A-Listers? 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 13 Cast Line-Up Announced

COMMENTARY | Did we all miss something? Were we not promised by the producers of "Dancing With The Stars" shortly after Season 12 ended that they would be attempting to get more A-list celebrities for the hit show? When the Season 13 cast line-up was announced on ABC's "Bachelor Pad" Monday evening, was there anything but D-listers in the bunch? Did the attempt fail or are the viewers of the nation's second-ranked television program supposed to believe that talk show personality and court of public opinion bludgeon Nancy Grace and Courtney Cox ex David Arquette are A-listers?

Back in July, TMZ reported that the producers of "Dancing With The Stars" were given orders to bring in some A-listers, an apparent response to all the older and waning "stars" -- like Kirstie Alley and Ralph Macchio -- they had been corralling for the dance floor. To provide incentive, producers were told the celebrities could pick and choose their practice schedule and have final say over costume design and music selection.

The line-up that ABC got for Season 13 with its less demanding enticement, besides the aforementioned Grace and Arquette, were:

* Chaz Bono - transgender activist (and actress Cher's daughter)

* Ron Artest - Los Angeles Lakers NBA player

* Hope Solo - U. S. Olympic and World Cup soccer player

* Kristin Cavallari - reality show star on "The Hills"

* J. R. Martinez - daytime drama actor on "All My Children"

* Elisabetta Canalis - Italian actress and model best known for dating actor George Clooney

* Ricki Lake - former talk show host and actress

* Chynna Phillips - actress and singer

* Carson Kressley - fashion designer/entrepreneur, reality show host of "How To Look Good Naked"

* Robert Kardashian - reality show star of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians"

Perhaps we shouldn't be so hard on the "DWTS" producers. Most of the stars in the Season 13 line-up are on shows that are currently broadcasting or they are currently in-demand actors. The two sports celebrities are currently at the top of their respective disciplines. And Canalis -- well, having dated George Clooney -- does a celebrity lose rank after breaking off a relationship with an A-list star? (Perhaps we could ask Arquette...)

Regardless, the new cast should be interesting to watch. Besides, having D-list stars like The Situation from "Jersey Shore" and reality show melodrama queen Kate Gosselin dancing across the floor hasn't seemed to hurt the show's ratings in the past.

Season 13 of "Dancing With The Stars" is set to premiere on ABC Sept. 19. The professional dance partners for the stars will be announced on "Good Morning America" Aug. 31. Host Tom Bergeron returns with co-host Brooke Burke, as do the judges -- Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman.

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Sources:

"'Dancing With The Stars' -- Sorry For All The D-Listers," TMZ.com

"Meet The Cast," ABC.go.com