Hines Ward DWTS Champ!

I read our local review of the finale of DWTS from our TV critic this morning and had to laugh when he talked about how Kirstie Alley was the most popular and well known of all the celebrities. While that might be true in the world of television he should have researched his other finalists a bit more. I've said it many times, and I'll say it again, " Steeler Nation is huge, loyal, and bleeds black and gold!" Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver MVP, did his dance part and Steeler Nation rewarded him and helped him win the mirror ball trophy. Love it! Fun season for us Steeler fans.

More thoughts on my guilty pleasure show:

1. My biggest complaint of all these reality shows finales is that not enough time is spent on the winners. I want to see more and hear more of the winners after they are crowned. Last night I wasn't even sure we would get to see the winner they cut it so close. Could we announce the winner earlier and then party?
2. What makes this show is the entertainment they provide along with the dancing. I love the peek into the dance studio as celebrities rehearse, and I enjoy the back stories so that we learn more about each one. I love Kenny Maine and Jerry Rice's DanceCenter, and last night's piece with Radio personality Mike Catherwood was hilarious.
3. As with Survivor, many of the celebrities on DWTS come out of the experience with more understanding and a new found confidence in themselves. It was nice to see Kendra Wilkinson, Ralph Macchio, and Kirstie Alley find that this season. It makes us realize that despite their celebrity status they are human just like us with the same fears.
4. Mark Ballas, along with Derek Hough, who didn't participate this season, are the kings of choreographing for DWTS. I'm sure they are under contract, but someone should seriously snap them up. Both take the competition seriously and even attack the judges if they don't like the criticism. Watch for Mark to come out blazing next time since he came in third.
5. That being said, I have to give kudos to dance expert, Kym Johnson, who flies under the radio and lives quietly in the shadows of her peers, Cheryl Burke and Julianne Hough. She has won two mirror ball trophies now and can count herself one of the choreography queens.
6. How hot is Maxsim Chmerkovskiy? Holy Crap, but I could watch him shake that hot tush of his all night long. He is due for a mirror ball trophy now since his pairings with Mel B and Erin Andrews and Kirstie Alley. He took all three of those women and made them real dancers, losing out only to winners with a slightly stronger fan base or talent. I'd like to see him paired with some natural talent next time so he too doesn't have to work so hard.
7. One of the items on my bucket list is to learn to play the drums, but after seeing the middle aged Go Go's performing live last night I'm rethinking that.
8. Tom Bergeron is the ultimate host able to ad-lib and hold a live show together and on time, but Brooke Burke as the eye candy is starting to get on my nerves. I didn't care for his previous hostess, Samantha Harris, when she questioned dancers backstage, but she was ten times a better interviewer than Burke. My favorite moments this season were when Kirstie Alley would make faces and smart ass answers to the dumb questions Harris asked. I much preferred Harris as a celebrity dancer then a hostess. Although her jealousy of Derek Hough's other partners is entertaining.
9. Injuries are always a part of DWTS, but none more serious then Kym Johnson's neck injury a week ago. For her to come out and do what she did was incredible, probably stupid, and heroic. I would have liked to have known more about her injury and treatment, but respect her right to privacy.  What was even better was how Hines Ward stepped up his performance and partnered her on her return dance. He was a professional at that moment protecting her in lifts and bends, and his crying afterwards really hit home the stress and severity of the injury.
10. Love the judges. They all mesh well. Enjoy Bruno and his wild sayings. Think Len brings class and integrity. While Carrie Ann annoys me at times, she does know her dancing and she can admit when she is wrong.
11.   Loved seeing all of Hines' guests this season. His present teammates, his coach, and the Steelers owner's wife?  Franco Harris, the Bus, and Lynn Swann?  Tells you what kind of a person Hines Ward is on and off the field.