We'll Be The Judge of That! - Skating with Celebrities, The Finale

It’s the finale! Who will win, and who will have to settle for the silver? There are definitely a wealth of opinions to be had, so let’s get to it! Read on for the judging of Brian Towers, Mary Hart, and Teeuwynn Woodruff!

Kristy Swanson & Lloyd Eisler:

Brian: For their encore performance, Kristy and Lloyd performed a smooth skate with an impressive closing move. During the opening, Lloyd carried Kristy about rather a lot and the program seems to put the focus on Lloyd as much as Kristy. However, it was nicely done and they haven’t damaged their chances at all with this performance.

Preceding the final skate, I’m not sure that video about the wonderful “friendship” they developed was appropriate, but let’s get to the skating. As they began, I thought Kristy and Lloyd needed to pull out all the stops and increase their tempo from last week. They did! There were no obvious flaws or breaks in the performance and although it took a second to get it set up, their closing overhead spin was great. In fact, it one-upped the move the other team closed out their first effort with. It was definitely good enough to be the winning performance.

Mary: Way to go you two – who would believe after such a weak beginning at the start of the series, this pair would claim the top spot. I’m sure Kristy and Lloyd would have preferred that their competition Jillian and John had skated a clean program, then the winners’ triumph would have been even sweeter. But the Kristy/Lloyd moment of triumph was underscored by their last moments’ victory lap which was, in a word, exquisite. The champs reprised their breathtaking spiral and were never better than in the last moments of their farewell performance.

Both skates which built up to their win were wonderful. Their lyrical slow dance showcased the bond of trust, affection and respect between this pair, and if it were viewed side by side with Jillian and John’s ballad number, even if the runners-up had a clean skate; it would be clear that the best team won.

Kristy and Lloyd’s boogie to “Super Freak” was fast and full of impressive ticks: an adagio swing, aerial carrys, and what we learned was a One-Arm Detroiter. (If your kids misbehave, threaten then with this menacing-sounding move). At number’s end Kristy was so relaxed or was she relieved, she made a funny. When Judge Mark ended up with her boa that was jettisoned during the performance, she told him he could have it back.

Teeuwynn: After yet another montage about the skaters' journeys to this point in the competition, Kristy and Lloyd reprise their skate to “I'll Be.” The skate really shows how much Kristy has improved over the course of this show. Before their free skate, we get to see a piece on Kristy and Lloyd's relationship. Knowing that, shortly after taping ended, Lloyd dumped his pregnant wife for Kristy adds a whole huge, whopping level of meaning to the two of them going on and on about how their relationship won't end with the competition. Yeesh. Make that Double Yeesh. Did we really need to hear that much about their then-impending adultery? Let me just pause to shake off the sleaze.

There.

Now, Kristy and Lloyd's free skate to “Super Freak” was a lot of fun to watch. Kristy is one brave woman and Lloyd is a man who knows how to fling his partner around the ice. The number was fun to watch and Kristy and Lloyd pulled off a lovely adagio spin. The last time they tried that move, Kristy's chin got up close and personal with the ice! The final spin where Lloyd hoisted Kristy over his head and spun her about one-handed was really impressive. It looks like the Forces of Darkness as personified by Kristy and Lloyd just laid down the gauntlet for their arch-nemeses, Jillian and John. Can the Forces of Light and Blondeness prevail in the face of such skill?

Jillian Barberie and John Zimmerman:

Brian: In their encore performance, Jillian and John skated as clean a program as possible. The last spin traveled a few feet and the side-by-side work wasn’t too synchronized, but I consider these comparatively minor problems and they certainly threw down the gauntlet. Even if the judges didn’t score the performance, it’s in their short-term memories.

As they prepared for the final skate of the series, my thoughts were that after last week, Jillian and John needed to skate as clean a program as possible. I liked their look and they started strong, and it’s too bad she had that fall. I give her full marks for trying a more difficult jump, an axel, and for the quick recovery. However, after last week and the skate of their opponents, they really needed to be near perfect, and it didn’t happen. But oh, so close!

Mary: This pair’s first number showed off their speed and skill, but unfortunately, that performance was overshadowed by their final routine which started off full of promise. Their skate began, as Dorothy said, like they were floating on a cloud, but out of nowhere; they were struck by a thunderbolt. Jillian attempted an axel jump and fell. Twenty two times in practice, she said, the leap was successful, but then the heartbreak of a spill in performance. The crowd gasped, but Jillian personified championship stuff and quickly recovered. She never let us see her sweat, but smiled through the rest of the routine which continued nicely if not beautifully. Afterwards both Johns, Nicks and Zimmerman, gave “atta girls” to Jillian for attempting a 1 ½ rotation jump during the final performance. Fox’s sportscaster knew before the scores were revealed that she was runner-up, but captured everyone’s heart when she said she needed a drink. Give that girl a beer and a shot, and another round, and with each glass, a resounding toast for all she put into this competition and the delight she and John brought to the fans.

Teeuwynn: Jillian and John just come across as really sweet and competitive and everything this competition should be about. The pair started the routine floating and flowing across the ice, setting the mood so perfectly that I almost forgot to “Breathe!” Unfortunately, Jillian fell on her attempted single axel jump. That jump might cost Jillian the title, but it really encompasses everything I love about Jillian. As the judges noted, that was by far the riskiest, most difficult jump attempted by any celebrity... but that didn't stop Jillian from trying. I really wish she had succeeded, but good for her for pushing herself to her limit. The rest of the number was lovely to watch. John and Jillian work wonderfully together on the ice and you could see John talking Jillian through the rest of the performance. The end of the number, with Jillian poised on John or held by him in various positions was a really perfect way to end the performance and the competition for these two, but the fall was really too much for Jillian and John to overcome.

Final Thoughts:

Brian: The judges made the right decision. On a personal level, I really enjoyed the show and hope it comes back again next year.

Mary: Will Fox offer Skating with Celebrities 2? Based on the show’s ratings, which held up even during the Olympics, I wouldn’t be surprised. Given that none of the celebs suffered permanent injuries, perhaps other notables may be willing to showcase daredevil doings on the ice. Skating’s executives were no doubt impressed by the 18 million people who watched the Dancing with the Stars finale, and though the ice dancers on Fox may not have had as many in the audience, it was a wonderful finish for the series. Underdogs Kristy and Lloyd, who twice thought they were out, prevailed. Runners-up Jillian and John skated their hearts out and came in second trying something truly daring. Finally, no one can argue that Fox had the competition rigged so their girl jock anchor could win. Kristy and Lloyd took this title fair and square, and were delighted to find magic together on the ice.

Teeuwynn: I think Scott might have paused a bit too long in revealing the winner to the skaters. Jillian ended up confirming Kristy's win! So, the Forces of Evil triumph... for now. And deservedly. Jillian did fall and Kristy skated really well throughout the two-part finale. But I still don't have to like it. Maybe in the next edition of Skating with Celebrities the Forces of Good will triumph! We can only hope.

I didn't really know what to expect of this show before it began, but I have to say I've been impressed by pros and celebrities alike. Some of the tricks attempted have really been tough and the final two ladies showed admirable skating skills. This program might have started as a rip off of Dancing with the Stars, but I think Skating with Celebrities has carved out its own place in the reality universe.

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