The most popular series on ABC returns at 7 p.m. Monday (KMGH-Channel 7), and the Disney-owned network needs the ratings lift from “Dancing With the Stars.”
The producers have enlisted a wide range of celebrities from rapper Lil’ Kim to Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to gymnast Shawn Johnson.
Executive producer Conrad Green provides a preview:
• Who are the front-runners? Olympic gold-medalist Johnson and “Access Hollywood” co-anchor Nancy O’Dell.
Johnson is a quick study who is picking up ballroom quickly, Green said. She is paired with former champ Mark Ballas, who can do a back flip. “They’ll be pushing the envelope physically,” Green said.
O’Dell has incredible long legs. “When she extends, she looks regal, glamorous, elegant,” Green said.
• Who is being challenged? Football great Lawrence Taylor.
“I think he was completely thrown by it,” Green said. “He hadn’t watched the show much. He just thought it’d be fun.” Green says the contest is going to be difficult for Taylor, although he has trained more than any other football player at this stage.
Belinda Carlisle of The Go-Go’s has had an issue getting dizzy during the waltz. “Can she get through the routine without throwing up on live television?” Green asked. “That’s a first I’d rather not have.”
• Who’s the Cloris Leachman in this bunch?
The Oscar-winner generated headlines with her antics. This time around, the show has reality star Steve-O. “He’s so crazy. It’s a family show, but he’s sobered up,” Green said.
Funnyman David Alan Grier will perform well and carry the audience along with him, Green predicted. Dancing doesn’t come naturally for Wozniak, but Green called him “a sincere, lovely bloke.”
• What about injuries? Singer Jewel hurt her knee while training.
“She will be able to perform,” Green said. “Her doctors told her not to overdo it. She was working eight hours a day. Her husband was telling her, ‘You’ve got to calm down, love.’ ” Her husband is rodeo star Ty Murray, who is also competing. “You can’t get more masculine and cowboy than Ty,” Green said. “This is very fish out of water.”
• Rapper Lil’ Kim will be with reigning champ Derek Hough.
Green called her funny and upbeat. Their routines? Dynamite, Green said.
Actress Denise Richards asked to be paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. “They’ve got great chemistry,” Green said. “I’m hoping she’ll really be good. The difficult thing for her has been balance and finesse.”
