>The blond kid, Aaron Carter, got
>the gate because he didn't
>have much of a fan
>base and his partner Karina
>Smirnoff has become somewhat unpopular,
>though not as unpopular as
>Derek Hough, whose attitude turned
>so many people off that
>it probably was what cost
>her a place in the
>finals. Aaron and Joanna were
>probably both better dancers than
>Donny and Kelly, but unpopular
>partners and weak fan bases
>will kill you in an
>audience-vote show, and good looks
>won't save you from that
>because good looks abound on
>DWTS.

Good points. Although I don't know what would kill you off from going to the finals and losing popularity points more than seeing that old relic of debauchery - Hefner - sitting in the audience cheering you on. I know I didn't like the idea of Joanna being in the finals for that reason alone. And Hef has done a masterful job of promoting his "bunnydom," with the scattering of playmates throughout the world of reality TV. Frankly, I'd rather not see anymore playmates compete to become Mrs. Antonio or Mrs. Bachelor.

I think one of the points you left out - if you consider it a valid point at all - is the judges subtle role in getting rid of a popular contestant's competition. I've seen it over and over again. Aaron was targeted for removal. They went after him like sharks in a tank in some Bond film. Where was Carrie Ann's vitriolic and bogus rants come from about him being embarrassing? You mean, Kelly screwing up every week wasn't? And I like Kelly and am merely making a comparison that Carrie Ann overlooks Kelly's weekly disasters with footwork and choreography, but Aaron who nails everything gets called on the carpet? Really squirrelly. Carrie Ann did so much butt kissing of Kelly that it that was embarrassing!

I think the ratings prove out that when shows go for the Miss Congeniality Award over talent, they sound their own death knell. And I mean when the judges are complicit in this sort of nonsense.

Personally, in spite of all I've said, this year I think it was Mya's trophy to lose and she did. She has only herself to blame for making that disastrous decision to do that stupid, insipid freestyle and making those equally ridiculous remarks.