Bass, Braxton Join Dancing With the Stars

And it's not the only TV finale drawing eyeballs this week

(NEWSER) - It's starting to look like Americans haven't moved from the couch all week. Early numbers show yesterday's finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show drew the most viewers it has had in 17 years. The final episode—which featured no guests , but rather a personal conversation between Oprah, her studio audience ... and millions watching at home—garnered a 13.3 household rating in the nation's metered markets, according to Nielsen. The last time an Oprah episode had a number that high was back in February 1994—"People Shed Their Disguises" featured Oprah confronting guests about their questionable outward appearances. More»

James Hibberd explains why we love them

(NEWSER) - Sure, some reality shows are undeniably awful (Keeping Up With the Kardashians, anyone?) yet ridiculously popular. But there are other, less trainwrecky shows that manage to succeed—in spite of the fact that they really sound like they shouldn’t. James Hibberd offers up the top five in the Hollywood Reporter, courtesy of Reuters :

• Undercover Boss: “This show has been like some kind of media relations magic trick—corporate PR porn during a recession.” Well, everyone loves a “cathartic feel-good resolution.”

Former majority leader can't fall back on political tricks

(NEWSER) - Tom DeLay had some clever moves to help him become majority leader—but his bag of tricks won’t help him much on the dance floor. In Newsweek, Katie Connolly lists a few techniques Dancing With the Stars fans won’t stand for. He can’t:

• Redistrict to score more votes. That might have worked in Texas, but “Unfortunately for DeLay, this electorate isn't easily gerrymandered.”

(NEWSER) - Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is competing on Dancing With the Stars, and with the right kind of support, he just might win, David Zeiler writes in the Baltimore Sun. Woz’s appearance on the show could animate the Apple faithful to actually watch and vote, and “win it for the geeks,” Zeiler writes. Plus, “he looks good in a pink shirt.” More»

Leachman, 82, high-kicks—and kicks ass—on Dancing With the Stars

(NEWSER) - At 82, actress Cloris Leachman is a surprise hit on the current season of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, the New York Times notes, having outlasted sex-tape ingénue Kim Kardashian and others. The Oscar winner, who has a Tarantino film and more waiting in the wings, did the reality show as a lark—but says she had to beg to get on. More»