by Kylene Hamulak

For the final time in the first ever season of Dancing With the Stars: All Stars, we're about to have an elimination show. Next week, of course, the finale will be all about crowing a winner, of passing that mirror ball trophy on to a champion. Tonight? It's a double elimination...and also Paula Abdul. Ladies and gentlemen, by the end of this hour, we'll have the lineup for our finale!

There were some very strong performances this week, but Kelly and Val share the bottom of the leader board with Emmitt and Cheryl. Planted in the middle of the board are Apolo and Karina, whose Rhumba to Man in the Mirror has been chosen as the judges' encore performance.

Results begin with leaders Shawn and Derek, and watching back the recap of their performances, I wonder if they've managed to catch their breath yet. As the lights dim, it's not really clear if either of them is breathing waiting for the results. Tom announces they're safe before anyone turns blue - Shawn and Derek are our first couple to be dancing in the finale next week!

The AT&T Spotlight Performance features Parris Goebel, a dance artist from New Zealand. She began her dance training the way many young girls do, in traditional dance like ballet and tap, before discovering her love for hip hop. Since then, she's opened her own dance studio, choreographed for Jennifer Lopez, and earned a following of dancers impressed with her skills - and she's only 21! The performance is truly art and would not be out of place in an epic concert or stage show.

Before we learn about our remaining four couples, The Wanted is in the ballroom to perform a medley of "I Found You" and their hit single, "Glad You Came." They're a well-dressed British boy band singing at me, guys. I'm not going to be mad about it. Am I the only one who thinks they look like One Direction's older brothers though? They've even got one of each of the same hairstyles!

The next couples to learn their fates are Apolo and Karina and Melissa and Tony, one of which is the pair with the lost overall score. So who lives to compete for that mirror ball trophy? Melissa and Tony! Apolo and Karina, with the lowest overall score, are the first couple eliminated.

While the final couples await their results, Brooke talks with Derek and Shawn about their plans for the freestyle. Derek isn't giving anything away, but Shawn thinks the only thing left for them to conquer is a balance beam out on the dance floor - we'll see if that happens! Meanwhile, Melissa and Tony are not only battling injury, but apparently illness as well, but they're looking forward to the freestyle so much that Melissa squeaks with excitement.

Our special guest tonight is Paula Abdul, performing a medley of four of her greatest hits for Macy's Stars of Dance. I can only hope against hope that MC Skat Kat makes an appearance too, otherwise what's the point? She's calling it the "Dream Medley" because, and I quote, "anything can happen in a dream, and it's Paula's dream so anything DOES happen!" It's a groundbreaking combination of virtual and real and projections and praying.

The medley starts with "Forever Your Girl", and right from the start the projections are really cool, as is the animation. I'm not sure what it looks like in person (or why she's wearing a mic...I mean, she really must be dreaming if she thinks WE think she's actually singing), but it the scope of it reads well on tv. The routine merges into "Cold Hearted Snake" with some more cool effects, and Paula looks youthful as she pulls out some of her old dance moves.

When I hear the beats for "Opposites Attract," I know the moment is near - SKAT KAT IN THE BALL ROOM! Highlight of the routine? Well...maybe. I mean, I was like 8 when the song came out! He's a hero for 80's kids! The last song in the medley is "Straight Up," with some of the coolest effects of the performance. Paula's way too old to pull the cutesy act, but it's all in fun.

Derek Hough's dance project is the final profile before we get those last results, and we see the work he did with a contemporary piece where the choreography influenced the music. His routine with his four new partners is very well done and interesting to watch as art, and is very much a contrast to Paula's poppy performance.

Now down to business. After nearly an hour of waiting, Kelly and Val and Emmitt and Cheryl will finally learn who will get to compete next week. Kelly tells us that if she makes it to the finale, she will, for the first time in her life, get a spray tan that will make her so orange, they'll have no choice but to give her a 10 for the freestyle. Emmitt knows that he's done his best, and if he doesn't make it, he'll use it as a lesson for his kids: sometimes, you can do your best, but someone else might just be better.

So who will take the last spot in the battle for the mirror ball trophy? Tom announces that the team with the lowest scores of the remaining couples is Emmitt and Cheryl. Kelly and Val are headed to the finale, while Emmitt and Cheryl are eliminated. Tom notes that after tonight, the show has lost "a big chunk of charisma."

One performance show stands between our All Stars and their mirror ball victory. Can't wait to see what these three women bring to the dance floor!

Catch Dancing With The Stars: All Stars Monday at 8/7c on ABC!

(Image courtesy of ABC)