Dancing with the Stars

Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 by Travis Cody in
23

Edit: Photos went wonky...had to take them out.



Delayed but not forgotten, here are the celebrities for Season 8 of Dancing with the Stars.

Kimberly Denise Jones, aka Lil Kim, is paired with Season 7 champion Derek Hough. She is a Grammy winning rapper and singer. She has also had success as an actor. I don't know much about her, but she's got a couple of things going for her. She's a performer and has likely had some exposure to hip hop dance. She's also paired with Derek, who I think is an outstanding teacher and choreographer. Derek returns for his 4th season. Derek has partnered Jennie Garth, Shannon Elizabeth, and Brooke Burke with whom he won season 7.

Steven Glover, aka Steve-O, is paired with Lacey Schwimmer. YAY! Lacey is back! Evidently, Steve-O is a creator of idiot television. He is classified as a "reality star", having made videos for the MTV program Jackass. Oh joy. Well, I won't judge until I see what he's going to bring to the dance floor. Lacey joined the cast of professional dancers in season 7 after finishing 3rd on So You Think You Can Dance. She returns for her second season. Lacey has partnered Lance Bass.

Nancy O'Dell is paired with Tony Dovolani. Ms O'Dell is co-anchor of Access Hollywood and has co-hosted the Muscular Dystrophy telethon. She has also done some acting. She covers most of the awards shows for her network. Tony is the retired undefeated American Rhythm Champion. He has been nominated for an Emmy for his choreography on DWTS, specifically for his Jive in 2006, and returns for his 7th season. Tony has partnered Stacy Keibler, Sarah Evans, Leeza Gibbons, Jane Seymour, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Susan Lucci.

Lawrence Taylor is paired with Edyta Sliwinska. Taylor revolutionized linebacker play in the NFL, basically creating the position of pass rushing outside linebacker. He is in the hall of fame, a 2-time Super Bowl champion, and a member of the 75th anniversary team. It is widely argued that Taylor is the best defensive player ever to play the game. And football players have traditionall done very well on this show. Edyta is the only professional dancer who has appeared on every season of DWTS. She has partnered Evander Holyfield, George Hamilton, Joey Lawrence, John Ratzenberger, Cameron Mathison, Jason Taylor, and Jeffrey Ross.

Shawn Johnson is paired with Mark Ballas. Miss Johnson is an Olympic champion gymnast and at 17 is the youngest ever celebrity on the show. She won the gold medal on balance beam last summer in Beijing, along with 3 silver medals for team, floor exercise, and all around. Like a figure skater, she'll have an edge because of her dance training. And Mark is an excellent partner to take advantage of her athletic ability. He'll push the limits of what she can do. Mark returns for his 4th season. He has partnered Sabrina Bryan, Kristi Yamaguchi with whom he won season 6, and Kim Kardashian. Mark has the highest scoring average of any pro dancer, at 26.73.

Chuck Wicks is paired with Julianne Hough. Mr Wicks is a singer-songwriter who released the fastest rising single by a country artist in 2007. He was a cast member on the reality series Nashville. He has been on tour with Brad Paisley, and has been linked romantically with Julianne. In addition to her dancing career, Julianne's debut country album hit #1 on the Billboard country album chart. She returns for her 5th season. Julianne has partnered Apolo Anton Ohno with whom she won season 4, Helio Castroneves with whom she won season 5, Adam Carolla, and Cody Linley.

Gilles Marini is paired with Cheryl Burke. Mr Marini is an actor evidently famous for portraying Samantha's next door beach neighbor in the Sex and the City movie. He has appeared in several tv series. Cheryl has been nominated for two Emmy awards for her choreography on DWTS, and is a 2 time champion. She returns for her 7th season. Cheryl has partnered Drew Lachey with whom she won season 2, Emmitt Smith with whom she won season 3, Ian Ziering, Wayne Newton, Cristian de la Fuente, and Maurice Green.

Denise Richards is paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Ms Richards is a former model, an actor, a Bond girl, and host of her own reality show. She has appeared in pictorials in Playboy and Jane magazines, as well as ranking #9 on Maxim's 50 Sexiest Women. Maks is an outstanding teacher and choreographer, owner of three dance studios, and one of the creators and directors of Dance Team USA. He returns for his 6th season. Maks has partnered Tia Carrere, Willa Ford, Laila Ali, Mel B, and Misty May-Treanor.

Steve Wozniak is paired with Karina Smirnoff. Mr Wozniak designed the first Apple computers, and he is credited with significant contributions to the advancement of personal computing. Since 1985, he has been a philanthropist focusing on improving computer capabilities in edcuational settings. I could be wrong, but I predict the geek's feet for this gentleman, which will deprive us of Karina much too early. Karina is a world champion professional dancer and the first woman to make the British professional final with three different partners. She returns for her 6th season. Karina has partnered Mario Lopez, Billy Ray Cyrus, Floyd Mayweather, Mario, and Rocco DiSpirito.

Belinda Carlisle is paired with Jonathan Roberts. Ms Carlisle is the former lead singer of the Go Go's, which was the first all female band to achieve a #1 album while writing and performing its own music and playing its own instruments. Ms Carlisle also had an outstanding and successful career as a solo artist. I. AM. A. FAN. Jonathan spent 2008 successfully focusing on his competitive ballroom career, capturing the 2008 World Professional Smooth and US National Professional Smooth championships with partner Valentina Kostenko. He returns for his 6th season. Jonathan has partnered Rachel Hunter, Giselle Fernandez, Heather Mills, Marie Osmond, and Monica Seles. I have very high hopes for this pair.

David Alan Grier is paired with Kym Johnson. Mr Grier is a veteran comedian with roots going back to In Living Color. His string of comedic credits is quite long. I suspect that we'll find there is more to Mr Grier than silliness, as he earned a Tony nomination for his role as Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson in The First on Broadway. Kym has been a dancer since she was 15. She returns for her 6th season. Kym has partnered Jerry Springer, Joey Fatone, Mark Cuban, Penn Gillette, and Warren Sapp.

Ty Murray is paired with Chelsie Hightower. Mr Murray is one of the most successful rodeo cowboys in the history of the sport, earning the title King of the Cowboys. He is a 7 time all-around world rodeo champion and has won two bull riding championships. By hiring an agent to help capitalize on his success, Mr Murray helped pave the way for other cowboys to earn endorsement contracts. He is also Jewel's husband. Chelsie is another cross over from So You Think You Can Dance. She finished in the top 6 on season 4. Chelsie has studied with Corky & Shirley Ballas among others, and is well grounded in ballroom dance.

Jewel Kilcher is paired with Dmitry Chaplin. She is a platinum selling singer songwriter with appeal across many different music styles. She has been nominated for three Grammy awards and has sold more than 27 million albums worldwide. She is also married to Ty Murray. Dmitry is the third SYTYCD alum dancing this season. He finished in the top 10 on season 2. He has returned to choreograph ballrooom routines on SYTYCD and has taught at Mary Murphy's ballroom academy. Last season he danced on a couple of DWTS results shows.

Count 'em! Three alums from So You Think You Can Dance! I love this cross over. I think I may be more excited with the professional dancers than I am for the celebrities.

Tune in to ABC on March 9 for the premier. And check in here on March 10 when we say cue that theme music!

23 comments:

  1. Trav, I'm getting old. I don't recognize half of these folks! Our local CBS affiliate is still on the outs with out satellite provider and I know hubman will have conniption fits if he misses DWTS!
    ~~~Blessings~~~

  1. Hubby about spewed his Diet Coke when he heard that Steve Wozniak was going to be on this show. I think hubby will tune in the first night just to see the spectacle, geek freak that he is.

  1. Barb says:

    I am old! I'm asleep before the show even starts! hahaha! I may have to see why you're so stoked about this show, Trav!

  1. Anonymous says:

    Looks like some interesting personalities...'Lil Kim and Steve-O! Should make for good television to say the least. I'm happy to see my favorite bull rider there as well! I can't wait.

  1. I can't stand that show ... but from that list, I hope either Lawrence Taylor, Shawn Johnson or Belinda Carlisle wins.

  1. What a fun lineup! LT and Wozniak should be quite fun to watch!

  1. HalfCrazy says:

    Yay for Lil Kim! Started to dig her more after she became a Judge for Pussycat Doll Presents. I think she also went to jail a couple of years ago!

    Aha! So that's why that Lacey girl is familiar! She was a contender for So You Think You Can Dance! She was really awesome and pretty versatile! I really liked her.

    Also can't wait for Denise Richards. I wonder how she struts her stuff.

    By the way, when will the show start?

    Much Love,

  1. I love watching this show! Such talent.

  1. Ivanhoe says:

    Oh my goodness, there's some serious eye candy this season.
    I also smell a cat fight, seeing Lil' Kim & Denise Richards. Roooooar! :o)

  1. Linda says:

    I think I'm with Gracie as I don't know who half of these "stars" are and if someone who works on the MTV show "Jackass" can be considered a "star" these days then I think our country is in worse shape than I thought it was!

    I will definitely look forward to your reviews, though - I like them so much better than actually having to watch the show and the commercials!

  1. it is an interesting lineup.

    Woz is a draw for me...and I am really looking forward to Gilles...I just haven't seen enough of him.

    smile.

  1. Julie says:

    BIGGIE MAKS PICTURE!

    *thud*

  1. It should be a fun season indeed. I think the geek feet will come from Steve O before it comes from Woz IMHO...
    Of course I am excited to see another football player who had quick feet on the field to see if it translates to quick feet on the dance floor.
    I think Belinda and Shawn will do well with their respective partners.
    And finally, and of course, how can I not be excited by Gilles Marini being on the show! LOL

  1. I'm with Gracie ... I barely recognize any of these "stars", but some of the professional dancer looke truly interesting.

  1. DrillerAA says:

    I am THRILLED that Juilanne Hough is coming back!!! I am also looking forward to seeing what Chelsea Hightower can do. She was excellent on SYTYCD because she can dance.

  1. Gracie: No worries. Be sure to tune into ABC though!

    Songbird: LOL! I wonder if The Woz will surprise us.

    WT4W: I love it for the pure entertainment!

    CWM: We'll see if a bow-legged ole cowboy can dance!

    Southern: It's no pressure fun.

    RLL: I'm quite ready!

    HalfCrazy: Lacey rocks! And I love the cross over from SYTYCD.

    NNG: I know!

    Ivanhoe: Eye candy for both sides!

    Linda: Part of the fun is seeing if the celebs rely on the image or the real person.

    Katherine: Bwahahahahahaa! I got that!

    Julie: Down girl!

    V: Woz could surprise, especially if he gets a Foxtrot first up.

    Jamie: I think it's a strong line up of pros.

    Drilleraa: I thought you might be!

  1. I am soooo stoked and ready to chat with you this season. I am counting it down!

  1. Dr.John says:

    That's far more than I wanted to know.

  1. Julie says:

    Just another classic reason why I'm glad I took time to read you yesterday! Imagine my sadness to not have seen all the pictures. They looked fine to me...what happened?

    *Laughs @ Vinny*

  1. It's Belinda for me all the way providing she can dance and isn't head over heels.....

    I crack myself up =)

  1. Marsha says:

    I'm so excited to see the cross overs from SYTYCD too....how exciting to see 'younger' faces showing up in dance on tv these days.

  1. TopChamp says:

    I'm glad you're still watching and are excited to see the sytycd sucesses.