'Dancing With the Stars': And the winner is ...
And it's almost over -- it's finale night on Dancing With the Stars. (Thank heavens; I love you guys, but I want my evenings back!)
The show starts with a montage from last night, even though they just reaired the whole show at 8 p.m.
Then Usher comes out to dance and sing, followed by predictions from past contestants.
Then, results: The third-place finisher is Cristian de la Fuente, so he and Cheryl Burke are out. I'm actually surprised. I thought if anyone would overcome the scoring gap, it would be him. Before they go, Cristian and Cheryl reprise their paso doble. (HEY!)
Then it's time for some more reprisals. Penn Jillette and Kym Johnson hit the floor to dance again, followed by Monica Seles and Jonathan Roberts. (Monica's having fun, but definitely disproving the idea that athletes have an unfair advantage on this show.) Happy-go-lucky Steve Guttenberg and Anna Trebunskaya return, too, as do Adam Carrolla and Julianne Hough with their paso doble that begins with a unicycle ride.
Next, it's time for results. No, not those results -- the junior champions. And the winners are Brandon and Brittany. They are excited and get a mini mirror-ball trophy and a visit from some of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders.
Time for more former contestants, the first being Priscilla Presley and Louis van Amstel with the tango.
Then there is a "tribute" to Jason and Cristian's friendship, or bromance, as Cheryl puts it. Host Tom Bergeron says they were going to save it for the wrap party, but they decided to share it with America.
Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez resprise one of their dances, as do Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough.
Then Baltimore R&B star Mario and Karina Smirnoff hit the floor with their mambo, followed by Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani with the paso doble.
Usher returns, singing a Broadway version of "Yeah," while dancing with some of the pros and a floor full of other dancers.
Finally, Kristi and Mark and Jason and Edyta come out to reprise their favorite performance of the season and to get their last scores from the judges. (It's yet another show going with a boxing theme tonight, as they play the Rocky theme.)
Kristi and Mark are first, with the jive, the one where Mark wears Buddy Holly glasses. Len says she is the most consistent dancer of all their season. Bruno says she didn't miss a beat. Carrie Ann says these two set the standard through the season, and also grew throughout the season. Tonight and last night's judges' scores will be combined with the votes from last night to determine the winner. Scores: 10-10-10, for another 30/30.
Jason and Edyta revisit their quickstep from earlier in the season, which is a good choice, because it's probably the dance on which he showed the most personality all season. Bruno says "heavenly bodies" is a term created for them. Carrie Ann says it's a showdown tonight, and then she says something about the elegance of his spirit (OK, Paula). Len calls him the people's champion. Scores: 10-10-10, for a 30/30, their first.
To draw things out, Tom talks to the other contestants. Priscilla Presley says it's been a pleasure. Mario says it's been an amazing experience and pure fun. Shannon Elizabeth cries again, saying she is so happy for everyone.
Can we have some results, please??
And the winners are ... Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas. She graciously thanks everyone behind the show for making this a dream experience, and Mark seconds that. Tom hands them the disco-ball trophy, and the hugs and confetti begin.
How do you feel about the results? After last night, I figured this was the way it would end, and it seems a fitting conclusion.
Comments
Of course Kristi will win, we knew this from the beginning of this season. It is so unfair for other competitors because she is a figure skater, a professional dancer, she has been dancing for her whole life. It is not only my opinion, but my other family members, friends and co-workers.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 20, 2008 11:17 PM
I am disappointed with Kristi as the winner! She came to the competition with more dance and performance experience than any of the other competitors. It was totally unfair!!
I am done watching Dancing with the Stars!
Posted by: Teena | May 20, 2008 11:30 PM
And the best woman won!
Posted by: Sue Goodale | May 20, 2008 11:44 PM
Filipinos and All city Japantown united, voting for Kristi and Mark all season. We are so glad they won and that Burke was voted out.....Jason is a gentleman, stating that Kristi is a winner before it was even announced. Until next season....thank you filipinos for helping us, next season will help you keep Julianne/Derek/Mark on dwts...
Posted by: TTAKAHAWSHI | May 20, 2008 11:45 PM
How about a show Dancing With The Average American. I am 51 years old and I would love to do something like that. The Dancing with the Stars is a big hit, I think the average American dancing would be a huge hit. I do think that people with dancing backgrounds should not be aloud to be on the show, this would be, like I said The Average Ameican. Deb
Posted by: Debra Larson | May 20, 2008 11:48 PM
can you say ringer set up think about it
Posted by: steve martin | May 21, 2008 12:06 AM
I never did think it was fair to have someone so used to performing precision performances on a show like Dancing with the Stars. Of course she would win...that was a given when you consider what she has done over the years with her talent. VERY unfair advantage ... even though she did a beautiful job. But, then America doesn't look at the talent fairly or Sabrina would not have lost last season and been voted off so early. No I wasn't pleased with the outcome, not at all. It jepordizes future talent shows like this one for me and actually for my large family. We were all extremely disappointed even though we knew the results before they happened. The judges themselves are very prejudiced too. ...Carrie Ann favored Christi from the beginning so no one had a fair chance with her. ... I think this will be my last season of Dancing with the Stars.
Posted by: Margaret Payne | May 21, 2008 9:42 AM
Very disappointing outcome!!! Dancing with the Stars can now compare to politics of the third world countries, judges are biased!!!
Posted by: Francis | May 21, 2008 11:32 AM
Kristi deserved to win. She had drive, determination and lucky for her rhythm. The rest is hard work learning the routines and repeating them over and over again. You need to put in acting skills as well which she did not have. It is a big part of dance. She needed to bring things to the floor that she was not use to.
Posted by: Toni | May 21, 2008 1:16 PM
I was glad to see Kristi win. One, because she was clearly the best dancer, and two, it's about time we had another female champ!
As far as her having an unfair advantage, I can see where people are coming from, but you also have to recognize that the routines Mark created were much more technically difficult than those danced by the other celebrities (this was especially clear in the cha-cha showdown). And she really improved throughout the season with conveying emotions through her dancing.
Posted by: Abby | May 21, 2008 2:02 PM
Very Happy:) Skating is a lot different then ballroom dancing. All you diappointed people should try and ice skate then maybe you could judge, them. Kristi and Mark worked just as hard as everyone else and deserve the trophy. Just because you can dance doesn't mean you are good at it! They were GOOD! Too bad wholesome entertainment has to be judged so harshly that is why all the family shows are off the air today. I will watch even if you make it a Professional Dancer contest. It not like they get a million dollars, they just provide good entertainment.
Posted by: Nancy | May 21, 2008 2:24 PM
Jason is one sexy man! It is great to see a man who can play rough on the field but yet dance gentle on the stage! Wish he would have won, but Kristi was great all season and was clearly the best dancer in the whole season.
Posted by: Michelle | May 21, 2008 7:23 PM
I've liked Kristi since I first saw her on the ice. She has a grace and style, and this was a showcase for her. I'm happy that she won.
Posted by: Two left Feet | May 21, 2008 8:09 PM
I'm glad Kristi won - but we stopped watching because of the scanty costumes. Please - this COULD be family entertainment!!
Posted by: Eileen | May 22, 2008 7:51 AM
Kristi is a professional skater-individual-not pairs. Skating alone is difficult, with a partner even more so. If you don't hink so, try it sometime-jump up, spin and land on your feet,not the ice. Kristi has stated throughout the competition what a private person she is and to do what she did on Dancing required her to get out of that 'comfort zone' and do things that were not natural to her. She wasn't perfect all season long, but she never gave up and had a positive attitude throughout, which is more than you can say for some of the other "stars" ( and thier partners).
Posted by: cindy | May 22, 2008 12:19 PM
Actually Cindy, Kristi was the US pairs champ (with Rudy Galindo) in 1989 and 1990.
I am absolutely thrilled that she won. As much as I enjoyed Jason Taylor and Cristian de la Fuente, they were out-performed by Kristi. You need to remember that she was born with a club feet and is not known for being flashy or sexy. The Latin dances pushed her out of her comfort zone. It was nice to watch the show for the dancing instead of the crazy outfits.
Posted by: Alyssa K | May 23, 2008 7:18 AM
I am glad that Kristie won...she was clearly the best dancer throughout the competition.
Posted by: Star | May 23, 2008 11:12 PM
i;m glad that kristi won! ice skating is way different from ballroom dancing, like former people have said! also, you guys have to remember that a lotta of the other people danced a lot too! like the broadway girl, the mario or popular singer guy. Kristi has also not skated for years! she's a a happy mom now! yay for her, cause she really deserved to win, and everybody obviously wanted her to win too!
Posted by: isabel | May 28, 2008 7:16 PM