Let's have it: Your picks for 'Dancing with the Stars' competitors

February 3, 8:03 PMDancing with the Stars ExaminerEvelyn McCormack

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Dancing with the Stars Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Regis is on my list

Since everybody on the web seems to be doing this, I thought it might be a great idea to ask readers: Who are your picks for DWTS celebrity contestants? ABC-TV will be announcing the actual contestants, by the way, during prime time on Sunday night. Keep an eye out for the "name dropping" during "Extreme Makeover:Home Edition," "Desperate Housewives," and "Brothers and Sisters."

You can comment with your celebrity faves at the bottom of this article, Twitter me or email me. I will post the most popular names on your wish lists in a new article at the end of the week.

Remember that DWTS likes a mix of celebrities -- count on a comedian, a skating star, a football or basketball player, a mature star, a younger star, someone who could use the strenuous exercise, and a diva from the music world. To get the ideas flowing, I've taken a sample of the names I see floating around the Internet and started a potential list. Without further ado, here they are:

1. Nick Lachey -- Nick's brother Drew took the DWTS trophy in 2006, so Nick's name is bound to be thrown into the rumor mill. And he's good-looking.

2. Sherri Shepherd -- The co-host from "The View" has been rumored to be in talks with ABC and is a major fan of DWTS.

3. Donny Osmond -- OK, we all know that the Osmond brother has denied being signed for Season 8, but do we believe him?

4. Kirstie Alley -- The 58-year-old actress, who has also has struggled with her weight and once was a Jenny Craig spokeswoman, would probably have a great time on DWTS. She's known for her self-deprecating sense of humor.

5. Bob Saget -- People magazine has Saget on their "wish list" of DWTS celebrities, and he fits perfectly into the comedian slot. The former Full House star would be a humorous addition to the dance floor, in the same way Adam Carolla was.

6. Tony Romo -- Jessica Simpson's squeeze, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback, might adequately fill the large shoes of former football dancers Warren Sapp and Emmitt Smith. And he's good-looking.

7. Lawrence Taylor -- Already rumored to be on the DWTS roster, football great Taylor might be fun to watch, though not necessarily light on his feet.

8. Ashley Dupre -- The reformed call girl who took down former New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer has been mentioned in jest by The Hollywood Gossip, but why not? She's surfaced recently in an attempt to explain her side of the story, and the "exposure" she'd get from Dancing could only be a benefit.

9. Johnny Weir -- Another name from the People magazine wish list that makes sense, since Weir is a three-time U.S. figure skating champion and was one of the stars of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. A perfect follow-up to Kristi Yamaguchi's fabulous performance in Season 6.

10. Regis Philbin -- I'd love to see the Live! talk show host. At age 77, he'd be the perfect "mature" contestant and his outspoken personality would lend the entertainment factor to DWTS. The only wrinkle is that Philbin has recently complained about back problems on his show.

** An update from reader Cathy Nelson of DeSoto, Texas, about Donny Osmond. Cathy writes:

"I just saw Donny and Marie in Las Vegas and point blank asked Donny about DWTS.  His reply was 'not in March.'  I asked,
'September?'  His reply was 'Yes!' So look for him next fall."

Thanks, Cathy! Nothing like getting an answer straight from the source himself. Good reporting work!

Contact the DWTS Examiner at starsexaminer@gmail.com or via Twitter at https://twitter.com/starsexaminer.