Las Vegas Weekly

September 21, 2009 · 12:06 PM

Donny and Chuck are ready to do battle on Dancing With the Stars

By Robin Leach

Anna Trebunskaya and Chuck Liddell.

Photo: ABC TV

For the first time tonight, a record 16 celebrity contestants will attempt to showcase their dancing skills on Season 9 of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars -- and two of them will immediately be axed 48 hours later!

The entire group met up together in Hollywood yesterday afternoon for the first time, too, and faces two sets of dress rehearsals today before the live, two-hour telecast gets underway at 8 p.m. on the East Coast. We’ll be keeping a special eye on Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond, UFC fighter Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and regular Las Vegas visitor Kelly Osbourne for our spoiler alert story right here at Vegas DeLuxe moments after the satellite feed ends.

Tomorrow morning, we’ll have the first set of dance-action photos. Look for Donny’s wife Debbie to be there in the front row cheering him on. Marie Osmond has promised to show up in support of her brother during the run of the show as Donny competes for the big win.

Photo: ABC TV

Kym Johnson and Donny Osmond.

The 16 couples will dance tonight and tomorrow for the judges’ scorecards. Then on Wednesday’s results show, in addition to a performance by Sean Kingston, the contestants will perform tribute numbers to the late Patrick Swayze from his movies -- but not for judges’ voting. I’m told all 16 will get a shot at showing their interpretation of Dirty Dancing! Patrick appeared on Season 1 to support his friend John O’Hurley, who starred in Spamalot at the Wynn and finished runner-up to Kelly Monaco of General Hospital.

Additionally, the Mandalay Bay cast of The Lion King production will perform on Wednesday’s results show. Watch Donny Osmond’s You Tube review from Entertainment Tonight of how he assesses his and partner Kym Johnson’s chances:

They have been rehearsing here in Las Vegas, and while Donny performed his shows at the Flamingo, she took off to enjoy some Strip experiences of her own. First stop was at the neighboring Imperial Palace for a reunion with Human Nature because she danced alongside Toby Allen in the Australian version of the hit show. Incidentally, Donny has ‘fessed up to a foot injury of his own and kicking Kym in the head during a rehearsal!

Also rehearsing in Las Vegas this week was supermodel contestant Kathy Ireland with her pro partner Tony Dovolani. They didn’t have time to go to a dance studio and instead used an empty room at the World Marketplace downtown, where Kathy was displaying her new line of Kathy Ireland Worldwide furniture and other home products. BTW, when she dances tonight, you’ll notice the gash in her leg, but that’s not a DWTS injury. That came from a surfing accident with her son when her board cracked her leg open, and her husband, a doctor, had to do the stitches, which will only come out in time for Wednesday night’s show.

From my inside sources, I’m placing a small bet that my friend George Hamilton’s son Ashley and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay will be quickly kicked off, with singer Macy Gray right behind them! Watch for Iron Chef host Mark Dacascos to become an audience favorite, while the finals come down to a battle among Donny, Mya and Aaron Carter.

Photo: ABC TV

Kelly Osbourne and Louis Van Amstel.

The biggest surprise, though, is dark horse Chuck, who has been relentless with his workouts and discipline. The UFC champ has disobeyed the producers and exceeded the five-hour maximum rehearsal rule -- and has to date lost 20 pounds in his quest for victory! The entire cast is abuzz and amazed by his fancy footwork. I guess that ring sidestep did come in useful, after all. Watch him tonight and see if he can fight all the way with a knockout!

Next week, DWTS returns to its regular night and time on Monday, with the results show the following night. Vegas DeLuxe will have overnight photo coverage each morning after our spoiler alert story posted shortly after each night’s live East Coast broadcast.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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