Are Dancing with the Stars' Helio and Julianne a Couple?

On my way into work this morning, two of my colleagues stopped me to gossip. Not about fellow co-workers, mind you...about Dancing with the Stars.

"Are Helio and Julianne dating?" they asked me.

Well, hmmmmmmmmmm. Let's consider the evidence:

-About two weeks ago, Helio gave an interview to TV Guide where he admitted that his fiancee was having a difficult time being away from him and watching him get intimate on the show, but he stressed that there was not anything going on with Julianne.

-The next episode, their dance performance ended with a kiss.

-In this week's finale, their performance ended with a looooooooong kiss.

-It's been announced that Helio and his fiancee (who did not appear in any of multitude of clip packages shown during the finale) have broken up.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Now, remember, after Apolo and Julianne's victory last year there were rumblings that they were doin' the nasty. (I, for one, never believed it.) So take everything you read with a grain of salt, but there does seem to be something curious going on.

Something to keep in mind, though:

Romance = buzz = US Weekly coverage. These stars know that.

I'm just saying.

Helio Castroneves Races to Victory on Dancing with the Stars

Well, the fat lady has sung -- and Helio Castroneves is the champion of Season 5 of Dancing with the Stars.

Helio is the third straight athlete to take home the title (following in the footsteps of Emmitt Smith and Apolo Anton Ono), and the fourth consecutive male contestant to waltz to victory (Kelly Monaco, Season 1's victor, remains the only female champion). In addition, Julianne Hough joins Cheryl Burke as the only professional to win back-to-back titles.

Now that I've got all that outta the way, I have to admit...I was disappointed in the outcome.

Don't get me wrong -- Helio is charming as all get-out, and he definitely proved himself to be a true competitor and quite a dancer. I even said to my lovely companion while watching the show that I would be happy with any outcome. But when the winner was revealed, I instinctively groaned -- not because I don't love Helio (how can you not??), but because Mel B, to me, was just perfection -- fierceness and sensuality all wrapped up in one womanly, extremely likable package.

Hey, at least Marie Osmond didn't win!

As for the rest of the show, props to Celine for whipping out that old chestnut "My Heart Will Go On," and for looking fierce while crooning her new single, "Taking Chances." I could have done without revisiting the show's past contestants so thoroughly -- with the exception of the amazing Sabrina Bryan, the lovable Jennie Garth (who looked like she was having the best time dancing) and maybe studly Cameron Mathison, seeing the other "celebs" trot out their old dances did absolutely nothing for me.

So, another season has bitten the dust, with another champ hoisting a meaningless mirror trophy ball above their head. Gotta love reality TV.

I say...bring on Dance Wars!

The Idol Thoughts Dancing with the Stars Endorsement Goes To...

How do they do it?

Every year, when the list of "celebrities" is announced for Dancing with the Stars, I scratch my head, wondering if I am really going to invest 12 weeks watching these C-listers dance. And every year, 12 weeks later, I'm obsessed.

Ah, the power of reality TV.

After last night's set of final performances, it's still not a shoo-in for Helio, Mel B, or Marie, the three remaining contestants. Helio gave hands down the best performance of the night in his freestyle, while Mel has proven herself the most consistent (and sensual) performer, while Marie has certainly brought the most drama to the competition, and may just have the biggest fanbase. So who is gonna win?

Well, the Idol Thoughts endorsement for Dancing with the Stars champion goes to...

Mel B!!!

Yes, Helio is charming as all get-out, and he has the best (and sassiest) professional partner (god, I love that Julianne!), but he hasn't been as consistent or shown as steep a learning curve as, say, Apolo Anton Ono did last year. And while Marie is, as the judges are so fond of saying, the "consummate entertainer," she just doesn't have the chops to warrant the title.

Which leaves Mel B, who has moved way past her "Scary Spice" moniker in proving herself a talented, versatile, and charming competitor. More than any other contestant throughout the season, Mel's dances make me sit up straight and pay attention, and it's been a joy to see Max, who has previously been known as the sulking narcissist, have so much fun on the dance floor. Even though she didn't deliver quite as strongly last night as she has previously in the competition, Idol Thoughts says...

Go Mel!!!!

Who do you think should win Dancing with the Stars? And will you be tuning in to Dance Wars: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann? I know I will!

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 7: Rankings and Elimination Prediction

After missing last week's Dancing with the Stars due to a Tivo snafu, I was able to catch last night's show, and was mightily impressed. How is it that season after season this show makes me care about "celebrities" I couldn't have given two shits about only weeks earlier? Ah, the magic of reality television.

On to the rankings:

1. Mel B
This rumba was hot hot hot! Sexy, seductive, sensual -- throw any "s" word you want at it, and it sticks.

2. Helio Castroneves
Helio is back! This dance was en fuego, with the racecar driver showing off a smoothness in his moves that has been absent from his last few performances. And how about he and Julianne during the group number? Adorable!

3. Sabrina Bryan
She's become so technically proficient, and shows such professionalism, that it's actually become a bit of a snooze. I won't be shocked if she gets booted earlier than she should, based on the fact that she's lost a bit of the "wow" factor. Still, there's no denying she is a fantastic dancer.

4. Jennie Garth
Go Kelly Taylor! Watching Jennie discover her confidence is perhaps the most heartwarming part of this season's competition, and when she nails a dance like she did this week, it actually feels triumphant. She is definitely the Lisa Rinna of this year's show.

5. Cameron Mathison
This guy definitely gets the most-improved award of the season -- no longer do I get glimpses of Ian Ziering when he dances, and he's actually become kinda sexy. Kinda.

6. Marie Osmond
Were they trying to play off Marie's fainting spell last week by having her sprawled on the ground several times during the routine? If they were, it was a bit disturbing...and kinda amazing!

7. Jane Seymour
I admire Jane's pluck and determination, and for a middle-age woman she certainly can throw her legs up ("I can kick, and stretch!"), but the judges were right on target, the jive just didn't fit the elegant Dr. Quinn. Not a trainwreck, but easily the worst of the night.

So, who's gonna go? My money is on Jane Seymour -- after a Bottom 2 showing last week, and low judges scores this week, the former ballerina may be ronde-ing her way out of the ballroom. I think she may be joined by Cheetah Girl Sabrina in the Bottom 2 this week, which would be a wake-up call for the over-achiever. Guess we'll see...

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