"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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61. Toni Braxton=yawn. I would much rather see fiesty Cloris..she's awesome!!

Posted at 1:15PM on Aug 9th 2008 by mary

62. I think Cloris Leachman would have been a wonderful choice. She could have shown the world that 82 isn't dead...she can still be vibrant and active. I would have watched and voted for Cloris if she was on the show. I think replacing her with Toni is just wrong. Bring back Cloris...we want Cloris....add some variety to your show...

Posted at 1:31PM on Aug 9th 2008 by Nudcguy

63. I would think that someone with a heart condition (Ms Braxton) would not be allowed on the show. These people work very hard. There's lots of stress and lots of sweat. If she is truly on, I'll pray for her.

Posted at 1:42PM on Aug 9th 2008 by P

64. Truth is that Cloris accepted a major movie role to be shot in Europe...right in the middle of the DWTS schedule...and when the DWTS producers were informed, they axed Cloris. Giving Cloris a couple of weeks off to shoot a movie would have severely complicated their own schedule. Not quite fair that this is being played as if Cloris was rejected or passed over. Not quite fair.

Posted at 1:49PM on Aug 9th 2008 by insideinfo

65. I see the bible thumping gay bashers were allowed on the computer today. Get a life and let everyone else have theirs. What if your child was born gay?....Would you turn them off also? How sad!

Posted at 1:48PM on Aug 9th 2008 by Lyndsey45

66. Just for Ha,Ha's. I would love to see "Carrot Top" (The Vegas prop comedian) on DWTS, but please whatever DWTS decide I hope I never ever see " Kathy Lee Giffford" formerly from (Live with Regis & Kathy Lee). I was THRILLED when she left "Regis" but some ignoramus producer had to put her back on the air doing some atrocious segment on a morning show. I sleep in now because I'm in mourning over morning television!!!...LOL... :)

Posted at 3:27PM on Aug 9th 2008 by Katie Mae

67. My child reciently worked with Cloris Leachman on a movie. She has the mouth of a sailor and is off her rocker. She's going downhill fast and it's sad to say, doesn't belong in front of a camera anymore. Her daughter has to be by her side 24/7 to help her. She wouldn't be able to remember the steps to the dance! Waaaaayyyyy too old for the show!

Posted at 1:57PM on Aug 9th 2008 by dancing queen

68. Hey RON............... AND I SO SO TIRED of your CHOCIE of a lifetstyle of CHOOSING to be hetero.. SO TIRED of you heteros on tvs and movies..raping... CHEATINg on your spouses..... even having sex wit your very own daughters... shame on you RON you hetero. You cmae to earth ONLY to overpopulate and then screw your daughter. You, being a hetro is SO MORALLY corrupt, and I hope whatever GOD you beleive in sends you THE OTHER WAY. Hetero males..NEVER EVER EVER accomplished LOVE on this planet..BUT ONLY the promotion of hatred... and raping women. Go back to screwing your daughter!!!!

Posted at 2:06PM on Aug 9th 2008 by Chad

69. WOW... you can tell Hey RON is A CLOSET CASE GAY MAN... The more a person comes out with gay hatred... THEY ARE GAY THEMSELVES...and could NOT deal with it... so they attack it........ RON... go down the drains with senator Craig , Ted Haggard and the rest of your fan club. WHY DID GOD CREATE you.. WHAT was HIS purpose...??? I SEE NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 2:07PM on Aug 9th 2008 by Chad

70. From my observations Dancing with the stars has been a stepping stone for sagging careers or people that need to retire and just go away but don;t seem to be able to retire gracefully.
The only few that have been interesting were Apollo Anton Ono and Helio Cast . They made the show riveting to watch.
The last seasons show was just awful !

Posted at 2:04AM on Aug 16th 2008 by Marney1two

71. SORRY I OFFENDED SO MANY PEOPLE, I NEVER SAID I HATED GAYS. IJUST SAID WE ALL HAVE CHOICES

IF MY CHILDREN WERE GAY I WOULD LOVE THEM WITH ALL MY HEART BUT I STILL DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT THEIR LIFE STYLE ITS AMERICA AND WE ALL HAVE OPINIONS. I MAY NOT LIKE YOURS AND YOU MAY NOT LIKE MINE

Posted at 2:26PM on Aug 9th 2008 by RON

72. I agree with what many of you have already said some of the older stars need to retire gracefully and go away.
But from my observations it seems that Dancing with the stars has become more like Dancing with the has beens.

Posted at 2:31PM on Aug 9th 2008 by Marney1two

73. #9 - Learn how to spell and take a class in English before you put down an elderly person who is probably 100% smarter then you, even at her age!!!

Posted at 2:33PM on Aug 9th 2008 by Cindy

74. I don't know about any of you, but I don't want to see anyone drop dead from a heart attack on a tv show, or anywhere else for that matter!! Having heart problems isn't the same as a disability. I love the show... hope they reconsider who they have on this year.

Posted at 2:42PM on Aug 9th 2008 by Cindy

75. JOHN T....#37. I THINK IT'S AMAZING THAT YOU WILL NEVER GET OLD!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 3:29PM on Aug 9th 2008 by Critic

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