Just hours before Tuesday's finale of "Dancing with the Stars," host Tom Bergeron answered some of our toughest questions. Do romances ever occur behind the scenes? (Yes, he confesses -- they're called "showmances.") What was the most frantic moment ever on the show? Which celebrity would he like most to perform in the future?

Watch the video below to see those answers plus more. You can scroll through the chat box to see the questions he addressed from our posters.

Bergeron is a frequent Emmy nominee. He nabbed two bids for hosting "Dancing with the Stars" and two for producing the contender for best reality TV competition show. He cohosted the prime-time ceremony in 2008 with Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Jeff Probst and Ryan Seacrest. In 2000, he won the Daytime Emmy for hosting "Hollywood Squares."

Click HERE to view our video chat with Tom Bergeron.

The "Dancing With the Stars" lineup for season 10 includes newly crowned Olympic figure skating champion Evan Lysacek. Three other Olympic champs have waltzed off with the top prize on this reality show -- speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno (season 4), figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi (season 6) and gymnast Shawn Johnson (season 8). But none of their Olympic gold rubbed off on the show, which has failed to win the Emmy Award for choreography for four years running.

In 2006, "Dancing With the Stars" had three nominations in the choreography category but lost to "High School Musical." In 2007, there was a three-way tie as "So You Think You Can Dance" took two Emmys and "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" also won, leaving "Dancing With the Stars" the sole loser. And in both 2008 and 2009, "So You Think You Can Dance" repeated, albeit with just one win each time and sharing the most recent victory with the 81st annual Academy Awards.

Over its first four years of Emmy eligibility, "Dancing With the Stars" managed only five technical wins from its 33 nominations. Besides that embarrassing shutout in the choreography category, the show has lost the reality competition title four years running to "The Amazing Race." And "Dancing with the Stars" emcee Tom Bergeron has lost the first two Emmy races for reality show host to Jeff Probst of "Survivor."

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Photo: Evan Lysacek. Credit: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

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"Dancing With the Stars" crowned its newest — and youngest — champ last night when Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, 17, edged out "Sex and the City" stud Gilles Marini to win Season 8. Last-minute addition "The Bachelor"-jilted Melissa Rycroft came in third place. All three scored top marks for their routines from the panel of judges with the viewer vote making the difference. With such strong performances this year, perhaps this show can finally win the Emmy Award for choreography.

After all, the two women in the final three both came to the dancefest with a talent for toe-tapping. Shawn Johnson won gold at the 2008 Olympics and was the 2007 world champion gymnast. And before we got to know Melissa Rycroft as one of the women vying for Jason Mesnick's attentions on "The Bachelor," she performed with the renowned Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. As for Gilles Marini, he certainly made all the right moves on Kim Cattrall in the big-screen version of "Sex and the City."

Surprising as it seems, this celebrity dance-off has lost the choreography Emmy for three years running. In 2006, "Dancing With the Stars" had three noms in the category but lost to "High School Musical." In 2007, there was a three-way tie as "So You Think You Can Dance" took two Emmys and "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" also won, leaving "Dancing With the Stars" the sole loser. Last year, "So You Think You Can Dance" repeated, albeit with just one win.

Over those first three years of Emmy eligibility, "Dancing With the Stars" managed only four technical wins from its 23 nominations. Besides that embarrassing shutout in the choreography category, the show has lost the reality competition title three years running to "The Amazing Race." And last September, "Dancing with the Stars" emcee Tom Bergeron lost the first Emmy race for reality show host to Jeff Probst of "Survivor."

"Dancing With the Stars" returns tonight with two last-minute replacements in the lineup. Out of the running are singer Jewel and "Access Hollywood" host Nancy O'Dell, both sidelined with injuries. The first new addition — former pinup Holly Madison ("The Girls Next Door") — has certain obvious attributes that will appeal to certain viewers. However, it is the other substitution — "The Bachelor"-jilted Melissa Rycroft — who could be the lucky 13th contestant for the show.

You see, Melissa Rycroft has a hidden talent that could become the key to this dancefest finally winning the one Emmy Award you'd think would be its almost automatically — choreography. Before we got to know this charmer as one of the women vying for Jason Mesnick's attentions on "The Bachelor," Rycroft performed with the renowned Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

Melissa Rycroft and Holly Madison join singers (Belinda Carlisle, Lil' Kim and Chuck Wicks), athletes (gymnast Shawn Johnson, rodeo rider Ty Murray and ex-NFLer Lawrence Taylor), and actors (David Alan Grier, Gilles Marini and Denise Richards) as well as oddball Steve-O and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Surprising as it seems, this celebrity dance-off has lost the choreography Emmy three years running. In 2006, "Dancing with the Stars" had three noms in the category but lost to "High School Musical." In 2007, there was a three-way tie as "So You Think You Can Dance" took two Emmys and "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" also won, leaving "Dancing With the Stars" the sole loser. Last year, "So You Think You Can Dance" repeated, albeit with just one win.

Over those first three years of Emmy eligibility, "Dancing with the Stars" has managed only four technical wins from its 23 nominations. Besides that embarrassing shutout in the choreography category, the show has lost the reality competition title three years running to "The Amazing Race." And last September, "Dancing with the Stars" emcee Tom Bergeron lost the first Emmy race for reality show host to Jeff Probst of "Survivor."

Rumor has it that the judges of these reality competition shows will be getting their own category at the next Emmy Awards. When we polled you in September about which judge of "Dancing with the Stars" deserved to claim this new prize, you overwhelmingly went with Bruno Tonioli. He reaped slightly more than half of the 1,348 votes cast in our "Dancing with the Stars" poll, followed by 29% for Len Goodman and 20% for Carrie Ann Inaba. Wil these three cut the under-rehearsed Rycroft and Madison any slack tonight? Stay tuned.

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Photo: ABC

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"Dancing With the Stars" returns March 9 on ABC. The just announced lineup of celebrities should generate enough star power among them to make this eighth season another ratings winner -- and perhaps a serious Emmy Awards contender. There are a quartet of singers (Belinda Carlisle, Jewel, Lil' Kim and Chuck Wicks), three athletes (gymnast Shawn Johnson, rodeo rider Ty Murray and ex-NFLer Lawrence Taylor) and actors (David Alan Grier, Gilles Marini, and Denise Richards). Rounding out the roster are oddball Steve-O, "Access Hollywood" anchor Nancy O'Dell and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Will any of these lucky 13 prove so sure-footed that they can finally win "Dancing With the Stars" the Emmy for choreography? Shockingly, this dancefest has lost that award three years running. In 2006, "Dancing with the Stars" had three noms in the category but lost to "High School Musical." In 2007, there was a three-way tie as "So You Think You Can Dance" took two Emmys and "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" also won, leaving "Dancing With the Stars" the sole loser. Last year, "So You Think You Can Dance" repeated, albeit with just one win.

Over three years of Emmy eligibility, "Dancing with the Stars" has managed only four technical wins from its 23 nominations. Besides that embarrassing shut-out in the choreography category, the show has lost the reality competition title three years running to "The Amazing Race." And in September, "Dancing with the Stars" emcee Tom Bergeron lost the first Emmy race for reality show host to Jeff Probst of "Survivor."

Rumor has it that the judges of these reality competition shows will be getting their own category at the next Emmys. When we polled you in September about which judge of "Dancing with the Stars" deserved to claim this new prize, you overwhelmingly went with Bruno Tonioli. He reaped slightly more than half of the 1,348 votes cast in our "Dancing with the Stars" poll, followed by 29% for Len Goodman and 20% for Carrie Ann Inaba.

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Photo: ABC

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The news that Donny Osmond is to compete on the upcoming eighth season of "Dancing With the Stars" prompts the question: Should the Emmy Awards add a new category for best reality show contestant? After all, the hosts of reality fare just got an Emmy category last year — "DWTS" emcee Tom Bergeron lost to Jeff Probst of "Survivor" — and there's a pretty solid rumor that the judges of these shows will get their own new category at the next Emmy smackdown. But, come on, the competitors make these shows so irresistibly watchable. They are not Emmy eligible. That's an outrage!

Marie Osmond delivered some of the more "memorable" moments on TV last year with her appearance on Season 5 of the celebrity dance-off. Who can forget her baby doll routine, try as they might, or her fainting spell? During a taping of daytime talker "The Bonnie Hunt Show," their put-upon sibling rivalry was on display.

Donny Osmond told Bonnie Hunt, "Who do you think taught her how to dance?"

Marie Osmond replied, "I just want to see him in stretchy pants!"

Donny Osmond admitted, "It is going to be very difficult because I am going to be doing Vegas on top of doing 'Dancing With the Stars.' "

Donny and Marie Osmond are currently starring in a variety show reminiscent of their 1970s TV series at the Flamingo Hotel.

At the Emmy Awards, "Dancing With the Stars" has received 23 nominations, but managed only four technical wins. Unbelievably, this superhit dancefest has failed to win the Emmy for best choreography! In 2006, it had three noms in the category but lost to "High School Musical." In 2007 there was a three-way tie as "So You Think You Can Dance" took two Emmys and "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" also won, leaving "Dancing With the Stars" the sole loser. And last year, "So You Think You Can Dance" waltzed off with another win. "Dancing With the Stars" has also lost the reality competition category three years running to "The Amazing Race."

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Photo: Flamingo Hotel and Casino

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While Brooke Burke waltzed off with the win in the seventh-season finale of "Dancing with the Stars," it is one of her three judges who could end up as an Emmy champ. Next fall, the judges of reality shows are slated to get their own Emmy category. Last September, show emcee Tom Bergeron lost the first-ever Emmy Award for reality host to Jeff Probst of "Survivor." While there are no judges on "Survivor," any or all of the "DWTS" trio could face strong competition from that triumvirate who sits in judgment on "American Idol."

Soon after this season of "DWTS" launched, Gold Derby readers favored feisty Bruno Tonioli as the likely winner of this new award, and he reaped slightly more than half of the 1,348 votes cast in our poll. His fellow judges lagged far behind, with Len Goodman registering 29% and Carrie Anne Inaba managing only 20% support. Throughout the ensuing weeks, all three judges have proven themselves to be every bit as entertaining as the celebrities who are dancing to impress them. And remember — the Emmy judges will be judging these judges based upon a sample of their work.

Goodman and Tonioli enthusiastically backed Burke from the start as a potential champ, and the public followed suit. Any of those rhapsodic reviews of her fancy footwork would make for a fine Emmy submission. However, on many of those shows, they were equally dismissive of Cloris Leachman. As the all-time Emmy winner rallied enough votes to last seven weeks before being eliminated, their comments could be construed as bad sportsmanship.

Indeed, on this fall's edition of the original British version of the show, "Strictly Come Dancing," these two judges railed continually against one contestant -- former BBC news anchor John Sergeant -- to no avail. The 64-year-old with two left feet proved to be the people's favorite and was kept in week after week by the public vote, despite low marks from the judges. Faced with overwhelming criticism from the panel and daunted by the prospect he might actually win, Sergeant withdrew from the show last week. The ensuing scandal tarnished the reputation of the reality show in old Blighty as going against the wishes of the audience. Luckily for Goodman and Tonioli, the American viewers went with the woman they thought to be the winner all along.

Photo: Associated Press

Gold Derby nuggets are so precious that they're not — don't fret — getting buried or going away, but you should make a point of checking out The Feinberg Files blog by my Envelope colleague Scott Feinberg on a daily basis. Starting today, he's doing frequent updates of links to other valuable kudos news around the Web. Between us and Pete Hammond (Notes on a Season), we have the awards beat thoroughly covered here at The Envelope.

• In June 2007, Cloris Leachman was feuding with her old pal Mel Brooks when he refused to let her reprise her 1974 film role as Frau Blucher in the legit version of "Young Frankenstein." At the time, Brooks, a mere 59 days younger than the then-81-year-old dynamo, told Variety's Army Archerd, "We're afraid the show might stop her — it could kill her. We don't want her to die on stage." He went with two decades younger Andrea Martin who ended up nabbing a Tony nod for her efforts. Now, following Leachman's triumphant turn on "Dancing With the Stars" comes word that Brooks is convinced she can handle the rigors of the role and the Oscar winner and all-time Emmy champ may well be returning to the rialto for the first time in almost half a century. Leachman's renewed celebrity could certainly boost sales for the show that failed to repeat the success of "The Producers," the first screen-to-stage transfer for Brooks which won a record 12 Tonys in 2001. Newsweek

• Long before Jane Fonda won two Oscars ("Klute," 1971; "Coming Home," 1978) and an Emmy ("The Dollmaker," 1984), she was a Tony nominee for her 1961 Broadway debut in "There Was a Little Girl." She lost the featured actress in a play race to Anne Revere for "Toys in the Attic." Next season, Fonda, 70, returns to the rialto for the first time in 45 years in "33 Variations," a new play by Moises Kaufman ("The Laramie Project"). As per the press notes, the piece "tells the story of Beethoven's fascination with a trivial waltz, and the modern-day musicologist Katherine Brandt (Jane Fonda) who sets out to discover the root of his obsession. As Beethoven's indisputable genius and delightful humanity come to life on the sheet music in front of her, Katherine not only reveals the true nature of his gift, but also comes to embrace the beauty and legacy of her own life." While other movie stars have fared only fairly on Broadway, Fonda has the stage pedigree that could well earn her a Tony and make her the next triple crown acting winner. Playbill

• Back in 1950, "All About Eve" earned a record 14 Oscar nominations and won six including best picture and a pair for writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Next Monday, an all-star cast will present a staged reading of the screenplay in Gotham to benefit the Actors Fund. Taking on the part of aging actress Margo Channing — one that earned Bette Davis her ninth nod — will be three-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening. Bening will joined by a host of award winners, including Tony champs Brian Bedford as snide theater columnist Addison DeWitt (George Sanders won the film's only acting Oscar), Angela Lansbury as Birdy the mouthy maid (Thelma Ritter originally), and Cynthia Nixon as less-than-loyal friend Karen (Celeste Holm in the film). Actors Fund

• Anne Thompson of Variety dishes about her chat with "Che" helmer Steven Soderbergh at the AFI Fest this past weekend. She queried the Oscar winning director ("Traffic") about the inspiration for his upcoming 3-D tuner version of the story of Cleopatra (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Marc Antony (Hugh Jackman). He told her that he hoped to recreate the look and feel of Rita Hayworth in "Gilda." Variety

• Cynthia Littleton of Variety reports a "big shakeup on the staff of NBC's 'Heroes' came down on Sunday with the axing of co-exec producers Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb. Both scribe-producers had been with the show since its first season and were known to have led the day-to-day production operation under the direction of creator/exec producer Tim Kring. The sci-fi show was a breakout hit two seasons ago, landing eight Emmy nods including a bid for best drama series (it lost to the final season of "The Sopranos") and a nom for Masi Oka (he lost supporting actor to Terry O'Quinn of "Lost"). Following a sophomore season slump that yielded only three technical Emmy nods, and then an extended hiatus due to the writers strike, the series has struggled in the ratings this season. Can a change behind the scenes turn this one-time hit show into a winner again? Variety

(20th Century Fox, Sony, ABC)

While Cloris Leachman may have exited "Dancing with the Stars" last night, will her good luck with the Emmys rub off on this also-ran? The nine-time Emmy winner, like the rest of the competitors who make these reality shows so irresistibly watchable, is not eligible for TV's top kudo. However, her salty antics have spiced up this dancefest and any of her appearances would make for a super sample episode. Remember, Emmy judges view just one sample when determining whether a show gets nominated — and wins.

For the reality competition series Emmy, "Dancing with the Stars" has been passed at the finish line by "The Amazing Race" for three years running. "DWTS" ringmaster Tom Bergeron lost the first Emmy awarded to a reality show host to to Jeff Probst of "Survivor." This coming year, the judges of these competitions will also be vying for an Emmy.

And while Cloris Leachman may not have had all the right moves on "DWTS," she is a prima ballerina when it comes to leaping over her Emmy competition. She picked up the first of her 21 Emmy nods for her supporting turn on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in 1972, just weeks after winning the supporting actress Oscar for "The Last Picture Show." While she lost that first Emmy race to her on-screen nemesis Valerie Harper and Sally Struthers ("All in the Family") she was back the following year and won lead actress in a telefilm ("A Brand New Life," 1973). Since then, Leachman has shown what a utility player she is, winning an additional seven primetime Emmys across six other categories.

For her work on "MTM," she first won supporting actress in a comedy series in 1974 and then single performance by a supporting actress in a comedy or drama series in 1975. That year Leachman also took home continuing or single performance by a supporting actress in a variety show for a guest spot on "Cher." She won the current category — individual performance in a variety program — back in 1984 for "Screen Actors Guild 50th Anniversary Celebration."

More recently, she won guest actress in a drama series ("Promised Land," 1998) and guest actress in a comedy series ("Malcolm in the Middle," 2002, 2006). And if you include the Daytime Emmy Leachman won in 1983 for her performance in the children's drama "The Woman Who Willed a Miracle," her tally is a staggering nine statues.

An Emmy for best judge of a reality TV show hasn't been created yet, but Gold Derby recently broke the news that one is in the works for next year. That means Emmy judges will be judging the "Dancing with the Stars" judges based upon what they're currently doing, so let's size them up now.

Last month when we asked you, in general terms, which judge of "Dancing with the Stars" deserves to the claim the new Emmy, you overwhelmingly gave Bruno Tonioli the verdict. He reaped slightly more than half of the 1,348 votes cast in our "Dancing with the Stars" poll, followed by 29% for Len Goodman and 20% for Carrie Anne Inaba.

But what about this week's edition of "Dancing with the Stars"? If weighing just these shows, how did judges fare?

Well, Bruno, as usual, was the most flashy and probably would win a new poll. His best line was delivered to gourmet chef Rocco DiSpirito, who began his dance in a blindfold: "You should've kept your blindfold on! A Viennese waltz is like a light mousse, but it was a lump of mashed potatoes."

Bruno went over the top, trying too hard to be expressive when critiquing Cody Linley: "You started like a twinkling twinkie. You came out and gave it all." And, for the first time ever, words failed Bruno when sizing up that crazy comic jive Cloris Leachman did dressed in pink: "To call this wacky would be the understatement of the year. This is beyond comprehension. That's all I can say."

Come on, Bruno! You just tripped up.

Len could've used his potatoes whipped this week. Failing to provide witty or insightful critique, he resorted to cheap trick, wearing those huge, winged sunglasses when judging Rocco ("He's Dame Edna!" roared Bruno). Len then gave Rocco a nonsensical, contradictory assessment, "Actually, you look better with these on. You get overexcited, then you go out of time. You start to rush the dance. But overall I thought it was a pretty good job. Well done."

The only thing that redeemed Len this week was his cheer to Warren Sapp, "You're giving those skinny people a real run for their money!"

In terms of critique content, I thought Carrie Anne Inaba did best this week. Bravo to her sassiest observation: "I think Bruno is crazy!" And her shrewdest one, delivered to Cody Linley: "You were counting the whole time. I could see you talking the choreography to yourself."

I think we were all deeply touched by her comment to Susan Lucci: "I noticed that you seemed a bit timid. There were a couple of times you faced the judges and your eyes were down. I think of you as such a powerful, strong woman. When I see your eyes drop or a sense a little bashfulness, it bums me out a little bit. So I want to see you be a little more courageous and a lot more confident."