So, 1 hour in and the scores & ranking, except for adding 30 points to every score, remain the same in the judge's eyes. So, the question of the night is... Who wins the public popularity contest?

(Having said that, I will also say that I think this is , really, the closest final that the show's had, imo. These folks have all, including, for the most part, the previously eliminated, actually tried. And, win, or lose, they've all pretty much succeeded.)

Couple with the lowest total and leaving right now.

Laila and Max

From a dance perspective I think that was the right call. For what's to come? I think, in terms of classical dance, Apollo should get the nod as the winner, but I won't be terribly dissapointed if Joey does.

That's pretty much my feeling.

It's been a good season with lots of people really putting it all out there, so there are quite a few people that make satisfying champions.

First four eliminated

Probably showing us just why they left early.

Time for the eliminated contestant retrospective. Wonder just how much time they spend trying to nail the dance they've decided to do. No way are they (at least the early eliminations) just going on memory.

Yep, I imagine they've scheduled a fair amount of practice time this past week to get it back.

The next 4 eliminated or something like that.

I actually liked Ian's Elvis impersonation better without the wig. Too bad he waited so long to find his footing (so to speak). Technically, he was spot on from almost the start.

Dance alone at home with Jimmy DVD.

Worth the price of admission!!!

Clay Aiken with Guiermo's mustache, priceless.

Do I get a prize for making it to the end of the show.

'Cause I deserve my name on a carpy disco ball trophy for this.

Compare Joey and Apolo now going to the past winners.

Next up, how winning DWS changed winner's lives. Um... lessee... People assume they're great spontaneous dancers, leading them to avoid any dance floor ever?

(I know that's my reaction after almost 10 yrs. of ballroom instruction. They taught us - us, the boys & the girls - the coreography of the steps. They forgot to teach us (the girls) how to follow, or them (the boys) how to lead, properly. I do not dance in public. Ever.)

When I've had the most fun is something I have no idea what the steps are and I've had to follow. Luckily those times have been with guys that really really know how to lead.

Lucky girl.

Since we seem to be alone here, how's that whole flexability - toe to chin - thing going?

About where I was about a month in.

But that is OK, we have about a week left.

Got a bit more progress on the other project which was the meridians and the Qi Gong I've been doing.

Oh Mystic - my heart breaks to hear this! Seriously. I lucked out and joined the univerisity social ballroom dance club many, many, moons ago. The emphasis was on lead and follow and changing partners every song. They had many multi-leveled socials so you had to get used to dancing with many people and styles and many of us became pretty decent at dancing. It was an amazing way to meet people. It is where I met Mr. Qwerty. When we left the club (I was pregnant with DD), they had switched to teaching international style with emphasis on competitions. We have seen the spontaneity of the dancing decrease as people just practised with their partners. There was also more collisions on the dance floor as people would do their choreographed sequences of moves with no regard for the people around them and no clue how to modified their dancing even if they wanted to avoid the other couples. And disasters if one person forgot their steps, the other couldn't lead/follow the partner until they were back on track.
Have you really given up on the couples' dancing? Could I interest you in trying Argentine Tango (and don't take it from the ballroom studios)?

They did the journey of Apolo and Joey already so they can wait until the last possible moment to reveal the results.

They made some promise about after the break, so we've got what 6 minutes of commercials to sit through?

Apolo and Julianne.

Yeah! I tried to vote for Apolo and Julianne last night, and only got through 3 times. It was always busy, so now we know why. Congratulations to Apolo and Julianne. They gave us some memorable dances.

djandy

Apollo wins. Joey looks disappointed. Julie calls out Happy Birthday! (huh?) And, the two people in North America who seem to be watching are done for another season.

Night Snidg. Have a great rest of the weekend.

>Apollo wins. Joey looks disappointed. Julie
>calls out Happy Birthday! (huh?)

Today, May 22nd, is Apolo's birthday.

Ah. Kinda figured that was what it was, but the birthday alerts in the paper didn't mention it & I didn't bother to look it up. Great b'day present for him though. (Surprised the show didn't play that up.)

Great play-by-play, mystic and snidget. I would join you guys on this but I don't see the show for 3 more hours after you do. And my computer is in my bedroom (no TV in the BR). Both of you have done an awesome job of recapping and commenting - very entertaining and a fun read week after week.

And now... YEEEEEEE HAWWWWWWWWWW!!!!! I'm so glad Apolo won! I would've been happy for Joey but I was sure rootin' for Apolo. We actually managed to get all 15 of our votes in for him last night. I'm looking forward to next season.

I want to add that I thought Laila Ali was a class act throughout the entire season. She showed women and girls of all ages that we don't have to fit into the supermodel stick image in order to be beautiful. We can all embrace who we are and enjoy life.

That is all.

Save the cheerleader, save the world.
Are you on the list? Someone flies, someone dies.

Shar's World

I agree with Sharnina. Thanks to Snidget & Mystic for keeping on keepin on with posting! I always DVR and watch later, so I don't visit here until way after the fact.

Yay Apollo! And Happy Belated Birthday!

Wanted to add one of the funniest verbal exchanges between partners this season.

Alex: Don't question the system.
Paulina: That's what they said in the communist countries
Alex: That's where I'm from.
Paulina: Yeah, that's why we both left.

Save the cheerleader, save the world.
Are you on the list? Someone flies, someone dies.

Shar's World