Kate Gosselin on Dancing with the Stars ... Why?

"It might be a crazy life" ... but it's about to become a lot crazier for Kate Gosselin, star of TLC's now-defunct Jon and Kate Plus Eight. Gosselin was just named to the cast of ABC's upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars.

Why would Kate Gosselin take on such a commitment? After all, consider the evidence:

• Kate told Jay Leno in December "I so cannot dance ... it would be a sad sight." However, on the same appearance, she told him she'd love to be on Dancing With the Stars.
• Fans of Jon and Kate Plus Eight may recall the episode where Jon and Kate took the kids ice skating. Kate begged off from trying, citing her fear of hurting herself since she was responsible for so many kids. Hmmm ... I believe she's even more responsible for those kids now, as a single mom. Maybe dancing carries less risk that circling the rink on skates?
• Who can forget Jon dancing with an awkward Kate during their August 2008 vow renewal in Hawaii? Kate looked anything but graceful and comfortable as she and Jon turned in a slow circle at their reception. How will Kate handle the complex routines she'll need to do on DWTS?

On the other hand, I think we can all guess why. This is Kate Gosselin, who has showed us over and over that she'll do pretty much whatever it takes (short of returning to her original career as a nurse) to make a buck. I'm betting she'll be well compensated for her stint, however brief, on Dancing With the Stars. Heck, maybe she had this in mind when she got those $7500 hair extensions.

We learn from Radar Online that Kate will do most of her practicing for the show near her 1.1 million dollar Pennsylvania home "because she insists on putting her children first." Okay, but it seems to me that regardless of where she's practicing, the children will not be around during those sessions. Then again, considering Kate's well-known temper, maybe that's not such a bad thing for them.

Kate apparently feels that she is the current breadwinner for the family (thanks to lawsuits against Jon and her divorce from him, both of which were largely caused by her), and this is her way of keeping the kids fed and clothed. Hey - it beats working at McDonald's!

As for ABC's motivation in casting Kate, that is a no-brainer. She may not be able to dance, but she's proven to be a ratings draw (at least for TLC, and at least last year). Whether she can now make the leap to "being famous for being famous" is something yet to be determined.

ABC reports on its website that after raising 8 kids, appearing on Dancing With the Stars will be "just a walk (or dance) in the park" for Kate. I suppose we'll see.

SOURCES:
ABC: Dancing With the Stars
Radar Online: It's True! Kate Gosselin Will Be On Dancing With the Stars
ETOnline: Kate Gosselin: I'd Like to be on Dancing With The Stars