DWTS 24 Week 10 Final Live Blog and Performance Videos

Dancing with the Stars 24 Key Art Feature

Welcome to week ten of season twenty-four of Dancing with the Stars. Tonight is the part one of the two part season finale. In tonight’s one-hour only show, the remaining three couples will each dance twice. One of those dances will be the much beloved freestyle where anything and everything goes. Many believe when the voting is close, a great freestyle could very well tip the scales and determine the winner. The other dance is the redemption routine, a chance for the couples to redo a previously performed style to earn higher scores. Remember, no one is going home tonight, so last week’s scores and audience votes are going to be combined with tonight. That’s a lot of scores and votes from you at home to determine who comes in third, second, and first.

Last Monday night, it was yet another shocking elimination in a season that is proving to be quite unpredictable when it comes to who stays and who goes. Simone Biles, who many thought was a guarantee for at least making the finale, and her partner Sasha were booted, ending up in fourth place. You can point the finger to many things- the audience not wanting to a second gymnast in a row to win, the judges nitpicking way too much this season when it comes to Simone, a huge fanbase for someone like David. It could also be a combo of all that and more that ultimately led to Simone’s departure. However you slice it, we lost Heather too early, Nancy too early, and now Simone. We had Bonner too long, Nick too long, and now David has made the finale. As I said last week, congratulations to him and his fans but this is clearly a finale of two very good dancers versus a rather mediocre one.

The question is, could David outlasting someone like Simone be a sign that many people have underestimated just how far in the competition he would go? Could he actually end up in second place? Could he win? Will the judges try and score him very low tonight to make sure he gets third? He should be judged fairly and without a curve, so if he does well tonight in both his routines, he should be scored that way. If he falters, the scores should reflect that. Let America vote as they do and let’s see where the chips fall by the time tomorrow night rolls around.

We also have the question of Normani’s ankle. She hurt it during a rehearsal with Val late last week and though all reports say she is ready to go, you have to wonder if either routine tonight will suffer at all from any lingering effects. I really hope not because I am truly looking forward to seeing Normani and Rashad give it their all for the judges and viewers. When it comes to the pros, this could be Emma or Lindsay’s first ever victory on the show, and if Val wins, it would be his third and second consecutive mirror ball trophy. It is a true underdog in David against a man that lights up the ballroom in Rashad versus a real epic dancing diva in Normani.

Let’s take a look at last week’s poll results to see where MJ readers stand heading into tonight. For favorite partnership, Normani & Val have a slim lead, with 45% to Rashad & Emma, who are at 40%. David & Lindsay have 15%. In the judges challenge round, Normani & Val‘s viennese waltz earned 47%, Rashad & Emma‘s rumba had 42% and David & Lindsay‘s foxtrot took 11%. For least favorite, David earned 62%, while Normani had 27% and Rashad had 11%. In round two, the jazz routine from Normani & Val scored high, with 53%. The quickstep from Rashad & Emma got 37% and David & Lindsay‘s tango earned 10%. 66% of you disliked David in round two, 21% to Normani, and 13% to Rashad. Once again, similar to last week, when it comes to least favorite routines, Rashad always earns the lowest amount of votes, which is a good sign for the football player.

I asked for your thoughts on Simone’s boot and 82% of you thought she deserved to stay. 18% said that the right couple went home. The episode itself earned another “B” grade, which seems to be the average this season. When I look back at the polling results for each episode, it looks like people have pretty much felt this is a fairly average season on a whole- nothing too horrendous but nothing amazing either. I would agree with that assessment. Obviously, there was no poll last week for an elimination because no one is leaving tonight. When the show is over, I will put up the final polls for this season that will lead us to tomorrow night’s grand finale.

So, now that I have written my novel for the week (LOL), let’s get this one-hour finale special started and see who brings the goods and makes a case for themselves as to why they should be season twenty-four champion!

Round 1 – Redemption Dance

David & Lindsay – Viennese Waltz
That was okay. But it was just okay. It had a few issues. The posture became an issue on a couple of occasions. And David (as usual) has a tendency to look a bit stiff and awkward when trying to do specific things like twirling Lindsay around. He stayed on the music and had no glaring mistakes but it wasn’t a technically perfect routine nor was it very memorable. It was just what you have come to expect from David. A serviceable and decent routine for a non-dancer but nothing that will make you stand up and take notice. – Click to Watch the Performance VIDEO

Len congratulates David on making it to the finale. He did see improvement but not so much in this dance. But he says it is always a joy to watch him. Julianne saw improvement- including the booty being under. She says he deserves his spot. Bruno says David isn’t the best technical dancer but he understand why people love him. Carrie Ann calls him a hero for beating the odds in being here and says David makes the best connection. She says some of the dance got out of sync but she enjoys watching him dance.
You can vote for David by calling 1 800 868 3404 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 8PM Eastern the following day.
Carrie Ann- 8
Len- 8
Julianne- 9
Bruno- 8
33/40

Normani & Val – Quickstep
Wow. What a great routine. That’s a legit quickstep with no playing around. Normani was stellar here- in-sync with Val and breezing across the dance floor on the beat and with no trepidation whatsoever. I love that Val put together something that will impress content driven critics like Len and those looking for something memorable. It was both. – Click to Watch the Performance VIDEO

Julianne says Normani and Val have been one of the consistent couples. She says she occasionally saw lack of body contact. Bruno calls it brilliant. Carrie Ann agrees with Bruno and says Normani is the bomb. Len goes with Julianne- wanted more body contract and a little too speedy.
You can vote for Normani by calling 1 800 868 3410 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 8PM Eastern the following day.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 9
Julianne- 9
Bruno- 10
38/40

Rashad & Emma – Viennese Waltz
Similar to last week, I saw no footwork issues or hand issues that the judges seem to consistently harp on. This was a gloriously done viennese waltz. It was elegant yet sexy. Rashad and Emma have wonderful chemistry and it was just on display in full form. That had a lot of content and some of it was quite tricky- you would be able to tell straight away if the posture went back or if timing became an issue. Neither did and it was aces. I have to imagine this will score a lot higher than his previous viennese waltz routine. – Click to Watch the Performance VIDEO

Bruno says it was refined, polished, and the right amount of romance. He compliments Bruno’s footwork. Carrie Ann says Rashad has magic happening- and it is what makes winners winners. Len saw improvement in every level of the dance. Julianne says Rashad improves weekly even though the judges have basically seen everything from them. It wasn’t just better- it was his best.
You can vote for Rashad by calling 1 800 868 3411 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 8PM Eastern the following day.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 10
Julianne- 10
Bruno- 10
40/40

Round 2 – Freesytle

David & Lindsay – Freestyle
Yep, that is exactly what I hoped it would be from David. Something fun, something cheeky, something that wouldn’t be too terribly difficult, and something that fits him like (excuse the pun), a glove. Lindsay is so smart when she choreographs- exactly what will make her partner stand out. You can always count on David to bring everything he can physically to a dance and even if his dancing isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire, it will bring a smile to your face. He should feel very proud of that freestyle. – Click to Watch the Performance VIDEO

Len says it was fantastic and he loved it. Julianne says it was so much fun and is exactly what a freestyle is about. She says David connects. Bruno says we got our money worth with this team. It was in-sync and who could ask for anything more. Carrie Ann says David just hit his personal best.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 10
Julianne- 10
Bruno- 10
40/40

Normani & Val – Freestyle
This is an interesting one to critique. It was the total opposite of what we just saw in that this had no thrills and frills but just an emotional punch instead. The idea of a mini Val and a mini Normani dancing was very cute and it fit the theme of the dance in that the world needs love and all that. Sometimes, freestyles that are absent of big production values hit the mark and can give someone a win (Nyle & Peta, Derek & Kellie) but at other times, especially if you are sandwiched between two larger than life numbers, it can be tricky. They took a gamble here by going for pure dancing. It was danced wonderfully. The question is- was it enough to make the general public (and not just Normani fans) compelled to vote? – Click to Watch the Performance VIDEO

Julianne calls it breathtaking. She says Normani’s journey has been special. She says her dancing is raw and authentic. Bruno says it was honesty and it just came out of Normani’s soul. Carrie Ann says Normani is in a class of her own the way she moves in a dance. Len says it was so emotional and beautiful and was just breathtaking.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 10
Julianne- 10
Bruno- 10
40/40

Rashad & Emma – Freestyle
I do believe Rashad just won the show with that freestyle. It was the kind of memorable routine that will absolutely make people want to vote. Okay, a couple of times, I saw he wasn’t exactly in-sync with Emma and when dancing with the male pros- you could see who the dancers are who the novice is- but it really doesn’t even matter at this point. I don’t think the viewing audience will see anything but a completely fun and celebratory number that would make you want to get up on your feet and dance. Emma has done Rashad proud and he has done her proud. And ending the show like that (the last thing viewers get to see) may have just cinched him the victory and given Emma her very first mirror ball trophy. – Click to Watch the Performance VIDEO

Bruno calls it sensational. He says no one will forget this one. Carrie Ann says that dance is how you turn this “mother out.” LOL. Len says it was so good, he could even put up with the music. Len says Rashad is the one with the momentum. Julianne says that is going in the book as one of the show’s iconic freestyles.
Carrie Ann- 10
Len- 10
Julianne- 10
Bruno- 10
40/40

And that’s it for night one of the finals.

One final look at tonight’s leaderboard (Out of a total possible score of 80)
Rashad- 80
Normani- 78
David- 73

Our FINAL POLLS thread of the season is minutes away from going up (be sure to check it out and vote) and I’ll be back with you guys tomorrow night, at a special time, 8:30 Eastern for the 90-minute grand finale. Expect to see all of this season’s stars back, special guest performers, the final judges scores handed out in the fusion dances, and the crowning of our new champions.

I’ll make my predictions, with poll results and final thoughts tomorrow night, though if you read through my blogging tonight, you have a pretty good idea of who I think will come in 3rd, 2nd, and 1st. This was a solid finale featuring three very different dancers who gave it their all. Only one can win though and now, the choice is UP TO YOU GUYS! Remember, the fusion dance scores tomorrow night are likely to be tied or close, so the judges are basically leaving it in America’s hands as usual. Happy voting! :)