Ox Notes: June 9, 2008

MOIB reader Amy alerted me to a news release from IMDb in which Cybill Shepherd is quoted as saying, "I love ballroom dancing. I've been offered Dancing With the Stars and I'd love to do it. I'm sure I could do it." Shepherd's publicist has since told the New York Post, "She's not going to do it."

DwtS 6 contestant Mario told BuddyTV that he wishes would've gotten more constructive criticism from Len Goodman, instead of comments designed "to get the crowd to laugh."

Even with the boost Dancing with the Stars has given to ballroom dancing's popularity, it would still take at least 12 years before ballroom dancing could become an Olympic sport.

The Chinese government is backtracking on promises it made to the International Olympic Committee, leading to headaches for the international networks and news outlets planning to broadcast from Beijing. The government has imposed strict new security measures, delaying shipments of camera equipment and adding mountains of paperwork just weeks before TV crews need to be in place for the August Games.

People.com posted a list of the So You Think You Can Dance 4 Top Twenty, along with a few of the more colorful dancers who didn't make the cut.

Patrick Swayze will continue with his cancer treatment as he films the new series The Beast for A&E.

Rather than focus on fighting with the studios during contract negotiations, SAG picked a fight with AFTRA, urging the 40,000 actors with dual membership to delay approval of AFTRA's contract with the studios.

The winner of the third season of The Next Food Network Star, Amy Finley, opted not to renew her contract with the Food Network after only six episodes, in part because bloggers were mean to her. Amy, I'm sure those bloggers will have a whole new respect for you now that you've decided to quit, effectively undermining the whole premise of the show right as a new season begins.