'Dancing With the Stars': Drew Carey Voted Off on Party Anthem Week
It was a party hit theme on "Dancing With the Stars" tonight but the party's over for TV game show host Drew Carey, who was voted off the show.
"I got farther than I thought I would, to tell you the truth," Carey said, thanking the show for allowing him to fulfill a fantasy and saying that his partner, Cheryl Burke, was great.
"Thanks for all the kindness and the love," Carey said, referring to the cast and his supporters.
Carey had delivered entertaining routines throughout the season, but he had struggled with perfecting the technique of the various dance styles. He and actress Candace Cameron Bure were both in jeopardy of going home tonight.
The star with the lowest combined total of judges' scores and viewer votes from the previous week's performance is generally voted off.
Pop singer Cody Simpson was voted off last week.
Tonight's guest judge was Redfoo of the electronic dance music duo, LMFAO.
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Tonight's Routines
NeNe Leakes: The "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star's saucy salsa with pro partner Tony Dovolani won judges' approval for its spirit, but head judge Led Goodman had some advice for the reality TV star. "You've cornered the market, I tell you, on fun and entertainment … if you want to progress, I'd like you to work a little bit more on your technique now," he said. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said the routine looked like Leakes's "most comfortable dance," while judge Bruno Tonioli called Leakes "one of a kind." Guest judge Redfoo said Leakes "owned" the performance. "That was hot!" he added. Leakes earned three 8s and a 9 for a total of 33 out of a possible 40 points.
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Candace Cameron Bure: The "Full House" actress and her pro partner, Mark Ballas, delivered a fun, confident cha-cha that had judges praising Bure's improvement. "Candace, when you hit it, it is so great …," Inaba said. Tonioli and Goodman both commended her improved leg action - but Tonioli told Bure that she had "moments of brilliance" but didn't sustain it all the way through, and Goodman said Bure needed to work on making her arms more rhythmic. Redfoo called Bure "cute," but agreed with Tonioli that she didn't sustain the attitude throughout the routine. She earned four 8s for a total of 32 points.
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James Maslow: The singer/actor and his pro partner, Peta Murgatroyd, were coming off of a season high of last week's perfect score, but with tonight's quickstep - channeling Danny Zuko from the film, "Grease" - he drew mixed reviews. Inaba told him he was "such a leading man," and Redfoo also liked the performance, but Goodman questioned the technique, called the footwork heavy and spotted a "rule infringement." He also said Maslow's speed came at the expense of technique. Tonioli agreed that Maslow could have been lighter on his feet, but said the star turned in a "classically performed quickstep." Maslow earned three 9s and an 8, for a total of 35 points.
Danica McKellar: The "Wonder Years" actress won strong reviews for her cha-cha with pro partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy. "Danica! You just put love in the club. I mean, that was wooo!" Redfoo said. Goodman was also enthusiastic, saying: "I tell you, that's the best dance of the night so far!" Tonioli told McKellar that she had the "verve and vivacity of a purring little kitten, adorable all the way through …," while Inaba said she saw the "full blossom" of McKellar's strength and femininity. McKellar earned four 9s for a total of 36 points.
Meryl Davis: The Olympic ice dancer earned rave reviews for her frenzied tango with partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Goodman told Davis that she was the first celebrity to be able to match Chmerkovskiy's intensity, and he called the performance "special." Tonioli said the choreography was incredible, noting: "the tension in the room - you could taste it." Inaba said Davis's technique was "beyond anything I've ever seen. You look like one of the pros," while Redfoo quipped: "I say E.T. phone home. You know why? 'Cause that was out of this world!" Judges gave Davis four 10s, for a perfect score of 40.
Drew Carey: Judges acknowledged technique issues with the TV game show host's funky tango with pro partner Cheryl Burke, but they praised his determination and commitment. Inaba told Carey: "you were the life of the party tonight." Added Tonioli: "the technique was a little bit all over the place … but I have to say you put on a great show." Redfoo said Carey was "all swagged out," adding that the routine was "pimped to the tenth degree." Goodman said he appreciated that Carey tried his hardest every week, despite feeling discouraged. Carey earned a 7, two 8s and a 9 for a total of 32 points.
Charlie White: The Olympian's electrifying cha-cha - which finished with a crowd-pleasing glow-in-the-dark effect - had judges smiling in enjoyment. "It was hot, it was sexy, it was funky," Inaba said, while Redfoo added: "Hey, man. I liked it because you had so many different styles … it made me want to dance." Goodman praised White's musicality. "It was just terrific," he said, adding that he "wasn't too keen" on the glow-in-the-dark portion of the routine, but he conceded that his reaction could be because of his age. Tonioli said the style was spot-on. "You managed to make it look flawless," he told White. White earned four 9s for a total of 36 points.
Amy Purdy: The paralympian snowboarder's rapid jive earned her wild applause from the audience and praise from the judges. "Wooo! That blew my mind!" Redfoo said. Goodman called it a "fantastic" performance, but pointed out a slip-up in the middle of the routine. Inaba also noticed the slip, but said Purdy had the best kicks and flicks of anyone she'd seen doing the jive on the show. Tonioli called Purdy "a real-life superhero." Purdy earned two 10s and two 9s, for a total of 38 points.
The Judges' Scores
Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 40
Amy Purdy and Derek Hough: 38
Danica McKellar and Valentin Chmerkovskiy: 36
Charlie White and Sharna Burgess: 36
James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd: 35
NeNe Leakes and Tony Dovolani: 33
Candace Cameron Bure and Mark Ballas: 32
Drew Carey and Cheryl Burke: 32