Although no surprise, Tony-Award-winning Marissa Jaret Winokur's departure this week from Dancing with the Stars leaves the popular show with a bit less pizazz. Winokur's high energy level and trooper's attitude kept her performances fresh, even when the judges panned her dancing.

As a short woman of a certain size, Winokur could have been served better had her costume designers not routinely dressed her in form-fitting, stretchy outfits of the type that look great on petite Kristi Yamaguchi, but not so good on Marissa Jaret Winokur.

One of her costumes was so tight that it emphasized her tummy. However, she did have an exceptional costume that really flattered her once. It was a flowing white chiffon gown cinched by a dark braid, which created the illusion of a defined waistline, while the costume's chiffon fabric floated gently away from her body.

We wish that all of her costumes had looked as good as the white chiffon gown. Marissa Jaret Winokur put a stellar effort into each performance, and she deserved to have more flattering costumes.

Pictured: Marissa Jaret Winokur at the 100th show party of Dancing with the Stars, May 6, 2008
Photo Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images