Dancing with the Stars: Season 17 Week 11 Finale Night 1 

It’s the Finals! So that means two nights of competition. On this first night, all four couples had to do not one, not two, but three dances each.

First round: Judges’ Choice. The judges select a dance the couples performed earlier this season, but it had to be one they felt the finalists could improve on. The judges also made a visit during rehearsal to dole out some pointers.

Dance #2: a Samba Relay. Basically the dancers all perform during the same song.  Each couple has their moment and they transition to the next couple. The highest scorer gets 5 points added to the judges’ score, 2^nd place gets 4 points, etc., etc.

Dance #3 is the one we have been waiting for: The Freestyle. I am convinced this is the dance that determines who will win the Mirror Ball, but you never know.

One couple would be going home tonight though, and the final three would continue to compete for the championship on Night #2.

Here’s how things went down:

DANCE #1: (JUDGES’ CHOICE)

Bill and Emma

Dance: Viennese Waltz

Len came to Bill and Emma’s rehearsal and helped them with the weak points.  The dance was much better in my mind. Len said that there were things that improved but some that stayed the same. But the one thing the judges agreed on that no matter what, they enjoyed watching Bill dance.

Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 8-Len, 8-Bruno; Total Score: 24

Voting Number: 800-868-3409

Corbin and Karina

Dance: Quickstep

Len also gave this couple a visit during rehearsal.  The last time they did this dance, Len felt it was too frantic and they needed to slow down in parts. He also said, if you get an 8 I will be mad at you. Well they didn’t get an 8.

Score: 9 -Carrie Ann, 9-Len, 9-Bruno; Total: 27

Voting Number: 800-868-3406

Jack and Cheryl

Dance: Jive

Bruno joined Jack and Cheryl at their rehearsal and discussed what issues he had before with the jive.  It was a little painful because Jack lost his timing but when he got back on track it was great. The judges encouraged him to come back fighting on the other dances.

Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 8-Len, 8-Bruno; Total: 24

Voting Number: 800-868-3402

Amber and Derek

Dance: Charleston

Carrie Ann dropped by their rehearsal. She explained and pointed out all the little things that she noticed out of sync.  It was a great dance the first time but it was the small things that didn’t get those 10s.  She said they would be watching. And of course, it was amazing!

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 10-Len, 10-Bruno; Total: 30

Voting Number: 800-868-3407

DANCE #2: (SAMBA RELAY)

The group TLC, with Lil’ Mama filling in for the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, performed “No Scrubs,” while all of the finalists dance the Samba. Best transition would go from Amber and Derek to Bill and Emma.  The points earned here could change things around for anyone.

4^TH Place– Bill and Emma- 2 points

3^rd Place- Jack and Cheryl- 3 points

2^nd Place- Amber and Derek- 4 points

1^st Place- Corbin and Karina- 5 points

DANCE #3- (FREESTYLE)

I always look forward to this every season.  What these guys come up with is always interesting.  And all four couples did something totally different, which made it even better.

Bill and Emma

They danced to the Raiders of the Lost Ark theme song. Once the dance ended, Bill took off his shirt and Tom said, “For all of us who have one packs, thank you.”  The judges said it was very entertaining and fun.  Obviously not the strongest dance. I think that Carrie Ann said it best to Bill: “You are every man’s man who became a dancing hero.” Good for Bill and Emma.

Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 9-Len, 8-Bruno, Total Score: 25

Voting Number: 800-868-3409

Corbin and Karina

Let’s be honest people, we all knew this would be amazing.  They danced to Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” and even got help to learn some of the moves from MJ’s choreographer, Travis Payne.  It is a big risk to take on a major star’s moves, but it’s was just beyond the expected.  Big risk, big rewards.

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 10-Len, 10-Bruno; Total: 30

Voting Number: 800-868-3406

Jack and Cheryl

During rehearsal, you see Jack is in pain but instead of complaining he said, “Pain is temporary, glory is forever.”  To see Jack do this incredible freestyle in sort of a top hat and totally in sync with everyone was so great a thing to watch.  As Carrie Ann said, “This was a showstopper.” It was by far his best dance of the season and when they were getting judges’ comments both Jack and Cheryl got emotional. By far, Jack is the most improved of this season. Jack kept saying, “Go Big or Go Home” and he proved that.

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 10-Len, 10-Bruno; Total: 30

Voting Number: 800-868-3402

Amber and Derek

As Len said to Amber: “You have class, you’re fast and built to last!”  This was another amazing dance.  Derek was able to showcase Amber while having a few professional pros around her. But no one was looking at them, everyone was looking at her and she is a star!

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 10-Len, 10-Bruno; Total: 30

Voting Number: 800-868-3407

Before the eliminations, the couples had to find out which fusion dance they would have to learn in 24 hours and perform on the last night of the competition.  Each chose for each other and it should be quite the dance off!

And now for the elimination. The first couple that was safe was Amber and Derek. Then Corbin and Karina were told they were safe. So it came down to Jack and Cheryl and Bill and Emma. How many times have Bill and Emma been in this position?  But in the end it was finally their turn to leave the competition and Jack and Cheryl were safe.

Three couples, one Mirror Ball?  Who will win?  It’s been an unpredictable season so anything could happen.

The second night of the Dancing with the Stars finale airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC.