'Dancing' Sends R&B Star Mario Packing

By DERRIK J. LANG,
AP
Posted: 2008-05-07 06:49:34
Filed Under: TV News, Reality TV
LOS ANGELES (May 7) - It was the 100th episode of "Dancing with the Stars" - but the last for Mario. The 21-year-old R&B singer and his professional partner, Karina Smirnoff, were eliminated during Tuesday's results show, which also served as a special celebration of the ABC dancing competition's 100th episode.

Mario and Smirnoff performed a Viennese waltz and a jive during Monday's performance show, earning 53 out of 60 points. The judges crowned Mario "a new prince" following his ballroom dance but called his feet "bloody ugly" after his Latin dance. Mario came in third place following the judges' scores Monday.

Top-scorer Christian De la Fuente dropped partner Cheryl Burke last week when he ruptured a tendon in his biceps. Burke choreographed the couple's tango and mambo routines this week so that the Chilean actor mostly used his good arm - including the lifts, which were allowed for the first time this round.

De la Fuente, NFL player Jason Taylor, Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur remain and will compete in next week's semifinals.

In honor of the popular reality series' 100th episode, host Tom Bergeron announced there were 100 fans - two from each state - in the audience as well as several former contestants, such as Kelly Monaco, Jane Seymour, Vivica A. Fox, Jerry Springer, Mark Cuban, Drew Lachey, Ian Ziering, Sabrina Ryan and Lisa Rhinna.

Three former contestants returned to the dance floor.

Fourth season winner Apolo Anton Ohno and fifth season runner-up Melanie Brown separately danced with their former professional partners during performances by Rascal Flatts. Third season runner-up Mario Lopez, who's currently starring in "A Chorus Line" on Broadway, also performed a high-kicking routine with the cast from the musical revival.

ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

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Eliminated: Mario
Why a Star? R&B singer



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2008-05-07 06:49:34
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89 comments

Lolitaalilia 06:40:54 PM May 13 2008

JORDAN , NIKE , PUMA , ADIDAS , BAPE shoes , COACH , LV , GUCCI , CHANEL , FENDI handbags , $20/pair(pc) !!!! Welcome to http://www.netsowntown.com

mccookhi 03:28:16 PM May 12 2008

Marrisa is cute and enthusiastic, but she should have been one of the first ones voted off. She definitely is not one of the better dancers. And Mario was sure better than Christian. Kristi and Jason are the best of the ones that are left. Kristi has the advantage since she had the basic grace and movements from her years on the ice. Jason is amazingly graceful and talented for a big macho football player. I hope he wins.

shecreates 11:58:44 AM May 12 2008

It takes determination, discipline, and a willingness to 'put it out on the line,' as all dancers know. Dancing's like sports, and takes a lot of hard work! I give these stars credit for showing up and trying. Some are better than others! It's a terrific show and has brought dancing to the general public. Kudos to ABC!

gobbi141 12:18:38 AM May 12 2008

I thought Mario was terrific. I had a big problem with Len on this one. I even wrote into the station. I told them to go over all there tapes of each week. Len was terrible to Mario. I would hate to think he was being racist so I won't go there because there are plenty of black on DWTS. But Len was horrible to this young man. He told him last week he reminded him of Brittney Spears. I don't know what the hell that was all about. But it was insulting. I have to say Mario was gracious during the who thing. When he got voted off he said he was not the hero there. That the heroes were our men and women in Iraq. I just thougt he was great. Len needs a talking too. Go Mario!

CciluvbeaglescC 11:52:30 AM May 11 2008

he was an ok dancer he was not going to make it to the final but he should not have gone YET...........i dont think.......

Tetrarquin 02:20:37 PM May 10 2008

everybody is a celebrity seems to me...must be all those tv channels..

withstrings 01:49:31 PM May 10 2008

If there was ever a film depicting the life and times of Marvin Gaye, this kid Mario would be a ringer...Work on your skills, pay your bills, monitor your thrills and most importantly look to the hills from where you get your help!

mitcheastmeck122 10:05:41 AM May 10 2008

THEY BOTH ARE GOOD , she is good on there

stevemarmora 09:42:52 AM May 10 2008

he was not dancing he was showing off and it is good that he is gone now we cane see real dancing

civicgirl123 07:30:14 PM May 09 2008

DID ANYONE NOTICE HOW KARINA KEPT ROLLING HER EYES.

gavin012706 02:46:09 PM May 09 2008

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHO THAT CHRISTIAN IS AND WHAT HE IS FAMOUS FOR? IF HE IS A STAR, THEN FOR WHAT OR WHERE? I AGREE. THE HAS BEENS MAKE THE SHOW LESS APPEALING.

mdvk 01:58:13 PM May 09 2008

I'm a big fan of Marissa's and think she has done an excellant job in what is well known a skinny sport. Marissa's has steadily imrpoved and listens to the judges criticism and learns from it. It seems to me that Mario was being tols the same thing week after week and nothing changed or imrpoved.

That being said, I'm very impressed with Christian and I hope his injury doesn't knock him out now.

mshelly33 08:12:09 PM May 08 2008

I personally feel that the winners are pre determined!!

mshelly33 08:08:54 PM May 08 2008

LaydeeBleu 02:17:28 AM May 08 2008

Report This! I'm thinking the news of their affair did them in. Tossed out like trash.

I guess but I thought she was dating the other Mario?

mshelly33 08:07:44 PM May 08 2008

GATORLINE 01:01:42 PM May 08 2008

Report This! HE CAN'T DANCE AND HE CAN'T SING AND HE IS UGLY. THE PERFORMANCE HE DID
WITH KARINA THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE HOT WAS NOT. CARRIE ANN SAID IT WAS BETTER THAN GOOD SEX, WAS SHE BLIND. IT WAS AWFUL. HE SUCKS. I AM GLAD HE'S GONE, NOW I CAN WATCH AND BE HAPPY. CHERYL AND CHRISTIAN ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!

Can't please everyone LOL!! Tell us how you really feel !!

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