Dancing's Maksim Talks Jersey Shore, Bristol Palin and Brandy's Butt

A new season of DWTS! Find out who the hunky pro-hoofer thinks needs to eat some humble pie and who should take a stiff shot before hitting the dancefloor

It doesn't sound like Brandy will be dancing to her own music during her quest for the Dancing With the Stars discoball trophy.

"I think it's a little cheesy," her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy tells me. "When I danced with Mel B, we danced to, I think, "Spice Up Your Life." She was like, ‘Jesus, I can't believe we're doing this.' I said, ‘No, it's fun—let's do it!' She was like, ‘I hate you.'"

How have rehearsals been going for Brandy? Any injuries yet? And what's Maks' advice for this season's biggest headline-grabbers, The Situation and Bristol Palin? Read on to find out in the first of my exclusive weekly chats with Mr. Chmerkovskiy…

What's your rehearsal schedule been like?
We started off hard but then I've been trying to let up a little because I don't want her to burn out. I want her to be excited for the show and it's kind of an injury-preventive.

Is she hurting?
Legs sore, butt sore, she feels some muscles that she hasn't felt before. The normal stuff. It all comes with the show.

Carrie Ann told me Bruno already wants to have an ab-off with The Situation. Are you gonna get in on that?
Bruno and The Situation are going to have an ab-off or Bruno wants everyone else to have an ab-off? [Laughs]. When Len criticizes me for taking my shirt off, Bruno is very disappointed. He's like, "Shut up!" He likes it.

Do you watch Jersey Shore?
Um, no. I'm from Jersey, I live in Jersey, my business is in Jersey. Two of my studios are in Jersey and... trust me, they don't represent what Jersey is about, that's for sure.

Not even a part of Jersey?
Not even. Listen, everybody's got a part that they're not most proud of, but even Jersey Shore is not what these kids show…Look, I'm a big believer in you got what you got, you run with it, you make what you can while it's hot and Mike is certainly doing that. I just feel like he needs to humble down coming to my domain, because that's my show.

Have you met Bristol Palin?
I have. She's a nice girl. I think she's a little bit out of place and a little nervous about it because everybody's else is used to being in the industry…I think she's going to have to do a shot before she dances.