ABC has announced the celebrity lineup for the new season of Dancing With The Stars. As usual, it includes people with connections to the world of sports. I have no idea how this will play out on the dance floor (and don’t really care) but I have a couple of observations:
It makes perfect sense for someone with the ego of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. Jerry Rice did it, Michael Irvin did it, why not Ochocinco? On the other hand, is this the best idea for ESPN reporter Erin Andrews? After going through so much turmoil after some creep secretly videotaped her in the privacy of her hotel room, to me this isn’t the right way to remind people that she’s more than just a sex object. I mean, just look at this blog post listing the entire cast. How is she described? “ESPN hottie.”
And don’t get me started on figure skater Evan Lysacek, so soon after his gold medal performance in Vancouver! Isn’t it too soon to give in to “reality” television? Shouldn’t your career go downhill first? Does Evan really want to be slumming with the likes of this year’s “Bachelor” and, God help us, Kate Gosselin? I wonder what Johnny Weir thinks of this?
on Mar 2nd, 2010 at 6:05 AM
The 2010 DWTS cast:
Pamela Anderson
Chad Ochocinco
Aiden Turner
Kate Gosselin
Shannen Doherty
Buzz Aldrin
Evan Lysacek
Erin Andrews
Nicole Scherzinger
Niecy Nash
Jake Pavelka
Pamela Anderson and Kate gosselin? This is gonna be an interesting season!
on Mar 2nd, 2010 at 9:24 AM
First, who cares what Weir thinks, HE started the skating season off with his own reality show. Maybe if he spent less time in front of the camera and more time on the ice he might have gotten that bronze medal.
As for Evan, I don’t think he has much of a choice in terms of career moves now. I don’t know if there is much call for professional competitions anymore, and “stars on ice” will only get you so far. It’s a paycheck move to keep himself in the spotlight, and the tour. I don’t think it’s the smartest move for him to shack up with reality whores like Kate Gosslein and the Bachelor, but skating just doesn’t have the same following it did 15 years ago where you could make a career of pro competitions.
I agree with what you say about Erin Andrews, though. There is more to her than “ESPN Hottie”. I’ve seen her described better on other sites.
on Mar 3rd, 2010 at 12:40 AM
Didn’t Apolo Ohno do “Dancing with the Stars”? Was it too soon for him to be on a reality TV show? I also think that litle snowboarder, Louie Vitto (sp?) did DWTS.
It was maybe too soon for Louie because I don’t think that many people knew who the heck he was! But I don’t think there’s a too soon for Lysacek.
That being said, I do think there’s an unfair advantage though. There are a lot of dance moves/training in figure skating, and I actually think it’s a bit unfair for him to be on DWTS. Less so with other athletes…but it seems like gymnastics, figure skating, ballerinas, synchronized swimmers, etc. have a bit of an unfair advantage over the rest of the folks.
I am NOT a fan of reality TV but for some reason, Kate Gosselin seems not that trashy to me. I’d rather have lunch with her than the moronic bachelor or Pamela Anderson (I just find her weird looking too – like silicone Barbie).
So my feelings are: Go Buzz!! Give them what for!!! I don’t think it’s likely he’ll be one of the final ones left dancing though.
on Mar 3rd, 2010 at 12:42 AM
Agh – I just read that a Pussycat Doll is on DWTS too! That’s REALLY unfair. Wasn’t their background/training half dancing and half singing?
Are they goingto have pro ballroomd dancers competing as contestants soon??
That is definitely unfair!
on Mar 3rd, 2010 at 3:15 AM
Yeah I don’t quite understand why evan will be doing DWTS, with stars on ice just around the corner….but DR you are a bit wrong. An Olympic Gold Medalist in figure skating is pretty much set for life…..unless your name is Dorothy Hamill
on Mar 3rd, 2010 at 6:01 PM
Set for life doing what, Chad?
The last Professional World Skating Championship was back in 2002. There aren’t a lot in skating to do besides shows. Sure, he might get a few model or quicky little acting gigs, he’ll be a great coach or choreographer (Although not guaranteed).
But what’s out there outside of skating besides reality TV?
on Mar 3rd, 2010 at 6:02 PM
*aren’t a lot of events in skating to do….
on Mar 3rd, 2010 at 6:06 PM
Wasn’t Kristi Yamiguchi (sic?) on DWTS a few seasons ago, too? I vaguely remember magician Penn Gillette complaining that she had an unfair advantage because of her skating training.