DANCING WITH THE STARS Showdown: Finalists Revealed!

Tonight is a big night for this season on DANCING WITH THE STARS - Stevie Nicks, former champions return, and, most importantly of all, we find out who the finalists will be!

The show, as always, begins with the usual entertainment - this week headlined by Stevie Nicks, previous champions, and Tayla, an inspirational young dancer with primary immunodeficiency who was asked to dance with Chelsie and Lacey. As an added bonus, several celebrities take the floor - among them Apolo Anton Ohno, Warren Sapp, Brooke Burke and Donny Osmond.

The contestants then discuss their turning points for the season. Hines understandably chooses Kym's injury; Ralph discusses when Karina fell; Kirstie brings up when her shoe came off; and Chelsea mentions when she received her lowest scores and thought she'd be eliminated.

Hines and Chelsea are both declared safe, and we're quickly left with Ralph and Kirstie. Who will head to the finals and who will head home?

It's (drum roll)...Ralph Macchio who hits the road, which isn't particularly surprising given his low scores. Still, a leader early in the competition, Ralph was both a quick learner and an easygoing audience favorite.

Maks, who probably should have kept his exuberance at least until after his opponents had stepped down the stairs, raises his fist in celebration. Ralph, though, makes a gracious exit. He gives a lot of credit to his partner: "Karina, you have inspired me in so many ways with your  heart, your talent, your class," he says, "...but even more so as a human being. I'm proud to have been your dance partner, and even prouder to be your friend."

So it's Chelsea Kane, Kirstie Alley, and Hines Ward who are this season's finalists. Now all that's left is one more fierce week of competition, and then the crowning of the champion! Find out next week who dances their way to the top!

Viewers may cast their votes for their favorite teams via phone on Monday night during and up to 30 minutes after the "Dancing with the Stars" performance shows. Wireless customers with AT&T may also text message their votes by texting the word "VOTE" to the number that corresponds to the team they want to support (message and data rates may apply). Viewers may also vote online at www.abc.com starting from the opening of each episode on the East Coast, until 8:00 a.m., PT the following day. Fans may cast the maximum limit of votes for each voting method.

"Dancing with the Stars" is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, "Strictly Come Dancing." This version is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Rob Wade is co-executive producer. Alex Rudzinski directs. "Dancing with the Stars" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

 

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