We’re mere hours away from the announcement of next season’s lineup, which will be announced on tonight’s finale of “The Bruno and Carrie Ann Show” (which, it turns out, I found unwatchable).
But – we already No Max! Adam Corolla will be in. Others are rumored, including Priscilla Presley (the woman of a certain age) and Marlee Matlin (in the Heather Mills slot). For the jock turned dancer: Kristi Yamaguchi (who I’d love to see on the show!).
Penn Jillette, people! Can life get any better?
Full list here.
Or, for those who don’t want to click:
(thither)
“The contestants will include: actress-model Shannon Elizabeth…”
Sounds like a good season to me. 
Any show that lets me see Cristian de la Fuente rumba is, by definition, a great show. Hell, any show that lets me see Cristian de la Fuente just stand around is doing pretty good right there.
But isn’t a Tony award winner for a show that relied heavily on dancing kind of a ringer? Same with the ice skater.
Apollo Anton Ohno was an ice skater. 
Apolo Ohno was a speed skater. Considerably different discipline than triple lutzes and sit spins. I was genuinely surprised to hear that he won.
As for a possible ringer, I don’t mind. This is reality TV’s equivalent of the Pro Bowl. It’s a whole bunch of entertainment interspersed with moments of unhinged goofiness and nothing else. There’s no prestige to winning it and no shame in coming up just short. It’s a fun contest. To that end, it makes perfect sense to bring in someone who’s already good at it, not only to ensure entertainment value, but to set the bar. Imagine how much the second contest would’ve lacked without Stacy Keibler.
As for this contest, I’m liking what I’m seeing with the lineup; good mix of traditional artistry, raw athleticism, and surprises. I’m really looking forward to seeing Penn Jilette in action. Remember that contestants you’d never expect to succeed in a million years are often some of the strongest contenders…Jerry Srpinger, anyone?
Okay, let’s get it on! After that pointless match which I don’t believe for a millisecond will ever be revived, I need some elegance!
Yeah, I know. It was a joke.
Re: Ringers – I agree, we’ve had 'em before and we’ll have 'em again. How about all those boy band members – lots of dance experience there!
I am seriously geeked about Penn Jillette – I think this could be the best season yet.
Enjoy it while you can…I am boldly predicting that Penn will the be the first to get the boot. Wrong body type, no built-in fan base, and not exactly a warm & cuddly personality.
I might actually record the show and skim through it to see Adam Carolla and Penn Jillette! That should be funny.
Me too, especially Carolla. I was listening to his podcast when he announced it and he’s going to be paired with the scorchingly sexy Julianne Hough.
And I can’t believe I’m the first to say it…Steve Guttenberg!!! I mean, seriously?
Hmmm. Monica Seles is in this batch, too. I don’t remember her being particularly graceful, so I don’t think she’ll do as well as some other athletes have.
Remember, people have to go in the first couple of rounds. Does anyone remember the name of the guy who basically sat in a chair for half of his first and only dance last season? Penn Jillette might be one of those, although I’m looking forward to seeing him.
And for those who are interested in the pros, as well as the celebrities, the matchups are:
Priscilla Presley - Louis van Amstel
Shannon Elizabeth - Derek Hough
Marlee Matlin - Fabian Sanchez
Monica Seles - Jonathan Roberts
Marissa Jaret Winokur - Tony Dovolani
Kristi Yamaguchi - Mark Ballas
Adam Carolla - Julianne Hough
Cristián de la Fuente - Cheryl Burke
Steve Guttenberg - Anna Trebunskaya
Mario - Karina Smirnoff
Penn Jillette - Kym Johnson
Jason Taylor - Edyta Sliwinska
The only new pro is Fabian Sanchez, 2006 World Mambo Champion and holder of assorted lesser rhythm titles.
News pundit Tucker Carlson.
My wife & daughter immediately opined that they’ll need to pair Penn with (name, drawing a blank), because she’s the tallest pro.
:eek:
I’m just agog. I can never recall the names of any of the pros, much less their relative heights; whereas my family seems to have all that committed to memory, including which ccelebrity was paired with which pro in each of the preceding seasons.
It starts tonight, fellow fans! Does anyone join me in some seriously giddy delight?
That body type may be different than you remember. He had dropped 40 pounds before rehearsals started, and you know he’s lost some more since. And I don’t know what you’re talking about with the fan base. He’s part of a very successful magic act and a show on Showtime.
I’ve never seen the show, but I’m a loyal Adam Carolla listener, and he and Teller are what’s making me tune in for the first time.
I’ve been SQUEEEING with delight all day!!! Ok not really, but I am looking forward to it.
I agree with singular1 about Penn Jillette. I think he’ll be around for at least a few episodes. The first few boots are usually popularity-based, and he’s got the edge on at least a few of the other celebs in that department.
twickster - Don’t really have a problem with boy banders since they’re not used to highly disciplined routines with a partner. I’d be more concerned about someone experienced in stage musicals or pairs figure skating (well, as concerned as I can get about a contest like this, anyway).
Siege - I’ve railed on the unchallenged universiality of the last-man-standing elimination system I don’t know how many times; far from ideal for American Idol, unnecessary for The Amazing Race, and just a plainly rotten idea here. All I’m saying is that if we absolutely must have it, at least bring in a couple of obvious washouts to take the fall, so we don’t have someone who could build up momentum later or isn’t that great but still entertaining to watch getting booted too soon. Good lord, Kenny Mayne departing after one week should NEVER be an acceptable outcome. How hard can it be to find some completely forgotten, washed-up no talents just happy to have a little more camera time?
(What about their partners? They just work there. If it’s that danged important, make a rotation.)
Okay! Let the cheese BEGIN!
I hope so - he’s a showman and Kym is the one who brought us the Star Wars tango & the Jerry Springer’s samba. I think it’ll be a good match.
My fingers are crossed.
It just stated on the East coast, and I’ve gotta say – Priscilla Presley doesn’t look at all happy to be there.
ETA: Men tonight, women tomorrow night, no elimination this week.
Priscilla has so much plastic surgery and botox she can’t make any facial expressions.
Penn looked like he was having a lot of fun and I think that should count for something.