"Dancing with the Stars" is getting some old school indie film cred-- along with an Osbourne, and Osmond and a former GOP bigwig.
ABC today announced the 16 celebrities who've signed on for the upcoming season of "Dancing with the Stars," and as always, it's a diverse bunch featuring names both instantly recognizable (Aaron Carter, Donny Osmond, Kelly Osbourne, Macy Gray, Debi Mazar, Kathy Ireland, Michael Irvin) and a bit more obscure (Louie Vito, Mark Dacascos).
The oddest choice: Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a k a "The Hammer." No word on whether he'll be spreading anti-health care reform diatribes between cha-cha-chas, but MoveOn.org will no doubt be watching closely.
Meanwhile, Mazar is the indie film darling waltzing into the reality arena. While she went mainstream years ago (she's in "Entourage" after all), Mazar will always be something of a small film darling thanks to her work in films such as "Empire Records," "Jungle Fever" and "Inside Monkey Zetterland."
While there was never any credible evidence to suggest that Paula Abdul was being considered as a contestant on "DWTS" this season-- a judge is what makes the most sense-- we feel obligated to note that she's not on the list of participants.
"DWTS" returns Monday, Sept. 21 and will air two-hour episodes on Mondays (8-10 p.m.) and a one-hour results show on Tuesdays.
The biggest news of the day is buried deep in ABC's release: Among the new dance styles being introduced this season on "DWTS" is the Lambada. Guess it's no longer forbidden.
Per ABC, here are this season's dancers and their network-approved bios:
AARON CARTER -- Triple platinum selling music artist/songwriter, producer, actor and younger brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter, Aaron Carter has established himself worldwide as a pop and teen sensation. Beginning his career at the age of eight, he is currently the youngest solo artist to have four Top 40 singles. He has released four studio albums since 1997, two of which have been certified platinum, and has appeared on several television series, including "Lizzie McGuire" and "7th Heaven," as well as making his Broadway debut playing JoJo the Who in "Seussical the Musical" in 2001. He sang vocals on soundtracks for Disneymania ("The Lion King"), "Ella Enchanted," "Pokemon" and "Rugrats the Movie." In 2006 Carter starred in the E! reality show, "House of Carters," which featured all five of the Carter siblings living in the same house.
NATALIE COUGHLIN -- Olympic swimming gold medalist Natalie Coughlin is the most decorated female athlete of both the 2008 Beijing and 2004 Athens Games. Coughlin has won a medal in every single Olympic event that she has ever entered, for a total of 11 Olympic medals. In 2008 she became the first American female athlete to win six medals in one Olympiad, in addition to becoming the first woman to win consecutive individual Olympic gold medals in the 100m backstroke. She is also the most decorated female swimmer in World Championship history, with 16 medals.
