Las Vegas Weekly

October 6, 2009 · 7:26 PM

DWTS’ double elimination: One by vote, and one by injury

By Robin Leach

Dancing With the Stars.

Photo: Adam Larkey/ABC TV

SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read any further if you want to get the full surprise and drama of watching the West Coast tape-delayed broadcast of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars. But come back after the show to compare notes with us!

One totally unexpected elimination tonight as UFC hero Chuck Liddell’s fancy footwork in his Big Bird ruffled costume won he and partner Anna Trebunskaya another shot in the DWTS results show. The judges picked them to reprise last night’s saucy samba -- but was that a sign of staying or leaving?

Despite the spotlight falling on them, it was a waiting game on pins and needles through to the end of the show -- already knowing that former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay had said he’d be forced quit the show because of two foot fractures.

But there was momentary mystery surrounded that decision because he was quickly declared safe. Producers decided that even with his possible exit, another celebrity couple would still be dismissed and sent packing! But it won’t be Chuck and Anna because they were declared safe and will get to dance again next week.

As reported here, Queen Latifah was the guest singer, and professional dancers Cheryl Burke and Maksim Chmerkovskiy performed while she sang “Fast Car.” Then Tom’s decision was final, and he’s gone from the competition. He was invited back for the show’s November finale to dance an exhibition Texas Two-Step if his two foot injuries have healed sufficiently.

This put Michael Irvin and Anna Demidova, Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough, Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff and Debi Mazar and Maksim in jeopardy.

Also declared safe were Mya and Dmitry Chaplin, Natalie Coughlin and Alec Mazo, Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower, Mark Dacascos and Lacey Schwimmer and last but not least Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Ballas.

Our Las Vegas contingent -- now led by Chuck -- with Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson plus Kelly Osbourne with Louis Van Amstel were all declared safe, so we’ll be following them when they trip the light fantastic again next Monday.

Before the verdicts came down from high above, Jabbawockeez kept the suspense lasting a little longer, along with another Queen Latifah number, “Ease on Down the Road.” Then another delay -- not Tom! -- as three “experts” attempted to pick this year’s disco ball winner. Steve Wozniak picks Mya and Donny in the finals, an ESPN statistician selects Natalie and Aaron for the finals, and a mystery expert goes for Melissa Joan Hart to win it all!

So they finally reached the most agonizing one minute of DWTS: the hung-out-to-dry elimination with Michael and Aaron on the guys’ side and Joanna and Debi on the girls’ side. Michael and Aaron were declared safe, as was Joanna. Thus Entourage actress Debi, partnered with our Le Reve choreographer Maksim, was the surprise elimination of the night!

We’ll be back in the morning with new photos and again next Monday with both our preview and our spoiler alert stories.

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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