Sitcom mailman to deliver on the dance floor

Will America mind if Cliff Clavin cuts in?

Former "Cheers" star John Ratzenberger will join the cast of "Dancing With the Stars," ABC announced Friday, March 2.

Ratzenberger will replace "Sopranos" mobster Vincent Pastore, who bowed out of the competition earlier this week when he realized just how physically demanding his task would be.

That left a spot open for the sitcom mailman to take Edyta Sliwinksa as his partner. Although Ratzenberger only has three weeks to rehearse for the fourth season's premiere on March 19, he's looking forward to the challenge.

"He likes to cut a rug. People will be surprised," his rep tells People.

The actor wasn't really a second choice. Producers had invited him to participate earlier, but due to a schedule conflict, he wasn't able to commit at the time.

Ratzenberger's competition includes Heather Mills, Joey Fatone, Ian Ziering, Apolo Anton Ohno, Shandi Finnessey, Leeza Gibbons, Clyde Drexler, Billy Ray Cyrus, Laila Ali and Paulina Porizkova.

Ratzenberger, 59, played know-it-all Cliff Clavin on "Cheers" for 11 seasons. Although he's appeared in numerous TV shows and movies since then, he's known lately for providing voices in Pixar films, inclucing "Toy Story," "Monsters, Inc.," "Finding Nemo" and "Cars."