DWTS Season 5 vs. Season 6

Quite some time ago, Jane Chu asked me what I thought about the chemistry of the current season of Dancing With the Stars, Season 6 vs. Season 5.  I've been thinking about this question for a few weeks now and I wanted to address it before the end of the current season which is in 2 weeks.  I must note, though, that the person who makes each season fun to watch, mediates those heated judges discussions, and provides silky smooth segways throughout the show is the host, Tom Bergeron. 

Host Tom Bergeron

Season 5 started last August and went through November.  That season was definately a roller coaster ride of emotional loss, drama, and love.  Read more about it here.  Season 6 started at the end of March with a celebrity cast that I felt was kind of so-so compared to past seasons.  Having successfully picked a favorite that went on to be the winner of the last two seasons (Helio Castroneves & Apolo Ohno) from the very first show, I felt confident that I would be able to spot the potential winner of this season as well.

Heart throb Christian de la Fuente and his professional dance partner Cheryl Burke

However, I was disappointed!  I admit it now....when this season started, there wasn't a clear favorite because I was torn between 3 contestants:  Kristi Yamaguchi, Jason Taylor and Christian de la Fuente (I admit I have a thing for the latin celebrities:  I voted my heart out for Helio last season and Mario Lopez in season 4!  ).  The good news, though, is that all three of them have made it to the semi-Finals (tomorrow night) with Broadway Tony winning actress Marissa Jaret Winokur.

Professional dancer Tony Dovolani and his partner Marissa Jaret Winokur

But let's get back to chemistry.  I think, for me, it all boils down to three very strong women from Season 5:  Jane Seymore, Marie Osmond, and Mel B (Scary Spice) from the Spice Girls.  Tragedy and drama filled every week:  Jane lost her mother; Marie lost her father; fire loomed dangerously close to Jane's Malibu estate; Marie's highly publisized post-dance faint on live TV; Mel B's love/hate relationship with her dance partner Maksim Chmerlovsky  (no hanky panky, though) was very entertaining & Sabrina Bryant's surprising elimination shocked everyone.  Each one of these ladies was very outspoken yet passionate, caring, and down-to-Earth.  They layed the foundation and example for the rest of the star cast.  This made Season 5 totally rock, in my opinion. 

6'6" Pro footballer Jason Taylor and dance partner Edyta Sliwinska

Season 6....the current season.  We don't have the strong women who hold it together, like a family.  Instead, we have two inspirational women, women who are just thrilled to be on the show:  deaf actress Marlee Matlin (recently eliminated) and cancer survivor and everybody's favorite overweight/underdog Marissa Jaret Winokur.  It's been moving to watch them and I think that their enthusiasm has pulled at my heartstrings so that a part of me is relieved to have seen them make so much of their experiences. 

Professional dancer Mark Ballas and Olympic figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi

So, how will this season end?  Who knows!  Kristi Yamaguchi's weekly first place finishes were becoming ho-hum until 2 weeks ago when Jason took the top spot and then Christian last week (sporting an awesome 1-armed Samba with a lift!--he suffered a torn bicep at the elbow in his left arm the previous week).  Now we're down to the last two weeks and it will definately come down to the public's voting to determine who ends up with the mirror ball trophy. 

You can read more about the current season's cast and dances so far here.