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Cher rocks 'Dancing' as sixth celeb exits

Ann Oldenburg
USA TODAY
Amber Riley, Derek Hough and host Tom Bergeron on the Oct. 28, 2013 episode of 'DWTS.'

Cher stirred up Monday's Dancing With the Stars, opening the show by descending from the ceiling in a mini-dress as she belted out Believe.

She also stirred things up on the judges panel, as she filled in for Len Goodman, taking a seat beside Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. There were a few bumps. She at first said "Cher" instead of her score. And she got bleeped at one point as she critiqued Elizabeth Berkley.

Cher was also asked at one point a question from a fan: If she could turn back time, to what time would she go? "I'd go back to the '80s." Why? "I just had so much fun in the '80s, I cannot tell you. Maybe too much!"

The crowd loved her and everything she said. And what did she think of it all? "I loved it!"

As for the competition, comedian Bill Engvall was at the bottom of the pack going into the night. Did he survive it?

Here's how Week No. 8 played out, as the stars had to perform an individual dance and then compete in a dance-off for extra points:

Amber Riley had another physically tough week, as she was admitted to a hospital for a tear in one of the tendons in her knee. But she put on her knee brace and appeared to be fine. The Glee star said she was "going to have to bring out the acting skills" to act all "girly" to pull off their sexy rumba to Turn Back Time. No worries, though, because her partner Derek Hough brought the sexy, kicking off the number by taking off his shirt, a tactic that always meets with crowd approval. Cher thought it was "fabulous." Bruno raved. Carrie Ann said it was not Amber's "best dance." Scores: 9, 9, 10 = 28 In a new twist, the high score after Round One won her immunity from elimination.

Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff

Corbin Bleu was "freaked out a little bit" about dancing his Argentine tango in front of Cher. He also had problem focusing during rehearsals because he had a crisis on a film he's producing about anti-bullying. In the end, he and pro Karina Smirnoff pulled it off with sharp precise moves, lifts and kicks, but also with a few missteps. Carrie Ann said it was an "A performance." Bruno liked it but some of the footwork was "not quite on it." Cher said it was "amazing" and "beautiful." Scores: 9, 9, 9 = 27 + 3 = 30

Jack Osbourne said he was feeling the pressure, too, about performing his tango for Cher to The Beat Goes On. "If we do a really bad job, it could really bum her out." He and partner Cheryl Burke (who said she was named after Cher) were fierce and sharp. Jennifer Lopez was spotted cheering them (and everyone else) on. Carrie Ann said he was "like a god out there" even though he missed a bit at the start. Cher thought it was "great! You were like a pimp!" Bruno said she was right because the dance is all about "the pimp and the hooker." He thought Jack performed "a proper, classic tango." Scores: 9, 9, 9 = 27 + 3 = 30

Leah Remini and Tony Dovolani during Week 7.

Leah Remini was glad Cher was judging. "She's going to look at the artistry of it as opposed to 'I wish you would have done that lift better,' " she said. Their Viennese waltz to I Got You Babe was sweet, graceful and flowing, telling the story of Sonny and Cher meeting in a coffee shop. "It was like watching Alice in Wonderland," said Bruno, who loved it but quibbled about body contact. Carrie Ann thought they got a little "under the timing," but liked Leah's carriage. Cher was "just enthralled" by it. Scores: 8, 9, 8 = 25 + 3 = 28

Brant Daugherty was stressing over his foxtrot because he just wasn't getting it. He was distracted by his Pretty Little Liars work this past week, he said. But his performance with pro partner Peta Murgatroyd to Cher's It's in his Kiss was sassy and it ended with them kissing. Cher talked about liking his "smile." Carrie Ann criticized his "lines." Bruno said his "content is always flawless," but told him he needs to refine it. Scores: 9, 9, 9 = 27

Elizabeth Berkley really wanted to do a jazz dance to Cher's Bang Bang and she wound up crying in rehearsals because she was feeling the pressure of wanting to perform it well. She and a shirtless Val Chmerkovsiky gave a drama-filled performance.The crowd loved it. "I thought it was rough, and I liked the rough part of it," said Cher. Then, she said, "I like it when ..." and she was bleeped. (It seemed to be something about strong women.) Bruno said the performance was like Hunger Games — only one can survive." He added that Elizabeth "missed her musical cues." Carrie Ann said she was "one-dimensional in her anger." Scores: 8, 9, 8 = 25

Bill Engvall and Emma Slater during Week 7.

Bill Engvall said he grew up in the disco era so he wasn't worried about his dance this week. "All I'm missing is the shag haircut," he noted. "I'm bringing it!" Wearing white satin and hamming it up as always, Bill and partner Emma Slater boogied and finger-pointed all over the floor. "Sometimes it was more infernal than inferno," said Bruno, but he loved it. Carrie Ann called him the "mayor of Dancing With the Stars." He was "off the beat," but she "loved" it. Cher said she was "amazed" that Bill could get his partner "up in all those positions." Scores: 8, 8, 8 = 24


In the dance-off part of the show, stars could earn 3 extra points for a win.

Corbin and Karina faced Elizabeth and Val in a cha cha. Winner: Corbin Bleu

Brant Daugherty and Peta Murgatroyd.

Brant and Peta faced Leah and Tony in a rumba. Winner: Leah Remini

Jack and Cheryl competed against Bill and Emma in a disco. Winner: Jack Osbourne

The minute the last dance was done, it was revealed Bill Engvall was safe! He hugged and danced around with his partner, celebrating the news.

So who got the boot? It came down to Jack and Brant ... and Brant was sent home. "I've learned a lot about myself and I'm just very, very grateful for the opportunity," said the actor.

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