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Tuesday Night Open Thread: DWTS Finale

The winner of Dancing With the Stars will be named tonight.It's between Donny Osmond, Mya and Kelly Osbourne.

Technically, the best dancer is Mya, but there's something off-putting and cold about her and she doesn't have the fan base Donny and Kelly do, so while she's the judges' favorite, I think there's a good chance Donny Osmond may win.

I'm rooting for Donny and second for Kelly. Donny is the most entertaining to watch. Kelly is very endearing and upbeat and has made so much progress. And I love watching Sharon and Ozzy get all teared up as they watch her. As for Mya, sorry, but I just don't see star quality there, and the show is called "Dancing With the Stars."

V is also coming to a close for the year tonight. No big loss, it's gone downhill since the first two episodes. This is an open thread, all topics welcome, tv related or not.

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  • Display: Sort:
    My votes went to Kelly (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by Inspector Gadget on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 07:23:48 PM EST
    Mya has been in almost every dance movie this decade (Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Shall We Dance, Disco Ball...she even danced in the movie Chicago)...not sure why they even considered letting her compete with all the amateurs.

    Kelly has worked so hard and has shown herself to be so gracious.


    I didn't realize she had all that background (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by nycstray on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 07:47:39 PM EST
    I thought her partner looked like he was auditioning for a Broadway show on their freestyle.

    Kelly was just adorable through the whole thing. Love all her emotions and her smile just lights the room up. She  got all my votes also.

    Parent

    Of course (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 08:36:12 PM EST
    I'm rooting for my ex-fiance (Donny Osmond).

    As some remember my saying a few weeks ago, I proposed to his picture when I was 10, and took his blank-staring smile back at me as a yes ;-).

    He married someone else without breaking our engagement, and I still harbor hard feelings (;-)) but for sentimental reasons I want him to win.

    Go Donny!

    Was he smiling then? (none / 0) (#11)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 09:08:49 PM EST
    He looks pretty glum in the photo J posted above.

    Parent
    I think it was (none / 0) (#13)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 09:47:20 PM EST
    the "Alone Together" album and he was smiling.

    Parent
    State dinner (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by BrassTacks on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 10:30:13 PM EST
    Have you all seen the pictures of the President and Michelle at tonight's state dinner?  Michelle's dress is stunning and looks fabulous on her.  She looks so beautiful and they both look very happy.  Great looking couple.  

    I agree the President and Michelle (none / 0) (#18)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 10:32:09 PM EST
    Obama look fabulous.  I am concerned though, that perhaps Michelle Obama should have chosen a different gown, as it appears the honored guest is a Sikh.  He is wearing a turban.  His wife is fully covered.  

    Parent
    Appropriate has proven itself to not (none / 0) (#19)
    by Inspector Gadget on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 10:36:57 PM EST
    be a strong suit.

    Parent
    Oh, please (none / 0) (#27)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 11:52:38 PM EST
    The hosts do not have to dress themselves according to their guests' habits.  If they were guests in India, it'd be another matter entirely.

    Parent
    Of course they don't HAVE to -- (none / 0) (#29)
    by zaladonis on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 02:39:51 AM EST
    it's an appropriate gesture of respect.

    Parent
    What about the Prime Minister... (none / 0) (#37)
    by kdog on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 08:28:26 AM EST
    and his wife respecting our customs?  Not for nothing.

    Not that I'm big on manners or anything but I remove any head covering when I sit down to eat as a guest in someone's house...where as at home I'd do whatever I felt like.

    Parent

    Ooh. The ultimate compliment! (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 10:36:45 AM EST
    I'm a bit miffed you didn't provide a lengthy (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 10:52:46 AM EST
    comment complete with mandatory links.  

    I am thinking back to the dinner I attended in India at a private club.  Our hosts were Sikhs, but he was "lapsed."  No turban.  Eats meat.  Drinks alcohol.  Can't remember if she drank alcohol  The rest of us did.  She wore traditional Punjabi/Sikh dress.  I wore a sleeveless silk blouse and had a pashmina around my shoulders (just to show off the pashmina!).  

    Parent

    Seems to me the fact (none / 0) (#40)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 10:22:30 AM EST
    that the meal was vegetarian and Michelle's splendid gown was by an Indian designer was wonderfully respectful.  The PM's wife, too, was hardly dressed in a chador.  This is just completely silly.  Should Pres. Obama have worn a turban?

    Parent
    Sikhs do not wear chadors. Or burkas. (none / 0) (#42)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 10:39:05 AM EST
    Right-o (none / 0) (#45)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 12:46:22 PM EST
    And if you actually look, she wasn't wearing any kind of head covering, either, and was showing some bare shoulder herself.

    Parent
    I think you misunderstood my initial comment.. (1.00 / 0) (#46)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 12:50:37 PM EST
    I know Sikh women do not cover their heads.  I also noted the attire of the wife of the Prime Minister.  

    Parent
    Googled but came up empty. Absolutely (none / 0) (#47)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 01:53:12 PM EST
    no questioning of Ms. Obama's attire.  And the Prime Minister's wife is a fashonista in her own right.  

    Parent
    101 Head Starts on the Day (none / 0) (#3)
    by nycstray on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 07:55:55 PM EST
    from Bittman at the NYT Thanksgiving side dishes etc. Good list to have handy throughout the season.

    I'm making #62 tomorrow since I have a ton of fresh spinach from the farm :)

    62. Spinach-Cheese Pie: Sauté chopped garlic and 2 pounds of chopped spinach in plenty of olive oil until wilted and tender. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/2 to 3/4 cup crumbled feta or firm goat cheese, and a tablespoon chopped dill or mint. Layer 5 sheets phyllo dough in a greased baking dish, brushing each one with olive oil before adding the next. Spread the spinach over the phyllo, then top with 5 more phyllo sheets, each brushed with olive oil. Tuck in the edges if they extend over the ends of the pan, slash the top of the pie diagonally in a few places and bake until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes.


    Let us know how that turns out. (none / 0) (#8)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 08:13:24 PM EST
    Oh, gawl (none / 0) (#10)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 08:38:12 PM EST
    What time is dinner? I hate to fly but I'd fly for that!

    Parent
    Ever read anything about (none / 0) (#23)
    by Inspector Gadget on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 11:12:35 PM EST
    The Herbfarm? They do everything fresh. My SIL took my daughter there last year for her birthday.

    Parent
    I've copped to my serious Spanakopita addiction (none / 0) (#24)
    by Ellie on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 11:35:58 PM EST
    "Tragically", you can have all of the ingredients handy and enjoy it whenever you want:

    • in the freezer: frozen spinach -- one of the best bargains evah for freshness and amount vs. the going price -- and versatile phyllo, which can go savory or sweet.
    • in the pantry: good quality feta under extra virgin olive oil is a pantry staple; add blanched fresh oregano and mint for an extra kick. Scoop out what you need for the pies, salads, whatever, and don't forget to obey the Food Safety spirits. (Holiday Gift Alert: This is an excellent gourmet gift for your food-loving fam & friends. Even a small jar, decorated for the occasion, will be warmly welcomed and get you thoroughly smooched.)
    • in the herbs window box: fresh parsley, mint, oregano
    • in the mixed greens window box: spinach, cress, arugula

    Of course, for anyone who doesn't have onions and garlic around, well, there's no reasoning with you and you don't deserve Pie.

    Parent
    Both chopped onions (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 11:46:11 PM EST
    and garlic that's gone through a press freeze really well, btw, as does chopped celery.  If there's anything that drives me nuts, it's having to make a store run just for an onion.  I've got bags and bags of my own home-grown in the freezer now, so I've got 'em all chopped and ready to go whenever I want.

    Parent
    No opinions on the dancers. Did see (none / 0) (#4)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 07:57:06 PM EST
    "Pirate Radio" today.  Brit. accents obsured some of the lines, but a funny, vivacious flick.

    Glad to hear... (none / 0) (#5)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 08:02:30 PM EST
    ...it is not only funny but vivacious as well--I've already got it in my Netflix queue!  

    Parent
    One google hit included (none / 0) (#7)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 08:12:35 PM EST
    "high-spirited."

    Parent
    Wow, I saw it too yesterday (none / 0) (#31)
    by ruffian on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 05:53:47 AM EST
    Agree on your review. Not a perfect movie, but very entertaining and original.

    No one delivers a line like 'Well done, Twatt' like Kenneth Branagh. Sime very funny scenes there, as well as the nuttiness on the ship.

    Parent

    I would have to repectfully disagree (none / 0) (#6)
    by nyjets on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 08:07:38 PM EST
    "V is also coming to a close for the year tonight. No big loss, it's gone downhill since the first two episodes. This is an open thread, all topics welcome, tv related or not."
    I thought that overall all 4 episodes were very good  with episode 3 and 4 very very good.
    I am looking forward to March 2010.

    Sam Stein (Huff Post) on reconciliation (none / 0) (#12)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 09:39:52 PM EST
    re health care reform legislation:  link

    Featuring an anonymous Senate aide.

    This is funny (none / 0) (#14)
    by Natal on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 09:56:30 PM EST
    Palin tells Marg Delahunty Canada should 'dismantle' public health-care system

    Article here

    Natal
    in British Columbia


    Palin may be single-payer's best weapon (none / 0) (#32)
    by ruffian on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 05:56:54 AM EST
    As she travels the world knocking it and the various other countries make the case defending it loud and clear in her media spotlight.


    Parent
    You're right (none / 0) (#36)
    by Natal on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 08:28:13 AM EST
    the Canadian reader comments are really hostile and vitriolic towards her.

     

    Parent

    Missed out on the TV tonight... (none / 0) (#15)
    by Anne on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 10:22:56 PM EST
    Went out to dinner with a group of moms and daughters who have all been friends since our kids were younger and doing the horse show thing.

    Last year we impulsively got together the night before Thanksgiving and had such a good time we decided we would make it an annual event, so...tonight was the night.

    It's a small group: me and my daughter, and two other moms and their two daughters, but we have the best time - we were the last customers out of the restaurant - they locked the doors behind us!  If it weren't for the fact that two members of the group have to work tomorrow, we would probably still be there...

    The other moms and I try to get together for dinner every couple of months, but it's hard to get our girls together all at the same time.  For years, we all spent hours together in the barn, watching/taking lessons, getting ready for shows, spending Saturdays at horse shows from the pre-dawn hours until after dark.  The girls got to be inseparable, and stayed close even after they all started to go off to college.  It really did my heart good to see these young, vivacious, gorgeous, happy women laughing and speaking in the shorthand of best friends, even as us moms were kind of doing the same thing!

    It was a great night, and I am reminded that I am ever so thankful for the love of good friends.

    Fun evening. Glad you all enjoyed yourselves. (none / 0) (#17)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 10:30:27 PM EST
    I passed on your cooking tip about not brining a Butterball turkey, as my friend as about to brine one.  She says:  thanks!

    Parent
    Oh, that was a happy coincidence! (none / 0) (#20)
    by Anne on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 10:41:31 PM EST
    Next year, your friend can get a fresh, or fresh frozen, turkey, and brine to her heart's content.

    I have to say that I think Thanksgiving is probably my favorite of the holidays, just because it is all about family and food - no gifts to buy, no trekking through the malls - just cooking and eating.

    And the best part of having it at one's house is the leftovers...a turkey sandwich with plenty of mayo and a layer of cold stuffing, some green and black olives...yum.

    Parent

    Turkey was only (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Inspector Gadget on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 10:58:46 PM EST
    .27 a pound this year....I got a small 12 lb one just for the sandwiches...$3.50!

    My favorite sandwich is on sourdough bread with cream cheese, cranberry, turkey and sometimes add sprouts for a crunch.

    Parent

    Back after (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 11:50:41 PM EST
    my dad died but my mom was still alive, we started rotating Thanksgiving duty with friends among three households.  But after the first time going to someone else's house for T-day, my mother and I looked at each other and decided we NEEDED those leftovers, so every year did our own informal turkey feast the next day anyway just so we'd have plenty for sandwiches and hash and potato pancakes with gravy, etc.

    I've always thought the best part of any roast was the leftovers.

    Parent

    I do that too (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by ruffian on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 06:03:01 AM EST
    I usually spend Thanksgiving with either friends or at my brother's house, where his wife cooks a wonderful meal, but not the same stuffing as my mom used to make. I usually make my own little turkey sometime in December to satisfy my cravings. I have a couple of friends over, but I get most of the leftovers.

    I love this holiday too. Low pressure, just all about counting your blessings and enjoying life.

    Parent

    It is kind of funny because my friend is a (none / 0) (#22)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 11:06:50 PM EST
    wonderful, savvy cook and I call myself a retired cook.

    Parent
    Thanks, Jeralyn (none / 0) (#28)
    by NMvoiceofreason on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 01:14:31 AM EST
    Your concise and spot-on summary of the DWTS season and finalists made watching it much more enjoyable for my wife and myself.

    I didn't miss V. My Media Center recorded it for me. I'm replacing it with a Tivo next week.

    I tivo'd V and Biggest Loser and (none / 0) (#30)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 03:06:16 AM EST
    the Good Wife. V was okay this week, The Good Wife has gotten better as the season progresses, it's mostly the kids/grandma segments that dull it out. This has been the most boring Losers season so far, none of the contestants are appealing personality-wise, the only fun parts are the last chance workouts and the weigh-ins. Hope it returns to normal next year. They need fewer 450 pound contestants and fewer contestants from the heartland.

    Parent
    Had a fabulous hike (none / 0) (#34)
    by ruffian on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 06:20:11 AM EST
    Yesterday morning in Castlewood Canyon State Park down near Castle Rock, south of Denver. I lived in Castle Rock when I lived out here in Colorado, and that park was a favorite of mine, and especially my old dog Ruffian. He loved to run in and out of Cherry Creek, and go spastic in the sandy bottom if the canyon. We used to go very early in the morning so I could let him off leash and only get a warning from the rangers. Hiked it yesterday with an old neighbor and her dog- glorious weather.

    Only problem was that 4 years at 0 altitude has seriously eroded my canyon trail climbing ability! I've never been so winded in my life. You would have thought I was climbing a 14'er. Anyway I am having a wonderful time in the Denver area catching up with old friends and places. I did make it to the new Tattered Cover the other day. Still a wonderful place to be, but I did miss the old book slightly musty air of the old place.  

    I liked Mya's dancing (none / 0) (#35)
    by lilburro on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 08:22:11 AM EST
    but yeah, she was a little too professional.  Didn't know she had done all that dancing work before though.  I LOVED Kelly Osbourne but knew she wouldn't win.  And Whitney was great ("I Wanna Dance With Somebody"!!!) but why she didn't sing the chorus of that song, I have no idea.  And don't worry y'all, that seemed planned, not spontaneous ;)

    Quite sure Whitney's song was (none / 0) (#39)
    by Inspector Gadget on Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 09:51:00 AM EST
    completely planned. Her range of voice is destroyed and she has to sing around the songs these days.

    Parent