The Dancing with the Stars 8 finalists gave it their all, as they tried to impress the voters one last time.
The competition started with all three couples facing off against one another in a Paso Doble. The judges awarded scores to each couple individually.
Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas — 28
Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani — 29
Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke — 30
Then it was time for the Freestyle Round.
Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas — 30
Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke — 28
Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani — 27
Judges’ Leaderboard (60 points possible):
58 — Shawn & Mark, Gilles & Cheryl
56 — Melissa & Tony
While I liked all of the Freestyles, I think Shawn & Mark gave the most energetic performance. However, I’m giving at least a couple of my votes to Melissa & Tony. The judges have been inconsistent in the way they’ve scored the couple in recent weeks, and their comments haven’t been constructive. It’s as though they’ve been holding Melissa to a different standard, but never explained what that standard was.
I think the trophy will go to Shawn or Gilles, but I want to give Melissa a fighting chance.