Producers desperate to keep Jewel ‘Dancing’

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

“Dancing with the Stars” producers are going to do whatever it takes to get singer Jewel, who injured her knees while rehearsing, to dance her way into the season premiere.

A source close to the show says, “it’s one thing to have to have a contestant drop out during the show, but before? It’s a disaster. She’s been promo’d and it’s so late in the game — pinning down another contestant at this point who has time in their schedule? I can’t even imagine it.”

In an ABC statement, Jewel says she is “dedicated to getting better and showing the judges and America that I can cha cha cha with the best of them. Don’t count me out, as I am in this for the long run.”

“If the injury is bad, obviously we aren’t going to put her well-being in jeopardy,” says the source, “but we really, really hope she makes it at least through the first episode.”

‘Gossip Girl’ hits D.C.
Don’t go thinking that because the inauguration is over, Hollywood has broken up with Washington D.C.

Slideshow   Celebrity sightings Jennifer Aniston gets excited, Kate Winslet shows off her men, and more. more photos

Feb. 26th was the Organizing for America Kickoff Celebration, and the “special guest?” Laura Breckenridge of “Gossip Girl.” (“Shocking, there are celebs in Hollywood who support Democratic politics,” said one fellow invitee.)

And while most Hollywood types aren’t ones for scheduling well in advance, publicists and celebs alike are already trying to score invites to the White House Correspondent’s dinner this May.

“Half of them don’t even realize the dinner is not in the White House itself,” said one publicist (who was trying to score a ticket for her client), “but it doesn’t matter. They all still want to seem relevant in Washington.

Tim Burton wants to collaborate with The Cure
This seems like an obvious one: Film director Tim Burton, who is currently working on a 3D version of “Alice in Wonderland,” wants to collaborate with rock band The Cure.

The BBC reports that the director, who bears more than a passing resemblance to Cure front man Robert Smith, says, "Their music has always been inspirational to me … in anything I've done. Always in the back of my mind it's probably rolling around there somewhere in my soul."

Weekend box office pick
Pity the film that opens opposite the Jonas Brothers.

“Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li” gets wide release this weekend and was expected to do quite well considering the popularity of the video game.

But that was all before “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience” was slated for the same date. Expect the Jonas movie to do huge business and come in at number one.

More on Jewel | 'Dancing With the Stars'

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com. Follow Scoop on Twitter: @ courtneyatmsnbc.

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