Chuck Liddell Won't Drink & Jive
UFC fighter and bar star Chuck Liddell says he's going cold turkey on drinking -- because he doesn't want it to interfere with his exhausting "Dancing with the Stars" training schedule.
That never stopped Cheryl Burke ...
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Paula Abdul Easy As ABC
Paula Abdul isn't missing a beat. Our spies say she spent part of the afternoon yesterday with ABC entertainment honcho Steve McPherson.
We're told Stevie M. wants Paula to be a contestant on "Dancing With the Stars" in the worst way. We're told there was talk of making her a guest judge but that's not gonna happen, and we know why. Paula and Carrie Ann Inaba don't get along.
But McPherson, who's friends with Paula, wants more from her than "Dancing." There's talk of Paula doing a guest appearance on "Ugly Betty." And we're told Paula has a show in mind with her name on it.
As for that other show ... "American Idol" we think it's called ... Paula is not shutting the door. $10 million, and she's theirs.
Stay tuned...
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Derek H & Shannon E -- Dancing Solo
You would think the couple that tweets together, stays together -- but alas, it is not so.
Derek Hough and Shannon Elizabeth posted matching Tweets last night announcing their breakup. The couple first met when they were partnered together during season six of "Dancing with the Stars."
One of them will probably drown their sorrows at the poker table, while the other will probably spend the day at the hair salon.
Disabled Claim 'Dancing' Is Doggone Unfriendly
Two physically disabled people are suing "Dancing with the Stars," claiming the show's studio is so disabled-unfriendly a cameraman threatened to run over a service dog.
Robert Carr and Arnie Pike claim in a new lawsuit they went to CBS Television City in L.A. last March to watch the show. Carr is a double amputee who is confined to a wheelchair. Arnie Pike is a quadriplegic who also requires a wheelchair.
The men claim they arrived with two companions and a service dog and were forced to watch as the majority of the audience was let in ahead of them.
The suit claims the studio has no "designated accessible seating for persons with disabilities." They claim the staff has "a policy of placing disabled persons where they cannot be seen by the camera or the public."
According to the suit, Pike was placed behind several rows of seats where he could not even see the action on the stage. The worst slight of all -- allegedly -- "his service dog was placed in the aisle where the camera man threatened to run over the dog."
The suit -- which also lists CBS as a defendant -- claims "Dancing" violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and asks for an order forcing the show to institute disabled-friendly policies. The plaintiffs also want damages.
Ballas and Hough -- Good Looks, Hot Chicks
They may seem like two wholesome guys who sit around on a Friday night playing boardgames -- but "Dancing with the Stars'" Mark Ballas and Derek Hough hit up Bank nightclub in Las Vegas like a pair of seasoned pros ... and without that stupid tambourine!
Shawn Johnson I'm Rich, Beyotch!
Shawn Johnson won "Dancing with the Stars" last night -- but in more important news, she just banked $365,000 doing it. Repeat: THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS.
We got a hold of Shawn's "Dancing" contract a while back, which stated she would bank $125,000 up front, then incremental paychecks that topped off at $50k a week for the last 2 episodes.
That's a lotta cheese...
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Karina Smirnoff Strokes It, Rides It, Loves It
When not "Dancing with the D-list Stars," Karina Smirnoff likes to flash her gorgeous golden limbs playing miniature golf and arcade games.
The 31-year-old babe and her fiance -- fellow Ukranian "Dancing" pro Maksim Something-or-Other -- amused themselves in Sherman Oaks yesterday.
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Melissa Rycroft Peek-a-Boob with the Stars
Melissa Rycroft and partner Tony Dovolani got a perfect score last night on "Dancing with the Stars" -- but was the score for their dance, or Melissa's left breast, which made a surprise appearance towards the end of the routine.
Listen carefully -- after ending the routine by jumping on the judges booth, Melissa gets flustered and clearly says "My boob came out!"
Unfortunately, the camera dude missed the money shot...
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Shawn's Alleged Stalker - Same Hair, New Date
A preliminary hearing has been set for the trial of Robert O'Ryan -- the man accused of stalking Shawn Johnson.
O'Ryan and his impressive gathering of chin hair appeared in L.A. County Criminal Court today -- where a judge set the date for June 11.
O'Ryan faces three charges for the March incident -- one felony count of stalking and two misdemeanor counts of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
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Shawn Johnson Roasted by the Piano Man
This dude in a Des Moines piano bar had Shawn Johnson as red as the #3 billiard ball on his shirt after he sang a hilarious song in honor of her and "Dancing with the Stars" partner Mark Ballas.
We'll just try and ignore the part where he sings about the 17-year-old's chest.
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Julianne & Chuck's Breast Dance Yet
Judging by last night's performance on "Dancing with the Stars," Chuck Wicks has a handful of reasons to be thankful Julianne Hough is his partner/girlfriend.
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Helio Speeds Past Tax Evasion Charges
A Federal jury has acquitted Indy race car champ Helio Castroneves on tax evasion charges.
The jury was hung on the one count of conspiracy. The judge declared a mistrial on that count, and prosecutors say they're reviewing whether to re-try Helio on that charge.
Helio was prosecuted for allegedly not paying taxes on several million dollars.
Story developing ...
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Shawn Johnson Gets Permanent Stay Away
Better safe than sorry: Shawn Johnson's alleged stalker is currently behind bars, but her family ain't takin' no chances -- they just got a permanent restraining order against the scary dude.
Shawn's parents appeared in court today at the L.A. County Superior Court, where a judge ordered Robert O'Ryan to stay at least 100 yards away from the Olympic gymnast and her parents for the next 3 years.
O'Ryan is being held on $220,000 bail after pleading not guilty last month to one count of felony stalking and two misdemeanor counts of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
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The Woz Won't Go Too Hard on Himself
He probably thought we were actually talking about camping in the woods -- 'cuz when our photog brought up a euphemism for gettin' excited like Mark Ballas, "Dancing" reject Steve Wozniak had no idea what the hell he meant.
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"Dancing" Star -- Giraffes Kill the Mood
Mark Ballas, take note -- "Dancing with the Stars" hottie Gilles Marini has a surefire way to keep the inappropriately timed tent pitching to a minimum: Think about Geoffrey the Giraffe!
According to Gilles, it's one way to guarantee a certain someone "doesn't wanna grow up!"
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Ballas I'm So Excited, I Just Can't Hide It
Mark Ballas says "Of course" he gets excited working with 17-year-old Shawn Johnson on "Dancing with the Stars" ... though we already knew that, he just didn't quite catch our drift.
