Dancing with the Stars Gone Gimmicky?

Season Seven of Dancing with the Stars is debuting on September 22, and the star lineup has been announced today. Hmmm, looks a little gimmicky if you ask me.

After seven years on the air, this popular series may be having problems outdoing itself. In order to hold the interest of its fans and keep up its appeal, the show’s producers might be relying on some gimmicks. Let’s take a look at this year’s stars.

1. Lance Bass
2. Toni Braxton
3. Brooke Burke
4. Rocco DiSpirito
5. Maurice Greene
6. Kim Kardashian
7. Cloris Leachman
8. Cody Linley
9. Susan Lucci
10. Misty May-Treanor
11. Ted McGinley
12. Jeff Ross
13. Warren Sapp

First off, there are 13 stars, the most ever. In the past, there was an even number of male and female star performers. Season seven features 7 guys and 6 gals. A little odd that there are more guys since there have been more male winners in the competition. Kristi Yamaguchi finally broke this string of male winners last season.

Lance Bass of *NSYNC caused an initial uproar asking to be paired with a male dancing professional. Inspired by the Gutt’s mango, the gay singer’s request has been denied. I don’t think America would have been ready. Gimmick #1.

Toni Braxton has had health issues of late, but could DWTS relaunch her once stellar career? Un-break my heart with Gimmick #2.

Brooke Burke continues to tap the MILF-izzle started by Jennie Garth in Season Five. A mother of four, former host of Wild On, voted one of the sexiest women in the world, and paired with Derek Hough. She get chance of winning if she’s a decent dancer.

Props to Rocco DiSpirito for crossing over from the culinary world. This renowned chef has been on Top Chef several times, but can he cook with partner Karina Smirnoff on the dance floor? I personally don’t see this combination working out.

Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene is fast. Hopefully his stay on the show with Cheryl Burke isn’t fast. There’s that Olympian angle again – Gimmick #3.

ABC is lucky that Kim Kardashian has a reality television show with her family. Otherwise, how else could they justify a big booty, porn star on the show? Gimimck #4.

Cloris Leachman is 82 years old. Enough said. Gimmick #5. She is paired with Corky Ballas, the father of Mark Ballas. Gimmick #6.

Cody Linley is the youngest DWTS competitor ever and is on the Hannah Montana show. He’s dancing with Julianne Hough who now has a partner younger than she is. Gimmicks galore! Gimmick #7.

Has Susan Lucci finally won a Daytime Emmy? I thought she would have been the elder states-person role, but Cloris has that one.

Olympic beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor will now be wearing outfits less revealing than her beach attire.

I’ll give Ted McGinley Gimmick #8 just because he’s been around and was on Happy Days and Revenge of the Nerds. That and he might have taken Tom Selleck’s older, hunky spot on the show. What happened to Magnum PI?

I don’t know who comedian Jeff Ross is.

Super Bowl winner Warren Sapp is a huge dude. Don’t get smushed, Kym Johnson. Gimmick #9 cause Sapp’s decked out in Jordan wear.

I have a weak mind susceptible to Jedi mind tricks and simple gimmicks so I eagerly await the three-night premiere starting on Monday, September 22!

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