Injured Jewel, Nancy O'Dell out of DWTS

Who knew Dancing with the Stars was the number-one threat to the well-being of our most cherished celebrities? The dancing competition has proved itself to be one of the more rigorous events for stars, dropping them like flies because of twisted ankles, scratched corneas, and even exploding tendons. Two more officially went down today, just before the start of the eighth season.

The much-hyped battle between a husband-wife combo--in this case country singer Ty Murray and singer Jewel--on Dancing with the Stars will have to wait. Doctors have prohibited Jewel from participating in the superstar-making show, and not because of a wussy little stubbed toe either. Jewel, who rose to fame with the ditties "You Were Meant for Me" and "Who Will Save Your Soul," has not one but two fractured tibias (go ahead and have a chuckle all you Monty Python's Flying Circus fans), which, being in the legs, are fairly important to dancing.

"When the doctors told me my injuries were so severe that I couldn't walk, let alone compete, I was devastated that I couldn't continue the show," Jewel said in a statement.

Access Hollywood host Nancy O'Dell's situation isn't much better; she's out with two tears in her meniscus, a common and devastating sports injury. She'll undergo surgery and has a healthy chunk of rehab and physical therapy ahead of her.

Both women were injured while training for the show, and both plan to attend the show's tapings. Last season, volleyball player Misty May-Treanor was forced to withdraw from competition after rupturing her Achilles tendon.

"Like most sports, dancing can be a demanding, physical activity," said executive producer Conrad Green. "Each participant of Dancing with the Stars warrants in contract that they are physically fit enough to participate in the competition. We love and appreciate Nancy and Jewel's competitive spirit, drive and desire to perform their best. Though we share in their disappointment that they can no longer continue, their physical well-being takes precedent above all else."

The big question now is who will replace Jewel and O'Dell? Rumors are floating around saying former Playboy Playmate and The Girls Next Door star Holly Madison will sub in for Jewel, but ABC hasn't made anything official.

How much will this hurt the show? Newsday's Verne Gay thinks Jewel was the biggest name on the board, but I'm inclined to differ. Jewel hasn't been relevant to the mainstream for a while now, even though she is a popular country star. Of the rest of the cast, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson is probably nearest and dearest to most people's hearts, so I think she's not only the biggest star, but given her background, also the favorite. And for another prediction, I think Steve-O is this cycle's Cloris Leachman--the contestant that brings a little life and silliness to Dancing with the Stars. And I hope that's the only time those two are ever compared to each other.

ABC will have to scramble to find replacements, and they better hope they're good ones! Dancing with the Stars premieres Monday, at which time ABC is planning to announce replacements.