Which Major Celebs Turned Down 'Dancing With the Stars'?

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 1st 2010 02:06PM

Sure, the new 'Dancing With the Stars' lineup looks swell. But hearing what could have been -- Sylvester Stallone! Condoleezza Rice! Tim Allen! Ann Coulter! Suzanne Somers! -- yeah, it stings a bit.

The Hollywood Reporter nabbed a behind-the-scenes look at the show's failed conquests, speaking to a source involved with casting the reality dance series and speaking to executive producer Conrad Green. "We've approached a lot of people over the years," Green says. "People say no for a variety of reasons. Some people like the show but think they suck at dancing. It's a lot easier to say no than it is to say yes."

Other stars who've turned the show down include Kirstie Alley, Joel McHale, Drew Carey, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, the real-life Erin Brockovich and British billionaire Richard Branson.

Rejections go both ways -- stars like Melissa Joan Hart have successfully campaigned to get on the show in the past, but according to THR's casting source, Melanie Griffith tries and fails to appear on 'DWTS' every year.

In the first six seasons of 'Dancing,' just two reality TV stars appeared: Kim Kardashian and 'Bachelor' gal Trista Sutter. Now, reality stars pepper the field consistently, including Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino of 'Jersey Shore' and Audrina Patridge of 'The Hills' on the upcoming 11th season.

"Every season you move things forward," Green says. "When we first started, there weren't many reality shows, now there are a billion of them. Everyone interesting to watch has either had a reality show or been approached for one. Those are the people buzzed about, and they are the same people that will make our show compelling to watch."

Other interesting tidbits we learned from THR's behind-the-scenes glimpse include the stipulation that all contestants receive the same payment for participating, the stars lose some of their paycheck if they shirk the grueling rehearsal schedule, and no one gets to bring in their personal hair or makeup team.

And the gossip is already starting. Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol, is being pegged as the new Kate Gosselin, aka Ms. Difficult, THR's insider says. "Bristol was really annoyed by all the questions about whether her mom would be in the audience to support her. She kept complaining about the amount of press she had to do. She is acting like this is all a big pain."

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Tags: Dancing With the Stars

Comments

(258)

Wednesday 01 September

By damien

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Ya...some really major stars....Oh my Joel Mchale and Kirstie Alley...Suzanne Somers oh like wow

Thursday 02 September

By ruby

DWTS needs to be renamed Dancing with the SHAMELESS, There are no stars involved anymore and the line up gets worse and worse, any one appearing on this show is a joke, but they do not see that. That is why even though real talented, but has-been celebs turn it down they are saving their dignity,it is an insult to a Celebrity to be invited on DWTS.

By NANCY

WHERE IS GEORGE CLOONEY, BRAD PITT, ANDY GARCIA, RICHARD GEERE,THESE ARE THE GUYS WHO SHOULD BE DANCING ,AND YOU WILL SEE THE RATINGS GO WAY UPPPPPPP.. SAY NO MORE !

By Renee

I'm sorry but Kurt Warner in my book is a star. I routed for him on the football field. I will route for him dance floor too!

By guy

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What about NYPD Star Andrea Thompson ?
I would like to see her again!
Wow What a Woman !

By Big John

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kristie is a obnoxious fat stinkin pig,anybody that would watch her shake her jello can't be too cool...

By vickie

Should be called "republican plugging for 2012"...tom delay...buzz aldrin...bristol palin...I see a pattern each season....

By mbrul

vickie, paranoid much?

By KENNY NASH

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It should be "DANCING WITH THE X-CONS" . Now that would be more like it!

Kenny Nash

youtube KENNY NASH "DESIRE"

By Chuck

Dancing With the Stars needs to change of the show to "Dancing with People you may Recognize." Where are the Stars?

Friday 03 September

By Ida

I agree, definately D list dancers if on the list at all. Who even watches this show? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. I'd be embarrased to be asked let alone go ON the show

By cazsue

Does proving your mother's "Abstinence only" policy is BS make you a star?

By Carol

Unfortunately, your right. Where are the stars? All I see are a lot of people I don't even know who they are. Maybe they should give this show a rest. Along rest.

..."dancing with who dat"lolololo

By Polar Patrol

Really. I can't believe they'd turn down a legitimate (at least, at one time) star like Melanie Griffith, but bring in people like The Situation and Bristol Palin. I'd really like to know why they keep turning down Melanie.

By MT

This explains why the show has to settle for wannabe's. I don't mind stars that have been out of work for a long time. They are still stars who have made an impact and it is nice to see them again. But when you ask talentless reality people to join the show. You are really digging as low as you can. To call them stars in the first place is really giving them the wrong impression and that is most likely why they make demands from the show. A real star would not make such demands.

By New York

Why would a true star want to be seen on the same program as a nobody from a ridiculous reality show??? It demeans the whole concept making Dancing With The Stars a joke.

By Wanda

I soooooo agree!

By adoodoodoo

I think it is a great and interesting lineup this season. I would LOVE to see Charles Barkley on it some day.

By Bob

If you really want to see Charles Barkley on the dance floor you are part of the problem. The Round Mound of Rebound had some great years on the hardcourt's but i'm afraid you'll find he has two left feet on the dance floor.

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