Whitney Leavitt was eliminated from Dancing With the Stars despite being the season’s best technical dancer, after Carrie Ann Inaba deducted a point for hops—sparking fan outrage. Finalists defended Inaba, but the controversy highlights the show’s growing tension between skill and popularity.
The Countdown season finale ends with Amber Oliveras abducted and forced to run in the Angeles National Forest, leaving her fate uncertain and setting up high stakes for season two.