Yeah, definitely. I’m so happy for him – glad he made it to the finals. Yanno who he is? He’s the Kelly Osborne of this season – on the show because a minor member of a wacky reality TV family, but totally into the experience and winning us over because of his/her enthusiasm; deserves to make it to the finals because of that enthusiasm, but will probably place third behind two much better dancers.
I love his “I love to dance!” at the end of Monday’s (I think) program. You’re right, twicky, he’s like Kelly Osborne. Total transformation from his early stomping around the dance floor like a juvenile T-Rex.
I just read on the Us app that Hope burst into tears after her elimination backstage and only gave one interview, refusing all others. So I suppose her reign of terror both ends and continues.
Woot! I predicted these three in the finale back on like, page 2 or something.
And I won’t mind if any of the three of them win, though of course I’m gonna vote my fingers off for JR.
I agree, about Anna…not my favorite Latin dancer. The “unfamiliar” woman in the Tango is Allison Holker from So you think you can dance…now THAT was spectacular combining traditional ballroom and contemporary elements without compromising the integrity of either genre.
Thanks, Andie!
Damn, Derek is just incredible. That kid is scary good. Why is he still on DwtS? Are really fine male dancers/choreographers so common?
I agree. It’s hard to even watch Ricki, because I just can’t take my eyes off of Derek.
When he does those slides, I just want to swoon.
No they aren’t so common, that is why I am grateful to this show, because we got to see Derek spotlighted with Allison (love it, Has Emmy written all over it) and also with his sister and the design a dance. But up to the finals the most memorable dance I think this season has got to be the psycho Tango, which also deserves an Emmy nod.
I really think this guy is maturing into a great artist, and you know, he will be considered as one of the greats in terms of tv choreography, and his work will be copied and admired like Bob Fosse, for example…Derek is doing ballroom contemporary fusion and he’s young and gorgeous so he can do his own work, so in 30 years we can look back and say I remember when Derek Hough was on DWTS
on some dances I agree, but my favorite Ricki dances this season were the ones that not only showed good technique, the quality of her acting really got me to believe her. The Psycho Tango was really well performed, it could of went camp, but instead it had me in terms of the murderer and the victim..I also especially liked her Broadway Quickstep, I was watching her the whole way, she was spot on, it was an excellent dance, as well as that gorgeous Rumba Derek choreographed. To me she looked beautiful and sexy, and unlike some of the partners Derek has had who were timid of the intimacy, Ricki dove right in and showed a sweetness and vulnerability.. And in the end that Rumba wasn’t about the tricks but what a woman does to a man, and I thought it was finally how a rumba should be danced.
I was originally in Jr’s camp but I found myself disappointed with his dancing of late, and not just the injury. I think I was expecting a better quality of Waltz, his footwork was sloppy, and his dance position hasn’t been ggod since the ghostbusters Tango, and for me, I just preferred the Newsies Jive to the Insta jive. I am probably in the minority, but I felt the improvement in Ricki more, and originally I didn’t want to root for another Derek win, I had been rooting for David Arquette.
Apparently the show pulled the plug. Monday night Maks said F Carrie Ann and his publicist pulled him off more interviews, and Tuesday they were both told no ABC publicity, meaning no Kimmel, no GMA, no Regis and Kelly, no The View. Can’t blame ABC for doing the prudent thing…she was talking a vast conspiracy to get her off since day one and his volatility just fed into it. A couple of loose canons wanting to give the show a black eye because the public voted for Rob over her? Seriously, they were in a tie for points, but he was on an upward swing, and rose to the challenge, she didn’t.
I am really glad he made the finals over Hope. Neither are great dancers, but the guy has the right attitude, his challenge is with himself, and having fun not this Us against Them competitive drive that just gets ugly. Let the fans fight over who is the best, afterall it’s just for entertainment. I think I like Ricki, but JR could have a great night and if he does it’s his to lose. I’d be happy for any of them to win.
I’m curious to see if Hope even shows up for the Final show. No word at all about any rehearsals. I think she’s back with her team this weekend.
Heck even Metta World Peace and Peta rehearsed this weekend. I like to call them P & P. 
Elisabetta Canalis tweeted that she’s rehearsing with Val this weekend.
All the stars are supposed to be back for Tuesdays show.
That will be interesting, Maks blogged he didn’t know, but apparently Hope publicist confirmed they will be back. well if they are they will be underrehearsed…but that is nothing new:)
Any of y’all in Philly? I can get reviewer tickets to Champions of the Dance, a ballroom extravaganza starring Jonathan Roberts and Anna Trebunskaya and others.
Dates:
Thursday, December 15 at 7:30 PM; Friday, December 16 at 8 PM; Saturday, December 17 at 2 PM & 8 PM and Sunday, December 18 at 2 PM & 7 PM.
I’m thinking of going myself, but could get a second ticket if someone is around and would like to go. This will be at the Annenenberg out at Penn (37th and Walnut). Shoot me a PM if you’re interested.
How are people going to vote tonight? Are you going to wait and see who dances best tonight, or vote for the person you see as having been the best dancer over all, or vote for the contestant you like the best? Or split your votes to exclude the one you think doesn’t belong in the final two?
I’m honestly asking, because I can’t decide. I want J.R. to win because I think he’s the best dancer of the bunch. But if he dances poorly tonight (due to his ankle or freestyle choreography that I really dislike), I’m not sure what to do. Ricki has danced well and Derek has been utterly brilliant, and Rob has improved so much from what he was initially, well managed by Cheryl.
I’m thinking the same as Oy.
I want to see J.R. win. But won’t vote for him unless he delivers some good dances in the finals.
If J.R’s ankle is a problem and his dances are terrible. Then I’ll support whoever dances the best in the finals. Ricki/Rob doesn’t really matter to me.
Good to know I’m not the only one who will be going through withdrawal next Monday.
I’ve been thinking about this too, and have reached the same conclusion – hope that JR has a good night so I can vote for him with a clear conscience, otherwise wait and see who moves me tonight. I adore Derek – what a nice guy he seems to be, as well as a wonderful dancer and a superb choreographer – but Ricki is “oh yeah, his partner this season” rather than someone I’m invested in. Rob has caught the DWTS spirit and garnered my support for that reason.
Can’t wait for tonight’s show!
HOw pathetic are we to be all Sturm und Drang angst (gotta love the Germans!) over a mirror ball trophy?
I like Ricki and Derek, because I found their dances outstanding. Big fan of their Tango, their Quickstep and their Rumba because of not only the choreography but the technique… I like JR and Karina too, very much… their Jives and Samba were good and crowd pleasing, but the technique wasn’t always clean… and Rob has managed to capture 3rd very well. So I go for the best dancer, but I know how people like the entertainer to win.