Fashion guru gets the boot on 'Dancing'

[October 19, 2011]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Carson Kressley can go back to evaluating wardrobes and other style choices.

The fashion guru was booted off "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday night, leaving seven other contestants. It wasn't unexpected, given that the judges of ABC's competition had given him the lowest scores for his 1980s-themed routine a night earlier.

Kressley, who made his name with the show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," dressed in a cheerleader's outfit that he probably would have disdained on his own show for his routine with partner Anna Trebunskaya.

He thanked everyone involved with "Dancing with the Stars" before making his exit.

"This has been pure joy for me," he said. "I hope I can just make people smile and laugh and have a good time."

Host Tom Bergeron joked about the injustice of a gay personality bounced from the one week before it is to feature music from Broadway. Singer Kelly Clarkson performed on Tuesday's results show.

The two remaining contestants who came closest to being sent home on Tuesday were actor David Arquette and soccer star Hope Solo.

Others left in the game are actor J.R. Martinez, reality TV personality Rob Kardashian, activist Chaz Bono and TV hosts Ricki Lake and Nancy Grace.

"Dancing" has proven to be a durable commodity for ABC. Its two episodes last week were second only to the CBS drama "NCIS" in the Nielsen ratings. The weekly "Good Morning America" featured interview with the kicked-off contestant has helped boost that show in its competition with NBC's "Today."

[Associated Press]

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