'DWTS' Season 17 Cast Controversy: Producer Outraged 2 Contestants Have Dance Experience
"Dancing With The Stars" is entering its 17th season, but the hit dancing show is not without controversy after contestants Elizabeth Berkley and Corbin Bleu were criticized for having prior dancing experience.
"It's not fair!" veteran stage producer Brian Howie told RadarOnline.com. "They have the muscle memory about the ways to do this. I think it's dishonest that [the show doesn't] level the playing field."
The new cast of "Dancing With The Stars" was revealed on "Good Morning America" early Wednesday morning.
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Season 17 of ABC's hit reality dancing competition had already seen several of the names of the contestants leaked ahead of the big announcement, but the full line of 12 participants were rolled out on Wednesday.
Tom Bergeron and his co-host Brooke Burke-Charvet announced the new cast members live from New York City's Times Square.
"Jersey Shore" star Snooki has joined the highly anticipated new season, followed by NFL star Keyshawn Johnson.
Valerie Harper has also joined season 17 despite overcoming a terminal illness earlier this year. The 74-year-old "Mary Tyler Moore Show" star was diagnosed with brain cancer and given just months to live, but is ready to hit the ballroom on "DWTS."
Next, "Pretty Little Liars" star Brant Daugherty will compete this year, followed by singer Christina Milian, Bill Nye "the Science Guy," and "Saved by the Bell" star Elizabeth Berkley.
"High School Musical" alum Corbin Bleu also stepped up to dance this season.
Rounding out the cast for season 17 was "Glee" star Amber Riley, comedian Bill Engvall, reality television star Jack Osbourne, and finally, Leah Remini from the sitcom "King of Queens."
Season 17 of "DWTS" will kick off on ABC on Sept. 16 at 8 p.m.
