biggringo / flickr

The countdown is on for ABC to begin the hype around one of its biggest shows on their roster.  Good Morning America will make the official announcement Tuesday morning on who will take part in Season 14 of Dancing With The Stars, and the closer we get to this moment the more the rumors about the cast intensifies.

Dozens of websites are prognosticating about who will submit themselves to the ballroom, thousands have submitted their opinions to ABC, and yet we seem surprise once they announce who is in for Dancing.  Not easy lining up “Stars” to go through the physical demand that this show does require.  Yes the show has been a good stepping stone for some to get back in the spotlight, but ABC has been maligned over the last few years for not attracting so-called A-List Hollywood talent.

Should the rumors hold true, the line-up could contain a very solid group with name recognition (if not Hollywood elite).  Most websites seem to agree about this group for this season:

Dolly Parton, Gavin DeGraw, Regis Philbin, Paula Deen, J. Woww (“Jersey Shore“) and one of the Kardashian clan.

Should the rumors hold here, then ABC has nabbed a solid start for Season 14.  When you break it down you’ll see that the Food Network’s biggest star needs to do this after her slight snafu over her diabetes – making Deen the potential health rehab story, then you have a retired talk show host who has been comfort food for TV watchers for about 40 years (and Regis is in solid health at age 80), along with the reality show and magazine cover girl with Jennifer Farley.

DeGraw is the biggest lock of this group as word seem to slip out about Gavin’s entry into Dancing through another singing artist.  Solid resume of hit songs, with a genuine likeability about him should make him fun to watch (if not an early contender).

The Kardashian in question have ranged from Khole, to mama Kris, and hubby Bruce Jenner.  The obvious pick would be Khloe because of her reality show spinoff with Lamar Odom, but you can bet after 2 past family members on the show, and this group always looking for the camera, somebody from the family will be in.

Other rumors are circulating, but what is the reality of some?

Giuliana Rancic – The E! News anchor who is a fixture on the Red Carpet with her interviews, plus has the Style Network’s highest rated show (Giuliana & Bill) may not in any shape after a double mastectomy only about 3 months ago.  PREDICTION: Not likely.

Tim Tebow – The “buzz” name from the National Football League was a huge news-maker for taking the Denver Broncos from nowhere into the playoffs, often with last minute heroics to set up victories.  He is the biggest star from the past NFL season, but has still much to prove that he is not a creation of the media.  PREDICTION: ABC is hoping Tebow will take a leap of faith, but look for him to act on the side of safety so he may be taken more seriously.  Remember that 1 season does not a career make.

Perez Hilton – The celebrity blogger and Countdown host (hear his show Sunday mornings on SoJO 104.9) has recently seen on The Voice to spur on a friend.  Shy of attention?  Not Perez!  PREDICTION: If the offer is there, Hilton will jump, but why has there not been a bigger buzz surrounding him here?

Some names that have been swirling have also included former presidential hopefuls Michelle Bachmann and Herman Cain, along with N.Y. Giants receiver Victor Cruz, Eagles quarterback Vince Young, and Queen Latifah.  Facts here are that Bachmann is running for re-election for her Congressional seat, Cain has turned ABC down, so has Cruz, and Young seemed to be in but then removed a tweet reflecting that he may be on board.

That leaves Latifah, who would be a major coo for the show.  A successful movie actress and Cover Girl model who has seen the A-List.  She may not be as hot as she once was, but she’s a significant Hollywood name.  Should she say yes, figure Dolly had something to do with it (they became close after working on Joyful Noise).

Where else could Dancing With the Stars go for talent this time?  There seems to be a formula going with the show that works.  Breaking down the formula we may find just who could be on board for Season 14:

1) Athletes with personality — we have seen the likes of Emmit Smith and Heinz Ward win the Mirror Ball Trophy in the past, watched Kurt Warner charm the audience, and last season Ron Artest debut his new name (Mecca World Peace).  The obvious choice should have been Terrell Owens, but he seems more focused playing Indoor Football in Texas.  Without Tebow there may not be a major name from football to jump in this time.  How about going down the skating angle?  Success has been had by Kristi Yamagucci and Evan Lysacek in the past!   Scott Hamilton anyone?  WILD THOUGHT: Former #1 women’s tennis star Martina Hingis (she can redeem herself after her last place finish the UK version of the show a couple of years ago).

2) Comic Relief — Last season it was Carson Kressley and David Arquette, and the past has brought people like Jeffrey Ross and Cloris Leachman.  The person to fill this mode the best has to be the woman who has passed on this numerous times – Jenny McCarthy.  She has passed because of the lack of A-List talent, but when was she on the A-List (B-List OK, but A?)  WILD THOUGHT: Pee Wee Herman (tell me you are not smiling over thios idea?)

3) Past teen idol status – Ricki Lake had this honor last season, Donny Osmond was a past winner, and Tatum O’Neal helped resurrect her career with her stint.  The 90210 well has served the show well in the past (Ian Ziering and Jenny Garth), and Tori Spelling seems ripe for the show this time.  WILD THOUGHT: Luke Perry would be the better play from the Beverly Hills show, and he will make the women very happy.

4) “Pop Star” – DeGraw has this spot for this season, but should you want another how about Robin Thicke?  Could use some positive news after his recent marijuana bust, he does have an awesome new song (“Love After War” – Top-10 R&B Hit currently), plus he has famous parents and wife (Paula Patton).  WILD THOUGHT: Paula Abdul is unemployed again, but would she be too much of a ringer?

5) Reality TV Stars – Between the Kardashians and Jersey Shore, ABC has this one covered (no Wild Thought necessary)

6) Headline Grabbing Names - Chaz Bono was this story last season.  Tebow would cover this, and the political word as you saw earlier have spurned them.  If former Congresswoman Gabrielle Griffiths was in better shape she would be a Slam Dunk for the show. WILD THOUGHT: Jamie Lee Curtis.  She may be the Activia lady, but she has a career in Hollywood that has A-List credentials, and her recent guest spot on NCIS made news and big ratings for the show.

7) Taking care of the network’s own (ABC, ESPN, Disney) – J.R. Martinez from All My Children was the story and winner last season.  Lost of good choices for the company could choose: Nick Jonas, Taye Diggs (Private Practice), Julie Bowen (Modern Family), and Nathan Fillion (Castle) could all work here.  WILD THOUGHT: Demi Lovato would fit here (Disney girl), and Pop Star, plus she grabbed headlines last year for her personal issues..

Lots of ideas to ponder, and more rumors to come before Tuesday.  Who do you think would be a good choice for Dancing With The stars this season?

Thinkstock

A new Nielsen poll finds smartphones are becoming less of a luxury and more of a so-called necessity — at least for younger people.

Nielsen gathered data to learn more about the age, income and demographics of the typical US smartphone user. Specifically, the firm wanted to know if lower prices are making the devices more popular among those who earn less money.

Turns out more than half of people between 18 and 24 who make less than $15,000 per year are smartphone owners, compared to 43 percent of those aged 25 to 34 and just 31 percent of folks between 35 and 44 years old.

While researchers don’t know if the people surveyed, especially those in the younger group, have outside financial help (parents, spouses, etc.), it’s clear that even the respondents on limited budgets are making room for smartphone ownership.

But what researchers found most interesting is that although the younger set deems the devices a necessity, older people consider them more of a luxury — which is valuable information for developers, publishers and advertisers.

[TechCrunch]

bwheatly/flickr

Why it that women always think guys are big babies when were sick?  Interesting question here…

Every time I’m hanging out with married couples, they sometimes bring up the fact that their husband has been a little bit under the weather.  They then also add how much their husband has complained about being under the weather.    Don’t lie, I know this.

So why do you think guys complain the most?  Are men really babies when they are sick?  Agree or disagree?

CarbonNYC/flickr

I’m not sure if we even want to call the winter of 2012 in South Jersey “winter”.  Sure, sometimes it got cold.  Without the snow, winter may not be winter in South Jersey.  That being said, are you satisfied with the lack of snow?

This is awesome.  I wonder what would happen if all of this went down in South Jersey?

Wait, is that Rob Acampora?

Courtesy: thefw

Kurt Angle(L) & Robert Gibbons (R)- photo courtesy Facebook

An unlikely partnership between two Shore area natives and a Pro Wrestling Champion are teaming up hoping to teach kids about the importance of standing up and preventing bullying.

Freehold native Robert Gibbons and Toms River resident Anthony DeGraaf started the program called United Strong Against Bullying (USA Bullying) along with WWE/TNA superstar and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle which aims to educate and motivate students to stand up against bullying and stand strong in the face of adversity.

The program is in its infancy now, being started as a joint venture between the two Garden State residents and pro wrestler, who formed an unlikely friendship after the pair worked with him on several other of Angle’s side ventures.  Gibbons’ says that they plan to use the appeal and personality of Angle in order to convey the message to participants of all ages.

He says USA Bully’s goal is to continue building onto the work done by other national and statewide organizations while working to improve wherever possible. Hopefully, setting the standard in some areas for others to follow.

He says what makes Angle’s speeches work is that while he is a larger than life sports entertainment personality; his struggles through life have been very relatable.

“A lot of times people, especially pro wrestlers like Kurt ,they’ve been bullied when they were little, and that’s what actually motivated them to be great and be champions and succeed in all of things that they do. “

The tri fold message of unity, responsibility, and perseverance is something Gibbons and his partners want to take to schools throughout the area, making sure to reach out not only to the bullied, but the bullies also. He notes that sometimes the worst bullies could be the school’s best athletes.

“You protect the people. You’ve been given physical gifts, either god given or through incredible hard work, and by having those gifts you are responsible for the people that aren’t maybe as blessed as you are. “

He says that it’s important to let the victims of bullying know, “it gets better” and that they should continue to persevere. Gibbons references the struggles Kurt Angle has faced, from bullying throughout his childhood, to the murder of his Olympic coach, to breaking his neck six months before trials. He says that while the bullied feel very much like victims, it’s important to let them know they can rise above it.

“We are living and walking proof that if you just stay focused on the positive and find the positive, there’s a positive in every situation. You want to promote that good things can happen from bad situations; it’s what you make of the situation.”

Gibbons says that Kurt Angle has signed on his own personal time to work with the program however they are currently in talks with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) to expand their roster of speakers to include other performers.

TwitVid / Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Remember Chris Brown‘s Twitter feud with pro wrestler CM Punk? It just got deeper. CM Punk just released a TwitVid slamming Brown.

“I’m not here to start controversy, or to gain publicity, or anything like that,” pro wrestler CM Punk said in the clip (could’ve fooled us). “And now that he’s thrown accusations my way of using steroids, I feel the need to reply.” And reply he did.

Some background: On Sunday night (Feb. 19), CM Punk tweeted, “I would like @chrisbrown fight somebody that can defend themselves. Me curb stomping that turd would be a #wrestlemania moment.”

When Brown saw the tweet he lashed out. Though the message has since been deleted, Brown wrote, “@CMpunk needs more followers. He’s such a leader! Not to mention the roids hes on has made it utterly impossible for him pleasure a women [sic].” This is the part that ticked CM Punk off.

“I’m a lifelong, proud, drug-free straight edge individual,” CM Punk said, “so Chris and I come from two completely different worlds.” What are you implying, CM Punk?

“I don’t hit women.” Oh boy. “You just don’t hit women, period,” CM Punk said. “In my world, women are to be revered and respected. I firmly believe that in this life there are consequences and repercussions for people’s actions,” he ranted on. “I don’t think Chris has paid for what he’s done.”

“Picking up trash on the side of a highway does not make amends for repeatedly striking a woman in the face and sending her to a hospital,” he said, growing visibly heated. “So Chris wants to throw stones my way now? I say, that’s fine. But put some gloves on and get in the ring.”

“I will make you feel as weak and as powerless and as scared and alone as any woman who has had the misfortune of knowing such a scared, cowardly little boy such as yourself.” Them’s fightin’ words! “All proceeds can go to a women’s shelter of my choosing, if you want to pick up more trash on the side of a highway to make some amends, that’s fine. Maybe you should donate some more time, telling kids that exactly what you did isn’t right.”

CM Punk recognizes that this may all be a pipe dream, however. “I’m also a realist,” he grumbled, “and I know none of these things will happen because Chris Brown isn’t a man. And that’s fine.” Daaaaaaaayum!

“But I know that someday, somehow, somewhere, somebody will put Chris Brown exactly where he belongs, and it honestly doesn’t have to be me,” CM Punk said, calming down. “I would just really like it to be.”

As righteous as CM Punk’s arguments are, his timing is awfully convenient for someone who claims to not want publicity. Here’s hoping Breezy takes the extremely high road here and doesn’t fight CM Punk. Either way he’ll get a nose bleed, but one will come with a lot better PR.

Watch CM Punk Threaten Chris Brown

Source: 1

Ron Beenan / flickr

Here are today’s most requested songs from your calls and texts throughout this day – this is today’s SoJO 7@7 Countdown:

#7  David Guetta / Nicki Minaj - Turn Me On (re-entry)

#6 Coldplay – Paradise

#5  Katy Perry – Part Of Me

#4  Selena Gomez – Love You Like A Love Song (re-entry)

#3  LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It

#2  Kelly Clarkson – Stronger {What Doesn’t Kill You} (weakens after 2 nights back at the top)

#1  Adele - Set Fire To The Rain (once again the top song of the day)

You can always cast your votes at any time of the day just by texting.  Text the word SOJO to 40301 to tap into the studio, then give us the song you want in for the SoJO 7@7 Countdown.  Guest DJs are always welcomed during the countdown by calling 1-800-586-1049.