Holly’s body takes ‘a major beating’;

Maks & Karina Plan Wedding

Tom Bergeron, Samantha Harris, Karina Smirnoff,

Steve Wozniak, Holly Madison and Dmitry Chaplin.

Photo: ABC TV

It has to be an emotional experience to sit in the studio of ABC’s top-rated hit Dancing With the Stars. What a carnival ride of tears and laughter as the celebrities strut their stuff and dance their tushes -- and hearts -- off! What a happy moment as one star narrowly avoids the elimination exit, and what a sad moment when two are axed and sent home!

That was the thrill of slim victory for Steve-O and the agony of defeat for Holly Madison and Steve Wozniak last night in Hollywood. Click HERE for our spoiler-alert story right after the live broadcast ended and the celebrity contestant count dropped from 11 to nine.

It has to be a different set of roller coaster emotions when you’re watching it live for the broadcast than at home through the small screen. You would sense the intensity and feel the fiery passion. I was all set to experience it for myself yesterday, but the best-laid plans of men went to the winds when I awoke with a sore throat and a horrible sneezing cold.

I decided better not to inflict my misery of Sneezing at the Stars and sadly stayed home. I don’t think my presence would have done anything to save Holly and The Woz from the elimination anyway. Their fates were decided by the complicated voting system that the producers created to cope with the highs and lows of good drama.

Right after the telecast ended, I chatted by cell phone with Holly. She told me: “For the next two days, I have to do press interviews to wrap up my time with the show. I’m already calling it the Bruise Cruise. It was a lot physically harder than I thought it was going to be, but it was so much fun. I’m on Good Morning America early in the morning.”

Holly Madison and Dmitry Chaplin.

Photo: ABC TV

Holly, who replaced injured TV host Nancy O’Dell just five days before Season 8’s debut, added: “I had an absolute blast being on Dancing With the Stars for the four shows. It was always a dream of mine to do the show, and it was even more fun than I expected. I loved the costumes; I think that was my favorite part.

“The entire cast was amazing, so sweet and supportive. I made so many new friends. That group circle hug of the four of us at the very end on the dance floor was completely spontaneous. We all became very close there. I never knew I could stick with a nonstop, six-hour workout seven days a week! My body took a major beating, and I have the battle scars to prove it. I am shooting some Girls Next Door segments at the Palms in Vegas this weekend, but hopefully I’ll get a little time and a chance to recover.

Her colleague castoff Steve Wozniak, the Apple co-founder, commented: “I gave it a good try. Performing on the show made me feel like the luckiest person in the world. It won’t be the last time I dance with Karina; she has me hooked!”

Karina Smirnoff and Steve Wozniak.

Photo: ABC TV

So now that professional dancers Maksim Chmerkovskiy and fiance Karina Smirnoff have been eliminated, they’ll be able to start plotting their late summer or early fall wedding, and I’m reliably tipped that just as they became engaged here at the Wynn over New Year’s, it also will be the site of their marriage ceremony! Maks has been the guest choreographer for three of the extraordinary water dances in the Le Reve spectacular there.

Meantime, I can tell you that The Woz has been invited to walk partner Karina down the aisle on the wedding day! He’s accepted and was thrilled to be asked to give her away.

Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

Photo: ABC TV

In other related DWTS news, I can confirm that next Tuesday, Maks will lead his Le Reve dancers in an exclusive presentation on DWTS: Nineteen Las Vegas cast members will be live in the studio for a unique, dynamic segment that will feature a blend of ballroom dance, acrobatics and athleticism. Maks, who choreographed the Tango, Paso Doble and Piece Montee sequences for Le Reve, will stage the special routine.

Also, I know this weekend Holly will return to town and help her ex Hugh Hefner celebrate his 83rd birthday at the Palms. The Playboy empire mogul is bringing his current three-pack of gal pals, Crystal and the Shannon twins, even though he lived at The Playboy Mansion with Holly for nearly seven years! Holly is bringing Kendra Wilkinson and Bridget Marquardt, making The Girls Next Door trio complete, too.