Mario's ego is turning people off. simple as that.

i think Shannon will be in the bottom next week again. I fear that she has reached her peak. but will she go home? who knows. she could get more of the "are they?/aren't they?" votes again.

Let's get this straight--the viewers aren't "gunning" for Mario. Voters vote for the dancer or dancers they like best--they don't vote anyone "off" the show.

I've never heard of Mario before this (which means nothing, since there are tons of musical acts these days I'm clueless about) so I'm guessing his fan base isn't one that skews with the audience of DWTS.

Or, like in the case of Sabrina Bryan--which I don't believe was backlash at all--his fans felt he was safe with such a high score and didn't bother to vote.

Mario (with a 28) got 15.6% of the total points awarded by the judges. Shannon and Jason each got 13.3%. So if Mario's audience vote only has to be 2.3 percentage points lower than Shannon's and Jason's for him to be in the bottom two. Because the judges will never give a score below 7, their scores become pretty much meaningless in the total points.

Great comments from the all of the other posters!

DWTS isn't so much about the dancing as it is about the fan base. And it doesn't take much to tip the scales. I also think a message was being sent to all of the supposed leaders--Kristi, Jason, and Mario--by making them sweat it out to not take anything for granted. Each week is a whole new ball game. Anyone can go down.

Honestly, by this stage I usually like all of the dancers and am sad that anyone has to go. Shallow creature that I am, tho, I'd be particularly sad to see Cristian go. Not that he's a great dancer or anything, I just like looking at him.

One of my other highlights has become Tom Bergeron. I was never a great fan before DWTS, but now greatly admire both his wit and kindness. Weren't his parting words to Marlee just pure class?

I just love to watch the stars' progress. Not that I will ever devote hours and hours a day to learning to dance, but it is nice to think I could improve even half as much as the stars on the show.

Tom Bergeron is fun, wish Samantha could smooth out her delivery though. She always sounds like she is reading from the teleprompter.

I loved Christian's remark Monday on getting a 27, "now I know how Kristi feels every time." Too funny, and actually said in a lighthearted way.

I agree that I think Mario's ego is turning people off. He's young and brash while say, Jason Taylor, is so smooth sophisticated, and humble. Not too hard to choose between the two...

Do think the demographic of DWTS does skew older too...

FWIW, much as I like Kristi, I think she is a bit of a ringer. It was possible that her ice experience with choreography would not translate to on-land, with a partner dancing, but the odds were definitely in her favor.

I don't think it was Mario's "fault". I think it was that torn bedsheet they had his partner wearing.

The costume alone was worth some scathing comment - and frankly, "strumpet" and "gigolo" were probably a lot nicer than what I was thinking.

I never knew who Shannon was before this - and she's cried so much over her lack of hips, I am more than ready for her to go - or volunteer for a lipo transplant from me.

Then again, maybe there is some justice in this world when a girl shaped like asparagus cries over "no hips" and a little dumpling like Marissa shrieks with delight and has the chutzpah to wear a denim mini-skirt.

Mario may last a bit longer on the show if he shows a little humility, throttles back on the raunch -- and gives a fabulous performance next week. DWTS fans have often been willing to give stars another chance if they manage the humility-excellent dance combo -- witness Cristian a few weeks ago.

I'm betting on Shannon being shown the door next week. She seems a little too weepy and mostly hanging on because of Derek's fan base. Also, I don't get the "I don't have visible hips so I can't move them" excuse. I'm pretty sure the width of one's hips has little connection to one's ability to shimmy with them.

And how about the kid dancers last night? The first pair was unbelievably good -- very sharp, very fast, just nailed it.

I was extra excited to hear that the 100th show in 2 weeks is going to include Mel B (who should have won last season IMHO) and, better yet, Maks. I have sorely missed seeing him on the show this season.

About Mario...raunch factor costing him? Puhleeze! Anyone who dances latin knows that sexy/sensual outfits are part of the game, and part of the "spice". My wife and I were commenting on his incredible timing and posture, nearly perfect. What cost him a 30 was both a lift and a little too much sensuality at the cost of straight rhumba - this was more "showcase" than "classic".

I believe his drop into the bottom two was a fan "security" that his 28 would lock him in, similar to what happened with Sabrina last year. However, Marlee was so far down the rabbit hole (pun intended) at 21 that she could not make up the difference.

If you read the DWTS message boards, a lot of folks were surprised and ensuring that Mario will get a portion of the votes next week, assuming he dances well. As others here have mentioned, it is Shannon's turn, unless her dances include Waltz or Fox, which she looks very elegant in.

If that's the case, watch for Cristian or Jason to tumble. Marissa will remain, as long as she continues to show improvement. Her attitude is so refreshing - the "anti-Marie" who I'm rooting for (plus Tony deserves a shot) to continue to rise and reach the final 3. We'll see...

In referene to last night's DWTS,..5/5/08,.I thought Kristi deserved three straight "10's" in her first dance (she got two) and three straight "10's" in her second dance. "But" little goodie two shoes "Cari Ann Inaba" didn't like it. Neither did loudmouth Bruno and Shuffle Board Len. We thought Kristi's second dance was perhap's one of her very best.
Then,...the Judge's gave Cristian "high" mark's for "one armed" dance's. Disgusting !

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