Chuck Liddell

Chuck Liddell is going to be on season 9 of "Dancing With the Stars," which begins Sept. 21 on ABC. Now we've got two reality competition shows to follow in September, "The Ultimate Fighter" being the other (Sept. 16). This is going to be interesting. Let's hope Liddell last a few weeks because I want to hear the outrageous comments from the judges.

"The Iceman," arguably the most popular fighter in MMA history, will be joined by fellow athletes Michael Irvin, Natalie Coughlin (swimming) and Louie Vito (snowboarding), singers Macy Gray and Aaron Carter, actors Melissa Joan Hart, Debi Mazar and Ashley Hamilton, models Joanna Krupa (she of the T.O. "Superstars" fame) and Kathy Ireland, and Donnie Osmond, Kelly Osbourne, Mark Dacascos and Tom DeLay.

Chuck Liddell says he hasn't decided whether he's retiring from the UFC, but the former light heavyweight champion has found a slightly less strenuous outlet for his energy than MMA: He'll appear on the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars. Liddell doesn't have the best footwork in all of MMA, but from a quick look at the cast, at least based on the little I know about them, I'd say the only people in the group who are more nimble on their feet are former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin and (maybe) snowboarder Louie Vito.

Tom DeLay

Tom DeLay, the former Republican majority leader in the House of Representatives, will be a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars" when the popular ABC show premieres Sept. 21. And,before you laugh or think this is going to be a joke, I know first-hand that DeLay, 62, can cut a rug. When I called his home this morning after the announcement was made, his wife, Christine, said he'd call me back after he finished working out.

"Tommy is so excited and he's been working out to get in shape for the show before rehearsals even start," she explained. According to his daughter, Dani DeLay Ferro, Tom has already lost 12 pounds from his new workout regimen. Because the show stipulates that contestants not talk to the press about the program before it airs, I talked to Christine about how this surprising choice came about.

She said the call came "completely out of the blue" earlier this summer: "Tommy was as shocked as anyone when they called to ask him to be on the show. We watched every single show last season and are huge fans." I worked for DeLay, who stepped down in 2005, when he was House majority whip, first as his press secretary and then as communications director, and know that he can dance really well.