'Dancing with the Stars' celeb slate slimmed by 2

LOS ANGELES — Michael Irvin and Mark Dacascos have been booted from the ballroom.

The football player and TV personality were eliminated Tuesday from "Dancing with the Stars." Irvin failed to capture enough viewer votes to keep him in the competition, while Dacascos lost his spot during a last-ditch dance-off.

Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Irwin finished his run on the hit ABC show with his highest score of the season: He earned 23 points out of 30 for his fox-trot with professional partner Anna Demidova on Monday's episode.

Judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine which contestants are eliminated each week.

"Last night was a great night, and to see the audience here standing up, it's their way of saying they appreciate the hard work," Irwin said after learning his fate.

Dacascos collected a paltry 19 points for his misguided samba on Monday with a substitute partner after his usual pro, Lacey Schwimmer, fell to the flu. She was back for Tuesday's episode, when the couple danced-off against Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff.

The "Iron Chef America" host's trick-filled cha-cha earned praise from the judges, but Carter's jive was more impressive.

Dacascos said being on the show was "one of the greatest experiences of my life."

"It's certainly much harder than it looks on television," he said. "The bond you create with the pro dancers, my dancer, the other celebrities, it's really special."

Tuesday's results show also featured performances by Rod Stewart, country singer Colbie Caillat and Ballas Hough, the rock band created by pro dancers Mark Ballas and Derek Hough. Ballas and his partner, actress Melissa Joan Hart, were eliminated from the competition last week.

Hough is still in the running for the mirrorball trophy with his partner, model Joanna Krupa.

Besides Carter and Krupa, remaining contestants include reality TV star Kelly Osbourne, singer Mya and entertainer Donny Osmond. Each will perform two dances on Monday's episode.

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On the Net:

"Dancing With the Stars," http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/index

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Nov 3, 2009 - 11:46 p.m. EDT

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