Valerie Harper gives new meaning to the term “real trouper.”
Diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and now in remission, Harper, 74, has joined the cast of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” The new season’s two-hour debut is Monday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m.
The new cast gathered on “Good Morning America” today and Harper said that time is on her side. “My doctors and neurologists …. they are just delighted that I’m moving in the right direction,” she said.
After 16 installments and declining ratings, “Dancing” has been cut back to from two broadcasts per week to just one, and the show needs a star of Harper’s stature — with a heartbreaking personal story — to get viewers to tune in again.
Harper, who will partner with Tristan MacManus, is joined by the usual collection of athletes, ABC actors and showbiz refugees.
Former Scientologist Leah Remini, who once starred on the CBS sitcom “King of Queens,” will dance with “Dancing” vet Tony Dovolani.
Former “Jersey Shore” sensation Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi will foxtrot with Sasha Farber. It’s his first time as a pro on the show and he will have his work cut out for him with the potty-mouthed, pint-sized ex-party girl.
Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, whose movie career went up in flames decades ago, thanks to a one-word stinker called “Showgirls,” will tango with Valentin Chmerkovskiy.
“Glee” alumna Amber Riley had the luck of the draw when show producers paired her with “Dancing” champ Derek Hough, who has now won four mirrorball trophies to his credit.
Rock ’n roll offspring Jack Osbourne will dance with Cheryl Burke.
The other contestants include comedian Bill Engvall, Disney Channel star Corbin Blue, “Pretty Little Liars” actor Brant Daugherty, singer Christina Milan, ESPN analyst and former New York Jet Keyshawn Johnson and Bill Nye, the Science Guy.