Dancing with the Stars 3, November 15: We Have a Winner!

Pat has been nervous for Emmitt every week on show day and results day. Eva Longoria has been pulling for Mario the whole way. More of the same from various other friends. Emmitt’s and Mario’s moms make me cry. They’ll both be proud of their boys no matter what happens. Ally is clearly moved too, as she leaves her cookie for later so she can finish watching the show.

Tom asks all the eliminated stars for their favorite moment from the show. Tucker says the chair, Shanna says dancing the criss-cross and Jerry smashing the guitar, Harry says dancing with Ashly and looking out and seeing his wife Lisa out in the audience cheering him on even when he was less than perfect. Vivica says making new friends and dancing with Nick. Tom asks if they will stay in touch and Vivica jokingly says no.

Willa says the week of the waltz when her grandmother came to see her. Sara says making a life-long friend in Tony and everyone claps. Jerry says when they said he could keep the frilly shirt he’s wearing tonight, then says having his daughter Katie there was very special. Monique loved having her mom in the audience, but her real favorite moment was finding out that Jerry Springer was her dad. Ha! Tom says, “Okay then!” Joey’s favorite moment was having his wife and his mom there with him.

Samantha says Emmitt has inspired many football fans through his performances, and it’s been an emotional journey for the partnership of Emmitt & Cheryl. Cue retrospective. Cheryl thought she would have a lot of trouble teaching such a big guy to dance. She would have never thought he could dance as well as he has. Emmitt just wanted to show her he could do it and wanted to learn more than anything. They’ve become friends and are like brother and sister now. Cheryl thanks Emmitt for all the advice he gave her, and Emmitt thanks her for pushing him and believing in him. He says he loves her as Cheryl cries.

Mario wants the trophy just as bad as Emmitt, and he’s become as talented as a professional dancer. Mario thought Karina was as firecracker from the start, and she had her days when she wanted to kill him slowly and painfully. Review of the illegal moves. Karina says that put so much pressure on him and after that Mario wanted to practice 24/7. They are also great friends and Mario hopes he made her proud. She says he has and she hopes their friendship will last for a long, long time.

It’s finally time to award the disco ball trophy! (Personally, I think it’s a bit tacky, but who am I to say so?) Ally is sitting up, fidgeting with anticipation. The champion of Dancing with the Stars 3 is… EMMITT SMITH! And partner Cheryl Burke, of course. WOW, that makes two seasons in a row for Cheryl. You know next season’s stars are clamoring for her as their partner already!

Everyone cheers and Emmitt’s family is overcome with joy. Tom says Roger Staubach will have to give Emmitt respect now! Emmitt congratulates Mario & Karina and thanks Mario for his hard work and effort. Awww, Emmitt is so classy! Ally celebrates with a peanut butter filled bone.

Mario is very gracious but Karina looks less than excited. She says Mario is her true champion, and the best man for her on the competition. Mario thanks her for her hard work and dedication to him.

Emmitt & Cheryl hoist the trophy at center stage as the judges and the audience stand and applaud. All of the eliminated stars and professionals join the champ on stage and it’s hugs all around. Emmitt’s daughters join him as Jerry hugs Mario—and gives him a kiss on the cheek.

What a great season! I hate to see it end. It’s been my pleasure to bring you these final two shows, and of course to perform my usual judging duties for the rest of the season. I know I learned a lot about dancing from this show, and I hope you did too. I can’t wait for next season!

On behalf of regular recapper Jill Jones (and her dog Yoko), my fellow “We’ll Be the Judge of That!” panelists Ashley Lundy and Logan Huffman, and all of us here at RNO, thanks for sticking with us through this great season. We enjoyed bringing you all the action (and the filler too) and we hope you enjoyed reading about it. Stay tuned for Dancing with the Stars 4! Ciao!

Sandy Lamparello is an Assistant Editor for Reality News Online and a Legal Editor for a publishing company in Washington, DC. She is beginning to feel the effects of LOST withdrawal. You may reach her at realitytvjunkie@gmail.com.

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