I totally agree with you. I'm so glad I fell asleep and did not see the result. I think it is very unfair. I really wanted the French actor to win. He is not an athlete but, he was what I thought the essence of the show should be about. It would have been so much more interesting.

Kyle, I think you are being a little unrealistic. Simply put, someone is always going to have the advantage. Someone will always have a little more "training experience." And not all athletes do well on this show. So, clearly you are correct that people with less athletic ability will have a harder time competing at this level, but I don't see how you could make it a "level playing field." Then it wouldn't be a competition. Someone will always have more talent, and that's who we call the winner.

As a former athlete, I don't believe that athletes have an advantage at all. I was a gymnast for 17 years and danced for 10 years, and the two are very, very different. I was constantly being criticized for my gymnastics posture when dancing; it was quite the challenge. Everything you learn in gymnastics is absolutely incorrect in dance. I had to work very hard to seperate the two. On another note I will say that I believe dance improved my presentation skills in gymnastics, specifically with the two performing events (beam and floor exercise). I don't think that a football player, a gymnast, or an ice skater has any advantage over any other star that comes on the show, except for physical discipline. All good athletes have dedicated themselves physcially to their sport for a number of years, therefore they have the discipline down pact. Athletes are used to fighting through the injuries and pain that come along with committing to such a rigorous show. As far as starting from square one they are just like every other star on the show. Some actors have been in Broadway shows and some singers have had exposure to dance as well. There have been stars on the show who had a dance background and were just awful; when it comes down to it, you either are a decent dancer or you're not.

As a former athlete, I don't believe that athletes have an advantage at all. I was a gymnast for 17 years and danced for 10 years, and the two are very, very different. I was constantly being criticized for my gymnastics posture when dancing; it was quite the challenge. Everything you learn in gymnastics is absolutely incorrect in dance. I had to work very hard to seperate the two. On another note I will say that I believe dance improved my presentation skills in gymnastics, specifically with the two performing events (beam and floor exercise). I don't think that a football player, a gymnast, or an ice skater has any advantage over any other star that comes on the show, except for physical discipline. All good athletes have dedicated themselves physcially to their sport for a number of years, therefore they have the discipline down pact. Athletes are used to fighting through the injuries and pain that come along with committing to such a rigorous show. As far as starting from square one they are just like every other star on the show. Some actors have been in Broadway shows and some singers have had exposure to dance as well. There have been stars on the show who had a dance background and were just awful; when it comes down to it, you either are a decent dancer or you're not.

5/8 is only a slight margin over 50% to build a case where athletes are taking the prizes home.

I understand what you're saying, and in that way, yes, athletes do have an advantage in this competion directly linked to their competitiveness and physical condition. However, I don't think it's an unfair advantage. veryone has advantages and disadvantages in life that vary by situation. The bottom line is, everyone has to work hard always strive to be the best, regardless of their station in life. The actors selected for the show know that they are going likely to be dancing against world class athletes, so they can choose to hire a trainer to condition them before the show starts, it's up to them. They can certainly afford it. I'm not saying they're wrong not to, but they could take extra steps to overcome the disadvantage. Also, one could easily make a similar argument that certain stars have a disadvantage because they are not as well known and popular actors.

I thought this was a ballroom dancing competition not a gymnastics competition. The most disappointing outcomes have come out of this season. There have been some people who were voted off that should not have been and some people that lasted way longer than they should have. Last night was just the clincher for me. I am sick of these reality show outcomes being decided by popularity rather than talent. I am not sure what kind of judging went on last night. How do you give everyone a perfect score? What the ___? I am pretty sure that this will be the last season for me watching this show.

IS THERE SOME PETITION THAT I CAN SIGN THAT IS GOING TO THE MAJOR NETWORKS ASKING THEM TO BRING BACK NON REALITY SHOWS?

I think Shawn Johnson worked so hard, and deserved every bit of that trophy. America obviously liked her better, and she did what she had to do to get great scores. If America thought athletes had an advantage, she wouldn't have won. I personally voted for her TONS of times because I believe she is an amazing athlete, and given the task of dancing, did amazing. She deserves every bit of the trophy.

I don't think athletes have an unfair disadvantage. I think dancing is an individual thing - you either have the potential or you don't, no matter what you do. Look at Lawrence Taylor. He didn't have the same level of agility as previous football players. But the stars who have the best conditioning, I think, do the best. Denise Richards, while she trains in Pilates, did not have a strong core (although she should have from doing Pilates) and just was not a good dancer.

By "Penn Teller," does Kevin mean Penn Jillette? I can only assume he does. Maybe he's saying it as a joke? Either way, I don't get it. One would think that a "journalist" (blogger?) might want to get his names right, if he wants to be taken seriously.

All picking at Kevin aside, I think he's right. It's more than discipline - being a professional athlete of any sort (including football players and all varieties of skaters and gymnasts) requires the athleticism and balance that would help someone excel in a dance contest. All professional athletes are very athletic and very competitive - they have a physical ability that most people, including actors, can just dream of possessing. They would have a HUGE advantage in learning a physical skill faster and better than someone like Penn Jillette and Marc Cuban.

Kyle responds: I felt really, really dumb until I realized you got both my name and Mark Cuban's name wrong.

Last night's winner was determined by popularity, not by dance ability. All three finalists danced exciting routines, but the way that audience voting is calculated into the scores gave the advantage to the popular choice of those who took the time to vote. (This is so often a well-known, popular athlete.) So many more people have a favorite but don't bother to vote. Perhaps the scoring formula should be changed to reflect this. Having danced a terrific Freestyle, it's not that Shawn is an undeserving winner, but Giles is the better overall dancer.

While your comment has merit, I do not believe "all" athletes have an advantage, but certainly the athletes who come from sports that require artistry and balance, such as figure skating/ice blading and gymnastics.

This season was particularly difficult and if you look at the technical scores - the judges really allowed the public to decide. Regardless of the general disappointment among Gilles fans, we have all put this very talented man on the map. May he and his family benefit greatly from the exposure. Baz Luhrman, take heed - this man needs to be in your next picture. As for Sean, she remains America's darling.

I don't think they have an advantage per se. They have a skill that can be leveraged, this is true - but so do actors/actresses.

They both have name/face recognition as well - which put all of them (actor/athlete) at an advantage over Melissa - who also brought her own set of "advantages" (hot looking, sob story loser on Bachelor, etc.).

In the end I am very pleased that Shawn won. Her efforts (especially in that freestyle) were incredible.

I was concerned that Gilles would win simply because enough lovesick women would vote for him - even though Cheryl pretty much did 90% of the dancing between them.

John

No matter how much training Shawn Johnson had, it was her fans that gave her the award. She did not win, and din't even earn second. She was third at best and a bunch of airheads gave her the award because she is just a little baby.

I thought Gilles and Sheryl were outstanding. Gilles has the qualities that a professional dancer possesses. It appears that this is "political" in nature, and I will not watch any other Dancing With the Stars shows in the future.

Thanks!

Was this handed to her to make up/apologize for Mark's "hard one" after the lindy hop?

I totally agree with Susan. Shawn Johnson certainly improved her dancing ability from her first dance, but Gil was hands down the better dancer. It all came down to the most popular, a policy that really needs to change.

I specifically think that athletes that have a background that included choreography have an advantage. I think Shawn is adorable and did well -- just that I would prefer contestants without background that included any type of choreography.

They need to have a recount as they did with Kelly Monaco and the guy from Seinfeld that played J Peterman. Do you not think that with a less than 1% margin of victory that there could be an accounting error? As for people trying to vote, I tried to vote for Gilles the entire show and his toll free number was busy and I never got one vote in. In Shawn's freestyle she barely got that crazy mask and jumpsuit off of her so why wasn't that deducted? RECOUNT, RECOUNT, RECOUNT. I was disgusted and even moreso when they all showed up on GMA this morning.

I agree with Susan. The show should change the scoring formula. Judges scoring should have more weight on the overall results. They are the experts on this field. I love both Shawn and Gille but I was really disappointed that Gille didnt get the mirror ball trophy. He's much deserving.

No it is not unfair at all! Even with non athletes that appear on the show we don't know for sure what dance training they may or may not have had. For example Sabrina the Cheetah girl from previous season has many years dance training and was known to Cheetah girls fans as a dancer yet she still did not win. Melissa too had years of dance training although not ballromm she was a trained in ballet and was by all rights considered a professioanl dancer as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, she was paid to dance . Everybody brings something different to the table. Do we know that Gilles has not had any dance training? Possibly he has had something in his lifetime. I am very happy that Shawn won, she was young and showed great maturity and athleticism to do what she did and you could see her improvement in her technique from the beginning. GO SHAWN!!!!

I think the fact that all three in the top are NOT popular to the masses says a lot. All three had different backgrounds and yet all three were there. I think the "Roaster" got it right when he commented this was not a "Who's Who" competition but a "Who are you?" competition. However, I think there was a lot of "extra" stuff during each show and not enough dancing from the stars. We are watching to see them dance - there is so much talking and other stuff added that I lost interest, started taping it so I could just jump to the dancing and judge comments. Amazing how much time I freed up doing it that way. Still plenty of time to vote even.

Shawn Johnsonalso had disadvantages to overcome. Age. There were times she lost points on that alone. She deserved this win and I love the show.

Um, you have to be a complete moron to think that just because you are an athlete, it means you can dance. This is a dancing competition, not a football game. If you think that Peyton Manning or Derek Jeter can dance just because they are athletes, you haven't seen many athletes dance.

The only "unfair advantage" one can have in this show is coordination. The person who was most likely to win this season was Lil Kim...because she is a DANCER... Man, people write the most iditoic things online....

It's worth pointing out that Shawn was the only athlete of the three finalists. People who prefer strong fundamentals to polished presentation had only one choice, while those who prefer polish had to split their vote. The psephological aspect of DwtS and similar shows is too often overlooked; does anyone really think that Ty Murray would have outlasted Li'l Kim if he hadn't inherited Chuck Wicks' (*and* Julianne Hough's) country/Western votes from the previous week?

GILLES SHOULD HAVE WON. He had the whole package: beauty, grace, passion, and natural talent. What a disappointment!

I will never watch this show again. Gilles should have been first, Lil Kim second, and Shawn 3rd.

I suppose this is more about popularity than about dancing?

Why even give the public a chance to vote when they have zero experience with dancing anyway?

And that stupid so-called comedian last night was a mistake on the show. He was not being funny at all, but rather insulting and crass.

Again, I am incredibly shocked and disappointed with the results!

Ty is an athlete also. I believe he lasted so long simply because he impressed the voters the way he "Cowboyed Up."
Shawn grew as a dancer and peaked at the very end when it counted most. I did not vote for her until the finals.
I felt that Gilles and Melissa's choreography was much weaker in the freestyle. This happened to Tony the last time he was in the finals but I was surprised Cheryl missed the mark on this one.

I think it was fair. Especially her being a athlete is what made her a "Star". Isn't this called Dancing with the "Stars". I am so happy for her. She worked her butt off.

Shawn got few more votes but Giles was BY FAR the superior dancer in every way. It's a popularity contest and because most of her fans are kids, they have more patience slamming the phone lines with votes. Giles should have won hands down. She's a great gymnist but he is a far better dancer. Not just how the routines were performed but the emotional aspect as well the visual impact. She's too short and squat to look anything like a dancer. She looked like a gymnist moving to music. They need to change the voting method for that show if they want the proper outcome.

What an outrage and a crime, as if real talent and skill mattered! Gymnastics is Shawn's forte, not dancing. Like a trained animal she mastered all the routines but actually resembled Miss Piggy when executing them. Gilles was the obvious winner and I think this is my last season watching. A real travesty!

Professional dancing is about grace, timing and ability to comprehend instructions and the accompaning music. These selected stars are in no way professional dancers although many of them are quick to learn from their mentors who are professional dancers. There are other select star talent who have not the slightest inclination toward dancing, especially the variety of dances expected and judged by professionals, but they try.
An athelete such as Shawn Johnson is well versed in timing and ability to understand what is expected in competition, therefore, giving action to what is required for the dance movements. Now, this should not be so hard to comprehend for those of you who who are genuine opinionated couch potatoes looking to negatively comment on those who have competitive abilities.

What an outrage and a crime, as if real talent and skill mattered. Gymnastics is Shawn's forte, not dancing. Like a trained animal she mastered all the routines but actually resembled Miss Piggy when executing them. Gilles was the obvious winner and I think this is my last season watching. A real travesty.

I was not surprised that Shawn and Mark "inched" through and won! Often viewers will remember and vote on the LAST dance (The Free-style). That is why it is a good idea to FINISH STRONG!! Which just what Shawn and Mark did.

Melissa and Tony did not stand a chance with their weak Free-style. It was not a WOW dance -- Tony was the Pro and should have known better.

And Gilles' dancing abilities were not displayed to his advantage --- his partner, Cheryl Burke did most of the dancing. Perhaps, she relied too much on his popularity during the season.

totally disppointed, Shawn had more jumping like a monkey,
than dancing wrong person won, should be being 1st french actor,
2nd Melissa.

I don't think the athletes have an unfair advantage because of their athletic ability; I think they have an unfair advantage because they are REAL celebrities. Gilles is a minorcelebrity so it's amazing he could compete with an Olympic gold medalist.

Ty was an athlete, and he was god awful.

I think if they had higher status celebrities competing with the athletes that things would even out a bit.

Based solely on the Judges' comments, it was clear that the French actor, Gil, was by far the more accomplished dancer. Shawn Johnson was competent, but she simply lacked the charisma and flair of the actor. The results were disappointing -- this will definitely be the last season I watch.

I think Shawn is cute and she had come a long way from the first week, but having said that, there is no way she was better than Gillis or Melissa. Gillis was hot, hot, hot, and he put his heart and soul in his dancing. He also seems to be such a nice person. (I know his Mom is proud of him). Melissa was right on last night, so I am still puzzled by Shawn winning. Like some of the others have said, this is the last time I will watch DWTS and I have watched every season and every show, but no more.

Shawn Johnson work ethic, practice, determination and weekly improvement put her in the winners circle! I also think their freestyle during the finale was the best of the three and gave her and Mark the edge needed to win the mirror ball trophy.

I don't think she had an advantage as an Olympic champion because dancing is different. Either you have the rhythm and ability to master the technical aspects of the dances or you don't.

I am sure there will be Olympic champions who will NOT win DWTS.
Jeffrey Ross' roast was lame and somewhat insulting. Get rid of him and bring back the other three guys.

I totally agree about being an athlete. I think it is very unfair because throughout the entire season Giles was perfection and he should of won this competition. I think a lot has to do with being an athlete where I think they are more popular. I never heard of Giles before but i knew of Shaun Johnson. I think that it is more of a popularity contest. I am very disappointed. that is why I stopped watching DWTS for a few years because of that. In the season with Emmit Smith I thought Mario Lopez was a way better dancer but because it was Emmit I think he had a bigger fan section. It should be how they perform not the votes from the audience because they vote because they like that person. Not Fair!

So many distressed housewives unable to see their studly Frenchman win the crown.

How bitter they are, even stooping to refer to Shawn as 'Miss Piggy'.

For this reason alone I am glad Shawn won.

For those who refuse to watch next season, just wait until the next stud comes along and makes you stay up late fantasizing over him. You'll be back.

Wasn't Gilles a professional cheerleader ? Isn't that a type of 'Athlete'?

I don't think athletes have an unfair advantage unless its the discipline but most of the people who appear on the show have to have some discipline to get to where they are in their chosen professions. In the beginning Shawn's gymnastic experience was a detriment but she overcame it. Melissa's ballet training was a detriment to her in some of the dances. Giles had an advantage in his experience as an actor in the performance aspect of the dances. I think Shawn was a deserving winner. In the beginning she didn't have the sparkle but she developed it over time. Many of her dances were brilliant and Mark knew how to choreograph to her advantage. Melissa also had some brilliant dances but she was not as consistent as Shawn. I do not understand the judges' fascination with Giles. He was a plod-horse and all of his dances were good but I did not see one that was fantastic.

I was shocked that Shawn Johnson won because Gilles was a much more pleasing overall dancer. I think she peaked in the finals and her free style sent her over the top by the slimmest of margins. That said, I think there are other factors that play into this competition. I agree with many here who have commented on the fact that athletes are inherently more competitive and have stronger bodies that can take the physical abuse. But what about Ty this season? He could very easily be viewed as an athlete (did you see him with his shirt off?!) and he struggled to dance. The reason he stayed in so long was because of that athletic, competitive spirit. He worked his heart out and you can't tell me there are that many bronco-ridin' cowboy fans out there! If it's a popularity contest, then how could an unknown cowboy who can't dance make it to the semifinals? I also think that the PROFESSIONAL plays into the final decision. Recently, the four favorite Pros - CHOSEN BY THE VIEWERS - all danced together. Those four were Lacey, Julianne, Derek, and MARK. So if you have one of the most popular pros to dance with, that has to factor in to the ultimate decision by the audience. Maks and Mel B lost to Julianne and Helio a few seasons ago and Mel B was CLEARLY the superior dancer. Again, do you really think there are that many Indy car race fans watching Dancing with the Stars? Helio won because he was likeable and dancing with Julianne Hough, the previous season champ who is sweet, likable, and gorgeous. Maks, on the other hand, is cocky and unlikable. I feel the same way about Cheryl. I loved Gilles; Cheryl..not so much. I actually think her ego in choosing Flashdance for their free-style which did not showcase his talent lost them the competition.

I don't think athletes have an unfair advantage unless its the discipline but most of the people who appear on the show have to have some discipline to get to where they are in their chosen professions. In the beginning Shawn's gymnastic experience was a detriment but she overcame it. Melissa's ballet training was a detriment to her in some of the dances. Giles had an advantage in his experience as an actor in the performance aspect of the dances. I think Shawn was a deserving winner. In the beginning she didn't have the sparkle but she developed it over time. Many of her dances were brilliant and Mark knew how to choreograph to her advantage. Melissa also had some brilliant dances but she was not as consistent as Shawn. I do not understand the judges' fascination with Giles. He was a plod-horse and all of his dances were good but I did not see one that was fantastic.

I think Shawn Johnson had to OVERCOME her athleticism to succeed. She had to unlearn her gymnastics moves to be able to dance. Gymnastics is so stiff and precise. Dancing is more flowing and relaxed. I think Gilles probably should have won, but the public's vote is what put Shawn over the top. I admit I am from West Des Moines, Iowa and, although I've never met Shawn, we sure are proud of her and we do love her! She just kept getting better and better every week! Gilles has nothing to be ashamed of. He is a CLASS ACT and an extraordinary dancer! We've not seen the last of him in this aren, I'm sure!

If you listened to what the judges had to say, clearly they felt Gilles deserved to take home the trophy. However, it isn't only the judges who determine the winner. When you've got viewers voting, it boils down to a popularity contest where people who are well liked fare better than those who don't have as great a fan base. Ty Murray is a perfect example of style over substance. His dancing was not nearly on par with the top contenders, but he made it to the semi-finals because the viewers loved him and kept him in the race. Even he knew he didn't belong there, but he made an honest effort and the not impartial viewers rewarded him. Athletes might be more physically fit and have more stamina than other contestants, but unless the people at home take a shine to them, they don't have any better chance at winning than anyone else in the field. As for Shawn winning, I think she deserved it based upon the freestyle dances. When the time came to pull it all together and really show her stuff, she alone got the perfect score from the judges. Gilles' freestyle, on the other hand, was nothing more than a lot of Cheryl dancing around him - he wasn't properly showcased when it mattered and for that he paid the price.

I disagree. I don't think that just because someone has an athletic background that it means they have an unfair advantage over everyone else. Sure, that means they probably have great stamina and a competitive edge, but you don't necessarily have to be an athlete in order to have those qualities. Melissa Rycroft actually has a background in dance, which should mean that she has an unfair advantage, but she didn't win. The show is primarily about viewer votes (judges votes don't actually count for anything until the finals), and I truly believe that Shawn won because she's a crowd-pleaser with great talent and energy. Sure, her athletic background probably didn't hurt, but it doesn't make it unfair that she won.

I think you are wrong. Monica Seles was an athlete and she was the first to leave in her season. That does not prove the case, but it is all about musicality, motion and rhythm, and you either have it or you don't, whether you are an athlete or not.
In my opinion Shawn was the best dancer in this season.

First of all - this like many other reality shows is a popularity contest. This particular winner had nothing to do with the fact that she had an athletic background (althought, duh of course it helps). Shawn is cute blah blah blah but did not deserve the title of best dancer by any stretch of the imagination! Shawn won on popularity alone and that my friends has nothing to do with being an athlete except for the fact that she just so happens to be an Olympic Gold Medalist with many many many more fans than a hot guy who was almost unrecognizable by the masses and and a pretty girl who lost on another reality show.

Though I actually think Gilles should have won, Shawn worked really hard to overcome her previous athletic training. She was consistently criticized for her lack of emotion and passion in her dances, though technically she was spot on, and she repeatedly attributed that lack of emotion to her gymnastics training, where emotion has no place. So it could be argued that her athletic background was as much an obstacle as an advantage. And I agree with the comment that you can't level the playing field. A group comes together and the one with the most talent wins. Is that unfair? And while I will state again that I wanted Gilles to win, I wasn't disappointed in Shawn's victory, as I watched her work hard and improve so much over the course of the show. By the end she was dancing beautifully, emotionally and skillfully. I just thought Gilles was better. Also, she and Gilles were tied in scores, so what won her the trophy was her votes, her public, not her physical abilities. If you really want to level the playing field, cut out the popular vote. That is what really stops the best dancer from winning (repeatedly).

I do not agree with you. Athletes may be used to the rigors of some form of competition and training continuously under pressure, but even so, not everyone is able to apply the same needed focus to different situations in their lives. They could be the star athlete on their playing field, but throwing them into something they are completely unfamiliar with can be unsettling, and I would think this would be true of any person.

Imagine if there was a show 'Performing Surgery with The Stars' granted, something like this would never exist, but is the public going to think that just because a competitor is in the medical field, as opposed to those that aren't, that they are going to have some sort of advantage? I know that if i was an Optometrist or Podiatrist or Respiratory Therapist, I for one would NOT be comfortable performing a triple bypass.

I would say however, the advantage the athletes have going into the competition is their stamina, but aside from that, they're almost as fresh as those contestants that aren't athletes. Being an athlete does not make them move any more graceful than the others, they have to learn that grace just as everyone else does.

No, athleticism isn't necessary an advantage. But for that matter, Gilles is not to far from being an athlete. His conditioning is superb, I would guess that he has had a good deal of dance training and who knows what else. But from a pure dance viewpoint, Gilles was the clear winner from the start, attaining a truly professional standard with an awareness of line, seamless movement and dramatic projection. But he never really had a chance, he was defeated by the gimmick of these kinds of shows: the popular vote. This isn't a dance audience, it is a mainstream American audience that can only relate to dance and everything else as a sport. I think they saw Shawn as a wholesome (Christian?) blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl-next-door and voted accordingly. She was unfailingly shallow, wooden and earthbound. Oh well. I'm done with this show, too.

I think Shawn was the most deserving! Gilles has been able to dance since episode 1 and his style never changed. He wasn't interesting to watch because you knew he would come out and do a descent job. I liked Melissa, but she has dance background. Shawn was the only one who improved week after week and became more intertaining! GREAT JOB SHAWN!

I, too, think that Gilles Marini was hands down the best dancer...he has the look and the grace of a great dancer. With that said, I think that Shawn danced the best freestyle...playing to her best as a gymnast. However, even tho last impressions mean allot, I do not think she should have won. I think it was probably all the votes of America's wanna-be teeny-bopper athletes who are text deadly and obsessive. I cannot believe that viewers over 50, even men, would sit and text in (or phone) for their favorite...is that fair or representative? No Way! I think that DWTStars should come through for its viewers and offer up a contest between its second and third runner ups and i think that the amount of votes per phone or number should be limited. What say DWTStars?

As the Dems would say, she won, get over it!

I agree with you and it's certain that athletes have an unfair advantage with the others. I did not watch the show because I was so sure she was going to win, can't loose: white american girl, athlete. I personally think that Giles was a better dancer and performer than Shawn, she was too gimnastic. I'm certaintly not watching these kind of shows anymore, they are predictable.

As the dems would say, she won, get over it!

I wholeheartedly agree. Competitors like Kristi Yamaguchi (skater), Shawn Johnson (gymnast), Melisa Rycroft (ballet dancer and cheerleader) have had plenty of choreography in their career and it helps them tremendously. However, my argument is that Gilles has been the best and most consistent dancer throughout the competition. He was good from day 1 and dance 1. He has gorgeous line, great posture and fantastic footwork. His passion and the ability to incorporate artistry and emotion into the music is impeccable. Shawn was inconsistent and at time looked more like a little kid skipping and jumping than dancing. Gilles was robbed of his perfect scores during his free dance from judges Carrie Ann and Bruno. Although there could be more "dancing", he out-performed both Shawn and Melissa by miles. Shawn was good but she didn't deserve the trophy. But, this is a popularity contest, what can I say? You know more people, you get more votes!

I voted from two phones and five email addresses for you, Gilles. I've tried and I'm deeply sorry you didn't win. However, I hope that this show will be an open door to more opportunities in your life and career. You're a sweet man and you have a lovely family. God bless you!

Everyone comes to the show with advantages and disadvantages depending on your bias. You can easily say that Gilles has an advantage because he is an actor that helps him with dance performance (especially the tango and rumba). Also because he is slim and tall, he naturally forms a better dance-frame than the short and stocky Shawn. You can also say that Mellissa has an advantage being a ballet dancer and cheer leader because to be either, she must have mastered balance, rhythm and spins. But you can also say that her ballet training actually is a disadvantage because it prevents her from doing the Cuban hip motions required in most Latin dances.... So discussion about advantages or disadvantages is just a way for fans to vent their bitterness when their favorite did not win. The only advantage that an athlete may have over a non-athlete is their work habit and competitive spirit. But it's not related to dancing at all.

So let the athletes compete just be sure the BEST dance wins!!! And while Shawn was great even my untrained eye could see that she was not the best dancer.

Gilles and Melissa were both better dancers but not as popular. Last time I watch this show.

This competition sucks. Life is not really fair in this tv show. Gilles and Cheryl should have won this contest because they have danced gracefully throughout. Shawn and Mark are just moving like acrobats. We'd rather read a book or watch boxing than be saddened and frustrated with this unjustified results.
Sweetie Pies

I think its funny how people think if you're an athlete you have an advantage. Athletic ability is specific to their sport and doesn't necessarily help with dance. And if anyone remembers Gille plays soccer so he is just as well off as Shawn, Lil Kim and Melissa. I'm glad Shawn won and would be just as excited if Gille won.

I really am truly disappointed that Gilles didn't win the competition last night. By far, he was the best dancer and I really think that this voting wasn't fair at all. I don't think that I will bother watching any more shows.

Shawn did a great job and I was delighted that she won. But the sun would still rise tomorrow if one of the others had won. It's supposed to be entertainment--and nothing more. Only one criticism-Some of you need to return to school for remedial spelling lessons!

I feel Gilles was the one who should have won. They really need to change how the winner is selected. The audience has way too much say, and the judges score should have a lot more merit than the fans voting. I feel the judges scores should account for at least 75% and the audience maybe 25%. Gilles was a much better dancer. Shawn was not a pretty dancer - she looked more like an athlete in this competition. I wish there was a way to contact the show producers about changing the scoring.

In my mind, Gilles will be the winner!

Gilles should have been the winner, and I was very disappointed. Could not believe that Shawn won. Gilles was a much better dancer. shawn was not a pretty dancer at all - she looked more like an athelete than a dancer. Yes, I know she is an athlete, but that does not make a good dancer.

The scoring needs to change. The judges scores should have much more weight than what the viewers vote. Judges scores should account for at least 75%. Even the judges felt Gilles should win.

I also did not like Shawn attitude - I felt she was smug, and kind of a brat in her actions.

Obviously, Gilles should have won. Gilles was much better than Shawn in terms of dancing and performing.

I agree that Shawn resembled Miss Piggy when she was dancing. She simply could not provide aesthetic feeling and artistic effect of dancing on the stage.

I will never watch this show again.

Hmmm...I've danced ballroom for years, mostly vintage, and find it interesting there are so many Shawn haters. Just recount the instances of the judges commenting, throughout the competition, upon Shanwn's technical ability (perfect, excellent, etc...). Gille, however, is obviously a passionate dancer, but technically flawed, especially in the ballroom where technique is king. He DOES have an obvious flair for Latin, but that does not translate well into a perfect waltz (he had some consistant feet and leg problems....see Melissa as well)! So, in 11 weeks which area of performance is most likely to develop and grow rapidly? I would say Shawn's "acting" was more likely to develop than Gille's or Melissa's ability to become more technically procicient. Most dancers would likely agree that it is also generally more compicated/difficult to be a novice female than male (for awhile, anyway). So, a female improving tends to be more dramatic than a male doing so. If a male can learn to lead, show off his partner well, and express some musicality, he has achieved much. A novice female has to trust, follow, be musical and much more (turns,spins,etc). And, as a famous female dancer once said, do it all backwards and in heels (and I might add, in this day and age, sell extra sexy as well). I thought there were four talented dancers and one loveable cowboy, but I believe the outcome of 1st, 2nd and 3rd were definitly appropriate. Shawn "peaked" at just the right time and, I believe, if her scores were analyzed, they would show just that. Though Gille had many high scores, both he and Melissa both seemed to peak a bit early, but waiver as well. I'm sure the pro's choreagraphy had much to do with this...

Um....for all of you crying foul on the voting method/that it's a popularity contest....you realize that in the final episode, it wouldn't have mattered if audience voting had been 10% or 90%--the judges scores were tied, so Shawn would have won regardless.

Also,since audience voting is allowed, you have your right to vote as you seem fit...if you think Gilles was the "better" dancer because he was most consistent, that is your prerogative. It does not, however, make you "right". Someone else is allowed to vote as they see fit--including a way you disagree with by saying Shawn had the best free style, or most improved, or just because they like her better.

Being an Iowan, I was thrilled Shawn won, however, I would have been fine if Gilles won. I would not, however, be calling foul and other nasty, negative things on a public comment section. Get over it.

I have decided this show is no longer one I will waste my time watching as Gil was the obvious superior artist and dancer and was overly scrutinized by the judges, envied by the judges and lost to someone far inferior to him in all levels of skill, drama, art, creativity and pure superiorityHe was superb. Shawn is a gymnist not a dancer and looked like a baby hippo most of the time, dancing with her thighs more than any other part of her body. I did not enjoy her, felt she did not fit the role in any way and was not what I as a dancer as well, would consider a champion ballroom dancer. This show is a joke. When people so talented as Gil lose, there is not explanation that is logical or acceptable. I will never watch this show again. It is horrific when things like this happen. Karen Morgan

I have decided this show is no longer one I will waste my time watching as Gil was the obvious superior artist and dancer and was overly scrutinized by the judges, envied by the judges and lost to someone far inferior to him in all levels of skill, drama, art, creativity and pure superiority. He was superb. Shawn is a gymnist not a dancer and looked like a baby hippo most of the time, dancing with her thighs more than any other part of her body. I did not enjoy her, felt she did not fit the role in any way and was not what I as a dancer as well, would consider a champion ballroom dancer. This show is a joke. When people so talented as Gil lose, there is no explanation that is logical or acceptable. I will never watch this show again. It is horrific when things like this happen. Karen Morgan
I sincerely hope this show is cancelled.

During the show, Gilles was like a piece of art; Shawn was like a robot.

The people saying all this unfair advantage shit need to chill out. Shawn is amazing. I was a gymnast for over ten years and i know far a fact that the sport has absolutely NOTHING to do with ballroom dancing. There are girls who were naturally graceful like Ludsin who are very talented at the floor and balance beam and there were girls that were just buff and did better at events such as bars and vault. Shawn looks like one of those extra buff girls to me and you all just look like a bunch of haters. It was a competition. Her and Gilles were both great but she won. Get over it.

My bad for apellinf Nadia;s last name wrng..im kinda drunk..

I don't think these people saying that Shawn was NOT amazing during the show are haters. They just telling the truth.

I don't think these poeple saying that Shawn was not amazing during the show are haters; they are just telling the truth.

I don’t think these people saying that Shawn was not amazing during the show are haters. They are just telling the truth.

jaja you look so kute
mm bae

Shawn Johnson has more fans than Gilles and melissa.You're right it was her fans that gave her the award. I find those 3 judges useless! They should know better. ABC had really encouraged POWERVOTING w/c makes this show disgusting!! I'm so disappointed Gilles was robbed..

um NO. Advantage yes, unfare no. She is beautiful and has a perfect body that she worked a long time to perfect. But dancing skill is just that, skill. Yes being an athlete is an advantage in a dance contest. In fact I would be anoyed if a dumpy girl who let her self go won. But like I said, it is a skill. Asking if she has an unfair advantage is like asking if a genius with a string of PhD's has an unfair advantage playing jeopardy.