Dancing With The Stars in 2007
March 7, 2007

by Phillip Stephens
contact: phillip@theplace2dance.com | PhilTex44@aol.com

 

Dancing With The Stars will get underway for the 2007 "Spring Season" on Monday, March 19, 2007. 
As during the past season, I will do my best to record and watch both the performance show on Mondays
and the results show on Tuesdays and then render comments.  (If you are not on our The Dance Place
mailing list and would like to receive the comments about "Dancing With The Stars" and other mailings
of interest, go to our home page and click on the "To get the newsletter, Click Here" link)

 

This information has been circulating for some days now but, in case you haven't had time to "bone up"
on details for the 2007 show, here are some of the facts:


Vincent Pastore has already withdrawn from "Dancing With The Stars"
In the first of what promise to be many surprises in the fourth season of "Dancing with the Stars," 60-year-old actor Vincent Pastore has withdrawn from 
the competition after one week of training.  Said Pastore: "When I initially committed to joining 'Dancing with the Stars,' I didn't realize just how physically 
demanding it would be for me. Unable to put forth my best effort, I felt it appropriate to step aside and give someone else the opportunity," said Pastore. 
"I'd like to thank ABC and the show's producers for inviting me to participate. I wish my partner, Edyta, and the other dancers the best of luck."

Executive producer Conrad Green added: "We're sad that Vincent felt he was unable to continue in the competition, as he would have been great on the 
show -- but we appreciate him standing aside now rather than having to withdraw later. 'Dancing with the Stars' is physically demanding and it pays to 
know your limits. We respect his decision."

'Dancing' adds Cliff from 'Cheers' 
John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Claven on "Cheers" -- and has lent his voice to a number of Pixar films, including both "Toy Story" films and 
"Cars" -- will step in to replace Vincent Pastore, who quit after one week of training.  Ratzenberger, 59, had previously turned down an offer to join the 
cast for the 10-week dance competition because of a scheduling conflict, ABC said Friday. 

The 4th-season cast also includes Olympic skater Apolo Anton Ohno, boxer Laila Ali, former 'N Sync member Joey Fatone, country singer-actor 
Billy Ray Cyrus and Paul McCartney's estranged wife, Heather Mills.

Male Professionals:

Maksim Chmerkovskiy - Laila Ali 
Tony Dovolani  - Leeza Gibbons 
Brian Fortuna - Shandi Finnessey 
Jonathan Roberts  - Heather Mills 
Alec Mazo - Paulina Porizkova

Female Professionals:

Karina Smirnoff - Billy Ray Cyrus 
Elena Grinenko - Clyde Drexler 
Kym Johnson - Joey Fatone 
Julianne Hough  - Apolo Anton Ohno 
Edyta Sliwinska - John Ratzenberger
Cheryl Burke - Ian Ziering