It appears that the fancy footwork Rick Fox used to show on the hardwood for the L.A. Lakers wasn't enough to keep him from being ushered off the dance floor.
The former NBA star was the latest in a line of shocking eliminations on the most recent episode of "Dancing With the Stars," reports Entertainment Weekly, despite the fact that he landed in the middle of the leader board for his foxtrot efforts Tuesday night.
"We were the couple going home," Fox said after the news was announced. "It's a lot of work put in; you don't visualize going home, you visualize being here every week. But it's now something that both [Cheryl Burke and I are] processing for the first time."
Burke was also let down by their ouster.
"Rick and I have developed such a good relationship and such open communication," she said. "It's something I've never had with previous partners. I've learned a lot from Rick. I'm going to miss his stories and his friendship."
The loss came as a big surprise to other cast members as well.
"Audrina [Patridge] last week, Rick this week," said Derek Hough. "Crazy."
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Informed speculation centered on Bristol Palin's luck finally running out, but the daughter of Sarah Palin will live to fight another day.
"I'm relieved and shocked," she laughed after making the cut. "Can't believe we made it another week, but I'm thankful for the fans that voted for us."
Palin has expressed a desire to end her time on the show, saying in the confessional that she's ready to be done with her experience.
"I'm tired. I wanna go home. I wanna see my son. I'm just exhausted," she said.
It remains to be seen if the audience will grant Palin her wish next week.
The episode also featured the return of several old cast members who competed for Special Dance Awards over the course of the evening. Marie Osmond won the "Most Dramatic" award over Kelly Monaco and Kate Gosselin, while Kenny Mayne beat out Master P and Billy Ray Cyrus for the two-left award.
Taylor Swift and Rod Stewart also made special performances on the show, singing some of their best-known hits.
Selected Reading: Entertainment Weekly, E! Online, Los Angeles Times
