Your Entertainment Corner

Recap/Review: “Dancing with the Stars” Season Finale

  • By

  • May 23, 2011

  • 9 mins to read

Airdate: Monday, May 23, 2011, 8/7c on ABC

Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas

So, we made it – the season finale of Dancing with the Stars is here. Without any hesitation, we go immediately to Chelsea and Mark’s rehearsal with Carrie Ann helping them with the Judges’ Choice dance. They’re doing the Samba. Plenty of hip action to start with and it continues all the way through the electrifying performance that is also filled with lots of shimmying and is very entertaining. I like it! Len: “…I tell ya, I liked what I was watching…I wasn’t over-keen on the flaying arm section, but overall it was a great number. Well done.” Bruno, “Chelsea, you are like an ultra-sexy bombshell…the rhythm, it was flowing through your body like I’ve never seen before. Way to go.” Carrie Ann agreed, “Hot, hot, hot! Chelsea is on fire. That is so what I was wanting from you. You went the extra mile. You got down, you got dirty, you got sensual and it worked. Nice job.” Score: 29 out of 30. Len just had to take a point off for those “flaying arms.” Grouch.

Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovsky

Bruno paid a visit to Kirstie and Maks to help them with their Judges’ Choice, also the Samba. He really had me laughing out loud as he jumped up and down after Kirstie followed the advice he gave her about her feet. While I like the Samba Kirstie and Maks did, it wasn’t as good as Chelsea and Mark’s. It was nowhere near as sexy and seductive. Bruno: “Softer, rich, full of lively pleasures, full of womanhood…you feet are always good, the musicality is always good. I tell you, you were still looking at the floor…play to your audience, play to the arena, my darling.” Carrie Ann: “You know, it’s funny to watch you do a Samba right after Chelsea. It just goes to show that you’re such different types of performers, but I love what you did. I love your move and quality. There’s sort of an ooze factor, that you go from one move to … At the end of the transition, there was a … that was a really great Samba.” Len: “It was a different style of Samba, but for me, equally as appealing…it was less aggressive, less full on, but it had a lovely naturalness about it which I love…great choreography…it could have been a little crisper, but lovely job and deserving of being in this final. Well done.” Score: 27 out of 30.

Hines Ward and Kym Johnson

Len visited Hines and Kym, who are doing the Quick Step for their Judges’ Choice dance. Len was hell bent and determined to get Hines’ feet sharper on the floor than last time. He needn’t have worried though, because Hines was sharp as hell with those dancing feet. He is such a performer, he makes you have a good time watching. Carrie Ann: “That was so much fun! The first time, I called you twinkle toes, and this time, you put even more on it…When you dance Hines, you are able to make it feel like you are running for a touchdown and the whole audience goes up and down – they follow you. It’s the most amazing thing. It makes me forget I’m supposed to be judging.” Len: “Well the best movie wins an Oscar, the best music wins a Grammy, and the best dancer is going to win a mirror ball. And let me tell you, as good as that was, and it is a vast improvement on the last time I watched you, for me, it’s not quite there yet…(loud boos from the audience)…this competition is still anyone’s to win or lose. Come back in that freestyle and really show me the wow factor that I know you’ve got. Come on!” Bruno: “Well, you’ve got it for me, because it was like watching a mega-production on Broadway. Full of excitement, great entertainment value. And I totally agree with Carrie Ann, you just connect with the audience like no one…It’s brilliant!” Score: 29, tying Hines and Kym with Chelsea and Mark.

Now we get to the good part – the freestyle round! I’ve been waiting all season for this. Chelsea and Mark are first up with a Latin-themed hip hop routine. Coming onto the stage riding a bike, I’m pretty sure Len isn’t going to like it. I, however, did. It was very lively and energetic, mixed a bunch of dance styles together, had three or four lifts, and when the lights went down and their sneakers and gloves lit up, it brought a big smile to my face. So Len really surprised me when he said, “…It was fantastic. Well done.” Bruno: “It was electrifying…What was really, really good is the way you kind of interpreted it, all this Latin rhythm with a contemporary twist. That was so creative and imaginative and I love seeing that…Wonderful!” Carrie Ann couldn’t find words to express how she was feeling so she just got up and, what else, danced her booty off! Score: 30, a perfect score!

Kirstie and Maks are up next. I think this is the dance everyone has been waiting to see. Freestyle is full of lifts and I can’t wait to see how Maks is going to handle this. I know Kirstie’s lost a ton of weight, but still… Both of them put on a good show, and put a lot of effort into their freestyle, including a few lifts. In my opinion, however, it just didn’t measure up to other freestyles I’ve seen. I have to say, I was disappointed, a lot. Bruno: “Ten weeks ago, I would never have thought of you attempting to do lifts…and you have to really appreciate what you have achieved…you went for it, you put romance into it in the beginning, sexy in the middle and then you went for gymnastics…totally unexpected. Ok, you know, some of the lifts could have been smoother, but I’m telling you, respect girl, respect.” Carrie Ann: “…Some of the lifts, yes, they had a little bit of an alley-oop kind of feel to it but, other than that, you dance – that dance sort of embodies what you have become, which is the new poster child for life as it should be lived at 60 years old.” Len: “What I like, I saw elements of Rumba, I saw elements of Cha Cha Cha, I loved that first lift that you did, I thought that was fantastic…I thought you were great and I commend you. Well done.” Score: 27, for a total of 54 out of 60.

Hines and Kym have promised something that’s never been done before, so I can’t wait to see it. Last week, Hines told us he wanted to be the band at a halftime show since he never saw one while playing football. Kym has decided to do the whole halftime show, not just the band! As Hines comes out as the head drum majorette, with Kym as a cheerleader, I know this is going to be something special. I saw elements of a lot of different dances, a Michael Jackson moonwalk, and several great lifts. It really was a great routine. If I’m being honest, though, I much preferred Chelsea and Mark’s freestyle. Carrie Ann: “That was risky. Not easy to dance to that and I gotta say, that wasn’t really a halftime show. That was the whole damn Superbowl! Those lifts were insane…amazing form.” Len: “This competition is about give and take. The more you give, the more points you take. You’ve just given your all.” Bruno: “Hines and Kym, you pulled all the stops and created a crowd-pleasing event!” Score: 30, for a total of 59 out of 60.

All of the stars expressed their feelings about being on the show, how much they appreciate the jobs the pros did teaching them, and what a wonderful experience they’ve had. Tomorrow, they’ll be dancing their last dance to round out the leader board.

So who was your favorite tonight, dance fans? Coming into tonight’s show, I would have said Hines. After watching, however, I have to say, Chelsea just blew away her competition.

Tune in tomorrow for Dancing with the Stars – the Results Show where at 8/7c, there will be a repeat of tonight’s show and at 9/8c, the Black-Eyed Peas, Sarah Evans, and the Go-Gos will be performing. As well, we’ll see the Macy’s Design-A-Dance and a special guest who has remained unnamed by Tom Bergeron. All of the season 12 stars will be back too, with a new dance before the Season 12 champ is named.

All photos are from past weeks and are © ABC Broadcast Network. All Rights Reserved.

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!