DWTS 2011 Eliminations : Metta World Peace (aka Ron Artest) on DWTS 2011

Get Metta World Peace, Leave Ron Artest

Metta World Peace -- of course, the guy NBA fans have known and loved as Ron Artest -- was the first person eliminated from ABC's "Dancing With the Stars

Get Metta World Peace, Leave Ron Artest - How Metta World Peace Will Play a Role on VH1: Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest wants to change his name at the same time "Basketball Wives" recruits his wife. Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday to legally change his name to Metta World Peace. The move comes just a few days after it was announced that Artest's wife Kimsha has been cast in VH1's Basketball Wives: Los Angeles.

The show premieres Aug. 29 and will likely be one of the first programs to showcase Artest's name change, as the NBA season doesn't start until the fall and the Basketball Wives franchise also features the cast's husbands/significant others.

Artest cites "personal reasons" for the name change, which Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told ESPN "brought a smile" to his face. Asked whether Artest's jersey will say "Peace" or "World Peace," the GM replied, "I'm an advocate of World Peace."

DWTS : Dancing With the Stars results 2011

As the “DanceCenter” panel pointed out, he had too many cookies and “he’s not working out hard enough.” Oh Romeo, Romeo. Despite that swagger and a confidence that stretched on for days, the multihyphenate talent formerly known as “Lil” and son of Master P was eliminated from the competition during this, Season 12’s eighth week. Just shy of the semifinals, too. And while I can safely say that I never want to hear him shill anything ever again, I was still sad to see him go.

Remember when Romeo didn’t want to put on heeled shoes? He’s come such a long way, thanks to pro partner Chelsie Hightower, and he should be proud of his efforts. Carrie Ann in particular, seemed shocked that Romeo was the one leaving and not injured Ralph Macchio, who received a good six points less than his fellow bottom-dweller. But at least Romeo was able to leave with strong tango and salsa performances that showed that he can not only talk the talk (and talk and talk), but walk the walk as well. He won’t have to turn down movies for fear of dancing. And his message remained on point. As they said on “DanceCenter,” Romeo did it for the kids, for the troops “and for his father’s record company.”

Well, this leaves Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff, Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Hines Ward and Kym Johnson and Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas to duke it out in the semifinals.

Kirstie and Maks got their semifinal notice early, like a reward after their Argentine tango was selected as the encore performance. In the performance recaps, Kym buttered up Hines before his individual dance, saying “Your butt looks cute in those pants” and then requesting that “If we get a Mirrorball trophy, I want a proper ring on my finger.”

“DWTS” alums Kenny Mayne and Jerry Rice returned with glittery eye decals and ridiculous ballroom wear for their ever-entertaining “DanceCenter” segment. And while this one seemed shorter than previous seasons (maybe because there weren’t as many contestants to go through this late in the cycle), I still found their version of what Tom called “sequins and sarcasm” a highlight. Particularly when Kenny and Jerry chatted about the Royal Wedding, to which British Len wasn’t invited. “You’re a terrible dancer,” was all hurt Len could muster. “That’s not what Kate’s sister said,” Kenny razzed back. Oh, snap! Loved how Jerry and Len were concerned with Ralph’s hips, and the hits that Hines put on Kym Johnson. Most uncomfortable moment was a tie, both courtesy of an orange mesh-wearing Jerry Rice. First, when he stirred his own sex pot and licked it, in response to Kirstie Alley partner Maks’ “sex on stick” rant. And then when he knowingly told the camera that Chelsea was “a naughty girl.” Also loved how Jerry said “Put him in a body bag, Johnny” about Ralph “Sweep the Leg” Macchio (oldest kid ever on "DWTS;" likes: bananas and painkillers). But that may be just because I love quotes from “The Karate Kid.”

The inspirational, three-hanky portion of the program shone the spotlight on three brothers — Hefa, Solane and Tu’iniua Tuita — whose lives were saved by dance after their father tragically passed away after complications from a stroke. And their all-out, energetic performance meant that much more after you know how much these boys had gone through. “I’m loving this series,” said Tom. Go, dance!

“DWTS” alum Michael Bolton came back to perform a duet called “I’m Not Ready” with Australian superstar Delta Goodrem, who kind of looked like what would happen if Kristen Wiig, Faith Hill and Audrina Patridge were stirred in a sex pot and merged into one person. Dmitry Chaplin and Anna Trebunskaya accompanied them by making sweet ballroom love on the dance floor. Dmitry had his trademark chest bared, and his satin shirt flapped handsomely, like the cover of a Harlequin romance, and Anna, as always, was a vision. Michael Bolton’s really having a moment, isn’t he? Between this behind the music parody of “I Said I Love You...But I Lied” and his SNL Digital Short “Jack Sparrow,” I think this erstwhile mulleted crooner may be trending.

Delta Goodrem came back and had her own Insta-moment/trial by fire, playing pinch hitter for the ailing Adele and singing a rendition of “Natural Woman” while Louis Van Amstel and Cheryl Burke swayed romantically on the dance floor. “If she hadn’t bailed us out, Bruno was going to sing it,” Tom said, doing a little save of his own.

Recording star Adele couldn’t achieve the higher registers of “Natural Woman,” but she did come out to perform the primetime TV debut of her single “Rolling in the Deep” with a triangle light show behind her, and a Travis Wall-choreographed number featuring SYTYCD alums Nick Lazzarini, Jaimie Goodwin and Wall and Chantel Aguirre on the dance floor.

What do you think, ballroom fans? Did you find yourself as shocked as Carrie Ann looked when Romeo’s number was up? What do you think galvanized voters more: Karina’s odd headpiece, or Ralph’s mesh turtleneck? What kind of ring was Delta wearing? Who do you think has what it takes to win it all?

Dancing with the Stars 2011 Rumors : Is Nancy Grace

All of the “Dancing with the Stars” 2011 Season 13 cast rumors are driving me crazy!

Have you heard the latest rumor? Yes,TMZ.com is reporting Nancy Grace“has signed on to

"Dancing with the Stars.” What! Really? I'm “outraged!” Was Judge Judy not available?

CNN's Nancy Grace is ratings gold, and I hope it's true.

In my Sunday Top 5 column, I suggested fans of “DWTS” tune in to “Bachelor Pad 2” (8 p.m. Tonight, ABC) to find out if some of the most recent rumors are true.

“This would seem like a good career choice for Arquette who faced a lot of media scrutiny this past year over his marriage issues with Courtney Cox Arquette. It also gives ABC the opportunity to plant Cox Arquette in the audience to help promote her sitcom “Cougar Town” which coincidentally will air midseason after “Dancing” wraps up,” Duchon said.

Also, TMZ is confirming that Chaz Bono is joining the cast and has been rehearsing with his partner Karina Smirnoff.

Speaking of the professional dancers, it looks like pro dancer Chelsie Hightower will not be coming back. And Louie van Amstel and Dmitry Chaplin also will be MIA from the dancing cast

“However, we will be getting three new pros, one of them being 'DWTS' pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s younger brother Val,” Duchon said.

KIRSTIE ALLEY Rare Photos | Kirstie Alley Rare Pics and Bio | Kirstie Alley Hot Images | Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy Dance

Kirsten Louise "Kirstie" Alley (born Kirsten Louise Deal; January 12, 1951) is best known for her role in the TV show Cheers, in which she played Rebecca Howe from 1987–1993, winning an Emmy as the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for 1991. Kirstie also appeared in - the movies Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Blind Date, Look Who’s Talking (1989) with John Travolta, Look Who’s Talking Too, and 1993’s Look Who’s Talking Now. In 1992,