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'Dancing With the Stars' Recap: Driver Delivers

NFLer Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd win the mirror-ball trophy

By Kate Mulcrone May 22, 2012 9:07PM

'Dancing With the Stars'/ABC

It's official: Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd are our Season 14 champions! Donald said he felt amazing and he sure did look happy dancing around onstage with the mirror-ball trophy.

 

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This finale came right down to the wire, with the final cha-cha wrapping up just minutes before Tom announced the winner. After the audience's votes were combined with the judges' scores, William Levy and Cheryl Burke finished third and Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas were the runners-up.
 

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Here's a quick breakdown of each star's performances in the final week of competition:

 

William Levy

William's disco-infused cha-cha got the finals off to a rollicking start. The judges didn't have a single negative thing to say about this blockbuster routine. In the freestyle round, William and Cheryl went completely nuts. The Latin-infused routine never let up for a second. William kept up with his partner like a champ and the applause when he had finished was the loudest I've heard all season. In the final round, William and Cheryl turned in a sunny salsa that had the crowd on its feet – yet again. The judges joined in the lovefest. Bruno praised the number's spiciness and Carrie Ann told him he has true star quality.


Cha-cha: 30/30

Freestyle: 29/30

Salsa: 30/30

Score: 89/90


Katherine Jenkins

Katherine's first-round paso doble evoked a traditional Spanish bullfight. The choreography was as difficult as anything I've seen on this show and she nailed it. Her second-round freestyle had flapper flair. Carrie Ann praised her abilities as a performer and called the routine "the dance of a champion." Katherine and Mark's jive was lighthearted in spirit but incredibly tough when it came down to choreography. Katherine sailed through it like a pro!


Paso doble: 30/30

Freestyle: 30/30

Jive: 30/30

Score: 90/90


Donald Driver

Donald's moody Argentine tango had some amazing lifts in it! The routine struck a good balance between crazy acrobatics and intense dancing in hold. He and Peta turned in a countrified freestyle routine that was risky, but paid off! Len praised Peta for her unconventional choreography and called the dance "fantastic." Donald's intense, emotional cha-cha showed off his incredible grace and rhythm. It was downright flawless. Len called Donald the best contestant "we've had" – and it seemed to me that he meant in all 14 seasons.


Argentine tango: 29/30

Freestyle: 30/30

Cha-cha: 30/30

Score: 89/90

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215Comments
Carolina_man2
May 28, 2012 4:05PM
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This was the most competitive season so far!  The judges tried to keep the better contestants, by having the bottom two battle it out.  The entire voting should be overhauled.  The judges votes don't really mean anything  There is an extremely small % difference between 24 and 30 points when allocated over a maximum base of 360 points (30 * 12). The audience vote is based strictly on count.  Therefore, there can be a wide disparity between teams,   A much fairer way would be to allocate a certain percentage for the highest rank down to the lowest ranking of the teams from 1 through 12 (or however many are left).  The same approach would then be taken with the votes received by the audience,  The team receiving the highest % of votes would get the same % as was awarded to the team getting the highest numbers from the judges.. The judges vote would then truly make up 50% of the voting process.  The way it currently works, there was virtually no difference between the couples percentages by the judges.  Therefore, their vote was negated and it becomes a total populatity contest determined by the audience..
Carolina_man2
May 28, 2012 3:53PM
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This was the most competitive season so far!  The judges tried to keep the better contestants, by having the bottom two battle it out.  The entire voting should be overhauled.  The judges votes don't really mean anything  There is an extremely small % difference between 24 and 30 points when allocated over a maximum base of 360 points (30 * 12). The audience vote is based strictly on count.  Therefore, there can be a wide disparity between teams,   A much fairer way would be to allocate a certain percentage for the highest rank down to the lowest ranking of the teams from 1 through 12 (or however many are left).  The same approach would then be taken with the votes received by the audience,  The team receiving the highest % of votes would get the same % as was awarded to the team getting the highest numbers from the judges.. The judges vote would then truly make up 50% of the voting process.  The way it currently works, there was virtually no difference between the couples percentages by the judges.  Therefore, their vote was negated and it becomes a total populatity contest determined by the audience..
available
May 25, 2012 9:12PM
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Do you really expect anyone to enjoy that picture on top as much as if it were Katherine? What's wrong with you?
available
May 25, 2012 1:03PM
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My advice is they should have voted for the best dancer like the judges did. And stop the hate. This isn't American Idol or American anything. The pros and the so-called celebrities are from everywhere. So yes, they gave it to the wrong one unfortunately.
available
May 24, 2012 10:35PM
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Don't dictate what's okay and what isn't!
Susie Majors
May 24, 2012 9:52PM
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It is okay to disagree with the results but to the idiots who keep mentioning race, bear in mind that out of 14 seasons only 3 winners have been black. Donald's race had nothing to do with his win any more than Katherine being non-American had to do with her loss. Just because your favorite lost does not mean the show is rigged.  For goodness sake, it's a harmless TV dance show - no more, no less. It does not warrant the level of vitriol some are displaying.
available
May 24, 2012 10:38AM
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I think Katherine was getting unusually high early scores if I remember right. They got ninety at the end. Yet lots of people like a blood sport so much they pointlessly took away the sight of Katherine holding the trophy.
Diana Garcia
May 24, 2012 5:54AM
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Even though there where  good dancers on this seasons show; the judges scores proved that  the best dancers don't always win. Because no matter what William Levy and his partner had better moves than any other dancers on the show. The audience proved it without a doubt. Where is the  dancing  improvement as a true professional in this competition???  William Levy you are a true winner in my  eyes. You were awesome; a true champion. We will be keeping up with you in all your future career plans. God Bless You. and Lots of Love from us, your Fans!!!!!!!;;
concerned99
May 23, 2012 10:36PM
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Is there a reason that the public is made aware of the three judge's votes but there is never a mention made of the totals received per contestant from the public.  Could it be that releasing that information might reveal the actual revenue stream generated from millions of text messages?  It is very obvious that overall dancing talent has little to do with the actual outcome, hence this weeks final results..
keecak
May 23, 2012 4:11PM
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The only things that made this show great this year was Katherine and Mark and Maria and Derek!  Katherine and Mark SHOULD have won, however, it all comes down to the votes, that is, IF it isn't rigged.  I think they should start looking for new judges.  The three they have are really getting tiresome.....

 

vetrep2
May 23, 2012 3:05PM
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I learned a big lesson, and this is what I am going to do about it. First, don't take this program so seriously. The way I was brought up was to work hard and get rewards that are due. For some reason I thought this program was that. Not so. Instead of gluing myself to the TV on Monday and Tuesday nights, I will periodically leave my home office and eye the tv in the family room. I had things to take care of on those nights and put them off to view DWTS. No more.

 

I am not one to say "I am never watching this show again!!!" That won't happen. But this is total nonsense. If it was William who won, I would of felt bad for katherine. Of course if Katherine won, I would of been elated. But Donald!!!!!!! come on voters, you cannot possibly think he was the best.

 

Peta, brand new dancer, got booted first time last year, wins it all this year. What a comeback huh?

 

Did anyone notice there wasn't an interview or a judges comments? I didn't see any. I would love to hear what they ahd to say.

Elaine (Elaine48)
May 23, 2012 2:57PM
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What is amusing to me is that these so called great manly football stars, have nothing else better to do than become a constestant on Dancing with the Stars.  And frankly, shouldn't it be Dancing with the Stars?  Not dancing with Your Favorite Sports Pro.  Can ABC please define "Star" as far as I am concerned Star would be defined as existing actor, actress, singer, songwriter, reality star.  Not sports players, or politicians or political family. 

Pip39
May 23, 2012 2:14PM
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You ALL have to remember that this and all these type of shows are popularity contests..........In​ my opinion.........Mr Driver was not as accomplished a dancer as Mark/Katherine; Cheryl/William or Derek/Maria.........​....but it is what it is...........still not sure how all the extra "commercial" material of GB Packer players speaking for Donald was broadcast, basically as part of the show.....
a b
May 23, 2012 1:53PM
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Would you guys give it up on Derek. HE was not the competing amateur. He is the same as Val, Peta, Mac, and all of the other pros. If you cannot even remember Derek's partners name you must have been strictly a Derek fan. I didn't know community theater qualified one to be an expert in judging dancing, unless it was 44 years of strictly musical productions, ballet etc. The best dancer the last month won, regardless of  Len's scoring.  Katherine was great also, but no way did William

(gigilo) deserve to be in the final three.

REDPHTM
May 23, 2012 1:43PM
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I watched this whole season and it ended with my deciding i will not watch it anymore. Being the best dancer was not even part of the final decision making process. I am done with the hype placed around certain people. The guy won on popularity not ability. I had no favorite to win. I feel that their were two others very talented that should have won. One was sent home so the football player could stay. She should have won she danced very good. I agree Derek is to handsy with his dance partners. His hands on approach makes this not a family show. I don't want my children or grandchildren to feel that his behavior is acceptable. Its not. Dancing with the Stars i am done with your show and i am sure i am not the only viewer who feels this way.
Jason Sanchez
May 23, 2012 1:09PM
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I still think that the judges, on DWTS, should decide who is the better dancer and not to leave it up to the American public voting.

Jason Sanchez
May 23, 2012 1:06PM
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When you have an NFL football player, they have a nationwide fan base and that’s not fair to the other “stars”. Think about it, DWTS has had three or more NFL players win than any other sport dancing on the show.

Jason Sanchez
May 23, 2012 1:03PM
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The hot dancing Maria Menounos, in Dancing with the Stars, didn’t get into the finals because she displayed too much Public Display of Affection (PDA).  That’s why she didn’t get the votes needed to continue on the show and because of her skirt chasing partner. He’s hit on with every female he’s been with since DWTS began. What a dog!!!!  DWTS should make a rule that no professional dancer, under their employ, should get involved with any “star” physically or emotionally at the risk of being fired!

Someone
May 23, 2012 12:58PM
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It is very hard when your personal favorite does not win to consider that perhaps the best person did win. We tend to look at other competitors with a much more critical eye than our favorite. I too, actually never really gave much credence to anyone but my fav, Katherine, throughout the season. I did, however, notice Donald's consistent improvement from week to week. Did I ever think he would make it to the top three? Absolutely not! Did he deserve to be there? Absolutely! Did he deserve to win? YES - as much as either of the other two could have. He performed at no less a level than they did for the finale. This competition is about one night if you can make it that far. He danced like a champ on that night. Give him his due. In the final analysis, it's just a TV dance show that we enjoyed for a season. Be gracious.

...and KPATBLACK... by all means state your opinion but don't fool yourself into thinking you are any more qualified than "the average viewer" because of a nebulous connection to community theater.

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Deanna Barnert

Deanna Barnert | Los Angeles, Calif.

Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.

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