Dancing with the Stars

Gloria Allred and a famed lesbian rights activist will hold a news conference Monday to protest people who are urging children not to watch Chaz Bono on "Dancing with the Stars."

We're told there will be dance and viewing parties across the country with transgender individuals and their supporters on September 19 -- the night of Chaz's debut -- and Gloria will dance with every transgender person who wants to dance with her -- but only at the L.A. party.

The news conference will be held at Gloria's office at 10:30 AM PT. Of course, we'll nutbush (a form of line dancing) right over there.

11:20 AM: Gloria and lesbian rights activist Robin Tyler just announced their pro-Bono dance and viewing parties later this month -- where Gloria promises to show off her moves -- but sadly ... she refused to give us a preview.

Rob Kardashian has a nasty case of pre-dance jitters -- and it's starting to piss off his "Dancing with the Stars" partner.

Sources close to the show tell us Rob is very nervous and has refused to rehearse longer than 2 hours with Cheryl Burke -- while most of the contestants are logging more than 5 hour practices.

We're told Cheryl is "fed up" with what she perceives to be Rob's lack of interest in the show.

But Rob is still talking a big game ... because we're told he's bragging constantly to big sis Kim that he will top her 'DWTS' performance by making it past week 3.

Note to Rob: You don't have Kim's "assets." Get to practice.

Chaz Bono is sporting a massive grin in his, just released, official "Dancing With the Stars" photo -- and maybe that's because dude also has a right hand FULL of Lacey Schwimmer's ass.

Chaz Bono has already lost 5 pounds rehearsing for "Dancing with the Stars," but he's upset because he feels all the crappy junk food -- courtesy of producers -- is thwarting his diet.

As for the food that's pissing off the freshly-minted man ... chips, candy, granola and protein bars.

We're told Chaz has already made very specific food demands to producers.

Chaz Bono has triggered predictable controversy after signing on to do "Dancing with the Stars" -- just as producers hoped. So what will be the fallout? We gotta ask ...

Chaz Bono began his march towards the "Dancing With the Stars" title, hitting up the practice studio yesterday in Los Angeles.

The Pregnant Man -- Thomas Beatie -- claims he SHOULD HAVE been chosen to compete on "Dancing with the Stars" this season ... but says, "Chaz Bono stole my thunder."

Beatie tells TMZ ... he reached out to casting in the hopes of landing a spot a few months ago -- but never got a call back. But after DWTS announced that Chaz would be on the show, Thomas says he thinks he knows why he was rejected -- the transgender quota had already been filled.

Thomas says he understands why producers wouldn't cast two famous transgender people on the show -- but he's still pretty bummed out ... telling us, "I wanted to try my new body out. I’m an athlete and I know I would have excelled."

There's always next season ...

Nancy Grace doesn't think there's a chance in hell Casey Anthony will vote for her on "Dancing with the Stars" -- but she DOES have some advice for the Tot Mom ... confess and go to jail.

Only one problem with Nancy's advice -- it's the whole Constitution thing, which prohibits double jeopardy.

Nancy says she's a horrible dancer -- and clearly not a big fan of the 5th Amendment.

Deena from "Jersey Shore" took a break from beating up the beat at the guido clubs to work the pole at West Hollywood's most popular gay bar the Abbey last night.

The "blast in a glass" was spotted partying with "Dancing with the Stars" regulars Mark Ballas, Derek Hough, Lacey Schwimmer, as well as new contestants Rob Kardashian and Kristin Cavallari.

Nancy Grace may actually suck up to judges -- rather than go after them -- in the next few months, because she's signed on to "Dancing with the Stars" ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Grace and her partner met for the first time in Atlanta last week. This could be another Kate Gosselin situation, where Nancy practices in Atlanta so she doesn't miss her TV show ... then travels to L.A. once a week for the live performance.

Chaz Bono toned up for his big debut on "Dancing With The Stars" by hitting the gym in West Hollywood Saturday.

TMZ broke the story ... Chaz will be a celebrity contestant on the show and will be paired with a female dancer ... a stroke of genius on the part of the producers.

TMZ has learned ... Chaz Bono will be hitting the hardwood on the new season of "Dancing with the Stars."

Multiple sources connected with the show tell us ... Chaz has signed on and will be partnered with a female professional. Makes sense, because Chaz is legally a man ... baby.

David Arquette will show what he's got on "Dancing with the Stars" ... sources close to the deal tell TMZ.

David showed up to the rehearsal studio a few minutes ago, to meet his partner for the first time. We're told he's hooking up -- professionally, in a dancing sort of way -- with Kym Johnson.

The new season starts at the end of September.

"Dancing with the Stars" is getting a MASSIVE upgrade this season -- and TMZ has learned ... the entire layout of the set will be changed ... to the tune of $3 MILLION!

Sources tell us ... the COOLEST change will affect the audience ... because producers are swapping out the boring bleacher seats for a TRIPLE-TIERED balcony-styled arrangement ... kinda like where the old grumpy guys sit on "The Muppets."

Another cool change -- the massive staircase in the middle of the stage will have the ability to SPLIT into TWO halves ... which will reveal the orchestra pit.

As for the dance floor ... which was basically hardwood planks placed on the ground ... it will NOW be an elevated PLATFORM ... so if the stars fall over the edge, it could REALLY hurt.

"Dancing with the Stars" stud Mark Ballas single-handedly raised more than $12 THOUSAND for the elderly last weekend -- all because he forgot to bring a change of clothes to a charity benefit.

Mark volunteered to perform at the 4th Annual Avamar Foundation benefit in Warren, Ohio -- representing The Beat of Ohio dance studio -- but we're told, he only brought one outfit ... and after performing ... had to borrow a shirt from the host.

Sources at the event tell TMZ Mark was so moved by the benefit, he decided to sign the shirt ... and auction it off. He also threw in front row VIP tickets to 'DWTS' for two nights, backstage passes, and pictures with the other dancing pros.

Queen Latifah and Snooki will sign on to do the next season of "Dancing with the Stars" ... sources connected with the show tell TMZ.

And, show sources tell us, Tiffani Thiessen will also be a contestant.

As TMZ has already told you, Rob Kardashian will also compete.

Producers have said they wanted to upgrade the contestants for the new season, which begins next month.

Did they succeed? You decide.

12:36 PM: A rep for Tiffani tells TMZ, the actress is denying any involvement with the show -- but our sources insist ... she will appear on next season.