Archive for dancing with the stars

New “Dancing with the Stars” crew

Is it just me, or are the people being chosen for this show looking more and more like “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here” rejects?

“DWTS” returns at 8 p.m. Sept. 21 on ABC with a politician, athletes, models and a buncha sorta stars, from Donny Osmond to Melissa Joan Hart. The two-hour performance show airs Mondays through Nov. 16, with the results show airing Tuesdays through Nov. 25.
According to the press release, this season features the Pro Dancer Competition, where world class professional dancers have the opportunity to compete live on the “Results Show” for a guaranteed spot on next season’s show. Also coming back is “Design-a-Dance,” where fans have the chance to select their favorite professional dancers, dance styles and wardrobe at www.abc.com.
Four new dance styles — the Bolero, the Charleston, the Two Step and the Lambada — are also going to be introduced. The middle stages of the competition feature the return of the “Dance Off,” where contestants will perform a dance style of their choosing to fight for their spot in the competition, and three consecutive double eliminations.

Here are the 16 celeb dancers:

AARON CARTER — Triple platinum selling music artist/songwriter, producer, actor and younger brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter, Aaron Carter has established himself worldwide as a pop and teen sensation. Beginning his career at the age of eight, he is currently the youngest solo artist to have four Top 40 singles. He has released four studio albums since 1997, two of which have been certified platinum, and has appeared on several television series, including “Lizzie McGuire” and “7th Heaven,” as well as making his Broadway debut playing JoJo the Who in “Seussical the Musical” in 2001. He sang vocals on soundtracks for Disneymania (“The Lion King”), “Ella Enchanted,” “Pokemon” and “Rugrats the Movie.” In 2006 Carter starred in the E! reality show, “House of Carters,” which featured all five of the Carter siblings living in the same house.

NATALIE COUGHLIN — Olympic swimming gold medalist Natalie Coughlin is the most decorated female athlete of both the 2008 Beijing and 2004 Athens Games. Coughlin has won a medal in every single Olympic event that she has ever entered, for a total of 11 Olympic medals. In 2008 she became the first American female athlete to win six medals in one Olympiad, in addition to becoming the first woman to win consecutive individual Olympic gold medals in the 100m backstroke. She is also the most decorated female swimmer in World Championship history, with 16 medals. Born and raised in northern California, Coughlin attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a BA in psychology in 2005.

MARK DACASCOS — Famously known as “The Chairman” and host of Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,” Mark Dacascos is also a trained martial artist and an actor. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, his passion for martial arts began at an early age under the tutelage of his parents, who are both former national champions and teachers. After being discovered in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Dacascos began to establish a film and television career playing not only martial artists but a wide arrangement of other characters before joining “Iron Chef America” in 2005. He has appeared in several feature films, including the internationally acclaimed French epic, “Brotherhood of the Wolf,” the cult classic “Only the Strong,” “Cradle to the Grave”, opposite Jet Li, “Only the Brave,” “Nomad” and “The Lost Medallion,” to be released later this year.

TOM DELAY — The former House Majority Leader is a prominent Republican and conservative firebrand. He was first elected to Congress in 1984, and when Republicans took control of the House, his colleagues elected him Majority Whip, and later Majority Leader. His leadership was characterized by his aggressive “Grow the Vote” method of party discipline, where he never lost a vote, leading the Washington Post to nickname him “The Hammer.” He and his wife, Christine, also served as foster parents and founded a community in Texas that serves as a safe, permanent home for abused and neglected children. DeLay is currently president of First Principles LLC, a strategic political consulting firm based in Washington DC and Houston, Texas.

MACY GRAY — Macy Gray first burst onto the music scene with her debut album, “On How Life Is,” and the hit single “I Try,” both of which went to number one. She has gone on to sell more than 20,000,000 albums worldwide and has won and been nominated for five Grammy Awards and six MTV Video Music Awards. She has collaborated on stage and in the recording studio with some of music’s greatest artists, including Justin Timberlake, Carlos Santana, Erykah Badu, Fergie, will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas), John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers) Nas and Natalie Cole. Gray has also appeared in numerous films, including “Spider Man,” “Training Day,” “Idlewild” (with Outkast) and the award-winning HBO Film, “Lackawanna Blues.”

ASHLEY HAMILTON — Actor, songwriter, comedian and son of former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant George Hamilton, Ashley is a multi-talented, multi-hyphenate with experience in film, comedy and television. An accomplished singer, Ashley had a 2003 top 20 single released by Sony, and as a songwriter co-wrote the top 10 Robbie Williams hit entitled “Come Undone.” He has writing credits for Hillary Duff among other top acts. Hamilton has made various television and film appearances in his career, including a starring role in “Sunset Beach.” Since 2007 he has been performing stand-up comedy at the Laugh Factory, the Hollywood Improv, the Comedy Store and Room 5 in Los Angeles.

MELISSA JOAN HART — Known for her starring roles in the television series “Clarissa Explains It All” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” Melissa Joan Hart began her career at the early age of four with television commercials and various television appearances. She starred in the film “Drive Me Crazy” alongside “Entourage’s” Adrian Grenier, as well as the ABC Family Original Movie “Holiday in Handcuffs,” opposite “Dancing with the Stars” alumnus Mario Lopez, which was the highest rated program in the history of the network. In 2009 Hart starred in another ABC Family Original Movie, “My Fake Fiancé” that also garnered huge ratings. In 1993 she started her own production company, Hartbreak Films, and is set to release her first thriller film, “Nine Dead,” to DVD in January 2010. Hart and husband Mark Wilkerson are the proud parents of two sons, Mason, age three, and Braydon, 17 months.

KATHY IRELAND — Kathy Ireland the super model is now wife, mother of three, author, Sunday school teacher and fashion CEO of kathy ireland Worldwide® (KIWW)®. Forbes, Newsweek and the Wall Street Journal celebrate KIWW® as a $1.4 billion design empire. Ireland powerfully supports many non-profits, including the Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation, Feed the Children and the Alliance for Christian Education. UCLA has named her as one of the Top Ten Women’s Health Advocates in America.

MICHAEL IRVIN — Regarded as one of the most successful wide receivers in the history of the NFL, former Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin is a three-time Super Bowl champion and former broadcaster for ESPN’s “NFL Countdown.” Known as “The Playmaker” and one of “The Triplets” alongside fellow Cowboys Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, Irvin was a recipient of the Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 2005. In 2007 he was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame and has appeared in various television shows, as well as co-starring in “The Longest Yard” with Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. Last fall Irvin executive-produced/hosted the reality TV series “4th and Long” for Spike TV, in which one football hopeful was given a shot at making the Dallas Cowboys roster. Most recently he appeared on the Hall of Fame inductions on the NFL Network, and he hosts his own radio show in Dallas for ESPN Radio.

JOANNA KRUPA — Polish-born Joanna Krupa was born in Warsaw and raised in Chicago. After high school she moved to LA to pursue a career in modeling and acting. Her hard work and positive spirit led her to become one of the most requested models/covergirls in the world. PETA’s “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign featuring Krupa became a phenomenon. She’s been featured in E!’s The Sexiest as one of the sexiest women in the world. In 2009 she was selected as the cover model for Ocean Drive magazine, and Maxim voted her among their TOP 100 women in the world. Film and TV credits include “Six Days in Paradise,” due in the fall, “Ripple Effect,” “Las Vegas” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” Most recently she competed in ABC’s “The Superstars,” teaming with Buffalo Bills NFL star Terrell Owens.

CHUCK LIDDELL — Chuck Liddell is the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the icon of Mixed Martial Arts — the fastest growing sport in America. In 1998 he won his first UFC Mixed Martial Arts fight. Soon after, Liddell rose through the ranks to become the light-heavyweight champion of the world. In July of 2009, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. He is tied for the most wins by a UFC fighter, with 16, and also holds the most knockout wins with 10. In 2008 Liddell penned his autobiography, Iceman: My Fighting Life, which quickly became a New York Times bestseller. He has a BA in Business/Accounting from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he also wrestled.

DEBI MAZAR –- Debi Mazar’s feature film debut in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” set the stage for an extensive career in both television and film. She has consistently worked with notable directors — including Oliver Stone, Spike Lee, Woody Allen, Michael Mann and Joel Schumacher — often portraying a sharp-tongued New Yorker in both dramas and comedy. Her television credits include “Friends,” “Ugly Betty” and her own sitcom, CBS’ “Temporarily Yours.” Mazar presently stars as publicist Shauna on HBO’s hit series “Entourage.” She also co-hosts “Under the Tuscan Gun,” a successful internet show focused on Tuscan cuisine, with her husband. The couple have two young daughters and presently reside in both Los Angeles and Tuscany, Italy.

MYA — Grammy Award ® winning multi-platinum artist Mya, became a star at the age of 18 with her eponymous debut album which yielded three Top 10 singles. In addition to releasing five full length albums, one of which went platinum and another gold, she starred in the acclaimed film “Chicago.” Since then Mya has appeared in several other movies and signed a modeling contract. Her fourth and fifth studio albums, “Liberation” and “Sugar & Spice,” respectively, have been released in Japan, and her sixth studio album is due to be released on her independent label. A longtime advocate for young women, Mya founded The Mya Arts & Tech Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing disadvantaged youth growth and opportunity through arts & technology education, where she serves as both executive director and teacher.

KELLY OSBOURNE –- A singer, actress and media personality, Kelly Osbourne’s father is rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, and her mother is well-known TV personality Sharon Osbourne. Kelly got her start at the age of 16 in the first-ever “celebrity reality” TV show, “The Osbournes,” with her famous family, which garnered an Emmy Award ® for Outstanding Reality Program in 2002. That same year, Kelly released her debut music album, “Shut Up!,” which included a cover of Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach.” Her second album, “Sleeping in Nothing,” was released in 2005 with its first single, “One Word,” hitting No. 1 on all three Billboard Dance charts simultaneously. She made her dramatic acting debut in a starring role on the ABC series “Life As We Know It”. In recent years Osbourne has worked primarily in the UK, where she’s done theatre (including a successful run in “Chicago” in London’s West End in 2007), hosted her own weekly radio show on BBC Radio and presented numerous UK TV projects, including “Project Catwalk,” the UK’s version of “Project Runway.”

DONNY OSMOND –- Donny Osmond won the hearts of millions as both a member of the Osmonds and, with his sister (and “Dancing with the Stars” alumna) Marie, as the youngest co-hosts in primetime history on the iconic ABC variety series, “The Donny & Marie Show.” He and Marie are currently performing at the Las Vegas Flamingo Hotel through 2012. For nearly five decades, Donny has been a singer, musician, Broadway and film actor, talk show and game show host, bestselling author, and even a champion race car driver.

LOUIE VITO — Professional snowboarder Louie Vito is among the U.S.’ elite snowboarders favored to make the 2010 Olympic team. Competing in both the Pipe and Slopestyle disciplines, Vito continues to train for the Grand Prix qualifying. The 21 year-old native of Bellefontaine, OH turned pro in 2006 and has competed in multiple Winter X-Games competitions. He is also a two-time winner of the USSA Grand Prix Halfpipe Series.

Viewers may cast their votes for their favorite teams via phone on Monday and Tuesday night during and up to 30 minutes after the “Dancing with the Stars” performance shows. AT&T subscribers may also text message their votes by texting the word “VOTE” and entering the number that corresponds to the team they want to support (standard text message rates apply). Viewers may also vote online at www.abc.com starting from the opening of each episode on the East Coast and until 12:00 Noon, ET the following day.

Hosted by Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Samantha Harris (“The Insider”) the celebrities will perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

Comments (1)

Dancing with the Stars announces new celeb dancers

ABC announced the 13 new dancers – and yeah, yeah, I know it was leaked online last week, but I’m all about the official announcement.

When “Dancing with the Stars” returns on Sept. 22 with a three-night event, ABC wants you to know that it marks the largest cast ever, the oldest (the bawdy Cloris Leachman), two Olympic Gold medalists, a Grammy winner, an Oscar winner (again, Cloris) and a Super Bowl champ.

But they are forgetting the biggest hook of all: They’ve got Brooke Shields’ high school prom date. Yep. Ted McGinley not only rocked on “Revenge of the Nerds,” but he also escorted Ms. Shields to her high school prom. You heard it here first folks. Well, maybe not first…

Photobucket
Ted McGinley with his wife Gigi Rice. McGinley
will be trying to boost his career with a turn on
ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

Any way, all four professional dancers who’ve previously tasted the thrill of victory return to compete against one another for bragging rights.

For the first time ever, all 13 teams must prepare two routines for the first week of competition, one of which they’ll perform on Monday night. The judges will score the performances on Monday while viewers cast their votes for their favorites. Only 12 will have the chance to showcase their second dance on Sept. 23.

On Tuesday’s show, one couple will be eliminated as the remaining contestants perform their second dance of the season. The judges will score the dances on Tuesday and viewers will once again cast their votes before a second duo is dismissed on Sept. 24.

Talk about a quick step.

As announced today on “Good Morning America,” in alphabetical order, the 13 stars making their ballroom dancing debut are:

LANCE BASS — Lance Bass has sold over 50 million records as a member of the phenomenally successful pop group *NSYNC. Lance has released his memoir, Out of Sync, for Simon Spotlight Entertainment. 2006 U.S. Youth Latin Champ and 2007 World Swing Dance Champ Lacey Schwimmer teams with Lance to make her series debut.

TONI BRAXTON – The winner of six Grammy Awards, Toni Braxton is a Billboard chart-topping singer and actress, selling over 40 million records worldwide. “Dancing with the Stars” marks her return to the spotlight after a six-month health hiatus. She teams up with Season One champion Alec Mazo, who returns for his fourth season.

BROOKE BURKE — A host, actress, entrepreneur and celebrity mom, Brooke Burke has truly done it all. She has graced numerous magazine covers, has her own top-selling swimsuit calendars and is regularly ranked in men’s magazines as one of the sexiest women in the world. Recognized worldwide as host of the travel series “Wild On!” Brooke teams with Derek Hough, who returns for his third season.

ROCCO DISPIRITO – The James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef and author Rocco DiSpirito opened the three-star Union Pacific in New York City in 1997. In 2003 he launched Rocco’s for the reality series “The Restaurant.” Rocco will next appear on the A&E series “Rocco Gets Real,” beginning in October, along with its companion cookbook, Rocco Gets Real: Cook at Home Every Day. He teams with Karina Smirnoff, who returns for her fifth season. Karina teamed with R&B singer Mario last season.

MAURICE GREENE – The winner of two gold medals in the 100m sprint and the 4x100m relay at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, track star Maurice Greene was dubbed the “World’s Fastest Man” during his career. In addition to being the former world record holder in the 100m sprint and winning multiple world championships, he also won silver and bronze medals at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. He is the current Indoor World Record holder in the 60m at 6.39 seconds. He teams up with two-time champion Cheryl Burke. Cheryl returns for her sixth season.

KIM KARDASHIAN — Actress, model and reality television star Kim Kardashian shot to the top of the tabloids with her E! reality series, “Keeping up with the Kardashians.” The series follows the exploits of Kim, her siblings, her mother, Kris, and her stepfather, Olympic Gold Medalist Bruce Jenner. Kardashian recently completed her first feature film, “Disaster Movie,” and will also be seen on The N’s series “Beyond the Break.” She teams up with defending champ Mark Ballas, who returns for his third season.

CLORIS LEACHMAN – Actress Cloris Leachman’s storied career has been recognized with nine Emmys, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. Cloris has starred in a wide range of theater, television and motion picture projects, creating such indelible characters as Phyllis in the TV series “Phyllis” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” Frau Blucher in “Young Frankenstein,” Nurse Diesel in “High Anxiety” and Ruth Popper in “The Last Picture Show” (for which she won an Oscar). In 2008 she has already completed three new films, “The Women,” “American Cowslip” and “New York I Love You.” She teams with World Latin Champion and Mark’s father, Corky Ballas, who makes his series debut.

CODY LINLEY — Cody Linley will be the youngest contestant ever to compete on “Dancing with the Stars.” He is best known for his role as Jake Ryan on “Hannah Montana.” He teams with two-time “Dancing with the Stars” champ Julianne Hough, who returns for her fourth season.

SUSAN LUCCI — As the most famous face in daytime television history, Susan Lucci plays “woman you love to hate,” Erica Kane, on ABC’s “All My Children.” She celebrates her 10,000th episode this November. She teams with Tony Dovolani, who returns for his sixth season.

MISTY MAY-TREANOR — Beach Volleyball champion Misty May-Treanor and partner Kerri Walsh captured their second Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and became the first team ever to repeat as back-to-back champs. She now joins a new teammate, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who returns for his fifth season.

TED MCGINLEY — Actor Ted McGinley’s extensive television credits include “Married…with Children,” “Hope & Faith,” “Happy Days.” Newcomer Inna Brayer will be paired with Ted. Inna is the current U.S. Amateur 10 Dance Champion.

JEFFREY ROSS — Comedian Jeffrey Ross, a.k.a. the “Roastmaster General,” was crowned by New York Magazine as “The Meanest Man in Comedy.” He teams with Edyta Sliwinska, who is the only pro to compete in all seven seasons of “Dancing with the Stars.”

WARREN SAPP – Recently retired defensive tackle and Superbowl Champion Warren Sapp played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13-year career. Warren is teamed with Kym Johnson, who returns for her fifth season.

Hosted by Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Samantha Harris (“E! Entertainment”), the celebrities will perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

Comments off

Complete Nielsen List for week of March 17-23, 2008

Reality rules, as “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Star” took over the top four spots in the Nielsen’s this week.

Photobucket
JULIANNE HOUGH, ADAM CAROLLA on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

And what is dying at the bottom of the barrel? My beloved “Aliens in America.” Here’s the list so you can check out how your favorite shows stack up.

1 AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY 27340 9.5
2 AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY 26080 9.1
3 DANCING WITH THE STARS 21150 7.4
4 DANCING W/STARS SP-3/18 17020 5.9
5 TWO AND A HALF MEN 14060 4.9
6 SURVIVOR:MICRONESIA WE-SP 11560 4.0
7 60 MINUTES 11540 4.0
8 OLD CHRISTINE 11470 4.0
9 LOST 11460 4.0
10 EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. 11360 4.0
11 MOMENT OF TRUTH 10920 3.8
12 NCIS 10600 3.7
13 LAW AND ORDER 10490 3.7
14 DEAL OR NO DEAL 3/20 10260 3.6
15 DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON 10080 3.5
16 MEDIUM 10070 3.5
17 CBS NCAA POST GAME SUN 1 10030 3.5
18 OPRAH’S BIG GIVE 9810 3.4
19 CSI: MIAMI 9640 3.4
20 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER 9610 3.4
21 MISS GUIDED SP-3/18 9280 3.2
22 CBS NCAA BSKBL CHMP-SA-4 9200 3.2
23 BIG BANG THEORY, THE 8930 3.1
24 APPRENTICE 7 8830 3.1
25 BACHELOR: LONDON CALLING 8580 3.0
26 DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS 8370 2.9
27 LAW AND ORDER:SVU 8290 2.9
28 CBS NCAA BSKBL CHP-EVEFR2 8210 2.9
29 LAW AND ORDER:SVU-SUN3/23 8090 2.8
30 AMER FUNN HOME VIDEOS 8050 2.8
31 BIGGEST LOSER 5 7890 2.8
32 LAW AND ORDER-SUN 3/23 7720 2.7
33 CBS NCAA BSKBL CHP-EVETH2 7630 2.7
34 SMARTER THAN 5TH GRADER 7460 2.6
35 20/20-FRI 7360 2.6
36 ELI STONE 7320 2.6
37 NEW AMSTERDAM 7270 2.5
38 SUPERNANNY 6960 2.4
39 LIPSTICK JUNGLE 6950 2.4
40 LAW AND ORDER:CRIM INTENT 6830 2.4
41 HERE COME THE NEWLYWEDS 6730 2.4
42 BIG BROTHER 9-WED 6600 2.3
43 BIG BROTHER 9-SUN 6460 2.3
44 COLD CASE 6350 2.2
45 CSI: NY 6340 2.2
DATELINE FRI 6340 2.2
47 MISS GUIDED-3/20 8:30PM 6310 2.2
48 20/20-9PM 6300 2.2
49 MISS GUIDED-3/20 8PM 6280 2.2
50 EASTER BEAGLE, C. BROWN 6240 2.2
51 LAW AND ORDER-SAT 6200 2.2
52 DATELINE SUN 7PM 3/23 6080 2.1
53 COPS 2 6010 2.1
54 AMW: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK 5910 2.1
55 MEN IN TREES 5890 2.1
56 JERICHO 5730 2.0
57 CANTERBURY’S LAW 5710 2.0
58 WIFE SWAP 5700 2.0
59 LAW AND ORDR:CRIM INT3/19 5440 1.9
60 HOUSE-FRI 9P 5430 1.9
61 BIG BROTHER 9-TUE 5380 1.9
62 DEXTER 5270 1.8
63 LAW & ORDER:SVU-SAT 5230 1.8
64 AMNESIA 5140 1.8
65 COPS 5110 1.8
66 JUST FOR LAUGHS 4870 1.7
67 SIMPSONS 4810 1.7
68 FAMILY GUY 4490 1.6
69 MY DAD IS BETR THN YR DAD 4400 1.5
70 FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN 4280 1.5
71 AMERICA’S TOP MODEL-4 3790 1.3
72 GREY’S ANATOMY-FRI 8PM 3700 1.3
73 SMALLVILLE 3440 1.2
74 TIL DEATH-FRI 8P 3390 1.2
75 UNHITCHED SP-3/23 8:30P 3210 1.1
76 RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES 3130 1.1
77 UNHITCHED 3110 1.1
78 ONE TREE HILL 3000 1.0
79 REAPER-THU 2940 1.0
80 AMERICAN DAD-SUN 7:30P 2700 .9
81 KING OF THE HILL-SUN 7P 2500 .9
82 APPRENTICE 7 3/22 2280 .8
83 BEAUTY AND THE GEEK-3 1730 .6
84 PUSSYCAT DOLLS:GIRL-ENC 1710 .6
85 PUSSYCAT DOLLS:GIRLICIOUS 1640 .6
86 GAME, THE-SUN 1260 .4
87 GOSSIP GIRL-MON 1240 .4
88 AMERICA’S TOP MODEL-4-ENC 1220 .4
89 GIRLFRIENDS-SUN 1170 .4
90 EV HATES CHRIS-SUN2 990 .3
91 ALIENS IN AMERICA-SUN 910 .3

Comments off

Dancing with the Stars list

St. Patrick’s Day brings more than just shamrocks and leprechauns.

“Dancing with the Stars” returns at 8 p.m. on Channel 7 with Fremont’s own Kristi Yamaguchi and a cast with some impressive credits.

Six teams take the stage on Monday, with the other half-dozen appearing the next night. The entire dozen will perform a second routine on March 24 before the first elimination on March 25.

And for the first time in the show’s history, the first elimination will take out two couples.

In alphabetical order, the twelve stars making their ballroom dancing debut are:

ADAM CAROLLA – Television and radio personality Adam Carolla is host of the Los Angeles based and nationally syndicated morning radio program, “The Adam Carolla Show.” The actor/comedian has his first starring film role in the soon to be released in “The Hammer” (in theaters March 21), which he co-wrote and co-produced. Carolla was also one of the creators and hosts of Comedy Central’s “The Man Show” (alongside Jimmy Kimmel) and the MTV and long-running syndicated radio program, “Loveline,” with Dr. Drew Pinsky.

CRISTIÁN DE LA FUENTE – Having started his acting career in his native Chile, the international film and television star’s Spanish language projects include Univisión’s miniseries “Como ama una mujer” and Sony television’s “Reyes y Rey,” which aired on Telemundo. He gained recognition in the U.S. as a series regular on “Family Law” and “CSI: Miami.” Recent TV guest roles include “Ugly Betty” and “Psych.” He stars in the upcoming USA Network series “In Plain Sight.” Other film work includes “Driven” and “Basic.” Cristián is a First Lieutenant in the Chilean Air Force Reserve and a member of “Halcones,” the high aerobatics team. People Magazine named him one of their “50 Most Beautiful,” and he was the first man ever to grace the cover of Cosmopolitan en Español.

SHANNON ELIZABETH – Actress/model Shannon Elizabeth starred in the box office hits “American Pie” and “Scary Movie.” Some of her other credits include “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Love Actually,” “Cuts” and “That 70s Show.” Shannon is also an accomplished poker player, taking third out of sixty-four invited professionals at the 2007 National Heads-Up Poker Championship.

STEVE GUTTENBERG – Actor Steve Guttenberg has starred in blockbusters such as “Police Academy,” “Three Men and a Baby,” “Short Circuit” and “Cocoon,” as well as such acclaimed dramatic hits as “Diner” and “The Boys from Brazil.” Guttenberg has starred in a dozen films, each of which earned in excess of $100,000,000 at the American box office. His television credits include one of the highest-rated telefilms of all time, “The Day After.” Guttenberg runs The Guttenhouse Project, which houses selected children who are phased out of foster care programs.

MARIO – Twenty-one year-old, multi-platinum selling R&B/Pop singer and actor Mario is known for such hit singles as “Just a Friend (2002)” and “Let Me Love You.” He was the recipient of Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year in 2005 for “Let Me Love You,” and has been nominated for a Grammy, BET Award, Vibe Award, MOBO Award and Soul Train Music Award. His latest album, “Go,” is in stores now. Mario has also appeared in the feature films “Step Up” and “Freedom Writers.”

MARLEE MATLIN – Marlee Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in “Children of a Lesser God,” for which she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. At 21 she became the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar and only one of four actresses to receive the honor for her film debut. In addition to the Oscar, Marlee received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama. She has since appeared on a number of hit television programs, including “The West Wing,” “The L-Word,” “Nip/Tuck” and “Desperate Housewives.” In Spring 2008, she will star opposite Jeff Daniels in the telefilm “Sweet Nothing in My Ear.”

PENN JILLETTE – Penn Jillette is one-half of the famous illusionist team Penn & Teller. Penn & Teller have been performing together for thirty years and are currently headlining in their own theater at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. They’ve received 11 Emmy nominations for their television series, “Penn & Teller: Bulls**t,” and created several TV projects together. The duo has also written three best-selling books. In 2005 Penn produced and co-created the critically acclaimed documentary “The Aristocrats.”

PRISCILLA PRESLEY – Actress, producer and entrepreneur Priscilla Presley starred in the “Naked Gun” films and the internationally popular television series “Dallas,” as well as guest-starred on TV’s “Touched by an Angel,” “Spin City” and “Melrose Place.” Founder of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Priscilla has also served as executive producer on the feature film “Finding Graceland” and the television version of her autobiography, “Elvis and Me.” Presley was married to music icon Elvis Presley.

MONICA SELES – Tennis champ Monica Seles is the holder of nine grand slam singles titles and was the top-ranked player in the world. She turned pro in 1988 at the age of 14 and won her first grand slam championship, the French Open, just two years later. After a two-year absence from the tour in 1993 and 1994, Seles rose above adversity and returned to capture her final grand slam crown in 1996, winning the Australian Open. She holds an outstanding career win-loss singles record of 595-122 and was ranked the13th greatest player of all time by “Tennis Magazine.” Her accomplishments also extend beyond the tennis court as Goodwill Ambassador for the Laures Sports Foundation and the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Microalgae Spirulina Against Malnutrition (IIMSAM).

JASON TAYLOR – This year’s NFL Man of the Year Award winner and last year’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Taylor has played defensive end for the Miami Dolphins for over a decade. The six-time All Pro formed the Jason Taylor Foundation in 2004 and continues to be heavily involved throughout the South Florida community. Taylor holds the NFL record for touchdowns by a defensive lineman (7) and is the Dolphins’ all-time leader in quarterback sacks (117) and consecutive games played (130). Jason is married to Katina, and the couple reside in Weston, Fla., with their two sons, Isaiah Paul and Mason Paul, and daughter Zoe Grace.

MARISSA JARET WINOKUR – Marissa Jaret Winokur is best known for creating the role of “Tracy Turnblad” in the hit Broadway musical “Hairspray,” a performance for which she won a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress. Winokur has since been seen in the Farrelly Brothers film “Fever Pitch” and the television series “Stacked.” She just finished filming the series lead in a new pilot entitled “Fugly” for 20th Century Fox and CBS, and is currently working as one of the leads in the Lifetime movie “Betrayals.”

KRISTI YAMAGUCHI – An Olympic Gold medalist and World Champion, Kristi Yamaguchi is one of the most popular and successful figure skaters of our time. Since winning the 1992 Winter Olympics, Yamaguchi retired from competitive skating, performing in numerous television specials and traveling the globe on “Stars on Ice” tour. Along with her many awards and accomplishments, she is a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, World Figure Skating Hall of Fame and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. In 1996 she founded the Always Dream Foundation dedicated to fundraising and supporting children’s charities. Yamaguchi is married to Stanley Cup champion and Carolina Hurricanes star Bret Hedican. Together they have two young daughters.

And for those of you who just can’t get enough of me, I’ve started a new blog about technology and people called Get eLife at www.ibabuzz.com/getelife.

Comments (2)

Dancing with who????

Wayne Newton? Really. That’s what you could come up with as a stellar draw to the new season of “Dancing with the Stars”’?

The new crop of stars, which includes Marie Osmond, Jane Seymour, Mark Cuban and Helio Castroneves sounds closer to “Whatever Happened To” and “Who the heck is that?”

Still, it’s nice to see that Scary Spice can still kick up her heels.

In a “Dancing” first, there will be 12, count ’em, 12 celebrities attempting to tango their way into your hearts when the hit series returns at 8 p.m. Sept. 24 on ABC.

Here’s a rundown of the celebs ready to put on their dancing shoes:

MELANIE BROWN
“Mel B.,” a.k.a. “Scary Spice,” is best known as a member of the Spice Girls, which begins a world tour this December. Brown is also Eddie Murphy’s baby mama.
She is partnered with MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY, who returns for his fourth season.

SABRINA BRYAN
You know her as one of “The Cheetah Girls.”
Sabrina is partnered with newcomer MARK BALLAS.

HELIO CASTRONEVES
The two-time Indianapolis 500 champion began the celebratory tradition of climbing the racetrack fence in 2001, racing for Team Penske. The Brazilian native should be able to dance. Castroneves teams with reigning champ JULIANNE HOUGH, who returns for her sophomore season.

MARK CUBAN
Shameless hype man Cuban owns the Dallas Mavericks NBA basketball team. He also founded HDNet, Broadcast.com and MicroSolutions. Cuban has a good sense of humor, so he should be fun.
He is partnered with KYM JOHNSON, who returns for her third season.

JENNIE GARTH
We first saw her on “Beverly Hills: 90210,” then she starred in the little seen WB sitcom “What I Like About You” for four seasons. She’s kept busying starring in several made-for-TV movies.
Garth’s partner is newcomer DEREK HOUGH, brother of Season Four winner Julianne Hough.

JOSIE MARAN
You probably know model/actress Josie Maran from her Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue or maybe you became a fan after she appeared in “The Aviator” or “Van Helsing.” She’s now hawking her eco-chic cosmetic line, Josie Maran Cosmetics.
Maran is paired with Season One winner ALEC MAZO, who makes his third appearance.

CAMERON MATHISON
Mathison joined the cast of “All My Children” in January 1989 as Ryan Lavery.
Mathison’s partner is EDYTA SLIWINSKA, the only professional dancer to appear in all five seasons.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER
“Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather is a six-time world champion in five different weight classes and the current RING and World Boxing Council Welterweight Champion of the World.
He teams with KARINA SMIRNOFF, who returns for her third season.

WAYNE NEWTON
Mr. Las Vegas himself.
He is partnered with two-time champ CHERYL BURKE.

MARIE OSMOND
Our little Marie has grown up before our eyes.
Osmond will be led by JONATHAN ROBERTS, who returns for his fourth season.

ALBERT REED
Abercrombie & Fitch, Diesel Clothing, Arrow Clothing, Rayban and Reebok…need we say more about this model boy?
He teams up with ANNA TREBUNSKAYA, who returns for her second season.

JANE SEYMOUR
Actress/artist/author/activist/designer and Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning British born Bond girl who became America’s sweetheart on “Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman.”
Seymour is paired with TONY DOVOLANI, who returns for his fourth season.

The competition begins with a three-night event on Sept. 24 with the six women performing either the Foxtrot or the Cha Cha Cha. The men will then showcase their routines on Sept. 25, performing the same dances as the women.

The team with the lowest combined judges’ scores and public votes from Monday and Tuesday night will be eliminated from the competition on the first results show on Sept. 26.

Dolly Parton hits the stage on Sept. 26, performing “Better Get to Livin’” from her latest album, “Backwoods Barbie,” and the classic hit, “9 to 5,” accompanied by the professional dancers.

Other singers set to perform on the show are Avril Lavigne and Gloria Estefan.

Comments (1)

Big Pussy drops the dance

Turns out Vincent Pastore is living up to his “Sopranos” moniker.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
VINCENT PASTORE

The actor who played Big Pussy on the HBO hit has bowed out of the fourth season of “Dancing with the Stars” before the competition even began.

Pastore, 60, withdrew after one week of training. Pastore came to the decision that the physical demands of a ten-week season would be too difficult for him to undertake.

“When I initially committed to joining ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ I didn’t realize just how physically demanding it would be for me. Unable to put forth my best effort, I felt it appropriate to step aside and give someone else the opportunity,” Pastore says. “I’d like to thank ABC and the show’s producers for inviting me to participate. I wish my partner, Edyta, and the other dancers the best of luck.”

“We’re sad that Vincent felt he was unable to continue in the competition, as he would have been great on the show,” adds executive producer Conrad Green. “But we appreciate him standing aside now rather than having to withdraw later. ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is physically demanding and it pays to know your limits. We respect his decision.”

Comments (1)


Warning: include(/home/l43szz25h9np/domains/suetube.org/html/cgi-bin/footer.php): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/l43szz25h9np/domains/suetube.org/html/wp-content/themes/almost-spring/footer.php on line 25

Warning: include(): Failed opening '/home/l43szz25h9np/domains/suetube.org/html/cgi-bin/footer.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/opt/alt/php73/usr/share/pear') in /home/l43szz25h9np/domains/suetube.org/html/wp-content/themes/almost-spring/footer.php on line 25