Hey All!
Welcome to night one of the two night season twenty-three finale of Dancing with the Stars. After eleven weeks of competition, well over a hundred routines, and nine eliminations, we are down to the final four. Tonight, we will see two rounds of dancing, including the freestyles, and then another couple will be eliminated heading into tomorrow night’s grand finale.
Round one tonight will be the “Redemption” dance in which each couple performs a routine they did previously to a new piece of music in order to achieve a better score. Round two is, as usual, the freestyle dances in which anything and everything goes. This will be the final dance viewers see before casting their votes to determine the winner. Let’s take a look back at last week’s poll results.
James & Sharna are the clear favorites, with 49% of the vote. Laurie & Val have 33%. The remaining two couples are in single digits. The argentine tango from James & Sharna was the favorite routine with 48% of the vote. Laurie & Val’s foxtrot earned 42%. On the opposite end, Jana & Gleb’s quickstep and Calvin & Lindsay’s tango were the two least favorite routines, both with 40%. Laurie & Val’s foxtrot had 13% of that vote.
In the trio round, James & Sharna (with Jenna) scored 45% of the vote. That was enough to beat the 27% that Laurie & Val (with Maks) got. Calvin & Lindsay (with Witney) were also on the map with 15% and Jana & Gleb (with Alan) had 13%. Some interesting results were seen in the least favorite trio dance poll. Jana & Gleb (with Alan) had 37% while Laurie & Val (with Maks) earned 31%. Calvin & Lindsay (with Witney) ended up with 26%.
It was another above average episode of the show for you guys (almost voted as amazing by the majority) and last week’s elimination of Terra & Sasha was deemed correct by 71% of those who voted in our polls. So who do you guys think will be leaving us tonight in fourth place? This is very close as 48% believe Jana & Gleb will leave while 46% went with Calvin & Lindsay. In the last two or so weeks, Jana has received some of her best scores from the judges while Calvin has slipped a bit. But will that be enough for Jana to survive over Calvin? This is a toss up but basically irrelevant as neither couple has a real shot of doing any better than third place. This is clearly a race between Laurie and James.
Following tonight’s episode, I will put up a final set of polls for the season. Remember, this is the last opportunity you will have to vote for your favorites- both in our polls and with your votes at home. Len Goodman is back tonight to judge the finalists. Let’s get the finals started!
Tom and Erin welcome us to the show. Here come the finalists. We begin with the redemption round.
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Calvin & Lindsay – Viennese Waltz
Lindsay was really proud of Calvin last week and wants to just show people how far Calvin has come. Like any good coach, Lindsay shows Calvin the highs and lows of his journey with tips on what to improve on. A nice and very sweet routine. The improvement over the last time they did a viennese waltz is very evident. Better posture and frame, more rise and fall and ease while gliding around the ballroom, and a much stronger connection while dancing. It wasn’t the showiest of numbers, and perhaps that could be the only drawback considering everything needs to be as memorable as possible tonight but overall, this shows just how far Calvin has come and how wonderful a choreographer Lindsay has been throughout the season.
Len believes Calvin is the most improved dancer in the finals. He mentions the fluidity, hold, and charm of the dance. He does though say that Calvin’s footwork could use a little work. Julianne says so much more was on point tonight. She says that tonight, she could only keep her eyes on Calvin. Bruno loved how Calvin swept Lindsay off her feet and he was leading. Carrie Ann saw how far Calvin has come as a dancer. She is mad at herself because she has to call a lift that she saw during the routine.
Carrie Ann- 8
Len- 9
Julianne- 9
Bruno- 9
Total- 35/40
You can vote for Calvin by calling 1-800-868-3403 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Eastern Tuesday.
Jana & Gleb – Tango
Jana was hurt during the tango the first time around. She is happy she gets to do the dance better. Gleb is sick. His doctor tells him rest and fluids are important. Alan steps in during camera blocking. Well. it took a bit longer than I would have liked for them to get to the actual tango steps. And I thought I saw a little footwork mishap that could have actually been attributed to Gleb but I’m not sure. It was a decent routine, as Jana has really perfected those staccato movements with her feet thanks to previous dances like the argentine tango and paso doble. Her frame looked good as well here.
Julianne feels as though the spark wasn’t there as she had hoped to see. Bruno disagrees. He loved the passion and determination. He felt this time around, it was slicker and cleaner. Carrie Ann agrees with Bruno. She feels this time around, Jana matched Gleb. But again, a lift. Len doesn’t agree with Carrie Ann’s lift deduction. He does say there was a funny thing with Jana’s leg.
Carrie Ann- 8
Len- 9
Julianne- 9
Bruno- 9
Total- 35/40
You can vote for Jana by calling 1-800-868-3406 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Eastern Tuesday.
Laurie & Val – Paso Doble
Laurie talks about how emotional last week was. Val is very proud of Laurie for her bravery last week. They are re-doing the paso. It was a week that they had a tough time in rehearsals. Laurie’s supreme athleticism serves her well in a paso doble. Such strong movements with so much conviction. This was a great routine to watch the interplay between Laurie and Val. She really took on the role here and excelled in her performance quality. A really nice mix of classic paso steps thrown in to make the judges happy too.
Bruno calls it wicked in the best possible way. He saw perfect shaping. Carrie Ann agreed and saw the shaping improvement right away. She feels Laurie is the most determined soul. Len liked the focus and intensity. He says there was nothing in the dance he didn’t like. Julianne can see the improved chemistry. She says they one hundred perfect showed growth.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 10
Julianne- 9
Bruno- 10
Total- 38/40
You can vote for Laurie by calling 1-800-868-3407 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Eastern Tuesday.
We take a break from the competition now as Train is on hand to perform their song “Play That Song.” This song is cool but is it just me or does the chorus sound like another popular song? I can’t put my finger on what song I am talking about but it sounds so darn similar. Anyways, the band is accompanied by Cheryl and others.
* TY to MJ member Hearts in the comments for telling which song that reminded me of. I knew it sounded similar.
James & Sharna – Foxtrot
James loved having Sharna back last week. They are re-doing their very first dance of the season. Helio (season five champion) arrives. They have a funny dance-off with Sharna as the judge. Aww dang it. It was going perfectly up until a trip up. I don’t know who was at fault but all I could see was Sharna nearly losing her balance. Was it the costumes? Was it James’ feet? Putting that to the side (though it will affect the scoring), the dance was lovely. Out of all the finalists, James is the best at owning a character and playing it up. He did that here as well as danced a really strong foxtrot.
Carrie Ann is very impressed at how James glides through the ballroom. She does mention the stumble but thanks them for not doing a lift. Len says it is a pity about the moment but it was fantastic. Julianne feels James has been the whole package since day one. Bruno claims he didn’t see it. He found the dance to be top quality, from beginning to end. He was engrossed.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 9
Julianne- 9
Bruno- 10
Total- 37/40
You can vote for James by calling 1-800-868-3405 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Eastern Tuesday.
And the freestyle round is up next with Jana leading us off…
Jana & Gleb – Freestyle
Jana and Gleb want to tell an amazing story with the freestyle. They plan on doing a contemporary with a twist- tied together with a piece of material. However, with Gleb being ill and Jana hesitating a bit in rehearsal, he is getting frustrated. Jana understands he is working hard and just wants them to do well. They aren’t relying on troop dancers. It will just be them. Hmm. It is a really good thing they used that piece of material because without it, I wouldn’t have been very impressed. To be honest, it was just another contemporary piece as we have seen- lots of angst, lots of running into one another, lots of emotional faces. It reminded me of the dance Laurie and Jana did together. So I am glad they had that extra prop there to make it somewhat stand out.
Len mentions that something happened when they were flying across the floor but he calls it a wonderful performance and dance. Julianne can see some disappointment on Jana’s face. She says there was a stumble but the risk payed off. Bruno loved the concept. He loved the fearlessness of it. Carrie Ann has a lot of respect for Jana because to her, Jana is the underdog. She loves the partnership even though she agrees, points must be deducted for the mistake.
Carrie Ann- 9
Len- 9
Julianne- 9
Bruno- 9
Total- 36/40
You can vote for Jana by calling 1-800-868-3406 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Eastern Tuesday.
Calvin & Lindsay – Freestyle
Lindsay wants to pull out all the stops. Lindsay and Calvin are so funny in rehearsals. Calvin says it will have a lot of content including treadmills! Oh boy. Lindsay is putting in stuff she hasn’t done. He notes you have to go big or go home. That was AWESOME! Now, that’s how you use a prop and that’s how you do a freestyle. I can’t say enough positives about that routine. Excellent choreography from Lindsay and Calvin was charming, on point with his dancing, and totally invested from start to finish. The treadmill section had me clapping.
Julianne loves that it had a little bit of everything. All she can say is that Calvin did it all tonight and he loved it. Bruno says it was Calvin’s hip parade. He compliments Lindsay on putting the routine together. Carrie Ann says the world needs a little more of Calvin. Len says if he was postman, he would send Calvin a love letter. Calvin entertained and danced according to Len.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 10
Julianne- 10
Bruno- 10
Total- 40/40
You can vote for Calvin by calling 1-800-868-3403 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Eastern Tuesday.
Another time to take a break from the show. Time for a dance that is inspired by an upcoming musical titled “La La Land” and choreographed by Mandy Moore. That was really cool. I kid a whole lot about Mandy Moore because it seems like this show has no other choreographers to do the opening numbers but she is great at what she does. That dance included many pros and troupe members and it is nice to see that dancing musicals still have a place in American motion pictures.
Laurie & Val – Freestyle
Val wants to celebrate Laurie’s energy in the freestyle. They are dancing in a playground. Val doesn’t want to lose the mirror ball for Laurie- he feels it is on his shoulders. Laurie and Val take some time outside to practice and reflect. Aww. Fabulous. That was so absolutely appropriate for Laurie. Her spirit and her inner joy came out. It was nice to see her just let it all go and dance. Similar to Calvin, Laurie was able to execute a few different things in there and again, the use of props was a help, not a hinder. I especially enjoyed the moments she got to be a soloist out there. A strong end to her journey.
Bruno loved the energy and said it was the embodiment of youth and joy. Carrie Ann says Laurie delivered. She says Laurie is inspiring. Len calls it fantastic. He calls it a joyful experience. Julianne calls it fresh and youthful and crisp.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 10
Julianne- 10
Bruno- 10
Total- 40/40
You can vote for Laurie by calling 1-800-868-3407 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Eastern Tuesday.
James & Sharna – Freestyle
James is telling the story of his accident and recovery through dance. James says this dance is about as personal as it gets. He feels as though Sharna filled in the blank page to his book and he thanks her for that. A lovely emotional routine. James’ words playing at the beginning and end drive home the point of his amazing journey in life and on this show. And it was a nicely choreographed routine with some beautiful dancing. Similar to the previous two freestyles, a nice mix of a few styles together and absolutely memorable.
Carrie Ann calls James the miracle man of season twenty-three. Len says it showed off James as a dancer and a person. He calls it beautiful. Julianne says James keeps doing better each week, outdoing himself. Bruno calls it unique, exceptional, and visual poetry.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 10
Julianne- 10
Bruno- 10
Total- 40/40
You can vote for James by calling 1-800-868-3405 during the show and for 60 minutes after the broadcast in each time zone. You can also vote online at ABC.COM and/or on FACEBOOK (voting is combined via this method) from the start of the East Coast show till 11AM Eastern Tuesday.
Elimination
This is rough. Just 24 hours away from the fusion dances and the announcement of the winner. It must suck to come so far and miss out on the final night. But all four couples should be super proud of themselves. Each one really did give it their all tonight, even if it led to some varying degrees of success.
Dancing tomorrow night… Laurie & Val, Calvin & Lindsay
And so, with the two remaining couples (though of course, no official word on whether one of them is actually in the bottom two), it is now time to say goodbye.
The couple leaving us tonight is…
Jana & Gleb
Jana calls it amazing and says it was their time. She feels the remaining contestants are deserving and she has learned so much on the show. They take center stage.
The interesting part of these results was seeing the show place James up there with Jana as opposed to Calvin. So, did Calvin actually have more votes or is the show trying to solidify a James win? And how will Laurie factor into that as the only remaining female? Lots of questions going into tomorrow night’s finale. POLLS are coming in a little bit and I will see you all (I hope) tomorrow night @ 9 sharp as we celebrate the season and say farewell.
