Mel, Marie, Helio? ‘Dancing’ Finals Were Anyone’s Game

The final three contestants on “Dancing With the Stars” battled it out on Tuesday night and for the first time in several seasons, there was no clear winner.

Spice Girl Mel B and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy netted the highest total score of the night — 55 points, a single point ahead of Helio Castroneves, but the racecar driver’s fantastic finish and Marie Osmond’s mega-fan base meant anyone could walk away with the trophy.

As Monday night’s competition opened, Mel B looked poised to sweep “Dancing” with her hot cha cha to “Car Wash.” Her sexy dance netted a standing ovation from the Spice Girls, who came out to support Scary as she battled it out for the prize.

“Technically you’ve improved incredibly,” judge Bruno Tonioli told Mel and Maks.

“I think you’ve blossomed into an incredible dancer,” judge Carrie Ann Inaba added.

Marie Osmond and her partner Jonathan Roberts however, weren’t prepared to recoil in defeat. The two came out with a samba giving their all and the judges responded to their enthusiasm.

“Marie, I’m gonna tell you the truth. . . you always come out here and you give your heart and soul, you give 110 percent and you never fail to entertain … technically it wasn’t your best dance, but as an entertainer you always deliver,” Bruno told the “Dancing” couple.

Helio and Julianne Hough took to the stage next, doing the jive, a dance the judges gave just 25 out of 30.

“You messed up the heel toe swivels,” judge Len Goodman sighed. “It was a disappointment.”

For round 2, the dancers showed off theirfreestyle.

Despite bringing in choreographers from the Spice Girls world tour, Mel and Maks found themselves on shaky footwork. The couple’s dance lacked the intensity of their previous number, something the judges took notice of when dishing out a 27 out of 30.

“For me it was slightly disjointed here and there,” Len said.

“I think you’re better than that,” Carrie Ann said. “I don’t think it showcased all that you did the past few months.”

The “Dancing” super couple’s slip left the door open for Marie and Jonathan who added a theme to their freestyle.

Marie, who is a doll designer, dressed like a doll that came to life for her dance, offering the clunky footwork of a first time dancer, on purpose. She also threw in plenty of flips as she made animated strides across the floor.

“You think this is a good idea and when you put it on the dance floor, somehow it just doesn’t work out,” Len sighed.

“I don’t buy it,” a proud-of-her-dance Marie retorted.

“This is the loopiest thing I’ve ever seen,” Bruno commented as the judges gave the couple just 22. “It’s like ‘Baby Jane’ and the ‘Bride of Chuckie.’”

Though they struggled with their first dance, Helio and Julianne got their motors in gear for the freestyle round, sliding on to the floor in racecar driver costumes, which they ripped off to reveal glittering gold numbers. Their fun frolic across the dance floor saw Helio spinning Julianne around like never before. The duo also did human cartwheels with Julianne even flipping around her taller partner.

“Here we go with Mr. Irresistible,” Bruno enthused.

“I’m worn out. That was fantastic,” Carrie Ann commented. “You’re the perfect blend of what Marie and Mel bring to the table.”

The couple wrapped up the finals with the highest individual score of the evening: A 29 out of 30.

The winner will be crowned Tuesday night.

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