THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - Dancing with the Stars, Season 8

Cue "The Final Countdown" by Europe. (Hey, didn't Lisa Rinna and Louis Van Amstel perform the Paso Doble to that song in Season 2?)

Random British Guy's Voiceover: Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please welcome the Dancing with the Stars Cast of Season 8!!!!

• Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska
• Actor Gilles Marini and two-time DWTS champ Cheryl Burke
• Rapper Lil’ Kim and season seven champ Derek Hough
• Actress Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
• Pop star Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts
• Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and season six champ Mark Ballas
• Reality star Steve-O and Lacey Schwimmer
• Rodeo star Ty Murray and first-time Dancing pro Chelsie Hightower
• Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak and Karina Smirnoff
• Country singer Chuck Wicks and two-time champ Julianne Hough
• Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell and Tony Dovolani
• Actor David Alan Grier and Kym Johnson
• Singer Jewel and first-time Dancing pro Dmitry Chaplin

LACIA'S OBSERVATIONS AND EARLY PREDICTIONS:

Denise Drama Queen Richards and Hottie Maks C

Quick assessment: embarassment for Denise, hilarious for me, frustrating for Maks. Denise is all about the drama. Maks has zero tolerance for breakdowns. I'm expecting some jealousy from the newly engaged Karina towards Denise and her inevitable breakdowns. Especially after Denise has had a hard day at practice and invites Maks to go to Legoland with herself, Sam and Lola to unwind and finally have some fun. Maybe they'll run into Bachelor Jason Mesnick and his son Ty hanging out with their new buddies, Stephanie Hogan and her daughter Sophia.

Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas

Great pairing. Johnson is America's other darling gymnast from the Beijing Olympics. Should be awesome to watch, although I think Mark will have to work on facial expressions with Shawn. She is only used to one expression: grinning. Prediction: Final 2.

Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts

My husband loves Belinda Carlisle (his 8th grade crush). "Summer Rain" is always on our Ipod mix during summer vacations. Not sure how long these two will last, but I hope the remaining members of the Go-Gos get front row seats to show tapings ala Spice Girls from Mel B's season.

Jewel competing against her husband, Ty Murray

I see shy-Ty as stiff as a board. He might have one breakout number before being voted off. Jewel will stay on longer than Ty and rock the latin numbers.

Lil' Kim and Derek Hough

Oh boy. Either a recipe for success or a recipe for DISASTER. I can imagine the fights occuring during practice footage already and Lil' Kim insisting on wearing pasties for her first dance number on premiere night.

Julianne Hough competing with her boyfriend, Chuck Wicks

Almost too cute of a pairing, which could lead to annoying fights. I think ABC has already booked Dr. Drew for some therapy sessions.

Nancy O'Dell and Tony Dovolani

Too much like the Leeza Gibbons season.

The Rest

Kinda meh so far. But, I could be surprised this season. I’ll watch.