‘Dancing with the Stars’: And then there were three

The big news Monday night was that the show ejected Bethany Mota at the end.

Alfonso Ribeiro remains in the contest with Sadie Robertson and Janel Parrish. In the first round, Ribeiro collected perfect scores for a jive that was easily the standout routine. Carrie Ann Inaba noted that he had set the bar from day one, and Len Goodman said Ribeiro danced like Frank Sinatra sang.

In the first round, Parrish was the most compelling of the three female celebrities. The judges saw great rhythmic dancing but also a problem with Parrish keeping her balance. Robertson’s samba carried a “Duck Dynasty” theme and displayed her skill, but the judges saw timing problems.

Mota’s timing with her jive was thrown off by a problem with a set. In the second round, the freestyle, Parrish was the most impressive woman on a stripped-down contemporary dance with a passionate style and difficult moves. Julianne Hough said it was “absolutely breathtaking.”

Robertson’s freestyle had a video game theme, high energy and a bouncy group dance. Mota’s freestyle featured a revolution theme, her finesse at difficult moves devised by Derek Hough and her ability to keep pace with professional dancers.

The show saved Ribeiro for the end, and he delivered a big, bold routine that recalled the great MGM musicals. He and Witney Carson offered an inventory of their dances through the season, he performed tap, and he danced as well as the professionals behind him. Inaba said it was the ultimate freestyle, and Bruno Tonioli said Ribeiro had tapped his way to the top.

All four freestyles earned perfect scores. Goodman and Julianne Hough said it was the closest race in the show’s history. Even so, Ribeiro was the front-runner in Monday’s show. If he doesn’t win, it will be a shock.

This story was originally published November 25, 2014 at 8:42 AM with the headline "‘Dancing with the Stars’: And then there were three."