Ox Notes: November 28, 2007

Carrie Ann Inaba told TV Guide that Maksim Chmerkovskiy underwent Dancing with the Stars 5's biggest transformation thanks to his partner, Melanie Brown: "She changed him! Talk about girl power?" Bruno Tonioli said that, despite the upbeat air Maks was putting on for the press when talking about his second place finish, "He's devastated."

In case any Maks fans need any cheering up today, OK! Magazine's website has a picture of Maks wearing only a towel.

A poll at People.com wants to know if you think the right person won this season of Dancing with the Stars.

Now it's time to get worked up about the casting for DwtS 6. Marie Osmond says that producers have talked to her brother, Donny, about competing on the show (Noooo!). And MOIB reader Amy noted in the Finale Results thread that Derek Hough told TMZ he may be paired with Florence Henderson. I'd love to see Derek make the finals, and that won't happen if he's paired with 73-year-old Mrs. Brady.

An article at Zap2It notes that, even if the writers strike ended today, most scripted shows wouldn't go back into production until 2008. That's good news for reality show production houses like Endemol, who stand to reap major rewards from a prolonged shutdown.

In other reality show news, Simon Cowell is looking to unite the winners of national versions of the Got Talent franchise for a World's Got Talent competition.

Ahead of tonight's episode of Project Runway, here's a TV Guide interview with auf'd designer, Marion Lee.

This UPI article mentions what shows the 2008 presidential candidates watch in between their seemingly daily debates on CNN. Barack Obama has the good taste to watch The Wire, the fourth season of which comes out on DVD December 4.

Finally, the Food Network has canceled the long-running Emeril Live, although the chef will stay on with the network for special programs. First they whack Mario Batali, and now Emeril. What gives?