the kicker

Not Since Tucker Carlson…

August 17, 2009

… doffed his bow tie to compete* on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars in 2006 (only to be declared “an awful mess!” by one judge and become the first contestant voted off) will Beltway folks have a better reason to tune in to the dance competition show: former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R, TX) will appear on DWTS‘s ninth season, starting next week (along with fellow “Stars” Kelly Osbourne, Donny Osmond, and Michael Irvin, among others). The announcement is already making headlines; DeLay tells USA Today: “I really am a big fan of the show. I couldn’t believe they asked me to do this. It didn’t take me five minutes to agree. I’ve been working out like crazy.”

(Note: DeLay’s official DWTS bio doesn’t get into any of this.)

And, a flashback:

*rather, was relieved of his tie while competing

Liz Cox Barrett is a writer at CJR.