| Dancing with the Stars |
THE 31 BABY BOOMERSOFDANCING WITH THE STARSHere are the 31 daring Baby Boomers (born 1946 – 1964) who have appeared on Dancing with the Stars rating them from worst (#31) to best (#1). 31. KENNY MAYNE—Season 2 (born 1959 appeared at age 46)This sports journalist was clearly out of his element. But his daring to try something so foreign to his feet is commendable. Luckily his reporting is known to be spiked with funny often bizarre bits, so his “dancing” can be seen as an extension of his schtick. He was mercifully eliminated first in Season 2. He has come back to host some hilarious segments in subsequent seasons handicapping the celebrities. He does have a sense of humor about himself. Right on, Kenny! 30. CLYDE DREXLER—Season 4 (born 1962 appeared at age 44)What a nice man, but boy, he can’t dance. At 6 foot 7 inches, he looked like he was dancing with a mouse (Elena Grinenko at 5 feet 4 inches). The mismatch was not helped by Drexler’s surprisingly stiff movement. His popularity kept him in the contest a couple weeks longer than he should have been. 29. PENN JILLETTE—Season 6 (born 1955 appeared at age 53) The famed magician's huge feet clomped through a couple dances. He tried his best adding a trick or two, but nothing seemed to help. When he was eliminated first in Season 6, he declared that his dancing career was not over but that he and partner Kym would be dancing in the parking lot the following week for those who could not get tickets to the show.
28. TOM DELAY—Season 9 (born 1947 appeared at age 62)Watching Tom Delay shaking his hips to "Wild Thing" makes his ranking plummet towards the bottom. But other than that, his dancing was surprisingly passable. Dropping out due to stress fractures on both feet mercifully saved him (and us!) from outright embarrassment. Spray tans, spandex, glitter---some things need to be left undone. But he showed he had some humor and he did give "Dancing" a hearty try! 27. LAWRENCE TAYLOR--SEASON 8 (born 1959 appeared at age 50) Well, he said it himself. He'd rather be golfing---and it showed. The NFL great was not so great on the dance floor. He didn't embarrass himself, but he did not specifically endear himself to the TV audience. He stayed on long enough to let us know he didn't really want to be there. 26. EVANDER HOLYFIELD—Season 1 (born 1962 appeared at age 42) It was Season One and the boxer turned entertainer was the first sports celeb to try the show. It didn’t quite work for him, but he did blaze the trail for other jocks like Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice. He managed to last until the 2nd week, beating out “The Bachelorette” Trista Rehn. 25. KATHY IRELAND—Season 9 (born 1963 appeared at age 46)What a nice and classy lady! She looked like the perfect Anna in "The King and I." But for this competition, Kathy was too stiff and not too interesting. Tony always gets these gals (Leeza, La Lucci, Jane Seymour) and does a fantastic job with them, but after 9 seasons, Kathy seemed like a rerun of what we'd seen before. 24. BELINDA CARLISLE--Season 8 (born 1958 appeared at age 50) We had great hopes for Belinda, but who would've thought it---she didn't have rhythm (at least for ballroom dancing). If they could've only added the "Pogo" or the "Robot" or some other 80s dances, she would've knocked 'em dead. We think. Anyway, she was shockingly eliminated first, not giving us a real feel of what she could do---cheating us out of seeing our GoGo icon show her stuff. 23. HARRY HAMLIN—Season 3 (born 1951 appeared at age 54)On paper it should have worked. On the dance floor it really didn’t. Hoping to repeat the success of his wife, Lisa Rinna, from the previous season, Harry was on the show for 3 weeks, but his dancing never really caught on. He tried hard, but sometimes natural rhythm is more important than blood, sweat and tears. 22. STEVE WOZNIAK--Season 8 (born 1950 appeared at age 58) When he was first announced, we could not imagine that the Woz would rank any higher than Kenny Maine. But we were wrong!! He was a delight throughout and he even got better and better. His Worm dance was amazing, even if Bruno wouldn't admit it! He entertained constantly and kept a better disposition than anyone even with an injury. He deserves a lot of credit and props. Way to Go!!! 21. STEVE GUTTENBERG—Season 6 (born 1958 appeared at age 49)The Gute was so earnestly enthusiastic about the show that it was a shame he was eliminated so early---though he became America's new Mr. Nice Guy in the process. When his partner became ill, he performed the encore dance with Jonathan (!) (a tango or as Tom Bergeron dubbed "the man-go") which was a comedic highlight of the season. 20. LEEZA GIBBONS—Season 4 (born 1957 appeared at age 50)Hoping to represent all women over a certain age, Leeza had the perfect partner in Tony Dovolani. But unlike Jane Seymour, (who also partnered with Tony to better success in Season 5), Leeza never lost that mannequin quality. She gave it a respectable try, but came and went at the appropriate time. (3rd out) 19. BILLY RAY CYRUS—Season 4 (born 1961 appeared at age 45)An example of how the viewer votes can keep in a questionable dancer (He beat out 6 other celebrities). His staying power is most likely the result of two words--Hannah Montana--the wildly popular Saturday morning children’s show in which he stars with his daughter. For someone who started a dance craze himself (the achy breaky) Billy surprisingly “clunked” along for weeks! The judges were constantly on his case which upset him. He ranks above some of the others on this list not for his dancing ability, but for his entertainment value. 18. DEBI MAZAR—Season 9 (born 1964 appeared at age 45)Debi was one of those contestants who was on the road to good things only to be cut short. Her relationship with partner Maks was also becoming a highlight. She would frustrate him at every corner (always fun to watch). Her nerves usually got the best of her during her dances causing her to frequently mess up, but you felt that she could have a breakout dance at any time. Not to be. 17. ADAM CAROLLA—Season 6 (born 1964 appeared at age 43)Adam Carolla was actually quite a surprise. He went in with two left feet and a snide attitude. But he came out with a new appreciation for dance and stunning compliments for his partner, Julianne Hough. In so doing, we had a new appreciation for him. Adam kept his caustic humor throughout while improving his dancing week by week—even giving us a final whirlwind paso doble starting out on a unicycle.
16. TED MCGINLEY—Season 7 (born 1958 appeared at age 50)Ted was saddled with a brand new pro dancer to the show and a low fan base. Therefore, his easy grace was only exhibited in 2 short dances during the first week. He looked quite promising but was never able to exhibit what he could do and how he might have progressed. It’s a shame, but that’s how this show works. But he moved well and had a very disarming personality. He was just discarded way to early.
15. TATUM O'NEAL—Season 2 (born 1963 appeared at age 42)Even though she was billed as the Academy Award winner, Tatum really didn’t have much of a fan base. And those who did know her might not have liked her Hollywood brat persona. Eliminated 2nd, she wasn’t given the opportunity to shine--and she could have. Her two dances showed some promise. But she had the last laugh—the show jumpstarted a career that she had been trying to rekindle for years. She’s back stronger than ever. 14. SUSAN LUCCI –Season 7 (born 1946 appeared at age 61)13. JOHN RATZENBERGER—Season 4 (born 1947 appeared at age 60)A last minute replacement for Vincent Pastore, the expectations for John were very low. But he surprised us all. His roly-poly physique did not get in the way of his surprisingly deft movements on the dance floor. He did show that men of his girth and age are no slouches when it comes to dancing. Thanks John for the inspiration. Hope you can keep the weight off. 12. DAVID ALAN GRIER--Season 8 (born 1955 appeared at age 53) He sure took it seriously--a little too seriously. You felt like he was going to go over to the judges' desk and whack the #**##!! out of them. Granted, the judges were a little tough at times. But he really danced well---it just didn't look like he was having too much fun. He was in it to win it. He tried very, very hard and unfortunately it showed. 11. MARK CUBAN—Season 5 (born 1958 appeared at age 49)Now he was an inspiration! Taking notes as he learned the steps, this man showed why he got to be a billionaire--hard work and charisma. Like Ratzenberger, there were no expectations, but Mark proved he could move much better than anyone expected. And just weeks after a hip replacement! And that new sleek body is an incentive for all of us to get out on the dance floor. What a difference 30 pounds make! 10. MARIE OSMOND—Season 5 (born 1959 appeared at age 48)America’s sweetheart kept us laughing which also kept us from closely watching her steps. But her charisma and showmanship outshone any errors in technique. She also lost a lot of weight. Marie provided the show its most dramatic and candid moment—she fainted on camera. But she made it all the way to the semi-finals ending with the infamously bizarre doll-dance. 9. VIVICA A. FOX—Season 3 (born 1964 appeared at age 42)What intensity! And she had the skill to back up any bravado she might have shown. But her game-face could have been her downfall as she came across as a bit overly confident which may have turned off some voters. She smoldered with Nick Kosovich, and what a bod! 8. JANE SEYMOUR—Season 5 (born 1951 appeared at age 56)Who would have thought that at age 56 she could still bend and stretch and move like that. She is not as fragile as you might have thought. She and Tony Dovolani were the perfect couple. Elegant, classy, and quite proficient with the steps too. Her reason for joining the show was for her mother, who enjoyed the series. Her mother passed away during the season, possessing Jane to go to new heights and giving us goose bumps in the process. 7. IAN ZIERING—Season 4 (born 1964 appeared at age 43)He’s a baby boomer?? Yes by the skin of his teeth, probably to his dismay. Ian had the drive, the skill, the muscles, and the time. But he didn’t seem to have the mind. He would mess up the steps. His “too intense” intensity was a detriment and caused him to lose focus and make weird mistakes. But he was a true contender in a season where the competition was amazing (Apolo Ohno, Joey Fatone, Laila Ali). 6. GISELLE FERNANDEZ—Season 2 (born 1961 appeared at age 44)Who? Unless you watch Dancing with the Stars, you might not even know who she is. But this news-hen should have been a contender. She was the victim of “no fan base” (which is truly a flaw in the show) and this plagued her early on. But her dances were phenomenal—the judges were impressed and she really did give inspiration to women over 40. 5. JERRY RICE—Season 2 (born 1962 appeared at age 43)Starting out in a league close to Kenny Mayne, Jerry Rice is voted boomer who improved the most. He kept at it and showed that he could move. His personality and fan base kept him in until the finals, when he even beat out Stacey Keibler (which probably shouldn’t have happened). But it just shows that this show is not only about who is the best dancer, but who improves the most. 4. MARK DACASCOS—Season 9 (born 1964 appeared at age 45)It was hard to believe that he was really a baby boomer. He looked at least 10 years younger and his athleticism made him seem 20 years younger. Mark could fly through the air, keep up with the dance steps Lacey threw at him, and look like a professional. It would have been a treat to see him in the finals, just to see what high-flying tricks could have been incorporated in his free-style. We loved the karate-kicking Iron Chef! 3. LISA RINNA—Season 2 (born 1963 appeared at age 42)She’s a spark-plug. Giving 110 per cent to the show every week, Lisa gave performances that she really should not have been able to do. She and Louis Amstel hit it off so well that it seemed like she could do anything. Her elimination before Jerry Rice wasn’t right, but Lisa has now gone on to a career in song and dance. She performed on Broadway in “Chicago,” an opportunity probably not available had it not been for her strong showing on Dancing with the Stars. 2. JOHN O'HURLEY—Season 1 (born 1954 appeared at age 50)Way back in Season 1 in 2005, the show was not quite as flashy or as frenetic as it is now. John was the debonair star, the older man, and a fan favorite. He fit in the show like a glove. He didn’t flip or jump high in his routines, but glided and entertained. Whether he would have the impact now (many seasons later) is hard to answer. But in Season One, he was a major contender! In fact, he won the ill-conceived Dance-Off with real winner Kelly Monaco. He embodied the still-vital baby boomer who can compete on a more than respectable level and look great doing it! 1. DONNY OSMOND—Season 9 (born 1957 appeared at age 51)Baby boomers be proud. Who would've thought a 51-year-old would take the mirror-ball trophy in the midst of competition half his age. So much is said praising his showmanship and charisma, but Donny also showed his dedication---by learning new steps and breaking old habits. It didn't look easy trying to keep the upright posture, twirling Kym around, or producing a flowing and accurate dance routine. He wasn't perfect, but his routines were always a highlight of every episode. He did finally get a perfect 30 for his freestyle. On top of all this, the ageless Donny was the nicest guy in town!
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