While Paula Abdul won’t be returning to FOX’s American Idol, it seems plenty of other networks are interested in courting her for their reality TV competition shows. So is there a possible spot for Abdul at the judges’ table with Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli–the three judges on Dancing with the Stars? “Absolutely. I would love that,” ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson told reporters at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena on Saturday. “I was a little stunned by the decision, and we would love to have her on Dancing.” McPherson added that Abdul could be added either as a participant, dancer or judge. “I think she’s a huge talent,” said McPherson. “There’s a sensitivity and an empathy that balances out Idol, and we’d love to get a piece of that.”

To be honest, there is no show bigger than American Idol on US TV right now … but Dancing with the Stars is up there in popularity. My guess is that, should Paula join the show, she will do so as judge not as competitor. I highly doubt she would risk putting her dancing reputation on the line to compete with the possibility that she might lose. If she joins the show, she’ll do so as judge. Considering that Paula got her start in showbiz as a choreographer, I think a dancing show would be best for her … absent a late night call from FOX begging her to come back to AI, that is. Whatever Paula decides to do, I’ll have her back. She and I go waaaaay back. She will be Forever My Girl.

[Source]

So as not to spoil the fun for those of you who have yet to watch the finale ep, I’ll keep the reveal behind the cut. But the winner was on hand here in NYC live this morning to show off the DWTS championship trophy and give the first interview as winner — after the jump, find out who it was …

Olympic gymnast and Gold Medal winner Shawn Johnson is the new Dancing with the Stars champ, beating out the much beloved actor Gilles Marini. Here is a pic of Shawn at Good Morning America earlier this morning showing off her sparkly new trophy:

Shawn Johnson is adding a mirrorball trophy to her collection of Olympic medals. After all, the two glittering prizes seem to go very well together. The 17-year-old gymnast was named “Dancing With the Stars” champion Tuesday during the season finale of the hit ABC show, the third Olympian in eight seasons to win. Johnson and her professional partner, Mark Ballas, held the mirrorball trophy aloft as the rest of the contestants rushed out to greet them, hoisting the couple on their shoulders as sparkling confetti flew. “This has been the best experience ever,” Johnson said after her victory. “I’ve grown so much.” Johnson was tied with fellow finalist Gilles Marini after Melissa Rycroft was dismissed earlier in Tuesday’s show. All three finalists performed one last dance, each earning a perfect score of 30 from the judges. Viewer votes are combined with judges’ scores to determine the “Dancing” champ. Show host Tom Bergeron said “less than 1 percent” separated the two finalists. “This has been, without a doubt the best season ever,” said head judge Len Goodman. “We’ve got the three best dancers here in the final.” Johnson, holding a trophy almost half as tall as she is, celebrated with friends and fans after the show. “This means the world to me,” she said. “I can officially say I’m a dancer, and that’s amazing to me.” Johnson is the third Olympic gold medalist to win the “Dancing” crown. Ice skaters Kristi Yamaguchi and Apolo Anton Ohno have previously taken the show’s trophy. As Ohno noted on Monday’s show, “There’s no Olympian who’s made the finals and not won the show.” Ballas shared the mirrorball with Yamaguchi last year.

Wow! I thought for sure that Gilles Marini would win the whole shebang … there was so much buzz about him, I know for sure that E! News’s Marc Malkin was prolly cryin’ his eyes out that his fave did not win the championship. Shawn Johnson is a cute little pistol, as a gymnast I’m sure she had no problem learning all the dance moves that would lead to her victory. She’s such a cutie and I’m so glad that she was able to win this year’s trophy. Much congrats goes out to her today. Did any of y’all watch the show this season? Are you happy that Shawn won?

[Source]

Kim is paired up with professional dancer Derek Hough … and they will face 12 other pairs of contestants when the next season of Dancing with the Stars hits the airwaves next month. After the jump, check out the rest of the promo pics of this seasons stars and their professional dancing partners …

Here we have Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts, Cheryl Burke and Gilles Marini, Kym Johnson and David Alan Grier, Lacey Schwimmer and Stephen Glover (Steve-O), Karina Smirnoff and Steve Wozniak, Chelsie Hightower and Ty Murray:

And here we have Jewel and Dmitry Chaplin, Edyta Sliwinska and Lawrence Taylor, Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks, Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas, Nancy O’Dell and Tony Dovolani, Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy:

Clearly, the DWTS Photoshopper is really fond of using the lens flare tool on these promo pics … which gives that cheese effect in each of the photos. Meh, when in Rome, I suppose. While I am really rooting for Lil’ Kim to win it all I am also loving that Belinda Carlisle is in competition this season … tho, I fear that they cast her as the elder contestant a la Cloris Leachman last season — OUCH! On the celeb man front, I think I’ll throw my support behind French actor Gilles Marini. I really became a big fan of his after seeing him in the Sex and the City Movie last Spring … I woudn’t mind rooting for him. Are any of y’all excited for this new season? Will you be watching the show this time around? If so, who are YOU supporting to win it all?

[Source]

This is the face of a winner, y’all. Now, I have no idea who is going to win but I really do hope it’s Lance. After all, I can’t bear the thought of Lance losing and then crying off all of this bronzer/make-up on live TV. What do y’all think? Who do YOU think is gonna win the Dancing with the Stars trophy tonight?

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

It’s a far cry from his sneaker wearing, hip-hop dancing days with ‘N Sync. “I’m wearing heels!” Dancing with the Stars contestant Lance Bass told PEOPLE Tuesday at the Lollipop Theatre Networks cocktail party. “It’s not that fun. My feet are swollen sausages every day!” And the pain doesn’t end there: At 29, Bass is also feeling his age after four weeks of countless hours spent preparing for Monday night’s highly anticipated Dancing with the Stars season 7 premiere (8 p.m. ET on ABC). “It doesn’t feel the same at all,” Bass said, who is partnered with a new ballroom pro, So You Think You Can Dance alum Lacey Schwimmer. “The first thing you notice is your knees, then your lower back goes out, your arms start hurting–and the feet!” While Bass is already considered an early favorite, he’s got his eyes focused on his competition. “Maurice Green and even Warren Sapp and Misty May– those athletes can do anything,” he said. But so can he, according to former ‘N Sync member and Dancing alum Joey Fatone. “He said I got it,” recalled Bass. “I was used to the hard work with ‘N Sync.” And despite being “excited, scared, and nervous,” he’s ready for Monday night’s two-dance premiere: “I have the cha cha and my quick step ready to go!”

You know, it takes a brave man to publicly admit that he not only wears high heeled shoes but also has no problem donning butterfly wings for a worthy, charitable cause. OK, so mebbe Lance’s desire to wear butterfly wings isn’t wholly a charitable endeavor (mebbe, he just likes them) but his support of the Lollipop Guild Network whatever is a good thing and that’s all that matters. Kudos to Lance for continuing to support these sorts of charitable organizations. It’s the least he can do for his part in unleashing the boy band craze upon our unsuspecting heads back in the late 90’s ;)

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

Even tho these pics are sooooo bad (seriously, so bad!) I’m glad to see that both Cloris Leachman and Toni Braxton are bringin’ the fierceness. I dunno how the hell Lance Bass got talked into wearing his outfit — I thought for sure his days of being bullied into wearing horrible outfits to entertain the public were over … guess not. And can I just say that Ted McGinley who has been a TV hottie since the early 70’s still looks pretty damn good. Geeze, that man must have a deal with the devil … how is it that he can still look hawt after ALL THESE YEARS. Pact with the devil, I’m convinced. I’m not a big fan of this show but they managed to cull together a pretty interesting cast this season. I’m not sure who’s gonna pull out the win in the end … but I do know that Susan Lucci won’t be going home with the trophy (I’m sure it was an honor just being nominated … er, asked to be on the show). I might have to actually watch this season … despite these horribly bad promo pics.

[Source]

While I really wish that DWTS would’ve had the balls to pair my boy Lance up with a male professional dancer (mebbe that cute Travis guy from SYTYCD) but I totally get that middle America (ie. target audience) ain’t really ready for something like that. I’m not a big DWTS fan but I will deffo be rooting for Lance … tho, I think I may have to split my lurve between Lance and another of this upcoming season’s celeb contestants. After the jump, find out who else I’ll be cheering on this season …

It’s Cloris Leachman, bitches:

Y’all betta recognize. Any DWTS fans out there? What do you y’all think about this new cast made up of former ‘N Sync member Lance Bass; Grammy-winning singer and actress Toni Braxton; model, actress and former Rock Star host Brooke Burke; celebrity chef, former The Restaurant star and upcoming Rocco Gets Real star Rocco DiSpirito; two-time Olympic gold medalist track star Maurice Greene; Keeping up with the Kardashians star Kim Kardashian; award-winning actress and former Facts of Life star Cloris Leachman; teenage Hannah Montana actor Cody Linley; legendary All My Children actress Susan Lucci; two-time Olympic gold medalist beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor; former Happy Days and Married … with Children actor Ted McGinley; comedian and actor Jeffrey Ross; and recently retired NFL player Warren Sapp — Who are y’all rootin’ for?

[Source, Source]