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'Dancing With the Stars' Buzz Aldrin: 'I'm forced to go out and sing for my supper.'
Col. Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin recalls the lunar surface as a challenge, but the dance floor could prove an even bigger one.At age 80, the second man to walk on the moon is about to make history in another way -- as one of the eldest contestants yet on "Dancing With the Stars." The ABC competition launches its 10th season Monday, Mar. 22, with Aldrin strutting his stuff among much younger rivals including reality-show "mom" Kate Gosselin, ESPN reporter Erin Andrews and actresses Pamela Anderson and Shannen Doherty.
"Living on Air Force retirement and Social Security, I'm forced to go out and sing for my supper quite a bit," Aldrin admits in explaining his "Dancing" decision to Zap2it. "Most of the astronauts are in the business of marketing memorabilia and autographs. It's not like a football player being paid millions and millions, and it's a shame that somebody who has gone to the moon has to do that."
The rehearsal time demanded by "Dancing With the Stars" is forcing Aldrin to revise his schedule. "I may be postponing a reunion with my fighter squadron," he reports, "and maybe a diving expedition to mark the 40th anniversary of a sea-and-space sharing group."
Having reached the stars aboard Apollo 11 and Gemini 12, Aldrin now tries to keep himself and the U.S. space program visible by various means: "I have over 800,000 followers on Twitter, I'm coming out with a new iPhone application, and I've written two children's books and a science-fiction story that I hope to get made into a movie.
"Then there's my recent autobiography, 'Magnificent Desolation.' All of that is in pursuit of communicating with diverse groups of people who remember the past and want to see us rebuild on that for the future.'"
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It is a sad commentary about our priorities that someone like Buzz Aldrin needs to still work.
We have 'instant celebrities' (like Paris Hilton, Spencer/ Heidi, all those on Jersey Shore and The Hills, and most 'reality tv contestants) with no talent, no skill, and who contribute nothing of substance to our real lives who make millions of dollars. Every minute of their pathetic lives is detailed by trash entertainment news programs, websites, and magazines.
Then on the other hand we know so little about the lives and the contributions of people like Aldrin.
It truly is shameful
Marc, your comments are right on. What an extremely sad commentary on our society.
Kate Gosselin and some of these other so-called stars don't deserve to share a room with Buzz Aldrin.
Hey Buzz, I know you can dance, so "do it to win". You're awesome!
Deb Calvert
Newport Beach, California
Excellent comment Marc! Couldn't agree more.
Buzz, when you walked in with class, it's obvious from here to the moon that you are a gentleman. I hope you win. My son is a 'BIG' fan and he dreams of going to space one day (he can't dance!) You and Neil are his inspiration.
Sir Aldrin,
An outstanding figure standing tall, yet so humble and modest. You've seen everything, even through life. We, not you, didn't see what is wrong with us and the system. Wish to walk like you, let alone dancing like you at your golden age.
Peter