Las Vegas Weekly

April 28, 2009 · 7:27 PM

Melissa Rycroft begins treatment for fracture; celebrity departs DWTS

By Robin Leach

Real men wear leotards and tights on Dancing With the Stars.

Photo: ABC TV

Don’t read any further if you plan on watching the tape-delayed West Coast broadcast of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars and want nothing spoiled beforehand! But come back after the show to compare notes!

It was another night of Dancing With the Stars upheavals where everybody’s best guess went awry. However, we did learn from a backstage interview with last-minute replacement Melissa Rycroft that she has started treatments for a fractured rib, and everybody seems to say she will be able to resume rehearsals and dance next week -- if she’s declared safe. But is that just a diversionary tactic? Read on!

The first safe couple to be returning next week are Lil’ Kim and pro partner Derek Hough; no surprise there! But the first big surprise is that bucking bronco rider Ty Murray and his Las Vegas partner Chelsie Hightower are the second couple to be declared safe to return next week.

That immediately threatens the chances of our other hometown girl Julianne Hough with country singer beau Chuck Wicks!

The viewers and judges also have voted that handsome Sex and the City hunk Gilles Marini will dance again next week with partner Cheryl Burke despite his separated shoulder injury that now requires daily cortisone shots.

You will love the dancers laugh-filled spoof ad for rhinestones taken from the PETA celebrity ads. The dancers are naked, except for the disco-mirror ball trophies that are strategically placed over their private parts as they beg, “How many rhinestones have to be hurt?” Hopefully that will be included in ABC’s official photos that we will have here tomorrow!

After dances by prospective professionals for next season, it’s announced that Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas also are safe. Thus, it’s all going to come down to a decision between Chuck and Julianne or Melissa and partner Tony Dovolani.

Any guesses now, folks?

Turns out there was no ruse with Melissa’s injury. She will dance again next week, but it’s time to say a fond farewell to our local darling Julianne and her beau Chuck. They depart happily in love and are now able to return to their country music careers, although they will be back for the Season 8 finale!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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