ABC/ADAM TAYLORGangnam style is fun, but freestyle is so much better!
On tonight's Dancing With the Stars performance finale, the final three all-stars had two chances to prove that they deserve the newly tricked-out (it's extra blingy!) mirror-ball trophy that will be handed out on Tuesday.
But guess who couldn't wait for the anything-goes freestyle round to show off their tricks—and incurred the judges' annoyance for the umpteenth time this season?!
Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough couldn't help but redo the hold-breaking, lift-inclusive quickstep that they danced earlier in the season, which, when they did it weeks ago was praised as one of the show's best-ever routines but could never be considered perfect because of the automatic point deductions.
Carrie Ann Inaba admitted she was disappointed by their decision, and Len Goodman's wrist slap came in the form of an 8.5.
"We love the judges, we respect your rules and everything…but we've really dedicated this season to the fans and the audience and having fun," Shawn explained afterward.
There was a far better reception for Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani, who scored a 30 on their samba and further banished all thoughts of the scary neck injury Melissa suffered earlier this season with their back-bending maneuvering.
Kelly Monaco, whom Bruno Tonioli called "an awesome fire angel," and Val Chmerkovskiy notched an almost-there 29.5 on their paso doble redo.
But then it was on to the freestyle round, which this season was expanded to include way more than lifts. Speaking of which...
Kelly and Val cribbed some choreography from Dirty Dancing for their "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" routine, but who cares if they weren't being totally original when the inspiration is so classic?!
They did the lift and...it was good. And what's the season-ending number at Kellerman's without a bunch of mambo-stepping backup dancers?
"Patrick is smiling on you," Bruno said, invoking the late Patrick Swayze in giving perhaps the kindest comment of the night.
Melissa and Tony went the slow-contemporary route and the production elements—the lighting, the fog, the twirling Cirque du Soleil-style cages hanging from the ceiling—made it particularly lovely.
"Freestyle jackpot," raved Carrie Ann.
Alas, Shawn and Derek had no hope of catching up, score-wise, even though they recruited the Fierce Five for their freestyle!
That's right! U.S. women's gymnastics team stars Gabby Douglas, McKaley Maroney, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Weber joined Shawn and Derek for their intensely acrobatic routine. But were the judges impressed?
"Sensational!" woo-hooed Carrie Ann. "Fierce, flawless, exciting, explosive brilliance!" exclaimed Bruno. And Len declared it...wait for it...a "gold-medal performance."
Here's how the leaderboard stacked up tonight:
Melissa & Tony: 60 (30, 30)
Kelly & Val: 59 (29.5, 29.5)
Shawn & Derek: 57 (27, 30)
Who do you think deserves to win it all?!
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