Dancing With the Stars Finale: Audiences Value Good Solid Dance Skill Over Fame and Big Personality

So, what did you guys think? Happy with the results?

Personally, I love that Brooke Burke won. Overall she had by far the best technique of all of the contestants, yet she has no known movement background (either from musical / performance training or athletics), she was probably the least well-known coming into the show, and, of the remaining three, she was the least flamboyant. Meaning, America really voted for the best technical dancer. And meaning, America connects to great dancing, even over big personality.

Not that Brooke was always perfect. I'm probably one of the few, but I actually couldn't understand the judges' extreme praise of her Monday night freestyle: though the lifts were spectacular (and damn hard) and the dancing fast and energetic, some of the footwork was sloppy. And, she had that flubbed jive earlier. But week after week she impressed with her ability to catch on so miraculously quickly, to take on whatever she was given and do it to near perfection.

And not that the other two finalists were at all undeserving. Lance is a sweetheart with a truly endearing personality and he was definitely the most improved. Lacey stopped concentrating so hard on herself, making sure she looked good (which I think is due more to it being her first time on the show than to vanity), and concentrating on making him good. And she succeeded. His form still wasn't perfect (feet were still a little turned in at points and some lines were awkward) but it was so much better than earlier. His rhythm improved, he held back less, and he was really rocking out out there, having so much fun. Watching him kind of made you feel more courageous yourself. When he said the show has improved not only his self-confidence dance-wise but his self-esteem in general, yeah, it has the feel of a line written by the producers (which it probably was) but still, it's true. Sounds exceedingly corny I know, but learning to dance, striving for a goal you've made for yourself, and achieving it, does do that!

And Warren is a doll. Too much fun! Both he and Cody provided so much entertainment this season. Between the two of them I was practically in tears (of laughter) each week. Though Warren was often lacking in technical ability, he had an innate sense of rhythm and ease with movement and I think he surprised everyone that someone his size could do such fast, sharp, clean footwork. And he listened to the judges and to Kym and (perhaps in contrast to his demeanor at times) wasn't too proud to take advice. If a sports person wouldn't have won the trophy practically every season, I'd have been rooting for him.

Overall, though, I still think this season, even with all the crazy big personalities (Warren, Cody, Cloris) was more bland compared to prior ones. I think it's because of so much boring filler. I can't believe Monday night they spent the entire first third of the finale re-broadcasting footage of dances performed earlier in the season. And they did this every show, re-played a large portion of the dancing from the prior week. We already saw it, we don't need to see it again. And all the silly talking with Samantha before receiving scores, the often contrived or cliché-ridden rehearsal footage (didn't the characters in Dirty Dancing learn lifts in water?). Yes, some of that chatting is part of what endears audiences to the contestants, but cut it in half; we should come to like them mainly through the dancing. And the replays are sheer laziness. The producers should use that time to showcase more professional dancing - both by pro ballroom couples (and not only those on the show -- there are many, many more) and other kinds of dance. I think ballroom fans would love ballet as well; the aesthetics are similar. I mean, seeing as how audiences have made clear they value, above all, great dancing.

Comments

[LiberalBuzz]

Worst season ever and the fact that BB won just shows something was out of sync. Almost a complete unknown unless you were a Wild On fan or have both BB's playboy appearances by your bedside which STILL would have not been enough people to ever vote for her.

Her dancing seemed forced and in my humble opinion and that of a few people who work in the biz, this win was bought and paid for.

Just look at the first words out of her mouth. I WANT TO BE IN A SITCOM.

THAT was the proof of bought and paid for to me and others.

[knosiswar]

It wasn't the best season ever, not bad though, close at the end. I don't think it comes close to some of the other seasons in standing ovations. In the end though, Lance really had a shot. He had the potential to get 10's and compete with Brook on the technical dancing that is the criteria that counts the most with the audience at the end. But Lance and Lacey BLEW IT with their terrible free-style. Hip Hop was the worst thing they could have tried, and it fell flat. And it was a terrible hip hip number to boot. He was a contender, certainly could have placed second if he had performed a dance he had learned on the show and not something from his boy band days.

[popartusa]

Maybe it WAS a good idea for a show....I loved the PBS Ballroom shows....but so poorly done with inane converstaions and silly business between "stars" and panel....insulting voting by "fans" that often kick off the show better performers in favor of "characters"....I stopped watching when Cloris didn't go that first week. And all that "drama" about naming the losing couple...pleeze!!

[HeevenSteven]

Brooke is too smoking hot not to miss; but somehow I missed it.

[Pupadup4oBama]

This was my first season watching DWTS....until then I had been watching SYTYCD....boy was I THRILLED to see Lacey as one of the partners!
I was so thoroughly entertained.
I loved Cody and his partner (I forget her name - she is gorgeous) I think he had a serious crush on her.
Warren was just a big ol' teddy bear and I was crushin' on him - a big guy like that with his moves with the ladies and his bright smile and cute little winks....wow!
Lance was definitely most improved and I loved watching him for the entertainment value - I have a lot more respect for him now than just being in a boy band. I could see he was trying to put on a happy face, but the fact that Joey placed second kind of got to him.
I liked Brooke - she is gorgeous and her lines were very graceful - I just never felt she was completely comfortable. Technically she was fantastic...but I didn't quite get the entertainment value I would have liked.
Being that this IS DWTS - I would have preferred the winner be someone a little more entertaining. That's just my $.02.
Otherwise...great show - will definitely watch it next year.

[rcampbell]

Terrific season. There was a ton of talent and a lot of wonderful dances. I was happy to see Brook win. Warren Sapp (who I had never heard of prior to this) was a joy to see move 300 lbs around so deftly. I didn't much care for Lance Bass on a personal level, but he sure improved during the season and provided some real entertainment.

As the article stated, though, Brook showed early on that she had some basic natural dancing ability . (She challenged herself, worked very hard every week and excelled. She deserves the win. It sure didn't hurt my eyeballs to watch her either. Beautiful women dancing in scanty outfits for ten weeks---what's not to like?

[IndyReader]

I actually did not watch this season of DWTS. Since Brooke Burke was targeted as the winner practically from the first night I just decided to skip it this time.