After scoring just 12 points for his Jive Monday night, singer Michael Bolton was the celebrity expected to get the ax in week two of "Dancing With the Stars." And when the ax fell, Bolton was cut from the competition.
For Bolton, the dancing is done, but the singing is not. As soon as he was eliminated Tuesday night, he had to hop a plane to perform a concert in Napa Valley. His partner stayed behind to sing his praises.
"He was so much fun, such a joy to work with and such a joy to get to know," said Chelsie Hightower, Bolton's partner. "And I've learned so much from him, and he had so much great advice for me, and we built a close bond, and hopefully something we will take with us for the rest of our lives."
"And we knew that he gave everything, you know?" said contestant Kurt Warner. "He's out here on tour and he's coming out and doing everything he can. Might not have been the perfect gig for him but we know how much he was trying."
"He's just going to go on his merry way, having his beautiful career, having a beautiful life and being surrounded by people who feel like he was short-changed," said contestant Jennifer Grey.
Judge Bruno Tonioli suggested "Rin Tin Tin" could have done a better Jive than Bolton.
The singer had his say, but the judge didn't seem to care.
"Last night, I think Bruno was, you know, inappropriate and disrespectful," said Bolton. "Other than that, it was a phenomenal, phenomenal experience, up to now. And I'm ready for the next one."
And now the remaining 10 teams are ready, too, to take on new dances that require telling a story along the way.
"You know I did 'The Sound of Music' on stage and we're going to do the waltz to 'Edelweiss,'" said Florence Henderson.
"My, uh, 'situation' may be out to show on the third week out," said Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino.
"I think between the two of us, we may have a completely naked body," said Sorrentino's partner, Karina Smirnoff.
"The Samba! Every part is going to shake!" said Louis Van Amstel.
"Which I love," said comedienne Margaret Cho. "I can't wait."
