It's all over but cleaning up the tons of confetti on the dance floor of "Dancing with the Stars" Season 12, and by winning it all, Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward, with his partner Kym Johnson, upheld the tradition of the dancing football star. Hines was the odds-on favorite to take home the trophy after weeks of outstanding dancing, along with showing a captivating smile and personality. And I have to say: I called it last week!!If there was a shocker for the night, it was that Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas, tied with Hines and Kym atop the leaderboard, were eliminated and had to settle for third place. It just proves that DWTS is as much a personality contest as a dancing competition.
Kirstie Alley and Maks Chmerkovskiy did their level best to wow the judges and viewers with continued improvement in dancing, while Kirstie gained confidence, endurance and a new figure. I think that Maks was hoping to break into the circle of mirror ball winners after 10 years, but Hines and Kym became a team that was just too tough to beat. Hopefully, the rumors are wrong and he'll be back next season to show off his best moves -- and bare chest.The two-hour finale was just as bloated with commercials and padded with repeats and look-backs as ever, although there were a few surprises. Josh Groban's appearance to surprise Petra Nemcova with her favorite song as she waltzed with Dmitry Chaplin was one, and Chris Jericho's spot-on impression of over-the-top judge Bruno onioli was another. The audience was packed with stars of ABC shows, celebrities, including Sarah Palin, and family and friends of the contestants. All in all, it was exactly what we've come to expect on "Dancing with the Stars." Now, how many weeks is it until the next season starts in September?
