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Dancing with the Stars Tuesday night finale was full of potential headlines. The big news of the evening, of course, is that Helio Castroneves, the little engine that could, did. He won, beating out Spice Girl, Melanie Brown. His victory signals all the other bullet points of this fifth season finale. The two-hour program opened with the only news that could possibly overshadow the announcement that Helio had won. And that was the announcement that Marie Osmond hadn't. Fans of the show -- as opposed to fans of Ms. Osmond -- must have breathed a sigh of relief at the news since any other outcome would have so clearly been a travesty, even by reality-TV standards (to the extent that reality TV has standards). As her all-but-dance-free "freestyle" performance last night made plain, Ms. Osmond had grown frustrated with the judges' nitpicking her lack of content and technique. Talking before her elimination had been announced, Marie described her experience as "a Cinderella story" and said she would even miss "the stepsisters over here," gesturing to the judges. Judging from the comments on the ABC message board, not to mention the emails I received today, popular sentiment had obviously turned away from the ever-grinning, long-suffering Marie. So it was down to two -- big, bad Mel and cute, little Helio. If you were a cynic, or had been following the conspiracy theories swirling around this season (guilty on both scores), then you may have been figuring the scary Spice Girl to be the smart-money bet. She came into the competition as an experienced performer and dancer and she was a woman in what many have suspected was intended to be the season a woman won Dancing with the Stars. From the beginning of the season, there has been that insider line of logic that went something like this: Men have been winning every season. The producers have decided it's time for a woman to win. So, they stocked the competitor pool with female ringers -- women who have lots of professional experiences as dancers and performers. As proof, there was Sabrina, the Cheetah Girl (soon dubbed the Cheater Girl) and Jane Seymour, the gifted actress who has some dancing in her background. And, of course, that Spice Girl, Mel B. The only problem was week-by-week, that theory kept taking hits. First Sabrina was abruptly eliminated midway through. The next week, it was bye-bye Jane. Still, Mel not only soldiered on, she excelled to become the highest scoring dancer of the season. And going into tonight's finale, Mel was ahead of Helio by one point. And after her mambo and Helio's quick step scored perfect 30s, she retained her one point lead. But viewer voting apparently swung Helio's way enough to give him the disco-ball trophy. So much for ringers. So much for the fix being in for a woman to win. Another irresistible conspiracy theory bites the dust. Helio won. Maybe Oswald really did act alone. |
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Comments
Posted by J. C. Crader @ 6:50 AM Wed, Nov 28, 2007
YES!! Once again I found myself enthusing over the contestant I had picked from round three - women be damned (of which I am one, by the way). Although Emmitt, Apollo and now Helio had no previous dance experience, when you're in a career that demands mental acuity and superb hand/eye coordination being a good to excellent dancer ensues naturally when you apply yourself. Hooray for all the voters out there who recognize the real winners when they see them. Incidentally, my enthusiasm has been strictly from the armchair, as I have never voted. Which somehow makes my pleasure even deeper at the outcome.
Posted by Maria, Lancaster @ 8:40 AM Wed, Nov 28, 2007
I knew he was going to win from the first show!!! Helio showed us that Latin men have what it takes on the dance floor.
Then of course, he had last year's winner as a partner!!
Congratulations Helio & Julianne
Posted by liz @ 9:34 AM Wed, Nov 28, 2007
Yes, Helio should have won! From the beginning I sensed he would. Mr. Personality Plus.
Posted by Cyril Reif @ 9:45 AM Wed, Nov 28, 2007
Hooray for Helio.....more people saw him on "Dancing with the Stars", than saw him win the Indy 500!
Posted by GKeith @ 9:47 AM Wed, Nov 28, 2007
Most definitely he should have won. He was so enthusiastic and what a personality!!!
Posted by Peggy, DeSoto @ 10:38 AM Wed, Nov 28, 2007
I was crazy about Helio from the start. (Never heard of him before, now I'll be following his racing career!) Mel B. was amazing, and a delight to watch. But Helio was definitely the rightful winner!
Posted by Skip @ 10:58 AM Wed, Nov 28, 2007
Helio was the most improved dancer of the two.
But, based on consistancy in the last three dances Mel was simply better. His engagin peronality was the tire breaker that attracted fan voting in my opinion.
I'm glad the judges were more critical Monday night.
Posted by Cathy Wood @ 5:48 PM Wed, Nov 28, 2007
Yes, yes and yes. The best couple won. Although I think Mel B. was great, she did not have the charisma that Helio and Julienne had. The fans obviously loved them and voted accordingly.
And just as a footnote, it was my theory that Miss Marie was a walking (or should I say dancing disaster). She spoke no truer words then when she said "I am here because of my fans". You are telling me because if it was dancing only, she would have been out the first week. She got a lot of sympathy for her "FAINTING". Plus give me a break on the Donnie and Marie Show. Oh please-did Donnie ever say that she was going to lose - oh no it was all She is doing terrific - working so hard - doing her thing. Oh please next time let's do without the Marie and Donnie Show. Makes you want to throw up! Give me a break!
Posted by Rachel @ 7:34 PM Wed, Nov 28, 2007
Helio and Julianne were the Best dancers and I was so glad they won! They derserve it! Julianne is so sweet and cute and Helio is a cool person. I know they were the Best and Helio's fiance is stupid for breaking up with him. I think he can do better! Horray for Helio and Julaine!!