Quick Look at Dancing with the Stars Season 8

No particular insight, just reading the descriptions of the contestants for the upcoming 8th season of Dancing with the Stars.

Belinda Carlisle represents the cougars and is the senior this year. Wasn’t she just one of your heart throbs in high school? Getting old! “Heaven on Earth” is paired with Jonathan Roberts who usually gets these assignments.

Speaking of stereotyping, Kym Johnson dances with funny man David Alan Grier. Kym usually partners with those full of personality, dancing skills aside.

Singer Jewel is making her debut with a DWTS newbie, Dmitry Chaplin. Will Jewel outlast her husband, Ty Murray, also dancing on the show?

The “King of Cowboys” Ty Murray can lasso cows and ride bulls but can he paso doble? Like his wife, Ty is dancing with a newcomer Chelsie Hightower.

At 17 years old and an Olympian, Shawn Johnson must be the predicted front runner. That and she’s dancing with former DWTS champion, Mark Ballas.

Mark’s good friend and also champion, Derek Hough, has a lil’ partner as in Lil’ Kim. Is Lil’ Kim too much diva to take criticism from the judges?

Gilles Marini is the international hottie I think since I don’t know who he is. Can Cheryl Burke take this Parisian to the finals?

Steve-O does outlandish stunts for television. Will he incorporate that jackass bravery (or stupidity) in his performances with Lacey Schwimmer?

Nancy O’Dell and Tony Dovolani? Unless Nancy can bring it, this pair is mid round material at best.

A Wild Thing (and we’re not talking about her partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy), Denise Richards and Maks have looks on their side. If Denise has any dancing skills, this duo can do some damage.

Can the defensive minded NFL HOF-er Lawrence Taylor tackle the dance floor competition? So far, NFL players have done well on DWTS with their unusual mix of size and agility. LT’s partner is Edyta Sliwinska who should be in the DWTS Hall of Fame.

Jewel and hubby, Ty Murray, are facing off and so are newly engaged Maks and Karina. But dancing together is Chuck Wicks and his gal pal, Julianne Hough.

Rounding out the athletes and performers is the geek, Steve Wozniak. Woz was with Apple in the early years but left in 1985. I hope he’s been practicing his dances since then. You think Steve Jobs is difficult to work with? Try dancing with the aggressive perfectionist, Karina!

I can’t pick a clear winner. Shawn Johnson is an obvious vote. LT and Edyta could be good if LT ain’t too banged up from his NFL years. Denise and Maks might be smokin’ but she’s foul mouthed. Who has the style, attitude, and dancing ability to be this year’s champion?