A Focus On the Finalists – James & Sharna (S23)

A Well-Deserved Focus On

Season 23’s Fabulous Finalists

– James & Sharna

Truly a Season that will be marked within the Ballroom’s history as one that was practically overflowing with incredible Talent, stunning Choreography, and fine Dancing, Season 23’s unique Finals was a rarely see phenomenon where any one of the Show’s 4 Finalists could have Won its highly sought after, glittering Mirror Ball Trophy and remained MORE than duly justified!

Certainly no exception to that expressed sentiment, James Hinchcliffe and his Professional Dance Partner, Sharna Burgess, will likely hereafter be remembered as one of the Shows all-time favorite Couples, and most successful Pairings, having amazingly managed to stand out - even among the fantastic Competitors such as this Season had to offer - and furthermore, having done so, with an almost effortless ability and the greatest of ease!

Here’s a look back at TeamStopAndGo’s spectacular Season:

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 01

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 02

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 03

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 04

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 05

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 06

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 07

James & Jenna and Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 08

James & Sharna and Jenna

DWTS Season 23, Week 09

James & Sharna and Jenna

AND Calvin & Lindsay

DWTS Season 23, Week 09

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 10

James & Sharna with Jenna

DWTS Season 23, Week 10

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

James & Sharna Freestyle

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

James & Sharna 24hr Fusion

DWTS Season 23, Week 11
- The Finals

With James, undoubtedly, having been the Leading Man of Season 23 (aided, of course, with his Pro, Sharna’s BRILLIANT Choreography!), Dancing with the Star’s Head Judge, Len Goodman, unequivocally paid James the highest compliment and honor that either he or the Show and its integrity as a Formal Ballroom Competition - of which Len encapsulates and proudly represents - could bestow when he remarked, following James & Sharna’s 24-hour Fusion,

“I can say no more than this, I wish I could dance like you.”

Finishing in a MORE than well-deserved 2^nd Place overall, James disclosed of his time on the Show,

“It meant the world!  … I never would have thought at the start of all this that, you know, Sharna and I would be standing up here, finishing Second in this Competition!  Congrats to Laurie & Val – I mean, they were tremendous from Day One!”

Also taking a moment to thank his incredible Pro Partner and friend, Sharna (to whom he gave one of his most treasured possessions, the Racing Suite wore the day he got “Back in the Game”, following his terrible accident in 2015.), and others, James also added in closing,

“I’m so proud of her and the work that she put into making it look like I know how to dance!  … thank you to all of the TeamStopAndGo supporters, my family, Becky [Rebecca Dalton, his Girlfriend] … everybody!  It’s been a great time!”

24-hour Fusion Round – Review of DWTS Season 23, Week 11

DWTS Season 23, Week 11 REVIEW: 

24-hour Fusion Round

Leaving it ALL on the Ballroom’s Dance Floor, Season 23’s remaining, FANTASTIC Finalist Couples each wrapped up their amazing time on the show together!

James & Sharna

Foxtrot / Viennese Waltz Fusion:

Well, really, what amazing Things can be said or succinct Commentary made that hasn’t already been said or made about what has – CONSISTENTLY! – been a truly incredible Partnership?!

James & Sharna 24hr Fusion

DWTS Season 23, Week 11
- The Finals

… Except that this, their last Dance on the Show together, just completely encapsulated all that is wonderful and so dearly beloved about this particular Season 23 Couple, James & Sharna!!

James & Sharna 24hr Fusion

DWTS Season 23, Week 11
- The Finals

Beautiful, emotional, and – Again! – pure Poetry in Motion, this Performance presented the PERFECT Wrap-Up to a most memorable DWTS Pairing!!

A-MA-ZING!

(… And, I need a tissue!  …)

Calvin & Lindsay

Jive / Quickstep Fusion:

Ah, me!

A thrilling Wrap-Up to a SPECTACULAR Season for this Larger-than-Life Duo!

Calvin & Lindsay 24hr Fusion

DWTS Season 23, Week 11
- The Finals

Fast, Fun, and so wonderfully light on his Feet, “Every Man's Man, Dancing!”, Calvin (PERFECTLY phrased, Carrie Ann Inaba!!) was – Once again!! – smilin’, flyin' and downright slayin' the Dancing of what has quickly become the stereotypically FANTASTIC Choreography by his Pro Partner, Lindsay!

Calvin & Lindsay 24hr Fusion

DWTS Season 23, Week 11
- The Finals

So VERY well done!!

Laurie & Val

Foxtrot / Paso Doble:

… Well, yeah!  And THIS last Dance by TeamValur was 100% PERFECT, too!!

Laurie & Val 24hr Fusion

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

… Just absolutely perfect.

… And Sharp.  And passionate.  And on point.  And Amazing!!

Laurie & Val 24hr Fusion

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

Just … INCREDIBLE!!

Incredible, and a no less than immaculate Wrap-Up for this never-fail Couple, and Season 23 as a WHOLE!!

Laurie & Val 24hr Fusion

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

Just … Bing, <BANG!>, and drop that mic, girl, ‘cuz you’ve earned it!

No doubt about it, the Ballroom will most DEFINITELY miss you -terrific job!!

Laurie & Val 24hr Fusion

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

See videos (3) below to watch all Three 24hr Fusion Dances on Week 11 of DWTS, courtesy of Dancing With The Stars' great YouTube channel!

James & Sharna, Freestyle Round – Review of DWTS Season 23, Week 11

DWTS Season 23, Week 11 REVIEW:  James & Sharna, Freestyle Round

Closing down the Freestyle Round and Monday Night’s Competition, James Hinchcliffe and his Professional Dancing Partner, Sharna Burgess, performed to “Beethoven’s 5 Secrets” by The Piano Guys.

James & Sharna Freestyle

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

Wow.

Taking an unpredictable yet 100% gratifying approach to their Freestyle, TeamStopAndGo’s wonderfully dramatic and gripping last efforts on Monday Night's Dance Floor were, quite simply, and, in a word, Breathtaking!

James & Sharna Freestyle

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

Artistic, moving, unique, and visually dynamic, this Poetry in Motion proved one of Sharna’s all-time Creative best (Which, as we all know, when it comes to Burgess, is truly saying something!!); and will, furthermore, undoubtedly continue as one of the most memorable and original Dances ever seen on this Show as a whole.

James & Sharna Freestyle

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

And, as if THAT weren’t somehow enough, still all the more impressive was James’ graceful yet sordid-telling of his struggle for survival that enraptured its viewers with its speculative – and SUPREMELY well narrated!! – peek into that unforgiving black that had besieged his conscious mind and well-nigh prevailed against his ebbing life, following his near-fatal crash in 2015.

James & Sharna Freestyle

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

Simply mesmerizing!

See video (below) to watch James & Sharna's Freestyle on Week 11 of DWTS, courtesy of Dancing With The Stars' great YouTube channel!

James & Sharna – Review of DWTS Season 23, Week 11

DWTS Season 23, Week 11 REVIEW:  James & Sharna

Re-dancing the Foxtrot to “It Had to Be You” (Love that Song!!) by Harry Connick, Jr., James Hinchcliffe and his Pro Partner, Sharna Burgess, presented Monday Night’s final Redemption Round Routine.

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

Ah, yes!

Serene, sophisticated, smooth, and romantic, this charming tale of the Ballroom’s Lovely Librarian and a Bounding Bookworm besotted it’s Viewers – Well, THIS one, anyway! – all across the Nation with its undeniably enchanting air and debonair-like quality!

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

One of the best “reads” this Season's produced!!

I do believe DWTS' Head Judge, Len Godman, termed it best when he said that if one were to look up “Dance Talent” in the Dictionary, one would most certainly see James’ name there!

Yes, yes, I know, there was, INDEED, that one, most grievous trip-up during the Dance by Hinch (Oh, cruel, DISASTROUS Foot Placement!!); but, it can also be said that the immediate correction by James of the same spoke <Ahem!> volumes concerning his full and complete ability while Performing on the Dance Floor!

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 11

- The Finals

(That surprise “10” was dead-on, Bruno Tonioli!)

Loved it!!

See video (below) to watch James & Sharna's Foxtrot on Week 11 of DWTS, courtesy of Dancing With The Stars' great YouTube channel!

James & Sharna – Review of DWTS Season 23, Week 10

DWTS Season 23, Week 10 REVIEW:  James & Sharna

Dancing the Argentine Tango to “Santa Maria (del Buen Ayre)” by Goran Project, James Hinccliffe and his RETURNING (!!) Professional Partner, Sharna Burgess, presented their Semifinals Routine.

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 10

Ah!  Sweet reunion!!

In a passionate display of trust and talent (and no small amount of pure moxie!) the once more reunited– and supremely sublime! –duo of James & Sharna kicked off Season 23’s exciting Semifinals with a blow-you-away-Performance (… Like, AWAY, away!) of one truly INCREDIBLE Argentine Tango!!

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 10

(And with that Hand Stand??  Are you kidding me?!!!  … You guys are nuts!  And I LOVE it!!)

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 10

Talk about flying blind!

In an all new and –Might I just add? – INSANE twist on a never-ceasing impressive tactic, this Dance had its Pro blindfolded (Um, <Wringing hands nervously> shouldn’t it be the other way around??) as part of an high-risk and daring Semifinals strategy that seemed almost DESTINED to go all kinds of wrong!  … We-e-ere it not for the amazing ability of one, James, whose steely Execution and no less than EXQUISITE Leading of this Dance effectively took his audience’s breath away and cemented this Performance as one of the absolute BEST this Season – Oh, heck, of this entire Show as a WHOLE, for that matter! – has seen yet!!

James & Sharna

DWTS Season 23, Week 10

(I believe if Len Goodman were here he’d say something like, Chances win Dances, well done!)

… And so they do!!  Simply STUPENDOUS, TeamStopandGo, I LOVED it, loved it, LOVED it!!

(… Sooo, quick question: Is DWTS Judge Carrie Ann Inaba CRAZY??!!!  A “9”??  SERIOUSLY?!!  Get out of here!  That Dance was 100% PERFECT!!)

Slayed it!!

See video (below) to watch James & Sharna's Argentine Tango on Week 10 of DWTS, courtesy of Dancing With The Stars' great YouTube channel!

James, Sharna, & Jenna – Review of DWTS Season 23, Week 09

DWTS Season 23, Week 09 REVIEW:  James, Sharna,

& Jenna

Dancing a Jazz Routine to “A Brand New Day” by Luther Vandross from The Wiz, James Hinchcliffe and his fabulous Replacement Pro Partner, Jenna Johnson, presented their Week 09 Dance, Choreographed by Sharna Burgess.

James & Sharna and Jenna

DWTS Season 23, Week 09

Uh, MORE, please!!

Performing yet another STELLAR and <Ahem!> brand-new Dance, James just came out on Monday Night and positively KILLED IT again!!

James & Sharna and Jenna

DWTS Season 23, Week 09

Okay, so, yeah, poor Hinch did go a might wrong in the beginning of what was an overall captivating Number; but, c'mon, you guys!  He – so very! – quickly self-corrected, finishing out this spectacular showing in high – and thrillingly-musical! – style!!

James & Sharna and Jenna

DWTS Season 23, Week 09

(I mean, did anyone else even SEE his mid-air Spin in the middle of the Dance, there??? AMAZING!!)

Of course, mad, mad PROPS go out to the ever-brilliant Sharna for the creation of this elating piece, and more still to the incredibly great Sport and SUPREME talent, Jenna, who once again did such a superb job of filling in for the still-injured Burgess!

James & Sharna and Jenna

DWTS Season 23, Week 09

… <SNIFF!> <Blowing Nose Noisily!!>

(TERRIFIC, now I’m all torn between the reuniting of James & Sharna and the breaking up of what has truly been the splendid James, Sharna, & Jenna trio!)

All in all, LOVED it, you three, so keep it on up!!

See video below to watch James, Sharna and Jenna's Jazz on Week 09 of DWTS, courtesy of Dancing With The Stars' great YouTube channel!