Don - my husband predicted the same as you - that the judges had decided ahead of time to have the scoring come out even again. That sure was a lot of great dancing last night, although neither my husband nor myself particularly liked Mario's freestyle. Emmitt has ENERGY! I don't know how he and Cheryl made it through their freestyle without collapsing.

I really enjoyed the show - agree, Don, we'll have to tune in tonight! I like all four of the dancers but I am charmed by Emmitt and his beautiful family! For a "large" non dancer he has done exceedingly well, I think.

I was at a meeting and just caught the end last night (when will I ever hook up the TIVO!) but still wasn't surprised when it came out as a tie. I'm rooting for Emmitt though - he is so fun to watch and such a gentleman!

Em...mitt, Em...mitt, Em...mitt!!!!!

Emmitt is the bomb! I love his determination, charisma and grace! He's beautiful inside and out!

While Mario is a superb dancer, I think he's full of himself. It detracts from his abilities.

GO EMMITT!!! GO EMMITT!!! GO EMMITT!!!

Sounds like many of us are rooting for Emmitt but if Mario wins, he's deserving as well. They are absolutely amazing dancers!! I will go into withdrawls when this all ends :mecry:

Emmitt :ch: Emmitt :ch:

I voted on the computer for Emmitt five times. It was odd even when it was down to 2 people you still could vote 5 times.

Shall be watching tonight.
Jan

I have been really rooting for Mr. Dimples.Emmitt was soooooo good last night however that I won't be disappointed if he wins.The show last night was really great.Are any of you going to see the show on tour.I would go if Emmitt or Mario were going to be in it. I liked Stacy and Drew from last year also.

Just came on TV here!!!!!!

SHHHHHHHHH! No giving the winner away for us Left Coasters, Joanna!

Commercial - 3 minutes for winner - not saying a word D!!!!

I thank you for your self-control!

Rare but can do <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Well now we can say. It's 1 AM here which means it's 10 PM there.

Way to go Emmitt!!!

(ps: did you all see the smirk on Marios face while waiting. I think he was expecting to win it.)

YEAH!!!!
Poor Mario, maybe now he will realize that life doesn't always go the way he wants it to.
Lynn

I'm happy! I really enjoyed the show is year, and I think that Emmitt is a deserving winner!

Way to go, Emmitt and Cheryl! Their win was very well-deserved.

I agree about that smirk. Mario was forcing his congratulations and Karina looked pissed. These are two really self-absorbed individuals who expected to win and didn't. They may be great dancers, but their personalities overshadow their abilities, in my opinion.

I thought the segment that showed the relationships between both couples was very interesting and quite different. The dance partnership, respect and evolving friendship radiated between Emmitt and Cheryl. They have great chemistry and ability on the dance floor.

I'm so glad that the "everyday man" and his extremely talented partner won!

I was soooooo mad
A sports announcer told the winner on the evening news before it aired in California.

Bette, that is just wrong! I'd be mad too!

Denise, I agree. Karina was pissed! You could see it all over her face. I think Mario just looked shocked and had to figure out how to go and congratulate Emmitt, when he really didn't want to.

What a class act Emmitt and Cheryl were.

Did anybody else notice that Tucker looked like he would rather be somewhere else!

I hate that, Bette! Usually they give a warning that they are going to announce results, winners, etc. before they actually do, to give people an option of turning off the sound.

Yes, Don. I noticed that. He looked downright bored! His thoughts? "How much longer do I have to suffer through this until they announce the winner?"

Sorry, this comment might be pulled, but I think Karina is a bitch! She and Mario acted like too self-indulgent children. They could truly be the best dancers on the planet. Their personalities stink!

Denise, now you can see what I have known personally about Mario for years. I have hosted many NBC 'celebrities' over the years and he and Dustin Diamond were the absolute worse ( and Mario I had to put up with twice!)
Lynn

Lynn: It came to us loud and clear - he was a jerk -

Lynn,

I thought it was you who mentioned meeting Mario and about his behavior.

He and Karina must have spent the day sulking. Probably in front of a mirror!

heads up - new season starts tonight. An interesting line up overall, although I haven't heard of some of them.

from Entertainment Weekly:

SEASON PREMIERE PREVIEW A few promises: This year no favoring the hotshot ringer over the one giving it their all. No snide Heather/Yoko comparisons (except that one). No gossip on which partners are hooking up. And no slamming the network for helping ABC stars (this season there aren't any). So good luck, celebs (Ian Ziering, Joey Fatone, Heather Mills, Leeza Gibbons, Laila Ali, John Ratzenberger, Billy Ray Cyrus, Shandi Finnessey, Apolo Anton Ohno, Clyde Drexler, and Paulina Porizkova), go out and shake your bonbons, and we'll be on our best behavior. Which isn't saying much.

This is quite the "mixed-bag" line-up. Should be an interesting season, for sure. Last season is going to be a hard act to follow.

As much as I have enjoyed Billy Ray Cyrus (particulary in the old TV series "Doc") he truly was the worst dancer on the premiere. I was surprised that John Ratzenberger did as well as he did considering that he only had 2 weeks of practice due to another actor dropping out. My favorites were Joey Fatone and Laila Ali.

If John Ratzenberger drops out, I will volunteer to dance the season with Edyta, and Bert has already given me the OK.

My favorites are Clyde Drexler and Laila Ali. It really is amazing how graceful athletes can be. And you're right Kathy, Billy Ray Cyrus is seriously awful. Of course, he's better than me, but then so are most farm animals.

So, who is going tonight? My guess is Billy Ray, even though he definately did better last night!

Yeah, my guess is Billy Ray will be gone! He is pretty Achy Breaky Bad!

I haven't been watching but I saw a thing on the news about it. They showed Billy Ray lipping "1, 2, 3, 4" the whole time he was dancing, lol

Don, it was good to see that almost everyone danced better last night than they did the previous week. I agree with judge Kerianne (sp?) that Billy Ray was the most improved but I don't know if it was enough to save him from elimination. I was especially happy to see Leeza Gibbon's improvement.

I'd like to see Shandi go first. Yes, she is beautiful (my husband dislikes her because he believes she thinks too much of herself); also she put the least effort into her dance last night.

Apollo was fantastic. I still like Laila Ali and I was truly amazed at Heather Mill's wonderful performance last night.

I've never watched this show, but did watch a part of it last night.
I was very surprised at Laila Ali! She was terrific! She really looked like a Pro to me. I guess it comes from a career evading punches.

I think the competition will be tough this time around. Several standouts. I agree, Billy Ray has to go. How about Clyde (the Glide) Drexler and John Ratzenberger? Everyone is giving it their all.

Kudos to Heather Mills. She's an inspiration.

Yes Heather Mills did a good job, but somehow I just can't get past her being a gold digger...

I loved Laila Ali and Apollo. Joey dances well, but he just doesn't seem to have the grace that Apollo and Ali have. I like the guy who has the partner that Emmett had last time.

I was disappointed to see Paulina go as I think she too was trying, but then again who calls in to vote mostly? Kids...and like my daughter said to me; "Who is she? Nobody's ever heard of her."

So who do you think goes home this week?

My guess is John Ratzenberger. Probably because he dances like me! LOL

My guess too Don. My daughter now has a crush on Apollo. I don't blame her. I would too if I was her age. LOL

I agree with Don and Arlene. John has done better than I expected him to do, but this seems to be his time to go.

I agree that as likeable as he is, and as hard as he tries, it's John's turn to go. But, it may well be Heather Mills.....the women seem to be getting the boot!! Billy Ray is safe, even if he isn't very good - he has the "Hannah Montana" fans voting for him - gaggles of little girl votes. But I'll admit that he's very personable and the show will miss him when he goes.