National Ledger - Apache Junction, AZ, USA -
Penn Jillette goes into the new season of "Dancing With the Stars" next week already a winner -- or loser, depending on how you look at it. "When they started to bring up the idea of my doing the show last year, I realized I was much too heavy, so I actually lost 47 pounds before I started working with Kym," he says, speaking of his professional dance partner,
Kym Johnson. "Then I lost three more since we've been working together." How did he lose the weight? "Oh, crazy fad diet stuff -- exercising and taking in less calories," he deadpans. "I run eight miles a day on a treadmill." Even so, admits the 53-year-old, 6-foot, 6-inch illusionist/ comedian/ actor/ provocateur, "I'm still the tallest and oldest on the show. At least I'm not 70 pounds heavier than any other contestant. Now I'm probably 30 pounds heavier. I was told by the producers that it is a total disadvantage, but Kym is doing everything she can to spin it to our advantage."
As far as the competition: "Of course I looked at the Vegas boards, and we're about fourth from the bottom with 12 to 1 odds.
Kristi Yamaguchi's at 2 to 5. That seems like a reasonable spread. Teller put $5,000 on us," he reports. "I think
Marissa (Jaret Winokur) is very undervalued as a Broadway performer who's bubbly and fun. Everyone loves
Priscilla (Presley). No one is more likeable than
Steve Guttenberg. Adam Carolla is one of the funniest guys in the country."
