Image Credit: Craig Sjodin/ABCABC announced the newest cast of Dancing with the Stars Monday night, and today they released the couple pairings for the show’s 11th season. (At the time of this post, EW.com readers had voted Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough as the couple to beat! Fellow ‘stars’ watch your backs!)
Anyway, it has come to my attention that DWTS keeps neglecting one important genre of stars—authors! Author Ally Carter took to her blog to comment on this travesty. In 11 seasons with more than 100 stars, none of them have been authors. (This does not count the stars who have book deals, like reality mom Kate Gosselin.)
Even if you don’t watch the show, it’s hard to avoid the casting news each season. And if I’ve learned anything at all by watching week after week, it’s that the producers use the term ‘stars’ loosely. I get it. Dancing with the People You’ve Probably Heard About in the News, Regardless of Star Quality was never really a viable name choice. So I won’t hold that against the ABC powers that be. But I’m not sure I’m comfortable living in a world where Bristol Palin is considered a ‘star’ and a best-selling author is not. And that has nothing to do with politics.
Carter points out that this might be a mere coincidence and not a direct snub of the writers of the world. And she’s right. Maybe J.K Rowling has no interest. Maybe EW’s own Stephen King isn’t quite ready to break out his dancing shoes. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t change the fact that authors are very notably missing from each DWTS lineup.
What author would you want to see strut their dancing stuff in an effort to claim the coveted mirror ball trophy? And who knows? Maybe ABC will take note and make the “write” choice next season. (Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.) Head to the comments below!
I vote for John Grisham, Cecelia Ahern and Meg Cabot.
I think they would each bring something different, and each is a recognizable enough name to at least have some drawing power, IMO.
I’m liking the Meg Cabot idea, she could bring in a younger demographic
Agree, Cabot especially would be a great choice!
Nora Roberts and Carl Hiaasen. I’m not a rabid fan of either’s works, but they were very engaging from what I’ve seen in interviews (New Yorker and 60 Minutes, I think?) and they have enough name recognition.
Definitely Jonathan Franzen! Over the past several weeks, he has shown he has a real sense of humor and doesn’t take himself very seriously (HAHA!)
Hilarious! He did do that author video…
Terry McMillan, James Patterson, and Ntozake Shange. Definitely.
tacosy2k on July 15, 2011 she sounds super cute, is this your local gym? cuz i might have to join this one to get after this girl lol
Rachel Gasiewicz – Hi Stevi!Do you still have any tickets for this to give away? We live just arnoud the corner I would need two- let me know! Thanks!!
James Patterson for sure.
Nicholas Sparks would probably do well.
Toni Morrison! Nalo Hopkinson!
Oh, definitely Alyson Noel and Richelle Mead. Alkly Carter would be good, she’s the one who brought this whole issue up, after all.
The show has not invited any porn stars to join the show. And so that is another group that has been neglected. And I bet a porn star or two would explode the ratings.
of course they havnt, that’s stupid and so many parents would not allow their kids to watch this. thats what i would do with my kids
Have you taught your kids to use capitalization?
Jackson Pearce. Awesome YA author. She’ll be a household name before you know it, and then she should be dancing with Tony Dovolani. Or Louie. Or maybe even Maks!
Authors, artists, musicians. But maybe they have too much common sense to do the show.
Danielle Steel?
Definitely Jackson Pearce. She’s an awesome YA author with a hilarious personality. Tony or Louie would be excellent pairings, I’d say.
(seriously, google her books. they’re awesome!)
Very Very disappointed with 2010 season guests. Are there that many people turning you down that you recruit Bristol and David. Will be watching something else.
Why do none of my comments get posted?
I’ve been having the same problem a lot lately. Irksome…