Miss Universe 2008 Final Review

Ok firstly the Top 15
Venezuela very expected I would be shocked if she didn't get in. Then their was Kosovo, I didn't want to believe it but the main websites had already predicted her into the Top 15. Mexico, Vietnam, South Africa and Australia were also expected. I didn't expect Japan to get through even though she is in my Top 15, but that just works for me! Then Dominican Republic one of my favourites was also picked. But then the shocks started to come thick and fast. First comes Italy! She's Ok but I never thought she'd get in. Colombia was expected but then in comes Russia and Hungary. Russia was probably a second alternative for me but Hungary was nowhere near my list! Czech Republic and USA were also expected and Spain was slightly expected for me! In the end out of my Top 15 only 5 got through! But I did say anyone around my Top 30 were fine for me and 10 of my Top 30 did go through.
I did think Angola, Costa Rica, Panama, Belgium, Thailand and maybe India should have gone through! I was shocked that Panama didn't get through because she looked like a good Top 5 delegate. Belgium and Thailand aswell as India not getting through was quite shocking also. In the end I think they had too many Europeans in the Top 15 because this year the strong delegates come from the Americas! It's interesting that my Top 15 only has one European but the actual Top 15 has 6!
Kosovo placed 57th for me, Italy 39th, Russia 42nd, Hungary 55th and Spain 37th.
Well where would my 5 Top 15 delegates get to?
Well the swimwear competition was done and it was obvious from the start who they wanted in the Top 5. They basically gave their favourites the highest marks by far whilst the ones they didn't really want got 7! It shocked me a bit. Seeing Japan and Vietnam fall at the first hurdle, it is sad but as I am posting as I watch it I do think the Top 5 are in place already, well maybe Dominican Republic will forge into the Top 5. If the current top 5 will be the actual Top 5 I wouldn't be shocked but actually slightly disgusted! So three of my Top 15 is still in but 4 that weren't even in my Top 30 are also still in!
However they are definitely going Latina this year - like always!
I have a feeling Veneuzela may not win!!! I have a feeling Colombia will do it.
In my opinion South Africa, Japan and Vietnam should have made the Top 10 instead of Kosovo, Russia and Italy.
Well the Evening Gown competition is complete and lets review it. Kosovo did average like in her Swimsuit. Australia did Ok but sadly only got 7.557 because the judges don't like her! Then Spain I thought was hard done by, she did better than both Kosovo and Australia but only got 8.2! Of course Mexico was to get in the 9's. Colombia scored way too high - I am quite sure she is now the one to beat as the judges love her whatever she does! USA's fall cost her. USA you need to teach your contestants to walk now two years in a row the American contestant has fallen! 8.05 is harsh but fair. Dominican Republic did well which is good but she is going to have to fight tough to beat the judges fabourite Colombia. Russia did well but I'm still quite shocked she made the top 5! Italy did well also but was shut out with an awful score. Overall I think the scoring has been very weird.
One thing I got quite annoyed about is that more than half of the show was a hard sell of Vietnam!
I think Russia shouldn't have got in - she is by far overshadowed! They should have added the points together and let Spain in instead!
Hmmm.... Colombia's answer leaves a lot to be desried if she wins now it will surely be a fix! Venezuela's answer was slightly weird! Mexico and Dominican Republic did Ok but I actually didn't remember much of Russia's answer! I was kind of off at that time.
Well I felt this year the interviews were kind of weak! But I found Dominican Republic was my favourite here and before the results are announced I think Dominican Republic should win but of course that is only my opinion! But to tell you the truth Mexico scored highest for me! But I added my prelim scores. Anyway Mexico or Dominican Republic will be a nice winner for me! But I have the feeling the judges love Colombia too much not to place her in the Top 2! But as long as Russia doesn't get any higher than 5th I'm happy!
Actually seeing Venezuela on video it has solidified my opinion that she got way too much hype! Dominican Republic all the way!
One thing I learnt whilst watching Miss Universe was that I hate American adverts! Especially the phone advert where two women are babbling! There are just too many ad breaks and too little different types of advert.
2007 was definitely a better show in my opinion (the first show I actually watched)!
For all the websites that said 2007 was weak well this is what I think. 2008 has a lot of good candidates but very few who really shine and stand out whilst 2007 was more of a mixed bag but had a few who really stood out.
Well the results are in...
4th Runner Up: Mexico - what total babble, how can that happen she is by far better than Russia!
3rd Runner Up: Russia - one place too high actually about twenty places too high!
2nd Runner Up: Dominican Republic - as we all guessed; Colombia and Venezuela makes the Top 2, but they are not the strongest two in my opinion.
1st Runner Up: Colombia - I thought she would win but I guess the hot favourite was too hot for her.
Winner: Venezuela - well it's an Ok result but to be honest I really wanted Mexico or Dominican Republic to win.
I guess in the end we all came to expect Venezuela's win but it was nice to dream about a shock! I wonder if next year either a Colombian or a Dominican Republican will win seeing that the trend has been consistent.