‘Dancing With the Stars’ results recap: Thanks for the memories

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She attempted the booty shake, but in the end she just got booted. In somewhat of a “Dancing With the Stars” surprise, it was not the low-scorer from Monday night’s performance show who was released from this very sparkly constellation of stars, but rather someone who got lost in the middle of the pack: Kristin Cavallari.

And the reality TV star and partner Mark Ballas accepted their fate with tight, closed-mouth smiles. ‘I’m a little surprised, to be honest,’ Kristin said frankly. Judging from the murmurs of discontent that rippled through the grand ballroom, she wasn’t the only one.

But you knew it was going to be an unconventional result when the low-scoring Chaz Bono and Lacey Schwimmer were deemed safe right away. The other couples in peril included Hope Solo and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Carson Kressley and partner Anna Trebunskaya (though the hosts noted that these couples weren’t necessarily in the bottom two).

Perhaps this was the viewers’ way of saying Kristin’s decision to pursue Hollywood over college wasn’t worth celebrating with their votes?

Mary J. Blige got the results show off and running with a rousing version of her hit ‘Real Love,’ taking it back old school, and sporting a somewhat ’80s-ish diva look (maybe this was a nod to her most memorable year?). No seat is a bad one when you’re treated to a voice like hers; Mary J. belted that song right up to the grand ballroom’s rafters. And Val Chmerkovskiy and Dasha Chesnakova brought the sexy to the dance floor for a visual treat. Mary J. came back with a second song from her latest album called ‘25/8’ (‘because 24-7 isn’t enough’) sporting a ‘DWTS’-worthy sparkly captain’s hat with a big gold chain on its rim and flanked by a gaggle of hard-hitting masculine dancers.

Chynna Phillips and Tony Dovolani got to ‘Hold On’ for one more day, as an encore dance -- Len proclaimed their rumba ‘blended great technique and a breakout performance.’

There was a fascinating and completely mind-boggling segment about the closeness of the ‘DWTS’ contestants, called ‘6 Degrees of DWTS.’ Who knew these celebs were so star-crossed? Carson robbed Nancy Grace on ‘Celebrity Jeopardy.’ Robert Kardashian Sr. was on the OJ Dream Team with Johnnie Cochran, who starred in ‘Cochran and Grace’ with Nancy Grace. Ricki Lake bought Courtney Cox and David Arquette’s home. Chynna and Chaz had play dates together. ‘I’m both amazed, and I just got a headache,’ Tom remarked.

In commemoration of next week’s Movie Scores theme, the Troupe and Val and Peta performed a sweeping waltz to ‘Tara’s Theme’ from ‘Gone With the Wind’ using the grand staircase and great big hoop skirts, choreographed by ‘DWTS’ pro (and Anna Trebunskaya’s husband) Jonathan Roberts.

And then there was the Macy’s Stars of Dance segment, choreographed by Kevin Maher, which started out as a slow burn of a twist, courtesy of Grammy Award winner Estelle, who then introduced the still very alive and kicking Chubby Checker (who gets extra checked points for descending that staggeringly high flight of stairs). Though when Estelle first introduced the king of the twist, I thought she was referring to Len Goodman. Ah, well. The head judge emerged out from behind his perch later to shake his moneymaker, though his part in this whole shebang ended up a lot less than it was hyped up to be.

What do you think, dear viewer? Surprised by this elimination? What about Len’s twisting abilities? Do you think Chaz was saved because Cher tweeted that she’d show up if he made it through this round? What did Tom whisper to Nancy before she began her dance Monday? Did anyone else think Len would show up as the King of the Twist when Estelle introduced Chubby Checker?

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-- Allyssa Lee

Top photo: Chynna Phillips and Tony Dovolani.