Apparently, battling bug infestations and stubborn members of Congress is easier than making two bum feet do the Cha-cha-cha, as Tom DeLay has bowed out of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Of all the contestants on this season’s “Dancing,” DeLay definitely got the most attention when the cast was announced. But it turns out, he may not be missed all that much.

A poll from entertainment website PopEater.com found that 68 percent of respondents are not sad to see DeLay leave “Dancing.”

DeLay, a former bug exterminator and U.S. House of Representatives majority leader, said on Tuesday’s show that he is leaving because of stress fractures in both feet. “Dancing” is notorious for inflicting injuries on its cast members, inspiring talk that the show suffers from a “curse.” In truth, it’s just a program that demands a lot from cast members, who often come in physically unprepared.

It doesn’t look as if DeLay, whose nicknames over the years have included “Hot Tub Tom” and “The Hammer,” is leaving with any hard feelings. When he joined the program, his professional dancing partner, Cheryl Burke, teased the Republican DeLay by saying, “Tom is very conservative, so a lot of hip shaking is not up his alley.”

But speaking to US Weekly magazine after DeLay announced his departure, Burke said, “He taught me that politicians can dance!”

DeLay jokingly lamented, “I haven’t made her a conservative yet!”

With such deft tact, you can’t say DeLay’s lost his political skills.

(Photo: Courtesy ABC)

(Reporting and Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis)

After having her appendix removed only two weeks ago, popular dancer Julianne Hough made her comeback on “Dancing with the Stars”  Tuesday, twisting the night away with her brother, Derek Hough, to the tune of Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire”. 

And Hough’s partner on the show, “Hannah Montana” star Cody Linley, was glad to have her back. In a segment with relationship expert Drew Pinsky, better known as Dr. Drew, the 18-year-old Cody opened up about his feelings for Julianne.
    
With tears streaming, Cody said he worried about Julianne during her hospitalization, which was related to complications from a condition called endometriosis. “She’s an amazing person who has let me grow as a person,” a tearful Cody said. Dr. Drew put a box of tissues between Cody and Julianne, who sat nearby also crying. All the couples got the Dr. Drew treatment on Tuesday, but the other contestants limited their concerns to overcoming rehearsal room sniping, while Julianne and Cody were the only ones to cry tears over their friendship.
    
The fans’ desire to see Cody and Julianne dance together again, after pro dancer Edyta Sliwinska stepped in as a replacement partner for Julianne, could have earned Cody some votes this week as he escaped elimination. Instead, Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene and his partner Cheryl Burke were voted off.
    
Burke told Greene that in her years on “Dancing with the Stars” she has never encountered a partner who worked harder. And playing off their catchphrase “winner, winner chicken dinner,” Burke told Greene, “You will always be the winner, winner chicken dinner of my heart.” And with that, four couples were left to compete next week.

Who says ballroom dancing is not brutal on the body? Just ask Chilean film star Cristian de la Fuente, who injured his arm Monday night on the popular U.S. TV show “Dancing With the Stars.”

De la Fuente, who gained fame on Spanish-language television and has guest-starred on U.S. TV on progams such as “CSI: Miami” and “Ugly Betty,” was finishing a saucy latin spin around the dance floor Monday night when he could no longer hold his pose with professional ballroom dancer Cheryl Burke. His arm seemingly cramped up, and after an impromptu commercial break on the live TV show, de la Fuente returned to the stage  grimacing in pain with his arm bandaged.

On Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the actor said he was seeing a doctor in Los Angeles, but would appear again on Tuesday’s episode of “Dancing With the Stars.” She said she did not know exactly what the medical problem was, adding that his condition would be fully revealed on the show Tuesday night.

It is not the first time a “Dancing With the Stars” contestant has been stricken on live TV. Last season, entertainer Marie Osmond fainted after one number, but popped back to her feet following a commercial break. Also this season, professional dancer Derek Hough, who is partnered with actress Shannon Elizabeth, hurt his neck in rehearsal and had to be taken to a hospital.

One lesson: If you gotta dance, get a medical check-up first.