Dancing with the Stars: Cast Breakdown

Derek Hough: Marilu Henner, the older lesser sitcom star

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – AUGUST 30: Marilu Henner visits ‘Extra’ at Universal Studios Hollywood on August 30, 2016 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

Dancing with the Stars has had plenty of older ladies over the years. They’ve had ones that got famous for starring in TV sitcoms before. They’ve had old ladies who have had remarkable movie roles, although Marilu Henner is still most known for TV, and for the late 70s/early 80s sitcom Taxi. They have them, and they hope they turn out to be cool and get viewers to like them. I don’t think they’ve ever had two of them in one season before, though. And they’ve certainly never had one paired with Derek Hough. Indeed, Derek usually gets someone the producers think can win. They know his ability after all, and they know it’s good when he can provide something memorable to watch.

Derek does not need a ringer to create a good dancer. He’s started out on occasion with ladies who weren’t very good, and made them much better. One switch-up week saw him get a dance that was good technically as a well as personality-wise out of a Real Housewife who had previously only been good in the latter way. But this kind of partner will be his biggest challenge yet. At least she won’t need a fanbase coming in. He’ll provide that-until the last weeks, that is, when he gets vulnerable to being eliminated even with great partners. Something for them to worry about if they make it that far. If she turns out to be cool, that should help. Most old ladies never get that good enough. Will Marilu, with Derek?

Next: Artem at least has some experience with old ladies