Your Dancing with the Stars Fix

To tide you over until my Dancing with the Stars post for this week (which will no doubt be hee-larious), I thought I'd share some behind the scenes info kindly provided by our dear People magazine. Because I know your gossip reading time is limited by jobs and other silly little things, I pulled out all the best from this article. And no, I didn't cut out anything that Maksim said (mostly I just cut Leeza Gibbons...).

A Champ in Training: Hard-to-please Maksim Chmerkovskiy couldn't stop raving about how much his partner Laila Ali has improved. Their cha-cha was a crowd pleaser and Chmerkovskiy told us, "It was our easiest dance yet. I feel like she knows what she's doing now and she knows what it takes. It takes so much pressure off of me." And though the pro boxer was pleased to hear her partner's praise, she's still looking to completely unlock the key to her inner dancer. "It's halfway open. We have a lot more to do. There's gotta be more – we didn't get three 10s yet."

He's in Sync: JC Chasez was at Monday's show to root for fellow 'N Sync-er Joey Fatone and he's not surprised with how well he's doing in the competition. "Joey can remember dance steps from when 'N Sync was on tour 10 years ago," Chasez told us. "What I am surprised is how much fun he is having. He isn't just coming out here and doing a dance, he is having the time of his life."

Bruno's the Bomb: Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli is a fan favorite and received a shout-out during a commercial break from a female audience member who yelled, "Bruno is hot!" Pleased with the comment, Tonioli pulled out his number 10 paddle and waved at the young woman. House comedian Cory Almeida shook his head and joked, "We're going to have to stop serving alcohol in the balcony."

Everybody Knows Your Name: Actor George Wendt was on hand to support friend and former Cheers costar John Ratzenberger. And when he entered the stage to take his seat, fans in the balcony yelled, "Norm!!" Wendt, probably used to this greeting wherever he goes, acknowledged with a wave and a smile.

The Kindest Cut: Apolo Ohno has been training for his day job – speed skating – while working on DWTS, which leaves very little time for much else – including getting a haircut. Good thing Ohno's father, Yuki, was in town on Monday to give his son a trim. "He gave me a haircut today before the show," Ohno said of his shorter – but still shaggy – locks. And the elder Ohno is plenty proud of his son. "He was smiling so much. He was cheesing from the time he saw the pre-judge rehearsal this morning. When my dad is here I try extra hard." So, what did Dad think of his son's ballroom maneuvers? "I was so entertained tonight. I hope he teaches me so I can go on a cruise ship," Yuki said.

Shandi Gets the Boot on Dancing with the Stars

I'm a bit surprised by this one. I don't think she's terrible, and she looks like she's having so much fun doing it. I would have pegged John Ratzenberger or Billy Ray Cyrus to go before her, but I'm betting they have larger fan bases, and that's what did her in.

The former Miss USA winner hung up her dancing shoes last night, along with her professional dancing partner, Brian Fortuna. I felt bad for her, because she really tried to kick it up a notch this week, having been extra-motivated from being in the bottom two last week. The judges dubbed them the "Ken and Barbie" of the competition, and they definitely were the All-American couple.

"I wasn't really surprised," Finnessey told People magazine after being eliminated. "I'm so new to Hollywood and Brian is completely new to the show. People didn't really get to know our personalities yet, whereas you have people who have played basketball for decades and performers who've been on stage for years. They already had their fanbases established."

Shandi is the host of two game shows on the Game Show Network: Lingo with Chuck Woolery and Playmania, and will be heading back there. Brian is going to be relocating to Hollywood and trying his hand at the fame thing.

Photo from ABC.

Yes! Cliff Will Dance!!

I felt rather indifferent about the loss of Vinny Pastore from the cast of Dancing with the Stars, but I cannot contain my excitement about his replacement. Oh yes, my friends, it's Cliff from Cheers: John Ratzenberger. Cliff Claven will be all dressed up in ballroom gear. The visual is just too wonderful.

The show tried to get Cliffy in the first place, but he had a scheduling conflict that has apprently been resolved. Ratzenberger is 59 and Pastore, who is 60, cited the physical demands of the show as his reason for quitting. Hopefully Ratzenberger is in better shape than Pastore. I mean, if Jerry Springer can do it....

Edyta Sliwinska will be Ratzenberger's partner will be Edyta Sliwinska when the show premieres on March 19.

Photo from E! Online.