If there was ever a good reason to watch ABC's Dancing With The Stars, this would be it.
In tonight's season premier of the glitzy celebrity dance competition, Buzz Aldrin, Apollo astronaut and second man to walk on the moon, will be starting his campaign as the oldest competitor in the show's history. I'd argue that he's also the most recognizable.
The octogenarian is no stranger to the spotlight, so I'm sure he jumped at the chance to show the world his dancing skills with professional dancing partner Ashly Costa.
Aldrin obviously has a musical ear having performed the rap tune "Rocket Experience" with Snoop Dogg last year (and it was pretty good too), so it will be interesting to see if that translates into a fluid movement on the dance floor.
Although Aldrin is in excellent shape, looking a lot younger than his 80 years, competing against ten other younger dancing celebrities means that Buzz has low odds at winning Season 11 of Dancing With The Stars. He shares the lowest odds of 40/1 to win the season with fellow competitor actor/comedian Niecy Nash.
My bet: He will be dancing to Frank Sinatra's Fly Me to the Moon at some point in the season.
But Buzz is a talented individual who I'm sure will work his hardest to learn every dance that he will have to master, wowing the judges, probably quickstepping his way through the competition for a few weeks. Besides, when it comes down to the public vote, being a likeable national hero should keep him safe for some time to come.
See Buzz in action during a practice session before tonight's debut performance.
Image: Buzz Aldrin with pro dancer Ashly Costa (ABC)
Tags: Apollo Program, Current Events, Space People
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