After a summer of TV show re-runs, I’m so glad that quite a few of my favorite shows are starting new seasons this month! House, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Samantha Who?, The Ghost Whisperer, CSI, Boston Legal, and many others.
For those of you who’ve been reading the Plotmonkey blog for a while now know that I LOVE reality shows. Not all of them, but a lot of them. Some of my favorites are: America’s Next Top Model, The bachelor, The Biggest Loser, and American Idol. But one of my top favorite reality shows is Dancing With the Stars — and it’s back with 13 new celebrity dancers! Have you seen the line-up for this season (starting in the third week of September, I believe)? It’s an interesting one! Here’s who agreed to strap on some new dance shows and give it their all:
Warren Sapp and his partner Kym Johnson: Warren is a retired NFL player that played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 and won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003.
Toni Braxton and her partner Alec Mazo: Toni is best known as being a six time Grammy winner and has appeared in Beauty and the Beast and Aida on Broadway. Her single ‘Un-Break My Heart’ is the second biggest single by a female artist in history.
Ted McGinley and his partner Inna Brayer: Ted has starred in several sitcoms, including Married with Children, Hope & Faith, Happy Days and The Love Boat. He is also a frequent guest host on Live With Regis and Kelly. (with former Hope and Faith co-star Kelly Ripa)
Susan Lucci and her partner Tony Dovolani: Susan is probably one of the most famous women in daytime TV–playing the role of the infamous Erica Kane on All My Children, for which she finally won an Emmy for in 1999. She also starred in ‘Annie Get Your Gun,’ has her own skincare, jewelry, fashion and perfume lines and is a familiar face on HSN.
Rocco Di Spirito and his partner Karina Smirnoff: Rocco is a celebrity chef who is known for opening the 3 star Union Pacific in NYC, launching Rocco’s for the show ‘The Restaurant’ and appearances on ‘The Biggest Loser’ and ‘Top Chef.’
Misty May- Treanor and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy: Misty is known for winning the gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics with her partner Kerri Walsh. Misty’s other accomplishments include being the Most Valuable Player in 2005 and 2006, Best Offensive Player in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and Best Defensive Player in 2006.
Maurice Greene and his partner Cheryl Burke: Maurice is best known as being an Olympic gold medalist in the 2000 Summer Olympics and silver and bronze medals for the 2004 Summer Olympics for sprinting.
Lance Bass and his partner Lacey Schwimmer: Lance is best known as being a member of boy band *NSYNC and his movie ‘On The Line,’ which also starred fellow band member and DWTS alum Joey Fatone. Lance is also the author of his memoir ‘Out Of Sync’ and is certified by both the Russian Space Program and NASA for a mission aboard a Soyuz capsule.
Kim Kardashian and her partner Mark Ballas: Kim is an actress and model that stars in her own reality series Keeping Up With The Kardashians with her family.
Jeffery Ross and his partner Edyta Sliwinska: Comedian Jeffrey Ross is known for his performances at the celebrity roasts for stars such as William Shatner, Hugh Hefner, Donald Trump and Pamela Anderson. ‘The Meanest Man In Comedy’ has also guest starred on ‘Weeds’ and CSI and appeared in the movie ‘The Aristicrats.’
Cody Linley and his partner Julianne Hough: Cody will be the youngest contestant ever to compete on Dancing with the Stars at eighteen years old. He is best known for playing Hannah Montana’s boyfriend Jake Ryan on the hit Disney show. He has also appeared in the movies Cheaper By The Dozen and My Dog Skip.
Cloris Leachman and her partner Corky Ballas: Cloris has won nine Emmys, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award in her long legendary career. She has starred Mary Tyler Moore,The Facts Of Life, The Women, Phyllis and Malcolm In The Middle just to name a few!
Brooke Burke and her partner Derek Hough: Brooke is a TV host (Wild On!, Rock Star: INXS, Rock Star: Supernova) model, entrepreneur and celebrity mom. She is also known as being ranked as one of the sexiest women in the world by several men’s magazines.
Like I said . . . a very interesting line-up! Personally, I’m rooting for Susan Lucci, Lance Bass, and Rocco Di Spirito.
So, are you a Dancing With the Stars fan? If so, who are you rooting for? What do you think of this season’s stable of celebrity dancers?
And if you’re not a fan of Dancing With the Stars, what TV show/series are you most looking forward to starting this Fall?
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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I love this show! I was so glad when Kristy won last time, so I hope another woman does it again this time. I will reserve judgment on who is my favorite until I see them all in action.
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I’ve actually never watched DWTS, but might give it a try this year. I’ll have to see if my tivo can handle the recording of the other shows I watch on that night. I love Susan Lucci and Lance Bass.
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Without a doubt, Susan Lucci and Cloris Leachman (her age!! Wow!!). I love La Lucci.
And MAX IS BACK!!!!! WOO-HOO!!! (can you tell I love the show?) This and Idol are the two that I always watch, along with America’s Got Talent in the summer.
I have a group of us who I do an email for nightly during DWTS. Many of them live on the West Coast, so they get to know what happened before they watch the show. Cheaters!!
Bones starts Wednesday night too. I can’t wait!!
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And True Blood starts Sunday night. I am looking forward to their interpertations of the books.
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I know, Max is back! I love DWTS…I think Misty May and La Lucci have great shots.
The others, not so sure about. Iwill have to see.
I cannot WAIT until ANTM on Wednesday. I need a show! It’s back in LA.
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Janelle I am a REALITY TV JUNKIE big time I think I watch half of the shows that are on VH1 & MTV on top of what I watch on the other channels. Survivor and Amazing Race are going to start also. I am watching Big Brother now.
I am so happy Prision Break starts again tonight, but I think I will have to watch it in between One Tree Hill or Gossip Girl. All summer long NOTHING on tv, but as soon as Fall starts I have to watch shows in between shows. I saw the commercial last night for CSI boo hoo
I can’t wait for DWTS I don’t have a favorite yet. I am just wondering how Toni Braxton is going to dance when she has a heart condition I know she had to cancel her tour. maybe her Dr. gave her the o.k.
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Uh…Since I used to love N*Sync…I’m kinda rooting for Lance! lol
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:flower4you: I love DWTS but Kim Kardashian?
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Kim hurt her foot a week or so ago. Should be interesting….
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I’ve never watched Dancing with the Stars but I do love Susan Lucci and Chloris Leachman! How fabulous that they have such a wide age-span of contestants!
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I never watch reality shows. I have occasionally tuned in to DWTS for about 5 minutes or so. I remember seeing Marie Osmond faint. I love Susan Lucci and Cloris Leachman as well. It would be really great if one of them won because they are older women like me.
I am really looking forward to House, CSI, Ghost Hunters. The Closer and Burn Notice two of my favs will be ending soon…too bad. I’ll be interested to see what new shows might be in the line up.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Labor Day,
Cher
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I love DWTS. Because of my huge crush on Maks so I will be rooting for Misty May-Treanor and Mark is coming in a close second for my affection so I will be routing for Kim Kardashian.
I also love America’s Next Top Model, but don’t watch Idol until they get down to the final ten. LOL I am that person who hates all the auditions.
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Looking forward to my own worst enemy and eleventh hour.
Always fun to see something new. I love dancing with the stars and
hmmm, not picking a favorite just yet. Is moonlight coming back or not?
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Carly
Zoey wants to know how Bailey is doing???
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Heck it isn’t Friday so what the heck…3rd post…
Leslie and Julie, I know your busy writing and that is a good thing but
those web sites need updating.
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Janelle.
Just finished The Ultimate Seduction and Seductive Fantasy.
Just loved them. Not too many of your book I haven’t read now.
I am hunting for them all. Hugs…
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I love the show and I don’t really have a favorite yet
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I’m going to root for Cloris. She’s been around forever! Loved her on MTM and Phyllis as well as all the Mel Brooks movies.. She has had a great career and seems like a very nice person in interviews.
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Margay — I’m so happy that Max is back, too!!! And for those of you who watched SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE last year, Lacey Schwimmer is now a dancer/choreographer on DWTS! She’s going to be paired up with Lance Bass! :banana:
Katie — I can’t wait for Top Model on Wednesday, too!!! I love that show.
Cherylann — My kids have totally gotten me hooked on some of the reality shows on MTV, LOL. :giggle:
Karen B — Yeah, I winced at seeing Kim Kardashian’s name on the rooster. To me, that’s like putting Paris Hilton on the show. :doh:
Jeannie — I LOVE Christian Slater and can’t wait to watch his new TV show, MY OWN WORST ENEMY. The previews look great! I heard that Moonlight was cancelled — BOO HOO!!!
Jeannie — So glad you enjoyed ULTIMATE SEDUCTION and SEDUCTIVE FANTASY!
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Oh interesting – I didn’t know all of the cast. I do like Dancing with the Stars – but I think I’m most excited for Eli Stone. I started liking it less near the end of the season but… it was still good.
For some reason I tend to gravitate towards the ABC shows on primetime.
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I have never seen DWTS
In fact, I don’t watch any reality shows because they’re so…..real! 
Remember, I’m an end reader, can’t stand suspence and can’t stand to see people have their feelings hurt. Pretty much knocks out reality shows for me!
In fact, the only thing I ever really watch on TV is NASCAR. Sort of goes agains the “suspence-watching-people-get-their-feelings-hurt” thing I said above, and sometimes I do get really cranky if the race is really close and my guy is leading or closing in from 2nd. But I try to maintain my composure!
Happy Labor Day and prayers and good wishes going out to everyone in the gulf region having to deal with Gustav.
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Janelle,
There is a new one coming out I forgot if it was on VH1 or MTV and Sharon Osbourne is the host I think it is going to be like the show that mo’Nique had Charm School I said to my son OH ON not another show to get hooked on :giggle:
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Janelle…I haven’t had a chance to email you back…I still want to get together….Let me get my September sorted out….tomorrow is school for everyone, YEY!
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:yikes: :yikes:I hope that everyone in Gustav, Hanna and Ike’s path stay ‘safe and warm” as my niece used to say…you have all been in my prayers and thoughts. I have been very worried!
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Katie — Is summer here in Oregon already over? It’s been in the low 60′s this past week and I’m already wearing fleece! :giggle: Not that I’m complaining — my family in California is still experiencing 90-100 degree weather!!! 8O
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Thanks for the great info on the line up for DWTS. Love the show, hate to miss any of it. I’m so glad Max is back, that man has sex appeal!!!
Susan Lucci is lucky to be paired with Tony as he has won championships. PBS has the Ballroom Dancing Championships on every year. Tony won Latin division, I think!!
TV is just the pits right now & with the moving I have no idea where my DVD from Netflix is???!!! If I get a chance I may look for it tonight. It would be nice to just sit & be entertained. The programs I am looking forward to seeing Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Brothers & Sisters, NCIS, Dirty Sexy Money there are others but at the moment that is all the brain is recalling!!
Janelle, you moved much farther from one state to another but this move is about to do me in!! My age is showing, Tylenol wasn’t working well enough so today I switched to Aleve!! My hands hurt, my hands are a mess, no fingernails left & I’m not done. Soon though. I am going back over there in awhile. I needed more water & a break.
Good subject to start off September. Hope everyone had a good weekend. Stay safe if Gustav comes your way or any other nasty storm. I haven’t been seeing the news so I am a bit out of touch.
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Donna — moving is hell on your body, that’s for sure! It’s good that you can do it a little at a time. Hang in there! :hug2:
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Love DWTS!! I don’t care who wins, as long as we get to see lots, and lots of Max!!
Lu
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I LOOOVE Dancing with the Stars. It is my favorite show. I am not too thrilled with the choices for the stars this year. They will grow on me I am sure. Want to see Cloris and Ted.
I will miss my Christiane – he was some eye candy!!!
:monkee2: 
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I like DWTS but I have to see that first show before I’ll have any idea of the person I’d like to see win. No one stands out for me from the list.
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dont wathc much. i love monk 100th eposicde, law order suv, girls next door. and game shows. Football!!
