TV Review and Recap: DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13

By PAMELA HARLAND / Contributing Editor

Posted: November 22nd, 2011 / 01:24 AM

Stars: Rob Kardashian, Ricki Lake, J.R. Martinez
Network: ABC, airs Mondays, Tuesdays
Original Telecast: November 21st, 2011

Before you know it – Bam! It’s here already – the DANCING WITH THE STARS: Season 13 finals, or as Derek Hough may put it, just another day on the dance floor. Hough has made the finals four times with three wins. If he and partner Ricki Lake win tomorrow he will have won the mirror ball trophy a record four times and he will have never lost in the finals.

However, that’s a big “if”. He and Lake have stiff competition with J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff tying them for second with a total of 54 points. Rob Kardashian & Cheryl Burke are in the lead with 57 points. Yes, KARDASHIAN! If he wins, he’ll give the family some good press at a time when they really need it. Once again, that’s a big “if”, cause fan favorite Martinez has pulled the heart strings of fans everywhere, as well as impressed the judges throughout the entire season, with only a few missteps here and there. So, it’s tight race. There are reasons why each couple deserves to win but only one duo will walk away with the coveted trophy. Only one more day!

Cheryl Burke and Rob Kardashian in DANCING WITH THE STARS - Season 13 - "The Finals" | ©2011 ABC/Adam Taylor

Rob Kardashian (reality star) and his partner Cheryl Burke
He definitely has shown how far he has come throughout this competition.
Len Goodman, though, thought his Waltz got a bit heavy. Carrie Ann Inaba called Kardashian the male Cinderella. Bruno Tonioli said his dance was full of expression.
Inaba – 9, Goodman – 9, Tonioli – 9, Harland – 9

J.R. Martinez (U.S. veteran/actor) and his partner Karina Smirnoff
Very, very hot! Goodman said it was brave, but he didn’t really like it. Tonioli thought his intensity was right on the money. Inaba commented on how the audience loved him.
Inaba – 8, Goodman – 7, Tonioli – 9, Harland – 9

Ricki Lake (TV host/actress) and her partner Derek Hough
She is a smooth dancer, but shows nothing new any more. Goodman thought her Cha Cha Cha was action packed. Tonioli thought she had never been hotter. Inaba said she is definitely living the dance.
Inaba – 9, Goodman – 9, Tonioli – 9, Harland – 9

Karina Smirnoff and J.R. Martinez in DANCING WITH THE STARS - Season 13 - "The Finals" | ©2011 ABC/Adam Taylor

FREESTYLE

J.R. Martinez (U.S. veteran/actor) and his partner Karina Smirnoff
What lifts! So risk taking! So fabulous!
Goodman thought his freestyle was fantastic. Inaba said it was a great comeback. Tonioli commented on Martinez’s animal physicality.
Inaba – 10, Goodman – 10, Tonioli – 10, Harland – 10

Rob Kardashian (reality star) and his partner Cheryl Burke
Classy but a little clunky and good lifts. Goodman told Kardashian he should be proud of his free style. Inaba was blown away. Tonioli thought he had great timing.
Inaba – 10, Goodman – 10, Tonioli – 10, Harland – 9

Ricki Lake and Derek Hough in DANCING WITH THE STARS - Season 13 - "The Finals" | ©2011 ABC/Adam Taylor

Ricki Lake (TV host/actress) and her partner Derek Hough
She handled some difficult moves well but the dance was not out of this world. Goodman thought her free style was fun and entertaining. Inaba said she loved those lifts. Tonioli said Lake did a demanding dance.
Inaba – 9, Goodman – 9, Tonioli – 9, Harland – 9

Who will win? Well, I think Martinez will pull it off in the end. He is not a quitter. He is a fighter and he will do everything it takes to win. Plus, it would be nice to see Smirnoff win for a change. Stay tuned!

UPDATE: WHO WON SEASON 13 – click on link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 10 winner announced

AGREE? DISAGREE? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

Click on Link: Analysis: Is DANCING WITH THE STARS a Popularity or Talent contest?

Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 9 Elimination

Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 9 Recap – “Relay Cha Cha Cha”

Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 8 elimination

Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 8 Recap – “Instant Jive Night”

Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Week 7 elimination

Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 7 Recap – “Halloween Celebration”

Click on link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 6 elimination

Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 6 Recap – “Broadway Week”

Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 5 elimination