After 10 weeks of entertaining, stylized dancing from Corbin Bleu & Karina Smirnoff, Jack Osbourne & Cheryl Burke, Bill Engvall & Emma Slater and Amber Riley & Derek Hough, only one couple will be crowned "Dancing with the Stars" Champions on tonight's finale. These four remaining couples had one last opportunity to impress the judges and the viewers on last night's show.
ROUND 1 - 'Judge's Pick'
For the 'Judges Pick' dance, the judges requested that Corbin Bleu and his partner Karina Smirnoff dance the Quick Step as the first dance of the night. The couple's original performance of the dance earlier in the season earned them among their lowest scores.
"This guy is too good a dancer to get 8's and 9's," noted head judge Len Goodman, who stopped by rehearsals to give Corbin and Karina a few helpful pointers.
Following the performance, Len Goodman offered, "Last time it was hectic, I think you calmed it down a little bit. For me, an improvement"
Said Bruno, "If you did that on the highway you would have gotten a speeding ticket! The footwork was so complicated and so difficult, it was very had to keep it in sync."
Carrie Ann critiqued. "It was a very challenging routine but I didn't see an improvement and I am a little disappointed. It didn't get tighter," she lamented.
The couple received a score of 27 out of 30.
ROUND 2 - Samba Relay
During the Samba Relay, the judges had a chance to compare the finalists side by side as they danced to the same song, a live performance of TLC's 'No Scrubs.' At the end of the round, Corbin received an additional 5 points after coming in first place in the relay.
ROUND 3 - Freestyles
For the Freestyle round, Corbin and Karina chose to dance to the Michael Jackson classic, 'Smooth Criminal' The couple worked with the KIng of Pop's choreographer himself, Travis Payne. The routine they choreographed was extremely exciting but equally as risky.
Following a rousing standing ovation from the audience, Bruno exclaimed, "Corbin you killed it, you merciless assassin. You combined classic Michael Jackson moves with classic ballroom dance."
Agree Carrie Ann, "I normally don't like it when people try to copy iconic dances, but I think you nailed it!"
Moved beyond words, Len Goodman chose to give the couple a standing ovation rather than offering his comments.
The couple received a perfect 30 and of a score of 62 for the night. They will dance for the trophy on tonight's finale.
Said an emotionAl Corbin following the dance, "Michael Jackson has been my inspiration from the beginning and just to come out here and dance to his legendary music - it was one of the highlights of my life!"
DANCING WITH THE STARS Season Finale airs tonight, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
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