by David McAlpine

Last night on So You Think You Can Dance, the final four dancers took to the stage at the Kodak Theatre to give America their all and show them their best dance moves. Tonight, the votes have been tallied, the results are in and we finally find out who is America’s favorite dancer from season 5.

As are all Dance results shows, a good portion of the show is DVR fast-forward worthy. We get a quick recap of the entire season (as if there’s a large portion of people tuning in who are just watching the finale and haven’t seen the show before). But I wondered how FOX was planning to fill the rest of this incredibly long show, knowing full well that we wouldn’t know the winner of the competition until the last 45 seconds? Why, previous dances, of course!

So, because we’ve done every other category of previous dances, we get to take a travel back through the season as the judges pick their favorites. Adam Shankman is up first and he picks Jeanine and Philip’s first dance of the season to “Mad.” I was a little surprised, especially since it came so early in the season, but it reminded me of why I like Philip so much.

Nigel is up next and he picks Brandon and Janette’s Argentine Tango. I loved seeing Janette on stage, and it was sad knowing she couldn’t win because it was clear she was heads and shoulders above the other contestants.

Debbie Allen comes out of nowhere and picks Asuka and Vitoli’s waltz, making me think that they’re just picking dances so that everyone gets a shot at coming back out on stage. I mean, if it were me, Janette would be dancing every time!

Mary Murphy, who is wearing her weight in bling, picks the Travis Wall routine done by Jeanine and Jason, who share another kiss on stage, as well as some very intimate moments. Of course, the judges can’t get enough of it.

Mia Michaels is the final choreographer to pick and, though it seems like she doesn’t appreciate anything ballroom, picks Kayla and Max’s samba, A quite peculiar choice, but it was nice to see Max come back again after getting cut much too early.

Thanks to Adam Shankman and Debbie Allen, we hear a lot about Fame, the upcoming motion picture remake of the older film and TV show of the same name. Kherington (from the last season of Dance) is also in it, so we can’t pass up an opportunity to advertise!

Debbie Allen gets to pick again and, this time, the Top 16 get to perform their dance to “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho).” Why she got to pick again, I wouldn’t know, but she at least picked a decent dance.

As if FOX wasn’t desperate enough, the winner of So You Think You Can Dance in Australia is here and does a ballet routine. Her technique was amazing and it was refreshing to see that, in other countries, they pick their winners based on talent. And ability.

Lil C’ comes out of nowhere and chooses his favorite as Caitlin and Jason’s Bollywood dance. And since it’s going to be on the tour (spoiler courtesy of Lil C’), of course we have to refresh ourselves on it!

But now it’s time to get down to business: the fourth-place finisher is Kayla. Not really surprised there, because her personality was very buried in the rehearsal footage and on the stage—I never really felt like I could connect to her.

Back to the previous dances: Adam picks Mia’s butt dance, while Mary Murphy screams and picks Jeanine and Brandon’s paso doble from last night. And I’m just waiting for the results to come.

…Finally, more news! The third place finisher is Evan, which makes me fairly sad. Yeah, he wasn’t the best dancer, but his personality was so awesome. How disappointing. Nut not as disappointing as the final two: Brandon and Jeanine. At this point, I’m so pulling for Jeanine, because I couldn’t stand if Brandon won.

Two more previous routines: the first Mia Michaels routine (done by Kayla and Kupono) where everyone cried (to “Addiction”), and then the Rage Boyz come out, trying to impress the crowd. Meanwhile, I’m fast forwarding at every point I can—can you tell I’m anxious?

Well, hold up, because there’s one more dance, and it’s the obvious show stopper of the season: the dance about breast cancer. Then we see a Jeanine and Brandon montage (as if we need refresher courses on them), all while waiting to see the winner.

And the moment has arrived! Cat rips open the envelope and the winner of So You Think You Can Dance is…Jeanine! Hey, at least it wasn’t Brandon, right? I’m satisfied with the winner because she had good movement and rhythm and she as able to adapt fairly well. Plus she doesn’t seem to have the diva attitude, just genuinely nice. And of course now we all have season 6 to look forward to in the fall! Get ready for it.

(Image courtesy of FOX)

Be sure to keep your eyes on RealityWanted for an interview with Jeanine, the newest winner of So You Think You Can Dance.

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