DTWS S025, Finals, Night 2: Winter Wonderland at the Grove

Our Christmas fable begins with Santa Len telling us a bedtime story, as visions of the Chmerkovskiy brothers go dancing in our heads... (OK, maybe that’s just me...) AHEM...

”Twas the night of the Final,” reads he... It turns out that he’s reading to the six finalists (three couples). They get up, and dance out of the gingerbread house (on the grounds of the Grove, and I was so proud, cause a friend of mine worked on that house...). It now says: “Len’s cottage.” Oh, and they are now flanked by audience members and big red ropes. Oh wait, there is Maksim Chmerkovskiy! Dreams do come true! Heh Oh, hi Peta...

Nice wide shot of the Grove, all decked out for Christmas. So beautiful. And they pan to the other side of the Grove, where the Dancing with the Stars dancers are already dancing.  To “Dancin’ in the Street.” Nice.

Then, the lovely women pros (and troupe) go away, and we are left with the hot DWTS guys, tossing around silver packages. And then we have all the people from the season, coming back out.

Then we have some recaps from yesterday. At this moment, the two Lindsays (Lindsey Stirling and Lindsay Arnold) are fighting it out for the top spot. Both teams (with Mark Ballas and Jordan Fisher, respectively) have a score of 80 from two dances. (Perfect!) And, at this moment, I am rooting very strongly for Mark Ballas and Lindsey Stirling to win.

Tom Bergeron drives the sleigh taking Jordan and Frankie and Lindsey back to the studio (very nearby). Erin (looking stunning) keeps dancing onstage.

Then we have this bit of loveliness.

And this.

Then, since this finale is all about killing time, we have each of the dancers do a repeat of a dance from the season. Lindsey and Mark are first with that so-memorable jive (where it looks like they are in bed in the beginning). So great.

But first, in her package, she talks about her depression, in a time when she gave up the violin. And then, they show a clip of these horrible people on America’s Got Talent, where they just brutalize her, and crush her dreams (this is a show? Horrible stuff.) “I didn’t know if I could ever step on a stage again after that... but that’s right around the same time that I discovered YouTube.”

God, I love them so much. This dance is phenomenal.

Oh my! They are scoring these. Ugh.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30)

Oooh. Frankie and Witney chose their Argentine tango from Disney Night (one of my favorites as well).

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30)

Then, back to the Grove stage, for a truly magical dance by Gleb and Britt.

Then Kelsey Ballerini performs a song of hers, and Val and Jenna do their magical dance.

On a screen behind her, in black and white, you can see scenes from the season. (Very nice effect.)

Incredible contemporary dance by Val and Jenna.

Then Jordan and Lindsay dance one of their favorites.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30)

Then they do a bit where Val is driving the tram back to the Grove, and Alan is late, so he’s chasing it. Funny.  Tom intones, “That’s why you don’t miss rehearsal.”

A really great edit of a lot of the season’s previous competition. They show the first few who are voted off, and one of Jordan and Lindsay’s worst dances. Well, at least according to Len.

Then Derek and Sharna reprise a dance.

Then we have the hottie men from #DWTS dance for us. Shirts do come off. We are not complaining.

Oh yes. That was wonderful.

Then a wonderful number from the troupe. Although I’m not sure why Britt is wearing Jenna’s dress (remember THAT number? *swoon*)...

A reminiscence to the middle weeks of competition.

Then Maks and Vanessa perform.

Then violinist Lindsey Stirling performs with Becky G. “Christmas Come On”

Beautiful shot of the Grove to come back to.

Then Debbie Gibson and Jordan Fisher perform.

The best thing about this is that they aren’t making us suffer through bad dancers anymore. If they are singers, they are just having them SING. Wonderful. Every single contestant doesn’t need to dance again.

Tom and some cast members delivered some holiday cheer at Children’s Hospital, and they showed some of that.

Nice work, guys.

Val and his partner dance. Some wonderful troupe members. It’s always nice to see Maks and Peta dance together.

Then, all three couples are performing a fusion challenge.

They show the last three weeks of competition.

Emma and Drew reprise the dance where brother Jonathan had a few moments. (Loved that dance too.) Anything to give both Property Brothers more screen time, I say!

OK. FINALLY we get to the Fusion dances. First, we have the judges, ranking the finalists and giving their strengths and weaknesses.

LEN
Frankie: “NO one has worked harder. He’s not going to go down without a fight.”
Lindsey: “The artist. So fluid. Wonderful musicality. A beautiful dancer.”
Jordan: “A natural. He’s the one to beat. A force to be reckoned with.”

Oh, excuse me. I guess Len is the only one who gets to comment. What’s up with that?

This is my favorite part of the finals. After night one, when they go back to rehearse in their studio, and for the first time, see pictures of themselves from throughout the season.

Oh, their package talks about how much they are going to miss it. And I am going to miss them! :-(

They are doing a tango/cha cha fusion. Mark always creates such stunning choreography for these fusion dances. Because it’s very clearly defined, but goes back and forth,
and is just wonderful to watch. Truly.

Len: “What I love: This is what you did, Mark. No messing about. Straight into the routine. Tango, full of attack, full of aggression, then into the cha cha cha. Lots of rhythm, hip action. You (to Lindsey) are a wonderful performer, not only with the old fiddle, but with your feet as well. Well done.”

Bruno: “I really loved, because you could see the contrast: the cheeky cha cha cha, and the controlled intensity of the tango very clearly, but it was seamlessly blended. But then, to top it off, that tendon-snapping extension. Talk about Wow factor!”



Carrie Ann: “You’re making me get emotional. I’m watching you guys, and I can’t believe this is the end. You guys have all become so good. These partnerships have been unbeatable. All of you are so well-matched. Tonight—that was beyond fusion. That was alchemy. That you were able to create, from a cha cha and a tango, something so uniquely yours, with so much freedom of movement. Such great expression. Fantastic.”

Erin tells Mark that “we love when you’re back in the ballroom. You make us so much better.” (True.)

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30) (Perfect score again.)

Witney and Frankie do a foxtrot/tango fusion.

Frankie, in his package, calls it the “most enjoyable experience of his life,” and Witney says how glad she is that she got to do it with him.

Bruno: “Tango never bounces. A very good performance.”

Carrie Ann: “I watch you, and you are so the heart and soul of what this show is based on. You are an OG Dancing with the Stars contestant, and I think you look so elegant, so smooth, so cool.”

Len: “100%, you’re the people’s champion. You really are. You epitomize everything about Dancing with the Stars. No dance background. Your journey’s been up and down. You’ve been knocked down by the judges, yet you picked yourself up, dusted yourself off, and come back stronger. With a little bit of confusion in the fusion, cause I couldn’t really get the foxtrot...” (As Carrie Ann boos him!)

JUDGES’ SCORES:  28 (out of 30)

Then, before Jordan and Lindsay dance, we have this.

Some other dance brings us back from commercial (Peta and Alan and Hayley and Artur). (Oh, that was a Disney ad.)

Lindsay and Jordan have a salsa/paso fusion.

In the package, Jordan gets teary. “Dancing with the Stars, strangely enough, is not all about dancing. It’s about a journey. It’s about letting people get to know more about you, and it’s about you learning more about yourself. And it’s hard to imagine that being over.”

God, was that amazing! Wow.

Carrie Ann: “There’s not much left to say. Your skills are ridiculously out of this world. What’s amazing is that you’re an incredible dancer, an incredible performer, but what I’ve noticed the most is what you’ve done with Lindsay. Lindsay has actually grown as a pro, with you, and that is a testament to you. You are spectacular, and Lindsay, you MADE him spectacular.”

Len: “I think you are the most complete male celebrity ever on Dancing with the Stars.” (Jordan starts crying at that.)

Bruno: “I couldn’t agree more. You’re right up there with the best that we have ever seen on this show. Impeccable.”

JUDGES’ SCORES:  30 (out of 30)

And then, finally, we find out who wins Season 25.

Nick Lachey sings a song as tribute to our three finaalists. They show a video of clips of the three of them from the season. This is really nice. It really was a great season.

Who’s third place? (Just a refresher, Jordan/Lindsay and Lindsey/Mark are both tied with all perfect scores yesterday, and all perfect scores today. Witney/Frankie cannot say the same.)

Oh, it’s Frankie and Witney. And we find out the winners, after this commercial. :-(

Congrats to Lindsay and Jordan, and to all those who competed this season. It was truly wonderful to watch.

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DTWS S025, Semifinals: Two Dances Each Include Recreating Iconic Past Dances

Here we are at the Dancing with the Stars Season 25 Semifinals. To my eye, the ones who most deserve to be here are the semifinalists: Emma and Drew, Jordan and Lindsay, Lindsey and Mark, Frankie and Witney, and Victoria and Val.

Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews kick off the night (no opening number) by telling us that there will be two dances. One (whose concept I hate) is recreating iconic DWTS dances of the past. Ugh. The first, though, will be the pro selecting a dance which reflects their star partner. That sounds interesting.

Emma kicks it off by taking the concept seriously, picking the perfect song for a tango. Can you tell that Drew’s Scottish? In the package, Emma credits Drew’s “determination” with getting him this far. I would strongly argue that it was also the fans WHO LOVE HIM (and Emma) that got him into the semifinals. If it were just up to the judges, this couple would’ve been gone much earlier. (Even this week, they go into it at the bottom of the Leader Board.)

But in any case, they are dancing to “500 Miles.” It doesn’t get any better than that.  This music is great, the choreography is great, and it ends with the troupe (including Sasha) also dressed up in kilts flashing the band. Wonderful!

Len: “Well done, Braveheart. You came out, full of determination and attack. However, it was so full-on, you lost your posture, you lost your technique.” Bruno: “It’s the Flying Scottsman and the Tartan Army, going for a full flash. I don’t think the band will be able to play for the rest of the night. You have to make sure it didn’t turn into a Highland Fling. Tango is not skippy.” Carrie Ann: “No matter what you do, there is always an entertainment value. The tango lacked a bit of artistry.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

Val has chosen a contemporary dance which reflects Victoria’s medical struggles (and Val and Jenna Johnson are playing Victoria’s parents). Of course, Victoria is dressed in her beloved pink. Contemporary is my least favorite dance on this show, but this one was very powerful. Part of the dance showed how both Val (as the father) and Jenna (as the mother) had moments of their own struggles with Victoria’s illness, yet they showed their daughter only smiles and support. That was powerful.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 27 (out of 30)

In the package, they talk about how Lindsay hurt her leg. Also how Jordan is a good brother. So they are doing an Argentine tango to the song, “Brother.”

For me, I didn’t much like the song or the dance. We’ve seen a lot better Argentine tangos this season.

Carrie Ann: “Jordan, you are so much a part of what has made this season so fantastic. You have kept the standard extremely high. That was not your best performance.” Len: “You know I’m a fan of yours. The ballroom tango is like a guy dancing with his wife. The Argentine tango is like a guy dancing with his mistress. It’s as though you shouldn’t be watching it. This is a dance competition. Work on the DANCE.” Bruno: “What I saw, I saw your most mature performance to date.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 28 (out of 30)

Lindsey and Mark are dancing a contemporary song to a song by Mark and his wife, otherwise known as Alexander Jean. It’s called “Head High,” because Lindsey reminds Mark of persevering, even through difficult obstacles, and holding your head high.

Like I said, I’m really not much for contemporary, but it was well done.

Len: “Lindsey, I think you’re a very talented dancer. Wonderful extensions throughout. You really blew me away, it was a really fabulous performance. Great routine.” Bruno: “Dynamic, athletic, surprising. It really captured the feeling of what it is to be one’s self.” Carrie Ann: “I was thinking about the quality of movement that you’ve expressed, from the beginning to now. It has changed so drastically. You’ve evolved so much. You used to be all sky and light and pastel, and now you are deep blood earth momma, girlfriend. There was so much primal beautiful energy in that dance.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 29 (out of 30)

This is one of those rap songs I hate, but it's also got Frankie and Sasha and the troupe on a basketball court, so it’s fun to start off with. Oh, I hate this music so bad. I had to rewind to see what kind of dance this is supposed to be. Salsa? Really? Wow.

Fun moment when she rips his shirt open at the end. But for me, it was a struggle to make it through this entire dance. Ugh.

Bruno: “Talk about a salsa with street cred. Witney, you transformed the new kid on the block. I loved the originality.” Carrie Ann: “I don’t know if the song matched you. But you give it all.” Len: “You come out with so much enthusiasm. For me, it was too much hip hop, and not enough hip action. I needed the salsa.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 25 (out of 30)

MICHE’S FAVORITE DANCES OF THE SEMIFINALS (Round 1)
1. Emma and Drew (tango)
2. Mark and Lindsey (contemporary)
3. Val and Victoria (and Jenna) (contemporary)
4. Lindsay and Jordan (Argentine tango)
5. Witney and Frankie (salsa) Really?

We have a palette cleanser in between by showing us wonderful Mandy Moore choreography of the #DWTS show ‘Light Up the Night.”

But then, on to Round 2.

Let me say this about that. One should NOT attempt to recreate classic DWTS dances from the past. They are classic for a reason. They are etched forever in our minds, and shouldn’t be marred with someone else trying to do them. That said, some of these surpass the original, some fall far short.

Overall, I really dislike it because one of the best things about this show is seeing the choreography from the pros. They do amazing work, and I want to see inside THEIR minds, not the minds of someone ten seasons ago. So I go into this round kicking and screaming.

Emma and Drew start us off recreating a jazz dance by Karina Smirnoff (with Corbin Blue, with Witney Carson also dancing with them).

Ugh. I also hate when they use the tap dancing sound effect, and the taps aren’t anything anyone is doing. Ugh.

This version has Drew dancing with four women, including Emma.



They do a very risky move that makes me scared for Emma, but it goes well. (Emma tried to compensate for the fact that Drew is a very different dancer, and put a different spin on the dance.)

Len: “It was fun, and fun to watch. You gotta work on finesse. Get more finesse in your dancing.” Bruno: “I’m just happy that Emma survived reentry. You captured the spirit of the dance. But it was more croquette than Rockette.” Carrie Ann: “There are high expectations. These are numbers that got perfect scores, by incredible people. You’re a very different dancer than Corbin. I love that you went for it.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

THIS DANCE COMPARED TO THE ICONIC: Different and more suited to Drew. Liked it a lot.

Victoria and Val are recreating a Charleston by Derek Hough and Amber Riley. But there were at least a couple of moves in this amazing Charleston choreography that Amber Riley DID NOT do. There were lifts and twirls and various troupe things (Derek and Amber just danced alone). One move that I’m surprised got past the ABC censors. (Nice!)

And while I do love Derek Hough’s choreography, in many ways, I love Val’s even more (in general and in this dance). Plus, Jenna and Sasha are in this dance. What’s not to love?

Bruno: “It’s incredible. Your acting tonight was right on the money. You gave it your own interpretation. It had charm, it had wit. And your timing was spot on.” Carrie Ann: “I didn’t think this was possible, but I forgot about Amber and Derek while I was watching you. It was uniquely yours.” Len: “That put a smile on my face. It was full of energy, full of razzamatazz. That was a performance.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 29 (out of 30)

THIS DANCE COMPARED TO THE ICONIC: Much better to my eyes. Plus, Val looks so good in his vest and ascot. More Charleston in the iconic one, though. And lots more footwork from Amber originally.

Jordan and Lindsay have an impossible task. They are trying to recreate THIS dance.

(To my mind, one of the most perfect jives ever on this show, with choreography by Mark Ballas, dancing with Paige Vanzant.)

Everyone who is doing these iconic dances is using the same music as the original dance. This jive was danced to “Proud Mary” (not a slow song). The iconic part of this dance, other than the massively fast energy level, was that Paige and Mark did a double cartwheel, which was breathtaking.

So they start out the slow part of the music wearing red (as Paige and Mark did). Then strip them off to be:

They do a lot of the same choreography, with a Lindsay and Jordan ending, instead of the Mark-Paige ending. But they do the double cartwheel. It was pretty spectacular.

Carrie Ann: “OH MY GOD! First of all... (she screams). I am so glad you got that number. That is like the marathon of all jives in the history of Dancing with the Stars. Not only did you nail it, you also did the double cartwheel with straight legs.” Len: “People don’t realize how much really great dancing brings me so much joy. Over the years, there‘ve been good jives. There’ve been great jives. And now, we’ve got Jordan’s jive, which is the yardstick for everyone.” Bruno: “That was a triumph. Very rarely a remake can top an original. This one did.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (out of 30)

THIS DANCE COMPARED TO THE ICONIC: Different, but pretty damned amazing in its own right. Homage was duly paid.

What must it have been like, just then, I wondered? For Mark Ballas to hear the judges say the dance he created was surpassed by the competitors ahead of them?

Well, they are busy recreating the iconic tango that Meryl and Maks danced. In their package, they Skype with Meryl and she wishes them well.

Ha! That’ll show ’em. That was an amazing tango. Just beautiful.

Len: “There was plenty of snap, crackle and pop. I loved your head position when you went into the Promenade. Sharp and fast, and clear and crisp. It was a proper tango.” Bruno: “I think you raised your game tonight, just at the right time. That was a wonderful tango. The extended line, the placement, but what I love is the detail, the way you took these accents (from Meryl and Maks’ dance). Every change of direction was absolutely on the money. And it doesn’t happen usually in the tango. Tonight you two were like mirror images.” Carrie Ann: “About the recreation, I thought you did a fantastic job. You guys don’t have that sexual chemistry that Maks and Meryl had, you have this friend balance chemistry that is so powerful. Watching two of the same dance together, and it’s really stunning.”

This team is the only one who actually credited and thanked their previous iconic dancers. And as Erin is talking to them about that, Maks comes out and tells them they did a beautiful job.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 28 (out of 30)

THIS DANCE COMPARED TO THE ICONIC: Loved it as much as the Maks and Meryl version.

Maks says what I’ve been thinking about this whole thing: “You don’t compare art to art. This was just as special. It’s a different couple, a different season. You guys did an amazing job.”

Witney and Frankie are recreating a paso doble from Season 4 by Julianne Hough and Apollo Ohno. I think personally that it’s a producer’s trick to get her away from always dancing to rap music, cause this was a very Latin dance.

Frankie tells us in his package: “Not only do I belong in the finale, I deserve to win the Mirror Ball.” Did anyone tell him that people with ego like that don’t tend to win this show?

They vow to do the same choreography, even though it’s filled with things they wouldn’t normally do. Strangely, everyone previously danced to exactly the same music as the “iconic” version. This was kinda the same music, but Julianne/Apollo’s version sounded much more Spanish/Latin. Witney/Frankie’s version sounds really cheesy.

Bruno: “You gotta get your shoulders sorted for the paso doble.” Carrie Ann: “The good news? The audience went absolutely wild for you. Also, you handled your props beautifully. There were some moments that were absolutely fantastic: the knee slides, the things that you were worried about... The bad news is you’re stopping your breath sometimes. You have to breathe through your movements.” Len: “I can understand the innocence about you, and everyone can see: you’re doing everything you can. I like you so much, I don’t really want to talk about... there was not enough shaping. Paso doble is all about getting the shapes. Getting your buttocks under.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)

THIS DANCE COMPARED TO THE ICONIC: They did all the difficult moves. The music much cheesier.

Who’s going home?

Let me just say: Victoria was CRUSHED. Crushed. Val did his best to console her.

MICHE’S FAVORITE DANCES OF THE SEMIFINALS (Round 2)
1. Lindsay and Jordan (jive)
2. Mark and Lindsey (tango)
3. Val and Victoria (Charleston)
4. Emma and Drew (jazz)
5. Witney and Frankie (paso doble)

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