Dancing with the Stars

Tom DeLay, the House Majority Leader who was forced to resign earlier this year, has decided to pitch in his two cents about one of America's tightest races. No, not a political race. We're talking about the new season of "Dancing With the Stars."

DeLay, a former Republican congressman from Texas, sent out a letter to his supporters urging them to watch -- and vote for -- country singer Sara Evans in the third season of the popular ABC show. "Sara Evans has been a strong supporter of the Republican Party and represents good American values in the media," DeLay wrote. "We have always been able to count on Sara for her support of the things we all believe in. Let's show Sara that same support."

But DeLay's comments weren't just limited to supporting Evans. No, DeLay also took the time to bash one of Evans' competitors. "One of her opponents on the show is ultra liberal talk show host Jerry Springer," DeLay wrote. "We need to send a message to Hollywood and the media that smut has no place on television by supporting good people like Sara Evans."

She might still be in the midst of a nasty break up from Blink-182's Travis Barker, but "EXTRA" found Shanna Moakler in good spirits as she practiced for her upcoming gig as a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars."

Though Moakler and Barker have been swapping written attacks on their respective MySpace pages, the former Miss USA hopes for smoother sailing ahead. "I don't know if it's possible he and I could romantically be involved with each other again but I would like for he and I to come to a place where we could obviously be the best parents we could possibly be and just be friends. I would love that."

Moakler adds that "Dancing" has given her an outlet for her frustrations, something she considers a blessing. "I'm trying to stay positive and stay strong for my children, trying to you know not make that a negative. I'm trying to put all my energy into the dancing."

"Dancing With the Stars" premieres September 12 at 8PM ET/PT.

The most buff couple in Hollywood hit Julian's, a Los Angeles art gallery, for the opening of a new photography exhibit. While the couple focused on photographs inside, they were being photographed by a swarm of paparazzi outside the gallery.

It seems as if Katharine McPhee has performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" more than Judy Garland herself. From "The View" to "Regis and Kelly," it's been Rainbow, Rainbow, Rainbow. So how on earth does McPhee get on MTV? TMZ created a "Rainbow" music video befitting the hippest music channel.

Nicole Richie friends devised a clever if ineffective way to shield their famous friends from the paparazzi. We call this video "Boy ON the Hood."

She's the midst of of Hollywood's most recent nasty splits, but Shanna Moakler won't let drama with Travis Barker keep her from hitting the party scene. We caught up with the former Miss USA practicing for her debut on "Dancing With the Stars" last night at celebrity hotspot Hyde, where she busted out an impromptu booty shaking exhibition with last year's champ Cheryl Burke.

ABC announced the new performers on this season's edition of "Dancing with the Stars" and the list wasn't without some surprises.

As TMZ told you last week, Tucker Carlson, Vivica A. Fox, Harry Hamlin, Joe Lawrence, Mario Lopez , Shanna Moakler and Emmitt Smith will be competing this season. But there were four contestants we didn't know about until this morning. And we couldn't be more excited about the king of "My sister is having an affair with my husband and is pregnant with his baby' -- Mr. Jerry Springer.

Rounding out the cast is Monique Coleman ("High School Musical"), country singer Sara Evans and pop star Willa Ford.

TMZ has learned that retired NFL running back Emmitt Smith and former child star Joey Lawrence are the latest "stars" to jump aboard the ABC groove train and will shake their moneymakers on the TV juggernaut this fall.

While ABC won't confirm the final roster, Vivica A. Fox has gone on record saying she has already been cast.

And rumors have swirled that former "Saved by the Bell" star Mario Lopez and Mr. Lisa Rinna himself, Harry Hamlin, will also be on hand to Cha Cha Cha into America's living rooms.