We’re finally there. The finals. Bring it on!

Mel B & Maks
Judges choice: Cha-Cha

Wardrobe: Very cute little sexy red thing on Mel and Maks is yum as always.

Music: Working at the Car Wash - very good choice.

Performance: Fun silly playful choreography. They have such a great partnership, and there was even a little nod to Laila Ali and her butterfly in there.

Judges: Len said “it was crisp, clean, precise”. Bruno said he can’t “believe what an accomplished dancer she has become”. Carrie Ann was expecting “just a hair more excitement”.

Judges scores: 9 + 9 + 10 = 28

My score: 10

Marie and Jonathan
Judges choice: Samba (better known as the Fainting Dance)

Wardrobe: The yellow is gorgeous, but the big black part was a little obnoxious. She kind of looked like a bee.

Music: Fun music - no idea what it was.

Performance: Marie was entertaining and Jonathan was great, but this felt a little sloppy to me. I’ll just be happy if she doesn’t faint. (She didn’t.)

Judges: Bruno said she never fails to entertain, but that the Samba is tricky and it wasn’t her best dance. Carrie Ann said she was working the house like nobody’s business. Len said for entertainment and fun she is second to none.

Judges scores: 8 + 8 + 8 = 24

My score: 8

Helio & Julianne
Judges choice: Jive

Wardrobe: Any man who can wear pink and still look hunky is okay in my book.

Music: Let’s Twist Again - great choice

Performance: Very cute choreography - joyful - playful - lots of fun.

Judges: Carrie Ann said it was “wonderfully fun”. Len said there were so many technical problems that it was a disappointment. Bruno said everybody loves them but the footwork wasn’t good enough, though the performance was great.

Judges scores: 8 + 8 + 9 = 25

My score: 9 (footwork schmootwork)

Mel B & Maks
Freestyle

Wardrobe: Mel was hot of course. I didn’t like Maks’ shoes.

Music: Some Techno thing that I didn’t particularly care for

Performance: Some really cool and scary lifts. Some fun moves. But to be honest, this didn’t excite me as much as their regular ballroom stuff does. I don’t think Maks is as good at choreographing freestyle as he is Ballroom and Latin.

Judges: Carrie Ann enjoyed it but thinks they are better than that. Len loved the lifts and the humor, but thought it was slightly disjointed. Bruno said it was cool and hip.

Judges scores: 9 + 9 + 9 = 27

My score: 9

Marie & Jonathan
Freestyle:

Wardrobe: Marie is dressed like a doll. It’s hilarious, but weird.

Music: Start Me Up

Performance: Marie is a doll. And I think Jonathan made a good choice since it hides some of her limitations. They made a boo boo on one of the lifts right at the end, and the whole thing was a little over the top for my taste. But, she sold it. I’ll give her that.

Judges: Len said sometimes you think it’s a good idea and then it doesn’t work on the dance floor. Bruno said it was “the loopiest thing he has ever seen” and that it defies criticism. Carrie Ann said that she is a risk-taker and that she is the queen performer, but she thought it was an odd choice.

Judges scores: 8 + 7 + 7 = 22

My score: 8

Helio and Julianne
Freestyle:

Wardrobe: They came out in race car outfits, then ripped them off to reveal sexy Latin outfits.

Music: Get Ready - good music!

Performance: This was FANTASTIC! Fun, lots of crazy difficult lifts that defied gravity. Playful, energetic - all that Helio is. Fabulous.

Judges: Bruno said there were very difficult lifts. Carrie Ann said he is the perfect blend of technique and entertainment, but coming out of the lifts was a little rough. (hello? never done lifts before? sheesh!) Len said it was the best freestyle of the night by miles.

Judges scores: 9 + 10 + 10 = 29

My score: 10

Judges ranking:
1. Mel B and Maks (28 + 27 = 55)
2. Helio and Julianne (25 + 29 = 54)
3. Marie and Jonathan (24 + 22 = 46)

My ranking:
1. Mel B and Maks (10 + 9 = 19)
1. Helio and Julianne (9 + 10 = 19)
3. Marie and Jonathan (8 + 8 = 16)

It’s very obvious that the judges want Mel or Helio to win. The only thing that can save Marie is the fans. But, to be frank, she doesn’t deserve to be saved. Yes, she’s a great entertainer - probably the best ever on the show. Yes, she gives it her all. But she’s not a great dancer. She’s a good dancer. And for someone her age, she’s done a wonderful job. But, Helio and Mel are much much better and they deserve to win. Marie’s win is making it to the finals.

As for me? Well, I loved Mel’s Cha-Cha and I loved Helio’s Freestyle. So I’ll be happy if either one of them wins. I’m leaning a little bit toward Mel, because 1) I’d like to see Maks get a win and 2) I think a girl needs to win already! But I’d be happy for Helio, too!

The winner will be revealed tomorrow night…