'Dancing With the Stars' Cast Announced, Bill Nye Fans Freak Out
Mirrorballs, and sequins, and samba, oh my!
The "Dancing With the Stars" cast was announced Wednesday morning and Twitter fans are already leaping with spandex-filled excitement about the new lineup ... but their cheers are for one future dancer you probably wouldn't expect.
[Photos: Check Out the Official 'DWTS' Portraits of the New Celebrity Cast]
Nope, it's not one of the ladies, who include Snooki, "Saved by the Bell" alum Elizabeth Berkley, "Glee" star Amber Riley, Valerie Harper, Christina Milian, and Leah Remini. As for the men, NFL Wide Receiver Keyshawn Johnson, "Pretty Little Liars" baddie Brant Daugherty, "High School Musical" alum Corbin Bleu, comedian Bill Engvall, and Jack Osbourne will tangle over the tango — and for votes — against Bill Nye the Science Guy.
Devout "DWTS" viewers are so stoked by the news that they are already creating new Twitter handles, like TeamAmberDerek and TeamSnookSasha, to show their support for their favorite stars, but according to Twitter, the early fan favorite seems to be the nerdiest of the batch. Even non-supporters of the longtime reality show have vowed to tune in to watch the "chemistry" between the bow-tie loving television educator and his partner, newbie Tyne Stecklein. The scientist has already nabbed a staggering 23,000 Twitter mentions since the announcement this morning. His fellow competitors haven't even cracked the 3,000 marker for mentions.
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Valerie Harper is also grabbing attention for her amazing effort at her four-hour-a-day dance rehearsals. The "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" star was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer last January, but is currently responding well to treatment. She told People magazine her decision to dance was not even a question. "When they asked, I thought, 'Why would I say no?' When life asks you to dance, you just have to dance."
The new season premieres September 16 on ABC. Check out what the fans are saying and cast your vote for your favorite star in the comments below!
Bill Nye is going to be on Dancing with the Stars #lifemade #dwts
— Amy Lenderink (@aMy_LeNdErInK) September 4, 2013
I hate that show, but I will watch for you! "@TheScienceGuy: It’s time for this nerd to get dancin’. O yes, season 17 of #DWTS, here I come"
— Kathryn Vernon (@ToughieTweets) September 4, 2013
Bill Nye the Science Guy will be on the upcoming season of #DWTS. I can't wait to see his interpretive dance explaining global warming.
— Sean Michael O'Hagan (@smohagan) September 4, 2013
Bill Nye the science guy on dancing with the stars. Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!
— Lacee Doucette (@lacee_doucette) September 4, 2013
Pumped to hear that Rhoda is going to be on #DancingwiththeStars #Rhoda #ValerieHarper #inspiration
— Courtney (@ck364) September 4, 2013
#DWTS prediction: Leah Remini puts a scientology spell on Snooki & Corbin Bleu sings his rendition of "We're All in This Together".
— Alannah Leigh (@alannahleigh) September 4, 2013
Valerie Harper, diagnosed w/ terminal brain cancer, a contestant on Dancing with the Stars this season - My Hero!
— tink69 (@tink69) September 4, 2013
I have never had the urge to watch Dancing with the Stars, but with Jesse Spano and Bill Nye I'm just not sure I can resist! #DWTS
— Emily Ryan (@EmcRy) September 4, 2013
An again Derek gets a partner who already has dance experience.. No shock there! #dwts
— Christina Ochoa (@Christina2224) September 4, 2013
Imma let y'all finish, but @MsAmberPRiley is gonna own this season of #DWTS.
— Melissa Jamrock (@jamrockstar) September 4, 2013
Christina Milian we all remember Dip It Low...I have no doubt there will be some bootay popping... #dwts #GMADancing
— Lisa_Mariiaa (@LisaMariiaa) September 4, 2013
We're so excited. We're so excited. We're so... scared! She's so nice! #dwts #savedbythebell http://t.co/NL99v2XpJ8
— Kayla (@kaylakuzbel) September 4, 2013
Bill Engvall is going to be on #DWTS ... Well guess who's watching now?!
— Abi Myerscough (@AbiAbi19) September 4, 2013
keyshawn "give me the damn mirrorball" johnson #DWTS @DancingABC
— Stefania (@stefferonipizza) September 4, 2013