‘Dancing With the Stars’ 2014: Randy Couture Gets the Boot in Week 3 of Season 19
— -- It was "Movie Night" on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," and the 11 celebrities competing for the mirror ball trophy did so tonight while dancing to songs from their favorite films.
Unfortunately for Randy Couture however, the curtain officially closed for the mixed martial artist and actor. His super-charged performances earned him the least amount of critical acclaim from the judges and viewers, making tonight’s paso double routine to the theme song from Rocky his final attempt on the dance floor.
“I’m happy,” Couture told host Tom Bergeron even after learning of his fate. “It’s been a great experience. I put myself out there and tried something new. It’s been amazing.”
Couture’s professional dancing partner, Karina Smirnoff, said she wouldn’t change a thing about their time spent together on “DWTS.”
“He’s an amazing man,” she said. “I hope I made a friend for life because this has been a priceless experience and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Actor/comedian Kevin Hart was a guest judge tonight, providing plenty of colorful commentary for the contestants to take to heart.
Returning to compete next week are actors Antonio Sabato Jr., Alfonso Ribeiro and Jonathan Bennett, Lea Thompson and fellow actress Janel Parrish, NASCAR racing legend Michael Waltrip, fashion designer Betsey Johnson, reality TV star Sadie Robertson, YouTube beauty guru Bethany Mota and comedian Tommy Chong.
The stars will compete every week for scores from the judges as well as votes from viewers. The star with the lowest combined total will be eliminated each week until the final three compete for the trophy.
Tonight's Routines
Randy Couture: The mixed martial artist and actor performed a riveting paso double routine to the theme song of Rocky. Couture got to show off his strength with the super-charged Spanish-style dance, but unfortunately for the judges, it wasn’t quite enough. “You can make minced meat of any bull,” judge Bruno Tonioli explained, “but I have to say, the timing was behind.” Julianne Hough agreed. “What happened to that strong, charming, leading man from week one?,” she asked. “The timing, you’re always this far behind.” Guest judge Kevin Hart came to Couture’s defense, however. “Randy I’ve seen you knock men out, so to see you come and pull off a dance move like that, it makes me jealous of you,” the comedian said. “You embrace it, you were into it. I take my hat off to you.” Couture earned two 7s and two 6s for 26 out of a possible 40 points.
Alfonso Ribeiro: Judges loved the actor's charisma during his energetic quickstep to "Hey Goldmember” from Austin Powers. “Dr. Evil is very pleased,” said Tonioli. “You got the swinging 60s vibe going like no one. You have such strong individual style you can sell anything.” Inaba was equally impressed, noting Ribeiro’s typical hip-hop style didn’t keep his elegance from coming out on the dance floor. “You were totally smooth,” she said. Hart joked you shouldn’t “put a black man in a velvet suit and tell him to dance,” but Ribeiro handled it like a pro. “You murdered that, brother,” said Hart. The actor earned 8s across the board for a total of 32 points.
