(S07E21) In the grand tradition of Dancing With The Stars, everyone came together for the glorious task of turning 3 minutes of results into a two hour ratings bonanza. If you have seen the finale before, you know how it all went down. Take a couple of musical numbers, interviews or dances with all the eliminated contestants, and add in a whole lot of replays as the show looks back at all that has gone on. It's not the greatest recipe for a two hour show, but after 20 episodes of top ten numbers, I suppose they've earned it. I'll not spoil the big surprise before the jump, so hit the link for a brief look at all that went on, and to find out who took home the mirrorball.
Dancing' Show Photos
DANCING WITH THE STARS 6 After ten weeks of entertaining drama, camaraderie and dazzling performances, Kristi Yamaguchi and her professional partner Mark Ballas, were crowned champion of "Dancing with the Stars," in the two-part season finale, beginning Monday, May 19, and concluding Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS 6 Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas star in the"Episode 610A" - The remaining two couples performed their third and final dance -- one of their favorite past routines from the season - scored by the judges. The judges' scores for Tuesday's dances were combined with the judges' scores and viewers' votes from Monday's performances to determine the winner, in the two-part season finale, beginning Monday, May 19, and concluding Tuesday, May, 2008.
ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS 6 After ten weeks of entertaining drama, camaraderie and dazzling performances, Kristi Yamaguchi and her professional partner Mark Ballas, were crowned champion of "Dancing with the Stars," in the two-part season finale, beginning Monday, May 19 and concluding Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS 6 Samantha Harris, Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas star in the"Episode 610A" - The remaining two couples performed their third and final dance - one of their favorite past routines from the season - scored by the judges. The judges' scores for Tuesday's dances were combined with the judges' scores and viewers' votes from Monday's performances to determine the winner, in the two-part season finale, beginning Monday, May 19, and concluding Tuesday, May, 2008.
ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS 6 Samantha Harris, Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas star in the"Episode 610A" - The remaining two couples performed their third and final dance -- one of their favorite past routines from the season - scored by the judges. The judges' scores for Tuesday's dances were combined with the judges' scores and viewers' votes from Monday's performances to determine the winner, in the two-part season finale, beginning Monday, May 19, and concluding Tuesday, May, 2008.
ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS 6 Tom Bergeron, Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas star in the"Episode 610A" - The remaining two couples performed their third and final dance -- one of their favorite past routines from the season - scored by the judges. The judges' scores for Tuesday's dances were combined with the judges' scores and viewers' votes from Monday's performances to determine the winner, in the two-part season finale, beginning Monday, May 19, and concluding Tuesday, May, 2008.
ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS 6 Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas star in the"Episode 610A" - The remaining two couples performed their third and final dance -- one of their favorite past routines from the season - scored by the judges. The judges' scores for Tuesday's dances were combined with the judges' scores and viewers' votes from Monday's performances to determine the winner, in the two-part season finale, beginning Monday, May 19, and concluding Tuesday, May, 2008.
ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS 6 Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas star in the"Episode 610A" - The remaining two couples performed their third and final dance -- one of their favorite past routines from the season - scored by the judges. The judges' scores for Tuesday's dances were combined with the judges' scores and viewers' votes from Monday's performances to determine the winner, in the two-part season finale, beginning Monday, May 19, and concluding Tuesday, May, 2008.
ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS 6 After ten weeks of entertaining drama, camaraderie and dazzling performances, Kristi Yamaguchi and her professional partner Mark Ballas, were crowned champion of "Dancing with the Stars," in the two-part season finale, beginning Monday, May 19 and concluding Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS 6 After ten weeks of entertaining drama, camaraderie and dazzling performances, Kristi Yamaguchi and her professional partner Mark Ballas, were crowned champion of "Dancing with the Stars," in the two-part season finale, beginning Monday, May 19 and concluding Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
ABC
Keeping with the spirit of the show, I'm going to shuffle the results off to the end of the post. If that's all you need, scroll on down to the last two paragraphs. That said, let's take a quick look at the other 1:57 of the show.
Starting with the musical guests, it was what I would call a good night, stopped from being great by the old song choice conundrum. I'm a fan of a lot of Alecia Keys songs, but the new one, "I Need You", isn't one of them. Unfortunately, promoting the new album lost out to playing the hits, once again. As to Miley Cyrus, I couldn't really tell you if that was one of her hits or not, because that is about as far from my musical wheelhouse as you can get. It was a good performance though, and I'm sure the Miley/Hannah fans were pleased.
Of the rest of the show, the only thing that stood out for me was Jeffrey Ross and his all too brief roasting of the finalists. The recap of the season, Cloris interviewing people on the street, and even the return of the eliminated guests just feels tired by this time of the season. Jeffrey Ross, on the other hand, was at least something a little different. If you have seen his work on the Comedy Central Roasts, you'll know that this was the kinder, gentler Jeffrey. He did still manage a couple great lines. After commenting that it looked like Corky was just dragging Cloris around the dance floor he said watching them dance was like Weekend At Bernie's, The Musical. And after taking a shot at Lance Bass he added, "Seriously, what can you say about Lance Bass that hasn't already been said about Clay Aiken."
That left just the final performances from the couples. And, really, I was a little disappointed in all of them. Warren & Kym made a smart choice with the hustle, as that was one of his better performances, but it just didn't seem like he was fully rehearsed for it. Lance & Lacey were on the verge of having the performance of the night, also making a great choice with the jitterbug. Unfortunately for them, they made a gaffe on one of the lifts. Brooke & Derek performed well, but I would have much rather seen any number of different performances. The Viennese waltz was the smart choice for the competition, because there are none of those tricky lifts to get tangled up in, but it lacks the excitement that the big finale demands.
The scores for the final performances looked like this:
Warren & Kym: 27 (9,9,9) Total: 80
Lance & Lacey: 28 (9,9,10) Total: 81
Brooke & Derek: 30 (10,10,10) Total: 88
Finally, it was time for the results. In third place, Lance & Lacey. I could only have been more wrong if I picked someone that was already eliminated to win. Lance was very gracious in his final remarks, and Lacey thanked him for getting her to the finals. I hope she gets a chance to return for the next round of the competition.
In the end, Brooke & Derek are the season 7 champions. I'd love to tell you what they thought about it, but right after the announcement is when my east coast feed died, so I missed it. I'm guessing they were both thrilled, and grateful. It's a good result. I was certainly pulling for Lance & Lacey to win, but Brooke & Derek were so strong for the entire competition that they are deserving champions.
And with that, it's all over but the crying. The crying starts next week when a plethora of ABC executives have to start filling the huge holes left in the schedule by the absence of DWTS. Fortunately for them, the show will be back in March for season 8, to save the network from the ratings of Scrubs, According To Jim, and True Beauty. Thanks for playing along all season. We'll do it all over again in the spring.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-26-2008 @ 1:42AM
Claude Penrat said...
Why don't we call it like it is.A " popularity contest " ?
How many times have we seen it happen ?
Very talented dancers being booted out because another celebrity got more votes from the fans at large.It really scews the validity of the whole intent.
It is so painfully obvious that a lot of very good dancers got eliminated because they didn't garner as much exposure in the media,to the benefit of other mediocre celebrity dancers that were better known,or better looking,or better whatever...
Warren getting to the finals ? Come on...
He is adorable,and did an excellent job,but.........................
So,please,don't call the show a dance contest
Reply
11-26-2008 @ 8:07AM
kashmirvaliant said...
exactly - a popularity contest! These tv shows really have to go! Can someone please bring on a change in shift in what's watched on tv again - there's too many "Reality" shows (popularity contests) I did watch it for a bit but the judges favored Brooke who went out there flashing all her goodies in front of the judges - so compare to that Cody had no milk shakes! Cody and the others didn't loose for lack of talent - they lost to the popular chick who was giving the boys their grooves!
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11-26-2008 @ 12:20PM
malano2 said...
I happen to love DWTS solely because its a show I can sit down and watch with my kids and not fear a bunch of expletives and nudity (save of course for Cloris)... I found it a bit odd that Brooke didn't shed a tear over her win at all...she seemed a bit phony to me... and Derek really needs a reality check...he thinks he is the best thing since sliced bread. But overall it was well deserved, they were the most consistent...although I think "Lancey" deserved second place
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11-26-2008 @ 8:46AM
Jimmy said...
Let me preface this by saying I have only watched the finales since the season Lachey won ...
The finalists last night were WEAK.
Maybe the show is more realistic now (in the sense that the contestants are all amateurs), but I have been hoping for a finale as exciting as Lachey's "Ride A Cowboy" and have yet to see it.
I must say, though, that the hosts (Tom Bergeron and the beautiful brunette) are always perfect. Ryan Seacrest should take notes!
Reply
11-26-2008 @ 8:48AM
Jimmy said...
P.S. Brooke Burke has a phenomenal body, but her face ...
11-26-2008 @ 10:14AM
Cowboy said...
Okay, I've enjoyed this show. But I accept it for what it is: Glitzy entertaiment with an occasional bit of talent. It's all about popularity...not quality. It's a no brainer that takes me away from stewing about how the government is stealing my money to give to Wall Street crooks. As for the celebrity dancers...first of all, Cloris Leachman is an abomination! M'god why would anyone think she's funny? She wasn't funny 60 years ago. As an elder citizen I applaud DWS for having older people compete. But please, choose some with class, dignity and at least a little semblance of not being an old fool. As for the fill ins of (non)humor by so-called "comedians," trash 'em! They stink and aren't funny. How about more dances by the pros, or equally enjoyable would be the orchestra/singers featured. Kenny Mayne is NOT funny either. They're all losers. Heck, watching the judges dancing and Tom & Samantha would be far more enjoyable than listening to some unfunny jerk. I call 'em the way I see 'em.
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11-26-2008 @ 10:26AM
MWM said...
Samantha Harris can't interview for sht. Is she on roids?Whats up with her arms?
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11-26-2008 @ 11:24AM
Cowboy said...
Hey, what do you expect? These folks aren't selected for their jobs because they're smart.
11-26-2008 @ 11:30AM
susanmterry said...
well it is over. i am going to miss the show. we all knew brooke was going to win. i would like to know how many votes each person got from the people who voted. i would like to know what the difference was between all three of them. does anyone know how we could find out. i really thought warren should have won. i voted for him several times.
Reply
11-26-2008 @ 3:54PM
jag said...
All this and not one mention of Brooke's husband crying.
Reply
11-26-2008 @ 1:46PM
Deb said...
sigh... i couldn't stand Brooke and Derek. Sure they were "mostly" technically correct although anytime there was a small mistake (and i did see some) the judge never said anything. even nitpicky carrieann didn't mention some of the awkward pauses in their dance on monday... perfect 10's across the board. sorry...not even. Blech!
LOVED Lacey's energy and fresh approach to the dances and Lance came a LONG way looking really good at the end. I really think Warren is great - his charm and how much he has done but I think Lance probably should have placed before him.
I only wish Brook and Derek hadn't taken it home - yawn... the two of them bore me.
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11-27-2008 @ 2:37AM
Seth said...
I'm so happy that finally this year that the best dancers actually won the trophy. This is the first time since Season 2 when Drew Lachey won that a Non-athlete won and that she is a woman, which is also a rarity (until Kristi broke the curse last year).
Brooke and Derek deserved to win, they were dancing perfection. He is the best choreographer on the show (also Mediaweek's Mark Berman said he was a really nice guy after meeting him) and their freestyle was one of the best the show has EVER had.
I'm so sick of the NFL star always guaranteed to get into the finals and I'm so glad that he didn't win -- this is a dancing competition.
Usually I hate the results at the end of the season, but I was soOOOOO happy. They deserved it.
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11-29-2008 @ 10:20AM
Dede0407 said...
I think Lance & Lacey should have won second place. Warren & Kim's points all season were never as good. Their technique and dancing, well, I have no idea how they made it as far as they did, never mind all the way to the finals. Yes, Lance & Lacey got robbed!! But Brooke & Derek have been winners from day one.
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12-02-2008 @ 6:32PM
jackklark said...
Wow. "Brooke seemed fake because she didn't cry"? It's a dance show people! If you want to see crying, watch The Biggest Loser.
I'm personally happy she won. Derek is a little silly, but they did work well together. I know the NFL players get a lot of heat for being on the show, but the do bring in a male demographic that would be nil if they weren't competing. If you think about, NFL athletes are used to following a directive and practicing until perfect. No wonder why they consistently make the finals.
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