Dancing with the Stars Season 9 celeb line-up

For the show’s ninth season, the program will start off with a whopping 16 celebrities. This means viewers will see three double-eliminations in the first few weeks.

As usual, ABC has roped in a handful of athletes, some reality stars, a few models and a number of D-listers. But unlike previous rounds, DWTS will now also feature it’s first disgraced politician.

Men

• Aaron Carter: Singer, former Lindsay Lohan/Hilary Duff boyfriend
• Mark DaCascos: Iron Chef America host
• Tom DeLay: Former House Majority leader
• Ashley Hamilton: Son of George Hamilton, Shannen Doherty’s ex-hubby
• Michael Irvin: Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
• Chuck Lidell: Mixed martial arts star
• Donnie Osmond: The other half of Donny & Marie
• Louie Vito: Professional snowboarder

Ladies

• Natalie Coughlin: Olympic gold medal swimmer
• Macy Gray: “I Try” Singer, known for raspy voice
• Melissa Joan Hart: Former Sabrina the Teenage Witch star
• Kathy Ireland: Former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue babe
• Joanna Krupa: Dubbed “the Sexiest Swimsuit Model in the World”
• Debi Mazar: “Entourage” actress, Madonna friend
• Mya: Singer, known for work on “Lady Marmalade”
• Kelly Osbourne: Reality star, Sharon & Ozzy’s daughter

Dancing with the Stars 9 premieres on Monday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Source: TV Envy

Yet another interesting mix. Should be a lot of fun to watch.

Here's hoping none of them pull out with injuries before the competition even starts as was the case last season.

End of the road for Kim Clijsters in Cincinnati

MASON, Ohio — Kim Clijsters' comeback ran into a No. 1 problem.

Playing her first tournament in more than two years, the Belgian couldn't keep up with the world's top-ranked player on Friday. Dinara Safina repeatedly broke her serve during a 6-2, 7-5 victory to reach the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open and finish Clijsters' uplifting week back on the court.

With both Williams sisters gone, Clijsters' return became the talk of the $2 million Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open. The former No. 1-ranked player took a break in 2007, married basketball player Brian Lynch, gave birth to daughter Jada, then set about returning to the game at a top level.

While she was away, Clijsters watched one player improve more than any other: Safina.

"I really felt today that Dinara played some of her best tennis that I've seen," said Clijsters, who won six of their seven previous matches. "I think by far that's the best she's ever played against me."

No mother has knocked off a No. 1-ranked player since Evonne Goolagong Cawley beat Chris Evert in the finals of the Virginia Slims of Boston in 1978. Thirty-one years later, Clijsters got a good start at it, pushing the pace and getting a service break for a 2-0 lead.

It unraveled fast.

Safina used her powerful forehand to her advantage, hitting shots that eluded Clijsters' reach. She dominated the rest of the set, running off 24 of the last 31 points. For the first time all week, Clijsters looked like a player who had been off the tour for two years.

"I know exactly what to expect from her," Safina said. "For me, she's one of the best players. I thought I was very aggressive today and didn't let her dictate too much."

Clijsters started the second set by pushing the pace and getting another quick break to pull ahead 2-0.

Same beginning, similar ending.

Safina broke her serve three times in a row, the last on Clijsters' double fault to take a 6-5 lead. When Safina served it out, Clijsters calmly removed her black wristband and visor, walked to the net, shook her hand, packed quickly and headed out.

Disappointing, but not discouraging. Clijsters played well overall in her four matches during the week, surpassing her expectations in some ways.

"Obviously so far, it's working," she said. "I had really good results, and feel my level here has risen."

So much that she was already aching for another shot at No. 1.

"I kind of feel like I want to go out there and do it all over again," Clijsters said.

Source: The Associated Press

Darn, and it was going so well. She even beat Svetlana Kuznetsova!. I have no doubt though that with time her results will only get better.

I applaud her for giving her career another shot (I always thought she left the sport way too early).

After all Martina Hingis give it another go, climbing up the rankings to #6 in the world after a 3 year break.

If Hingis can get results like that. I think Kim has a good shot at being back on top. So I say, watch out WTA!.

Clijsters' comeback continues

MASON, Ohio — Playing her second competitive match in more than two years, Kim Clijsters reached the third round of the Cincinnati Open with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Patty Schnyder on Wednesday.

Clijsters who retired in May 2007 and gave birth to a daughter in February 2008, knocked out 12th-seeded Marion Bartoli in straight sets on Monday. The 2005 U.S. Open champion followed up by never losing her serve against the 20th-ranked Schnyder.

"Does it look easy?" Clijsters said. "I started off playing well. It's a really good feeling. I'm moving well. I'm very happy with the way I'm starting. It helps your confidence to get into a rhythm."

The 26-year-old Clijsters is scheduled to meet sixth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova in the next round, with a possible quarterfinal match looming against top-seeded Dinara Safina. Clijsters has won six of her seven matches against Kuznetsova.

"I knew coming in that this was a big tournament," Clijsters said. "I knew it was going to be tough from the start, and I'm glad I'm still going. Patty's a good player. We've had a lot of tough matches, a lot of three-setters, so I'm glad I got out in two."

Source: The Associated Press

This certainly says a lot about the state of the WTA doesn't it?.

Wimbledon 'graveyard court' demolished

Yep, that's right the court dubbed as 'the graveyard of champions' is no more.





I'm sure I speak for all the former champs when I say, good riddence!.

Photos courtesy of the Wimbledon Facebook page

Sandra Bullock double feature

As described on imdb Convinced that a CNN cameraman is her true love, an eccentric crossword puzzler (Bullock) trails him as he travels all over the country, hoping to convince him that they belong together.

Hmmm...can't say I'm really impressed by the trailer. It might turn out to be another dud. But it's still Sandra Bullock so I'll probably check it out on DVD.



imdb description "The Blind Side" depicts the remarkable true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential.

I can already tell this one is going to be a real tear-jerker. Can't wait!. It's been a while since Sandra played in a drama. Who knows, this one might even be an award contender.

All About Steve hits theatres on September 4th, 2009 and The Blind Side November 20th.

Evan Rachel Wood's Spider-Man Musical in jeopardy

Evan Rachel Wood strikes a pose in a Gucci halter dress at Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s installation luncheon held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Monday (August 11) in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The 21-year-old actress helped present institutional support to California State University Northridge in the form of a a $26,000 check from the HFPA.

Evan stars as Mary Jane Watson in the upcoming Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark but work on the project has been suspended due to an “unexpected cash flow problem.” Producers said, “”Plans necessary for this correction are in hand now and it is expected that activities, including work in the theater, will resume within the immediate future.”

Source: justjared

No doubt the result of the struggling economy.

Hopefully the project won't be scrapped for good.

In the meantime I guess Evan could just continue to enjoy her vampire role in True Blood.

Kim Clijsters off to a good start in Cincinnati

More than two years after retiring as one of the top players in women’s tennis, Kim Clijsters announced her return with a resounding victory over 13th-ranked Marion Bartoli in Mason, Ohio.

Crisp ground strokes and a 28-5 advantage in winners led Clijsters to a 6-4, 6-3 victory in the first round of the Western and Southern Financial Group Women’s Open outside Cincinnati. Clijsters, an unseeded wild card, will face Patty Schnyder in the second round.

“I really feel like my movement is good,” Clijsters said. “It still could be better, but after the pregnancy and everything, I’m happy with the way I feel.”

Clijsters was 23 and ranked fourth in the world when she retired in May 2007, weary of injuries and ready for family life. She married in July 2007 and had a daughter, Jada, in February 2008.

An instant return into the game’s elite would give an adrenaline rush to the women’s tour, but also raise questions about its quality and depth.

Those discussions seemed imminent as Clijsters, more than 27 months after her last match and despite a shaky serve and 31 unforced errors, so easily dispatched one of the game’s hottest players.

Clijsters won 12 of the match’s first 15 points to take a 3-0 first-set lead. Bartoli, who recently beat Venus Williams in the finals at Stanford, pulled even in the set, 4-4, before succumbing. “I think I surprised myself a little bit with that start,” she said.

Clijsters plans to play the next event in Toronto, then the United States Open, where she captured her only major title in 2005.

Not too shabby for someone who's been absent for a couple of years. Good on you Kim!.

Continued success. Now I'm really looking forward to seeing her in Toronto.