This season's crop of "Dancing With The Stars" contestants was announced this morning, and it looks like an interesting line-up for the show, returning to ABC on March 17.
Here's my take on the contestants.
Priscilla Presley - Priscilla studied ballet when she was younger which should give her an advantage. And maybe she learned a few hip-swiveling moves from her first husband.
Kristi Yamaguchi - Kristi is one of the most graceful figure skaters, so I can't wait to see her do the waltz and the footwork-intensive dances like the jive or the quick step. Plus she has her own built-in fanbase of skating fans. I'm predicting she will be one of the favorites.
Adam Carolla - He just doesn't look like the kind of guy that would be light on his feet, nor do I see him as serious enough to really care about the competition. I think he's just seizing the opportunity to promote his first film role. Predicition: early exit.
Marlee Matlin - Marlee says not being able to hear will help her focus more on the actual dancing. In ballroom dancing, the woman follows the man's moves, so as long as her partner's a good lead she could do well.
Shannon Elizabeth - Shannon studied dance when she was a girl, and was an athlete in high school. She also studies Krav Maga, the martial art developed by the Israeli Defense Forces. She's got discipline and movement experience, so she's got a good shot.
Steve Guttenberg - He starred in the Golden Raspberry worst picture winner "Don't Stop The Music" about disco icons The Village People, so there's a chance he can do the hustle. It remains to be seen if he has enough of a fan base to keep him on the show.
Monica Seles - Speed and discipline, she's got, but she doesn't strike me as particulary graceful. She's also 5'10" which doesn't help, but at least her professional partner is Jonathan Roberts who is said to be 6'0."
Penn Jillette - The hulking illusionist/comedian might turn out to be a dark horse. He studied juggling at Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, and there's certainly grace to that skill. Plus, over the years I've seen my share of big fellas tear up the dance floor in nightclubs, so one never knows.
Mario (photo above) - The 21-year-old R&B/pop singer shows off some smooth moves in the music video for his mega-hit "Let Me Love You" which spent 9 weeks at no. 1 on the Hot 100 chart a couple of years ago. Never mind that he's one of my favorite young singers, he's got a big enough base of young fans who will be dialing up to vote for him. I'm predicting he'll be one of the show favorites, too.
Jason Taylor - Emmitt Smith won season 3 and Jerry Rice was the runner-up in Season 2 and they're both football stars. But Emmitt was a running back and Jerry was a wide receiver, both positions that require speed and agility. As a 6'6" and 255 pound defensive end, Jason will bring the discipline and determination of an athlete, but it remains to be seen if he has the moves.
Cristian De La Fuente - Cristian says on his myspace page that he's "always wanted to learn how to dance," so it doesn't seem like he's had past experience as a dancer (although he was involved in athletics at school). As long as he takes his shirt off at some point, I'm good.
Marissa Jaret Winokur - She won a Tony award for playing the starring role of Tracy Turnblad in the Broadway production of "Hairspray" and before that she was Jan in the touring company of "Grease." So she has dance training and based on the choreography of those two musicals she'll probably do really well with the high-energy jive and swing. Unfortunately, she may not have a big enough fan base to stay in the competition.
My final three blind pick is (in no particular order): Kristi, Mario, and Shannon.
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