All of the season’s Dancing with the Stars excitement came to a head this evening with the crowning of the Fall 2007 champion. The broadcast featured a brief review of last night’s dances, as well as performances by Celine Dion, lots of video clips from the entire season, and re-appearances by eliminated castmembers.
After a recap of last night’s action, Co-host Samantha Harris interviewed the three finalists backstage and asked them what they’d miss the most about the Dancing with the Stars experience. Marie Osmond said she’d miss the friendships, Melanie Brown mentioned the great crew, and Helio Castroneves said he’d miss Julianne. Host Tom Bergeron then reviewed the leaderboard, and star Celine Dion hit the stage to perform her super-hit My Heart Will Go On. Professional dancers Cheryl Burke and Mark Ballas, Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazzo, a dancer I couldn’t quite identify (I think it was either Karina Smirmoff or Elena Grinenko) and Tony Dovolani accompanied her with a routine on the dancefloor.
Following a commercial break, Marie and Jonathan were named the third place couple, and eliminated from title contention. Tom asked what Marie would take away from the Dancing with the Stars experience, and she said she felt like she’d experienced “a Cinderella story” over the last ten weeks. She also proclaimed herself “a dancer”, despite the judges’ implications. During the post-elimination segment featuring clips from their season on the show, Marie and Jonathan praised one another and reminisced over the fun they’d had. They said their final good-bye to the competition by performing their favorite dance of the season, the Tango.
A segment looking back at the last ten weeks of competition aired and featured moments – good and bad – from each couple’s time on the show. The first couple eliminated this season, model Josie Maran and her partner Alec Mazzo, performed their Foxtrot. A pack featuring humorous moments with Marie and Jonathan, Mel and Maks and Helio and Julianne then played. Model Albert Reed and his partner Ana Trebunskaya then made their return to the ballroom with a rendition of their hip action-filled Cha Cha Cha. In the post-dance interview, Tom told them that their elimination in the second week had been surprising to him, and Albert agreed and said it was a surprise to them as well.
The women’s performances dominated those of the men and allegations of illegal lifts abounded in the next segment, as we relived the third and fourth weeks of competition. Third eliminated couple Entertainer Wayne Newton and partner Cheryl Burke made their reappearance with just an interview, as Wayne’s doctors told him not to dance due to health issues. Wayne will, however, appear as part of the Dancing with the Stars tour. A segment featuring comments from friends of the two remaining finalists then hit the screen. Boxer Floyd Mayweather and partner Karina Smirnoff made their return to the ballroom and like Wayne, did not dance because Floyd has been undergoing a “grueling training camp” for his upcoming fight on December 8.
After the break, Entrepreneur Mark Cuban and partner Kym Johnson, the fifth couple eliminated, reappeared with their final dance. Their performance was followed by a video review of the next few weeks of competition, including the drama of Sabrina and Mark’s premature elimination and Marie’s fainting spell. Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan and partner Mark Ballas, the sixth couple eliminated this season, returned with their Cha Cha Cha. During the post-dance interview (after the audience stopped clapping), Sabrina plugged the Dancing with the Stars tour. Samantha talked with former Mirrorball winners Drew Lachey and Apolo Anton Ohno about what the finalists are likely feeling.
Actress Jane Seymour and partner Tony Dovolani returned to the ballroom with their Viennese Waltz after the break. A pack featuring clips from the next few weeks of dancing then came next. Soap star Cameron Mathison and partner Edyta Sliwinska, who were eliminated just short of the semifinal round, hit the dancefloor with their Paso Doble. During the post-dance interview, Cameron said that “he had no idea he would enjoy” the competition as much as he did, and then stripped off his shirt and tossed it to Samantha. Then, Drew Lachey plugged his upcoming show Dance War: Bruno v. Carrie Ann.
Post-commercials, Actress Jennie Garth (dubbed most improved by the judges) and partner Derek Hough, who were eliminated just last week, hit the dancefloor with a reprisal of their Mambo. Samantha talked with the two remaining couples backstage. Celine Dion returned to the stage with her song Taking Chances while a compilation of emotional video clips from the season played. A head-to-head evaluation of Helio and Mel then aired. The judges praised Mel’s strength, and Len called Helio “a natural competitor”.
After yet another break, Mel and Maks and Helio and Julianne were introduced amid clouds of fake smoke and a corny voiceover. Mel and Maks were the first to perform their favorite routine of the season: The Mambo. Len called her “an absolute revelation” and said Maks was “incredible”. Bruno called her “a star”, and Carrie Ann praised the performance with a subdued outburst. Backstage, Mel revealed that she would be “speechless” if she won the trophy. They scored a perfect 30.
Helio and Julianne followed suit and offered up their favorite dance, the Quickstep. Bruno said he “looked like he was doing the lap of honor already” and said his “sportsmanship really makes him a champ”. Carrie Ann said “it was her favorite dance”, and Len praised him for taking risks with “tremendously difficult choreography” by Julianne. Backstage, Mel and Maks applauded their effort. Helio thanked “all of America” for the support they’ve received over the course of the competition. They too scored a perfect 30. Tom then chatted with a few of the eliminated contestants on the sidelines.
Post another commercial break, a segment featuring the two remaining celebrities’ relationships with their partners aired. Mel asserted that she and Maks are “family now” and praised him for building her self-confidence. Helio said that “he never thought he’d have so much fun ballroom dancing” and that “he’d so it all over again without thinking. Helio and Julianne were crowned the winners of the Fall 2007 season of Dancing with the Stars. Julianne shook like crazy and Helio looked stunned. Tom reminded Julianne that she’s now equalled Cheryl’s back to back win record. Samantha took a moment with Mel and Maks to congratulate them on their performance, and Helio and Julianne lifted the Mirrorball Trophy high into the air.
Team Helio! I’m shocked, but so happy with the outcome. Be sure to tune in next year for the next season of Dancing with the Stars!
