Too funny. The cast for the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars was announced today. Making the cut: Former Congressman Tom DeLay.

DWTS will feature its first politician — former Congressman Tom DeLay— on the season's Sept. 21 (8 ET/PT) premiere. DeLay, 62, served as House Majority leader until he was forced to step down following a 2005 Texas grand jury indictment on money laundering charges. Known as “the Hammer” for his dealing with political opponents, the polarizing Republican's legal woes remain unresolved.

“I really am a big fan of the show,” says DeLay, an open supporter of Sara Evans when the country singer competed in Season 3. “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.”

I wonder if Rod Blagojevich applied.

The other contestants:

Besides DeLay, there are several potential eyebrow raising ballroom wannabees, including 51-year-old Donnie Osmond, whose sister, Marie, was a Season 6 finalist. There's ample testosterone. Among the men are former Dallas Cowboy receiver Michael Irvin, 43, mixed martial arts star Chuck Liddell, 39, pro skateboarder Louie Vito, 21, and Mark DaCascos, 45, a martial arts expert, film action star and host of Food Network'sIron Chef America: The Series.

Some of the female hoofers also are decidedly competitive. Swimmer Natalie Coughlin, 26, Dancing's latest nod to Olympians, is a multi-gold medal winner, while model Joanna Krupa, 30, showed an aggressive streak ridiculing and quieting the normally outspoken Buffalo Bills Terrell Owens during their pairing on ABC's early summer, celeb-sports match off The Superstars.

Also, Kathy Ireland, Macy Gray, Aaron Carter, Ashley Hamilton (son of George Hamilton), Melissa Joan Hart, Debi Mazar, and Kelly Osbourne.

Doesn't sound like a great lineup to me, more like a B-list of celebs needing a career boost, but I'm sure I'll watch anyway.

[10:00 pm MT: See updates below, Congrats to Shawn Johnson and Mark!]

The winner will be chosen tonight on Dancing With the Stars. My vote: Melissa and then Gilles. Who I think will win: Gilles, but I’m not counting Shawn out because she has been terrific the past few weeks, especially last night. Gilles is really hot, but too often his dancing seems to be more about Cheryl than him. Len pointed it out last night, but I’ve been thinking that for a while.

Melissa is the best dancer of the three, by far I think. Shawn has the gymnast thing going which may make her appear better than she really is. Go Mel!

My pal Jesse Csincsak, former Bachelorette winner, is looking to be on the next season of Dancing With the Stars. I'd think he'd be terrific. As a professional snowboarder, he's certainly got the athletic skills and balance and coordination. Plus, he really looks good (and even better in person than on camera.) So I hope you'll take a few minutes and go sign the petition to help get him on the show. (You can even sign and click the box not to have your name displayed.)

Updates on tonight’s show below:

It’s great to see Steve Wozniak back. He always brings a smile to my face. Julianne Hough is just so pretty and perky, I’m glad she’ll be back next season. Ok, they are almost ready for the final dances which will only be scored by judges, not the viewers.

Len is so animated tonight. He usually seems like a grumpy old man. Tonight, particularly during the promo pieces, he’s got fire in his belly.

Lil’ Kim and Derek bring the house down with Jailhouse Rock. I think she deserved third place instead of Shawn Johnson.

The three finalists did a great scene about who would win the trophy. Melissa is still taking a lot of ribbing about the Bachelor. Gilles said to her, “Melissa, You take this rose, I’ll take this trophy.” A comedian who was a former DWTS contestant roasted them earlier and also did a Bachelor joke on her saying first she came in second on the Bachelor, now she’ll come in second on DWTS. Memo to comedian: Melissa came in first on the Bachelor…it was after the final rose that Jason changed his mind.

Finally, we’re going to get to see the final dances, and then the winner. 45 minutes to go.

Update: Shawn and Mark just finished the cha-cha. The judges loved it and each gave her a “10,” but I think Carrie Anne’s comment, “You deserve to be here” means she isn’t going to win.

Melissa and Tony’s Samba: Outstanding. She is by far the best dancer of the three. The Judges loved it and were effusive. Scores: 10 -10-10! Ok, I say it’s between Melissa and Gilles now.

I didn’t like Gilles and Cheryl’s last dance too much but the Judges give it a unanimous “10″ and Bruno proclaims “A star is born.” If just the judges were voting, I’d say it goes to Gilles. But the viewers’ votes have a big impact. So I think Melissa is still in the running, but …just a few minutes left, they are tabulating the votes.

Update: Melissa takes third place. She’s a winner anyway. What a great career she has ahead of her.

Prediction: Gilles wins. Final commercial break.

Closest votes ever, less than 1% difference between Gilles and Shawn. And the winner is: Shawn Johnson! Congratulations, Shawn and Mark.

That’s a wrap, I’ll try to do a better job predicting the outcome of this season’s Bachelorette. And remember, please go here and sign the petition for Jesse Csinscak to be on next season’s Dancing With the Stars.

It’s the final competition on Dancing With The Stars. All of the three finalists are incredible tonight. My favorite is Melissa, but Shawn and Mark’s free-style was incredible — and Gilles is really good. The judges didn’t love her free-style but they still gave her “9″‘s. So she’s still in the running.

This seems like it will be the closest year ever. Considering Melissa only joined the show four days before it began airing, just getting to the finals is such an accomplishment for her.

Here’s an interview today with Melissa and Tony.