"Dancing with the Stars" Ratings Dip
The loss of Kate Gosselin may have taken its toll on the "Dancing with the Stars" ratings this week.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, ABC's reality dancing show drew 10.2 million viewers for a 4.3 rating. This is an 11 percent drop from the previous week to its lowest-rated performance of the season.
Season 10 kicked off with its highest premiere numbers ever, according to preliminary overnight ratings that had it attracting a blockbuster 23.9 million viewers. Experts say viewership tends to erode as the season continues.
Meanwhile, Pamela Anderson did her best to keep viewers interested in "Dancing With The Stars" Monday night? You didn't see her? Well, maybe you just didn't recognize her as she tangoed with a brunette wig on.
The 42-year-old blonde "Baytwatch" star, whose relationship with her professional dance partner has been the topic of some gossip, turned out what judges called a seductive performance that earned her a 22 - the third highest score of the night.
Photos: "Dancing with the Stars" Season 10
Highlights of Past "Dancing" Seasons
Anderson's changing looks was just one of the surprises on the ABC hit reality show this week.
Another was the nosedive Olympic figure skater Evan Lysacek took in his scores after hitting his head in a nasty rehearsal fall. Doctors who examined him said he suffered a mild concussion, but it would not stop him from competing this week.
Judges said the samba wasn't his dance and gave him a 21 - his lowest score of the competition.
Judges were divided over Niecy Nash's use of comedy and food in her routine with head judge Len Goodman calling her "an enthusiastic eater." She earned 21 points, too.
Goodman's characteristic crankiness flared up during ESPN reporter Erin Andrew's routine. He said her samba wasn't "a proper dance" and he was "fed up with shirts coming off." The other judges disagreed and she was awarded 25 points.
Singer Nicole Scherzinger earned the top score of the night - a 26- with a samba that only Goodman found fault with.
Football player Chad Ochocinco earned 25, his best score of the competition, with a tango that won praise from all judges. "Tonight, you nailed it," said judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
"Bachelor" star Jake Pavelka continues to lag with a score of 21 for a samba that judge said lacked polish.
The night ended with a swing dance marathon. The scores each competitor reciveed for this was added to their total. Here's the result: Scherzinger, 10; Andrews, 9; Anderson 8; Ochocinco, 7; Lysacek, 6; Nash, 5; Pavelka, 4.
The judges' scores with be added to viewers' and one contestant will be eliminated tonight in an hour-lomg results show that will feature a performance by Grammy-winning musician Melissa Etheridge.