It finally happened. The day we knew had to come — Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas were eliminated from “Dancing with the Stars.”

I’m not sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed. It is a dancing show and 82-year-old Cloris was doing darn little dancing. But she did provide a spontaneity and silliness that many viewers enjoyed.

Cloris thanked the judges and made up with Carrie Ann Inaba before she left. 

Well, at least we think Cloris is out. She did declare, “I’m not leaving.”

Julianne Hough was missing from the dance floor. Her appendectomy went as planned, and she is at home resting.

Guest judge and Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley brought some fireworks to the dance floor with his tribute to his Chicago roots.

Missy Elliot and The Pussycat Dolls performed. The Dancing Kids competition continued with Craig and Samantha advancing to the finals.

Next week there will be group and individual dances to be judged.

ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” should add a third show each week. We have the competition show and the results show. Now all we need is the ER show. There’s enough material to fill it, and we know that medical dramas draw in the viewers.

This week Julianne Hough was diagnosed with endometriosis. She also will be having her appendix out Tuesday. Brooke Burke strained a tendon in her foot — an injury that doctors recommend she rest for seven days, something she said was “not an option.”

If you are keeping track, this season on “Dancing” there has been a scratched cornea, a ruptured Achilles tendon, one left foot with two broken bones, a strained tendon, an appendectomy, endometriosis, a mild concussion plus the usual bumps and bruises.

It it were a horse, we would have to shoot it.

And with that kind of mojo going on, Corky Ballas dares to spin Cloris Leachman around the floor? Is there a hip replacement in the future?

For the first time this season, a couple other than Brooke Burke and Derek Hough finished first with the judges.

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer performed a jive to “Tutti Fruiti” and earned themselves a 27. Lance was impressive and they clearly worked on showcasing Lance this week.

That strained tendon may have kept Brooke and Derek from first, but not by much. They danced a slow, sensual rumba that so impressed guest judge Michael Flatley (yes, Lord of the Dance), he gave them a 10. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli were not feeling the love and gave the couple 8’s for a total of 26.

Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson also preformed a rumba and earned a 25 from the judges. Warren could have actually done more dancing. We’ve come to expect better from the big guy.

Cody Linley and Julianne Hough performed a samba for a 23. Julianne was taken to the hospital after last week’s results show with stomach pains, which turned out to be endometriosis. Then she learned she needed her appendix out also. She valiantly predicted she would be back in a week. Meanwhile, Cody will be dancing with Edyta Sliwinkska.

Also scoring a 23 were Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani with a mambo that Bruno criticized heavily. Michael Flatley had to play peacemaker between Carrie Ann and Bruno over Susan’s timing.

In fact, Michael Flatley was a true gentleman throughout the evening. He was dignified and eloquent — a sharp contrast to Carrie Ann and Bruno’s fighting and yapping.

Maurice Green (sans mustache) and Cheryl Burke preformed a Viennese waltz to John Mayer’s “Gravity.”  They earned straight 7’s which would be lucky in Vegas, but on the dance floor it put them in the bottom two with Cloris and Corky.

Cloris and Corky. What can you say about Cloris and Corky? I think Bruno put it best when he credited Cloris with offering “such nonsense as a cha cha cha and people buy it!”

Judge Carrie Ann earned a round of boos when she said she was sad that the show lost Toni Braxton for this. 

Cloris and Corky earned a 15 from the judges. Will voters save them from elimination again this week? This might be the tipping point — when does Cloris’ clown act cost more viewers than it gains?

Before I forget (and I am going to try to block it out), the group hip-hop dance was a train wreck. The stars looked silly — Cloris was doing her best Flavor Flav imitation; Lance had that little known old school hip hop mullet; and Susan Lucci looked lost most of the time.

Let’s hope for better times on Tuesday. The show promises a number from Michael Flatley’s Celtic Tiger, more Ballroom Kids and, of course, one couple will go home.

It was a bit of a ho-hum results show with Toni Braxton as the latest star eliminated from “Dancing with the Stars.” It wasn’t really a surprise. It could have easily been Susan Lucci or Cloris Leachman.

Of course Cloris must have made a pack with the devil and will probably win the whole thing. She defies the naysayers. Each week we leave the competition show with Cloris at the bottom of the pack and each week her fans vote her into safety in the results show. Will she take home the trophy using nothing but sheer entertainment value and minimal dancing skills? It could be a problem for a show called “DANCING with the Stars.”

Toni thanked her partner and credited the show with helping her to overcome recent health issues.

Brian Setzer and his orchestra performed. The Dancing Kids competition was back with Maria and Mitchell advancing to the semi-finals. And a Dancing through the Decades mega-performance rounded out the evening.

Next week Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley will be filling in for judge Len Goodman, and it’s the group hip-hop performance. That has Cloris written all over it!

We are at the half-way point in this season’s “Dancing with the Stars” and four new dances had the stars and their partners struggling. It was quite enjoyable to watch the professionals out of their comfort zones, trying to teach dances to themselves as well as their celebrities.

West Coast Swing, Jitterbug, Hustle and Salsa made their competition debut with mixed results.

Brooke Burke and partner Derek Hough led the pack for the fifth week in a row with a season-high score of 29 for with their Jitterbug to “Don’t be Cruel.” It was lively, fun and entertaining. There’s a reason Brooke and Derek are favored to win the competition: They deliver every week.

Close behind are Cody Linley and Julianne Hough with a 28 for their Jitterbug. Dressed as Lucy and Ricky, their dance had the comical nature that defines the Jitterbug. If Julianne can keep Cody focused, they might have a shot at this (If Brooke breaks something, which at the rate the show is going…).

Maurice Green and Cheryl Burke’s Salsa earned them a spot at third. Scoring three 9’s and a hug from judge Carrie Ann Inaba, Maurice is definitely at the top of this season’s roster.

Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson took us to “Funky Town” with their Hustle. Bright and energetic, this team earned that 25 from the judges and the standing ovation from the audience, 

Speaking of injuries (when you are talking about “Dancing with the Stars” this season, you are always speaking of injuries), Susan Lucci fractured a bone in her foot. But like Erica Kane, you can’t keep this woman down. She danced through the pain with partner Tony Dovolani performing the Hustle to “Inside Out.” It may have been the injury — though I have my doubts — but it seemed like they were a pace behind this evening. They were methodical and measured. Not the words you would usually use to describe the iconic ‘70s dance.

It still earned Susan and Tony a 22 from the judges, putting them in a tie with Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo.

Toni and Alec danced the West Coast Swing to “The Way You Make Me Feel.” The judges keep asking to see Toni’s potential but so far it’s missing in action.

Tied for last with scores of 21 are Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer, and Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas.

West Coast Swing is Lacey’s dance (She’s the current world champion and her father introduced the dance to ballroom competition), and they were hit hard for showcasing Lacey instead of Lance. Judge Bruno Tonioli referred to it as “dancing around the stars.” 

Lance slipped at fell during the performance, but his quick recovery seemed good enough for the judges.

Cloris and Corky, as usual, attempted their dance (the Salsa this week). The judges were polite and Cloris was entertaining. But it’s getting a little creepy. The sexual innuendoes, Corky grabbing those 82-year-old boobs, and teaching Cloris the phrase “skanky ho” — one of these days it’s just going to be too much. It’s all good and fun, until you remember that you really should treat your grandma with a little more dignity.

Tomorrow night’s show promises another star will go home (or at least to a spectator’s seat), Brian Setzer and his orchestra will perform and Len Goodman’s fill in for next week will be announced.

Chef Rocco Dispirito won’t be cooking up any more numbers on “Dancing with the Stars.” He and partner Karina Smirnoff were eliminated this week as expected. Misty May-Treanor’s injury granted them a one-week stay but the voters have spoken.

While we are on the topic of voters, the mud slinging was in full force in this most political of seasons. In a desperate attempt to sway those undecided voters, “Dancing with the Stars” competitors reached across the aisles and started smearing their opponents — with spoofs of political ads that is.

Who knew Erica Kane thought Warren Sapp was cheating by wearing a fat suit? He is awfully light on his feet for a man who allegedly weighs 300 pounds.

Clearly having fun, the producers brought a topical twist to the show with tongue-in-cheek ads like “Cody Linley is a baby,” “Never trust a skinny chef (Rocco Dispirito),” and “Say no to hot chicks who can dance (Brooke Burke).” That last one was “paid for by the rest of the cast.”

The Ballroom Kids challenge returned tonight with the Hannah and Kirill advancing to the finals. 

The multitalented Ne-Yo performed as well Los Vivancos — shirtless flamenco dancers who made for some nice eye candy. And that’s what the show is all about, yes? Eye candy, music and fun.

Sex, sex, sex. It is the week of the samba and the tango on “Dancing with the Stars,” and we were hoping to get lucky.

Apparently the judges needed a cold shower after Brooke Burke and Derek Hough brought their sexy samba to the dance floor. Judge Len Goodman called the dance “slightly too erotic,” and judge Bruno Tonioli needed a smoke after it.

Brooke and Derek tied for top score this week with Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer — 26. But because no one left the show (other than injured Misty May-Treanor) last week, scores and votes from both weeks are being combined, leaving Brooke and Derek in the lead with a 54 out of 60.

Lance brought some ‘N Sync moves to a gothic tango that earned himself the nickname “Sir Dancelot” from Goodman. With a 48 out of 60, Lance and Lacey are trailing Brooke and Derek.

Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani tangoed their way to a 24, giving them a 45 out of 60 over the two weeks.

Cody Linely found his mojo in a tango with Julianne Hough. The almost 19-year-old is turning into a man according to the judges. Cody and Julianne earned a 23, giving them a 44 overall.

While the judges loved Cody and Julianne, they were tougher on two of the show’s past favorites — Warren Sapp and Maurice Greene.

It’s week four and there are no more free passes. The judges are starting to demand content in the dances instead of gimmicks and easy jokes (Crazy Cloris what will you do?!).

Warren’s winking at Carrie Ann couldn’t score him and partner Kym Johnson any more than a 22 on their samba. Thank goodness Carrie Ann was crushing on Warren last week, they go into tomorrow night’s elimination show with a 47 out of 60.

Maurice with partner Cheryl Burke were “ghetto fabulous” according to Bruno but the hair, the bell bottoms and the disco favorite “That’s the Way I Like It” weren’t enough to keep them from this week’s bottom of the score list with a 20. How do you feel when 82-year-old Cloris Leachman outscores you? Maurice and Cheryl have a combined total of 44.

Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo also have 44 out of 60 (22 each week). Their samba had a great latin beat and they added samba rolls. But most importantly, at least in the eyes of judge Bruno, Toni was wearing drastically less costuming than last week’s Marie Antoinette getup. He couldn’t get enough of her “booty” wrapped in what can only be described as Mardi Gras beads.

Speaking of costumes, Rocco Dispirito’s bright pink ruffles brought bad flashbacks of Seinfeld’s “puffy” shirt.  He and partner Karina Smirnoff looked like they were having fun as they sambaed, but it wasn’t enough to lift them out of last place (38 out of 60). The judges were harder on Rocco this week than last giving him an 18 compared to last week’s 20. It may be Rocco’s week to go home. 

And if the judges are going to get tough, what’s Cloris going to do? Dance of course! Finally, Crazy Cloris actually danced. She and partner Corky Ballas earned a standing ovation from the crowd for their traditional tango. And they earned 22 from the judges this week. As Bruno put it, Cloris went from “the grandma from hell to the grand duchess of lust.” 

Don’t worry Crazy Cloris still got plenty of easy jokes in and she worked the crowd as usual. They are tied for last place with Rocco (38 out of 60), but Cloris has a solid fan base that has been keeping her on the dance floor. 

It was results night on “Dancing with the Stars.” So who’s going home? Nobody. Not that it was a surprise. “Dancing with the Stars” tried to build some tension into the show by saving that bit of news till the end, but it was an obvious conclusion.

The music would have stopped for Rocco DiSpirito and Karina Smirnoff if Misty May-Treanor and Maksim Chmerkovskiy hadn’t dropped out.

There will be no clean slate next week. The judges’ scores and viewers’ votes from this week will be combined with next week’s totals. Rocco and Karina will have quite a struggle to climb out of last place.

In honor of Misty’s injury, viewers were treated to a montage of various injuries throughout the season — from bruises to sprained ankles to trips to the emergency room. It’s not a good sign when a TV show has to resort to a best-of-injuries segment.

Maksim and Edyta Sliwinska did perform the jive he had choreographed for this week with Misty.

To round out the hour, Kool & The Gang preformed a medley of their hits; the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes added some kick; and Jennifer Hudson sang “Spotlight” while siblings Derek and Julianne Hough danced together. It’s fun to watch two professionals dance — the lifts, spins and sheer talent are inspiring. You realize how far, far, far below this standard Cloris Leachman is.

Tonight’s episode of Dancing with the Stars brought costumes that scanned the centuries, the first “10” of the season, and one less performer on the dance card.

Throughout the show, host Tom Bergeron introduced snippets of “dramatic” footage from Misty May-Treanor’s injury during practice and subsequent trip to the hospital Friday.  The Chinese women’s beach volleyball team couldn’t bring Misty down, but apparently the jive could. Misty and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy were forced to drop out of this season after Misty ruptured her achilles tendon. Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.

Teams that were dancing (and that term is applied loosely for some) were assigned the all-American jive or the classical Viennese Waltz.

The big winners again this week were Brooke Burke and Derek Hough. Their Viennese Waltz to John Mayer’s “Daughters” brought two 9’s and the first 10 of the season (from Len Goodman). It’s easy to see why they are loved by the judges. Brooke ended the dance on a sentimental note with a kiss for her daughter in the audience.

Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson left the rhinestones and pleather behind to show a softer side this week with their waltz to “Loving You is so Easy.” The judges rewarded them with a 25 (Carrie Ann Inaba’s 9 made Warren’s night).

Close behind Sapp and Johnson, Maurice Green and Cheryl Burke scored a 24 with their jive to “Rock Around the Clock.” Maurice started the dance with an impressive jump over Cheryl’s head.

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer finally got a little respect from Len. Instead of the usual 6, Len cranked it up a notch with a 7. It’s all about baby steps. Lance and Lacey totaled out at 22 with their waltz to Marc Broussard’s “Let Me Leave.”

Maybe past performances earned Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo a little slack this week. They certainly didn’t deserve the 22 from the judges for their waltz to an electronic version of classical music. Toni’s Marie Antoinette costume was not made for dancing. If her legs were working under that giant skirt, it was impossible to tell. The whole number was over produced and odd.

Susan Lucci and Tony Dovalani jived to “Why do Fools Fall in Love?” While the judges enjoyed their work, Carrie Ann thought Susan was a little too timid and Bruno Tonioli’s obsession with Susan’s chest was lecherous. Susan and Tony earned a 21.

Cody Linley and Julianne Hough matched that 21 with their jive to Lynryd Skynyrd’s “Call Me the Breeze.” The number was energetic, sexy and fun, but the judges were unimpressed.

Blindfolded for the first part of their number, Rocco Dispirito and partner Karina Smirnoff earned a 20 from the judges for their waltz to “What’s New Pussycat?”

And at the bottom (again) was Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas. If you go by their dancing performance alone (there was darn little of it), the judges were generous with a 16.

But Crazy Cloris was back! She’s 82 and still giving it the good old college try. Cloris and Corky played up the entertainment factor (especially after she lost her pink wig) and just prayed to hang on for another week. I think they will. With Misty out this week, it’s looking like the results show Tuesday won’t result in anyone actually leaving.

ABC’s dancing with the stars will return on Sept. 22 for a seventh season. 13 new contestants will put on their dancing shoes and show their stuff.

They include: Lance Bass, Toni Braxton, Brooke Burke, Rocco Dispirito, Maurice Greene, Kim Kardashian, Cloris Leachman, Cody Linley, Susan Lucci, Misty May-Treanor, Ted McGinley, Jeffrey Ross and Warren Sapp

Even though 13 of them will appear on the first episode, only 11 will make on to the next show.