'Dancing' Loses Another Star

LOS ANGELES — Now that his dancing duty is done, Lawrence Taylor is heading back to the golf course. The 50-year-old former football star smiled as he was eliminated Tuesday from "Dancing With the Stars," saying, "I want all my boys to know back in Miami: I'll be on the practice range at 9; tee-off is 9:30."

Taylor and professional partner Edyta Sliwinska were praised for their performance Monday, but the pair came into Tuesday's results show in last place, with 21 out of 30 points from judges.

Judge Bruno Tonioli described their waltz as "not terrible, but it's not brilliant." Judge Len Goodman said he was "shocked" at how well the former New York Giants linebacker performed.

Viewer votes are combined with judges' scores to determine which couple is eliminated each week.

Taylor, who joked that Monday's 1960s-themed group dance was less like "Dancing With the Stars" and more like "dancing with the clowns," said appearing on the ABC show was "a great experience."

He thanked the network and the show's staff "for giving me such a lovely party" and said he was "very blessed" to work with Sliwinska.

"She's taught me everything I know about dancing," he said. "I don't know where the hell I'm going to use it."

Tuesday's results show also featured musical performances by Natasha Bedingfield and Celtic Woman, and it introduced a new competition: Six professional dancers vying for a spot on the next season of "Dancing With the Stars."

Six celebrities remain ballroom contenders: Rapper Lil Kim, rodeo champ Ty Murray, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, country singer Chuck Wicks, "Bachelor" star Melissa Rycroft and actor Gilles Marini.

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On the Net:

http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancingwiththestars/index?pnindex

Comments

[IndyReader]

08:08 PM on 04/22/2009

First, every ex-footbal­l player can't be Emmit Smith. Then, LT lost 15 pounds, and certainly did better for his last dance than his first dance, but if he wasn't comfortabl­e being a dancer, not to mention probably having a disapprovi­ng wife because of his partner, well being on DWTS isn't easy. I'd like to see how well you'd do.

[thelipstickfemme]

05:05 PM on 04/22/2009

I am glad he is gone. I never enjoyed his dancing and his attitude. He was stiff and lacked fluid movement. He is back on the golf course and I am sure he is happier now. He did not embrace the learning process and was just plain moody.

[Aabby]

04:53 PM on 04/22/2009

Lil Kim is a joy on this show. Aside for her mysterious Michael-Ja­cksonish skin lightning, I like her a lot!

[katiewla]

02:10 PM on 04/22/2009

I think Mark Ballas and Sean are strong contenders­. I loved his Michael Jackson routine; he's really funny. Tell Derek to stop all the mugging for the cameras. The winner will be Gilles.

[Lucille]

12:57 PM on 04/22/2009

I've been pleasantly surprised by Lil Kim and her partner (sorry, I forgot his name), too. They are an adorable match and most importantl­y they really like to dance with each other. He is an amazing choreograp­her and I hope they win the entire competitio­n.

[JFaye]

09:33 AM on 04/22/2009

Dancing did not lose a star .. they freed a star. Mr. Taylor seemed relieved to have gotten voted off. Never liked "Lil Kim" before this show; but her dancing and energy is infectious­: The finals is hard to imagine. Gilles, Shawn and Lil Kim have performed exceptiona­lly well and are excellent entertaine­rs. Have not been able to warm up to Melissa, though she is talented.

[Atac]

11:29 AM on 04/22/2009

I have to say that I didn't have positive impression­s of Lil' Kim, although I did like some of her music. She's made money using her sexuality to put it mildly.

However, I completely agree with you. Her genuinenes­s, her spirit, her smile, her having fun on the dance floor... you can feel it and it makes you really like her. Her partner is an amazing choreograp­her and they are a great match on the dance floor. They are my favorite pair this season.

I think Gilles is going to win, but I'd love to see Kim in the finale

[yellowdoggie]

08:00 AM on 04/22/2009

I was time for him to go. (Sniff) Now Melissa, get out there and WIN THIS THING!!!

[OS2Guy]

01:01 AM on 04/22/2009

Glles is the best. Melissa, a former ballerina, should NEVER be on the show. She got the gig out of pity for being dumped by The Bachelor. I hope Gilles wins!

[UpstateSC]

06:03 AM on 04/22/2009

Melissa isn't the first contestant to have had dance training; as long as it isn't ballroom, ABC doesn't care. Lil Kim is my favorite and I hope she wins, but all the remaining contestant­s are either very good or have improved a lot, so it will be interestin­g to see who makes the finals.

[misanthropexlife]

06:38 AM on 04/22/2009

So what? Melissa is awesome. I don't mind that she's had formal training. But you're right. Gilles should totally win. Not only is he an amazing dance (relativel­y speaking) he's also extremely handsome. And looking good never hurts.