The one thing that annoyed me in regard to Monday's show was the blatant 'tweaking' of the points by introducing the 'Winner Takes All Cha Cha' to ensure that Chelsea didn't get eliminated at the semi final stage.

The whole 'Winner Takes All Cha Cha' was only set up in my opinion because the programme makers felt that Chelsea could be eliminated. It could well be that her votes each week aren't strong enough against the others and, for reasons known best to themselves DWTS wanted her to go through.

I don't know the result of last night's show as I'll be watching the recording later on. But it will be interesting.

Yep. Tom Bergeron announced the reason that they were doing the cha cha challenge was because they had received so many complaints that good dancers were eliminated too early so it was up the judges to award the 15 extra points to the couple they felt were not just learning a routine but the actual dance.

Good heavens, what would mrs Slocombe have to say about that?

O Karina, the body of Venus with arms. But it was all a Touch too Much.

I think Hines is ridiculoiusly overmarked. His Argentine Tango lacked intensity (though was the best of the night so maybe overmarking Chelsea and Mark affected the judges score there) and his samba lacked bounce and yet he got two undeserved (IMO) 30s.

Unfortunately I think he's going to win. I'd prefer Chelsea and Mark to win as I feel they're the strongest couple plus the judges have been fair instead of overly kind on them. However, these shows tend to go on the character instead of the dancer.

I guess Carrie Ann was getting a lot of negative comments about the cha cha takes all on her twitter. She replied...

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It's like the dance-off with the judges having power - some hate it and some love it. Some want the judges to have power and for others it should be entirely up to the public. Not sure what the right thing to do is.

If Ralph had stayed and Chelsea was voted off I do believe there would be a lot of upset.

Maybe they like her partnership with Maks?
Maybe they admire her attitude?

People vote for lots of different reasons & sometimes it's hard to see what others see in a partnership.

I agree with you!!!

I think Kirsty is great, right result imo, looking forward to the final, happy whoever wins really good series for me

This series has been pretty 'meh' for me there hasn't really been any outstanding dancing like we saw in Season 10 and 11

Evan Lysaceks Paso is my favourite EVER dwts dance and Nicole and Erin were really good too

There hasn't been really anyone excellent at dancing this season, all just pretty bland and mediocre if i had to choose a winner it would be Kirstie i feel she has the best rapport with her partner and isn't that bad a dancer

Hines is way overmarked that Salsa was no way near a 30 in my opinion anyway

Chelsea is a good dancer but can't warm to her or Mark this season, trying to be like Derek and failing. Looking forward to Derek's return next season

Anyone else noticed that this year a lot of choreo from SCD is sneaking in, Kirsties AT a lot like Kara's aswell as Hines' a lot like Pamela & James' A.Smooth??

I have to admit I feel the same about this season. It seemed like there was potential during the first few weeks, but it's become a struggle not to fwd my recording at times. I like Kristie well enough but I don't think he technique has kept pace with her potential, Hines is definitely overmarked, and Chelsea is hampered by a really unlikable partner.

I miss season 10 with Evan & Anna(my second favorite pairing ever), Erin & Maks, and even Nicole & Derek(though I still wish E&A had won). Like you say there are no really memorable dances this year like Anna & Evan's Argentine Tango or Paso. This week I was more entertained by the show's retrospective on past freestyle dances then the new stuff.

Chelsea & Mark - Samba
Kirstie & Maks - Samba
Hines & Kym - Quickstep
Chelsea & Mark - Freestyle
Kirstie & Maks - Freestyle
Hines & Kym - Freestyle

I hate to say this but I preferred Hines & Kym's Freestyle to Chelsea & Mark's!

Didn't like any of those freestyles but least fave by a country mile was Chelsea and Mark,which surprised me as Mark normally does great freestyles.

Hated those dances What the hell is wong with them all? Dance dammit, not poor gymnastics and cheerleading!

Hines & Kym had the best freestyle of the lot - didn't see why Chelsea and mark got scored so highly on theirs... they were out a lot of the time!!!!!

Thanks for the links as usual.
So this first dance was a dance the judges wanted to see again but done better? We don't have that equivalent on SCD do we The nearest I can think of was series 6 when all 3 couples were asked to reprise their foxtrot.
None of the freestyle routines were brilliant in my opinion but I've written a more detailed review which I'll post later on the other thread.

Thanks for the links

I hated Chelsea & Mark's freestyle.

I love Hines & Kym. He has so much joy in his dancing.

Chelsea's Freestyle was gimmicky. I really didn't like Hine's Freestyle - I still think he's a very mediocre dancer and what was he wearing? All of the Freestyles were frenetic and messy. Hines is definitely going to win.

Hines was wearing the typical uniform of the bands that play in the interval of American Football games - although they normally have sleeves lol.

I was disappointed with Chelsea and Mark's Freestyle - they were out of sync for so much of it. And why did Kirstie choose to wear black (or brown?) - it was difficult to see what she was doing.

Thanks Force Ten for links. Love love loved Hines &Kym's freedance, it was very original thanks to Kym's great choreography. BTW, meow meow or what, Brooke Burke to Kirstie, "how does it feel competing with someone born in 1988" thought Kirstie handled it well though.

When do we find out who wins?
Thanks.

Thanks Force Ten for the links! Must say the freestyles were rather disappointing this year bit like they were on SCD too! Out of them all Chelsea and Marks was too predictable and the worst out of the 3 IMO and if I had to pick I'd say Hines and Kym had the 'best' (of the bad bunch) freestyle!

Hopefully the Silent Assassin and Kym can take that glitterball Dread to think how Mark's already overinflated ego would cope if he won this series

I'm pretty sure Hines & Kym will win tonight..... but its anyone's guess which of Kirstie or Chelsea will be the runner up.... I think Kirstie has a bigger fanbase, and will get some underdog votes, and also some protest votes at the overmarking of the other two.

I would love her to win as I really really want to see Maks lift the trophy after all these years...