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Wrestlers bullish on ballroom show (eliza dushku mention)

Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Thursday 9 February 2006, by Webmaster

With pro wrestler Stacy Keibler being hailed as the one to beat on ABC’s "Dancing With the Stars," she’s getting more and more calls from well-wishers. However, she admits, some prefer to remain anonymous. "The best part about it is that I get so many calls from friends that are guys. They’re like, ’I just want you to know I’m watching you and supporting you, but I don’t want anyone to know that I’m watching you. I’m like, ’Don’t worry, you’re not the first guy who’s called me,’ " says the WWE beauty, laughing. We always knew those wrestlers had a soft spot! "They’re all rooting me on and are kind of surprised that I can dance."

Keibler just hopes her energy can sustain the rest of the competition. "People don’t realize how much hard work we’re putting in. We’re all so mentally and physically exhausted. I think that everybody is just starting to get so drained," she confesses. But Keibler’s not complaining. "Not only am I having the greatest experience of my life, but it’s provided a crossover from me being on the WWE to now dancing and performing."

As for what she hopes to get out of this experience? "I moved out to L.A. two years ago and got right into acting class. That’s ultimately what I want to do. I’d love to have a career either in film or TV," she responds. "Hopefully people will enjoy following my career after this." She’s certainly putting her best foot forward.

’FAMILY’ FEELING: Megaproducer Rodney Jerkins is convinced that the star-studded "We Are Family" tribute record to raise funds for the Hurricane Katrina victims he’s producing has already been to his personal benefit.

"I recently became vice president of Def Jam Records, and I got the Grammy nomination since I’ve been working on this record," says Jerkins, who’s nominated for producing Destiny’s Child’s hit, "Cater 2 U." "It’s amazing how different things have been happening out of the ordinary. I believe God is blessing me because, you know, when you give, you get back."

Unfortunately, Jerkins says he won’t have as much of his own time to give now that he’s working for Antonio "L.A." Reid and Def Jam. "My focus is on L.A. Reid, to try to help bring back r&b music in an amazing way for his label. That’s the responsibility he gave me, and I took the job because I feel like I’m the man who can help him do that."

In addition to wrapping up the "We Are Family" tribute single, Jerkins says, "I have a gang of artists on Def Jam I’m about to start working with ... I’m working with Mariah Carey, Bobby Valentino, and I’m going to be developing my own artists and finding talent for Def Jam as well."

GETTING PAST FIRST BASE: Things got a little close for comfort between Robert Downey Jr. and his "Game 6" co-star Ari Graynor, reports the 22-year-old actress. On set, that is. "There’s a part of the film where Robert and I have a little bit of a hook-up session," explains Graynor, who plays Michael Keaton’s daughter in the film about a playwright who skips his opening night to watch Game 6 of the historic 1986 World Series. "I had to take off a little bit of my clothes, not that there was any nudity in the film, but it was the first time I’d really done a scene like that. It was a scary situation for me, but Robert was totally lovely and made me feel so comfortable." The film, which also stars Bebe Neuwirth, Griffin Dunne and Roger Rees, is set for release next month.

Meanwhile, Graynor is currently treading the boards with Eliza Dushku and Ian Somerhalder in the off-Broadway play "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead." It’s an irreverent take on the modern-day, angst-ridden Charlie Brown and "Peanuts" gang. The heavy workload has been a real bonding experience for all, she says. ’We hang out all the time. There’s literally been maybe only five nights in the past three months that some of us haven’t been together. We were together for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s - it’s been really special."

BOOB TUBE: "Desperate Housewives" fans can expect to see a story line about a professional woman in her 30s who breast-feeds her child at work - the child being 4 years old. Also on the "Desperate" radar, a very pregnant exotic dancer named Libby, who may become a recurring character. She’s described as being "a little trashy but still attractive," which, as one Hollywood wag pointed out, pretty much describes the show.