DWTS Season 17

Next week is supposed to be the official announcement of the celebrities who will be on Season 17 of DWTS, which starts Sept. 16, I think.  Here are the pros who have been announced (or not) for the season with my comments.

For the females:
Cheryl Burke - always welcome in my book
Peta Murgatroyd - rarely welcome in my book; I like her less and less each season
Karina Smirnoff - always welcome
Lindsay Arnold - seriously?  I mean seriously?  She's a sweet kid but she brought absolutely nothing whatosever to the table
Emma Slater - no.  just no.  We have so many great female pros, and we're getting stuck with another troupe dancer?  no.

Not returning for this season are Kym Johnson, Chelsie Hightower or Anna Trebunskaya.  Too bad - would have preferred any of those three to either Peta, Lindsay or Emma. 

Sharna is a maybe - I would love to see her back.  She was great.  No mention made of Lacey Schwimmer, who I would also like to see back. 

For the males:
Derek Hough - ugh.  Really, wasn't he leaving like 2 seasons ago?  Just go already, Derek.  Please.
Mark Ballas -   Depending on his partner, he can be tolerable or just plain obnoxious.
Val Chmerkovskiy - I've been liking Val more and more each season
Tony Dovolani - always a gentleman; gotta like him

Not returning for sure - Maks.  Boo!  I missed Maks last season and really hoped we'd get him back again this season. 

Possible other two male pros:
Tristan McManus - oh yes, please!!!  With a decent partner this time.
Gleb Savchenko - nice to look at but didn't impress me his first season
Henry Byalikov - no, not another troupe dancer.  Just shoot me now.

Some celebrity names being rumored:

Jason Varitek - baseball player (would be nice)
Farrah Abraham - Backdoor Teen Mom (no)
John Stamos - actorn (yes, please!)
Seth MacFarland - actor (not a big fan but would be interesting, I think)
Jo Dee Messina - country music singer (she would be great)
Patricia Krenctil - tanning mom (no . . . just no)
Abby Lee Miller - Dance Moms (again, no)

Also apparently returning are all three judges.  So much for the new blood we were supposed to get this season.  :\

Oh, mustang.  This is shaping up to be a crappy season.  When I think of the troupe dancers, I think over-the-top flamboyant dancing and "look at me!" 

I know what you mean about Peta.  Too hard/harsh.  I'm curious how I'd feel about her if she wore her natural hair color.  I couldn't stand Val with Kelly Monaco, but liked his toned-down behavior with Zen.  I can't take Mark most of the time he's on the floor.  (Talk about over-the-top!)  Gleb is a "look at ME!" dancer.  I hope Henry is NOT the troupe member who sets my teeth on edge.

One can always expect full-out effort from Karina and Cheryl.  They're like the workhorses of the group.  I also miss Maks, though the tension between him and the judges had dampened his appearance.  One could never expect positive reviews for a good performance. 

Tristan is DUE a good partner.  Fingers crossed!  And Tony is always kind and pleasant.  While I've resented the fact that Derek gets the people with the most potential, I gained a new respect for his choreography skills with Kelly Pickler.  She was the one contestant who had the ability to keep up with his design.

As for the potential contestants, I haven't heard of most of them.  Abby Lee Miller????  I cannot abide this abusive b*%^&.  Half a ton of mean and unlikeable.  If she's on, I'll either ffwd or watch just to laugh at her.  I pray Tristan doesn't get stuck with her but he usually does get the dregs at the bottom of the barrel.  She'll want to choreograph and take over.  *groan*

I know who Stamos and McFarland are.  But the others??????

Doesn't it seem rather strange that the opening show is only a couple of weeks away, and there have been no definite announcements. They must be seriously scraping the bottom of the barrel. JMHO.

Point made, newto.  Of course, it could all be a secret to keep us in suspense.  Right?  Not.  LOL.  If not for the fact that it's a live show and they've already been rehearsing, I'd suspect they were still scrambling to get people we'd readily recognize.

As I remember, there are always rumors beforehand but no one is usually confirmed until the official announcement.  They try to keep the suspense going as long as possible.

Some new - and much better mostly - rumors about possible contestants this season:  Leah Remini, Amber Riley and Valerie Harper.  I don't know if Harper would be well enough to compete, but if she is, I'd love to see her on.   Leah and Amber would be great as well.  Also mentioned are Snooki, Elizabeth Berkley, and Christina Milan.  Absolute no to Snooki from Jersey Shore for me.  Would love to see Elizabeth Berkley.  Have no idea who Christina Milan is as I don't usually watch The Voice.

Valerie Harper has terminal brain cancer.  There's an article on AOL that she's near remission.  But dancing?  Nah.

I don't know who Amber Riley or Christina Milan are.  But isn't Berkley a dancer as well as actress?

I don't think she's a dancer per se, but I believe she has danced.  Sort of like Jennifer Grey wasn't a dancer but has danced and the British opera singer (name escapes me now - Katherine something) wasn't a dance but has danced.  Amber Riley plays Mercedes on Glee.  Big girl but beautiful, and we know from Glee that she can move.  I think she'd be awesome on the show, but there would no doubt be lots of noise about her being a "ringer" (as if what they do on Glee bears any relation to ballroom dancing!).

Just googled Christina Milian (not Milan).  It says she from "The Voice," but the few times I've watched it, I don't remember her at all.  She's certainly not one of the judges.  Anyway, beautiful girl.  Singer.  She did the theme song for "Kim Possible," a show that I absolutely loved and watched with my kids all the time.  Awesome show.

I checked out Christina Milian on Wiki.  She's an attractive, young black actress who's also a singer/songwriter.  She's had a top 40 hit, but how would I know?  I only listen to oldies.  LOL.

Season 17 cast:

Amber Riley (Glee) and Derek Hough (much as I dislike Derek - I do like Amber)
Bill Engvall (comedian) and Emma Slater (don't know Bill and not interested in Emma)
Bill Nye the Science guy and Tyne Stecklien (Bill should be fun; Tyne who???)
Brant Daughtery (Pretty Little Liars) and Peta Murgatroyd (don't know him; don't like her)
Christina Milian (singer) and Mark Ballas (don't know her but looking forward to seeing her anyway)
Corbin Bleu (High School Musical) and Karina Smirnoff (should be good)
Elizabeth Berkley (Saved by the Bell) and Val Schmerkovskiy (could be good)
Jack Osbourne (presumably Ozzie and Sharon's kid????) and Cheryl Burke
Keyshawn Johnson (Football player) and Sharna Burgess (as much as I don't like the football players in general because they seem to have built-in huge fanbases, I'm still looking forward to this pairing)
Leah Remini (King of Queens) and Tony Dovolani (could be good)
"Snooki" (Jersey Shore) and Sasha Farber (oh dear god no no no no no no)
Valerie Harper and Tristan McManus (yeah Tristan but is he ever going to get a real contender?)

A real mixed bag.  So disappointed with their choice of pros.  Sasha?  Good golly I despise him.  But at least being paired with the horrendous Snooki, maybe we'll get blessed and they'll be the first voted off.  We couldn't get Dmitry or Jonathan or anyone other than him?  And we get stuck with Emma, Peta and Tyne (whom I've never heard of) instead of Anna, Lacey and Chelsea?  Why?  No Max.  I was really hoping that bit of news was wrong.  I missed him last season.  I love Valerie Harper, but she's an older woman who's been quite sick.  Don't really think she has a snowball's chance of sticking around more than a few weeks, but maybe I'll be surprised. 

On the bright side - no tanning mom or dance mom or pregnant teenage mom!!!    Yay!

I'm truly surprised that Valerie would take on something so strenuous.  I just saw her on Hot in Cleveland last night.  She really looked great and must be one tough little cookie.

I recognize Elizabeth Berkley, Engvall, Nye and Leah.  Snookie?  *groan*

I notice there's no listing for Gleb, our smiley-faced George Hamilton knock-off.  Kinda glad.  But I can't say I'm crazy about having such obscure pros when the celebs list offers no big draw.  But I'm sure many who remember "Rhoda" will tune in to see how Valerie is doing.

USN:  Regarding Anna's pregnancy.  Is she back with Jonathan - or with someone else?  I saw the two on an episode of Design Star when she and Jonathan redid a couple of rooms.  Seemed not long after, they split up.

OT:  Last night's Hot in Cleveland had a reunion of the women of the MTM show.  Cloris Leachman and Valerie looked fab.  MTM not so much.

Hi Singly, I don't think she is back with Jonathan.  In the interview, she wouldn't reveal the father, so that leads me to believe that it's not him.  I wonder if they broke up because she wanted kids, and he didn't.

singlyme wrote:I'm truly surprised that Valerie would take on something so strenuous.  I just saw her on Hot in Cleveland last night.  She really looked great and must be one tough little cookie.

I recognize Elizabeth Berkley, Engvall, Nye and Leah.  Snookie?  *groan*

I notice there's no listing for Gleb, our smiley-faced George Hamilton knock-off.  Kinda glad.  But I can't say I'm crazy about having such obscure pros when the celebs list offers no big draw.  But I'm sure many who remember "Rhoda" will tune in to see how Valerie is doing.

USN:  Regarding Anna's pregnancy.  Is she back with Jonathan - or with someone else?  I saw the two on an episode of Design Star when she and Jonathan redid a couple of rooms.  Seemed not long after, they split up.

OT:  Last night's Hot in Cleveland[ had a reunion of the women of the MTM show.  Cloris Leachman and Valerie looked fab.  MTM not so much.

I am so happy  that Valerie is dancing. If i knew my time was short i would not spend my time sitting waiting for death. I would take the time to smell the roses and have fun ever day. My late  husband did not take the time to smell the roses. He did not take time to smell the roses until it was to late.  H e told  me the nighg before he died that he wished he had listen to me many years ago. I do not want to go to my grave with any regrets.  But that  is just me. My late husband Dr wanted  him to work out then he got blood clots. MTM has really been through a lot cause of diabetes poor eyesight and her  kidneys and of course her son killing himself.

I am "underwhelmed" by this season's offerings, except for Valerie Harper who deserves all the credit in the world for undertaking such a strenuous task in the face of her illness.

newto the boards wrote:I am "underwhelmed" by this season's offerings, except for Valerie Harper who deserves all the credit in the world for undertaking such a strenuous task in the face of her illness.

I can say she might bring a awareness to cancer. I will probably vote for her. It will not be a sympathy vote. I really admire her courage and her out look.