RECAP: DANCING's Semi-Final Elimination Sets the Stage for a Thrilling Finale

For a 300^th episode extravaganza, tonight's elimination was a real snore. I mean, come on. Last week we got a 7-ton rotating dance chamber and all they could muster up for the dual semifinal axing and pretty impressive show milestone were a few fans and a British boy band off the B-list? At least if they'd tricked the fluff out with an adequate measure of glitz and glam, it would've been a bit easier to forgive the fact that they paid all of ten minutes to the competition.

Whose idea was it to open with the dance troupe every week, anyway? What I'd love to see, especially now that we're down to the best that DANCING has to offer, is a group routine showcasing the remaining stars. That's what we're here for, isn't it?

At the very least, justice was served once they finally got around to serving up the results. With Jacoby safe right out of the gates and Kellie and Aly soon to follow while Zendaya was tossed to the bottom with Ingo, there was a moment when it seemed as though the worst had come to pass and the soap stud had clawed his way into the finale with the help of the fan vote. But in the end, the competition's 16-year-old shining star secured the final spot in the fight for the mirrorball trophy.

It's a showdown that's been shaping up throughout the entire season, with all four of the remaining couples striking out and making a name for themselves very early on in the competition. Four fan favorites, four fantastic performers, four dedicated dancers. Each has had their rise and fall. So, who will walk away with the trophy?

For highlights from this week's elimination, check out the breakdown below:

The Encore

Tough week for the judges to have to pick an encore with four perfect performances to choose from, but in the end they settled for Kellie's stunning argentine tango with it's sensual silhouettes and sharp spins. For once, seeing it a second time was actually nice because it gave me a real appreciation for the way she was bending and moving her body in pretty unnatural ways. It was a bit less fun without the fiery passion that left them both covered in red lipstick the previous night, but still a sight to behold.

As a side note, bonus points to Kellie for telling Derek that he reminds her of her 12-year-old brother during rehearsal. That guy could definitely use a hit or two to his ego, so you go girl.

The Great Bangle Heist

In the ultimate act of betrayal, Mark tattled on Aly for stealing bangles from her costume every week. Apparently, she's taken one or two for the road after each of her performances and now has a collection of about a dozen tucked away in her purse. Totally forgivable on Mark's part only because of the great impression he did of Aly squealing about her urge to run off with them.

The Performances

I really wanted to say something snarky about The Wanted's super bland cover of Tori Kelly's "Fill a Heart," but then they announced that they were singing it in honor of child hunger in America which is really sweet. So, instead, I will scold Tom Bergeron for not sharing that little piece of information in their introduction. Really, if you can take the time to announce that Avril's single aired at the top of the charts in who-cares-how-many countries, then you can take a minute to talk about the starving children.

Speaking of Avril, she made a solid effort at exuding a certain maturity with her chic outfit and radio-ready hit single "Here's to Never Growing Up." But, alas, the dance troupe killed any chances she had of distancing herself from her punk queen persona when they took the stage in black-and-hot-pink chiffon skirts and studded boots.

Luckily, they brought in the big guns for this weeks AT&T Spotlight performance with a showcase of 10-year-old Guinness World Record holder Sophia Lucia, who managed to do 55 consecutive pirouettes. Now that girl can dance. She took the floor surrounded by every blonde the dance troupe had to offer and easily outshone all of them with a sweet but sassy little smile on her face.

The Chopping Block

There is something strangely refreshing about the fact that this show is always bordering trainwreck threshold so closely that the hosts regularly miss their cues and laugh it off without the slightest concern, even when they are about to announce the most important elimination of the season.

Ingo, however, wasn't quite so amused with their laid back attitude, as evidenced by his wide-eyed bouncing. I'm still trying to decide if he thought he stood a chance or if he just wanted to get it over with. Regardless, I'm glad Zendaya made it through because the poor thing looked like she was about to cry when they announced that she was in jeopardy. Can't say I blame her. If I had killed every routine I'd undertaken for a whole season then lost to a guy who can't even remember the steps, I'd be upset, too.

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