Dancing with the Stars

Sources connected to the production tell us Maksim had been furiously trying to set up the perfect evening for a special VIP guest ... asking for front row seats for tonight's show along with special backstage passes ... and now we've learned there's a reason he's so motivated.

We're told a friend of Maksim's informed the dancer about a woman who was having a really tough time with recent cancer treatments -- and she happened to be a fan of the show. So Maksim sprung into action, instantly trying to do everything he could to help get her mind off the pain.

Of course, Maksim came through -- and the woman is all set for a night she'll never forget.

Amazing how some people find time for the things that matter.

Chris was scheduled to perform on "Dancing" TWICE during the elimination episode next Tuesday -- but fans of the show are rallying online to make sure that doesn't happen ... overtaking the official "DWTS" message board on ABC.com.

Several users plead openly for ABC to cancel Chris' performance after the singer's outburst this morning -- writing messages like, "Please do not allow him to perform on Dancing with the Stars! I will NOT be watching going forward if you do this."

But it doesn't stop there ... some fans are even contacting ABC directly via email to thwart Chris' performance -- in fact, another person writes, "I just sent an e-mail to ABC about him performing. I truly hope they cancel his appearance."

So we gotta ask ...

TMZ has learned ... Ray will be paired up with Anna Trebunskaya.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Steelers superstar Hines Ward will dance with Kym Johnson.

So far, we've confirmed 6 of the 11 celebrities who will appear on the show as well as their partners -- check it out:

-- Chris Jericho & Cheryl Burke
-- Lil' Romeo & Chelsie Hightower
-- Kendra Wilkinson & Louis van Amstel
-- Kirstie Alley & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
-- Wendy Williams & Tony Dovolani
-- Disney star Chelsea Kane & Mark Ballas

"DWTS" will officially announce the celebrity cast tonight during "The Bachelor."

Sen. Bundgaard claims his girlfriend, Aubry Ballard, punched him and tried throwing his things out of his car during the drive home after the event. According to Bungaard, she accused him of "inappropriately touching" his partner during the event, which benefited the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona.

Police arrived on scene to find Bundgaard trying to remove Ballard from the car, which was pulled over on the side of the road.

According to police, both had marks on them -- but only Ballard was arrested because of an Arizona state law that gives him immunity from arrest while the legislature is in session.

The Rev claims he just doesn't have the time due to his commitments with the National Action Network -- but wants to make one thing clear ... "There would be no chance for anybody to touch me!"

As TMZ first reported, Lamas and D'Errico are both "in talks" to do "DWTS," but so far nothing is locked down. The "DWTS" website is taking viewer suggestions for who should make the cast ... and when he caught with them outside the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills yesterday, they each took turns lobbying to get on the show.

Sources connected with the show tell us Lorenzo Lamas and Donna D'Errico have been contacted by the DWTS people ... and are "in talks" about a possible deal.

We're told nothing is in stone yet -- but we're hearing both Lorenzo and Donna have "serious interest" in doing the show.

Bristol responded to a blog Cho wrote this week that suggested Sarah Palin made Bristol do "DWTS" -- and that Sarah "harshly and openly" blames Bristol for costing her the election.

In Bristol's new post, which she wrote last night, she made her point in a few decently-worded paragraphs, but then decided to end things by saying that if Margaret understood conservative politics better, she "would embrace us faster than KD Lang at an Indigo Girls concert."

Obama explained that each bird had to compete in a feathery beauty pageant set to music -- insisting it was like a "turkey version of 'Dancing with the Stars' ... except the stakes for the contestants was much higher."

He continued, "Only one pair would survive and win the big prize -- LIFE ... and an all expenses paid trip to Washington ... where they've been living it up on corn feed at the W hotel."

These two move quick.

Ultimately, Bristol finished 3rd -- Kyle came in 2nd ... but we gotta ask ...

Here's how it breaks down -- sources tell TMZ, in addition to Bristol's personal security, there will be 2 bomb-sniffing K-9 units and 12 undercover guards ... some LAPD, some private security ... all armed.

We're told it's the first time they've had this much firepower on set -- and it makes sense ... because as we first reported, Bristol and Mark Ballas have received several death threats ... and if that wasn't enough ... we're told Mama Palin herself is expected to show up.

Sources tell TMZ Bristol -- along with the rest of the show's cast and crew -- will be served one hell of a last supper before this season's champion is crowned later tonight ... which includes:

-- Lobster Tail
-- Prime Rib
-- Chicken Rockefeller
-- Crab Legs
-- Tri-Color Tortellini
-- Mashed Potatoes
-- Potato bar
-- Corn
-- Asparagus
-- Salad Bar
-- Sundae Bar

Bon appetit!