'Dancing with the Stars' Finals: Rob Kardashian and J.R. Martinez Score Perfect 30 for Freestyle Dance

In this one-hour performance show Monday night (November 21) of "Dancing with the Stars", the last one of the season, it was great to see the rest of the cast cheering on the three finalists: Ricki Lake, the only female, Rob Kardashian and J.R. Martinez. The first round consisted of an unlearned dance the couples have not yet attempted all season long. Ricki and J.R. took on the cha-cha while Rob challenged himself with the ever graceful waltz. It's the second round that viewers, like myself, wait for weeks on end, the make it or break it freestyle dances that allow lifts, stories, props and lively costumes. Here is how the couples took on their two dances.

First Round - Unlearned Dances

Ricki Lake and Derek Hough - Cha Cha

Of the two rounds this was Ricki's best performance of the night. I loved her red tight-fitting costume. She looked like she had lost some weight during her time on the show. Her costume worked beautifully with the fringe moving right along her spinning motions. 27

Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke - Waltz

You could see the improvement he has made over the past few weeks. He wasn't clodhopping around, plus Rob's arms and frame weren't so stiff either. It was a very good effort indeed. 27

J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff - Cha Cha

During their pre-performance video J.R. received good news from the doctor. His ankle was not broken, but it was very bruised. Thankfully he was back to shape once again. Unfortunately his dance was off just a bit. He was able to catch up at times. It was disappointing, but J.R. gave it his all. Needless to say the judges were mixed in their feedback. 24

Second Round - Freestyle Dances

Ricki Lake and Derek Hough

If Ricki embrace her new attitude and body in the first round, she took several steps backwards by wearing another hideous bird-like costume. Of all the seasons I've been watching "Dancing with the Stars" I have never seen a celebrity wear such unflattering costumes. Her black and white marabou skirt made her hips as wide as my TV screen. She looked absolutely huge in it.

Apparently the theme of her freestyle was the "Biggest Loser" in weight loss. The huge poster of Ricki at the beginning was a bit too much. Believe it or not their freestyle was extremely safe and boring. I was expecting something spectacular. 27

Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke

Now things started heating up with a very impressive freestyle that told a story set in the 20s/30s during Prohibition. The music was perfect by Cab Calloway as it set the mood in a speakeasy. Rob did some ambitious lifts that was entertaining to watch. The judges all loved it and he received his first perfect score. 30

J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff

J.R. decided to honor his Latin roots by combining hip hop and the Salsa Latin dance. The freestyle was set in a nightclub where J.R. wore an appropriate costume that was casual enough for his performing some extraordinary lifts. I haven't seen a male celebrity do something like that in a long time. The last time I was impressed with lifts in a freestyle was Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson. It was amazing to see Karina perform those amazing lifts where one was quite dangerous to do, but J.R. pulled it off. At the end he had the crowd and judges on their feet. It was the best freestyle of the night. 30

Tuesday night will be the crowning of the winner during the 2-hour results show finale. Lady Antebellum will be the musical guest along with all of the finalists dancing one last time. They will take on their favorite dance of the season. Afterwards, the final two remaining will dance an Instant Samba. You won't want to miss it.

SOURCES:

Dancing with the Stars, ABC.go.com

Ann Oldenburg, "'DWTS' finals: Rob Kardashian takes top spot", USAToday.com

Suzan Clarke, "'Dancing with the Stars' Week 10: Rob Kardashian Leads in Finale Week Scores", ABCNews.go.com