‘Dancing with the Stars’ week 3 recap: Kim Zolciak unable to perform, forced to withdraw due to illness

It was drawn out all week, but Monday's "Dancing with the Stars" finally revealed Kim Zolciak's dancing future was officially over.

The reality star suffered a mini stroke hours after finishing her second number last week, leaving her fate on the show up in the air.

Zolciak's surprise exit meant there was no elimination as planned for week three.

It was good news for Paula Deen and Andy Grammar, who were revealed to be in the bottom two of the night. The news garnered a slight smile from Gary Busey, who for the first time was not in the bottom two.

The top of the leaderboard also saw some changes, with former child star Alexa Pena Vega joining the pack.

Meanwhile, the show continued with their attempt to attract younger viewers, featuring TV themed dances to popular shows like "Breaking Bad" and "True Blood " and bringing in Miss Piggy and Kermit — to plug "The Muppets," but also in a clear attempt to continue the new format the show is figuring out.

The night also saw the return of a fourth judge — a seat that was vacated when longtime judge Len Goodman left the show after 20 seasons.

Former champion Alfonso Ribeiro joined as a guest judge, delivering mainly flattering comments and plugging his show "America's Funniest Home Videos."

Here's how the couples performed on the third week of competition:

Carlos Pena Vega and Witney Carson

The macho-minded Pena Vega struggled to take directions from his partner and failed to meet the expectations he created with his debut dance.

Not even the gimmick of dressing like old people impressed the judges.

The couple jived to the "Golden Girls" but Pena Vega's was dancing too much like the elder man he was portraying, judge Julianne Hough said.

"I don't feel like you improved from last week," added judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

He took home 31 points out of a possible 40.

Paula Deen and Louis Van Amstel

This "Gilligan's Island" themed samba was shipwrecked from the start.

For the third week in a row, Deen forget her choreography, upsetting the judges.

"I so wanted it to be better," said Hough.

As they do with most stars who are constant low-scorers, the judges instead complimented Deen on her energy.

She earned the lowest score of the night with 20 points.

Tamar Braxton and Val Chmerkovskiy

Strong-minded Braxton, who has voiced opposition to what she called sexist choreography, had to dance a number set to the 1960s.

Yet, the Grammy nominated singer showed a new vulnerable and innocent side that Hough loved.

"You two mean business," said Tonioli of the "Mad Men" themed performance.

"That was must-see TV," added Inaba.nydailynews