Holly Madison is (barely) safe; Denise Richards sent packin’

Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy in their final dance.

Photo: ABC TV

Unpredictable and unexpected TV viewer voting led to major upsets and drama on last night’s results show for Dancing With the Stars. At one point, I was so confused that I thought our favorite Girls Next Door Holly Madison and partner Dmitry Chaplin had been axed and that reality star Denise Richards and Le Reve choreographer partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy had scraped by to compete another week.

Going into last night’s show, it looked certain as if injured Jackass stuntman Steve-O and the badly hurt Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak would be forced to compete against each other in the dance off.

Denise Richards, with Tom Bergeron, Samantha Harris and Maksim Chmerkovskiy,

is gracious about being eliminated on Dancing With the Stars.

Photo: ABC TV

However, TV viewers totally overruled the judges and saved both wounded warriors! Instead, when the viewer votes were tallied, the guys were declared safe, and Holly and Denise had to face each other.

Said Holly: “I thought it was all over when Dmitry and I had to go first.” They’d practiced their samba all day yesterday again, and the judges were impressed with the improvement -- their total score from the judges increased by a point. But Denise and Maks improved even more, scoring a 20, up four points from Monday.

Holly Madison, with Tom Bergeron and Dmitry Chaplin,

is relieved to be safe on Dancing With the Stars.

Photo: ABC TV

With seconds to go, the results of the viewer votes from Monday’s performance show -- according to ABC, this accounts for 50 percent of the total score, and the judges’ scores in the dance off are factored in, as well -- were announced: Denise was out, and Holly lived to dance another week!

Backstage, Holly commented: “After Denise and Maks went up four points, I thought for sure that we were out. So I feel really fortunate to get another week to prove myself.” Dmitry added: “I think we have a second chance to prove ourselves. We're very grateful the audience voted to keep us here.”

Holly Madison, Dmitry Chaplin, Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

await the results on Dancing With the Stars.

Photo: ABC TV

Before leaving the studio, Denise told reporters: “At least we went out on a high note, but I’m bummed. I didn’t want to go. I gave it my all and hoped it would be enough. Going from 16 votes on Monday to 20 tonight was a big turnaround, so if we had to go, it was the best way to finish the show. I’m a huge fan and love it, so I will miss it and everybody here, but I’ll watch right through to the end of the season -- and come back for the finals.”

Next week the drama intensifies when two couples will be eliminated from a double dance off! Vegas DeLuxe will have the full report from the dance floor Monday and Tuesday -- and I’m flying to Hollywood on Monday to report directly from the show!