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'Dancing With the Stars': 'Psycho' Mike Catherwood, Regis Philbin replacement?

mike-catherwood-dwts.jpgA lot of people may have been shrugging when radio DJ "Psycho" Mike Catherwood's name was announced as part of the "Dancing With the Stars" Season 12 cast.

But those who think they aren't familiar with the KROQ personality might want to think again. Catherwood recently pitch hit for Regis Philbin on "Live," and we were pretty impressed with his co-hosting skills. So when we spoke with him at the casting special, we asked him if he'd consider taking the seat on a permanent basis.

"I feel like there's a better chance of my name coming up as a possible lunch date with Kelly Ripa than a fill-in for Regis," he says, brushing off the notion that he's a candidate.

"It's a pretty cool gig," he says. "It couldn't hurt my cred being on the biggest ABC show out there, so let's just throw that in the mix. Let's get something started."

Consider it started.

With that out of the way, we were mostly curious how his inclusion on the show came to be. "I originally didn't want to do it," he says. "It sounds super corny, but I didn't want to make my life a series of running away from things that scared me. I want to take this tidal wave of intimidation and go after it, so at least I can have the gratification of knowing that I did that."

Admittedly "not a graceful dude," Mike is more apprehensive about his reception than his actual performance. "Being judged," he says is what he's most nervous about. "And not just necessarily by Carrie Ann and the crew... the viewers. Anyone here who says they're OK with that is lying. It's tough to put yourself out there to be criticized, but that's the viewers job."

We think the viewers are going to like him.
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Mike Catherwood is a homophobic jerk. I am really disappointed with ABC that Mike Catherwood is now part of the "Dancing With the Stars" Season 12 cast. I will not be watching the show!

I went to the taping when Mike cohosted with Kelly and he was not only a great co-host but not bad to look at either. I think he will do really good with Dancing with the Stars especially if his partner shows him how to move that awesome body!

He was really good when he co-hosted with Kelly......

Mike is awesome but DWTS is gonna suck this season...already bored.

I was at the taping of Kelly and Regis when Mike was cohosting. He did a great job and was really nice to look at too. I think he will do a GREAT job of dancing especially if his partner teaches him to move that awesome body.

This guy is funny and cute too. Looking forward to seeing him on the show.

Yeah, I can pretty much guarantee that from listening to the show for years and meeting Mike that he isn't a "homophobic jerk" like the comment below. He likes to poke fun at everyone, and it was one little comment. People are just way too sensitive.

I remember him cohosting with Kelly and he did a great job. He was funny and he fit well with her. Actually, when Regis announced he was leaving,I wondered if he might be a candidate for replacement but figured he's pretty well entrenched at his radio job.

They could do worse than to hire him. I actually like Ashton Kucher as a cohost but I don't see THAT happening!

Tracy you probably called on loveline and didn't like psycho mike's answer to your question. He is no where near a homophobe jerk. He may be a jerk at times but that's cuz people are dumbasses. But all around a nice fun guy. You're a jerk.

Condoning comments like Mike Catherwood made is just continuing to accept hate speech as joking around or "poking fun" at people. I work in a school and we are trying to bring up this generation to be more accepting and open-minded. My elementary kids know better than to make comments like M. Catherwood has made. Humor doesn't have to be degrading.

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