Dancing with the Stars Finale and Predictions

Mel Brown, a.k.a. Scary Spice, and Maksim Chmerkovskiy topped the leader board after Monday night's finale, edging out NASCAR champion Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough by one point, but their lightweight freestyle routine may have cost them the top spot. Helio and Julianne's complex, stunt filled routine likely launched them into the top spot.

Mel, with her partner Maksim, earned 55 points out of a possible 60 for their cha cha and freestyle routines during Monday's competition. While their freestyle routine was the most artistic of the evening, it was light on the type of content, namely intricate footwork, lifts, and spins, which could have cinched the championship for Mel and Maks. Overall, the judges agreed that Mel's final routine did not showcase everything that she could do as a dancer.

Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough earned 54 points for their jive and freestyle routine but Helio's last impression will earn him the championship. Len Goodman called the last dance the "best freestyle of the evening." With plenty of crowd-pleasing stunts, up beat music, and flashy costumes Helio and Julianne left a strong final impression that will surely be with the viewers when they cast their votes.

Marie Osmond and Jonathan Roberts trailed behind the leaders with 46 points for their samba and wind-up doll freestyle routine. Unfortunately, the wind up doll never transformed from awkward doll into championship winning dancer. All three of the judges conceded that the dance just didn't work, and it is likely that the viewing audience will agree. While Marie's strong fan support has brought her to the finales, despite lower scores, it is doubtful that she will have enough support to compensate for her weak performance.

Last week, head judge Len Goodman indirectly chastised the voters for playing favorites and not voting based on the performances. After it had been announced that Marie, who had the lowest score, was not in the bottom two, Len was asked which of the two remaining contestants, Helio and Jennie Garth, would likely be voted off of the competition, he replied "the best dancers should be in the finals." He went on to say that both Helio and Jennie should be in the finals. Jennie was ultimately voted off.

Tonight, one pair of dancers will be eliminated at the beginning of the competition. Celine Dion will be the featured performer for the finale and all of the stars will have one last turn on the dance floor. The remaining two dancers will then perform their favorite dance of the season and based on their performances, the judges will ultimately decide who the winner of the competition will be.