Dancing with the Stars Top 6: Rankings and Elimination Prediction

The first time the contestants on Dancing with the Stars are required to do two dances is always a turning point in the competition -- this is where the separation occurs of the men from the boys (or, as it were, the ladies from the girls, which, to be honest, doesn't really have the same ring). Last night, the cream rose to the top, while a few contestants revealed their weaknesses.

Before I get to the rankings and elimination prediction, I have to say two things:

1. I hate Samantha Harris more than ever. Someone, please, fire her!

2. Were the cheetah paws really necessary? You are all supposedly "stars," not cornfed hicks from Alabama who got lucky on a reality show and are "bonding" with your new friends. Get it together! Cameron Mathison said "This is best thing I've ever done." Really, Cameron? That's a little sad.

Ok, on to the rankings...

1. Marie Osmond
I mean! That first dance was simply perfection, and was robbed of three 10's from the judges. She had the character, the moves, the attitude -- it put a smile on my face from start to finish. The cha cha was not quite the triumph of the quickstep, but it was spirited and sexy nonetheless. And all those kids? I mean!

2. Mel B
I think Mel B. should win this competition, as she most consistently delivers standout performances, but, as I did with Sabrina, I have reservations about the fairness of someone who dances for a living taking part in the competition. Still, she's so charmingly unpolished off the floor, and then so beautifully polished on it, that I can't help but cheer for her.

3. Jennie Garth
Kelly Taylor is supa-sexy! That rumba was hot, more than making up for a slightly tepid first dance. As I was watching her dance last night, I really started to hope that this show (and the fact that she is coming off so real and likable) jumpstarts her career. She's not been down and out -- What I Like About You ran for three years on the WB -- but I'd like to see her in a Grey's Anatomy type project.

4. Helio Castroneves
I love me some Helio, and the samba really hit it out of the park, but he's plateaued a bit for me. He needs to find some of the excitement he had earlier in the competition, but without forcing his admittedly charming smile. I think he can do it, and make it to the finals as a result.

5. Cameron Mathison
He's handsome, yes, but there's something a little desperate about the way Cameron is approaching this competition. Basically, he makes me nervous. He has vastly improved as a dancer, I must admit. But I'm getting a little sick of his overeager enthusiasm.

6. Jane Seymour
Elegant, shmelegant -- she's boring! It was a novelty for a while to see her pull off some of the Latin dances, but, classy as she is, she can't compete with the remaining dancers. And we get it -- you were besties with Johnny and June Cash. Their votes aren't gonna help you too much, Dr. Quinn -- maybe instead of saying "I did it for Johnny and June" you should have been saying "I did it for the audience, who kept me around another week even though I had staged a food poisoning incident to avoid having to be eliminated on live television." Just a thought.

Here's another thought...I think Jane Seymour will be eliminated tonight. If others, like myself, are just sick of the perfectionist who's faced drama after drama this season, expect Jane to have danced her last dance.

Dancing with the Stars Top 11: Rankings and Recap

The men and the women danced side by side on Dancing with the Stars last night, and while the women made overall stronger showings, it was a man who came out on top.

Is it just me, or is the overall talent level much higher at this point in the season than it has ever been before?

Here we go with the rankings...

1. Helio Castrovenes
This mambo was on fire! After a mighty fine fox trot last week, Helio was once again in the front of the pack, smokin' up the floor with Julianne Hough, who has quickly become the best choreographer/dancer in the competition (and you just know that Cheryl Burke is none too happy about that!) Helio danced with an authority, sexuality and manliness that is rarely seen on this show -- and I loved every minute of it!

2. Sabrina Bryan
It's always nice when a contender has a great first week and is able to follow it up with an equally impressive second dance, and Sabrina has done just that. Such pep in her step! She flew around the floor, nailing the quickstep with the precision of a professional. This Cheetah Girl can definitely pounce!

3. Mel B.
From Scary Spice to Lady Spice -- genius! She more than lived up to her new name, gracefully executing the quickstep in a way that still incorporated a bit of her fieriness. Helio and Sabrina may be the top contenders at the moment, but Mel is right on their heels.

4. Marie Osmond
The look of joy on Marie Osmond's face is transcendent -- how could you not smile from ear to ear while watching this performance? She went at it with such abandon and vigor that I fell a little bit in love with her last night, Mary Murphy-face be damned!

5. Jane Seymour
Yes, this mambo was probably a bit more prim and proper than one Sabrina or Mel might deliver, but for a woman in her 50's to commit so heartily to this sexy Latin dance, and for the most part pull it off, is enough to impress me.

6. Floyd Mayweather
The champ was in fine form last night, executing the quickstep with much more precision than I expected him to. His posture is a bit wonky, but that smile is adorable, so if Karinna can continue to crack the whip, he should have no problem staying in the ring for at least a few more rounds.

7. Cameron Mathison
The judges made a good point -- Cameron looks so good, his dancing is bound to disappoint by comparison. Still, I thought this was a step up from last week's showing, although he does have a bit of that Ian Ziering stiffness going on. He could continue to improve, though, in which case I wouldn't rule out a Top 5 or 6 finish.

8. Jennie Garth
Oh, Kelly Taylor, how I love thee! She's stuck with probably the least commanding dance partner, her dancing is a bit tentative, and that fall at the end was unfortunate, but how could I not root for the bitch from 90210?

9. Mark Cuban
A marked improvement over last week, I definitely admire Mark's drive and determination. Still, though, there's something a bit creepy about the billionaire, and unless he becomes a bit more likable, and quick, he's gonna get shown the door.

10. Albert Reed
Using your dead grandfather so early in the competition? Shame, Albert, shame! I'm glad your grandmother loves you -- 'cause I sure don't!

11. Wayne Newton
I'm not sure what was most embarrassing about this performance -- Wayne's horrible dancing or Cheryl's horrible outfit. Both were total nightmares.

Check back in a bit for my elimination prediction.

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Dancing with the Stars Top 6 Men: Rankings and Recap

Well, a woman has not won Dancing with the Stars since Kelly Monaco took home the trophy back in Season 1, but after seeing the men perform last night, I'd say that's pretty likely to change.

Yep, the men could barely hold a candle to the ladies, with only one standout dancer in the bunch. Let's get to the rankings...

1. Helio Castroneves
The NASCAR dancer has the great fortune of working with last year's champ Julianne Hough, who, it seems, is unfailingly brilliant, but he's also in good stead because he's got actual dance ability! This fox trot was nearly perfect, with charm and elegance to spare. It's always fun to see an athlete, who has not had experience "performing," shine. Last night, that was Helio.

2. Wayne Newton
The guy certainly knows how to charm, as he's had years of experience doing so. He's also got the DWTS good-luck charm in Cheryl Burke. This certainly wasn't dazzling, but it had more pizazz than most of his competitors.

3. Floyd Mayweather
He's no Laila Ali, but the guy has clearly got god-given rhythym, and he certainly attacked this dance like it was a competitor in a ring. It was feisty and passionate, but it wasn't pleasant to watch, per se. Still, I admire the commitment.

4. Mark Cuban
I want to hate this guy -- he seems like an overgrown frat boy with the world's biggest bank account. But there's something likable about his determination at "having new experiences," not to mention the quick recovery he's made from his recent hip replacement surgery. The dancing was not flawless by any means, but the attitude is right on target.

5. Cameron Mathison
This guy is so the Ian Ziering of this year -- sweet, but stiff as a board. Never underestimate those soap opera fans, though -- they'll keep this guy (who is, admittedly, quite attractive)around for weeks!

6. Albert Reed
It's always interesting when a model looks ugly, and that was the case with Albert Reed last night. His still photos are breathtaking -- his dancing, not so much.

Check back in a little bit for my prediction of who will get the boot tonight.

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