Dancing with the Stars

We just spotted Maksim out in L.A. -- just a few hours before the big "Dancing with the Stars" finale ... and dude told us the cop merely warned him about his lack of license plates on his brand new Mercedes.

Problem is -- the cop was driving in the other direction, and probably wouldn't have even noticed Maksim if he wouldn't have gunned it out of STK.

Our TMZ camera rolled as Maksim left STK after a dinner with his partner Erin Andrews -- got into his Mercedes -- and punched it down La Cienega ... burning rubber as he left the restaurant.

Seconds later, Maksim was staring at red and blue lights in his rear view from an L.A. County Sheriff's car who pulled his butt over.

TMZ has learned Michael David Barrett is allowed to watch whatever he wants inside the media room at the federal prison in Atlanta where he's serving time -- as long as the other inmates approve of the program.

So far, officials tell us they haven't noticed if MDB has tuned in to "Dancing" during his stay -- but then again, he does have very, very sneaky viewing habits.

There's a story out there that Tiger Woods' Mistress #1 -- Rachel Uchitel -- is hitting a Vegas dance studio so she can be on the next installment of "Dancing with the Stars" ... but TMZ has learned Rachel has become far more entrepreneurial and is pitching her very own reality show.

Sources tell TMZ Rachel, along with two producers and an agent, have gone to 4 different cable networks, pitching a show called "Romancing Rachel." We're told the premise is that Rachel has a hard time meeting guys, given what's been going on with her. The pitch -- watch Rachel try to find true love ... with single guys.

We're told Rachel was in L.A. earlier this month and pitched the show -- along with her producing entourage -- to E!, VH1, Oxygen and Lifetime. We're told Lifetime and E! have passed, but VH1 and Oxygen are still in play.

As for Rachel's entourage -- one of the producers is Scott Jeffress, who produced "Jersey Shore," "The Bachelor" and a bunch of other shows.

As for "DWTS" ... we're told Rachel isn't taking dance lessons to get on the show. She just wants a new hobby.

In an interview with CYInterview.com, Ripken was asked if he ever had any interest in becoming the first baseball player to appear on "Dancing with the Stars" -- to which he responded, "probably not."

The Orioles legend admits to having "two left feet"... and although he accomplished almost every imaginable milestone during his 21-year career, he is still "uncomfortable with the attention away from the field."

Kate -- and her 8 -- are staying at the swanky Beverly Wilshire hotel for "Dancing with the Stars" -- and we're told the kids enjoyed a relaxing Monday at the pool with their nanny while Kate prepped for last night's show.

Meanwhile, Prez Obama's in town until Wednesday to lend his support to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) during her campaign for re-election.

Jon's lawyer, former assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony F. List, tells TMZ "under the right circumstances" Jon would do a show with Kate, but "the contract would have to be tighter." He did not elaborate, but we're guessing it has something to do with the way TLC cleaned Jon's clock in court.

List did not say what type of show he'd like to do, but said having Jon and Kate around the kids more would be a definite plus.

List says Jon would "love to settle" the latest legal dispute he ignited. TMZ broke the story that Jon filed legal papers asking for primary custody and child support. But Jon will press on with the case, unless Kate gives up her "global commitments." According to List, Jon feels Kate can't have it both ways -- being both a star and an attentive parent.

List says he and Jon both feel Kate is "addicted to the paparazzi." He says even if Kate is booted from "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday, he won't drop his custody case because Kate is "caught up in the glamour of Hollywood" and will take other jobs.

TMZ broke the story that Erin has been targeted with sexual and violent emails from a Newport News, Virginia man who recently wrote, "I would love to shoot her with a Barrett rifle."

TMZ broke the story that a man in Newport News, Virginia has been sending sexual and violent emails to ESPN's Andrews since September. The emails -- all sent to DirecTV's "The Dan Patrick Show" -- turned violent and threatening in late March.

On March 29, the man wrote, "I would like to see if Erin Andrews can dance her way through a hail of gunfire. Better yet I would love to shoot her with a Barrett rifle. Get the pun -- her stalker was mr. Barrett and the barrett rifle is an ultra expensive 50 cl. rifle with a range over a mile."

In spite of this email and others, law enforcement sources tell us the FBI is resistant to making an arrest, because authorities believe the author is engaging in free speech ... which is protected.

By the way, sources familiar with the author tell us he's 6'9" and very bulky.

It all went down on "Lopez Tonight" where the judge also compared Kate to one of the most feared disasters of all time.

Gotta respect the honesty.

Jon's lawyer, former U.S. Attorney Anthony F. List, tells TMZ he'll file legal papers -- probably in about two hours -- asking a judge to change the custody arrangement and award Jon primary physical custody of the 8 little ones.

List says Kate Gosselin has been farming out her parental responsibilities to an army of nannies in order to make it big in Hollywood. As List puts it, "You can't be a coast-to-coast primary parent."

List says Jon is ticked that Kate threw him out of the family guest house and replaced him with 3 nannies. He wants back as the Kato Kaelin of PA. The difference between Kate and OJ -- the only thing she's murdering is the Paso Doble.

As for "DWTS," List says he and Jon both cast their vote for Kate. In what we think is a related matter, List says he'll also ask the judge for child support since Jon wants primary custody while Kate is raking in the dough in H-Wood.

Pam went from the ballroom to the Guys and Dolls nightclub, where she shared the floor with her pro "Dancing" partner Damian Whitewood -- and then shared the inside of her mouth ... and some other personal areas ... with another unknown gentleman.

Judges?

Mark Momjian is reacting to TMZ's story, that Jon and his lawyer, Anthony F. List, will file legal papers asking for primary physical custody of the couple's 8 kids as well as child support.

Momjian says Jon's move is, "downright offensive and outrageous," adding, "Kate has been the primary parent of these kids since they day they were born." Momjian says "DWTS" is not interfering with her ability to parent, and that "she is devoted to her children."