Kristi Yamaguchi won the Mirror Ball Trophy last night on Dancing with the Stars. This was definitely a no brainer! She showed perfection in her dances throughout the 10 weeks and won the rights to be called Dancing win the Stars champion.

However, I was very sadden to find out that Cristian came in third. He had style, flair, grace and improved to the point that at least he should have placed second. Still love ya Cristian!

Last night the judges were very generous with their scoring. Both Kristi and Jason Taylor danced a final dance for the judges and they received perfect scores. Of course they did! Can’t have finalists with low scores now can we?

The evening was entertaining but I thought it was too long. I really didn’t want to see the other stars dance last night. From Mario to Steve Guttenberg these stars showed why they weren’t in the finals. But I guess everyone has to have their fifteen minutes of fame and Dancing with the Stars gave that to them.

Just a note, Kristi was the second woman in 6 seasons to win Dancing with the Stars. It has been a long stretch between winning for the gals. Good job Kristi and now you can go on tour.

The next season’s show won’t start until fall so everyone enjoy the summer months.

Do check back on my web blog because the most exciting times are just ahead. I live near Denver, Colorado and even though I wasn’t invited to blog on the Democrat National Convention, I will be making my comments and opinions known during the week in August when they meet. I’ll also be making comments on the Republican National Convention in September. Should be a fun time this summer.

Until later,

Linda

Monday night’s final competition had a bit of a twist to it from previous seasons. There was a “cha cha” face off dance that all three stars performed. I liked this face off dance concept and I really got to see who looked good.

The judges loved Kristi Yamaguchi’s cha cha cha, but I loved Cristian’s cha cha cha. He had passion, flair and oh boy how he could move those hips! He seemed so right in this latin dance, he owned it but then I was disappointed in the 26 points the judges gave him.

Kristi’s cha cha cha began with a big huge kiss for Bruno – do you think maybe this was the reason she got a perfect 30? Hmm? Technically it was good and she stayed on the beat but I really felt she showed no flair like Cristian did.

Poor Jason Taylor, the cha cha cha is just not his style. The judges gave him a 24 on this performance.

Then came the free style dances. Oh my gosh, Kristi’s performance was filled with tons of energy and lifts – quite frankly I thought it was too many lifts for my taste – now I’m starting to sound like Len, right? Her performance included a mambo style with plenty of hip hop. She got another perfect score of 30.

Cristian’s free style was really great he was shaking and baking and lifting Cheryl with one arm. But once again the judges gave him a mediocre score of 26.

Jason’s free style was also filled with hip hop and lifts but quite frankly all I could see was Edyta shaking and gyrating. I don’t think this dance brought out the best in Jason. The judges gave them a 24.

Tonight the stars perform one more dance that judges will score and add on to the total score from the viewers. Here is how I see this one. Kristi has performed impeccably. Her techniquie is outstanding, her performances are outstanding BUT she just doesn’t have the flair of a ball room dancer. I see her performances as a skater – she was outstanding as a skater – but not quite up to par in my book as a ball room dancer.

Cristian on the other hand has shown flair, grace and ease of dancing. Maybe some of his technical steps weren’t right in line but when I watch ball room dancing I want to be entertained and feel that the dancer is loving every minute of the dance. That is what Cristian has shown me in his performances – with one arm or both – he is my favorite dancer.

Sorry Jason the end of the fourth quarter and your down by a field goal and the kicker missed the field goal. Thanks for trying but the last few weeks you have not shown the flair that I was looking for.

My heart wants Cristian to win the Mirror Ball Trophy but my head says it will be Kristi.

Until later,

Linda

Last night Marissa danced her last dance on Dancing with the Stars, just as I predicted. She said that she enjoyed every minute on the show and gave us all advice – “shake what your mamma gave you!”

Now onto the final. Cristian, Jason and Kristi have to bring in perfection for next week’s show.

Will Cheryl weave her magic and help Jason win the Mirror Ball Trophy as she did with her other stars in previous seasons?

Will Edyta charm the judges and make Cristian look like an awesome dancer?

Or will Kristi keep her championship ways and take home the gold – oops, I mean the trophy!

Until later,

Linda

Last night’s Dancing with the Stars showcased both the latin and ballroom dances. Cristian, Jason Taylor, Marissa and Kristi Yamaguchi put on their best dancing shoes to impress the judges.

But it seemed as though the judges weren’t all that impressed. Their scores were mixed with several 10’s and 8’s and 9’s. No perfect score for any of the stars last night. I know the judges are getting tougher on scoring. I loved the segment with Len teaching dance steps to the stars. I can’t believe Len can still kick up his heels and shake his booty at his age!

As expected Kristi received the highest score of 58. She’s looking good but needs to really pick it up next week for the finals.

Cristian was outstanding! I just love his smile and his grace and flow in the Waltz and wow his samba was something else. He received a total of 56.

Jason was the first star to dance last night and I really enjoyed his fox trot. He received a total of 55.

And then there was Marissa. Her Quick Step wasn’t all that quick to me. Yes, she started out strong but seemed to poop out at the end of the dance. The judges scored her a total of 52.

I know the question on who is going to be eliminated tonight is on everyone’s mind. My prediction is Marissa. I know she was a real trooper, gutting out each dance performance, giving it her all. But she just doesn’t have “it” for the final.

That makes the final very interesting – Cristian (most improved), Jason (a real competitor) and Kristi (she’s got it in the bag).  I’ll be watching tonite and of course next week. Let’s see which one of these stars will shine and which ones won’t.

Until later,

Linda

Last night’s 100th episode of Dancing with the Stars was filled with entertainment and nostalgia. Former stars showed up and danced – Appollo and Mel B. and Mario Lopez. But even as Mario Lopez was performing another Mario was leaving.

Yes, Mario was kicked off Dancing with the Stars last night. He did give us dances with some entertainment but it was time for him to go. What a class act Mario was though. Did you hear him thank and bless the troops? For a young man to do that, I salute you, Mario.

Next week Jason Taylor, Cristian de la Fuente, Kristi Yamaguchi and Marissa Jaret Winokur will be making the run for the Mirror Ball Trophy. Should be a fun show and we’ll see who brings their “A” game to Dancing with the Stars. 

Until later,

Linda

Cristian, the man with the golden arm (as Bruno called him), took top place last nite on Dancing with the Stars. As you remember he hurt his left arm last week and said if the fans kept him in the competition he would dance this week at his very best. Well, he kept his word and it looked as though Cristian was having a lot of fun and enjoyed both his dances – the tango and mambo. Quite frankly, I thought he looked very sexy doing the mambo. He is on the top of the leader board - great job!

This week’s competition showed us that Kristi Yamaguchi has a kink in her armor, she really didn’t perform very well. Her Quick Step was great by her samba wasn’t very good. Has she reached her peak in dance performance? Or is the competition finally keeping up with her?

The judges were very hard on Jason with his samba, and I really didn’t like it very much either. His tango was terrific. So once again the top dancers fell out of the top spots.

Mario’s Waltz last nite was his best dance so far. He looked smooth, polished and elegant. He did have a minor misstep during the dance but the judges scored him with 27 points. Now for his jive, I really didn’t care for it either.

Marissa is just like the “little train that could.” She just keeps chugging along and doing the best she can. Did you see the lift that Tony did with her? Amazing and quite daring. Good job on that one.

My prediction for tonite on who is going home will be……………a toss up between Marissa and Mario. Mario is doing the best he can but he just doesn’t have that polish like the other stars do. Something missing in his performance, maybe showmanship? Don’t know, but I don’t think he’ll be around for the semi-finals next week. Right now I really hope Marissa stays until next week’s semi-finals. How cool that will be to have 2 guys and 2 gals in the hunt to the finals.

Until later,

Linda