Is this a good time to start discussing what the next season's celebrity dancers might be and making other assorted speculations?

The S7 speculation thread was started 87 days before premiere. It is now 83 days before S8 premiere, so this thread is kind of overdue.

I'm rather anxious to find out who they will replace Julianne with. If I'm not mistaken, they have to cast a celebrity first, then they choose a pro. So we may not know who will replace Julianne until the very end.

If they want to have another young blond girl, they've gotta give Chelsie Hightower from SYTYCD some consideration, right? Chelsie may not dance as well as Julianne, but Lacey from last season showed that the pros don't have to be terrific ballroom dancers.

But I suppose most of us would like Julianne's replacement to be Ashly Delgrosso-Costa.

Thanks for starting this thread!
Sadly, I think we're all still too bummed over the general blah-ness of season 7 to look forward to season 8 with much hope.
I know what I don't want to see! No more Samantha Harris! No more random unfortunate changes to the structure of the show! And after seeing Lacey dance for a full 10 weeks, I really don't want any more SYTYCD transfers. Her style was entertaining, but her technique sucked and her posture...seen sloths dance a prettier tango. No more of that, please.

The first biggie in the rumor mill is.... Stevie Wonder.

That's assuming that Julianne isn't going to return, and, as far as I know, it's never been expressly confirmed that she isn't. She herself says something different about the subject every time it's brought up in an interview, so I wouldn't start nominating her replacement just yet.

I heard a rumor that Deion Sanders was being looked at for season 8. It would be interesting to see him on the show. He has had quite a career and an interesting life.

I admit to being tired of the NFL players but Deion Sanders would be entertaining on this show. He might be good as well. If they are looking for another female pro, I hope they do not focus on trying to specifically replace and find another "Julianne". I would be fine if they brought back Elena, Ashly or even Aneta from overseas. I take any of those three over Chelsie. Though there is a Ballas connection with her too so I am guessing she could be a possibility.

Big no to Stevie Wonder! Granted he's a superstar, but he'll be terrible. He can't have a true connection with a partnet without seeing and how can he learn the dances well? Deaf is one thing but blind is a whole nother level!

Please DWTS.. no!

Also, no to Deion Sanders...let's go even further.. no more football players!

I'd love to see Ashly come back. One of the most unfairly treated pros. Gets a good partner season 1 but it was only a 6 week season. Then Master P.. nuff said.. then Harry Hamlin, who was very stiff and not a big enough fanbase.

Ashly looks great and deserves a good partner! Plus, she's a fantastic dancer AND a 10 dance champion so she's a good latin and ballroom dancer!

There's heavy speculation that Steve-O will be a star next season, which I find strange because I don't really think Steve-O is a star. Maks and Karina weigh in on the possibility here. I hope Maks is right and he doesn't end up on the show. I think Kardashian showed us all what a hardcore famewhore will do with his or her time on the dance floor.

As for Stevie Wonder, I really hope they don't go that route either. I can't imagine how hard it would be for whatever pro was assigned to him. He may rock the first dance where they have weeks to learn it, but I can't imagine he'll be able to keep up with the show once he only has a few days to learn each dance.

I think Julianne will be back. She just got signed up for George Straits tour and it starts May 15th. But the odd thing is that for the first little while dates are only for Fridays and Saturdays. They'll probably give her someone less awesome like Adam so she can get out early enough that she'll have time to prepare for the tour and she'd be available to come back for her appearance on the finale. She's been backtracking very hard these past few weeks, so it's likely the producers have told her she's coming back and they'll make it work with her schedule.

I wouldn't be so opposed to Stevie Wonder (I do like the guy) if it weren't obvious that the producers are itching to treat his blindness as yet another gimmick. We'll get to see the judges saying, "Oh, you know we have to judge you on the same level that we judge everyone else!" which is absolute bullshit. And then Samantha will bring up his blindness after every single dance. They'll treat him with kiddie gloves at the beginning too, because Stevie Wonder is a legend. They can't be all, "Dood, you suck, lol!"

I like Stevie as well and much like Marlee, I am not opposed to his participation. Aside from producers salivating at gimmicks, I do not want patronizing comments from CA and how she brought to tears by his performance and then gives him a 6 for Edyta doing a lift. Bias of course because I could care less about the patronizing comments towards Heather Mills. I do not want gimmicky casting or human interest storyline in season 8. I want ballroom dancing (I do not care if it stinks, no more hip hop or hustle) and more of seasons 2 and 4 feel and less of seasons 6-7 vibes.

I agree, he is not a star but that never stopped the producers from casting other "stars" on the show. I hope the speculation turns out to be false. Positive thinking because Brooke Hogan did audition for them before and was not cast.

Article > Another DwtS Rumor ... Dina Lohan

Please no!

Kim Kardashian is one thing but Dina Lohan is a truly annoying person and only famous for having a famous daughter. Plus shes had dance experience as a child.. she said it herself.

I think this is more like Lohan's wishful thinking.

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/10/dina_...ancy_footw.html

Why don't they just rename this show Dancing with the Desperate Reality Stars. If Dina somehow gets her wrinkly overbaked mug on this show, I'm not watching.

Dina? Steve-O? Sounds like the cast for The Surreal Life. If Dina or any other Lohan ends up on the show, I am not watching. I do not care if they get someone like Dominique Dawes or Michelle Kwan on the show. I'll assume they will win and just watch their dances on-line so I can skip Samantha and any other desperate reality show fame whore.

Heidi Klum wants to join DWTS.

I wouldn't mind Heidi. A actual supermodel with a sizeable fanbase!

Pair her with Tony!

Insider Edition said something about having some Season 8 secrets/spoilers, but it was pure fluff.

http://www.theinsider.com/news/1451153_Der...allas_New_Music

Sorry, I don't have a link, but I read something where Hayden Panettierre (sorry for spelling) mentioned DWTS?

I was listening to some old podcasts recently, and listened to Eric Roberts being interviewed by Adam Carolla on November 3. He said he was offered the first season of DwtS and was basically signed up to do it, but at the last minute had to pull out b/c of a possible conflict with a movie he was filming. He was saying he's dying to do the show still, but they haven't agreed to have him on since.

I'm guessing the show might be annoyed with him for pulling out of Season 1, b/c he's as famous as a lot of the other celebs that sign up and very willing to participate. However, we could possible see him if the show asks him.

IIRC, Melissa Joan Hart said no for one of the previous seasons and then asked to participate in season 5 and they said no. Come on producers. Eric Roberts or Steve-O? I'll take Eric Roberts. If only because he starred in one my favorite guilty pleasures Best of the Best. I am surprised the producers would not jump at a chance to have Julia Roberts in the audience.

Eric and Julia are not close as siblings. When he divorced his wife, many years ago, Julia sided with his wife. She is very close to the wife and her neice, Emma Roberts, who is a teen actress. I believe some of the emotions have settled down over the years, but I'd be surprised if enough amends have been made for Julia to come to see him on the show, if he became a celeb.

Thanks for that info, sweetpd7. I am not a Julia Roberts fan and was unaware of the back story there. Eric Roberts of any speculated names is the only that does not bother me. Stevie Wonder is fine but rather I fear what the producers will do.

Here's another rumor.

I'm sorry.. only celebrities need to apply... who is this woman?

She's mostly a jockey and a damn good one too. Probably the best female jockey currently racing. She's not well known and I have no idea why the show would take her, but she's been racing in California the past few years so she'd be available for the show. Not really a hugely famous person even in Canada, but she's at least an interesting type of "star" and still beats Ali Lohan or another reality star.

Chantal Sutherland? I'm Canadian and I've never even heard of her. Admittedly, my knowledge of jockeys could fill a thimble. Still, she wouldn't last. Nobody knows her.

Love the idea of Heidi Klum! Especially if she gets Maks.

I think Heidi would be a better match for someone like Fabian or Tony.

Tony deserves a good female next season the last few seasons he's gotten the old gal (Jane, Susan, Leeza) or someone with confidence issues (Sara, Marissa). Granted Marissa has been his best partner since Stacy, she struggled in the first 3 weeks and was FAR from a ringer.

This may belong more in the wish list thread rather than this one, but I am really surprised they haven't thought about someone from the cast of Scrubs. Now that ABC has picked it up from NBC, you would think they would want to do some cross-promotion to get new viewers. Just about anyone from the cast would be preferable, in terms of both talent and personality, to someone like Dina Lohan or Steve-O. I suppose it's possible they considered it and it didn't work out for scheduling reasons, but it seems like such a natural fit.


Eh. Just my wishful thinking I guess...

I would love to see Heidi Klum, none of the other names mentioned here do anything for me. At least, nothing positive. A few of the names have made me recoil in disgust, but I don't think that's the reaction producers are looking for.

You really could make that argument about any show on ABC-- in that it would help with promotion and visibility. I don't know why it would be exclusive to Scrubs.

However, the idea seems that if they have a starring role on a network show, they are probably too famous for DWTS. I'm not saying it's not possible (I'm sure it's happened in the past, at least once), but it's not probable. Heck, anyone from the cast of Desperate Housewives would be perfection, but there's no way they'd agree to do this, at least until their show gets cancelled.

Perez Hilton on DWTS? And by that we mean people he's probably spreading that rumor around himself in the hopes that he gets asked.

I can believe this. No Perez Hilton, please!

Of the speculated names, only Heidi interests me. The prospect of Tim Gunn in the audience or snarky on the costumes is gold. I think actors on popular shows like Eva Longoria Parker who have expressed interest in DWTS cannot participate due to the time commitment.

I can see Perez being asked....but I can't see him saying yes. The required time commitment is too much for him.

I'd love a Desperate Housewive to do DWTS8.

It'd be great cross-promotion and all of the women are well known and respected. How about someone like Dana Delaney or Nicolette Sheridan.. they are the 2 "supporting" HW's.

I saw Dana in the audience in season 6... maybe thinking bout joining?

I'd love to see Dana Delaney do the show. I threw out her name last season and when happy to see her pop up in the audience. She'd be great.

A mini-season Dancing With the Housewives would be huge.

If nothing else, having the male pros on DWTS on "Housewives" for a fantasy sequence would be pure gold.

Naomi Masina posted some great photos of Chelsie Hightower here but I wouldn't be posting them on this thread except for a comment the photographer included near the bottom of the post.



Since Nigel mentioned in a recent interview that DwtS was looking to cast Chelsie as one of their pros, I'm thinking this means Chelsie has, at least, been added to the pool.

I am not that excited about Chelsie joining DWTS. It's not so much dancing or her age (or that she is clearly being set up as Julianne's replacement) but I am a bit bothered by them having pros join who already have established fan bases. At least it is not Benji. As noted by ByTheWay, she is at least in consideration. Derek and Mark mentioned in a recent tv appearance that no pro knows for sure until a couple days before they meet their celebs. I am guessing now Chelsie in consideration but whether we see her depends on the celebs they line up for next season. Can you imagine Chelsie paired up with Steve-O? Though would she audition for the show at ABC? The show is aired on ABC but filmed on the CBS lot and not sure if BBC America's offices would at ABC Studio. Wishful thinking, I guess.

While I can see the producers thinking another cute young blonde in Chelsie, her dancing does not compare to Julianne (as noted by loveisthedrug) and appearance wise, she reminds of a young, blonde Mary Murphy. I did like her on SYTYCD but it was her partner that I thought was more charismatic and interesting of those two. If she is on during season 8, I hope they have her earn her stripes unlike Lacey. Even Julianne earned her stripes. I know she got an athlete in her first season but it was a speed skater and no one knew he would be such a natural.

I hate the idea of Chelsie joining the show. HATE. Not only do I not like the fact that she would come in with a fanbase from her run on SYTYCD (as harvestbasket has already mentioned), she was NOT all that impressive in her dancing when she was on that show, IMO. She wasn't bad, but I think she was helped a lot by her personality and her partnership with another fan favorite contestant, Mark. Plus, if Julianne is, in fact, coming back for at least one more season, having Chelsie on seems kind of redundant to me (looks-wise. Dance-wise, they don't even compare).

Bottom line: I hope Chelsie's visit to ABC Studios was not DWTS related. If it was, though, I hope they give her a dud and make her earn her stripes, unlike Lacey last season who got the popular boy-bander her first time around.

She might be going there to audition, Jan 17th. That doesn't mean Chelsie is a shoe in.

From Access Hollywod/MSNBC: Misty May is rumored to return this season.

I hope she does return.

Maybe her ankle is healing fast and the premiere is still 2 months away so thats still 2 more months to heal even better.

She only made it to Week 2 and i was really interested in seeing her grow. She only had minor things to work on like lowering her shoulders, getting her emotion in her face, and her arms being sharper.

I hope she does return but only with Maks.

I think that Chelsie joining would be a huge mistake. Lacey took a lot of flak last season but she's 10x the dancer Chelsie is. Chels was not that impressive in her specialty on SYTYCD and I can only imagine that being worse on DWTS where it's all ballroom. The only thing she has in common with Julianne is being blond and cute. The talent factor is not even close. It'll be a real shame if she gets the spot.

I absolutely agree. Personally, I really don't give a shit if DWTS recruits former SYTYCD contestants - the US version is not the only one to do that, it doesn't mean the death of the show, and if the dancers are impressive, I'm all good. However, ugh to Chelsea. Just ugh. I liked her fine on SYTYCD most of the time but I really did not find her particularly impressive in her own style (and she had plenty of opportunities to dance ballroom, especially after Top 10). Julianne gets on my last nerves at times but I'll admit she's a very gifted, charismatic dancer, and Chelsie would be a piss poor "replacement" because her dancing doesn't even begin to compare. And people can bitch about Lacey's qualifications or supposed lack thereof, but at the end of the day I for one really enjoy watching her dance, which is something I just can't say about Chelsie. I don't mind if DWTS wants to plunge into the SYTYCD pool to look for some fresh talent but I really wish they'd recruit someone like Anya, Pasha, or sexy ass Artem (yet another reason I resent Carrie An is because this will definitely never happen). On another note, frankly, I'm sorta sick of most of the male pros, so I wouldn't mind some fresh meat there.

Heh, I do not enjoy watching Lacey or Chelsie dance. Lacey, I enjoyed a bit more but not more than Anya that season. YMMV. As much as I hate Benji, he is probably the better choice for DWTS because I think he is a better teacher than Lacey but that is a different topic and I would prefer a scenario where all three of them were not on the show. As for Anya, Pasha, Artem or Dmitry, I love watching them dance and would rather see the producers recruit one of them for the show.

As much as I would love to see Misty back, not sure how she'd be healthy in time for season 8.

Does anyone know when the new season starts?

I think I read that it starts March 9th.

Shouldn't they be announcing the stars and pros soon?

FNovaBklyn, I think in three weeks or so.

The final tour date is February 8th, 2009 in Philadelphia. Derek said in a recent interview that he expected to hear at the end of the tour whether he was on this coming season and who his celebrity would be. That means we have three more weeks to speculate unless someone leaks the pairings, as had happened for season 7. In previous seasons, I'm assuming with the show's blessing, some of the celebrities leaked their participation. For example Adam and Julianne leaked their pairing on his radio show, before the official announcement on GMA.

Nigel did this show a service. Superstars of Dance is such a disappointment that I'm looking forward to season 8, which I was meh about at the end of season 7.