I thought Ralph Macchio's very first dance (first week of competition, not his first dance tonight) was very, very good. Once dance since then was also really good. Other than that, he really hasn't impressed me at all; and I thought he should have been sent home last week instead of Romeo.

That footage of Kim getting injured was so hard to watch. She is so incredibly lucky that she didn't break her neck and end up paralyzed! Poor Hines - you could tell he felt so awful. Their first dance tonight was incredible.

I think Kim & Hines will take it this season. I've changed my votes.

It seems like this show expands more and more each season. Don't get me wrong, I really like t see the dance routines, but all of the fluff and filler gets annoying, at least to me. It was difficult to see the accident that hurt Hines partner...that is one lucky gal that she wasn't injured more seriously. Bit now on the second night, they don't just have the results show, they have another show, which I'm not sure what it is. It's not competition nor results,,,,just more fluff and filler. I will tune in tonight at least tune in and out to see Drew LaShay and Cheryl Burk recreate their dance to.... Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy. Maybe I just have a short attention span in my old age. And crotchety too. LOL

I'm with you dotmom on some things. I thought the winner takes all ChaCha was ridiculous. liked the dance but not the concept. They should have had all couple do it at the same time and then eliminate them one by one.
Very unfair judging IMHO.

I don't like the emphasis on the sob stories either.
and maybe next season they'll just go ahead and have a naked women dancing segment !!

Also I wish they'd have music that actually reflected the nature of the dance. If Latin give us Latin music etc

Ralph's dancing ability does not stack up to his acting but he does give his best and makes no excuses. I think the tush padding pants did him in. He knows he stands little chance and will probably be eliminated tonight. The fans votes saved him so far.

Kirsty has been so up and down in ability (much to her own and Maks frustration) but how she becomes so sensual and alluring while dancing is amazing.

I think Kirsty and Ralph keeping up with such young competitors has been totally winner quality but not DWTS winning.

Hines and Kim have done so great. He has never danced before and has learned so much to do so great. Who wouldn't be impressed by his style, grace, stamina and pure joy of the dance.

Chelsea and Mark are spectacular with such different style. She has been in the entertainment field for years and has more experience with choreography than Hines, though not in ballroom dancing.

Watching that fall was heart stopping for a second. Her Greater power was on her side that it didn't end with death or serious life altering injury. I think when a man as strong and willing as Hines has been says "I'm not comfortable doing that lift. Neither of us has done it before." She really should not have forced the issue and made him attempt it. There is such a thing as to much risk for the reward. Death or paralyzed to win a TV Show Trophy? .

I'm very glad I have the means to record and watch with out the fluff, filler and commercials. dotmom I wish you could too because I do enjoy the dancing so much more without the fluff , fill and commercials. I don't even watch the one extra show at all. On Monday just the dances the comments by judges and couples then on Tuesday some of the highlights and the elimination.
I didn't think the "winner take all ChaChaCha was right or fair but all the couples did make the dances fun and exciting.

Times change and the skimpy costumes on the women and the skin tight clothes on the guys are part of the change. Not showing anything X rated and some or the gals costumes are adorable. Poor Kim was so embarrassed she was falling out of the cup of the gown last night. Not enough spray glue to hold everything in place. LOL

Music for dancing is about the beat/tempo not the words or language. "Feeling" the beat is the way to dance. One of the best dance routines I ever saw was a group of deaf kids doing a partners salsa. The speakers were faced down on the floor so they could feel the music and learned the steps to that vibration. I think Chelsea's problem is she has to have words to stay in step. You notice she is mouthing the words sometimes during their dances. As great as she has done, as hard as she has worked and as much as she loves to entertain I don't think she really understands what ballroom dance is all about.

This has been an incredible season for DWTS and I look forward to the finals no matter who goes on or who wins.

LIL

The finalists are all so talented. I record the show and catch up as it's going about an hour in. I hate the fluff and the other distractions. Ralph will go tonight but either Hines or Chelsea should win. Talent is amazing this time. Remember Palin and Gosselin. Hope they are watching to see good dancing since they were DUDS!!

Of course being from Steeler Country, I want Hines to win but you've got to give them all credit for performing like they do...To be able to learn all those steps, wow! But, I do think Hines, is the best!
And watching the accident is terrible, but it did show, the big guy has lots of feelings...
I usually flip during all the fluff, I don't need to see that.....

This is the first season I have actually watched. I must say I have really enjoyed when I am able to watch..except for some of the drama, it is intertaining.
I think Ralph is fun to watch,he is very charming..and how can anyone resist that smile of Hines?
Chelsie is just adorable, and kuddos to Kirstie, she is also amazing...

I think they are all doing amazing, we've never watched the show before but it is fascinating watching them go from nothing to where they are today. I believe that had Kym not been been in the wonderful physical condition that she is in that the outcome could have been much worse.

Kirsty is doing well and to think that she is 60 years old just floors me. I just wish they would do something with her hair, what a mess.

I like Chelsea but I think that the professional side of her is showing thru, and so is her youth. I agree, if they take away the lyrics she is done. I hope Ralph goes tonight, he should have gone last week. I'm not a fan of his.

GO HINESY! LOL!! His sincerity and his pure joy just shines.

It's interesting to read the comments about Chelsea mouthing the words to the songs as she dances. I've noticed that, too, and I've always wondered why the judges haven't said anything about it. There have been several celebs in past seasons who have done that and the judges have always berated them for it. But they haven't said a word about it to Chelsea.

The winner-take-all cha cha was a really lame attempt on the part of the judges to make sure that one of their two favorites comes out the winner. It's their own fault they had to do this -- look at all of the past seasons when they have scored the finalists exactly the same in at least one of the dances, which means the viewers' votes are the determining factor. If they don't want the viewers to determine the results, they shouldn't put the dancers on an even field by giving them the identical scores.

I think Ralph should go tonight. I think he's done a credible job, but he started out good and hasn't improved that much whereas all the other couples have just gotten better and better each week. I think Chelsea is the best dancer and Hines is a very close second but there is no doubt in my mind that Hines will win it all. Lots of Steeler fans out there. I like Hines Ward on and off the field so would be happy to see him win.

Kym's accident made me scream out loud. It was incredibly hard to watch. How very lucky she was to be dropped on her head and then fallen on by a wide receiver and have nothing broken. Though I suspect she was on some dandy pain killers last night.

Does anyone else enjoy host Tom Bergeron as much as I do? He's so quick with the wit with the judges and always aware of his surroundings. I loved how he immediately dropped to his knees to help when Marie Osmond fainted, looking up just long enough to call a commercial break. And last night how he turned in toward Kym to shield her from the cameras until she was put back together.

Jodi-

Jodi, I love Tom Bergeron but I really wish Samantha Harris would come back. I can't stand Brooke Burke. She is not good with interviews and asks the dumbest questions.

I predict Ralph will go home tonight and Hines will win.

Linda

LindaLu, I'm happy glad to hear that someone else wants Samantha back! I find Brooke annoying and I can feel her awkwardness and discomfort doing the job. At least that's how I perceive the way she must feel. Samantha was a class act and I miss her every single show.

Jodi-

i love tom and brooke has grown on me. watching Kim's accident was horrible, she is sooo ssooo lucky! i predict ralph going home and Hines to win. i am soo in love w/ hines since the last few shows i'm planning on watching Steelers games LOL and i'm a die hard life-long Bears fan hahaha... he really has proved to be a stand up guy! ~ liz

I really like Hines' personality. I think he played his college ball at U of Ga. Someone from there told me that he was a really great guy. I predict that either he and Kym or Chelsea and Mark will win. I think that Mark and Chelsea are a little sharper and more precise in their moves, on that basis I think that Mark and Chelsea should win.

I'm not a football fan but I do love Hines. He did play at UGA and was a great Bulldawg. I know because I just retired from UGA. He has the nicest smile.

Go you dancin' Dawg.

Linda

Who got booted off?

I like Brooke as a host for DWTS...and it seems to me that Tom is more comfortable and likes Brooke too. I did not like when Samatha Harris spoke...could not understand her...and she asked stupid questions. Also, why do DWTS have so much clapping and yelling going on when Tom or Brooke speaks...it is so annoying. I too DVR the show and only watch what I want to see.

Ralph got the boot Joan. I wish they would replace Brook, she acts so phony, have you ever just watched her face expressions its so programed. How does she do that smile thing?

Ralph and Katrina have gone. As usual he danced beautiful dances but just not as well as the remaining 3 couples.
I really believe he may have done better (not winning better though) if the booty pants hadn't been way to big and balky where they shouldn't have been. You just can't give a slim guy like Ralph a loose booty the size and shape of Hines's natural tight buns and expect him to work it immediately. Someone sure miscalculated the size and fit! LOL

LIL

I have never cared for Brooke as the host. When she was doing her interview with Tom on her time as a finalist and talking about her freestyle dance, she seemed so much more natural and comfortable speaking. She isn't good with scripted interviews or talking, I don't think. It feels forced. I didn't like Samantha Harris either though. I think Melissa Rycroft would've been a good choice for Tom's co-host. She's bubbly and cute and seems fun.

It's hard to say who will win but I think Hines could take it. He's adorable.

Thanks for the info! I think there were/are some great dancers in the group. I'm glad I'm not picking who goes and who stays!