(S02E11) “Chuck vs. the Santa Claus”

In a random “only on Chuck” moment, the Buy More finds itself home to a high speed chase crash with Ned the supposed “good guy” robber holding everyone timidly hostage while looking to Chuck for advice. Besides friends and his government protection in danger, sister Ellie and future brother-in-law Captain Awesome are also at the Buy More previous to it’s opening to the general public, hoping, as so many of us do, to find a few good deals and last minute gifts the day before Christmas.

As our story unfolds we learn that Ned isn’t as hopeless as he once appeared and is instead a fulcrum agent working with the crime scene “negotiator” to determine A) where Bryce is located at and B) where the intersect is. With Sarah and Casey going out of their way and even losing an appendage in the process of keeping Chuck safe it’s not hard to see who they’ve been protecting. Unknowing that their covers been blown they leave Chuck in the Buy More with the bad guys when offered out as a hostage swap.

Knowing exactly what matters most to Chuck the fulcrum agents are easily able to determine exactly how valuable he is and why when they give him the option of either sharing what he knows or watching his sister die.

All’s well that ends well though and in Chuck we’re guaranteed that things always end well where good and evil are concerned. Therefore it should come as no surprise that Sarah, Casey and Chuck are able to first escape then take down the bad guys (with a little help from the Buy More crew) and end with their lives, if not relationships, in tact for Christmas.

I do so love a happy ending.

Brooke Burke and Derek Hough are this season’s “Dancing with the Stars” champions. Did you really think someone else was going home with that mirrored trophy?

The real surprise was Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson in second place and Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer taking third place.

All season Warren was given credit for his great charm but terrible technical abilities. This is “DANCING with the Stars.” Lance and Lacey deserved better. They pushed the limits, brought new ideas and danced their way to the finals.

Each of the couples performed a dance from a previous week. Warren and Kym earned straight 9’s with their reprise of their hustle to “Funky Town.” Lance and Lacey scored a 28 with their jitterbug to “Jim Dandy to the Rescue.” 

Brooke and Derek scored a perfect 30 with their encore performance of the Viennese waltz. The emotional dance brought tears to many eyes, including Brooke’s husband.

Along with the multiple recaps of the season, many of the stars returned with dances. You can see how much the dancing has improved.

Performances by Alicia Keyes and Miley Cyrus kept the crowd jumping. Jeffery Ross roasted the three finalists.

And of course, Crazy Cloris returned. It was nice to see our old friend.

All in all, it was an enjoyable evening of television.

Who will take home the mirror ball trophy for Season 7 of “Dancing with the Stars”?

After 9 long weeks of competition, the choice comes down to Brooke Burke, arguably the best dancer, Warren Sapp, allegedly the best entertainer, and Lance Bass, certainly the one who is hitting his stride.

The three finalists danced a combined samba with solos for each couple. Warren does seem to be dancing more and actually moving his feet. Brooke was great as always, and Lance was holding his own.

Each couple then performed a solo, freestyle dance.

Brooke and Derek Hough brought their A-game in their “Grease” inspired dance to “You’re the One That I Want.” With lifts, spins and a costume change, the number was fantastic. Judge Len Goodman (you know, the usually cranky one) actually described it as “the best freestyle dance I have ever seen.”

Their perfect score of 30 for the freestyle dance added to the 28 they scored on the samba put Brooke and Derek in their favorite spot — the top of the leader board.

Lance with partner Lacey Schwimmer decided on hip hop for their freestyle dance to “It’s Tricky.” It had the audience hopping, but without lifts it couldn’t knock Brooke out of first place. Lance and Lacey scored straight 9s. Add that to their samba score of 26, and they were in second place with 53.

Joining Lance and Lacey in a tie for second place, Warren and partner Kym Johnson did an Ike and Tina Turner number to “Proud Mary.” It was a fun dance with a lot of action (including pieces of Kym’s costume flying around the room).

The freestyle dance earned Warren and Kim a 28 from the judges, including a 10 from Len for pure entertainment value. Len wasn’t in that good of a mood when he gave Warren a 7 for the samba earlier in the evening (the couple scored a 25 total).

Tuesday night’s season finale promises another dance from the couples, dancers from throughout the season and a performance by Miley Cyrus.

Plus, that seriously reflective trophy will be going home with one of the finalists.

The teenage girls couldn’t save Cody Linley and Julianne Hough. The couple was eliminated from “Dancing with the Stars” this week.

The 18-year-old “Hannah Montana” star was gracious and showered Julianne with praise. He really did seem to grow up in the last few weeks.

When ABC calls a show the Semi-Finals Extravaganza, they aren’t kidding. It was a music- and dance-packed night. 

Aretha Franklin nearly brought down the house during her performances. John Legend and Leona Lewis added to the excitement.

The studio audience went crazy for the return to the dance floor of Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas. And the crowd cheered dancer Julianne Hough on as she sang a song from her debut album.

Brooke Burke, Lance Bass and Warren Sapp are the final three for next week’s season ender. Who will hold that shiny, shiny, shiny trophy?

It was like hell froze over, pigs could fly and who knows what else was happening in the ballroom of “Dancing with the Stars.”

That’s how shocking it was to watch Brooke Burke and Derek Hough open the show with a terrible jive to “The House is Rockin.’”

Brooke slipped up early and couldn’t recover in what judge Len Goodman described as a disaster.

The couple earned three 7s, and it was not “winner, winner, chicken dinner.”

It’s the semi-finals on “Dancing” and I guess it really is anyone’s game. Until this dance, I thought Brooke and Derek had the trophy in hand weeks ago.

Thankfully, the couples each performed two dances. Brooke and Derek redeemed themselves with a near-perfect salsa that kept them from the bottom of the judges’ leader board with a 49 total.

This was Lance Bass’ and Lacey Schwimmer’s night. Their mambo to “Straight To … Number One” was amazing, earning them 28 points (including a 10 from judge Carrie Ann Inaba).

The couple topped that dance up with a jitterbug to “Jim Dandy to the Rescue.” Their sailor outfits, high-energy dance cost Lance one of his shoes but he just kept going. His grandfather who was in the audience must be very proud.

Lance and Lacey racked up the 10s. They received two more for their jitterbug giving them first place for the night with 57 out of 60.

Tied at 49 with Brooke and Derek for second, Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson danced a casino-night mambo to “Tequila,” earning themselves a 24.

They followed that up with a jitterbug to “That Old Black Magic” that earned them a score of 25. 

Am I the only one who thinks the judges cut Warren a lot of slack? Every week, all three of the judges complain about his lack of technique and yet he’s never at the bottom of the scoreboard. The judges hit other dancers much harder for technique, but Warren “gets away with murder” according to judge Bruno Tonioli.

Once again at the bottom of the leader board, Cody Linley and Julianne Hough find themselves battling to hang on another week.

This week the couple performed a military style paso doble to “Le Disko” that earned them a 22.

Their salsa was slightly better for three 8s, leaving them with a score of 46 for the evening.

Tomorrow’s results show promises a jam-packed evening of music and dancing. Aretha Franklin, John Legend and Dancing’s own Julianne Hough will perform. Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas will return to the dance floor.

Soon there will be only three for next week’s finale. The only person we know will be there is Miley Cyrus. She’ll be performing her song “Fly on the Wall.”

* Just to keep up-to-date on the “Dancing with the Stars” sick bay: Cloris Leachman was reported as being hospitalized for pneumonia, but her spokesperson said it was just a cough and the 82-year-old star is expected to tape something for “Dancing with the Stars” this week. If you can’t get enough of Crazy Cloris, she’ll also be the grand marshal of the 2009 Rose Parade.

“Hanna Montana” star Miley Cyrus will be performing on the Nov. 25th season finale of ABC’s mega-hit “Dancing with the Stars” according to TV Guide. During the two-hour finale Cyrus is expected to sing her single “Fly on the Wall”.

You can also find Miley this weekend in Disney’s “Bolt”.

There will be no “winner, winner, chicken dinner” for Maurice Green this season on “Dancing with the Stars.” He and partner Cheryl Burke were voted off this week.

Maurice was a true gentleman and enjoyed a bit of a dance with his daughter as his last dance.

It will be Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer; Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson; Brooke Burke and Derek Hough; and Cody Linley and Julianne Hough in the semi-finals next week.

This week, our dancing duos were subjected to couples therapy with Dr. Drew. The good doctor met with each of the teams, offering advice and even making Cody and Julianne cry. You forget how really young Cody is.

Julianne was back just two weeks after undergoing surgery to remove her appendix. She jumped right in with a viewer’s choice jive with her brother Derek to “Great Balls of Fire.”

Brad Paisley performed twice. Lacey and her brother Benjie dancing to one number, and a group of the professional dancers performing to promote the “Dancing with the Stars Tour.” 

Just two weeks left until one talented couple will be going home with a trophy.

Judge Len Goodman’s knickers are in a serious knot. He was just a cranky old man tonight. Now, I know he’s the toughest judge usually, but does he have to be so surly?

Host Tom Bergeron had to cut him off at one point when he was berating Brooke Burke for her footwork: “We’re only a 90-minute show, Len.”

You might not know it from Len’s remarks, but the couples are getting better each week.

Tonight’s show had two performances from each of the celebrities — a ballroom dance and a Latin number. That much-hyped “solo dance” turned out to be 15 seconds of solo dancing during the Latin dance.

After the two performances, Brooke Burke and Derek Hough topped the judges’ leaderboard with 55 points out of 60.

For the ballroom portion, Brooke and Derek performed a beautiful tango earning two 10s and an 8 (from Len of course).  

Their mambo to “Cuban Mambo” earned them straight 9s. You would have thought that the way Brooke spent her 15 seconds of solo dancing (shaking her assets right in front of the judges) would have earned at least one 10 from judge Bruno Tonioli.

In second place by only one point are Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson with 54. They tangoed to Henry Mancini’s “Peter Gunn,” earning themselves a 10 from judge Carrie Ann Inaba and 9s from Len and Bruno.

Warren and Kym jived to Ray Charles’ “Hallelujah I love Her So” and scored 26 for their lively number. Warren did a great job with his 15 seconds of solo action.

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer took third with 50 points. Their foxtrot to “Sweet Pea” earned them 26, but their samba to “1 Thing” scored a 7, an 8 and a 9 with the judges. Are we sure the judges were all watching the same dance? And can you guess who gave them a 7?

Tied at the bottom of the judges leaderboard with 48 points are Maurice Green and Cheryl Burke with Cody Linley and Edyta Sliwisnka. 

Maurice and Cheryl danced a quick step to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and earned straight 8s from the judges. Their paso doble to “Let It Rock” earned the same score despite the judges’ effusive praise. Maurice did an impressive solo cape swirling for his 15 seconds.

Cody and Edyta foxtrotted to “Call Me Irresponsible.” Jude Carrie Ann called them on an illegal lift. The couples’ mambo to “My Way” ended with Cody’s 15 seconds of solo work and his leap onto the judges’ table.

Who will go home tomorrow night? I’m not sure. We can hope Len goes home. That nice Michael Flatley could return.

Brad Paisley performs on the results show, as well as Julianne Hough who will be returning after her appendectomy. Dr. Drew will be visiting with some analysis of our dancing couples.

Susan Lucci and partner Tony Dovolani were eliminated from “Dancing with the Stars” tonight. At least Susan will be able to cut down on the New York/Los Angeles commute.

It wasn’t a big surprise or terribly painful. Susan was quite gracious in her praise of the show and her partner Tony. But it’s past the half way mark in the season and she was still stiff and deliberate on the dance floor. The judges and the viewers made the right choice this week.

Team Paso Doble returned with their powerful team dance tonight. Macy’s Stars of Dance performed a magic-themed number (with a lot of fog). Lionel Ritchie was a guest, singing two songs (”Good Morning” from his new album and “Dancing on the Ceiling”).

Kenny Mayne and Jerry Rice enjoyed some fun with judge Len Goodman as they brought back “Dance Center.” It’s filler, but it’s funny.

In the producers’ continuing effort to tinker with a show that really doesn’t need tinkering: Dancers will perform solo dances next week as well as the couples dance.

Does anyone really think that Brooke Burke and Derek Hough aren’t going to win this season’s “Dancing with the Stars”?

There shouldn’t be any doubts after tonight’s perfect perfomance — given a 10 by all three judges. Brooke’s foxtrot to “Lullaby of Birdland” was, as judge Bruno Tonioli described it, “gobsmacking, beautiful, brilliant performance from start to finish.”

In a battle for second place, it was Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer versus Maurice Green and Cheryl Burke. Both teams earned scores of 25 for their individual dances, but those weren’t the only scores for our dancers this week.

The couples were divided into two teams for judged group dances (Team Cha Cha and Team Paso Doble) and the results rumbled through the scoreboard.

Performing to “Mercy,” Team Cha Cha (Lance Bass, Cody Linley and Susan Lucci with partners) tried, but the dance was uncoordinated, sloppy and not well put together. Even excellent dancing by Lance and Lacey couldn’t earn Team Cha Cha more than a 20 from the judges.

Team Paso Doble (otherwise known as the best dancers on the show) consisted of Brooke Burke, Maurice Green and Walter Sapps with their professional partners. Their dance to “Get Your Rocks Off” was amazing — a true show stopper.

Team Paso Doble’s score of 29 gave Maurice Green and Cheryl Burke second place this week. For their individual dance, they performed an excellent cha cha to “Cupid Shuffle.”

The team dance rescued Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson from last place this week. Performing a foxtrot to “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby?”, the couple earned only a 21 in the individual dance, but combined with the Team Paso Doble score it put them in third place.

Lance and Lacey performed a sensual, barefoot rumba to “Your Body is a Wonderland.” Judge Len Goodman didn’t get it, but their “Barefoot in the Park” number was a beautiful out-of-the-ordinary take on a standard dance. Instead of being in a tie for second place, Team Cha Cha’s low score knocked Lance and Lacey to fourth place.

Susan Lucci and Tony Dovalani earned a 24 from the judges for their paso doble but combined with the team score the couple found themselves in fifth place.

At the bottom of the scoreboard were Cody Linley and Edyta Sliwinska (substituting for the recovering Julianne Hough). Week 7 is a little late in the competition to pair up with a new partner and then to have to perform the Viennese waltz, it was too much. Cody and Edyta earned a 22 from the judges for their dance to “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman.” 

And just so you don’t think this week was pain free: Maurice Green hyper-extended his leg and Brooke Burke is still nursing her injured foot.

Who’s going home? We won’t know until Wednesday this week.