Dancing with the Stars: Who Should Win?

Maks should win. Well, I mean....Mel B. (AKA Scary Spice) and her professional partner Maksim Chmerskovkiy should win. I had a crush on Maks until I realized he is younger than my own son. Still, he is fun to watch, whether he shaves his chest or not. And I'm happy to see that he got paired with a celebrity who can dance, and can dance very well.

I've had fun watching Mel B., who is spirited and confident. Yet, she is modest and grateful--or would seem so. And, wow, has she lost some weight or what? She had a baby not long ago.

I was a bit disappointed in Mel and Maks last night. I voted for them because they still dominate the competition. There is something about both of their routines that did not flow smoothly. Does anyone know who selects the music? One of the professional dancers implied that they do not get to choose, and sometimes I wonder how anybody would want to dance to some of these music selections. For instance, last week Mel and Maks did the Pasa Doble--a Latin dance--to the song "Satisfaction."

I rewatched their free-style dance this morning on YouTube, and it truly was amazing, but not their best of the season.

I think that Maks and professional Julianne Hough are the two best choreographers on the show. And Julianne, who includes much humor in her choices, brings out the best in her celebrity partner Helio Castroneves (a professional race car driver). I voted for Mel, but won't be too hurt if Helio wins. He is very smooth for someone without dance experience. Not a large man, he did amazing lifts during last night's free-style. The lift sequences that Julianne choreographed, and that both of them executed, were great fun.

Helio does his best when a dance calls for a suave man who lets his partner glide around him. I have to say that even though he keeps up with the jive, he does not let the music carry his steps. In other words, he would let the beat lift and drive his feet if he really felt it, and I just don't see this.

Even entertainer Marie Osmond seems to feel the music when she dances. I have to love her for losing 30 pounds since the competition began, and at age 48, she let her partner Jonathan Roberts, toss her in the air and all over the place. Like the other two finalist couples, they did a great job executing their lifts, and those were fun to watch.

I've always enjoyed Marie as a TV personality. I simply admire positive people who never give up. Marie stayed in the competition perhaps longer than she should have. Her skill improved tremendously but she got publicity for things that had nothing to do with dancing. Since viewer votes can ultimately determine who wins the competition, a contestant's popularity counts.

And popularity seemed to affect this season's contest more than during other seasons. In previous seasons, Master P stayed in way longer than he should have. He refused to wear the right shoes, and he barely bothered to practice. Jerry Springer was a popular participant, but once he realized it was time for him to go, it actually pained him to stay in place of someone who actually deserved to remain.

Last week I saw Marie and her family on Oprah. She also appeared on Larry King, and Entertainment Tonight featured a weekend special about her and her family. When people say that Marie is a seasoned performer, it would seem that she knows how to get free publicity. She can elicit more votes than other contestants who are more focused on their dancing than making the show into a popularity contest.

Marie's beautiful smile won the hearts of many, but her dancing is not in the same league with Mel and Helio. Showmanship is appreciated but, as Jerry Springer knows, it doesn't take the place of executing a complicated routine--that involves dancing.

Last night, Marie played a windup doll in her free-style dance. Her partner Jonathan should have perhaps known better? It isn't their choice that upsets me so much. The idea that one contestant can win with personality, WITHOUT ACTUALLY DANCING, is very troubling. Marie had said on Larry King Live that each contestant brought something different to the table. It would seem that she forgot to actually dance.

I still admire Marie, but if she and Jonathan win the trophy over Mel and Maksim or Helio and Julianne, I may boycott the show next season. Perhaps the producers can take a look at the way contestants are eliminated to make the show somewhat fair. No one who watches thought that Sabrina, a definite contender for first place, should have been eliminated weeks ago.

Maybe a show based on popularity attracts more viewers. If so, why bother to have judges? The judges provide guidance and positive suggestions for the contestants. Otherwise, their titles are bogus.

Tonight is the final results show, airing at at 9:00 p.m. PST will determine what I have to say tomorrow.

Here's why I love Mel and Maks: