Shannon Elizabeth is a sham. No, a sentimental sweetheart. No, definitely a sham...Or wait...is she? Bwah!

These were the type of thoughts running through the minds us audience members during tonight's live taping of Dancing with the Stars over at the CBS lot--which just so happens to be adjacent to American Idol. (Korbi and I also hit up the Idol set for some performance-night dish, so stand by for that!)

Shannon was such an ever-gushing deluge of waterworks tonight--from before the live show began until after it ended--that the show's makeup brigade were on high alert, readily standing by with tissues and blotters and extra coats of waterproof mascara, throughout the entire taping.

So what made the Pie princess so gushy-wushy in the center? Well, she was either that terrified of being the contestant to get the boot (that honor was ultimately bestowed on Priscilla Presley) or...Could Shannon possibly be that good of an actress, and milking the audience for the heart-string vote?

Something tells me it may be the latter after watching S.E. and partner Derek Hough laugh out loud and high-five each other when the cameras weren't rolling as they watched a pre-taped segment of Derek tenderly serenading Shannon to help her squash her nerves. Given all the recent insinuations of glitter-sharing and "chemistry," I'm thinking their projected "romance" may be something of a rouse--especially given the congratulatory backslaps and LOLs from their competition during the serenade. Hmm!

That said, so much of Shannon and Derek and the rest of the contestants is 100 percent sincere, include the real and raw emotion that they want to stick around! And Shannon and Marlee Matlin clearly have developed a very close and very personal (complete with butt slaps and girly giggles) BFF-ship. (Other favorite moment of the night: Jason lifting Miss High School Musical up on a step in order to reach her to hug her.)

So who do you think should go next? Who is your favorite to win? Comment below!

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