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Chaz Bono, son of Sonny and Cher, will appear on the upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars. Coincidentally, that may be the most controversial sentence I’ve ever written because I didn’t include “transgender” or “former daughter.”

ABC has received a slew of hatred and criticism for casting Bono on their show because he is a female-to-male transgender person. Furthermore, the media won’t let you forget that Bono is a transgender person.  Every article about the upcoming season flaunts the fact in some way.

“When ABC announced that Chaz Bono, the transgender son of Cher and Sonny Bono, would be competing on Season 13 of Dancing With the Stars…” said hollywoodreporter.com

“Bono, the only child of Sonny Bono and Cher, was born female but legally changed his gender and name last year,” said reuters.com

TMZ even looked into whether Chaz would be paired with a man or woman, despite the fact that all men are paired with women on the show and vice versa.  The site continued to note that Bono is only “legally” a man, rather than saying he is physically, mentally and self identified as a man.

Well, as far as I’m concerned, Chaz Bono is a human being, not a former this-or-that, or worthy of any addendum, really.  Chaz Bono knew he was a male from a young age. Chaz Bono is a male. Chaz Bono is Chaz Bono and Chaz Bono likes to dance. So what?

I think Cher put it eloquently when she Tweeted, ” Bet VAST MAJORITY of People will LOVE CHAZ on DWTS! & it’s took Fkg Guts 2!”  This can probably be decoded as “Way to go Chaz, fuck everyone and do what you like.”

Cher’s empowering Tweets were in response to the harsh criticism both ABC and Bono have been getting over the casting decision.  Many people have taken to ABC’s message boards to say they are offended, will no longer watch the show or to accuse the network of pushing a homosexual agenda.

“We don’t have an agenda of any sorts. I think of the 120 celebrities we’ve put on the show, we’ve had, I think now, three transgender or gay contestants. If that’s a homosexual agenda, we’re not doing very well at it,” Conrad Green, DWTS executive producer told hollywoodreporter.com. “What we try to do is reflect a broad range of the entertainment world in the casting of the show, and we’re always trying to find new things that people haven’t seen, new types of stories and that’s what we’ve been doing this season.”

It’s upsetting to me that ABC has to limit the number of gay or transgender people they cast on the show in order to please an audience.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but if they limited the number of African American or Latino people on the show to appease the audience, that would make the audience racist, right?  Well this is discriminatory as well. America wouldn’t stand for a racially segregated show, so why would it propose this type of segregation?

While I understand that the same rights that allow me to write this article are granted to those who hatefully take to the message boards, it saddens me.  It hurts that the right is used maliciously and with complete disregard to human rights. That is, the human right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which Bono is on the hunt for, without infringing upon the rights of others. So what gives these angry commenters the right to infringe upon his? Nothing.

Let the man live, and let him dance.

Chaz Bono was the biggest name of all when ABC announced the new cast for “Dancing with the Stars.”

The child of Cher and Sonny Bono, Chaz, 42, famously underwent a sex change in 2008. Chaz is a female-to-male transsexual, born Chastity Sun Bono. He will compete with one of the female dancers on “DWTS”

Other cast members include talk show host Ricki Lake, 42, Lakers player Ron Artest, 31, former “Laguna Beach” and “Hills” star Kristin Cavallari, 24, singer Chynna Phillips, 42, actor David Arquette, 39, TV personality Carson Kressley, 41, HLN commentator Nancy Grace, 51, “All My Children” star J.R. Martinez, 28, US soccer goalie Hope Solo, Rob Kardashian, and Italian actress recently dumped by George Clooney, Elisabetta Canalis, 32.

It was a perfect ending — literally.

Hines Ward, Chelsea Kane and Kirstie Alley each received perfect scores for their final performances Tuesday on the “Dancing With the Stars” season finale.

But in the end, it was once again a football player to take home the title.

The judges’ scores combined with viewer votes, and Ward broke a tie with Kane and held off Alley in the final.

Network television continues to limp towards its season finale, as a slew of once popular shows in their later seasons hit or tied series lows.

“Chuck” drew a 1.3 in the demo and just over 4 million viewers. It’s renewal prospects are up in the air given the new management at NBC, and the shocking fact that most of their shows are non-competitive. The fate of “The Event” (1.1 demo, 3.7 million) is more certain, as is “Law and Order: LA” (1.2 demo, 5 million viewers), as in certain to be canceled in the coming weeks.

CBS has seen its fortunes dwindle on Monday also since the departure of Charlie Sheen, making you wonder if they’ll demand his return. A “Two and a Half Men” repeat scored a 1.7 in the demo, and 6.3 million viewers overall. New eps weren’t good either for the eye net, “How I Met Your Mother” hit a low with a 2.5 in the demo and 6.3 million viewers, while “Mad Love” was dismal with a 1.8 in the demo and just over 5 million viewers. Once mighty freshman hit “Mike and Molly” suffered (2.2 demo, 7.5 million viewer) and the network that paid more than $2 million for the right to syndicate “Hawaii 5-0″ might want its money back (2.2 demo, 9 million viewers).

ABC rode “Dancing with the Stars” to a nightly victory. “Stars” averaged a 4.1 in the demo over two hours, and gave a bump to “Castle,” which led the 10 pm hour with a 3.1 and 12.6 million viewers.

Over at Fox, just-renewed-”House” hit lows as well, drawing a 2.9 in the demo, and 7.7 million viewers. It

Dancer Karina Smirnoff tripped over partner Ralph Macchio’s coat on Monday’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

After the incident, she tweeted, “Thank u all so much for ur kind words and support!” She continued, “It means a world to us! And thank u for believing in us! Love u.”

Despite the incident, they scored a solid 24 out of 30 points. However, Smirnoff told People that it “was disappointing, because it was such an awesome routine and Ralph was doing such an awesome job. I think the floor is jinxed.”

She added, “I really hope we get to do the encore dance Tuesday. That would be my way to get redemption.”

Kirstie Alley, Boxing champ Sugar Ray Leonard, model Petra Nemcova and Ralph Macchio, the original “Karate Kid” are among 11 contestants on the new season ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” which returns March 21.

The cast was announced Monday by hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke during an episode of “The Bachelor.”

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, professional wrestler Chris Jericho, “Loveline” radio show co-host Mike Catherwood, burned out rapper Romeo, Chelsea Kane of Disney Channel’s “Jonas,” talk show host Wendy Williams and reality star Kendra Wilkinson round out the cast.

“Dirty Dancing” actress Jennifer Grey won last season.

Jennifer Grey won! Kyle Massey was the second, and third prize went to Bristol Palin.

The show did not end up turning into a popularity show, which some people were worried about since Palin, not really a talented dancer, was mainly backed up by her mother’s supporters, and if she won, it would not be a dancing contest.

Grey commented regarding the results: “I didn’t think I was going to compete tonight. And I’m really glad I did!” Grey cried after being
announced as the winner as she jumped into Hough’s arms.

A week after a full season pickup, The Event shrank from a 2.2 to a 2.0 demo rating, with less than 6 million viewers tuning in. Chase fell even lower, to a 1.3 demo rating. More people tuned in to Univision than NBC Monday.

ABC was the night’s most watched net in the demo and total viewers. Dancing With the Stars attracted a 4.2 demo and 20 million viewers from 8-10 p.m.. Castle was the most watched show at 10, with 11.3 million viewers and a 2.9 demo.

CBS lost ground, as Hawaii 5-0 continued to drop, falling to a 2.8 demo and 10.2 million viewers; it’s getting low for CBS, while Mike and Molly is seeming like the net’s hit this season.

8 pm

Dancing with the Stars (8-10 pm): 4.2 demo, 20 million viewers

How I Met Your Mother: 3.2 demo, 8.3 million viewers

Chuck: 1.9 demo, 5.5 million viewers

House (Repeat): 1.4 demo, 4 million viewers

8:30 pm

Rules of Engagement: 3.0 demo, 8.2 million viewers

9 pm

Two and a Half Men: 4.3 demo, 13.7 million viewers

The Event: 2.0 demo, 5.97 million viewers

Lie to Me: 1.6 demo, 4.3 million viewers

9:30 pm

Mike and Molly: 3.7 demo, 10.8 million viewers

10 pm

Castle: 2.9 demo, 11.3 million viewers

Hawaii 5-0: 2.8 demo, 10.2 million viewers

Chase: 1.3 demo, 4.9 million viewers

After a not so great performance in Monday’s competition, “Jersey Shore” star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, 29, was voted off “Dancing with the Stars.”

Sorrentino and his partner Karina Smirnoff received 28 points, the lowest score of Monday’s competition.

According to CBS News, he was spotted sulking in the parking lot, smoking a cigarette and shaking his head while a friend tried to console him, after the Monday performance.

On the show, Judge Bruno Tonioli had called his tango “a terrible mess” and judge Carrie Ann Inaba said it was a “rough ride.”

“I don’t know what their deal was. I really don’t know,” Sorrentino told UsMagazine.com after the dancing incident. “I was upset. I actually stormed off upset because I tried so hard. I really did. I changed my haircut; I don’t know.”

“I really did try my best, and hopefully the viewers saw that. I really put in the work and practiced, and I hope they put us through to the next week because I tried so hard,” Sorrentino continued.

“I really didn’t think it was fair,” Sorrentino argued during the elimination program.

What TV show is he going to jump in next?

ABC won Monday night with the 1-2 punch of “Dancing with the Stars” and “Castle.” From 8-10, “Dancing” averaged 19.7 million viewers and a 4.2 rating, to lead the night. “Castle” logged good numbers at 10, with a 3.1 rating and 12 million viewers.

NBC was in fourth for the night, and its Monday night slate keeps getting worse; cancellation looms for “Lost” wannabe “The Event,” which drew only 6.5 million viewers and a 2.2 rating, and “Chase,” which fell to a 1.5 rating and 5 million viewers. “Chuck ” is also on its last legs, with a 1.9 rating and 5.3 million viewers and 8.

CBS had a good night for second place. At 8, “How I Met Your Mother” averaged 8.5 million viewers and a 3.4 rating, while “Rules of Engagement” drew 8 million viewers and a 3.0 rating at 8:30. “Two and A Half Men” was still Monday’s top scripted show, with 13.2 million viewers and a 4.3 rating. “Mike and Molly” stayed strong with a 3.5 rating and 10.7 million viewers. “Hawaii 5-0″ fell a little bit, drawing 10.5 million viewers and a 3.1 rating, to tie for first at 10.

“House” was typically strong for Fox, with a 3.6 rating and 9.5 million viewers, but the network was again brought down by “Lie to Me,” which fell to just under a 2.0 rating and 5.5 million viewers–a sure sign the show is in trouble.

Start the cancellation watch for “The Event.” The show dropped another 20% in the 18-49 demo, dropping to a 2.4 rating, and 7.4 million viewers. Sorry fans, this isn’t the next “Lost,” and don’t expect it to stick around very long. The rest of NBC’s Monday slate was pretty weak as well, with “Chuck” in fourth at 8, pulling a 1.9 rating and 5.8 million viewers. “Chase” looks likely to go first though, dropping to a 1.7 rating and 5.8 million viewers.

ABC won the night, led by “Dancing with the Stars.” From 8-10, the reality show averaged a 4.4 rating and 20.1 million viewers. Castle was second at 10, with a 3.0 rating and 12 million viewers.

CBS was second for the night. At 8, “How I Met Your Mother” dipped a bit to a 3.4 rating and 8.5 million viewers. “Rules of Engagement” drew 8.4 million viewers and a 3.0 rating at 8:30. “Two and a Half Men” was the top scripted show of the night, drawing 14.2 million viewers and a 4.5 rating at 9. Lead-out “Mike and Molly” is officially a hit; it held 12.2 million viewers and a 3.8 rating. “Hawaii Five-0″ is also a bonafide hit; it drew 12 million viewers and a 3.5 rating.

Fox was anchored by “House” at 8, which was typically strong with a 3.9 rating and 10.5 million viewers. “Lie to Me” dragged the network down at 9 however, drawing a 2.2 rating and 5.9 million viewers in its season premiere, replacing the now cancelled “Lone Star.” If it continues to lose more than 40% of “House’s” lead-in, “Lie to Me” looks endangered as well.

Now she only has, what, four television shows?

Kate Gosselin is one of many people with no discernible talent, except for the ability to create tooth-clenching drama on reality television.

And tonight, this was proven once and for all.

Gosselin was voted off “Dancing With the Stars” after five weeks of torturous dancing ended by a stiff foxtrot that left her with an extremely poor score this week.

Judge Bruno Tolini described Gosselin’s dancing as “catatonic.”

If you want to catch some talent on DWTS, check out the performances by ESPN’s Erin Andrews or Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.

“Dancing With the Stars” showed America what reality television could be like if it were some kind of positive force in entertainment, as Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson put on the crowd-winning performance.

We learned a lot about Kelly Osbourne, who grew as a celebrity and as an entertainer in this episode. It’s too bad she didn’t win, but there was so much talent from the pros and the celebs this season that the ending was the reward, and all the three final couples showed talent and gave the audience something real.

R&B talent Mya and pro dancer Dmitry Chaplin came in second place.

There was some talent missing, however: Whitney Houston’s. The downtrodden diva sounded just terrible, hoarse and off key tonight on the finale of “Dancing.”

The premiere season has just about wound down at this point, but we have a few cable shows on tap tonight.

Animal Planet premieres “Weird, True and Freaky” at 9 p.m., with “Lost Tapes” to follow at 10. MTV has some reality shows starting tonight; most notably is the reality-drama “The Hills” at 10 with “The City” to follow at 10:30.

Actor Omar Miller is joining CSI: Miami as a regular starting with the October 5 episode. Miller will play Walter Simmons, an art chief from Louisiana who joins the crime fighting CSI team.

CBS had the best night on Friday, according to Nielsen, with premieres of “Ghost Whisperer,” “Medium” and “Numb3rs” scoring big on the ranking charts. We predict that will continue tonight as CBS has new episodes of three of its biggest shows, “NCIS,” the new “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and “The Good Wife.”

We wonder how long “NCIS: Los Angeles” will continue to air on Tuesdays. The two NCIS shows are hits, and we have to assume one will get moved to bolster a slower weekday.

“Dancing with the Stars” is on ABC tonight and “So You Think You Can Dance” is on FOX.

Finally, no it’s not the 90s, but new episodes of the new “90210,” and “Melrose Place” are on The CW tonight.

By the way: Because of a reporting error, we said “NCIS: Los Angeles” aired on Mondays. It airs on Tuesdays.

Yesterday’s 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony really got us excited about the fall TV season, and tonight is going to triple that feeling.

“House” premieres at 8 p.m. on FOX, alongside “Heroes” on NBC, “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC and “How I Met Your Mother” on CBS. Your DVR can usually only record two shows, so good luck.

At 8:30, check out “Accidentally on Purpose” on CBS. The jury’s still out on it, so let us know what you think in the comments section.

Then at 9 we have “Two and a Half Men.” Comedy Central is also starting to show “Scrubs” season 8.

“The Big Bang Theory,” has its season premiere at 9:30 on CBS.

Things get going again at 10 with “Castle” on ABC and “CSI: Miami” on CBS. Travel Channel’s “Madventures” also starts up at 10.

Also, tonight at 10, we have the premiere of a 5-part miniseries on The Sundance Channel. “Brick City,” is executive produced by Forest Whitaker.

Finally, don’t miss The Late Show with David Letterman tonight with special guest (actually) President Barack Obama.

Dancing With the Stars has had its fair amount of drama this season. However, Monday may win the top spot for unexpected dramatic occurrences.

Marie Osmond fainted on-camera while receiving her score after her samba performance, becoming another of the many celebrities who struggle through the hit ABC show.

The 48-year-old singer and mother of eight appeared to be all right by the time the show came back from a forced commercial break. Reassuringly, host Tom Bergeron informed the audience that Osmond’s first words upon awakening were, “Oh, crap.”

Unfortunately, Osmond’s faint did not win her points for effort. She was still given a low 21/30 for her performance.

Other recent show dilemmas include Jennifer Lopez’s pretaped performance, which will air Tuesday. The pregalicious singer had to cancel her live performance because of a family emergency. Gloria Estefan was also booked to perform live but canceled to be with her mother who underwent emergency surgery recently. Cast member Jane Seymour also had to miss a show to travel to England and be with her family after the death of her mother.

There were no details as to what caused Osmond’s collapse. Keep connected to Blast for new developments.