There were some celebrities at the “Church” of Scientology’s 41st anniversary party in Hollywood over the weekend. Most notably a glowing and pregnant Kelly Preston was there along with her husband, John Travolta. Former DWTS contestant, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and his wife were in attendance, as were Jenna Elfman and Nancy Cartwright, best known as the voice of Bart Simpson. Parenthood star Erika Christensen was also at the event, which disappoints me because I love that show and really like her character. She’s a great actress. I remember seeing a photo of her at the 2002 Scientology anniversary with Tom Cruise and Jason Lee. I was hoping she was “out” of the cult now but I guess not.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were conspicuously absent, though. Tom has been doing promotion for Knight & Day overseas while Katie has been filming in Canada. Cruise owns a private jet (or three) and could easily have flown in. I wonder what kept him away and if there’s more than just busy schedules behind the fact that he didn’t attend. I’m hoping it has to do with a falling out he might have with the church, or maybe some kind of deliberate distancing. Scientology’s reputation has never been poorer. We’ve heard so much recently from defectors about the horrific conditions they suffered along with the abuses committed by head David Miscavige. The last time the Holmes-Cruises were spotted at a Scientology event was in October of last year. Are they going to make sure they’re no longer the defacto cult spokespeople?

I’ll say something nice – Kelly and John Travolta look really happy and I’m so happy for them that they’re expecting. Their daughter is a cutie, too. I hope she’s getting a secular education, but I doubt it.

The new lineup for Dancing With The Stars was announced, and apart from Kate Gosselin (who surely leaked the news ahead of the official list in order to get some more publicity mileage) it’s not half bad. And in “not half bad” I mean that I recognize most of the competitors’ names and am even interested in seeing some of them dance. First up is greasy has-been Pamela Anderson, who will incite the censors with her fabric-challenged outfits while trying to dance her way out of the trailer park. There’s also Bachelor Jake, who made his final choice last night, Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, gold winning figure skater Evan Lysacek, and ESPN anchor and peeping tom victim, Erin Andrews. Here’s more:

It’s official: Kate Gosselin is headed back to television.

The 34-year-old mother-of-eight will compete on the ninth season of the ABC reality hit, it was announced Monday.

Her competition: Bachelor Jake Pavelka, Pamela Anderson; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, soap star Aiden Turner, ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, Shannen Doherty, Buzz Aldrin, Niecy Nash, Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger and Olympic skater Evan Lysacek.

[From US Weekly]

Many of you were rolling your eyes at the statements in Kate Gosselin’s Radar Online announcement yesterday. One that was particularly laughable: “the mom of 8 likely will do most of her practicing near her Pennsylvania home because she insists on putting her children first.” You know that the next step for Kate will be posing in a bikini on a magazine cover with “how I lost 15 pounds.” She’s just one step behind Nadya “I’m doing it all for my kids” Suleman.

As I said yesterday, I doubt Kate will be able to bring it anyway. I’m really rooting for Niecy Nash! I love her on Clean House and find her so much fun. I’m also interested in seeing Shannen Doherty after all this time. There are rumors that she’s been gunning for her own reality show to help revive her career, but DWTS will probably do much more for her if she’s able to pull it off with grace and a good attitude.

Looking through photos of the other contestants, I have to say that Chad Ochocinco is one gorgeous man! (The bald African American guy, below.) Aiden Turner isn’t bad, but he looks like one of the “Jersey Shore” cast with that spiky hair.

Photo credit: WENN.com except for photos of Erin Andrews and Kate Gosselin, credit: PRPhotos