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.

Dancing with the Stars Week One

So I am an idiot. I forgot to set up TiVo to record Dancing with the Stars last night. They are going to take my reality TV fan membership card away. Luckily, the B-list stars on the show have a cult-like following and posted videos on You Tube for our viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Former Miss USA Shandi Finnessey and Brian Fortuna :



Laila Ali and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. I'm loving Maksim's hair:



Heather Mills and Jonathan Roberts:



Billy Ray Cyrus and Karina Smirnoff:



Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson (crappy video, but you get the idea) I'm calling it now. It's all about Joey, he will win. And yes, I am still an NSYNC fan:



Do you think they gave Joey to Kym because they felt bad for hooking her up with Jerry last year?

Contestants Revealed for Dancing with the Stars 4

This morning on Good Morning America, Jerry Springer revealed the list of stars appearing on the newest season of Dancing with the Stars. Quite an interesting list, the new season kicks off with a 2-hour premiere on March 19th. Set your Tivos now. (Commentary below from DWTS producer, Conrad Greene)

• Heather Mills: "We thought it would be interesting to have someone with a disability on because we wanted to prove that dancing is something anyone can do. She really wants to prove to people that a disability doesn't hamper you in any way."

• Billy Ray Cyrus: He was "terrified" about joining the show. "He said, 'You don't understand. I can hardly do the achy-breaky dance, let alone a whole routine.' (But) I think he's going to really apply himself," says Greene.

• Leeza Gibbons: "I think for her turning 50, she wants to be opening new chapters – not closing them," Greene says of the 49-year-old former Entertainment Tonight and Extra anchorwoman. "I think there will be a lot of women around the country who will really associate with her and what she's doing."

• Joey Fatone: The former 'N Sync group member knows how to move from his boy-band days, but ballroom dancing is something new. "He says he hasn't got a clue how good he's going to be," says Greene. "He's never done anything like this."

• Laila Ali: A personal trainer and daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. "The challenge for her will be being light enough on your feet," says Greene. "She's had to bulk up, get muscular in order to box. So it's going to be getting the grace."

• Vincent Pastore: Former Sopranos star. "He just turned 60 and he had a heart condition last year," says Greene. "If Vincent can do it, anybody can do it. This is a show about real people taking it on. He embodies it more than anyone on the show."

• Apolo Anton Ohno: Olympic speed-skating champion. "It's great to get someone in the middle of their career," says Greene. "(And) it doesn't hurt that he's a great-looking guy."

• Paulina Porizkova: The 41-year-old Czech-born supermodel and wife of Cars' singer Ric Ocasek "just wanted to get out there and dance."

• Clyde Drexler: The basketball Hall of Famer. "He's a legend," says Greene of Drexler, 44. "Along with people like Emmitt and Jerry, he's one of those people who's the very best at their sport."

• Ian Ziering: Played Steve Sanders on Beverly Hills 90210. "I got the sense with Ian he's really going to throw himself into it."

• Shandi Finnessey: 28-year-old beauty queen, who was crowned Miss USA in 2004, brings "poise" and a "vivacious personality" to Dancing.

Photo from All Star Movie Photo.