DWTS: Aaron Carter Collapses!

OK, he didn't really collapse, but we were concerned it was a significant risk when the announcement came last night that he was eliminated from the competition. Luckily, everyone was prepared for the situation, and Len even made a special speech about what a lovely young man he is and how much he has achieved this season, and that if Aaron was his son, he would be very proud of him. Awwww. I am relieved Aaron is leaving if only because the constant ribbing about his crying was starting to feel a little mean. We get it, he's young with a low tolerance for pain -- give him a few years and some sessions with a leather daddy and both of these issues will get resolved. Or maybe some of us like him this fresh and fragile? And I don't mean me: during the DanceCenter segment (Dancing with the Stars meets ESPN's SportsCenter), Jerry Rice calls him "a snowflake on a lily pad."

So now we are left with four competitors: Mya, Joanna, Donny and Kelly. Donny has the psychological strength of character, but his physical stamina might falter (this is not a sly comment on his age, the man is simultaneously performing a show in Vegas!), while Kelly will need to dig deep and show she can consistently perform well in all three of her dances next week. Both of them are crowd favorites and have brought the most moments of sweetness and joy to the show this season, so their fans could conceivably carry them both through the semifinals and into the final three, but I suspect the trophy will boil down to a battle between Derek's inspired choreography and competitive will to win (while carrying Joanna with him) versus Mya's superior dancing chops.

-- A. RAYMOND JOHNSON

Previously > DWTS: Doble Trouble