- Video: Exclusive backstage interviews
- Slideshow: Bold moves on the dance floor
- Bios: Complete list of celebs, dancers
The night opened with a tribute to now former contestant Misty May-Treanor. Partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy and dancer Edyta Sliwinska performed the Jive routine that Misty would have danced, had she not injured her ankle in rehearsal last week.
But the moment everyone was waiting for took a twist. Because of Misty's early exit from the competition, no one got the boot this week. A huge sense of relief for Susan Lucci.
"You're just hoping that you're going to hear your name in the saved list. You really want to stay, and I didn't realize until just now how much is apparently on my face while I'm waiting," said Susan Lucci.
Chef Rocco DiSpirito and partner Karina Smirnoff got the lowest number of votes and would have been toast under normal circumstances. Instead they'll serve up seconds next week.
- Exclusive: Misty discusses ''Dancing' injury
- Exclusive: Maksim on losing a partner
- Exclusive backstage interview: Cloris & Corky
- Exclusive backstage interview: Brooke & Derek
- Exclusive backstage interview: Susan & Toni
- Exclusive backstage interview: Warren & Kym
- Exclusive backstage interview: Toni & Alec
- Exclusive backstage interview: Lance & Lacey
- Exclusive backstage interview: Rocco & Karina
- Exclusive backstage interview: Maurice & Cheryl
- Exclusive backstage interview: Cody
"Every week we went through this competition I said to myself, 'I wish I knew, I wish I knew,' and now I do, and now it's time to huddle up and make sure we come back in the second half and win this -- it's like a Super Bowl championship now for us," said Rocco.
This week Rocco and Karina danced the Viennese Waltz and failed to impress at least one of the judges.
"The Viennese Waltz is a like a light mousse -- but it was like a lump of mashed potatoes," said Judge Bruno. "You just start to dance and you lose it."
"He's never danced before in his life. He's a chef for 25 years, but he never did anything like this in his life. He did a beautiful job," said Mama DiSpirito.
With mama cheering them on, expect this duo and the others to heat things up by adding a little spice to their performance, and all the dancers know they've got the work cut out for them.
"We just have to come up with a good strategy and work that much harder and come up with a great Samba and hopefully entertain and wow people at home," said Karina.
Next week the nine remaining dance pairs will perform either the Tango or the Samba. Tune in to ABC7 next Monday night at 8 p.m.
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