177 replies to this topic

[CPP83]

So all girls in the final, for the first time I believe, I'm a bit shocked, but I have to admit I am just so glad Kelly is in, to me she deserved it after not even getting a 10 last night. But I also fear now Kelly is going to get crapped on by the judges like nobody's business next week against Shawn and Melissa, maybe Val will finally go off on them and pull a Maks and actually have it be well warranted.

Derek really is a self absorbed tool bag, to focus on, doing a dance he isn't trained in and, imo, can't really dance all that well, and then basically ended up doing nothing in that dance but struct around shirtless and pose and allow Alison to over dance like her life depended on it to cover up his nearly nonexistent technique. I was not impressed, and the water bit at the part was just very much overkill, I felt.

Sorry Tom, but for me you very much oversold that dance, by a lot, and I like you Tom so don't do that again, ever.

[Bavct]

Well played show. Make sure that the anti-Shawn votes are split between Melissa and Kelly so that golden couple can win. Well played.

Oh yay! Just what I wanted to see in the finals - the floor routine that Shawn couldn't do at the Olympics. Maybe Derek can stand at the side and pretend to be Bela Karolyi until he rips off his jacket and tumbles along with her. Joy!

That ShowcaseOfDerek was just nauseating. I can't wait till he's gone for good. Or until he realizes no one else but him and the judges think he's awesome and he comes back.

I will miss Apolo. It was time for Emmitt to go.

I'm thrilled for Melissa and Tony and while I know they have no chance against the tumbling toothsome twosome, I'd like to dream a little longer. I really want them to win so much.

Yay Kelly!! Same sentiment as for Melissa. I fear for Val though, by the end of the freestyle he just might be naked. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Edited by Bavct, Nov 20, 2012 @ 9:06 PM.

[tip and fall]

So I know that I was hoping for a surprise Shawn/Derek elimination, but on the other hand, it's kinda cool that we have an all-female final three for the first time (I think?). Especially considering that, pre-season, a lot of us were saying how the women were at a disadvantage compared to the men.

Shawn & Derek: Least suspenseful save ever. And Apolo vs Melissa was a lose/lose situation because I didn't want to lose either of them.

My tinfoil hat theory is that TPTB came up with the idea of a supersized freestyle since it's Derek's last season. Gotta let their golden boy go off in style, right? Right now I'm just praying that Tony doesn't botch it again. If he had trouble doing a regular freestyle, how's he going to cope with a ~supersized freestyle? Even Melissa knows they need to "redeem" themselves, heh.

Val's a total wild card as far as the freestyle goes, but I predict it'll involve taking off his shirt.

LOL, I see you fishing for that Emmy, Derek. And I bet women everywhere were swooning at the sight of his bare Ken doll chest. Those flashes blinded me, man.

Edited by tip and fall, Nov 20, 2012 @ 9:06 PM.

[dizzyd]

Good job America. And yay Melanie and Allison, nice to see you even though it was for the glorification of Derek in that stupid water feature.

[raingirlnw]

Given the options - Tony and Melissa for the win!!! Tom was right, they lost a lot of charisma tonight. Will be interesting to see what the ratings are for the final.

[QueenL]

I knew Apolo was going home, the second they showed Melissa enthusiastically cheering for Apolo during his performance. It was so obvious they were trying to give her a great edit. Oh so supportive! And don't blame her for Apolo going home, guys! She's so enthusiastic for him and so good-natured! Blargh.

I still find it kind of odd that Melissa would get more votes than him, but it is what it is.

Funny how the "best dancer" winning last year didn't matter at all, and now its a lot of "Melissas the best, deserves to win" yada. And I don't even agree that she's the best. Or, well, maybe it's that she's not being pushed like she's the best.

Elsa, I see what you were saying now, about Apolo & Karina looking resigned, and like they knew. They did look more relaxed and resigned tonight during the results portion than ever before. Very weird.

Paula looked great, but damn, they gave her a whole production as if she were Madonna. Having said that, thanks for reminding me of all of the fun songs I loved in my childhood! It was a cute performance. And was it just me, or did one of her dancers (one of the ones on screen with the suspenders) look just like Apolo?

~~~~~~~~~~

I looked up the ratings today, btw, and DWTS had its highest ratings that I've seen in awhile. The only thing I can attribute it to was the Michael Jackson thing. I saw the MJ thing promoted on other boards, and people said they were gonna tune in for it. I didn't think it would really matter, but apparently, going by the ratings, it did. Unless there was some other event that caused an uptick in the ratings that I don't know about.

Anyway, I wonder if that may have hurt Apolo, in that there were probably a fair amount of new viewers, and Rumba is just a lot less exciting of a style than AT. Even though it was well-received, I'm not sure it pops for someone who especially doesn't even know what a Rumba is supposed to look like.

Ultimately, overall, though, I think it came down to fanbases at this point, as I always knew it would. And that's why it was so hard for me to figure out what would happen, because I think that Apolo, Emmitt, and Kelly all have sizable bases. Shawn was a given, and they've praised & propped Melissa to high heaven as the best of the best, and to her credit, she was able to pull through, when others in those positions were not able to.

You had Kelly & Val trending worldwide on Twitter. Kelly with what was already a sizable fanbase, also had a quite pissed off fanbase, which is always good for this show. So I had a really strong feeling that she'd make it.

And now I'm back to wondering if they specifically held back on giving her a 10 for that reason. There's really no other reason to do that. A half point wouldn't have made much of a difference.

This show has wanted a girl to win from the start. I always felt they backed Shawn for that reason. Because she was seen as the girl with the best chance of winning. Sizable fan base.

Now I wonder if they'll be fine with any of them winning, since they'll get a female winner either way (after three straight seasons of male winners)?

Taking the rest of my thoughts to the Grassy Knoll thread.

Edited by QueenL, Nov 20, 2012 @ 10:30 PM.

[smiley13]

Well this season has been such a disappointment! What a load of crap to have Melissa and Kelly in the finals. Guess I will have to do something I always said I never would and that is vote for a partner of Golden Boy's. Shawn is head and shoulders above Kelly and Melissa. Apolo was robbed!

[vepyewwo]

Thrilled to see Shawn and Melissa through but really disappointed for Karina and Apolo. I had a feeling after last night that they might not make it. I enjoyed their partnership and he was consistently good but I don’t think they ever really had a wow moment this season - maybe their foxtrot and the rumba last night was the closest they got. I think he really needed one break out week like his samba or paso with Julianne to build some momentum and push him into the final and it never came.

At least it was Kelly rather than Emmet who got through instead of Apolo. I’m actually quite surprised that Kelly was able to beat out both of them. She may have a much bigger fan base then I thought.

So I think Tom said that next week they would dance freestyle, their favourite dance of the season and an instant dance (style and music to be decided on the night). Not really that thrilled about the instant dance.

Those slow motion effects in Derek’s dance were very cool.

Seeing those little snippets of the surfer flamenco during the recap – it was even worse second time round. It really was horrific. Val, what were you thinking. Please do something better for your freestyle.

Is this the first time there has been an all-girl final? I don’t remember one before.

[ari333]

Loved Paula and her whack a doodle self. I like her. There. I said it.

Derek what a cluster, and a self-indulgent cluster at that - 4 chicks and Derek. And the water, so who "stole" whose idea? I hate that angsty lunging stalker walk they do. HATE.

When they put Melissa and Apolo together, as in one of them was leaving, I threw a wad of balled up socks at the tv.

And I usually like Derek, BTW, but damn, he makes it difficult. Jerky jerky POSE!! Pop, pop POSE!!! Flex feet and POSE!!! Pass the Pepto and POSE!! And for me to (rightly imo) call him a tool bag is a scathing insult to the tool bag community. And props to CPP for saying it before I did. :)

From the facial expressions, I think Kelly may need some fiber. And Val, oh Dear God. Who wants to bet that next week is weiner palooza?

Edited by ari333, Nov 20, 2012 @ 9:19 PM.

[Abra]

Ah, I was so scared the show was setting us up for a Melissa elimination with that clip package! But damn, we’ve lost Apolo. So much for my dreams of a Melissa/Apolo/Shawn finale. I really didn’t care if Kelly or Emmitt left, but I honestly would have preferred Kelly got the boot. Mostly because of Val, as now he has nowhere left to go but completely naked.

Derek’s Modern/Contemporary dance was a piece I can get behind (except for the shirtlessness). If I never have to see another upside down flat-footed bicycling motion ever again, it will be too soon.

Paula's dancing underwhelmed me. She’s not that old, is she? At least they auto-tuned her voice during the songs or something, it didn't sound nearly as horrid as I recall when they first came out.

I am most looking forward to Shawn and Derek’s freestyle. I love Melissa, but I don’t think Tony has the skills to redeem them…unless he gives in a gets someone else to help choreograph! Oh, now that is a fervent hope.

Even though I don’t like Kelly’s dancing, or all the Kelly/Val yuckiness: All women final, hell yeah!

Edited by Abra, Nov 20, 2012 @ 9:14 PM.

[Danielle87]

I'm glad Kelly and Val made it through (they truly were the underdogs from the beginning), but I'm sad to see Shawn and Melissa in there with no Gilles, even though I didn't care for him at all during this season.

[aceplace57]

Shawn, Melissa, and Kelly were my dream final. I guess dreams do come true! I'm gobsmacked that Melissa had the votes, but so thankful she made it.

Fans spent years and years questioning Kelly's season 1 win. At least now she's proved that it was no fluke. Val has worked wonders with her this season. But, the talent and ability was always there waiting for the right teacher.

I'm still hoping the fans realize Shawn is just a technician. A robot that doesn't really feel or express the dance. I sure don't want to see her win again.

I'm still cheering and applauding Paula's fantastic dance tonight. She's always been my favorite from the 90's and damn, that fine ass woman can still dance!

I'd begun to wonder about Paula. It's been years since I saw her perform at this level. Sure glad to see her back in the groove.

Edited by aceplace57, Nov 20, 2012 @ 9:18 PM.

[tip and fall]

Those slow motion effects in Derek’s dance were very cool.

I like how Tom had to reassure us that the crew had added in the special effects live. Thanks, Tom, without your explanation I would have naturally assumed that Derek was simply a Time Lord who could manipulate the fabric of time and space. I mean, he's already the most talented talent to have ever talented, so why not?

(Okay, maybe he just thought that viewers would assume that the performance hadn't been live at all. That's probably it. But I like my interpretation better.)

[Macthekat]

So sad Apolo is out.

I can't express exactly how I feel about Derek, but to suffice it to say he is such a big-ass ham and I will be so glad when he leaves the show. I'm way tired of his antics, but his 'special snowflake' dance with the strobe lights was utter crap.

[Hoser]

Thrilled to see Shawn and Melissa through to the finals! Yay!

Bummed to see Apolo and Karina go. *sniff* He really did deserve to go through.

Super bummed that I have to watch Kelly and Val slobber all over each other. I dread to think about their freestyle, and him hoiking her around like a ragdoll, and lots of nipples (not hers). Looks like the "Kelly wuz robbed!" soap fans prevailed, damn their eyes.

Now I am full on rooting for a Shawn and Derek win. Their freestyle should be fantastic.

And I'm off to treat my crippling sadness over Apolo's elimination with my two buddies Ben and Jerry.

[Turkish]

LOL, I see you fishing for that Emmy, Derek. And I bet women everywhere were swooning at the sight of his bare Ken doll chest. Those flashes blinded me, man.

Derek was shirtless? I'm sorry, I was too busy looking at Allison's well-defined legs. I have such a crush on that girl. I'd call it a girl crush but you can't really call it that if you are already attracted to women to begin with. Then it's just a crush.

I was more that a little mortified by the Paula Abdul routine. That choreography was so 90s which I guess was the point but I hated it. And I don't know why they even bothered with the fallacy of her wearing a mic. She was not singing.

Edited by Turkish, Nov 20, 2012 @ 9:15 PM.

[sintin]

I'm pretty psyched about an all female finale for the first time in the show's history*. Of course, I would prefer Apolo over Shawn, but alas that was never gonna happen.

I really do not want Paula Abdul to return as a fourth judge next season, but I'll admit a tiny part of me finds it endearing that she was so inspired by her stint on the show that she danced live for the first time in years, IIRC. That performance was reminded me of an episode of Sesame Street or Doug, but Paula looked years younger and happier than I've ever seen her on American Idol.

*IMO, Season 5 should have had an all female finale.

Edited by sintin, Nov 20, 2012 @ 9:22 PM.

[designing1]

Thank you, show, for offing the one celeb I was interested in slightly past the halfway point in the show. It allowed me to change the channel and avoid the apparent ode to Derek that followed. Added bonus: I get a few hours of my life back next week, as I just don't care about anyone who's left. I'll check out Youtube for the 20 seconds of screen time Tristan may get and hope for a better show next season.

Edited by designing1, Nov 20, 2012 @ 9:19 PM.

[ChicksDigScars]

Voting my ASS off to make sure Tony finally gets a Mirror Ball and that Derek does NOT get another one.

Yeah, Shawn. Haul out the balance beam, because no one would be expecting THAT. Did none of you learn from Donald Driver last year? A cool, athletic, non-Caucasian who danced COUNTRY? The whitest genre of music EVER? HE WON because he took a chance and did something different. So, no Shawn. We don't want to see you tumble your ass across the stage AGAIN. Been there, done that, for two seasons now.

Apolo, you deserved better than this shit season. I vote for shit-canning the who All Star concept.

[sab85]

YAY Melissa! Sorry, Apolo, I still love you.

Ugh, Melanie Moore. At least we got Alison and Kathryn.

Edited by sab85, Nov 20, 2012 @ 9:22 PM.

[Fliz]

Well, I guess the fact that Apolo went home before Kelly or Emmitt is my karmic payback for voting for Donny Osmond a few seasons ago...

[MusicaDolce]

it's kinda cool that we have an all-female final three for the first time (I think?). Especially considering that, pre-season, a lot of us were saying how the women were at a disadvantage compared to the men.

Yeah, this is what's surprising to me - if anything, I would have found an all-male final a MUCH more likely outcome at the beginning of the season. I really can't believe it shook out this way, and I'm a little bummed as I would have liked to see Apolo sneak into the mix.


I totally did not get Derek's showcase dance thing. Maybe it was just because everyone was over-hyping it as The. Greatest. Choreography. Ever!, but it was a major letdown. Also, Derek's attempt at facial hair is...sad.

[smiley13]

I could not stand Melissa during her first season and she is even more irritating now. Kelly is a sourpuss, so that leaves sweet, cute, adorable Shawn. I would be fine with Tony winning, but not with the toothsome one. And I do not like Val at all. This is just about the worst grouping of finalists I have ever seen. I hope that they never do another "All Star" season again.

[Manhattan]

I'm not really buying into the conspiracy theory regarding Melissa.

She's getting a huge push from her Texas/cheerleader foundation. A local girl who started as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and "made it". So I don't think her fanbase was as small as some of us may have thought. She's living the life many young women and men dream about when they audition for cheer and dance teams.
Also, 1) she and Tony have been winning over new fans who start voting for them, and 2) many fans want to see Tony finally win. I also imagine many of Emmitt's Dallas votes may be re-routed her way.
So I find it very plausible to believe she and Tony have made it on their own merit and not because they are being propped or rigged through the competition.

Edited by Manhattan, Nov 21, 2012 @ 12:52 AM.

[meowrr]

Derek what a cluster, and a self-indulgent cluster at that - 4 chicks and Derek. And the water, so who "stole" whose idea? I hate that angsty lunging stalker walk they do. HATE.

When they put Melissa and Apolo together, as in one of them was leaving, I threw a wad of balled up socks at the tv.

And I usually like Derek, BTW, but damn, he makes it difficult. And for me to (rightly imo) call him a tool bag is a scathing insult to the tool bag community. And props to CPP for saying it before I did. :)

From the facial expressions, I think Kelly may need some fiber.

Get out of my head, ari333, lol.

Way to guarantee a female winner, TPTB. Whatever. Kelly won due to a huge fanbase because in Season 1, Alec did all the heavy lifting and just hauled her around and around and around. And thusthe "No Lift" rule was born.

Melissa's "Dirty Diana" dance was NOT perfect. Whatever. Shawn was pretty much golden, even if she is robotic, imo. Color me surprised that Emmitt did not make the final. I thought the NFL fans would have carried him (not that I know much about NFL fans but apparently Emmitt is all that and a bag of chips, according to the 'net, lol).

Ugh. Everyone says it but I am serious- I will NOT watch the finals. I will vote for someone, however, just like some folks but haven't decided yet. Is Shawn a shoe-in, so Kelly and Melissa only split votes? Since I do not like Melissa, does that mean I should vote for Shawn, even though she's not doing much for me this season? Gah, I guess that means I either vote for Shawn or just skip the whole mess.

Edited by meowrr, Nov 20, 2012 @ 9:29 PM.

[avecsans]

Ugh - my worst case scenario came to pass. Apolo was robbed, and only my loathing for Val could have made me root for the Dallas Cowboy to make the final. I agree with the poster who said that this assures a Shawn/Derek victory. Blerg.

I love Tom Bergeron, but his hushed reverence at the altar of the Golden Boy was sickening. What a piece of self-indulgent crap that so-called dance turned out to be.

Last season we got a very entertaining and hot samba from Tristan and Chelsie in the Macy's semi-final dance. This season we get a disjointed, gimmicky non-dance from clearly over the hill Paula Abdul. How, exactly, is this an all-star season?

[00redsvt]

I like how Tom had to reassure us that the crew had added in the special effects live. Thanks, Tom, without your explanation I would have naturally assumed that Derek was simply a Time Lord who could manipulate the fabric of time and space. I mean, he's already the most talented talent to have ever talented, so why not?

(Okay, maybe he just thought that viewers would assume that the performance hadn't been live at all. That's probably it. But I like my interpretation better.)

You must know my husband. "Look! Wonder boy can slow down time!" were the exact words he shouted at the t.v. And yeah, I know, we are an immature family. Heh.

But for real, I have no trained eye, at all. I am not a Derek fan, at all. But I did like his little jig out there. (eek, I think my keyboard thinks its malfunctioning). I thought it was good, and I can get behind it.

[Thirteenthjuror]

I really wanted Apolo in that finale. I felt like his body of work this season deserved it. I was really pulling for an Apolo, Shawn (don't care I like her!) and Melissa finale. I just can't stomach Kelly's bitch-face,Val and the 'fam's' smugness for another week. It's very off-putting and I'm not that impressed with he and Kelly over Apolo and Karina. Emmitt had no business near the final up against any of them, but Apolo definitely deserved to be there.

I can only attribute it to people expecting Apolo to be the same young, man that they remember the first time. Instead they got a very mature man that was focused on performing well and not getting by on selling a dream. I'm looking at you Kelly and Val. I really wanted to see what their FS was going to be like. I'm really worried for Tony and Melissa because of the pressure of measuring up and seeking redemption for Tony's FS follies. I am curious as to what Val can do with a FS. If he relies on them being half-dressed, humping and kissing each other, I'm shooting my flat screen out.

[southrnbygrace]

I'll be fine with Shawn or Melissa winning (altho I'm pulling for Shawn), but no way in hell should Kelly be in the final three over Apolo or Emmitt IMO. And that guy she's dancing with gives me the heebie jeebies.

[CPP83]

If he relies on them being half-dressed, humping and kissing each other

He hasn't yet and he's gotten them to the finals, so why fix what isn't broken?