(S06E18)

Gallery: Dancing With The Stars: Season Six

Tom started things off with a recap of Monday's semi-final performances. Jason thanked Len for giving him a 10 on the foxtrot, and strutted backstage after delivering an intense paso doble. Cristián was pleased with the "wow" factor in his waltz, and got some encouragement from Tom backstage. Kristi promised some great freestyle moves if she was brought back next week. Marissa couldn't believe that she made such a big mistake in her first dance, but promised to be in the audience for the finals if she got eliminated.

After announcing that Usher would perform twice in next week's finale, Tom gave us a rundown of the leaderboard. Marissa and Tony were in fourth place with 52 points. Jason's 55 points landed him in third place, with Cristián ahead by one point in second place. Kristi regained her lead with 57 points.

This would have been a terribly slow results show without the ballroom kids. Aaron and Rashell, the nine-and-under winners performed first. Their friends held a rally for them at school, and Kym Johnson stopped by rehearsal to give them some advice. The couple's cha cha cha ("Please Mr. Postman") was just as cute as their first dance. Len loved the Cuban break, and thought Aaron and Rashell looked sharp and crisp. Bruno complimented their precise arm placement and said that they looked triple-jointed. Carrie Ann told them that they made an adorable couple.

Backstage, Kristi remained diplomatic about her chances of making the finals. Marissa thanked her fans for keeping her in the competition this long. Cristián joked that he and Jason had a dream to make it to the finals together. Jason told Samantha that they might have to take a short hiatus from being friends if their dream is realized.

It's the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's Thriller album, and Dancing With The Stars celebrated with a performance by Omarion featuring choreography by Travis Payne. The large-scale number included "Billie Jean," "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," and, of course, "Thriller." It was entertaining, but at this point I was ready for a hint at who was going to the finals.

It was time for Jaryd and Cara, the 10-and-under couple, to perform the samba. Both kids gasped when Maksim appeared at their rehearsal. Cara thought Maks was cute, which means that they have at least one thing in common. I have trouble comparing these performances, since these kids are all so impressive for their respective ages. After they danced to "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)," Tom asked Cara for her autograph. She was still writing when Carrie Ann began her critique. Choked up, Carrie Ann wished she could put the kids in her pocket. The routine was the perfect blend of technique and entertainment. Len said he'd rather watch the kids than the adults. Bruno called the performance adorable and entertaining.

Next up were Brandon and Brittany from the 13-and-under group. The couple went back to Utah to prepare for their dance, and got a visit from former coach Ashley Del Grosso. Their paso doble, danced to "The Phantom of the Opera," was definitely the most advanced of the night. Brandon and Britanny's age enabled them to convey the emotion with more conviction than some of the younger dancers. The other couples are cute, but can't pull of the intense tone of dances like this. Fans were told to vote for the most entertaining couple, though, so perhaps cuteness will win out. Bruno thought Brandon and Brittany showed incredible artistry and finesse for their age. Carrie Ann called their paso doble mature and sophisticated. Len thought they were the real deal.

Samantha interviewed all of the kids backstage, and I thought it was so sweet that Rashell and Cara held hands. Brittany said that, if she she joins the show someday, she wants to dance with Jesse McCartney. Brandon would settle for any of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. All three couples (and their families) were given free trips to Disneyland.

Just when you thought we were done with filler, they gave us a quick segment on the final four contestants. Jason is the macho man, Cristián is the Latin heartthrob, Kristi is the woman to beat, and Marissa is the entertainer.

Finally, we got to the elimination! Kristi and Mark were the first couple sent to next week's finals; zero surprise there. After the break, Jason and Edyta were put on the finals roster as well. I would have been happy with either Cristián or Marissa taking that third spot, but Marissa was sent home. She was as positive as always, and told her fans to do something fun and shake what their mamas gave them.

No real shockers in this week's results show. On the plus side, all of the remaining contestants are worthy of the final round, and I'm looking forward to what they'll bring to the freestyle round. No insane doll costumes this season--no sir.

Brett will be back next week for the Finals. Until then, check out AOL's extensive Dancing With The Stars coverage, which includes photo galleries, polls, and a live chat.