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Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Dancing with the Stars - Who Won Season 8? Spoilers ahead. 2009
Lady Ga Ga opened tonight’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ finale with her hit - ‘Just Dance’ - appropriate don’t you think! Without a doubt, this season has been one of the best ever in terms of talent. The only question that remains for most of us… is who won?
Will it be Shawn Johnson and her partner Mark Ballas? The couple appears to be reaching their peak at just the right moment.
Or will Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke be awarded the top prize for the consistent and dramatic performances.
Perhaps Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolan will mend her broken heart and win the whole thing.
Of course, like any season finale, we have to relive the season that was. While some of this is fun… I say let’s get on with the show… I don’t need to be reminded of the six or so reasons that I was ready to turn off this year’s series… thank goodness for the DVR! The Jeffrey Ross act was worthy of a fast forward… I hope you all could join me with skipping past that dribble.
Let’s get back to the dancing soon please! Finally!
Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas - For their final number, they dance the Cha, Cha, Cha. Shawn and Mark made their final performance count - will the judges agree? Judge’s score - 30.
Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani - the couple’s final dance, the samba. It looks like Melissa and Tony have brought their A game to tonight’s competition - and the judges agree. Judge’s score - 30.
Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke - Will the Gilles and Cheryl’s final dance, the Argentine Tango, be as flawless as the other two teams? Yes - without a doubt. If they could have received an 11, I’m sure they would have… it was amazing! Judge’s score - 30.
It all comes down to how America voted… this season, just two or three points separate the dancing duos form the Mirror Ball. The first couple eliminated in tonight’s finale is Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani. This is a close race to the finale with less than 1 percent separating the two remaining dancing teams. The final dancing pair eliminated are Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke.
So, the Season 8 Dancing with the Stars winner is Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas.
Looks like the readers of this blog predicted this one! Did America and the Judges choose the right dancing duo?
TweetAmerican Idol: Is Adam king, or will Kris dethrone?
The coronation of Adam Lambert as king of American Idol is only hours away … or is it?
Kris Allen and the Idol voters might have something to say about that.
The rules for tonight’s finale: Adam and underdog Kris pick their own favorite song from this season, then sing one chosen by Idol creator Simon Fuller, and close by singing the winner’s single co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi.
Kris won the coin toss and decided to go last. Good move.
Round One:
Adam picks “Mad World,” which most people would agree is one of his best performances and the one in which he cemented his status as the front-runner.
My take: Good choice because it doesn’t have him screaming and screeching, and he connects better with the masses on something like this. I don’t think this was as good as the first time he did it, but it was very solid.
The judges’ take: Randy gives Adam an A+. Kara exclaims, “You rocked it again tonight.” Paula says it was a great song for Adam, and “I thought you did a brilliant job.” Simon thinks it was good but “a little bit over-theatrical.”
Kris chooses “Ain’t No Sunshine,” which answers one office debate we had today about which would be his best pick. Some argued for his version of “Heartless.”
My take: This was the song that I first thought Kris might be in the competition for the long haul, but I think this version won’t “wow” anyone. For example, my 16-year-old daughter wasn’t impressed enough to stop her biology homework, and she was working on worm anatomy.
The judges’ take: Randy says, “I think that was one of your best performances ever on the stage.” Kara says, “You have a way of creating an intimate bond with everyone in the audience.” Paula adds, “You put your mark on all of your songs.” Simon admits that he wasn’t sure after last week’s performance that Kris was right choice for the finals. “I absolutely take all that back now after that performance,” he says.
Round One goes to Kris, according to Simon.
Round Two:
Fuller has Adam sing “Change is Gonna Come.”
My take: Adam takes a pretty basic arrangement, which I like, then he belts out his famous high notes that excite the crowd, if not me. I just wouldn’t buy it, but I understand why the vocals and the performance are loved by others.
The judges’ take: Randy said, “You showed that the real reason you are here is … you can sing your face off.” Kara calls it the best interpretation of a song yet, and Paula thinks “that was the best I’ve ever heard you sing.” Simon, “You are 100 percent back in the game. Congratulations.”
Fuller picks “What’s Going On” for Kris.
My take: I expected this to be a good fit for Kris when Ryan announced this was his song, but the reality was far less satisfying than the image I had in my head. It was fine, but it just wasn’t great.
The judges’ take: Randy, “It was a little light for me.” Kara says Kris has been true to himself since Day One. Paula says, “You tore that song up and made Marvin Gaye proud.” Simon, “I thought it was too laid-back for a night like this. Sorry.”
Round Two goes to Adam, Simon declares.
Round Three:
Both singers get “No Boundaries,” a new song intended to be the first single for the winner of American Idol.
Adam goes first.
My take: Regular readers know how I hate this part of the competition because the songs rarely fit the people. Adam puts his spin on this one as much as he can, but this just is not what his supporters will want to hear from him. I think he was generally fine, but the song was not.
The judges’ take: Randy, “I’ll say it again: You can sing anything … but it was just alright for me.” Kara gets a bit self-serving and thanks Adam on behalf of songwriters. “I’m moved, and I’m proud,” she said. Paula says, “I am in awe. I will be a fan forever.” Simon says, “Over the entire season, you have been one of the best, most original contestants we’ve ever had.”
Kris is up next with his version of “No Boundaries.”
My take: Kris manages a version that you could imagine on the radio, but I swear he blew a line early on. Anyone else notice? This song gets Kris out of his comfort zone, and that really isn’t a good place for him to be.
The judges’ take: Randy wasn’t wild about it, but says “That song fits your voice even better than Adam’s.” Kara says the song was too high for Kris, and she tells people to judge him by his body of work. “You have been an incredible person to watch week to week.” Paula declares the finale as one of the best ever but never really said what she thought of the performance; Simon agreed that Kris should not be judged on this song, either. “You have thoroughly, thoroughly deserved to be standing on this stage tonight.”
I don’t recall hearing who Simon thought won Round Three, but I would imagine he thought Adam.
I don’t think this night changed anyone’s mind. If you were for Adam before tonight, you still are. If you backed Kris, you saw nothing to make you change your mind.
And, if that is the case, Adam is the king after all. The crowning should come Wednesday night. Or will it?
Vote in our polls and offer your take.
TweetDancing with the Stars - Who won Finale - Part one
In just a few minutes, the Dancing with the Stars Season 8 will conclude. Each of tonight’s star dancing duos are competing for the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. This season’s race to the finish is too close to call - so it’s anyone’s guess who will win.
Gilles Marini, Olympian Shawn Johnson, and reality TV star, Melissa Rycroft are helping to create some drama for us rabid reality TV show fans. So who will win?
As of 8:50 p.m., with more than 650 readers voting, Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas are in the lead! Is our poll a predictor of this year’s winner?
We’ll find out in a few minutes.
TweetIdol’s finale tonight! Are you team Adam or team Kris?
American Idol predictions abound this morning around the office and the excitement is palatable. Who is going to win? At this point my guess is it’s anybody’s game.
It may completely depend on song choice. It could boil down to order of songs. Or order of performers. Who goes first, who goes last? Are the judges choosing a favorite song from the season for each performer tonight? And, do hey have the power to sway the vote based on whether they choose wisely or not?
I had been riding on the fence, not really caring who won tonight because I like both Kris and Adam. I didn’t start a Kris fan but slowly, as he developed, I became a fan. However, I’ve liked Adam since his audition and in Hollywood. Every week he has solidified why I think he is an incredible performer.
I have heard people say “send him back to the stage.” Heck, I’ve even said it at one point but here’s the bottom line. He wants a career. A solo career. Can you blame him? He’s been working for this his entire life so why should he be sentenced to a life in musical theatre just because he excels there?
They will both be okay. They will both get contracts. But bottom line, without seeing tonight’s performances, which I doubt will change my mind, I am a member of Team Adam.
By the way, I wanted to share something with you that a good friend sent to me. Adam as a blonde! I understand he is a natural strawberry blonde and was so all through high school. Personally, I prefer the dark haired Adam. It adds to his mystique.
One last chance before tonight’s performances. Are you Team Adam or Team Kris? Do you think there is anything they could do this evening to change your mind?
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