Previous Episode

The women outperformed the men

Huge range of scores last night—it was pretty clear from the outset tonight that Mya, Melissa, and Joanna were safe. Standing O's don't usually get the boot. And Len's choice for an encore dance was Melissa and Mark's top-scoring Charleston.

The night was punctuated with showstopping performances from Columbian pop superstar Shakira. And we got to know some of the celebrities better in a couple of videos. But who was getting cut?

Aaron Carter was put on the chopping block early in the night as one of the bottom two. And  Michael Irvin, who was tied with Louie for the lowest judge score, was declared safe. We were surprised to see Donny Osmond was still not safe, standing there nervously sweating his fate. As the rest of the wheat was separated from the chaff, it became clear we were getting down to either Chuck Liddell or Louie Vito in the other bottom slot.

Dramatic music. Red lights. Louie gets released. Chuck and Aaron fidget in their dance shoes. And... Aaron gets to dance another day.  Chuck and Anna head to the floor for their last dance, and then off to talk to Jimmy on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Highlights of the night

Shakira.  Wow.  The audience went crazy for her powerful Did It Again accompanied by a hypnotically beautiful band of synchronized Korean drummers.  Shakira and her hips returned with a group of dancers to sing her hit Hips Don't Lie.

We got to see the family side of Chuck, Mark, Melissa and Michael, in behind the scenes footage of their adorable kids coming to watch them rehearse, and sharing some candid opinions about their famous dancing parents.

In advance of next week's Latin dance night, pro dancers Cheryl, Alec, Edyta, Louis, Dmitry and Karina performed a spectacular Paso Doble to Allerdings and Espana Cani by Otros Aires and Tony Evans & His Orchestra.  It brought everyone, even the judges, to their feet!
 

Comments from He Said/She Said

"Poor Chuck, the big lug. I'm a bit surprised—I thought it'd be Aaron. Chuck told pro Anna, 'it's ok,' when they heard the news and hugged, but I actually think he was pretty disappointed.  Maybe big men DO cry after all..." -- Karl

Read more and join the conversation at He Said/She Said