Former 90210 star Jennie Garth to do Dancing with the Stars

Former Beverly Hills 90210 star Jennie Garth (Kelly) has signed on for next season’s Dancing with the Stars, at the suggestion of her former cast mate and this year’s Dancing contestant Ian Ziering, according to InTouch magazine.

That Steve Sanders always did have a way with persuasion.

Garth and her other former cast mates, including Tori Spelling and Jason Priestley, were in the audience this year to cheer on Ziering. Perhaps she got the itch to do a little dancing herself.

Ziering made it to the semi-finals, but ultimately lost the prize to Olympian Apolo Anton Ohno.

Rumors persist that Spelling is also joining the show, but nothing has been confirmed.

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Why Apolo should win Dancing With the Stars

After last night’s Dancing With the Stars, one thing is clear: Choosing a winner is going to be difficult. All three finalists are excellent dancers.

This year has been an anomaly for me because I haven’t had a clear favorite. The TV gal in me was rooting for Ian, but he clearly wasn’t the most talented dancer. That left me torn between my female loyalty for Laila, my love of Joey the entertainer, and Apolo’s fun, inspired choreography. Talk about a conundrum.

But, as we go into the final, I’m coming down on the side of Apolo and his partner Julianne. Here’s why. Apolo is an athlete, not a dancer, and he’s grown the most since the show began. In contrast, Joey was a boy bander with plenty of dance experience, as he showed off in the freestyle round, so he came into the competition with a leg up, so to speak.

Despite competing against Joey and the other professional men, Apolo often looks like a professional dancer with his crisp movements, pointed feet, and posture. In addition, his partner Julianne has created some of the most unique choreography ever performed on Dancing With the Stars, despite that Len often dislikes the risks the couple takes.

I think Apolo should take home the prize, even though he’s not quite as good as Joey. It could happen, as we all know the best dancer doesn’t always win. (Hello Mario Lopez!) Last year, Emmitt Smith took the prize, due to his popularity and fun routines, instead of the naturally talented Lopez.

For all of those who think Laila deserves to win, I don’t disagree. But Apolo is my pick. Sorry.

Laila has had a tougher time, simply because she’s a woman. But, she could be the dark horse here because she’s the sentimental favorite, after her dad Muhammed Ali sat in the audience and made all of us weepy. But, her partner Maks’ cantankerous attitude may deter people from voting for them.

Good luck tonight to all the contestants. I think they’re all winners, regardless of how this thing plays out.

Check back tomorrow for my final thoughts on Dancing With the Stars.

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Ian Ziering latest to go from Dancing With the Stars

Ian Ziering and his partner, two-time champion Cherly Burke, were sent home Tuesday from Dancing With the Stars.

Ziering made it to the semi-finals and received his first set of 10s during Monday’s competition, but it wasn’t enough to keep him dancing.

I’m sad to see him go, but I think it was time. On a side note, Beverly Hills 90210 fans should have recognized "Kelly" and "Nat" in the crowd cheering Ian on Monday night.

The best three dancers remain. Here’s my fearless prediction: I think it’s going to come down to Joey and Apolo. Both of their dances wowed the audience this week.

Joey’s jive was so good I watched it three times. It was so entertaining that Bruno said Joey had “more tricks than Houdini.” Joey is such an entertainer that I love to watch him. But, he seems so cocky at times that I think I’m rooting for Apolo to win this thing.

As for Apolo’s cha-cha, it was the crowd-pleaser of the night. The judges couldn’t even begin scoring because the crowd was cheering so long and loud. But, Len called the routine “raunchy,” with too much grinding and not enough cha-cha. Carrie Ann and Bruno disagreed, though. Carrie Ann said it was the “sexiest cha-cha she’d ever seen” and scored them a 10. Bruno did the same.

So, now three remain. Laila is a good dancer, but her partner’s attitude doesn’t win them any points with viewers. He seems like a jerk to her at times and no one wants a jerk to win this thing.

If the show hosts are correct, all the dancers return next week. Don’t miss it.

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Heather Mills leaves Dancing With the Stars

Heather Mills wasn’t the least bit shocked at not surviving this week’s Dancing With the Stars.

Mills pulled out a list of people to thank, as she gave her final interview. She even managed to get a dig in at Judge Carrie Ann, before departing, saying that she knew that Carrie Ann’s score of seven had sealed her fate. (Cue the dramatic music.)

Good for you, Heather. I’m not sure why Carrie Ann has been so tough on the females in this competition, but it’s time somebody said it. In no way did Heather and Billy Ray deserve the same score. Her dance was elegant and beautiful, and well, as much as I love Billy Ray, his hillbilly jig was horrendous. Yet, the judges praised his enthusiasm and gave him decent scores.

Then later, the judges told stiff Ian Ziering to watch Billy Ray’s performance for some pointers. Huh? Is everyone on crack? Sure, Billy Ray is an excellent performer, but he’s not an excellent DANCER!

The judges’ contradictory remarks are beyond confusing. First, Len yelled at Apolo and his partner for using a chair in his dance and then argued with Bruno that it wasn’t “performance art,” but dancing. Then, the judges completely contradicted that statement and gave Billy Ray decent scores based on “performance,” not his dancing.

In truth, Billy Ray should have gone. Yes, he’s the crowd favorite, and the judges apparently love him. But, he was the worst dancer of the night. (Sorry. Ducking for cover.)

John is my pick for who will go home next. I actually enjoyed his dances this week. He gets better every week and brings personality to the floor. But, I don’t think it will be enough to outshine the popularity of the hillbilly dancer.

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Dancing With the Stars: Leeza leaves and Drew returns

Leeza Gibbons didn’t get the votes this week to keep her Dancing With the Stars.

Thank you, America, for finally getting it right. Gibbons’ stiff, awkward dancing should have earned her a ticket on the departure bus long before this. But, apparently her hotness and personality got her enough votes to outlast two of the more talented dancers.

Leeza’s departure wasn’t the big buzz of the night. Nope. Drew Lachey stole the thunder when he burst onto the stage, in full cowboy costume, during the Big & Rich song “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy.” Any self-respecting DWTS fan remembers that incredible routine that Lachey and partner Cheryl Burke danced to when they won the competition two years ago. Lachey proved he’s still got it, as he joined Burke and the other dancers to strut his stuff. It made me realize just how lackluster this year’s performances have been thus far.

Judge Len Goodman said as much, when he began this week’s competition with a stern lecture to the contestants. He told them they weren’t putting in the practice required to give “10” performances and that his marks would reflect that. Apparently, one couple this week put in only six hours of practice, according to Goodman’s comments at TV Guide Online. Mario Lopez last year, was averaging 21 hours of practice per week, according to the TV Guide article. I guess practice makes a difference. That and, I’m guessing, natural dance ability, which Lopez, Joey Lawrence and Emmitt Smith seemed to have.

I still think Ian Ziering is the breakout guy to watch this year. Sure, Joey Fatone is the favorite, considering his boy-band dance background, but I think Ian could win this thing. Steve Sanders, don’t let me down!

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Dancing With the Stars Returns Tonight

Photo: ABC

Get out your scorecards and your sense of humor because Dancing With the Stars returns tonight at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Among the lineup, Cliff Clavin versus a one-legged woman.

It sounds like a plot line from My Name is Earl, but it’s true, Tubers. John Ratzenberger and Heather Mills, former wife of Paul McCartney, are among the participants this season.

The show is expected to be a ratings winner, as in the past. But this year, the addition of Mills has created new buzz. In a commercial for the show, she stated her biggest fear, “My main concerns are keeping my leg on.”

Hers, and ours, too. I hope Bruno, Len, and Carrie Ann are insured against prosthetic limbs.

Tune in tonight to see if Ian Ziering can master jazz hands and how Mills will evade having to point her toes.

For previous stories on Dancing With the Stars, including a look at the complete cast, click here.

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