Dancing with the Stars – Recap & Review – Finals

photo: abc

Dancing with the Stars
Finals

Original Air Date: Nov 21, 2011

Annette: Associate Staff Writer
annette@thetwocentscorp.com

The finals are here! I can’t believe it. Is it just me or has this season gone kind of fast?

There are two dances tonight. In round one everyone will do a dance they haven’t been done before and round two is the highly anticipated freestyle. Read on to find out who everyone did.

Round One

Ricki Lake & Derek Hough – Cha Cha Cha
27 (9, 9, 9)
Len called it an action packed performance with good timing, good rhythm but could have been more fluid – but a dance deserving of the finals. Bruno told her she’d never been hotter or sexier and said she was fantastic. Carrie Ann said that she was definitely living the dance tonight though there were a few moments where her arms got confused.
Carrie Ann was in their rehearsal to try to help her bring her sexy. It seemed to work – she definitely looked more confident and she did look sexy. It was tricky and twisty choreography and she was really bringing it.

Robert Kardashian & Cheryl Burke – Waltz
27 (9, 9, 9)
Bruno said he was flowing and glowing and so full of expression but he pointed out some messed up footwork. Carrie Ann called him the male version of Cinderella – he made it to the ball. She called the dance fluid and flowy. Len said it had good hold and posture and had more rise and fall then Pam Anderson jogging but occasionally it got a bit heavy.
He kind of forgot what to do with his arms. The dance didn’t look graceful or elegant as a waltz should. I was not as enamored as the judges.

J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff – Cha Cha Cha
24 (8, 7, 9)
Carrie Ann said his musicality was a bit off and also told him to watch his arms. Len told him it was brave that he did a lot of the dance solo and then told him it wasn’t that good. Bruno said he liked the mood he set and complimented the character he brought to the dance.
Len was in rehearsal to help J.R. work on his hip action, but it was virtually nonexistent in the performance tonight. It wasn’t a good dance for him – he was off and kind of sloppy. Disappointing.

Round Two – Free Style

Ricki Lake & Derek Hough
27 (9, 9, 9)
Len said it was fun and entertaining even though she lost it a bit in the quick step section. Bruno called it a very demanding dance going from quick step to salsa and said she did a good job. Carrie Ann said she loved the way she went from quick step to salsa and loved the way they did all the lifts.
For the most part I liked it though there were a few too many moments of Ricki just standing around. And her busting through the poster of her bigger self from the beginning of the competition was just a little too “Biggest Loser” for me.

Robert Kardashian & Cheryl Burke
30 (10, 10, 10)
Bruno said it had brilliant content and brilliant execution – telling Rob he peaked at the right time. Carrie Ann told them they blew her away. Len told him he gave his all and he should be proud.
It was really good. I loved the concept and the choreography and he did a great job. All the lifts were really smooth – I think he really deserved that perfect score.

J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff
30 (10, 10, 10)
Carrie Ann loved it but her critique was incomprehensible! Len said two things were revealed – Karina’s body and J.R.’s talent. Bruno told him he was wild and exuberant with animal physicality and some other incomprehensible but very positive things.
Their dance was definitely more hip hop than the other two somewhat classical freestyles and holy crap he rocked it. He looked like a pop star’s back up dancer. The lifts were amazing – very difficult, very different and they got in and out them so smoothly. Awesome!

Leader Board:
Rob & Cheryl – 57/60
Ricki & Derek – 54/60
J.R. & Karina – 54/60

I can’t believe Rob is at the top of the leader board. I never expected that! It was a great night for finals and the competition is definitely tight. It sounds like at least two of them will have to do two more dances during the results show. It’s anyone’s trophy to win – who do you think will emerge as the winner tomorrow? Leave me your two cents!