Chaz Bono Flap Won't Last Long for 'Dancing With the Stars'

Predicting the cast for an upcoming season of "Dancing With The Stars" has become almost a sport unto itself, and the buzz created keeps ABC's hit reality show in the headlines all year long. When the Season 13 cast list was finally announced, speculation turned to controversy with the inclusion of Chaz Bono, and fan reaction ranged from delight to outrage. The show should ride this wave of publicity for all it's worth, because Bono seems unlikely to last long once the competition actually starts. Here are some of the reasons to expect a quick exit.

Who is he?
Simply put, Sonny Bono and Cher are fading quickly into the American rearview mirror, and Chaz would be completely unknown without his famous parents. Sure, his personal journey as an adult has garnered a lot of interest and media coverage, but he only has any kind of platform at all because of who he is. Bono has really done nothing to gain a following in his own right, so his ability to stay on the show, and in the limelight, will depend almost entirely on his dancing ability. After the novelty has worn off, that's all he has to lean on, and it may not be enough.

Two Left Feet
If a recent TMZ report is to be believed, Chaz doesn't have much natural dancing ability and may be struggling with the nuances of the ballroom. We've seen wooden and clumsy celebs muddle their way through a few weeks before, but they generally had something else going for them. The stiff stiffs, like Kenny Mayne, were gone post-haste.

No Cher
Cher has vowed not to lend her presence to "Dancing With The Stars" this season, which further undercuts Chaz's appeal to a wide audience. Lots of folks would surely tune in just to get a glimpse of his famous mother, but she has nipped that possibility before it could sprout.

Better Stories
Honestly, Nancy Grace, Rikki Lake and Hope Solo all arguably bring more compelling back-stories to the dance floor than does Bono, and they each have personal accomplishments to back up their fame. Amid such interesting competition, Chaz seems likely to get lost in the shuffle, which won't be good for his longevity on the show.

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As usual, ABC has milked a lot of attention from its "Dancing With The Stars" casting announcement, and a good deal of the hype this time around surrounds Chaz Bono. If you're thrilled with this development, or if you're somewhat less than thrilled, get your fill as quickly as you can. Bono isn't likely to be around long during Season 13.