Buzz, how could you?
At least that’s what I was thinking last night when, to my horror, I discovered that Buzz Aldrin was a contestant on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. I know, I know, I caught on a little late in the game, but you have to understand that I ignore these shows for my own sanity/the safety of everyone within remote-chucking distance. Trust me, I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll never be early for LOST again.
So picture, if you will, the complete look of WTF?! that swept across my face as I watched a legend stand along side the likes of the Gosselin mom under neon lights and a disco ball. I still shudder just thinking about it. This guy has movies dedicated to his career. He’s a character in Toy Story for crying out loud.
(More on Techland: Toy Story 3, the trailer: The Greatest Movie Trilogy of All Time?)
I understand that shows like DWTS are extremely popular (not that I get their appeal), and I’m sure that they do wonders for the careers of washed up boy band members and former reality TV stars, but I just have to gripe when famous astronauts join their ranks. I guess I just don’t understand what happened here. Did his agent misread the show’s description?
Stars? Oh, like space. Moon walking? Well, that’s perfect!
(More on Techland: The Astronaut Interview: Of iPods, Thunderstorms and Alarm Clocks in Space)
Fun fact: I met Mr. Aldrin about two years ago. I was ecstatic. I was only one degree from the moon. (The moon, you guys.) Now, I’ve got to add some dancing reality show to my Via Aldrin Web? … But I don’t want to. At the end of the episode, he was voted off the disco island and twirled his way through the closing credits to a standing ovation.
Dear Buzz: If you want to be on TV, that’s great. But what about The Discovery Channel next time? Just a thought.