DWTS Season 9 Finals – night one
Each of the remaining three couples on Dancing With The Stars have a challenge ahead of them tonight – three new dances, plus another one tomorrow night for judges’ scores. Here’s what I thought of the show, in the order it happened.
Kelly and Louis – Argentine Tango. They opened the show with a very strong performance. Carrie Ann helped them out in practice, working with Kelly and her connection with Louis. Len said that she epitomizes what the show is all about, and that she danced this routine very well. Bruno said it was very good, but he would have liked to see more ripe sensuality. Carrie Ann said she was proud of Kelly and that she came miles since rehearsal in performing a very sophisticated Argentine Tango. They scored 26 out of 30.
Mya and Dmitry – Paso Doble. First let me make a comment to any of the producers of the show who on the off chance are reading this – I know Mya is dancing, you don’t have to keep on flashing her name in the background. It was so distracting, that with the flashing lights and the strange music choice. Yes I love Queen, I just don’t think it belonged here. I think I saw a different dance than the judges because I didn’t like it and couldn’t wait for it to be over. Bruno said it was flawless, flamboyant and amazing. Carrie Ann dubbed her “Queen of the Paso Doble.” Len said it was right up there with his favorite Pasos of all seasons. They scored a perfect 30.
Donny and Kym – Cha Cha Cha. I loved it. I thought it was fun and high energy and I loved the music. Carrie Ann called him a hip shaking machine and said he had a breakthrough in the finals. Len said it was overall very good although he had a slight problem (where, I don’t know). Bruno said that he was a credit to his profession. When Bruno stopped by the rehearsal to give advice and instruction he said that Donny stood there, did whatever he asked without any attitude at all. He said he was a credit to the profession and a star. They scored 27 out of 30.
The mega mix challenge is next. The three couples will perform side by side the same choreography to three styles – Viennese Waltz, Samba and Jive. The couples will be ranked first, second or third. I think this was rigged. There’s no way Mya and Dmitry were better than Donny. Two of the judges said that Donny was as good as the pro males at times. No one said that Mya was as good as Kym. Kelly and Louis finished third with 26 points; Donny and Kym in second with 28 points; Mya and Dmitry scored 30 points by finishing first. It’s so obvious the judges do not want Donny to win.
Kelly and Louis’ freestyle routine was next, a Disco routine to the legendary song “I Will Survive.” I thought it was good, not great, but that Kelly did a good job. Something happened during the performance that I’ve never seen happen before on the show. The audience got to their feet and were cheering her on before the performance even ended. If it ever happened before on the show I can’t remember it. Bruno said she never looked more beautiful than tonight and ending up on the floor wasn’t all that unusual back in the day at Studio 54. Carrie Ann said she gave her what she wanted to see – the fact that Kelly is a survivor and reminds her of how she would hope to be if facing the same challenge as she did on the show. Len said he thoroughly enjoyed watching the performance. They scored 24 out of 30, to a lot of booing from the audience.
Mya and Dmitry performed next. They did a routine to music from “Hairspray.” I thought it was safe and boring. She was great but there was something so lacking in it as a freestyle dance. Carrie Ann said it was high energy and fun, but not outstanding and didn’t showcase Mya. Len said he kept expecting something to happen and it never happened. Bruno said it wasn’t bad but he was expecting something more spectacular. They scored 27 out of 30.
Donny and Kym performed last. The producers definitely saved the best for last. Their performance was off the charts. And I did see a repeat of the audience giving a standing ovation before the routine was over. Len called it an absolute showstopper. Bruno called him Mister Show Business at his best. Carrie Ann told him welcome to the hall of fame of the Freestyle routines. They scored a perfect 30.
It’s going to be tough to figure out who will win. I think if it is on fan votes alone it would be Kelly. But I think that the fact she is in third place is going to hurt her terribly. If he carries the fan votes Donny has a great chance of winning. And that is who I hope wins it all tomorrow night.
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November 24th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I agree, Mya is definitely the pick of the judges, and she is not that great – good, but not great. Donny is a performer, give em what they want, leave them wanting more. Surprisingly enough, Kelly is the only one who danced, not performed. She wasn’t the flashiest, but she actually did the dances in an extremely competent way. She came a long way.
I think Donny’s fan base will give him the win.