Wozniak waltzes onto 'Dancing With The Stars'

Steve Wozniak is apparently polishing his dancing shoes.

The Apple co-founder is among the 13 new competitors in the eighth season of Dancing With The Stars, ABC TV announced on the popular show's site Sunday evening.

Wozniak's bio on the site notes his work with Apple and his philanthropy in education,

Is Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak ready to get footloose?

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET News)

but seems to ignore that this is not The Woz's first brush with celebrity; Wozniak briefly dated comedian Kathy Griffin of the show My Life on the D-List a couple of years ago.

The reality-based program pairs celebrities with professional ballroom dancers, and viewers cast their votes for their favorites.

The new season will begin on March 9.

Wozniak competitors include The Go-Gos' Belinda Carlisle, rapper Lil' Kim, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, actress Denise Richards, and NFL Hall-of-Famer Lawrence Taylor.

[ddhboy]

I guess having money qualifies one as being a "star"

[cyberprunes]

Don't disrespect the Woz. He is a star! Having said that I'm saddened that he would stoop so low as to be on this stupid show.

[digiguy23]

Money has nothing to do with him. Him and Steve Jobs founded Apple

[rhetrx]

Well, at least he earned his money by creating a genuinely useful product -- that's a more significant contribution to the world than what's done by many other celebrities known only for their bank accounts and willingness to appear in tabloids....

[AppleSuxLeo]

I don`t use Apple products or believe in their Walled-Garden lock-in , but the Woz is cool.

[inpersonoz]

Maybe he'll launch a new category - Segway dancing. FWIW his work in substantially reducing the component count in disk drive controllers - which allowed it to be put in a small enclosure for a PC - was inspired. Apple later integrated this into the 'SWIM' chip (Super Wozniak Integrated Machine), which was in macs up to the first iMacs. In some circles, that work makes him a star, even though it was many years ago.

[danak6jq]

One look at Wozniak "playing a sport" with his battery-powered toy was enough to erase any respect I had for those simple disk controllers (that were actually quite sensitive to component tolerance if you ever fixed any Apple gear). A little less playing with the Segway and a little more working on his own cardio-vascular system would eliminate the requirement for the technical innovation of steel-toed dance shoes for his partner.

[DarkHawke]

I love the Woz too, but Cheesus H Rice! It's because of "stuff" like this that I rarely watch ABC. If this appalls you, not only don't watch, but discourage your friends from watching as well. There's only one "reality" show worth watching: Mythbusters. Word.

[mikem1981]

Ya know, dancing is fun. Many celebrities, if not most, who go on that show have shown genuine enjoyment. Ballroom dancing may seem silly and dorky, but maybe you should try it before judging.

Yes, it is a bit of a publicity stunt. You have to admit that it's a pretty ballsy publicity stunt. At least he's gonna get some needed exercise!

[dascha1]

Qualifies as a 'selfless act', yes?

[Norseman]

Woz? Dancing? Wow! This is really scary! Hope the show is pre-recorded so that any unexpected coronary events can be edited out.

[joevai52]

What do you mean unexpected?

[hassan_bin_sober]

I can hardly wait to see him break dance!

[sting7k]

So they will take pretty much anyone on this show now, they are out of "stars". Outside of the people who read this website I bet you couldn't find anyone who knows who the Waz is or what he did.

[digiguy23]

What did Thomas Edison Do again?

[The_happy_switcher]

I think a better headline would have been Wozniak 'rolls' onto 'Dancing With The Stars'.
Dude, try a salad once in awhile.

[trouble001]

yawn...

[Willie Winkie]

Rather reminds me of those pathetic Johnny Cash radio commercials for Folgers coffee.

[sportav]

Hey, don't dis Johnny Cash - He's was the genuine article.

[seanh1231]

Okay, this show has now gone a few steps beyond ridiculous. Who, other than the computer nerds and Mac enthusiasts among us, has any idea who Wozniak even is? No one will vote for him. I just don't see the point.

[random truth]

People will vote for him just because He is a fat old guy.