Shawn Johnson wins season 8 of Dancing with the Stars
Part 2 of the season finale for season 8 of Dancing With The Stars began with Lady GaGa performing her hit “Just Dance.” It was a good performance but she made one mistake in my eyes (or the producers did) – she didn’t utilize the many talented professional dancers in the DWTS family, opting for her own. There’s just no comparison in my eyes. Nothing negative about them, just I prefer the pros from the show. It’s followed by a recap of last night’s show and Tom asking Len what his take on this season is. He stated that all three judges agree this is the best season ever, and the three best dancers are in the finals. Off to commercial.
After the break there’s the requisite backstage interview with the three finalists. They’ll be performing their favorite dance from the season and Samantha, in her so smooth way, put a bit more pressure on each one of them. This is followed by highlights from the first three weeks of the show and return performances from Belinda and Jonathan, Denise and Maks, and Holly and Dmitri.
Steve and Karina performed after the commercial (and I love him – I know he’s not a good dancer but he’s such a sweetheart how could you not want him around?), followed by a recap of the next three weeks of the season. David Alan Grier and Kym performed, followed by Steve-O and Lacey. Then some of the stars from the past seasons of the show gave their opinions on the finalists and who they thought should win. Isn’t it funny how people were pulling for their former partners (E mmett, Marissa, Jane)?
Following the next commercial we find out who has won the pro dancer competition and a guaranteed spot in next season’s show. Anna Demidova won the competition. She performed the Quickstep that she did last week with Maks and it was really, really, really good. I can see why she deserves a spot on the show.
Now the show is starting to wear on me. We see a return performance from Laurence and Edyta and then Chuck and Julianne, with an extended interview with each couple. I’m getting ants in my pants, waiting for the final dances from the remaining three couples.
After commercials, comedian Jeffrey Ross (season 7 contestant) roasted the finalists and other contestants from this season. He was very funny, but came very close to crossing the line a few times. Like when he said wouldn’t it be funny if Melissa came in second on this show too? A recap of the next two weeks of the season followed, with Lil’ Kim and Derek performing their Jive to “Jailhouse Rock” one more time. I really liked that dance.
Finally the show is live. Or at least that’s what I got from Tom Bergeron (at 10:09 pm). Ty and Chelsie perform their Lindy Hop, and this is followed with a bit on the three finalists and their take on each other. Then a commercial. I have to say this is getting kind of old.
Finally, the performances. Shawn and Mark were up first, dancing the Cha Cha Cha. I thought it was fabulous. She was spot on tonight. Don’t ever count out an Olympic champion. She knows what she needs to do to win, isn’t afraid of hard work, and has competition flowing through her veins. The judges loved it. Len said that tonight she was a performer and it was fantastic. Bruno said she’s getting hotter by the day, and her technique was spot on. Carrie Ann said she had underestimated her, and it was wonderful tonight. They got a perfect 30 for this dance, giving them a total of 88 out of 90 for the two nights of competition.
Melissa and Tony performed their Samba next. It was a good performance, but of the three finalists she is my least favorite. The judges loved it. Bruno said her Samba was more appetizing on the second helping, and that she had a body made for dancing. Carrie Ann said she was Tony’s muse, bringing out the best in Tony. Len said she has great presence, style and elegance and the performance was just fantastic. They also got a perfect score of 30, giving them a total of 86 out of 90 for the two nights of competition.
Gilles and Cheryl performed the Argentine Tango. It was a really good performance too. Carrie Ann said he was a special performer and his amazing artistry sets him apart from the other competitors. Len said of all the celebrities he brought him the most pleasure (to watch) during the season. Bruno said it was not an Argentine Tango, but an Argentine Triumph – that Gilles is more than a dancer, he is in perfect character with the dance. They too got a perfect 30, ending up with 88 out of 90 for the two nights.
Lady GaGa performed next, her song “Love Game.” I guess they truly need a time filler here while the final results are tabulated.
After commercial break we find out that Melissa and Tony finished in third place. This is exciting, because the champion this season will be completely decided by the fans.
In the closest final ever, where less than 1% separated the top two couples, Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas won season 8 of DWTS. Mark looked truly shocked. But even in defeat, Gilles is a gentleman. He first congratulated Shawn, thanked his wife and son, and said that Cheryl was one of the best things to ever happen to him in his life. Damn, that man is hot.
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May 20th, 2009 at 12:16 am
I can’t believe how very disappointed I truly am
This was actually the first time I ever voted for anyone on any show. Gilles was so much better than Shawn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is adorable and technically great but has no passion, most of the time just robotic performances. He started virtually unknown with absolutely no physical training edge, no dance, no gymnastics, no ballet, and he became as amazing to watch as some of the pros. I guess it just goes to show that it is truly a popularity contest and definitely not based on who is overall the best dancer (which has obviously been proven in past seasons). So sad 
Well at least we got to watch Gilles to the very end.
May 20th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Gillies Marini deserves to win just not because Shawn Johnson freestyle was better that didn’t count. That isn’t fair at all. He deserves a throphy to just like Shawn. From day one to now, no other couldn’t complete with him. He was the most tremendous thing happen to this show from all seasons I have seen. Judges you all need to start judgeing for yourself and stop lettting fans vote cause they cheat. You all sure that results was counted right? I don’t think so. That results should be checked over. I want to see Gilles Marini back in season nine with same partner Cheryl Burke. This is not the first time this happen. Mel B was suppose to won just like Lalia Alley. Lil Kim was suppose to be in finals and not Melissa. If Cheryl will be back in season nine I hope she gets someone really good.
After all Gilles and cheryl reached so far this was very disappointed and very embarrassed to be watched on national television. Cheryl Burke is absouletly my favourite professional dancer.
May 20th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
The nature of this show is that the fans have a 50% say in who wins. They announced last night that this was the closest margin of victory in 8 season (less than 1% or something like that). The best dancer doesn’t always win, but it plays a role. Shawn and Gilles were tied last night in terms of scores so this season it was all up to the fans. But judging counts – otherwise Marie Osmond would have won a few seasons ago because of her fan support. Definitely not the best dancer, but one of the most popular when she was on the show.
May 20th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
First let me comment that that Lady Gaga was Lady Wierdo! Looked to me as though she came from outer space! You are right about the Olympic champions – they know how to turn it on (Kristie, Apolo ) and didn’t Apolo tell Shawn that all the Olympians in the final won the championship. In my humble opinion this was anybody’s ball game. Either one of the two finalists could and should have won. Maybe to satisfy the unsatisfied they can have a dance off, a la Kelly Monaco.