Shawn Johnson and partner Mark Ballas bring home the trophy!

RATINGS UPDATE:

The episode of “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” featuring Indianapolis had extreme ratings here in Central Indiana! It was the most watched show in all of Indiana Sunday night, clobbering all the competition (in fact, you would have to add all the other local station ratings to measure up to the “Extreme” Indy ratings.

#2 for the night was “Desperate Housewives” which is usually the most watched show. If only Wisteria Lane were in Central Indiana…

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Okay, earlier this week I predicted the Gilles Martini would take home the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy on “Dancing with the Stars.”

On Tuesday night, I was proven wrong…at least by the smallest margin ever of the popular vote on this very popular show.

Shawn Johnson, the tiny gold medal Olympic gymnast keeps the Olympic flame alive! She is the third Olympian to compete on ”Dancing with the Stars” and win the big prize (Apolo Anton Ohno and Kristi Yamaguchi won previously.)

Gilles, Shawn and ex-”Bachelor” reality star Melissa Rycroft all deserved to be in the finals.

While Shawn was good, Gilles was just a little bit better.

But considering his fan base coming into this show (honestly, how many of us even knew who the heck he was?) was much, much more limited than the gold medalist, I thought the competition in the end would put him on top. I still think he was that much better.

The ninth season will premiere in September.

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During “Dancing with the Stars” on Tuesday night, ABC debuted a series of new spots called “The ABC House.”

The new series of star-studded commercials are a fun look at what it would be like if all the ABC stars lived in the same home. Sally Field, Terri Hatcher, Matthew Fox, Tom Bergeron, Ty Pennington, SuperNanny Jo Frost, Dana Delaney, Jorge Garcia, Rob Lowe, Patrick Dempsey and many other stars are featured in the promos.

Be on the lookout for them. I will post them here soon!

At least "Dancing" Loves her!

A couple weeks ago, millions of viewers watched bachelorette Melissa accept a proposal for marriage from Bachelor Jason.

Then a few minutes later, we watched as Jason dumped her in a program taped weeks after the “happy ending.”

Ouch.

It was the number one rated show for Hoosiers.

So this past Monday, it was a little surprising to find out Melissa had accepted an offer to compete on this season’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Melissa was replacing the injured Nancy O’Dell on the dance floor.

For anyone who had watched the “The Bachelor,” we all held our collective breath.

I don”t think anyone watching was wanting to see the poor girl humiliated two weeks in a row. But you know what, she did fine.

In fact, she did better than fine, she did very well. And Hoosiers were watching joining America in making the 8th season premiere the highest ever.

I think Melissa will be a tough competitor on this season’s edition of “Dancing.”

In fact, after seeing her on the floor last week (with only 48 hours of practice) I think she will be one of the final four come May. It helps that she has professional dancer Tony Donvolani as her partner.

Shawn Johnson, Gilles Marini and Chuck Wicks (because he is partnered with girlfriend Julianne Hough) will be at the top of the leaderboard as well.

First out…sorry to say, but Apple computer’s Steve Wozinak will get the boot first. Followed by rodeo star (and Jewel’s husband) Ty Murray. And I think Denise Richards will struggle mightily and could be short-lived on this edition.

Watch for another round of dances Monday night beginning at 8pm; The Results show Tuesday night at 9pm on ABC and RTV 6.

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Bolt and friends (the hamster named Rhino rocks)

Saturday night my family made it a movie night, checking out Walt Disney’s animated “Bolt” on DVD. It is set to be released March 24th on Blu-Ray and DVD.

The movie follows a dog named Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) who with his young owner (Miley Cyrus)  are the superhero stars of an action TV show.

Only problem is, the dog doesn’t know its only a TV show. And when he is separated from his owner and accidentally shipped across country, Bolt, with the help of some new found friends has to get home.

The animated movie was exective produced by John Lassiter, the man who has guided the Pixar movies to such great acclaim and success. And like those Pixar films, “Bolt” works because the story is well told.

It’s a fun, entertaining movie that my kids really loved. (Mom and dad liked it too.) Favorite part? A hamster named Rhino in a little plastic ball steals the show. Action, laughs and an emotional and satisfying ending.  

Definitely worth a look.

And like other recent Disney releases, you can buy a Blu-Ray edition that also includes a DVD and Digital copy- giving you three formats for your viewing pleasure. Very cool.

The new season kicks off on Monday, March 9 with a two hour premiere on RTV 6.

Check out the pics!