With the official cast of "Dancing with the Stars," season 16, set to be announced on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday, multiple cast members were leaked on Monday. In a mid-Monday afternoon (Pacific Time) tidbit of information, what TMZ called the biggest gamble in the history of "Dancing with the Stars" -- OK, perhaps that was Kirstie Alley or Bristol Palin -- was signed: Andy Dick.
His last stint in TV was on another reality TV show, but not one that leads to a lot of confidence in his ability to perform well. It was "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" (now renamed "Rehab with Dr. Drew," as the focus is not on celebrities any longer).
Sources close to the production of "DWTS" said that Andy Dick was on the set of "DWTS" on Monday. Along with him were Lisa Vanderpump ("Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"), and D.L. Hughley ("The Hughleys," "The Original Kings of Comedy"). Both Vanderpump and Hughly are also believed to have signed contracts to "compete" on the show.
Dick, it's said, has been paired with one of the new dancers. That's because, as one source said, "He's more for comedy -- nobody expects much from him." Meanwhile, though, at least one other sources said that Dick is taking the competition seriously and wants to show that he's not just comic relief.
It was previously reported that country singers Wynonna Judd and Kellie Pickler, gymmast Aly Raisman, NFL wide receier Jacoby Jones, retired Major League Baseball pitcher Sean Lowe, and pro boxer Victor Ortiz have already signed on to the competition.
Dick, 47, is probably best known for his long-running stint on NBC's sitcom "NewsRadio," which ran from March 21, 1995 to May 4, 1999.
The Season 16 "DWTS" premiere is at 8 p.m. March 18. The first results show elimination is at 9 p.m. March 26.
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