Dancing with the Stars 2010 Semifinals Results: "Tender" Chad Ochocinco Falls Short

The Dancing with the Stars 2010 semifinal elimination show aired Tuesday night on ABC, narrowing the field of Mirrorball hopefuls to just three entering next week's big finale. The evening's entertainment featured performances by Sarah McLachlan and Miley Cyrus, the next round of the college dance championships, and the season 10 Design a Dance competition, as well as the eventual elimination of much-improved NFL star Chad Ochocinco, the sole celebrity to enter the DWTS season 10 semis with absolutely no prior dance experience. Here's an overview of how it all went down.

Co-hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke kicked off the Dancing with the Stars results show by revealing the identity of the first couple to make the finals: Figure skater Evan Lysacek and partner Anna Trebunskaya. Immediately afterward, a pre-taped segment featuring head judge Len Goodman's thoughts on Monday's semifinal action aired. The oft-cranky Brit gave glowing reviews of all four celebs' dances, ending by noting that leaving the competition at this stage is "devastating".

The Dancing with the Stars results show continued with the week's encore dance, Evan and Anna's super fiery Paso Doble. Power, intensity, passion, whoosh! It made me blush for a second time. One of the best dances of DWTS season 10, hands down.

After a break, the results show continued with modern iconic songstress Sarah McLachlan performing a medley of Angel and Loving you. Married DWTS pros Anna Trebunskaya and Jonathan Roberts accompanied her as she sang Angel, while season 9 champ Kym Johnson, Lacey Schwimmer, Dmitry Chaplin and Damian Whitewood did their collective thang to the tune of Loving You. Immediately afterward, Brooke interviewed the four semifinalists about their feelings. Chad Ochocinco called the ballroom "very stressful", while Erin Andrews refused to talk to anyone about her freestyle routine, should she make it to the finals.

Former Dancing with the Stars contestants Melissa Rycroft and Joey Fatone hit the ballroom floor next with the season 10 Design a Dance performance, a Tango, set to Rock and Roll All Night. It was a little scary, to be honest; a little edgy. But still good! Very Kiss-ish and very... thematic.

Post-break, the DWTS college dance championship continued with performances from two more hopefuls: Rutgers and Utah Valley University. Rutgers took to the floor first with a Cha Cha Cha. Head judge Len Goodman called it "a great effort" given their short amount of time as a team. Bruno Tonioli echoed Len's sentiments, but noted that it's hard to dance together all the time. Carrie Ann appreciated "the pattern changes and creativity". Rutgers' Dancing with the Stars Scores: 7, 7, 7 = 21.

Utah Valley took their turn in the ballroom next with a Cha Cha Cha of their own. Bruno called the choreography "fantastic" and loved their technique. Carrie Ann said it was "incredible". Len agreed with Bruno and Carrie Ann, calling their formations "perfect" from all angles. Utah Valley's Dancing with the Stars Scores: 10, 9, 10 = 29.

The Dancing with the Stars 2010 semifinal results show continued with teen singing sensation Miley Cyrus singing Can't Be Tamed. Why does this chick have a musical career? Bone, I've come to pick you. First off, my 5-year old daughter was watching with me and immediately asked 'mommy, why is she in a cage?' Oh good grief, it IS before 9 PM, ABC. Gimme a break. (Granted she did look like a bird in her weird black feathered number and ho boots. I just told my daughter that she was pretending to be a big... crow.) Secondly, well, I doubt she'd win American Idol, even though she was a mentor a few weeks ago. Ugh. No. No, no, no. I guess I should be glad there was no stripper pole and that her boobs weren't hanging out, but, well, yuck. Rant over.

Because there were more important things to say: More results! Pop star Nicole Scherzinger and partner Derek Hough were saved to dance in the finals. Well duh! I think everyone in America knew that Evan and Nicole would make the finals. Left to find out their fates with 10 minutes to go? Erin Andrews and Chad Ochocinco.

After a break, the Dancing with the Stars semifinal results show came to a close with the big reveal. Carrie Ann said she'd loved watching Chad "grow and find the joy of dancing", while Bruno said that Erin would enter the finals with great "momentum". Len called DWTS season 10 the best yet, noting that both of the two in peril would make the finals in any other season. When it came down to the end-result, Chad Ochocinco was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars 2010, becoming the 100th contestant eliminated during the show's run.

So the Dancing with the Stars 2010 finals are set, and will feature Nicole Scherzinger, Evan Lysacek and Erin Andrews. Tune in next week for all of the action! Or you can just check in with me. You know I'll be watching.

Sources

Dancing with the Stars 2010 semifinals, May 18, 2010, ABC