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COVER STORY ABC keeps ‘Dancing’ into 12th season of popular contest By Jay Bobbin © Zap2it Can “Dancing With the Stars” top the Bristol factor? That’s the challenge the popu- lar ABC competition now faces after a widely discussed 11th season that had much of the public marveling — not always in a complimentary way — at the staying power of contestant Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. As the show’s 12th round be- gins Monday, March 21, it’s a real question whether any of the new contenders can inspire anything that even approaches that buzz. Among them: boxing icon Sugar Ray Leonard; actors Ralph Mac- chio (the original “Karate Kid”), Kirstie Alley and Chelsea Kane (“Jonas”); model Petra Nemcova; and reality show star Kendra Wilkinson. Also: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward; talk show host Wendy Williams; singer-ac- tor-entrepreneur Romeo;WWE veteran/rock star Chris Jericho; and radio personality “Psycho” Mike Catherwood. In terms of related water-cooler conversation, which arguably hit its peak with the immediately preceding season — which “Dirty Dancing” alum Jennifer Grey won with partner Derek Hough (who’s sitting out the program’s new sea- son) — “Dancing With the Stars” has other situations in its history to point to. Here’s a look at sev- eral of them. Season 1 (2005): Actor John O’Hurley (“Seinfeld”) had been a favorite throughout the maiden season. When “General Hospi- tal” regular Kelly Monaco was crowned the victor, accusations of unfairness abounded, from charges of ageism to the belief ABC simply wanted one of its own stars to win. Season 2 (2006): The judges — Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Len Goodman — took issue with football icon Jerry Rice’s continued presence in the con- test, since they felt others’ perfor- mances surpassed his.The public voting process was considered a possible reason he remained, since the phone lines were open from the start of the telecasts, and Rice often danced first. Season 3 (2006): Country music star Sara Evans bowed out of the competition after six weeks due to her filing for divorce at the time. Also during that season, singer-actress Willa Ford was eliminated in a week when she had finished in first place, accord- ing to the judges’ scores. Season 5 (2007): In perhaps the single most-remembered mo- ment of “Dancing With the Stars” to this point, singer Marie Os- mond fainted on the air after per- forming, prompting stunned series host Tom Bergeron to toss to a commercial as soon as he could process what was happening. Os- mond had recovered by the time Actress Chelsea Kane is partnered with Mark Ballas in the 12th season of “Dancing With the Stars,” which begins Monday on ABC. the break ended, and she contin- ued with that night’s show. Also, actress Jane Seymour missed an episode due to sus- pected food poisoning, and Mark Ballas dislocated his shoulder while doing the cha-cha on a re- sults show. Additionally, Osmond and Seymour each lost one of their parents during the season. Season 6 (2008): Actor Cris- tian de la Fuente ruptured a tendon during a performance, and the judges based his scores on what he had done prior to the mishap. er Julianne Hough was taken to the hospital for what was thought to be a stomachache, she ended up having her appendix removed shortly afterward. Season 8 (2009): Singer Season 7 (2008): When danc- contest, was caught up in drama that largely unfolded off-camera. A stalker tailed her to the show’s studio lot, and upon his arrest, he was found to have items that strongly suggested a potential abduction. Her family took out a restraining order against him, and he was charged on counts includ- ing felony stalking. Season 9 (2009): Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay — a year prior to his con- viction for money laundering — called it a day early on “Dancing” because of full stress fractures in both feet. Jewel and current “Entertainment Tonight” regular Nancy O’Dell proved they didn’t even have to step onto the “Dancing” dance floor to add drama. Both were injured enough in their rehearsals that they had to withdraw before the season began, though Jewel eventually would show her stuff in a results show. Olympic medalist gymnast Shawn Johnson, who won the show personality Kate Gosselin became a symbol for celebrity dancers who not only didn’t fare so well on the show but battled with their professional dance part- ners ... in her case, Tony Dovo- lani, who appeared to give up on her after one especially colossal argument during rehearsals. ESPN sportscaster Erin An- drews decided to do “Dancing” to prove she would not be cowed by a stalking incident in which she had been videotaped, while unclothed, through a hotel room peephole. Andrews stated in many interviews that her “Danc- Season 10 (2010): Reality Now Presenting… Worksite Benefits:   Accident Insurance Short-term Disability Insurance Cancer Insurance  Critical Illness Insurance Life Insurance   m y Hospital Confinement Indemnity Insurance Harmony® Enrollment System ing” participation was a message to women about not being victim- ized. Season 11 (2010): Controversy built throughout the season be- cause of audience votes that kept Bristol Palin in the competition, though many critics felt she didn’t fare as well as others eliminated sooner (such as Brandy and ath- lete Rick Fox). Jennifer Grey kept up the suspense right to the end, rupturing a disk on the first night of the final performance week and not knowing if she’d be able to perform on the second night. She did, and she won. Anything can happen, then, when it comes to “Dancing With the Stars.” The nature of the show makes it impossible to forecast what will occur ... and ABC is quite content to have that remain the case, as long as people keep tuning into it and talking about it. A Full Service Pharmacy Buy Get Greeting Cards FREE! (Of equal or lesser value) 218-692-2502 or 800-595-7312 • Crosslake Town Square www.crosslakedrug.com • MON-FRI 9am-5:30pm, SAT 9am-1pm ONE • Photo Kiosk • Dry Cleaning • Gifts • Clothing • & More! 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