I’ve seen a number of different possible scenarios for Paula on Season 10, in addition to the possibility of her competing. The way that TMZ worded their article, I assumed they wanted her as a contestant. However, I’ve seen some assume she would be on as a Judge. I’ve also, since Sam quit, seen quite a few people state that it seems obvious that Paula would take Sam’s place – including Annie Barrett from Entertainment Weekly (via Twitter).

What is the likelihood of either scenario?? Well, considering that Paula was supposedly offered 1 million dollars, I have to believe that it’s either for competing or judging and that if it’s judging it’s one season only. Paula made many times that on American Idol, so she doesn’t need the work, plus that number seems too low!! Additionally, I have to think that hosting with Tom Bergeron would be a step down, in her mind, from judging on American Idol (and possibly, now, X-Factor). Also, since one million dollars is far above what I’ve heard the most popular celebs have made on that show, I’m starting to lean towards her being the fourth judge. Since the British version of DWTS has four judges on a regular basis, this isn’t out of the question. She would definitely add a different judging element to the show and, frankly, she’s every bit as qualified as Carrie Ann and Bruno, maybe more so. That’s why I’m so opposed to her being a contestant. I think I actually wouldn’t mind seeing her on as a fourth judge. AND, a fourth judge would mean less filler on a two hour performance show when only 12 couples are dancing.

So…contestant, judge or host? Your vote? Mine is for judge, definitely not for either contestant or host. Tom is awesome enough – add in Drew or maybe Brooke Burke. Heck, even Melissa Rycroft!

So, I found this article in the Mirror Online, which is a UK paper (Tabloid?), and had to share it. As most of you know, Len and Bruno also judge Strictly Come Dancing which is the British version of Dancing with the Stars. SCD is the original version of DWTS and as you saw from the pictures I posted that Derek took last week when he visited the set, they mirror each other fairly closely (although we have better pros ). Anyway, Len and Bruno are very good friends and extremely hilarious – you have to read the entire article, it’s a scream. If you never do anything other than watch DWTS on TV and visit this site from time to time, you would never know that Len was so flippin’ hilarious. You already know about Bruno, I’m sure. Some excerpts are below.

Strictly best friends
By Beth Neil 12/12/2009

ODD COUPLE REVEAL WHY THEY’RE A PERFECT MATCH

One is a fired-up Italian. The other is a twinkly-eyed Englishman.

They couldn’t be more different, but Strictly Come Dancing’s Len Goodman, 65, and Bruno Tonioli, 54, are the best of pals.

Q What is your first memory of the other?

Len: Bruno wasn’t the gregarious character we know now. He didn’t burst forth until we started doing the American show where there’s a lot more shouting and screaming.

Bruno: I thought he was very posh and distinguished – then he opened his mouth. It didn’t take long for us to start laughing our heads off because we’ve got the same wicked sense of humour. We had an instant understanding.

Q What is your best memory of a night out together?

Len: When we’re over in the States for 11 weeks during the spring we’ll go to the pictures together or out for a pizza and we always have a great time.

Bruno: There was one where he got absolutely paralytic. We were in America and they started serving cocktails. Len was bouncing off the walls. It was so hysterical I nearly p***** myself.

Q Who’s the best drinker?

Len: Neither of us. The cheapest dates in the world, me and Bruno.We’re half-cut when we’re sober so it doesn’t take much to tip us over the edge.

Bruno: We’re both as bad as each other.

Q Which of you is the best-looking?

Len: I’m a natural beauty, but Bruno relies on cosmetics to bring him up to my standards. He’s a gym fanatic and for his age he’s got a good, firm body. But he loves to show it off. Any excuse to whip his T-shirt up and display his pectorals. When we’re in LA he sits out in his under shorts with his nuts and bolts exploding out of his blimmin’ Y-fronts. It’s not a pleasant sight.

Bruno: Well me, of course. I’m younger and sexier. Len needs to go to the gym because he’s putting on a bit of a belly. I’m going to make him come to the gym with me every day when we go back to America. He’s going to look like Schwarzenegger.

I found a lengthy article on Season 9 at Daemon’s TV - a site I’ve not previously heard of. As far as I remember. Anyway, they have a bunch of new pictures, including some of Lacey Schwimmer and Mark Decascos – see below. In addition, they also have some information that I’ve not seen before  for this season which actually concerns me a bit. They say that there will be another pro competition for a spot on the show. As you know, we have more pros than we (normally) have celebrities.  I don’t know that we need to add more – although some of the older ones are getting  a bit stale, plus I would not be at all surprised to find that Derek and Mark need a season off. This will be their fifth in a row, in addition to multiple tours and peforming with their band, the Ballas Hough Band. Even at the young age of 24 and 23, respectively, that is a LOT of work.  I guess we’ll find out if this is true in a couple weeks.

Some excerpts from the article:

Following is the schedule for Season Nine (dates and times subject to change):

* “Dancing with the Stars,” two-hour performance show, MONDAYS beginning, SEPTEMBER 21 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) through NOVEMBER 16

* “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show,” one-hour, TUESDAYS beginning, SEPTEMBER 29 (9:00 -10:00 p.m., ET) through NOVEMBER 17

* “Dancing with the Stars,” 90-minute performance show, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23 (8:30-10:00 p.m., ET)

* Season Finale, two-hours, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET)

“Dancing with the Stars” returns with new surprises and all the elements viewers have come to know and love, including the Pro Dancer Competition, where world class professional dancers have the opportunity to compete live on the “Results Show” for a guaranteed spot on next season’s show. “Macy’s Stars of Dance,” which features some of the most renowned dancers and choreographers of our time, will also be back on “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show.” One of the Macy’s Stars of Dance performances will be the hugely popular “Design-a-Dance,” where fans have the chance to select their favorite professional dancers, dance styles and wardrobe at www.abc.com. In addition, couples will once again take part in a team formation dance, and a variety of new elements will be incorporated into routines involving all couples. Four new dance styles — the Bolero, the Charleston, the Two Step and the Lambada — are also going to be introduced. The middle stages of the competition feature the return of the “Dance Off,” where contestants will perform a dance style of their choosing to fight for their spot in the competition, and three consecutive double eliminations promise the most dramatic period of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Be sure to click the link above as there is more to the article and many more pictures than what I’ve posted here.

Videos I hadn’t seen before…which doesn’t mean they’re new, just that I hadn’t seen them before.

These are cool – the Paley Center panel on DWTS. I had posted a couple of these before, but I hadn’t seen quite a few of them:

Conrad Green on Casting Stars

Judges on the Shows encouraging of Dancers

Jane Seymore and Drew Lachey on Dancing

Len Goodman on Constructive Criticism

Co-hosts on the evolution of hosting

Hosts and Dancers on Relationships

Dancers on Best/Worst Costumes

Drew Lachey on dancers getting hurt

Dancers on choosing costumes

If you let the video play to the end and then the next videos come up automatically, there are interviews with all of the Season 8 stars and pros – more that I had never seen before.   A cute one with Shawn Johnson. It appears there is one for each star for week one and week two.

ABC had a series of commercials last night that featured a lot of the stars from their biggests TV Shows. One in particular included stars from Desperate Housewives, Lost, Super Nanny, Extreme Makeover Home Edition…I’m sure I’m forgetting some. Several stars from DWTS were included, such as Derek Hough, Karina Schmirnoff, Tom Bergeron, Carrie Ann Innaba and Bruno Tonioli. Very cute and funny.

Part 3 – The Pros and the Hookups

Part 4 – The Injuries and….Bruno

Check out the music from the Dancing with the Stars result show where Pussycat Dolls performed.

Pussycat Dolls feat. Missy Elliott sang and danced to the song “Whatcha Think About That” on Dancing with the Stars

– Original Music Video

13 & 11 Junior Ballroom Dance Competition
Craig & Samantha danced a Cha-Cha-Cha to the song “Play”—Christina Milian

13 & 13 Junior Ballroom Dance Competition
Simon & Lucy danced a Samba to the song “Steal My Sunshine”—Len

– Original Music Video

Carrie Ann Inaba, Michael Flatley & Bruno Tonioli all voted for Craig and Samantha