'Dancing With The Stars' Week 10 Wrap-up: It's down to Donny, Mya & Kelly; who will win? Vote below

November 24, 9:53 AMNashville Entertainment ExaminerJonathan Pinkerton

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Who will take the Mirror Ball? Mya, Donny or Kelly?/ABC

Despite every attempt to the contrary by ABC's Nashville affiliate WKRN, Channel 2, I was able to watch Monday night's time-delayed late-night broadcast of the final week of competition on Dancing With The Stars.  Unlike most local affiliates, which aired the top-rated reality dance show in its regular timeslot without fail, WKRN once again pre-empted the show in favor of airing the Titans vs. Texans game, which aired on ESPN elsewhere in the country. Adding further insult to injury was the fact that when the actually did air DWTS, it wasn't at the announced time, causing some viewers who tried to catch it via their TiVo or DVR to miss either the beginning or the end of the show, as it overlapped with channel guide schedules.

The final night of competition was made up of three performances by each of the remaining three celebrities and their professional partners:  a Ballroom round, a newly added Megamix round and the much anticipated Freestyle round.

The night started off with a dance performance to the song Be Italian from the upcoming film, Nine.  Kelly Osbourne & Louis Van Amstel were first up in the Ballroom round with an Argentine Tango.  While the judges gave her encouraging remarks, she failed to receive the illusive 10 from any of them.  With a pair of 9s from judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Len Goodman, and an 8 from Bruno Tonioli, Kelly & Louis scored a disappointing 26 for their Tango.

Mya & Dmitry Chaplin performed a Paso Doble to the beat of the Queen classic, We Will Rock You, and rock they did.  They stepped up the competition with a perfect score of 10 from each of the judges, giving them their first 30 of the season.

Donny Osmond & Kym Johnson were up next with a Cha Cha Cha.  Always the audience favorite, Donny & Kym received a standing ovation from the audience as the conclusion of their dance.  The judges were almost as kind, as they doled out triple 9s for a score of 27.

The Megamix was next.  As host Tom Bergeron explained, all three couples would take to the floor simultaneously as they danced the same steps to three different styles of dance mixed together, giving the judges one final time to compare their skills side-by-side.  The three varying styles of dances were divided by three very different musical accompaniments:  You and Me by Lifehouse, Shakira's Whenever, Wherever and the 80s classic, Maniac by Michael Sembello from the film Flashdance.

It was during this all-out routine that I was reminded what a challenge the two female competitors faced. Yes, they are some 20 years younger than seasoned veteran Donny , but youth aside, the girls are at a disadvantage as far as technique is concerned.  Donny being the only male left in the competition has a bit of an upper-hand in that his professional partner, Kym has the ability to make him look good.  Let's not forget what Bob Thaves said about legendary dance-great Ginger Rogers, "Sure Fred Astair was great, but don't forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did, backwards…and in high heels."  

Of the Megamix, Len said, "It is difficult to judge.  There is no clear winner, no one person heading into the winner's circle."  Bruno, paid compliments to all three contestants.  Carrie Ann congratulated Donny on keeping up with his younger competitors.  Of Mya's Samba, Carrie Ann remarked, "Your Samba makes my hips go boom boom."  She also praised Kelly for her journey overall.  The judges ranked the three couples for their Megamix performance, giving Kelly & Louis 26 points, Donny & Kym 28 and Mya & Dmitry their second 30 for the season, and the night.

Kelly & Louis were back on the dancefloor after a quick commercial break and a costume change for the Freestyle round.  Dressed in a sparkling flowing hooded cape, Kelly totally looked the part of a Disco Diva as she and her partner danced to the affirmative disco anthem, I WIll Survive.  During the routine, there were a couple of missteps, but overall she shined.  Carrie Ann said, "Freestyle is all about giving us what we want to see.  You showed us you are a survivor.  When you fall, you get back up, when you miss a step you smile and continue."  Bruno continued the praise by saying she perfectly represented the disco era, further stating he should know because he was there.  He even lessened the blow of her stumble by saying that back then, people fell on the dance floor too.  Len said he thoroughly enjoyed watching Kelly perform.  Triple 8s from the judges gave Kelly & Louis 24 for the round, giving them a combined total of 76 out of a possible 90 for the night.

Host Bergeron gave a quick plug to Tuesday night's finale, promo'ing a special performance by Whitney Houston, as well as threatening viewers with promised dances by Cloris Leachman, Jerry Springer and Steve Wozniak.  Also slated for the two-hour finale, a face-off between sports legends-turned DWTS contestants, Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice.

Mya & Dmitry's Freestyle was up next as they performed a routine to You Can't Stop The Beat from Hairspray.  It was entertaining, but safe, and the judges agreed.  Carrie Ann said, "High energy, fun, but not outstanding to me."  Bruno concurred with, "You had all the vivacity, but I was expecting something a little more spectacular."  Len agreed by saying, "There was a sameness about the whole thing."  Despite the borderline comments, the judges handed out triple 9s across the board, giving Mya & Dmitry 27 for Freestyle and a combined total of 87 out of 90 for the night.

Donny & Kym wrapped up the evening with an upbeat but classy take on Ray Charles' Let The Good Times Roll.  With a wink to old Hollywood, the duo began their routine atop a semi-circle staircase, with Donny in tux and tails and Kym in a tux-inspired leotard.  Adding a bit of humor to the routine, Donny had Kym's pink boa draped across his neck, while Kym had Donny's top hat in hand.  A quick switch of the props and the actual dance began.  Of their routine, Len said, "That was an absolute show stopper!"  Bruno said simply, "Mr. Show Business at his best."  Carrie Ann prattled on about how there were Freestyle routines that are remembered, then gleefully announced, "Welcome to the Freestyle Hall of Fame."  Not surprisingly, triple 10s followed, giving Donny & Kym a perfect 30 to add to their tally of 85 for the night. 

Who Will Win?

To get a fair assessment of the final three contestants, let's look at their journey so far.  Donny has a strong audience following.  He is part of one of America's most famous performing families and has never stopped.  Not to be maudlin, but ever since the death of Michael Jackson, baby boomers are now needing a new fellow boomer to stand behind.  This could make Donny the comeback kid.

Mya is clearly the most talented of the three dancers.  All season long, the judges, Len in particular, have been a bit harder on Mya.  Take into consideration she is the only one of the three with a real dance background.  She even had roles in dance-themed movies, Chicago, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and Shall We Dance.  Let's not forget her music career, but does she have the fan-base to secure a win?

Kelly is the underdog.  We've witnessed her go from potty-mouthed brat to potty-mouthed lady.  I'm not gonna lie, I love Kelly and secretly hope she takes it all.  This year has been a mixed year for underdogs.  Susan Boyle came in second on Britain's Got Talent, but with yesterday's release of her debut album, proved she was the clear winner.  Depending on your views, American Idol's Kris Allen and/or Adam Lambert were both underdogs of sorts and look where that got them.  Kris' debut is selling well and Adam, thanks in part to his AMA performance is grabbing headlines left and right as his CD climbs the charts. Kelly is definitely most improved, but is that enough to garner her the title?

Mya & Dmitry go into tonight's finale with the highest scores, an 87 overall. With a combined score of 85, Donny & Kym came in second in the final round of competition.  Kelly & Louis' distant 76 marks them most likely to be eliminated at the onset of tonight's finale.  Of course, as always, final scores could be completely upset by audience votes.  Tonight also includes one final performance by each of the tree contestants.  That dance is then scored by the judges alone.  Monday's scores are added to viewer votes and Tuesday night's judges scores to determine the winner of the illusive Mirror Ball Trophy.