"DWTS" Week 3: TV Night

Oh wow. Week 3 of “DWTS” Season 21 did not skimp on #drama. Let me just get y’all up to speed before I even talk about the dancing.

First of all, there wasn’t an elimination. At least, not in the usual sense. Former Real Housewife Kim Zolciak Biermann suffered a small stroke last week and didn’t receive medical clearance to fly from Atlanta, GA, to L.A. in time for the show. And so, in accordance with the show’s rules—which state that participants with medical issues affecting their ability to compete must withdraw—Zolciak Biermann was effectively eliminated.

In a classic reality show moment, celebrity chef Paula Deen had a total meltdown on camera. Her routine, with pro partner Louis Van Amstel, earned only 20 points out of a possible 40. Yikes. But if anyone can pull a celeb in crisis out of her funk, it’s a professional ballroom dancer. So we’re all looking forward to seeing a recommitted Deen light up the stage next week.

OK, on to the good stuff. Former Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, his pro partner Sharna Burgess and their “Downton Abbey”-themed routine tied for first place with actress Alexa PenaVega, her pro partner Mark Ballas and their “Breaking Bad”-themed routine. TV does TV. So meta. So good.

Exhibit A: Alexa PenaVega and pro partner Mark Ballas who (thanks to the magic of Hollywood makeup artists) bares an uncanny resemblance to Walter White (photo via ABC)

I especially love when “DWTS” makes a sensible match between the theme and the dance style. A Viennese Waltz to the “Downton Abbey” theme song and a jazz routine for “Breaking Bad” just work.

Even though Paula Deen and Andy Grammer had the lowest two scores of the night, nobody went home because of Zolciak’s illness. Second chances for everyone!