After weeks of hard work and fan support, we’re down to night one of the finals. We started off the night with the reigning champion Kellie Pickler. After performing she tried to emphasize that nervousness was important and that everyone had a special something about their performance factor. We welcomed the dancers as they each did a little bit of something to entice the crowd.
Round One: Judges’ Pick
Bill & Emma - Viennese Waltz - Len went to check up on Bill, but in all honesty I’m not sure how much Len could do with one check-up session. On the second time, Bill is still out of his league, but is putting up the biggest fight he can. The Viennese Waltz was the best choice for the couple because the two were in hold and he could show an improved frame. The judges criticized his timing, but there were moments of improvement and they noted how irresistible he is to watch. Score: 24 (8,8,8)
Corbin & Karina - Quickstep - Corbin was criticized for being frantic for his Quickstep previously and the Tango last week. Len was very aggressive with Corbin’s teaching skills because he expected the best. Corbin lost it a bit in the beginning. Corbin looked nervous as if he didn’t want to disappoint Len. He seemed to miss a few slides and other moves just looked slippery. Len thought there was more control, but had problems with his arm. Bruno pointed out that he was out of sync. Score: 27 (9,9,9)
Jack & Cheryl - Jive - The couple knew that there was an outside shot that they could win. Bruno showed up and tried to emphasize how to correctly make kicks and flicks; Bruno honestly seemed like he affected Jack’s knee kicks. The dance had improved acting skills but I only saw the improved flicks halfway through the routine, it was not synched. The beginning half looked the same to me, possibly worse. It was the end half that looked fixed, but an improved half-routine isn’t enough to help him. I still hated that they wasted all that time on the staircase. The judges knew his timing was off, Carrie Ann knew she couldn’t give the routine a 10. Score: 24 (8,8,8)
Amber & Derek - Charleston - The couple knew that with so many 10s, they needed to work harder. Carrie Ann explained the Charleston, she emphasized that timing was very important for the Charleston and explained that improvement was needed to show that they were growing as much as Jack or Bill. There was something better about Amber's hair this time around. I liked Amer’s attitude. I watched their previous performance and Derek moved much more around Amber than he did previously right near the end to help Amber not put as much pressure on her knee, but still remain powerful. Carrie Ann loved how synced the couple was. Both Len and Bruno agreed on how improved the routine was.Score: 30 (10,10,10)
Round Two - Samba Relay
The samba relay was explained by Len that all four dancers would be getting 2-5 points depending on ranking. The envelopes were picked and the order went: Jack, Amber, Bill, and Corbin.
All the celebrities had an increased nervousness as they realized they had to perform in front of TLC. The couples knew that they had to also learn how to transition between each other’s dances. Karina knew that by going last, they could steal a lot of the limelight.
The performance by TLC (and Lil’ Mama) began and they had the first verse before Jack & Cheryl began dancing. the couple’s samba was filled with decent content, but Jack’s Latin side was never his strength. Amber & Derek were good, especially after being the last routine and including the samba roll, but Derek was safe in his technique knowing that Amber was already better than Bill or Jack. Bill & Emma’s routine was slow and wormy and as much as all his previous routines have been. Still that drunk uncle having the time of his life. Corbin and Karina came out doing samba rolls and I knew that they filled as much into their routine but also emphasized the sexuality that the routine needed.
The judges had generally positive critiques, but Carrie Ann pointed that Corbin has never done a Samba before and he killed it.
4th - Bill & Emma - 2 Points
3rd - Jack & Cheryl - 3 Points
2nd - Amber & Derek - 4 Points
1st - Corbin & Karina - 5 Points
Round Three - Freestyles
Bill & Emma - The couple decided to do a routine connected to Indiana Jones and also have it be a combined mega-dance of the previous dances. Bill was worried about some of Emma’s lifts, but since this was Emma’s first freestyle she wanted to put the kitchen sink in the routine. You knew that the routine was going to be silly when Bill swung in and tried to steal the mirrorball. The music choice was smart and Emma’s choreography was smart since most of the beginning was the Paso, one of Bill’s most passionate routines (also one of the strongest character driven routines Bill had). Emma’s choice of lifts were also visually appealing and surprisingly the whip/rope work looked great. I was happily surprised by the routine. The judges loved the entertainment value and how fun the dance was. Score: 25 (8,9,8)
Corbin & Karina - Karina worried about having extra dancers after last season and the two decided to go straight for “Smooth Criminal” and talked to Travis Payne for extra help with authentic Michael Jackson moves. Karina decided that talking to the Vegas dancers, they wanted extra dancers, but she was extremely nervous on the move. The rope opening was much better than Bill’s swing. I loved that the couple had actual moments of couples dancing, which is one of the biggest part of the routine. The assisted swing wasn’t as cool as Karina thought it was. The guys swung her around and Corbin jumped over her. The judges loved the combination of Michael and Ballroom, even Carrie Ann who was hesitant about copying iconic moves. Score: 30 (10,10,10)
Jack & Cheryl - Cheryl wanted a story of improvement as their Freestyle. Similar to Emma’s thoughts, Cheryl was trying a mega dance. She also knew that timing was going to be everything. Jack was physically worried about his ankle and back, but continued to fight. The couple had a cute opening where the backup dancers weren’t distracting and they never got in the way. It was smart for Jack to keep more with the Ballroom side than the Latin so he could play up his “royal” posture. Jack was keeping up with the timing changes. The lifts weren’t the smoothest in transitions, but they happened and happened well. I thought the whole routine was smart and Cheryl made Jack look awesome. The judges thought the routine was a showstopper and had nothing but praise for him. Score: 30 (10,10,10)
Amber & Derek - Derek was nervous as he tried to think of choreography and suddenly remembered that Amber was a strong stepper. She was part of a team in high school. Amber claimed the theme was “Country Western.” The routine had a bit more of a Jazz undertone but just used a song with country influences. I liked Amber was the lead to the routine when the dancers were there. Her routine seemed more like a musical routine from the middle of a movie or even an episode of Glee. I loved the step breakdown and it fit with the routine. I was initially worried that the routine was going to be too “hip-hop” that would disillusion Len, but I was so happy to see some coupled moves and attitude. The judges loved the routine and loved the star power. Score: 30 (10,10,10)
The couples got to choose fusion dances for the 24 hour challenge tomorrow:
Bill & Emma chose the Samba/Quickstep for Amber & Derek
Jack & Cheryl chose Cha-Cha/Foxtrot for Corbin & Karina
Corbin & Karina chose Paso/Salsa for Jack & Cheryl
The last choice of Jive/Quickstep was given to Bill & Emma
The first two couples safe were Amber & Derek and Corbin & Karina. That meant that the bottom two were Jack and Bill. The lowest scoring couple was Bill & Emma, which meant that Jack & Cheryl made the final hurdle. Bill had so much fun and was thankful for the experience.
Week 11: Night One Total Scores
Amber & Derek - 64 (30+4+30)
Corbin & Karina - 62 (27+5+30)
Jack & Cheryl - 57 (24+3+30)
With the Fusion Dances tomorrow, it’s really anyone’s game. It’s also a big question to if any of Bill’s fans will vote for anyone. Will they support the underdog in Jack or just not vote at all? We’ll find out a champion in only a few hours.