Las Vegas Weekly

May 18, 2010 · 11:25 AM

Photos: Dancing With the Stars semifinals produces tight Top 3

By Robin Leach

Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy in the Dancing With the Stars semifinals on May 17, 2010.

Photo: Adam Larkey/ABC TV

Despite baring his torso and flashing amazing tattoos, NFL hunk Chad Ochocinco, whose shirt was ripped off during his second dance in last night’s Dancing With the Stars semifinals, and pro partner Cheryl Burke sank farther down in the judges’ scoring. Now it’s simply a case of either TV viewers saving them by shaking up the other three couples, or they pack their bags and go home tonight.

We posted a report of the eight dances and scores last night, and our thanks to photographer Adam Larkey of ABC for these great shots from ABC’s top-rated show.

Tonight’s results program will feature Miley Cyrus and Sara McLachlan as guest singers, and then after nearly 60 minutes of suspense, the decision as to whom ends their run is handed down, and the stage is set for next week’s finals with the three remaining celebrity couples.

It looks more and more -- barring any upsets -- that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad and Cheryl will get axed. That means two Las Vegas-linked pro dancers -- Derek Hough and Maksim Chmerkovskiy -- will be in the finals with their respective partners Pussycat Dolls singers Nicole Scherzinger and ESPN host Erin Andrews. Olympic figure skating champion Evan Lysacek with Anna Trebunskaya should be the third finalists.

For Nicole and Evan, it’s a neck-and-neck race to the prized mirrored disco ball trophy, with each of them scoring 59 out of a possible 60 last night -- and each of them performing a perfect-30 routine with their partners. Just steps behind and coming on strong is Erin, who won raves for her greatly improved dancing -- Maks and she received a nearly perfect 29 for their second routine.

Yesterday was an electric night of dancing from Erin, Evan and Nicole and also memorable beyond the dance floor routines. Judge Bruno Tonioli uttered an F-bomb that was caught by censors and later noted Evan’s genitalia! In scoring Erin’s first routine, he gave her a 9 while inadvertently flashing a 10 paddle.

Videos of the four finalists provided heart-tugging segments about their childhoods -- Erin in Tampa, Fla.; Chad in Miami Beach, Fla.; Nicole in Honolulu; and Evan in Naperville, Ill., outside Chicago. Chad’s cheering squad last night included NBA stars Rick Fox and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Evan hugged Kate Gosselin and Season 9 DWTS champion Donny Osmond in the audience after his second dance. Jake Pavelka and Damian Whitewood also were in the studio.

We’ll have our spoiler-alert story of who is ousted tonight shortly after the satellite broadcast ends from L.A. back to the East Coast and more photos tomorrow as we preview next week’s finals.

Vegas DeLuxe Editor Don Chareunsy contributed to this report.

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.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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