ABC/KELSEY MCNEALMelissa Rycroft and Shawn Johnson had their moments. Gilles Marini was the picture of perfection. And Ty Murray continued to endear with his heartwarming mediocrity.
But with only three spots available in next week's final round, the rodeo cowboy won't get the chance to lasso a disco ball trophy.
After a performance by Raphael Saadiq and more moves from wannabe season-nine pros Mayo Alanen and Anna Demidova, the only thing left to find out was whether the voters wanted the most technically impressive finale this show has ever seen or if they wanted the usual: two great dancers and a sentimental favorite.
So Ty said his farewells tonight after an impressive fourth-place run that probably never would have happened if his more famous wife—who injured herself in rehearsal and never ended up competing—hadn't asked her hubby along for the ride.
"I got a whole new respect for what these guys do, it's so hard," a gracious Murray said following the results announcement.
"Trying to teach me to dance is like trying to teach a blind guy to paint...I don't understand what makes it look better. I see I'm not doing as good as the other people, but I don't know how to make it better. I just try to remember the steps."
Once again...aw.
So next Monday, Melissa and Tony Dovolani, Gilles and Cheryl Burke, and Shawn and Mark Ballas will go toe-to-toe for the last time before Tuesday's two-hour grand finale.
From where we're sitting, this is the best all-around trio the show has ever produced at this stage in the game. Would you agree?