we should see their “A” game on display – hopefully. 

My prediction of the final four wasn’t quite right.  I owe you my yummy “Easy Cherry Cheese Pie” recipe.  I’ll post it soon and look forward to the next week’s semi-final dances.

Until later,

Linda 

The 8th week of Dancing with the Stars proved to me a bit disappointing.  The judges kept saying to the stars to step it up and of course gave low scores for some of the dances that I thought were pretty good.

I still like Jennie Garth’s dances.  But the judges were very critical of her.  Her Jive was fun and entertaining but they only gave her a 24.  Not cool.  Her Fox Trot was awesome.  Bruno said that she reminded him of Veronica Lake.  Well folks, I remember Veronica Lake because I loved old movies and watched her in many old movies.  Actually I thought Jennie looked more like Carol Lombard when she danced the Fox Trot.  Carol Lombard played a fun loving gal and that’s what Jennie gave to the Fox Trot.  All in all her score was only 50.  Come on folks, give her some of your votes, I really think she deserves to be part of the final four.

The one I was really disappointed in was Cameron Mathison.  Yes nice to look at but no real umph to any of his dances. He did the Waltz and Cha Cha Cha and total score was 51.  I’m worried about him.

Poor Marie Osmond, she’s slowing down her dancing and almost catching up with how Jane Seymour’s dances were.  I love her personality and stage presence but her scores total 49 – the lowest of all the dancers.

Then there was Helio.  His pit crew did good by him.  Great two dances!  I loved his Quick Step.  Did you catch that yellow outfit on him?  He looked like that wolf in the old time cartoons – too funny but it worked.  He was the only one who got a perfect score of 30.  His total was 57 for the night.

Mel B’s dancing was strong and powerful on the Tango and okay on the Mambo.  The judges loved her Mambo but I really didn’t care for it.  And what’s up with them pinching Tom Bergeron’s butt at the end of each dance?  I guess they are having a lot of fun out there.

What’s my prediction of whose going home?  Right now it’s a toss up between Marie Osmond and Cameron Mathison.  But I wouldn’t be surprised if Jennie left.  Hope not because I really like watching her dance.

Until later,

Linda

Once again I called it – Jane Seymour is the latest star to leave dancing with the stars.  She just didn’t have the spark and style of the remaining five stars. But she did leave with a lot of grace of a true star.

I was glad that they announced that Marie Osmond was safe. At least it was some good news for the day because her father passed away. Hope she comes back next week and dances in her father’s memory.  As she said this week both her mother and father danced to make a living in their early years of marriage.  Kick it up Marie and dance like you never danced before.

Next week the competition really starts.  With five stars remaining, Jennie Garth, Mel B, Marie Osmond, Cameron and Helio the dances should be top notch. 

I really enjoyed the dancing commentary segments.  Too funny! Sounded just like a sports analysis but lots of fun to it.  I think the show needs to keep this segment because it was pure entertainment.

Who will be the next one to go next week?  I’ll let you know when I see the dances.  So far I’m right on with my predictions. Scary isn’t it?

Until later,

Linda

Tonite’s Dancing with the Stars was filled with fun, excitement and Ballroom and Latin dances.  The judges seemed pretty stingy with their scores for some of the stars.  Yes, there is only three weeks left and yes, this is the time to separate the stronger dancers from the weaker dancers.  But come on judges – you scored some stars pretty low tonite.

For example, Jennie Garth’s Waltz was wonderful.  Filled with grace and flair and you only scored her with a 25.  Glad you liked her Rhumba you gave her only a 28 and said it was her best dance so far.  So where are all the 10’s?  Jennie Garth is really an excellent dancer.  Let’s move her onto the final four people.

Then there was Helio’s fine Tango and sexy Samba.  You only gave him a total score of 52.  Picky, picky judges.  They want more technical detail to the stars’ dances.  What about the entertainment value of the dances?

I was wowed by Marie Osmand’s Quick Step.  Great dancing, fun and entertaining.  So what did she get – 28.  Oh please. That was a 30 if I ever saw one.

Mel B was out of sinc with her Fox Trot.  Then of course the song she danced to “Jimmy Mac” originally sung by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas -my most favorite song of all time.  I remember dancing to that when I was younger.  Never thought of dancing a Fox Trot to it though.  Poor choice of song to dance to. But Mel did come back and got a perfect 30 for her final dance.  It was dramatic, entertaining and sexy.  Now I know what the judges want!  Heck with the technical aspects.

Cameron’s two dances the Quick Step and Jive were pure entertainment to me.  Do you get the feeling that Len is showing favoritism towards Cameron?  I remember Len saying that Cameron reminds him of himself when he was younger.  Oh please Len, only in your dreams.

Finally, Jane Seymour.  Girl, in my mind I can dance like a 30 year old. But put me on the dance floor and whirl me around in a wheel chair.  Slow, slow, slow.  Tony has done an excellent job with her dance routines but Jane, my sister, it’s time to move out and let those youngsters finish the show.

My prediction of the next star leaving - Jane Seymour. 

Until later,

Linda