DWTS: Season 8 finale, part 1
Tonight is the show I’ve been waiting for almost a week to see (no, not the Bachelorette) the finale of Dancing With the Stars, season 8. The show opened up with a sneak peek into the master classes the finalists had with the judges and then the Paso face off – Shawn, Melissa, Gilles and their partners would dance head to head in the Paso Doble. Shawn drew the number 1 spot and I thought she was great. She kind of looked like a French Maid in the costume but overall I loved the performance. Bruno said she was like a serial killer (in a complimentary way); Len said it was full of excitement and energy; Carrie Ann said that seeing her compete side by side with the other two showed her age and inexperience as a flaw, because she was not able to give as much emotional commitment to it. They got 28 from the judges.
Melissa and Tony drew the number 2 spot. I didn’t like it (I thought it looked awkward and she looked like a dominatrix in her costume). The judges, on the other hand, really loved it. Len did point out it was not perfect but liked it overall; Bruno said she never looked more beautiful; Carrie Ann said she nailed it. They got a score of 29 from the judges.
Gilles and Cheryl were the last to dance their solo in the face off. I liked it. Gilles is so strong and assertive and aggressive on the dance floor. Len said it was full on intensity. Bruno said he was a leading man on the floor. Carrie Ann said it was perfection. They got a score of 30 for their performance.
The freestyle round was next, and first up was Shawn and Mark. Their routine was very high energy and fun with just the right amount of tricks. Shawn said they learned their lesson about putting too much gymnastic tricks in a routine. I thought Mark did a good job keeping up with Shawn and some of the tricks. The judges loved it. In fact that’s exactly what Len said. Bruno said it was explosive and the routine had great creativity. Carrie Ann said it was exactly what she wanted to see. They got a perfect score of 30 for the performance.
Melissa and Tony were next. Tony said he learned his lesson from the season 2 finals where the judges thought he played it safe. This time he was going for it, and whether or not it was successful he was going to put it all in their for the fans to see. I personally didn’t like the routine. It seemed forced and frenetic. I know Tony didn’t want to play it safe, but at some times it just seemed like trick after lift after trick after lift. The judges didn’t care for it either. Len said it wasn’t his cup of tea. Bruno said it was a question of choice and though it was disjointed. Carrie Ann said she didn’t like the choreography, but did appreciate Melissa’s new attitude. They got 27 out of 30 for the performance.
Gilles and Cheryl were the last to perform, to one of my favorite songs of all time “Flashdance – what a Feeling.” While the judges didn’t care for it overall, I thought it was great. It was dancing to me. I disagree when the judges said they wanted to see more dancing – maybe their eyes were closed or something. Len was the judge who loved it, calling it slick and stating it proved he is a real dancer. Bruno said it was retro-fun but that he wanted more from Gilles – more dancing. Carrie Ann called it an odd choice, since Flashdance the movie is all about the female dancer. She also said she wanted to see more from Gilles. They got 28 out of 30.
At the end of the night Shawn and Mark and Gilles and Cheryl are tied for first with 58 out of 60 points. Melissa and Tony have 56 out of 60. Tomorrow night they will dance one more time for judges’ scores and then the winner will be announced at the end of a very long, drawn out, and arduous season finale.
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May 19th, 2009 at 8:27 am
In my humble opinion, Shawn and Mark were the best couple tonight. That freestyle dance was unbelievable. Hip Hop, which is the Melissa and Tony contribution has no place in ballroom and Gilles did a lot of lifts and stretches but not much dancing. As far as the group Paso, who in heaven’s name picks out the music. That was about as much paso as Good Morning Sunshine. There must have been a lot of voters, because I had a difficult time getting through on the phone lines. And I agree about the costumes yuk.