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Before the long-awaited cast of the new season of “Dancing with the Stars” was revealed Tuesday, Katherine Jenkins was largely unknown in the world of search-engine stardom. So what’s the hype about this sultry songbird?

LifeSiteNews.com reported some time ago about Planned Parenthood’s latest, most bizarre effort to drum up support for its indefensible industry: holding a 40-day prayer campaign in favor of abortion. Kathleen Gilbert reported the 40 Days of Prayer material “lists 40 different prayers for those involved in the ‘sacred care’ of abortions to continue protecting, providing, and embracing the procedure - including mothers, escorts, abortionists, and everyone involved except the unborn children.” However, most of the national reporting has failed to convey the full breadth and diversity of the undertaking. The campaign is modeled on the more successful 40 Days of...

Erkel? Is that you? It can't be. But it is. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dancing-with-stars-jaleel-white-katherine-jenkins-scores-301910 (Please copy and paste above to see video of Erkel dancing to the lovely classic, 'The Way You Look Tonignt'. Sorry, don't know how to make the link 'live'- but you're GOT to see this!!) Jaleel White, who won America's hearts back in the 90's as nerdy Steve Urkel, (and is very familiar to us here on FR) hit the floor with such a sparkling foxtrot that he scooped two coveted 9s, and an 8 for the first time ever for a first dance on Dancing With The Stars....

His voice breaking, J.R. Martinez recalled his first visit home to Dalton from Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas in 2003 where he was being treated for burns on over 40 percent of his body. He recalled a memorable reunion with some of his football teammates from Dalton High School. “We had a little barbecue at Ryman Farm, just to talk about the old days. I’m sitting at a table with Aaron Ward and two girls,” he said. “I’m looking at the hamburger on my plate and saying, ‘I can’t put that in my mouth.’” Martinez couldn’t open his mouth...

A Melbourne Israeli Dancing group was dropped from participating in a Victorian dance festival after refusing organisers’ moves to drop all references to Israel. The Machol Israeli Dancing Club was scheduled to appear at Multicultural Folk Dance Festival of High Country in the Victorian country town of Mansfield earlier this month. The festival was organised under the auspices of the Victorian Multicultural Commission and a grant had been awarded to Marta Balan who according to a submission to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission approved the performance of the Machol Group. When the participants’ names were released, Esther...

Chaz Bono braved controversy to be the first transgender contestant on Dancing with the Stars, but he revealed in an interview today that it was jibes over his weight that troubled him the most. But it wasn't from ignorant, faceless haters that the 42-year-old faced these attacks, but rather from the show's judges, whom Bono has blasted as 'disrespectful.' The only child of Cher, 65 , and the late Sonny Bono, told Good Morning America: 'I was called a basketball, a penguin, an Ewok, and I just didn't appreciate it.' -snip- 'I took so much away from this. This was...

Bill Clinton Turned Down ‘Dancing With the Stars’ You wouldn’t think you could top the casting of Chaz Bono and Nancy Grace on “Dancing With the Stars.” But it turns out it could have been Bubbalicious. In an interview with Rachel Ray former President Bill Clinton revealed that he was asked to be on the show but “told them I didn’t have the time to train for it. You know you actually go out there and you train, you really work at it. So I had to pass. But I think it’s a hoot.” The entire Clinton clan are apparently...

It was the question of the night: how would Chaz Bono fare under pressure on Dancing with the Stars? When it was all over, the activist transgender child of Sonny and Cher – whose appearance drew both praise and controversy – basked in cheers from the audience and warm remarks from the judges Monday. It seems Chaz can cha cha. "Chazzy Boy, you can dance!" said Carrie Ann Inaba. Len Goodman responded with a "Razzamataz Chaz" and praised his footwork, while Bruno Tonioli said, "So cuddly and cute. Great, great debut, Chaz. You should be proud," as Bono and pro...

News show wishes to 'advance the discussion' with transgender contestant, but labels those opposed 'hate' groups. The controversy continues over Chaz Bono's participation in ABC's upcoming season of "Dancing with the Stars." The response to the transgender contestant's role in a once-family friendly show has left ABC with an ongoing PR problem. Chaz Bono is considered a "star" for one reason: Using his status as the child of Cher and Sony Bono to make a very public display of gender identity change, including writing a book, and starring in the Emmy-nominated documentary "Becoming Chaz." But the network is being coy...

Amidst all of the kerfluffle over the casting of both a gay man (Carson Kressley) and a transgender man (Chaz Bono) in the 13th season of "Dancing With the Stars," an old question has been raised again: Isn't it time for this top-rated series to allow for same-gender dance partners?

TMZ has learned ... Chaz Bono will be hitting the hardwood on the new season of "Dancing with the Stars."

Islamabad   Dancing women who brought disaster in Northern Areas     Myra Imran Tuesday, August 16, 2011     Naming natural calamities after women is not common in Pakistan but attaching such disasters to moral degradation surrounding women is a dominant way of thinking. This is especially true in some areas hit by floods last year where women claim to know exactly why the disaster struck. “It was destined to happen because Allah was angry over a festival organised in Kalam,” most women in upper Swat unanimously say. Naseema Bibi, lost her 17-year-old son in the floods. She...

Found this on a Czech website... a gem: From a Connecticut Sea-World wedding (not Irish I'd hazard to guess) where the mariachis suddenly noticed a rare Baluga White Whale really starting to get into it... ay caramba [YouTube] Video/more at Reaganite Republican

Como se dança o merengue... Want to know how to dance merengue? Take a look...it's easy!

TAKE one squid, cut off its head and watch the rest dance on a bed of rice and salmon roe. Eat. Or not. This Japanese delicacy known as odori-don or “dancing squid rice bowl” is a variation on traditional squid sashimi and uses soy sauce to create the disturbing illusion of bringing a dead squid back to life.YouTube user Richard Fan shot the above video on a visit to Hokkaido’s Ikkatei Tabiji restaurant and explains that sodium in the soy causes neurons to fire, making the muscles twitch.The dish comes with the head cut into small sashimi slices and...

In an interview with CNN's Piers Morgan, the second part of which aired tonight on the network, presidential candidate Mitt Romney pushed back against the host's questions about how his Mormon faith might influence his policy should he win the White House in 2012. Asked whether it's actually possible to separate his faith from his job as president should he be elected, Romney responded, "Absolutely. You don't begin to apply doctrines of a religion to the responsibility of guiding a nation or guiding a state." Romney explained that he opposes abortion rights and that he is in favor of gay...

This animated video is accompanied with an instrumental song played by, Black Pond Baptist Church members and this song is, I Saw The Light.

Going into this finale of 'Dancing with the Stars' (Tue., 9PM ET on ABC) there was one round of competitive dancing left. The votes were in, though, and it was guaranteed to be a close battle. Chelsea Kane and Hines Ward were leading the judges' scores coming into the final night, but Kirstie Alley was close behind. It was a star-studded finale, featuring guest appearances by Sara Evans, the Black-Eyed Peas and the first televised performance by The Go-Gos in five years. But it was the finalists that people were tuning in to see. !!SPOILER ALERT!! Kane and Mark Ballas...

IRAQ NOTEBOOK: Witches, Bollywood at grad party REBECCA SANTANA, Associated Press Updated 09:01 a.m., Tuesday, May 24, 2011 BAGHDAD (AP) - Harry Potter-inspired witches in flowing black satin gowns and pointed hats shimmied onstage as young warlocks in black-and-red capes looked on. Nearby, Indian-themed music blared from a boom box at a Baghdad version of a Bollywood movie set. Fun and frivolity aren't the first things that come to mind when someone mentions Baghdad. But this is college graduation season and time for a tradition that has survived the upheaval of war, kidnappings and bombs: masquerade parties. Students here like...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- A Sacramento restaurant agreed to stop serving live shrimp after an animal-rights group said the practice was cruel to the shellfish. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said the restaurant, Nishiki Sushi, suggested squeezing lemon juice on the shrimps' exposed flesh so they would writhe as they were eaten. The dish is commonly referred to as "dancing shrimp" and is considered a delicacy in Japan. PETA contacted the restaurant after receiving dozens of complaints about the practice.

<p>So many viewers voted after Monday's "Dancing With the Stars" finale that they temporarily overwhelmed the show's voting system.</p> <p>ABC says "a record amount of activity" overloaded its online and telephone voting systems Monday night, and that "some viewers reported experiencing difficulties registering their votes" for the show's finale.</p>

Just tried to call in from two different phones to vote for Bristol Palin. The first time I called from either phone the message told me I had reached my limit of calls, on my FIRST call. It took me 9 calls on the first phone and 7 calls on the 2nd to get my 10 votes in. Haven't tried the computer yet. Wonder if someone is messing around with the votes?

Tonight is the final chance for the three remaining contestants on "Dancing With the Stars" to impress the viewers at home. As we've seen this season in particular, high scores from the judges may be nice. But, it's the viewers who matter because their votes can make an impact. Going into tonight's season finale are Jennifer Grey, Kyle Massey & Bristol Palin. Getting to this point wasn't always a smooth trip. There were some tense moments at the production office for "Dancing With the Stars." ABC says a white powder in an envelope was delivered to the office this past...

A threatening letter with white powder was delivered to the “Dancing With the Stars” production office Friday, but tests indicated the substance was not hazardous, authorities said. In a statement, ABC confirmed the envelope was received at the show’s production office and the substance was determined to be talcum powder. Hazardous materials officials with the city of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI responded to CBS Studios where the hit ABC show is staged, authorities said. An initial field screening was negative for hazardous substances, but the letter will be transported to...

In a breaking story, TMZ is reporting that police officers were dispatched to CBS Television Studios late Friday after a white powder substance was discovered by a member of Dancing With The Stars staff and sources report that Bristol Palin was the intended target with the powder included in a piece of fan mail addressed to Palin. Information is still coming through on this breaking news story.

"This will be a disaster for the show if Bristol wins," one TV insider tells me. "Any creditability the show had will be over. It will go from being a dancing competition to a popularity competition where whoever has the most rabid fan base will always win no matter how little talent they have."

The Internet's been buzzing with talk about how members of the U.S. Tea Party movement have been getting out the vote for Bristol Palin on Dancing With the Stars. The blog Jezebel had a post about it today, complete with quotes from conservative message boards about how Bristol's supporters were exploiting ABC's email voting system to cast multiple ballots for Sarah Palin's daughter. Jezebel quoted one site, FreeRepublic.com, that urged its members to "make liberal heads explode" by voting for Bristol, "even though she is not the best dancer." Well, my liberal head is kind of exploding right now because...

Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol won through to the final of hit US show "Dancing with the Stars", bouyed by public support in defiance of judges' skepticism about her dance floor talents. As her mother continues to shine in the political spotlight, the 20-year-old is enjoying the media limelight generated by her unexpected success on the hugely popular TV talent show. Palin was again ranked last by judges in the semi-final of the show, in which celebrities partner with professional dancers, but voting by viewers pushed her score with partner Mark Ballas up into third place. [Snip] Like her mother,...

3, 2, 1......

Portia DeGeneres could be the first celebrity to dance with a same-sex partner on "Dancing With the Stars." The hit competition series is "planning to feature a same-sex couple. You're at the top of the list,"Ryan Seacrest told Portia (who changed her last name from de Rossi to DeGeneres) on his radio show yesterday. The proclamation seemed to surprise DeGeneres, who is married to talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. "Goodness, you really do break news," she said. Rather than flat out pooh-pooh the notion, DeGeneres said, "I'm not gonna pass, let me think about it. I used to be a...

Each of the seven remaining celebs & their pro partners will strut their stuff to the shakin' sounds of rock music during the usual solo routines. In addition, the show will feature the cast taking part in a Rock & Roll dance marathon. Here's a look at who's dancing what & how they'll likely fare. Brandy Norwood & Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Tango. After a so-so start, the R&B singer/actress has gotten better as the weeks have worn on. The girl can bring it. Rock Fox & Cheryl Burke, Tango. He still has an awkward air about his movements, & Cheryl outshines...

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Saturday urged a roaring crowd of Republicans to exhaust themselves over the next two weeks to take back California and the country for the "little guy." The former vice presidential candidate addressed more than 2,000 supporters at a Republican National Committee rally in Orange County, a conservative stronghold in a state where Republicans hope to make gains this year.

Spoilers are in and they appear to be hot! The DWTS 2010 season 11 crew are going to dance the Samba, Foxtrot or Waltz tonight. There is slated to be plenty of action tonight, and although Michael Bolton and David Hasselhoff are out of the equation there’s still lots of room for excitement. Derek and Jennifer Grey are going to do a Samba, and Derek has noted that he’s going to re-live a childhood fantasy. Rick Fox and Cheryl are dancing last, and will be doing a Samba. Lacey and Kyle Massey are going to be doing a waltz. Florence...

Followed by clips of the welcoming ceremony of Bristol & Mark as they arrive in Alaska.

We've got this to say for Bristol: She's not terrible. Not only is she a million times better than last season's stunt contestant, Kate Gosselin, she's got a cute figure, plenty of shakeable assets, good rhythm, a great smile, & perhaps most importantly... ABC can't possibly let her get kicked off until mama Sarah Palin makes an appearance in the audience! Bruno Tonioli had the quote of the night early on, when he commented, "This is virgin territory for you." As for the rest of the pack, their breakout weeks still ahead of them: • Who doesn't want to root...

"Our spies say security guards at CBS Television City in L.A. — the place where “Dancing” is broadcast — is on “heightened alert.” Although Palin is not officially running for anything, security is treating her like a government official.” TMZ broke the story ... Sarah will be front and center tonight when Bristol dances to "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" with partner Mark Ballas. Guards have been told to be especially vigilant with anyone entering the lot. Our sources say security will decide which vehicles to thoroughly search -- though not every car will get the once-over. As...

LONDON — John Travolta was onto something. Women are most attracted to male dancers who have big, flamboyant moves similar to the actor's trademark style, British scientists say in a new study. Kris McCarty and colleagues at Northumbria University and the University of Gottingen in Germany asked 19 men aged 18 to 35 who were not professional dancers to dance in a laboratory for one minute to a basic drum rhythm. They filmed the men's movements with a dozen cameras, and then turned those movements into computer-generated avatars so the study could focus on moves, not appearances. Scientists then showed...

The mother of "The Brady Bunch," a former NFL quarterback, one of the self-proclaimed "guidos" from "Jersey Shore" and the daughter of Sarah Palin are among the celebrities who will cha-cha-cha on the 11th season of "Dancing with the Stars."

Memphis councilwoman Janis Fullilove apologizes for 'pole dancing' incident“Yes, I was on the pole,” Fullilove says By Amos Maki Memphis Commercial Appeal Updated August 17, 2010 at 10:55 p.m. Memphis City Council member Janis Fullilove sent a letter of apology to the president of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials for what she described as "over the top" behavior at a party last week. Fullilove, regional director for NBC-LEO, said Tuesday that she engaged in dancing -- including pole dancing -- on a river cruise during the group's gathering in Memphis. "Yes, I was on the pole," said...

'So You Think You Can Dance' judge Mia Michaels has been stung by some of the criticism of her criticism that's broken out in blogs and comment areas since last week's elimination of AdéChiké Torbert (right) on the show -- specifically, remarks to the effect that she has it in for black male dancers. "It's just ridiculous, honestly. I actually Twittered because there was so much negativity coming at me, because they think I was coming at him for really stupid reasons," she tells PopEater. "I had to make clear that I as a judge, as a person, don't care...

Move over scandal, Oksana Grigorieva could be doing the salsa to Dancing With The Stars. The woman at the centre of the explosive Mel Gibson domestic abuse scandal is in secret negotiations to appear in the next season of the hit ABC television show, RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned. But according to a source close to the negotiations, the potential deal is now in jeopardy because the person who masterminded the talks, Howard Bragman, quit Team Oksana after just 48 hours as her publicist. Oksana, 40, has told law-enforcement investigators Mel, 54, exploded in rage January 6 and punched her more...

For those who thought no one would ever be able to replace Michael Jackson on the dance floor, or maybe you really miss the days of "Flashdance", "Dirty Dancing", and John Travolta's "Saturday Night Fever".   Well the next king of the dance floor is only about three, but considering the dizzying speed at which the years go by today, tomorrow is just around the corner.  So why not sit back and enjoy what could very well be the worlds next Jackson, Travolta, or Swayze. This is a video of a two or three year old Brazilian boy, who's...

For those who thought no one would ever be able to replace Michael Jackson on the dance floor, or maybe you really miss the days of "Flashdance", "Dirty Dancing", and John Travolta's "Saturday Night Fever".   Well the next king of the dance floor is only about three, but considering the dizzying speed at which the years go by today, tomorrow is just around the corner.  So why not sit back and enjoy what could very well be the worlds next Jackson, Travolta, or Swayze. This is a video of a three year old Brazilian boy, who's moves will...

It would be hard to picture Christiane Amanpour in the lacy black number that Erin Andrews wore Monday night as she flounced around a bed with "Dancing with the Stars" partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Or to see Katie Couric in the gold lamé corset Andrews wore on "Dancing" last week - though we're sure Couric's got just as cute a belly button. And the only place Rachel Maddow would ever don the sequined bikini and ruffled skirt Andrews wore during her Samba (right) would be in some geeky artist's Photoshop file.

Video of girls, 8, wearing lingerie and dancing in racy routine to Beyonce's Single Ladies causes internet rowBy Mail Foreign Service Last updated at 7:46 PM on 14th May 2010 A video of a group of young girls, some just eight-years-old, performing a racy dance routine to Beyonce's Single Ladies has caused an internet row. The footage, filmed at America's largest urban dance competition World of Dance, shows the girls in revealing red and black lingerie outfits writhing and gyrating on stage. And while some of the girls' parents have defended the video as 'completely normal', the routine has been...

Two Canadian teachers from Winnipeg became internet superstars overnight. Their video got two million hits in the first couple of days on You Tube. Unfortunately for them, they have now been fired. Fox News reports as follows. (Click here for video) “A pair of Canadian high school teachers whose enthusiasm at a pep rally morphed into a mock lap dance that became an Internet sensation are now out of jobs. “Jackie Sneesby, chairwoman of the Winnipeg School Division, said teacher Chrystie Fitchner’s resignation was accepted Monday while the short-term contract for Adeil Ahmed expired and would not be renewed. Stunned...

THIS GUY IS HAVING THE TIME OF HIS LIFE. Looks like maybe a Best Buy store.

Example number 214 of why we love Morning Joe: Willie Geist reported on this morning’s program of Miley Cyrus slamming co-host Mika Brzezinski’s condemnation of the teen-starlet’s “pole dance” last summer. Not only was Joe Scarborough sitting back and watching Mika’s stunned reaction in amusement, but so too was Mika’s father Zbigniew Brzezinski, the former cabinet member under President Carter. Good times! In this week’s issue of Parade magazine, Miley says of Mika: "My impulse is to say get off my case Mika. Get over it…my job is first to entertain, and do what I love. And if you don’t...

Oh, the days of the Kerry dancing Oh, the ring of the piper’s tune Oh, for one of those hours of gladness Gone, alas, like our youth, too soon! When the boys began to gather In the glen of a summer’s night And the Kerry piper’s tuning Made us long with wild delight! Oh, to think of it Oh, to dream of it Fills my heart with tears! Chorus Was there ever a sweeter Colleen In the dance than Eily More Or a prouder lad than Thady As he boldly took the floor. Lads and lasses to your places Up...

NOORVIK, Alaska (AP) -- Bobby Wells has lived all his life in this remote Alaska village, where the Eskimo dancing of his ancestors was banned by Quaker missionaries a century ago as primitive idolatry. Now Wells, 53, and other residents of Noorvik have wholeheartedly embraced the ancient practice outlawed in the Inupiat Eskimo settlement, which was established in 1914. Wells, the mayor, said dancing is not just for the ancient religious practice of shamanism as the missionaries had believed. It's also a form of worship dating back to the Bible, a view now held by many in the community of...