DWTS 3 -- Results Show Week 1

To almost nobody's surprise, Tucker Carlson was the first celebrity eliminated from Dancing with the Stars 3. But it appears that Jerry Springer is more popular that he thought. He was near the top in the audience voting, despite barely surviving his Cha Cha Cha.

During a quick recap of last night's performances, Joey Lawrence revealed that his pants ripped during his routine. Regarding his own routine, Tucker said, "Our campaign is not based on competence. It's based on fun."

After the recap, the judges asked Emmitt Smith & Cheryl Burke to give an encore of their Cha Cha Cha. They did, and it was pretty much a carbon copy of the original.

Tom Jones took the stage next, singing his classic, "It's Not Unusual." During the song, Louis van Amstel and Karina Smirnoff (whose outfit took fringe to new lengths) danced a Samba. Their dancing reminded viewers of the difference between professional and celebrity dancers.

As medical staff brought out a tank of oxygen and some high-waisted pants for Tom Jones after his song, Samantha Harris talked to some of the couples backstage. Sara Evans said her icy reception from the judges was shocking, but made her want to work harder. Tucker said he hoped to improve his scores by working "more actual dancing" into next week's routine.

Tom Bergeron then introduced a new show feature. Members of last night's studio audience -- including a number of non-dancing celebrities who showed up to watch the competition -- had some of their comments filmed. One man nicknamed Mario Lopez "M-Lo." Actress Holly Robinson Peete said she liked Emmitt's performance. And comedian Nicole Sullivan said, "If there's a God in heaven, we won't see Tucker sitting in a chair next week...unless it's on some other show."

Tom and Samantha brought the couples onto the dance floor to announce the first of the couples who would be safe until next week. They were Harry Hamlin & Ashly DelGrosso, Jerry Springer & Kym Johnson, Vivica A. Fox & Nick Kosovich, and Emmitt & Cheryl. The announcement of his safety prompted Jerry to mutter a confused, "What?"

Another new show feature this season is the SlimFast Dance Challenge. Working mom Tysonia Sichinga volunteered to train with professional dancer Christian Perry in the hopes of toning her arms and slimming her buns. Footage showed Tysonia learning the Mambo in five days for a performance in front of family and friends. The show will track Tysonia's progress as she attempts a new dance each week. Next up: the Tango.

In anticipation of one of the dances some celebrities will perform next week, the professionals gave a live demonstration of the Mambo. Proving that he knows how to choreograph for TV, Tony Dovolani made sure to place Maksim Chmerkovskiy front and center -- where he danced with two partners, Cheryl and Edyta Sliwinska, early in the routine.

Afterward, the pros caught their breath while Samantha talked to the four safe celebs backstage. Jerry said he was so sure he'd be eliminated, he already checked out of his hotel. He said, "Obviously people aren't voting based on the dancing."

Harry said he's looking forward to the quickstep next week "because you can be really stiff from the waist up." Vivica said she's her own biggest competition, but she's worried about "brother Emmitt over here."

After a commercial break, Tom brought all of the couples still eligible for elimination on to the dance floor and asked the judges which couple they thought should go home. Len Goodman nominated Shanna Moakler & Jesse DeSoto, saying they had "no charisma." Bruno Tonioli said it wouldn't be fair to the other competitors if Tucker stayed, because he was seated for half his dance. Carrie Ann Inaba said she wasn't impressed with what Sara brought to the dance floor.

Everyone cleared the floor so that a resuscitated Tom Jones could perform "She's a Lady." His voice sounds remarkably good, especially compared to the painful performances of Bill Medley and Barry Manilow last season. During the song, a camera pan of the audience showed Jose Canseco, a former baseball player best known for taking steroids and having a ball bounce off of his head for an opponent's home run.

Samantha and Tom then announced the next couples who'd be returning for next week: Monique Coleman & Louis, Joey & Edyta, Mario & Karina, and Sara & Tony. That left Tucker & Elena Grinenko, Shanna & Jesse, and Willa Ford & Max in the Bottom Three.

For Willa to wind up in the Bottom Three after finishing in third with the judges, it meant that she severely lacked audience support, and could be in big trouble the first time she has an off week.

For Jerry and Harry to avoid the Bottom Three, it seems they've got a surfeit of fans. Those two may last a very long time, especially if their dancing improves.

Shanna & Jesse were the first Bottom Three couple announced as safe. Willa laid her head on Max's shoulder as Tom paused dramatically... before finally announcing that Tucker & Elena had the lowest overall score and were eliminated. Tom commended Tucker for coming so far out of his comfort zone to appear on the show.

Tucker said that Kenny Mayne convinced him to participate on the show, proving that mere association with Kenny is enough to get you eliminated first. Tucker said that Elena's task was akin to "Einstein teaching addition to a slow kid." Tom then directed all of the offended slow kids to send their letters right to Tucker, and not ABC.