"Dancing" Dumps Old Cloris for Heartache Toni

For "Dancing with the Stars," heart trouble makes for a better handicap than old age.

82-year-old Oscar-winner Cloris Leachman was originally courted by "DWTS" honchos, we've learned, because they needed someone for the "disability" slot -- think Heather Mills (one leg) or Marlee Maltin (deaf). They figured her age would fit the bill -- until they got Toni Braxton, who has a heart condition, to sign on, as TMZ first told you. That's when they put Cloris' dancing shoes ... six feet under.

Launch photosBTW: We also hear "DWTS" peeps are over the moon that Jewel and rodeo dude Ty Murray -- who are both in the mix for next season -- just eloped in the Bahamas, because the whole boyfriend versus girlfriend storyline they wanted to exploit just got amped up to husband-wife. And we know how married couples can get.

And get this: The Lance Bass rumors? Half true. Yes, he''s definitely on, but no, he won't mambo with a man.

An ABC rep tells TMZ, "We don't comment on casting rumors, but the official cast will be announced on August 25th on ''Good Morning America.'"



Tags: Cloris Leachman, ClorisLeachman, contestants, Dancing with the Stars, DancingWithTheStars, DWTS, Toni Braxton, ToniBraxton

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(Page 3 of 6) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. Come to think of it, was Valerie Harper ever on this show?

Anyway, I hear now that little Bess is just heartbroken that her mother will not become a TV star after all. I don't know if Lars would have approved of her dancing with strange men, though. (that hypocrite, after he ran off that one night with Sue Ann Nivens!)

Posted at 10:40AM on Aug 9th 2008 by James

32. She was "ONLY" 82? If there was EVER a celebrity for the surgeons expertise............ she's it. How does Mary Tyler Moore do it? I wonder.

Posted at 10:30AM on Aug 9th 2008 by Mark

33. I love Toni Braxton singing. BUT DWTS should not have anyone on the show who has serious medical problems. All the constant work to learn dance routines, long hours will put a strain on anyone's heart without a heart condition. Toni we love you but not a good decision. God forbid if you collaspe during rehersals or on the live show during your proformance. Having one leg or being deaf is one thing but not your heart.

Posted at 10:33AM on Aug 9th 2008 by mottersnd2

34. If they don't get a few hot personalities and hot bodies onboard
for this season they can bury the show.

Posted at 10:36AM on Aug 9th 2008 by gft

35. This is just another case of jump on the BLACK black bandwagon, hollywooood is god for

Posted at 10:37AM on Aug 9th 2008 by sam

36. She needs to get kicked out before she breaks a hip.

Posted at 1:09PM on Aug 9th 2008 by enzyte male enhancement

37. IF LANCE IS ON DWTS I WILL NOT BE WATCHING. I LOVE THE SHOW, MY FAMILY LOVES IT .
I TIRED OF THE GAY LIFESTYLE BEING SHOVED DOWN OUR THROATS. IF THE GAYS LOVE GOD THEY WOULD GIVE UP A LIFE STYLE THAT THEY KNOW IS WRONG. MAN WAS MADE FOR WOMAN AND WOMAN FOR MAN
YOU SHOW GREATER LOVE FOR GOD WHEN YOU GIVE UP WHAT YOU KNOW IS WRONG. GAY IS WRONG

Posted at 10:44AM on Aug 9th 2008 by RON

38. You know who should be on this? Chris "Corky" Burke. I'm serious. If they really want credit for representing the handicapped on this show, why not the mental ones too? It would give good attention to the issues of Down's syndrome and other similar disabilities.

Posted at 11:09AM on Aug 9th 2008 by James

39. Cloris Leachman was wrinkled and ugly at age 40. No one wants to see her drooping wrinked body on the show including me...Had she been chosen, The show would not have been on in this house.

Posted at 10:50AM on Aug 9th 2008 by John T

40. Put Cloris back on and dump the other.

Posted at 10:57AM on Aug 9th 2008 by Sue

41. Stacy, it was Harry not Larry!

Posted at 11:49AM on Aug 9th 2008 by Bre

42. RON...God also forgives, not punishes...even when we are "wrong." So even if being gay is such a sin, He will still accept them all the same. And so should we.

Posted at 11:13AM on Aug 9th 2008 by James

43. Ageist society is ageist.

Posted at 12:26PM on Aug 9th 2008 by James

44. i think cheryl ladd , who had her own variety specials singing and dancing in the 70's, would be a wonderful addition to dwts...at 57 she is still very beautiful and highly underrated as and actress....immense talent and a true angel!

Posted at 12:15PM on Aug 9th 2008 by john

45. #14 Then you don't want Kelly Ripa. She GRUNTS half the time instead of talking. I've considered e-mailing the show about her but figure it's just best if I turn it off.

Regis: This was a really great movie.
Kelly: Unnnnn!
Regis: I really liked his performance.
Kelly: Unnnnnnnn!

Get a vocabulary or get off.

DWTS has threatened us with Florence Henderson. That is when I quit watching. Just grew to dislike her very much.

Posted at 11:43AM on Aug 9th 2008 by Sharon

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