Say goodbye to “Dancing”…

Some celebrities work for years to receive an Oscar. Singers write and perform song after song in an attempt to win a Grammy. And NFL players spend countless hours in training in order to win a Super Bowl ring. And while these awards may seem prestigious and important to some, for the twelve celebrities competing in this season of Dancing with the Stars, none compares to the much-coveted Mirror Ball Trophy.

And after three months of the Jive, the Tango, the Cha Cha Cha and the Quickstep, Helio Castroneves and partner Julianne Hough danced off with this year’s trophy last night on ABC. It was an odd season full of twists and turns – and I don’t just mean on the dance floor.

Marie Osmond – who actually performed with someone other than brother Donny for perhaps the first time in her life - fainted after doing the Cha Cha Cha. Jane Seymour was taken in an ambulance after coming down with food poisoning. Jennie Garth and partner Derek Hough slipped and fell at the end of one performance. And both Osmond and Seymour lost a parent during the competition.

And although these events were unfortunate, it was the elimination of Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan that gave Dancing with the Stars viewers the biggest shock of the season. Pegged as the season’s best dancer from day one, Bryan and partner Mark Ballas were eliminated before surprised and tearful ballroom-full of audience members and judges during week six.

But despite the unexpected drama, the show always went on.

And as previously mentioned, it could be argued that Dancing with the Stars is the most spin-filled program currently on television. Full of stars who feel the need to drop not-so-subtle hints about newly recorded CDs, upcoming boxing matches and even future acting endeavors as if their lives depended on it – and maybe their careers do – Dancing with the Stars is way for celebrities to get their faces and names back in the public eye.

But more than just a public relations extravaganza, Dancing with the Stars gives celebrities the opportunity to learn a new skill and challenge themselves in new ways.

Take actress Jennie Garth for example. Sure, she played confident Kelly Taylor on Beverly Hills, 90210 for over a decade. But without all the Aaron Spelling-written drama, Jennie started the season of Dancing with the Stars with little self-confidence and a huge fear of failure. But as time went by- and with countless hours of training with partner Derek Hough- a new and improved Jennie emerged. Dancing with the Stars fans could see her blossom and visibly come out of her timid shell. Garth finished in fourth place this season, but gained life-long truths that will no doubt help her in years to come.

Sure, when you get right down to it, Dancing with the Stars is simply a reality competition. But for the celebrities that step out of their comfort zones each week and dance before a country-full of critical eyes it is an opportunity to fulfill childhood dreams, to overcome an obstacle or simply learn a new skill. And for the viewers who tune in twice weekly to watch and root for their favorite celebrities it is an opportunity to see the true personalities of their favorite actors, singers, performers and athletes.

So with the ending of this season’s Dancing with the Stars we say “so long” to a fall-time friend and congratulations to Helio and Julianne. And we anxiously await the announcement of next year’s competitors… and prepare ourselves for their spin...

“Pushing Daisies” pushes its way into viewers’ hearts…

If you are not interested in getting hooked on another television show this season, be advised: Pushing Daisies is highly addictive. That’s right. Highly addictive.

Pushing Daisies is based on the life of piemaker Ned (Lee Pace), who at an early age learned he was different than those around him. Ned has the ability to touch dead things- including people- and bring them to life again until he touches them a second time, hereby rendering them permanently dead forever. But like most “magical” powers, Ned’s reviving touch has a consequence: anything that he brings to life for more than a minute must be “killed” again within 60 seconds or else something or someone will die in its stead.

In each episode of Pushing Daisies, Ned and his “gift” team up with private investigator Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) to find out who killed the morgue’s newest visitor. Murders are solved and reward money is earned. But when interrogating one of the murder victims, Ned finds himself face-to-face with his childhood friend and sweetheart Charlotte “Chuck” Charles (Anna Friel). Ned brings Chuck back to life and so begins their sweet, yet touch-free, friendship and romance.

While the premise is in and of itself rather inconceivable, creator Bryan Fuller somehow draws viewers in and gets them to believe the unimaginable. With a fairytale-like quality, enhanced by the narrator’s voice-over commentary, Pushing Daisies leaves viewers with a warm feeling at the end of each episode. Even in the midst of death and murder, Pushing Daisies’ main characters remain positive, lovable and naïve, giving it a sweet quality that leaves viewers longing for more.

And in a time when television viewers are regularly bombarded with sex and promiscuity, Pushing Daisies’ Ned and Chuck are a refreshing change to the normal television romance. Their less-than-physical relationship is based on something more concrete than lust. It stems from their friendship. And while they do find ways to bend the no-touching rule, like kissing through plastic wrap and dancing while dressed in beekeeper outfits, their cute – and at times awkward – interactions easily evoke a smile and a giggle.

Pushing Daisies is a definite feather in ABC’s cap. So unless you are looking to get addicted to a new television program, do not tune in on Wednesdays at 8:00PM.