Okay, there seems to be some unfair advantages with performers in the mix but still, dancer for dancer, this is a talented season. With the stiff competition and the sentimental vote for the elder dancers, you cannot predict who’s going home each week or who’s going to win the DWTS mirrorball.

Skipping ahead to Week 2, here’s my favorite with Jessie Spano aka Elizabeth Berkley dancing samba.

The All Stars of Dancing with the Stars take the dance floor on September 24. One of the returning stars is none other than Gilles “Moose Knuckle” Marini who is dancing with recent DWTS Champion, Peta Murgatroyd.

An interesting pairing that you got to watch…

And you know if the judges get what they want, it’ll benefit us. What do I mean? With the addition of the dance off for the bottom two, the judges can “save” the better dancers. This means that unless two heavyweights are in the bottom, we are going to get the ultimate Finals. That would be repeat champions Derek Hough (Seasons 7, 10, 11), Cheryl Burke (Seasons 2 & 3), and Mark Ballas (Seasons 6 & 8 ) going against each other for Mirrorball bragging rights. That would be an unforgettable mix of choreography, skill, and performance! Don’t forget about two-time champion Kym Johnson who has a chance with Urkel, and Donald Driver’s championship drive that could find him a spot in the Finals.

My favorites from Week 5. It used to be favorite (singular), but with all the great performances, I now have weekly favorites (plural).

Derek and Maria definitely did kiss in their sexy salsa.

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said Katherine Jenkins has the best legs. See for yourself.

Cheryl Burke knows how to strategize William’s image to a victory.

Donald Driver’s crazed paso doble with Peta Murgatroyd received the highest marks from the judges this week. I can’t tell if Donald’s supposed to be a rock star or a flamboyant pirate. And his partner, Petra Murgatroyd? She has the best name.

Week 3 featured so many tears as each star told stories of personal successes and tragedies. I lost count how many times the stars and even judges broke down and could not speak. I thought Derek Hough and Maria Menounos made a bold statement with their rendition of Madonna’s Material Girl. The lighting, the music, the choreography – D Hough at his finest!

But what shone even greater than Derek and Maria was Mark Ballas and Katherine Jenkins. Her tribute to her late father – just mesmerizing.

And lastly, you can’t talk DWTS without a mention of William Levy. Judge Bruno is going to have an aneurysm watching a bare chested William shake it on the dance floor.

It seems like every new season of a reality competition is the “best ever.” With Dancing with the Stars, Season 14 may really be the best ever. Typically, you’ll see a mix of dancing abilities, but this group features solid performers already at this early stage. The weak links are few, and none of them are shown below.

Jaleel White

That is not Urkel.

Katherine Jenkins

She of the big voice.

William Levy

People will vote strictly for his hotness.

Donald Driver

Skinny legs mean fast, sharp dance moves.

I thought Derek and Ricki were a shoo-in to win Season 13, but after the first night of the Finals, the lead belongs to Boy Kardashian. And don’t necessarily count JR out yet. His fierce freestyle brought him and Karina back into contention. Closest DWTS Finals I can remember.

After tonight, my nod is to Rob and Cheryl.

So there I was in Week 4, watching my very first show, and I admit most of the stars were okay. The dances were serviceable, and the judges scores were forgiving. Then came the masterful mancrush known as Derek Hough with partner Ricki Lake. They danced a difficult tango set to the challenging theme music from Psycho.

From this performance, I remembered what attracted me to this show. From the setup to the dancing to the conclusion, this was all “wow!” And two scores of 10 this early in the season validates the excellence of this performance. The DWTS producers must be thankful Derek Hough is back on the ballroom floor. Now, only if he can endure his recent shoulder injury…

Q: Can you convince Ralph Macchio that he has to use “The Crane” during one of his dances?

Haha. I don’t think Ralph needs much convincing to do that. My guess is that that may be his secret weapon and we may see it at some point during the competition. I would love to see it myself.

from the Los Angeles Times.

For Week 4 of Dancing with the Stars, I have to go back to Mark Ballas and Chelsea Kane as one of my favorites. That Viennese Waltz was truly enchanting.

And speaking of the Karate Kid, here’s Ralph and Karina dancing the waltz. During the entire performance, I kept thinking, “Be strong, Daniel” from the movie Karate Kid.

Second is Kirstie Alley almost busting Maks’ leg only 20 seconds into their Rumba, and what a recovery! The song choice of Brudda Iz Over the Rainbow was a heavenly pick.

This unique dance didn’t go over well with the judges, deviating too far from a traditional jive. But hey, I had just watched Finding Neverland earlier in the week, and Mark’s choreography reminded of Johnny Depp character and personality. And I am entertained by the weird and wonderful

Sadly, something happened to my recording of the Week 1, but the surprising favorite has to be the Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio. Daniel Larusso may very well be Karina Smirnoff’s best bet at the DWTS mirrorball trophy, not Mario Lopez. Ralph’s common dude look, his aw-shucks demeanor, and yes, his dancing ability are a winning combination.

Week 1, internationally infamous David Hasselhoff is out. Both you and I know the Hoff as Michael Knight and Mitch Buchannon, but today’s kids are like, “that burger-eating drunk on YouTube?”

Week 2 saw 80’s crooner Michael Bolton in the elimination spotlight. Maybe kids would have recognized him if he still had his CD signature long locks.

So what can we extrapolate for Week 3, Story Night? Jennifer Grey will be safe with her Harry Potter routine. Oh, that’s not Harry Potter? Oh well, close enough for the kids. Kurt Warner will be there next week (and I think he can still take a NFL snap or two). Kyle Massey? Disney got his back.

Margaret Cho is in danger but exuding gay pride this week, she might get new allies. Cheryl Burke now has partner Rick Fox disrobing while dancing (and his gf Eliza Dushku in the audience). It’s a successful strategy.

Audrina Patridge waltzed her way to the top this week, and if it is true, the young, hip voters will keep Bristol Palin and “The Situation” dancing. I mean how else has this greasy french fry stuck around?

So that leaves Florence Henderson. Mrs. Brady is an icon, but will her emotional Sound of Music waltz resonate with the young’ens?

But really, the Season 11 stars surprised me. I thought Season 10 was good, but there’s a bunch of potential with this group. Even the DWTS elder, Mrs. Brady, moved better than I’d given her credit for. Sometimes she even moved better than the Hoff. I guess all that crime fighting as Michael Knight and life guarding as Mitch Buchannon took a toll on David Hasselhoff’s bod.

Here’s a quick synopsis of Week 1.

• Audrina Patridge – Pro partner Tony Dovolani is thanking the dancing gods. Audrina has a slim chance at the Mirrorball trophy but at least listens to her partner.
• Brandy – focused
• Bristol Palin – office clerk who’s in the spotlight but is not comfortable with the spotlight.
• Jennifer Grey – didn’t recognize her as Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing. Could go very far with the Patrick Swayze sentiment.
• Kurt Warner – bringing his leadership to the floor and smoother than expected, but can he salsa?
• Kyle Massey – my favorite from Week 1. This chubby cherub can rock!
• Margaret Cho – probably gonna upset the judges one or two more times before elimination.
• Michael Bolton – meh, liked him better with his long locks.
• Mike Sorrentino – Karina Smirnoff is going to break The Situation.
• Rick Fox – he’s dating Eliza Dushku? He divorced Vanessa Williams in 2005? Wow, I’m out of touch. Cheryl Burke gotta like her chances of winning another one.

Here’s Kyle Massey rocking the cha cha cha.

And surprisingly, the Hoff was eliminated in Week 1. Yes, his dancing was bad, but I thought his fame would carry him for a bit.

Let’s see, the conclusion of Season 1 of The Gates should have recorded on Sunday. It ain’t a bad show, kinda a poor man’s Underworld but in a modern context where you’re the unusual one if you’re not a mythical creature.

For Monday, Hawaii Five-O premieres (in HD!!) along with Season 11 of Dancing with the Stars (also in HD!!).

Tuesday showcases Glee and even more DWTS.

On Wednesday, the behind-the-scenes Top Chef episode is followed by Top Chef: Just Desserts.

Hawaii’s Andy South and Ivy Higa continue their Project Runway journey on Thursday, and Mililani’s Maggie Q takes on the Division on Nikita. Grey’s Anatomy kicks off after a monstrous season finale.

Then it’s Friday and the weekend when I can watch all these hours of great television. Tivo, don’t fail me now!