"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 6 of 6) Previous 15 Comments

76. Toni Braxton = beautiful talented woman. Yay! Can't wait for that new cd.

Posted at 3:47PM on Aug 10th 2008 by Jay

77. I don't understand why so many people are up in arms about Lance being on the show. So what if he's gay? It's not like ABC is going to have him waving a rainbow flag with sequins telling people "gay is the way". ABC isn't shoving the homosexual life style down anyone's throat, they simply don't believe in chasing people around with pitchforks. Some stars actually ask ABC for the chance to be on DWTS (this may have happened considering Joey was in Nsync) so what were the producers suppose to say "sorry you can't play because you're gay"? For them it's about ratings and some people may watch because they were a Nsync fan, some may watch to see how good Lance is as a dancer and some may watch to see if he can fake some steamy chemistry with a female dancer. So for ABC casting Lance seemed to be a good idea.

I also find it funny that people keep saying that Lance being on is upsetting because DWTS is a family show. So women dancing in very revealing clothing (which I'm totally fine with) is okay but showing tolerance for someone's beliefs even if they differ from yours is not okay?...
Maybe it's just me, maybe I just think that passing judgment on someone really isn't my job. I certainly don't have the qualifications for it, not being God or a god and all. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, so I suggest some of you keep those rocks in your pockets.

Posted at 12:09PM on Aug 11th 2008 by Classic Comedy

78. okay karen, why are you dissing cloris leachman? so what if shes old who cares she still alive so why cant she do the show? shes sucha grest actess and shes won so many awards and your treating her like shes nothing, shes not your the nothing

Posted at 11:14AM on Sep 1st 2008 by sharon

79. no need to remembermy personal info, after watching last night. When you put Cloris on must mean you have lost all your senses. Looks like I will be watching history channel. Thanks a lot for nothing Don

Posted at 10:19PM on Sep 23rd 2008 by Don Tuck

80. Get Cloris OFF. She stinks at dancing. It was terrible last night that someone who could dance got put off and she stayed on. She is not funny either. I always loved the show, never missed one. But your going down hill with music too. It's suppose to be ballroom dancing and music. Not RAP. It's a wonder some people can't dance to some of this crap. It doesn't have a dance beat.Come on and get back to shows like the first few.

Posted at 3:34PM on Sep 26th 2008 by Karla dering

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