Another celebrity is finished on 'Dancing With the Stars'

[April 30, 2008]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Shannon Elizabeth won't have to shed any more tears over "Dancing With the Stars."

The 34-year-old actress, who cried at the judges' harsh remarks last week, was eliminated Tuesday from the ABC dance-off.

"The show has been amazing. I've learned a lot," she said as her professional partner, Derek Hough, stood by her side. "I've made a friend for life, and hopefully a bunch of friends for life, and I'll be here to support everyone as much as I can."

Hough said he "couldn't have asked for more" from a partner.

"She really is a big dork," he said, "but I love that."

The pair earned 51 out of 60 points for their two dances Monday. Judges loved the couple's tango, calling it Elizabeth's "best dance by far." But their mambo didn't fare as well, with the judges describing Elizabeth as "gawky," "gangly" and "awkward."

The actress' elimination breaks a three-week trend of the show's lowest scorers leaving the ballroom.

Cristian de la Fuente came into Tuesday's show in last place, losing points Monday after he hurt his arm and dropped partner Cheryl Burke to the floor during their samba performance. He left the set during the live broadcast and was taken to the hospital.

On Tuesday, de la Fuente reported that he had ruptured a tendon in his biceps and would need surgery to repair it, but that he planned to delay the operation so he could continue dancing.

"If people voted for us and they would like us to be on the show, I would like to continue and not give up," he said.

Judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine which couple is eliminated each week.

Tuesday's show also featured a performance by '80s rockers Def Leppard, who sang their classic hit "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and their new single, "Nine Lives."

Former "Dancing With the Stars" contestants Jerry Rice and Kenny Mayne added a dose of silliness to the results show with their "DanceCenter" segment, a parody of ESPN's "SportsCenter."

Wearing glitter on his eyes, Mayne cracked on the season's remaining contestants, calling Kristi Yamaguchi "a robot" and claiming Jason Taylor "has a flatulence problem."

Five celebrity contestants remain, including Taylor, Yamaguchi, de la Fuente, R&B singer Mario and Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur.

Marlee Matlin, Priscilla Presley, Adam Carolla, Steve Guttenberg, Monica Seles and Penn Jillette have already been eliminated.

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ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

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On the Net:

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[Associated Press; By SANDY COHEN]

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