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Learn more- After weeks of competition, it was down to the finals on "Dancing with the Stars" as the remaining three couples got some tips from the judges and offered their best for the big finish.
We saw way too much of Bruno Tonioli, who was sunning poolside in a Speedo when head judge Len Goodman called and gave him his assignment -- to advise Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas on their paso doble. Bruno told Shawn she had to show something she hadn't shown before.
Carrie Ann Inaba set out on a visit to Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani, where she gave Melissa some tips on how to move with intention. Len stopped by to see Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke and worked with Gilles on his arms and tried to get the dance to be a little less hectic than last time.
It was all in preparation for a paso doble face-off, a group dance that put all three couples together, but in competition. All three couples took part in a flashy intro before coming out in order: Shawn & Mark, Melissa & Tony, and Gilles & Cheryl.
Len said Shawn's performance was full of excitement. He said Melissa's previous paso was "riddled with problems," and despite a slight mistake this one was more convincing. He told Gilles his performance was also much better than last time. Bruno congratulated all three couples for competing as a team. He said Shawn was strong and a great technician. Bruno said Melissa's confidence has grown leaps and bounds, and called Gilles "a leading man." Carrie Ann said this has been her favorite season and said all three dancers are incredible. She said watching them side by side pointed out weaknesses and strengths. She said Shawn lacked the emotional commitment that the others possess. Carrie Ann told Melissa she nailed her moves, and said she always expects perfection from Gilles in the Latin dances, "and, once again, there it was."
Scores:
Shawn & Mark: 9, 9 and 10. Total: 28
Melissa & Tony: 10, 9 and 10. Total: 29
Gilles & Cheryl: 10 10, and 10. Total: 30
To the freestyle: All three couples got a little taste of freedom with the freestyle dance. What would they do?
Shawn & Mark: Shawn didn't want her freestyle to be infused with too many gymnastics moves, and she got a visit from fellow Olympian and former "Dancing" winner Apolo Anton Ohno, who tried to get some of that Olympic fire out of her. The performance was a little sloppy. It started with Shawn and Mark in some odd masks, but they soon got rid of those. Tony said Shawn was "going for gold" and called it an explosive performance. Carrie Ann said it was "exactly what I wanted to see." Len said he loved the jive elements, the speed, the precision, "I loved it." Scores: 10, 10, and 10. Total: 30.
Melissa & Tony: Melissa said she was going for the audience vote this week and that she and Tony would be "going all out." Tony said he was holding nothing back because "with no risk, there's no reward." With risk came a pretty nice shiner for Tony, who took an elbow to the eye while tossing Melissa in the air. Carrie Ann loved Melissa's new attitude, but "something about the choreography just felt a little bit disjointed." Len said he didn't get it, and would've like to have seen more of Melissa's elegance. Bruno agreed with Carrie Ann on the disjointed aspect, and said "it wasn't as perfect as we would like to see" at this point in the competition. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27
Gilles & Cheryl: Gilles tried to play the part of the underdog when it came to the freestyle. He also called in his doctor because his shoulder injury flared up during rehearsals. They did a frenetic freestyle to Irene Cara's "What a Feeling" from the movie, "Flashdance." Len said it was high-energy and slick, and it proved to him that Gilles is a real dancer. Bruno called it a great performance, but he wanted "more actual dancing" from Gilles. Carrie Ann agreed and said it was an odd choice because "Flashdance" is about the female dancer. Scores: 9, 10 and 9. Total: 28.
LEADER BOARD:
Gilles & Cheryl: 58
Shawn & Mark: 58
Melissa & Tony: 56
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