Executive Producer Conrad Green Speaks Out About The New Cast Of Dancing With With The Stars Season 16

The Executive Producer of Dancing With The Stars, Conrad Green, wants to make up for lower ratings that the show has had last season. Below is what he tells TV Guide on his thoughts about building the new cast…

“For us to have someone who was a game changer on the Super Bowl is great fun,” says executive producer Conrad Green.

“[Hamill] has got such a place of affection in America’s heart,” he says. “I think everyone will love to see her performing again.” But she’d better watch out: She’s going up against another Olympic gold medalist: Aly Raisman, 18, captain of the 2012 U.S. gymnastics team.

Judd, who has been open about her lifelong struggle with her weight, told Green that she’s looking forward to getting toned by throwing herself into training. “I think every woman in America can relate to Wynonna,” he says. She’ll have to outshine another singer, 26-year-old Kellie Picker, the show’s first American Idol alum.

Adding comic relief, and possibly some great hoofing, will be D.L. Hughley, 49, and Andy Dick, 47. “Andy said that, in high school, he won a dance competition,” Green says.

He’ll still have to slug it out with boxing great Victor Ortiz, 26; former General Hospital heartthrob Ingo Rademacher, 41; Disney star Zendaya Coleman, 16; and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Lisa Vanderpump, 52.

Is Green hoping to get a better table at one of Vanderpump’s tony restaurants? “That’s really all this is about,” he jokes. “To make sure we get good reservations.”

In my opinion, they have scored with this new cast and the changes we’ve seen so far, but, we’ll see. Lots more at TV Guide. Be sure you see all the featured links.