The ratings will tell us just how many millions of people were tuning in to watch Kate Gosselin squirm. But in the meantime, those who don't love a good trainwreck or who weren't drinking the "I'm doing it for my kids" Kool-Aid have a show to watch.
Gosselin's elimination from Dancing With the Stars last week left, if not exactly a level playing field, then a group of stars that inspire reactions more in the neutral to positive range than begrudgingly supportive to vitriolic.
And after tonight's elimination, only six remain in competition for the disco ball—and they had better step it up if they don't want Nicole Scherzinger to start preparing a spot on the mantel already.
Last night's performance show featured a changing of the Latin-dance guard that ultimately had Chad Ochocinco and Erin Andrews topping Evan Lysacek on the leaderboard and Jake Pavelka hanging on for dear life after a 21-caliber samba and last-place finish in the group swing marathon.
Even Nicole wasn't up to snuff, according to Len Goodman, who handed out more 7s than a craps table.
So who got the boot?
Now Jake Pavelka knows how all those ladies who went home each week without a rose felt like.
A week after dropping trou for love of the dance, the most recent Bachelor was sent home tonight after his infectious energy finally proved insufficient to keep him on board.
"You know what, this is, I think, the best season of Dancing With [the] Stars I've seen," Jake said, describing his experience. "I was so honored to be here. I enjoyed every second of this. I want to thank Texas, I want to thank all the Mavericks fans, Canada, all the tweets, Facebook...thank you for keeping me here for six episodes. I can't even put it into words how much I enjoyed this."
"This is a lot harder than I thought it would be," he added, tears welling in his eyes.
To partner Chelsie Hightower, who kinda resembles a certain petite blond who Jake knows and loves, he said: "You're one of my best friends. I have loved every second of this. I love you. Thank you for being so great to my beautiful fiancée, Vienna. Thank you everybody for watching and keeping me in."
And with that, Chelsie heard what Bachelor fans waited a whole season to hear him say to one woman.
Anyway, as for the six celebs who remain...
Evan may have hit his personal rock bottom last night, but the judges' lack of support for his samba didn't register with fans. The meanies who mapped out tonight's show made him sweat a bit, but in the end he was perfectly safe.
Erin Andrews, who was second only to Nicole in both rounds, was the first to be declared safe tonight. Chad and Cheryl Burke, who finished in third place overall, were also just fine. Their Argentine tango was even selected for tonight's encore performance.
But who says blondes have more fun? Pamela Anderson, who donned a brunette bedhead wig to dance the tango, has finally managed to scrape a following together after a few iffy weeks in the bottom two.
The top six continue dancing for your votes next week.
Do you think the right star was sent home tonight? Share your reaction, and any parting words you may have for ol' Jake, in the comments section.
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If you think Nicole and Erin have got it going on, check out the skin the celebs are showing in our Hot Bods gallery.