by Kylene Hamulak

 

There may be three stars left vying for the Mirror Ball Trophy on Dancing With the Stars, but there's one BIG party before the winning couple is announced. Tonight's grand finale will include special guest stars, encore appearances from this season's competitors, and, of course, the Dance Fusion Challenge.

 

Enrique Iglesias performs his latest single "Heart Attack", so right off the bat I'm feeling like they were grasping at straws to bring performers into this finale. Don't get me wrong, Enrique is a great performer and I definitely have some of his songs on my ipod...from about 2001. Still, I guess we've got to fill the two hours some how, and it can't all be about encores. Speaking of...

 

While all of the freestyle performances got high marks, Amber and Derek win the fan requests for an encore, and her second shot is just as cool as the first time. I'm really glad we got to see her sharpshooting routine again.

 

Another encore? One I didn't necessarily care to see? The "What Does the Fox Say?" number, except this time it's enhanced with a live performance by Ylvis. Oh, I know what you're thinking - "someone actually SINGS that song?" Yep. I had the same thought.

 

Bill Nye is back, but he's no longer the Science Guy. Now he's more like the BIONIC Guy! Doing flips on the dance floor, as Tom says, it's almost like he's a completely different person! (Spoiler alert: He was.) Christina Milian is back too, enjoying her curtain call after her unexpectedly early elimination.

 

I love seeing Tristan back, and Valerie Harper is looking better than she did when we said goodbye to her a few weeks ago. They performed a new routine accompanied by Colbie Caillat singing "What A Wonderful World." It's a nice moment for the show. And for me, because Tristan is adorable. In complete contrast, Snookie is outside with the fans causing mayhem. She considers herself a "Mom Hot Mess" and is still having a great time.

 

Lady Antebellum performs "Compass" while the pros put on a show. It's nice that they're here for the finale, but we've got about 50 minutes left to the show and we haven't gotten to the competition party of all this hoopla yet.

 

Leah and Bill Engvall with their partners perform their encores, and as Cuban Pete leaves the dance floor, Corbin and Karina prepare to enter it. FINALLY! The competition begins!

 

Dance Fusion Round:

 

Corbin Bleu and Karina (Cha Cha/Fox Trot): Sometimes it's a little uncomfortable watching the couples begin their final rehearsal, as they see the giant photos adorning their walls and realize it's the last time they'll dance together. Corbin also realizes that now everything is in the judges' hands, so that's who they need to please. When he rips open is shirt, I assume he's trying to please Bruno and not Len, but it's a fast, fun routine. Len calls him a fantastic dancer but does call him out on a tiny mess up that cost him the 10. Bruno praises his Fox Trot as one of his best ballrooms ever, and he likes his Latin flare. Carrie Ann agrees with both of her fellow judges - the Fox Trot was one of his best, but he lost it on the Cha Cha.

Total Scores: 9 (Carrie Ann) - 9 (L) - 9 (B) = 27

Jack Osborne and Cheryl (Paso Doble/Salsa): Jack has an extra challenge with this fusion, as he has never danced the Salsa before. Laughs, frustration, anger - their emotions ran the gamut during rehearsal. Cheryl refers to him as her "favorite partner of all time," so yeah....sorry about that, previous partners. They're having fun on the dance floor, but it's also really nice to see a true novice dancer in the finale and holding his own. Bruno calls it a "wonderful fusion." "You did it, my darling," he says. Carrie Ann loved how he moved back and forth between dances, but does note that he was flat footed on the Salsa. When he explains that yesterday he thought salsa was a food, she gives him a pass for inexperience. Len says Jack has given him the most pleasure to watch and praises him for his growth throughout the season.

Total Scores: 9 (C) - 9 (L) - 9 (B) = 27

Amber Riley and Derek (Samba/Quick Step): Closing out the round and the season, Amber and Derek's rehearsal seems more subdued than the others, but the energy comes on full force for the performance. She absolutely shines on the dancefloor, and as tired as this pair was in rehearsal, they definitely turned it ON in the ballroom. Carrie Ann says it was like a brand new style of dance - "well done!" Len admits he's been critical of this pair before but calls Amber "bedazzling, and that dazzle lights up this ballroom." Bruno says the performance was "faultless...you did not put a foot wrong. Incredible!"

Total Scores: 10 (C) - 10 (L) - 10 (B) = 30

 

Final Results:

 

Going into the final announcements, it seems like Amber and Derek, with the highest judges' scores, are pulling away from the pack, but fan votes can be tricky. Jack has the underdog angle working for him, and Corbin is an amazing showman, so it's no guarantee for Amber.

 

The tributes from the Stars to their Pros are sweet and touching, and they sort of make me want to dance. Fiiiiiiine, ABC. I'll accept your invitation next season.

 

The first of the three finalists to finish the competition in 3^rd Place is...Jack and Cheryl. I'll admit I was pulling for him to place at least 2^nd, but skill-wise, he made it far enough to be very proud. He also tied with his sister, so I guess that'll make for a pleasant Thanksgiving dinner for their family.

 

With Amber and Derek standing beside Corbin and Karina under the red lights, Tom announces our winners:  AMBER AND DEREK! 

 

She's sweetly excited to hoist that mirror ball trophy, and I'm happy to see her win. She has a message for women of all sizes and colors and everyone else that they can do WHATEVER they want, but you know what?

 

I'll bet I'll never win that Mirror Ball.

 

But you never know.

 

Stay tuned for updates on the next season of Dancing With the Stars!

 

(Image Courtesy of ABC)