De La Fuente Dances On, Elizabeth Is Out, Doctor Clears Actor At 11th Hour, Voters Keep Him On "Dancing With The Stars"

April 29, 2008

Cheryl Burke and Cristian De La Fuente perform the Viennese waltz on ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" on April 28, 2008. (ABC/Kelsey McNeal)

(CBS) Last night's "Dancing With The Stars" played out like one of contestant Cristian De La Fuente's telenovelas.

Would De La Fuente have to leave the competition because of an arm injury he suffered on Monday night's show? Even if the doctor cleared him, would he have enough viewer votes to stay? And if so, then which of the other stars would be going home?

�Dios mio! Such drama!

The show's producers made sure things were drawn out until the end, and in classic telenovela style, all the loose ends were wrapped up in quick succession during the show's final minutes.

Photos: The Final 6 Compete

Mario, Kristi Yamaguchi and Jason Taylor all learned early in the show that they had earned enough votes to return next week. That left Marissa Jaret Winokur, Shannon Elizabeth and De La Fuente as the bottom three vote-getters.

De La Fuente explained that he was diagnosed with a ruptured tendon in his bicep that required surgery.

"I just spoke to the doctor five minutes ago," he added. "He said I could delay the surgery."

He received enough votes to return another week, and it was actress Shannon Elizabeth who was sent home for good.

"The show has been amazing," Elizabeth said. "I've learned a lot and I've made a friend for life."

The 34-year-old actress was referring to her professional dance partner Derek Hough, with whom she's established a close relationship.

Rockers Def Leppard performed their classic "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and their new single "Nine Lives," with performances by the show's professional dancers.

Former contestants Kenny Mayne and Jerry Rice joined judge Len Goodman in a spoof of Mayne's ESPN show, "Sportscenter."

Dubbed "Dancecenter," the two-part skit included analysis of the current finalists from Rice and Mayne, who both wore sparkly ballroom shirts and festive eye make-up. NFL pro Taylor was a target, with locker-room humor about flatulence.

There was no kids competition this week.

"Dancing With The Stars" returns next Monday night with the remaining five couples competing. Next Tuesday is the show's 100th episode and will include special performances by former contestants Mel B, Mario Lopez and last year's winner, Apolo Anton Ohno.

By Judy Rosen
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