<p>Frankly, I feel sorry for Val … how difficult must it be for him to dance with a 16 year old? Yes, she is mature, but she is 16! I just think it must feel very odd at times.</p>
<p>Brooke Burke is insufferable. They could take a random person off the street who would have more personality, warmth, charisma, timing, etc. etc. etc.</p>
<p>Yea!!!</p>
<p>Yep. good ending.</p>
<p>So much good dancing! :)</p>
<p>And imagine winning both American Idol and Dancing with the Stars in the same lifetime!</p>
<p>She didn’t win Idol.</p>
<p>Shows what I know about pop stars…haha. I thought I read that somewhere, but apparently she came in 6th place. Still pretty good! And she did turn it into a country music career.</p>
<p>Good for her.</p>
<p>I was impressed with Zendaya’s poise and grace. Bless their hearts, all those “stars” seem to REALLY want to win that trophy. And when she did not win, Zendaya (particularly at 16) showed a lot of class, I thought. Well…I guess it’d be just awful if she pouted or cried or something. Any way, I am sure it was hard for her.</p>
<p>I would have been just fine with a tie – TWO mirror ball trophies for Zendaya and Kellie! I truly could not decide which one was better. </p>
<p>Loved Kristi Yamaguchi being brought back to dance in a duet with Dorothy Hamill :).</p>
<p>I am happy that Kellie won. I thought Zendaya was very gracious. Val looked VERY disappointed. I missed the first part and was surprised to see that Ali was the first one to go. I hope Derek gets an underdog next time. He seems to get very strong partners every time. Watching that show makes me feel very ungraceful and fat…</p>
<p>“Watching that show makes me feel very ungraceful and fat…”</p>
<p>LOL momof2. Isn’t it amazing how some people not only get the steps perfect, they look so good doing it? The tilt of the head, the extension of the arms to the fingertips…and they’re photogenic too. Which is why they’re on TV, I suppose!</p>
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<p>I totally agree. She just doesn’t have the “interviewer gene.” It’s as if she has certain questions in her mind, and she is not going to change them, no matter what just happened or what the dancers are saying.</p>
<p>I was obviously disappointed that Aly came in 4th. (Especially with her history of coming in 4th in major gymnastics competitons.) I really expected 3rd for her.</p>
<p>But Kellie deserved to win. Do you think it’s in Derek’s contract that he will never get partners of the Winona Judd/Kate Goslin skill level? Seriously. For those who have been watching “forever”, has he ever drawn a “bottom rung” partner?</p>
<p>I agree that if they are going to have 16 year old contestants, they need some male pros in the 19-22 age group. (There are male SYTYCD alums, too.)</p>
<p>I still haven’t been able to watch the finale–not up on Hulu yet–but I’m glad to hear that Kellie won, especially after that incredible freestyle. </p>
<p>I thought that Val did a remarkable job throughout in choreographing for a 16 yr old girl, keeping it age-appropriate. It was striking in their very first dance.</p>
<p>I’ve wondered about the Derek partners as well. I think it’s in the show’s best interest, not just Derek’s, to give him good partners. If they keep him around longer, it’s good for ratings seeing as how he has his own following. But I did think the interview last night was interesting, where he said he was hesitating coming back. I wonder whether they waved Kellie under his nose, enticing him with a skilled partner, to come back.</p>
<p>Looking at the photo of the new cast, I recognize exactly two. Hello Old Fogeydom.</p>
<p>[‘Dancing</a> With The Stars’ Cast: Season 17 Includes Snooki, Bill Nye, Valerie Harper, Elizabeth Berkley](<a href=“'Dancing With The Stars' Cast: Season 17 Includes Snooki, Bill Nye, Valerie Harper, Elizabeth Berkley | HuffPost Entertainment”>'Dancing With The Stars' Cast: Season 17 Includes Snooki, Bill Nye, Valerie Harper, Elizabeth Berkley | HuffPost Entertainment)</p>
<p>I’ve heard of most of them, but there’s no one about whom I care deeply. I know that Corbin Bleu has lots of dance experience.</p>
<p>Bill Nye is the only one in whom I’m the least bit interested.</p>
<p>Oh my, Bill Nye! :)</p>
<p>What fun! I do find the show entertaining (despite thinking Brooke Burke is terrible at her job).
Once again, Tristan got an older partner. And, Karina, Derek, Val, and Mark got “stars” with quite a bit of dancing experience. I am very curious to see how Cheryl and Jack do. She seems to do well at teaching less experienced dancers (or maybe she has her own fans that vote for her). I’d love to know what the dancers REALLY think about the pairings. Do the dancers think the producers favor certain dancers?<br>
I am hoping Bill Nye stays around a while!</p>
<p>My loyalty is immediately split between Amber Riley and Bill Nye. :)</p>