Dancing with the Stars: Cast Breakdown

Emma Slater: Rick Perry, the even more ill-advised political recruit

CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 18: Former Texas Governor Rick Perry delivers a speech on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicks off on July 18. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Rick Perry won’t be the first older man Emma Slater’s been paired with. But Rick Perry is not Bill Engvall or Billy Dee Williams. They had people who liked them. Nowadays, half the country is repulsed by Rick Perry’s right-wing politics, and the other half aren’t very impressed with him either. In 2012 he dropped out of the presidential race after embarrassing himself in the debates, and that continues to define him. When he was an early elimination from the 2016 race, we all thought we might be rid of him for good. But it seems he wants some more attention. One wonders whose bright idea it was to invite him.

We must hope we don’t have to put up with him for very long. Fortunately, at his age, he’s unlikely to be that good a dancer, and nor does he have the kind of personality to endear himself to the audience. He isn’t coming in with anyone who votes for him anymore either. Emma has her fans, but she’s not the pro with the biggest fanbase. Hopefully they won’t force her to drag this guy around the floor for longer than she should have to. Maybe we’ll even be lucky enough to say goodbye to him in the first week?

Next: Allison Holker gets another singer