The journey to the mirrorball has just begun, but for one couple it’s already over. On Tuesday, September 20, Dancing With the Stars expanded its airtime with a two-hour elimination special to send the first couple home. Things got off to a bumpy start when Erin Andrews struggled to read her teleprompter and walk at the same time. Len Goodman then jumped in to comment on how “high” the caliber of dancing was this season — despite the fact that the scores have been some of the lowest … well … in a while.
What the Judges Really Think
Recap footage of dances from last night and the Monday prior were replayed. This time, however, viewers at home could hear both the judges’ comments during the live dances as well as what the pros were saying to their partners. Mainly the judges note when moves are particularly good or bad, and the pros remind the stars to smile at the camera as often as possible. It was pretty funny, however, hearing Bruno Tonioni moan, “Oh, bless — oh, no!” during Jake T. Austin and Jenna Johnson‘s first dance, and “Oh, it went wrong!” during their second. (Sorry, Jake!)
Gleb as an Underwear Model
Then the show cut away to footage from Gleb Savchenko‘s underwear modeling career. He posed in crystal waters and beneath a pulsing waterfall, and some genius put a mirrorball in front of his, umm, you know. It was a short segment, but worth noting.
Results Come In
The first couple declared safe were Laurie Hernandez and Val Chmerkovskiy — no surprise there. The second couple safe were Rick Perry and Emma Slater. That’s not a typo. The pair with the lowest scores were safe right away. For what it’s worth, the former governor was just as surprised as everyone else.
The next couples declared safe were Marilu Henner and Derek Hough, as well as Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Allison Holker. Other couples who found out they were safe included Calvin Johnson and Lindsay Arnold, Vanilla Ice and Witney Carson, James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess, Jana Kramer and Gleb Savchenko, and Terra Jolé and Sasha Farber.
Then came some bad news: Maureen McCormick and Artem Chigvintsev were in jeopardy, along with Ryan Lochte and Cheryl Burke, Austin and Johnson, and Amber Rose and Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Who Went Home?
Ultimately, it was Austin who got sent packing. This meant it was a short first season for new pro Johnson. “It was so much fun,” Austin said. “I had a blast.” He called it “an incredible experience” and said he wished everyone the best.
Tell Us: Did the right couple go home?
Dancing With the Stars‘ next episode airs on ABC Monday, September 26, at 9 p.m. ET.
