'Dancing With the Stars' results recap: The final cut

Doggone it, the results sure have been surprising this season. When Season 11 started so many weeks ago, who would have thought that Jennifer Grey, Kyle Massey and Bristol Palin would be the last stars standing in this competition?

Bristol “the Pistol” Palin, ladies and gentlemen! Make no mistake about it: This teen activist cannot — nay, will not — be ignored. Nor will she step down from the ballroom fandango! With guylinered Mark Ballas by her side, Bristol has weathered the myriad “Dancing With the Stars” storms thrown her way and made it through to the final round.

Which meant, alas, that singer Brandy and her pro partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, were out in this ninth week of competition. Brandy, who just moments earlier in a segment, said ardently (maybe desperately), “I have to go to the finals. In the most humblest way, that’s where I feel we belong.”

It was clear that Brandy was not ready to leave. She wanted to be in the finals. No, she needed to be in the finals, and the tears of frustration and disappointment were evident at the end of the program. Good on Maks for being loving and supportive and positive about the show and his partner. “People vote, and their voices count, and I love that the show represents that,” the hunky Ukrainian said. “I don’t regret a second about being on this season.”

Oh, Brandy. Had this been another season no doubt your scores and dancing ability would have gotten you through to that final week. But this, clearly, is no ordinary season. How else to explain the strident staying power of the Pistol? At this rate, should we call the competition now? Because the way the votes have been going down week after week, Bristol Palin is primed and ready to win it all.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

Let’s look back to the ousted singer’s happier moments, shall we? Like the encore dance, Brandy and Maks’ perfect-30 sultry Argentine tango, which Len said, “absolutely lit up the ballroom last night.” The routine was replete with lamppost and café table and chair from the night before, but the pluming smoke machine was noticeably absent (perhaps it had Tuesdays off?).

Then there was a segment where the final contestants looked back and in retrospect talked about their hardships and rewards of being on the show. Bristol found a confidence she didn’t know she had. Kyle learned to find discipline and push through the mental blocks. Brandy said it was rewarding, humbling and frustrating, all at the same time. Jennifer learned that once she accepted her physical limitations that she could go that much farther.

Lovely Annie Lennox performed two numbers. The first was “Universal Child” from her just-released album “A Christmas Cornucopia,” accompanied by two contemporary dancers – the first of whom unrolled onto the floor in a sheath of red fabric. You could tell Annie’s a friend of “DWTS” and of the arts, because she allowed the dancers to perform throughout the entire number. The second was a fun rendition of “Little Bird,” flanked by four fledgling dancers. 

After weeks and weeks of voting, the Macy’s Design a Dance finally came to fruition. Derek Hough and Cheryl Burke were chosen to do a high-octane jive to Billy Joel’s “Still Rock 'n'Roll to Me,” and made fun use of a bright red convertible with the license plate “DWTS 11” as they reenacted a date at a drive-in movie theater.

Latin pop crooner Enrique Iglesias brought the entire crowd to their feet — judges included — and turned the Rectagon into fiesta central for his hit “I Like It.” And he was accompanied by our pros Dmitry Chaplin, Louis Van Amstel, Damian Whitewood, Kym Johnson, Cheryl Burke and Peta Murgatroyd, who’s making a good play to become a regular next season.

The party atmosphere, however, was abruptly brought to an end when Brandy was called out of the competition.

What do you think, ballroom fans? Do you like how this season has shaped up? Are you excited to see the remaining dancers’ freestyle routines? Will Brandy actually perform her freestyle next Tuesday, like Bruno had requested? Can anyone stop the Bristol train from barreling its way all the way to the coveted Mirrorball station?

—Allyssa Lee

Related:

Blogosphere in a tizzy over Bristol Palin's advance to the finals

‘Dancing With the Stars’ recap: Semifinal showdown

‘Dancing With the Stars’ results recap: Out of the end zone

Complete ‘Dancing With the Stars’ coverage on Show Tracker

Photo credit: Adam Larkey / ABC

 

Comments

[joburgjen]

@ Swayze. Your post is 100% right and very well written. My sentiments exactly.

[American Girl]

OMG!! I am still stunned!!

Yes, I have enjoyed watching Brisol as she improved week to week. That said, I also enjoyed Florence Henderson...However, winners? Absolutley not!

I am not a fan of Brandy, but clealy she is the better dancer.

I blame in part, the judges for giving Bristol special treatment and scores all season. I never thought the show would let it go this far...

If they crown Bristol the winner....Sadly, I will not watch this show anymore.

[Grace]

I am glad to see Brandy go. Too much of a diva. I also think BP should already be gone. The girl can not dance. I say give the trophy to Derek and Jennifer.

[Chris Fleuridas]

No way!!!!

I love the show, but last night was a joke!!!!

I'm a big Sarah Palin fan.... but something stinks. I thought that Dancing with the Stars was about becoming the best dancer. For my money Brandy is ten times the dancer Bristol Palin can ever dream of becoming.

[deborahHolt]

I never liked dwts r abc prime time ijust watched bcuz of brandy nothing more r less. It wuz pure bs. BigDeb48

[Love Your Neighbor]

Reading here the reaction of liberal Palin Family haters eat sh*t is more entertaining than an episode of DWTS!

[Peggy Smith]

It boggles the mind that someone whose only claim to fame is getting pregnant at 17, has the biggest airhead on the planet for a mother, AND cannot dance worth crap can make it into the DWTS finals. And the chick is so clueless that she actually believes that she is a good dancer and deserves to be there! LMFAO! What a crock! This season is the worst ever. Thanks to all you morons out there for voting her through.

[karen dapello]

It's a HUGE mistake to put any political figures on this show, as there's no way people are going to vote for the best dancer.......they're voting for their party, their leader, their ideals then and so it's no longer a dance contest. This show started out as Dancing with the "Stars", not dancing with the next 15 minute "celebrity". So disappointed in last night's results, and REALLY disappointed that I will no longer watch a show I really enjoyed.

[mae]

I expected Bristol would be elimanated she does not know how to dance at all she dance like a stick and she is very chubby wonder if she is pregnant again. Brandy dances well but she has a very arrogant attitude she still thinks she is a diva . Jennifer tops and very good and so is Kyle . Kyle is so suave and his weight did not really matter! Congrats Kyle hopefully you win. Jennifer , she deserves it if she wins however she should quit crying and be so emotional and dramatic this is dancing not acting, its too agitating and iritating. Bristol however has a good attitude and takes everything as a grain of salt so unlikely her mom

[G. H. Roller]

Shocking isn't the word for what happened last night on Dancing With The Stars. it was beyond all reason: outrageous, preposterous, ridiculous and unreasonable. Brandy had her opportunity to compete in the semi-finals; go as one of three couples to the finals and have a chance at winning the trophy. Now, Brandy must accept Bristol Palin as a better dancer because of the voting process, whereby the viewers gave Ms. Palin the winning votes.

It is a fact that just doesn't jive - like a dance that has gone wildly askew or a top spinning off the dance floor. It's going to be very difficult to watch the final DWTS.

[KC Hawks]

I THOUGHT THIS WAS A DANCING CONTEST??? I am sorry, but Bristol can not dance compared to the others!! It is an absolute CRIME that she is 'in' and Brandy is 'out'!!
What has happened to the American system of justice and fair play? Giles was also screwed out of his 'win' !!!
I am a really MAD American and may not watch the show anymore. I agree with the Wisc. man who shot the TV !!

[Realist]

C'Mon people. It's a money making exercise, so they get people on that they know will get the votes. The show isn't about who is the best dancer, it's about who can get the most votes. That's why Audrina went so early.

I personally like to watch a dancer who was terrible at the begin to slowly shine over the weeks ... rather than a brat like Brandy who behaved like an Olympic Ice Skater rather than someone on an enterntainment based tv show.

[Haley G]

Ha! It so funny people say Bristol is an all American girl next door. When did girl next door = get knocked up as a teenager?

It was painful to watch Bristol dance every single episode. For someone so young, she is totally out of shape - movements are slow and lack flexibility.

But what can i say..it's like everything in this country - if you know someone, you'll get the job or get to the top. If she wins, I will never watch the show again!

[LBurks]

I think it has confirmed the same reason I no longer watch American Idol. Producers play us all for suckers as if were stupid idiots. Bristol Palin can't dance I cringe watching her she has improved a little. But come on please don't insult our intelligence when you see all the performances its a no brainer. We know what's going on here I for one will not be watching in the future.I only tuned in a few times because of all the other performers they looked really good.

[Brenda]

I love Brandy because she is such beautiful dancer and a very hard worker. It is unfortunate for Brandy that popular votes count. Bristol's mother is a politican and she is a part of that environment. Some of Sarah Palin's personality has rubbed off on Bristol, and we all know that politicians work hard at being likable. Bristol has made the biggest improvement. I believe that the most deserving will win.

[B Brinson]

DWTS was once a contest to select the most improved dancer not a political contest. Bristol has consistently been the lowest scorer by the competent panel of judges. I feel she has been extoled by her mother and teaparty patriarchs to only bring them into the limelight. Why ruin such wonderful TV entertainment!

[RobertaJ]

Done. With. It.

Because of the P-person.

[valarina]

Get rid of her Bristol can not dance and has no personality!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Brandy so sorry for you! loved you and Maks!

[ethel]

Well, I can't think of anything more to say that has not already been said. The show is obviously not about dancing, because if it was things would have gone differently. The american public cannot be trusted to vote fairly. Oh well it is, what it is.

[DancingFool]

Disney has offered the grizzly with lipstick the opportunity to pimp her daughter for campaign PR. I do not believe any of the claims about 'votes' determining the winners or losers on "Dancing with the Stars." It is all controlled by the political and advertising arm of the monster mouse. I have watched for years, through many highly questionable incidents, mainly to watch Derek's superior choreography and dancing, but this is too much! I never "voted" because of the technology involved and the gaming of it all. It should be enough to rely upon the expertise of the judges on the panel--and lately it has become clear that the monster mouse has successfully pressured some of their IMpalinG votes.