At the season four finals tonight: Apolo and Julianne were in first place with the judges, Joey and his partner Kym were in second, and Laila and Max in third place. Overall, the judges and I had the same criticism: where is the basic dance? The Joey cha-cha and Apolo paso double were simply not pure enough for any connoisseur of ballroom dancing. I wanted to see a great tango tonight, but no one went for that difficult dance. Round one: the Latin dance — goes to Laila. She was great in red dress and high heels.
The dancers were scolded — too theatrical chimed the judges.
The scolds reminded me of the advice I often give my own students: “Don’t over think or over do!” That seems to be a part of human nature — thus pulling back for perfection becomes key.
Finals night heated up with the freestyle round.
This is where Laila falls flat. She fell flat for two reasons: first the flat shoes, second the glitterati Michael Jackson style, instead of the elegance and sex appeal displayed in the semi-finals. I was looking for dancing on the ceiling, not on the floor. Laila did not deliver her best dance for the freestyle. Her Latin dance was much better.
Apolo’s break-dance freestyle was great and creative. They kept feet up in the air with kicks, lifts, and spins galore. The audience went wild. They took lessons from a break-dance expert and it paid off.
Joey’s disco dance closed the finals, but opened the door to a win.
It was the finals best dance of the night. The Donna Summer disco rendition was tremendous. The lifts were non-stop and deployed to a T. I watched it three times. That is what the judges most highly prize in the freestyle: did you wow me with surprise? Also, Joey showed something else — incorporating everything learned from his professional partner and the weeks spent in practice for Dancing With The Stars. Overall, finals night was full of technique, creativity, and energy — key to the freestyle routine. They reached for the electricity and the eclectic tonight.
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Article comments
1 - pinetree22
That's a pretty blatant error in your DWtS article. Apolo and Kym are not partners. Apolo's partner is Julianne, and Joey's partner is Kym.
2 - Heloise
It was after 10:00 p.m. when I was writing.
3 - Heloise
Can an editor correct my mixing up the partners please? And then delete these posts that refer to it? :) Thanks.
Heloise
4 - Kathy
your other error was referring to Apollo's paso doble -- he danced the rhumba
5 - michele
Even though Apolo was good? I think Joey and Kym should win hands down! But it depends on America votes once again.
Ali was semi flat last night. I think the top 2 are Apolo and Joey to Win. Whichever one does? They deserve it....
I like the fact Kelly,Drew and Emmet will be present nice touch for the Finale...
Was an interesting year. But the last 2 rounds have been great! Best of Luck!
6 - Heloise
Yeah, when I watched Apolo's rhumba it was so not-Latin that it really doesn't matter what I call it! The point being it was "Too theatrical." Which means some faking, not shaking going on.
It was good, but not pure.
Maybe they can fix that too. I did not take notes when I replayed it, my bad.
Heloise
7 - Pat
There is no "shaking" in Rumba. The judges selected that slow dance for Apolo, he had no choice. Your problem is not with the execution of the Rumba, but with the dance itself. They did that deliberately and Apolo rose above it once again. The danced devinely!
8 - alice
It was Apollo and Julianne ALL THE WAY!!! No question at all. The other two couples weren't even close. I voted for A & J the whole hour, and did not get through. Hope everyone else did, 'cuz that means they were really gathering in votes. They are the best, have worked the hardest and improved the most. Also they seem the most sincere in wanting to do it right. Go Apollo and Julianne!!