'Dancing with the Stars' Casting/Co-host Rumors Roundup

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Of course, Dancing with the Stars fans will not wait until the rightful announcement of the cast on March 1. From co-host to the participating celebs, the internet is awash with rumors, some true, others obviously desperate attempts from has-beens to snag an instant, though most likely short-lived, revival of their sorry careers through the show.

At least the slate for the 12 professional dancers is complete. And last we checked, the judges and Tom Bergeron are staying put. As for everything else, co-host and celebs, the rumor mill is after the jump:

Co-host:

We previously reported that the replacement for Dancing with the Stars co-host Samantha Harris is down to three: Vanessa Minnillo, Melissa Rycroft and Brooke Burke, all of which have admitted to doing done screen tests for ABC.

Just recently, however, another name was added to the mix: former Spice Girl Mel B. Reports Access Hollywood, the DWTS runner-up has also done screen tests for the same role on the show. She didn't specify though if it's for the full-time gig or for a spot as one of the rotating co-hosts, another idea that DWTS is considering if they run out of time.

Previously on the running were almost DWTS contestant Nancy O'Dell and Drew Lachey.

Cast:

As for the cast members, 12 lucky celebs will be rolled on March 1 as part of this season's Dancing with the Stars. So far, it's only Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson who has been positively identified by confirmed pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy as a contestant. Everyone else is either plain rumor or a brazen put-me-on-DWTS plea from the celeb himself/herself.

1. Kate Gosselin
Reality star Kate Gosselin may have her hands full with the kids and the her new reality show still in production, but adding another item in her priorities seems to be no problem to her. Never mind that the kids live in Pennsylvania and the Dancing with the Stars studio is in Beverly Hills. She told Jay Leno on his prime-time show that she'd like to give it a try, despite having two left feet. "I want to laugh at myself. I so cannot dance. It would be a sad sight," she said. Right.

2. Greg Louganis
Diving legend Greg Louganis' was the first athlete's name to be floated as potential DWTS contender. "I want to be on Dancing with the Stars. It would be such a blast," said the four-time 80's Olympic gold medalist.

3. John Stamos
It's none other than feisty pro Karina Smirnoff who revealed that if she had it her way, the Full House star would be her celeb partner. "I have a wish to dance with John Stamos," she said. "I wanted him to be my celebrity partner. He finished Bye Bye Birdie on Broadway and he has had enough time to rest." Last we checked, Stamos had heard of the proposition and was thinking about it.

4. Kevin Federline
Britney Spears' ex-hubby is also rumored to be part of the magic 12. "I would definitely do Dancing With The Stars," he told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show. He cautioned, however, that the show's producers "feel [he] might be overqualified because I'm a hip hop dancer but I know nothing about ballroom." Unknown to many, Federline has other skills other than being previously married to the pop star. He was back-up dancer for the likes of Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Pink, and Destiny's child for a number of years.

5. Brooklyn Decker
Following Joanna Krupa's sort of successful stint on the show last season, casting another model should be wise for the show. And Andy Roddick's wife Brooklyn Decker seems to be the top choice, after she landed Sports Illustrated's coveted Swimsuit Issue cover. She has, however, shown absolutely no interest in shedding the bathing suit for dancing shoes.

6. Evan Lysacek
It can very well be too late, but freshly minted gold medalist Evan Lysacek is another athlete who is joining the I-want-to-be-on-DWTS bandwagon. He told Entertainment Weekly that he'd "love" to be on the show, and it would be a "challenging" but "fun" way to celebrate his Olympic victory.

In any case, March 1 is but a weekend away. Tune in on the finale of The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love to find out the complete and final cast.

 

Will Bachelor star Melissa Rycroft return to Dancing with the Stars?

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E! News reports that Melissa Rycroft, former Bachelor winner, is one of three contenders to replace Dancing with the Stars co-host Samantha Harris.

Rycroft was chosen to compete on Dancing with the Stars after being dumped by Jason Mesnick on The Bachelor: After the Final Rose show. Though Mesnick proposed to Rycroft, he broke things off with her in order to date runner-up Molly Malaney, saying he'd made a mistake. (Mesnick and Malaney are now engaged to be married in an ABC televised wedding.)

If Rycroft is chosen for the hosting role, her IMDB profile will fill up quickly. The reality star has already served as a special correspondent for ABC's Good Morning America, joined Ryan Seacrest in ringing in the new year in Times Square, and will appear as a reporter on Extra.

Brooke Burke, another former contestant and Vanessa Minnillo are also being considered for the hosting gig. Rycroft and Burke were former contestants (Rycroft made the final three, while Burke won), while Minnillo is dating Nick Lachey, whose brother Drew won his season.

 

"They're only testing those three on camera for now," a production insider tells E! News. "The testing will happen some time next week."

 

If none of these three ladies fills the spot, ABC's backup plan will be to rotate past contestants as that night's co-host, with Rycroft, Burke and others on the wish list.

Watch The Bachelor season finale (March 1) to hear the new cast of celebrity dancers to visit the Dancing with the Stars ballroom. Dancers joining the 10th season cast will be revealed throughout the episode.

Dancing with the Stars will premier Monday, March 22 on ABC (8pm, EST).

 

 

Samantha Harris Leaves Dancing With The Stars

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It's no Simon Cowell-leaving-Idol news, but still, long-time Dancing with the Stars co-host Samantha Harris will not be returning to the ABC show when it returns for its tenth season on March 22.

Harris' departure is apparently one of the major changes that DWTS is bent on making after a lackluster season ratings-wise, despite a record number of participants.


Harris, 36, tells Us that she chooses to concentrate on other commitments, foremost of which is taking on "expanded responsibilities on The Insider."

"I've loved every aspect of my time at Dancing With The Stars. I've lived and breathed this incredible show for the last eight seasons, making lifelong friends along the way.  It has given me so many wonderful opportunities."

Dancing with the Stars executive producer Conrad Green has already started looking for a replacement but no names were given just yet.

Green adds, "It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Samantha. She will be much missed, but always part of the DWTS family. We support her and wish her all the best in her future endeavors."

Among the suggestions include season 2 winner and former replacement Drew Lachey, former contestant Melissa Rycroft, and even deposed Idol judge Paula Abdul.

Harris replaced Lisa Canning as DWTS co-host in season 2 and has since co-hosted alongside Tom Bergeron.

   

Conan O’Brien to compete on ‘Dancing With The Stars’?

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Conan O’Brien has been officially offered a spot on the next season of “Dancing With The Stars”.

He said, “This is real. I have been invited to compete on ‘Dancing With The Stars’. There are so many jobs to choose from. I don’t know which one to do. I thought, why not let the viewers decided. Go to TonightShow.com and register your vote. My future is literally in your hands.”

According to E-Online:
But on a somewhat serious note, he said, “Of course, this has been a stunning couple of days for me, I have to tell you. It is a bit hard to accept that soon I won’t have a show, but Snookie and The Situation [of MTV's 'Jersey Shore'] will. Only in America.”

Team Coco. Do you think he should compete on DWTS? Wanna see Coco bust a move?

 

Changes Afoot for 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 10

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ABC execs have apparently noted the decline in the ratings on the last season of Dancing with the Stars. Despite fielding in a record number of (relatively known) competitors, the finale showdown between Mya and eventual winner Donny Osmond registered the lowest ratings in the show's history. Naturally, there would have to be changes.

For one, there'll be fewer couples when Dancing with the Stars returns on March 22. ABC entertainment president Steve McPherson himself said he likes airing two cycles of the show each year, but 16 couples in one season was just too much. Hence, Dancing with the Stars season 10 will be limited to 11 to 12 couples tops.

"Last season, we had some unlucky breaks with people dropping out, so we're also looking at the casting we can get. It will be very competitive this Spring, and we're going to step it up," the ABC exec added.

What about doing one cycle per year? The idea doesn't appeal to McPherson.

"We still feel it can sustain a two-tier cycle. Will there be a time where we'll reconsider one? But as long as we cast it right we'll continue."

Another change they're introducing: the first couple will be eliminated after the second episode, giving chance for everyone to adapt to performing in front of everyone on live television. The cut will be based on the judges' scores in addition to votes from the public for the first two episodes.

Dancing with the Stars season 10 will thus kick off with a two-hour performance show on March 22, then another two-hour performance show the following week on March 29. During both times, viewers will be able to vote per episode. The first elimination night will take place after the second two-hour performance show.

Casting for the new season is currently on.

   

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