No, it's the same way as always. Don't forget, the performances are on Monday night. That's when people vote and it's all tabulated by Tuesday. If they do the same as last year, they are just going to reveal who the 3rd place is earlier in the show so as to leave 2 teams standing at the very end.

I still think it's a total guess at this point, for so many factors:

No idea yet if the judges are going to tie everybody scores and leave it totally to the viewers or if they are going to maneuver the placement of the teams. The total scores are based on a sort of dual point assigning system. Let's say you've got 3 teams, and the judges give them all different scores. That earns the top team 3 points, the 2nd team 2 points and the 3rd team 1 point. Let's say the audience votes exactly in the same order. That means the top team gets 3+ 3=6, the next team 2 + 2 = 4 and the last team 1+ 1 = 2. Obviously, the highest combined score gets the win. But let's say the audience votes in the reverse way the judges did. That creates: Team 1 (3+1=4); Team 2 (2+2=4); and Team 3 (1+3=4)...apparently a tie. In the event of such a tie, the viewer vote wins out, in this case, Team 3 would win because they got the highest viewer score.

This is why the way the judges score & align the teams is so huge. If they do put Marie lower that means her fans would have to work harder to get a good viewer point score. That's how she's been able to stay in the competition even though the judges have mostly had her at the lower end of the scores...and why someone like Sabrina, who got very high scores, got eliminated because she didn't get enough viewer votes.

Mel B was in the bottom two once during this season and has avoided elimination since then. Is that because she's got a huge voting public or because the folks before her just had less? She's a better dancer than Marie, for sure, but will that be enough?

Athletes usually have pretty huge fanbases, plus their colleagues, comrades, etc. The "Indy/racing" machine will likely throw their support to Helio...not to mention his charm and skill have no doubt won him some new fans (I'm one of them, lol)...and I imagine Julianne, like Cheryl Burke, has garnered a lot of fans herself for her talent and likeability.

There may even be the question of sex. Are the viewers wanting a female to win this year (hasn't been one since first year's Kelly Monaco)....or are a lot women getting turned on to Helio?

Needless to say, I'm really hoping Helio and Julianne knock a lot of socks off tomorrow night.

Actually, I think they changed the voting procedure after Drew Lachey's win because we were able to determine the winner once Stacy was eliminated. I'm pretty sure the way they do it now is based on a percentage system. So they add up the total number of points awarded by the judges, and the couple's score is divided by the total to determine the percentage of points they won. Then, the percentage of viewer votes is added to the judges percentages and the couple with the highest score wins! Go Helio

Edited November 27, 200718 yr by Jennerz

Ah, my bad. Thanks, jennerz! Go Helio!!!!

Edited November 27, 200718 yr by applcin

I've LOVED this season but man I think that was the least interesting series of freeform dances that the series has EVER had Usually it's what I look forward to all season

This season's finale was NOT good. Mel let me down with her freestyle dance-- I was expecting so much from her considering her talent. I agree that they pulled a Stacy Keibler and figured her couple of lifts would 'wow' the crowd and lock in their win.

Marie should've left weeks ago (that third spot should've belonged to another star ( Sabrina, Cam, or Jenny). Personally I thought her freestyle was just more of the same stiff and limp movements she's been doing all season. I don't think her dances are all that entertaining either; perhaps because the media is ODing on Osmonds right now. Donny's on all entertainment shows critiquing the dancers-- except Marie. WTF does he know?!?!? He's not a professional dancer and he hasn't even been on the show. So, STFU, Donny! If Marie wins it's because of the Osmond media juggernaut they've launched since she debuted on DWTS. I think Donny and her are using this show to boost their careers. This show has really helped at least one star from eash season refresh their career. I just see Osmands everywhere for a long time-- which means I'll be tuning out as much as possible. She annoys the hell outta me! All her quips are like nails on a chalk board!

Rant over.

Helio came out strong with both his dances. Len was WAY too harsh on his jive. It wasn't that bad (Marie's dance had as much is not more technical probs, but they didn't bring that up, WTH). But his freestyle was MUCH better than anyone else's. I think Helio should win, because he's been the most consistent.

I still have yet to see a freestyle routine that could top Drew and Cheryl's season 2 show-stopping routine--that's my favorite dance of all time

Oops! Double-post. My bad

Edited November 27, 200718 yr by Kay

I think the judges need to be way more consistent. I think at times there are so many technical problems that they don't even want to go there, but I think they need to. No need to bring up every flaw, since that would take 20 mins, but it needs to be addressed every time, imo.

I was rooting for Marie after Jennie got kicked of, until that awful doll dance. I'm sorry, but there is just no excusing that. Generally, I go for someone zero dance experience, but I'm going to have to settle for Helio now. He deserves to win, imo.

Everyone ready for the finale, I'm gonna LMAO if Marie wins, she already has 600-700 votes already from her family alone. I wonder what len's reaction will be if she won? Also the scores yesterday from the judges were weird they hated on mel's dance, yet she got all 9's? They did the same to helio and I think he got an 8 and then 2 9's.

Edited November 28, 200718 yr by EricaKane70

I really don't think Marie can win. I do think she might make the top two. Maybe not though because I'm a big fan and even I admit she doesn't deserve it.

I really don't think Marie can win. I do think she might make the top two. Maybe not though because I'm a big fan and even I admit she doesn't deserve it.

Stranger things have happened. I acutally think she can win on popularity alone, not talent. The osmond media machine has been on overdrive for the past couple of weeks.

You know, I would have voted for Marie if it had been anywhere near close, but it just wasn't. I bet even some of her other supporters felt that way. I agree the Osmond's have a lot of fans, but I also think most people care about fairness. It's hard to vote for someone who does a truly bad job even when you like them a lot. At least for me.

Praise the Lord that Marie won't win.

I Like Marie but she shouldn't of made it this far. What do you want to bet that Donny will be on one of those Entertainment Shows tomorrow complaining about it. Blah.

OMFG Helio won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Dang will a woman ever win this competition again? I think it really hurt mel that helio was the only male left.

Glad Marie Osmond was 3rd place, but Helio & Julianne should NOT have won. Mel B. and Maksim were the best all throughout the competition and should've won. I'm through with this show. I also hate the pimping of Sabrina & Mark, who were way overrated. I cannot stand Sabrina's attitude.

Wooooooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

WTG, Helio!!!!!

I breathed a sigh of relief when Marie was eliminated...the Osmond machine was stopped, lol. At least the two who should have been left were.

But I am thrilled with the outcome. I've liked Helio & Julianne since Week 1.