Dancing with the Stars Season 30 – The FINALE LIVE BLOG!!

Well, it’s almost that time – the finale. And at this moment I’m just hoping my ABC affiliate survives. Their broadcast has been sputtering for the last half hour. It’s 2021, people -FIX IT.

Totally bummed that Derek won’t be on the show tonight, especially the dancing part. 🙂 Julianne is okay, but I far prefer Derek. Both his judging AND his dancing.

T-minus ten minutes!

Wow! Great opening and all sans Tyra. Despise how they all line up to honor her though.

No way do they let Alan choose what fusion dance they’re doing. I call BS on that one. Anyway, Amanda is up first. 🙂

She’s dancing beautifully. Nice transition to the Paso.  Okay that jump was awkward. Like her back is stiff or something. She really had to concentrate to get that foot pointed. 🙂

Julianne is talking…too much. 😉  Says Amanda’s journey has been beautiful. Consistent. Says she found the balance between the two styles (I didn’t recognize much Paso). Bruno is raving about sizzling and passion (?).  CAI says we always get quality but said she was tentative during VW and noted a stumble at the end. Len says she’s like a total eclipse.

Scores: 9, 10, 9, 10 for 38 out of 40.  I would have given her a 9.  And Alan an 8 for not  a ton of recognizable Paso. 🙂

So, Cody is doing a Paso/Cha Cha fusion and Cheryl didn’t try to take credit for the idea. She also shows she a far better choreographer than Alan is – more seasoned. Cheryl’s choreography is more exciting – could be the song helps a lot. He’s dancing it quite well.  He’s not my favorite, but those comparing him to Bobby Bones are way off base. This man can dance, I just don’t think he’s as good as he should be or as good as the other finalists.

Bruno is raving – I suspect he will for everyone. CAI talks about far he’s come, how he’s proven himself. Len says it had vim, vigor  and vitality. He would have liked more shaping. Jules notes he worked on his feet since last week.

Scores: 9, 9, 9, 9 for a total of 36.  I liked it better than Amanda’s so I would trade their scores.

JoJo and Jenna up next. I’m so shocked that she and Iman are my favorites – totally not what I expected at the beginning of the season. I thought I would probably be for Mel C and Amanda. Nope. 🙂 JoJo is so much more than I expected. Anyway, they’re doing a….Tango/ChaCha Fusion.

I’m constantly impressed by how totally in sync these two are, it’s fun to watch. You can train people to dance, but you can’t make them so perfectly in sync. Stunning. And yes, Jenna is the best choreographer on this show, followed closely by Daniella.

CAI sees a woman transformed. Len says she proved it doesn’t matter the gender mixture, if the dancing is great magic happens. Jules says she’s all things. Bruno says she’s freaking awesome. Perfection.

She’s freaking inspiring, yet so young.

Scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 for a perfect 40.  I do wonder if they are dancing in the reverse order of how they’ll finish. DWTS used to have a sneaky way of doing that. Of course, it’s probably not as obvious as it’s been in the past.

Derek might be the handsomest covid patient I’ve ever seen. See – a vaccine will make it so you’re only mildly sick and still FINE. 😉

I do agree that Iman is the most improved and he’s tied with JoJo in sheer entertainment factor. He’s just FUN. Kill it, Iman!! Their fusion is ChaCha/Foxtrot Fusion.

He’s actually doing incredibly well on the cha cha portion. Excellent even. The foxtrot portion is a little tougher for him, although much better in hold. Daniella is putting Cha Cha and Foxtrot all the way through.  Loved the ending.

Len is going to low ball him. Says underdogs bite back. Says he loves how he dances cool. Jules never thought he was an underdog and right points out what the show is about – integrating the dances with who you are. Bruno says the eagle has risen to new heights. I missed CAI’s blathering because I was noting Len’s body language.

They’re raving like he might win this thing. It’s in Len’s body language – he doesn’t want to praise him (hand to forehead), but he does anyway, because he likes to be right.

Scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 40.  Yep, Iman is very likely winning after that score. I say that because while I loved it, I don’t think it was a 40. He’s had better dances that were scored lower. That said, I did like him better than Amanda or Cody.

Cue the obligatory season retrospective with a slow song.  Mel C – love her as a Spice Girl, but I’m not sure about her as a solo artist.

I sure hope it’s JoJo or Iman – this retrospective is reminding me of their iconic dances. I don’t think Amanda or Cody had anything nearly as memorable.  Both perfectly nice people, I’m sure, but not my picks to win.

Freestyles coming up next!!

Gleb screwing up the pro dance as per usual. That dude always sticks out like a sore thumb.  Always behind or ahead of the other guys. Did Val miss the cue to take off his shirt? Usually he’s the first one to go, although Gleb is trying to steal that thunder. Not impressed. The women were fantastic as per usual.

Cody’s freestyle is first – wonder why they changed the order.  Staging?  Cody is extra?  Yeah, I’d agree with Cheryl. 🙂

This is just weird.  Once they got down on the floor it improved vastly. Was starting to think Cheryl lost her touch. And now it’s back to weird again.  I don’t know what to think about all that. I don’t think it showed a lot of skill or dance ability.

Jules says he gave everyone permission to be themselves. Bruno compares him to JLo in hustler and Gina from Showgirls. CAI says it was most flamboyant freestyle ever. Len doing the hand motions is too much for me. Wild, wacky and wonderful.

Scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 for a 40. Everyone will get a 40 on this round unless they take a crap on the floor. And maybe even then.

Amanda up next with their freestyle. Very curious to see what direction they will go.

Ooooo….I like the start.  Of course contemporary. It’s where she lives. Of course, I don’t think Alan is cross trained to the extent Jenna and some of the others are, so it’s contemporary with a whole lot of ballroom moves.  I saw VW and AT, to name two. But it was a fun, well executed dance.

Bruno calls her a star reborn. CAI says she’s hope and resilience personified – agreed. She’s been through a lot. Len would give her the win if he could. 🙂 Straight, white blonde? He’s all over it. Jules says the whole universe is open to her.

Scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 40.

Jojo and Jenna are looking cute and they’re up next.

Jenna has done wonderful things with Jojo, but I think JoJo is responsible for her own growth and maturity. She’s not at all what I expected, so happy to say. And oooo… they’re dancing to Gaga’s Born this way.

That double backbend was amazing. They’re doing what they do best.  Staying in sync. While that was a great dance it wasn’t hugely impactful. Very well done, and fun – but ALL of their dances are like that. JoJo set her own bar so high. That was excellent, but she’s always excellent.

CAI is insane. Len mentions all the ballroom stuff mixed in. Says she’s a stand out. Jules is being profound about making change. Bruno raves.

Scores:  Of course it’s a 40.

Iman and Danielle are up next…and I have to wonder after JoJo’s freestyle if Danielle is going to take the freestyle crown for the night. Alan and Cheryl were not impressive. Jenna’s was great, but not her best dance this season. I do wonder what crazy Daniella is going to whip out. 🙂

Iman is hilarious with his short comments. 🙂  Iman isn’t the only one fearless, girl.

Holy crap. That was full out, non-stop. Crazy lifts. the all male part was awesome. Daniella has skills! That was AMAZING!! Wow! So fast!

Len talks about how it’s been like a fantastic book – doesn’t say a word about the dance. Bruno is so excited that he skipped Julianne. 🙂  Jules says it’s her favorite freestyle ever.  CAI says it was sick. What’s so special is that he showcased his partner.

Scores: of course it’s a 40.

Well, I think Iman cinched it.  It’s either Jojo or Iman in my book.  I’d be happy with either one. If anyone else wins, something went horribly wrong.

Hehehe….this eliminated litigators bit is pretty good.

Jimmy singing – I like it. OSHA probably isn’t a fan of all that fog combined with all those steps though. 🙂  Amanda and Jimmy both going on tour, btw.

Here we go! Very much doubt there was a record number of votes when the ratings are lower than ever. I guess it depends on what record we’re talking about. Like this bit with all fate family members. Is it my imagination or does everyone in Amanda’s family look so much alike? Jojo got gyped on the family.

Fourth Place: Amanda and Alan

Third Place: Cody and Cheryl.

The Winner of DWTS Season 30 is….Iman and Daniella!!  Well deserved. I loved both of the top two and would have been happy with either one. Iman I think touched something in everyone’s hearts – there’s something sweet and genuine about him and Daniella just killed the choreography.  Jenna and Jojo have nothing to be ashamed of – their dancing was stellar every single week. This was a good result, IMO.

I”m sorry, but Tyra that was the fakest thing I’ve ever seen. Her “Oh My God!” Lord help us. Derek’s reaction actually got cut off on my broadcast. But the blue eyes!! Greatly prefer him to Julianne…actually I prefer him to all of them. 🙂