'˜DWTS' Season 11, Episode 10 The Finals Recap

It's hard to believe that Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy are gone. Easily, the best dancers, and the couples we should be watching in the finals are Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy; Audrina Patridge and Toni Dovolani; Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough.

But, as they always say on 'DWTS' it is not the leader board that determines who will stay and who will go. Fan votes make a difference and that has never been more clear than this year.

Audrina Patridge was taking the leader board by storm, but was voted off early. "Voted off" isn't really the right word, it's just that she didn't have enough votes to keep her around. So, we lost Audrina and Toni early.

Last week in the semi-finals I thought the two who should be worried were Kyle Massey and Bristol Palin. As it turned out, Brandy and Maksim said goodbye during the results show last week.

Bristol Palin has hugged the bottom of the leader board, based on judges scores, but has managed to make it all the way to the finals. Some people are squealing that Bristol's success on 'DWTS' is a Tea Party conspiracy. It really doesn't matter where the votes are coming from, the point is that dancers have to get the votes from the fans.

I would be very surprised if Jennifer Grey didn't win, but we'll find out tomorrow night. Apparently Disney Star Kyle Massey has fans voting for him. I wouldn't have expected him to last this long either.

Tonight three couples will give it everything they've got to win the mirror ball trophy:
Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough
Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer
Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas

'DWTS' season 11, episode 10 - The Finals Recap
The first dance of the evening was a redemption dance. The dance for each couple was picked by the judges based on a dance they should have mastered in the past, but didn't.

The judges visited the studios to give the dancers pointers before they danced their redemption dance.

The second portion of the finales was the much anticipated free style dance.

'DWTS' season 11, episode 10 - Redemption Dances Recap

Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer - danced the fox trot
Following some very charismatic dances in the last few weeks the fox trot danced by Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer was somewhat lackluster. The footwork wasn't great, and Lacey came across with too much sex appeal to have a young dance partner.

Kyle was a little more stiff and focused than we have become accustomed to seeing him dance.

Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer scored a 27, which was too high for their performance. It didn't deserve three 9s.

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas - danced the jive
Last week was one of Bristol's best weeks on 'Dancing with the Stars.' The last time she danced the jive she forgot the footwork, ans she was in a gorilla costume.

Bristol actually looked like she was having fun doing the jive. Bringing out her personality has been one of her weaknesses all season, but she managed to put on a much stronger face tonight and danced with energy.

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas scored a 27, which was a surprisingly high score from the judges for Bristol.

Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough - paso doble
There were a few missteps in her first pass at the paso doble, so Jennifer had a chance to redeem herself.

The paso doble s a very hot and seductive dance. They danced it beautifully. It is difficult to see how Jennifer puts her body, with all of her physical problems through such a grueling dance. Jennifer and Derek definitely redeemed themselves during the paso doble.

Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough scored a perfect score of 30 with high accolades from the judges.

'DWTS' season 11, episode 10 - Freestyle Dance

Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer - freestyle
In order for Kyle to do well on the freestyle he had to depend a great deal on his personality. His freestyle dance was done to the 'Tootsie Roll.' It was very Disney-esque. It allowed Kyle's personality to show, but the style of dance didn't demonstrate his best dancing ability. He did what he felt good doing and brought entertainment to the dance floor.

Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer scored 29, with two 10s from the judges.

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas - freestyle
Bristol felt like she had a lot to prove with the freestyle because of the beating she has taken from the press.

Mark chose a knock-off from a 'Chicago' dance for her freestyle. It was a stylized dance. The two did very well, but it was a bit too difficult for them to try and copy-cat a performance.

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas scored 25.

Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough - freestyle
Jennifer Grey just had to show up and dance to her potential to get a perfect score on her freestyle.

Her freestyle was a work of art and heart. It was full of unexpected moves, lifts, twists, and jumps.

Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough scored another perfect score of 30.

'Dancing with the Star' Finals Leader Board - season 11, episode 10

Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer - 27 + 29 = 56

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas - 27+ 25 = 52

Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough - 30 + 30 = 60