Topic: Buzz Aldrin on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars"
ilbasso Member
Posts: 1522 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Feb 2006
posted 03-03-2010 10:05 AM
I have no problem with Buzz being on the show. Taken in light with last year's hip-hop video, he's obviously trying to show that he has a sense of humor and is trying to lighten up his image. However, I can't help feeling like he's still not quite in on the joke.
I do agree that professed lack of money is absolutely the wrong excuse for him to be using for doing this. It cheapens his image.
Wehaveliftoff Member
Posts: 2343 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 03-03-2010 11:25 AM
Though I still think Buzz won't last very long at all, I WILL constantly vote for Buzz over the Uber-Bossy Kate Gosselin! Jimsz is right on the money $$$ though.
machbusterman Member
Posts: 1778 From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland Registered: May 2004
posted 03-03-2010 02:19 PM
Personally I can't stand any of these "reality" shows... X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, Big Brother, I'm a Celebrity... its dumbed down TV and I'd rather watch re-runs of Frasier than any of that rubbish.
If Buzz was giving his fee to charity it might be a bit more easy to swallow... but somehow I very much doubt that.
gliderpilotuk Member
Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
posted 03-03-2010 02:35 PM
Agree with you there Derek... on all counts.
"I'm-an-X Factor-(so-called)-Celebrity-Dancing-on-Ice-Get-Me-Out-of-Here" is just trash TV as far as I'm concerned and just another example of people wanting to live their lives vicariously through the C-listers that usually dominate these shows.
As for the charity angle... what's the saying? "It begins at home."
Playalinda Member
Posts: 152 From: Peoria, AZ, USA Registered: Oct 2009
posted 03-03-2010 03:45 PM
I doubt that Buzz is poor. Look at how many jobs he has in addition to all his book, autograph and collectibles sales, etc. I bet he is a multi-million dollar man.
He is doing this because that keeps him young. Look at him, 80 years young and counting. Armstrong and Collins were born in 1930, like Buzz. It's amazing how good they look too. They must have found the famous "fountain of youth" on the moon. I mean after all there is water on the moon.
Next time I meet Buzz I will ask him what keeps him so young. Buzz, Go Dance! Yeah!
The 80-year-old former astronaut has had a surprisingly deep history with MTV. The image of Aldrin walking on the moon -- an unprecedented feat he accomplished way back in 1969 -- supplied inspiration for a lot of early MTV imagery. And of course, any time anybody wins a Video Music Award, they are honoring Aldrin, as he is the space traveler who inspired the Moonman trophy.
In fact, Aldrin was brought into the MTV fold during the 2009 Video Music Awards, where he hung out with Sway on the red carpet and gave out the prize for Breakthrough Video. "Breakthrough Video! What's better than that?" Aldrin said to Sway following his introduction. Aldrin then read off the nominees for the award, taking a particularly intense level of pleasure in saying "Gnarls Barkley" and "Yeah Yeah Yeahs." (Matt and Kim's "Lessons Learned" ended up taking home the award.) "That's a handsome looking guy!" he said to Sway about the Moonman as he exited. Clearly, Aldrin belongs on live TV, and we hope that he conquers the TV dancing world.
"Walking on the moon was a piece of cake," Aldrin tells PEOPLE. "This is a challenge!"
But Aldrin, who will dance with pro Ashly Costa, says he thinks he's up for it: After all, he took Arthur Murray dance instruction in the earlier years, and went to many formal dances in his years at West Point.
"We danced wearing gloves," he recalls. "I've probably neglected my Lightfoot Louie on the dance floor, but I always have a lot to learn. I didn't take up skiing until I was 50."
ejectr Member
Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 03-05-2010 01:36 PM
Say what you want, but the guy's cool and he always makes me smile.
Space Possum New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 03-05-2010 04:57 PM
I've just finished reading "First Man" the Armstrong bio. During the Apollo 11 world tour while visiting the Congo, Buzz stepped onto the floor for a spontaneous dance with "Miss Congo". The performance was well received by most in attendance. Who knows? He might just surprise us all!
spaced out Member
Posts: 3110 From: Paris, France Registered: Aug 2003
posted 03-07-2010 02:47 AM
It is indeed hard to believe that Buzz is living on the breadline. A single Buzz autograph fee earns him about the same as someone on US minimum wage earns in a 50 hour week. 50 autographs (less than an hour's work at a show) brings in a year's minimum wage salary.
jimsz Member
Posts: 616 From: Registered: Aug 2006
posted 03-07-2010 06:10 AM
I don't think it is a fair statement. Buzz, like him or not, worked at obtaining an education and one benefit of that is not earning minimum wage. Minimum wage should be one of the convincers for people to obtain an education so they can strive to do better.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-07-2010 09:43 AM
Buzz Aldrin talks about "Dancing with the Stars" on This Week in Space but first shares with Miles O'Brien what he is spending his money on (hint: it's planning and promoting our future in space).
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 03-07-2010 10:18 AM
In common with Derek and others on this site I have no time whatsoever for reality TV shows.
Buzz's decision and rationale for appearing on such a show is nobody's concern but his own.
But at an age when many are husks of their former selves spending much of their day filling their pants and dribbling in to their tea, I for one wish him well... but I won't be watching.
Posts: 233 From: Maplewood, nj, 07040 Registered: Aug 2000
posted 03-07-2010 08:15 PM
Now I understand why he is doing it!
Wehaveliftoff Member
Posts: 2343 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 03-08-2010 11:24 AM
I hope he's not going to wear that medal on the show, just too tacky...
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 03-09-2010 12:08 PM
Will Fred Haise train as Buzz's backup?
music_space Member
Posts: 1179 From: Canada Registered: Jul 2001
posted 03-09-2010 01:45 PM
Very funny, Delta7!
history in miniature Member
Posts: 600 From: Slatington, PA Registered: Mar 2009
posted 03-09-2010 03:30 PM
We all should look that good at 80!
mjanovec Member
Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 03-09-2010 05:01 PM
The facelift or two he's had in the past probably has helped a bit. But still, he maintains a schedule that would probably be tiring to someone half his age.
history in miniature Member
Posts: 600 From: Slatington, PA Registered: Mar 2009
posted 03-09-2010 09:52 PM
My wife watches the show and to be honest I think he will do well. I have seen some of their choices in the past and to have the agility to be an Astronaut and do what he has done, dancing should be quite easy.
All he needs to do is learn the steps he's got everything else.
music_space Member
Posts: 1179 From: Canada Registered: Jul 2001
posted 03-11-2010 04:45 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: Here's a first look at the promo shot...
Here's another picture from that shoot from Aldrin's Facebook page:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-22-2010 03:28 PM
Aldrin's debut on "Dancing with the Stars" begins tonight at 7 p.m. CDT on ABC.
Here's a look at what people have been saying about Aldrin's odds of winning, as well as what Aldrin has said about his own chances:
Buzz Aldrin, whose footsteps 40 years ago became an iconic photograph representing mankind's first journey to another celestial body, will trade tonight his moon boots for dancing shoes as he competes on ABC's reality TV show, "Dancing with the Stars."
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-22-2010 07:09 PM
You can vote for Buzz Aldrin on "Dancing with the Stars" at 1-800-VOTE4-07 or by visiting ABC's website.
Rob Joyner Member
Posts: 1308 From: GA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted 03-22-2010 07:35 PM
And you can vote 11 times each via phone and computer!
posted 03-22-2010 08:18 PM
Buzz can have my vote... for $350.
MCroft04 Member
Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
posted 03-22-2010 09:02 PM
Hey, Buzz may not have danced that well, but he was very positive and cited increased interest in space as the reason for dancing. Unfortunately he is at the bottom of the pack.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-22-2010 09:08 PM
Aldrin may have the lowest judges' score (for now, the scores will be combined with those he earns next week) but he is the only dancer whose name was trending on Twitter by the premiere's end.
history in miniature Member
Posts: 600 From: Slatington, PA Registered: Mar 2009
posted 03-22-2010 09:35 PM
I saw the show and I do not think it has anything to do with dancing. He did what he set out to accomplish, shed some light where it should be and he made me feel proud to be MY age.
If only for Buzz Aldrin "Dancing with the Stars" was more about the stars than dancing, then he may have very well topped the judges' scoreboard at the end of Monday's night's two-hour show premiere on ABC...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-23-2010 03:15 AM
I just came across that ABC's online store has men's and women's "Dancing with the Stars 'Team Buzz'" t-shirts.
BC Member
Posts: 30 From: Springfield, IL, USA Registered: Nov 2008
posted 03-23-2010 07:34 AM
Great to see Buzz having a good time. He did better than I would have done. I hope I'm going that strong at 80. I was very pleased at the audience's response. Our space program and heroes are still very much admired here and around the world.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-23-2010 11:26 AM
"Dancing with the Stars" premiere was seen by 23.9 million people, making it ABC's second-most-watched show in its timeslot in 10 years (after the 2001 Rose Bowl).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-23-2010 12:02 PM
NASA has made note of Aldrin's appearance on its website and has included the brief video from the International Space Station that played before Aldrin danced.
Credit: ABC/NASA TV
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-23-2010 12:15 PM
"Dancing with the Stars" introduction for Buzz Aldrin:
Buzz Aldrin's complete dance performance and judging from the premiere:
Wehaveliftoff Member
Posts: 2343 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 03-23-2010 01:26 PM
Buzz got all 11 of my votes, but it won't be enough to save him. He SUCKED! Durn, I wished he would've outlast the Octomom, but unless they throw off two next week...
Fortunately she sucked too! My guess she or that British male actor will be the next two to go, then I won't watch it anymore this season; I've watched all the previous seasons. I had so hoped Buzz would have done MUCH better, but you plainly saw him verbally count all of his steps! It did seem like he did a forward moonwalk I swear!
Even The WOZ did better than Buzz.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-23-2010 01:36 PM
quote:Originally posted by Wehaveliftoff: Durn, I wished he would've outlast the Octomom, but unless they throw off two next week...
Based on the reaction on Twitter last night (it takes a lot of people talking about you to get into the trending list and from what I saw there were pages upon pages of comments in Buzz's favor), I expect him to make it through at least the first and second eliminations and then it will be up to how much he improves his dancing and how large a fan he can motivate that will decide how much longer he stays on the show.
posted 03-03-2010 10:05 AM
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