The basic format of the show has an interesting twist this year. The game changer is known as 'The Switch Up". I'm not so sure how I feel about this, but it will be interesting to see how America votes. It will certainly be a challenge for the celebrities to have to change to a different dancing mentor, mid stream in the competition. The dance professionals are used to working with a mix-up; I'm looking forward to another fun season of dancing! Bring it on!
A few of the contenders are:
There are a couple of amazing women who really push the envelope with their possibilities in life - Diana Nyad who recently achieved a 35-year-old dream of becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida; and now the dance floor! Kudos and hats off to Amy Purdy, who has overcome extraordinary adversity, losing her legs at 19 from meningitis. A double amputee, Amy is now training for the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Her skill is snow boarding. Her attitude and look on life is amazing. I am sure she is a 'favorite' of many, already.
The elder of the cast this season is Billy Dee Williams. Funny man Drew Carey (with a mega weight loss), who says you won't see him 'bare chested'!
There are a couple of child t.v. stars, too. Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper, The Wonder Years), will be giving her shot at the mirror ball trophy. Candace Cameron Bure of the Full House family (DJ Tanner) is also in the competition.
I am happy to know that there has not been a shakeup with the judges. Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dance/choreographers Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli!
And Maxim is back, yay!