“Dancing with the Stars” column

The latest season of “Dancing With The Stars,” the show that throws together the most ridiculous assortment of celebrities together, debuted this past Monday. Somehow, this show has skyrocketed into amazing success, as this is the show’s 10th season.

Can someone please explain to me how this has happened? Am I the only person that does not find washed-up “stars” dancing with professional dancers entertaining? Apparently so, since the show had 23.9 million viewers on Monday night, its biggest premiere ever.

I really just don’t understand everyone’s obsession with this show. Is it the dancing? Has the country suddenly become obsessed with ballroom dancing? I guess that would make sense with the success of other dance shows such as “America’s Next Dance Crew” and “So You Think You Can Dance?”

But I think there is something more. I think we love to see famous people do something with the chance that they are going to make fools out of themselves. Let’s face it, the past seasons of “Dancing” hasn’t exactly cast the most graceful celebrities. Obviously, this was done with the hope that they would make fools out of themselves in one way or another (Tom DeLay and Steve Wozniak) and this season is no different. Let’s look over the cast, shall we?

We have the resident old man, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who already got the lowest score. There’s the NFL star – which the show seems slightly empty without, since Emmitt Smith won in the third season – Chad Ochocinco. Of course, the Olympian, Evan Lysacek, following the footsteps of another Olympic ice skater, Apolo Ohno (although Ohno is speed skating, whereas Lysacek is figure skating, which I think may give him a bit of an advantage).

There are the actors and actresses, washed-up and otherwise, including Shannen Doherty, Aiden Turner and Niecy Nash. Pamela Anderson is in there too, credited as “former Playboy Playmate and actress.” I was unaware that we were now counting being in sex tapes as acting. Erin Andrews, ESPN sportscaster, found her way into the mix as well, along with Pussycat Dolls singer, Nicole Scherzinger.

The last two are my personal favorite cast members, and not because I like either of them, but just because I think it is ridiculous that either of them are on the show. First of all there is Jake Pavelka, who just finished his run on ABC’s “The Bachelor.” Apparently ABC was so strapped for celebrities that they decided to hire the first fool that walked in the door.

Last, and certainly least in my opinion, is America’s worst mother, Kate Gosselin. Because you know, between “raising” eight kids poorly, and divorcing one of the biggest douches in America, she certainly has time to star in another show. Seriously, who thought it would be a good idea to let this woman on TV again?

Whether you love them or hate them, this season’s cast is sure to create some entertaining television.