If twirling, sequins, and the potential for famous people to fall on their hinies at every turn – literally – sounds like fun, then have I got a show for you: ABC will debut its latest celebrity competition show next week, and it involves…skating!
“Skating with the Stars” follows the familiar format of the wildly popular “Dancing with the Stars,” and will actually be taking the “DWTS” at the end of this season for six episodes. So now, celebrities are not only challenged to do everything backwards, but backwards and on a slippery surface.
Let the hilarity ensue.
Pairing have already been announced for the show, and they are as follows:
Bethenny Frankel & Ethan Burgess: She has her “Real Housewives…” and “Skinny Girl’s Margarita” claim to fame. He earned bronze and pewter medals at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Burgess also stunt doubled for Jon Heder in Blades of Glory.
Brandon Mychal Smith & Keauna McLaughlin: Smith comes to the competition from his role on Disney Channel’s “Sonny with a Chance.” McLaughlin is Ethan Burgess’ former partner, so she shares his bronze and pewter medals, but also claims the 2008 and 2009 national championships with her former-former partner, Rockne Brubaker.
Jonny Moseley & Brooke Castile: As a professional skier, Mosely is at least familiar with winter sports. Castile won the U.S. pairs title in 2007 with her former partner Ben Okolski.
Rebecca Budig & Fred Palascak: “All My Children” actress Budig pairs up with Palascak, who, together with partner and fiancee Melanie Lambert, were fourth place finishers in the pairs competition at the 1995 U.S. Junior championships.
Sean Young & Denis Petukhov: Movie actress Young is paired with Denis Petukhov, who took the silver in ice dancing at the U.S. Championships from 2004-2007. Also a veteran of the 2006 U.S. Team, Petukhov has toured with “Champions on Ice” as well.
Vince Neil & Jennifer Wester: Eighties hair rockers are back in a big way, and if Bret Michaels can conquer reality TV, then there is certainly a place at the table for his separated-at-birth twin from Motley Crew, Vince Neil. Neil pairs with Jennifer Wester, winner of the 2007 Nebelhorn Trophy.
Tanith Belbin, who earned her place in history (along with partner Ben Agosto) as the United States’ most decorated U.S. ice dancer ever when the pair took silver in Torino, will serve as color commentator, while a less-well known British TV personality, Vernon Kay will host. And with reports that the ever-colorful Johnny Weir and the ever-present Dick Button will be on the panel, “Skating with the Stars” promises to be nothing, if not entertaining.
The show debuts Monday, November 22 at 9 p.m. Eastern.
Photo courtesy of ABC.
