"Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars" cast: Talented hoofers vs. ratings darlings

The Dancing With The Stars all-stars lineup includes past runner-up Kirstie Alley, third-place finisher Bristol Palin and past champion Apolo Anton Ohno.

/ AP/Getty Images

(CBS News) When ABC announced the "Dancing with the Stars" season airing this fall would be the show's first all-stars lineup, the blogosphere lit up with everyone weighing in on their ideal mix of returning stars. The big announcement has finally come, with six former champions and six fan favorites in the competition. And in keeping with the show's user involvement format, a 13th contestant will be chosen by popular vote before the season kicks off on Sept. 24.

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"Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars"

Quick thoughts from a veteran watcher of the show: It's an odd mix of second-tier champions who smiled their way to the winner's box, along with a few talented runners-up and some less-talented headline-grabbers.

Pictures: "Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars"
"Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars" cast announced

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas perform on "Dancing with the Stars," on Sept. 20, 2010, in Los Angeles.

/ AP/ABC

Cutting to the chase: Yes, Bristol Palin is back. Palin, in case you just came to America from a land without television, is the daughter of polarizing pundit and former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Blank-faced Bristol made modest improvement through the course of her season, but was kept in the show through voluminous viewer support, presumably from red-state America.

Working up from the bottom of the talent pool we find Pamela Anderson, the busty bombshell who was a decent dancer but also managed to charm viewers with her deadpan approach to the show.

In the middle of the pack are contestants who have a significant background in dancing but have managed to convince the show's programmers that they qualify as "average" people experiencing the miracle of dance for the first time. This is a pet peeve of mine, but you can't hold "DWTS" to rigid methodology. ABC does what it wants, gets a lot of traffic, makes millions of dollars on the show and they don't care what I think.

So the ringers getting another chance to pretend they're learning to dance from scratch include Melissa Rycroft, the spurned "Bachelor" contestant who was also a professional cheerleader; Joey Fatone, the tubby former boy band member; Drew Lachey, a past winner and former boy band member; and possibly Sabrina Bryan, a former girl band member (she's one of the three hopefuls vying for fans' votes). I also throw in French hunk Gilles Marini, who was a suspiciously good dancer but claimed no previous experience.

Julianne Hough, left, and Apolo Anton Ohno perform a rumba on "Dancing with the Stars" on May 21, 2007.

/ ABC

Of the returning champs, there are several who managed to steal the disco ball trophy from more talented competitors based more on their gleaming smiles and crowd appeal: Emmitt Smith, Shawn Johnson and Helio Castronoves. Will lightning strike twice for these fan favorites?

Drama factor: What will Kirstie Alley's weight be when she returns? How much will she lose again on the "DWTS" regime?

And the winner will be: Apolo Anton Ohno, the crowd-pleasing Olympian who combined the work ethic of a champion with some actual dancing talent.

The returning champions are:

The remaining six are a combination of stars who went far in the contest based on actual dancing talent and a few who viewers kept in the game long past their performance worth:

The final star, to be chosen by America's votes, will be Kyle Massey, Sabrina Bryan or Carson Kressley. Results will be announced Aug. 27 on "Good Morning America."

Tell us: Who do you think will win "Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars"?

[dmhanco]

I agree with the person who said the show was more about good dancing

[standupfanatic]

IMO last season was much better because the focus was actually on dancing not on goofballs or old celebrities") in the mix. On what planet is Bristol Palinan "all star" or even a "dancer." Bringing Bristol back is stupid AND blatant pandering to the Red States. Also, why Pamela and not Mel B who was a good dancer? Why Melissa Rycroft? Her Bachelor days are over - she's married, so there's no need for sympathy vote. Please do not bring back Carson Kressley: personality, yes; dancer, no.

[hypnotoad72]

There are some in the blue states that put Bristol Palin on a pedestal as well, despite the double standards and hypocrisy she (and others) have demonstrated.

The network is merely cashing in on brand name recognition for this "reality show". It is as simple as that.

[whozzzzure]

I agree -- same format, same dances, and now same contestants. Yawn.

[jonnyooh]

Oh, Nooooo! They're going to give us retreads. We haven't run out of new "stars" yet. We have? I know, how about finding a pretty woman out there. Let's see, there's J'Lo, there's Kim K... Okay that's it for pretty women. How about kinda pretty. Okay Pam A is kinda. Carmen Electra is kinda. There aren't many newer kindas. Are there any kinda kindas out there. Jennifer Biel is a kinda kinda, but she's a STAR. We're not looking for STARS. We're looking for "stars". Pretty ones, that is. Go by this rule: Cheryl, Kym, Chelsie and Anna shouldn't be the only pretty women on the show. Right now, they're the only reason I watch DWTS. Bring back Bradny. She's kinda. And change the voting rules so morons have a rough time hijacking the show.

[erasmus111]

"...and a few who viewers kept in the game long past their performance worth:"


I only see one other that fits that description.

BRISTOL PALIN.

Damn, I think I'm going to puke.

[marylafl]

me too.Sick of this name

[tmonta67]

<YAWN>

[rider1956]

Yes, it is a little boring. Do not watch it anymore. It's not the dancing that is boring (dancing is hard stuff), but Bergeron and his sidekick. They have nothing to say except what is on the cue-cards.
Let Max or Tony and their chosen partner be the hosts. Leave Bergeron on AFV.

[lacpeb]

I TOTALLY disagree with you. Bergeron is the only good thing about the whole show. You can tell that the show is closely timed, which prevents him from cutting loose with a lot of unscripted dialogue.

[smithy07]

How about trading Bristol for Mel B. Watching Bristol dancing again will be most painful. Her own show is going down the tubes, so she has to stay in the spotlight. She must be so proud teaching her son to say the F-bomb. Please, please, please Bristol go back to Alaska and give the rest of us a much needed break from you and your dysfunctional family.

[tafhdyd]

Why ruin Alaska? If she is away from there keep her away. Send her to some red state where she will blend in with her own kind, like Alabama.

[marylafl]

Yes Mel B. Looks like that gang from Alaska needs more money.