DWTS: Recap- Redemption and Freestyle Routines Kick of the Finals

The night is here...the finals of Dancing with the Stars' 10th season. Tonight, each duo will again dance 2 routines. The remaining teams (Erin and Maks, Nicole and Derek, and Evan and Anna) are all extremely talented, and I can't wait to see what are sure to be phenomenal performances tonight.

The first round of dances were "Redemption" routines. The judges choose the dance-style that they felt each contestant could improve upon.

Erin and Maks were up first, trying to redeem themselves with a better Samba. Erin's costume looked like a bunch of red squirrel tails hanging off her waist- but the routine was still fun to watch. The two ended the dance with a kiss on Len's cheeks. After, Len admitted that he's always wanted "to be kissed by a man with a beard." He also said that the Samba was a fantastic improvement, a sentiment that Carrie Ann echoed. Bruno said the performance was "hot" and that his head was still shaking. Len and Carrie Ann awarded them with 10s while surprisingly, it was Bruno who gave them a 9.

Next were Evan and Anna, challenged to perform another Viennese Waltz. They danced to "Piano Man" by Billy Joel, which instantly had me smiling, and understanding Anna's piano-inspired top. I thought the dance was very charming, and Evan effortlessly looks graceful.

Bruno was glad to feel the love between Evan and Anna, and thought that Evan improved his holds. Carrie Ann thought that all the previous problems with Evan's Viennese Waltz were gone and Len said that overall, they did a great job. Carrie Ann gave Evan and Anna a 10 while Bruno and Len awarded them 9s.

Finishing up the Redemption round were Nicole and Derek re-doing the Rumba. I don't know how it's possible to do half the things Nicole did during this routine, she seemed like she was made out of rubber! The whole thing was stunning.

Carrie Ann thought the routine was mesmerizing, but there was some problem with the last lift and the timing of the music. Len still felt a slight lack of confidence on Nicole's part, but thought it was greaT. Bruno said the dance combined sensuality and romance, "seamlessly woven into something of extreme beauty." Carrie Ann and Len gave them 9s while Bruno handed out a 10.

The freestyle routine was next- no rules apply, so this should be an exciting round!

Erin and Maks decided to go with a contemporary and lyrical freestyle routine that Erin seemed very excited about. Starting off on a couch, and moving to a bed, and including a crazy flip, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen during the entire performance- I loved it!

While Len thought the dance was a mix between emotion and commotion and didn't love it, Carrie Ann thought it was a perfect choice and Bruno thought that Erin put her heart and soul into it. After hearing the criticism, Maks retorted, "It's not the bed I rehearsed on." Oh, and what bed did you rehearse on Erin and Maks? Unfortunately, Len gave the routine an 8 while Bruno and Carrie Ann gave it a 9.

Evan and Ann had some difficulty getting a freestyle routine together and Anna even started crying at one point during rehearsals. In the end, they brought in a choreographer to resolve their different opinions on the routine. Their routine, to "Footloose", was so fun, one of those routines that make me want to get up and dance along with them. Evan was so laidback and having so much fun, which was a nice change from the beginning of the season! I also think Evan should wear his hair like that on a regular basis.

Showing just how much I know, all 3 of the judges didn't approve of the routine. Bruno said he didn't know if Evan was footloose or had a screw loose. Carrie Ann thought the routine was odd and that their lines didn't match. It wasn't the dance that Len wanted to see. All 3 judges gave Evan and Anna's dance 8s.

Wrapping up the show were Nicole and Derek with their freestyle routine. I loved the neon-green part of their costumes, but the routine was a little cheesy to me. I think at the end there was a mistake with their hold- but we'll see what the judges say.

Yup, there was a slip with the last hold, but yet again the judges disagreed with me. Carrie Ann called it "the freestyle we've all been waiting for" while Len called it fantastic and Bruno said it displayed "dazzling creativity." But despite the rave reviews, all 3 judges gave the routine 9s.
Tomorrow night, the teams will perform two more routines to be scored by the judges before finding out the winner!

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Hosted by Tom Bergeron ("America's Funniest Home Videos"), the celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba, who all return for their tenth season together.

"Dancing with the Stars" is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, "Strictly Come Dancing." This version is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Rob Wade is co-executive producer. Alex Rudzinski directs. "Dancing with the Stars" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

BBC Worldwide is the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). In the U.S., BBC Worldwide Productions, one of BBC Worldwide's seven core businesses, is based in Los Angeles and New York. It is responsible for the smash hit "Dancing with the Stars" and develops scripted and non-scripted projects for U.S. cable and broadcast networks.