Dancing With the Stars Preps 8th Batch of Celeb Talent

Fans of dance-reality television programming and gluttons for punishment alike, listen up: ABC's massive hit series Dancing With the Stars is warming up for a March 9 return to the airwaves, and the talent pool has just been revealed.

Per the On the Red Carpet blog, the 8th season cast features these 13 would-be hoofer celebs: Singer Belinda Carlisle, Singer Chuck Wicks, Actor David Alan Grier, Actor Denise Richards, Actor Gilles Marini, Singer Jewel, Football great Lawrence Taylor, Singer Lil' Kim, TV host Nancy O'Dell, Gymnast Shawn Johnson, TV star Steve-O, Computer guru Steve Wozniak, Bull rider Ty Murray.

This set seems to be more diverse than previous casts--if diversity is the right label for group that includes an Olympic gold medalist, an 80s pop diva-turned weight loss product pitch woman, a feisty rapper, a yodeling pop-country star, a tabloid TV hostess, and people you probably have never heard of. While the question remains: Are you really a "star" if you have to preface your name with your occupation? ABC hopes viewers are once again seduced by the appeal of B (and below) list celebs learning how to dance professionally on primetime television. Although the show is recorded live here in Los Angeles, like all big network programming, we left coasters have to wait 3 hours to see these stars...and their two left feet.