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Reality Show Stars Now Going 'Dancing'

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 10, 2009

Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend Holly Madison and "The Bachelor" reject Melissa Rycroft each have a new potential love in their lives: "Dancing With the Stars."

The two reality stars were last-minute additions to the ABC dance-off, replacing injured contestants Jewel and Nancy O'Dell on Monday's season premiere.

Madison, a star of "The Girls Next Door" and four-time Playboy cover model, replaced Jewel, who suffered fractures in both legs during preshow training. Madison spent five days rehearsing with the singer's professional partner, Dmitry Chaplin.

The pair earned 18 out of 30 points from the judges for their cha-cha. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba told Madison not to be discouraged, but described her as "kind of like a newborn deer right now with wobbly legs."

That wasn't the case for Rycroft, who began rehearsing Saturday. Though Tom Bergeron noted that she was "the performer with the least amount of training in the history of the show," Rycroft's past dance experience helped her and professional partner Tony Dovolani earn 23 points for their waltz.

Bruno Tonioli called her "a revelation."

"I don't know that 'Bachelor' guy, but he's a loser," he said.

Gilles Marini was the top dancer Monday, scoring 24 points for his cha-cha with partner Cheryl Burke.

Obama: Nation Owes Debt To Reeve

President Barack Obama paid tribute to the late actor Christopher Reeve, who emerged as an advocate for embryonic stem-cell research after he was paralyzed in a horseback riding accident.

In lifting the ban on federal funds for stem-cell research, Obama said Monday the nation owes a debt of gratitude to people like Reeve, who with his wife, Dana, created a foundation dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries.

Obama recounted Christopher Reeve's fighting spirit, efforts to regain the ability to walk and upbeat outlook.

Obama said he wished Reeve and his wife, who both died earlier this decade, could have been at the White House on Monday to witness the event.

Stewart's Puppy Dies In Explosion

Martha Stewart's chow puppy was one of 17 dogs killed in an accidental propane explosion at an eastern Pennsylvania kennel.

The domestic maven wrote on her blog that she was "deeply saddened" by the death of her dog, Ghengis Khan, in Friday's blast at Pazzazz Pet Boarding, a kennel in the Pocono Mountains that breeds and trains show dogs.

Fifteen dogs were killed in the explosion, and two more died over the weekend.

Today's Birthdays

Actor Chuck Norris is 69. Actress Sharon Stone is 51. Rock musician Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam) is 46. Music producer Rick Rubin is 46. Britain's Prince Edward is 45. Actor Jon Hamm ("Mad Men") is 38. Rapper-producer Timbaland is 37. Singer Robin Thicke is 32. Country singer Carrie Underwood is 26.

Source: The Associated Press

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