Engvall booted on finals night of 'Dancing'

Comedian got to perform one last time before elimination

LOS ANGELES – After weeks of defying the odds, comedian Bill Engvall was booted from the ballroom on the first night of a two-night finale of season 17's "Dancing With The Stars."

"This has been a lifetime experience. I will never forget this," he said. "To all the fans who voted this long, thank you," also thanking his professional partner Emma Slater.

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Engvall, Amber Riley, Corbin Bleu and Jack Osbourne all had to perform three rounds of dance Monday night.  The judges picked a routine they had already performed in hopes they would improve.  There was also a samba relay and the all-encompassing freestyle routine.

The remaining contestants earned perfect scores for their freestyles.  Bleu went to Las Vegas to work with Michael Jackson's choreographer, Travis Payne, to train for a freestyle to "Smooth Criminal."  

Riley and Derek Hough incorporated some step moves to their country-Western freestyle that earned high praises from the judges on her solid performance.

And Osbourne's dance with Cheryl Burke to Fred Astaire's "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" was quoted as a "showstopper" that had the former reality star in tears.

The winner of the mirror ball trophy will be announced tonight at 9 p.m. on Local 10.