It comes as no surprise that Nicole Scherzinger, Evan Lysacek and Erin Andrews are the three finalists vying to win ” Dancing With the Stars.” (What, you were expecting Kate Gosselin?)
Scherzinger practically dances for a living: the pop group she fronts, the Pussycat Dolls, started out as a tightly choreographed burlesque troupe. Lysacek is a champion figure skater, joining “DWTS” fresh off his gold medal triumph on the ice at the Vancouver Winter Games. And Andrews, a sideline reporter for ESPN and ABC, took jazz and tap classes as a child and was a member of a dance team at the University of Florida.
Scherzinger and Lysacek have been among the top scorers in the ballroom all season. Last week, Andrews joined them, earning a 29 out of a possible 30 for her habanero-hot paso doble.
But history has a funny way of unleveling the playing field — and “DWTS” history favors one of the three finalists. Consider the following:
TV personalities rarely win: The only two “DWTS” winners who made their living in front of the camera are inaugural champion Kelly Monaco, a soap opera star, and Season 7 champ Brooke Burke, now a show co-host with Tom Bergeron.
Advantage: Scherzinger, Lysacek.
Pop stars have no luck: Drew Lachey (if you consider him a bona fide pop star) and Donny Osmond are the only pop stars to bag the “DWTS” mirror ball trophy. Chances are, if high schoolers were hanging your posters on their walls, you’re likely finishing second (Spice Girl Mel B) or third (‘N Sync’s Lance Bass).
Advantage: Lysacek, Andrews.
Olympians dominate: Including race-car driver Helio Castroneves, a professional athlete or Olympian has won five times in nine seasons. Two of those Olympians — Apolo Ohno and Kristi Yamaguchi — wear ice skates at their day jobs.
Advantage: Lysacek.
It helps to have a Hough: Brother and sister professional dancers Julianne Hough and Derek Hough have been partnered with a winning star three times; Scherzinger is paired with the saucy Derek Hough. Andrews’ partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and Lysacek’s partner, Anna Trebunskaya, have yet to share in a win.
Advantage: Scherzinger.
Guys get votes? Men hold a slight edge in the winner’s circle, with five victories to four for the ladies. But last season witnessed pop star Mya, the top-scoring performer throughout the competition, upended in the finale by the, er, slower-footed Osmond.
Advantage: Lysacek.
Prediction: The tallies don’t lie. Fortune is smiling on Lysacek to win Season 10.
‘Dancing With the Stars’
8 p.m. Eastern Monday and Tuesday, ABC
